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Post by Solomon Taylor on Aug 11, 2009 20:41:36 GMT -6
"Translator..." he nodded, thinking about it carefully. "That might actually come in handy. I mean, I know some select Elvish, but not much else besides that and English. Knowledge of dialects might be good for trade and jobs."
It was a shame she couldn't remember what else she used to do. Maybe it would be even handier. He continued listening to her story carefully, watching her. Her calmness wavered just a little, eyes filling with a sadness that wasn't there earlier. Sometimes, it was like looking into a mirror. His desire to help her out grew exponentially that moment, as she looked back into his eyes.
Finally he gave another nod. "That's fine, in fact you probably told me even more than I needed right now. I'm headed back to the ship now. Dock 178-C. Did you want to come now, or do you have anything to gather first? We're off in an hour or two..."
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Post by Magdalen Verena on Aug 11, 2009 20:54:29 GMT -6
Once again she felt relief flood through her, and she smiled widely at him with her hands coming to clap together with the force of her gratitude.
“I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay you for giving me this opportunity, but I can promise that I’ll aid you as best as I can on the journey. Whatever assistance I can possibly offer is at your disposal.”
To be honest, she felt and looked much like a young child on Christmas morning. Although she managed to subdue her excitement long enough to give his final question some serious consideration. Was there anything she needed? Well, that was sort of pointless to even think about. After all she had next to no money on her person. However he didn’t need to know that. Everything that was important for her to keep was already tucked somewhere beneath the plain dress she wore.
“I already have all of my personal belongings with me. Force of habit to carry them around.” She managed a sheepish smile then, and shrugged. “I suppose that happens when you spend a good portion of your life travelling.” Allowing a brief pause to follow her words, Magdalen took a moment to relish in her good luck and then extended her right hand for him to shake.
“We have a deal then? My services for a place aboard your ship.”
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Post by Solomon Taylor on Aug 11, 2009 21:07:23 GMT -6
He couldn't help but smile at her excitement. This would hopefully work out for the best. And Olive would probably like her. They looked about the same age, even if one was a Faun and not a Human. He awkwardly reached around the crate to shake her hand, feeling good about this. Boy the crew would be surprised.
"Here, first task..." he shifted the crate around in his arms, offering her one of the sides with a handle, while he took a better hold of the handle on his side. "Help me with this. Two carrying this might make it easier to weave through these damn crowds. Don't worry, it's not that heavy. Not for two."
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Post by Magdalen Verena on Aug 11, 2009 21:21:20 GMT -6
Slipping her smaller hand into his available one and shaking it firmly, the deal considered itself sealed and she smiled happily as he offered her one of the handles attached to the side of the crate. Gripping it easily, she found that he’d been right in saying it was an effortless task for two people and shifted her weight to better accommodate the thing. “Right,” she answered diligently and moved to allow a trio of toddlers to waddle past her.
It almost seemed too good to be true, and the coincidence in and of itself was somewhat phenomenal. The fact that they’d been introduced on another planet and then ended up striking a bargain back in Terra was almost eerie. But it was for the best and she lifted her chin with newfound resolve. Still, she took a second to toss a glance at Solomon and chuckled good-naturedly.
“By the way, you have a lovely smile.”
And with that said, she started off with her newfound companion. Or at least, the man who – from now on – would be designated ‘Captain’.
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Post by Solomon Taylor on Aug 11, 2009 23:08:28 GMT -6
It felt weird giving someone the exact action they'd just pointed out, but there wasn't much more one could do after receiving a compliment on their smile than... well... smile. Natural reaction. He wasn't quite sure what else to say, though. "oh... thanks. You too." You too? What?
"Sooo," he decided to quickly change the subject. "I hope you like Fauns. Because Olive is sure to like you. Well, she likes pretty much everyone... which is kind of an issue sometimes..."
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Post by Magdalen Verena on Aug 11, 2009 23:21:09 GMT -6
Magdalen attempted to suppress her laughter at Solomon’s awkward way with words. Well, that wasn’t quite fair to say. She was sure it was just the fact that he didn’t often receive compliments and therefore had no idea how to reciprocate such a gesture. That was perfectly understandable, too. Human contact had been rare if not nonexistent while on Antheia and though the Elves were amicable creatures, their manner of speech and protocol in regards to conversation was much different than what they were used to.
“Fauns?” she repeated, following his lead and moving on to a more comfortable topic. “I only came across a few in Antheia, but they were so playful! I’m sure I’ll really like Olive. … Did she accompany you during your stay there?” If so, it was rather surprising. One didn’t often hear of creatures abandoning their homeland to travel with humans, especially since she’d assumed Fauns enjoyed the seclusion forests and widespread meadows afforded them.
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Post by Solomon Taylor on Aug 11, 2009 23:30:58 GMT -6
"Yeah, she came with me from Antheia. Uninvited, actually." He shook his head again at the thought. Boy had he gotten a surprise when she had leaped into the shuttle just before he took off. "We... well she sort of latched onto me at a young age. She's like a little sister that drives you batty, but for some reason you can't imagine living without her around. She's one of the things I have to return to Antheia. Or at least, for a little bit, so she can properly say goodbye to her family if she's going to continue traveling with me. I really don't need to add suspected kidnapping to my record."
"She's very friendly," he continued. "And right now the crew is made up solely of a bunch of men. So... it'll be nice for her to have a female around as well."
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Post by Magdalen Verena on Aug 11, 2009 23:44:57 GMT -6
After he’d finished speaking, Magdalen found that her newly-established respect for the man had grown. A gentle expression etched itself across the planes of her face and her eyes grew softer, almost admiring. “It sounds like you both have formed a strong bond since your time in Antheia,” she began. “Not only that … but you’ve come to acknowledge and appreciate it for what it is. Such friendships are precious. The fact that you’re taking her back and giving her the opportunity to say goodbye says a lot about your character Solomon. I mean, I’m not an expert or anything. Just what I’ve learnt over the past few years.”
A blush coloured her cheeks as she realized how forward she was being. This man was more or less her superior now, it wasn’t appropriate to be making such remarks. Tightening her grip on the crate’s handle, she distracted herself momentarily by concentrating on manoeuvring the bulky thing through the throng of commoners.
“During my stay – on Antheia I mean – I always hoped I’d see a Unicorn. They’re rumoured to dwell deep within the forests.” Magdalen adopted a faraway look as she thought back on the childish fantasy. “It never happened. Not that I really expected it would.”
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Post by Solomon Taylor on Aug 12, 2009 0:09:37 GMT -6
"I don't see it any other way..." he replied, shrugging as they walked. "I stand by what I feel is right. Even if some people disagree and, well, it leaves me with a bounty on my head." He decided not to delve further into that hot topic. That was a discussion for another day, when they knew each other better. He'd already rehashed it to Grace. That was enough for the week.
She mentioned the unicorns and he couldn't help but chuckle a little. "I lived on Antheia for fifteen years, in the forests mostly. Never once did I see a Unicorn. Once and a while I'd hear an Elf mention a sighting, but personally I think it's just a myth. Either that or it really is true about how only the purest of people can get near them, or whatever that story is."
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Post by Magdalen Verena on Aug 12, 2009 0:22:12 GMT -6
She didn’t bother pushing the subject of his bounty, unwilling to reveal further details concerning her own. Discussing those sorts of things at such an early stage wouldn’t have been a wise decision anyway, not when they were just starting to get to know each other. Focusing on the Unicorns instead, Magdalen shrugged her shoulders in response to his own thoughts on the matter.
“I can’t really say that I put much faith in myths to be honest, at least not anymore. Once I’m provided with solid fact … that’s when I’ll allow myself to get wrapped up in such whimsical stories. Though I suppose that’s a little dreary of me.” She laughed half-heartedly at that, appraising the various stalls they passed in their effort to steer clear of the crowds. Tracing back to something he’d said earlier, Magdalen found her eyebrows lifting in mounting surprise.
”Fifteen years,” murmured the blonde. “I can’t even imagine.”
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Post by Solomon Taylor on Aug 12, 2009 0:32:54 GMT -6
Sol nodded. "Fifteen. Arrived there when I was seventeen. Great place to live, especially when you were avoiding getting arrested for a good portion of it. Lots of wilderness to do your own thing." He dodged a man with a hover cart, whizzing by with some packages or some new items for a stall.
"I like the peace of it. You're not bogged down by all sorts of appointments and... people," he couldn't help but motion around at their surroundings. "I'm sure you know what I mean, having lived there too. I probably would have just stayed there all my life if I didn't have my old desires of traveling the stars come bubbling back up to the surface again in recent months." He glanced up, noting the sky through the glass roof of the marketplace. "Maybe I'll go back one day when I'm ready to settle down and accept my old age." He couldn't help but smirk a little.
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Post by Magdalen Verena on Aug 12, 2009 0:46:10 GMT -6
She nodded, able to relate with what he was saying … at least to a degree. “I can’t say I experienced the same sort of freedom as you,” she began lightly. “Believing for a long while that those elderly folk were the only family I’d ever known and adhering to their firm set of rules – even if it was for my own safety – meant that I was restricted to only certain areas of Antheia. Regardless of that, I owe them a lot.”
Leaving them behind upon regaining some of her memory had been the least she could have done. They didn’t need to concern themselves with her troubles after all. Such nice people didn’t deserve to bear anyone’s burden.
She followed Solomon’s gaze to the glass dome overhead and then permitted her eyes to linger upon his face. “You don’t much look like an old man to me. But I know how you feel, to yearn for that flexibility and the chance to lose yourself in the sheer beauty of the place. It was so tranquil. I’m sure the entire crew will be pleased to pay a visit.”
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Post by Solomon Taylor on Aug 12, 2009 1:02:32 GMT -6
"Nah, not old yet," he shook his head, looking a bit amused. "But one day. Hopefully. If I don't get myself killed somehow before that." He made sure to throw in a little wink so she knew he was joking. He wasn't intentionally sounding morbid, but he realized it could come across that way. But still, regardless of it being a joke there was still a bit of truth to it. Space was enticing and beautiful, but it was also dangerous. More desperation, and far less law.
And sometimes, even the law wasn't on your side.
He sighed. "Terra is beautiful in it's own way, I suppose. From a man-made perspective, it's impressive. But it just can't compare to the natural beauty of all the things that existed before us. It's so easy to get cocky about what we've accomplished as a race, but... there's nothing like the grandeur of a mountain range to make you realize your tiny place in the universe."
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Post by Magdalen Verena on Aug 12, 2009 10:07:08 GMT -6
Magdalen looked serious for a moment, contemplating the truthfulness of what he’d said. They were immersed in danger regardless of where they ventured off to. Even Antheia – possibly the most docile planet she could think of – was haunted with its own threats. She admittedly didn’t have very much experience with space travel but she still managed to retain a certain thrill when thinking about it. Even as a young girl the concept roused a certain excitement and wonder within her.
Watching him carefully from the corner of her eye, Magdalen adopted a quick smile and shook her head. “My first impression of you was someone who was confident in himself. I also have a feeling you don’t give up easily … so there isn’t any reason to dwell on those sorts of thoughts. Then again, I suppose you have to be ready for anything.” The conversation was somewhat unconventional, but not discouraging. In fact she still managed a smile, something that came so easily to her and yet it had been a long time since it had felt as genuine as it did right then.
”Philosophical too I see,” she replied in answer to his following observation. “But you’re right. It’s the rare green jewel in the universe. I’d always considered it something of a paradise myself. The wonders of nature will forever remain indecipherable. And I think that’s what gives Antheia it’s draw.”
While absorbed by the throes of their conversation, Magdalen had completely forgotten the fear and anxiety that plagued her when she’d been alone. The crowds no longer bothered her like they used to – they only presented themselves as a nuisance while trying to heft the box through the street – and her mind could settle on more pleasant things. Companionship was indeed something to treasure, at least while she had it.
“So, can you tell me what the rest of the crew was like?”
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Post by Solomon Taylor on Aug 12, 2009 10:41:53 GMT -6
"The crew..." he wasn't even sure where to begin. He'd only known them a few days, but there was certainly things he could say about them. "Well, there's Olive of course. I'm not really considering her crew at this point, though. Not until we figure out whether she's staying. And she honestly doesn't have any official jobs or anything, since she wasn't planned, though she's decided she's going to cook for everyone."
"The pilot is Nick Blaine," he continued. "He's a bit of an intimidating guy, but he seems likable enough. Seems he has a bit of his own record, but it didn't look like anything serious. Just piloting the wrong ship at the wrong times, I suppose. We have Caden, he's the mechanic. Seems kind of hard around the edges, but he's damn good at what he does. And last but not least, our medic is named Booker," he couldn't help but laugh a little. "The guy is huge, but it seems like his heart is the same size. So don't worry about him. Well, as long as you're not a criminal. ...or a smoker."
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