[NOVA] A Chat among Friends (K 2.14, M 2.10)

WPTunes

It is late in the evening, after the traditional Gray dinner. The Captain and Engineer had the opportunity to reprovision on Giana Prime, so it was as sumptuous as on the outward journey. Yu, in attendance, was reserved. He stared at the various décolletages on display, but only licked his lips once or twice. Csorba was back to the politely formal enigma he was on first entering the Jane, not even commenting on the excellent daube Zoo whipped up from Giana Prime local beef and vegetables.

It is post-Madeira now, and only three of you remain in the lounge. Lana and the two of you. "So, Taban, Ksenita seems entontecida, ah, besotted, with you. Having watched you over these last few weeks, I can see it, but I am most interested in learning more about you. She is my oldest friend. Perhaps my only one, now."

Rich

I'm out of uniform, in just a pair of loose-fitting cotton pants, like sleep pants, as well as a tank top, also cotton. I'm sitting on the couch in the lounge, leaning on my right side with my right elbow propped up on the arm of the couch holding a bottle of tequila someone "rescued" from that posh restaurant. I've turned off my filters tonight, but I've barely had anything to drink. Yet. My left foot is in Mei's lap. I can't remember if she pulled it up to her lap or if I laid it on her as a joke, but it feels nice, being close to her. So nice talking with her. And Lana. I never dreamed a moment like this would happen.

Mischa

My new favorite word is daube. I'm pretty sure I ate most of a loaf of bread while making sure I got all the gravy. I'm not even considering the calorie calculations at the moment.

Knowing Yu, I came to dinner in a basic, meaning modest, flight suit. I've missed clocking some time in the Black, and Dai has been rather accommodating. I should expect.

One glass of that Madeira, why? My one hand is lightly resting on Ksenita's foot. I'm rather certain I didn't unzip at table, waiting instead for Yu to retire to his berth.

Besotted!?! Oh, my Ksenia. I'm also rather certain I've got a silly grin on my face. "I'm more-or-less an open book, Lana. Space Academy almost as soon as I could walk, then the Space Corps and now the Psi Corps." I shrug, a little on-the-spot. "I'm a pilot, a gymnast, I can draw a little. I like exploration and the Stalker Jane."

"What about you?" I can't wait to hear stories about Ksenia. I smile at her, sidelong, making little circles on her foot.

WPTunes

Lana gives a lazy grin, content with the meal and sipping on tequila moderately. "Me? I'm just a chica from Mars that's had some adventures, I guess." She takes a sip from the bottle of water next to her tequila shot. "But did Ksenita ever tell you about her grand adventure? When she had once años, was eleven years old? There was this grocery vendor, very high end, who tossed out his fancy imported produce every night. He caught mi hermanita raiding the trash one night, grabbing food that was still good, just not pretty. Thrashed her good, threatened the law. Tell her what you did, hermanita, to get back at him..."

Mischa

I swivel my glance to Ksenia. "No, I haven't heard this one..." Will it be funny or scary or both? I've got a sort of anticipatory air, and I settle back to hear the tale.

Rich

That thing Mei's doing, the circles, it feels really nice. Until Lana makes good on her promise to embarrass me, I was enjoying this quiet moment, luxuriating in Mei's touch.

Well, at least she did the grocer story. That one's not so bad. I take a swig of the tequila and sit up, still leaving my foot in Mei's capable hands. "So this guy, Hooper or whatever, he's a real puta, you know? He gave me a black eye, bruised my ribs from the kicking, called me a frakking rat and a little gutter punk, said I'd grow up to be a whore, all kinds of mierda." I shrug, "It wasn't anything new, but the beating made it a bit more painful. I didn't want him to go to the cops, so I just, you know, took it. It was the way it was. But yeah, like Lana said, I got him back."

I look over at Lana, then back to Mei, "If I knew then what I know now, I would've done it different. Sneaked in some old food, got the news on his raggedy old ass, the health inspector, something. But I was just some dumb little street kid. So... I hunted down twenty five rats. It took me a few days to get them, but trust me when I tell you it wasn't due to their scarcity, it was my lack of hunting skills."

With my left foot, I push lightly at Mei's hands, urging her to keep rubbing while I smile at her. "Then, over the next twenty five days, I hid dead rats in different places in his store. I stuck one in the walk-in cooler, another in the lettuce, dropped one from the frakkin' skylight onto Senora Cespedes, you remember that? He knew it was me, he knew it. But he never caught me. After a couple weeks, word got around. People stopped shopping there. Then, when I ran out of rats... all that was left was Mister Hooper. And his stupid frakking fat pig of a dog."

Mischa

"A rat a day keeps the customers away, I suppose." When she was eleven? I have to say, her accent comes out when she reminisces. It's cute.

And yes, my love, I will keep rubbing your feet. I peek to see if Lana is watching me.

Rich

"Lana," I say sharply, to get her attention, "since we're thinking about old times... why don't you tell us about the time I gave you that stuff you thought was Cuervo?"

WPTunes

Mei, Lana is certainly watching, but her lips seem to curl in approval, not jealousy. "Oh, that old story, Ksenita? Maybe in a momento, hermanita. And you, Taban? Surely there is something from when you were young that you would want to share? We are all friends here?" Her eyes sparkle mischievously.

Rich

Oh, that's unexpected. I look over at my little Taban. I arch a brow.

Mischa

I can't quite definitively say that Lana doesn't want to be next.

"Eleven, you said?" I bark out a short laugh, I had forgotten as a memory bubbles up. "When I was eleven, I was spending almost every waking hour between the grav and zerogee gymnasiums, training and competing." I look back and forth between my audience, this is a short tale. "It was a hyper-competitive environment, minor achievements being treated as the end-all-be-all, students trying to curry favor this way and that. But here comes little Taban Mei, with the golden ear. That's what they called it, that lucky roll of the genetic dice where your inner ear doesn't lose its monkey mind when presented with irregular gravity or odd angles or rapidly fluctuating grav fields." I stop my foot rub so I can indicate planes with my hands. "So I could work between high-gee to low-gee to zerogee without losing my lunch and barely blinking. They say it's just a mutation, that more and more, humans are slowly adapting to life off Earth." I wonder if...

I pull my gaze away from the viewport, back to the people with me here, now. "Anyway, they have a couple different medtabs, depending on how badly a person gets space sickness. So for one segment, most of the others were taking their meds so we could all go through a particular set of lessons, it was set up in a giant padded zerogee section, with tethered obstacles and target sensors and the like." Some of these memories makes me smile. "Kids being kids, there was a lot of goofing off going on. But someone's feelings got hurt for some stupid kid stuff, and they took it out on everyone in that class, even the teachers." I know exactly who it was, and why. "But they didn't know that one person in that class didn't need the anti-space-sickness pill... and the next thing I know, I'm dodging an entire room full of floating puke." Suddenly giggling endlessly at the memory. "It was so horrible... The smell! And the sounds of everyone else! They thought I did it!" I make some puke sound effects, moving my hand in 3-space, bouncing off Ksenia's foot, my glass, the couch, giggling still.

"Indescribable." Still a giggle squeaks out.

Rich

I make a face, it sounds really gross. I laugh with her, and shake my head. "God, Taban, that's crazy!"

WPTunes

Lana is laughing along with you, Mei. She seems particularly amused by your impromptu vomit pantomime, following your hands with flashing eyes.

"So, Ksenia has asked for the tequila story, which I must warn you paints neither of us in a very flattering light." She gives K a mock-stern look. "This is maybe six months before she joined the Corps, and I had just had my big quinceañera, my 15th birthday which is a big deal for Martian families with Spanish-speaking roots. I convinced my father, by the way, that Ksenia should share the party since our birthdays were only a week apart and she had no family to give her one."

Her eyes soften at the memory. "Anyway, we spent the whole night being polite to old people, wearing our prissy white dresses, and by the time we could sneak off we were ready to blow our tops from the effort of being so proper. So, we snuck out to this little park not far from the party hall with two of the boys, and Ksenia pulls out from under her dress two bottles of Jose Cuervo Oro. She hands one to the boys and one she shares with me."*

"Well, I was young and I drank a lot out of that bottle as we sat there flirting with those boys, bantering back and forth. I got tipsy pretty quick, and was having this imaginary conversation in my head with Ksenia about whether she wanted Hector or Charlie, when someone's music player started playing Salsa, drifting out the open window."

"The music and the tequila made me reckless. I pulled Ksenia up and made her start dancing with me, showing off for the boys, dancing real sexy. Then Hector and Charlie got involved, and it was pretty much a clothes-on free for all after a little. That, of course, is when Papá found us." She shakes her head. "I was in so much mierda, I didn't leave the apartment for two weeks."

"When I finally saw Ksenia again, she told me the truth. Both bottles were just watered down iced tea with a tiny bit of tequila for flavor. I had thought myself into being drunk! Que loca, no?"

She trills out a laugh, unguarded and happy with the telling.

Rich

During the story, I can barely contain myself. This is one of my favorite stories, and hearing Lana tell it again, it tickles me all over. "Taban, she was such a tease! Slurring her words, and dancing around, grinding on Hector, and then on Charlie. I was going to tell her early on, but then it was insanely funny. She was so happy, too! Just wish her dad hadn't caught us." Then, I ask her suddenly, "How are you parents, Lana?"

WPTunes

Lana's laughter drifts to a stop as she looks at you with sad eyes, Ksenia. "Papá died just before the Bowl Licker 'took me under his wing.' Mamá, I don't know. I haven't been able to talk to her since I left Mars. I suppose I won't be able to, now, either. She must feel awful, she didn't know how to fight for me back then."

Rich

I frown a little. I loved her papá, he was basically my papá, too. "I'll get word to her, Lana. I promise."

Mischa

"Oh, my." I glance at the bottle of tequila she's holding, nod in its direction. But my flirtatious comment about dancing dies on my lips and I look back to Lana. "Why not? If we got you out from Lucidus, certainly secure communications could be established."

WPTunes

"Sadly, no. The witness protection documents Sedge has shown me say I must not make contact with anyone on Mars. Ksenia, you could get word to her, though. Just let her know I'm alive and out from the Fingers' thumb?"

Mischa

Pushing back on Ksenia's toes, stretching them to hurt with a good kind of pain, with a lazy rotation if the ankle. "And if your mother is off Mars? Could you speak then?"

WPTunes

"I see that you are trying to help, and I thank you, but I am not looking for a workaround. I fear you do not understand the reach or the viciousness of Los Quatro Dedos, Taban. I will not risk my mother or myself for a few words."

Mischa

I shake my head. "No, I don't know about Los Dedos. How bad are they?" I'm addressing my question to both of them.

Rich

"Taban. Words can't describe how vicious and powerful they are." I answer, trying to put that to bed. I nod to Lana, "I will get word to her. And Mei and I will make sure she won't be in any danger."

WPTunes

"Yes. Let's talk of lighter things. Does the Captain really cook like that every time, after the FTL transition? That was amazing!"

Mischa

"So far, pretty much so yes." I stare off into the distance, forgetting the footrub, thinking about lamb and fruit. When I come back, I ask, "Have you ever had anything like it before?"

Rich

I say with a grin. "The cap and Red are the sweetest people I've met outside the Corps, Lana. They're great people."

That thing Mei is doing to my foot is starting to get to me (in a good way). I shift a little, sliding the toes of my right foot against her thigh.

Mischa

I innocently continue rubbing Ksenia's foot, pushing the balls of my thumbs against the ball of her foot, working out the tension in her sole and ankle.

I want to ask Lana about Yu, the impressions I got from Voss. I'll wait for the opportune time. I want to hear about her experiences first.

WPTunes

"I have eaten in the finest restaurants on Mars and on Giana Prime. I know that is a limited sample... I have eaten finer food, yes, but never prepared and presented with such devotion, at least since we used to eat that vat-grown chicken a la brasa at Fat Flora's, remember, Ksenia?"

Rich

That totally cracks me up. It's one of those smile as I try to hold in the laughter, but it bubbles up and erupts out of me. "What? Fat Flora's?!? Callate, girl! Flora's chicken was great for barrio girls like us, but the Captain's food is a treasure." I snicker again, wiggling my foot in Mei's hand.

I sit up, slipping my foot out of Mei's grasp, the reach for her. I want to pull her to me, let her slip up to snuggle against my chest so she can talk to Lana and I can hold her, kiss her head. I want that very much.

Mischa

I remember when vatgrown meat was a once-a-week treat. Too often it was soy with blended aminos and flavored powders mixed into water.

But Ksenia pulls her foot away and I look up, was it too hard or did I tickle? But she has a sweet, eager look on her face and I'm a little startled she wants the intimacy outside of quarters.

But I fall into her gravity well. Hold me, K.

Rich

Mei slides into my arms, and it feels so comfortable. Her body is soft and supple and warm. Her hair smells like apples. I kiss her head and gently brush her hair away from her face so I can look down at her profile. So beautiful.

"Lana," I say, still looking over Mei's form against me. "You should start a dance school, wherever you end up. Teach little street rats how to move like bonita angelitos." My right hand sneaks down to idly scratch Mei's back as we lay there together. I feel exposed and excited and relaxed, all at once. Such a strange combination.

Mischa

My love is snuggling and holding me, yet I feel possessive, and kiss lightly her left hand before looking up to her sweet face. Watch out, Lana. She's mine. I try not to squirm too obviously against Ksenia when she touches me so.

"We should go dancing," I murmur. Yes, I think of Lana's dance vids. I'm talking to Ksenia.

Rich

Mei looks up at me, and I ache to kiss her. I haven't been affectionate with her for one moment outside of quarters. It's always been our own private world there. Here, in front of my best friend, where anyone could walk by, I shouldn't. I really want to, though. Hovering on the edge of that desire is delicious.

For a moment when Mei suggests dancing, I immediately think she's taking to Lana. Lana's the dancer. Mei saw the dancing I've learned back on that stinking planet. Then I see in her eyes she means me. I swallow, mouth suddenly dry. Lick my lips. "Y-yes." I stammer. I inwardly kick myself for sounding like some idiot. Thankfully, Mei doesn't snicker at me. "We should." I answer. My hand strokes the side of her face as she looks up at me. I nuzzle against her forehead, inches away from those succulent lips.

WPTunes

Mei, Lana smiles at you. "Ksenia is a fine dancer, Taban. You should go dancing."

"Next time you are on Mars, Ksenia, go to visit and taste, if she's still there. Do you know that she pounds the marinade in a molcajete, like it was two hundred years ago? Taste it again and then tell me there's not love there." She frowns. "If you can. I mean, I hope you will be able to tell me, once Sedge settles me in whatever nook he settles me in. And yes, a dance school! What a good idea!"

Mischa

You're an officer, Mei.

Kiss her, Mei.

Kiss me, Kesnia.

Jealous, Lana?

She's mine, Zoo.

"What's molcajete?" I ask Lana absently, still looking at my Ksenia.

Rich

"Lana," I say, turning my head away from Mei to look at her. "I have been back to Mars three times since I signed up for the Corps. Two times was layovers on trips to Earth. I never left station. The third time was an escort mission for Obadiah Salk, the Venusian delegate for a trade congregation. I never left the ambassadorial compound then. I hate Mars. I've always hated Mars. It's a stinking hole, and you're the best thing to crawl up out of it. I'll go back to tell your mamá that you're well, but that's all I want to go back for. You know?" The words are harsh, raw. Not what I meant to say. I shouldn't be on edge. I'm here with my girl and my best friend. But there are old wounds. She shouldn't frakking lecture me about "back home". There is nothing good "back home" for me now.

Mischa

I look up to Ksenia's dark eyes, her color is up. What's so wrong with Mars, K? My face is searching hers.

WPTunes

Lana's eyes widen, and a hand flies to her cheek as if she'd been slapped. "Fine, mi hermanita, fine. I am sorry to ask so much of you, to send you back to the home we shared as girls. Because of course, you are the only one that was hurt by Mars. There is no one in this room who was pimped out by los Dedos, forced to be accomplice to murder, who was stripped from her home and her family and her life and made to move across the galaxy to keep a sleazeball scientist... complacent."

She stands and moves to the door. "Taban, it was lovely sharing a bit with you. I think our Ksenia has found a fine ally in you. Good night."

Mischa

I read them both, quickly, then move to sit up a little. I poke Ksenia with my index finger and give her a look, my eyes flicking to Lana's back.

Rich

Shit. I'd forgotten how much her temper matched mine. My eyes narrow at Mei, giving me that look, but she's buttered me up with the foot rub, so I give in. "Lana," I call after her. "I'm sorry. I know you had it bad, too, I wasn't saying you didn't. I just. Shit, chica, I still have a bundle of hate in my heart for that place. Tu familia was the only good I had there, you know?"

WPTunes

Lana turns, hand on the threshold. "Chica, you know we can't talk this out once we've started barking at each other. I will see you tomorrow, and we still have weeks together to work this out, si?" She turns again and leaves the lounge.

Rich

My head droops, resigned, frustrated, still angry. The whole night was so wonderful, and I just ruined it. "Shit." I whisper.

Mischa

I put my hand tentatively on Ksenia's back, fingers wide. I lean slightly in to look at her under her droop. Storm clouds, and so much more. "K?" I don't know if she wants to talk at all, much less out here where the whole ship can hear.

Rich

I owe Mei something, some kind of explanation. But I said the truth of it, just now. I hate Mars. What else is there?

I stand up off the couch, mumbling, "I'm hitting the gym, Taban."

Mischa

I sit on the couch, one leg down, one leg under, my hands folded in my lap."Do you want to be alone?"

Rich

"Not sure if I'm good company, Taban." I reply sullenly. I kinda hope she comes, but I'm also worried I might spar her. Because I'm so frustrated that I frakked this up that I desperately want to hit something. I'm heading on to the gym before I say something else stupid.

Mischa

"Okay," She didn't say no. I get up fluidly and follow her. I'll doff my flight suit at the door to the gym- I've got light clothing underneath that will pass. "Do you want to work out or what?" I get the feeling this is an 'or what' kind of situation.

Rich

I wait for Mei to enter the gym and seal the door, "Or what." I push off my slouchy bottoms and step out of them, then peel off my shirt. I pad over to the mat, "Wanna spar, lil Mei?" I'm trying to flirt, or something. It doesn't come off well, because I'm still annoyed at myself, and at Lana. So it probably sounds hateful.

Mischa

Oh, my warrior woman. "Do you want gravity?" I ask sweetly. I close the door, set the DO NOT DISTURB seal.

I'll do a few shrugs and small warm-up stretches to get limbered up, bouncing a bit on my toes.

I wonder if she wants to make a wager. "What do you have in mind?" I'm watching my love, concerned and excited and available to stand beside her.

Rich

"8.87." I answer. Venusian gravity. It's a fair compromise. She's better at Zero-G, I'm better at near-Earth gravity.

She asks for a wager? I'm still angry, but I think a distraction like that sounds interesting. "If you win, I'm all yours until we reach port. Anything you want." I crack my knuckles and twist my neck to the side, popping it, too. "When I win, what do I get?"

Mischa

"Grav shift coming," I tap a short sequence on the panel and feel the grav generators shift. I sway and bounce a little to get my Venus legs. I look at my own cybernetic Venus, delighting in her form. "Grav shift complete." Old habits, even it's just the two of us.

I cock an eyebrow, and snort a cute laugh, with a little fire and desire in my eyes. "I may already get you every way if you play your cards right." But I see what stakes she wants and my voice goes a tiny bit flat. "If you win... You get me in someone else's bed, with or without some TruLuv." I trust you, Ksenia.

Rich

I give her a pair of raised eyebrows in surprise. Oh, Mei, I can think of a few different combinations that would be quite nice. Or maybe just TruLuv and us. And Cora.

In a taunting little voice, I tell her, "Ima kick your sexy lil ass, Taban." I shift my cybernetic foot to adjust my weight. I feel ten percent lighter! That's a gravity joke. She really should've gone for less gravity. Did she not pay attention back there? This is my jam.

I don't charge in yet. I need to make sure we're playing by the same rules. "We playing to hits or until someone taps out?" If we go until someone taps out, we'll need a medic. I will not give up easy.

Mischa

I have a slightly serious look on my face. They say you always hurt the one you love. I'm not... worried exactly, but the aggression is almost a trigger. But I know she likes my ass, so I wink at her, "As long as my butt keeps distracting you, that's my advantage." I cock a hip to her, her gaze on my legs proves the point.

"Points, of course. I don't want to incapacitate a fellow officer." I give her a little come-hither look. "I don't even have your safeword."

I take a fighting stance, back to serious.

WPTunes

One of the "AdAstra" upgrades to the ship is an automated scorer for sparring, with settings for several martial arts styles, blades, simulated target shooting, and a general hand-to-hand catchall. It's actually very good.

Rich

With a few swipes on the display, I set it for mixed martial arts, best of five, stingy scoring. "Oh little Mei..." I say as I strut onto the mat. "I don't have a safe word." Then I slide into a stance as well. I wait for the automated buzz to start the match.

WPTunes

The red light blinks. 3... 2... 1... and the buzzer sounds.

Mischa

Okay, Mei.

I advance quick quick, lead with my off hand and jab once twice to her flesh side, and follow it with a sharp kick.

Don't think about it, Mei. This is for Ksenia.

Rich

Mei's in on my fast, throwing a punch and kick on my left. It's smart, going for my "weak spot", my human side. I throw up my leg to block it. It'll bruise, her punches are sharp. Speed over strength. I love it.

Once she dances back, I throw my right leg forward in a push kick. It's fast enough to be unblockable, but it's not going to score, especially not on this level. I did it to get her off me. Plus to impress on her that my cybernetic leg can kick. Very. Hard. She skids back on the mat, and I dance a couple steps around to put my right side forward.

Does she know she needs to get in tight? It's her best shot. I've got reach. If I keep her back, I can wear her out. "Nice shot." She's clean, her strikes have a better chance of scoring.

Mischa

oof—! That cyberleg hurts! I almost pinwheel back comically, but the lighter gravity helps me. I catch air for an instant and get my legs under me for a rebound push as I skid. She's got reach and augments, but I've got the speed. Flesh-on-flesh, I'm not certain who's got the advantage.

I have a distant, feral look in my eye and I launch off the mat to get in close, away from that leg. I aim two hard strikes at her jaw and flesh shoulder, diverting at the last minute to whiff and boop her on the nose with a finger. Grinning, I keep momentum into a rolling tumble and come up like an old-timey boxer, bouncing.

The light flashes and a tone sounds. / / PLAYER ONE SCORES ONE POINT / /

"You should see the look on your face," I tease. Oh, she's gonna be mad now. I prepare for the counter.

Rich

Okay, the boop on the nose was cute. I almost broke character and smiled. Then she had to go and make that crack about my face. The frak's amatter with my face?

I plant my right leg and spring forward towards her, knee up for a hard strike, like Thai boxing. I know she's quick, she could dance out of the way. But I'm showing her an opening. My left arm is up too high. I try to make it look sloppy.

She bites, coming in for a quick score. She doesn't want to hurt me, just score and win and call it done. Well, I want what she's offering alot more than what I offered to give up. Mei comes in for that strike, a punch, since she wants control. But I use my momentum, and of course the fact that my right arm can pop out of joint, to swing my torso hard away, and do a reverse backfist. I feel the metal connect with the side of her head. Damn, that was probably too hard. I hope I didn't get her eye. Black eyes aren't very sexy.

The light flashes and a tone sounds. / / PLAYER TWO SCORES ONE POINT / /

I roll forward into a tumble and come up. I give her a predatory grin, and I can't help myself when I say, "Pretty sure you'll see the look on your face in the mirror."

Mischa

I hiss in pain as my head rolls and I keep moving to get away from that damn augment! Good thing I took that blow decently, otherwise it might've broken my cheekbone. I rub it as I glare. "Shit just got real, huh?" Not breaking eye contact, I strip off my top and launch at her, bare. I'm smiling grimly. My fists are right here, girl.

Rich

Oh, those sweet little nubbins are just too good to keep to myself. I can't wait to share them with my friends after I take you down, little Mei.

Roll Proposal:
d8 Love - This is Mei.
2d10 Security - Going to do repairable harm to get what I want. (doubled per Vet distinction)
d8 Vet Distinction - Not exactly the kind of fight from the Cluster Conflict, but it's personal fighting
3d10 - Challenging Zoo. Could winning this bring us all three closer? Is that what I want?

Asset:
d6 Psi Op Handler Training

(spending 1 PP for distinction)

Mischa

This is not easy for me, to strike my lover. But I know it's foreplay for her, and that adds excitement. I'm also worried about her attitude with Lana. Don't keep secrets from me, Ksenia. I'm here for you. But yes, it feels good to unleash my muscles and move!

Sacrifice - d8 - Why am I bargaining with my body? I just want her to open up.
Security - d8 - Sparring is still fighting. I'm no cabbage-eared rookie.
Natural Athlete - d8 - Sparring is almost like contact gymnastics. I've got a few moves.
[Lithe & Fast - Spending 1 PP to place d8 Complication]
Challenging Ksenia - 3d10 - I hope all our talks aren't fights.
Big Damn Hero - d8 - I want to win.

Rich

(Rolled: 1d8. Rolls: 2. Total: 2) Love
(Rolled: 2d10. Rolls: 1, 1. Total: 2) Security
(Rolled: 1d8. Rolls: 2. Total: 2) Veteran Distinction
(Rolled: 3d10. Rolls: 7, 6, 10. Total: 23) - Zoo

Asset:
(Rolled: 1d6. Rolls: 5. Total: 5) Psi Op Handler Training

Rich

I rolled a base 17. I will spend a PP to up it to 23.

Two left there, Mei!

Mischa

Sacrifice - (Rolled: 1d8. Rolls: 6. Total: 6)
Security - (Rolled: 1d8. Rolls: 6. Total: 6)
Natural Athlete - (Rolled: 1d8. Rolls: 2. Total: 2)
[Lithe & Fast - Spending 1 PP to place d8 Complication] - (Rolled: 1d8. Rolls: 8. Total: 8)
Challenging Ksenia - (Rolled: 3d10. Rolls: 3, 1, 9. Total: 13)
Big Damn Hero - holding

Mischa

BDH - (Rolled: 1d8. Rolls: 7. Total: 7)

Mischa

[OOC: 9 + 8 = 17. 17 + 7 = 24.]

WPTunes

Mei, you're definitely the winner on points. Ksenia is all yours until you reach port. That should be interesting, right? I imagine she doesn't seem too disappointed to have lost. We'll see how things play out in the next scene.

—End Scene—