Upon Vestia: Chapter Fourteen

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(Cause the old thread won't split.)

flying_purple_monkfish wrote:"aww poor little green mouse." Luka laughed. "That trap is ridiculous."

Vestia opened her airlock for the anamcara, and waited politely for them to board.

Asher watched them nervously. They were completely at the mercy of these guys now.

Ethan had sensibly stayed away.

James was staying near Asher, while Tala stood behind everyone else, watching warily.

Quartermaster Arya boarded and immediately handed the order to restrain both Vanessa and Merith, glaring at the man as he was cuffed and escorted out, stopping to mutter, "You have a lot of nerve..."

Heny was left unmentioned, much to her surprise as Arya gazed among them all. "Welcome to Asteroid Manifest. Stay with your group as we depart and you will be assigned a Caretaker to help you through any necessary paperwork and will offer a tour around the HQ."

(Done. Switch over when we depart.)

Asher watched Merith and Vanessa be cuffed, doing his best to hide his fear for his friends. "Thank you," he said to the Quartermaster, because what else could he say? It felt wrong to thank anyone under this circumstance though. "Will you be searching the ship?" He asked uncertainly.

"wait.. " Matt interjected boldy. "W... where are you going to take them and... what happens to them now?"

Kay stared at the floor, he was frightened for Merith and Vanessa, and the general tension in the air was giving him a headache. Too many surface thoughts, and almost all of them were anxious.

Luka straightened up, staring straight ahead as any good soldier should. She said nothing.

Neither did Esk.

Armin bowed his head. "Thank you, we are grateful for your hospitality."

Mourn stayed where he was by the window, watching the guards warily.

Swarm wanted to ask so so many questions, but Kay shot them a look and they restrained themselves.

"Would we have to?" The Peacekeeper suddenly arched an eyebrow at Asher's question, and shook her head. "No, the ship will be cleaned on the outside and be put under maintenance if needed once we're given authority by whomever owns it --" She blinked up at a camera, "Or perhaps herself, to. Think of it as a day at the spa, but for a ship."

She addressed Mattias next. "To the Detention Center, no doubt. Right now, probably only questioned and a trial date would be set."

"I don't think you need to, but if normal policy is to search newly arrived ships, then we understand completely," Asher said.

"Hmm, cleaning?" Vestia said, "Sounds nice. Please tell me you don't use those wimpy little pressure washer units, they tickle."

"Will we be able to visit Merith and Vanessa while they're in custody?" Asher asked.

"That remains to be seen." She shook her head at Asher. "It may be a while until they allow visitors. Especially with those two..."

She smiled slightly at Vestia's claim. "I'll make a note of that."

Matt nodded, that... was a relief. You know, no immediate firing squad or something. "Thanks... " He looked to Merith and Vanessa, yeah their crimes were gross and no doubt they'd find out even more horrible stuff but they were part of this big dysfunctional family now right? And family stuck up for one another, even when they were being absolute shits.
"We'll.. be able to give evidence right?"

Merith and Vanessa had already been swallowed up by the massive crowd outside. Arya nodded. "You will be allowed on the Defensive Committee if you request it. Now, on the way...?" She swept a hand to the outside...

The Swarm was eager to see this place and surged forward chattering and buzzing to themselves.

"Bugs eager." Mourn laughed.

"Yeah let's... go do that paperwork.. yay?" Matt shook his head.

Kay glanced to Asher, then back to the floor. He nodded.

Asher stayed near Kay as they headed out.

Ellie presumably stayed near Shane.

James hurried out looking excited.

Tala brought up the rear of the group.

---TO THE ASTEROID---

--Returning--

Skye, Esk, Tala and the chicks would return to Vestia. Skye smiled at the ship and headed for her room to get the chicks bedded down and catch some sleep herself. She really hated how portals made her feel.

Esk looked relieved as they reached Vestia and set about trying to get that stupid lei off. Bah, stupid flowers.

Tala looked around Vestia, pleased. "She does not smell of intruders!" She declared.

Vestia snorted through some speakers.

Esk smirked. "Well that's a shame, I was looking forward to shooting idiots." He shook his head.

"You might get your chance yet." A woman replied, steadily walking up Vestia's ramp without a care in the world. Arya knocked on the side of the ramp frame to alert then that she was there.

Tala watched the woman suspiciously, moving to stand in her path. "What do you want?"

"Assistance." She said simply, looking over at Esk again, "One of our bioships ran through a nasty space storm and got caught up in a swarm of nebuleeches. He is very ill, and right now with the recent wave of refugees from off planet, I'm understaffed. I was wondering since you seem to be wanting to hang around, if you could assist the Entropium in charge of cleaning him."

Esk stared at her. "you want us to clean leeches off a ship?" Lovely.

Arya nodded. "You don't have to, but the help would be much appreciated, and as an incentive I'm willing to award you any wish that I can fulfill as you stay here."

"Wish?" Esk looked bewildered, was that just a weird way of saying favor? This place was wierd and magic so who the heck knew.
He wriggled his fingers on one hand, trying to decide if his stitches were healed enough for him to do anything with it. Did he want to clean leeches off a ship though? It sounded awfully like janitorial work.

"A favor." The woman said with a stern, almost frustrated look. She didn't realize her archaic slang was a little outdated.

Tala blinked. "You mean mating." She guessed.

"What?!" Arya suddenly yelped, her composure breaking as she blushed heavily, "Out of the question! At least not from me! A meant a favor as in a legitimate favor! Not any silly reproduction process!"

Esk put a hand to his mouth as he suddenly sputtered and tried not to actually laugh. "Shit Tala, is that all you think about?"

Tala shrugged, and swished her tail. "I was attempting to understand what she meant. Some tribes do such things, after all." She looked at Arya, "You should be more clear in your words, friend."

"C-Clearly." Arya said, still heavily blushing as she tried not to meet Esk's eye contact.