First Flight (Day 3, Night)

‘Snooty’, was what the artist crowd called it. A fancy bar that charged too much for booze when you could get something cheaper anywhere else. But for Tojiro it was traveling stock. And painting libations as well. Several fine bottles were more important than quantity and price.

Even though he was working toward understanding the economics of work, money, savings and the elusive concept of a budget; there were a few things that required not preferring more coin above satisfaction of content.

He had fine liquors in his homeland, but they were of the clear variety being vodka and saki, potato and rice. These new dark liquors from other grains offered a variety of flavors that he found an increasing affection.

Once seated at the bar he noticed several other patrons with small glasses of several different types of whiskeys in front of them. After a short explanation of the sampling ‘flight’, Tojiro ordered an assortment.

The old hands and stalwarts smelled out the novice and moved in. After a quarter of an hour Tojiro was quite overwhelmed. *‘Bourbon, not really, the process...’ ‘scotch, you don’t know scotch,’ .. ‘not scotch, not without the peat.’.. ‘charred barrels only, Only.’...’let me tell you about sour mash,’. .*

Familiar with distillation, Tojiro did indeed feel a novice. Who would have ever suspected that consumers of liquor would be so knowledgeable and determined in their opinion to be heard, and shared. And argued.

And the booze was good. Tojiro smiled and drank. And learned as much as a man or woman could with a drink constantly in their hand.

The evening had gone very well. Twelve fine bottles of wonderful ambrosia for his upcoming trip had been purchased. As expected the quality of the liquor had left little in the way of any early morning regrets. After an hour of exercise with the heavy Kendo practice sword he washed and prepared for the day.

There were still a few details to attend to, one of importance, transportation.

His new found acquaintances from the tavern had suggested several ships scheduled to be flying out in the next few days. How they had found this information with a few taps and slides on their data pads he still found magical, though his recent experiences told him this was a common ability.

Yamamoto dressed in the loose wool trousers and the matching gray shirt under the heavy long deep blue coat. He had the pistol strapped under like he’d been taught and just carried the short sword in his belt.

A first stop at a large freighter hauler or some such left him unimpressed. It was too large, an empty thoughtless giant box, though why that was a disappointment for him he couldn’t quite decide. Still, instinct on such matters was more important than any internal debate.

The next ship was of a more interesting design. Instead of the huge steel squares and rectangles of the freighter, this ship seemed to have some sort of insect mimic in its design. It seemed to squat in a comfortable and ready position. Relaxed and yet ready to take flight.

Tojiro approached in a short circular manner, his interest on the feet, the three clawed appendage at the end of one of the front four legs. He stopped and reached out and stroked the steel support, looked up. From the closer vantage point it looked... she... she looked.... someone had told him ships were women. Why no one quite explained, but she looked like a beast now, powerful neck and dangerous head extended out, the engines like two flexed limbs ready to erupt in destructive anger. And the back, powerful and thick, deep and strong in its core.

He looked her over again. Smiled. Scratched his chin with an admiration and walked to the front cargo door. With a soft human fist her pounded on the thick metal skin.

Serena had a fitful night sleep, even curled up in the safest place on the boat. The door of course was locked- on the inside - seeing as she wasn't alone on the ship. The lieutenant had set off with Yeva and told her to stay there in case Gill and Haddie came home, which -- they didn't.

Her stomach told her it was time to get up, but eating seemed wrong, especially if Gil and Haddie were out there somewhere cold and hungry. At least she'd had a hot meal last night of something Mister Roose called stew. At least he'd find them, he promised - sure as the snow was white.

Thump-thump-thump

Someone was pounding on the ship. Maybe the Captain stumbling back, or maybe Haddie and Gill! The teen straightened her pigtails, skirting by Leo's room extra quick to the cargo bay.

"Gill? Haddie? She called, opening the hatch. "Did you find...." But standing outside wasn't Gill or Haddie or Roose or anyone. It was a man with his own pigtail ontop of his head.

"Oh," she said, holding her arms across her chest to brace from the cold. "I thought you were someone else. Can I help ya with somethin'? You lookin' for a ship?"

Perhaps he should have expected something other than similar to the first ship he’d looked toward. Instead of the grizzled old unclean workhorse of the freighter Tojiro was greeted by a girl, or almost a girl, a very young woman.

They both were surprised, both by an expectation; hers with disappoint and his with smile of delight. Yamamoto managed a very small but polite bow. What ever this little waif was to this ship it would be wise to be wary. Not good to offend the child of a captain, or the concubine of a Lord or owner.

“No Gill Haddie miss. But quite correct on looking for a ship. Passage that is.” He looked behind her, keen to see the bones, arteries and muscles of this insect-like transport.

Did they feel so secure that a young miss was to open up the ship to any knock? Or had she been so sure it was friend or acquaintance? Tojiro raised an eyebrow in curiosity as to how the young guardian of this great enchanting bug would reply. He left his hands in front of him, open and non threatening.

*“No Gill Haddie miss. But quite correct on looking for a ship. Passage that is,”* The man replied.

A passenger! She hadn't even set foot out and she already found a passenger.

"Well, you got the right one," the teen said, looking behind him briefly. "Come on aboard 'fore you catch cold, which is hard not to, nowhere here is not cold. Oh! If you do get sick , we have our own doctor, and he's also dentist. Where else can you get your teeth fixed when you're out in the black?" She waved the man inside, eager to shut the hatch, doing so after one more glance as if that would matter. Hatch closed, she prattled on to the newcomer.

"Ship's got plenty of cabins, and they're clean. We got some state rooms an' double rooms, and single rooms, and all of 'em have doors that lock on the inside." Serena crossed her arms over her chest, and rubbed her arms to get warm. "Are you hungry? Roose brought some sorta stew last, but I didn't eat it on account of my stomach was in a knot. I can heat some up for you 'til the crew gets back." She ticked her head to the side to indicate that he should follow, her voice echoing inside the now nearly hollow cargo bay.

"I can't give no one prices or anything, the high ups takes care of that, but they should be back any minute. Lieutenant's out with the crew chief and the doc and our ship nun lookin' for Gil , he's a deckhand, and Haddie on account of they went missing. I have to wait here in case they come home on their own so no one is chasin' their tail."

The teen began climbing the stairs to exit the cargo bay into the ship, glancing over her shoulder as she did to make sure he was following. "I'm Serena by the way. Ship here is called the Lunar Veil, but most of us just say the Veil or the El-Vee. Welcome aboard!" She waved him forward further on the ship. "You can sit and wait in the galley and have somethin' to eat or drink if you want. It's a lot warmer than the cargo bay. I can keep you company. Or we got a little lounge area but it smells like the Captain's cigars. Crew Chief used to smoke his clove cigarettes there too, but now we have a space he made in the cargo bay for crew. So... what can I get ya while ya wait?"

The young woman did not seem concerned allowing him onto the ship, she made a quick look outside for whomever she had been expecting. She began to prattle on a bit and Tojiro merely nodded, noticed that the cargo deck was larger than he imagined though perhaps that was because it was mostly empty. Hopefully that would bode well for him to bring is more than average amount of luggage. And a place to practice. And Paint?

“Yes, a double I think.” But then she explained she could not give prices. No matter he was sure he could afford it. Room, lots of room.

So, higher ups then she said. That didn’t sound like she was family of the owner or Officers. Maybe. And they were all gone looking for missing crew. And she had let him onto the ship, just her. He started to inquire as to her position and the rest of the crew, but on she went, taking him deeper into the ship. And talked.

In between one of Serena’s breaths he made a quick introduction, “I am Tojiro Yamamoto miss...” and before he could inquire as to her master’s name she was on her way up.

If there were brave souls that took to the deep of space with this talkative waif then they were braver that Tojiro Yamamoto. There must be a patience among this crew or some method perhaps that the young talker could be quieted.

Tojiro considered this as he tried to focus on the inside of the ship. It was a collection of angles and curves that staggered him as he tried to reconcile them with his short look at the exterior.

As Yamamoto consider the size of a wash cloth near the sink and the size of young Serena’s mouth she stopped talking and asked., *”So... what can I get ya while ya wait?"*

“Nothing thank you. But if I could see a double stateroom?” Tojiro wasn’t sure about the untimely return of a crew that might not like him on board no matter the innocence of the moment. Of course they must know who they left behind to secure the ship. Hmm. That was something to consider.

But he was very keen to see the inside of the ship, “And as much of the ship as you are allowed to show me?” That might also reveal who she was. Of course direct is better, “What is your position Serena?”