GR RP "Adventures in GunRunning" ACT 23
POSTED BY: CapnRahn
UPDATED: Sunday, November 7, 2004 21:02
VIEWED: 20468
PAGE 8 of 10
Rowan's Move
LOCATION - GALLEY
Merz, as predicted, makes quick work of gathering what little gear she does have and marching back through the galley with Jayne tagging along like an oversized puppy. He seems more than a little concerned about Merz's possible injuries during the tussle. Could be da jia huo's got himself a little crush, and if that is the case, some pretty interesting tastes in women.
Seeing Reynolds collect Damon and escort him out of the Galley with Zoe acting as a second guard, Rowan has a deep-seeded urge to go after them and insist on being part of whatever is about to happen. In the same moment she realizes Reynolds would never allow it anyway, so she sends a prayer after Damon instead. For strength, reasoning, and calmness of spirit--he's going to need it.
Back to the Bao. Taking another stainless steel bowl, she starts blending ingredients. Soy sauce first, then the peanut butter - not much, just to thicken but not overwhelm - then the molasses... a little less of that. Vinegar, garlic, sesame seed oil and stir until correct consistency is achieved. Then it's just a matter of adding the hot sauce and pepper until it's just right. Rowan is whisking the sauce base when the oven signals that the first batch of bao bun sections is done. Grabbing a towel, she opens the oven and pulls the pan out, setting it aside to cool. Dipping in the tip of her left pinkie finger, she tastes the base and deems it ready - bland, but ready. She'll wait as long as she can for Merz to chop the scallions - guessing she could make a quick task of it. But not much longer. Bao waits for neither man nor Troy.
A Troy. What is she doing away from her core group, anyhow? The preliminary research had indicated they always worked in a tightly-knit group, although no one was able to confirm the actual number of personnel involved. Robert had taken that project on himself, but he was also in the middle of about twelve others, as well as helping with the co-chair duties of the Revolution at Council. Basically, Rowan had let him have it because she thought his theories were just that side of asinine and didn't want to waste her time with it. Hindsight being twenty-twenty, she concedes that she probably should have taken him a bit more seriously, at least in that respect.
Maybe she'll pick his brain, find out as much from him as she can. Provided Thal has made any headway in finding him. Provided Robert is still alive. She can at least make his last moments worthwhile before she sends him to meet his maker. If she could be sure of complete solitude, she'd consider taking a look at Thal's message, but she can't risk having Reynolds or Jayne coming in and seeing it over her shoulder.
Setting the sauce base aside, she takes down a glass bowl, gets water and some pork bullion and preps it in the nutrowave oven. Pouring that over the shredded protein, she adds a touch of the oyster sauce and stirs that as well, coating the bits.
EOM
Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am.
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
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MERZ move
LOCATION - GALLEY to PASSENGER DORMS
Passing through the galley, DAMON does not look at her. Observation shows he is calmer, although he almost flinches as she passes. MERZ is aware that things are now different between them. How long that will be, she cannot begin to determine.
She does catch MALs eye. As soon as he knows she is seeing him, he gives her a clear indication of his feelings. She knows 4 different types of battlespeak, as well as the A.P.E.s short talk. "Well done, soldier. Carry on."
Without hesitation she returns; closing both eyes slowly, and then rubbing one finger beside her nose while opening them simulatniously. "Aye, aye, sir. Understood." She is ... comforted ... by being under orders, by being understood. By understanding something finally. It is a relief to be in known territory.
She passes out of the galley and into the passenger area. JAYNE leaves her at the stairs and returns to his duties - his final words,"Make sure ya give that foot a good lookin' at. Don't want any surprises t'morra." Interesting. It feels ... sincere.
She locates an empty room and lets herself in. Just another civilian room to her, and a bed she will not use. Once again she distributes her belongings - packed bags under the bed, gun, vest, glasses and hat on top. That done she makes sure the door is closed and strps off her jumpsuit.
There are bruises over the front of both legs and the top of her left foot. She runs careful hands up and down her legs, manipulates the knees and then turns her attention to the foot going over the small bones carefully one at a time. As she believed, nothing is broken or more severely damanged than some minor sub-cutaneous blood. That will re-absorb soon. Pain is not much of an issue; she is good to go.
Dressing once again, she glanced around the room to verify all is as it should be, and exits back into the hallway. Closing the door, MERZ climbs carefully back into the galley and starts towards the kitchen. She was learning how to make bao. This lesson should continue.
EOM
OOC: away from home without access to my stuff. so no formatting to speak of. ROWAN, let her cook and I will let you know when I am talking to the internet once again. Debs
If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress
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Warning! Severely long-ass post ahead...
ZOË'S MOVE
LOCATION - BRIDGE to GALLEY to CREW QUARTERS
ZOË noticed DAMON hovering outside the bridge from her normal "see everything" position next to WASH. When MAL started spewing what must sound like total nonsense to the rest o' the crew, she takes in his "follow my lead" look and quickly cobbles together the gist - MAL's testing whether DAMON will be a danger to himself or others during the upcoming job.
ZOË nods almost imperceptibly at MAL to indicate she understands where this is going.
ZOË (internally): "Can't say much for his timin' today, but we gotta know - and better to know now, before the shootin' starts, than to find out in the middle, when the boy can cause our folks harm in a panic."
They hear the commotion from the galley, and MAL starts off, ZOË automatically falling in behind him with a quick pat at WASH's shoulder. Almost subconciously, ZOË reaches to check her side holster for the Winchester, then remembers that they've put off their sidearms while in flight. No real reason to worry, though.
ZOË's practiced eye takes in the scene as they reach the galley door: MERZ holding DAMON, ROWAN poised to put herself in harms way, INARA tryin' to calm everyone down, and JAYNE... well, bein' JAYNE. Seeing the knife held in DAMON's hand and the slight stiffening in MAL's back, ZOË takes no time at all to surmise that DAMON's time on the boat is gonna be real limited. Like off at the first stop limited. The boy obviously didn't handle MAL's test well, and was willing to cut anyone who tried to lay hands on. Didn't take a top-three-percent trauma surgeon to see he wasn't someone could be trusted in a hot zone. She sympathizes with the disappoinment she hears in MAL's voice.
MAL (to DAMON): "Been pokin' your ears where they ought not to be? Heard stuff that could be misunderstood have ya? Then panicked... Panic is a liability. You a liability? I don't know a GORRAMNED thing about you... knew you were there draggin' your ears where they weren't invited... and I lied. I HAD thought I saw a spark o' potential in you - I suppoz I was wrong."
ZOË watches the play of emotions over the faces of those present, ranging from confusion to relief. DAMON's knife falls to the floor and ZOË watches as he sags visibly, the fight draining from him.
MAL: "ZOË, please take our young charge in hand fer a moment. Be kind."
ZOË steps forward and gives DAMON a quick once-over, removing the remaining knife from his possession, while MAL continues giving orders. His pocketknife goes into a vest pocket and the boot knife INARA picked up off the floor is retrieved from the table and tucked into ZOË's own boot for the time being. She'd seen JAYNE retrieve his gun satchel, and had no worries on that score.
She finishes tucking the weapons away just as MAL turns. MAL leads DAMON out of the galley and down the fore hall, and ZOË quietly falls in behind them.
END MOVE.
~Astriana~
~Mostly-Invisible Long-Winded Goddess of Inter-Board Communication and Diplomacy a/k/a El Jefe Magnifico's Mistress... of Communications and Harems~
...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.
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Location: Last Bunk On the Left ...
8:30 PM / 2000hrs
As...
Mal's face is underlit from the blue'ish sideboard nitelites. Sinister is not even close a description. Lines etched in black and high-lighted blue draws the eye to the tight line of his mouth. Through near slits his eyes glitter and shine as if carved of the blackest and highly polished obsidian.
Mal
... voice deep and very fatigued, somewhat horse...
"Sit ... Lay down ... whatever ya need ta do to. Things are changin', you gotta cogitate on yer next move."
... Mal continues, uncharacteristically giving an explanation to what he normally would just do and not even bother to explain ...
"Power'll be goin' down in a minute, nuttin but the lights. Darkness makes you face yerself." ... unspoken but seen his flashing eyes: "And yer Demons" ...
... indicates hatch above Damon with his thumb...
"Not gonna be locked, but you as much as peek a nose hair above the deck, the rest'll the crew 'll be eatin' long pig for breakfast sausage. Dong Ma."
Without waiting to see or hear Damon, he brushes by brusquely and heads up ladder. He closes the hatch and turns to Zoe.
MAL
...business like, very fatigued and with a gruff sigh-like exhalation...
"Keep it unlocked, but plant a ping grid over the hatch. Set it and this bunks comm circuits to ping my talkie ONLY. Cut power, reroute circuits comms etc. Just keep the air, fresher and lights going. Let him stew in the dark."
... Searches Zoe's eyes...
"I'll come back and assess his state of mind. I got some other business to attend right now."
EOM
Lexicon
Last Bunk On the Left - Ref. to the horror Movie "Last House on the Left". If I got the name right!
Talkie - Archaic form of Walkie Talkie - both words popularized in WW2 referring to a mobile radio unit.
Ping Grid - a device that uses Infrared to make a grid that sends an alarm if the beams are broken. A single source with an expandable frame containing adjustable mirrors. Used to trap Tunnel Rats without blocking hole entrances.
"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"
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ZOË'S MOVE
LOCATION - FORE HALL, ABOVE THE CREW QUARTERS
Timestamp: 20:30 hrs (8:30pm AST)
ZOË follows MAL and DAMON down the fore hall to the crew bunk recently occupied - and vacated - by MERZ. DAMON hangs back, allowing MAL to enter the bunk first, then follows. ZOË waits in the hall, knowing MAL will want a few "private" words with the boy. She crosses her arms under her breasts and leans one shoulder against the bulkhead. Knowing MAL will expect to go over it later, ZOË cocks an ear to catch what's being said.
MAL: "Sit ... Lay down ... whatever ya need ta do to. Things are changin', you gotta cogitate on yer next move." MAL pauses, then continues... "Power'll be goin' down in a minute, nuttin but the lights. Darkness makes you face yerself."
ZOË almost physically hears MAL's unspoken words... "...and yer demons..."
ZOË (internally): "Boy must have demons a'plenty to pull a knife on JAYNE..."
ZOË returns her attention to MAL's voice as he continues speaking below.
MAL: "Not gonna be locked, but you as much as peek a nose hair above the deck, the rest'll the crew'll be eatin' long pig for breakfast sausage. Dong Ma."
ZOË hears MAL coming up the ladder and returns to her more attentive stance. As MAL closes the hatch and turns, ZOË preps herself for his next orders, expecting that the first one will be to secure the bunk. MAL sighs on an exhale.
MAL: "Keep it unlocked, but plant a ping grid over the hatch. Set it and this bunk's comm circuits to ping my talkie ONLY. Cut power, reroute circuits, comms etc. Just keep the air, fresher and lights going. Let him stew in the dark."
ZOË stifles her momentary surprise and meets his searching gaze with a sympathetic one of her own.
MAL: "I'll come back and assess his state of mind. I got some other business to attend right now."
ZOË: "Yes, sir."
ZOË pauses for a moment, as if carefully weighing her next words, then turns to the computer interface in the wall and opens the comm to the bridge.
ZOË: "KAYLEE? Need you to rig up a ping grid for one o' the crew bunks for our boy DAMON. I'll be waitin' in the fore hall for ya, so don't dawdle."
ZOË mentally notes MAL's departure while she's giving instructions, but figures she'll talk with him later, once his "business" is dealt with and they have a chance to discuss what to do about DAMON. Still working at the bunk computer interface, she keys the code to turn off the lights for this bunk, then turns to the rest of the tasks that MAL set for her. She locks out the power and re-routes the comm to MAL's talkie, and sets about coding the systems to run only life-support, fresher, and lights in this bunk. This done, she opens the permissions for these few things to be controlled from inside the room as normal.
When these tasks are complete, ZOË settles herself against the bulkhead and waits for KAYLEE to arrive with the ping grid. Keeping alert for sounds from DAMON below, ZOË allows herself to think about the situation at hand.
ZOË (internally): "Hope the boy takes the hint and gets himself worked out 'fore the Cap'n comes back to see him. Such a shame... Seein' a lot o' Tracy in that boy."
END MOVE.
{{OOC: Is bulkhead the right term for where Zoë's standing? And what is it with me and the long posts? 
}}
~Astriana~
~Mostly-Invisible Long-Winded Goddess of Inter-Board Communication and Diplomacy a/k/a El Jefe Magnifico's Mistress... of Communications and Harems~
...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.
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Rowan's Move
LOCATION - GALLEY
Rowan isn't aware when Merz approaches from the aft entryway, so she's unaware of the presence of an audience when she starts to hum and then sing in a low tone that shouldn't go far beyond the kitchen. The stirring is mostly what brings the ancient song to mind, but it also seems to fit the current onboard climate as well.
"Round, like a circle in a spiral
Like a wheel within a wheel.
Never ending or beginning,
On an ever spinning wheel
Like a snowball down a mountain
Or a carnival balloon
Like a carousel that's turning
Running rings around the moon
Like a clock whose hands are sweeping
Past the minutes on it's face
And the world is like an apple
Whirling silently in space
Like the circles that you find
In the windmills of your mind"
Too bad Thorne isn't in the area. Recalling his operatic aspirations back at the Hera Cary, chances are pretty strong that he would know the next verse. Seeing Jayne return, she switches back to low humming.
Like a tunnel that you follow
To a tunnel of its own
Down a hollow to a cavern
Where the sun has never shone
Like a door that keeps revolving
In a half forgotten dream
Or the ripples from a pebble
Someone tosses in a stream.
Like a clock whose hands are sweeping
Past the minutes on its face
And the world is like an apple
Whirling silently in space
Like the circles that you find
In the windmills of your mind
Finishing up the stirring, Rowan pauses a minute. Closing her eyes, she tips her head first to the left, then the right, listening to the snap and CLUNK of her cervical spine resetting itself. Then she turns, intending to take the seasoned protein to the stove and jumps half out of her skin with a startled squeal when she sees Merz.
ROWAN: "Wode tìan! You're silent as a church mouse, aren't you?"
With a hand at her chest, Rowan takes a deep breath, then waves Merz into the kitchen.
ROWAN: "There's some chopping that needs done, if you're game."
Feeling only half guilty, she takes a scallion from the little tin box and puts it on the Lucite cutting board. Taking a medium-sized knife, she holds it out to Merz with a smile.
ROWAN: "Now THIS you can pulverize."
EOM
OOC: Thank you Dusty Springfield
Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am.
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
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JAYNE - GALLEY
Jayne moves in nice and close to watch Rowan prepare the meal. Almost as if he was trying to steal Rowan's grandmother's secret recipe for bao. He's not entirely focused on the food, though, and keeps glancing up towards the bridge.
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River
LOCATION - GALLEY
River walks through the aft hall toward the galley, trailing a hand along the wall as she sings softly. Now that all the excitement is over, it’s safe for her to come up. Not that she was afraid for her safety but she knows everyone else would have been.
“Like a door that keeps revolving
In a half forgotten dream
Or the ripples from a pebble
Someone tosses in a stream…”
She enters the galley, the slightest hint of distress still lingering in her eyes. The whole experience was nothing but one wave of emotion after another. Strongest of all was Damon’s fear, emanating like neon lights in a dark room. And then there was confusion. Most everyone was confused, maybe River more than any of them- having received nothing but thoughts and emotions from everywhere at once with no idea of what was happening. But things slowed down and seem to be going okay again.
She heads for the kitchen, her singing now synchronized with Rowan’s humming.
“Like a clock whose hands are sweeping
Past the minutes on its face
And the world is like an apple
Whirling silently in space
Like the circles that you find
In the windmills of your mind."
River sings the first verse again, as Rowan gives Merz instructions. She slows to a stop when Rowan looks at her, offering a small smile.
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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Rowan's Move
LOCATION - GALLEY
River seems ten times better than when she last saw her. Humming happily, even singing with the song. Rowan can't help the smile and sees the girl's eyes dance.
Feeling Jayne on her left - moving in closer from the sentry position he took up once he got back - Rowan turns to give him a look.
ROWAN: "Are you breathing down my neck to get Grandma's secret recipe or is there something else on your mind?"
Turning back to Merz, she shows her the correct chopping method and lets the girl go at it. The song continues in her head, unbidden, chanting in Xiang's voice rather than singing in her own.
Keys that jingle in your pocket
Words that jangle your head
Why did summer go so quickly
Was it something that I said
Lovers walking along the shore,
Leave their footprints in the sand
Was the sound of distant drumming
Just the fingers of your hand
Pictures hanging in a hallway
And a fragment of this song
Half remembered names and faces
But to whom do they belong
When you knew that it was over
Were you suddenly aware
That the autumn leaves were turning
To the color of her hair
Rowan has to put her hand to the side of her head this time. It's more than the pain this time. Rapid-fire chopping on one side, Jayne's intimidating presence on the other side, the pungent onion smell of the scallion, anticipation of THE TALK with Reynolds a bit sooner than expected.
Why is it that nothing in the 'verse is allowed to ever go smooth?
EOM
Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am.
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
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MERZ move
LOCATION - GALLEY
As ...
She slips back into the dining area, and around into the kitchen without any fuss. ROWAN is still cooking, stirring the contents of a bowl. Sniffing, Merz can detect the protein and various spices and additives. It smells ... interesting. She also notes the increase of saliva production that scent envokes. Also interesting. Hum... a referent for the term 'mouth-watering' she decides - and a new sensation indeed.
ROWAN is singing softly. MERZ stops behind her and listens. ~ ...singing is appropriate for cooking, ~ she decides. ~ ... I have observed this before ... ~ She memorizes the song, the 'tune', etc. along with ROWANs movements and actions. If this is a total process, then this is necessary for the outcome to be the same.
At the end of the song, and the process, ROWAN stops and works the kinks out of her neck with audible snapping sounds. MERZ desires that it is not necessary to reproduce that part. Picking up the bowl ROWAN turns and is visibly started by her presence. MERZ is puzzled. She has been there long enough, did not ROWAN notice. For the first time she wonders. This has happened before; can it be that they cannot sense/smell/taste/hear her behind them. She knew that civilians are ... limited, but the extent is startling. And yet their strengths are also startling....
While she is puzzling, ROWAN is speaking and she listens on another level.
ROWAN
"Wode tìan! You're silent as a church mouse, aren't you?" She waves MERZ towards the kitchen and a bare piece of countertop. "There's some chopping that needs done, if you're game."
She hands MERZ a knife and places a vegetable onto a protective cutting surface. Rowan smiles at her.
ROWAN
"Now THIS you can pulverize."
MERZ takes the knife. While not entirely sure what is required, she has watched cooking before and believes that she understands what is needed. Starting at one end of the vegetable she makes small, thin slices out of the larger piece. Concentrating on making each piece the same size as the last, she works slowly and methodically. And, because it IS part of the process, she sings. She has remembered a song that ... she hates to admit ... gave her a strange, tight feeling in her chest. Veila used to sing this in her galley and Merz wants to use it. To remember. To see if that odd feeling is still there. She is careful, maintaining the tune and the words, she makes a valiant effort to use her own voice. For the first time.
Nights are getting very lonely, days are very long,
And I am growing weary only, listening for your song.
And old remembrances are thronging through my memory,
Thronging till it seems the world is full of dreams, just to bring you back to me.
There's a long, long trail a-winding into the land of my dreams,
Where the nightingales are singing and the white moon gleams,
There's a long, long night of waiting until my dreams all come true,
And that's the day when I'll be going down that long, long trail with you.
Sometimes I think I hear you calling, calling sweet and low,
And I seem to hear your footsteps falling everywhere I go,
But though the road between us stretches many's the weary mile,
Somehow I forget that you're not with me yet, when I think I see you smile.
There's a long, long trail a-winding into the land of my dreams,
Where the nightingales are singing and the white moon gleams,
There's a long, long night of waiting until my dreams all come true,
And that's the day when I'll be going down that long, long trail with you.
She finishes the song, and the task at nearly the same time. Yes, that same 'feeling' has occured and in some obscure way Merz is pleased. If the same effect is present, she must have performed it correctly. And her thoughts turn to them, her friends.
She turns to ROWAN, trying a smile on for size.
MERZ
"Next?"
EOM
OOC: "There's a Long, Long Trail, Stoddard King and Zo Elliott.
If Justice is the
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