Chapter 5: Flickering flame

“Malcolm Reynolds!” Badger got up from his chair and drew himself up to his full height in an attempt to make himself look more important. It didn’t work “I wasn’t sure you’d come”

“Wouldn’t have said I would if I weren’t planning to” Replied Mal, calmly

“Yeah, well, can’t be to careful in the business world”

“Ain’t that the truth”

Badger walked round to the front of his desk and Mal took a couple of steps closer to him. They began sizing each other up as they always did before they made a deal.

“So, what’s the cargo?” Asked Mal

“I never said I had cargo” Replied Badger

“No, but you also didn’t make a very good job of concealing those Alliance branded crates over in that there corner” Retorted Mal, a smug smile playing about his lips

“No, I suppose I didn’t” Said Badger

*****

“Wow, this place is beautiful” Said Kaylee as her eyes took in the lush décor of Inara’s friend, Chyou’s, living room.

“Thank you” Replied Chyou, humbly “My decorator is just jing-tsai. Would you like some tea?”

“Oh yes, thank you” Replied Kaylee, full of excitement. The Persephone ballroom aside, Inara’s shuttle was the most luxurious place she had ever visited up until now, and this place was just like being back inside that shuttle, only fifty times bigger. Kaylee grinned as Chyou’s maid poured them some tea. “Sheh-sheh”

The maid curtsied and then left the room.

“So, meimei” Said Inara “You like Chyou’s house I take it”

“Yes!” Exclaimed Kaylee excitedly “Your shuttle is nice, but this is Dah bien-hwa. Very different from Serenity!”

Inara giggled “I suppose it is”

“Not that I don’t like Serenity!” Added Kaylee, quickly. Inara and Chyou both smiled knowingly. They both knew how strange it must be for Kaylee to be a guest in this rich world, but Inara was sure this was just the thing she needed to take her mind of Simon, and maybe help her see sense.

“So, Inara, what have you been up to?” Asked Chyou “It seems like forever since we had the chance to talk”

“Well, Mal hardly ever brings the ship near civilizations and whenever he does I barely have enough time to liaise with my clients, let alone meet up with old friends.” Replied Inara

Chyou smiled in understanding. She had met many of the men who docked in Persephone and knew full well that few of them were fully abiding by the law. This meant that they were constantly on the move and she was sure Mal was no different.

“I must ask again” Continued Inara “You don’t mind that Kaylee stays here tonight, even though I have made an appointment with a client, do you?”

“Not at all!” Replied Chyou “It will give me and Kaylee and chance to get acquainted”

Kaylee smiled. No matter how out of place she felt she knew she was going to like it here.

Later that night, after Inara had gone back to her shuttle, Chyou and Kaylee sat by the fire in the sitting room, sipping yet more tea and talking about their very different lives.

“…and so my father decided to travel the world with his new bride and leave me this place” Finished Chyou, finally sure she had satisfied Kaylee appetite for stories about her life. “Now tell me about you”

“Not much to tell really” Said Kaylee “Grew up in a house, very different from this one, ended up visiting Serenity as a…um…”guest” of the Mechanic at the time, managed to impress Mal with my knowledge of machines, he hired me, and here I am!”

“He hired you even though he already had a Mechanic?” Asked Chyou

“Well, the Mechanic they had then, Bester, didn’t know his reg couple from his Secondary grav boot!” Kaylee laughed as if she had just told a very funny joke “And so Mal figured, why keep him around?”

“Why indeed” Chucked Chyou

“Anyways, nowadays, it doesn’t seem to be engines that need fixin’, more like relationships…”

“Yes, Inara told me you got into a fight with your boyfriend “Admitted Chyou “His name is Simon, correct?”

“Yes, but he’s not my boyfriend “Replied Kaylee, blushing furiously “He barely even notices me”

“Well, that’s not the way Inara put it I can assure you” Said Chyou

“What did she say?” Asked Kaylee, curiously

“Let’s just say he notices you more than you might think” Replied Chyou, giving Kaylee a cheeky wink.

Kaylee sighed wistfully. She had her doubts about Simon’s feelings for her, but she had never yet doubted Inara’s powers of perceptions. Maybe, just maybe, Simon might like her more than she had realised.

*****

Kaylee woke up the next day feeling refreshed and full of hope. She thanked Chyou for her hospitality and kindness and then headed back to Serenity. There was a bounce in her step as she headed up the ramp of her beloved ship but she stopped dead in her tracks once she reached the entrance. Standing before her was a girl, or should she say woman, of extraordinary beauty. She was fairly tall, and slim, with thick fair hair that fell over her shoulder down to her waist in loose curls. She was wearing a blue silk dress with slit up the side and a drop neck that showed off her curves beautifully. She reminded Kaylee of a blonde version of Inara, yet somewhat less approachable. “Ah Kaylee, I see you’re back” Said Mal “I’d like you to meet Lola… our new Cargo”.

TRANSLATIONS:

Jing-tsai = Brilliant Sheh-sheh = Thank you Dah bien-hwa = A Big change