The First Day [2430-1-1-Weds-5am]

[Magdalen Verena]

Upon stirring in the morning, Magdalen realized with surprise that she’d managed quite a fitful and sound sleep. It had been disrupted by neither scattered flashbacks nor the ceaseless tossing and turning she’d become accustomed to over the past few weeks. So feeling more refreshed and relatively energized than she had in a long time, it was with a small smile that she made her bed and slipped out into the silent hallway; proceeding in the direction of the showers as quietly as possible.

Because it was so early she was almost positive no one else would have been awake … except perhaps Solomon. Weren’t Captains prone to examining every inch of their ships before the rest of their crew woke? It was a meticulous quirk Magdalen had always assumed was in their blood, being the first up and the last to shut their eyes. Shrugging to herself, the blonde used only enough water to wash her face and neck before returning to her designated cabin, slipping out of the old nightwear she’d had since Antheia and into a second set of clothing she’d brought with her. The three outfits she had would have to last her until she could purchase more elsewhere, but they all fit snugly enough.

The cotton sweater she’d pulled on for instance was a bit outdated, the fabric fading somewhat after numerous washes … but it was warm and form-fitting. The trousers she’d salvaged however were somewhat loose in comparison and a bit too long. She’d have to fix that later. But all in all she looked like she could tough it out with the rest of the boys, pulling her long hair into a messy bun. Ready to start her day, she surveyed the desk that was left to her for a moment before her thoughts were drawn away to Cassandra again.

Absently she wondered whether the girl was feeling any better.

Leaving her cabin a second time, she strode barefoot towards the passenger quarters and stared down the hallway with a thoughtful expression.

No. Better leave her be for now. She didn’t want to anger the other woman.
Besides, she knew what it was like to need her space.

But how would she preoccupy herself until someone else got up?
Leaning back against one of the cool walls of the ship, she tilted her head and closed her eyes … listening to the various noises echoing from the expanding metal and ventilation.

[Solomon Taylor]

Early to rise, but slow to wake, Solomon shuffled down the hall most definitely still half asleep. He'd slept pretty well, considering it was still taking him awhile to get used to a real bed again. Especially a real bed in space. He was pretty sure he'd had a dream about the ship crashing into some moon or some equally large peice of space junk, but other than that it had been sound until his inevitable early rise. He was used to waking with the sunrise on Antheia, and while there was no sun to shine in his eyes in his dark corner of his spaceship, his internal clock was still on time.

And so he found himself sleepily wandering down the hall in just a pair of pants he'd pulled on and carrying some other clothes to change into. He assumed pretty much everyone was still asleep. Except maybe Blaine. Sometimes it was hard to decipher the sleeping patterns of a pilot. He really should have checked the cockpit to make sure all was well in there in case Blaine was asleep, he realized with a wide yawn as he turned the corner on his quest for the showers. So he was still new at this captaining business. A few minutes more couldn't hurt.

A look of surprise crossed his face when he noticed Magdalen standing in the hallway alone. He lifted an eyebrow. "You're up early," he said, scratching the back of his head and letting out another yawn.

[Magdalen Verena]

The sound of Solomon’s voice startled her, and she jumped a little bit before realizing who it was.

“You scared me,” she accused him but smiled nonetheless. “And yeah. I had a wonderful sleep, which was somewhat shocking. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to shut my eyes and not … well …” Magdalen trailed off then and averted her gaze. What she’d been about to say was that it had been awhile since she’d slept and not suffered from some variation of the same nightmare. However it wouldn’t have been much of a comfort for her to tell him that. Best keep some things to herself for the time being.

“Anyway I was just about to check on Cass. She seemed very upset at supper last night; I wondered perhaps if it would be any good to talk to her … and then thought better of it. She just needs some time.” A pause followed before the blonde’s eyes returned to meet Solomon’s again.

“Judging by her extreme shyness and that unexpected reaction after all of our questions, it’s evident she has been alone – much like us – for a long time. At least that’s my assumption.”

[Solomon Taylor]

He gave a sleepy smile and a nod. "I had a pretty decent sleep myself, considering I'm still not used to a real bed yet. I think I should stock up on some more blankets on Antheia, though. Were you cold at all?" Maybe it had just been him, but he probably could have used one more blanket throughout the night.

"We're all a bunch of misfits on this ship, aren't we?" He figured it was best not to mention what he'd discovered the last evening about the bounty on Cass' head. He was feeling weird even knowing it himself. If someone had to question him, now he actually knew something. And as the captain, willingly taking aboard another fugitive with a current bounty on her head (whether he'd found out before or after) wasn't good for his own record or the safety of the crew. "I'm not sure. Maybe we should let her come out on her own? Or if you do talk to her, try to avoid too many questions for now. She might get overwhelmed again and we should probably ease her into trusting us."

[Magdalen Verena]

“No, I wasn’t cold at all. That might have to do with the fact that the cottage I’d stayed in on Antheia was always very drafty.” It was something of a joke and she smiled fondly thinking back on it. Briefly she wondered whether that old couple would still be there, waiting for her. Or what they would say if she went to pay a visit. Would they be upset, or relieved? Shaking away the persistent thoughts, she turned to examine the passenger corridor and sighed. “I think you’re right. She seems somewhat defensive, so perhaps it would be for the best if we just left her to her own devices. I mean, if we don’t ask too many questions it won’t seem like we’re trying to judge her … which we aren’t.”

Pushing away from the wall, she folded her arms and noted the bundle of clothes in his arms.

“Anyway it’s funny we’d meet here now. I was just convincing myself you were the stereotypical Captain, up and taking care of business before anyone else.” The conversation was far more laidback than it had been in the market. Hopefully he felt comfortable speaking with her so casually, else she was doing nothing more than making an obnoxious fool of herself.

[Solomon Taylor]

"Hopefully Cass will come out again when she's feeling more like chatting. Hopefully sooner than later. Sounds like she might be with us a while."

He glanced at the clothing in his arms. "oh... I don't know what makes a stereotypical captain, but you can blame Antheia for my early rising. The sun always woke me up. And the morning was good hunting time. It's just become habit. Though speaking of captain habits, I really should start waking up periodically over the night to check on the ship... wouldn't want to stray off path while everyone's asleep..." Yeah, there was definitely some learning involved in getting into the Captain's chair.

"Well anyway," he replied, yawning a bit more and continuing to head towards the showers. "I should probably get in there and get clean and we can continue talking when I'm more... appropriately clothed."

[Magdalen Verena]

“It’ll come naturally to you, I think. I mean … from what I can tell you already have the makings of a good captain.”

Magdalen didn’t bother elaborating on what she meant by that, thinking mostly to herself now as she glanced off down the hall towards the common room area. It was true though. Solomon seemed like a very decent man; warm, hardworking and sincere. There wouldn’t have been anyone better suited for the job and to be able to get the group of men he had to cooperate … well, that was a feat in and of itself. She couldn’t say she knew him very well yet but she’d always been a fair judge of character under most circumstances.

Eyeing his bundle of clothes again and moving aside to let him pass, Magdalen nodded and turned to begin heading in the opposite direction. “Right. Sorry about that! I’ll talk to you soon then.”

And with that she went to lounge about in the common area, easing herself on to the couch that was provided and resting her head in one hand.