Allie (Me!) 's Adventures! Ni Hao! My name's Alleyne Mei Washburne, or Allie for short, and I just turned fourteen. And this, is my Cortex Blog! Sure, its super duper secret and encrypted by River so no one can see it but me, but hey! Blog! One step closer to pretending to be normal. And with my family, that's never easy. I'm Allie, and this is story of me and my family. I can't wait to  see what comes next! Join me, on my home Firefly Serenity! - Allie.

Orbit ‘Round Kerry. Ni Hao! So today we’re going to be landing at Kerry, to check on my cousins! Course, they’re not really my cousins, but everybody calls ‘em River’s Kids, and they did end up taking the last name Jiang*, so whatever. It t’aint blood that makes us family, as Uncle Mal says. He says that alot too, on account of him being my unofficial stand in Father Figure, as a favor to my Daddy. Momma tells me lots of stories about my Da, and how he was the best pilot the ‘Verse had ever seen, even better than River is. I like those stories the best.

Gotta go buckle in, we’re about to land! - A.

*Jiang; Meaning ‘people of the river’.

Planetside Kerry, the Jiang’s Ranch. Hi! I’m writing this on my data pad as I sit on the porch, watching Aunt Kaylee, Uncle Jayne, and Momma play soccer against some of my cousins. Jacob and Blair are the oldest of the bunch, and they’re off talking shop with Uncle Mal. After all, Bootleggers and Smugglers work is never done. Uncle Simon’s in the kitchen, listening to River and Todd argue about some Scientific Theoretical Basis or another. Even after all this time, Aunt River still amazes him occasionally. I like it here. The Jiang’s pooled their resources a few years back, and bought an old ranch a few miles out from town. Wasn’t much more than a dump, but Cay works as a carpenter, so they all learned how to fix up the house and expanded it, and built a barn to hide their Still to boot. Uncle Mal likes to grumble something about ‘overkill’ when the subject comes up, but he’s just happy to know they can take care of themselves.

Maiko’s ringing the dinner bell! - A.

In the Black, destination undecided. I love spending time with my cousins, learning how to ride horses, climbing trees with Maiko, and Mia, and sleeping on the roof, surrounded by my family. But I never sleep anywhere better, than I do in my bunk on Serenity. I used to share a bunk with Momma, but last year when I turned fourteen, Aunt River annouced I should move in with her. Bout then was when me and Momma were getting on each others last nerves, so we all thought it was for the best. And it is. Especially since just before we left, Maiko slipped me the most adorable wicker basket she had made all by herself, that had some brightly colored skirts for me, and quilts for my bunk. I didn’t think too much of it, until I went to unpack it, and found a tiny fluffy grey kitten sleeping under the top layer. Maiko musta done it on purpose, cause we spent all sunday afternoon hiding in the loft, playing with the barn cats. I don’t know how I’m gonna hide her from everybody. Good thing River allready knows, since she knows everything. And I think I can get Aunt Kaylee amd Aunt Inara to help me later.

Gotta go, its my turn to help cook.  A.

Still In The Black. Hey-yo! It’s me. We’re still in the black today, heading towards our next heist. Well, I like to call ‘em heists. Momma calls ‘em gigs, Uncle Mal calls ‘em jobs, and Uncle Simon calls them travesty’s of law and consequences, after he’s had a few. I’m not sure how exactly I feel about some (most) of our less… legitimate business ventures. I got no problem with smuggling, but stealing from business that employ honest folk, well, just rubs me the wrong way. I don’t got no room to complain, though. Those jobs are what have substained my family and kept us flying, since before I was born. We don’t take too many of those jobs anyway. I think they secretly rub Uncle Mal the wrong way too.

Later! A.

Planetside, Persephone. Ni Hao! I’m writing this while sitting on the loading ramp, with Mia and Auntie Kaylee, waiting to see if we pick up any passengers, while Uncle Mal, Momma, and Uncle Jayne take care of business, and Uncle Simon and Aunt Inara do the shopping. River is off doing her own thing, whatever that is. Mia keeps begging me to come play jacks with her and Kaylee, but I’d rather write and watch the crowds go by today. It’s kinda peaceful, all of these people all going to their destinations, but passing by our home all the same, for whatever reason. Looks like Aunt Kaylee might have a client, so I’d best go mind Mia, She’s a sweetheart, but a mighty handful planetside.

Take Off, Planetside, Persephone. Ni Hao! Just wanted to let you know, that we did end up getting a new passenger! She’s part of the Traders Alliance, even though she’s traveling alone. Most Traders work in pairs, but I guess she likes to do her own thing.  Her name’s Bela, but I’m supose to call her Ms Sangin, on account of her being a paying passenger, rather then crew. She seems awful young to be a Trader, maybe a few years older than me, but Aunt Inara says that’s pretty common, and that she’s not that much young than most lower level Traders. Maybe i should tell you a little more about Trader. The Traders Alliance is kinda like a Union, and Traders have to join and work as an aprentice, then a Junior Trader, before they came become full fledged members. Traders travel all across the Verse, finding buyers and sellers for weird stuff, or specialty items. Sometimes they transport the goods, but most time they just put the buyer and seller in contact, all for a portion of the sale. It sounds mighty exciting, but Uncle Mal say’s they’re just a goverment sanctioned form of Badger. He says that about a lot of people. sometimes I think half of his gruff is just for show.

Takeoff’s all over, so I have to go help Aunt Kaylee set the dinner table, before Uncle Mal gives Ms Sangin the usual behave speech.

Bye! A.

Read Allie's Journal at alliewashburne.tumblr.com !