Going for a Ride (open)

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ZoeWarriorWoman	Going for a Ride (open)	Lead	[-]
Posts: 76 (03/06/06 20:53:35) TemporaryAdmin ZoeWashburne First Mate Warrior Woman Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Tags : None Zoe finished buttoning her shirt as she climbed the ladder from the bunk. It was early enough ship time that she didn't expect to run into anyone just yet, though she could hear some routine movement fro the other bunks as she moved down the stairs to the catwalks. She tied her hair away from her face with a wet leather strip, thankfull that her usually unruly curls were behaving themselves this morning. It would be inconvenient for her hair to get in her eyes during their next run. They were dealing with a new set of contacts and when Mal had laid down the details of the plan he had taken a few extra precautions, which ultimately meant more firepower. He expected thing not to go exactly smooth. Given their last few jobs, Zoe couldn't really blame him. Almost on auto-pilot, Zoe made her way down into the cargo bay to make sure the cargo was ready to go. Her hooted feet made little sound on the metal grating, having prowled the ship for so long that the floors seemed to cushion her steps naturally. She opened the crates and counted the Londonian leather saddles they were set to be smuggling to some buyers on Greenleaf, seventy four saddles in all. Bernoulli was only asking for twenty-five percent, and since leather direct fro the Core was worth a small fortune, if everything went well, this looked to be a productive day. Confident that the goods were intact, she closed the crates and moved through the lounge and then up the stairs into the galley. She went to the coffee pot almost reflexively, disappointed but not surprised to find it half full of the cold liquid she'd brewed the night before for Wash. Not wanting to waste it, she poured it in the biggest mug she could find and rinsed out the pot before putting on a new batch to brew. She leaned against the counter, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath as she mentally checked her list of things to do. The smell of the brewing coffee brought her back to herself and she took the mug of cold black liquid from the counter. Reching her list she walked through the aft hall and up to the helm, looking through the large window out into the darkness. She'd grown used to her mornings looking like night. The silence of the black she stared into comforted her in a strange way, as if the velvet of space sliding against the sides of the ship could be felt against her skin, warm and soft. Sipping the strong beverage from the somewhat oversized mug, she listened to the rest of the crew ready themselves for the day.
Fade to Nothing	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#1	[-]
Posts: 441 (03/10/06 08:16:36) HeadAdministrator The Firefly Nazi The Beans Trio DoctorSimonTam Alliance Fugitive A Man of Loyalty NadineMaxwell Pioneer's Pilot Silent Beauty Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	The encyclopedia closed as he lifted the black leather flap and placed it on the screen of the electronic multi purpose device. His current thoughts remained on the information he discovered about the war between the Independents and the Alliance. If he were the old him, the one whom supported the Alliance and all they stood for, he would have immediately pinned the browncoats as the criminals, the bad guys. But now being who he was now, he rather felt out of place, as he didn't know which side to root for. It was like he had half of him on the Independents side and the other half in the Alliance side, then he was captured in the crossfire, being ricocheted with bullets and had holes with blood running down his body, covered with the red oozing substance from head to toe. At least, that was what happened in his dreams. Except, the version of why he was bloodied was always different. There was the scenario of him getting killed while protecting his sister as she screamed his name when he was slowly dying. He remembered he didn't mind dying for her, but it broke him piece by piece each time he heard a cry, each time she sounded his name, each time a tear slid down her face. It was at the point where he wondered if it had done any good to protect his sister, if it had done any good if he'd just let her go. There was also the part where Reavers hit the ship and left pretty much everyone dead after doing things to them that was horrific. He could never remember in his dream what the Reavers did to them before they butchered them into pieces, but he felt it was probably better that way from the look on everyone's face when they heard the word 'Reaver'. It was also a scenario where Captain Reynolds sold them out...or Jayne or Wash or Zoe, or anyone on the ship had sold them out to the feds. There would be the frame where he was carried off the ship, cuffed and bound, five armed men to each fugitive, not to mention the Corporal who came down himself to oversee the exchange. Then it ended abruptly, with that flash of bright light that blinded the viewer and brought us to a frame where he was bloodied. And these dreams were only half of the other things that he witnessed in his sleep. Half of them he couldn't remember, but the ones he did were ones he didn't speak to anyone about. And it worried him, to have such dreams that haunted his nightmares, the one with River being kidnapped and found was the one who woke him up today. They were different from night terrors, they seemed so real, it scared the living daylights out of him. He'd wake up in a sweat, panting heavily and afterwards, he wouldn't be able to return to his sleep. Which was why he was caught wandering the night by his captain so often. The dreams were frequent, they happened almost every night after the event with Jubal Early. And he was so tired, having almost no strength to do his job or take care of his sister. It was not a state he should be in, especially in the conditions that this crew handles everyday. Simon Tam slinked out of his room, feeling his feet drag as he open and closed the sliding door. The provided warmth from his room vanished without a trace when he stepped outside to feel the coldness and aloof feeling of the ship and its atmosphere. The heater was a great luxury, and there just wasn't enough to provide for the entire ship, so it was only reserved for the passenger and crew quarters so they could sleep easy during the night instead of tossing and turning to the cold sheet beneath them or the rosy face from the lack of warmth. He was wearing sweats, unlike what he usually wore, but it was a time where there wasn't anyone wandering, a good time for him to walk off his sleepiness with a cup of tea or coffee, or something that would wake him up a little more. Being so tired was something he was used to, he was always able to get the sleep he needed when he was on Osiris, he was a carefree man who didn't have a care in the world when he was on Osiris. But that all changed when he figured out the code in River's letter. Now, things that go bump in the middle of the night scare him half to death and he's always worried about something, never letting go of himself and always keeping his guard. Information on the war was hard to come by. From what Zoe told him, the Battle of Serenity Valley was devastating for the browncoats. Their numbers were lost in thousands and their supplies and utilities were all used up. Simon had heard rumors that suggested the war really ended on that valley. But Simon didn't think so. The Independents were so determined to keep their ground, it must take a lot more than just a battle to bring them down, they had the courage and will to fight, they had the purpose to keep going. And so they did, the moment the war ended and the treaty was signed, that was when it had ended. If Simon was fighting next to Mal in the war, he was quite sure that the Independents were about to win, with that man's determination and stubbornness. He gave a heavy sigh, rubbing his arms and trying to warm up a little. He was wearing a sweater, but it didn't seem to be enough to keep him warm and he hated that. He debated where to go, wondering if the kitchen was a good place to brew some hot coffee...he certainly could use it right about now, it would keep him up long enough to come up with something as he experimented again, over and over, in the infirmary for a new drug pallet for his sister. He crossed around the ship, trying to keep quiet because most of the crew was still asleep. Because of this thought, he was surprised to see Zoe wandering the ship as well and he walked up to her, giving a smile. It seemed fake to someone else, but it was honestly real. He had no real close relationship with Zoe, but she had been known to be reliable and dependant. Maybe it was time to get to know her a little better, "What time is it?" he asked, a little groggily as he'd never made it to the kitchen for that coffee.
ZoeWarriorWoman	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#2	[-]
Posts: 76 (03/12/06 22:25:51) TemporaryAdmin ZoeWashburne First Mate Warrior Woman Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Judging from the size and placement of the footsteps approaching the bridge, Zoe knew before hearing his voice that it was Simon coming up onto the bridge. Nobody else on the ship stepped with such lightness deliberately, even Kaylee's boots weighed her down more than Simon allowed his feet to touch the floor. Unlike Zoe's measured footfalls, Simon's seemed out of place. The ship seemed to have learned to make up for her noisy movement, but it was still adjusting to Simon. She shook her head to herself; it was Wash's fault that she thought of the ship as a person. River's escapade with Jubal Early hadn't helped that, either. Of course, Simon's somewhat ungraceful steps might have been due to his fairly recent leg wound and since that excitement he and his sister had found a slightly more comfortable place within the crew. She allowed him to come up beside her and waited for him to speak first, sipping the cold coffee in her mug. "What time is it?" he asked after a few moments of amiable silence between them. "It was about 0600 when I got up, s'been an hour since then. There's coffee on the stove if you need a boost, doctor," she said, giving him a once over before turning back to the windows. He was practically shivering. "Should warm you a bit, too," she offered, her eyes held straight ahead. There was no awkwardness in their silence, at least not for her. Wash had referred to her as terse on more than one occasion and he wasn't wrong. Wouldn't want to fill perfectly good emptiness with unnecessary words. Another glance in the doctor's direction almost made her feel guilty for her curtness. Everyone else was used to Zoe being of few words, but she could tell the boy was already fidgety, and their relationship wasn't the closest. Their last real conversation had been in his room in the first few days of his arrival on the ship and they'd parted on somewhat tense terms. He'd obviously gained some trust in her since he'd willingly given her the job of extracting the bullet from his leg, but she and he just didn't seem to be of the same breed. However, her respect for him had grown considerably, even if she hadn't shown it. "What's got you up at such an hour? Didn't hear no screamin', ain't nobody in the way of harm. Bad dreams?" she asked nonchalantly, though that was one subject she could speak on with some confidence with him. In fact, Simon may have been the sole person she would feel comfortable telling about the nightmares that plagued her own sleep. She looked at him again, a new light in her eyes as they narrowed slightly. "Cuz I'm listenin', if ya have the need to scrape somethin off your chest," she assured him.
Fade to Nothing	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#3	[-]
Posts: 441 (03/14/06 14:24:19) HeadAdministrator The Firefly Nazi The Beans Trio DoctorSimonTam Alliance Fugitive A Man of Loyalty NadineMaxwell Pioneer's Pilot Silent Beauty Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	I'm being trapped. The thought was very faint in his mind. He hadn't even realized that the thought about it, since all he could focus on was the silence that portrayed between him and the first mate of the ship. The difference between his subconscious and his awareness of his thoughts was that most of the thoughts he knew he was thinking was about River. But in the back of his mind, the place that was like the blind spot of his brain, he only thought about himself. He didn't think of anyone else but himself. In that piece of brain, he thought about how happy he really was here. How happy he might have been if he was somewhere else, if he was back at home, or if he was at the hospital. He thought about his parents and what would have happened if he just obeyed them. Would he still be here? Or would he be somewhere he where he was still safe? The place that ensured that was where he belonged? And what about the current standings? Kaylee was obviously on the top of his mind, though he'd do anything to deny it. He was only human, he couldn't protect River like someone who knew how to fight or fire a gun. Even Jayne might be a better suitor for River and he'd be left to do his own thing, instead of spending his entire moments of being awake to his sister. The thoughts that ran through his blind spot were unaware to him, and they floated randomly, popping up and then leaving in a flash so bright, he'd completely forget about the thoughts. He would probably scold himself endlessly if he knew that these thoughts were so selfish, if he knew that they only included what he wanted, his safety and no one else's. He'd hate himself for the thoughts where he said if River had been sensible enough not to go the Academy. If his parents hadn't let her go, he'd be somewhere where he wasn't so out of place, he'd be in the hospital, making a difference and not really having much of a care. But the thoughts that he currently was afraid of, was the fact that he was trapped, which suspended in his mind long enough for him to understand what he was thinking. It was true, in a way. He was trapped on Serenity, even though he could leave at any given moment. But in this part of his brain, he cared about his sister deeply. Enough to sacrifice anything in order to make sure she was safe. To the point where he gave up everything, even the idea of becoming the Chief of Surgeon, maybe even the Medical Elect. In these thoughts, River was his more important priority and he'd do anything to make sure she was safe and sound. "It was about 0600 when I got up, s'been an hour since then. There's coffee on the stove if you need a boost, doctor. Should warm you a bit, too." Simon Tam noticed that Zoe's voice and tone was a little curt. But ever since boarding the boat, he's learned to understand that it was just Zoe's way and not to take it offending. He disregarded it, nodding to her, thanking her as he moved towards the coffee pot and brought out a black mug from the cupboard. He thoughtfully moved with grace, though a little disgruntled from his leg injury. The pain that he received from it was beginning to fade away, which was actually a little surprising to him, since Zoe hadn't much experience in removing a bullet and patching up the wound. It mostly took more than a week for the wound to even start remote feeling better, but after five days, the pain was beginning to go away, which was good. It meant that Zoe, not only had a talent for putting bullets in people, but also for putting them out, or to put more precisely, for doctoring. She seemed to have a determination that if she wanted to become a medical doctor, she could. She also seemed to have the smarts, she seemed to be qualified enough for it. At this point, Simon wondered why Zoe chose to fight in the war instead of being in the hospital. But the thought, like almost all others, was quickly overtaken by the fact that the coffee was too hot as he poured into the black mug. He had to whip his hand away when he touched the black mug, it was hot enough that it even burned the skin of his palm. Instead, he took the handle and traveled back to Zoe, not really saying anything, but just letting Zoe know that his presence was there, though she probably knew he was there before he even did. He honestly couldn't tell if he wasn't saying anything due to the fact that he had nothing to say, or perhaps it was just always hard to talk to Zoe, though Wash had a reputation of being able to get Zoe open, which was a good thing, because she was usually so military like, even Simon would say that she could use to loosen up more, especially to how long she's been on board. Another moment of pause passed as he waiting for his coffee to cool down, grateful for the warm aroma that it presented as the smell of black coffee filled his nostrils. It did good to him, as it did wake him up a little more and he realized that he wanted it to cool down enough so he could drink it, and perhaps be a little more awake than he was now. He wasn't really bothered by the golden silence that passed through the air between him and Zoe. But it was so rare that he'd be able to get alone time with Zoe that he wanted to take advantage of such an opportunity, especially when more of the crewmembers would awaken and come join them, making this golden silence a little noisier that Simon would've liked it. His attention was caught when Zoe mustered up the courage to say something, "What's got you up at such an hour? Didn't hear no screamin', ain't nobody in the way of harms. Bad dreams? 'Cuz I'm listenin', if ya have the need to scrape somethin' off your chest." Simon turned to her, his face at an angle that made him good-looking. He wasn't totally turned to her, but his blue eyes matched his and the corner of his mouth showed his grin. Zoe and Jayne were more like the same for the most part. Yes, Jayne was far more horrific than Zoe, but they both had the air of warriors, while Mal was more the type to take charge, the one to say 'my way or the highway'. But the difference between Jayne and Zoe was that Jayne made it clear he didn't care, but Zoe was obviously willing to try to care, she was putting herself out there, had the courage to step forward. Something that Simon would admire in a person, since he seemed to have lacked the strength and courage to step forward for himself. He gave a heavy sigh, turning back to his coffee and circling his hand, even though there was nothing to mix inside the cup. "They're just dreams," he nodded into his cup, almost as if he were convincing himself, "Just apparitions formed in your head by pretty much anything that represents you in your REM. No cries, just heavy breathing. No nightmares, there was no screaming." He gave a thoughtful pause, realizing that he was sounding a little bit like his sister and he shook his head, then gave another sigh, "I'm sorry, Zoe. I know that I can be somewhat unsettling to someone. My dreams contain things that I don't remember, but they wake me up. I'm not panting, nor breathing hard, just wake up in a flash. Some of it's fuzzy, some of the aspects are pretty clear. All I can remember is that I was air...or nothing. Something like that," he gave another encouraging smile, the one that was rare and didn't appear on his face for absolutely nothing. He gave a little consideration to his next words when he realized that Zoe wasn't usually up so early as well, she was more likely the one to sleep in, with her husband. He gave a thoughtful look towards her way, the angle of his face that made him look handsome again and asked, "What about you? Scary monsters appearing in your brain as well?"
ZoeWarriorWoman	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#4	[-]
Posts: 76 (03/19/06 10:49:51) TemporaryAdmin ZoeWashburne First Mate Warrior Woman Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"They're just dreams," was what she heard. It wasn't necessarily that she'd stopped listening after that, one of the first things anyone learned about Zoe was that she was always listening. She had a great capacity for learning, it was true. She could absorb information in a pinch, but having lived by the barrel of her gun and the seat of Mal's pants had given her selective hearing. She heard everything, but had learned to only pay mind to what concerned her, her crew, or her job. Simon explained what dreas were, which was something she already knew (she wouldn't have been able to deal so well with her nightmares elsewise) and had nothing to do with the original question, which had been why he was awake at such an odd hour. The doctor had a habit of explaining rather than expressing. Sometimes it was as if he had symptoms, not feelings. Zoe could relate to that to a certain extent, it was easier to be the job than it was to be the person doing the job. Wash had done a lot to help her past that, but it had been years and she still hadn't truly let go of her warrior's facade. It would probably take a little more to shake Simon of his Core training. He was making progress, at least. He wasn't wearing those starched shirts everyday. "No screaming," she returned to the conversation. She interrupted him before he could go on. "Screamin' don't bother me none, not even when it's your sister. Ain't no harm being done to her ain't already been done. You handle it well. I might handle it differently," she said, thinking of her own brother and the lengths she would have gone to in order to get back at them who hurt him, had she been in Simon's position. Would have made sure those purple belly bastards got what was coming to them long before she tried to suss out what exactly they'd done. But that was one of the main differences between she and simon. He would act if absolutely necessary, but she lived to act. "I'm sorry, Zoe. I know I can be somewhat unsettling to someone. My dreams contain things that I don't remember, but they wake me up. I'm not panting, nor breathing hard, just wake up in a flash. Some of it's fuzzy, some of the aspects are pretty clear. All I can remember is that I was air...or nothing. Something like that." He apologized, tried to express instead of explain. Her eyes rose to his as he smiled and she nodded knowingly. "Sometimes it's better not to remember," she commented idly. "What about you? Scary monsters appearing in your brain as well?" Zoe shrugged. "Don't sleep too well lately, so I volunteered for first check," she explained, her words nonchalant. "Not scary monsters, though. Blood, bullets. Wash-" she paused, pursing her lips before she continued, still the picture of stolid calm she always was. "He's dead in my dreams. We're bathing in a tub of blood, and he's dead. I hear screaming and it takes forever for me to realize that it's me." These words were becoming not hers. They didn't belong to the Zoe the crew knew, they were from the girl Zoe had buried long ago; the girl who had cried in her brother's arms. The girl she'd vowed never to be again. And then Zoe was lost. "He couldn't stand when Niska let him go. Practically had to carry him to the shuttle. There were burns on his chest... blood in his eyes..." her voice broke and she closed her eyes, composing herself. Had that been fear tainting her voice?A moment of weakness. She cleared her throat. The moment passed. And she was Zoe again. "They're just dreams."
Fade to Nothing	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#5	[-]
Posts: 441 (03/21/06 01:29:06) HeadAdministrator The Firefly Nazi The Beans Trio DoctorSimonTam Alliance Fugitive A Man of Loyalty NadineMaxwell Pioneer's Pilot Silent Beauty Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	When he entered the kitchen to get something to wake himself up, he hadn't planned on getting to know Zoe Washburne better. In fact, all he was counting on was gathering some coffee and returning to wherever he felt like going, which was most likely the infirmary. But as he stood next to Zoe, a cup of warm and soothing coffee in his hand, he felt the way it turned out was better than what he had planned. Which had been the one of the first time things have been going right ever since River attended that Academy. Seems like every time and moment, things were going wrong. Kind of like a chain, one thing happens and all the rest of it just goes down the drain right after another, one after one; like a domino effect. Happened with his parents, with what the government did to his sister, with the cure he's trying to find, with pretty much everything. Except for one thing. Since he's boarded this ship, he realized that he couldn't have picked a better place. He felt that if he went upon any other ship, he wouldn't have ended up here. Wouldn't have the opportunity to help River, that someone else wouldn't give him the opportunity to help River. Boarding Serenity was the luckiest thing that he's every done since he broke River out. Being able to be around these people who accept him (or try to, anyway) and let him go about his business as long as he does what's required of him. Which isn't hard, being a doctor isn't hard at all. Nor is it a lot of work. Just seems like it because saving lives is supposed to be something heroic, and since heroes don't got it easy, neither do doctors. People fail to realize that after a while, even after a month or so of being a doctor, you just get used to it. And instead of it being a job, it turns more into a habit. Not that Simon minded, being a doctor wasn't just about the money, nor the family or intelligence. It was merely about the profession, being a doctor fulfills a lot in someone's heart and soul. Sure, it's hard, but it's worth it. At least Simon Tam always thought so. There wasn't much to say to Zoe Washburne. She was a quiet one, didn't speak out unless she felt like it. Though there were times when she would show a little humor side to her. The only one who seemed to get under Zoe's skin and really bring the real her out was Wash, not even the captain is able to penetrate through Zoe's walls. It also became apparent to Simon that no one tried, the only one who ever really tried and succeeded was Wash, he could feel the intimate connection between to two. They had their share of fights, but it was obvious that they really loved each other. It was good to see some balance around here, there was so much hostility coming from Mal and Jayne to almost all the crewmembers (seems to be pinpointed directly at Simon lately.) It was good to have some relief from Zoe and Wash, maybe Simon would be able to find someone like that (or had he already found her?) He gave a heavy sigh as he realized that his cup was empty. Frowning, he walked to the coffee pot, poured some straight black coffee and began to make more, as the pot was beginning to empty. He came back, watching the heat rise from the cup and returned back to Zoe as she made comments to him. She continued to be curt, she was forward and honest. At first, Simon was a little offended and hurt by her sudden ends of conversation, her forwardness and hostility, the obviousness that she was in no mood ever to talk. But living on the same boat as Zoe proved that she was like that all the time, she was forever in that war zone. Some people could never be able to leave the war and Simon believed that. Which is particularly why he hadn't blamed Zoe for her curtness and snappiness. He just moreover let it go, because the only way to get to Zoe was by passing (or trudging) along the path with the very high wall until you find an opportunity it get inside. Sometimes it came in weeks, months, years, decades. But it would open and Simon had no objection to her, he couldn't see why he wouldn't want to keep a keen eye for the opening. She might give it to him a little earlier than he expected. Zoe was a hard person to understand. She was different from the rest, she wasn't open nor was she trying to be open. But that was exactly what made her worth the trouble of going through. Simon wasn't going to push her, but he was going to wait. He was sure that in some point in time, she'd give him the benefit of the doubt and the chance to see a Zoe who was different from the Zoe she is now. "Don't sleep too well lately, so I volunteered for first check. Not scary monsters, though. Blood, bullets. WashHe's dead in my dreams. We're bathing in a tub of blood, and he's dead. I hear screaming and it takes forever for me to realize that it's me. He couldn't stand when Niska let him go. Practically had to carry him to the shuttle. There were burns on his chest...blood in his eyes...They're just dreams." As she was speaking, Simon's angle of his face turned to Zoe, the one that made him look handsome as he watched her intently. Trying to focus on her eyes, trying to understand her fear. Oh yes, he was small, very faint, almost not even there, but it was. The fear that Wash would be dead was in Zoe's eyes than in her voice, Simon had always found it far more useful to look in someone's eyes rather than in someone voice to understand their feelings. Whoever said 'actions speak louder than words' was more the correct. He was always intuitive, at least when it came to doctoring, but he was nowhere near his sister. But his specialty relied on the faces (or to be more specific, the eyes) of people that would tell them what he wanted to know or what they wanted to know. But that wasn't a good enough source to come by, honestly, people have been known to do well at hiding their feelings through their words and actions. Only mind reading could penetrate their walls that surround them day and night. But Zoe was putting herself out there, she was willing to let people see her. That was something that Simon understood and knew how she felt. The sadness, the fear, the loneliness. Not just the dream itself but the fact of what happens after it. It lingers in the mind. Haunts the thoughts. And honestly, Simon would very much mind if Wash had died, he brings a tranquility to the fired up crew, the one to suggest something that isn't so violent. Plus that and he's a very good pilot. He heard the words and what they did to Zoe and as much as he tried, he just couldn't find the right words to say to her that would let her know he was there. As always, such as a doctor, he was analyzing things instead of just going by instinct. But still, the awkward silence had passed through long enough, he'd take a stab at it, try do to things to help Zoe. "Just dreams," he echoed for a moment, trying to choose his words carefully, "There was this game that I used to play with my parents. When I was little, very small, I can't even remember my age, but I can remember the game. Around school there was a rumor that water helped you remember your dreams. Drink a glass everyday before you go to bed and you'll remember whatever dreams you'd dream about. It was difficult for me because I couldn't remember any of my dreams, so I made them up. Said things that were absurd, funny, even made some up that were horrendous and frightening. The game didn't last long, but I remember hearing the dreams that my mother and father used to have, about all of us being one happy family. The same dream for my parents, always the same dream night after night. I was little, didn't know any better so I believed them, but now as I think back on it, I realize they were probably making it up as well. Not that I minded, the knowledge of their dreams brought me in a good piece of mind. Even if they were faking it. As far as I know, I get a good piece of mind when I imagine River and myself happy. Dream there was no academy, no government. Just paradise. It's fake, but it brings me to a place where I can tolerate things that I wouldn't be able to tolerate otherwise." He gave an encouraging smile to Zoe as he took a sip of his coffee.
ZoeWarriorWoman	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#6	[-]
Posts: 76 (03/24/06 21:12:54) TemporaryAdmin ZoeWashburne First Mate Warrior Woman Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	She listened to the doctor's words, tilting her head, though she still didn't face him. Instead she buried her eyes in the dark liquid that reflected them in her mug, thoughtful. Part of her begrudged him, hearing the tale from his childhood. Just like those Core-dwellers, put a happy mask on everything so their children didn't realize the truth of things. She wondered idly if his parents' dream had ever been reality, if Simon's home had ever been what he'd been fooled into thinking it was. Perhaps that was one of Zoe's bigger problems with the Alliance; everything had a thick layer of content ignorance slathered over it, nothing was true. Were things better that way? After the war Zoe had spent her evenings reading copies of old Earth-that-was literature over the Cortex. A lot of the things she'd read had been war related, All Quiet on the Western Front and even Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms, which had been more love story than war novel, but she had found herself longing for a little affection. War novels had eventually led her to Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse 5, which had ultimately driven her to dystopian books. In Stanislaw Lem's The Futurological Congress, a man was cryogenically frozen and woke up in a future where everything was perfect. The catch was, everything was regulated by drugs, even reading a book was as easy as popping a pill. In the end, the drugs were really used to hide the truth of the world. The main character stopped taking the drugs and as soon as he did, he saw what the world really was: an overpopulated, garbage-ridden hell-hole. The government had come to the decision that the only way to keep the people from rioting was to give them drugs that altered their reality. That was what the Alliance was. They were dealers, poisoning their children so they couldn't see the world for what it was. And now Simon had stopped taking the drugs and he had found himself in a world covered in garbage. Zoe had to admire his resillience, she truthfully hadn't imagined he would last so long. The withdrawl hadn't killed him, as it had done to the character in the book. It had somehow, instead, made him stronger. But he still had a little of that Alliance poison in his veins. He could finally see the world, but he wished he didn't have to. He was telling her he still dreamt it that way. "Seems to me that part of bein' a man is to face the truth of things," she began, taking a deep breath. "You and your sister been through a lot these past few months, life changing, even." She raised her eyes to him, staring him down with a firm rationality that only Zoe could pull off. "But you done gained a lot, too. Now I ain't sayin' you oughta be thankful for your sister bein' cut on or messed with, but now it's happened, it's done. It's rough, but you can't go dreamin' on how it coulda been, either." Her eyes fell to the mug again before she closed them, as if summoning some inner strength. Zoe was balls-out tough mostly, but this kind of talk was something that took a different kind of strong. "I have nightmares. They're about things that I couldn't control, things I had to deal with on the inside cuz I couldn't let them show on the outside. But they're just dreams. What's done... it's done. You got to make the most of what you got now. There's things you're missin in front of you on account of wishin' things happened different," she spoke with no suggestive tone in her voice, though he could probably guess what she meant.
nopwrintheverse	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#7	[-]
Posts: 10 (03/25/06 00:51:49) Kaylee Frye Serenity's Mechanic No power in the 'verse Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Kaylee woke up in the dark. Quickly, unexpectedly, the transition between conscious and the unconcious was seamless. Now, she knew she was awake, and her mind could at once let go of the nightmare knots it had wound on account of the dream. It hadnt been a nightmare, nothing you make into a ghosty story, it had just been very, very real, and very uncomfortable. It was a dream that was scary in that real life way, where something has happened- something that could happen but you pray never will- and then your silly mind is stuck running in circles, panicked, trying to cope, trying to think its way out. And then you wake up and you lay there in the dark and relief just runs through your body in waves cause none of it happened and you are home safe. Whew. Already, the details were drifting away from Kaylee. Had she a bedfellow, she might have laughed and rolled over. She might have looked into his sleepy brown eyes and run her hands through that tossled black hair that was never tossled. She would have told him about her crazy, crazy dream, describing the broad and sketchy details left in her mind, and tried to giggle at dream-Kaylees panic. And he would have looked back at her so seriously- he was always so serious- but there would be a smile on his lips-a smile just for her- and he would have agreed that, yes, that was a very crazy dream indeed, but he would know that it hadnt seemed so crazy and his arms would have tightened protectively around her body. But Kaylee had no bedfellow, and the only things tightened around her body were the bedsheets twisted uncomfortably around her legs. She was too warm. Her body felt sticky and sweaty, her hair was tangled and everywhere, and her mouth tasted awful. She sat up. Kaylee was hardly refreshed, but she was definitely done with bed. Coffee. Lots of coffee, as sweet and light as Serenitys meager stores would allow. That was clearly the only sensible solution to mornings like these. Glancing at her timepiece, she gave herself a little nod. Zoe would be up now, which meant there would be coffee in the kitchen, probably hot. She pawed the choking tendrils of her hair away from her face, absentmindedly twisting her hair into a knot. Pulling a shiny satin robe of bright Chinese brocade off a drab brown hook, she wrapped herself in it. She would go upstairs long enough to grab a mug of coffee, say good mornin' to Zoe, and then come back downstairs to take luxurious extra minutes with her morning toilette, simple as it was. Then, she would go to the engine room and say hello to Serenity. There were always a number of low priority projects, minor calibrations and the like, that needed attending whenever a mechanic could get a minute away from keeping the whole rig from blowing up. There would be plenty of time before the whole crew would be up and about. Plenty of quality time for her to spend in the engine room alone, just her and her girl. Just the thought of that coffee was perking Kaylee right up. She mounted the later to the main corridor, which was still dark and quiet this time of the day, and shuffled barefoot in the direction of the kitchen. What she saw from the door was surprising, almost startling. Zoe was there, yes, but so was Simon. Simon was looking very intently at Zoe, who was eyeing her coffee with what seemed like equal intensity. They looked very serious, but those two so often did. It was bizarre, because she so rarely ever saw this particular pair together, much less deep in conversation. Fearing trouble of the you and your sister get off my boat" variety, Kaylee tried to infuse her voice with an extra helping of cheer. "Good Mornin! Ya'll are up pretty early!"
Fade to Nothing	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#8	[-]
Posts: 441 (03/27/06 09:40:53) HeadAdministrator The Firefly Nazi The Beans Trio DoctorSimonTam Alliance Fugitive A Man of Loyalty NadineMaxwell Pioneer's Pilot Silent Beauty Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	((Oh, ho-ho. I see where you're coming from, Nik. grins And great post, Drea.)) Most people would ask, 'How far did he have to go?' without knowing an answer. But he knew the answer to that question. He knew that the answer was 'farther than most'. Farther than anyone on this ship, in fact. Even more so than his sister. His sister did not comprehend just how far she had to go before she reached anywhere. But he was more than fully aware when it came to that question. It was etched into his head, and he couldn't get it out. He was far from the place he was supposed to be. He was too far from the place where he was meant to be. But he couldn't really judge that as much as he wished he could. He couldn't really understand that. That place, that destination; he was vaguely aware of it actually being there. Right now, he's riding on the hope that it's there when he gets closer. He's riding on the hope that it all isn't just a façade. He's riding on the hope that he'd be able to see the light at the end of the dark and narrow tunnel. "Seems to me that part of bein' a man is to face the truth of things. You and your sister been through a lot these past few months, life changing, even. But you done gained a lot, too. Now I ain't sayin' you oughta be thankful for your sister bein' cut on or messed with, but now it's happened, it's done. It's rough, but you can't go dreamin' on how it coulda been, either." He noticed that her tone was sharp and short, yet effective and distinct. And her words were meant to be considered, not disregarded. Simon Tam, if he were his old self, would have taken these words on an offensive route. He would have countered with the fact that reality isn't the best therapy in trying to get through things. That, sometimes, you need a place where you can escape in order to deal with things. Sometimes, facing the truth when you are not ready for it proved to be traumatizing and breaking. But Simon Tam was not that old person that he was before. And now that he'd thought back on it, he couldn't really be sure exactly as to what he was before. And even now, he couldn't be too sure on what he was right now. All he knew was that he changed; he couldn't even tell if it were for the best or for the worst. But what Zoe said was true, the doctor was not going to ignore the truth behind it. He was not going to fight it either, he was going to except it. The first mate had been through heaven and hell, she has been around the block more than once or twice or even three times. If she said something, it was best to regard it closely. It was best to take it into heart. He gave a slight nod, not sure on what to say next. He'd never been so good with words, always managed to mess things up whenever he said something. His mother would always say that her son was cute, at least until he opens his mouth. But Simon had been able to gain the advantage of knowing when to say something and when not to say something. He's tried his best to know the right time, and even though there are times where he was incorrect, he's improving. He's getting better...better at more than just one thing. He couldn't say where his destination was. Couldn't say where he was trying to get to. Which is particularly why he had no point or right to saw he had the farthest to go. But he what he did know was that wherever his destination was, it was far. He had a number of guesses of where the destination could go, but each of them didn't seem to be the answer. Or perhaps they all were the answer? He thought that perhaps his destination is the moment that River Tam is alright, where she is no longer that china doll that is ready to break at any moment given. He thought that perhaps his destination included a future with Kaylee Frye. Or maybe it was his death that he was looking forward too. Or maybe the fact of knowing that he could return home without being chastised. There were so many possibilities to the answer of 'where's your destination?' that Simon could not even remotely think of giving an answer. There were just so many different outcomes. "I have nightmares. They're about things that I couldn't control, things I had to deal with on the inside cuz I couldn't let them show on the outside. But they're just dreams. What's done... it's done. You got to make the most of what you got now. There's things you're missin in front of you on account of wishin' things happened different." And again, another nod. And again, Simon did not know what to say. And again, Zoe Washburne was right. At least, from the way that he saw it without actually finding an argument. He found it hard now to respond to Zoe on her sayings. He couldn't really agree with what she said, but he also couldn't really disagree with what she said. And with this conclusion, Simon felt that it was different in every person's mind. Zoe would find that reality is the only way to overcome things. Someone like Kaylee (he presumed) might find it more rewarding to just dream and find a better place. Then there were people who didn't disagree or agree on any particular point, they just went with the flow...kinda of like him. He caught the drift that Zoe had sent his way. At least, he thought that he had. And every time he was with her, he'd always regret what he did or what he didn't do. It was obvious to him that he should do something upon their next meeting of alone time, but that moment or that thought never came to him when he was with her. It never came to him that he'd regret it all later. And because he was so frustrated at the fact that he had no idea where he'd end up, he'd have a game of trying to figure out where everyone else was going. But, as he tried this game out a few times, he found it harder to guess someone else's destination than to guess his own. And almost immediately, he'd given up on this game and only focused on his own destination. But the list of possible answers only expanded instead of getting smaller. And it continued to be frustrating. And that was where he was now. Still trying to figure out the answer to the question of where he was going instead of the answer to the question of how far you had go to get there. Most people had been smart and first answered the question of where you were going. But Simon, being who he is, took the different and more difficult route. But Simon always did love a challenge and, no matter how frustrating it was in the beginning, middle or near end, he found it very satisfying to realize that he'd found the answer when everyone else found the most easier path to take. He'd never been one to take the easiest road, never been one to be too easy on himself. Because he knew that if he was, he'd never be able to grow a little more each day or be able to get a little stronger each moment. "Good mornin'. Ya'll are up pretty early!?" The sweet (strawberry-like) voice had interrupted the moment that passed between Simon Tam and Zoe Washburne. But he doubted that Zoe minded and he found that he hadn't minded too much as well. He turned to see the flushed and happy face of Kaylee Frye. Sweet Kaylee Frye, the innocence of our group. Simon was fully aware of her interest and he even tried to get something going on between them, but he always found himself occupied with something else, most of the time that was his sister. And if he didn't find himself occupied with something, then it was something he did or say that would ruin the whole thing. He hadn't necessarily given up, but he found that I was just better let it happen when it was meant to. Forcing it proved to be futile. He gave a small grin towards the mechanic, his blue eyes sparkling madly as he said, "I suppose. But you're up pretty early yourself." And now, instead of trying to find the answer that he could find to that question that haunted his mind, Simon Tam decided to just go where the wind took him. He had no rudder, he got spun about, he was balloon being carried by the wind and he went wherever it took him. He gave no objection, gave no response, just did it. He found that this method of just waiting for it to happen was far more rewarding than trying to find the answer yourself. Trying to find the answer yourself was like trying to find the answer to life yourself. It was difficult and nearly impossible. Instead you had to wait for it to happen. Had to wait for the answers to come and no matter how many you may have, it was always best to just wait. He knew that somewhere, he'd get the answer of where his destination was. He'd get the answer of how far he'd have to go. And he'd get the answer to if it was really there. Where are you going?
Unregistered(d)	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#9	[-]
Posts: 0 (03/27/06 13:05:53) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Whenever Mal dreamed, the results were usually less than pleasant. War could fill up a man with enough memories to keep him screaming through a lifetime of nights. Fortunately for him, however, he rarely ever dreamed -- and tonight was no exception to that. He awoke from a dreamless sleep with some semblance of mental grace, although the mussed sheets and decidedly un-neat hair said something about his physical grace. For a moment, Mal just sat. Serenity hummed around him, like a...humming thing that he was entirely too groggy to metaphorize at the moment. Right then. Time to scrounge up some breakfast. If he was lucky, the ship would be quiet enough that he could slip about without running into too many people. Zoe had mentioned something about the early watch, so she'd be about. But the others weren't like to be, especially since they all had themselves an interesting job to be managing today. Yes, it would be nice to have himself a little coffee and pace his mostly-silent ship. Few mornings afforded him that manner of luxury. After pulling himself out of bed, the captain fished out some (mostly) fresh clothing, washed his face, and ran his hands through his hair. And after that, it was just a hop, skip, and a thump to get up his ladder and onto the deck. As he walked, his boots made a comforting, heavy noise he scarcely registered at all. What Mal did notice, however, was the sound of multiple voices in his galley. Voices other than Zoe, even. Well! Two less people to drag out of bed come job time, at least. "Am I missin' something?" he quipped, walking past the trio and heading towards the kitchen proper. Once there, he reached down for his usual mug, not even bothering to look through the drawer before pulling it out. "If y'all are plannin' another mutiny, I'd like to know. Might just join you." Mal held the empty brown mug in his hands and glanced around for the coffee. But seeing as how a good deal had already been passed about this morning, he'd probably have to just make himself a new batch. Or stand there and look captain-y untli somebody took pity on his poor, uncaffinated state. -- [OOC: Hi everyone! First post, whoo. Ah, please tell me if I shouldn't be posting just yet. ^_^;]
ZoeWarriorWoman	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#10	[-]
Posts: 76 (03/29/06 03:11:42) TemporaryAdmin ZoeWashburne First Mate Warrior Woman Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	There was nothing that Simon could say to combat that argument, especially when the most compelling evidence in favor of one particular point stumbled somewhat groggily into the galley. "Good mornin'! Y'all are up early!" was the girl's exclaimation, forever the quintessence of good cheer, even so early in the morning. Zoe nodded her greeting to Kaylee before she smiled with good natured amusement, her brow raising in Simon's direction as she gave him a significant glance. Kaylee and Simon's relationship seemed awkward at best. It was plain to anyone with eyes that Kaylee fancied Simon, it was in her face, her smile. She was the type of girl who not only wore her heart on her sleeve, but her soul, one of those people it should be illegal to mistreat because of their unfailing sincerity. Zoe, like the rest of the crew, had a special place in her heart for the sugar sweet girl, felt the need to keep her from harm. That was the effect Kaylee had on people. Even Jayne, possibly the most selfish person in the 'verse, had the instinct to protect Kaylee. But the fact of the matter was that all Kaylee wanted (other than ruffly dresses and synchronizers, and possibly more than either) was Simon, and it was possible that he was the only person on the ship who refused to see it. Zoe was like a mother in the way that she wanted the best for her girl. Simon was a far cry better than that pretty boy Bester, but if Simon didn't get his act together it seemed like Kaylee would be spending many nights with the engine, which just didn't seem right for a girl her age. Zoe didn't want to have to interfere. Before Kaylee could catch the look, however, she was already staring back into her coffee mugh, taking the last sip of the cold black liquid. She moved over to the sink and rinsed the mug out, putting it away next to Mal's brown ceramic cup. Taking a pink flowered mug from the drawer, she poured the last of the hot batch she'd made into it and handed it to Kaylee. Not for the first time, Zoe realized that if anyone wanted to catch their crew with their pants down, all they would have to do would be to steal their coffee rations. "Just a routine check 'fore we land," she explained cutly, rinsing out the coffee pot and putting another pot on to boil. "Cap'n should be up soon, engine in order?" she asked, looking at the digital clock built into the stove. "Should probably go get Wash," she said, more to herself than them. As if on cue, Mal tromped into the kitchen. Zoe immediately straightened, almost at full attention military style. There were just some things she'd never be able to shake, and Mal would always be her commanding officer. "Mornin', sir," she nodded. "Am I missin' something? If y'all are plannin' another mutiny, I'd like to know. Might just join you." Zoe smiled. "I'll be sure to notify you about our next meeting, sir, we know revolution is your specialty," she said, deadpan. "Cargo's in order, just need a go from the engine room and the bridge. Once Wash is up, he'll be att'um."
Fade to Nothing	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#11	[-]
Posts: 441 (03/30/06 22:31:15) HeadAdministrator The Firefly Nazi The Beans Trio DoctorSimonTam Alliance Fugitive A Man of Loyalty NadineMaxwell Pioneer's Pilot Silent Beauty Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	He managed to barely catch the glance that Zoe Washburne had given to him, but it was too fast and so quick that he had to wonder if Zoe had actually thrown it. Then the first mate was staring right back at her coffee mug (to which it became noticeable to him that it was almost empty) before he could react to the significant glance that she had thrown him...if he had really seen the look. The glance, assuming that she really did throw it, told him something expecting; and although it was something that he thought he would have seen from someone else instead of the first mate, he found himself not so surprised by the reaction of the engineer's entrance from Zoe. Everyone on this ship knew of Kaylee's interest, including the object of her affection. It wasn't that Simon Tam wasn't interested, he just found more important things to worry about; he just couldn't really focus on Kaylee Frye right now, even if he finally managed to be able to tell her what he really felt. But then, his feelings for her were mixed. There was an obligation to take care of his sister, and that took up most of his time. Then there was the interference of Malcolm Reynolds and Jayne Cobb that would, to put quite frankly, scare him into not approaching Kaylee. Then there was Zoe Washburne and Inara Serra who were always pressuring Simon into making up his mind of choosing his sister or Kaylee. No one seemed to think that he could balance the two, even the lighthearted Hoban Washburne, whom they called Wash, was reluctant to understand his situation. And that did no good in helping Simon make up his mind in the favor of Kaylee. And to put truthfully, right now, Simon would have picked his sister over Kaylee, despite how much it may break her heart or how much it may break his. His sister has been with him for all his life and he's been with her for all her life, that sort of connection wasn't easily broken, not even by the power of love. Right now, she was his priority, despite how much he felt comfortable around Kaylee and how she was the only one who seemed to accept him in this place. Even Inara and Wash have been a little distant to him in the past. The only other person who seemed to take things in his favor was Book, and sometimes the Shepard of God had other things to worry about. He felt refreshed this night, after speaking his soul to the Companion on the ship. When he left his room to take a walk, he suddenly found himself right smack in the middle of Inara's shuttle and not even realizing he was there until he knocked on the door. The Companion, who was always considerate and kind, had opened her doors and arms to the boy, ready to hear everything he said and take it all in. Simon and Inara had never the chance to really get to know each other, only once had he really talked with her with such intimacy, and that was precisely the day that he had boarded the ship. Things have come and go since then and he found talking to her not nerve-wracking or unpleasant, as it was when he spoke with Mal or Jayne or even Kaylee. And at the end, just as Zoe had done, she told Simon the exact same thing. After the doctor had told her about his concerns for his sister and his concerns for him not helping his sister, she went on and on about how he was helping her, no matter how much he did not see it. He appreciated her offering and her words of kindness, but it did nothing to help him feel better except the fact that it was nice to get it out of his system and into someone else's. And when Simon was just about to leave, realizing that it was near dinnertime, Inara had told him that it was best to just accept what he had and take on what was coming to him. She hadn't said it in those words nor specified what she meant, but he was fairly certain that she had was indicating the relationship that kept growing (and shrinking all the same, might he add) with Kaylee, just as subtlety as Zoe had done. Simon didn't fail to notice how remorseful he felt whenever he'd anger Kaylee and he knew why that happened, but he wasn't about to admit it to anyone else but himself (and hopefully River, with the reader that she is.) He wouldn't want to lead on Kaylee and then abandon her when she needed him the same time River did. "Am I missin' something? If ya'll are planning another mutiny, I'd like to know. Might just join you." The captain's voice interrupted his thoughts and before he could react, Zoe's own voice activated. "I'll be sure to notify you about our next meeting, sir, we know revolution is your specialty. Cargo's in order, just need a go from the engine room and the bridge. Once Wash is up, he'll be att'um." Simon Tam turned to see that Zoe had left his side to pour another pot of coffee and was slightly ashamed that he'd hadn't noticed that she had abandoned the talk that they were having before Kaylee or the Captain had interrupted. He found it also refreshing to speak to Zoe, unlike Inara, who spent her words in comforting Simon, Zoe had used her speech to make Simon see reality. And even though he protested in seeing it, she had still let him know that he could if he wanted to. She had let him know without actually saying so. And now that Zoe and he had the chance to really talk to each other, he found that the two of them had a little more in common than what was expected, but there were enough differences that they could respect each other. He turned to the Captain, seeing the mutilated hair and shady eyes and gave a small snort that only he was aware of. It was unusual to catch the captain looking that scruffy. Granted, Mal was always scruffy, but Simon would usually sleep in, he hadn't seen the Captain that hideous when he woke up. Coffee was a good mixture with Mal. He raised his own mug to his lips and took another small drink, slightly sipping on it. The cup was still half full and he had no desire to get another cup, especially since coffee was only meant to make him awake and now that he was, he had no use of it. He was never much of a fan of coffee, despite its uses. An eyebrow raised as he looked at the captain, "Another? Does that mean there was one before?" The captain chose his words quite carefully whenever he said something, even one that was meant as sarcasm. It was important to hear what he said and understand his meaning, Simon found this out just a few days from boarding the ship. He left his spot with the cup in his hand still warming him from the cold atmosphere and moved next to Kaylee, flashing another quick grin. He had nothing to really say to her and so rarely did. The only time they got to talk is if she had sparked something up and only then he would respond. He found it difficult to speak to Kaylee, unlike when he was speaking Inara, when his words would flow without him even thinking twice on it and even with Zoe, he found speaking with her easy-going. But with Kaylee, he was always afraid he'd say something offending to her (and usually did, point of fact). He always found that whenever they were talking to each other it always ended up with she misunderstanding him or vise versa of him misunderstanding her and it usually was the latter. He realized here that he moved next to her side upon instinct and he hadn't really thought of being next to her until he realized that he was. He gave a small blush that he tried to hide behind his mug as he rose it against to his lips and said nothing to Kaylee Free. ((Wooooow, Rach! That was WONDERFUL! I've said this before and Nik has said this before, you're a great Mal!))
ZoeWarriorWoman	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#12	[-]
Posts: 76 (04/06/06 14:22:06) TemporaryAdmin ZoeWashburne First Mate Warrior Woman Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	(OOC: I'm doing a bit of NPCing for Wash and Mal's mom a bit. I named her Miriam... you got problems with it, lemme know. I'm also still playing Zoe. Everyone else is welcome to NPC Wash and Miriam Reynolds, I just wanted to move things along a bit. Any confusion, refer to the What's Going Down thread .02a for plotlines that are in progress.) Wash moaned out of his sleep as he turned over in the bed, expecting to find his wife's warm body but finding himself alone. Early morning check, he reminded himself, still half asleep. His blue eyes squinted as he rolled into sitting position, the cold of the metal floor making him wince as his bare feet grazed it. With a stretch and a yawn he was up, pulling on his orange flight suit halfway before realizing he still had his pajama pants on. A few slightly frustrating minutes later he was climbing the stairs to the helm, his flight suit tied at his waist, a white tank top covering his semi-muscular chest. He hoped that if he ran the check first thing, he would have a bit of time to nap before it was time to land. Half closed eyes studied the flight logs, the fingers of his left hand reflexively typing the commands while his right idly caressed the steering wheel. The screen flickered and a familiar yet surprising face appeared. "Hoban Washburne, didn't you comb your hair afore leavin' your bunk? Ought to be ashamed, ain't Zoe taught you nothin'?" the woman spoke like a mother chastizing her child, but with a bit of humor, too. "You just gettin' outta bed? It's near noon," Wash blinked. He was awake, right? "Well... er... uhm... sorry Mrs. Reynolds," he grinned sheepishly, though he ran his fingers through his hair once or twice as he spoke. He could feel warmth creeping into his cheeks. "And Zoe well... she's got enough hair of her own to be worried about mine," he smiled a bit. "And no ma'am, it's only about seven ship time," "What clock y'all goin' by, cuz it ain't right," she chastized. It was hard to tell there was something wrong, but why else would she be calling? "Uh... you want me to get-" "No, don't you go disturbing my nephew, probably still in bed, that boy," she laughed, interrupting him quickly before he could say Mal's name. "Just tell him the de Nalu's girl is gettin' herself hitched in three days, got that, three. You writin' this down?" "I'll remember ma'am. Three days," Wash spoke up, still a little miffed. He pinched himself. Yup, still awake. "Her daddy bein' gone and all, he'd be doin' the family a kindness by givin' her away," she explained, though he raised her eyebrows suggestively. "You sure you don't want me to call-" he almost got his name out before he was interrupted again. "Three days, ya hear? And tell him he don't need to call before comin'," she said. "Thank ya, Wash," she added kindly before the screen went dark. He pursed his lips, leaning back in his seat. He rubbed a rough hand over his face before he reached up and clicked on the COM system. He wouldn't be getting back to sleep any time soon. Zoe heard her husband tromp up the ladder and onto the bridge from where she was sitting in the kitchen. He was loud when he was tired, he would make a horrible night watchman. she glanced to the digital clock on the stove. 7am, right on time. He would, of course, come to the galley after checking to see that they were on course, nobody on the ship could get through these early mornings without coffee. Anticipating his arrival, she poured another mug and set it aside. The crew that had assebled in the kitchen had fallen into a sort of awkward silence. Simon and Kaylee were at a standstill and Mal was probably already thinking on the job. Zoe was content to be sipping coffee until it was time for action. "Mal, you might wanna get up here. Your... mom just called," was the somewhat nervous voice over the intercom, breaking their quiet. "And Zo', could you bring me some coffee? S'gonna be a long day," he added. Everyone was still for a moment, probably trying to wrap their heads around the idea of Mal's mother calling the ship. Zoe herself was a bit confused, her brows furrowed. They hadn't heard from Miriam Reynolds since Zoe and Wash's marriage five years ago. Since Zoe had grown up on a ship and Wash didn't want to get married on a planet with pollution so thick they couldn't see the stars, neither of them had had a home planet to go to. Kaylee had offered her home planet, but they had been a stones-throw from Shadow. Miriam had baked the cake and sewed Zoe's dress for the occasion. She and Mal hadn't parted on the best of terms. Miriam had raised her boy with strong faith and she didn't approve of his sudden lack of religion. However she had agreed to leave Mal to his business and made it clear that he could always come back home. She hadn't struck Zoe as a dependent type, though. If she was calling, there was something amiss. Grabbing the mug of coffee for Wash, she headed to the bridge.
Inara M Serra	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#13	[-]
Posts: 191 (04/11/06 13:07:21) Administrator The Beans Trio InaraSerra Registered Companion Ambassador to Firefly Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	Her body was still on planet-time, which meant that while the rest of the ship normally slept, she was wide awake and battling boredom. From her shuttle tucked against Serenity's side, she was out of the way of the main path from bunks to living quarters, and unaware of the rash of activity occurring to the fore of the ship. Scanner in her lap, seated upon a cushioned ottoman in her silken sleeping gown, Inara smiled softly at the screen playing out the past before her eyes. In her nearly a year onboard the Serenity she had accrued memories that she would be able to relive until her dying day. More excitement had happened to her while renting her shuttle than in all her years on Sihnon, and she'd tried to capture all of them in a video journal on her scanner. Tapping the button, she scanned back through the entries for lack of anything more productive to do. Her own face gazed back at her, and tears welled in her vid-doppelganger's eyes. She removed her finger from the button to bring the image back to realtime, her mouth pursed slightly as she watched her image on the screen. A tear rolled down the cheek, aided by a hard blink of lashes to send it on it's way. The sound turned off, her image's lips still moved, quivering slightly between words and nipped by teeth to try and keep them from it. There was no need to look at the date, or review what was being said, for she well remembered adding this entry. Closing her eyes to the painful image and the twinging hurt that still ebbed in remembrance, she was on the verge of turning it off anyway, when the sound of stern bootheels sounded outside her shuttle's door on the catwalk that lead up toward the stern. Kaylee! Unsure why she thought it was the younger girl, but the sound of feet had jump-started her memory from the past, into the present, and she stood up hastily to set the scanner down in her place. She'd just remembered that she had something she needed the brilliant engineer to take a look at before she would attempt departing in her shuttle. Tightening the belt of her robe, she stepped into her flats and grabbed the piece of flight component that had fallen out from under her console yesterday, wires and scorch marks intact, and slid open the door to her shuttle. Whoever had gone past on the catwalk was already gone, but as she stepped out and headed up the stairs, she could hear voices coming from the galley, and picked out Kaylee's bell-like laugh. Unable not to smile at the contagious sound, she padded quietly down the under lit corridor, her flats whispering quietly on the metal grating, to enter the galley with a smile and a pause. Indeed finding Kaylee, as well as most of the crew, which was odd for this early hour, she gave the girl a half smile upon meeting her gaze, and held the rectangular bit of plastic, wires and solder up with an embarrassed little shrug. "Um... it just fell out."
Fade to Nothing	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#14	[-]
Posts: 441 (04/14/06 22:30:46) HeadAdministrator The Firefly Nazi The Beans Trio DoctorSimonTam Alliance Fugitive A Man of Loyalty NadineMaxwell Pioneer's Pilot Silent Beauty Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	((K, I'm going to control Mal for a moment here, just said that he left, which is what he was going to do in the first place, but Rach never got around to posting...)) Two of the four occupants in the galley swiftly left the dining area without much of a word (or words) and Simon Tam realized within seconds that he'd been left alone with Kaylee Frye. He tried real hard not to swallow a thick gulp, but it traveled down his throat against his wishes and he was left with hoping that the engineer was unable to hear it. As well as unable to hear the frantic and fast beating of his heart. He shifted uncomfortably, not sure exactly what to say or what to do with himself. If he'd been bold enough to say anything at all, there was at least a seventy-five percent chance of whatever he said being something insulting or bad, which would cause Kaylee to storm off and leave the good (and confused) doctor all alone. And right now, Simon wasn't much into arguing with Kaylee, even if he didn't actually say anything when she got angry with him. A heavy sigh crossed his face and he tried to give a comfort feeling to the only other occupant with a hint of a smile, but he was afraid that it only turned out to be something of a smirk or half-smile, or anything that wasn't what he was trying to do. He'd admit that he had a history of saying and doing things that he meant for good, when it was interpreted as bad. Incidentally, he was unsure of what to do next now that he'd at least "attempted" at being open with the engineer. Seemed that Kaylee hadn't much to speak of either and Simon Tam found the silence unbearable to...well, bear. Whenever the two of them were together, she usually did all of the talking and he would only listen to her voice...give inputs that would let her know that he was listening to every word she was saying and maybe, once in a while, give his own story if he thought it worth saying. He gave a significant cough, a somewhat slash between a heavy and tired sigh, then migrated himself to a spot next to Kaylee after pouring himself another cup of coffee that had finished brewing within five minutes of Zoe putting in another pot. But still, as he stood next to her, taking a small drink of his coffee, there was nothing said from his mouth. Then River (as always) had entered his mind and he hated to have to leave Kaylee by herself. Especially when no one else was here to talk to her and keep her company. But judging from the time that ticked ever so slowly at the clock overhead, River would be up sometime soon and he needed to check that she was alright. That she was getting better instead of getting worse. He gave an apologetic look to Kaylee as he set down his coffee mug on the counter of the sink, "I, uh...I have to check up on River..." He didn't wait for her to respond, he didn't want to see the hurt in her eyes. And so, he swiftly moved towards the exit of the galley that led downstairs to the passenger dorms when he saw someone making their way into the galley. With regret, he felt slight relief in finding that Inara was walking with a brisk and silent stride towards the galley, intending to join the two of them. He took a glance at the clock, realizing something. River wouldn't be up for another half an hour. "Oh, hello," he said, casting a glance at Kaylee and realizing that if he didn't leave to check on River as he said he would do when they were alone, she would have the impression that he didn't want to be alone with her. Which was...half true, but... Simon coughed, looked at Inara and pointed towards the exit of the room, "I'm just...going to check on River..." And he didn't wait for her to respond as well as he made his quick getaway.
ZoeWarriorWoman	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#15	[-]
Posts: 76 (04/21/06 21:41:03) TemporaryAdmin ZoeWashburne First Mate Warrior Woman Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	((NPCing Mal and Wash while still playing Zoe. Hopefully this reads like a fanfic scene because I'm too lazy to make it from any one perspective. Sorry if it's not really up to par, just trying to keep things moving.)) Zoe followed Mal to the bridge where Wash slumped half asleep in the seat of his pilot's chair. Mal and Zoe's feet on the harsh metal grating brought Wash back to his senses and Zoe shoved the mug of hot coffee beneath his nose. "Trouble?" she spoke, all brisk business, her brow furrowed a bit in question. Wash wrapped his hands around the mug, not even taking the time to blow on the caffinated concoction before taking a sip. Bad idea. He spit it back into the mug, sticking his tongue out like a child who had just tasted brussels sprouts. "It's hot," Zoe said flatly, though an amused smirk crossed her lips. "Yeah, thanks," Wash replied, though a crooked smile lit his face. If nothing else, the scalding hot of the liquid had shaken him to full alertness. He put the mug on the console to cool and looked back to Zoe, making puppy eyes. "What, no good morning?" Zoe leaned down to peck his lips, but Mal interrupted what might have been a tender moment. "Mornin'," he interjected. "My mama called?" he reminded the two lovebirds why they had suddenly gathered at the bridge. Zoe pulled away from her husband reluctantly and Wash sighed, snapping his fingers. Mal conveniently ignored the look Zoe gave him and instead turned to Wash. "Yup, just a few minutes ago," Wash nodded the affirative. "Somethin about a wedding in three days..." he trailed off, pulling the coffee to his lips again, this time blowing the steam a bit before drinking it. He cleared his throat, his his brow creasing as he searched the ceiling for anything he was forgetting. "My mama wouldn't call for no wedding, why didn't you get me while she was on the vid?" Mal spoke impatiently,his eyes squinted as if he ws already trying to crack the code of his mother's words. There was absolutely no way his mother would call his ship for something so trivial as a wedding, especially not with the terms on which they had parted five years ago. Sometimes he still thought about her, but never in a negative context. When Jayne got post from his mother, or when Zoe confessed she wanted to have kids one day. He imagined Zoe would be a lot like his mother was, and that was a compliment. "She wouldn't let me, everytime I tried she interrupted. Couldn't even say your name," Wash explained. "Said you were her nephew, too. Maybe it was your aunt..." Wash's face scrunched in confusion. He had had a long night making sure they were on course to Greenleaf and now he was up much earlier than he would have liked to be. Things got fuzzy. "Ain't got no aunt, Ma only had brothers," Mal shook his head, an ache already growing in his temples. Like the rest of his crew, he was nothing without his coffee in the morning, and he had set down his mug when Wash called them to the bridge. "She say anything else?" Zoe queried, interrupting the two of them before Mal got agitated. He wasn't exactly a morning person and they didn't need any undue fussing when everyone was still only just waking up. "Nope, just made sure I didn't forget three days and then something about a wedding," "Don't make no sense. She ain't say nothin' about no kind of trouble? Nothin' that might suggest she was in some kind of peril?" Mal pressed, his patience growing thin. If his mother was in danger he would certainly go to her, but if it had just been a courtesy call after five years of silence, he could go on about his business and get back to her later. "Well she did give me a sort of significant glance..." Wash said. "Maybe it'd be easier if I just play the vid," he flipped a few switches. Mal's eyes widened in disbelief, wonderful why the quirky pilot hadn't volunteered the video log in the first place. He held his hands out at Wash's turned back, mimicking strangling him. Zoe's eyes were full of mirth, though her lips only betrayed a hint of a smile. The woman who flickered onto the small screen in front of them was definitely Miriam Reynolds. There was no mistaking the spry blue eyes (which Mal had inherited) and her short cropped greying locks. A small crucifix hung at her neck. "Hoban Washburne, didn't you comb your hair afore leavin' your bunk? Ought to be ashamed, ain't Zoe taught you nothin'?" Zoe absently smoothed her husband's still crooked blonde locks with her fingers and Wash grinned up at her. Mal focused on his mother's image, the sound of her voice making him miss her something fierce. "No, don't you go disturbing my nephew, probably still in bed, that boy. Just tell him the de Nalu's girl is gettin' herself hitched in three days, got that, three. You writin' this down?" The woman's face softened a bit when she mentioned Mal, even if she had referred to him as her nephew. Mal and Zoe shared a look at the name De Nalu, but kept their attention on the woman's directions. "Three days, ya hear? And tell him he don't need to call before comin'. Thank ya, Wash." The screen went black. "See, three days, and a wedding! Oh ho ho, I do more than pilot!" Wash exclaimed triumphantly, turning to Zoe for a supporting nod. She shook her head and turned to Mal. Her face was a new mask of seriousness. "De Nalu? Jay De Nalu, he fought with us at Du Kang," Zoe said quietly. "I remember him mentioning a daughter," "Yeah," Mal said, already distracted. "She stayed with Ma during the war. Still don't explain why she called... there's a buncha folk on Shadow who knew Jay better'n me. Gotta be somethin' else," he sat in the co-pilot seat, crouched in thought. "Noticed she avoided sayin' your name, didn't want Wash to call you. Could be she didn't want your face on that vid,"Zoe suggested. "What about my face?" Wash asked, feigning panic. Mal stood again, pacing the bridge. That made a little more sense. Actually, that made a lot of sense. Someone was looking for him, and they'd targeted his mother. "How long will it take to get us to Shadow?" Mal asked, sitting back down in the co-pilot chair to bring up an intergalactic map. Wash did some calculations. "'Bout eight hours, we burn hard enough." "Still got that job waitin' on Greenleaf," Zoe warned, only a step behind on what Mal was thinking. She couldn't blame him, especially if his mother was in some kind of danger. She was a hard woman, but she wouldn't have called Mal unless she needed him. "Which is about thirty minutes from spitting distance," Wash said. He could already see the planet in front of them, glowing an eerie green in the black of space. "Turn around," Mal said simply. "Bernoulli's gonna--" Zoe began, but was cut short. "Call him, tell him to contact his people on Greenleaf. We ain't rabbiting with the cargo, just makin' a detour," Mal's tone was becoming more stern by the minute. "And we need money for fuel, which I doubt we'll get at a wedding," Wash offered the minor detail. "We're cutting it close as it is, we were geared to refuel after the drop," "But we got enough to get us to Shadow, we play it right?" Mal asked. "If we play it right," "Then we burn that bridge when we come to it. Turn," Mal stalked from the helm. "I'll tell the others." Final orders. Captain. His word = law. Zoe took a deep breath as she watched the captain leave. When he disappered back into the galley she faced her husband and turned his seat around to press a loving kiss on his lips. "Good morning," she said. "Looks like it may be the only good part of the day," She sat at the co-pilot chair, making the call to Bernoulli. Wash took one last gulp of his coffee before shifting some gears, flipping some switches, and changing course, a golden trail of light left in the black behind them.
meriae77	Re: Going for a Ride (open)	#16	[-]
Posts: 9 (05/02/06 05:26:22) Derria Book Serenity's Preacher Shepherd of God Reply Quote More My Recent Posts	"Mal, you might wanna get up here. Your... mom just called," Wash's words echoed through the ship, rousing the Shepherd from his meditation. Opening one eye to look around the cabin, he found nothing out of place, except ...himself. With one last deep breath, he left the comforting space of his own reverie and acknowledged that with the ship awake, he was a lot less likely to be left in solitude. As he stood up from the floor and snuffed out the candle he'd lit, he had a stray thought towards the coffee that had undoubtedly been brewed several times over by now. Settling his hair back into a more respectable style, he nearly chuckled to himself to think of his emotions getting roused over coffee. There were few things on the ship that could be considered normal, and even less that could be considered comforting, so he took it as no surprise that after more than 60 years of avoiding it, he was now addicted to coffee. Carefully, methodically, he set his belongings into their storage spaces, made up his bunk, and left his quarters. True, he had few belongings that would move about during travel, but the ones he had he would prefer to be able to find should the situation arise. Walking carefully to the galley, he smiled slightly, more to the outside world than because of a genuine happiness. Finding Kaylee and Inara involved in discussion about an interesting looking piece of plastic, he headed straight for the coffee pot and poursed himself a mug. It was less an exercise towards wakefulness and more another ritual he found himself engaged in, so his motions were always exactly the same. Lift mug from drawer, pour coffee into mug, bring steaming mug to face, smell the bitter liquid, blow off the steam, and take a careful first sip. At the first appropriate break in the conversation, he bid the ladies a good morning, but did not try to interrupt what they were discussing. "Good morning Kaylee, Inara."

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