Make sure it's tied down! (Pregame 1 EE Storage)

[GM Yuusha]

(Open to the first 2 PCs to join)

"Is this secure? Brown tape isn't enough."

Lakshmi reached for and tried rocking one of the put up tables.

"Yes ma'am. We used some Blu Tack." One of the ship's crew called back from two tables over, bent down and securing that one.

The table didn't budge. This was a very good thing, considering all the cups of drink atop it. Sippy cups. Lots of them.

"Great! Keep it up."

The smaller woman was all smiles as she moved on. There wouldn't be food tonight due to the impending lack of gravity, but there would be music, fancy dress and...

"This looks fantastic!" She complimented another crew member who had set up one of the three card tables. There would be gambling. Friendly gambling, with tokens given to participants and a prize to be won for whoever won the most in two hours, but gambling nonetheless. It'd be fun.

High fiving the woman leading this part of final preparations, Lakshmi then skipped over to the speakers. They were connected to a computer system for the music.

"Let's test them. What to play..."

Tessa had headed off to change, which she still needed to do. She'd just check a few more things first. Once she was satisfied the music would be good.

[Yori Hakamada]

"Captain Kaala."
Yori's flat tone is distinctive, the fact that she seemed to gave silently approached just a little too close was also very Yori.

"May I respectfully inquire as to the genre, volume and quality of the music selected for tonight so I can determine whether I am to attend?"

[Lakshmi Kaala]

Creepy, creepy, creepy, creepy...

Laks slowly turned around. Just enough time to force a smile to her lips.

"Second Lieutenant Hakamada." She states in a neutral tone.

"The music? Actually, I was just looking over some of the possible songs for a playlist. It's, eto, not finalised yet." She stepped slightly to the side and gestured to the noteputer. "They're on there. Pretty eclectic. Lots of classics. Slower stuff at the end."

[Yori Hakamada]

Creepy, creepy, creepy, creepy...

Laks slowly turned around. Just enough time to force a smile to her lips.

"Second Lieutenant Hakamada." She states in a neutral tone.

"The music? Actually, I was just looking over some of the possible songs for a playlist. It's, eto, not finalised yet." She stepped slightly to the side and gestured to the noteputer. "They're on there. Pretty eclectic. Lots of classics. Slower stuff at the end."

Yori nods at the address.

"I see."
Adjusting her glasses and peering down at the display.
"Hmmm.....hmmmm...interesting....mmmhm...very interesting."
The lieutenant actually pulls out a pad and starts jotting down notes.

"3/7 for creativity, 5/7 for tempo, 5/7 for taste. Volume I am unsure of giving acoustics...so....4/7 overall, passing grade. I believe I will attend."

[Hrafnhildur Ylfasdottir]

There was a sound of metal on metal broken only by the sound of the ratcheting sound of a wrench. Then a light thud and a quiet exasperation as Hrafna slid out from under one of the tables holding her head.

"Dang thing was...wobbly? Is that a word? It didn't sit right but now it does. I think that makes all of 'em. Funny, a cow with three legs can stand just fine but these tables don't." The wrench slid into a small pouch that Hrafna wore most of the time, even when she was not actively needed to repair something.

[Lakshmi Kaala]

(Thread full)

"Hai...?" She moved to watch what Yori was looking at and writing. The lieutenant's behaviour was bizarre, but nothing Laks wasn't used to by now. Not that she wouldn't go back in time and replace the pink haired misfit with someone else. Someone less... stiff?

She feigned a laugh at the final assessment. "Passing grade. Woo... that's... great. Yeah. Please do." A thought occurred to her. "Please bring your lance mates, ok?" If they were then then Yori would be occupied. That would be good. Damage control.

The Captain nearly squealed in delight as the little mechtech made her presence known. An escape route had been sighted. She could let Tessa finalise the music list.

"Hey! Hrafna!" She was genuinely happy as she called out to her. "Good work!"

[Yori Hakamada]

snip

" A passing grade was never a cause for celebration at the academy...."
A long uncomfortable pause
"But Yes, we shall all attend. I believe Sergeant Torashirō has his pirate costume, Mechwarrior Morikawa has her nurse's uniform which she will also use as a costume and Mechwarrior Tsuge has a range of costumes for some unclear reason."

There was a sound of metal on metal broken only by the sound of the ratcheting sound of a wrench. Then a light thud and a quiet exasperation as Hrafna slid out from under one of the tables holding her head.

"Dang thing was...wobbly? Is that a word? It didn't sit right but now it does. I think that makes all of 'em. Funny, a cow with three legs can stand just fine but these tables don't." The wrench slid into a small pouch that Hrafna wore most of the time, even when she was not actively needed to repair something.

"Senior Mechtech Ylfasdottir...you have made an interesting point of comparison regarding bovine creatures. And thank you for ensuring the tables are no wobbly."
With a hint of heat
"I cannot stand a wobbly table, it makes me uncomfortable."

[Hrafnhildur Ylfasdottir]

Hrafna rubbed her head one last time then straightened up. Her hair was down, as it usually was when not around something that could pull it out, so she smoothed it out and smiled as she looked for the voice that gave her a compliment.

"Nooooot a problem Cap Kaala. We gotta make sure these tables don't move around...oh dear...unless we're leaving one as a trick table for fun. Like people put down their drinks and it collapses and we laugh. Did I ruin the fun? No. Maybe? Hopefully not. Possibly?" The thought of loosening the bolts she had just tightened crossed her mind.

Her eyes then went to Yori with a look of confusion. "Aha! So wobbly is a word! I'm glad to help, Two Leut Hakamada. Wobbly stuff makes me itchy. Wait, what's a bovine? Are you saying low-vine? Like a vine that stays on the ground? Go-vine? Like a vine you are encouraging?"

[Yori Hakamada]

Hrafna rubbed her head one last time then straightened up. Her hair was down, as it usually was when not around something that could pull it out, so she smoothed it out and smiled as she looked for the voice that gave her a compliment.

"Nooooot a problem Cap Kaala. We gotta make sure these tables don't move around...oh dear...unless we're leaving one as a trick table for fun. Like people put down their drinks and it collapses and we laugh. Did I ruin the fun? No. Maybe? Hopefully not. Possibly?" The thought of loosening the bolts she had just tightened crossed her mind.

Her eyes then went to Your with a look of confusion. "Aha! So wobbly is a word! I'm glad to help, Two Leut Hakamada. Wobbly stuff makes me itchy. Wait, what's a bovine? Are you saying low-vine? Like a vine that stays on the ground? Go-vine? Like a vine you are encouraging?"

"It is indeed a word. Normally I would describe it as it lacks proper gravitas. However in a working context it quickly conveys that something is prone to wobbles. As such, it is allowed."

Staring unblinkingly at the Hrafnhildur and then wincing slightly at the 'Two Leut'
"...Yes, wobbly makes me itchy too. It prevents items from remaining in their proper place where they should be....'Bovine' is a more correct term for a subfamily of animals including cattle, buffalo and the like. I do not believe it is related to vines, whether they be low-vines or go-vines, varieties I have not encountered. It is possible they are encouraging."
Pause, staaaare
"But unlikely."

[Lakshmi Kaala]

They're acting as a catalyst for each other. This... this isn't good.

The tech could be weird, but at least she wasn't creepy. However, somehow Yori's presence was amplifying her weirdness. Meanwhile, the lieutenant's unblinking stare seemed to be worse.

The escape plan was turning out to be a bust. She needed a plan B.

"Very unlikely, hai. Yeah. Very." She hovered on the edge of the conversation wishing she could fall off it. "Do you think 3050 will be a good year?"

[Hrafnhildur Ylfasdottir]

"Right. Right. Right. I'll have to write all of that down. We call them cows where I'm from, or ku actually. That's the word I grew up with."

With her hair and clothes straightened, as well as the definition of bovine leaving her brain, the smile returned to Hrafna's face. "I think it will be a good one Cap. I think we got a lot of things to look forward to. More time together, learnin' more things, laughs and that stuff. Who has something they want to try this new year? I'll start! I wanna hit that gym harder to get more stronger on accounta some boxes being heavy. I'd like to not have to ask for help, you know?"

[Yori Hakamada]

"Hmmm. Well, I believe my risk of death is slightly higher. And I will be a minutely older and weaker. That being said, I believe the company is doing well so I am likely to maintain my employment."

Checking her notes

"I remain no closer to achieving my revenge though, which is unfortunate. Ultimately I do not have sufficient data to accurately predict 3050. But I would appreciate the opportunity to evaluate your expectations of the year."

Turning to Hrafnhildur
"That is an acceptable goal. I have seen your technician abilities improve while with the company. Improving your body as well will not only allow you to lift heavier things, but it will improve your life expectancy, increase the release of endorphins and aid in your appearance."

Yori is scribbling throughout all of this and she then tears off a sheet and folds it neatly before holding it out to the mechanic.
"I have included some minor grammatical corrections to your previous statement in here, however I am presenting them to you like this so as not to bring attention to them. Learning a new language is difficult, nobody corrected my Swedish for years and as I nearly started a minor war when I congratulated a local noble on the size of his wife's bosom. Euphemisms are problematic. I wish to support you as you learn."

She tries to smile and it..sort of works?

[Lakshmi Kaala]

"That's good self improvement." She was a little impressed at the technician's idea and resolve. "Let me know if you need help with any of the machines. They work a bit differently, some of them, in Zero-G." She sighed a bit then. "I do hope you're right about 3050. This deployment is going to be a lot more action than some of the newest hires are used to."

She's talking about her revenge again?

The captain hushed up as Yori went into her story.

In Japanese she asks Yori, at the end, a question. "Where did you study languages? You're pretty skilled." (Japanese)

[Hrafnhildur Ylfasdottir]

"Oh...thank you..." Her hand went out to take the paper but there was a drop in the brightness of her face for a second. Out of her small tool kit at her waist came a rubber stamp and with a quick motion she stamped the paper 'Recieved'.

As what she thought sounded like Japanese began to be spoken, Hrafna took the time to open the note to get an idea where she went wrong. Though to be honest she couldn't see where she went wrong with her grammar and word choice.

"I am hopeful for every new year, so I think great things will-" she cut herself off. "Wait, what does pro...pro-now-ke each ending letter g even mean?"

[Yori Hakamada]

Snip

(Japanese) "Dieron District Gymansium. We were allowed to choose many of our courses of study. I attempted wood-working, art history and underwater basket weaving before realising I had a moderate talent for language. My instructor told me he I was the most pedantic person he had ever taught, I took it as the highest compliment."

"Oh...thank you..." Her hand went out to take the paper but there was a drop in the brightness of her face for a second. Out of her small tool kit at her waist came a rubber stamp and with a quick motion she stamped the paper 'Recieved'.

As what she thought sounded like Japanese began to be spoken, Hrafna took the time to open the note to get an idea where she went wrong. Though to be honest she couldn't see where she went wrong with her grammar and word choice.

"I am hopeful for every new year, so I think great things will-" she cut herself off. "Wait, what does pro...pro-now-ke each ending letter g even mean?"

Yori, for all her blankess is clearly overjoyed at seeing the paper stamped, Hrafnhildur understood the basics of clear communication better than most. Yori also just loves stamps.

"It is a minor correction, in Swedish and Swedish derived languages the 'G' is pronounced more as a 'Y' would be in English, Gotland is Yutland, for example. Do not forget to pro-nounce-se gs at the end of words turning 'in' sounds to 'ing' sounds. You have made progress roughly 68% faster than I expected Hrafnhildur, as such I shall express you are doing very well, these are only small changes you can make.

Which reminds me, do you have that list of components?"
Yori had been endeavoring to learn basic technician skills but seemed obsessed with asking the mechtech for lists of components for the various mechs and vehicles in storage.

[Lakshmi Kaala]

"They taught you well." (Japanese) Laks compliments.

Much of the rest of the conversation just passed her. She wasn't a literature grad or anything. That was more Tessa's thing.

"Hey, I'm going to check the rest of the prep work. We'll be losing gravity soon so... careful, ok?" She winks at them a moment later.

[Hrafnhildur Ylfasdottir]

Hrafnhildur blinked once. Then again. Then one more time at Yori's explanation. She looked around then finally nodded like she understood, unconvincingly so. "Right, right. That makes toooootal sense. The G and the Y, yup. I think I was going to say the same things aack-shoo-wally."

Well now, that was convincing. She shook her head and looked at Lakshmi. "Gotta make sure things are all set, yup. No gravity is no joke, but fun. I'll take another sweep around to make sure things are tied down and things, Cap Kaala."

Her hands went to the pouch hanging at her waist but there was only tools to be found. "Ah, yes. I do that list but not on me. I left it by my bunk to make sure I'd remember it on my way out and...well...here I am and it's back there. I can get it! I don't want to forget again."

[Lakshmi Kaala]

"Do what you need to. I think we're good here. Make sure you change too, ok?" The petite woman flashed a bit smile at the technician. "Thanks again for your help."

She took a few steps away only to pause. She looked back. "And you too ano... Yori."

[Yori Hakamada]

Hrafnhildur blinked once. Then again. Then one more time at Yori's explanation. She looked around then finally nodded like she understood, unconvincingly so. "Right, right. That makes toooootal sense. The G and the Y, yup. I think I was going to say the same things aack-shoo-wally."

Well now, that was convincing. She shook her head and looked at Lakshmi. "Gotta make sure things are all set, yup. No gravity is no joke, but fun. I'll take another sweep around to make sure things are tied down and things, Cap Kaala."

Her hands went to the pouch hanging at her waist but there was only tools to be found. "Ah, yes. I do that list but not on me. I left it by my bunk to make sure I'd remember it on my way out and...well...here I am and it's back there. I can get it! I don't want to forget again."

"I do not wish to make you abandon your setup, but I was looking forward to reading technical specifications to drown out the sounds of people in the rooms around me..."
Long pause
"...Doing things, after the party."

"Do what you need to. I think we're good here. Make sure you change too, ok?" The petite woman flashed a bit smile at the technician. "Thanks again for your help."

She took a few steps away only to pause. She looked back. "And you too ano... Yori."

Sharp salute
"Thank you Captain Kaala. I am now more confident we will have an average or slightly above average celebration."

[Lakshmi Kaala]

What a heart-breaking statement. Laks felt quite down for a moment. Then she forced a smile and made herself think positive thoughts.

"I'm sure some people will enjoy it. See you there."

She starts walking out, only stopping to check in with a few of the staff at the doors. Then she is gone.

/ Exit