Remember The Storm–– Day 5 (February 6, 2317)

[Cytherea]

Hazel

"No, he hasn't." she snapped at him. "But we'll make sure he gets them straightway." she turned to the Ciel-Mer Lunealise, and smiled at her. She was quite pretty. "I'm glad to meet you. And you too," she said quickly to the other Ciel-Mer.

Wow! Lots of high ranking people here. Except Yosef and I...

"I'm sorry to interrupt you guys. We'll actually be on our way..." Hazel muttered. "I've got work to do."

[Lithium]

Casper

Casper smiled quickly and said, "It was a pleasure meeting you, Yosef. But, I didn't catch your name, sweetheart. What is it so I can file it away for when we again meet?"

Perseus

He rolled his eyes. Casper was laying it on a bit thick. She was just some girl. Now that Casper seemed to be interested, he has lost all interest.

Lunealise

She smiled. "I'm glad to meet you too."

[Cytherea]

Hazel

Another?! I was never this popular back at home...

"It's... Hazel." she said with a friendly smile. She stuck her hand out for him to shake. "I'm a medic here. And I've sworn off boys. I'm sorry, what was your name again?"

Yosef

Yosef looked around while Hazel introduced herself, and he caught sight of a girl. His heart nearly stopped.

Oh my... whoa.

She had beautiful red hair, and a determined face. He felt his heart rate pick-up drastically.

[Lithium]

Casper

Casper quickly grinned at her forward statement, of "swearing off boys." He said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Hazel, who has sworn off boys. For what reason? Has old Perseus here broken more hearts?" His eyes narrowed and he scowled at Perseus, briefly letting the joke become a serious statement before shrugging and saying, "Never mind. I shouldn't have asked. Anyways, it's a real shame you "swore off" men. I would have enjoyed dancing with you at the up-coming ball. Would you like to attend? I would ask for you to accompany me, but I prefer to go stag, so to speak, so..."

He flashed another bright smile and then cocked his head, waiting for her response.

Maya, Kelse & Brad

"Oh, thank you. I've got four right now. Another on the way," she said, absent-mindedly rubbing her belly swollen with eight-months worth of child. "Should be due in a few weeks now. It's already dropped. Why don't we go down now? I've got to get to work soon anyways. They've got me on light duty, so I can get you your pass and they'll get you a job."

"Can I go, Mom? I want to see Trey and everybody," Kelse asked.

Maya smiled and nodded. "All right. Let's go before it gets too hot."

[Cytherea]

Hazel

"Hmm..." Hazel thought. She brought a hand up to her chin. "I suppose I could. But only if you promise to dance at least three dances with me." she smiled again. "How about it?"

Julvely

"Thank you for taking me." Julvely said after they had started out. "I think this is a good place for me to settle down in for a while. And I will try to help around the house, too. I can help with the chores, in my free time."

Julvely's shoulder stung as she spoke the words. She quickly shrugged it of and kept walking.

[Lithium]

Casper

Casper laughed. "The lady drives a hard bargain! All right, then. I accept! I, Casperas Anton, do promise–– on my honor!–– to dance with you for three dances. How's that?"

Perseus

Perseus sighed and said, "I'd better check on how the work's coming. See you all later." He walked away, empty.

Maya & Kelse

Kelse took hold of Julvely's hand and her mother's hand and walked in between them, swinging their arms as they walked. "She can do my chores, since she's sharing my room," Kelse said.

Maya frowned. "Kelsey?"

"Well, it's true!"

"You won't have to do anything around the house once you get your assignment. I'd suggest getting something with Trey. He works inventory, which seems to be pretty relaxing a lot of the time. How does that sound?"

[Cytherea]

Hazel

Hazel laughed.

"I'll hold you to it." she said with a beautiful smile.

Julvely

"Taking inventory doesn't sound too hard." Julvely conceded. "I think I would like that. Who's Trey? One of your sons?"

[Lithium]

Maya & Kelse

Maya glowed as Julvely asked about her oldest child. "Yes–– my oldest. He'll be 19 this April."

"Trey likes to be bossy, but he's taking care of us, so it's okay," Kelsie said before becoming silent at her mother's stern gaze.

Casper

"Excellent! I am a man of my word," Casper said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a sky skiff to catch. I'll see you at the ball next week, Luna." He dashed off towards the docking station and the skiff that would carry him to Anton.

Luna

Luna turned to Hazel and smiled warmly. "It's a pleasure meeting you. I should go help Perseus make sure everything is all right. But, just a quick word of caution: Casper is... a bit of a flirt. He doesn't generally intend his compliments to mean he's absolutely interested in a girl. He's just... kind." She smiled, childhood memories flooding through her. "And, you can count on him to keep his promises. He's only broken three to this day. I'll be seeing you later, Hazel."

Luna drifted off after Perseus.

Matty

"Cassandra... could you... stay here a while? I've got some more work to get done, but I don't want you to leave. We can talk as I work, okay?" He glanced back at the work bench littered with blaster parts and tools.

[Cytherea]

Julvely

"I'm sure he's wonderful." Julvely said with a smile. She swung her arm, lifting Kelse into the air before quickly setting her back on the ground. She smiled at her playfully. "And an older brother you can look up to is something some people don't have. You are one lucky girl."

Unlike me... and my brother. she thought, reluctantly.

Hazel

"Agreed." She muttered to herself. "Flirts are everywhere. Everywhere. And I've already met two in hardly any time at all. I'll keep that warning in mind..." she murmured, as she suddenly felt all alone. She slowly walked back to her job, forgetting about Yosef.

Cassandra

Quickly, Cassandra glanced at Abner. Without waiting for a reply, she nodded her head.

"For now." she smiled. "I don't know how much longer I will be able to use this device... I'll try to hang in." she glanced back at Abner. "For as long as possible."

Yosef

Without thinking, Yosef walked over to the girl.

She's so beautiful.

"Excuse me; miss?" he asked hesitantly as he reached her. "I- I couldn't help but to- to notice you, and resist the urge to say hello. My name is Yosef." he finished with a friendly smile. "What is your name?"

[Lithium]

Maya & Kelse

"Yup," Kelselyn said. "I'm lucky. Although... I miss Daddy. He got taken," she informed her new friend.

Maya's face darkened. "All right, Kelse. Let's stop bothering our guest."

Matty

"Thank you," Matty said. "So, what was up with your parents? Are they always that... evil? No offense."

Siren

"Siren Ferdas, sister of Perseus Ferdas, the leader here. What do you want? You're bugging me. I need to be watching the workers," she glanced over her charges and then back at his face.

[Cytherea]

Julvely

"I'm sorry, I do not mean to pry." she said quickly, though her mind was racing over Kelse's last words. He was taken.

Like my parents... oh dear, I'd better focus at what's at hand now.

"Is that the place where I get my registration?"

Cassandra

Despite her circumstance, Cassandra laughed lightly for a moment. Still smiling, she nodded her head.

"That's why I ran away. They were always... really pushy." her smile lessened as talked. "They always assumed that they knew what I would want, and if it was what they wanted, then I would have it. Like with what happened yesterday..." she put her hand to her temples. "Yikes... was it really only yesterday? I've lost track of time. How many days has it been since... then?"

Yosef

Yosef grinned like a boy in a candy shop.

"Pleasure to meet you. I understand your position. I shall leave you in peace. See you around, Siren." he said with a wave of his hand.

He walked off, beaming and desperately hoping he would see her around.

[Lithium]

Maya & Kelse

Kelse grew silent as they neared the registration building.

"Yes," Maya said. "That's it. I'll go in with you so we can arrange where you're staying."

Matty

"I have no idea..." Matty said. "It feels like forever. But... I think it's only been a day or two. I mean... oh my gosh. It's like those romance novels my sister reads. A whirlwind romance fraught with peril and heartache." He smiled wryly. "I'm sorry you had to grow up with that. But... if you hadn't, we'd never have met."

Siren

Siren's eyebrows shot up at his reaction to her rudeness. "You must be new," she called after him. "You'd better get registered."

He's... the heat must have scrambled his brain waves...

[Cytherea]

Julvely

They walked inside the building. Julvely felt an excited feeling she'd only felt before a few times in her life. Finally things were going her way, finally things seemed to be looking brighter.

I can't believe it! I'll actually get a job, I'll work on it so diligently, and I'll try so hard to pay my debts to this wonderful new family. She smiled as she looked at Maya and Kelse. They are incredibly nice.

Cassandra

"That's... that is true." she thought about it; seriously thought about it for a moment.

I actually have something to thank my parents for... something that I would never have found unless they had ignored me so. Could this be... it was always meant to be like this. A startling revelation hit her like a tsunami wave, almost sending her backwards. She remembered... that was so long ago. The story of Joseph. She'd only heard it once from an old neighbor of hers who she had made fun of. It was a cool, spring day, when she heard the old lady telling the story to the children in the neighborhood. Cassandra herself had only been 12. She remembered the words so clearly, about how Joseph went through so many terrible, horrible things, and at the end of his struggling... he had found love along the way, was something she quickly recalled. And at the end of all his terrible early years, he was reunited with the people he loved. He forgave his brothers... like I should forgive my parents...?

She grabbed a chair nearby for support. Her mind was whirling, and spinning so quickly.

The reason he lived... who he lived for... why he never gave up hope, and was able to forgive his brothers...

"It was all God's plan." she said in a whisper.

And there it was. Cassandra breathed in the reality of what she had just said.

God? I've... I've never been close to Him. I never needed Him. He- He planned my life so that I would meet Matty. Because of all the cruel words and actions of my parents, He drew me to where I found love. He is... He truly is real.

Yosef

"Registration? Sister like brother; pushy, rude, and all about registration." he sighed. "I guess I'd better go get my passport for now..."

[Lithium]

Siren

"Pushy, I'll give you. But, rude? I prefer law-abiding. I just don't want you to get in trouble. 'Sides, my big bro Perse over there was probably having some head honcho pow-wow and wanted to get you to leave. So, lay off," Siren snapped. She softed her features, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "If... if you need me to, I'll vouch. For you, I mean. Just let me know. I'd better get back to work."

Maya & Kelse

Maya smiled back at Julvely and took a place in line. "Kelse, why don't you run back to the house and get Brad to sign you into afternoon school. I'll take care of it from here."

Kelse sighed, shrugged, then said, "Yes, ma'am."

Matty

He nodded sharply. "Of course. He... he works all things to be good in the end." He fell silent and fiddled with a gun he was working on.

[Cytherea]

Yosef

"Whatever you want!" he said with a flashing smile. "Thanks for everything. See ya!"

Yosef walked away, searching for the registration building.

Cassandra

"Matty... do you- you're a Christian, right?" Cassandra began hesitantly. "Well... I'm not. I never believed in that kind of stuff. But... it just hit me; that I do need Him. What- what comes next?"

Julvely

Julvely went to the counter, and filled out the information necessary. She smiled as she felt that warm feeling of being accepted wash over her again.

"Maya, I... I want to thank you so much for everything." Julvely began. Even now she wanted to express her gratitude. "You've been so good to me."

[Lithium]

Maya

"It's no trouble," Maya said. "We don't have much, but we're still blessed anyhow, and it's only right that we bless those around us. It's a pleasure being able to help someone else."

"Do you need clothes?" the lady behind the desk asked. "We've got some new choices in, so we can loan you some credits to buy them. They go pretty quickly."

Matty

Matty shrugged. "I've kind of always been one, so I'm not sure. I mean... I guess... I don't know, Cass. It's..." He huffed with frustration as he tried to explain. "It's like, you've got to accept Him as Lord and... believe in His son and... I don't know..."

[Cytherea]

Julvely

Julvely almost said what she always said about loans: Untrustworthy and costly; no thank you. But she bit her lip quickly.

Maya is already doing so much for me, and I do need new clothes... oh well, I guess.

"Yes, thank you." She said with a smile. "That would be appreciated."

Cassandra

"Accept Him?" she pondered over it for a moment. Quickly, she looked back at Matty. "I'm sorry, I got really off track..." she pushed her fiery curls to the side, but a few locks refused to stay where she wanted them, and they curled around he face, framing it prettily. She tried to focus on something else.

Later... later I can think on this. Now, I get to talk with Matty.

"So the night of the party... I was passed out part of the time. What happened?"

[Anwen]

Before Kyle could reply, something blocked the sky. Gil looked up, startled. What is that? He wondered, catching a glimpse of gold. "Hey, Lizzy, could you check that out? He called after her as she took off.

[Brock]

"Right away"she called as she flew off. "I'll be back in a sec." As she got closer she was amazed at how big it was. Then she realized what it was, a sky pirate ship. Just as she was starting to turn back, a net caught her and she was being pulled up. She tried to get free but her struggling made her hit the hull of the ship and everything went black.

[Anwen]

Oh. Great.

Aria landed them as quickly as possible. She would have preferred to do it somewhere without people, but that wasn't an option right now. "Conner, I'll be right back, don't get into trouble."

Aria climbed back up into the air after the other winged I.S, preparing herself for what she would need to do.

[Brock]

Lizzy woke up with a terrible pounding in her head. She felt her head and found a large bump over her left ear. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at her surroundings, there were barrels filled with wine and oil and crates with silk and other valuables in them. She got up and started to walk around when the sounds of footsteps came down the stairs to her left and there, standing with a large light in his hand was the captain of the pirate ship she was in.

Hook
Hook swooped his sailor's torch around until he found the I.S. his men just captured. The moment he heard of the news of his crew capturing this I.S. he immediately thought, "If I can't have one winged I.S. I'll have another." He studied her for a moment figuring out how much he could get off of her. Then he asked her,"What's your name?"

Lizzy looked straight into those dark eyes and said,"Elisabeth Humpton. And your's?"

"Captain Edward Hook of this fine ship, and you will no longer question me like that. I am your captor and you will listen to me and obey me."
Then the watch called,"I.S. inbound flying on direct course towards us." This was the voice of his new second in command, Andy. "permission to shoot sir?" was the faint call.
"Don't shoot her!" he bellowed,"capture her and then bring her to me!"

[Anwen]

Aria heard Hook's voice yelling nonsense like capturing her again.

"not him again." Aria sighed. He's really getting on my nerves!

"Though," a little voice in her head was mentioning that, "with your injury, it might not be such nonsense after all."

"Shut up!" Aria hissed as she came just barely into the ship's range, then flew straight at it, with the speed of a bullet! As she came across the deck, she spread her wings out, knocking most of the crew down and out. There were consequences. Each time her wing hit someone, it pulled at her injury.

She finished her flight across the deck and then climbed like a cat up the mast, at a point that was nearly impossible to reach with a net because of the mast and rigging and all that.

Her reason for choosing this place? She was beginning to bleed freshly.

[Brock]

Just as Hook reached the deck he saw a few of his men get knocked down, from where they stood, by a black blur. He yelled to the rest of his men to capture her just as she reached the main mast. Looking around he saw that his men(those that where still standing) were disorientated and oblivious to what was happening around them. Hook loaded his favorite .45 caliber pistol with net shot, aimed, and fired.

[Anwen]

Aria

I know when I'm caught. I knew that if I attempted to do a cat landing off this ship, my injury would become very severe. Even if I managed to fly off, my wings would still be incapacitated within a few minutes. Oh well. I may as well surrender gracefully.

Aria cut through the nets and rigging she was hiding in and climbed up to the nearest spar. "Well Cap'n Hook, looks like you've won." I declare quietly as I float down to about a foot away from him. This round, Hook. Only this round.

[Brock]

Edward Hook was astonished. He didn't think he would win this easily. He then said to one of his crew,"Tie her up and put her with the other one." He turned on his heel and walked to his cabin. What caused her to surrender so soon?, he thought. He glanced back and could see that her side, just under the wing, was bleeding. He then yelled to the same crew member,"And put a bandage on that wound. We can't go selling injured slaves." Then finished the distance to his cabin.