Displaced (Pre-Flight)

“Don’t worry,” Serena offered, stifling a yawn. “I made sure this was all cleaned out, and you’re close to Mr. Cortez. If you bring him tea just right he gives you cookies.” Crew Chief had said no one but no one goes in the cargo bay, not even Yazmina, meaning her ‘home’ was now off-limits. “And if you want? There is even…” She stifled another yawn. “Turn down at night. Did you want any tea or anything to make you more comfortable?”

“No, no, no … I’m exhausted! I don’t think I’ll even fully unpack!” Yasmina smiled, hiding her own yawn behind a manicured hand. “I have no idea how you’re still standing. Must be that sterner spacers stuff I hear you talk about every so often.” Yazmina was still … acclimating to life on the Lunar Veil so she had yet to gain that ‘Stern Spacer Stuff’ herself.

“We are made of pretty stern stuff.” Serena said proudly, pointing to herself. “If you change your mind, I will be glad to make you something. Mr. Lombard and Ms. Meadow and Mr. Cortez all take tea and Mr. Cortez says I make it just perfect. You want me to put your pretty dresses away so they don’t wrinkle? I’m supposed to make sure --” she thought back to the Crew Chief’s exact words. “That you are as comfortable as possible and I took that to mean he didn’t want you to be mad you can’t be on your shuttle home right now.”

“I appreciate the consideration and your hard work to make me comfortable.” Yaz said brightly. “So do you even know what happened? Why the ship was … stormed by Alliance? Just seems … well … not to be a gossip it’s just a bit of a head-scratcher.” Yaz admitted as she unpacked. As far as Yazmina knew the ship, for the most part, operated on the level. She wasn’t so naive to think they didn’t step occasionally into the grey area or rarely illegal stuff. Even she knew that was life out in the black.

“My head scratched once,” Serena said, stepping back from Yazmina, “on the Skyhook n account of someone had lice. Do you think it’s that? I can go an’ see if there’s any mayonnaise in the kitchen. As to what the Alliance wanted, I think you’re supposed to pay ‘em. You give ‘em credits and then they leave you be. They were super nice though. I got oodles of lemon drops and sweet rice cakes only I’m not gonna eat ‘em on account of that’s how you get conscripted. Did they ask you questions too?”

“Nothing I consider unusual.” She said pausing to think. “Questions about the crew, where we have been. Why was I traveling on this ship.” She said resuming her work. “That kind of stuff. So it was hard to tell what they were looking for just based on my questioning alone.”

“They asked me a lotta questions. Questions about Crew Chief an’ Marisol an’ Mistah Doctah Adluh and the Lieutenant, but it’s okay on account of I know how to use discretion.” As she talked, she turned down the bed and fluffed one of the pillows. “All I know is now the Lieutenant is in a really bad mood, and the Crew Chief, I’m gonna do what he wants and not talk all that much on account of usually when the Lieutenant’s cranky, Crew Chief gets outta sorts, an I don’t wanna make nothing worse on him.”

“It’s easy to see why he likes you best.” Yaz said as she hung her dresses. These ones at least were kind of more her ‘house clothes’, the ones she wore for her clients stayed neatly in their space on her shuttle. Given she didn’t know how long this rule was going to be enforced she figured her home away from home should be more casual and comfortable till she had free access to her shuttle again.

“He thinks I’m peachy keen,” Serena said, mimicking Jody Winchester. “And I don’t give him no guff. Speaking of guff, you -- ain’t seen Gil or Haddie, have you?” Daisy - she’d found Daisy, the drog took refuge under the cot in what was once the Crew Chief’s room, but she hadn’t seen hide nor hare of Gil or his sister.

“No … they haven’t shown up yet?” Yazmina paused. “Those two are fairly resourceful I’m sure they’ll show up in time.” She said confidently. “I’m sure they say purple and ducked out, they strike me as a jumpy pair.”

“Uh huh.” Serena said, nodding her head in agreement. “They don’t much like soldiers. I’m sure they’re okay. Sorry again about your shuttle. I don’t know what’s all so fired important that we can’t go in the cargo bay no more, but askin’ right now I might as well ask to be hollered at on account of I’m sure that would be the outcome.” The teen put a few of Yazmina’s belongings in the drawers to help.

“Well I suppose maybe give it some time, let the dust settle and hopefully eventually we'll get to know what exactly went on.” Yazmina suggested. “I suppose for now we can only carry on and be patient.”

“That’s not so much my strong suit,” Serena sighed, “the being patient part. Carrying on I think I do pretty good at. If you need anythin’ from your shuttle, let me know so I can ask the Crew Chief, I know he’d be glad to help you, and not just on account of you’re put together nicer than anyone I ever seen.”

Yazmina laughed. “You know we’re going to be on Greenleaf soon enough you should try on something nice, maybe a sundress? I think you would look dazzling in a sarong, yellow maybe? I’m sure with how hard you working some downtime must be in order?” It was the opinion of the Companion that there was nothing in the ‘Verse like a bit of pampering and reminding everyone that one was a female!

“I wish!” Serena replied, her shoulder slumping. “Only we were grounded til Pelorum because it builds character and camer… comer… camisoleship. But….” She looked hopefully at the companion. “Could I maybe borrow it for Pelorum? I heard they have beaches and oceans and you can dig your toes into wet sand, and I think I’d really like to do that while wearing a sundress.”

“Absolutely, I Pelorum is an amazing place! You’ll need a bathing suit too. The ocean water is crystal clear and there are plenty of freshwater pools as well. You might even tan will all that sun.” She smiled thinking of the fun Serena would have. A girl her age should at least gain some benefit from the spacer’s life and enjoy the fun it could provide as well.

“I can’t swim,” Serena told her. “But it sounds amazing. Will you have time on Peloram, or do you have clients?”

“A place like Pelorum my services are in high demand. I find Pelorum a rather unique place, however. I *may* have a surprise up my sleeve yet.” She said offhandedly. “So we may yet get to spend some time together.” Yazmina wasn’t entirely surprised at the admission. “Well I’m sure someone can help teach you the basics, Peloram would be the perfect place to start learning.”

“I think so too. If Crew Chief can swim, I know he’ll teach me on account of he’s good with stuff like that, and he likes me peachy keen but not *like that.* I think we’d have fun.” Training in the water had to be less tiring! And you probably didn’t sweat as much. “ Serena replied.

“Who doesn’t love peaches … Do you like Crew Cheif *like that*?” Yazmina asked directly.

“Him and me are crew,” Serena told her. “And that’s better than *like that*.”

“Are you avoiding the question?” Yasmina teased much as an older sister would. “Oh come now … you must have noticed by now?”

“Noticed what?” Serena asked, wondering if she had in fact noticed... Whatever it was that Yaz was talking about.

“You know that thing he does with his shoulders? Normally his shoulder is a bit more squared but when he talks to you they relax a bit and there is more of a slope. He also smiles when you talk to him, and when genuinely laughs he closes his eyes. He also doesn't scan the room as much, he tends to focus more on you when you when you two talk.” Yazmina said, thinking back to her observations. This was mostly in passing and casual of course.

Serena thought for a moment. “He does smile and laugh, but I don’t so much know what he does when I’m not there on account of… I’m not there. He watches out for me, and don’t tell him, but I watch out for him too. He doesn’t need me to, and that’s what he’d say if he knew, but I do on account of… I dunno.” She shrugged. Yazmina was making it weird, and it wasn’t weird, it was just how it was. “What about you?” She asked, trying to turn the subject. “I’ve seen Drake look at you, and Drake is super nice to look at.”

“I find a lot of people look at me.” Yazmina pointed out. “He does have a lovely jawline though.” She mused. “He looks every inch the fighter pilot, have you seen his tattoo?”

“Nuh uh! He has a tattoo?” Serena asked. “Where? Of what?”

“He does right here … “ Yazsaid tapped her right bicep. “... military tattoo, I chanced a glimpse in passing. You might get a good look if you catch him after he eat when his shift ends. He likes to shower before bed … shirts sometimes have a way of walking off …” Yazmina said innocently.

Serena was going to answer, but the words Drake and shower in the same sentence? Yeah. That’s how horse stance happens. “You’re as smart as you are pretty.” Serena complimented. “I’m glad you found our ship.”

“Me too. The crew is colorful and this class of Firefly can make such long leaps. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” Yazmina said fondly putting the last of her things in its proper place.

“We are full of color,” Serena agreed with a nod of her head.

“A rainbows worth.” Yaz agreed.

“A rainbow’s worth.” Serena concluded. “Promise me you’ll let me know if you need anything? Crew Chief must like you too, on account of he stressed the importance of making sure you’re settled.”

“I will. I think though given how late and how stressful today was I’m just going to relax a bit and go to sleep a little early.” Yazmina said, sitting down on the bed with a stretch. “Lets just hope the next few stops are a little less eventful than todays.”

“They….” Serena thought for a moment, then nodded her head. “They hopefully most likely will be.” She said, inching her way towards the door.

“Well, you have good night Serena … and if *you* need anything feel free to stop by.” The companion encouraged.

“I will,” Serena replied, ducking out of the room, the companions' words playing over in her head. “Definitely.”