2022-01-17: Spy Pie

• Log: Spy Pie
• Cast: Rena Lancaster, Arriety Hearn, Eight York, Hazard Chevalier, Murrue Ramius, Riddhe Marcenas, Ruri Hoshino, BC-001 Minae, Roux Louka, Anita Rosetta, Charlotte Hepner, Zurvan Zevarist
• Where: On the Ra Mari, Galley (Near Londenion)
• Date: January 17, 2022
• Summary: The Ra Mari docks at Londenion for repairs and resupply, giving a chance for pilots to come aboard! With a little down time -- and a fresh supply of beer and food -- there is a good chance for Londo Bell personnel to catch up in the cafeteria... and get some of the freshly-delivered fish, before it goes into the deep freeze!

---

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

The Ra Mari has docked at Londenion, the capital of Side 1 and the Earth Federation presence in the Sides. It is a chance for the Clop-class ship, part of Londo Bell's task force, to resupply and have some new pilots transferred on. It also provides a chance for something in short supply in Londo Bell: fresh food!

In this case, it is a chance for fresh fish. Word has spread through the ranks -- emails and voice calls sent through a network, text messages to the personal communicators of pilots off-duty, and old-fashioned mentions in the hall. The cook on the Ra Mari, an older man named Santiago, is preparing fish and chips -- thanks to the aforementioned supply of (mostly) fresh cod and hydroponics-grown potatoes from the colonies.

The mess hall of the Ra Mari has its long tables cleaned and ready to go. Santiago, with a bandana tied around his head and covering his dark grey hair, is flipping fish in a frying pan with a one-handed motion. The deep fryer nearby is going.

It's a chance for a rare feast!

Lieutenant Rena Lancaster was one of the people making sure word spread; a few chats in the hallways, but more text messages and emails sent out. This included a number of people she never met, but a commanding officer of a squadron can get access to that contact information. Right now, she stands in the restroom adjoining the cafeteria; she smooths out the collar of her uniform, then tucks a long lock of ash-blue hair behind her ear.

Then, she flashes a practiced smile at the mirror -- nods once, seemingly satisfied -- and walks to the door, opening it up and stepping out into the cafeteria.

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

        Arriety Hearn is 17 years old, and she has never once thought of riding a mobile suit or joining the military in those 17 years.

        She also is on the Ra Mari, as of only a month ago, and has never seen live combat. Her existence in Londo Bell is something of a logistical nightmare and an anomaly, following a kaiju attack on Winter Wonderland that's left her as the unwittingly keyed pilot of one of Londo Bell's military assets... among other things.

        She's also pretty short, and is wearing a violet Londo Bell jacket that very clearly doesn't belong to her, more draped over shoulders than worn. She has a white turtleneck shirt and a knee-length skirt, as well as gloves, leggings and strappy shoes. She has shoulderblade-length, messy black hair and... mildly glowing and unsettling red eyes. It's probably not a big thing.

        "O-oh, I poured you a drink, Rena..." Arriety speaks up, looking a little nervous. Fresh food sounds really good, after struggling with military rations for a while, but she also feels a bit nervous at the announcement that they'd be meeting a lot of new people too.

        ...

        Possibly more interesting than her, though, is the plump, bean-shaped Bug sitting on the table next to her, currently devouring a basket of stale bread that no one wants to touch. OM NOM NOM NOM NOM

        "You're going to get full before the fish is cooked..." Arriety quietly advises Myrme.

        Myrme looks up from a face full of crumbs. "But these rocks are tasty!! I didn't know bread turned into rocks if you leave it out long enough!!!"
[Guest] Armored Trooper Guest> Testing testing one two three!
[Guest] Beam Coat> Hi there, Guest!
Now gagging all channels.

<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

Eight York is over in the opposite of a dark corner of the room--she's in a central location, surrounded by a few people! She's currently talking to a few officers about something, but she stops and smiles her way away as she starts over towards where Rena is.

"So you really got the word out!" the Captain enthuses to Rena, and definitely is here for the food. Fish... and chips... Ahhhh...

For her part, Eight is a very tall woman--about 5'10"--in the brown Londo Bell uniform, much like everyone else's except the higher rank... and the knowledge that she's in charge around here.

"Hey, it's good it doesn't go to waste," she opines to Arriety about Myrme.

She is already holding a drink of her own. There is no alcohol in it, for the record. Just in case someone is curious...

"Mmm, smell that? Food!"

<Pose Tracker> Hazard Chevalier has posed.

         You know what's not fish?

         Raw meat.

         You know what Hazard Chevalier is eating *right now*?

         Uncooked pork.

         The young man - can't be much older than twenty-one if that - slides down across from Myrne and Arriety with a big smile on his face. He's Londo Bell, though he hasn't been around Londo Bell very often - he's not stationed on any of the ships since Gundamfighters come and go more or less at random. The benefits and drawbacks of being a Professional Karate Hobo, apparently.

         He is also not wearing a uniform and that was probably some small point of contention until he put a nametag on his big, heavy cloak.

         "Hi!"

         He waves at everybody around a mouthful of raw pork. When it hits the plate, he says, "Hazard Chevalier! I'm the Gundamfighter for Tibet."

         Ooof.

         "I'm looking forward to working with everybody and getting to know you!"

         "Thanks for the mealtime!"

<Pose Tracker> Murrue Ramius has posed.

        Cheeks flushed from embarrassment and exasperation, a young Commanding Officer walks into the galley, followed soon after buy a couple of officers from her crew. She seems trying to compose herself, more inside than out, though she tugs here and there to straighten a uniform that wasnt out of place. Lieutenant Commander Murrue Ramius, Captain of the Archangel, had never been to anything like this before she was on the Archangel, nor since, but the idea of mingling, forgetting the fighting for a moment, that fraternization was a welcome break. She looks around to find the one throwing this, gathering, to make an introduction NOT via monitors and coded messages.

<Pose Tracker> Riddhe Marcenas has posed.

Ensign Riddhe Marcenas happened to be on leave at Londenion at the time that things had started to happen with the docked Ra Mari. Riddhe had pretty much planned to stay out of trouble and relax\, but the rumors rose. He heard it from a friend of a friend who got a message through their phone\, which caused Riddhe to wonder. Fresh fish\, and done by a cook famous on the Ra Mari?

Well\, what was a runaway heir to do?

Show up\, of course\, he would enter the mess hall on his own at the appointed time. The Ensign took a nose full of the hopefully cooking fish. It'd been a while since he'd gotten some fresh fish and the potatoes. Something you'd only be able to get on Earth easily\, so he was happy to at least be reminded of the good things he left behind.

Riddhe himself is a handsome young man\, with short blonde hair and blue eyes. He has a smooth face that practically screams youth. He's dressed in his Londo Bell uniform\, with a jacket up top\, long grey pants\, and a pair of combat boots.

"Hope I'm not intruding\, but there were rumors going around that this was an open invite?" he asks\, the people gathered and spares Myrme a look. Ok\, that's weird! Figuring that nobody else is giving it much mind\, and even talking to it\, it seems to be welcome here.

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        IN THE A-PLOT:

        The Nadesico is parked here in Londenion to rendezvous with some Federation forces and share notes. It's all very serious. There's dramatic lighting.

        MEANWHILE, ON THE LOWER DECKS:

        Ms. Howmei, resident head cook, has heard the rumours of fresh fish. Subsequently, she has tasked the Howmei Girls -- the younger cooks who staff Nadesico's kitchens -- to venture out and see if they can do a little diplomacy, themselves.

        Fish diplomacy.

        Mikako Satou (a rather short woman, brunette hair in twin buns) and Sayuri Terasaki (MUCH taller, her longer black hair in a high ponytail) have ventured out today to try and make a deal to get some of that precious fish, but little Mikako happened to find someone else, walking to the bridge.

        Ruri Hoshino, who, at twelve years old, is even shorter than Mikako, looked up at her with those big, unusually gold eyes, and blinked. She has twin tails, too -- but hers are longer, such a light blue-violet that they may well be white.

        Her concerns about leaving the bridge were shortly allayed, and so --

        OVER HERE:

        "The cook is... Santiago-san, right?" Sayuri grasps a hand to a fist, determination in her eyes. "Right! Let's do it!"

        "Um..." Ruri starts, standing behind her, looking over to the table where the food will go.

        "Don't worry, Ruri-chan," Mikako assures her. "We can handle this, so go have something to eat when it's ready, okay?"

        "... all right," Ruri says, though she didn't notice the food. She steps away from those two Howmei Girls as they go to speak the Ancient Language of Cooking. She doesn't move with much hesitation, but neither is she loud about it, as she ventures closer to...

        ... a bug eating rocks.

        She might be twelve, but she's in Nergal's bridge uniform regardless, which might be a notable thing as she gets closer to Arriety. She pauses, in front of her, and looks from Myrme and back up.

        "Hello," Ruri says, her voice even, and her face neutral. She looks up (up!) at Eight, beside her. "... are you the Captain?"

<Pose Tracker> BC-001 Minae has posed.

        There's at least one person present who isn't planning to eat anything, but as she's had to explain to a well-meaning Santiago a few times by now, it's not because she doesn't want to - just that she's a little short on digestive functions and still feels a bit too underage to be knocking back a cold can of motor oil after work.(The question of whether a Super-AI powered therapist and guidance counsellor is a 'person' is one that is still up in the air for some members of Londo Bell, but her reasoning is: she has an office. She's pretty sure that, for better or worse, only people get offices in Londo Bell.)

        Minae arrived about a month ago along with Arriety Hearn, taking their sudden assignment on board the Ra Mari in remarkable stride. In that month she's been a lot less pushy than you might expect of someone in her occupation, taking her time as she familiarizes herself with her new berth and the crew - though she's already started picking up and remembering details about people, and her smile as she passes pilots in the corridor is definitely one that's a combination of encouraging and indefatigable.

        She's easy to pick out in the chaos of the mess because she really doesn't wear any Londo Bell gear, and is instead a warmly smiling figure in a white vest and a light blue skirt. Her mess of hair is a rather vivid green, but beyond that she doesn't really look strange at first glance - until you catch a glimpse of her eyes, or notice that she's not doing human things like fidgeting or breathing.

        "I think the jury's still out on whether Myrme even gets full," she notes to Arriety with the breezy tone of someone who'll enjoy finding out the answer. "And if it wasn't open-invite, it probably would be the moment Santiago learned someone wasn't eating."

<Pose Tracker> Roux Louka has posed.

Roux Louka, who is significantly older than 17 if not exactly dried up like a crumb, has been in the Ra Mari for a little while. She had in fact seen the captain and had brought in one of the new Mobile Suits, in order to show off.

She then left the Ra Mari in order to make some calls and get her luggage. Then, in board, to put everything in her own little living-nook zone, wherever such things are kept.

AND NOW

"Hey Commander!" Roux says as she enters the mess zone from one of the other entrances, raising a hand to wave and looking around for a moment. She pauses for a moment as she sees Myrme. Roux stares at them for several seconds, then drifts in that direction. (Roux, at the moment, is in a plain civilian outfit: a training-type T-shirt which has a loose tye-die pattern and sweatpants which are completely boring.)

"That little guy is adorable! Where did you get it?" Roux asks Arriety.

Because to Roux Louka-- Myrme looks like a plausible candidate for the newest, hottest Haro.

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Anita Rosetta, currently stationed aboard the Ra Mari, hasn't been with Londo Bell for long. She's a recent transfer from the OCU military, for reasons she'd rather not get into - which means than an opportunity to get to know the others is a valuable opportunity, indeed. She'll have to think Rena later for helping set it all up.

She is, for once, taking this seriously, if more for Rena's benefit as a member of her squadron than any concern about her own reputation - which means wearing the full uniform instead of shedding the jacket at first opportunity.

She soon joins everyone at the Ra Mari's mess hall, sliding into a seat near Arriety and the others. She immediately leans back, in a relaxed fashion before taking a quick look around.

Some of these faces she recognizes, others she doesn't. Well, that's fine by her - she's always glad to meet new people.

"Afternoon, everyone. Anita Rosetta - nice to meet you all." Anita greets with a lazy wave.

<Pose Tracker> Charlotte Hepner has posed.

Of course, you do transfers when the ship is in port, if at all possible; getting a shuttle out to a combat patrol is iffy, and nobody likes trying to stuff their personal effects in their cockpit. So, Charlotte Hepner is used to reporting for duty straight into parties. It's nice, usually.

Charlotte enters the mess decks in crisp undress greys, escorted by a mildly nervous crewman, whom she deploys toward the chow line with a nod before acquiring Captain York and making her way to join her.

She reaches the edge of Eight's orbit and comes smoothly to attention, saluting. "Second Mobile Weapons Group, Commander Hepner, reporting, ma'am." She holds it juuust long enough to get awkward, and cracks the very faintest of smiles.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"Oh, thank you!" Rena says, as she walks closer to Arriety. The red eyes don't seem to give her pause, but she had five weeks to get used to them. She waves a hand at her, before she looks down at the... bug. She gives Myrme an uncertain look for a moment longer, as she takes the drink, and has a ip from it.

"Just... be careful, Myrme. I don't want you to break a tooth," she says. She has a sip of her drink, before her eyes shift over to Eight. She smiles at her, then, and nods. "Mm-hm! I can't wait. It's been awhile since I've had finish that hadn't spent weeks in a deep freeze..."

She looks over at Hazard -- blinking as he arrives -- and then her eyes widen as she spots the uncooked pork. She takes a step back, hand coming up to her mouth. Then, she remembers herself. "Ah... y-yes! Hello! I'm Lieutenant Rena Lancaster, commanding officer of the Kakapo Squadron. It's a pleasure to meet you, Hazard. It--"

She looks at the pulled pork. The uncooked pulled pork is distracting her from the arrival of crew from the Archangel, which she will feel guilty about in a moment. "...we... could ask Santiago cook that for you?"

She turns her head, as Riddhe speaks up. There is a blink -- she doesn't recognize him, but recognizes the uniform, of course. Rena smiles, then she lifts a hand in a wave. No formalities. "Not at all! We're happy to have you here, Ensign. I'm Lieutenant Rena Lancaster. It's great to meet you!"

She sticks a hand out to him, to shake.

She registers Ruri's presence -- a child being here, in uniform, is a bit of a surprise -- and she looks down at her, then up at Eight. The question is written all over her face: 'Is she supposed to be here?'

Her eyes shift to Roux, then Anita. She waves at them; she'll introduce herself to Roux in just a moment. Though, she makes a face when Charlotte approaches and introduces herself to Eight.

N-New boss...

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

        There's a delicate smile from Arriety as Eight wanders over, as well as Anita; it's clear that she's very familiar and comfortable around them. "I--I guess so. ... I don't want to find out if Myrme can get a tummy ache, though..." There's a sigh as Rena moves closer as well.

        Then, someone new arrives! Arriety's eyes widen a little as Hazard sits across, and she reflexively tugs into herself a little, tightening the jacket around her. "O-oh, hello... a Gundam Fighter?" she doesn't sound like she's familiar with the concept.

        Myrme, on the other hand, gets mildly flashing eyes at the sight of pork. "Wow, that smells really good. Is that some kinda tasty animal?? Also, I'll be fine, Rena!"

        Other people arrive that she doesn't know; a pretty and important looking officer with long brown hair, and a young man with blonde hair, also in uniform... and Commander Hepner. Arriety's attention is drawn a little more towards Mikako, Sayuri and Ruri, however; she's definitely younger than she is! And in an important looking uniform too. She kind of expected her to be the youngest one here... ...Minae aside. Minae cheats, anyway.

        "H-hello, I'm Arriety Hearn... uh, my rank is... high school student?" Arriety guess-introduces herself nervously in general, though when Ruri addresses the Captain, she nods and then turns to Minae. "M-maybe not... well, until she gets brain freeze. That seems to stop her--"

        Roux speaks up and asks about Myrme! Wow, she's kinda fashionable... "O-oh, um--"

        Myrme speaks up instead, still with a face full of stale bread. "Hi! I'm Myrme!! I, uh, what's the cover story again, Boss? I think I was the hottest new kid's toy, you said?"

        ... well done, Myrme.

<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

"Well! It's nice to meet you, Chevalier!" Eight looks down at the raw pork he's eating. She tilts her head. Then she rights herself and looks back up to his face. "Glad to see you aren't going hungry! A Gundam fighter is great to have on the ship--I bet you'll do great here!"

Nope, not gonna comment on that.

She does however notice Murrue--hard not to, with her officers in tow--and waves her way, encouraging her to come over with the group and see her rather than shouting across the way at her. Captains gotta give Captains some dignity, after all. It's how it works.

She waves too at Roux Louka! But Minae doesn't get a wave, because she was already here, and Eight has already said hello to her, so it's fine. Anita gets a smile. "Afternoon," she says.

And then Charlotte comes up--and is formal! that's fine, of course; Eight stands up a little straighter herself, just to be sure, and nods once to her. And then... time goes on. And on a little. And she starts to say, "Ah, at e--"

That crack of a smile gets a laugh out of Eight. "You had me worried there, Commander. Welcome aboard. How're you finding the Ra Mari so far?"

And then there is... ah. yes. Rena looks at her. Ruri looks at her. Eight looks at Ruri.

"...Yes!" she says after a moment, and then nods firmly. A Nergal operative, hm...? "Captain York," she confirms. "How can I help you?" She seems with that neutral expression to be after more than an introduction...

"And it sure is!" Eight confirms to Riddhe with Rena. "Feel free, have some!"
I don't understand that.

<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

"Well! It's nice to meet you, Chevalier!" Eight looks down at the raw pork he's eating. She tilts her head. Then she rights herself and looks back up to his face. "Glad to see you aren't going hungry! A Gundam fighter is great to have on the ship--I bet you'll do great here!"

Nope, not gonna comment on that.

She does however notice Murrue--hard not to, with her officers in tow--and waves her way, encouraging her to come over with the group and see her rather than shouting across the way at her. Captains gotta give Captains some dignity, after all. It's how it works.

She waves too at Roux Louka! But Minae doesn't get a wave, because she was already here, and Eight has already said hello to her, so it's fine. Anita gets a smile. "Afternoon," she says.

And then Charlotte comes up--and is formal! that's fine, of course; Eight stands up a little straighter herself, just to be sure, and nods once to her. And then... time goes on. And on a little. And she starts to say, "Ah, at e--"

That crack of a smile gets a laugh out of Eight. "You had me worried there, Commander. Welcome aboard. How're you finding the Ra Mari so far?"

And then there is... ah. yes. Rena looks at her. Ruri looks at her. Eight looks at Ruri.

"...Yes!" she says after a moment, and then nods firmly. A Nergal operative, hm...? "Captain York," she confirms. "How can I help you?" She seems with that neutral expression to be after more than an introduction...

"And it sure is!" Eight confirms to Riddhe with Rena. "Feel free, have some!"

Myrme speaks up. Eight smiles. She appears not to be about to acknowledge the uh. slip. "Arriety's one of the new pilots, and Myrme is adorable!"

"Yes. That's it."

[OOC] Eight York says, "bluray* -" at the end there"

<Pose Tracker> Murrue Ramius has posed.

        Spotting the Captain and Lieutenant and officers gathering in a small group, watching the officer report to the Captain, Murrue makes a straight line for them, entirely missing at first the small girl until she got close enough to hear her. She looks down, not too far down but down, blinking twice and looking back up in surprise, and trying to inspect more closely, each of those gathered.
        um.. eh, The young officer mumbled to herself, her eyes moving from person to person, taking a step back.
        "Oh, my" Murrue laughs gently, "I guess this explains the confusion on the Quarterdeck. Um, excuse me!"
        Murrue waves back to Eight reservedly, smiling from her "spot".
        "Is this, I just want to make sure, this isn't, a line for an autograph ... or something like that. It's my first galley party." The two junior officers with her roll their eyes and take off for the food, as their Captain laughs softly, fidgeting with her hair.

<Pose Tracker> Riddhe Marcenas has posed.

There is a LOT to unpack here all at once.

Riddhe smiles towards Rena first, "Glad to hear it, I'd hate to think the rumor line had to lead me astray," he says, and when Eight confirms it, he notices the higher rank. "Ah, well...thanks ma'am," he fights the salute because he's not newly ensigned. Riddhe takes Rena's offered hand and gives it a firm shake, "Ensign Riddhe Marcenas, nice to meet you and happy to indulge in your hospitality."

Of course, Riddhe is already noticing too much brass in a small area. Best to keep formal. Though the eye towards Myrme and the fact that Arriety is a high school student brings a raise of his brows. Riddhe looks over at Eight, "Pilot? You'd think she...would know her rank?" Riddhe's not sure about this at all. It's not UNHEARD of, sure, but he's also from earth.

This is, of course, distracted by the Gundam fighter and his love of uh...lots of raw pork. Also, another young girl, who seems like she should be in school as well. "Well...it's certainly getting crowded! I guess fresh fish has attracted a lot of people."

<Pose Tracker> BC-001 Minae has posed.

        Minae's approach to the command structure is an odd one. From an outside perspective it's not entirely clear where she stands; on the one hand she generally takes some care to maintain politeness and decorum, particularly around the Commander, and on the other hand there are plenty of moments where she talks to Eight and Rena like an old friend, blowing straight past any worries about rank or standing.

        Like now, when she deliberately waits until Rena is in earshot before nudging Arriety lightly in the side. "Wah, Rena's become such a social butterfly," she teases gently, even if it's not clear who exactly she's teasing out of the two of them.

        "Ah-- that's this year, right?" she muses towards Chevalier, her gaze focusing out for a moment as she taps at her chin, a familiar habit that usually means she's... looking something up online. "So are you here to train for it on the way?"

        She pauses to glance for a moment at the smallest girl present, accidentally turning poker-faced as her curiosity briefly makes her forget about things like idle tics - but comes back to herself in time to level a smile at Riddhe and scratch at her cheek. "Ah, Arriety's transfer was pretty sudden, and she hasn't had time to go through any really formal training," she says in defence of the new pilot. "Any help she can get learning the ropes would be welcome, I bet."

        She straightens up a little to nod her head. "And I'm Minae, your new counsellor and general-- uh, I mean, I guess I'm a trained medic too? And a pilot sometimes?" she wonders to herself abruptly as she tilts her head, and falls back to what she knows. "I've got an office. It's very relaxing," she promises.

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        Ruri meets Rena's eyes with a completely flat expression, as if to say, 'yes, I am standing right here'. She looks up to Charlotte, too, head canting a little as she looks from her to Eight. New boss...

        But even if that's true, the boss that matters on a ship is its Captain!

        "... I'm Ruri Hoshino, the Nadesico's systems operation officer," Ruri introduces herself, to Eight, politely. "We're here to try and get some fish." This, of course, flies entirely in the face of the spirit of Fish Diplomacy, which is probably going on somewhere over --> there.

        Meanwhile, Arriety's rank is... high school student. "I didn't know there was high school on battleships," Ruri gives her the benefit of the doubt, because she is on her best behaviour. This may only raise further questions about her OWN schooling.

        Tragically, this best behaviour lasts right up until Myrme opens her mouthparts. Ruri gives her a long, suffering look, and just sighs, "... how foolish."

        It's a little hard to spot, but she is, subtly, frowning. "I don't need an autograph," Ruri clarifies, importantly. This is very important. She's a very serious young lady.

        Ruri looks at Minae for a long, long moment, with a long, slow blink. "Are you the one who explains everything on your ship?" She asks, because Ruri can only think of one person who has such a broad scientific skillset in her life.

<Pose Tracker> Roux Louka has posed.

"Oh that is so clever," Roux tells Myrme, sort of, as well as Arriety. "Can I pet you?" she asks the 'toy.' "Is that okay?" She extends a hand, hopefully. Looking upwards, she smiles at Arriety again. Be easy!

(High school student? Roux thinks. Is this work study? Then again who am I to judge?)

She overhears something. "A Gundam Fighter?" she asks, turning her head around fast enough that the hair may risk getting in Myrme's face.

"It's great that they're having an actual cooking staff on board," Roux says to Arriety and all adjacent. "The last ship I was on in the Earth Sphere had to make do with stuff they put in pots and cooked together. So we hardly went hungry, but it was pretty bland after a while! I'm going to go get in line."

Except that instead of doing so --

-- her head half turns and her eyes flash for a moment as she hears 'a certain name'. Riddhe may sense a subtle hint of pressure, or at least, the feeling that someone sure understood that name.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"Minae," Rena groans at the Brave Counselor when she speaks up. "I'm not a social butterfly."

Her eyes turn towards Murrue and her accompaniment. "Ah--" Recognition regsiters for Rena. She smiles at Murrue, then nods her head quickly. "Captain Ramius, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard about you, of course." She doesn't have to specify how; the situation the Archangel found itself in made the rounds through Londo Bell's circle. "I'm glad you and the others could come!"

She looks back at Riddhe, then shakes her head. "Don't worry about it. You have to get non-frozen fish when you can, right? It's hard to get it." She smiles a little -- even if her brow furrows, for a second, at the last name.

Marcenas... shouldn't she know that name from somewhere?

It doesn't come to her immediately. She files a note to look it up later. "How's Londenion treating you, Ensign?"

Rena interjects after Ruri asks about Arriety: "Arriety is a special civilian attache to Kakapo Squadron, too. She has clearance to be here." She did some of the paperwork. Then, Myrme mentions the cover story. Rena's eyebrow twitches a little bit. "Myrme has... a sense of humor, you see!"

<Pose Tracker> Hazard Chevalier has posed.

         Hazard doesn't seem especially bothered by Rena's response to his bizarre eating habits. He looks down at the slab, then up at her and waves his hand. "No, no, that's okay! I appreciate the offer, but this is better for me." Technically true. "And I prefer it! It's actually pretty good. Although, uh, you probably shouldn't eat it. It's a Gundamfighter thing."

         He sticks out his hand. If she takes it, his hand is just a little cold. "I'm happy to meet you, Lieutenant!"

         Myrme looks at Hazard's food. In contrast to what might be expected, he just tears a hunk off of it (with his hand) and hands it over to Myrme. "It's real good! It used to be an animal called a pig. Now it's dinner!"

         There's a beat.

         "I, uh, I didn't hunt it or anything, I just bought it at the market."

         He's not *that* weird.

         He puts it down in front of Myrme in case Arriety doesn't like Myrme eating raw meat. He looks up at her. "Yeah! I fight in the Gundamfight and represent Tibet on the international stage. It's a big fighting tournament that takes place all over Earth."

         "Ma'am!" For a Gundamfighter, Hazard is *surprisingly* good at military response. In fact, when Eight addresses him, he stands and salutes her, and in fact remains standing for the Appropriate Amount Of Time before he sits. He gives the same response to Captain Ramius - crisp, military, disciplined. *Trained*. Not Karate Hobo, despite the actual literal cloak.

         Before he sits down, though, he leans in to look at her face, curiously.

         "Are you okay, ma'am? You look like you don't want to be here!"

         He leans back, that big happy smile on his face, sits down, and waves his hands. "It's okay! We all work together here, right?"

         "Oh, no," he says to Minae, "Tibet loaned me to Londo Bell and NERV! I'm...I guess you could say I'm here to show that we're still strong after..."

         "Erm..."

         "Well, you know." He fidgets a little.

         "But I'm not here to train like that! I bet the experience will be great but I'm here to help on behalf of my country and the Federation!"

         He beams at everybody having the 'A Gundamfighter' response and reintroduces himself. "Hazard Chevalier, Gundamfighter for Tibet! I pilot Tyrant Gundam and I'm looking forward to working with everybody in Londo Bell!"

         Roux gets a big gold-eyed blink. Riddhe gets the same. In fact, Riddhe gets a bit more of one - and there's the sense that Hazard might also recognize the name, but other people are already on that, so his eyes go back to the plate as if Riddhe never said anything.

 <Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
<poem>
Anita returns Arriety's smile, offering her an encouraging nod as she does.

"...That could be trouble, yup." Anita agrees consideringly, as the question is raised as to whether or not Myrme can get a tummy ache. Probably better not to risk it, in that case!

Her attention briefly turns toward Eight, and those gathered around her, before looking back to Arriety.

"Oh yeah, Gundam Fighters... They're, uh... they're the ones who fight in that big Gundam Fight to see who gets to rule space. I think?" Anita says, by way of explanation. "Didn't think we'd get one here, though. Kind of like having a surprise celebrity visit."

She says that, but she doesn't seem at all bothered by the idea. She seems to take a lot of things in stride.

She glances briefly toward Riddhe at his comment about Arriety's rank... but thankfully, Minae is already right there for her. She can leave things at that, in that case.

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

        It's really amazing to see Rena and Eight handle so many new people with aplomb... Arriety knows she's not really going to ever be a social butterfly, but she should at least try to do something with the deep knot of anxiety in her stomach.

        "I-I know," Arriety sulks in turn to Minae, perhaps trying hard to keep that pang of jealousy under control. She knows their world's gotten bigger... much bigger than hers.

        Riddhe finding the holes in what she says doesn't really help, and she starts mildly panicking; she doesn't remember what her military rank is, all of this stuff is... too confusing. Ensign... Commander... no, definitely not Commander... and not Captain... fortunately, Minae and Rena's there to cover for her, and she notices Anita noticed too, looking relieved.

        "U-um, yes. It's kind of complicated, sorry... I don't even really understand all of it," Arriety does at least admit with honesty.

        Myrme lights up at the idea of being petted. "Oh boy, oh boy, pets! Yes, please, ma'am!" Her insectoid wings wiggle up and down, and musical notes of joy literally fly out of her.

        The name Marcenas doesn't seem to twig anything from Arriety immediately... maybe it was in history class...? She doesn't really remember everything...

        Ruri introduces herself. Systems operation officer? Wow... at that young an age, too. She must be a super-genius. "Oh-- oh, no, just back home. ... the high school got hit by the attack, though, so maybe I'm not even that anymore ..."

        Roux relates to how the last ship she was had bland food. "The rations are... ...hard to deal with," she does admit to her.

        Hazard explains that it used to be PIG, and now it's DINNER. "Whoa!" Myrme explodes in excitement, and then just--

        OMPH.

        --there goes that entire chunk, in one go. She might just have a bottomless stomach, as Minae surmised. "Umphff, whoa, tasty! Can we have pig more often on the Ra Mari?"

        "M-maybe if you behave real well," Arriety advises Myrme.

        "Yaaay! Now for Myrme, it is pet time."

<Pose Tracker> Charlotte Hepner has posed.

Just so, Ruri. Charlotte packs away her command aura, and gives the accumulating circle of pilots a small wave. Not boss, not boss.

"It's a pretty nice operation, or the hangar crew and admin are at least. And the galley, it looks like." She stretches, working out that 'fourteen hours in a ReZEL' shoulder cramp. "Haven't made much of a tour, yet."

Despite her smile, it's clear as she surveys the assembled flight-line crew that she has... some questions, but other people are already asking most of them. She sees you, Arietty, but you've been spoken for. "I'm just here as a tenant, I'm not t--"

She is interrupted in her attempt to reassure the pilots by Myrme consuming a quarter of a pig at a go. Um. She blinks at Arietty and her friend-shaped friend, momentarily lost.

<Pose Tracker> Zurvan Zevarist has posed.

Zurvan tried very hard to not look like a damn tourist when he boarded the Nadeisco. The nature of his employment with Nergal made him flexible on where he's been asked to join. Today, it was the Nadeisco, in middle of an important maintenance investigation of the engines. The drama that lies in the hangar and the actual engineers native to the Nadeisco are part of another section of this episode. It's very tense and comedic at the same time, let me tell you.

What IS more relevant to the current fish and chips official dinner across the battleship that the Nadeisco is attached to. There's a dinner happening. Last he knows from HIS own experience told by his old man, Battleships tend to not have the greatest of after dinners to ever exist. This must be rectified.

The Zentradi-blooded young man, wearing a (relatively) clean black suit with a pin on his breast representing a wireframe-cube being lugged by a hand is making his way through the main entrance of the quite fancy dinner, holding in his arm a large plastic tray. IMMEDIATEDLY upon entering, he feels under dressed. That's a lot of military folks in full, official dress and, quite frankly, he probably had the wrong idea about this 'dinner'.

Well. He's here. He might as well make the full of it.

"Goooooood evening!" Zurvan booms out happily, setting down the tray on one end of a table, flipping it open. The scent of freshly baked blueberry pie, neatly cut into slices mathematically optimized to fit in a cubic tray comes out.

Oh god. Who let the country bumpkin in.

<Pose Tracker> Riddhe Marcenas has posed.

Riddhe is at first confused by the situation, but as Minae seems to explain things, he nods once. He thinks he understands, and he moves to get eye level with Arriety, "I'm sorry, but thanks for sticking it out with us, alright?" he says, with a smile, trying to be the older brother figure to help out her anxiety. Standing back up, he seems to let the whole situation drop, because boy...that'd be a dick thing to do.

Riddhe gets that SUDDEN pressure feeling a second later, looking around him as if something startled him. Shaking his head, he wipes his brow. What was that..?

He smiles towards Rena, though a moment later. "It's treating me alright. Though I don't know how long I'll be here, the Nahel Argama just put in not too long ago. How about yourself?" he asks Rena right back.

<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

Eight accepts salutes, acknowledging each with a nod, but does not otherwise belabor greetings. There's a particular balance to strike there, and it seems she has her own approach to it--but she doesn't say 'oh, don't worry about it' either. It is the military. And Murrue's joke gets more than a nod--it gets a laugh. "Ahahah. I'm not cool enough to give out autographs. Just a party! Welcome aboard, Captain."

"You're like a butterfly," Eight chimes in to Rena, very helpfully. Then she looks to Hazard again, "Well, maybe I'll have to hear a little about Tibet from you sometime. I've never been!"

To Ruri, meanwhile--Rena has Arriety covered, so Eight nods to that. "Systems operation! I hear the Nadesico is pretty advanced--that must be exciting." A beat, "Fish, huh? Welllllll, we might be able to arrange to share some..." Eight does like sharing. And also, "We don't have school on the ship, which is probably for the best. I have enough homework as it is." She smiles lopsidedly, and then--right. No autograph. Is... Is Minae the one who...

"Minae explains pretty much everything she can," Eight adds, also 'helpful'. Eight does not, however, notice Significant Names offhand. She instead says, "You're welcome! Nice to meet you." She does not answer about Arriety, because Rena has that covered. She does however recognize 'pig' and 'dinner. "Myrme," she says, "I'll... see what Supplies thinks."

to Charlotte... "Oh, the galley's great. When you get a chance though, I can have someone show you around?" She notices... questions. Hmmm. Just as a tenant...

"Well! Maybe once you've gotten some fish we can sit down and talk about things," Eight suggests to Charlotte. "Isn't Myrme cute? She's sort of our mascot around here."

"Oh, hi!" Eight greets Zurvan at his booming voice, and laughs a little good-naturedly at just how booming his entrance is. Then she tilts her head. "Oh, you're...." Beat, and snap. "From Lavhi's videos!"

<Pose Tracker> BC-001 Minae has posed.

        "... uh, well, I'm not really that sort of counsellor. I mean, ideally I'd rather encourage people into explaining things to me instead," Minae muses to Ruri's question as she taps her chin again, then weaponizes another encouraging smile. "There was a while when I was just starting out where I thought it'd be helpful to look everything up first, but bulletpoints don't exactly make for a comfy conversation."

        Maybe that helps explain why she doesn't react openly to Riddhe's name or discuss whatever she might have found on the Gundam Fighter; she seems content to leave things as they are, sat in the midst of everyone. The lack of food doesn't seem to bother her any either, though there's a spark of curiosity to her as she watches Myrme homf a large chunk of it away.

        "Sure, ma'am," she drawls back to Rena with a light snigger - but she shifts a little, and under the line of the table she places one hand over one of Arriety's. She doesn't need years of history to pick up on the other girl's anxiety, and maybe there's a rather biased little protective streak there for good measure.

        Her other arm pumps as Hazard explains the situation. "Ooh, you're double-teaming. Well, keep it up! This just means you've got the chance to show us your stuff and sway a bunch of people into supporting you, right? Get both Londo Bell and NERV to cheer for you and you'll be all set. Those of them that cheer, anyhow. Some'll stick at a monotone 'yaaaay', but that still counts."

        "Eh?" she blurts back to Eight, and for once looks a little uncertain as she looks to Arriety for support. "I'm not that bad, right?"

<Pose Tracker> Roux Louka has posed.

Roux's slight suspicion of the fellow with the name to conjure with is somewhat overwhelmed when Hazard speaks up near her. She turns her head to look at him, blinking once and then seeming to *peer* at him for a moment, as if she's trying to spot something written on the interior rear of his eyeballs.

Roux then leans forwards a little. She rests her elbow on the table, her chin in her hand, and looks at Hazard.

"Is raw meat a speciality of Tibet?" she asks him -- and she seems to mean it, unless...??

"Because I think you're going to enjoy it a lot more if you cook it. They could bread it and fry it, even, they already have the frying stuff out! Frying food isn't good for every day but it's pretty tasty for special occasions, and it goes great with fish and potatoes."

Her other hand rests on her collarbone. "I'm Roux Louka, I'm a contractor. It's nice to meet you..."

"... Hazard Chevalier."

After this she does get up out of her seat, although she doesn't rush away or anything. "Awww," she says as Eight declares Myrme to be a mascot for them. She reaches over to rub at a smooth spot atop Myrme's head, beaming as she does.

<Pose Tracker> Murrue Ramius has posed.

        Murrue relaxes, when theres at least one laugh. Captain Ramius however, bows respectfully, in return to the recognition from Rena. Captain Lancaster, thank you so much, Im honored to be invited. You have a good ship here, its available jacket is a valourus record of a proud crew and a brave ship, would love to see it all sometime.
        Having stood up shortly after beginning her praise, the young Captain smiled, thinking she hopes her command will bring similar feelings.
        Its best to have moments like this, whenever you can. In one day everything can change.
        Murrue swipes a glass of non alcohol champagne, so sparkling water, from a passing server. She raises it, Thank you Captain Lancaster, and crew who make it possible, for bringing something like fish, to be shared like this.

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        "Homework... are you in university, Captain York?" Ruri asks, politely. She may have overestimated Eight's age somewhat. But on the matter of fish, she says: "Ms. Howmei's assistants would be pleased to hear that." And, after a beat, she explains: "Ms. Howmei is our head chef." As opposed to the chef who's a pilot. It's an important distinction.

        "Oh," she goes on, when Rena explains Myrme's sense of humour. "I wouldn't know." This is, of course, a horrible incisive comment on Myrme's humour or lack thereof, but...

        Well, it's ALSO true that Ruri hasn't cracked a smile since she stepped in here.

        This stands, apparently, in stark contrast to one HAZARD CHEVALIER, who Ruri thinks has an awful lot to say. She listens to his screed as she looks up from that food(?) he offers Myrme, lips fixed in that same unimpressed line. Loaned out, was he..?

        "You are certainly a pilot," she tells Hazard, finally.

        She shakes her head, and takes a step closer to Arriety, instead. "... I'm also a civilian," she says, after a moment's pause. "The Nadesico cooperates with the military, but we're still independent operators." Which would explain the lack of rank insignia on her lapel, and also why she'd gravitate to Arriety instead of any of the military people on the ship. (Even if they're being casual! Not that Ruri doesn't notice Charlotte's efforts.)

        "Raw fish is a specialty of Japan," Ruri supposes, looking over to Roux. "So, I suppose raw pork could be prepared for consumption, too... but I don't know much about cooking." She'll have to look it up --

        AND SPEAKING OF LOOKING THINGS UP --

        "Mr. Zevarist," Ruri calls, to the Zentradi-blooded fellow booming in. Her voice does not boom. "Good evening." Did he bring the pie himself, or...

        There's something about Minae which has Ruri looking over to her, in her spare moments, but she doesn't bring it up.

<Pose Tracker> Murrue Ramius has posed.

        Murrue relaxes, when theres at least one laugh. Captain Ramius however straightens in an unconscious fashion, snapping a return of the salute. She gives the cloaked man further scrutiny, smiling as she drops her hand.
        Its nice to have your support. I, cant figure out though how is the pork pulled if it isnt cooked?
        Her attention snaps to her fellow CO, she bows respectfully, in return to the recognition from Rena. Captain Lancaster, thank you so much, Im honored to be invited. You have a good ship here, its available jacket is a valourus record of a proud crew and a brave ship, would love to see it all sometime.
        Having stood up shortly after beginning her praise, the young Captain smiled, thinking she hopes her command will bring similar feelings.
        Its best to have moments like this, whenever you can. In one day everything can change.
        Murrue swipes a glass of non alcohol champagne, so sparkling water, from a passing server. She raises it, Thank you Captain Lancaster, and crew who make it possible, for bringing something like fish, to be shared like this. She looks to Hazard, as if this should answer his question, and grins.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"It's been nice. It's warmer than the colony I grew up in," Rena says, with a bit of a wry smile. "You're on the Nahel Argam? I'm impressed! There's a lot of history on that ship. A former commanding officer said he served a couple tours on it."

Rena flashes a smile. "Make sure you get some fish, though. I'd swear Santiago's the best cook in the Autonomous Corps."

"I'm not like a butterfly, Octo," Rena says to Eight, giving her a brief frown. But, then, her expression cracks into a smile.

Rena blinks at Hazard -- and then wonders, for a second, if this is an Earthnoid thing. Is Earthnoid raw meat specially bred and grown to be edible without cooking? "Sure. Well--if it works for you, make sure to have some of the fish!"

She winces, though. After Lhasa; Rena gets it. She glances downward for a second, then looks back at Hazard. "Well... we're very glad to have you with us. Welcome to Londo Bell!"

She opens her mouth, about to say something more about whether pig can be served more often. Then, Rena closes it. That is beyond the duties of a Kakapo Squadron commander. Thankfully.
"You're welcome, Captain--ah, I'd be happy to, though it'll need to go through Captain York," Rena says. She nods at Eight; as captain of the Ra Mari, it would be her call.

Her eyes turn to Charlotte, then, and takes a deep breath. Then, she smiles. "We'll be sure to give you one, ma'am. I'm one of the mobile squadron commanders aboard, Lieutenant Rena Lancaster." Bailiwick Ultrasound's protege, before his passing. "Myrme is with Arriety, and--"

Zurvan booms out 'good evening.' She turns her head and gawks, for a moment, as he sets down a tray, with pie that he looks to have cooked. "Did... did our mess hall just... become a farmer's market...?"
%

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

        Commander Hepner does seem nice... Arriety was a little worried that the new commander would be really scary, but it doesn't seem like she has to worry so much. And Eight and Rena seem okay with her, too.

        Zurvan comes booming in, with a blueberry pie. It smells pretty good... but she shouldn't have any treats before actually eating Santiago's fish and chips.

        Riddhe kneels and tries to be reassuring, and she at least quietly nods and says, "Y-yeah... I'll try my best. It sounds... like it's a pain for the higher ups too..." which rather truthfully is about all she knows, since it sounds like her existence is a slight logistical nightmare.

        On the topic of whether Minae is the one who explains things... "Minae does explain a lot of things to me, and she's, um... my therapist?" Arriety adds to Ruri, not sure whether that'll help clear matters or not.

        Ruri telling her she's a civilian does make Arriety feel a little easier. She honestly doesn't notice the lack of rank insignia, because at this point insignias are... fancy badges that don't have much meaning to her, other than that important people seem to have a lot of bling. "It sounds like... your job must be pretty tough, but important, Ruri?" She can't even really imagine what a systems operator does...

        Myrme, meanwhile, has achieved scritch nirvana as Roux works on her. "-Uoooooooh-," is the vague blissful noise she makes, like her Limit bar is maxing out.

<Pose Tracker> Zurvan Zevarist has posed.

         Zurvan straightens at Eight answering and greeting him, even if she's already in middle of several conversation. Even more that he's apparently being recognized for his internet fame. There's a brief embarrassed chuckle from the engineer, slowly waving a hand. "Gosh, I hope it was a video where I wasn't doing anything dangerous with machines! It's always so humbling to be recognized like this! I'm glad this Lavhi enjoys them enough to show them around." Zurvan adjusts his tie. It's already pretty loose. "Sorry for the interruptions, ma'am, just thought I'd bring a little gift to y'all while my ship was docked along, too, so I bought this along." He taps the side of the plastic tray.

         While Ruri might not be booming, there is something to be said about quiet voices having more volume by being quieter. He lower down his gaze at Ruri. First, he's surprised at a young lass being here. Second, he did hear about it on the Nadeisco. What was her name, again? "Ah! Hello, Ms. Hoshino! Good evening!" He taps the tray again. "That's for everybody after supper -- and ONLY after supper --, with my compliments. Nice and light, sugary and tasty, like I love makin' em."

He smiles at Minae, tilting his head a bit. "Sorry for barging into your conversation, ladies, I--"

Zurvan looks over at Rena, "Hopefully not, you wouldn't want dozen of farmers shouting out that their pumpkin is the best in the land!"

<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.

Anita observes Riddhe apologize and offer Arriety encouragement, and that gets her to relax somewhat. He's probably alright, in that case.

She chuckles a little, then at Myrme's excitement about pets. Around this time, another person arrives. Anita watches with interest and offers the man a wave of greeting as he bids them a good evening.

"Evening!" She replies with a wave. "Oh hey, you brought a pie? Nice, nice."

She'll let the others have a go at it first. There are some here who she feels deserve a slice of the pie a bit more.

She looks, then, toward Rena and offers her a grin at her baffled comment.

"It's fine, isn't it? A good dinner needs a good dessert to go with it." Anita comments. If Nergal's vouching for him - which she assumes they are, since Ruri seems to know him - she figures it's probably safe to eat.

...Of course, Anita isn't the one who's going to have to explain everything to Santiago, so maybe she can afford to be more relaxed...

...Not that that usually stops Anita.

<Pose Tracker> Charlotte Hepner has posed.

Charlotte follows Rena's gaze to the jolly Zentraedi and his pie. "Well, if you're going to visit, you should bring a gift, shouldn't you?" Makes sense to her, anyways. She gives Rena her attention, now. "So she's with Arietty, and Arietty is with you. Right. Are the rest of your squadron here?"

She's spotted most of them, she's pretty sure, but better to let the commander make the introductions.

<Pose Tracker> Hazard Chevalier has posed.

         It does. Hazard beams at Captain Ramius. "OK! I just wanted to make sure. Superior officers should be able to feel comfortable around their crews, right?"

         "I..." He scratches his cheek. "I don't think I'm a celebrity or anything, really...I'm too new for that. I haven't really had any fights, yet. I mean, actual Gundamfights. I've been in battle. I know what I'm doing!"

         "Ah..." Minae asks if he wants to get both groups cheering for him. He shifts a little bit. "It wasn't really...my idea...but I'll appreciate the support anybody gives me, and I promise I won't be upset if you cheer for your home team. And I'll make sure to support you all, too, obviously!"

         Roux asks him a question.

         The answer is remarkably quick. "It's a Gundamfighter thing. A special training diet. I, uh, I'm not very good yet, so I'm having to take whatever advantage I can." It's...well, it's *true*, again, technically, but Roux's psychic enough to tell that there's something else true about it that isn't just the statement on its face. The big smile is earnest, and the words are real, but there's just...*something*...underneath it. Doesn't seem malicious, though. Just guarded.

         There's a beat. "I, uh, don't like plants, anyway. They're kind of...you know?" He waves his hand back and forth. "They taste funny."

         Ruri gives him an out, and he kinda laughs and scratches the back of his head like a proper Embarassed Super Robot Teenager Pilot. "It's true, I am! I guess my rank is probably...uh...hm, I'm not sure. I guess I'll find out later! Right now I just assume I answer to everybody. It's easier that way!"

         That's definitely true, it is.

         Roux also gets a sense of...relief, that the questioning's turned away from him. Again, not in a malicious way, just...like he's nervous to talk about himself. Well, that figures. He's projecting a pretty loud I'm Friendly aura, the kind nervous people project when they want to ensure that people know they're Friendly and want to get along with people.

         "Actually, some raw fish does sound pretty good right now..." Hazard says aloud, "I don't usually go fishing. It's kind of inconvenient most days. Catching fish with your hands is also kind of...I guess it takes some of the appeal of the quiet meditation out of it?"


 <Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
<poem>

"No," Eight says to Ruri with a smile, "Just being Captain comes with a lot of paperwork." It was a joke, see! Eight... could be in university. Just starting, but there! It's fine. But it sounds like there's a whole operation going about the fish...

"Sure, if they can't work it out with Mr. Santiago then just let me see what I can do, OK?" She's guessing, but she has a feeling that these 'assistants' are already here...

For Captain Ramius though, she smiles back. "Thank you," she replies. "I'd be happy to have someone show you around after dinner, if you have the time."

The brief toast is met by Eight's own drink, which likewise is still non-alcoholic.

"I'm just teasing," she reassures Minae. And then she siiiiiighs at Rena. "But you could be!" she says. "I bet I could make it work!"

and then Zurvan. Yes. Zurvan. "Lavhi--ah, Mr. Orlodhari's the chief Engineer on the ship. He's shown me a lot of them--and only some of them looked dangerous!" A beat, "But I love pie, so you're going to make some friends here."

She looks over at Hazard thoughtfully, noticing his... well, his Friendly Aura, among other things. "I don't do a lot of fishing," she admits. "But we'll figure out your rank and stuff--I've got paperwork about you, I'm sure."

<Pose Tracker> BC-001 Minae has posed.

        'Contractor'. Minae files that term of Roux's away in her head for later, because it sounds a heck of a lot better than the long string of words she just came up with for herself. In thanks, she sits up, suddenly turning deeply solemn. "Try... under the chin," she advises, like the most important thing in the world.

        She takes Ruri's glances in stride, though after a few she makes sure to catch one and offer another smile in return. Whatever the girl's reasons may be, the robot has gotten used to catching some attention from members of the public, especially from kids who might be curious about her. She has absolutely no inkling that this girl might someday yell at her to get in the roomba, Minae. "I'm Arriety's friend," she amends first and foremost. "And also her therapist. And the rest of the ship, now."

        "I'm pretty sure there are worse fates for a Londo Bell ship, ma'am," Minae shoots another grin towards Rena. "Call it community outreach, or something. Maybe not super great for op-sec, I suppose," she has to admit, then grins towards Zurvan with a nod. "But I get the feeling we'd find out real quick if the pie had a camera baked into it, so it's probably fine."

        She pauses to give the Commander a brief salute. "Minae, ma'am. I'm registered to the Kakapos as of a few days ago, but my heart has always been bird-shaped," she says without breaking stride or changing expression at all, apparently dead serious despite the large number of metaphysical questions that might bring up in regards to Super AI and hearts in general.

        For a little while afterwards she pauses, gauging the Gundam Fighter - then bobs her head in agreement. "Mm! But I don't think there'll be a Gundam Fighter of Winter Wonderland any time soon unless I step up myself, and Londo Bell's home for now, so there we go."

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        "Octo..." Ruri echoes, looking from Rena to Eight. "Octo, octon, octav... or octo, octakis, ogoaio...? Well," she supposes, with a little shrug of her shoulders, "I suppose it's none of my business."

        She tilts her head, as Eight says there's a lot of paperwork. "Our Captain never seems to do any," she points out. "But the Nadesico is full of fools, so it... might be different in the military." There's a delay before that 'might', but Ruri is doing her BEST to mind her manners.

        Her attention comes back to Arriety soon enough, though. "Oh," she says. "I have a friend who helps me, too. His name is Omoikane. He looked up information on group dinners for me today." Why would she associate Minae and Omoikane..? Maybe it's just because they're both helpers. "... since we're friends, it's not very difficult. It can be intense when everything is happening, though. Because I still have to communicate with the rest of the crew."

        Minae says her heart is a bird, though, and Ruri's little frown has a shade of concern, this time. "It seems foolish to come out and say it..." She does not, notably, protest the idea that her heart is a bird. Omoikane's heart is a tree. Hearts can be all sorts of things.

        But: there is pie! "Was I meant to bring a gift to the gathering?" Ruri asks, looking from him to Anita for confirmation. She actually manages to sound a little awkward, as she tries to explain: "Um... I'm not a cook so please excuse me."

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"Well..."

Rena looks from Zurvan to Anita to the blueberry pie. She seems to be pause for a moment, warring between the drive to be a little by the book -- especially in front of Hepner -- and her childhood friend. And, ultimately, her stomach.

She won't tell Anita whether she or pie won. "I think it's fine. Mister Zurvan, just... be advised that when Santiago learns, he may challenge you to a cook-off."

She glances at Charlotte, then -- and she hesitates, before she nods. "Two of them are. Anita Rosetta and Minae, who here with us from the Brave Police. Callisto Diana isn't, at the moment."

Rena's brown eyes flicker back at Eight. She makes a face, her lips forming a line. "...I-I don't need butterfly wings. And--and it wouldn't be great for op-sec, MINAE," Rena says. She might be getting red in the face now.

She sighs, before she looks at Ruri. "We, um, grew up in the same place. It's a nickname! Only when we're off duty, though."

She looks back at Hazard and considers raw fish. She also picks up that emotion; a flash of something complicated. She still deflates a little; however, she does smile after a moment. "I... I guess catching fish with... um... your bare hands would be hard. I do like fishing with a pole, though? I've always wanted to go fishing on Earth."

She hasn't had a chance, yet.

Rena glances at Arriety, taking a sip of her drink. "Wanna go get fish and chips?"


 <Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.
<poem>
        Arriety looks to Anita and smiles a little, as Anita vouches for the pie... she didn't even think that there could be something suspicious about it, but her words make sense. Anita's always got a good way of explaining things to her. She mouths a 'thanks' her way.

        She listens in a little as Hazard explains about a Gundam Fighter's training diet, and how he's working hard to represent Tibet for the upcoming fight... it sounds hard. Like being a sports athlete...?

        But more than that, she does sense something about him... something reticient, even with the big smile and the words he's saying. ... ... it's honestly, intensely familiar -- it's the exact way she handles the greater world.

        (Smile! Be nice. Say polite things. Project what other people want to see, no matter how nervous or afraid you're feeling inside.)

        And Eight's willing to cover for him, so it's not like Arriety has an issue with it... Eight knows how to handle people.

        Still, Arriety looks like she's absorbed quite a lot of new people for one night. "Y-yes, sorry," she whines to Minae. "Um, I've known a number of people here for a while... Rena, Eight, Minae, Anita. We're all childhood friends..."

        And the fact that they've all ended up on the same ship, fighting... is not lost on her.

        Ruri starts ruminating about Octo, and that gets Arriety to light up. "It's because... an octopus has... eight legs!" she says with possibly the most cheer she's had all night long, like it's a catchphrase she's said before that brings joy to her heart.

        But Ruri also explains that she has a friend -- Omoikane. "Wow, he sounds really smart... Minae also often helps me keep everything in order, since I forget a lot of things and can't keep them organised..."

        Finally, though, she weighs in on Rena being a butterfly: "It would... look pretty cute." Rena offers fish and chips to her, and she smiles with a bit of a bashful look on her face. "Mmm," she nods, and reaches for Rena's hand. Handholding!! How forward!!

        Meanwhile, Myrme's soul is no longer bound to the gravity of this world where people aren't being petted all the time, because she has achieved a state of total pettingness. "uwa...... miss roux is powerful..." she burbles.

<Pose Tracker> Hazard Chevalier has posed.

         "It's not that hard - it's just reflexes. A lot of things are reflexes!" Hazard says brightly. "I think anybody can be taught to do use their hands, but it's not really worth it most of the time. I mean..."

         He looks over at the cooking fish. He looks back at Rena. He looks over at the fish. He looks back at Rena.

         "...we have grocery stores and stuff."

         His big golden eyes blink.

         Then, "Oh! Thank you, Captain! I'd really appreciate it!"

         "It's..." Minae gets a long look from Hazard. There's a sense of something...unhappy...behind his smile there, even beyond just the Newtypes. The way his golden eyes contract a little. The way his smile becomes a little strained. He's thinking about an appropriate response. About what he wants to say. About how he wants to say it. The Newtypes can tell plain as day, but probably anybody else can, too, if they're paying attention to his face behind the scarf.

         "It sounds nice to always be home."

         And then he stands up with his pork. "Uh, I'm gonna go make sure Tyrant Gundam is okay. Can you ask the techs not to mess with it? The settings are real finnicky and if they accidentally trip the control system it'll kill them."

         There's a pause.

         After a moment, Hazard clarifies, "Mobile Fighter control systems contract to the Gundamfighter's skin. If you aren't strong enough to handle it, it'll smother you to death while you're trying to get your head through the bubble, or crush your bones. I don't really want any accidents, you know...? Haha...that'd be a pretty bad first day for everybody!"

<Pose Tracker> Zurvan Zevarist has posed.

         Zurvan lets out another laugh. Fella laughs a lot. Maybe he's nervous in being in such a higher brow gathering than he expected this to be. "Then I shall have to meet him, sometimes! I bet we could have a lot to talk about!" He dusts his hands, closing up the plastic tray so the TEMPTING PIE SMELL do not bring anybody to eat their dessert before the actual supper. "In any case, thanks you for the welcome, Captain."

         Zevarist gives a brief salute, nevermind that he has no need to do it not being military. He turns his attention to Minae, giving her a thumbs up. "I can certify that none of the flour I've used to make this pie contains any cameras, nor does any reagents used in the craft of this baked goods. Thanks you for your support, Ms!"

         Feels a bit weird, now that he thinks about it. Not that it's something to fear or judge about, just a feeling.

         "Oh, no, no," He waves a hand at the younger child. "It's just a habit of mine my old man drilled into my head, bringin' a present to a dinner is just nice and polite to do. Unless they ask not to. Then it just becomes presumptuous. Then it depends on who invites you and your relationship with them."

 <Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
<poem>
"The humble sort, huh? Well, I can respect that." Anita comments, looking toward Hazard. "You'll get there though, I bet, as long as you keep it up."

Arriety offers a subtle thanks, and Anita sends her a subtle nod back in return. She looks toward Charlotte, then, as she asks about Rena's squadron. Anita looks, at the moment, unaware of the terrible temptation she has exposed Rena to. Instead, she offers a salute as Rena introduces herself.

"Nice to meet you, Commander." Anita greets politely.

Arriety says she's known a number of people here for a while and Anita turns to look, offering a smile.

"Yeah... I wouldn't be here today without all of them, myself." Anita chimes in with a sheepish chuckle, massaging the back of her neck with her left hand. For those in the know, the fact that it's the left is significant.

With that said, she turns toward Ruri... who has an inquiry! Anita offers her a smile.

"Nah, not all. It's just a get-together to celebrate the arrival of some fresh fish. We've got an excellent chef preparing food for everyone already." She explains... and then points toward Zurvan as he explains. "See? You're fine."

<Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.

"Of course!" Eight answers Zurvan with a smile. "And that can be arranged--he's working with the local crews right now on the engines or else he'd be here."

Octo! Eight laughs a little as Ruri repeats it. "Yeah, don't worry. She just likes to call me that--" Arriety explains! Eight grins. "My first name's Eight, you see."

The pie... yes, it's true, there's all sorts of operational reasons to refuse it. But it's fine. Super fine. Santiago can take care of it. They have sensors for that kind of thing. Right?

"Good point, there might be a bake-off in our future," she comments, and then--

"Right??" she says to Arriety about the butterfly thing. "Back me up here!"

"Don't worry," Eight says to Ruri. "No gift required." She nods to Zurvan. "Like he says." Pause. "I guess it is kind of complicated, isn't it? But we don't expect it or anything." Anita had it covered, but... Eight likes to explain, too!!

Always being home, though... "It is kinda like that, isn't it?" she asks. She knows he's working hard at what to say. She can tell. ...But that makes her appreciate that he's trying, more than get suspicious of him. When he moves to head off she says, "We can do that. Take care!"

<Pose Tracker> Charlotte Hepner has posed.

Charlotte wasn't invited, but she follows Rena and Arietty towards the chow line at a respectful distance. Far too much going on here; she'll fade back a bit and take the pressure off the juniors. They weren't warned, and it wouldn't do to ruin their party.

She collects a plate of delicious fried fish and drifts off to the end of a table, where she can give it the attention it deserves.

<Pose Tracker> Rena Lancaster has posed.

"Reflexes... well, that makes sense. I just thought--since the fish are slippery? And they have scales? And--" Her eyes blink a few times. She feels pretty sure her spacenoid is showing.

"...g-groceries stores makes sense," she says. She smiles, a little awkwardly. "Sorry. I've only been on Earth a couple of times, and it was usually only for a few hours and inside a military base."

She nods at him, then, and she blinks -- and she looks alarmed. "Y-Yeah, I didn't know! I'll..." She considers that sadness she felt; the sense of longing. Something deeper. Her voice softens. "I'll talk to them, okay? Let us know if... if there's anything we can do to help out!"

She looks at Zurvan -- then she smiles. "I bet he'd be happy to talk to you once he finishes cooking. Please, you should try some, if you have a moment!"

She nods after what Anita says. She looks back at Arriety, smiles, and nods. "Let's go, then." As Charlotte falls in, she looks back at her. "It's a treat, ma'am."

<Pose Tracker> BC-001 Minae has posed.

        Minae's grin is ultimately one of understanding. "There's nothing wrong with being a little foolish sometimes," she doesn't quite quote the statement in Ruri's direction, but there is a bit of a sense that it's not exactly something she's saying herself so much as a rule she's picked up along the way. She might have picked up some inkling of what Omoikane might be, but she largely keeps it to herself, bobbing her head in agreement instead.

        "I guess Eight's right that I do kind of tend to look after that stuff after all," she muses to herself with a tilt of her head. When she continues it's with the air of someone jotting down notes, like she's not really ever thought about this. "But I guess it's just what comes naturally. I'm not doing it because I'm Arriety's helper, or at least I don't think so. Hmm."

        When Hazard hesitates, so does Minae, and you can just see the young woman shift into some sort of listening mode as her smile quietens to something more attentive. Maybe, just maybe, she's not some idiot who's kidding about her role on board the ship. "... I'm sure it'll be hard being away," she agrees - though before she can get any further, her face turns comically aghast. "Uh-- yeah, you should probably-- I mean, you'd hope they'd know already, but!"

        "Spy-pie, ma'am," Minae says to Eight afterwards, making a wiggling motion with her fingers. She seems suddenly much more energized, perhaps because she gets to glimpse Rena and Arriety reconnecting a little. "Spy-pie. You'd think I'd be able to detect them, but no. You just can't get the tastebuds made for them."

        That pulls her up short, and she frowns. "... actually-- someone give me a good description how it tastes. I heard 'flaky' but that doesn't sound great."

<Pose Tracker> Murrue Ramius has posed.

         Murrue smiles, looking into her glass, swirling its contents. She bemuses at the GundamFighters comment.

         I am finding, very often, what a captain can do, and what a captain should do, are not the same thing. She giggles, and looks at Hazard, At least this time its both!

         Murrue turns her attention back to the Captain of the ship, the intendee of her toast with a grin. Thank you, Id love to see the ship, but fish first!

         Captain Ramius hops away from the table she had, unknowingly, been leaning on, and follows a group to the food. She calls out to Zurvan "Please save me a pie portion!!" waving to catch his attention, giggling as she hears 'spy pie'. Adorable.

        She's not serious is she? Nah. Hehehe. 'Spy Pie'

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        "Octopus," Ruri says, and something about it has her engaged, "from ancient Greek, eight-footed. Octakis, hot topics, heart tonic... or something like that." She seems to enjoy the wordplay, and simultaneously completely miss the fact that it's a personal nickname.

        But she's more pensive, as she considers: "Oh, you're all childhood friends..."

        ... does she really feel like eating fish..?

        Really, for all she notices some things without needing any introduction, there are other things which are harder for her to pick up on. Even so, she has a strange feeling about that boisterous pilot, for all he's acting precisely the way pilots seem to act on the Nadesico. "Please address the situation," she denies his parting joke, humourless and heedless of its function.

        She's still serious, as she looks up to to Eight. "I see. Then I will not bring a gift." She doesn't leave to get those fishes and chips so immediately, for some reason.

        She considers Zurvan's words, with a pensive frown. "So it depends on the situation... Omoikane didn't prepare me for that." Ruri shakes her head, and looks over to the people remaining. "Mr. Zevarist is a fool, but he has a lot of experience. Regardless, Nergal has no reason to spy on its allies at this time. I am sure the pie is fine." She makes a mental note to reserve a portion of pie for Ms. Ramius, obviously.

        A beat of a pause, and she adds, to Minae: "Flaky. As in a food which crumbles easily, is light in texture, associated with baked goods. Not flaky as in unreliable or eccentric... for the pie, at least."


 <Pose Tracker> Eight York has posed.
<poem>

"Spy-pie," Eight repeats, looking determined for a moment. Then she grins at Ruri. "I'm sure it's fine," she sys of the SPY PIE and Ruri's reassurances. "Fish first," she agrees with Ramius first, and then looks back to the others again. Ruri in particular.

"We are," she explains about being friends. "We've known each other a long time, and here we all are now. It's a bit of a surprise."

But no gift. Indeed.

"Omoikane seems to be really helpful to you," Eight reflects, and then elooks to Minae. "I can give you a good description! You know me, I'm an expert at sweets."

She smiles around at the others. "Well--I should go get some, too... but before I do, why don't we go see those assistants and confirm everything with our cook?" she offers Ruri.

<Pose Tracker> Zurvan Zevarist has posed.

         "A bake off..." Zurvan muses, scratching his stubble on his chin. "Now THAT have my attention!" He adds, "Yes, it's always complicated when you're dealing with small town politics." The engineer takes the time to look over, rubbing his hands. "Oh, gladly, I'd be happy to give this fresh, new fish a shot. Last time I've had some fresh fish was a while ago when I went out ocean fishing for an experiment." He wriggle his hands, falling into the line as well. "Oh! New to Terra Firma, huh?" He offers at Rena. "Don't sweat it! I'm pretty new to space myself! Life's full of firsts, enjoy them when you can to be surprised by them!"

         The Zentradi-blooded gives a full, beaming smile at Ruri calling him a fool. "I'll take this endorsement with full appreciations, Ms. Hoshino!" He taps his chin, frowns, reach into his pocket and takes out a small digital notepad what he wriggles something on it, his lips silently mouthing 'spy-pie: elaborate as prank'. "Ahh... well, blueberry taste rather tangy and sugary, with an acidic taste to it. Cooked blueberry will be jammy and stretchy, with some nodules of fruit caramelized if baked well -- and it IS baked well, let me tell you."

<Pose Tracker> Arriety Hearn has posed.

        Arriety senses some of Zurvan's nervousness, and honestly, she can't blame him; she's pretty nervous too. But perhaps... knowing other people are nervous lets her know she's not alone. "Thank you for the pie, Mr. Zurvan... it does smell really good, but Rena'll lecture me if I have a treat before dinner."

        The sense of longing... wanting a sense of home. ... will she ever reclaim that, out here? She doesn't know. It's too much for her right now. But Hazard departs and says some unusual things about his Gundam, which... well.

        She has a weird flesh throne for a cockpit seat, after Myrme got to it, she can't say anything.

        "It's not because you're assigned to be my helper or anything, but... I'm confident in saying I couldn't have made it to high school without you," Arriety admits readily to Minae, then--

        Spy pie.

        Ruri muses of how Octopus is from ancient Greek... wow! She also vouches for Zurvan's pie not being a spy pie. Now she wants to know what that'd be like... she does tilt her head and smile a bit more quietly, though. "You're really smart, Ruri... I struggle a lot with my classes, so a lot of people don't think I'm very smart. But my friends helped me a lot over the years, and also to not think of myself as not smart..."

        Though about the pie...

        "I think if anyone could become a spy pie, it's you, Minae," Arriety muses.

        She then gets up to join Charlotte and Rena at the line. "I'll bring you some too, Minae!"

<Pose Tracker> Ruri Hoshino has posed.

        "Yes," Ruri replies, to Arriety, which really confirms two things:

        - Ruri is very smart,
        - Ruri is not smart enough not to be humble about it.

        "But smart people can be fools, too." It's as much damning herself as the people who sound like they criticised Arriety, and she doesn't bother explaining just why she's putting everyone clever down, a little splishy-splash at the edges of her consciousness.

        She looks to Zurvan, as if to say, 'see?' (Because it's so much easier if she's criticising him, after all.)

        "Omoikane is very helpful," she replies, to Eight. "He's our..." Here, she hesitates, for a moment, before she explains: "... an important member of our crew." Ruri isn't lying, which is the important part.

        She nods, still entirely too serious, to Eight's invitation. "Yes," she agrees. "I would like to help Ms. Howmei's assistants. Thank you for your assistance, Captain York."

        And once they've organised Fish Diplomacy...

        ... Ruri will eat those fish and chips, because it's just a strange feeling, after all.

        Fresh food... it's tasty!