Bad Hair Day (Day 2, Evening)

“We didn’t get along so good on account of I didn’t think what she did was fair, or what she said was fair, and I been a spacer for much longer than her, but don’t worry, Lyen explained me about guilt so I’ll apologize when she wakes up like I apologized to Leo." Serena said in one breath. "And don’t worry, after I left the med bay to visit Mistah Doctah Adluh I found the bottles of bourbon and I put them back where they belong so they ain’t stoled no --”

“WHOA what?” Vas blinked there was a lot of unpacking but her finding the missing bottles overshadowed the mounting of question piling up. “Where did you find the missing bottled.” It like a bloodhound finding a scent! “Why did you not LEAD with this?!”

Serena looked confused, both eyebrows raised to her hairline. “On account of I figured you knew where they were,” she said with uncertainty. “On account of I found ‘em in your room.”

There was a long silence and Vas blinked owlishly. “My room?” He repeated confused.

“Yes. I went in after I went to see Mistah Doctah Adluh on account of I ain’t seen Daisy, she weren’t beggin’ at the crew table in the loft when I ate lunch and sometimes she gets locked in places by mistake, but she weren’t in there and I seen the bottles and I didn’t want no one to think it were you that took them, so *I*took ‘em and I put ‘em back where they belonged on account of then they weren’t missin’ no more.

“Put what back where what was missing?” The Captain asked, crunching on an apple as he went to pass by in the hallway.

Vas ticked his head for Serena to go with her duties, and with a wary glance she complied. Orders were orders, and there was plenty of time to talk about the litany of other things she had brought up. “Captain. I was about to report to the Lieutenant about the missing bottles from the cargo hold.”

“Great, what about ‘em?” Keller asked, as Serena retreated to make tea for the old bat Mrs. Meadow.

“Serena found them Sir.”

“Great! Then we can surmise whoever had them did it. Where’d she find them?” He pressed.

“She found them in my quarters.”

“I knew it!” The Captain beamed. “Hot damn, I called this. RILEY!” He hollered, loud enough that a few passengers poked their heads out of their cabins. “RILEY!”

In the cockpit, the lieutenant rolled her eyes, knowing the loon wouldn’t be quiet less she at least made an appearance. “I hear you, I hear you. You get your pants stuck in the--” She stopped short when she saw both the smug look on his face, the confused look on Jat’s, and the fact that his pants weren’t caught in anything.

“Rooster boy here just confessed.” He said smugly.

“Um … Captain. I didn’t confess to anything.” Vas said in a small voice.

“I’ve told you, Sir. Having a bad haircut is not a crime, it’s a lifestyle choice. Leave him be, there’s plenty needs done on the ship.”

“You think I have a bad hair cut-”

“Tell the lieutenant where the missing bottles were found.” The captain nudged. “Go on, don’t lie boy, I heard you the first time.”

“Is it too short? I mean ... just if it’s too tall it gets in the way - Or to spiky? I mean I like it spiky but if it looks dumb … why am I only hearing ‘bout this NOW?!” Vas complained.

“His room.” Keller finished for him. “Pigtails said she found him in his room. Doesn’t matter if you won’t say it to the lieutenant, you said it to me, that’s good enough.”

“Sir, with all due respect…” Riley started.

“No,” the captain interjected. “I knew it and you just don’t want to admit I’m right. I found our thief slash bottle breaker. “

“They were found in my room. Don’t mean I took ‘em.” Vas pointed out. “Now about the hair-”