Rip rubbed his chin, feeling he would need to shave from the stubble he found against his fingers.  He grunted at Tar's response about the Ranger being too handsome. Something Rip could only agree with.  But his grumbling audio response was all he gave.

He would walk in somewhat silence beside Tarja, humming a tune he tried to remember from his childhood.  He could only remember the line: "I would walk 500 miles..." thinking about that sort of distance, glancing at Tar' and shrugging.  He didn't know why that song came to mind.

As Tarja would relax against the carved bench, Rip went in to grab some fresh cold water inside the station.  The Ranger on duty just pointing to a fridge unit.  Inside the unit Rip found an assortment of electrolit drinks of varying flavors.  He grabbed a couple of bottles, an orange and purple, nodded to the Ranger, and went back to offer either bottle to Tar.

He would sit next to Tar, grabbing her pack and pulling against his knees.  Not to look through, hoping she would get the hint he would happily lug it around for her.  Granted she had did the heavy lifting to this point, but now he would deal with it.  He rested his sack atop of her pack and drink his drink.

Waiting for the cab, he noticed the birds at the feeders.  A gray one seemed to be fluttering its wings in a rapid movement and make a whistling sound to a black and white feather one.  The gray, a male, getting the black and white one, female, to eat with it from the offering it placed in front of her.  Even at one point from the gray one's beak.  Rip smiled at the sight.

"Me sis and niece would like this.  Hope they be seeing something like this back on earth."  He muttered, glancing over to Tar' and mentally pinching himself.  "What is earth like?"  He asked, changing the subject slightly.

As Rip sat beside her Tarja would silently mouth a thank you as she took the purple drink he’d offered her before returning to her call . She would be on her comms unit for around ten minutes before she finally thanked whoever was on the other end and hung up, with her then cracking open the top of the bottle and taking a drink ”Taxi will be here in twenty minutes or so…and whoever answered phone wasn’t certain on how many if any rooms were available in condo so we may have to go elsewhere if unlucky” she said as she watched the birds on the feeder in front of them.

There was a slight moment of panic when Rip asked what Earth was like, with Tarja uncertain that she possessed the English to answer such a potentially complex question ”Earth is…varied…some of it is very nice, other parts not so much…same with the people really…do you know which country they are going to?” she asked hoping that the additional information would help her answer.

Rip would do his best to not distract Tarja as she was on her comm.  Watching the birds, he felt a kind of peace as he watched the birds.

On that subject of waiting for the cab and condo, he rubbed his face.  "That is life isn't it?  Waiting and looking. Heh. You have friends you could share with?"  He asked.  He wasn't concerned for himself.  He was use to, limited accommodations.

Rip was still grasping the concept of nations and governments, only knowledgeable of his Colony.  "Phillip is... Indonesian?" He said.  The only thing he had ever cared about was that Phil' had made his sister happy.  "He has family there, and in Japan and... America?  Know he is in demand for his tech skills.  So he wasn't  worried about a job.  From what I remember, me da was from America, but had no family.  My mum from... South America?  No family she ever spoke of.  Remember they were looking for a fresh start.  For me and Debs."

Thinking to her words about her family being gone, and fighting Russians he did have a concern that Earth might not be safe.  "You are from... Europe?"  He really needed a history and geography lessons.

”maybe…I not been on ship long, there’s couple of people I could ask but I wouldn’t want to impose, especially if they are with boyfriends” she’d replied, not wanting to wind up being a third wheel and intruding on someone’s private time. If it came to it she was sure she would be able to find a hotel and if not she did have a tent with her.

Rip would then speak of his brother in law and how he had family in Indonesia, Japan and possibly even America ”America is varied and depends on state but can be good place to live…I hear Japan is nice” she cautiously replied having never visited any of them and with limited knowledge about them, with her quietly relieved when he asked where she was from ”Northern Europe, yes…I am from Finland” she replied, pausing to look around at the trees and the birds before continuing ”This is kind of like home…in summer at least, in winter we would be knee deep in snow or mud…or both…and it would be dark” she said with a hint of homesickness. Home hadn’t been perfect but she still missed it all  the same ”Earth not as safe as it used to be…but brother in law sounds like smart man so I think sister will be happy there” she confidently stated as what looked to be their taxi slowly made its way down the road towards them.

Rip was struck by that statement.  Wondering about the crew involvement with each other.  He would stare into Tar's eyes, a slight smile, remembering that she wasn't with anyone.  At least not anymore.  But as much as he wanted to, he couldn't ask her about that.  Also he didn't want to impose on her about doubling up on accommodations or seeing her outside of their crew responsibilities.  Damn.  He was feeling like a coward.



He would listen to her explain things.  But he had no knowledge either way to dispute her words.  He could tell she wasn't sure herself.  But was enthralled hearing her speak about her home Finland being like this.  He could believe it being beautiful when not covered in mud, but a sight in snow.  "Sounds like a nice place either way.  Would like to visit, Finland that is.  As for Phillip, he is.  He got paid well.  Was happy for me sis.  Through I had to break heads of a couple that wanted to steal from him.  He did a lot to help us."

When the taxi pulled up, Rip grabbed the backs, holding them over his left shoulder and smiled to Tar', still even offering his hand, so she could stand up.  "Odd hearing Earth isn't safe.  The way the Angels said, it was made better because of their arrival."  He grumbled with a bit of venom.

He would let Tar handle the driver while he placed their stuff in the back, including her rifle.  Double checking the safety on it before joining her in the cab.  He was glad for a moment Angels were tall, not having to crush Tar' in the back.

 Meari sends Tarja a text comm message," Yes there is a beach party not far from the Condo, Frakas and I will be there, sure drop by and who am I meeting?"

 Meari sent Tarja another comm text message." Oh that is cool, the trooper must be new? As far as bathing suit go sexy as hell. lol."

Hearing Rip say that he would like to visit her home one day Tarja couldn’t help but think that she would like to go home one day too, but with the way things were at the moment it wasn’t really an option, especially in her current line of work.

As the taxi pulled up Tarja would take a moment to read the message from Meari and quickly send one back before turning to find that Rip had already grabbed her bag and hefted it over his shoulder and was offering her a helping hand up. She would hesitate a little uncertainly before taking his hand and getting to her feet ”Earth has never really been completely safe…Angels just gave us something new to fight about” she said with a weary sigh, as if the people of Earth were just squabbling siblings that needed to sit in the corner and think about what they did ”…but honestly sister will be ok on Earth” she said, reaching out to give his hand a reassuring squeeze, trying her best to alleviate any fears he might have about his sister and niece, though she suspected that she wasn’t quite hitting the mark.

After climbing into the back, Tarja would ask the driver to take them to the condo before giving him its location with the same military precision she’d used the previous night, before sending another message to Meari, wondering how on earth she was supposed to achieve sexy as hell though Rips arrival put those thoughts out of her head as she sat beside him in the back of the taxi.

——> Condo

Rip nodded, though he agreed perhaps in a different way, about the Angels being a reason humans had a different  reason to fight for.  He enjoyed her hand on his, squeezing back.  "Well, she is there.  Philip will see them through anything."  He would smile, but the thoughts didn't stop with Earth not the paradise the Angels said it was because of them.

Rip would rub his chin on the trip to town.  Eyes narrowed, glancing over at Tar' every few minutes.  He wasn't worried about meeting the rest of the crew before.  Now, he was wanting to put his best foot forward for her.


---To Condo---

——> Blue Moon Beach

With Izzy still a bundle of nerves they would leave the beach and start heading into town, with the pair of them holding hands as they did so. To Izzy it still felt like only yesterday that she was getting hit on by this gorgeous, amazing woman and feeling deeply confused by what she was feeling and now she was getting married to her the next day!

Following KE-NA’s directions they would find the shop easily enough, it’s large glass frontage sandblasted with the shop’s name in both Angelic and English, and decorated with hanging baskets full of exotically coloured flowers. Upon stepping inside they would be greeted by an Angel woman in an expensive looking navy blue suit jacket and dress ”Would you happen to be Elizabeth and Isobel?” she asked them both in a posh sounding accent ”yes, I’m Isobel and this is Lizzy”
”Excellent, KE-NA called ahead and said you would be paying us a visit…my name is KI-LI, if you ladies would like to follow me we can get started” she said before leading them over to a set of comfortable looking armchairs arranged around a glass topped coffee table, with KI-LI waiting until they were both seated before sitting opposite them and speaking ”Now what can I interest you ladies in today? And can I interest either of you in something to drink whilst we talk?”

------->>>>>> From Blue Moon Beach

 Lizzy walked with Izzy holding her hand and they got to the store, Lizzy noticed KE-NA had followed them and walked into the store after they did.

 They walked in and they we were greeted by a beautiful Angel KI-LI, " Yes I am Lizzy and umm KE-NA is right behind us as well. I saw her coming to the store when I came in. Of course, lets get this started."

 " Some wine would be nice, and we are looking for a pair Zibrumn Rings to use them as wedding bands." Lizzy was all smiles and very bubbly.

”Oh congratulations to you both, when is the big day?” KI-LI said with a genuine smile before picking up a small, elegant looking comms unit and speaking a few words into it ”we’re…um…looking at midday tomorrow…I know it’s a little short notice” Izzy shyly replied, half expecting the Angel woman to tell them it was impossible. Instead she would give an understanding nod before replying ”Well I expect you are both excited that you’re big day is nearly here…ah…thank you LA-ZO, MA-KE she said as a pair of young Angel men arrived, one carrying a bottle of wine in cooler and some delicate looking glasses, and the other a wooden box that he would set on the coffee table in front of them before lifting the lid to reveal several rings laid out in a red, velvet cushioning. There was a variety of different different styles; ranging from traditional to contemporary, with some clearly intended to be “His and Her” pairings and others of a more feminine design, all however were made of the same silver flecked gold material that shone beautifully in the light ”These are the wedding bands we currently have available in Zibrumm, unfortunately due to the time constraints we are unable to offer some of our more bespoke designs and services, however we are more than willing to accommodate your desires where possible…is there anything you would like to ask or take a closer look at?”

 KE-NA  stood off to the  side, she was  doing things on her COM  unit....The High Chair, would be.....most pelased... if  this   mate pairing wuld be as good   as  can be under the  rush...

 Lizzy smiled as she looked at the rings," I like the more feminine designs personally, what do you think Izzy these are for both of us, they need to be matching rings. They all look so beautiful."

 Lizzy smiled at KE-NA when she entered and spoke. Lizzy found a set that was feminine, and they were beautiful, and it seemed like the surface of the ring flowed. " I love this set can you tell me more about the rings and the metal?"

  The rings  are believed to be the  minerals that Angel  silk is made from, as the  plant feeds on the soil... it is also assumed that it is what gets   into the plants, that provide  our   Derma  Foam and Derma plast.. when   DNA  is added   it  makes   a  living    foam, that   joins  with the flesh and   such of the  new host... At least, that is  what  instructors  say.. Those plants  still produce   the same sap one other plants and even aboard  ship  board  farms..so?  nothing can be proven

 There is  myths  that  those who are paired,  may bain benefits from wearing the rings. ..calmness... focus?..but there  can be discord  if the pairing isn;t meant  to be...of course? that isa  Myth...now?  Having said this? I know, no Angel, who wear wear these unless they are a Mated  paring.

Izzy would examine the rings in front of her and much like Lizzy was more drawn towards the elegant, feminine designs with her not really liking the “His and Her” designs with her finding them to be a little too chunky for her tastes ”Oh, they’re beautiful” Izzy would say as she saw the rings Lizzy had found; their slender design seeming to flow as if it was living thing, highlighted by the subtlest of decoration upon its surface.

KI-LI would go on to talk about the metal and the mythology surrounding it and how they were supposed to impart certain properties upon the wearer ”I really like these…what do you think Liz? Are these the ones?”

 Lizzy listened, smiled then responded to Izzy," Yes these are our rings Izzy, now the big question how much are they?" Lizzy was getting right down to the cost, she knew they were not going to be cheap but they were amazing and cost didnt really matter to Lizzy, it was what felt right, and these rings felt right to Lizzy and the Angels would get this vibe from Lizzy.

 KI-LI said,..well, they normally go for......

her  eyes  went to  KE-NA  who  Just  shook  her head, and gave a stern, thin lipped  smile. KI-LI looked stricken  by said slowly...1000  Creds   each,,, That is the   Fleet  price... she  pushed a smile on her face.

 KE-NA  smiled  as she  added,Avery good price , indeed. I can only imagine    how many creds you will make  as other fleet people stop by when they see the exquiste   worksmanship of these  rings..

 Lizzy had stopped breathing for a second and when she said 1,000 each she thought that was very low and noticed KE-NA had something to do with it.

 Lizzy then said happily," Yes that is awesome we will take the pair, and I ill give a 1000 credit tip as well, so charge 3000 please and we are good, an thank you very much."

The rings she and Lizzy had chosen were beautiful and the more she thought about it the more perfect they seemed, which made it so much harder when the subject of price inevitably arose. Izzy hadn’t realised that she was holding her breath until she heard the price, finding it to be substantially lower than she feared, though she suspected that KE-NA had something to do with that, as to why she wasn’t sure ”yes, that sounds wonderful! I’ll be sure to tell my friends in the media industry about how beautiful these rings are” Izzy enthused, having met several bloggers and magazine columnists during her time as a journalist that would love to hear about something as exotic as Zibrumm jewellery, and no doubt the store would appreciate some free advertising.

With the price now out of the way all that was less was to get the rings sized, especially for Izzy’s small and dainty hands that would require something a little smaller than usual to fit her properly.

 Lizzy, Izzy  KE-NA and  KI-LI went  into the  pack

  they   used  'sizer  blanks'  to get the women's   sizes.  then the Tech  , one of the few 'old looking' Angels , anyone ever saw.  had a  box with dozens of  that style of  ring. Matching Up the  Blanks, he slid the rings on each woman's  finger. they were a tad  too  lose. Going to the work bench ,a  some .transformer with  slips was  brought out.

 I must size these. The  machine will heat the  rings  up, much faster then you Body temperature  would do..., it might get , uncomfortable.  But its  better then losing a 10,000 cred  ring ,!

KE-NA did a face palm., The fellow looked  confused, but he struggled,  clipping the  contact onto  Lizzy fingers.. it a minute it was snug, but not tight.

 Lizzy did feel the  heat and..the ring seemed almost alive.

 He repeated the task with Izzy.

 KI-LI  and a  stone  box  with  velvet and two slots, the rings  were placed in there, and  handed to 'whomever' was going to carry them,.

  Lizzy felt the heat and the ring felt alive and then when they were done they took it off. Then the same was done with Izzy's ting and the rings where put into a box.

 Lizzy smiled, and took the stone box and said," Thank you very much, they are so beautiful, are you sure we are good on the price, I do not want these great craftsmen to loose credits over me, these amazing rings are worth every credit I have to spend they are perfect thank you."

 KE-NA  smiles   as she stares at the 'old" angel,They aren't losing any credits...Just think of it as the 'fleet discount'.

 she  held her hands out, brought them together  and clasped her  hand,what is  next?

Following KE-NA and KI-LI into a back room in order to get the rings properly sized, Izzy’s eyes would grow wide as the true price of the rings was revealed causing her to once again question what was going on.

When it came time for her ring to be sized Izzy would feel the warmth as the metal was shrunk down until it fit snuggly about her finger, with her taking a moment to admire how it looked on her hand before removing it and placing it within the stone box. It was then that KE-NA would ask what was next on the agenda ”um…a bouquet for Lizzy and maybe a trip out to see the venue?” she suggested, looking to Lizzy to see if she had anything to add.

  KE-NA nodded,we can go, i have a car waiting outside  for me, they can take us there. keep in mine thry are working  yet and should be  finished  some time tonight

She looks at them both to see if that is their choice.