Shadowing Ivy
By A Shot of Amber
* ~ * Session 7: Fashion Maven Makeover * ~ *
Spike had given me some money with the orders to use it on myself. I didn't really know what he meant so I put the money away to use when we ran out of food. That wouldn't be for awhile though since I used the money Jet gave me to buy food.
So why did Spike give me money then?
I wasn't sure, I wasn't really sure of anything anymore.
Ivy lay on her bed looking at the fan above her, the blades spun around and around in a slow circle. Her black hair spread out like a curtain falling over the edge of the wrinkled sheets. It wasn't a really nice room but she had done what she could to give it color. This included cutting up some of Faye's fashion magazines and taping the pictures and words to her walls. Faye never came in here so Ivy had no worries of Faye ever finding out.
This wasn't what worried her today though. Instead it was something different, something stronger.
' So you defy the order of the clan?'
' No Alex don't! If they find us we'll be killed!'
' Get her! She saw us!'
Gunshots were heard, Ivy opened her eyes and sat up. Those gunshots were real and close by.
" What is going on?" Ivy asked herself has she pulled up the sleeve of her white shirt.
* * * * * * *
" Spike what are you doing?" Jet walked out of the hanger a wrench in one hand and a hammer in the other.
" Target practice," Spike replied has he aimed at another coconut and shot his gun.
The coconut fell off the tree and hit the ground to lay with three others.
" Good shot but don't you think it's a waste of bullets?" Jet asked pointing his wrench at Spike.
" Not when your bored," Spike replied lowering his gun.
" What is going on out here?" Ivy asked walking out of the hanger.
" Spike is shooting coconuts with his gun. He apparently is bored and has nothing to do," Jet replied turning around to face her.
" Just digging us up some coconut milk," Spike replied pocketing his gun in the holster and jumping off the deck onto the sand.
" Coconut milk? What's that?" Ivy asked feeling confused.
" It's the liquid or milk found in coconuts," Jet replied walking past her back into the hanger.
Ivy stood on the deck a few moments watching Spike stroll over to the coconuts lying in the sand before she turned and followed Jet into the hanger.
" Hey Jet how long will we be here?" Ivy asked leaning against the Swordfish.
" I don't know, maybe another two days or so or at least until another big bounty shows up," Jet replied from underneath the ship. " Why do you ask?"
" I was just wondering that's all," Ivy replied fingering one of the braids lying on her shoulder. Absentmindedly her eyes wandered over the watery atmosphere surrounding them.
Jet had landed the Bebop on Ganamede to fix some things on the Bebop and so they could stock up. No new bounties had sprung up lately so there was nothing to do. They had money from the last bounty they caught but who knew how long it would last.
Now Ivy let her eyes wander over the beach spread out around them. Sunlight sparkled on the crystal green waters of the ocean while a few seagulls walked along the beach.
" You know Jet I just thought of something wonderful we could do!" Ivy said turning back to the older man.
" What is it?" Jet growled has he tried to unscrew a difficult bolt.
" We could go to the beach one day. You know just spend the whole day at the beach swimming and relaxing!" Ivy replied clapping her hands together and leaning closer to Jet. " What do you think?"
" Basically Ivy we don't have time. After I get these repairs done we're blasting out of here." Jet finally succeeded in pulling the bolt off but it rolled away under the ship.
" Damnit!" Jet groaned and fell to his knees to crawl under the ship to find it.
" But just this morning you were telling Spike that you have nothing to do. Since no new bounties have popped up lately your just filling in time till something happens." Ivy bent down to help look for the bolt also.
" Yea but that doesn't mean I want to spend the day at the beach doing nothing," Jet growled from underneath the Hammerhead.
" It's not doing nothing. It's called relaxing and having fun, something everyone on this ship needs to do," Ivy replied picking up the bolt.
" If everyone on this ship did what they want including me none of these repairs would get done." Jet crawled out from underneath the ship and scratched his head. " I wonder where that bolt went too?"
" It's right here." Ivy threw him the bolt and turned around. " I'm going back inside and ask the others what they think about spending a day at the beach. I'm tired of just sitting around and doing nothing."
" Anyone thirsty?" Spike asked climbing back onto the hanger with an armful of coconuts. " Hey where's Ivy going?"
" Back inside to ask the others if they would want to spend a day at the beach," Jet replied watching Ivy walk back into the ship.
" Why would she want to spend a day at the beach?"
" I don't know, she's probably just bored or something." Jet picked up a wrench and climbed under the Hammerhead again while Spike looked from him to Ivy with confusion.
* * * * * * *
" Hey Faye!" Ivy called walking into the ship looking for the violet haired lady.
" What?" Faye yelled from somewhere nearby.
" Where are you?" Ivy yelled turning towards the sound of the voice in here.
" In here!" Faye yelled in an agitated voice.
" In where?" Ivy yelled back walking towards where she thought Faye might be.
" In the bathroom!" Faye yelled back.
Ivy ran toward the bathroom and knocked on the door before pushing it open a bit and peeking in. Faye was lying in the tub full of bubbles a book in both hands looking towards the door with annoyance.
" What do you want Ivy? Can't you see I'm busy?"
" I just wanted to know if you were willing to go to the beach sometime and spend the day there," Ivy replied innocently.
" I don't have time. Any ways I've got better things to do then lay around a beach all day." Faye sat back in the tub and went back to reading.
" Ug! No one ever has time for anything on this ship!" Ivy groaned walking away leaving the door wide open.
" Hey come back here and close the door!" Faye yelled pointing her book at the open door.
A second later the door slammed shut and Ivy stomped away down the hall looking for Ed. She found her sleeping in the storage room with Ein.
" Hey Ed! Wake up!" Ivy shook the red haired girl slightly.
" No, no Ed no wakey! Ed go sleepy bye till later!" Ed muttered and turned around so her back was facing Ivy.
" Hey Ed what would you think about going to the beach sometime?" Ivy asked leaning over Ed so she could look into her face.
" I'm hungry, give me some pudding Ivy with extra sprinkles," Ed muttered.
" Oh I give up," Ivy groaned and stood up heading for the kitchen. She needed something to eat or at least something sweet to make her self feel better.
Inside the kitchen Ivy searched through the cupboards and the fridge searching for something but it was pretty much empty. Save for the stash of green peppers and mushrooms Jet kept. Ivy had been holding out on going shopping till tomorrow but since there wasn't anything to do she decided to go today.
Without telling anyone Ivy grabbed her brown knapsack and the money Jet had given her for food and ran out of the ship headed for the small sea port town.
* * * * * * *
Shopping for food was pretty easy, Ivy bought everything she needed and a few extras for treats. It was still a little early and she didn't want to return to the Bebop yet so Ivy decided to do some window-shopping.
The first few windows didn't hold much to the eye. Just some tacky clothes on worn down mannequins. Lately Faye had been telling her to buy some new clothes, saying the ones she wore were too big for her.
Ivy stopped and looked into a store window at her reflection. She wasn't very tall, with a thin boyish figure and small breasts and hips with bony legs and thin wrists. Then she looked at her clothes, a small black skirt that clung to her, an oversized dark blue tank top, and a white man's dress shirt over that. The clothes were kind of tacky but Ivy loved them. They were comfortable to wear and move in especially when she was running from something.
" You are my possession. Don't tell me I have to kill you too keep you."
I turned and began walking down the street again. Spike had given me 2,000 woulong with orders to spend it on myself. I still had the money in my bag, but I had no reason to spend it. I turned the corner and looked ahead to another street full of shops. Some people lingered around looking into windows and talking amongst themselves. Unlike me they were in pairs and trios while I walked alone.
She sighed and turned to look into the shop window next to her. Something immediately caught her eye and pulled her to the window. It was just a simple dress, simple in cut and design but something about the dress pulled Ivy into the shop any ways. Inside the dress was even more beautiful up close, shining with it's own light in the window. She walked up to it and reached out to touch it when a voice spoke from behind.
" May I help you miss?" A lady asked running her eyes over Ivy's appearance.
" Uh yes, yes you can," Ivy replied turning around and smiling at the lady. " Tell me how much is the dress in the window?"
" That one?" The lady asked gesturing toward the dress.
" Yes," Ivy replied nodding her head once.
" Well let me see." Th saleslady brushed past Ivy and took the dress down from its hook so she could look at the price tag.
Minute's later Ivy walked out of the shop holding a box with the dress inside it. The smile on her face shone brightly has she walked down the street with almost a skip in her step. The dress had been cheaper then she thought although the lady who wrapped it up kept giving her a weird look.
" You know it's strange but you remind me so much of the womyn who owned this dress before you," The sales lady mummered placing the lip on the box.
" What happened to her? Did she sell the dress to the shop?" Ivy asked.
" No she didn't sell it, she gave me this dress and told me to keep it. Said it gave her to many bad memories. I never knew what happened to that womyn. She left town soon after giving me the dress so I put it up for sale but no one has even bothered to buy it till you came in." The sales lady frowned and shook her head before handing Ivy the box.
Outside the shop Ivy briefly wondered why no one had wanted such a beautiful dress.
" It's kind of like the dress was destined for me," Ivy giggled happily.
The sun was setting on the horizon when Ivy returned to the ship laden down with bags. Most of them containing food but a few held some purchases for her self.
Faye and Spike both sat in the living room smoking and staring up at the ceiling. Jet was no where to be seen but Ed was back to typing on her computer while Ein sniffed around a corner looking for his doggy bone.
" Well look whose back," Faye remarked has Ivy walked past them toward the kitchen.
" I went and did a little shopping," Ivy replied.
" Well you should have told someone at least. Poor Spike here has been worried sick about where you've been," Faye laughed looking over at Spike.
" I have not," Spike replied glaring at Faye. " I was just wondering where you went off to that's all."
" Hmph, yea right," Faye snickered taking another drag on her cigarette.
Ivy stopped and turned around to look at Spike but he had gone back to lying on the couch and smoking. So she turned and walked into the kitchen to put away the groceries.
" What did you buy?" Jet asked walking into the kitchen.
" Stuff, mostly food," Ivy replied sticking a can of soup into the cupboard above her.
" You call this food?" Jet asked holding up a pair of bikini bottoms.
Ivy blushed and snatched it away from him. She quickly shoved it back into the bag and pushed the bag behind her.
" I bought some clothes too, with the money Spike gave me," Ivy replied still blushing has she went back to putting away the groceries.
" Oh I see." Jet backed out of the kitchen and was about to walk out when he stopped and looked at Ivy.
" It's good thing you did buy a new bathing suit. I was thinking about what you said today about the beach and all."
Ivy's hand stopped in mid air from putting a can of tomatoes away. She looked at Jet with wide-open eyes.
" So I've decided along with everyone else that we can take a day off and go to the beach tomorrow," Jet finish gruffly.
Ivy's green eyes lit up has she set the can of tomatoes on the counter and hugged him happily.
" Oh thank you Jet!" Ivy grinned happily and kissed his cheek before jumping over the bags on the floor and going back to putting the food away.
Jet grinned and walked out of the room, his cheeks bright red from Ivy's kiss. Spike and Faye looked up when he entered the room smiling in a goofy way.
" I guess you told her?" Spike asked sitting up.
" Yep and she was quite happy about it," Jet replied walking past them to the room where his Bonsai trees were.
" I can't believe we have to spend a whole day at the beach just to please her," Faye groaned stretching her arms above her head.
" What are you talking about. I think you were pretty excited at the idea yourself. I saw you looking for that scrap of cloth you call a bathing suit," Spike replied.
" Yea well maybe I am ready for a change in routine but I'm still not totally excited about spending a day at the beach just to please that girl." Faye replied snuffing out her cigarette and walking out of the room.
Spike just grinned and looked over in the viscidity of the kitchen. Inside Ivy had stopped putting away food and was looking at her dress again.
Her laughter filled the room has she spun around once and held the cloth against her body.
See you later Space Cowboy.
Ivy: The sun, the winds, and the smell of the ocean breeze! Aren't you excited?
Faye: I just hope there is some cute guys there.
Jet: Oh no my only pair of swim trunks have moth holes in them!
Spike: Tough luck Jet looks like you'll have to swim in your boxers.
Jet: Ah jeez.the next episode is "Ocean Beach Paradise."
Ed: Hmm, Ed and Ein will be there.
Please read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames. (I light my campfire with your flames) to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com. Ja Ne!
By A Shot of Amber
* ~ * Session 7: Fashion Maven Makeover * ~ *
Spike had given me some money with the orders to use it on myself. I didn't really know what he meant so I put the money away to use when we ran out of food. That wouldn't be for awhile though since I used the money Jet gave me to buy food.
So why did Spike give me money then?
I wasn't sure, I wasn't really sure of anything anymore.
Ivy lay on her bed looking at the fan above her, the blades spun around and around in a slow circle. Her black hair spread out like a curtain falling over the edge of the wrinkled sheets. It wasn't a really nice room but she had done what she could to give it color. This included cutting up some of Faye's fashion magazines and taping the pictures and words to her walls. Faye never came in here so Ivy had no worries of Faye ever finding out.
This wasn't what worried her today though. Instead it was something different, something stronger.
' So you defy the order of the clan?'
' No Alex don't! If they find us we'll be killed!'
' Get her! She saw us!'
Gunshots were heard, Ivy opened her eyes and sat up. Those gunshots were real and close by.
" What is going on?" Ivy asked herself has she pulled up the sleeve of her white shirt.
* * * * * * *
" Spike what are you doing?" Jet walked out of the hanger a wrench in one hand and a hammer in the other.
" Target practice," Spike replied has he aimed at another coconut and shot his gun.
The coconut fell off the tree and hit the ground to lay with three others.
" Good shot but don't you think it's a waste of bullets?" Jet asked pointing his wrench at Spike.
" Not when your bored," Spike replied lowering his gun.
" What is going on out here?" Ivy asked walking out of the hanger.
" Spike is shooting coconuts with his gun. He apparently is bored and has nothing to do," Jet replied turning around to face her.
" Just digging us up some coconut milk," Spike replied pocketing his gun in the holster and jumping off the deck onto the sand.
" Coconut milk? What's that?" Ivy asked feeling confused.
" It's the liquid or milk found in coconuts," Jet replied walking past her back into the hanger.
Ivy stood on the deck a few moments watching Spike stroll over to the coconuts lying in the sand before she turned and followed Jet into the hanger.
" Hey Jet how long will we be here?" Ivy asked leaning against the Swordfish.
" I don't know, maybe another two days or so or at least until another big bounty shows up," Jet replied from underneath the ship. " Why do you ask?"
" I was just wondering that's all," Ivy replied fingering one of the braids lying on her shoulder. Absentmindedly her eyes wandered over the watery atmosphere surrounding them.
Jet had landed the Bebop on Ganamede to fix some things on the Bebop and so they could stock up. No new bounties had sprung up lately so there was nothing to do. They had money from the last bounty they caught but who knew how long it would last.
Now Ivy let her eyes wander over the beach spread out around them. Sunlight sparkled on the crystal green waters of the ocean while a few seagulls walked along the beach.
" You know Jet I just thought of something wonderful we could do!" Ivy said turning back to the older man.
" What is it?" Jet growled has he tried to unscrew a difficult bolt.
" We could go to the beach one day. You know just spend the whole day at the beach swimming and relaxing!" Ivy replied clapping her hands together and leaning closer to Jet. " What do you think?"
" Basically Ivy we don't have time. After I get these repairs done we're blasting out of here." Jet finally succeeded in pulling the bolt off but it rolled away under the ship.
" Damnit!" Jet groaned and fell to his knees to crawl under the ship to find it.
" But just this morning you were telling Spike that you have nothing to do. Since no new bounties have popped up lately your just filling in time till something happens." Ivy bent down to help look for the bolt also.
" Yea but that doesn't mean I want to spend the day at the beach doing nothing," Jet growled from underneath the Hammerhead.
" It's not doing nothing. It's called relaxing and having fun, something everyone on this ship needs to do," Ivy replied picking up the bolt.
" If everyone on this ship did what they want including me none of these repairs would get done." Jet crawled out from underneath the ship and scratched his head. " I wonder where that bolt went too?"
" It's right here." Ivy threw him the bolt and turned around. " I'm going back inside and ask the others what they think about spending a day at the beach. I'm tired of just sitting around and doing nothing."
" Anyone thirsty?" Spike asked climbing back onto the hanger with an armful of coconuts. " Hey where's Ivy going?"
" Back inside to ask the others if they would want to spend a day at the beach," Jet replied watching Ivy walk back into the ship.
" Why would she want to spend a day at the beach?"
" I don't know, she's probably just bored or something." Jet picked up a wrench and climbed under the Hammerhead again while Spike looked from him to Ivy with confusion.
* * * * * * *
" Hey Faye!" Ivy called walking into the ship looking for the violet haired lady.
" What?" Faye yelled from somewhere nearby.
" Where are you?" Ivy yelled turning towards the sound of the voice in here.
" In here!" Faye yelled in an agitated voice.
" In where?" Ivy yelled back walking towards where she thought Faye might be.
" In the bathroom!" Faye yelled back.
Ivy ran toward the bathroom and knocked on the door before pushing it open a bit and peeking in. Faye was lying in the tub full of bubbles a book in both hands looking towards the door with annoyance.
" What do you want Ivy? Can't you see I'm busy?"
" I just wanted to know if you were willing to go to the beach sometime and spend the day there," Ivy replied innocently.
" I don't have time. Any ways I've got better things to do then lay around a beach all day." Faye sat back in the tub and went back to reading.
" Ug! No one ever has time for anything on this ship!" Ivy groaned walking away leaving the door wide open.
" Hey come back here and close the door!" Faye yelled pointing her book at the open door.
A second later the door slammed shut and Ivy stomped away down the hall looking for Ed. She found her sleeping in the storage room with Ein.
" Hey Ed! Wake up!" Ivy shook the red haired girl slightly.
" No, no Ed no wakey! Ed go sleepy bye till later!" Ed muttered and turned around so her back was facing Ivy.
" Hey Ed what would you think about going to the beach sometime?" Ivy asked leaning over Ed so she could look into her face.
" I'm hungry, give me some pudding Ivy with extra sprinkles," Ed muttered.
" Oh I give up," Ivy groaned and stood up heading for the kitchen. She needed something to eat or at least something sweet to make her self feel better.
Inside the kitchen Ivy searched through the cupboards and the fridge searching for something but it was pretty much empty. Save for the stash of green peppers and mushrooms Jet kept. Ivy had been holding out on going shopping till tomorrow but since there wasn't anything to do she decided to go today.
Without telling anyone Ivy grabbed her brown knapsack and the money Jet had given her for food and ran out of the ship headed for the small sea port town.
* * * * * * *
Shopping for food was pretty easy, Ivy bought everything she needed and a few extras for treats. It was still a little early and she didn't want to return to the Bebop yet so Ivy decided to do some window-shopping.
The first few windows didn't hold much to the eye. Just some tacky clothes on worn down mannequins. Lately Faye had been telling her to buy some new clothes, saying the ones she wore were too big for her.
Ivy stopped and looked into a store window at her reflection. She wasn't very tall, with a thin boyish figure and small breasts and hips with bony legs and thin wrists. Then she looked at her clothes, a small black skirt that clung to her, an oversized dark blue tank top, and a white man's dress shirt over that. The clothes were kind of tacky but Ivy loved them. They were comfortable to wear and move in especially when she was running from something.
" You are my possession. Don't tell me I have to kill you too keep you."
I turned and began walking down the street again. Spike had given me 2,000 woulong with orders to spend it on myself. I still had the money in my bag, but I had no reason to spend it. I turned the corner and looked ahead to another street full of shops. Some people lingered around looking into windows and talking amongst themselves. Unlike me they were in pairs and trios while I walked alone.
She sighed and turned to look into the shop window next to her. Something immediately caught her eye and pulled her to the window. It was just a simple dress, simple in cut and design but something about the dress pulled Ivy into the shop any ways. Inside the dress was even more beautiful up close, shining with it's own light in the window. She walked up to it and reached out to touch it when a voice spoke from behind.
" May I help you miss?" A lady asked running her eyes over Ivy's appearance.
" Uh yes, yes you can," Ivy replied turning around and smiling at the lady. " Tell me how much is the dress in the window?"
" That one?" The lady asked gesturing toward the dress.
" Yes," Ivy replied nodding her head once.
" Well let me see." Th saleslady brushed past Ivy and took the dress down from its hook so she could look at the price tag.
Minute's later Ivy walked out of the shop holding a box with the dress inside it. The smile on her face shone brightly has she walked down the street with almost a skip in her step. The dress had been cheaper then she thought although the lady who wrapped it up kept giving her a weird look.
" You know it's strange but you remind me so much of the womyn who owned this dress before you," The sales lady mummered placing the lip on the box.
" What happened to her? Did she sell the dress to the shop?" Ivy asked.
" No she didn't sell it, she gave me this dress and told me to keep it. Said it gave her to many bad memories. I never knew what happened to that womyn. She left town soon after giving me the dress so I put it up for sale but no one has even bothered to buy it till you came in." The sales lady frowned and shook her head before handing Ivy the box.
Outside the shop Ivy briefly wondered why no one had wanted such a beautiful dress.
" It's kind of like the dress was destined for me," Ivy giggled happily.
The sun was setting on the horizon when Ivy returned to the ship laden down with bags. Most of them containing food but a few held some purchases for her self.
Faye and Spike both sat in the living room smoking and staring up at the ceiling. Jet was no where to be seen but Ed was back to typing on her computer while Ein sniffed around a corner looking for his doggy bone.
" Well look whose back," Faye remarked has Ivy walked past them toward the kitchen.
" I went and did a little shopping," Ivy replied.
" Well you should have told someone at least. Poor Spike here has been worried sick about where you've been," Faye laughed looking over at Spike.
" I have not," Spike replied glaring at Faye. " I was just wondering where you went off to that's all."
" Hmph, yea right," Faye snickered taking another drag on her cigarette.
Ivy stopped and turned around to look at Spike but he had gone back to lying on the couch and smoking. So she turned and walked into the kitchen to put away the groceries.
" What did you buy?" Jet asked walking into the kitchen.
" Stuff, mostly food," Ivy replied sticking a can of soup into the cupboard above her.
" You call this food?" Jet asked holding up a pair of bikini bottoms.
Ivy blushed and snatched it away from him. She quickly shoved it back into the bag and pushed the bag behind her.
" I bought some clothes too, with the money Spike gave me," Ivy replied still blushing has she went back to putting away the groceries.
" Oh I see." Jet backed out of the kitchen and was about to walk out when he stopped and looked at Ivy.
" It's good thing you did buy a new bathing suit. I was thinking about what you said today about the beach and all."
Ivy's hand stopped in mid air from putting a can of tomatoes away. She looked at Jet with wide-open eyes.
" So I've decided along with everyone else that we can take a day off and go to the beach tomorrow," Jet finish gruffly.
Ivy's green eyes lit up has she set the can of tomatoes on the counter and hugged him happily.
" Oh thank you Jet!" Ivy grinned happily and kissed his cheek before jumping over the bags on the floor and going back to putting the food away.
Jet grinned and walked out of the room, his cheeks bright red from Ivy's kiss. Spike and Faye looked up when he entered the room smiling in a goofy way.
" I guess you told her?" Spike asked sitting up.
" Yep and she was quite happy about it," Jet replied walking past them to the room where his Bonsai trees were.
" I can't believe we have to spend a whole day at the beach just to please her," Faye groaned stretching her arms above her head.
" What are you talking about. I think you were pretty excited at the idea yourself. I saw you looking for that scrap of cloth you call a bathing suit," Spike replied.
" Yea well maybe I am ready for a change in routine but I'm still not totally excited about spending a day at the beach just to please that girl." Faye replied snuffing out her cigarette and walking out of the room.
Spike just grinned and looked over in the viscidity of the kitchen. Inside Ivy had stopped putting away food and was looking at her dress again.
Her laughter filled the room has she spun around once and held the cloth against her body.
See you later Space Cowboy.
Ivy: The sun, the winds, and the smell of the ocean breeze! Aren't you excited?
Faye: I just hope there is some cute guys there.
Jet: Oh no my only pair of swim trunks have moth holes in them!
Spike: Tough luck Jet looks like you'll have to swim in your boxers.
Jet: Ah jeez.the next episode is "Ocean Beach Paradise."
Ed: Hmm, Ed and Ein will be there.
Please read and review or send all comments, questions, suggestions, and flames. (I light my campfire with your flames) to Saphrians_Water_Reflection@hotmail.com. Ja Ne!