Hah,  I got a steak out from under my Mothers fork once.... Now my moms S'haha... I'd give a snow cat a fifty/fifty to gt something off her plate."he held up a hand to show a series of small scars from a fork no doubt.Imperial Guard she don't fire warning shots..."
"Blue just doesn't look right without a few Tats and scars....like pants on a K'shae." Balkiir let out a mock long suffering sigh.

Well it's a military colony, it has thee thing, tattoo parlors, pawn shops, and game stores...Well bars, brothels, and jails,make it six..but we don't need the last two."

And of course lingerie shops..." Balkiir Grinned, and cast a glance at Elspeth.


OOC: K'shae = Omaeda man...a reputable one.

Leo smirked and took some sips from his own mug, the contents of which smelled almost like plasma exhaust, "I'm all for tagging along and will only take a minute to get dressed for the public."

True to his word, he took a very short time to get dressed in his combat suit.  It was known to be worn by Leo, the deceptively unassuming pit fighter, by anyone who would recognize the fairly small time fighter at all.  There was a knife sheath and a pistol holster, more to make the image a modern warrior as opposed to a skulking assassin figure.

He was lightly armored and completely hidden now, his visor didn't even let the blue of his nose out.  "I'll worry about other details later.  If they are giving us money, then they clearly aren't planning to give us too much trouble."

"Hey..." Elsbeth pouted for a moment, her lower lip quivering when food was snatched from her by Balkiir.  But it only lasted a brief moment.  Instead her lips moved to meet his, hindered only by the last of the bacon which she summarily split with him.  It was the only compromise that she could think of in such short order.

As breakfast appeared to be over, the tall, dark-haired Marine helped buss the table for a moment - carry a few stacks of dishes to the counter and the sink.  But then she bounded off to the room that she and Balkiir had been sharing.  From the doorway, she gestured to the big, blue Valkiir male - a sort of 'come hither' waggle of the finger.

A short time later, Elsbeth appeared wearing a set of ballistic cloth fatigues.  She appeared a touch flushed as if there had been a flurry of activity around getting dressed in such a short time.  The sleeves of her shirt had been rolled up, exposing a number of the designs that decorated her arms; the bottom of the skull and bolts tattoo peeked out rather conspicuously.  Around her waist was her belt with her gauss pistol and magazines strapped to the right side.  On her left, the Tau long knife that Balkiir had given to her was prominently displayed.  Her boots gleamed with new polish and the laces were perfectly tied and balanced.

She proceeded to tie back her straight black hair into a ponytail and then place a beret that had been tucked into her shoulder epaulet on her head.  The lanky Praetorian stood 'at ease' as she waited for the others to gather for their upcoming shopping foray.

The clone bredren nods to Elsbeth when she brings the dishes, and these too are scrubbed; Sure, the Crow's likely got something automated to do it. Or the hypochondriac pilot incinerates the plates when they are used and purchases new ones. But for Trey, there is something cathartic in the simple, repetitive motions. His tune still humming along, until the last dish is cleared and tucked in a sealed container. One attached, of course. He's a spacer by design, preference, and heart- he'd never leave something out where it could float around in a power outage.

That finished, Trey heads to his small closet-sized chambers, briefly spraying some deodorant across his jumpsuit and inside his environment suit. Leaving the latter and heading back out; Likely one of the first ones in the 'departing' area, since.. he basically only has one set of clothes? And no way to change into more. Displaying that wide, happy smile when Elsbeth joins him from her 'excercise'.

"Mmm hmm." Looking amused she smiles at Trey for a moment then turns her attention to Balkiir. Listening to his story her expression is equally amused by it and him getting beckoned to the bedroom. "Those two might be a little while." She was mostly teasing but with Valkir it really was a distinct possibility.

"True enough there. Usually you don't pay people that you plan on disappearing. Unless it's some kind of cover story but I don't want to speculate to much. That way leads to Aziza's speciality of paranoia."

When Elsbeth comes out M'kira smiles. "Looking good Elsbeth. I hope Balkir is ready for some serious shopping, Well that or at least some serious fun on the station."

Going to her room she comes out wearing her Tao plasma pistol as well. Valkir were not shy about their weapons. "Hopefullyy the station won't have a problem with us being armed. It's kind of strange going anywhere you can't where one of these after all this time."

Coming Dear"Balkiir Looked up at the come hither, and came hither with deliberate military progress. Waving over his shoulder to the girls and to Trey and Leo. as he shut the door.

When he had finished showering and dressing he came out draping his  his sleeveless tactical vest over his shoulder,and wearing CAMC  (colonial alliance Marine Corps) DDB "dusty dirty bastard" Fatigue pants and tank top.
The dusty brown and red mottled fabric had the look of many years of service but it was intact, and worn properly. Long Knife on one hip, a massive revolver with combat grips on the other.From the elbow up was a sleeve of tattoos various unit insignia and planet names on the right left arm interwoven with celtic and tribal knotwork. The right arm was wrist to chest in Valkiir knotworks each tattoo having a meaning, and hard won.

The back of tee shirt read " I dropped on a god forsaken alien world and shot the hell out of it.... and all I got was this lousy Tee Shirt" the emblem of the 107th Heavy Assault company of the colonial Marines Over the center of the slogan. the front had in simple letters "Front toward enemy"

Joining Elspeth he jammed an unlit cigar in the corner of his mouth, and checked the load in his revolver." They don't sweat guns, Everyone around her is packing something lethal, even if you don't see it....Hel's ass, half the kids have knives in their boots on one of these stations... It's a High Value target area, if your not packing you're clutter."

OOC:

DDB = Day Dress Battle
"Front toward enemy" is marked on all directional blast explosives like the claymore mine.

Clutter = "useless ass civilians" in a combat zone. Usually Colonial Marines reserve the term for for the ones who "don't have the balls to grab a gun, or the sense to get the hell out of the way. "

T'risa pondered over Balkiirs T-shirt "You know...we should probably get one custome made for us. 'All I did was land on a godforsaken long forgotten alien dustbowl, started an intergalactic war involving extinct races, sentient dreadnoughts and all I got was this T-shirt.'" T'risa started giggling to herself. "I'll get one made for all of us....but I think my personal shopping for today needs to be in personal protection devices. People keep trying to kill me.....I don't know why. So I'm going shopping for unobtrusive armour and/or shielding. M'Kira break out the assault rifle...just in case. I think I'm going shopping. We can do the lingerie afterwards."

"Nighties, armor, guns.... same store." Balkiir laughed and rubbed his blue skin." You forget we dot mind one stop shopping..."

Balkiir grinned and opened the door heading out holding on to Elspeth as he did so."Trey, I don't think you need the silky stuff but we have to get you some clean clothes m'brother. that jumpsuit has more holes in it than a screen door."

he used his free hand to pat him on the shoulder and began to sing the in an almost perfect copy of trey's accent as he snag.. His deep voice echoing in the empty hall....Oneeeee love....

His bright mood seeming to get brighter as he flashed a smile at two confused looking MPs who just scratched their head and let them pass.

Assault rifle it is T'risa." Smiling she disappears into the bedroom coming back with her Tao R6Plasma rifle on her back. She is wearing her light armored jump suit since there could possibly be trouble. Anyone stupid enough to attack a group with armed Marines in it like Balkir and Elsbeth deserved what they got. Not that M'kira couldn't look mean if she wanted too.

Briefly she catches T'risa's hand lacing fingers with her while stealing a tender kiss. Gazing at her affectionately she briefly whispers in her ear. "I have something special planed for us tonight. A candle lit dinner, wine, and if we can manage some perhaps a box of chocolates to celebrate."

Walking beside T'risa she knows her job will be security just in case. Still they needed some time to relax and just be themselves sooner or later. Laughing and smiling over at Balkir. "Now wait a Moment Balkir. Why stop at one new set of cloths? We need to get him seven or eight sets at least. Plus I think even Trey would want a little Armor in case he gets shot at! Trey have you ever worn armor before?"

She gives the MP's a warm smile and a friendly wave as they all walk past. M'kira is used to being outgoing so thought nothing of it.

"Tattoos!" the raven-haired Praetorian chimed in when the talk turned to a group t-shirt.  Obviously, Elsbeth had not yet given up on the idea of adding some body art to all of their collective skins.  She held onto the idea just as tenaciously as she had fought planetside.  Which, of course, didn't mean that she intended to use her pocket singularity as a bargaining tool.  She wasn't that kind of girl.

She nodded to T'risa, her dark hair bobbing slightly.  "A barrier shield would be an excellent choice, Marshal." Elsbeth agreed readily, "I am sure that we can find something suitably sized and stylish enough for your needs."

Elsbeth shook her head slightly as Balkiir broke into a song that she had no idea what it was.  However, she dutifully swayed in time with him, easily falling into step as they two-stepped their way to the door.

The CMC sergeant saluted the MPs as she exited the room, her other arm interlocked tightly with Balkiir's.  And without breaking stride, she moved with the group out of their central quarters and into the station proper.

"Tat might be right, mon." States Trey to Balkiir, with a bright grin. "Tee Bredren usually got two jumpsuits. Won too clean, an' won to wear, but I an' I made do when tee Prospectah broke down."

When Balkiir began to sing a song of universal love, and nearly matching a bredren's odd way of speech, the bedreaded man actually bursts out laughing. But it's a joyous laughter, rather than scornful - and he sings right along, the high baritone to Balkiir's low bassitone. "Tat tee way yah do it, mon!"

And then he's being addressed. Dropping out of the song for a moment to speak M'kira, even as he adjusts the tool belt about his waist. Carrying all the things a Bredren need to get along.

"Mo' tan too? I an' I not even know what to do wit' tat many jumpsuits." Laughs the clone, winking. "Too is bein' gude an' fine. And armah..?" He scratches the back of his head, grinning again. "Tee Bredren got tee Evah suit, mon. Enough tah keep tee rocks out." The EVA suit of Trey's was, to put it lightly, crap. Enough armor on the major sections to keep it from being easily holed, but otherwise one might as well be wearing a stiff shirt. Shrugging lightly, Trey continues along, letting Elsbeth take over and try to two-step to 'One Love'.

Needless to say, it's a grin worthy event.


OOC:
For reference, here's the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdB-8eLEW8g

Poppy did a quick step to the song as she walked along with the group, an odd look crossed her face for a second then she smiled.Hooking her arm through Trey's she put a hand on his wrist.

   " Trey... Your free now, your emancipated, no long property, your own man...You can have ten work suits, fifty, as many as you want..You can walk talk, sing, work, skip anything you want, when you want how you want...as long as you don't hurt anybody, or cause problems for other people it's a wide open world.... travel see the stars, find the Bredren, find the guy who put you on that floating death trap, and shove a spanner up his poop chute...."

the smile on her face was brighter than a supernova as she spoke." You, me, tiny, Elspeth were teh created, the children of Humanity, but we all get to fly out the nest and be our own... It's yer birthday Big boy, Your a free man now."

ooo oooo ooooo we have to have a birthday party for you... music, dancing, get some people in to sing happy birthday... Yeahhh...You and tiny, can have the same birthday..makes you and me and Elspeth and Tiny Like family now...By the way we have to swing by the reception area...they cleared tiny from quarantine and she's free to go...SHE HAS PAPERS!!!!!!!!!!!! Lets get together and feeellllll alll right...."

Leo rounded a corner and snapped back against the wall, his expression couldn't be read and his mind had snapped shut like a trap.  He was however clearly looking for another way to get where they were headed.  "...and remember how I said my sister would only be sent to collect me if I failed to respond to mother's initial, peaceable requests?  Yeah.  Either I missed those, or she's here on security loan.  Either way... Damn.  Nope, she saw... well, her psychometery caught me.  Damn, damn, damn... act natural and know that I'm going to go along peacefully if only to save the hassle of collateral damages and venting atmosphere.  It isn't worth running from..."

Then he was hit by a figure slightly larger than himself, she was wearing what amounted to a pleated short skirt and sports bra with gloves and boots that were clearly military grade but not military issue.  They looked like they belonged on powered armor not a person.  She had perched upon his back like a cat.  "Little brother!  When did you arrive?  Why the hell are you in a place like this anyhow?"  It was his wave to indicate the rest of the party that caused her to look anything other than proud.  As her eyes swept over the group it was... unpleasant, and only a little like she could somehow see you naked and wasn't impressed.  "Clearly they aren't criminals.  What has been going on?"  His lack of verbal reply but hand gestures inferred that he was elaborating mentally to save time.  She stepped off of him and got an upset look as some unseen force hauled him off the ground completely.  "You WHAT!?!"

"Yeah, something like that.  Clearly some of the names and dates were changed to protect the sensitive nature of my clients, guards, and even transportation paths."

She eyed him for a few moments and laughed, "Bullshit.  Mom's planning a thing.  You should talk to her so I don't actually investigate your story."

"Damnit!" he said aloud, "Fine.  I'll head back and do my duty to the family and perform at whatever this venue is, but you tell mom that it is more secure than it really is so I don't have to feel so cluttered by guards and crap."

"I know how you feel but... you're a boy.  A special boy at that.  Mom is going to need more than a little convincing."

Leo's emotion blossomed into a wave of mental energy rolling from him... he was supremely proud of whatever he was about to say, "...then give me your stampedes for a minute," he asked holding out his hands to her.

She looked notably at T'Risa and then at Leo, "Mhmmm..." she took his hands in her gauntlets.

"Nothing untward has happened.  I like all of these people, none of them are quite safe enough to break any of my duty oaths over.  I know what you do to those people."  Their handholding however causes the gauntlets to breakdown and his sister sprouts a blade of translucent violet energy that sparked and crackled as it tore into the rib section, left side, of his suit and hit his armor below that.

She was shocked, "Wha-"

Leo frowned, "My story wasn't so far from truth as you might like to believe," a different set of gauntlets these with gleaming azure energy claws and knuckle spikes formed in hex shaped plates over his own hands.  "I'm more capable than you thought, less than I'm telling you... and I don't want a mess.  So I'll be good if you will."

She got an appraising look at him and the gauntlets on him, "Impressive little brother.  I want some of those.  You set me up with a set, and I will leave all this be."

"I think I can probably have something close set up for you... just be nice to them.  CASAR may be asking me for help from time to time and I'll need your help in the future... for what I may possibly escape from."  He planted a soft kiss on the cheeks of each person present, even the males he didn't know so well.  His emotions were tightly shut off as he did this however.

His sister was saved for last.  She nodded and withdrew a tablet, "Read this as we go, you have one minute for goodbyes."

Elsbeth had been happily walking along arm in arm with Balkiir, when the strange woman (well, strange to the Praetorian - she was obviously known to Leo) had approached the group.  When the exchange between the slender O'meadan man and his sister began, Elsbeth looked on with more than a touch of confusion.  While, all of the words made perfect sense by themselves it seemed, the raven-haired marine quickly became completely lost as to exactly what was going on.

Only when the final statement came up, and Leoulin started his farewells did it dawn upon her that the man's fears about being 'recalled' had coee true.  She shook her head and tensed slightly, planning to interpose herself between Leo and his sister.  Only the steady grip of Balkiir's huge blue hand around her waist stopped her from doing so.  She knew that she could twist away if necessary, it was in her genes, of course.  But, Elsbeth was sure that there was some other subtext involved that she must be missing.

Her mouth opened once, but no words came out for a moment, when she and Balkiir received their kisses.  Then Elsbeth tried again, "Th-thank you, Mister Leoulin."  She pursed her lips and in her husky contralto timbre, the tall brunette whispered leaning in towards the smaller man's ear, "Rejoin us soon.  Call, if you ne-..."  She let the sentence trail off, figuring the meaning was obvious - perhaps given her lack of subtlety, too obvious.  She didn't even give Leo's sister a second glance.  However, she did give a rather troubled look to both the Marshal and then up to Balkiir...

" Nice to see Leo isn't the only odd bird in the family." Balkiir chuckled and offered his hand to the Sister." You might want to keep an eye on him, He's picked up some bad habits..


   Balkiir glanced over to Elspeth, nodding to let her know things were as close to normal as they would ever get. ~Sisters get tagged with roping in the stray brothers when The Mom of the house wants them to come and show off for the neighbors....probably a formal dance, or poetry reading, followed by a lovely meal where the main course is subtle innuendo, oh so polite posturing, and probing for a place to stick a knife if the chance comes up.~

   ~If I read the signs right they haven't figured out Leo is doing what he's been doing..or there would be a nurse and a couple of Blackshirts with the girl. And, they'd be asking some pretty direct questions about who T'risa is and why she's with Leo.~

Just the other day I think he was thinking on his own...."  Even as he joked with the woman he stepped forward and put his hand squarely on Leo's shoulder and fixed the girl with a steady look." I'm Balkiir K'sovul, Colonial Assistance Special Action and Response, This Is Elspeth, Marshal Lady T'risa K'mahda, And M'kira T'shal, Do us a favor and look after Leo, he'll be missed. By the way, that's Trey, and Poppy...also friends of Leo's we'll be waiting for him to call and, let us know how the party is going....impatiently."

  Something about the tone of Balkiir's voice and his stance hinted that he was going through the seemingly innocent introductions with a purpose. And the smile on is face wasn't reflected in his eyes.


~It wouldn't take her long to figure out who we are, but knowing our names she can probably figure out we're not just a bunch of dock rats who Leo is slumming with....That'll make it a lot less likely they'll decide to keep him at home..especially once they run T'risa through their codex and figure out she's not your average O'maeda.... even being on the outs with her family, She's still K'mahda..and that's a pretty rich family to start antagonizing.`

Trey blinks aside when Popppy comes up to put a hand on his wrist, and tell him that he's free. That bright smile flashed once more at her, even as he crooks her arm in his own elbow and shakes his head. "If won of I not free, no one of I an' I be free, mon." Still, rather than put a damper on the moment, he lightens up once again.

"I be tinkin' tat tis be won in-ter-estin' family, ten, if I an' I all in! Won party is gud, trey parties is better. Let I go fetch Tiny, ten." And, laughing still, follows up Poppy's song with his own, chorusing together with her. It's an easy tune to get into, after all. But the song dies down when somebody comes for Leo, the bredren blinking for the man.

The space monkey unhooking his elbow from Poppy's for a moment to offer up a hand. And, of course, a one armed hug. Man hug, that is! "I an' I did not know I very well, Leo, but tat's always been gud soul. And tat means mo' tan it seems. Git done wit I party soon, yah? Tee fastah, tee bettah." He'll then step back to give other people their farewells. And give Leo's sister a wink and a bright grin. Because nothing's worth doing unless it's all worth doing.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:53, Thu 20 Feb 2014.

Elsbeth remained silent and more than a bit sullen.  Even Balkiir's explanation and reassurances, it didn't seem to sit well with her, dampening her mood.  Perhaps she didn't fully understand all of the nuances, but no matter what - a member of her adopted family was being whisked away.  Seemingly against his will.  It was all that she could do to merely stand there and not try to interpose herself.

The tall brunette merely inclined her head as she was introduced, her expression stony.  "Ma'am." Elsbeth quipped dutifully to Leo's sister by way of introduction.  Her own stance mirrored Balkiir's.  Despite his even tone, she felt the subtle shift in his weight and the tensing of her arms and shoulders next to her.  Elsbeth's own feet and hips moved slightly to give her more options for both freedom of movement and immediate action, if it became necessary.  It also conveniently exposed her sheathed long knife and sidearm holster more readily.

She determined to let her actions speak for her - if it became necessary.  Elsbeth had never been very good with words.  But there were other things that she was pretty good at; and her synergy with Balkiir was one of the things that was getting better all the time...

T'risa watched the ongoing scene between Leo and his sister with a certain heavt heartednes as he was going to leave the team for a while. The flash of a brilliant smile across her face was enough for Leo to pick up on the fact she was considering pushing him in trouble, but her features softened. "I wish you the best, Leo. Please take care of yourself and return to us healthy and happy." T'risa kissed him on the cheek before returning to M'Kira's side.

She glanced at Leo's sister, using her imperial voice. The voice which was used to command and ordering many soldiers. "And he will return to us in precisely the condition in which he is leaving us. If he does not...there will be consequences." T'risa knew that the first thing his sister would do would be to check her out on her family's database. Potentially she owned a lost technology dreadnought and arguably started an intergalactic war. Though in the past, her exploits were only limited to planetary invasions... T'risa reflected on how it seemed odd that the older she got, the bigger the wars she started.

 with all farewells said, and warnings subtle and obvious delivered Leo's sister herds Leo off toward the visitors sector talking animatedly, and roughhousing with her brother as she went.

The group continues on to the security station where Poppy waits to sign for Tiny, the guards, both cyberoid combat models, chat with Her for several minutes, explaining that Tiny is having some trouble with her new possessions.

A young woman steps out dressed in Valkiir style leathers, carrying a duffle, She stumbled slightly as if she were trying to walk in someone else's shoes. The looked around nervously then stepped out of the security area handing a card tot eh two combat models and then standing awkwardly.

" It's me. Tiny"the girl says with a squeaky slightly nervous voice. then coughed and spoke again." I had to change out to a civilian chassis, I hope it isn't a problem."

"Bill, mon, it be lookin' fine." Laughs the clone, doing his best to try and put the instrument of destruction at ease about her new curves and less weapons. He considers his elbow, crooked with Poppy's, before offering his other arm with a bright smile.

So what if they're robots? A soul's a soul, no matter what it is strapped in. "Poppy be tinkin' tat I an' I share won day on tee birt'. So no worrays, I an' I.. " A nod towards Elsbeth, for Tiny's sake. "... off to by tem tings like linger rays. And I an' I be steppin' on tee road too."

Elsbeth didn't really suppress her chuckle when Tiny stumbled slightly.  "That" she noted rather deadpan, "is why I avoid heels like the plague."  She squeezed Balkiir's arm, happy that he never insisted on anything of that sort.  Well, at least in public...

"Steady yourself on Trey, though, Tiny." the tall Praetorian prompted, tacking on to the Bredren's own offer, "you make great eye candy!"  She leaned in close to the newly transformed AI, "You are never a problem, hon."  Elsbeth winked at her fellow survivor from the mobile 359th force recon team.

"But," the lanky brunette smiled slightly and raised her volume slightly, "We do have the solution!  Retail therapy!"  And she pointed in the direction of the shopping galleries, "You need birthday presents to go along with your birthday suit!"

T'risa smiled warmly "While I know you are more used to a functional chassis, you are know an officially registered sentient and Imperial citizen. We tend to walk around in less work specialised forms." T'risa held out an arm "We're all going shopping. You'll need to learn and have a lot of new things. Let me get them for you. My treat.... and welcome to the way we see the world."

"I almost feel sorry for the guys around here. The five of you, and only a few thousand of them." Balkiir chuckled and returned Elspeth's squeeze with a pat on her hand.

 Heading toward the shopping district he motioned toward the clothing store, and then paused sniffing the air. the rich earthy scent of tobacco, and other sociables eavy on the air as he passed one store." Ahhhh Quetzal Burly, a hint of vanilla and apple, commander permission to engage..."

He chuckled and examined the displays of pipes, cigars, and water pipes in the window. the Pretty young woman by the door smiled ad offered a sample cigar to the group," Genuine earth grown, native tobacco." She smiled as Balkiir spotted a price sticker and clutched his heart in a mock heart attack.

  "ooooooooo... a Series 224 "Stacy", very stylish, and it has an awesome feedback matrix, none of that signal redundancy like the old 218s...You can dance on a bottle cap with those legs." Poppy was grinning from ear to ear." Yes, Yes, we must forge onward ladies, Onward..There are bargains unknown, and magnificent goodies to be found. and we have a birthday boy to shop for as well,

"Ladies We are in unknown territory, against a foe we have never faced." Poppy juped up on the counter and Struck a Heroic leader pose." " Our cards are fully charged, we have two stout men to carry our bags, and We are united in our desire to acquire goods, both Stylish, and Flattering, Let us not forget all the sisters who have come before us. Let us Not forget our goal is to leave a trail of drooling, heartbroken boys, and girls in our wake... gird yourself, make ready your cards, and Prepare to battle..For today We shop, Tonight...We DANCE!!!"