Current mood:

rejuvenated

[RL with Master] - Welcome to Serenity (Pt. 1) [Backdated to 1/26 Afternoon]
[ooc: I apologize in advance for how incredibly, stupifyingly long this is. I was going to go through and put it into narrative, but, hogod. So much. Feel free to mock me for trying to be everyone else on Serenity. I apologize for ever and ever amen to any future players who may app these characters.]



River: [Serenity is setting in a port, among other ships as parked ships at ports are wont to do. There isn't a reliable Alliance patrol, so River is sitting outside the open cargo bay on Kaylee's chair as the rest of the crew move crates around]

Master: [Master was hanging out, smoking a cigarette - the only thing he refused to get rid of - waiting for the right ship to arrive. He stubbed out what was left of it, slung his bag over his shoulder, and made his way through the crowd to get to Serenity. He lawl looks like this (http://www.john-simm.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=41&pos=116), kinda scruffy and dorky.]

River: [River smiled and waggled her fingers at him as he got close, then tilted her head toward Mal and gave a small nod. He was the one to talk to first. He also happened to be finished with the crates and was walking toward River to tell her it was almost time to leave. She knew, but she waited anyway.]

Master: [Master flashed a smile back at her and nodded, suddenly settling into srs face. He called to Mal.] Oi! 'Scuse me, Sir!

River: [River giggled a little and scrunched her nose at his srs face. Mal, however, did not. He looked at Master with a raised eyebrow and hooked his thumbs into the belt loops of his pants.] Need somethin'?

Master: [Nods, adjusts glasses] Mm. I've been waiting for your ship, actually -Heard you'd be able to help me aquire some parts.

River: [Mal looked at him curiously] What sorts of parts? [Suspicious? Yes. Quietly, Simon crept behind him to get River away from the stranger. She shooed him away and then crossed her arms like a petulant child.]

Master: Ah, ship parts, actually. [glances at River] I-I'm a junker of sorts, like to build things. M'last ship was stolen some time ago, but I've given up trying to get it back. Unfortunately I've been having trouble aquiring the parts I need around here... so I've come to you. [offers hand, smiles] Harry Saxon.

River: [Mal looked from his hand to his face a couple times before taking it and shaking it firmly] Malcom Reynolds. Love to help, really, but we're headed out just now to Beylix. [He really had no idea why he was telling him his destination, but there it was. Behind him, River had grabbed Simon's hands and was pulling him, giggling, to make him sit with her. When he finally jerked back, she frowned at him and stuck out her tongue.]

Master: Beylix! Fantastic, really - they'll have what I need! What good fortune, then... [lowers his voice a little] Id've taken standard transport but I can't risk getting searched - look, just let me tag along, I'll make it worth your while. Won't make a fuss, I can sleep in the hold, whatever you like, really.

River: Alliance does tend to enjoy fussin around in a man's business. [Mal gave him a look over] Ain't gonna start any trouble with anyone on my boat, are ya? [River was still sitting there, tapping against her knee as Simon knelt beside her and tried to talk her into going back on board. It didn't look like she heard anything he was saying.]

Master: [laughs a little, sheepishly] No no, I'm not that sort of man. Honestly, do I look it? A clean place to lay my head, and I won't bother your crew at all. [glances over at River again - oh yes, he sees the tapping.]

River: [Mal nodded] Let me tell the crew. [He nodded to Simon and River as he walked over to everyone else and told them about the new passenger. There was a bit of grumbling, and a Look from Zoe, but Mal came back after a minute.] There's passenger bunks, cargo hold and the bridge are off limits. We'll have mess at (blahtime). [River stood when he finished, folded up the chair, and walked into the ship.] This way.

Master: Ahh, thank you, Captain. [follows]

River: [Simon and crew just kind of- stare, as River leads him into Serenity and to the passenger bunks. She set Kaylee's chair down behind some crates and walks slowly so he doesn't get lost, and doesn't talk until they're out of the cargo hold and away from the rest of the crew.] The bunks are comfortable. [She smiled and looked back at him] Glasses are a nice touch.

Master: [Grins] I'm glad you approve. [rubs stubble] Though not shaving was more of a sacrifice. Did I do all right? Crew seems to be a bit unnerved.

River: Middle of a job, get restless. Scare easy, like rabbits, but Mal likes you and they listen to him. Captain's orders. [She nodded and stopped when she reached the bunks] Here.

Master: [Laughs a little] He likes me, huh. [looks over at the bunks] Mm, well. Can't say I expected anything more. [gently sets pack down, sits on a bunk, lets out a sigh of relief] ...We really did it. Thank you, River.

River: [She pointed across the hall] Mine. [She pointed to the one directly across from it.] Simon's. [River smiled at him as her hand started tapping against her leg] Welcome. [There was a clunking of feet and Simon ran up, looked at River, then at Master, then at River again. Suspicious paranoid brother is suspicious and paranoid]

Master: O-Oh! [stands up] I'm sorry, Mister...? Erm, this young girl was just showing me to my bunk - [nods to River] - thank you, darling.

River: [Simon nodded at him in acknowledgement that he'd said something, but not much else.] Simon. [He moved toward River slowly, speaking as if he was talking to either a very very dull child or a very very uncooperative cat] Mei mei, why don't we leave him alone now, ok? [She shot him a Look, but he kept going] It's time for your meds. [She glared, now.] No. Not now. [She backed away from him a bit] Later, not now.

Master: [Puts hands in pockets, a little uncomfortable :V ] Oh, I'm sure it can wait, hmm?

River: [Simon took a breath to argue, then looked at River and it turned into a defeated sigh] I'll come get you later, River. [He let his hands ball up into fists, nodded at Master and headed off to talk with Mal. River wrapped her arms around herself and leaned against a wall] Shenme. [She looked over to him] He's afraid.

Master: Afraid...? [moves closer to her, lowers voice in case the others could hear... never can be too careful, not with humans and their mousey ways] Afraid of what? You?

River: {She nodded and hunched her shoulders a little] And Alliance. New people, doesn't trust. They're coming, but he sees wolves in all the sheep. Can't tell them apart, so he's afraid.

Master: ...He thinks I'm Alliance?

River: Thinks you could be. Out for a reward. Money on our heads, but we hide.

Master: [shakes head] For the love of... how do I convince them I'm not? The last thing I need is for one of your crew to snap on me.

River: [She reached out and put a hand on his arm] Just Simon. Show them I know you're a sheep, they'll believe it, too. No trouble.

Master: [Smiles softly at her] ...They trust you deeply, don't they.

River: [She shook her head a little] Know I hear things. Know I'd hear trouble. Useful.

Master: ...I see. So they use your abilities. Well... they trust those, at least, which means they trust you, even if it doesn't seem like it. [his smile turns a little wry] So why does this Simon care so much?

River: He's my brother. [She smiled a little sadly] Left everything to find me. Was hidden, but he searched. Can't go back, now.

Master: [Runs a hand through his hair, haha oh wow] Devoted, obviously. I can understand why he'd be protective. [laughs] Thinks I'll steal you away? Run off with you?

River: [She laughed and smiled a little crookedly] Like a thief.

Master: Ooh, I'm a terrible thief. [He grabbed her hands gently, grinning] I'll take you by screwdriver-point, toss you in an escape pod, and we'll fly off into the black, go somewhere where they'll never find us!

River: [She giggled] Wouldn't get far. Shuttles are short-range.

Master: [Snapped fingers] Damn, dashed that plan.

River: [She giggled again, and put a hand over her mouth] Very disappointing planning. [She stopped and stood very still for a moment.] Leaving. [Serenity lurched a bit as it began to take off]

Master: [He looked up, more checking that nothing was going to fall on them than being surprised. He could feel the turning of the world, this was no different.] So... [leans against the wall next to her] How long until we get to Beylix?

River: [She closed her eyes and let the calculations fly around in her head] Five days. Three if there's trouble and they go for a full burn most of the way. [Slowly, she let herself slide to the floor, still against the wall. She felt both gravities, swirling against each other, and it always overwhelmed her a bit] Almost out, now.

Master: [He furrowed his brow. He could feel it, too. It had been a while since he'd used this kind of transport.] Five days! What am I to do for that long?

River: [She looked up at him and smiled] Plan. Use Cortex to see ship designs. New mechanics, study up. Could play jacks.

Master: [Grins at her] Ohhh, you catch on fast, don't you. [He goes over to his pack, rummages through for something] What's Cortex? Some sort of mental-link computer, I assume?

River: [She shook her head] Communications network. Could get you Simon's encyclopedia.

Master: ...You'd do that for me? [mock frowns] I don't want you getting in trouble, now. Your brother's protective enough, if he thinks I talked you into getting that for me... just be careful, hmm? Aha, here we are... [pulls out laser screwdriver, ohoho, ilu laser screwdriver]

River: He doesn't use it. [She looked at the screwdriver curiously]

Master: [wiggles it] Laser screwdriver. The Doctor has a sonic one... which between you and me is rubbish. It's like... like a Swiss Army Knife, if you've still got them. A tool for every situation, this.

River: [She smiled] Multi-purpose. Opens cans and doors and puts them back again. More.

Master: [Nods, smiles deviously] Ohh yes, so much more. If you brought me your brother's encyclopedia, I could save it on some datachips, load it into the computer, take it with me. Would certainly help me blend in, don't you think?

River: [She nodded, and then stood up in one singular motion] Shh [And she stepped out, scurried into Simon's room, grabbed it off a shelf and came back, holding it out for him]

Master: [...omg no wai! Gasps, delighted, puts a hand over his mouth so he doesn't laugh out loud] River! Oh, you're too much... [takes it, sits on the bunk, studies it carefully]

River: [She smiled and nodded, then felt her stomach lurch again. They were out of the atmosphere, so this was something different, and she frowned.] Never stays. Have to find Simon now. [She ran out to the infirmary and came back a few minutes later, looking a little drugged but smiling] Back now.

Master: [Looked up at her, kind of >:/ looking. He doesn't approve of the drugs.] Mmm. [Around him are littered little flash-stick looking things. He managed to pry the back off the "encyclopedia" and is screwdrivering some parts]

River: They help. [She took a step forward, slow, feeling her weight shift from one to the other] Make me a girl, put the pieces together and repair what they can. Simon's a good doctor. [She smiled and peered at what he was doing]

Master: [sourly] I'm sure The Doctor would put me on something if he could. [Picked up a couple chips, placed them inside the encyclopedia, more screwdriverin'] I'm saving them to datachip first because a direct transfer would render the program too unstable. This way, it'll be translated, easier to decode.

River: [She frowned at the insinuation that Simon was anything like the Doctor with sentient hair, but she wouldn't argue it. Instead, she took a closer look at what he was doing.] Moving it from one jar to another, changing climate and barometric pressure, oxygen levels, make them more appropriate for needs.

Master: [thinks about this a little, nods] Mm, I suppose. Anyway, I wouldn't want to leave any trace of my presence, and since just hacking into it would probably leave it pretty useless... [takes out those chips, puts in a couple more] When I'm done you could give me the grand tour... unless the others would disapprove?

River: [She smiled wide] Could give a limited tour for now. Maybe Kaylee will let me sneak you to the engine room. Might not, she's protective of her. Can show you other places, though.

Master: Ooh, I'd like that... just a moment... [Screwdriverin'... puts the chips away in his bag, but puts the screwdriver in his jacket pocket. He smiles and stands, offering River his hand] Sorted. Now, show me Serenity.

River: [She took just the tips of his finger in hers and lead him out to show him what she could of Serenity. http://www.fireflywiki.org/img/serenity-map.jpg She made a face at the infirmary] In case. Simon is in there a lot.

Master: [chuckled at that] Is that so... mm, what about the mess hall?

River: Second level. [She pulled him toward the stairs, then let go of his hand and ran up. She stopped at the top, though, and waited for him]

Master: [Walked up after her, carefully observing the makeup of the ship]

River: [She was standing at the top of the steps, listening to something. There were the sounds of someone talking, angry, coming from the dining area just up ahead. After a moment, she frowned.] Probably not a good time. [from where they stood it was easy to see Simon and Mal in the dining room, and Kaylee peeking out from the engine room]

Master: [He peeked over her shoulder at the row... hmph. He whispered to her] Tsk, too bad. I'm starved. Well, let's go somewhere else, then.

River: [She nodded and smiled a little, then gave a little wave to Kaylee, followed by a questioning gesture that, hopefully communicated 'Can we come in?' Kaylee eyed the dining room for a second, rolled her eyes and waved them over]

Master: [He smiled gratefully and followed her in]

River: [Kaylee gave River a mock-stern look] If I get in trouble with the Cap'n or your brother, I'm never gonna forgive you for it. [Kaylee smiled then and stuck out her hand] I'm Kaylee [She gestured to the engine] and that's Serenity. [River giggled a little and fell into Kaylee's hammock in the front left corner of the engine room]

Master: [He shook Kaylee's hand, flashing a stellar grin] Ah, pleasure to meet both of you. [chuckled a little at River] Squared yourself away a nice spot here. Close to your work and your food - you know your priorities.

River: [Honestly, it didn't take much to charm Kaylee, and she beamed at him] Couldn't hear her workin's if I'm not close by. My job to keep her runnin, and I don't plan on slippin' up. [She had a bit of engine grease on her face, and she went back to the engine, working on something] Ever been up in a ship nice as this before? [River was still in the hammock, swaying a little still from the force of her landing. Her feet were sticking up and out and she gave a little kick to make it sway some more]

Master: [Rubbed the back of his neck] Well... I'll admit, it's awfully slick. Purrs like a kitten, you do obviously take good care of her... but, well, I'd have to take a look at her inner workings to say. I build ships, you see.

River: [Kaylee grinned] Well, these are them. [She began pointing out different engine parts and connections, the things she'd changed from the original design to make it more efficient. River just swayed, listening to them and the argument down the hallway]

Master: [Master scrutinized the parts, memorizing them, their placement, the way she optimized them. Based on what he knew of this century's technology... she was pretty ahead of the curve.] Fantastic... ah, would've never thought of some of these. 'Course you've had to work with some substandard parts... [points to one or two] These have been around for decades, could be upgraded to newer tech. But you make it work, which is always admirable.

River: [Kaylee smiled, beamed, again] Pa says I got a gift. [She ducked her head, trying to play modest] Machines just talk to me. [River smiled from where she was swaying] Kaylee and Serenity are good friends. Talk to each other. A good match.

Master: [Nods, adjusts his glasses] Ah, I understand that... my last ship, renovated her myself, we had a special connection. 'Course she had to go and be stolen right out from under me... [I can talk to you too, without anyone knowing, he thought to River.]

River: [Kaylee gave him an aghast look at the idea of someone stealing his ship] Stolen? [She cursed under her breath in Chinese] An' you couldn't get it back? [She shook her head] People have tried to steal Serenity before, but we ain't ever let 'em. [River gave another quick and thought 'Secret language, a code just for us. Cans and strings across a yard, only more effective' at him]

Master: [Shook his head, pinched the bridge of his nose] I know... It was careless of me, ridiculous. I tried to get it back, I did. But after a while... I decided to let it go, at least for now. She was getting old, needing retrofitting anyhow. Now I can make a new one. [I'm glad you're not as jumpy as you were before.]

River: [Kaylee patted him on the arm] Cap'n says you're headed to Beylix to get parts for a new one, right? There's plenty of yards there, sellin' ships. Come cheap, and there's plenty of parts all over. Some you don't even have to pay for. [Practice, new associations. Gets better. Glad, too.]

Master: [He smiled warmly at her.] Ah, so I've heard! Be a while since I've had such a selection to choose from... usually I'd get my parts in small trades, or from the factory... used to build ships for a living, programming, that sort of thing. Wanted to be a pilot but didn't have the eyesight for it. [How's that sound for just making it up?]

River: [Kaylee was completely oblivious to the lie] One of the factories on Beaumonde, right? [River stifled a laugh and kicked again. 'Very good.']

Master: [Trying really hard not to smirk] Right, yes. Grew up there, actually, but I erm... got fired. Too many parts go missing, you know... [nervous laugh] Anyway. Got anything to eat? Lord, feels like I haven't eaten for days. [Well, the stealing bit's true. Never lie outright when you can just lie a little.]

River: [Kaylee nodded] We ain't exactly on the rightest side of the law. [She nodded her head toward the dining hall and smiled] Food's in there. Think maybe Simon and Mal are done fightin' you can go in and get somethin to snack on. Mess'll be another hour. [River tumbled out of the hammock] They're done. [Bends and curves, hard to see true angles in them.]

Master: [Shook his head] How two grown men can fight so much is beyond me. Sounds more like my ex-girlfriend and I... [35 is easier than 90.]

River: [Kaylee laughed at that] Go on, get your snacks. River, don't eat all the peaches. [River gave her a Look, followed by a smile] Hate peaches. [She wrinkled her nose and walked out into the hallway. 'Acute and obtuse, all the ones in between. Many options.']

Master: Nice to meet you, Miss Kaylee. [Follows River~~] [This hunger's seized me for so long... I assumed it had something to do with my return from death but it's been months now...]

River: [Kaylee waved as they left] Same here. [River shuddered visibly at the mention of hunger. 'You died?']

Master: [Put his hands in his pockets, lol fondling his screwdriver] [Yes. Died a few times, in fact, not even counting the regenerations Time Lords have, our way of cheating death. I thought this would be my last, I thought I'd won... and then I came back.]

River: [River frowned and walked down the steps into the dining hall. It was empty, now.] Snacks are there. [She motioned to a cabinet to the right.] [Didn't lay down. Never lay down. Not like them, different, but never lay down.]

Master: Mm. [Rummages through the cabinet... what kind of shit we got?] Want anything? [...How do you mean?]

River: [River sat down at the table.] No, xie xie. [The ones who lived. They never stopped. Pull themselves into parts, land in towns and then there's no one left.]

Master: [Grabs a bag of... crisps? Yeah sure, why not. He figures it's all right to speak again, but he does so in hushed tones] You mean the Reavers. No, River, I'm not like them.

River: [River nodded, closed her eyes and smiled] Know. [Eyes still closed, she tilted her head to the side and started tapping against the table.]

Master: [Pops the bag, omnomnom] Good! Don't you forget it! [Sits across from her] So... what can you tell me about your crew?

River: [River could hear people moving in their bunks just on the other side of the dining hall, so she didn't say it out loud.] [Mal is the captain. His ship, his sky. Fought in the war with Zoe. She loves Wash, he makes her fly. Jayne fights. Met Kaylee and Simon.]

Master: [Raised his eyebrows at the noise, still crunching away] [Mmm. So should... stay out of everyone's way 'cept yours and Kaylee's, then.]

River: [River gave a short little laugh at that] Worried about toes. I'll keep company. Wash, too, maybe. He has dinosaurs.

Master: [Wry half-smile] Dinosaurs, huh?

River: [She nodded] Let's me play with them, sometimes.

Master: [Rested his chin on his hand] What do you do for fun around here?

River: [She shrugged] Look, walk, dance sometimes. Simon runs tests, and I'll play with Kaylee when she isn't busy. She has jacks. I'm getting very good.

Master: I'll be busy learning about your 'verse, I think... [a-wink] but you can keep me company whenever you like. And we can still talk, after I get to Beylix. I wonder... if you'll be able to hear me.

River: Hope so. [She frowned] Should at least try.

Master: Well, the drums, of course... [But I meant like this. Do you think we can?]

River: [Don't know how it works. Just know it works with you.]

Master: [With my kind... we used to be able to communicate through time and space, anywhere, always. But there's only he and I left.]

River: One in the blue box.

Master: [Nods] Yes. The Doctor...

River: [She grinned] With the hair that hides in wigs.

Master: [Grins wickedly] Oh yes, he has many wigs... he and I... [sighs, takes off glasses and rubs his eyes] We play a game. We've played it for... Omega, all our lives. He runs from me, runs and runs, I find him, trap him. Run and start again. Perhaps he's grown tired of it. But we can't stop, not until one of us wins.

River: [She frowned again and reached across the table to put a hand on his arm]

Master: I thought I'd won... this time, finally, I thought. And then to come back... [He put his hand over hers and smiled, a little sadly, a little hopefully] But now I get to start again, start a new game. He'll say he doesn't want to play, but I know he will.

River: [River smiled back] Can I help?

Master: [His smile grew broader.] Yes... yes River, I think you can.

River: [She pulled her hand back but leaned over the table conspiratorially (lol that's a word I knew it)] How?

Master: [Steeples fingers, leans closer] Well... when I get the ship built, I'll be able to jump through time and space, just like he can. This means the whole of history, past present and future, can be our playground. Anything. But if we're going to play with him, we need to find a way to trap him. I've found the easiest way to do that is... to trap others. He'll always come to the aid of another, even if they don't deserve it.

River: [She nodded in understanding, and hoped a little loudly that they could go see her Earth-that-was. She was curious] Have a plan?

Master: [We can go wherever you like.] Ah, well... no, not quite yet. So many things have been happening, I haven't had time to plan.

River: [She nodded, thinking of Kvasir, wondering if he'd come back yet, if he would] Can plan here.

Master: Yes, I will, though building the ship is clearly my first priority. I could even show you my blueprints, if you like. We agreed we were taking a break... which gives me all the time in the world.

River: [River leaned back and smiled] Pause and respite. Gather resources. Prelude to planning.

Master: [Nod] Exactly. Though... to be honest, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself when we're not playing.

River: Other games. Dancing. Building ships. [She let her head lilt to the side as she spoke]

Master: Mmmm... maybe we could dance. If your brother won't be too upset.

River: [She let her head roll around and forward, then nodded] Shouldn't be upset. [She smiled] Was there last time, on Jiangyin, when I danced. Should be fine.

Master: [Smiled back] Good. Well, you know, being your brother and all. Dancing with a stranger. He might not like it, is all.

River: Danced with a stranger then. Wasn't upset.

Master: I'll just have to get on his good side, then, won't I?

River: [She smiled] Suppose. [She tilted her head again as someone started walking in from the other side of the room] Hi Wash. [She smiled when she looked up at him, and he smiled back and gave her a pat on the head before looking to the Master] How's our favorite little crazy person treating you? [He crossed his arms and leaned back against the counter and grinned]

Master: [Looked a little surprised] Crazy? Ohh, I don't know about that... a little eccentric, maybe... but she's all right. And you must be...?

River: [Wash smiled and moved behind the counter to start fixing whatever protein it was they'd be having for their meal] Wash. Pilot extrordinarre. Sorry to say, but I'm better at flying than I am at cooking. Then, I'm probably better at shadow puppets than I am at flying, but most of that depends on who you ask. [He chuckled and started opening packages] You're the guy we're taking to Beylix, right? Not a creepy stowaway or anything? [River giggled]

Master: [Glanced at River, winks] No, I think paying for the ride precludes me from being a stowaway. But being creepy... well, that depends on who you ask, too, doesn't it?

River: [Wash nodded sagely and spoke in a mock-serious voice, all exaggeration] I do suppose it does. [He chuckled and shook his head] SO, Mister Paying Passenger, what's on Beylix? [River leaned forward and rested her head on the table, then started to trace the wood grain with her fingers]

Master: Erm - Saxon, actually, you can call me Saxon. And scrapped ships are on Beylix, which is what I'm looking for. I'm looking to build another.

River: [Wash raised his eyebrows in approval, still preparing a good sized amount of food] Good place to start, Saxon. [He looked down at his hands. They were a mess] Uhm, River? Could I get tiny itty bit of help? [River smiled and got up, walked behind the counter and helped him get some utensils out of drawers. She shook her head at him.] Always messy.

Master: [He leaned over to peek at just what this "protein" stuff was. Earth food had been spoiling him.] ...What'll we be having, then?

River: Uhhh... [Wash looked down at the 'food'] Mostly protein mixes. [He grimaced as he opened an unlabeled can of- corn. Or what looked like corn.] And corn! [It was fake enthusiasm, but it was there. Before wiping his hands off, he waggled his fingers at River, making her squeal and giggle at him before running for cover on the other side of the counter]

Master: [He laughed at River's antics] M-mm! That... sounds great! Well, I'll eat anything at this point, really.

River: [Wash chuckled and raised an eyebrow] Well, that's good, 'cause this is anything. [River was ducked down behind the far side of the counter and peeked up over the edge, smiling] Almost ready.