Keep Your Friends Close and Your Family Closer
Posted on Sat May 28th, 2022 @ 6:43am by Alden Loxley & Drake Loxley & Cooper O'Reilly & Tristan & Daiyu & Chloe Waltz PhD & Jonas Bailey & Kindra Graham & Jacy Wright & Whit
Mission:
Home Sweet Wonderful Home
Location: Three Hills - Cloudwater Port - Drake Loxley Estate
Timeline: November 15th - landing area
Three Hills. The twelfth planet in the Georgia system with its 3 moons New Lafayette, Conrad, and Bob. It had started as a mere flea market, a place for folks from all over the Verse to trade and it had grown significantly since those early days so that now, in 2517, with a population of roughly 175 million souls, the entire planet was an assortment of shopping districts with names ranging from colours (from Red through Violet and on to the inevitably charismatic Black) to other, smaller, more unique monikers. Lawful, unlawful and all those grey areas in between were fully represented across Three Hill's surface, and Drake Loxley's business empire sat adjacent to third biggest spaceport - Cloudwater - which gave some insight to the connections the young man had accumulated in his twenty-seven years.
Well-connected didn't necessarily mean crazy wealthy, but a newcomer to such a place could be forgiven for assuming such. Cloudwater Port's land was high enough above sea-level and temperate enough in climate to have earned the 'cloud' part of that name, while being an integral part of a large, wide open plateau perfect for receiving and exiting via spacecraft. At the far southern edge of this sprawling ground port, several of the bays were rented by Drake, two were currently unoccupied and a third currently held the Fortune's Echo, ramp open to the world. Behind them, a busy space of warehouses, vehicles, storage units... and beyond those, visible from the air as they'd landed, prettier land with actual trees and landscape.
"Jing Tian Dwohn Di," said Cooper on an outward whistle as he took a look around. "You're rich?"
"Nope," Alden noted as he stomped down the metal cargo ramp. "My little brother's place. He rents it," he added, with a little more nuanced lacklustre than might have been needed. "Chloe can you get us refuelled, please? I just gotta talk to the guy about our permit, I'll be right back." It didn't make a lot of sense to refuel, since they were looking to get the ship worked on while they were here, but Alden didn't stop to explain, debate or clarify, and disappeared off towards a Port Control office.
"I-uh, ok," Chloe responded. She wasn't much one to question orders, so she just shrugged it off. Apparently she would be refueling the ship.
"Rich," chuckled Cooper, standing at the ramp's top and regarding the port's surrounding city laid out before them.
"Nah, just lucky I guess," said a voice below them, a voice that turned out to belong to a floppy blond curly haired man in his late twenties, dressed in a smart casual shirt, dark trousers and with clean, but worn boots. "Know the right people." A brief pause, followed by... "Drake Loxley," the young man said, then he jumped straight into some questions. "Anyone care to share before my brother gets back? I heard something about an Alliance issue on Li Shens?"
Cooper shrugged his shoulders, an epitome of noncommittal gestures, and avoided looking to Whit.
"Well, that might depend on if'n there be an Alliance issue on Cloudwater," Whit countered, giving the place an obvious gander before looking at Drake. “Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.” He smiled broadly with a cunning look. "Reckon you oughtta save your questions about Alden's business for Alden."
Playing a player, realised Drake and he smiled, nodded and opened his mouth to reply.
At that moment, Daiyu came meandering down the ramp with an idle song dripping from her lips.
"This ones for the mighty sea
Mischief, gold and piracy
This ones for the man that raised me
Taught me sacrifice and bravery
This ones for our favorite game
Black and gold, we wave the flag
This ones for my family name
With pride I wear it to the grave"
But when she looked at Drake, she clammed up and froze on the spot. An unreadable stonewall expression over took her for an awkward moment. Her dark eyes locked onto Drake until her song came back in a falsetto chorus.
"In a rose tattoo
In a rose tattoo
I've got your name written here
In a rose tattoo..."
Her voice drifted off as she wandered away from the group.
Drake had followed the strange young woman's motion and song choices with a silent intrigue coupled with a mild frown. Not the oddest person he'd seen in his lifetime, but definitely one to watch. He couldn't help wonder just where his brother had picked her up, but the younger Loxley didn't pass comment or open judgement, keeping his assessment of Daiyu to himself. His attention turned then to the big unit who walked down Echo's ramp onto Three Hills' ground.
"Mischief, gold, and piracy...sounds like a helluva life once upon a time." Jonas looked over at the floppy haired man the preachers were talking to. "Shepherd's right, though. Them 'ed be good questions for our good Cap'n. 'Sides, I don't remember seein' any lions anywhere."
"Ah," Drake noted with a wry smile. "The hired muscle. Reckon you know a thing or two about mischief, huh?" He ignored the dig with reference to his initial question and made a mental note that this little band of muppets were clearly loyal to his elder sibling. Holding his hands up in mock surrender, Drake nodded. "Sure, I'll ask Alden, then, no problem. Where's Alison?"
Kindra had a client appointment to prepare for, but she had a little time yet and there was no way in heaven or hell that she would miss the opportunity to meet a member of Alden's family. Even if it was Drake Loxley, Alden's least favorite person to share familial dna. Wearing a flowing pale-orange dressing gown, she perched on the catwalk steps until Alden left, but made her way down to the cargo hold in the awkward silence that followed Drake's failed attempt go behind Alden's back to pry into the crew's recent history.
She approached the other Mr. Loxley with her hand extended, giving him her serene Companion's smile. "So you're Alden's little brother Drake. A pleasure to meet you, my name is Kindra Graham. Why don't you tell us all a little about your grand operation here?"
Not his first Companion encounter, and Drake was gracious and gentlemanly in response to this one's appearance. His bow was deep and sincere, a warm hand extended in firm, polite greeting to shake Kindra's own and release in the appropriately short, bur respectful amount of time.
"Ni How, Piow Liang De Shao Ji," Drake complimented. "Pleasure is very much mine." A wolfish glimpse of a grin flashed across his face, but he didn't ask the obvious question - he'd save that one for Alden. "I'll trade you like for like?" He suggested, brightly. "But consider me the successful, wealthy member of the family. Is this a vacation for you on our fair planet, or are you here for business?" Drake ventured.
"Pleasure," Whit offered amicably, though a dark glint lingered behind his eyes. "Possibly some ministry if I find the opportunity."
"We're an odd conglomeration," said Kindra smoothly, using Whit's statement as a segue to sidestep Drake's vacation or business question – and where it might lead. "Heaven and damnation, and a fair bit of in-between."
Drake smiled. 'Odd conglomeration' was right indeed, he considered as he looked them all over once more. He took no offence by the Companion's avoidance of his real question, being not particularly keen to go into details about his own set-up here. Nevertheless, he couldn't resist showing off a few of the basics and the chance to hear the sound of his own voice. "Heaven and damnation I can identify with," he admitted, "as can my brother. But, this is my home, my business and a very profitable one at that. The landing bays are indeed rented, but the buildings and most of the land officially belongs to me. I'm in the business of 'import-export' as is most of Three Hills, as I figure you folks already know. But for now, we're sorting your rickety old bucket out, right?"
Warily, Jacy joined the others, not fully approaching but close enough that she didn’t, hopefully, stick out like a sore thumb. She hadn’t spent much time with any of the crew, and while she did miss companionship, getting close to any of them would only increase her guilt over what she was going to have to do. Also, there was the possibility that leaving the ship would only get her caught, unless she could trust the deal she’d made with Arlo. Her ears caught Kindra’s words, a touch of amusement at them bringing a small smile to her face.
Cooper shifted position to stand protectively besides and every so slightly in front of Jacy, acting like an older brother or a bodyguard, or perhaps just someone who had been healed and aidded by the doc and wanted to ensure she felt safe here.
As a woman whose freedom had depended on being alert, on being observant, Jacy noticed the shift in Cooper, but thought little of it.
Jonas grinned at all the back-and-forth and who's who that was going on. He'd seen his fair share among the underworld and lower lifes. Hell, he'd even used it a time or two to figure out a mark. "Well," said Jonas, "with all the hoo-hah outta the way, ain't you supposed to have some parts or somethin' to fix this ship? Don't see any crates around here. Let alone tools. You gonna use your looks to charm 'em in place?"
"I like you," Drake noted, amused expression and pointing digit aimed squarely at the big guy. "My brother leave you in charge?" He asked, nodding even before Jonas could answer. "Figures." A flash of a smile. "I ain't fixing this by myself," Drake clarified, "I have some folks en route who will help your engineer though," he confirmed brightly. "Chloe I think my brother said - which one of you is that?" He asked, as, behind him a Mule and trailer hove into sight.
"I'm Chloe," the woman responded. As opposed to some of the others, her hesitation didn't come from guilt; but rather from fear. Meeting new people was never particularly easy, and Chloe wasn't exactly sure what Drake's standing in this business was. So she just gave a quiet, precise answer, not trying to draw attention.
"Pleasure to meet you, Chloe," Drake spoke with gentlemanly grace as he gave the young woman a quick look-over without overt judgement of any kind. Accent spoke of core, and her manner spoke of nerves. Shy, well-born then, but presumably fallen from someone's grace to be riding a Firefly out on the Border? All guesswork at this point.
Tristan slowly emerged from his room, looking towards the gathering of people before coming closer. He'd spent way too long avoiding everyone. After what he'd done on Ghost, he was still quite embarrassed. But if he was going to gain Alden's trust back, he would need to be a bit more active with the crew.
At this point, he was enjoying the fresh air that was coming in. After such a long time in space, the entire ship was starting to smell. Water reserves were so low that they had to ration bathing, and that was something Tristan was still struggling to get used to.
As Tristan approached the group, he saw the newcomer. A bit young, but the family resemblance was obvious. He was clearly related to Alden. He stayed quiet as he approached and just stood back from the group a little, listening in.
Drake paid no real mind to the boy joining them from within the ship, his attention was on the arriving Mule, and Jonas and Chloe for the moment. He introduced the two men with a lazy casualness that spoke of familiarity. "This here's Audley and Arlo," the younger Loxley explained. "They'll help you with any engineering requirements, and then refuel your shiny lil Firefly once we're ready to let you go." The two men had already started quietly off-loading the ship parts from the Mule and paid little immediate mind to the small crowd gathered, their attention on the work ahead.
"When you're ready, huh?" Whit uncrossed his arms. "Not much for repair work myself. Reckon I'll see where Daiyu wandered off to." Whatever else he might do in the interim was left unsuggested by his nonchalant gait.
"Daiyu?" The younger Loxley gave a wry smile to the Shepherd, but didn't argue with Whit's choice of words. When he was ready? Damn straight. But he needed Alden's dilapidated old junker to be safe to leave first. Whoever Daiyu was, Drake didn't know, but he nodded vaguely at the preacher's decision to walk rather than work and couldn't say he disagreed with him.
Audley, the taller of the two announced repair duo, grunted with effort as he lifted a piece of machinery off the trailer and stumbled for a second before braving his way towards Chloe and the ship itself. "Where you want it?" He asked her, then followed her instruction.
"Oh," Chloe glanced at man, and at the machinery. Could that be... "Over here," she motioned, stepping over towards the engine area. This, at least, she was familiar with. Fixing engines and directing people on where to bring parts was something that the woman had plenty of experience with, and this stranger might not be too different from some of the folk she had worked with before. Things would work out. The ship was getting fixed up.
She heard the name almost at the same time that she noticed him. Arlo. Her breath caught in her throat, and her body stiffened as something akin to trepidation swept over her. Jacy tried not to let her gaze, her attention, linger on the man. She wanted to run, every cell in her body telling her this wasn’t good, wasn’t safe, and instead had to force herself to stay right there where she was. Calling attention to herself would be bad.
While Cooper noticed the difference in Jacy's stance, he didn't rightly understand what was causing it. Mebbe just being here, out in the relative open, was making her nervous, but it didn't truly matter. If she needed protection from anything at all, Coop was willing to give it. He did follow Whit's exodus with a look of mild concern though, as if unsure whether he should follow or stay put.
Arlo, for all the attention he was getting inside Jacy's head, paid no never mind whatsoever to the pretty blond doctor and simply shifted replacement bits of Firefly from A to B, following Audley's lead. His green eyes strayed briefly over the gathered crowd of folks who'd disembarked the old ship, but they landed on no one in particular.
"Okay," Drake aimed to bring everyone's attention back to him. "So, you have the parts and the help. I'll pay for the refuel, and you can wander the grounds as you wish. Town's that-a-way if you're craving company, sustenance or a leg-stretch. And," he sighed semi-dramatically, "my looks and charm will be seeking some food soon as big bro gets back. What's taking him so damn long anyways?" He looked to Kindra and Jonas. The Companion and the Muscle looked like the best source of any information on this account.
With introductions done and repairs about to get underway, Kindra should head back in her shuttle to prepare for her client appointment. But she hesitated, watching Alden's brother Drake try so hard to impress the 'Echo's crew. Like Alden, Drake was a handsome man, and she found herself wondering what their sister was like, and contemplating the complex psychological impact of sibling rivalry, until Drake met her gaze and asked what was keeping Alden.
She shrugged. "I can't imagine that Alden would keep his favorite brother waiting unnecessarily. We are all much obliged to you, Drake." Kindra usually avoided bringing attention to her status as a Companion, but couldn't resist the temptation to needle Drake a little on Alden's behalf. "Alden does tend to take his time. I always find the end result very satisfying." With a wink to Jonas, Kindra headed back up the stairs to her shuttle.
Jonas chuckled at Kindra's comment and returned her wink before she left. He couldn't imagine the conversation that Alden might have with Drake after that. "I'm sure he'll be along shortly. Thanks for the local info...might come in handy." Jonas made himself a seat on a nearby crate, intending not to leave the ship until either Alden returned or he radioed in.
Oh. My. Gods. Drake beamed a grin at the cheeky comment from the Companion and internally noted a few important things. His brother's crew was tight-knit, it seemed, with some interesting characters for sure. His brother was engaged in relations with this fine female, presumably paid considering her profession, and they were all more than happy to mock him, if gently. That spoke of a loyalty that Drake was happy to see existed. Alden needed good people around him, now more than ever, because there were wider issues in the Verse playing out that these folks likely failed to fully comprehend. Rose tattoos and all.
"Oh-kay," the younger Loxley returned, looking from Kindra to Jonas and then taking a step back to regard the gathering as a whole. "Someone want to make me a mug of tea while we wait at least?"
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