[ OoM | Serenity ] - Malentine's Day

[someonetocarryyou]

Always has been music in these halls.


Even when they're empty.


These days, it ain't as rowdy as its sometimes been. It don't feel as thick, warming up the cold of space with something like family, melody so strong it fills every corner and hatch. It's still home, the pitter-patter of combat boots just belong to a new set of feet, and the laughter's young and innocent.

Not a lot of that these days.

Zoë's been running a routine vessel check. It still ain't quite right walking past some rooms and finding them empty. Music's moved on. Feels just a yǒu yīdiǎn cold. Still, other rooms never change. The Captain's in the galley when Zoë moves on through, and he comes with his own kind of tune.

"Everything shiny, Captain?"

Comments

[someonetocarryyou]

"Of course not, Captain."

It's spoken with the utmost respect. Zoë knows, just as well as she knows sometimes a thing needs saying anyhow.

"Husband and I figured you might be lonely, is all. With Inara busy with the Flowers, and little Naomi so fond of her big mean Uncle Captain Sir. She's well past the age of needin' changin' or feedin'. All you'd have to do is make sure Uncle Jayne doesn't teach her anything I'd have to shoot him for later."

[badinlatin]

"Can I teacher her how to bluff? It's a life skill."

[someonetocarryyou]

"Wouldn't happen to be teachin' these life skills with pai gow, now would you?"

[badinlatin]

"At least I make her name all the fruits and do the math for points first."

[someonetocarryyou]

"I'll be sure to mention that as a selling point to her father."

She crosses the room to pluck one of the last apples from the fruit bowl, and heads for a seat. "Should I take that as a yes, then?"

[badinlatin]

"Shi a. I'll make 'er clean my guns or somethin'. She'll be useful even."

[someonetocarryyou]

She shoots him a Look. He's getting off easy on account of knowing he's aware of just how powerful a hurt she could put on him.

"Oh, happy day. That should get my husband off your pigu for a while," she says with an absent flick of her bowie knife. "Any thought on when we might next see land?"

[badinlatin]

"Next stop's Persephone."

Again.

"Easiest place to pick up bad folk in bars what want illegal things done."

[someonetocarryyou]

"We got any plans to pick up these bad folk?"

[badinlatin]

"Only their wallets and credit accounts."

You know.

Hopefully.

"It ain't like I'm unaware we're lacking coin."

[someonetocarryyou]

Apple skins coil from blade to table.

"I know that, Captain, but it would sure be nice to have a job lined up. Not that petty thievin' is without its glamour."

[badinlatin]

"We should be there by Thursday. Come out and scour around with me."

It'll be payment for the babysitting, Mal thinks, even though Naomi is very rarely something resembling a burden to him. Not after so long.

[someonetocarryyou]

He's brought worse onto Serenity, that's for damn sure.

"I imagine that's just what I'll do. While we're at it, you might think about grabbin' a wallet big enough for, say, a new love holiday dress?"

Bad as her husband? Well, maybe.

[badinlatin]

"Think I have to cover my own lao po first, don't you think?"

[someonetocarryyou]

"I think Inara would be happier if you covered your own pífū."

Captain Patchy Pants.

[badinlatin]

"Jealous?"

[someonetocarryyou]

"Must be all this pent-up sexual tension, sir."

[badinlatin]

"It's a hard life you lead."

[someonetocarryyou]

"That's what I tell myself every day."

She slices off an apple chunk, chewing thoughtfully. "Inara might be the only one on this boat not hurtin' so far as that goes. Naomi could use some new shoes. Even Serenity needs parts, now that we're lackin' our engine whisperer."

[badinlatin]

"I know, I know. I don't ever not know that."

[someonetocarryyou]

"Just sayin', captain. Can't float forever."

Not the ship. Not them.

"We make port in Persephone, we gonna stay long?"

[badinlatin]

The longer they stay in one place, that means that it's not going well to find a job.

"Don't know yet. Want a vote on the matter?"

[someonetocarryyou]

"Might want to let the others pipe in. Just wonderin' what I ought to pack for." The subtlest tic of her lips. "I know how you feel 'bout grenades. If we're only stayin' for a few snatch and grab jobs, I don't reckon we'll need them.

"Now, if we're gonna be catching up with any of our old friends, that's another story."

[badinlatin]

"Grenades are a no-go.

"You could always blow up Badger's place; give it a remodel."

[someonetocarryyou]

"Don't think the thought hasn't crossed my mind."

At his word, she'd be happy to do it.

[badinlatin]

"If you figure out a way there'd be profit in it -- "

And to eliminate collateral damage,

" -- let me know of it."

[someonetocarryyou]

"I'll keep that in mind, Captain."

She cleans her blade and puts it away, disposing of the apple core.

"Reckon I'll give my husband the happy news. And then I'll let little Naomi know she and her favorite curmudgeon have a playdate."

[badinlatin]

"Will you please at least remove any 'n all paint markers from the ship when you go? That gou pi don't come off for nothin'."

[someonetocarryyou]

"I thought you liked your little art projects? That last portrait she did of you bore a real likeness."

Down to his over-big head and curly mustache.

[badinlatin]

"She did the portrait on the back o' a good shirt."

For a given definition of 'good'.

"Fine, fine. It'll go alright."

[someonetocarryyou]

"And she did Inara a real favor," Zoë points out, walking to the hatchway. "I'll be sure to give her the usual instructions. No runnin', no shoutin', and be sure she has you in bed by nine or she won't get paid."

[badinlatin]

Mal waggles his eyebrows at Zoe's back.

"So long's I still get my bottle, we'll be shiny."

[someonetocarryyou]

"Then you best behave, sir."

She means it.

Besides, he can't see the grin on her face as she walks away.