GR RP "Adventures in GunRunning" ACT 23 by CapnRahn

JAYNE - GALLEY

Jayne stays put, guarding the forward exit of the galley and keeping a firm eye on Rowan since everyone else seems concerned with Damon. He is relaxed - almost leaning up against the wall - and his expression is blank.

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Saturday, October 30, 2004 9:34 PM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - GALLEY

Damon’s kicking and yelling slows to a quick stop when he sees Inara approaching with her hands held up empty. His whole body stiffens as one of them move toward his face, his dark fearful eyes meeting hers. He tries to pull back, but can’t. He tries to shrug it away but can’t. His breath catches in his lungs as her cool, soft hand meets his hardened jaw. His knuckles around the knife handle are white, though he seems to have forgotten it’s there.

Inara: "Damon... calm down." She modulates her voice as though speaking to a skittish horse. "Let's wait and see what Mal wants. There's no reason to panic, dear. No one's going to let anything happen to you without very just cause."

He slowly releases his breath as Inara removes her hand, his heart feeling like its about to burst from his chest. But the tension between him and Merz remains constant.

"You have plenty of advocates here, no matter what Mal has gotten into his head. Just calm down... and give me the knife. No one's going to hurt you..."

Before he has time to much more than pull a few more lungfuls of much-needed air, Mal’s voice sounds from behind him.

MAL: "I'm right here!" Only a brief moment of silence before he continues: "WhaHuhWho ... I only wanted Damon. Needed to talk to him. Bout him joining the crew."

Confusion flashes across Damon’s face mixing in with the rest of the turmoil. He turns his head to see Mal on top of the steps, watching him. Damon’s gun in his left hand.

This doesn’t make any sense… What the hell is he talking about?

The whole room seems riveted on Mal. He steps down the stairs slowly and with care. Striding over slowly he lays a gentle hand on Inara's shoulder and nods at her. She moves aside just enough for Mal to face Damon.

Damon locks his eyes onto Mal’s and braces himself. For a moment, nothing happens as Mal inspects the knife gripped in Damon’s hand. Again, Damon’s body tenses as Mal leans closer, fear pouring off in the beads of sweat soaking into his shirt, again he tries to move/pull away and again he can’t. Again, again, again… it’s become an automated response, expecting the same result… His gaze meets Merz’s, pleading for her to let him go, and then drops to the floor over Merz’s shoulder as Mal whispers in his ear.

Mal: "Been pokin' yer ears where they ought not be? Heard stuff that could be misunderstood have ya? Then panicked ... Panic is a liability. You a liability?"

What’s he talkin about? Think gorramit! He forces his mind to focus.

Mal: "I don't know a GORRAMED thing about you ... knew you were there dragging you ears where they weren’t invited ... and I lied. I HAD thought I saw a spark of potential in you - I suppoz I was wrong."

Damon feels Mal move away, though his gaze hasn’t moved from the floor. Something is… different, something’s not right. Think… Can’t think… Everything’s too screwed up right now… He takes a long few seconds to glance around, trying to figure out the situation. His breaths slow the slightest bit. Most everyone is standing in front of him or behind Mal and Inara- to Damon’s left. Jayne guards the door to the front hall. Too crowded, all he can think about is getting space. Out of more desperation than anything else, he drops the knife and releases the tension between him and Merz to a gentle pull toward the wall to his right.

“Let me go…” His voice is quiet and all but solid, but his breathing has slowed considerably. He looks at Merz and then Mal, though doesn’t take any more than a few nervous glances. He tries his voice again, sounding more controlled the second time. “Please, just let go…” Merz is the one holding him, but it’s obviously Mal he’s asking.

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

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Saturday, October 30, 2004 10:24 PM

Mal sees the confusion on Damon's face. Those demons the boy holds onto like family heirlooms must be powerful indeed.

The knife drops to the floor. Mal ignores it.

Damon soft, but more focused calls out to be released.

Mal decides.

"Zoe, please take our young charge in hand fer a moment. Be kind."

He turns to Merz "Move yer stuff to the passenger dorms fer a bit, Spazzer here needs some alone time to collect up his scattered wits. Bunks can be secured."

"Jayne, help Merz shift her gear, the speedier the better, dong ma," a statement, not a question. Mal glances at the gun satchel still in Damon's hand.

"Also, you may want to retreive your property."

Without looking - "Mz. Rowan, hows that bao comin'?"

EOM
OOC: still on autopilot - will fix all my "Idea holders" tomarrow.

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

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Sunday, October 31, 2004 2:14 AM

MERZ move

LOCATION - DINING ROOM

MERZ desires desperately that INARA would have stayed away, remained out of reach of DAMON and his weapon. But DAMONs reaction to her approach is not that of one who would harm her. When she makes contact with him, he freezes, does not so much as exhale until she removes her hand from his cheek. Merz was not listening to her words really, they were not meant for her. But she makes careful note of her pheromones and the tone and rhythm of her voice. Information for the database – that could be very useful sometime.

The tension in the room does a subtle shift. MERZ knows the captain has arrived a split second before he speaks.

MAL
"I'm right here!"

She is obscurely relieved by his entrance. This situation will now be contained. He approaches their little tableau. DAMON continues to struggle. MAL moves closer to them, slowly and confidently. His next words cause a different reaction in DAMON. “... I only wanted Damon. Needed to talk to him. Bout him joining the crew.” She is aware of the impact of those words on DAMON. He is confused now, less certain of the whole situation.

DAMON fights on as MAL eases INARA away, and then comes close, too alachina close to the knife in Damon’s hand. If it had been possible, MERZ would have intensified her grip even further, she has a sudden and unfounded … fear … that Damon would free himself and do Captain Reynolds a hurt. She suddenly realizes the level of trust the captain has just shown her. Interesting.

DAMON moves his gaze to her face, looking deeply into her eyes. She knows what he wants. She cannot give it to him. Until she is released from this duty by a higher authority she will hold until her muscles give out. DAMON knows, and looks away.

The Captain speaks. She listens and records, but her main concentration is on her prisoner, and his reactions. When he releases the knife, she knows a decision has been made. He ceases to fight against her restraint. ”Let me go …” His voice is soft, pleading, and MERZ is aware of … feelings … “Please, just let me go…” She turns her attention to MAL.

MAL
“ZOË , please take our young charge in hand fer a moment. Be kind.”

Turning to MERZ he continues. “Move yer stuff to the passenger dorms fer a bit, Spazzer here needs some alone time to collect up his scattered wits. Bunks can be secured. Jayne, help Merz shift her gear, the speedier the better, dong ma.”

The word is given. Merz releases Damon and steps back. She loses Mal’s next few words as she shifts and puts pressure on her left foot. Just at the moment, Merz rather wishes she had put her boots back on after her bath. She will have to take a look, access the damage he might have done stamping down like that. Nothing she cannot deal with, but should be examined ASAP.

She turns away and moves towards the forward hatch and her bunk. Not sure she needs help – not that much to shift. May want Jayne out of the room for other reasons. Before leaving the room MERZ glances back at ROWAN. … I will return … she mouths at her. There is still cooking to be done and Merz desires to continue to help.

Merz leaves the room and moves towards her bunk, confident that Jayne will follow.

EOM

alachina = unholy, damned in this usage (Nepali)

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Sunday, October 31, 2004 5:50 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - GALLEY

"Zoe, please take our young charge in hand fer a moment. Be kind."
He turns to Merz "Move yer stuff to the passenger dorms fer a bit, Spazzer here needs some alone time to collect up his scattered wits. Bunks can be secured."

The second Mal turns his attention else where, Merz releases him. For a moment, this seems to be more confusing than anything else that had happened in the last 5 minutes. He let me go? This is definitely a first…

Damon slowly backs up until his back touches the wall, feeling a weight lifted from him in a wave of relief as he gets more room. He rubs his aching wrists, relishing the circulation returning to his hands. He notices the satchel still in his hand, he had completely forgotten it. Jayne approaches and Damon hands it to him without comment. He can feel Jayne’s eyes on him, but he doesn’t look up at him- he’s not ready to deal with them yet. One step at a time…

The last of his adrenaline spent, exhaustion kicks in, but sleep is the last thing he’d be able to do right now. Taking slow, deep breaths, he works to smooth everything out. I’m okay… everything’s fine… If there was ever the smallest doubt as to whether he was awake or not, it’s gone now; dreams never end this good. A slight twitch of a smile crosses his lips for the briefest of moments- maybe someday he can look back on all this shit and laugh. Not today, probably not tomorrow, but someday, hopefully…

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

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Sunday, October 31, 2004 7:14 AM

JAYNE - GALLEY to FORE HALL

Jayne leans forward from his wall and falls into a casual stride around the table. He keeps his stare locked on Rowan as he walks by her, then snaps his head forward and targets his gun satchel. He collects it silently, giving Damon a disappointed look before returning to the fore hall, following Merz.

Once out of the Galley, he speaks. "Did he hurcha much? Maybe I oughta take you to the infirmary. Jus pack up; I'll take yer bags to yer room. You should be keepin' offa that foot."

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Sunday, October 31, 2004 7:34 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan's Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

INARA: "Rowan, dear, you're not Jayne's size."

Rowan gives Inara a clear look of understanding that basically says no kidding, but the companion is already focused on trying to calm the wildcat. Too late, Rowan realizes she should've just stayed back where she was. Tianna - what would Ru have done? He always knew exactly what to say and when to say it; when to step between his volatile sisters and when to leave well enough alone. Apparently, he was the only recipient of that particular gene in the Fa-Zhou clan.

Hearing the pop of the holster strap and the snap of the safety, Rowan stays right where she is. No sense making the situation any worse than Damon seems determined to make it be. Inara's right, there is no reason to panic. Rowan herself still can't escape the idea that Merz is entirely on target with this situation - it still feels like some manner of set up, or even a test. Reynolds is more direct than this. If he's having issue with one of his "hitchhikers", he's the kind of man who would face it himself. No doubt about it, he's definitely a fighter and a leader, the kind that leads by example not arrogant expectation. And wouldn't a leader want to put his people through tests now and again, to assess their skill levels and temperaments?

Rowan waits until Merz is occupied trying to restrain Damon, who actually tries a couple of schoolyard moves to break free. Stomping on feet and kicking shins is no way to break away from anything, Troy or no Troy.

Once attentions are focused elsewhere, Rowan pulls out the hand held, quickly accesses the sourcepad via remote signal and pulls up Spyhopper. Two touches on the tiny screen and the galley microcam is activated again, set to record. Once again, she missed catching Troy-like reflexes, but then again, who knows what else might happen. Seems like something does sooner or later on this ship. Quickly, she tucks the hand-held away again, just as Jayne looks back at her.

ROWAN: (Inwardly) Tianna - did he see?

JAYNE: "How's about you back on up outta there an' let us handle this all quiet like."

Folding her arms, and setting her weight on her right, Rowan returns a look that should tell the big brute that she's staying put. He can do whatever the hell he wants, but she's watching him.

JAYNE: Cap'n! Looks like Damon an' Rowan are a little nervous 'bout seein' ya. You wanna come down here with Zoe 'nstead, or should I drag 'em up there?"

MAL: "I'm right here!"

As those moody eyes take in the entire situation in the galley, Rowan surmises that her information-gathering instincts seem to be bang on after all. Then he focuses on Damon. Inara managed to calm him somewhat - probably more like she put him in shock when she touched him - but he's still on edge. Thank God for Merz - when Reynolds leans in close, Merz is the only thing between Damon getting himself into a worse predicament by maiming the captain. Rowan can't hear what's being said, and hopes that later on she can use the vid from the microcam to figure it out.

As Reynolds moves back, Rowan can see the change as it happens. Damon's confused at first. The flight instinct that had gripped him is still there, but it wanes more quickly than she expected. Slowly, but surely, he manages to relax. Not much, but just enough to lower the tension in the room. Then finally the knife drops with a resounding clang to the deck.

DAMON: “Let me go... Please, just let go…”

Never met a boy so desperate to be free of something, not since the war. In those days it was the fresh-faced boys with dreams of the freedom promised by the shiny dream of independence. This is something else - something infinitely more important. It's as if his life and his very soul depend upon it.

And it's not entirely lost on Reynolds either. Could be he even sees something familiar in it, influencing his ultimate decision. He begins giving out orders almost naturally, not so much as if he's been born to it but because he's gotten accustomed to it. Merz is to move from the crew quarters she's been given to the passenger dorms, which means she and Rowan will likely be neighbors. And he asks Jayne to help her when Merz probably doesn't have much to haul and could probably handle it herself. Merz will accept it because it is an order. Watching her, Rowan can see the smaller woman isn't even considering giving protest. Damon is moving out of the shuttle, it seems, which might save Reynolds from having to chase after his property later. Then all of a sudden, Rowan hears him say her name.

MAL "Mz. Rowan, how's that bao comin'?"

He keeps insisting on calling her "Mz" even when she's already asked him to stop. Giving her a title makes her feel as if she's been elevated among the hitchers somehow, when really she isn't in any better position than Damon or Merz. Reynolds can toss her out the airlock as quickly as anyone else if he has a mind to.

ROWAN: "It'll be ready in time for your little shindig, captain. Provided everyone behaves from this point on. I've only started the prep work so far."

Hang on - he's still got that "principal's office" tone to his voice. Could be that little talk they were going to have just got pushed up.

EOM

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am.
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

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Sunday, October 31, 2004 10:12 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan's Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

Watching Damon back up slowly, Rowan can't escape the notion that she's watching someone with a severe case of claustrophobia coming down from a particularly nasty panic attack. As he rubs his wrists she also takes note of some pretty aggressive scarring, which causes her to frown. It reminds her of the same marks on the wrists of a ship's cook she met about three years ago who had been in prison. If Damon's spent time behind bars - and fairly recently at that - that might explain a thing or three.

Seeing that Merz is about to leave - as ordered - Rowan catches her eye as Merz turns back and easily reads the message that she will return. Giving Merz a warm smile, Rowan nods her own acknowledgement.

Glancing at Reynolds who seems to be watching to make sure everyone's doing what they're supposed to, Rowan decides to go back to the kitchen. Once she's away from everyone, she takes out the hand held and checks the status of the microcam.

SPYHOPPER: Running.

With the memory available on the sourcepad, she could just let it go through the shindig. That's an awfully tempting notion too. There used to be a time when she would have done it and not thought twice about it. After some thought, she touches the screen

SPYHOPPER: Holding.

Slipping the hand held away again, she moves to get the pan Jayne had loaded with "bun" sections and puts them into the oven. She sets the timer for three minutes - just enough to set the protein and make it easier to work with. Getting the tin of scallions, and the garlic she sets them near the wok. Considering she only has garlic powder to work with, however, and not fresh, she decides to go hunting for more. Checking the cupboards again, she comes up with peanut butter, white vinegar, molasses and a true prize - hot sauce bearing a good quality Chinese label. Rowan smiles, her mouth already watering.

ROWAN: "Grandma, eat your heart out."

EOM

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am.
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

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Sunday, October 31, 2004 3:46 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION - DINING ROOM to MERZ (former) DORM

As they clear the hatchway into the forward hallway, JAYNE says, softly. "Did he hurcha much? Maybe I oughta take you to the infirmary. Jus pack up; I'll take yer bags to yer room. You should be keepin' offa that foot."

MERZ is confused by his words. Jayne is not a teammate, why should her condition concern him? She cogitates and then thinks back. The A.P.E.’s were a team. And they were a crew. And there was a dynamic between them that almost resembled … well no, nothing she has ever seen really resembled her experiences with the TROYs, but …

Can it be that a crew can become - family? What really constitutes ‘family’? She turns these thoughts over in her mind while answering his question.

MERZ
Thank you Jayne, but it is of no consequence. I will verify, but it appears only to be bruised. Your concern is appreciated. This will not take long. I am … packed.

She does allow him to step ahead of her and open the entrance to her dorm for her, and she descends carefully as he steps aside to allow her to precede him. Once down the ladder she moves towards the bunk and frees the floor space for him to follow. She reaches under the bed and places the alicepak and the other bag on the bunk. She places her sunglasses in her left breast pocket, her hat on her head and the gun and belt around her waist. She dons the vest with the long rods nestled in their pouches on the back. That is the extend of her packing and her belongings.

She looks up at JAYNE. That’s it. Ready to go.”

EOM

OOC: small edit to account for one additional belonging, affects no one.

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Sunday, October 31, 2004 5:21 PM

Wash's & Kaylee's Move:
Location - Bridge to Bridge Lounge

Mal: "First off, Wash, lock down both shuttles NOW, doors and all."

(Wash does this, not really paying attention to Mal's or the bridge's occupants by-play going on right behind him. He is lost in his own thoughts... Who and why and how were spy monitors placed throughout Serenity, how did Rowan stumble across them, and how did Kaylee miss them? When he looks up from his course work, the bridge is cleared, except for Kaylee... there are some voices coming in from the open door to the bridge, but nothing to be worried about.)

(With a double-take he sees Kaylee is sitting on the floor, behind the navigation/gunnery console... and she appears to be... crying?)
Wash: (to himself): "Uh-oh... Zoe never cries... what to do?" (Louder, to Kaylee): "What's wrong? Did you hurt yourself?... It's ok about the monitors, I guess they're small, and you were never lookin' for them... Please stop crying... help me make you stop..."

**********

MAL's words, tossed off so casually, are still ringin' in her ears. "... before our Simon went space crazy an jumped ship." a reminder she did not need. And then that bit about 'slavers plat bein' just as good as anyone elses', when she remembers him sayin', "... best location for a slaver is the guest of honor at a funeral." He's looking back and forth between Wash and Zoe ... and she don't understand, quite, what is goin' on... He sends Jayne to collar Damon, and what's that all about?

Mal and Zoe leave the bridge and there's shoutin' from the Galley. More bad feelin's ... Her stomach hurts, and Kaylee sits on the deck and curls around the pain... and the pain in her heart.

"What's wrong? Did you hurt yourself ...?" Wash sounds awful concerned. Wonder who he's talkin' to? She looks up to find him looking her straight in the eyes. "It's ok about the monitors, I guess they're small, and you were never lookin' for them... Please stop crying... help me make you stop."

Dear Wash. He's such a softy. She looks up at him, and scrubs the tears from her eyes with her fists, like a small child.

KAYLEE
Oh, Wash, do you think Simon's OK? I'm so worried 'bout him. And all the bad feelin's here on Serenity and shoutin' and Mal and 'Nara tiptoein' round each other like they's land mines. Is it ever gonna get better?"

Wash stands up, and holds out a hand to help Kaylee up. Puzzled she allows him to bring her to her feet.

WASH
“Let’s go sit in the Pilot’s Lounge, and you can tell me all about it. It always gets better. You’ll see.”

EOM

To be continued...

OOC: the Pilots Lounge is the sunken chamber in front of the bridge reached by the forward stairs. There are futons and easy chairs located there, at Wash’s request.

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Sunday, October 31, 2004 7:23 PM

JAYNE - FORE HALL

Merz looks up at Jayne. "That's it. Ready to go."

"Ya din't hafta go an' do that. Hell, I'll prob'ly catch shi just cause you were the one hurt an' not me." Jayne stands next to the ladder with one hand outstretched expectantly for her bag. Merz, however, walks around him and proceeds up the ladder.

Jayne stays for a moment. He looks under the mattress and the bed, in the recesses of the washroom equipment and the night stand drawers. After he is satisfied that no weapons have been accidentally left behind, he returns up the ladder to the fore hall and tries to catch up with Merz.

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Sunday, October 31, 2004 8:14 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION – (PERSON) DORMS

JAYNE"Ya din't hafta go an' do that. Hell, I'll prob'ly catch shi just cause you were the one hurt an' not me."

MERZ climbs the ladder one handed, the handles of both bags clutched in her left hand. JAYNE is delayed in his ascent, having taken the time to verify that nothing of interest is left behind in the room. A reasonable precaution, which she would have taken, had she not known the precise location of everything she had brought with her.

MERZ does not wait for him to finish casing her room. Mission Parameters were given: "the speedier the better," and she is obeying. JAYNE catches up with her about halfway through the Galley on the way to the passenger rooms.

MERZ
"No reason you should 'catch shi' for my actions, Jayne. It is my function, to go first. Captain Reynolds is an honorable man. He will understand. This hurt - is nothing."

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Sunday, October 31, 2004 9:17 PM

Malachi's Move
Location: In pain

The blood drips from his nose and eyes, his temples throb with the pressure of the vessels constricting. Holding his gloved hands up to his helmet, he considers releasing the catch and ending it all. Damn Blue Sun! He knows what's happening to him, it's happened before, it always seems to happen when someone wants something from him that he doesn't want to give.

Why else do people become murderers, assassins? Aren't they all made to do so, like he was? Aren't their perceptions and inhibitions striped away? It didn't matter anymore. Nothing really did. He was long past caring who controlled him. Malachi hated everything. He hated this man, controlling him. He hated the ones who sent him here after this man. He hated himself. Perhaps this was his end. "I recognize you... your kind at least." He sneered soundlessly into the emptiness, knowing the man could hear him.

------
"Better come back"
------

Malachi considered. This man had already survived the impossible. Twice he had unexpectedly forced the man into a vacuum and twice the man had survived. It was more than likely that regardless of what he did, the man on the ship would survive. The only real choice that remained to him was whether or not he wanted to go on. It would be so easy to let go. An end to the pain. It would be so easy. But he was a survivor. He always had been.

"I come."

As he releases his will yet again to the Blue Sun, he remembers long ago how he tried to close off a part of his mind. Tried to keep it safe from them. A part that grew smaller with each passing year since he was a boy drawn out of school and taken away. The part that was himself. The part that he knew if he lost, it would be his ultimate loss. They broke down every wall though. And now I am what I am.

Inside his mind a deep laugh echoed and the pressure began to subside.

-----
"Faster, faster, time runs out! Faster, faster, before you scream, before you shout!"
-----

Malachi turned with a shot of pressurized air from a vent on his suit and began to float back towards the hatch of the man's ship, and as he did he spoke. "Tell me that you want to kill Book as much as I do."

EM

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Sunday, October 31, 2004 10:57 PM

INARAESQUE

Inara's move

LOCATION(s) GALLEY, INARA’S SHUTTLE & then back to the GALLEY

Inara remains a breath behind Mal as Damon pleads softly to be let go; her heart goes out to the boy. She stands her ground as Mal dismisses him, sending Merz and Jayne out of the galley, too. Mal seems... weary. Weary as Inara, herself, feels, but he's channelling it into action somewhat. She saw the look in his dark eyes change as he faced down Damon, can see the pain and tension in how he holds himself.

She places her hand gently on the small of Mal's back, before moving away. Bends, flashing a little more leg than she would like, and picks up the fallen knife, setting it on the dining room table. It's then Inara realises that she's cold. Silk, as a natural fibre, does preserve body heat well... but she's still cold. Mal's hand, warm on her shoulder, had been a contrast, and she should really put some clothes on... Especially if she's to be around the crew.

Rosie's not in the galley yet, so Inara slips down the back stairs, along the catwalks, and into her shuttle. She stops, sighs. This place is less of a refuge than it usually is... and it smells strongly of sex. She burns some ylang ylang incense, and watches the tendrils of smoke writhe in the half-light, watches the glow at the tip slowly eat away at the sweet-smelling stick. It's a meditative exercise, and one Inara could all too easily get caught up in.

She crosses to her wardrobe and removes the blouse and skirt that have become her casual wear, the pale skirt with the ruffles from the knees down, the orange embroidered silk blouse with the flared sleeves and the deep v-neckline. Inara hasn't worn this outfit in a while, she notes.

Her hands crush the material convulsively as she remembers why.

Remembers scrubbing Nandi's blood from the ruffles. Remembers her own tears. The last time she wore this was the beginning of the end. She remembers telling Mal she was leaving Serenity: a decision never followed through upon. A decision that had broken her heart and ultimately hollowed out something inside of her, leaving a gaping empty place that she's still trying to fill...

They're just clothes. Don't be stupid. (Except for the fact that, as a Companion, she knows that clothes are often the outward means of expressing an inward state of being, that clothes can frame a person and how others view them. There's no such thing as 'just clothes'.)

She sets the outfit down on the end of her (unmade) bed, resolving not to be silly, and brushes out her hair until it gleams, thick and glossy. Pins it up atop her head, a thoughtless, elaborate twist. Warm water, jasmine soap, and her soft sponge: a quick wash down before pulling on peach lace underthings and her clothes. Necklace, shoes, and she heads back out of the shuttle to rejoin the crew, hoping that things haven't gone to hell in her absence.

She climbs the back stairs again, and stands in the doorway to the galley. Lurking, again. Just quietly observing from the periphery. This is getting to be a habit...

EOM

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Monday, November 1, 2004 4:18 AM

JAYNE - GALLEY to PASSENGER QUARTERS

Stepping quickly through the galley, Jayne waits until no one is talking before he calls out, "The room's clean, Mal."

He catches up to Merz as she begins descending the stairs to the lower levels, where she picks up the previous conversation. "No reason you should 'catch shi' for my actions, Jayne. It is my function, to go first."

"We'll see."

"Captain Reynolds is an honorable man. He will understand. This hurt - is nothing."

"Least I know you're good to have round in a fight. That's gonna make me breath a whole lot easier t'morra." Jayne wasn't spending a lot of concious time thinking about it, but he was becoming comfortable with Merz. This was completely separate from his appreciation of her fine physique and actually went beyond gender. She acted so efficient and with such strength, he could almost consider her "one of the boys".

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Monday, November 1, 2004 7:22 AM

ROWAN: "It'll be ready in time for your little shindig, captain. Provided everyone behaves from this point on. I've only started the prep work so far."

... If this woman was part of the skittish behavior Jayne was about, she certainly kept a cool head. Naw, Jayne is readin' wrong - as usual. But still, Rowan doesn't seem to be too riled and he could read in her this - she knew her time was soon coming to choose: to talk straight or not.

Eyes still locked on Damon, Mal is startled when a small cool hand rests on his lower back. ~~Connection~~ A warm sensation spreads from the point of contact, warming his resolve and reminding him of - her ... her strength. Steadied and resolute, his path was solidified. As silently as it was placed there, the hand withdrew.

Movement shifted around Mal in a shifting of colors, smells and indistinct sound. His attention was fixed upon Damon and all else was now inconsequential. Damon had backed up and was rubbing his wrists. His eyes were downcast and his who demeanor was of shock and numbness. A numbness that came from a crash from the heights of an Adrenaline rush.

Mal let him have his isolation for a few moments. Mal ears perked up as he heard the heavy tread of Jayne enter the galley.

JAYNE
"The room's clean, Mal."

MAL
... voice still eerily neutral...
"Excellent. Need to jaw with you -- don't go skippin' off too far."

Mal walks over to Damon and places a hand gently but firmly on his shoulder and squeezes once. Once Damon raises his head, Mal nods over his shoulder to the fore galley entrance. When the kids eyes flicker to the door, Mal drops his hand. Damon's eyes jump back only to see Mal turn and head for the stairs.

As Mal and Merz pass he glances over to her eyes. As they lock, his eyes fill with approval and appreciation. Without hesitation, Mal closes his left eye then his right and opens both together. This is an old military code that said: "Well done solider, carry on". He hope she knows it. And with that Mal was up the stairs and out of the Galley.

EOM

OOC: Sorry - yet another "Idea Holder" bizzy bizzy bizzy today!

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

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Monday, November 1, 2004 7:41 AM

RAVENWHYTEWING

Slight chuckles.
Not today. But sometime, perhaps. Call me Puppet-I've actually left the Blue Sun. I have no desire to kill something right now. Let's just say our goal coincides at the moment.
Slight pulls out his pack, extremely tired. This is going to be tough. How is he going to get out of this one?

We can't all be heroes, since some of us have to sit at the curb and clap as they go by.

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Monday, November 1, 2004 9:20 AM

JAYNE - PASSENGER QUARTERS back to GALLEY

Jayne follows Merz to the passenger dorms, but she obviously knows where she's going and doesn't need Jayne showing her how to use the door. "Make sure ya give that foot a good lookin' at. Don't want any surprises t'morra."

With that, he turns and heads back up to the Galley. He pauses briefly at the bottom of the stairs to look through the lower levels of Serenity. Not much happening down here. Good. With that, he pounces up the stairs.

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Monday, November 1, 2004 9:46 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - GALLEY

Damon knows his alone time is over when sees Mal’s boots stop in front of him. He tenses when Mal’s hand comes to his shoulder but he doesn’t make any move to show his discomfort. He raises his gaze, still visibly shaken by the whole ordeal, and locks eyes with Mal- not angry or fearful, just… waiting. Mal nods over his shoulder to the fore galley entrance and releases Damon’s shoulder when he looks. Mal starts walking and Damon knows he’s expected to follow.

Maybe it’s because he’s hurting and exhausted, maybe it’s because he’s still winding down from a familiar fear, maybe it’s because he knows he would have lost it all if this had been real, or maybe it’s simply because he knows that Mal is not Crofton. But whatever the reason, he is feeling unnaturally compliant- as if it no longer mattered what happened.

What are you doing? Come on, snap out of it. Everything’s going to be fine. Tomorrow we’re landing on NH, I’ll be given a job to do, I’m gettin paid…

He starts to follow Mal and winces as pain from his gut shoots up along his broken ribs. He lifts his shirt an inch or two to see fresh blood on his bandage- another reason why thrashing against Merz wasn’t the brightest of ideas.

Oh, shi- Merz…

Damon turns to see Merz passing, with Jayne on her heel. He feels a stab of pain pierce his chest at her betrayal and equally strong is a pang of guilt for hurting her. Women are not to be hurt. Part of him wants to say that she deserved it- anyone who grabs him like that is asking to get something bruised. But he doesn’t believe that. He knows she was just doing her job and now he knows that job has priority over everything else.

Mal’s boots against the metal stairs of the galley pulls his attention back. Time to finally talk. Damon starts walking again, feeling and looking more like himself with each step, ignoring the pain from his injuries as if it was second nature. He follows Mal down the hall and watches him decend into one of the bunks. When he hears Mal touch the floor, Damon follows.

The room is small, simple, undecorated. It has a bed, a chair at a small table and a small sink and mirror with what he knows will be what he calls a space toilet beneath it. No window. He would have traded his bed for a window. Oh well, at least he’ll have his privacy.

He stands with his back to the ladder and watches Mal with an inward sigh. It’s always something…

OOC: edited to have Mal enter first as requested

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

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Monday, November 1, 2004 11:46 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan's Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

Merz, as predicted, makes quick work of gathering what little gear she does have and marching back through the galley with Jayne tagging along like an oversized puppy. He seems more than a little concerned about Merz's possible injuries during the tussle. Could be da jia huo's got himself a little crush, and if that is the case, some pretty interesting tastes in women.

Seeing Reynolds collect Damon and escort him out of the Galley with Zoe acting as a second guard, Rowan has a deep-seeded urge to go after them and insist on being part of whatever is about to happen. In the same moment she realizes Reynolds would never allow it anyway, so she sends a prayer after Damon instead. For strength, reasoning, and calmness of spirit--he's going to need it.

Back to the Bao. Taking another stainless steel bowl, she starts blending ingredients. Soy sauce first, then the peanut butter - not much, just to thicken but not overwhelm - then the molasses... a little less of that. Vinegar, garlic, sesame seed oil and stir until correct consistency is achieved. Then it's just a matter of adding the hot sauce and pepper until it's just right. Rowan is whisking the sauce base when the oven signals that the first batch of bao bun sections is done. Grabbing a towel, she opens the oven and pulls the pan out, setting it aside to cool. Dipping in the tip of her left pinkie finger, she tastes the base and deems it ready - bland, but ready. She'll wait as long as she can for Merz to chop the scallions - guessing she could make a quick task of it. But not much longer. Bao waits for neither man nor Troy.

A Troy. What is she doing away from her core group, anyhow? The preliminary research had indicated they always worked in a tightly-knit group, although no one was able to confirm the actual number of personnel involved. Robert had taken that project on himself, but he was also in the middle of about twelve others, as well as helping with the co-chair duties of the Revolution at Council. Basically, Rowan had let him have it because she thought his theories were just that side of asinine and didn't want to waste her time with it. Hindsight being twenty-twenty, she concedes that she probably should have taken him a bit more seriously, at least in that respect.

Maybe she'll pick his brain, find out as much from him as she can. Provided Thal has made any headway in finding him. Provided Robert is still alive. She can at least make his last moments worthwhile before she sends him to meet his maker. If she could be sure of complete solitude, she'd consider taking a look at Thal's message, but she can't risk having Reynolds or Jayne coming in and seeing it over her shoulder.

Setting the sauce base aside, she takes down a glass bowl, gets water and some pork bullion and preps it in the nutrowave oven. Pouring that over the shredded protein, she adds a touch of the oyster sauce and stirs that as well, coating the bits.

EOM

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am.
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

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Monday, November 1, 2004 4:39 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION - GALLEY to PASSENGER DORMS

Passing through the galley, DAMON does not look at her. Observation shows he is calmer, although he almost flinches as she passes. MERZ is aware that things are now different between them. How long that will be, she cannot begin to determine.

She does catch MALs eye. As soon as he knows she is seeing him, he gives her a clear indication of his feelings. She knows 4 different types of battlespeak, as well as the A.P.E.s short talk. "Well done, soldier. Carry on."

Without hesitation she returns; closing both eyes slowly, and then rubbing one finger beside her nose while opening them simulatniously. "Aye, aye, sir. Understood." She is ... comforted ... by being under orders, by being understood. By understanding something finally. It is a relief to be in known territory.

She passes out of the galley and into the passenger area. JAYNE leaves her at the stairs and returns to his duties - his final words,"Make sure ya give that foot a good lookin' at. Don't want any surprises t'morra." Interesting. It feels ... sincere.

She locates an empty room and lets herself in. Just another civilian room to her, and a bed she will not use. Once again she distributes her belongings - packed bags under the bed, gun, vest, glasses and hat on top. That done she makes sure the door is closed and strps off her jumpsuit.

There are bruises over the front of both legs and the top of her left foot. She runs careful hands up and down her legs, manipulates the knees and then turns her attention to the foot going over the small bones carefully one at a time. As she believed, nothing is broken or more severely damanged than some minor sub-cutaneous blood. That will re-absorb soon. Pain is not much of an issue; she is good to go.

Dressing once again, she glanced around the room to verify all is as it should be, and exits back into the hallway. Closing the door, MERZ climbs carefully back into the galley and starts towards the kitchen. She was learning how to make bao. This lesson should continue.

EOM

OOC: away from home without access to my stuff. so no formatting to speak of. ROWAN, let her cook and I will let you know when I am talking to the internet once again. Debs

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Monday, November 1, 2004 5:14 PM

ASTRIANA

Warning! Severely long-ass post ahead...

ZOË'S MOVE

LOCATION - BRIDGE to GALLEY to CREW QUARTERS

ZOË noticed DAMON hovering outside the bridge from her normal "see everything" position next to WASH. When MAL started spewing what must sound like total nonsense to the rest o' the crew, she takes in his "follow my lead" look and quickly cobbles together the gist - MAL's testing whether DAMON will be a danger to himself or others during the upcoming job.

ZOË nods almost imperceptibly at MAL to indicate she understands where this is going.

ZOË (internally): "Can't say much for his timin' today, but we gotta know - and better to know now, before the shootin' starts, than to find out in the middle, when the boy can cause our folks harm in a panic."

They hear the commotion from the galley, and MAL starts off, ZOË automatically falling in behind him with a quick pat at WASH's shoulder. Almost subconciously, ZOË reaches to check her side holster for the Winchester, then remembers that they've put off their sidearms while in flight. No real reason to worry, though.

ZOË's practiced eye takes in the scene as they reach the galley door: MERZ holding DAMON, ROWAN poised to put herself in harms way, INARA tryin' to calm everyone down, and JAYNE... well, bein' JAYNE. Seeing the knife held in DAMON's hand and the slight stiffening in MAL's back, ZOË takes no time at all to surmise that DAMON's time on the boat is gonna be real limited. Like off at the first stop limited. The boy obviously didn't handle MAL's test well, and was willing to cut anyone who tried to lay hands on. Didn't take a top-three-percent trauma surgeon to see he wasn't someone could be trusted in a hot zone. She sympathizes with the disappoinment she hears in MAL's voice.

MAL (to DAMON): "Been pokin' your ears where they ought not to be? Heard stuff that could be misunderstood have ya? Then panicked... Panic is a liability. You a liability? I don't know a GORRAMNED thing about you... knew you were there draggin' your ears where they weren't invited... and I lied. I HAD thought I saw a spark o' potential in you - I suppoz I was wrong."

ZOË watches the play of emotions over the faces of those present, ranging from confusion to relief. DAMON's knife falls to the floor and ZOË watches as he sags visibly, the fight draining from him.

MAL: "ZOË, please take our young charge in hand fer a moment. Be kind."

ZOË steps forward and gives DAMON a quick once-over, removing the remaining knife from his possession, while MAL continues giving orders. His pocketknife goes into a vest pocket and the boot knife INARA picked up off the floor is retrieved from the table and tucked into ZOË's own boot for the time being. She'd seen JAYNE retrieve his gun satchel, and had no worries on that score.

She finishes tucking the weapons away just as MAL turns. MAL leads DAMON out of the galley and down the fore hall, and ZOË quietly falls in behind them.

END MOVE.

~Astriana~
~Mostly-Invisible Long-Winded Goddess of Inter-Board Communication and Diplomacy a/k/a El Jefe Magnifico's Mistress... of Communications and Harems~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

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Tuesday, November 2, 2004 2:03 PM

Location: Last Bunk On the Left ...
8:30 PM / 2000hrs

As...

Mal's face is underlit from the blue'ish sideboard nitelites. Sinister is not even close a description. Lines etched in black and high-lighted blue draws the eye to the tight line of his mouth. Through near slits his eyes glitter and shine as if carved of the blackest and highly polished obsidian.

Mal
... voice deep and very fatigued, somewhat horse...
"Sit ... Lay down ... whatever ya need ta do to. Things are changin', you gotta cogitate on yer next move."
... Mal continues, uncharacteristically giving an explanation to what he normally would just do and not even bother to explain ...
"Power'll be goin' down in a minute, nuttin but the lights. Darkness makes you face yerself." ... unspoken but seen his flashing eyes: "And yer Demons" ...
... indicates hatch above Damon with his thumb...
"Not gonna be locked, but you as much as peek a nose hair above the deck, the rest'll the crew 'll be eatin' long pig for breakfast sausage. Dong Ma."

Without waiting to see or hear Damon, he brushes by brusquely and heads up ladder. He closes the hatch and turns to Zoe.

MAL
...business like, very fatigued and with a gruff sigh-like exhalation...
"Keep it unlocked, but plant a ping grid over the hatch. Set it and this bunks comm circuits to ping my talkie ONLY. Cut power, reroute circuits comms etc. Just keep the air, fresher and lights going. Let him stew in the dark."
... Searches Zoe's eyes...
"I'll come back and assess his state of mind. I got some other business to attend right now."

EOM

Lexicon
Last Bunk On the Left - Ref. to the horror Movie "Last House on the Left". If I got the name right!

Talkie - Archaic form of Walkie Talkie - both words popularized in WW2 referring to a mobile radio unit.

Ping Grid - a device that uses Infrared to make a grid that sends an alarm if the beams are broken. A single source with an expandable frame containing adjustable mirrors. Used to trap Tunnel Rats without blocking hole entrances.

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 5:53 AM

ASTRIANA

ZOË'S MOVE
LOCATION - FORE HALL, ABOVE THE CREW QUARTERS
Timestamp: 20:30 hrs (8:30pm AST)

ZOË follows MAL and DAMON down the fore hall to the crew bunk recently occupied - and vacated - by MERZ. DAMON hangs back, allowing MAL to enter the bunk first, then follows. ZOË waits in the hall, knowing MAL will want a few "private" words with the boy. She crosses her arms under her breasts and leans one shoulder against the bulkhead. Knowing MAL will expect to go over it later, ZOË cocks an ear to catch what's being said.

MAL: "Sit ... Lay down ... whatever ya need ta do to. Things are changin', you gotta cogitate on yer next move." MAL pauses, then continues... "Power'll be goin' down in a minute, nuttin but the lights. Darkness makes you face yerself."

ZOË almost physically hears MAL's unspoken words... "...and yer demons..."

ZOË (internally): "Boy must have demons a'plenty to pull a knife on JAYNE..."

ZOË returns her attention to MAL's voice as he continues speaking below.

MAL: "Not gonna be locked, but you as much as peek a nose hair above the deck, the rest'll the crew'll be eatin' long pig for breakfast sausage. Dong Ma."

ZOË hears MAL coming up the ladder and returns to her more attentive stance. As MAL closes the hatch and turns, ZOË preps herself for his next orders, expecting that the first one will be to secure the bunk. MAL sighs on an exhale.

MAL: "Keep it unlocked, but plant a ping grid over the hatch. Set it and this bunk's comm circuits to ping my talkie ONLY. Cut power, reroute circuits, comms etc. Just keep the air, fresher and lights going. Let him stew in the dark."

ZOË stifles her momentary surprise and meets his searching gaze with a sympathetic one of her own.

MAL: "I'll come back and assess his state of mind. I got some other business to attend right now."

ZOË: "Yes, sir."

ZOË pauses for a moment, as if carefully weighing her next words, then turns to the computer interface in the wall and opens the comm to the bridge.

ZOË: "KAYLEE? Need you to rig up a ping grid for one o' the crew bunks for our boy DAMON. I'll be waitin' in the fore hall for ya, so don't dawdle."

ZOË mentally notes MAL's departure while she's giving instructions, but figures she'll talk with him later, once his "business" is dealt with and they have a chance to discuss what to do about DAMON. Still working at the bunk computer interface, she keys the code to turn off the lights for this bunk, then turns to the rest of the tasks that MAL set for her. She locks out the power and re-routes the comm to MAL's talkie, and sets about coding the systems to run only life-support, fresher, and lights in this bunk. This done, she opens the permissions for these few things to be controlled from inside the room as normal.

When these tasks are complete, ZOË settles herself against the bulkhead and waits for KAYLEE to arrive with the ping grid. Keeping alert for sounds from DAMON below, ZOË allows herself to think about the situation at hand.

ZOË (internally): "Hope the boy takes the hint and gets himself worked out 'fore the Cap'n comes back to see him. Such a shame... Seein' a lot o' Tracy in that boy."

END MOVE.

{{OOC: Is bulkhead the right term for where Zoë's standing? And what is it with me and the long posts?

}}

~Astriana~
~Mostly-Invisible Long-Winded Goddess of Inter-Board Communication and Diplomacy a/k/a El Jefe Magnifico's Mistress... of Communications and Harems~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 10:33 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan's Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

Rowan isn't aware when Merz approaches from the aft entryway, so she's unaware of the presence of an audience when she starts to hum and then sing in a low tone that shouldn't go far beyond the kitchen. The stirring is mostly what brings the ancient song to mind, but it also seems to fit the current onboard climate as well.

"Round, like a circle in a spiral
Like a wheel within a wheel.
Never ending or beginning,
On an ever spinning wheel
Like a snowball down a mountain
Or a carnival balloon
Like a carousel that's turning
Running rings around the moon

Like a clock whose hands are sweeping
Past the minutes on it's face
And the world is like an apple
Whirling silently in space
Like the circles that you find
In the windmills of your mind"

Too bad Thorne isn't in the area. Recalling his operatic aspirations back at the Hera Cary, chances are pretty strong that he would know the next verse. Seeing Jayne return, she switches back to low humming.

Like a tunnel that you follow
To a tunnel of its own
Down a hollow to a cavern
Where the sun has never shone
Like a door that keeps revolving
In a half forgotten dream
Or the ripples from a pebble
Someone tosses in a stream.

Like a clock whose hands are sweeping
Past the minutes on its face
And the world is like an apple
Whirling silently in space
Like the circles that you find
In the windmills of your mind

Finishing up the stirring, Rowan pauses a minute. Closing her eyes, she tips her head first to the left, then the right, listening to the snap and CLUNK of her cervical spine resetting itself. Then she turns, intending to take the seasoned protein to the stove and jumps half out of her skin with a startled squeal when she sees Merz.

ROWAN: "Wode tìan! You're silent as a church mouse, aren't you?"

With a hand at her chest, Rowan takes a deep breath, then waves Merz into the kitchen.

ROWAN: "There's some chopping that needs done, if you're game."

Feeling only half guilty, she takes a scallion from the little tin box and puts it on the Lucite cutting board. Taking a medium-sized knife, she holds it out to Merz with a smile.

ROWAN: "Now THIS you can pulverize."

EOM

OOC: Thank you Dusty Springfield

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am.
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 11:26 AM

JAYNE - GALLEY

Jayne moves in nice and close to watch Rowan prepare the meal. Almost as if he was trying to steal Rowan's grandmother's secret recipe for bao. He's not entirely focused on the food, though, and keeps glancing up towards the bridge.

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 12:44 PM

River
LOCATION - GALLEY

River walks through the aft hall toward the galley, trailing a hand along the wall as she sings softly. Now that all the excitement is over, it’s safe for her to come up. Not that she was afraid for her safety but she knows everyone else would have been.

“Like a door that keeps revolving
In a half forgotten dream
Or the ripples from a pebble
Someone tosses in a stream…”

She enters the galley, the slightest hint of distress still lingering in her eyes. The whole experience was nothing but one wave of emotion after another. Strongest of all was Damon’s fear, emanating like neon lights in a dark room. And then there was confusion. Most everyone was confused, maybe River more than any of them- having received nothing but thoughts and emotions from everywhere at once with no idea of what was happening. But things slowed down and seem to be going okay again.

She heads for the kitchen, her singing now synchronized with Rowan’s humming.
“Like a clock whose hands are sweeping
Past the minutes on its face
And the world is like an apple
Whirling silently in space
Like the circles that you find
In the windmills of your mind."

River sings the first verse again, as Rowan gives Merz instructions. She slows to a stop when Rowan looks at her, offering a small smile.

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 12:54 PM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan's Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

River seems ten times better than when she last saw her. Humming happily, even singing with the song. Rowan can't help the smile and sees the girl's eyes dance.

Feeling Jayne on her left - moving in closer from the sentry position he took up once he got back - Rowan turns to give him a look.

ROWAN: "Are you breathing down my neck to get Grandma's secret recipe or is there something else on your mind?"

Turning back to Merz, she shows her the correct chopping method and lets the girl go at it. The song continues in her head, unbidden, chanting in Xiang's voice rather than singing in her own.

Keys that jingle in your pocket
Words that jangle your head
Why did summer go so quickly
Was it something that I said
Lovers walking along the shore,
Leave their footprints in the sand
Was the sound of distant drumming
Just the fingers of your hand

Pictures hanging in a hallway
And a fragment of this song
Half remembered names and faces
But to whom do they belong
When you knew that it was over
Were you suddenly aware
That the autumn leaves were turning
To the color of her hair

Rowan has to put her hand to the side of her head this time. It's more than the pain this time. Rapid-fire chopping on one side, Jayne's intimidating presence on the other side, the pungent onion smell of the scallion, anticipation of THE TALK with Reynolds a bit sooner than expected.

Why is it that nothing in the 'verse is allowed to ever go smooth?

EOM

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am.
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 1:04 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION - GALLEY
As ...

She slips back into the dining area, and around into the kitchen without any fuss. ROWAN is still cooking, stirring the contents of a bowl. Sniffing, Merz can detect the protein and various spices and additives. It smells ... interesting. She also notes the increase of saliva production that scent envokes. Also interesting. Hum... a referent for the term 'mouth-watering' she decides - and a new sensation indeed.

ROWAN is singing softly. MERZ stops behind her and listens. ~ ...singing is appropriate for cooking, ~ she decides. ~ ... I have observed this before ... ~ She memorizes the song, the 'tune', etc. along with ROWANs movements and actions. If this is a total process, then this is necessary for the outcome to be the same.

At the end of the song, and the process, ROWAN stops and works the kinks out of her neck with audible snapping sounds. MERZ desires that it is not necessary to reproduce that part. Picking up the bowl ROWAN turns and is visibly started by her presence. MERZ is puzzled. She has been there long enough, did not ROWAN notice. For the first time she wonders. This has happened before; can it be that they cannot sense/smell/taste/hear her behind them. She knew that civilians are ... limited, but the extent is startling. And yet their strengths are also startling....

While she is puzzling, ROWAN is speaking and she listens on another level.

ROWAN
"Wode tìan! You're silent as a church mouse, aren't you?" She waves MERZ towards the kitchen and a bare piece of countertop. "There's some chopping that needs done, if you're game."

She hands MERZ a knife and places a vegetable onto a protective cutting surface. Rowan smiles at her.

ROWAN
"Now THIS you can pulverize."

MERZ takes the knife. While not entirely sure what is required, she has watched cooking before and believes that she understands what is needed. Starting at one end of the vegetable she makes small, thin slices out of the larger piece. Concentrating on making each piece the same size as the last, she works slowly and methodically. And, because it IS part of the process, she sings. She has remembered a song that ... she hates to admit ... gave her a strange, tight feeling in her chest. Veila used to sing this in her galley and Merz wants to use it. To remember. To see if that odd feeling is still there. She is careful, maintaining the tune and the words, she makes a valiant effort to use her own voice. For the first time.

Nights are getting very lonely, days are very long,
And I am growing weary only, listening for your song.
And old remembrances are thronging through my memory,
Thronging till it seems the world is full of dreams, just to bring you back to me.

There's a long, long trail a-winding into the land of my dreams,
Where the nightingales are singing and the white moon gleams,
There's a long, long night of waiting until my dreams all come true,
And that's the day when I'll be going down that long, long trail with you.

Sometimes I think I hear you calling, calling sweet and low,
And I seem to hear your footsteps falling everywhere I go,
But though the road between us stretches many's the weary mile,
Somehow I forget that you're not with me yet, when I think I see you smile.

There's a long, long trail a-winding into the land of my dreams,
Where the nightingales are singing and the white moon gleams,
There's a long, long night of waiting until my dreams all come true,
And that's the day when I'll be going down that long, long trail with you.

She finishes the song, and the task at nearly the same time. Yes, that same 'feeling' has occured and in some obscure way Merz is pleased. If the same effect is present, she must have performed it correctly. And her thoughts turn to them, her friends.

She turns to ROWAN, trying a smile on for size.
MERZ
"Next?"

EOM

OOC: "There's a Long, Long Trail, Stoddard King and Zo Elliott.

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 1:08 PM

Book's Move
Location: Cargo Bay to Infirmary

Book looks around at the empty bay. Only thing around here that needs tending is me. He thinks as he looks down at his clothes and is reminded that he needed to change a long time ago. He walks back to the infirmary and clicks on the comm.

------- In the fore hall
MAL: "Sit ... Lay down ... whatever ya need ta do to. Things are changin', you gotta cogitate on yer next move." MAL pauses, then continues... "Power'll be goin' down in a minute, nuttin but the lights. Darkness makes you face yerself."

The comm crackles and Book's voice rumbles hollowly over it. "Captain... what's going on?"

ZOË almost physically hears MAL's unspoken words... "...and yer demons..."
-------

back in the infirmary
Book waits next to the comm and only silence follows. Looking up through the ceiling of the infirmary, he wonders what's going on up there. Leaving the comm behind, he starts to walk down the passenger hallway to his room. ...and River... so lost in all her knowledge. I can't forget that River needs me too. Simon entrusted her safety to me.

EM

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 2:00 PM

Blended Post - WASH and KAYLEE

LOCATION - PILOT'S LOUNGE

KAYLEE allows WASH to lead her down the steps and to his ratty old futon. Once he seats her WASH retreats to the far side of the futon and seats himself also. Now that he has her there, he has no idea whatsoever what comes next.

KAYLEE sighs. "It's just... things is so confusin' right now. I just know Simon is in some kinda trouble, but I cain't prove it, and cain't do nuthin' 'bout it. And that's hard. You been listenin' to everyone lately? Seems there's just so much that's goin' wrong or strange. I'm afraid 'Nara gonna think about leaving again... and I don't want that either. "

She scoots over next to WASH and leans her head on his shoulder. Warm tears drip on his shirt.

WASH sits, straight and stiff. ~ OK, this is an unsettlin' development. Gee I hope my ever-lovin' Zoe understands this. ~ Tentatively he reaches around with his left hand and pats her on the back. "It'll be ok Kaylee. It will get better soon. It always does."

They both sit silently for a time, just the two of them, far away from the conflict and confusion. A respite for them both, those gently souls. But time moves on, and so must we.

There is comotion, and footsteps. Distant shouting. And finally, over the intercom.

ZOË
"KAYLEE? Need you to rig up a ping grid for one o' the crew bunks for our boy DAMON. I'll be waitin' in the fore hall for ya, so don't dawdle."
KAYLEE looks up at WASH. "That's me. Guess I gotta run." She reaches up and pats his cheek gently. "I surely appreciate you takin' some time with me. Feel better. Zoe is a lucky woman."

She rises and climbs the steps. WASH watches her go. "Well, I am glad she feels better. Wish I knew why. Then I would know how to do it again."

Once back on the bridge she heads out into the hallway, retrieves her toolbox and heads back to the engine room.She knows what a ping grid is. MAL described it to her one time and it sounded kinda interesting. Now, building one from scratch is gonna be a challenge. But she's got some wood, and some ideas. Can't do infrared, don't have the means. Do have a laser level. Got an assortment of small mirrors needed to look around corners of the engine and like that. Got one warning alarm meant to be hung on a door. Good enough. It takes her a bit to rig something incorporating what she has into a functional device. Once done, she trots it off to where Zoe is waiting for it.

She sets two pieces of wood on their crossed block bases next to the door one on either side. They are about waist high. The laser level is partially disassembled so that the laser points at a mirror on the other side, which throws it across to a mirror on the other side, which does the same thing back. This produces a zig-zag pattern which was the best she could manage on short notice. There are wires all over the thing and the alarm at the bottom. Once set, KAYLEE turns it on and stands back.

KAYLEE
There you go. Anything breaks that beam and the alarm goes off. Best I can do."

EOM

OOC. Kiddies, comp is frelled. lost this post 4 times writing it. Going now. Debs

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 3:33 PM

INARAESQUE

Inara's move

LOCATION - AFT CORRIDOR/Galley doorway area

Inara heads back out of her shuttle to rejoin the crew, heading back to the galley, hoping that things haven't gone to hell in her absence. Tensions are running high, there's no telling what will have transpired.

She climbs the back stairs again, Inara watches River wander the length of the corridor, singing softly to herself. The companion smiles a little, relieved to see the girl bouncing back from the screaming terror that had brought just about half the crew to her side. River has suffered so much, Inara thinks, but she keeps bouncing back. Perhaps she's the most resilient of all of the lost souls aboard Serenity...

Quote:
Flashback:

LOCATION – INARA'S SHUTTLE

Simon is there, looking young, tired and lost.

SIMON
I'm sorry. For my part in what happened. I've never... I don't know how to --

INARA
You're lost in the woods. We all are. Even the captain. The only difference is, he likes it that way.

MAL
(entering)
No the difference is, the woods are the only place I can see a clear path.

Sad little smile as she remembers, and Inara stands in the doorway to the galley. Lurking, again, quietly observing from the periphery. It's getting to be a habit...

Someone's singing.

Sometimes I think I hear you calling, calling sweet and low,
And I seem to hear your footsteps falling everywhere I go,
But though the road between us stretches many's the weary mile,
Somehow I forget that you're not with me yet, when I think I see you smile.

There's a long, long trail a-winding into the land of my dreams,
Where the nightingales are singing and the white moon gleams,
There's a long, long night of waiting until my dreams all come true,
And that's the day when I'll be going down that long, long trail with you.

The singing's so sweet, and the song so... resonant with Inara's mood, that the companion feels the hot sting of tears. She shuts her eyes, pushing them back, aching a little at the song, glad she's not in a place to be observed by any in the galley...

EOM

OOC: Fixing the timings & location a bit: with River wandering down the aft corridor & not seeing Inara, I'm now placing Inara as coming down the corridor after River.

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 4:02 PM

JAYNE - GALLEY

Jayne just isn't getting into the "spirit" like he was before. The spirit of smiling and helping Rowan cook and keeping an eye on her. First of all that sort of espionage wasn't his style, and since Rowan had thrown him for a loop in a dangerous situation, Jayne just isn't... calming down. He finds himself leaning in on one side of her, with Merz (who probably wasn't in Rowan's good books right now for her role in Damon's apprehension) chopping food on the other. Almost boxing her in.

Jayne is thinking more and more about it. About her.

Rowan's eyelid flutters. She quickly moves her hand up to her face, hiding it from Jayne, but for a moment she looked pained.

"I'm not in'rested in yer secrets right now", Jayne finally answers. "I'm in'rested in what you was thinkin' you was doin' when Cap'n told me to bring Damon on over."

Rowan quickly regains her composure. Jayne keeps on talking. "We generally don't pick fights with each other here, an' any 'mounta brains'll tell ya not ta pick a fight you can't win. Now you know I gotta job ta do here. An' yer new job is to keep outta my way. Dong ma?"

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Wednesday, November 3, 2004 9:54 PM

Mal moves to his bunk and boots the door open. For no real reason, he just slides down the outside rails of the ladder. In the near darkness, he moves over to his hidey hole and retrieves a leather-harnessed 2 gallon jug. It is shaped like a bent cone an made of a dark amber glass. Mal pulls the wooden top off and is assailed by pungent odor of premium 198 proof hooch. You could run an engine with this stuff, it burned so pure. Noting that the bottle is still three quarters full, Mal grunts as he nabs his pint’n’half hip flask. He fills it while looking around for another container. He spies one of those two and a half quart sports bottles with the self closing angled sippin’ straw. Capping his now full flask, he reaches for the sports bottle, splashes a shot of the hooch in and swirls it around. The fluid stays clear, indicating the bottle is poly-plas, so it is safe to store the potent alcohol in it. Jayne'll get a real kick outta this stuff. It had a mix of potassium and other minerals to make it a real clean and enjoyable blitzin'. Mal puts his personal flask into the deep front pocket of his pants. Grabbing his talkie out of its desk alcove, he clips it to his belt. One handed, he climbs the ladder and powers down his bunk.

Looking towards the Galley, Mal can see Kaylee moving down the hall towards the engine room.

Nodding at Zoe, he turns and moves down the hall to the upper catwalks. Mostly on autopilot, he finds himself in the Passenger Dorm section. In front of Book’s room. Without hesitation, he knocks.
EOM

OOC: will flesh out soon ...

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

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Thursday, November 4, 2004 7:25 AM

RAVENWHYTEWING

Slight lights a cigarette. At this point, he's willing to admit an addiction. But, being recently dead, one should allow him some eccentricities, eh?
Thank the Void, his skin had been grafted with a tailored "web." While it hardly made him immune to space, it did grant him an hour or two. Slight waits for Malachi to arrive impatientently. Why was it the man was so eager to leave no trail? Book, that born-again. He hadn't tried to evaluate. Sloppy. He needed to clean up his act. Being on the run did not grant him any quarter to be lazy.

We can't all be heroes, since some of us have to sit at the curb and clap as they go by.

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Thursday, November 4, 2004 8:16 AM

Book's Move
Location: His Quarters

Book has had time to change into a fresh set of preacher duds and pour himself a fresh cupa before there is a sudden knock at his door.

Setting down his cup and removing the Bible from his lap to a small empty table, he takes three steps and slides open his door. "Captain... I wouldn't have expected you to come all the way down here... just to give my comm call an answer." Stepping back from the doorway, Book gestures inside. "Please, come in."

EM

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Thursday, November 4, 2004 8:35 AM

Malachi's Move
Location: Looking in the window of Slight's ship... from a distance.

A thought strikes him as he jets slowly through space... a thought he tries to hide from the man on the ship in his innermost mind. Malachi slows his motion and lifts his arm control panel up to his face. A few commands sequences later and his ship has powered up and is making it's way through the void to hover next to the other ship. He watches in bitter satisfaction as his ship sends out clamps and attaches itself to the other.

He'll have heard that... Too late now though. I know you can hear me. We live or we die together. Entering the last command on his control pad, Malachi views the readout display showing 20 minutes till self-destruct. Let's see how well you survive being in a million pieces. Malachi thinks to the man as he re-enters the doomed ship and floats down through the hatchway to once again confront the man.

EM

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Thursday, November 4, 2004 9:02 AM

RAVENWHYTEWING

Slight shrugs, seeing him enter.
I have no arguments. If you feel this makes a level playing field, suit yourself.
He raises an eyebrow.
Consider, though-I already know every part of how you think. Do you expect me to allow myself to die? Die from a lackey disappointed at his boss's negligence? You give me far too little credit.
Slight rises from his sitting position. Now comes the hard part.
My only question is, do you feel like you could be pursuaded to work for someone else? Clearly, survival skills aside, I'm stuck. Nowhere to go, but an obscene amount of cash. We both work for people. Care to make some sort of arrangement?
You want to kill this Book, or at least have a long talk with him. I want to look into a. . .mercenary I last saw with him. Seeing as how we both are exceptional in the art of killing, as a team we should make an excellent pair. I can help you with any Blue Sun or Alliance trouble you may have. You can help me to recover, and keep me from getting killed. While we don't need each other, it might be beneficial, no?
Slight holds his breath. He can't try to pressure this man mentally-a man working under threat of force was rarely as much of an asset as a hassle. He can't help but offer a silent prayer.

We can't all be heroes, since some of us have to sit at the curb and clap as they go by.

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Thursday, November 4, 2004 11:04 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan's Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

Merz finishes the song, and the task at nearly the same time, producing the most precise chopped scallion Rowan has ever seen, yet without the usual tears that generally comes from chopping one of those little devils. that served as Rowan's reason for handing the job off. that seeming pretty darn pleased with herself. An effusion of expression where a Troy is concerned and the sight of it warms Rowan's heart.

MERZ: "Next?"

Rowan smiles over her uncharacteristic flourish - although tame by normal standards - and the idea that Merz could hold a tune without a bucket.

JAYNE: "I'm not in'rested in yer secrets right now. I'm in'rested in what you was thinkin' you was doin' when Cap'n told me to bring Damon on over. We generally don't pick fights with each other here, an' any 'mounta brains'll tell ya not ta pick a fight you can't win. Now you know I gotta job ta do here. An' yer new job is to keep outta my way. Dong ma?"

Suddenly Rowan is feeling exceedingly weary. Exhausted might be the general vernacular, but really that doesn't cover it either. All she wants is a few stiff drinks and to collapse onto her bunk down in the dorms. Actually, there's more on her wish list, but for now that will entirely suffice. She breathes a long sigh, and gives a small shrug before she looks up at him and answers.

ROWAN: "Hell with it - you wanna know something? I don't know what I was thinking. It was a stupid thing to try and believe me it won't happen again anytime soon. Damon was in good hands as it was, and I knew something was hinky with the whole situation. Truth is, I'm a behind-the-scenes type--I stay back and let them as are stronger and faster and better than me take care of the hands-on situations. This time, I wasn't even sure who that was until the last second. Now I know. You want me out of your way, fine--I'm out. I have to practice for the UBA tournament on New Hokkaido, so I'll be up here using the table a lot before we get there. When I'm not here, I'll be in my bunk and when I'm not there, I'll probably be in the Infirmary getting something for this gorram migraine that keeps coming to visit. I don't sleep much these days, so you might see me at some pretty odd-ass hours."

Moving back toward him, she looks deep into those dark eyes, seeing only stalwart determination.

ROWAN: "I'm only trying to get from point A to point B, hâo le ma and Serenity just happened to be going my way. Once we get to New Hokkaido, you won't have to deal with me again. Ever."

She stands that way, unblinking, so that Jayne will at least take the sincerity of the moment to heart, if not the words. Then she turns to Merz and tips her head to one side, wondering if either one of them is ready for the learning experience she's about to offer. Figuring she might as well go all the way, she decides to go for it.

ROWAN: "As for you, xiâo péngyou, I'm thinking you might just be ready to learn the fine art of glazing. How brave do you feel?"

EOM

hâo le ma = big fella
xiâo péngyou = little friend

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am.
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

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Thursday, November 4, 2004 1:01 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION - GALLEY

ROWAN smiles back at her. Merz ponders. Perhaps she is starting to understand for herself how to fit in. It gives a sense of ... accomplishment.

Then JAYNE speaks and there is a change. Rowan is deeply affected by his words, evidenced by her own response and her body's reactions. And Merz is forcibly reminded that they will be parting company at New Hokkaido. But in light of her own resolve, that would have been occuring anyway. She pushes those thoughts aside, vehemently. That is for later. Now is for - bao.

ROWAN takes her attention from Jayne. Turning back to Merz she tips her head thoughtfully and says "As for you, xiâo péngyou, I'm thinking you might just be ready to learn the fine art of glazing. How brave do you feel?"

Slightly confused - she has never really considered kitchen duty to require much in the way of bravery, Merz responds. "I am ready for whatever you choose to teach me, mero saathi. Show me how to 'glaze'."

As she approaches closer, to watch and learn, MERZ speaks softly, for Rowan's ears only. "I have known you are in pain. Do you trust me to run a diagnostic on you?" Again, Merz tries out her new, real smile. "I promise to use the machine."

EOM

xiâo péngyou = little friend
mero saathi = my friend (Nepali)

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Thursday, November 4, 2004 4:43 PM

DECOY

Wash's Move:
Location - Pilot's Lounge to Bridge

(Kaylee leaves, and Wash is alone with his thoughts... He just simply stares out into the black... And then with a sigh, he goes back to his helm console, and goes back to work on the course that must be plotted for the run tomorrow.)

(On the Helm, in the Master Repeater Function Unit Command Status Screen (MRFUCSS) the time display reads: 20:35 AMT (8:35 pm) Wash says to Rex): "I'd better hurry, or I'll be flying blind down those canyons tommorow... I'm shure that Mal will like that even less than what I've got planned." He goes back to work, entering little post-it note like arrows on the planetary survey map screen.)

EOM

Decoy, they make me go first.

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Friday, November 5, 2004 10:39 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - SPARE DORM

Damon watches Mal for a few silent seconds, waiting for him to start whatever it is he has in mind.

Quote:
Mal
... voice deep and very fatigued, somewhat horse...
"Sit ... Lay down ... whatever ya need ta do to. Things are changin', you gotta cogitate on yer next move."
... Mal continues, uncharacteristically giving an explanation to what he normally would just do and not even bother to explain ...
"Power'll be goin' down in a minute, nuttin but the lights. Darkness makes you face yerself." ... unspoken but seen his flashing eyes: "And yer Demons" ...

The comm crackles and Book's voice rumbles hollowly over it. "Captain... what's going on?"

Mal doesn’t respond to Book and indicates hatch above Damon with his thumb...
"Not gonna be locked, but you as much as peek a nose hair above the deck, the rest'll the crew 'll be eatin' long pig for breakfast sausage. Dong Ma."

Without waiting to see or hear Damon, he brushes by brusquely and heads up the ladder. He closes the hatch.

Damon watches Mal disappear into the hall. The lights go out as promised, leaving him alone in the dark room. Just as well. There isn’t a night that goes by that Damon doesn’t ‘cogitate’ his circumstances, and now is as good a time as any, even if it’s ahead of schedule. He moves to the bed and drops himself on it, letting his back and head hit the wall with a soft thunk.

Mal’s right about the dark- Damon has always been able to think better in the dark. But if he thinks Damon can just ‘cogitate’ his demons away overnight, he’s got another think coming.

Shi, I wish it was that easy though…

He runs a hand through his hair, wondering if Mal’s reference to breakfast meant that he’d be staying down here overnight.

Hope not… nothing to do in here but sleep once I’ve finished contemplating how the hell I got into this ma lashi, or how I’m going to get out of it.

He sits up, putting his elbows on his knees, and hangs his head. So what went wrong?

I overheard something meant for Zoe and misunderstood? Surely can’t be the extent of it. If Mal wanted to talk to me all he’d need to do was ask. I was floating out in that hall for at least ten minutes waiting to talk to him. Hell, I was waiting to talk to him when he came down to the infirmary earlier but as soon as I turn my back he has to get Jayne to ‘escort’ me? No, he knew I could hear him; you don’t order shuttles and weapons lockers locked down to talk to someone. He wanted to know how I’d react.

Tzao gao, he knows I’m a slave… I don’t care what he claims to know or not know about me, it was no coincidence that he mentioned ‘slavers’. Can’t be.

His fingers run slowly over the scars on his wrist left by the handcuffs that had cut into his skin countless times as he pulled and fought.

What else does he know? I never gave them my last name so how could he know?

He closes his eyes and gives his head a slight shake.

Who am I kidding, all they’d have to do is check the cortex for news on yesterday. I must’ve left a trail of dead an’ injured Feds at least 10 blocks long…

Damon takes a deep breath and sighs, listening to the soft hum of Serenity’s engine in the otherwise silent room. He knows he should leave tomorrow, least if he wants to play it safe he should. But just the thought of having to leave threatens to drain him of what strength he has left. Another town to wander in without protection, more Feds to hide from, having to worry about where it’ll be safe to sleep or whether he can afford food, and then to start the cycle all over again on some other ship, assuming he finds one. When will it end? It has to end sometime- he can’t keep this up forever. Yesterday is proof of that. So the question is: where will it end? Mal had talked about him joining the crew…

He opens his eyes, feeling his spirits lift, the way they did when he last talked with Mal. How he wanted that… to have a place to call home, a crew he can trust. He remembers trust. He had it once- needed it- for those agonizing last months… Xiang had been there to keep him on his feet, offering hope and encouragement. But after they escaped they had to part ways and it was gone, just like his opportunity to stay.

Damon’s spirits sink just as fast as they rose. He blew it. He had finally been given what he wanted most and now it’s slipping through his fingers. What went wrong? He thinks back, trying to replay events in his head, but a lot of the details are jumbled. He remembers thinking he was being taken back to Dis, back to Crofton, he pulled a knife and rest is just fear. He remembers that fear. It’s been a long time since he was truly that afraid- not including the nightmares, which aren’t quite the same- but he remembers it. The overwhelming need to get away and the blinding terror that sets in when you can’t. There is nothing else but the need to escape; for five years on Dis that need was all he had, all that kept him going.

Now things are different. I’m not on Dis anymore, or in an Alliance factory or some nu li market or even at home with my parents. I’m on a boat with a crew- most of which are mad at me. I screwed something up… probably shouldn’t have been so… defensive?

Easy to say now that he knows nothing was wrong. Being defensive is second nature to him. You don’t defend yourself, you’re either dead or in for a lot of pain- or if you’re lucky you just lose your dinner-, mere seconds making the difference between winning and loosing. How do you unlearn something you know so well- something you’ve grown to depend on?

Damon slides from the bed onto the floor, suddenly overwhelmed by how lost and clueless he is. He knows he needs to change. Getting by in this verse isn’t enough anymore- he has to learn to live in it, like a normal person. But how to fix it? This isn’t the battle he’s used to fighting. Xiang would know. If only he was here now…

Leaning against the bed, arms folded on his raised knees, he tries to swallow the lump in his throat.

“Ai, I wish you were here, Xiang… I need you…

I need help…”

ma lashi = horse shit
Ai = exclamation of pain or regret

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

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Friday, November 5, 2004 5:49 PM

JAYNE - GALLEY

I guess she understands. Jayne holds his intimidating manner until Rowan has finished talking and stares at him with ernest eyes; the kind of eyes that only a true professional could fake. "You do that then. Point A to B is good, just so long as ya keep clear a point J."

He backs off and takes a position next to the kettle. Leaning next to it, Jayne can feel a comfortable heat radiate from when Inara made tea, and that starts him thinking. Well, if she doesn't sleep much, odds are pretty good that neither will he.

Jayne snatches the kettle and takes it over to the faucet. He fills it halfway, judging by the sound of the water when that is because his eyes are still perched on Rowan and her every move. He flips the switch at the kettle's base and puts it back down. He then fishes blindly for the can of coffee in the cupboard. Gorramit, where is it? Who made coffee last?

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Sunday, November 7, 2004 6:35 AM

GEEZER

Keep the Shiny side up

THORNE's Move

Location: Various

River smiles and reaches for the ball only to have it pulled out of reach at the last second. He brings it back and she reaches for it again, only this time when he pulls it back out of reach, she grins a proud look of triumph and holds up the handkerchief she snuck from his pocket with a giggle.

“Got you.” she says.

THORNE's look of mock surprise slowly fades as a feeling of something important left undone comes over him. He stands and speaks to RIVER.

THORNE: "I've enjoyed our game, little one, but I have something important that needs doing right now. You'll be all right here for a while. I'll see you later."

He moves to his cabin, where, sure enough, the message light is flashing. He downloads the message to his personal link, decrypts it, reads it, and then curses fluently and imaginatively in several languages for quite a long time. He reads the message again and dispatches a short reply.

Connecting to the ship's comm, he records several time-delayed messages.

THORNE:"Cap'n, this is THORNE. I've been called away on urgent business and have to leave you now. I'm sure that you'll be just as glad to have me off your ship. I will rely on you to complete the drop. In my cabin you'll find a credit chit good at any bank for the agreed price, plus a little for your trouble and the spacesuit I'll be taking."

-----------------

"ROWAN. THORNE here. I'm off on a detour, but if you still want to participate in our little scam, contact the manager of the Greentree as we discussed. He will take care of everything. I'd wish you good luck, but you don't need it."

-------------------------

"RIVER. Sorry I won't be able to continue our game immediately. Something has come up that I have to handle personally. Something even more important than jacks. I will see you again sometime, and I am looking out for you, as much as is in my power. Take care, little one."

-------------------------

"This is THORNE. I have to leave the ship, but your job remains the same. Protect RIVER at all costs. You do not want to fail me in this. I will contact you later."

-------------------------

"INARA. I'm sorry, my sweet, but something has come up which I must attend to in person. It is not more important than my promise to you, but is a life or death matter, and more immediate. If I'm not back by the time you are ready to go to Ariel for treatment, call the comm code attached to this message. Everything will have been arranged for your passage and cure, and all you will have to do is get well and stay beautiful.

I enjoyed our time together, brief though it was, more than I can express. You are very dear to me, and I wish you every happiness. I hope that one day the scales will fall from your captain's eyes, and he will see the great treasure which he alone can have. Adeiu, sweetling."

Gathering a few belongings, THORNE looks around his cabin once more, then heads upstairs. He enters the dorsal airlock and dons one of the space suits there. Reaching out to touch the steel of the hull, he murmurs,

THORNE:"Goodby Serenity. You're a good old girl. Look after them for me."

Opening the outer lock, he steps off into space.

EOM

OOC: See my OOC.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Sunday, November 7, 2004 11:01 AM

LOCATION - BOOKs DORM
As ...

Book opens the slider and looks at Mal expectantly

BOOK
"Captain... I wouldn't have expected you to come all the way down here... just to give my comm call an answer. Please, come in."

Over the comms ...

Quote:
THORNE:"Cap'n, this is THORNE. I've been called away on urgent business and have to leave you now. I'm sure that you'll be just as glad to have me off your ship. I will rely on you to complete the drop. In my cabin you'll find a credit chit good at any bank for the agreed price, plus a little for your trouble and the spacesuit I'll be taking."

"This is THORNE. I have to leave the ship, but your job remains the same. Protect RIVER at all costs. You do not want to fail me in this. I will contact you later."

... Oh what the gorram hell is goin' on now ... Mal thinks irritably. He grabs his talkie and keys to the Bridge.

MAL
... irritated and tetchy ...
"Wash, I didn't hear one of my shuttles detach, so which hatch did he swim outta?"
... know'n Thorne, it could been a bit ago - meebe why he neglected to answer my request during the Damon prank...
" And WHEN the hatch was opened ..."

... for no real reason and under his breath... "i'll smoke him a smeggin' kipper."

... turns to Book as he unkeys the talkie.
"Well, Shepherd, that was one of the reasons I came here - I wanted you to lead the ground team t'marrow."

EOM

OOC - sorry fer bad joke

- no sleep makes cap'n a frellin' git...

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

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Sunday, November 7, 2004 11:02 AM