Heart of Gold: Saints & Sinners

[Petaline]

Welcome to The Heart of Gold

Mid-morning, and the Heart of Gold was stirring to life. In her cabin, Petaline slowly rolled the little tabby cat off the end of the bed, and went about dressing for the day.

The Reaver attack was two days past, now, but it's horror was still lingering in all of the residents of Burgess County. And it lingered in Petaline's nightmares, and in the ache of her still sore muscles. It lingered, too, in the effects on the Heart of Gold's receipts. No one had spare time for play in the mess of rebuilding and burying and mourning.

Fastening up her corset, leavin' it loose enough to breathe cozy, she walked out into the morning air, already smelling of warm earth and dry prairie. Tabby-cat lingered around her ankles for a moment, then trotted off to the back door of the kitchen, where, if she were lucky, there'd be scraps for the having.

Turning one eye up to the bright blue Jinye sky, the double moons hanging on beyond like a pair of mismatched eyes, she sent a prayer to her little boy, wishing him safe and come home soon, then she made her way into the Comfort Room. "Well, folk, reckon we're lookin' another slow day in the face. Might as well make some use of ourselves and get some cleaning done... And Rae, that means MORE than washin' your hair! I'm talkin' strip down the upstairs beds and haul those mattresses out in the sunshine to air. Let's get the floors scrubbed and tables polished. Vittie? If you got roses in bloom, how's about boilin' some petals for rose-oil to freshin' things a bit? And while we're at it, let's see if we can't think up an idea or two to put the kabosh on that new whorehouse Max," And the name was a blistering epithet, "is tryin' to kick off up in Los Alamos."

A smile whisped across her face, and she gave a cautioning look to Jacky-Boy, "Oh, We'll play fair! Or fairer than that rat-bastard, anyways. No stealin' or smashin', but if you got thoughts, I wanna hear 'em."

[Julia Summers]

Julia was expecting less. Really. Of course saying so would be a complement to whomever was running this place! When she'd arrived on this small moon and told people she was an entertainer, they'd all pointed her to this Whore House, "The Heart of Gold," (even after she'd made it abundantly clear she wasn't a whore.)
"If you're any kind of entertainer at all they'll take yah." She'd heard over and over again. Her bare feet had plodded through the warm sand, thinking she was going to find a shack or maybe a barn. That was about the opposite.

It was more than one building, a multi structure complex! Well built too! She could see a towering hotel, a luscious looking pool, a full sized restraint and what appeared to be the main house, shinning in the morning sunlight. Better find out who's in charge here. I could possibly get a nice solid and respectable gig! Just as well, her piano was getting heavy.

She was an odd looking traveler, a backpack slung over her shoulder, plainly dressed with no shoes, a crossbow handle sticking out of the top of said pack. The oddity was the massive carrying bag slung crisscross from the back, almost as large as her, yet she shoulders it as if it were nothing.

She made the last couple of paces towards the main building in casual stride, taking in all the sites; she'd never seen a place for this kind of activity look so... respectable. It just oozed class. When she parted the doors into the main house the interior seemed to match. Everything was luscious and clean, full of smiling charming faces. "Excuse me?" She asked a blond woman, who was standing casually, "My name's Julia Summers and I'm looking for work. Folk said you needed help. Can you tell me who's in charge?"

This post has been edited by Julia Summers on May 9 2011, 08:12 AM

[Helen]

Helen was leaning against the front desk, eyes half-closed as she listened to Petaline outline the day's work. Baby Evangeline had been up half the night with a fever and was finally nappin' quiet and peaceful, but there was no rest for the wicked, Helen decided with a little sigh.

The door banging open caught her eye and she turned her head, taking in the traveler, barefoot and slinging a travelin' pack. Another girl down on her luck hopin' to make it big at the Jinye waystop? Helen popped a tired smile on her face, "Julia, ya said? Wull, Welcome. I'm Helen. Woman there in the scarlet corset by the bar is Petaline, she's in charge."

In charge today, Helen almost added with a chuckle. Petaline's attempts to quit and leave the Heart to the rest of 'em were gettin' to be downright legendary. "She's the one for talkin' to about work. Things are a bit slow right now, since the... well... You come in from Burgesstown, so you seen what happened, I'm guessin."

"Follow me, an' I'll get you introduced. That over there is Raeton, mind him... he'll bed most anythin' with a muff and a smile on it." Helen's words were more teasing than wicked, the good natured joshing of folk who were comfortable with each other. She waved to each of the Heart's members as they moved across the room, "Bright and bushy-eyed over there is Tuesday, she's a dancer. Even got us to put in a pole an' rail for her. Jacky-Boy an' Dusty over there are kinda the main men-grabbers 'round here, if you know what I mean. Vitorria, she's a sweet thing, most days, but don't go pickin' out of her garden without askin', less you want trouble. Sasha's still out in the kitchen, along with Emma, but I reckon they'll be along..."

"And this here is Madame Petaline, House goddess and local Prime Minister. Or would be, if we had one." Helen finished with a grin she was almost too tired to feel, and a flourished bow to Petaline, who took a good natured swat at her shoulder, "Petaline, meet Miss Julia. She's lookin' for a job. So, Miss Julia, what kind of ... work ... d'you do?"

[Julia Summers]

This Helen woman seemed pleasant enough, as she led her around, introducing the various personages at the Heart.

"She's the one for talkin' to about work. Things are a bit slow right now, since the... well... You come in from Burgesstown, so you seen what happened, I'm guessin."

As a matter of fact she had seen the results from the town. It wasn't pleasnt; apparently something had happened very recently to it, though she was still foggy on the details. Whatever it was it had caused a lasting impression on the few people she'd spoken with. None of them wanted to talk about it.

The Raeton fellow set her on edge, probably just his hair, even in all her years of Show-biz Julia had never seen hair quite like that. It was....massive.

"Bright and bushy-eyed over there is Tuesday, she's a dancer. Even got us to put in a pole an' rail for her. Jacky-Boy an' Dusty over there are kinda the main men-grabbers 'round here, if you know what I mean. Vitorria, she's a sweet thing, most days, but don't go pickin' out of her garden without askin', less you want trouble. Sasha's still out in the kitchen, along with Emma, but I reckon they'll be along..."

Julia shot Jack a disappointed glace. Sly? Ah go se. That fine hunk of man.... Her thoughts trailed away as Helen introduced her to the House madam.

"And this here is Madame Petaline, House goddess and local Prime Minister. Or would be, if we had one. Petaline, meet Miss Julia. She's lookin' for a job. So, Miss Julia, what kind of ... work ... d'you do?"

Julia nodded towards the pleasant looking woman who Helen had named as the leader. "First, Miss Petaline, I would like to say just how impressed I am with the accommodations here. I'm not sure what I was expecting but a luxury resort? That sure as hell wasn't it. This place is amazing!" Julia realized that she'd started babbling, shook her head and tried to bring herself back to focus. She tapped the tip of the piano bag casually, her bare feet feeling much better after being planted in the luxurious carpet. "The kind of work I do is that of a musician and composer! I'm a bit famous....okay not really, but folks tell me I have a really pretty voice! I can play my piano real well and compose some mean tunes." She shifted her massive pack again to clarify that, in that package was her musical tool of choice. "But if you ain't looking for music I've got other talents too. I'm a bit of a psychiatrist and I can cook a mighty fine meal! Well several variations, and I'm not talking about throwing hash browns on the pan.... not that there's anything wrong with hash-browns! I love 'em! I'm talking, fine stews and soups, roasts, potatoes...that sort of thing."

Her feet shifted nervously, toes pulling at the carpet; she looked down at her feet casually, feeling quite a bit nervous. "So....are you hiring?"

This post has been edited by Julia Summers on May 11 2011, 06:33 AM

[Raeton]

"If we ain't hiring, I'll hire you myself. 'm sure I could find somethin' for you do to." Rae said with a broad wink as he got closer to her.

As he passed by Helen, he gave her a grin. "It don't even need to have a smile on it for me. Just makes 'em prettier when they do."

Reaching the newcomer, Raeton decided to give them all a bit of a shock and took the newbie's hand and kissed it as though he were some sort o' courtly gentleman from them bodice rippers he just knew some o' the folk here had hid beneath mattresses.

Of course, then he went back to being himself as he shouted over his shoulder at Petaline. "We still doin' trial runs on people 'fore we give 'em jobs?"

[Tuesday Morrow]

Wearing a pair of denim short shorts and the red hoodie with the sleeves cut off, Tuesday sat crosslegged by her new pole, arms over her head to wrap around it, being entirely too overprotective of the thing. She had never actually thought Petaline would agree to put it in when she'd made the suggestion, but the madame had gone above and beyond, having both the bronze pole and a rail installed. That alone was enough to make her feel at home at the Heart of Gold even though she had only been here a couple of days.

Those had been a long two days too. A gunwoman had taken people hostage, wanting to kill the Reverend Baxter and at the same time, there had been a Reaver attack on the town. That part still felt unreal and hard to believe for Tuesday, but she had seen the results, having gone into town yesterday and there could be no denyin' that something had happened there. But if there were Reaver bodies still there, she hadn't seen any and somewhere deep inside, she was glad of that. It meant she could still live in happy denial that those creatures existed.

When the newcomer entered and started introducing herself, Tuesday perked up when the woman talked about being a musician and a composer. Live music would go great with her own show, well depending on the kind of music this Miss Julia played. But live music? The thought of that made Tuesday smile, but before she could ask any of the questions that started piling up in her mind, Rae jumped in with his leering grin and sleazy remarks. ”Rae! If you scare her away, I swear I'll never let ya borrow my bleach, ever!” she called out and got up, bare feet padding across the floor as she walked over to give the blond man to give him a loving slap to the back of the head.

Ignoring the leer Rae gave her in return for the slap, she turned to the newcomer with a smile as the man-whore said something about rough foreplay beside her. ”Don't mind Rae, Miss Julia, he's just got this compulsion where he has to hit on anyone of the female persuasion,” she said as if she'd known the man for years and not just a few days. ”So, what kind of music do you play? Maybe we could work out an act together? That is...” She gave a look toward Madame Petaline, her eyes wide and pleading. ”If Petaline'll hire you.”


<<OOC: GM of Rae approved by Zira. In fact, it was her idea!>>

[Julia Summers]

You know....Up close he's isn't so bad. Just the hair... its a bit much Taking the showman ship with a good natured smirk, she simply nodded her flaming head of hair.
”Rae! If you scare her away, I swear I'll never let ya borrow my bleach, ever!” The woman that Helen had introduced as Tuesday Morrow, a very cute name truth be told, was approaching, giving the other whore a smack to the head. He shot back some banter and it was clear enough that the people at this establishment were a friendly lot, comfortable with each other. ”Don't mind Rae, Miss Julia, he's just got this compulsion where he has to hit on anyone of the female persuasion. So what kind of music do you play? Maybe we could work out an act together? That is...” Her expression turned toward the house madam, pleading with her for a yes. ”If Petaline'll hire you.”
"Well, Miss Morrow, Julia began with a laugh, it was a tinkling almost musical sound, "I play and compose a lot of classical music as well as the style from Earth that Was called Symphonic Metal. Though I'm not above laying some techno beats. Which I think, based on your profession is the kind of music you would need?" She half asked half told the erotic dancer, raising a single crimson eyebrow.
She turned on her bare heel to look at Raeton, "Oh and handsome? Do something with that hair of yours. And then we can talk." She gave him an overly exaggerated flirtatious wink and then returned her gaze to Miss Petaline. Hopefully she'd left them with a good impression.

This post has been edited by Julia Summers on May 12 2011, 06:08 AM

[Vitorria Tate]

"I think we've already got that something," Vitorria said to Petaline, and stumbled. Her voice was rough, her eyes were red. She looked battered and drawn, but full of wonder at the same time. It felt like... Like when her throat went tight when she wanted to cry. Like losing that toy she'd had for years. Like thinking about someone she hadn't seen in for a very time. Or wouldn't see again. Like when she'd broke her wrist during harvest and hadn't wanted anyone to know. Like when that drifter had told her Roland was dead. Like when she thought- No. It wasn't just bad, the feeling. It was good, too. It was like watching Brun talk. Like when Petaline had told her Jonah was alive, the kind of joy that made her throat tighten and her eyes burn. Like she’d never felt it before in her life… though she had, she had, that was the point. She had.

Beautiful, is what it was.

Petaline had survived. Jinye had survived. No matter what had happened to her, it didn't matter, not at all, and that thought came as an odd sort of comfort. That no matter what she'd done or not done, no matter if she'd died back there, the Heart would have survived. That was what was important. Not that- that thing she'd left on the side of the road to Burgesstown, dead and spilled and empty, gone, or that letter in her pocket. If she remembered that, everything else would turn out okay. Right?

So Vitorria nodded and smiled and put it from her mind as she stood and moved to get about her chores, though she stopped at Julia's side on her way. She stopped and caught Julia's fingers by the crooks, curled in her own. One by one, she folded those fingers. Counted the rises, tense and uncertain in her own, and pulled their joined hands to her face. "Julia," she said, and the corners of her eyes wrinkled as though focused on something beyond the young woman or anything in all of fair Jinye, something that she could not see, but wanted to with a longing that took root as a twinge in the belly and pushed downwards into a hard ache she dared not bring to stuttering words. She smiled, a soft and slow thing, and pressed a kiss to the back of Julia's hand, gently. She did not let go. "Why would we turn away a sister who's only just come home?"

[Petaline]

"We still doin' trial runs on people 'fore we give 'em jobs?"

"Down, boy." Her voice was laced with contained laughter. The boy was a heap of sexification that shouldn't be loose on civilization, but at the Heart he fit right in. And even more pleasing, the new girl held her own against him.

Tuesday leaped in and gettin' involved brought an even broader smile. Live music would be appreciated, least on Friday and Saturday nights, and if Tuesday could get a regular show goin', that'd help put 'em a shoulder up on Max's whore-hole.

But it was two words, well, one word and a look. The word was 'cook'. With Szatsu off-world, (not that he'd ever been much a cook) the restaurant was hurtin', and there was no word from Shanti except the cryptic message months back. And the look.. the look was that one in Vitorria's eyes. That look was Vittie's way of sayin' that her soul approved. And what Vittie's soul approved of, how could Petaline deny?

She took a deep breath, glancing to Helen to make sure the woman would stop her if the numbers didn't line up with the financials, "Tell you what. Two month trial period. You and Tuesday work us up a three-night a week show that 'll bring the house down, and you get run of the kitchen for the dinner and breakfast shift? Leastways 'til Szatsu or our regular girl get on home again." Petaline tried not to, but added grimly, "And lord knows when that's gonna be. You cook, you get 5% restaurant profits off the top, Show runs standard rate, based on take on show nights. You and Tuesday can work out who gets what. After two months, if we're seein' a good draw, we can renegotiate salary. Job comes with full room and board. Chores are communal- Everyone pitches in with everything, cleanin', gardening, laundry, the works."

"If that works for ya, Vittie can find ya a room and show you around."

[Raeton]

"Down, boy." Petaline's laughter laced order came. Rae flashed her a grin as he stepped back from Vittie and the newer girl and watched them goin' at it for a bit.

Made him happier than a..than somethin' that was happy with somethin' else though when Petaline said that the new chit could stay. She was cute, he wasn't denyin' that. Didn't seem as though she was overly interested in him though.

And with Tuesday's hit and threat, he knew it was time to back off.

At least a bit.

"If that works for ya, Vittie can find ya a room and show you around."

"Got room in mine if she needs a place to stay while she's gettin' settled in!" he piped up.

[Julia Summers]

"If that works for ya, Vittie can find ya a room and show you around."

If that works for her? Julia couldn't ask for a better deal! The possiblity of working here.... surrounded by these people. She could write her music! She could have access to a full kitchen! All her dreams… they were within range. But more so than employment opportunities, this place could hold the answer to something she had been searching for for a long time. A place she could call home.

This could be your home. You could be happy here.

"Miss Petaline, She stated holding her hand out, "That sounds wonderful! You've found yourself a cook and I'll be glad to perform for you! As for the chores I'm looking forward to getting my nails dirty! I may be a musician, but I'm a self made woman. Besides, there's just something peaceful about weeding a garden or beating a rug. She turned her head towards the charming Miss Morrow. "We'll have to talk! I've got some ideas already!

"Got room in mine if she needs a place to stay while she's gettin' settled in!" The man whore Raeton piped up, a smirk on his face.

Julia gave him a long apprising look. She was finding him better looking by the minute, still the hair was a bit much, mind you once the rutting started the hair gets pulled down anyway she thought wickedly. You have no idea how true that very well might be... still... I've got a reputation to maintain.

She simply smiled and said with a wink "We'll see."

[Cpt. Luke Carroth]

A Few Miles Straight Up

Captain Luke Carroth moved with ease through The Yehuo, it's creaking old walls familiar and warm beneath the trailing of his hand. He couldn't help it, the touching. It was just part of what he was. Least fond memories were of his mother hollering 'Lukie! You LOOK don't touch!', but the lesson never set. Couldn't help it- whatever it was, whatever he saw, he had to feel it. It was natural as pie coming up behind Aster as she guided the ship down, and resting his hand on her shoulder, feeling the bare skin around the edge of her tank-top strap and the soft cotton material against his palm.

"We gonna make it down okay?"

Aster gave a snort, tilting her head, "Like you need to ask."

Luke felt a chuckle rising, but suppressed it. Wouldn't do to let Aster know he accepted her beligerance as easily as he accepted her expert flying. Instead, he reached for the com, "Good mornin', gang. We'll be dropping in ..." The Yehuo gave a lurch as Jinye's gravity caught them... "Well, about now. Be ready to go or get left."

Pulling his hand from Aster's shoulder, the woman giving no indication that she'd even noticed it was there, Luke gave a last glance at the planet they were rocketing towards, "See you downstairs. Try not to kill us."

"Not today, sir." Aster's reply was crisp and clear, but a smirk followed him off the bridge, and she added, "Gonna be a good day."


Lord, he hoped so. They'd had too many bad days of late.

Downstairs in the supply-bay, the rest of the crew had gathered. Mojo, looking the devil's own dressed in all black, had shaved and trimmed his facial hair. Looked like he'd actually bathed, too. Now he was busy checking the line of sight on his side-arm before holstering it at his waist.

Jess was shrugging on his long brown coat, letting it drape his slender, elegant frame. As usual, he was immaculate, though it seemed he'd gone through the trouble of casting a hand through his black locks, leaving them stylishly disarrayed.

"Look like you could be in a gorram corcast, Jess." Luke cracked, rolling his shoulders. Catching sight of Milly standing quietly aside, he grabbed her around the waist and tucked her close, landing a kiss on top of her head. "You're in charge of little sister here while we're there."

"Luke, I'm..." Her protest fell silent as he gave her a little shake. No good arguing with him.

Jess, on the other hand, groaned, "I was in charge of her last time. Why can't Mojo do it?"

Mojo growled, turning to face Jess with barely a scathing glance down at Milly, "No! I can't get my mojo workin' with the kid on my arm."

The Yehuo bumped down with a graceful swoop, and there was a hum, and then sudden silence as Aster shut down the engines. Luke looked back and forth between his crewmen. "Fine. You take turns. Your Mojo can't last all day, can it?"

Mojo glared but remained silent as Aster joined them. She'd taken time to exchange her usual sports-tank for a plain red blouse with pink buttons and as she landed the last few steps she glossed her lips deep pink. "We gettin' gone?"

Luke glanced them over, top to bottom, "We're getting. Everyone remember the rules. Just because we got coin don't mean we need to spend every penny. Whores here are the same as everywhere. Just..." He gave a half grin, "Watch your backs, and have some fun!"

The cargo bay doors opened, and the Crew of The Yehuo headed across the road and up the front drive of The Heart of Gold. It was early yet, and he didn't reckon they'd be quite ready for a crew to pop up, but the Black didn't know what time it was, and his crew had been out there for a long time. A very long time.

At the Heart

Luke Carroth led the way up the steps, his crew spreading out behind him. Firmly, he pushed open the door with both hands, a grin of anticipation spreading across his face, "I need rooms and hospitality for my crew! Where do we pay?"

[Ertia]

Admin Note Please feel free to interact with any and all of the crew. I'll create accounts as needed to keep up. :) (And I will TRY to keep up!)

[Tuesday Morrow]

Standing back as Vittie made her bond with Miss Julia, Tuesday looked back toward Raeton, sticking her tongue out at him for a brief moment, giving him a wink and a smile. Having Julia here meant that neither she or the boy-whore were the new kids anymore and that suited her just fine even though she had been welcomed to the Heart by Vitorria in much the same way she was greeting Julia. Even with all that had happened since she had arrived, she felt at home here, and safe too.

"We'll have to talk! I've got some ideas already!"

Bouncing up and down on her feet, Tuesday turned back to Julia with a wide grin, coming up to balance on her toes for a few beats of the heart. "Shiny! It'll be fun, though I dunno what that symphonic metal is. You'll hafta play some for me," she said, doubting that anything with the word symphonic in it was something you could actually dance to. "I usually prefer rock or pop, though. Mostly fast paced, but I got a few slow numbers too." She was so excited about working with a real musician that she didn't notice the new arrivals until one of them spoke.

"I need rooms and hospitality for my crew! Where do we pay?"

He was really kind of handsome, the one who had spoken. Rough looking and just the kind of type of guy Tuesday would fall for with a loud crash. Forgetting about Julia, Raeton and the idea of putting on a brand new show with live music, she grinned and moved on over toward the gruff captain, her hips swaying to internal music. "Hullo, handsome. I'm Tuesday. What do they call you?"

[Raeton]

There were exactly two women who came in with the crew of the men, although one of the lads did look like he belonged on some Corecast. Raeton didn't think he looked like he would be into any of the pain, so maybe that one would be alright to be with if the ladies weren't interested in him.

Although, who could they not be interested in him was the real question.

A swagger in his walk, his hands moved down his body to come to a rest on his belt, framing a portion of his anatomy most called "well endowed" or, his personal favorite, "god yes please more". The repeat of a dozen such encounters played quickly through his mind and his swagger was suddenly accompanied with a cocky smirk as he reached the crew.

He wrapped an arm around each woman, the one wearing a plan red blouse on his left, the other, younger looking one standing next to Mr Corecast on his right. "Welcome to the Heart 'o Gold, ladies. 'm name's Raeton. And who might you both be?" His voice was pitched low and he thought it sounded like silk wrapping itself over bare skin. A promise of sex and pleasure.