#character: zuytri pleinru

[ageofpiracyrp]

Cerkarramel Luwelantnin (Vuker)

Content warning for musings about lifespan and a troubled marriage

~~~~~

Karmel pressed her lips together, and observed herself in the dressing room mirror. It had been just four years since she had graduated from school and become a fully-grown adult, and she had not gotten used to what this version of her looked like yet. The (many) admirers that she had in school were one thing; those were palpable if she wanted them to be. Being a talk show radio host was different because people from across the galaxy knew (and appreciated) her voice and appearance. This was by far the largest that the stack of fanmail and gifts placed in the dressing room by her manager had ever been.

She jumped and recoiled slightly at the sound of the door opening. While she tried to keep her cool, her eyes flashed with fear in the mirror.

"My goodness, I'm so sorry for scaring you, Melly," Zuytri said with an apologetic smile while trying to close the door. "It's just me."

"Zuytri!" Karmel's eyes lit up with excitement, momentarily forgetting any trepidation that was in her voice. She started to rise from her chair until she saw Zuytri gesturing to stay seated.

"Oh, don't get all out of place on my account, babes. I won't be here for too long. I was in the neighborhood, and wanted to make sure I came by to congratulate you on the recordbreaking listeners that you received on your show." Zuytri added a small wrapped gift (containing a vial of the expensive and pleasant-smelling perfume that Karmel often complimented when Zuytri wore), and peered at the other gifts.

Karmel put a hand over her mouth. "Oh, Zuytri, you didn't have to go through the trouble just for me."

Zuytri waved a hand. "No, no, I wanted to. You're important to me, Karmel. I'm so proud of how far you've come since-" She gestured to a circular object next to the pile of gifts. "Is this what I think it is?"

Without responding verbally, Karmel nodded and looked a little bashful.

"I must ask. Who's the lucky suitor who left you this crown? Just a fan? Or someone more special than that?"

"Oh... I don't know," Karmel mumbled, hiding her face and accidentally messing up some of her make-up. "I mean- I know who this is from, but I don't know what it means."

Zuytri looked at Karmel expectantly. "Now you're just making me more curious, Karmel."

Without revealing her face, Karmel whispered, "It's from Orman Vuker..."

Tilting her head backward to see if that would put the view of the crown in a different light, Zuytri made a 'hmm' sort of noise. "The guest on your show for tonight? Melly, did I miss some details in your life here? I know you're an adult, but I would have though that you would tell me if-"

Karmel uncovered one eye and shook her head. "It's- I- It is not some big deal of a relationship or anything. We met at an event around a month ago, and we've been talking every day. I asked yesterday if he would guest on my show after Big Holiday Gertrude had to cancel for today's show. Orman surprised me and said yes."

"Oh, I was looking forward to Big Holiday Gertrude. She's my favorite Elvis impersonator. I hadn't realized that she had to cancel," Zuytri said, losing focus momentarily before returning to what was actually important. She moved to stand behind the seated Karmel. "Karmelly, are you interested in him, or do you need me to tell Vuker to back the hell up?"

Karmel uncovered the other eye, and saw in the mirror that she would really have to redo her make-up. "I think I like him so much, Zuytri. He's so intelligent, and he doesn't just talk to me about how pretty he thinks I am. I could listen to him talk about clawfoot bathtubs for hours."

Zuytri smiled and raised her eyebrows. "Oooo, that's even better than I was hoping for. I didn't realize Vuker could be such a sweet nerd to my favorite protege." Zuytri was in the honeymoon phase of her current relationship, which made her much more liable to be optimistic about matters of love than overtly cautious. But she was still cautious. "If he's here for the show today, I think I should talk to him. If he's leaving his crown around, then I don't think that would be such a bad idea, would it? To see if I see what you can?"

Karmel nodded. "Please do... I trust your judgment immensely, and this is such a new thing for me. A celebrity crush going real."

Zuytri patted Karmel gently on the head so as not to mess up her hair too, but didn't take the same care while patting the younger woman's cheek. "I'd do anything for you, Karmel. I'll let you know what I find out."

If Zuytri thought that this was something worth looking into, then Karmel felt a little bit better about it. Zuytri had so much experience with romance, and Karmel was just used to being a pretty little thing to be admired. She'd flirted, and even dated before, but never seriously. Her parents had encouraged her to be physically appealing and interested in dating (Ly'Daesun boys that were reproductive-ly compatible enough to give some grandchildren, preferably), but nothing serious until there was a crown in hand. And... now she had one. She might be young, but something still felt a little surprising about a gorgeous 46 year old man falling for her so quickly.

Orman was so noble, beautiful, and princely, and he acted so interested in what she had to say. He wasn't short on compliments, and Karmel's parents were big fans of the interior designer's broadcast specials before any of this had happened.

Karmel hadn't realized that her thoughts were wandering until the pats on her cheek intensified in frequency.

"Karmel, darling, I really should go now, shouldn't I? You look like you may need to focus and repaint your face before your show. I'll vet out your prospective new Adonis, and we'll chat later," Zuytri said gently, moving toward the door to depart.

Smiling shyly, Karmel nodded. "Thank you for the gift and for your help, Zuytri. It means so much how you always look out for me."

With a blown kiss, Zuytri departed, and Karmel was alone with her thoughts once again. Leaning forward in her seat, Karmel went to go pick up some of the make-up remover. She needed to redo all of this. There was a gorgeous prospective love of her life in front of her.

~~~~~

Karmel is fifty-one years old, and she is waiting for her husband to just die already. She doesn't want her goal in life for now to be to outlive her husband, but it would certainly make things easier. If Karmel was less wealthy and socially relevant, she thinks that Orman would have picked out the next pretty young thing to boost his credibility.

In spite of and because of him, Karmel is successful. There is no better choice for Orman than Karmel. And Karmel has C'Tau's social standing to worry about. Of course Karmel's daughters know there is no love in this marriage anymore and they've asked if perhaps it would be best for everyone to break up... No, fame is more important than feelings. Even if she does not see Orman in person, there are circles in her business where staying married to that man make things better. The one gift that she can give her daughters is a beautiful social standing.

Orman's father and mother are still alive and projected to live well past one hundred. It isn't fair. She wants to see her daughters flourish. She wants to see more beautiful art. She'd like to get to know those grandchildren that both of her daughters have expressed an interest in having. Karmel has made choices to make herself unhappy so that C'Tau and Eenyuh get to make all of the choices for themselves.

If she just had a little more time...

She's been casually looking for a djayyar that suits her needs for quite some time. This isn't an interest that Karmel has ever shared with her daughters. They don't need to know about how she struggles.

But oh, there is such a bold one onto this crew that she has hired. Ali is deeply in love in a way that she wishes she had ever gotten to be for herself. He's perfect. She will see if this crew can be persuaded to help her get what she wants.

She sends pictures of the ship that she is on and sends them (encrypted) to her daughters. Eenyuh replies immediately with a photograph of a gorgeous sculpture in some office building somewhere. C'Tau replies two Karmel's picture with a heart emoji (those are popular) and pictures of two glasses bubbly water and a caption of love you, mom! I'm on date night so I'll be busy.

Karmel loves her children so very much. She loves that they they share little pieces of their lives with her and tell her when she isn't being a good help so she backs off. She loves how they're so funny and independent but still reply to her. She loves that they know that she has her own life apart from them too as she allows them theirs. She loves... that they talk to her more and better than selfish, selfish Orman. She loves that they still love their father even still because they have so much love in their hearts and they tell him off too when they don't like what he does. They tell her that they love her forever and love having her as part of their lives.

She would do anything for them even if they don't truly understand how much that is yet. She won't let them know just how much. Not yet.

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 34: THE BEST OF TIMES AND THE WORST OF TIMES

Seemingly overnight, the galaxy has felt like a less safe place than it used to be. There isn't a big difference, really. No other crews have managed to get captured yet (thankfully), but there has been a noted increase in Galx patrolling since April. A few little jobs that don't require going to Earth have been all that Daphne has felt comfortable doing. Now, though, it seems like a good time to go back to Kraysha.

Kenna and her twins are there, and a great many family members of the crew are too. Julia and the rest of the The Bat Ray have a trial coming up later this year, and the matter of what the crew of Prosperity wants to do about that is still pending.

There are still ways to do good missions, but it might be best to regroup on Kraysha to take advantage of those.

--

Not all news has been bad, however. On Zuytri's intel, Ali, Sky and Samira visited an elderly erkuss named Medri at the Moon Retirement Community. Medri spoke fondly about her mother, the late and beloved djayyar Nyessanie. Medri was completely of sound mind and honesty, and expressed how Nyessanie had long ago discovered a way to use the special ability that djayyar have to imbue power into the ground and strengthen the inhabitants... that comes with no pain at all. By personally knowing and understanding all of the beings and plants of the ground, the bond goes both ways. Loving memories from the perspective of all of the sentient beings on that ground are shared. All people find themselves with increased strength, mental acuity, and memories. The djayyar's lifespan is unaffected, but the mental acuity, shared memories and to a lesser degree strength are granted through this bond.

Medri had never heard of the djayyar that helped found Kraysha. To her understanding, the special power of the djayyar was something used with very great care and love. It wasn't something that one did on a great scale (Nyessanie did it in the garden of her own ship), but it would probably work just the same in an elevated garden or a planter box. Nyessanie was unusually honest with her adopted children, and also a terrible liar when it came to them. If Medri recalls correctly, Nyessanie used the special power of the djayyar four times in her lifetime and was happier and at least as healthy as any other djayyar that she knew of. Medri enthusiastically (and kookily) shared pictures of her eccentric family (including a few from when Nyessanie shared love and power with her and some of the other children), many of whom she has dear memories from their perspectives that she cherishes to this day.

--

On June 15, a few hours before Prosperity would dock on Kraysha, Muffy distributed mugs of hot cocoa (or other hot beverages to everyone's preference) and reminded everyone that she had hope that things would be better soon. And that The Bat Ray, as frustrating as they could be, was not in a situation without hope.

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 32: DIFFUSION

When The Prosperity enters the area around Kor'sel'Koo where communications transmissions are most accessible, Muffy and Hero find themselves met with a wave of messages to sift through and sort.

To Skylar and Ali from Karmel: Happy belated anniversary in Earth years. Enjoy a round of drinks at Yggld Drinks on me. [Enclosed is a gift certificate for a round of ten shots from the Water Bar and Alcohol Bar chain Yggld Bars, which is ubiquitous in every major settlement on Kor'Sel'Koo.]

To Beck from "K": If you've made it safely and find yourself with a spot of free time, I'd love if you visited.

To Ali from Zuytri: Hi, Friend! Here's the contact information for that person we were talking about that I think you might want to meet. Medri in room 806 Jallik in the Ulsgian Moon Retirement Community.

To Laurie from Viola Dessamer of Revvly Capsule Hotels: Thank you for signing up for the Revvly Capsule Hotels communications list. If you are in need of a safe space, we are always here for you. Read between the lines, and always feel free to reach out if you need a place to stay or cruelty-free, sustainably sourced, and practical meals.

To Theo from someone in the music business in Different City [the equivalent of about $200 in gixys are included]: Hello, Theo. Enclosed are some royalties from the sales of your music. It isn't that many gixys, but I'm pleased to let you know that some of your songs have been gaining a few fans. We anticipate being able to send you some more in six months.

To HJ from Junyi: Hey, bae!! It's really starting to be a long time since we've seen each other but I don't think I'll ever miss you any less. Work is going so good that I think I might be getting quasi-semi-kind of famous. I got some AH MAY ZING new tsum tsums and I stacked all of the ones I could find into a giant pyramid. Sometimes I think 'hey, Junyi, maybe you have a problem with collecting' but then I make a giant pyramid and everything is okay. I'm sending you a collection of my favorite memes that I've found over the last week and I hope that you cherish at least one of them because they made me smile and think of how nice it would be to look at memes with you. Did you know that "meme" rhymes with "steam"? I didn't know that until yesterday. Anyway anyway anyway I love you soooo much and you're sooooo pretty and sooooo good at communicating, HJ. I think about how happy I was to get to meet you all the time and how lucky I am to get to continue to talk to you.

To Robin from Jayvon: Robin, hello! Just wanted to let you know that I started a new job as a close combat officer on a brand new pirate crew, The Dreamhouse. I love it, and I'm glad that I have someone to tell the good news. If our crews are ever in the same area (I'm on Marloken right now), we should meet up and exchange stories.

To Marshall from her Dads: Marshall! We heard you would be going to Kor'Sel'Koo, so we are sending some of our favorite pictures of you and the family when you were younger and we lived there. Also, enclosed are up-to-date addresses and contact information for your cousins and other family. If you have the time, I'm sure they would love to meet up. All of us send our love!

To Daphne from Muzzain: Coast is clear still. Looking forward to meeting with you. "If you're out on the road Feelin' lonely and so cold All you have to do is call my name". These are poignant lyrics from the Gilmore Girls theme song. My name is Muzzain. Until we meet.

To Samira from Makhaira: How is your life going? We exchanged contact information a while back, but I never wrote. I don't know how much you want to hear this, but I've picked up a new hobby: pickleball. It's the one thing I'm a little better at than most of my family, but they haven't given up on playing. We installed our own court, which sounds completely rich erkuss girl of me, but I'm glad for it. What's been keeping you busy?

To Ian from Marlene: It was very nice to see you, Ian. I'm glad that you seem happy with your new crew, and I hope we can meet up again sometime. I don't like to mean ill will of others, but if I had to pick a different ship to crew on than my own, it would be Prosperity. Safe travels.

To Beck from Julia: Hey, Wanker. I know your birthday's not for a few weeks, but apparently the Three Stooges from the galx got their act together and won't leave us the hell alone. The twins wanted to make sure you got their birthday video messages. While they're starting to be rebellious little buggers (I know I'm getting old when I shake my head and sigh saying teenagers) they do love and miss you. They made me say something nice because I called you wanker but I think you're all right.

To Marshall from Oplo: You fixed our air conditioning, correct? Can you send tips?

To Daniel from Seetha: Hi, Daniel! I've missed talking with you so much, I've come to realize. I wanted to tell SOMEONE that isn't being a big meanie (Leo, he's being a big meanie) that I have a boyfriend now! :) His name is Frodo and he's so darling. I think you'd get along famously if you met. My captain is getting sentimental and sending messages to your ship, so I thought I'd send them too.

To Ryder from Seetha: I heard how Leo treated you from him and I am APPALLED. I know it was a while ago, but he's been so bratty and callous to you and also sweet Daniel and Ian. It sounds like he's cleared the air before, but it still doesn't sound right to me. Let me know if you need me to get a real apology out of that meanie on your terms. I know he'll actually mean it because he's apparently stopping his weird bedroom behavior and slowly but surely coming to terms with that. My goodness. You don't deserve that weird behavior.

To Skylar from Kenna: [It's just a picture of French fries with a digital smiley face drawn over]

--

By the time the crew touches down on Kor'Sel'Koo on 3/22/24, all of the messages have been sorted and provided and we pick up a new crew member: Mari, a quirky mate who is 4'6" of apparently pure enthusiasm.

The crew doesn't immediately settle down, as there are messages to read and Gilmore Gilrs to figure out.

--

Muzzain, the far'ly'dae one who ordered all of that Gilmore Girls merchandise, is staying temporarily in Wuunzek, a smallish city about an hour (by underground tunnel train) from Twarvu.

Wuunzek includes a variety of amenities, including Yggld Bars, the Inspired By Earth Waterpark (it's got a lazy river, a waterslide, and a wave pool), an enormous vitamin store aimed at Ly'Daesun called Yonrur, and more.

Wuunzek Population: 89% Far’Ly’Dae, 9% Erkuss, 1% Vanneer, 1% Carrek.

The process of getting the Gilmore Girls merchandise to the right place now will be... annoying because most of it actually needs to go to Twarvu. While it would normally take an hour and a half, the crew will probably take a full 24 hours to get their surreptiously.

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 31: THE POSSIBILITIES

Zuytri welcomes visitors to the KBW, and seems relieved that people actually seem to want to visit her. She ushers Skylar and Ali to the side to tell them how happy she is to know that those two are still going strong. It might be clear to an emotionally intuitive person that there is both jealousy and genuine appreciation to see love in action. Zuytri has surprisingly been (mostly?) enjoying being single since the last visit. The reopening of the KBW has been keeping Zuytri busy.

She murmurs to her friends that there is something that she needs to say

"This is... something that I've been wanting to show you for a few months but haven't worked up the nerve to ask about. Your Comms team alerted me that you'd be planning to stop by, but I don't want this to just be a one night sort of deal. Okay! Okay. So. I didn't want to discuss this before. I really don't like the topic. But- but I almost broached the topic with Karmel. A couple of months ago. It's still on her mind. I worry about her a lot. But... there is something I've never told her. Ever. I didn't want to tell her but there was a lead that I had that I just... never told her about. I tried to forget about it, and it almost worked. About- about djayyar like us. And extending lives. But there was a ship a while back. Not a pirate ship- legitimate business. It was this djayyar captain named Nyessanie. Basically operated a traveling mechanical service- not like Derros. More like if your mechanics went around to help ships as small as Derros that needed help. But... she adopted kids. This went on for years. Centuries. All of this happened before Karmel was even born. A lot of those kids went into the family business. Those kids of hers- a lot of them were djayyar. But not all of them. Not all. Few of those kids... lived a really long time. Too long." Zuytri swallowed hard. "Nyessanie passed away a while ago. Certainly over a hundred years ago. About a hundred twenty. I never met her in person, but I heard stories. Always really admired her... Honestly, Karmel maybe even knew of Nyessanie, but I'm not sure she connected the dots. Or maybe Karmel already knew all of this and it didn't go anywhere." She exhaled, shaking her head. "But I can tell you that Nyessanie's youngest is still alive. Erkuss. One hundred and seventy-six years old." Erkuss seldom live past 150. "Moved to one of the moon retirement communities of Kor'Sel'Koo with that healing low gravity a few years back. We never... talked, but I kept tabs."

Well, of course that's all very interesting news, but what's also interesting (in a bad sort of way) is the (EXTREMELY WEIRD WOW) news that Hero had to share with the entire crew. Apparently, some overzealous trio of space galx cops has been questioning the Gilmore Girls-wanter about Illegal Earth Goods, so it isn't safe to travel to Kor'Sel'Koo just yet.

The KBW isn't the worst place to stay, after all. And the Qraxoldov crew isn't such bad company, right? They even seem excited to see Ian again and catch up on what's been happening.

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 30: EXPEDIENCY

It has become apparent that the GEE has made a massive difference for the Prosperity's travel experience, and it's only a matter of time before other pirate ships get a hold of this thing. Part of the nonmonetary terms of the deal with Derros is that Daphne agreed to be a reference to other ships looking to purchase this thing. She has and will continue to inquire with the engineering, navigation, and piloting crews about technical specs and ship experience to be able to continue to give these good references for Derros.

A trip from Kraysha or Kor'Sel'Koo to Earth used to be considered one of the quickest journeys- a week. Arjbo was not anywhere close to Earth, and the journey ended up being just five days including buffer time to navigate around what looked like Ayshena's ship.

The Communications department is busy, as they manage to get a message from the KBW (Kuiper Belt Waystation). Zuytri's message is interesting: Prosperity! If the rumors are true, I heard that you were in the area and possibly going to Kor'Sel'Koo afterward. If you have time, would you be able to stop by my precious KBW for a little longer than you were planning? There's something that I've been wanting to discuss with Ali and his boo. Nothing awful, I swear, but it would mean a lot if you have some time to spare. Qraxaldrov is docked here too, by the by, so we can make it a little gathering for everyone else. Hoping to see you soon! Kisses -- Z

It really is great timing to have ship that can get places so much faster than it used to, isn't it?

(And yes, every time the GEE launches, the nearest pairing of damartrekt/djayyar will experience the same symptoms)

Here is the schedule:

February 14: Depart from Arjbo

February 19: Arrive on Earth (Connecticut); Marshall and HJ go to visit HJ's parents while the others prep for the heist.

February 20: "Heist" day - acquire those Gilmore Girls box sets- mostly by legal means

February 21: "Heist" day 2 - acquire those Gilmore Girls box sets- we will go through dumpsters if we have to

February 22: "Heist" day- The Quartermaster will lead the charge to buy up a ton of DVDs so the crew can make some extra DVD-only sets (we won't lie and say they are fake). "Free" afternoon the crew starts to burn the DVDs - We will take people anywhere else they seem to need or want to go (if Marshall and HJ are ready at this point, they can be picked up too). Traveling in groups recommended, please.

February 23: Free morning for Beck and the co-pilot while everyone enjoys their time wherever they are. Afternoon, the piloting crew picks everyone up.

February 24: Travel to KBW - arrive early in the afternoon.

February 24 - March 2: KBW

March 3: Travel to Kor'Sel'Koo

March 4: Arrive on Kor'Sel'Koo

Players can start plotting or playing out threads as early as February 24 provided nothing takes place on the KBW.

[ageofpiracyrp]

Zuytri Pleinru

Another ex-husband, and another fresh start. Twevvin hadn't wanted to join her on The Waystation, and he had started picking up enough bad habits to make a divorce a mutually appealing prospect.

It was 1965 (in Earth years), and Zuytri wanted to become known for something a little more than her pretty face. Of course she wouldn't stop using that to her advantage- Zuytri did enjoy having admires. It was just nice to be something more than that! And she had come up with a pretty good idea. Twevvin had told her to come back to bed instead of working so hard on what sounded like something so risky.

Zuytri had never liked when her spouses got too mouthy. It wasn't becoming of them. They could mouth off to somebody else. Having someone to express opinions further than "this is what I like and don't like to do in bed" was what friends were for. Stars and quasars, she didn't understand why so few people seemed to understand that. And when she explained it to them, even. She had been up front with Twevvin from the beginning. Well, almost the beginning. He'd been a nice little bedmate for a few weeks before she gave him the talk, and he seemed all too happy at the time to shut up and have a good night. And Twevvin had been so close to perfect until he had expressed an opinion further than 'good job, babe' on her professional lifestyle.

Maybe someday she would find the one- someone that would whisper sweet nothings in her ear and only that.

Zuytri had tried dating the people that she actually liked, and it had only ended with her wishing that they had just stayed friends.

But no matter. The thought of Twevvin made her angry, but he would be easy to forget. He would forget too. Although she had signed a prenuptial agreement, she wouldn't leave him helpless and destitute. He wouldn't have to work for another year. Was that how long it took other people to get over her? Zuytri didn't really know.

What Zuytri did know was that the Waystation was going to be marvelous. She had only taken on a few investors- ones that brought both financial and strategic partnerships to the table. She had learned early on that having too many cooks in the kitchen (such a funny little Earth phrase) was no good. It was also incredibly important to Zuytri that she maintain primary ownership of her project. No usurpers. She had been controlled enough in her life.

The largest ship docked in the Waystation right now was not exactly one of her favorites- the first mate of that Erkuss ship The Archetype, Narryet Yogart, had picked a fight with a different member of her staff every day so far, which was both impressive and disturbing. Zuytri had never enjoyed verbal or physical sparring. She avoided her problems whenever possible.

And then the Master Gunner of The Archetype had mistaken her for someone's 'pretty little thing' just because she was a djayyar. But Zuytri needed the guests to be happy because even scummy pirates were going to bring her the income that she needed. She had one of the stewards put that Master Gunner up to a little lecture. Oh- and she had asked housekeeping not to put one of the quaint little Earth chocolates on the muckwash's pillow the next morning. Yeah. That would show him.

If only she were bold enough to do more than push away what she found frustrating.

It was push or pull with Zuytri- never both at once. She'd push for a job, she'd pull away from the scummy client, she'd push the limits on what was doable in a space station, she'd pull back when something seemed too difficult for her to do on her own. There were people who said that she had an iron will, and there were people who thought that she had no backbone to face a conflict head on. Both of those people were right. But Zuytri would never bother to discuss that with anyone, of course. Oh, she could overshare with friends, but getting too analytical about one's self was for private, lonely nights when her bedmate was asleep.

She had to take a trip to Kor'Sel'Koo next week for a photoshoot for DayPowerZurp soon enough, so she could at least pretend that she was taking a vacation. Photoshoots were work, but they did make people say admiring things about her in an environment that she had more control over. It was easier to tell photographers off when Zuytri's face was so good for sales. And she wasn't so mean to them, no.

Maybe she'd find a pretty Far'Ly'Dae on Kor'Sel'Koo that looked nothing like Twevvin and had nothing but pretty things to say. Wouldn't that be nice?

Or maybe she'd just enjoy a dull night listening to the Marrichuk family's singalongs that they invited Zuytri to every time she visited them. While most of them were on Erkuss, there were enough on Kor'Sel'Koo to invite her to sing their terrible banjo music. But at least it was something to do that only hurt in a musical way. At least it felt like she was part of something for a night that she could walk away from.

Twevvin thought the best part of her was the one that withdrew from conflict and was just a model. And yes, Zuytri was a model. She was an incredible model. But she was going to be the one to make the Waystation work, and make something that could shake up the galaxy more than just her pretty face and winning smile. Because only Zuytri understood herself, and that was the way it would always be.

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 18: A THOUSAND YEARS

Karmel will continue to remain on board the Prosperity for the time being, as the group has not yet made a decision on whether some or all of them will join her on a quest on Kraysha. On the KBW, Karmel finally announced to the group that she believes the secrets of immortality may lie on an uninhabited island on Kraysha that houses a cave. This cave can only be unlocked by a djayyar. With few djayyar, and fewer that would know about the cave, and fewer still that would be able to translate the artifacts and documents that relate to this cave, it seems that the cave has been untouched for many thousands of years. Karmel also believes that there are some Earth-originating characteristics to this cave. Karmel requires Ali at a minimum to go with her.

She also would need a pilot to take her there, so Beck is the second key member. Karmel mentioned by name that she would want Stella and Ali to go, but anyone with good Earth knowledge or applicable skills would also be able to go. That said... it all hinges on Ali’s decision to go.

In the meantime, Daphne accepted a job on Marloken to transport some vinyl records from there to Halen’Kor. It’s a simple and quick enough job, only really complicated by a heavy Galactic Union presence in the area. Unfortunately, Ayshena has stopped patrolling so closely to Earth, and seems to be spending some time closer to her home planet.

Prosperity is due to arrive in the city of Yeteel, Marloken, a small beach city where the client (Rusif Mek Aroliez, a vanneer with a good reputation in the media piracy community) resides. Yeteel has a moderately successful tourism industry due to it being a leisurely thirty minute train ride to the Crystalline Gorge. The Crystalline Gorge is an underground river cavern glittering with blue and clear quartz.

The ship will arrive in Yeteel on April 9th.

NOTE: Skylar asked some questions to Zuytri, and this information will only be known to Skylar. Other characters do not know of this information unless they discussed it with Skylar. Zuytri told Skylar that Karmel tried to persuade Zuytri to go with her to the odd djayyar cave on Kraysha in the past. However, Zuytri did not have a good feeling about this idea, and Zuytri also did not have anything to gain by going on this expedition.

[ageofpiracyrp]

Zuytri Aganenol R’kaskul Nisheiva Pleinru

Pronouns: She/her

Position: Proprietor (owner/operator) of the Kuiper Belt  Waystation

Age: 211

Romantic and/or Sexual Preference: Pansexual

Species: Djayyar (Raised by Erkuss)

Home Planet: Kor’Sel’Koo

Faceclaim/Humanoid Appearance: Victoria Justice

True Appearance: Zuytri glows vibrantly as is befitting of her true species. Typically, her coloration is in shades of orange, pink, and violet. As she was raised by Erkuss, her body frame resembles that of an erkuss.

Information:

Zuytri’s first career was as a spokesmodel. Due to the Erkuss’ appreciation for Djayyar and her strong force of will in booking jobs, Zuytri was a household name on Kor’Sel’Koo and Kraysha for decades. She was the original face of the DayPowerZurp brand, and only stopped doing promotion for them in 1990.

She has been married seventeen times, and being her spouse comes with some significant benefits. Zuytri tends to tire of lovers much faster than she does friends; she doesn’t befriend her lovers. Those are arm candy and a bit of fun.

Once Zuytri has decided you are her friend, she will never hook up with you, but she will adore you for life. She loves to dote on her friends when they visit- not monetarily, but with social and political favors, or sweet messages.

Zuytri is good friends with Karmel, whom she mentored in the early years of the far’ly’dae’s career. Another one of Zuytri’s friends is Derros, whom she has a largely correspondent friendship with. They send each other back and forth cute messages, and Zuytri jokingly says that Derros is the only husband that she would keep around for good.

She is more than okay with going “Z” or “Ziva” because Zuytri is not an easy name to pronounce (it sounds something like Zwooaytree).

In 1964, Zuytri established “The Waystation,” a travel stop in what is now known as Earth as the Kuiper Belt. Originally, it was a space station with what amounted to a hotel, a restaurant, a swimming pool, and a small fancy garden. The Waystation (renamed the Kuiper Belt Waystation aka KBW in 1991) has been much enhanced since then. The KBW now houses a lavish resort hotel, three swimming pools, a botanical garden, a crop garden, a convention center, a theater, and other amenities. The KBW is incredibly popular with the media piracy crowd, as it is a perfect stopping point between Earth and either Kraysha or Kor’Sel’Koo. After the KBW was shut down for political(?) reasons in 2022, it is back in action in time for March 1, 2023!

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 16: I WANT TO BELIEVE

Knowing is half the battle, and there are too many secrets on Prosperity.

Karmel announced one day to the ship’s crew that there would be a change of plans. Nobody looked more startled by the news than Daphne, who usually had such a good poker face.

Instead of going to Kor’Sel’Koo, Prosperity would be traveling to the Kuiper Belt Waystation. As unglamorous as the name might sound in English, the Kuiper Belt Waystation (or KBW) carried some weighty prestige in the galaxy. The KBW was neutral territory in the best way possible. It was close enough to Earth to make for an excellent stopping point for pirates without being illegal, and it wasn’t a planet subject to too much Galactic Union jurisdiction.

Owned by Zuytri Pleinru, a djayyar mutual friend of Karmel and Derros, it was well-known for being a spectacular stopping point if you could get an appointment on the mobile space station. KBW is what Soulf wanted to be (and failed to improve on). Unfortunately, the KBW went dark for the last year or so while subject to the investigation by the Galactic Union. Karmel would call this ‘bullshittery’ because the Galactic Union made its own use of the KBW during this period without Zuytri seeing a gixys of profit.

But the KBW is back, baby, and having a grand reopening gala. Karmel’s contacts agreed to convene with her on the KBW instead to take advantage of the gala opportunity.

As much as Daphne liked the idea of going to see the KBW, she did not like having plans changed on her, and suspected ulterior motives at play. She messaged Robin and Gwen privately, and let them know that she would be calling an all-crew meeting with Karmel not invited so that all of the cards could be put on the table. Daphne refused to let Karmel’s bullshittery get in the way of her crew’s safety, security, and My Chemical Romance concert attendance.

IN SUMMARY: Karmel has a friend named Zuytri. Zuytri is also friends with Derros. Zuytri owns a massive space station restaurant/hotel/conference center called KBW that flies around the Kuiper Belt and used to be a popular rest stop for pirates and space travelers. The KBW was shut down by the Galactic Union for a year. Karmel has changed our plans suddenly so that the crew is no longer going to Kor’Sel’Koo, and will instead be going to the KBW. Daphne doesn’t like how Karmel is making decisions, and wants to hold a meeting for the crew (WITHOUT KARMEL) to let them know about Karmel’s immortality skeeziness so that the crew can decide what they want to do.

NOTE: The KBW is an excellent location for any new characters to join up on the ship. We will be there just in time for current players’ third characters to join up with the ship, as well. At that time, a highly desired skeleton, the quartermaster (with an Aubrey Plaza faceclaim), will be opened for applications.

[ageofpiracyrp]

EVENT: SAILING THROUGH SPACE

Prosperity departed from Earth, keen on returning later in March for a My Chemical Romance concert. Until the return to Earth, the crew will enjoy an exciting adventure at the Kuiper Belt Waystation.

The KBW

The Kuiper Belt Waystation (KBW) is like a super hotel/convention center/cruise ship/space station. It has rooms to stay in, observation rooms to gaze upon space, a convention center, a theater, botanical garden, crop garden, three swimming pools, a spa, and NEW for 2023 a bowling alley.

You arrive at the KBW’s port and a meet and greet with other pirates is in full swing. Choose your accommodations (read on) at the adjoining lobby, and enjoy the fun.

The proprietor Zuytri is candid that the visit is not completely free, but she isn’t making a lot of money off of this grand opening. Providing the food for these events so that everyone gets the chance to meet up is important to her, and she can’t just give away accommodations. That said, for what you are getting, the prices are completely reasonable and even a good bargain- especially considering the networking opportunities.

The Main Event

A convention will take place from March 1 - March 8. Each night of the “main event” will include a nice meal and non-alcoholic drink for all guests paying for accommodations.

March 1: Meet and greet

March 2: Fun Day... All of the fun day events are still available the rest of the days, but today some of them are FREE. Bowling, swimming, the high-tech arcade (prizes are never free), a 15 minute massage at the spa (one per guest), a twenty minute preview of the musical extravaganza (Cats)

March 3: Retailer convention (freebies galore)

March 4: The Grande Ball... Dress in your finest and dance the night away with the Earth media smuggling community

March 5: Retailer convention (any freebies that are left galore)

March 6: Rest and relaxation... Star Wars movie marathon all day! Wear your pajamas (cover all private parts) and enjoy some films

March 7: Learning Day... Top industry experts will share their secrets to success in piracy (and possibly try to recruit you to their crew)

March 8: Fond farewells (refreshments served)

Guests are welcome to extend their stay for longer, but there will not be any official events after that.

Accommodation Options

Accommodations for all budgets are available. Daphne will not subsidize room accommodations, but she will make sure every member of the ship gets enough food to eat and water to drink one way or another. You are welcome to choose your accommodation level, and don’t need to tell the admin.

Free: Guests are welcome to slumber on their own ship, although they will have to pay for all of their own food, including at the main event.

Cheap: A low-cost option is to sleep in the “Annex” which is something like barracks with triple-decker bunk beds. The beds are comfy, but there is very little privacy. Shared dormitory-style bathrooms and limited private dressing rooms are available. One meal a day and all food at the main event are included.

Reasonable: Suite rooms (two bedrooms that sleep two each for a total of four guests) are available at a reasonable cost with one meal a day, unlimited coffee and juice, and all food at the main event included. If you only have one or two people, you can be randomly paired up with another pair/single to take advantage of price. Unlimited pool access, free bowling shoes rentals if you bowl, and discounted tickets to Cats are included.

Pricey: Double accommodation rooms with all-you-can-eat food and non-alcoholic drink included throughout your stay are available. One room includes two FREE tickets to Cats once during your stay, 3 hours of bowling to be used at some point during your stay, and unlimited pool access

In Attendance

Zuytri Pleinru (your host)

Prosperity and their crew

The Bat Ray and their crew

Steel Spider and their crew

Qraxoldov and their crew

Tyrannosaurus Pecs and their crew

Many other unnamed crews that are not important

Many vendors for spaceship parts, food supplies, and products

Makhaira Espionage

Karmel Vuker

Jayvon Den Meyck 

Clause Mazrinon

Derros Laernal

Notes

Comms access will not automatically be opened to other crews. You must access for their consent to get access. You have automatic access to all crew members of Prosperity, Zuytri, Derros, and Karmel, but will need to ask for any others!

Any questions?

Ask the admin!! Don’t just wonder if the question could be posed. Happy to help!