I am so sorry I haven't updated in a while. I meant to do it last Monday but exam week is coming up and most of my spare time has been eaten up with studying and the like.
Anyway, here's chapter 2! I'll quit my yapping and let you get on with the story. Enjoy!
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"Dear god, I had no idea coming up with a crew would be this BORING!" Jim yelled at the piles of paper he was supposed to be going through. Amelia didn't even raise an eyebrow before replying.
"Well Mr. Hawkins you can't expect to pilot a cargo ship all by yourself now can you?" Amelia looked through several papers, glancing at a few before tossing them in the bin. Jim let out a huff.
"I know that but I didn't think that we'd be sitting here for…" Jim looked up at the clock, "5 hours!? We've been sitting here for 5 hours! We've talked to hundreds of applicants and accepted half. Isn't that enough?" he slumped back into his high-backed chair, looking at a piece of paper of a tentacled man with three eyes; "Hey what about this guy?" Amelia took the paper and looked through it briefly before tossing it in the bin with the others. Jim gaped at her like she's grown an extra head or something.
"What was that for?"
"Please Jim, the information was obviously falsified," she watched as Jim rummaged through the bin bringing up the tentacled man again, "See his middle eye? The yellow lines tattooed on his eye lid? He's been to the Adánan (Ah-daah-nun) prisons. Not exactly the type of crew member you're looking for," she finished the paper she was looking at and gave it an approving smile before handing it to Jim. He read through the resume of a lizard like man, large yellow eyes and bright emerald green scales. He was in finer clothes, suggesting wealth but not too much. He read the name.
"Cadburry?" Jim's eyebrows rose. Amelia nodded. Jim didn't want to question Amelia's judgment. She had called out Delbert's crew as 'a ludicrous parcel of driveling galoots' before they set off for the adventure that was Treasure Planet. Jim sighed, flopping back into his chair and picking up another hopeful candidate's paper. One more crew member and he'd be finished! Finally finished! Most of the people they'd accepted had already been notified and would be coming tomorrow to set sail with him on his voyage.
All of a sudden, a loud banging sound came from the room just outside theirs. The door flew open to reveal a breathless young boy not much taller than Jim's waist, holding a scrunched up piece of paper in his hand. He was panting heavily but a huge smile broke out onto his face revealing several missing teeth when his eyes fell on the two of them. But the boy's moment of happiness what cut short as a frustrated yell came from the other room wiping the smile off of his face instantly. A green and brown blur flew through the door tackling the poor boy to the floor.
"Haha! Thought you could get away from me, huh?!" Jim and Amelia both look surprised at the newest arrival. A girl sat casually on top of the boy who was struggling to escape. She had a red bandana tied on her head covering most of it, long dark auburn hair tied messily into a bun, small braids and strands with small silver beads escaping the wild mess. What skin wasn't covered up was tan, a few faded scars poked out from beneath her sleeves. Clad in loose-fitting brown pants, a fitted white tank top, and a faded green jacket that only went up to her bust, the girl screamed self-confidence. A small arsenal of throwing knives was strapped to her waist and a nasty looking dagger hung from her hip. She laughed at the boy who was still struggling before Amelia cleared her throat. The girl's attention was on her in a second, shock painted her expression. As if she hadn't even noticed Amelia and Jim were in the room. Her eyes were two different colors! One was a deep blue, and the other a clear emerald green. Jim couldn't figure out which one to look at, so he stared awkwardly at a spot on her forehead.
"Excuse us, would you mind taking your games outside!" Amelia stood up in all her strength and height, facing the girl sitting on the boy. The girl coughed and stood up. She was short, only coming up to Jim's chest but that didn't seem to stop her.
"Sorry lady! But this little snot here was about to try for some work that he's not allowed to," she nudged the boy with her foot, "We'll be goin' then! C'mon Stephen let's get you home so your mam can get you real good," the girl grinned evilly the boy visibly flinched when the girl mentioned his mother. Jim knew the feeling. But the boy, Stephen, ran to Jim and Amelia before the girl could grab him.
"No way Rune! I've been waitin' fer a long time fer an opportunity like dis an' I ain't lettin' you take dat from meh. I'ma get on a ship an' sail the Etherium like ma Da'!" the boy beamed up at Amelia; "Here's ma papers Ma'am," The boy handed the scrunched up paper he'd been holding to her. The girl in the doorway bristled like a cat. Jim shivered.
"No way! Steph! Do you have ANY idea what your mam will do to me if she finds out I let you get on a ship?!" she almost shrieked the last word as she stomped forward she grabbed the boy by the scruff of his shirt and snatched the piece of paper from Amelia's stunned hands. Jim was equally stunned.
"H-Hey! Hey! Wait a minute!" Jim called grabbing the girl's shoulder, "If he wants to, he can join the crew! You can't stop him if that's what he wants!" the girl, Rune, the boy had called her, grimaced at him. He took his hand off her shoulder, safe from any possible harm.
"Look tough guy! You don't know his mam, and I don't wanna die. So leave it alone," she turned to leave but stopped at the door, bright eyes dancing with some wild idea, "Where are you going anyway?"
"Donoma," Jim rolled his eyes. This girl was all over the place. Rune scrunched up her eyebrows in thought before beaming brightly.
"I'll be right back! Don't move!" she ordered before disappearing into the bustling, sunny streets of the Montressor Spaceport carrying the screaming boy over her shoulder. Jim shook his head, dislodging the spider webs that had collected in his brain.
"What on earth was that all about?" he turned to Amelia who shrugged before taking a seat at the table and continued the search for crew members. Jim looked out the door leading to the outside world and sighed heavily. He turned his back on the inviting sunshine and merchants yelling out their wares to anyone passing by.
Not a half-hour later, Rune returned, humming softly to herself. This time though, she knocked out a little melody before kicking the door open at the last beat. Jim nearly jumped out of his skin at the bang. Amelia barely reacted but Jim could see her fur standing on end. Rune had surprised her too.
"Yo, Academy guy!" Amelia smirked when Rune addressed Jim, he scowled. "So I had a great idea last time I was here. You're looking for one more crew person right?" she waited for Jim's nod of approval before continuing, "Well I was thinking, why don't I join?"
Jim was too stunned by her sudden declaration so Amelia stepped forward.
"If you wish to be a part of this crew, you'd have to have the necessary qualifications, a list of references, history of sailing, criminal records and medical records," Amelia listed in a practiced tone. Jim shook himself out of his fixed state and nodded. The girl pouted, in thought.
"Well I don't know 'bout a list but I know my way around a ship that's for sure! Been sailing since I was…." Rune ticked off her fingers as she mentally counted, "Nearly eleven years now! Wow," she added as an after thought staring at her fingers, "didn't seem like that much. As for medical stuff, I'm healthy as a horse. Ok, history of sailing, check. Medical crap, check. What's next?" Amelia's eyebrow rose questionably.
"Qualifications, references and criminal records."
"Question! What exactly are the qualifications on this boat?" Jim resisted the urge to slap himself in the face. This girl was all over the place! Rune as it turned out, couldn't even read the Montressor dialect so Amelia read the qualifications out loud and Rune either yay-ed or nay-ed them. She ended up with more than two thirds of what they were looking for. She was an excellent look-out, a decent mechanic and a first-rate bargainer. References didn't go off to well as she couldn't remember any names and by the time they reached criminal history everyone was yawning uncontrollably.
"Well I think that's enough for today. Welcome aboard the RLS Glory Rune. We'll meet tomorrow morning at nine o'clock sharp," Amelia stifled a yawn. Rune shook her head.
"I have a heap of morning chores to do for my last day," Rune yawned, "I'd gladly give them up to continue this but knowing mam, she'll load me up some extra work as a goodbye present. How 'bout noonish?" Jim smiled wearily.
"Well then I guess we'll be seeing you tomorrow?" she nodded grabbing her jacket.
"Yup see you two tomorrow," she waved back at him as she walked down the streetlamp filled evening. The Etherium sparkled behind her, the blues and purples swirling in a peaceful dance, the stars peppering the night sky with diamonds. The cool of space clashed almost comfortingly with her warmth; the tannish gold glow of her skin in the streetlights, her auburn hair swaying gently in the breeze. And then she vanished around a corner, leaving the street empty, and almost cold in her wake. Jim stretched and heard a few bones pop, filling him with the sweet warmth that accompanied the action.
"Well Mr. Hawkins, I do believe that has been the longest interview in person I have ever had," Amelia stood up straight, arms behind her back as she inhaled the night air. People were singing drunkenly some distance away in a bar somewhere. Had he not been exhausted, he would have gone and gotten a pint. Sighing, he turned and headed towards Amelia who waited in her buggy to take him home.