Marlow's Links
Freelance is so stuck-up! He really needs to relax every once in a while. But he also gives the best reactions, so she likes to heckle him a lot (sometimes she tries to swipe his cacti for her juice recipes, too.) Out of all of them, he's probably the one that makes the most sense to be a Captain. But that ain't ever stopped Marlow!
Though she acts oblivious, she's aware Freelance finds her bothersome. Regardless, she refuses to let him disappear from her awareness. She recognizes him; she recognizes him from the protectorate school. Her graduating class was too big to know every one of her peers, but he was the only student assigned to be on the same crew as her that she hadn't met yet. So she remembers him. And she refuses to lose the only connection she has left of her life on earth.
Annoyed. Marlow is reckless and short sighted and completely insane. She constantly endangers herself, others, and constantly mocks Freelance's cacti, which are more precious to him than life itself. She's strong and weirdly loyal(occasionally) though, he supposes, which is a positive attribute.
Xarcil is wild! Marlow quite likes him, even if he can be annoying sometimes. He always makes things interesting, though she's not sure how he ever got his own ship.
Aure was the first person Marlow came across after the destruction of Earth and her stranding in the Cryocia Muster. Marlow was starvin' and battered and afraid, and Aure took her into her house and fed her from her own harvest. She's been a constant since Marlow's life with the Protectorate fell apart, and she considers her like family. In the beginnin', Marlow also had a MASSIVE crush on her. Despite being one of her first friends, Aure was one of the later members to join her crew.
Marlow isss Aure'sss captain, but alssso her firssst friend sssince leaving her tribe. Aure would die for her, and knowsss she would die the sssame. But in lieu of that, she will keep her ssspaceship clean.
Rei is Marlow's long-time girlfriend. When they first met, they couldn't stand each other. Actually, the first thing Rei ever said to her was to call her ugly. Marlow thought Rei was mean and stuck-up, and went out of her way to mess with her. But after helpin' her on a personal quest, they bonded, and Rei asked to join her crew along with Shun. They were a small crew back then, so Rei often accompanied Marlow on further quests, and they only grew closer.
Rei is one of the wittiest, most brilliant women Marlow ever did know. She can make Marlow laugh, and keeps her in line when she gets a little too off the rails. She's got the prettiest colors and Marlow loves to watch her swim. If you'd told Marlow she'd be givin' her heart away to a stuffy hylotl years ago she'd had laughed at you. Now, Rei has mended the last broken pieces of Marlow's heart and she couldn't possibly love her more.
Marlow is Rei's girlfriend, and she's hoping to try popping the question any day now. Marlow is a strong personality-- also quite strong, physicially-- and where Rei once found it graceless and grating, now she finds it magnetic. Sure, her overzealousness can still get on her nerves, but overall she loves that she gets to claim one of the most powerful people in the universe as hers. Physically, Marlow isn't the type Rei usually goes for, but she's come to love every little detail over the years being with her.
Brightwire might as well be credited with the existence of the crew; the thought of bringin' other people along had never crossed Marlow's mind 'til she asked to join. She's a comfortin' presence and Marlow is always happy to hear what she has to say.
Affectionate. Marlow is one of Brightwire's closest friends, someone she holds near and dear to her heart. She lets Brightwire have full control of the crew uniforms and anything else to do with clothes. Through thick and thin, Brightwire has also seen Marlow rise up to meet the role of a captain, and has grown to respect her, too.
Don't tell anyone, but Magnus is Marlow's favorite after Rei. He's really easy to get along with, they just click. Even in combat, they seem to instinctively fall into sync. She'd kill for that man.
Marlow is Magnus' best friend, and someone he truly respects. He'll follow her to the edges of the universe, but mostly he just likes hanging out with her. Wherever she goes, something interesting is guaranteed to happen.
Marlow has known Shun for a long time, so she's sort of obligated to get along with her, 'specially since she's such close friends with Rei. That said, they don't spend much time together. It ain't that Marlow dislikes her or anythin', they just don't mesh well. Shun's childish personality kinda freaks Marlow out, sometimes.
Shun has no strong feelings one way or the other in regards to her captain. She thinks she might be the only one. While the rest of the crew can all connect their reason for being here to Marlow somehow, Shun is here for Rei.
Marlow feels an odd kinship with Vela. It's nice, havin' someone around who gets what it's like to be a bag of gas held together by a metal bar. Even if she ain't the brightest bulb, she's still easy on the eyes (so to speak.)
Vela secretly harbors feelings for the captain, but is too afraid of what Rei will do to her to act on them. Nonetheless, she is thankful to the other Novakid for letting her be here.
Rachi can be a bit of a stick-in-the-mud, but he gets the job done 'n' he does it well. Marlow highly respects his work ethic.
Lamp isss recklesss, alwaysss coming in with injuriesss or getting the othersss hurt. Annoysss Rachi to alwaysss clean up her messesss.
Marlow really likes Ironmail. She finds herself feelin' at ease around outlaws, knowin' they won't judge her, and they're no exception. They're often so eager in battle they beat her to the fight. She finds this endearin'.
Grudging. Ironmail doesn't like most of the crew, but they have a healthy fear of the captain. She brought them on as muscle, but she acts moreso as protection for them against the universe. They know better than to cross her.
Yani was a no-brainer as an addition to the crew. She was clearly experienced in stealth and strategy, and come to find out she's already trained in runnin' a ship, too! Lil' different of a model, her old one, but she needed minimal trainin' and she's only done excellent work since comin' aboard.
Marlow is exactly the type of wild card Yani likes to work under. She's a rule-breaker, but always treats others fairly. She saved Yani from a fate of mediocrity, and for that she's grateful.
Marlow actually doesn't know Atian that well, they had just barely met when she brought them aboard, but they saved her and her friends' lives, so she owed them a ride at least. The more paranoid part of her mind tells her they'll stab her in the back eventually, but mostly she just wants to get to know them better.
Atian is still unsure about their stance on Marlow and her ship. Having just severed ties with the religion that informed their entire life, they are hesitant to give their trust away so easily now. Still, they've been treated well so far, so they'll stay a bit longer.
Varisa is fairly new, so Marlow's still gettin' to know her, but she seems great so far! In general, Marlow feels sympathy for any Apex stuck under the Minikog, so she was eager to give Varisa an out when she wanted it. She herself is also just an excellent addition to the team, fillin' a much-needed engineerin' role, and she has such a vibrant personality.
Marlow gave Varisa the opportunity to pursue a better life, and for that she is grateful. She's a rule-breaker through and through, which has emboldened Varisa to be a bit more rebellious, herself.
Blaggy is a strange one. Unlike much of the rest of Marlow's crew, Blaggy is a hired hand. He's strong, but she can't count on him to be loyal should it ever come down to it.
As far as employers go, Marlow isn't too bad. She's a little hard to keep track of, and honestly deep down Blaggy isn't sure why she even needs him with her skill. Not that any of it matters, anyway, cuz at the end of the day all he wants is the paycheck.
Songmate was the first person to move into Marlow's colony, and they've grown very familiar over the years. She's one tough cookie, and Marl has gotta respect it. She's the first one she'll go to to stock up on supplies and sell off her extra loot.
Admiration. Marlow is a powerful person, but she chooses to use that power to make homes for those who have none, to serve and protect them. The people of her colony enjoy safe-keeping from monsters and she personally goes on dangerous quests when requested. Songmate first came her when her original home castle was overrun and destroyed by bandits. She had nowhere to go, and Marlow took her somewhere she could be safe. She's seen the colony grow into a sprawling town since that day, and she's never felt more at home. Needless to say, Marlow is one of the few to have Songmate's full and undying respect.