Post by Cassiopeia Reyes-Hart on Nov 4, 2008 2:32:28 GMT -5
Cassi was exercising extreme restraint in not using her powers to cheat and try to figure out what everyone else was up to today. After all, today was November 24th. Her seventeenth birthday. And so far, not even her sister or Beau, had shown any reaction to that fact other than an absent-minded greeting.
The curvy blonde worried on her lower lip, wringing her hands as she slowly stepped down the hall. Had everyone forgotten? Last year the Captain had thrown a rather lavish party for her at Aprhodite's, for her 'Sweet Sixteen.' It was one of her favorite memories from the past two and a half years aboard the Plunder. And now, all of a sudden, nothing?
Cassiopeia did her best not to get depressed. If everyone had forgotten, she was sure there was a good reason. Tensions were still a little high from the seven Magi children still in comas, not to mention that nasty man Anton LeValle still being on board. It would be perfectly understandable, Cassi decided with a forlorn sigh. Though that still didn't make it any less depressing.
The comm. suddenly buzzed to life overhead. "Attention all crew and passengers," Morgan's stern voice suddenly called. "Everyone please report to the Assembly Room immediately for inspection. You have ten minutes to comply. Those who do not will have their wages cut in half. Halcyon out."
Cassi heaved a sigh, but adjusted her trajectory accordingly to take her to the Assembly hall rather than the observation deck, which had been her previous destination. The slender female didn't give a thought to the lack of crew members heading there with her, or lack of crew members in the hall period, too focused on her own misery to care.
She stepped up to the large double doors and pushed them open. And then nearly fell back out of them by the thunderous collective roar of, "Surprise!"
Cassiopeia blinked, staring in utter shock at the Assembly room. It had been covered in streamers and confetti, with a banner across the back that read "Happy Birthday Cassi!" in wonderfully cheesy colors. And near to every single crew-member not completely required to attend the ship were stuffed inside, yelling and cheering excitedly.
Cassi finally managed to get over her surprise enough to laugh, silver eyes dancing with mirth and emotion. "Oh my gosh, you guys!" she cried. "You totally got me!"
She was quickly ushered inside. Andromeda enfolded her in a hug first, softly apologizing for the deception, though Cassi quickly grinned and assured her that it was fine. And then Josetta was hugging her tightly, murmuring her own well-wishes. Then Morgan, giving her one of his small smiles and a half-hug. And then Beau, grinning and leaning down to give her a fleeting kiss, laughing good-naturedly at her playful exasperation. And then Clara hugged her, and Tina, Gloria, Antigone, Rascal, Stefan and Toby. And Jane and Dane, and so many others that Cassi quite lost count.
After everyone had made their rounds, Cassi was ushered to sit down at the head of the huge table and the first round of her presents were brought forward while Happy and some of the mess hall crew began passing around drinks and cake. Cassiopeia, being who she was, cooed in delight at everything she was given. A few stood apart from the rest, however.
First was the strand of Putonian crystals that T.K. gave her. She stared at the ridiculously expensive jewelry, mouth gaping. Plutonian crystals were actually sentient, and would change color for their owner upon request. Even her mother--who had had just about every other jewel known to man--had not been able to afford a strand of Plutonian crystals. And T.K. had just gifted her a necklace and a bracelet of the tiny, octahedron-shaped crystals.
T.K. just muttered out an impatient "your welcome" to her stunned thank-you, and then did his best to ignore anyone who shot him any dumbfounded stares. There was only one reason why a man spent that much money on a girl. Problem with that being that he wasn't the one dating her.
Next was Jane, whom Cassi should have known would not disappoint. When the blonde opened the garment box she stared with gaping mouth at the seven colorful sets of very naughty-looking lace panties before she slammed the lid back down, her face turning an uncomfortable shade of scarlet to match one of them. Though not before several crew members got an eyeful of them as well, and roared their laughter and approval. Behind her, Beau was grinning rather wickedly and--though she nor anyone else seemed to notice--Morgan shifted his weight with a soft, uncomfortable groan.
"Jane!" Andromeda cried, agahst, while Josetta just chuckled, highly amused.
The pilot was unrepentant. "What? Every girl needs a few sets of screw-me panties for her Sexy Seventeenth."
"Uh, I think you mean 'Sweet Sixteen,'" another crewman suddenly piped up, winning him a painful elbow to the shoulder.
"Shaddap, I know what I'm talkin' about," Jane pronounced stubbornly, glaring.
Cassi just set the box aside after that, and took a long gulp of her punch to try and ease the painful blush on her face.
And then her mother stepped forward, a long and slender lacquered box in her hands. Cassi paused only slightly to notice the new dagger strapped to Josetta's hip before she carefully unbuckled the case and opened it. And then stared in open-mouthed shock at the pulsing white, vibrating sword inside. It was a starmetal rapier. Just like Josetta's. Only this one was all silver rather than mixed with gold, as her mother's was, with a small silvery, decorative tassel hanging from the bottom and currently curled across the pale blue satin that the sword rested in.
Cassi gushed her thanks, nearly bouncing in place, to which Josetta grinned and bent to place a quick kiss to her brow.
Beau gave her a rather simple silver charm bracelet, but it was the sentiment put behind it rather than the cost that caused her eyes to water a little before she thanked him profusely, tilting her head up for another quick kiss. She didn't notice it when Morgan suddenly slipped from the room on silent feet.
Instead she was suddenly focusing on Clara, who had come to stand in front of her, shifting her weight a little uncertainly. And then Cassi suddenly squeaked in surprise when the cat girl bent, took a hold of her by the back of the head and Clara's mouth was suddenly covering her own. Her eyes widened to the size of saucers while everyone else went dead silent around them, completely stunned with disbelief.
Somewhere in the back of the room, Dane groaned pitiably.
Cassi was a little too shocked to really react much, not that she could have pulled away even if she wanted to. Clara was a lot, lot stronger than she was. The elfin girl just sat there and endured the unexpected, somewhat uncomfortable display of affection until it ended a moment later, having lasted long enough that Cassiopeia had turned a bright shade of pink clear to the tips of her pointed ears.
Clara was completely oblivious to her social faux pas, and blinked somewhat in confusion when everyone continued to stare at her mutely, Cassi included. "What's the matter? I thought you enjoyed kissing? You enjoy Beau's well enough."
Tina appeared then, taking Clara by the hand and helpfully dragging the redhead away to explain things. Meanwhile Josetta stepped forward again and forced out a somewhat shaky laugh, pulling everyone's attention to her instead.
Cassi rubbed a little at her mouth, still blushing. Clara was her best friend, and she wasn't in any way attracted to girls, but the cat-girl sure did know how to kiss. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tina speaking to Clara softly, smiling a little. Clara looked perplexed, asking something, and then when Tina answered her, the redheaded cat-girl suddenly grinned. And then the too-slender goth girl suddenly had Clara's tongue shoved into her mouth, instead. Cassi chuckled a little shakily. More power to ya, girl, she thought to herself, relieved that Clara wasn't harboring any unspoken crush on her or something. The last thing she'd want is their friendship ruined.
Her attention was pulled away from the make-out fest going on along the edge of the room by Josetta clearing her throat and calling for attention. "Alright then, Princess," she murmured. "You've got one more present left. This one's from all of us. Everybody on the crew chipped in for this one, sweetheart. We hope you like it."
Cassi blinked a little, confused, as she didn't see anything forthcoming. And then the people around her suddenly parted, revealing Morgan standing in the doorway. Holding an excitedly squiggling something in his hands.
Cassi's eyes widened to the size of saucers, a hand lifting to cover her mouth in shock, as the stoic First Mate slowly stepped forward holding a tiny brown and gray teacup Yorkie puppy as best he could while the furry creature looked like it was doing it's best to try and lick any and every part of him it could reach.
"Oh my gosh," she whimpered, eyes flooding with tears for no good reason at all. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!"
The elf-like teen was out of her chair and smothering Josetta in a crushing hug first, causing the woman to laugh. Then Andromeda. Then she let out a slight shriek of excitement before she bounded the rest of the distance separating her from Morgan. The black man gave her a rare grin.
"Here ye are, luv," he murmured, holding the puppy out to her--which wasn't much bigger than the palm of his hand. "He's all yours." Cassi carefully took him, then laughed in delight when the tiny Yorkie immediately started wriggling with excitement and licking her face frantically. "Happy birthday, darlin," Morgan pronounced then, tone gruff with affection.
"Thank you Morgan," she returned happily, silver eyes bright and dancing. "Thank you everybody," she continued, cuddling the ecstatic puppy, who couldn't be any happier than she was herself.
And then everyone in the assembly hall jerked as the room was suddenly filled with the shrill klaxon of proximity alarms.
The curvy blonde worried on her lower lip, wringing her hands as she slowly stepped down the hall. Had everyone forgotten? Last year the Captain had thrown a rather lavish party for her at Aprhodite's, for her 'Sweet Sixteen.' It was one of her favorite memories from the past two and a half years aboard the Plunder. And now, all of a sudden, nothing?
Cassiopeia did her best not to get depressed. If everyone had forgotten, she was sure there was a good reason. Tensions were still a little high from the seven Magi children still in comas, not to mention that nasty man Anton LeValle still being on board. It would be perfectly understandable, Cassi decided with a forlorn sigh. Though that still didn't make it any less depressing.
The comm. suddenly buzzed to life overhead. "Attention all crew and passengers," Morgan's stern voice suddenly called. "Everyone please report to the Assembly Room immediately for inspection. You have ten minutes to comply. Those who do not will have their wages cut in half. Halcyon out."
Cassi heaved a sigh, but adjusted her trajectory accordingly to take her to the Assembly hall rather than the observation deck, which had been her previous destination. The slender female didn't give a thought to the lack of crew members heading there with her, or lack of crew members in the hall period, too focused on her own misery to care.
She stepped up to the large double doors and pushed them open. And then nearly fell back out of them by the thunderous collective roar of, "Surprise!"
Cassiopeia blinked, staring in utter shock at the Assembly room. It had been covered in streamers and confetti, with a banner across the back that read "Happy Birthday Cassi!" in wonderfully cheesy colors. And near to every single crew-member not completely required to attend the ship were stuffed inside, yelling and cheering excitedly.
Cassi finally managed to get over her surprise enough to laugh, silver eyes dancing with mirth and emotion. "Oh my gosh, you guys!" she cried. "You totally got me!"
She was quickly ushered inside. Andromeda enfolded her in a hug first, softly apologizing for the deception, though Cassi quickly grinned and assured her that it was fine. And then Josetta was hugging her tightly, murmuring her own well-wishes. Then Morgan, giving her one of his small smiles and a half-hug. And then Beau, grinning and leaning down to give her a fleeting kiss, laughing good-naturedly at her playful exasperation. And then Clara hugged her, and Tina, Gloria, Antigone, Rascal, Stefan and Toby. And Jane and Dane, and so many others that Cassi quite lost count.
After everyone had made their rounds, Cassi was ushered to sit down at the head of the huge table and the first round of her presents were brought forward while Happy and some of the mess hall crew began passing around drinks and cake. Cassiopeia, being who she was, cooed in delight at everything she was given. A few stood apart from the rest, however.
First was the strand of Putonian crystals that T.K. gave her. She stared at the ridiculously expensive jewelry, mouth gaping. Plutonian crystals were actually sentient, and would change color for their owner upon request. Even her mother--who had had just about every other jewel known to man--had not been able to afford a strand of Plutonian crystals. And T.K. had just gifted her a necklace and a bracelet of the tiny, octahedron-shaped crystals.
T.K. just muttered out an impatient "your welcome" to her stunned thank-you, and then did his best to ignore anyone who shot him any dumbfounded stares. There was only one reason why a man spent that much money on a girl. Problem with that being that he wasn't the one dating her.
Next was Jane, whom Cassi should have known would not disappoint. When the blonde opened the garment box she stared with gaping mouth at the seven colorful sets of very naughty-looking lace panties before she slammed the lid back down, her face turning an uncomfortable shade of scarlet to match one of them. Though not before several crew members got an eyeful of them as well, and roared their laughter and approval. Behind her, Beau was grinning rather wickedly and--though she nor anyone else seemed to notice--Morgan shifted his weight with a soft, uncomfortable groan.
"Jane!" Andromeda cried, agahst, while Josetta just chuckled, highly amused.
The pilot was unrepentant. "What? Every girl needs a few sets of screw-me panties for her Sexy Seventeenth."
"Uh, I think you mean 'Sweet Sixteen,'" another crewman suddenly piped up, winning him a painful elbow to the shoulder.
"Shaddap, I know what I'm talkin' about," Jane pronounced stubbornly, glaring.
Cassi just set the box aside after that, and took a long gulp of her punch to try and ease the painful blush on her face.
And then her mother stepped forward, a long and slender lacquered box in her hands. Cassi paused only slightly to notice the new dagger strapped to Josetta's hip before she carefully unbuckled the case and opened it. And then stared in open-mouthed shock at the pulsing white, vibrating sword inside. It was a starmetal rapier. Just like Josetta's. Only this one was all silver rather than mixed with gold, as her mother's was, with a small silvery, decorative tassel hanging from the bottom and currently curled across the pale blue satin that the sword rested in.
Cassi gushed her thanks, nearly bouncing in place, to which Josetta grinned and bent to place a quick kiss to her brow.
Beau gave her a rather simple silver charm bracelet, but it was the sentiment put behind it rather than the cost that caused her eyes to water a little before she thanked him profusely, tilting her head up for another quick kiss. She didn't notice it when Morgan suddenly slipped from the room on silent feet.
Instead she was suddenly focusing on Clara, who had come to stand in front of her, shifting her weight a little uncertainly. And then Cassi suddenly squeaked in surprise when the cat girl bent, took a hold of her by the back of the head and Clara's mouth was suddenly covering her own. Her eyes widened to the size of saucers while everyone else went dead silent around them, completely stunned with disbelief.
Somewhere in the back of the room, Dane groaned pitiably.
Cassi was a little too shocked to really react much, not that she could have pulled away even if she wanted to. Clara was a lot, lot stronger than she was. The elfin girl just sat there and endured the unexpected, somewhat uncomfortable display of affection until it ended a moment later, having lasted long enough that Cassiopeia had turned a bright shade of pink clear to the tips of her pointed ears.
Clara was completely oblivious to her social faux pas, and blinked somewhat in confusion when everyone continued to stare at her mutely, Cassi included. "What's the matter? I thought you enjoyed kissing? You enjoy Beau's well enough."
Tina appeared then, taking Clara by the hand and helpfully dragging the redhead away to explain things. Meanwhile Josetta stepped forward again and forced out a somewhat shaky laugh, pulling everyone's attention to her instead.
Cassi rubbed a little at her mouth, still blushing. Clara was her best friend, and she wasn't in any way attracted to girls, but the cat-girl sure did know how to kiss. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Tina speaking to Clara softly, smiling a little. Clara looked perplexed, asking something, and then when Tina answered her, the redheaded cat-girl suddenly grinned. And then the too-slender goth girl suddenly had Clara's tongue shoved into her mouth, instead. Cassi chuckled a little shakily. More power to ya, girl, she thought to herself, relieved that Clara wasn't harboring any unspoken crush on her or something. The last thing she'd want is their friendship ruined.
Her attention was pulled away from the make-out fest going on along the edge of the room by Josetta clearing her throat and calling for attention. "Alright then, Princess," she murmured. "You've got one more present left. This one's from all of us. Everybody on the crew chipped in for this one, sweetheart. We hope you like it."
Cassi blinked a little, confused, as she didn't see anything forthcoming. And then the people around her suddenly parted, revealing Morgan standing in the doorway. Holding an excitedly squiggling something in his hands.
Cassi's eyes widened to the size of saucers, a hand lifting to cover her mouth in shock, as the stoic First Mate slowly stepped forward holding a tiny brown and gray teacup Yorkie puppy as best he could while the furry creature looked like it was doing it's best to try and lick any and every part of him it could reach.
"Oh my gosh," she whimpered, eyes flooding with tears for no good reason at all. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!"
The elf-like teen was out of her chair and smothering Josetta in a crushing hug first, causing the woman to laugh. Then Andromeda. Then she let out a slight shriek of excitement before she bounded the rest of the distance separating her from Morgan. The black man gave her a rare grin.
"Here ye are, luv," he murmured, holding the puppy out to her--which wasn't much bigger than the palm of his hand. "He's all yours." Cassi carefully took him, then laughed in delight when the tiny Yorkie immediately started wriggling with excitement and licking her face frantically. "Happy birthday, darlin," Morgan pronounced then, tone gruff with affection.
"Thank you Morgan," she returned happily, silver eyes bright and dancing. "Thank you everybody," she continued, cuddling the ecstatic puppy, who couldn't be any happier than she was herself.
And then everyone in the assembly hall jerked as the room was suddenly filled with the shrill klaxon of proximity alarms.