Maverick

[maverick-reynolds]

star-crossed-cass​

Cass and Mav were similar in a lot of ways, including being born into large families, but chief among them was how easily they clicked with other people. It was a small part of how they got along so well with each other. And although Cass knew she could probably poke at him to get him to open up more about whatever was going on with Evie, she had no desire to, nor to tease him too much about it. The tidbits she got from Evie were enough, and other than that, Cass would just make sure she was available if he ever did want to chat. “I don’t expect anyone to just hop over the past like it was a pebble,” Cass admitted with a small shrug, pausing to take a sip of her whiskey. “But whether we like it or not, we’re all stuck with each other for the foreseeable future, and further fighting won’t help us.” She didn’t add just how far the foreseeable future could stretch - the predicament was on everyone’s minds without it being brought into the light. 

Maverick sucked in a breath of air as she mentioned everyone being stuck.  Of a lot of the people on board the ship, he noticed there were a few that truly wanted what was best for the overall people, which included the blending of the crews.  Still, there were people who resisted the changes and would cause trouble.  “I don’t know,” he said with a shrug.  For Maverick, he was personally torn wanting the ships to get along and holding onto the anger he held for Travis.  There was a lot of underline rage inside him and it was only a matter of time before he loses control.  “Eventually things will settle down, it just isn’t going to happen overnight.  Everyone here is in the same predicament and eventually difference won’t matter. Survival will.”

[maverick-reynolds]

ophelia-blackwell

“I think we both know, dear Mav, that the two crews becoming used to each other is easier said than done. Old grudges die hard.” While Ophelia could have easily been talking about the ones that she was personally mixed up in there was more to it than that. There was plenty of hatred and resentment to go around aboard that extremely tense ship. Especially when it came to those who had found themselves on the opposite sides of things during the war. While many of the people from both ships didn’t actually fight? The ones who did weren’t going to let go of those grudges too easily. And even those who didn’t fight in the war often had strong opinions either way. Those opinions weren’t going anywhere too easily. The Alliance had made many enemies throughout the galaxy. And feelings like that were difficult to let go and get over. “You and I are former military, regardless of where we had our training. We are more accustomed to…certain conditions. But a lot of Themis is definitely more accustomed to some level of freedom. It’d be foolish to believe that even that isn’t going to cause a little bit of tension on board. I rather think we have a long and difficult road ahead of us when it comes to the crews merging.”

“No argument here Cap, but we are all in this for the long haul.”  Maverick have a slight shoulder shrug. Since becoming the official bartender of the crew, he was having the same conversation with a lot of people. Both sides were reluctant on working together and he couldn’t blame them, but he knew they have to come around.  As she mentioned their military training, Maverick’s looked down for a moment as he thought about his time in the war.  He started a war journalist photographer, but ended up joining ranks with his brother Rowan with little military training.  “It is a lot for everyone,” he stated.  “Certain things will have to loosen up on this ship for everyone to get along, but I think right now everyone is still in the process of finding their footing.”

[maverick-reynolds]

nova-diaz​

It was a nice thought- and something that Nova had already come to realize was a common thing for Maverick. He seemed to like to hope for the best in their situation. But truthfully she wasn’t entirely sure. With the way Nova’s crewmates acted you would think on her way out of the Alliance? Ophelia had slaughtered an entire regime. Yes, she understood why they felt betrayed but she didn’t necessarily think she was evil. Misguided and perhaps a little dishonest with the people she knew but not evil. Of course, since she hadn’t known the woman personally? She was also speaking as an outsider. She couldn’t completely understand what had happened. Or feel the emotional impact of it. And she couldn’t judge those who had for their feelings. “I didn’t know her back then but from what I heard? She was top of her class in everything at the Academy. Rumor has it she was even better than the captain in most things- but I’m not sure how true that is. I don’t doubt her skills. I don’t think Captain Queen would have done that if she didn’t have what it took. I’m just unsure any of my crewmates will ever…accept her as the Commander.”

No doubt bad blood ran deep through the people on this ship. Even Maverick had his own issues when it came to The Alliance, but one in particular being Travis Reynolds.  Part of him wanted to make an amends with Travis, given the man was the only family he had in this G-d forbidden piece of space.  Yet, the nightmares that plague his dreams each night reminded him why he harbored so much hatred towards his own brother.  Maverick nodded at the other woman’s words, “not surprising, she is an extremely resourceful woman.”  He shrugged unsure how the crews would ever fully blend into together, but here they were lost in space and all of them had one essential goal, to make it home.  It might be enough to put feelings aside for the time being.  “Who knows? At some point, things will have to change.  It might take some time, but we all need each other in this mission to get home.”

[maverick-reynolds]

aleksanderwilsons​

“Fair enough,” Alex said. “Considering everything, I’m kinda surprised we haven’t had more fights than we already have seen, at the bar and otherwise. Guess Queen ain’t doin’ too bad keepin’ everyone calm for the most part. Not like I can expect him to control everyone, anyway.” It was the closest he had gotten to a compliment for Orion, and it wasn’t even in front of someone who cared about the captain, much less Lilith. Alex thanked Maverick and took a sip of his drink. “Damn. Hadn’t thought about that much. My workload hasn’t been to different, but this ship is also pretty different compared to the Themis. Your workload hasn’t been too bad, has it?” There were more people that needed to be attended too, sure, but with another bartender he presumed the workload wasn’t too bad. Many people were too busy to come by the bar as often as they did a few months previously. “Nothing new, nope. Just gettin’ by like everyone else.” It wasn’t a complete lie. There wasn’t anything new to tell Maverick, since his relationship with Lilith was now a secret they’d been keeping for several months.

“At first, things were bad it was nearly every day myself and others were breaking up fights. Thankfully it has spread out and not as bad.  Although Rufus a lot of the time is an instigator.”  Maverick shrugged, he was not sure how to feel about the Captain. In many ways, he respected the man but it did not change the fact Orion was on the wrong side of the war.  At least that was Maverick’s opinion on the matter.  “My workload is alright, just fix drinks for people and clean this area.  Nothing really all that special.  A bit hard when I am trying to break up a fight and I cannot balance.”  More than once he was knocked on his ass and it was embarrassing.  There also was Maverick’s other job, being the person running a lot of the underground scene of the ship.  He was sure he could trust Alex, but wasn’t sure if the other man would even be interested.

[maverick-reynolds]

star-crossed-cass​

His denial of her answer made her smirk, but Cass let it go to focus on the remainder of the conversation. “I think you’re probably right, though even I’m more civilian than you, I believe.” She completely understood what Mav was getting at though in regards to the days. If someone asked her that exact moment, she’d probably have to think about it long and hard, probably because she didn’t even have any sort of scheduled shifts or anything like that. “You and me, both. I don’t think I could handle being squirreled away in some office somewhere, cut off from people. Even if it wasn’t in my ‘job’ description, it’s sort of the way I’ve always been, I think.” Cass watched his face transform ever so subtly as he mentioned having made friends, her mind immediately jumping to her roommate Evie, who got the same sort of look on her face whenever Mav was mentioned. “Mm. It makes it easier to see that even if we’re on opposite sides on some things, we’re not so different in most ways.” 

“Oh, I put up my military boots a long time ago.”  Maverick commented with a soft smile.  It made sense that Cassandra happened to feel the same way. On board The Themis, he remembered her being the most welcoming and talkative from the get go.  “I understand,” he responded.  For him, he had always people around him.  He was the third youngest from a large family and always had someone to talk to and play with since he could remember.  His face gave it away each and every time he thought about Evelyn.  Since he woke up after the The Themis explosion with her above him, he was smitten. “Maybe you’re right, but it is hard to get past certain things.”  Even though Maverick tended to be easy going with most of the crew, he still harbored a lot of hatred towards The Alliance and those who served during the war.

[maverick-reynolds]

ophelia-blackwell​

For a few moments Ophelia simply sat there, her lips pursed in thought as she contemplated the best way to answer. They all had things to get home to, people they needed to see and deal with; people they loved and hoped to see again. Even Ophelia, despite knowing where this would all end for her if they made it home, had something important to tend to back home before being carted off to jail. It was something she would have to eventually discuss with Orion but not something she could bring herself to at the moment. Some things were harder to discuss than others. “I’d like to say we’re going to get home easily,” the blonde finally began, choosing her words carefully. “In a perfect world I’d say give it a week or a month more tops and we’ll be home. But right now…we don’t know where we are or how to get home. It’s difficult and even if all of us were experts at navigating the universe…it would take a lot to get us out of this. I think we’re, unfortunately, in for a long, long trip. But I do have faith we’ll get home eventually. I wish I could be more comforting about this but better a sad truth than a happy lie.”

Hard truths were something Maverick gotten used to over the years.  During the war, when rations were tight he learned to accept there were other ways to eat.  When his brother died in front of him, he had to accept the death and after the war inform his family on it.  Although he left out the part, Rowan only died because he made a miscalculation and Rowan took the bullet meant for him.  Maverick listed, nodding his head grateful Ophelia did not sugarcoat things. “Thank you ma’am for giving it to me straight,” he told her.  Maverick had an idea things were bad and they were more than likely lost wandering space that was not claimed and his inkling had been right.  He poured them both another glass.  “Guess all of us have to get used to the idea of seeing each other more.”

[maverick-reynolds]

ophelia-blackwell​

“I’ll see what I can do.” Ophelia knew better than to make any promises where that was concerned. She could talk to Rufus until she was blue in the face; she could beg him to behave; she could insist he try not to be such a hassle for Maverick. But when his temper got the best of him? There was little Ophelia could do to stop him or discourage him. But she could talk to him, at least. Maybe convince him to go a little easier on causing a scene that Maverick had to try to deal with. It was the least she could do. “I think Orion will try to get us back home. Maybe more for his own people than anything else but he’ll try. And though I can’t pretend I have the best relationship with his pilot…I knew her before I left the Alliance. Lilith is quite capable. She’ll do what she has to do in order to help him. So, best not to give up hope just yet. Though I don’t knowhow everyone else would feel about the idea of us only having each other. Not with so much bad blood.”

The man knew not to expect anything, from the time he spent on The Themis he knew Rufus all too well.  Whether Rufus liked to admit it or not, he was driven by emotions.  Maverick never minded seeing an Alliance officer getting knocked out, there was some satisfaction in it given everything that has happened in his life.  However, he tried to keep the peace at the bar.  The one place where everyone could gather and just have a few drinks, plus he preferred they took all that hostility to the underground fight ring. Then at least he could make some money off the fight as well.  “I have no doubts about everyone trying to get home, but what is the reality of the situation ma’am?  I am not giving up hope, I just don’t want to give myself false hope either.”

[maverick-reynolds]

nova-diaz​

“I don’t know that anyone is intending to make enemies. Sometimes it just happens. We have some very…polarizing opinions on things within the people on this ship right now.” Not that Nova felt as though she had to broaden on that. After all, they all knew how many people from the Themis were either anti-Alliance or straight up sided with the Browncoats during the war. And while Nova had remained loyal on the outside to the Alliance and what her family held dear? She had always sort of sided more with the Browncoats in that regard. Not that she would admit it out loud. Especially not being a member of the Alliance still. “I am both surprised and not so surprised the captain named Blackwell as Commander. I think he had to know that it would make some people from his crew very unhappy. Tactically it makes sense, of course. But I’m sure many of the people here were a little…upset by that. Though I suppose it works well for you. I doubt you travelled on her ship without getting along decently with her.”

Maverick knew all too well the difference of opinions on board this ship. Hell, he lost a brother and a leg in the process of trying to get from under The Alliance’s thumb.  At some point though, he accepted defeat because he had a family he needed to return home to after the war.  Although he still held a lot of resentment towards The Alliance, he knew most of the crew on board did not fight in the war.  Everyone was just trying to make it in one form or another, something he couldn’t hold against them.  “I know what you mean; I was a bit shocked myself.  But I guess it makes sense given her military background and the fact he wants to try and combine all of us.  Give us a leader in a sense.”  He nodded.  “I mean, she is really great and easy to get along with.  I’m sure people will come around over some time.”

[maverick-reynolds]

ophelia-blackwell

“Oh, Rufus knows better than to hide his misdeeds from me. I always find out. And I know him too well to think that he’s behaving himself.” For all the love she had for Rufus? She knew who he was; she knew his temper. In the years they had known each other she had never trusted a member of her crew more than she did Rufus, had never loved them as family quite as much as she did with him. But that also meant accepting who he was even if it meant saving him from a bad situation. Or even saving him from himself at times. “But at least I know Captain Queen won’t throw him out the airlock. As hard as he can sound at times there is a soft heart beneath all that. So Rufus can piss him off to no end but he’d still let him stick around.” Tapping her fingers against her empty glass Ophelia cocked her head to the side slightly as she listened to Maverick speak. “Might be a good thing. Alliance military life is extremely…well, it’s difficult. They’re far stricter than you can possibly understand.” Getting away from them had been the best move she could make. But it was for many reasons. The strictness was simply another reason to hate them. “Nice of you to look at the bright side there, Mav, but they won’t come around. I’m a traitor to the cause; I abandoned them and joined their enemies. Technically speaking I’m more of a criminal to them than you could ever be.” Ophelia winked at him playfully to let him know she was teasing and then kept going. “At the end of this journey home, dear Mav, I win a one-way ticket to jail. Perhaps I just want to spend what time I have left of freedom without dealing with the animosity.

“For some reason, I am not surprised.  Although, would you at least discuss with him not to cause a ruckus in the bar.  Last time, I was trying to break things up and I got knocked down.”  Being knocked on his ass didn’t hurt as much as his pride was being wounded that he needed help getting up.  The prosthetic had been giving in trouble long before the incident with The Themis, but coming from humble means meant not getting the top of the line things.  “I think you might be right there,” he commented. Maverick was aware of the rumors circulating that there was relations between Ophelia and the Captain, but he tried not to pry too much.  “The man just seems stressed from what I can tell and I hardly doubt Rufus is making things easy.”  He loved Rufus, but the man could be a pill at times.  “It is all good, I get to drink on the job...or maybe that is against the rules but who is going to tell on me?”  Maverick felt badly for Ophelia, things had to be difficult being in the midst of so much hatred.  “We’re all stuck out here; all we have is each other.”  He looked at her questionable, “do you really think we are ever going to make it home?”

[maverick-reynolds]

star-crossed-cass​

She let out a snort of laughter at his comment, shaking her head slightly. “You’re too sweet. Besides, you’ve seen Alex. Clearly it’s genetics.” Cass waggled her eyebrows before letting out another tired laugh. She didn’t like to think of her brother that way, but she knew that he was considered attractive by men and women alike. She also knew she was no slouch - even in her natural state she had a certain appeal to people. It was part of what made her a good Companion. Gratefully, she took the offered glass and took a long drink from it, sighing contentedly at the familiar burn down her throat. “Three months feels like forever and yet like no time at all. At least to me.” She could only imagine how much harder it was on Mav, having had to confront his brother onboard the Virtus. Cass herself had spoken with Travis, bit she hadn’t gotten in the middle of things. It wasn’t her place. She watched as he poured himself a glass before raising hers to him in a small toast. “Things are about the same. I don’t mind being busy, though. It keeps my mind occupied. Helps the time pass.” Her brow arched at the wound up comment, her mind immediately going to the two people on the ship who were most wound up: Orion and Owen. “Mm, some more than others. You seem to be handling yourself fairly well, though, especially being here in the middle of everyone. How are you getting on with the other crew?”

A chuckle slipped through his lips when she mentioned her brother.  Maverick playfully scrunched up his nose and shook his head.  “Nah, I think it must be the companion training.”  The man knew the Wilson siblings were attractive, not that he admit Alex was a good looking man aloud.  Letting out a breath, Maverick nodded.  “Perhaps it is different for you and me, given we have civilian roles on this ship. I dunno, it is hard to keep track of the days.  Half the time, I don’t know when my shift is because I don’t know what date it is.”  Once he poured himself a glass, he lifted it towards her and downed it in one gulp.  “True, the nice thing about working here is that I get to meet everyone.  I’m a social creature and if I was forced to work somewhere with few people, I would go stir crazy.”  He smiled, “I mean I am doing as well as I can, been making a few friends.”  A soft smiled formed as he thought about Evelyn.  “And, it is cool to hear everyone’s stories, where they come from and just what they miss back home.”

[maverick-reynolds]

ophelia-blackwell

“Other things?” Both of Ophelia’s eyebrows rose in silent question though she didn’t press him any further. Back when he would travel on her ship she was all too aware that Maverick skirted the law when it came to his business and it had never bothered her any. How could she judge when she herself was considered a criminal? Though she supposed that all changed once she was no longer in charge but merely second in command. Not that she would ever reveal his dealings to Orion. There was no need. But that didn’t mean she would pressure him to talk about such things either. As always he was free to share with her whatever he wanted. Pushing the people from her ship to reveal everything had never bene her style. “Oh, I think Captain Queen’s crew is very satisfied with not seeing my face grace their sacred corridors.” Most probably would prefer to see her in the brig rather than walking around at all, truth be told. Oh well. Couldn’t please everyone. “So, I’ve mostly been keeping to myself. Rufus keeps me as up to date as he can on how you all are doing. But Alex did put a worm in my ear that I should come and check on you all myself from time to time. And it might not have been what I wanted to hear but…he was right.” Lifting up the shot glass the blonde tilted it back, swallowing it in one and put the glass back down with little more than quiet click. “And how are you fairing with your newly gained shipmates, Mav?”

Maverick simply gave a nod, before allowing the subject to drop.  Although, he did not fear the wrath of the Captain he certainly did not want to place the Commander in a compromising situation.  Things around the ship were tough enough, no need to stir the pot.  “Perhaps, but I know the people from The Themis would be glad to see your face more.  Ultimately, we are all stuck on this ride together.  Eventually, people will come around.”  Not that Maverick would push Ophelia, he just knew eventually everyone will have to come to terms with things and one of those things is a united crew to get them home.  “Does Rufus keep you informed on how much shit he stirs though?”  A smile formed, “glad Alex had the balls to say something.” With her question, he took a moment to think about it.  With the exception of his brother being on board, Maverick handled everything as well as he possibly could.  “Lucky me, I got a bum leg that I got to work as a bartender.  Apparently all my military experience did not make me qualify for anything else.  But it does give me the opportunity to meet everyone and make connections.  We are all in this for the long haul, might as well try to enjoy the ride.”

[maverick-reynolds]

nova-diaz

“Nothing really,” the brunette responded, tipping the glass slightly towards him in thanks as she lifted it up and took a sip, swallowed, contemplated her answer. It wasn’t quite a lie, wasn’t quite the truth but lived somewhere in the mythical in-between of the two. “Do you know that feeling right before a storm? That eerie calm where you can almost feel the electrical energy crackling along your skin making your hair stand on edge? That’s the feeling on the ship right now. Like something is going to happen soon. I’m just not sure what.” Nova definitely didn’t believe that either of the combined crews wanted anything terrible to happen, that they wanted to be battling and fighting with each other. She believed that they were all trying to make the best of a terrible situation. And yet…it didn’t seem like things were destined to run smoothly. “But you seem to be finding your place on the ship pretty easily.”

Wrapping his fingers along his own glass, he lifted it up and brought it to his lips to take a sip.  A silence filled them for a moment at her question.  Maverick knew all too well about the feeling before the storm, it brought him back to the war when things grew quiet between both sides.  A moment when you thought you had a chance to breath then just moments later it was raining down terror.  “Yes, I know that feeling.”  He simply responded.  As she continued he nodded in agreement.  “Things are tense, a lot of different people stuck on this ship together.  There is going to be some growing pains.”  He shrugged.  “Just surviving,” he commented.  “At this point, there is no need for me to make enemies.”  A bit hypocritical given his stance with his brother, but bad blood ran deep.

[maverick-reynolds]

aleksanderwilsons​

The bar wasn’t a place Alex frequented the way he had before being with Lilith, but he still enjoyed a drink very now and then. It didn’t hurt that Maverick was usually there and it gave them some time to catch up. Alex laughed at Maverick’s remark as he approached the bar. “Glad to hear it. Good to know I can fit in with everyone else on this damn ship, then.” If there was anyone who wasn’t looking beat in some way, he wanted to know their secrets. “Whiskey on the rocks,” he answered, sliding onto one of the bar stools and waiting for Mav to fill his order. “So, how’s things been around here lately?”

Over the last few months, Maverick noticed the wear and tear on people.  Luckily for him, he was not deemed fit to be part of the military “crew.” Instead, he got a civilian job behind a bar.  Only problem, he had weird hours and hardly got to see his friends unless they made their way down to the bar.  Filling the glass more than half way, he slid it towards Alex.  “Not a whole lot to report on, just your normal everyday drama. A couple of fights every week amongst people, there isn’t a lot of outlets I suppose.  Some people are working double shifts per Captain Orion’s orders.  I think some people are finally realizing what it means to be out this far.  What about you though?  Anything new with you?”

[maverick-reynolds]

star-crossed-cass​

“Do I? I must be losing my touch,” Cass teased in return with a tired smile. Most of the people from the Themis knew that her calm and cool demeanor was a front, but it wasn’t all that often that she looked as tired as she felt. “Whiskey neat, please.” At this point she didn’t care if people had opinions or made comments about a companion drinking something so bold and ‘unrefined.’ It had been about three months now that they’d been aboard the Virtus, and while she was doing her best to walk the line between the crews, she was still emotionally exhausted herself. Owen still wouldn’t look at her, much less talk to her. She missed the crewmembers they had lost on the Themis. She worried for Alex and herself seeing their family again. She worried for all the people on the Virtus, even if she didn’t particularly like them. “How have you been holding up lately? How’s the leg?” 

“You know I am only teasing, Cass you are still pretty as ever.  Not sure how you always look good, is it that companion training or just great genetics?”  With her order, Maverick pulled out a bottle of whiskey and began to pour her a generous amount.  For whatever reason, he felt she could use a good drink and he could use the company. “Guess I’m alright, still trying to process everything.  I know it has been three months, but it still is hard to believe.  You know what I mean.”  At the leg question, he chuckled as he patted his actual good leg.  “Still holding up, but barely.”  He looked around before pouring himself a drink as well. “How are things?  I know you are probably busy every day.  Do you get any rest?  It seems everyone is all wound up.”

[trickydickytaiksontop]

[maverick-reynolds]

ophelia-blackwell

“Have anything to make me forget the past few months?” The blonde teased as she took a seat across from Maverick. It was rare these days that she left her quarters and even rarer that she ventured very far when she did. But truth be told Alex hadn’t been wrong when he had told her after the mixer that her people were still her people. It meant that yes, she had to at the very least look out for them, keep an eye on them, make sure they were doing alright- or as alright as they could be given the circumstances. And while Maverick had never officially been a part of her crew? He had found himself a sort of home away from home on the Themis for quite a while before it all went awry. So, deep down in her heart she considered him part of their little family as well. “How have you been, Mav? It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“Sorry Cap, I wish I had the ingredients for that.” Maverick was thrilled to see Ophelia, it did not go unnoticed that she did not come out often.  At times, he wished he been more adamant about visiting her at her quarters but the two had different schedules and he wanted to give her the space she needed to adjust to the new life her.  Unsure what exactly to give her, he filled a shot glass with tequila. Everyone knew if you wanted to forget tequila will help in such endeavors.  “I am alright, just been busy here and working on some other things.” With Ophelia being second in command, he was hesitant to say much more on his side hustle.  “It has been way too long, you need to show your pretty face more often.  How have you been?”

[maverick-reynolds]

nova-diaz​

“Tension is exhausting.” Of course, so was everyone working on trying to find a way home. It was a goal that they all had in common and yet one that seemed maddening. Deep down she was sure everyone wondered if going home would ever be possible. It was almost an unspoken fear. But beyond that tension? She knew there was some in the bartender’s life as well. Nova had seen the incident with Travis at the mixer though she refused to comment on it. It wasn’t her place- and she didn’t want anyone to feel pressured to discuss their persona life. She was naturally curious- but sometimes keeping curiosity at bay was necessary. “What’s the strongest thing you have?”

Luckily for Maverick, working as one of the bartenders he got to see a different side of the crew.  Yes, most people came by when they got off their shift and were exhausted, but it gave him opportunities to chat among the different people and even forge some new friendships with some of The Virtus crew.  “Yes, it is exhausting.”  Spencer admitted.  Spencer reached down and grabbed a bottle of whiskey and poured both of them a glass. “Is there something troubling you?” He inquired.  He knew it was a loaded question, but it seemed she might need someone to talk to and well he was the only one here.