Forever Home (Day 1 - Evening)

“Let’s go, son, get the lead out. These drogs ain’t gonna sell themselves.” Keller called into the cargo bay.

“But… I want to go!” Serena protested to Vas. “It won’t be… strenu… stren… what the doc said I should avoid. And I’m good at sellin’ stuff! It’s just like recruitin’ in reverse.”

“Well, Kid Captain made the call, not me. Plus we still got plenty of Guests that need attending and the new hand that needs some guiding around till she gets a good grasp of things. ‘Sides the pup are a handful.” Vas said putting an escaping puppy back into the carry box. “Won’t be nothing exciting anywho. Some rich guy wants puppies for his kids or something or other. It’ll be quick and simple. Dunno what the fuss you made is about.” Vas pointed out nudging another puppy back int he box from escaping. One pounced his hand making little puppy grumbles, clearly wanting to play. “Just … keep an eye on Mama Bear till we get back hm?”

“Fiiiiiiiine,” she whined, trying not to make a face. “I’ll keep an eye on the mama drog and the passengers, and the new girl. Where’s Haddie? Doc is takin’ Gil and Roose t’have their legs surgeried on.”

“Should be around, they ain’t going to later, early morning … morning … not entirely sure but early is all I remember.” Vas said he say tugging the pup’s ears as it tried to nip his fingers. “Sooner the better, get back to a less crazy work schedule.”

“Lotta passengers getting off tomorrow too, for the factory. You think we’ll get our rooms back?” she asked.

“Buddha I hope so. You guys make a lotta noise …” Vas said picking up a pup. “ … yes, they do, don’t they? Can hear ‘em clear across the ship don’t we?” The pup lick Vas’s face vigorously and protests began in the box due to lack of attention. “We’ll do a headcount come morning and see where we are at. Short of someone chartering more folk … I think we might get room back before take-off.”

“I miss my door.” She replied, fixing one of her pigtails. “And then I don’t gotta worry about tiptoeing when you need to sleep all day. Have a good time in town, Crew Chief.”

“Let’s GO!” The Captain bellowed again. “How’s a fella with NO hair take so dang long to get himself prettied up to go to town? ROOSTER!” If he had a horn, he’d be laying into it. The sooner they got these drogs off their hands, the sooner he could get to the whisky.

Vas carried the box filled to the brim with fluff and curious noses. “Whos Rooster? You talking ‘bout Roose?” He asked securing the box. “Cuz Roose has hair.” He said hopping on.

“Who the rut is Roose?” The Captain asked, crinkling his nose. “Just make sure none of them get out. One of them will cover half your salary.” With the rooster-haired kid on the back, they made their way past the festival towards the ‘nicer’ part of town, a large house surrounded by a wrought iron fence, and a play yard that put most parks to shame. “This is it,” the captain said, climbing off the bike to retrieve the box. “Keep the meter running, son.”

“Puppies!” Small voices cried, tumbling out the front door as the gates swung open, quickly closing afterward when the Mrs. got a good look at the punk. Keller meanwhile was invited inside to conduct business.

“At least the puppies like me.” Vas snarked. The yipped as they fought each other to peek over the box’s edge hearing the squeal of children.