This chapter is a bit of silliness I had in mind for a little while now, just to break the grim motif the season has been taking. Just a temporary reprieve, though, because with the next episode comes a very... VERY unfunny turn.

This episode is mostly about secrets, particularly those held by Sylvia and Zane, and the un-relationship between Friday and Casher. Don't be too surprised by Friday's reminiscences, though. If you didn't see that coming by now, you obviously haven't been paying attention to her at all.

Firefly and Serenity are property of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. Legacy is all ruttin' mine.

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The Evils of Sake

Zane's hands flashed by almost beyond speed of sight as he shuffled both decks simultaneously, a talent not possessed by anybody else on the crew. In short order, the seventy two short and twelve tall cards were randomized and divided into two piles. With almost imperceptable flicks of his fingers, he began to send cards spinning with surprising accuracy to land directly before each of their intended targets.

"You know the rules," Zane said. "Twelve talls in six suits, tall suit trumps, nothing is wild," he flicked one of the circular 'tall' cards, sending it into the center of the table and revealing its value. "Tall card is... Apple. Apple is tall. Ante up."

"Ante?" Jacob asked. "Ain't playin' like that, remember?"

Zane gave him a look, "Oh, right," he grinned. "What about the stakes?"

"Two shots," Friday said immediately, "I'll take two."

"Two for the doctor," Zane said, giving her the wanted cards. "No claim on the tall."

"Cover and two," Jacob said, making sure he didn't frown at his cards. They weren't exactly good. Well, it didn't matter, really. This was a game most played to lose.

"Two. No claim on the tall," Zane paused for a moment. "Just a second, who's flyin' this boat?"

"Autopilot," Anne said, scrutinizing her hand. Jacob leaned over, but she shot him a blithely reproachful look. "Three, and claim tall," she said