RP: "Adventures in Gunrunning" - Act 12

POSTED BY: FrauDirektor
UPDATED: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 21:45
VIEWED: 19241
PAGE 8 of 11

PREV PAGE 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 NEXT PAGE

MERCEDESTROY

Friday, March 19, 2004 12:22 AM

LOCATION - TRAVELING

Quote:
ZOE: "MERZ, did you bring any gear aboard? We can pick it up on the way to your bunk. Follow me."

MERZ followed her into the hallway. “You are Zoe, yes? My baggage is still in the cargo area. I would appreciate getting it stowed at least. Do you arm aboard or should I stow my sidearm as well? And then . . ” she inhaled deeply “dinner?”

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

ASTRIANA

Friday, March 19, 2004 12:49 AM

ZOE'S MOVE:
LOCATION - TRAVELING

ZOE stomach grumbles a little at the smell of whatever delicious concoction the Shepherd is preparing in the galley. She turns to MERZ and smiles.

ZOE: "Yes, I'm ZOE. That sounds like a good plan. I'll introduce you to the rest o' the crew soon's we get back to the dinin' room. As far as arming, we generally don't arm when we're on board, so I'd suggest stowin' your sidearm for the time bein'. Believe me, if it's needed, you'll know it."

They enter the cargo bay and MERZ picks up her gear, then they continue up to the aft hall to the crew quarters. As they walk, ZOE talks.

ZOE: "You were a pretty good shot against those Feds - steady, too. Where'd you come by a skill like that?"

End Move.

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

MERCEDESTROY

Friday, March 19, 2004 1:09 AM

MERZ Move

LOCATION – TRAVELING

Quote:
ZOE: "You were a pretty good shot against those Feds - steady, too. Where'd you come by a skill like that?"

“Honestly Zoe. I come by it honestly.” i am just going to have to tell someone something, or it just is not going to stop

MERZ can tell ZOE is just not going to accept that response, and makes a quick decision. As ZOE opens up to, probably, demand more, MERZ holds up her hand. She glances around – they have moved away from the dining area where most of the crew/hitchers are currently located. Listening, she can’t hear anyone close enough to listen to the two of them talk.

“OK. Fair enough. This really is not something I want to discuss, but you have the right to know this. Yes, I have a military background. No, you have no need to know where. Yes, I am no danger to you in and of myself.” She stops for a moment and rubs her eyes. “I have dishonored myself in the worst way I could have chosen and I had no choice. I am a deserter. But, I am not your enemy. I am not an enemy of Serenity or Captain Reynolds or anyone else present or recently departed. I am not an agent. I am not a plant.” She sighs. “If you look I am sure there is a reward for me out there somewhere, and I have not the slightest clue what the story would be. I have not cared to look. And now my fate is in your hands.”

She puts her hands on her hips and looks ZOE square in the eyes. “So, please either just kill me or feed me. I’m too tired for games.”

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

ASTRIANA

Friday, March 19, 2004 1:38 AM

ZOE'S MOVE:
LOCATION: CARGO BAY

ZOE crosses her arms over her chest as she listens to MERZ's explanation. When MERZ winds down, ZOE gives her an understanding look.

ZOE: "You might've noticed we got no lack o' people on this boat who ain't lookin' ta have their past brought up or discussed in committee. Don't think they're like to ask many questions - an' those few that would usually only do if ya show a need to talk. That'd be KAYLEE, INARA, and SHEPHERD BOOK. Folks lookin' to stay under the radar tend not to pry. Long as you're not a danger to the ship an' crew, you might could make a place for yourself here. 'Course, Cap'n has the final say in those things."

ZOE uncrosses her arms and relaxes her stance.

ZOE: "Now let's see 'bout gettin' you settled and see what the Shepherd's put on for dinner."

She turns and heads up the aft stairs to the catwalk, leading MERZ to the empty bunk next to her and WASH.

ZOE: "This'll be your place. WASH an' I are right next door, an' it's close to the bridge, should we need your hand on that laser. Galley's right through there."

ZOE points down the hall toward the source of the delicious smells.

ZOE: "I'll let you settle in. Come join us when you're ready - and maybe you'll give me a lesson or two on that cannon later."

Sensing MERZ's need for privacy, ZOE opens the door to the empty quarters, then nods to MERZ as she heads back down to the galley.

End Move.

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

SQUEE

Friday, March 19, 2004 1:40 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - DINING ROOM

Quote:
ROWAN to DAMON: "You've got spunk - all right then. You keep that shirt up and try not to squirm. Wouldn't want to stick you any more than I have to."

Satisfied that they have come to an understanding, Damon leans back in his chair with his right leg stretched out in front of him to give Rowan plenty of elbow space. He lifts up his shirt just enough to be out of her way, trying to keep as many scars covered as possible.

Not long after the first two injections, his wound goes numb- well, mostly. The infected tissue doesn't completely numb over, leaving a little sesation that is more weird than painful.

ROWAN (mostly to herself): "Now, so long as I don't sew my glove to your gut, it'll all be shiny."

Damon draws a breath to ask her if she's done this before, but stops when he realizes that she's kidding. He lets his gaze wander the galley as she starts sewing up his wound, noticing the purple and blue flowers that could only be Kaylee's work. His stomache growls angrily at being denied the wonderful smelling food coming from the kitchen. He turns to see Book busy behind the stove. River stands near him, completely fasinated by what he's doing.

"Hey, do you know what's up with her?" he asks Rowan softly.

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

CHANNAIN

Friday, March 19, 2004 2:14 AM

Rowan's Move:
LOCATION - DINING ROOM

The stitching goes pretty smoothly. Making a note to get Damon into the infirmary to get him an antibiotic and check and make sure the wound is healing, she works the first stitch, then starts the other.

Quote:
DAMON (softly): "Hey, do you know what's up with her?"

Glancing up as she sets the initial knot, Rowan follows his gaze and sees River watching Book work his culinary ministry the way small children watch wind up toys. Thinking of the girl's blithe reference to nine-ball when they hadn't even met, how she commented on Ru when Rowan had only been thinking of him, and how she seemed to know the details of that weird ass dream, she can only shrugs with a shake of her head.

ROWAN (softly): "Well, if I had to guess, I'd almost say she's a reader. We heard rumors about them - scientifically engineered by Blue Sun with Alliance funding. Couldn't prove it, though, so nothing was ever released about it. I never believed it, personally."

Glancing up again as she finishes, she catches River's eyes staring right at her. The girl gives her a slow, mysterious smile that is at once charming and chilling.

ROWAN (softly): "But I'm starting to."

EOM

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

SQUEE

Friday, March 19, 2004 2:54 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - DINING ROOM

Quote:
Originally posted by Channain:
ROWAN (softly): "Well, if I had to guess, I'd almost say she's a reader. We heard rumors about them - scientifically engineered by Blue Sun with Alliance funding. Couldn't prove it, though, so nothing was ever released about it. I never believed it, personally."

ROWAN (softly): "But I'm starting to."

Damon looks down at Rowan. "Reader? You mean psychic?"

She nods.

Damon glances up at River uneasily and then looks away, figeting with the hem of his shirt. He doesn't like the idea of anyone being able to 'read' him. In fact, he really doesn't like it, though he can't think of a specific reason why.

He looks down to see Rowan starting on her third stitch. "How many more of those am I going to need?"

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

MERCEDESTROY

Friday, March 19, 2004 5:07 AM

LOCATION - MERZ DORM

MERZ enters the empty quarters and shuts the door behind her. Luxury indeed; she has a door. And a bunk. And a piece of furniture. Just for a moment, MERZ sits carefully in the absolute middle of the bed. She bounces a little – this is nice. Then she shakes her head old girl, you will get soft in the head and in the behind, if you give in to this temptation

Merz stows her gear under the bunk and her gun under the pillow. She still has a little water left in a demijohn in her pack and uses it to wipe the worst of the dust and dirt from her face and hands. Fetching a hairbrush (considerably the worse for wear) from her pack she removes her hat, unbraids her hair and brushes the worst of the tangles and dust from it before carefully braiding it again. Unbound it falls clear to the bunk. She puts her shades on the pillow, hesitates for a second and then adds the hat. A clothes brush does the best it can with her only shipsuit and she is as ready as she is going to be for (more or less) polite company in the dining room. There is a small mirror and she checks herself out before leaving. Wiping just one more smudge from her nose, MERZ goes in to eat.

There are people in the room, most noticeably ROWAN who is finishing up repairing DAMON, and another girl who is watching. She is young, pretty and . . . rather intense. But she is paying MERZ no mind, and MERZ returns the favor. Captain Reynolds is nowhere to be found and neither is the other gentleman. The one she has not yet met. The one with the command voice.

The food is on the stove and a pile of bowls and spoons on the counter. MERZ helps herself to a generous portion and retires to a table by herself to enjoy it. She has no table manners to speak of and gradually goes from a careful spoonful at a time, to what can only be described as ‘shoveling’. For someone of her height and size, she puts away an amazing amount of dinner. well, maybe i can catch a break. zoe'll tell captain reynolds what he needs to know and in the mean time i have - all this. so this is what content feels like Finding nothing in the cooler that is not alcoholic, she finds a tumbler, fills and drains it several times with simple water. Followed as can be expected by a belch of epic proportions. MERZ shrugs to the room at large. “Sorry”. The whole procedure has taken maybe ten minutes at most.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

MANIACNUMBERONE

Friday, March 19, 2004 9:14 AM

Book's Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

Book finishes cooking and watches as people start to eye the cookpot. He laughs and tells the room that the food is done. Taking a few bowls, he quickly fills them, gives one to River standing right next to him, and takes the other two over to Rowan and Damon. "Ready when you are."

Going back to the stove, Book fills another bowl for himself and goes to sit at the table. "I am reminded of a time back at the Abbey, when one of the brethren, nervous at his first attempt to give a sermon, took a shot of vodka before beginning to speak. He made quite a mess of things, as I recall. He was giving his sermon about David, and when he got to the part about David getting hit by a rock and being knocked off his donkey, instead..." Book pauses and looks around the room with a mischievious look on his face. "...he said David got stoned off his ass."

EM

GEEZER

Friday, March 19, 2004 2:03 PM

Mal’s Move

Location: His Bunk

[MAL tosses in his sleep. He dreams]

-----------------------------------

Mal has been out working in the fields all day. This year’s planting of catalyzers is coming along fine. Looks like it’ll be a good crop. The stalks are already bowing under the weight of the shiny metal blossoms. He can probably start a harvest of early catalyzers for the small ship market within a week.

The valley is beautiful at sunset, the last rays of light glinting off the Alliance fighters strafing in the distance. As he gazes at his homestead, Inara calls from the porch. “Dinner’s ready, sweetheart. Come and wash up.”

Mal walks back to the house, passing the rusting Firefly up on blocks in the yard, and the men lined up at the front door. He stops to wash his hands and face in the basin outside the kitchen door. Drying off with with a piece of flour sack, he enters the kitchen and sits down at the table. The interior of the house is one big room. The kitchen side has rough bare board walls and floor, with plain but sturdy furniture and a wood-burning stove. The parlor side is different. Wainscoting and crimson hangings adorn the plastered walls. Erotic art hangs from the picture rail. The parquet floor is covered in beautifully woven rugs. Fine sofas and chairs upholstered in red velvet beckon one to sit. A strange man does sit on one of the sofas.

Inara, dressed in a low-cut red ball gown, is standing at the stove. She ladles up a bowl of stew, plops a spoon in in, and sets it in front of Mal. A pitcher of cider and a hot loaf of homemade bread are already on the table. She pours him a mug of cider. “ Here you are darling. Please go ahead, I’ve already eaten.”

As Mal digs in to the delicious horsemeat stew, she goes to the other side of the room, takes the stranger’s hand, and leads him to the bedroom. The door closes and soon sounds of lovemaking can be heard. A couple of minutes later they emerge arm in arm. “…Oh, no. It was my pleasure, sir.” Inara escorts the man to the back door. “Thank you, and please come again.” As the door closes, she turns to Mal.

“How was your day, honey?

‘The catalizers are comin’ along real well. Looks like a bumper crop. What with the war an’ all, the market’s good this year. Should turn a tidy profit. How about you?”

‘Well, that’s…” She pulls a pad from her pocket and looks at it, “a hundred and forty eight so far today, and I have a couple of hours yet to go. Don’t wait up for me, dearest, but leave the light on.”

“Alright, sweet. You think you’ll be able to take a break here soon?

‘Soon as I don’t have a line outside the door, I promise, we’ll have some time for ourselves.”

She checks the clock in the parlor, and bends to kiss Mal on the cheek. “Well, back to work, love.”

Returning to the parlor, she shouts, “Next!” and the front door opens to admit another man.

Suddenly Mal’s viewpoint soars through the ceiling into the sky. He can see the line of men extending from the door to the horizon. As he gets higher, he sees it stretching out of the valley, and then branching into three. Each of these lines forks again and again. Some go to cities and towns around the planet. Others go to spaceports, where a constant stream of ships brings more and more men from all over the ‘verse.

-----------------------------------------------

[Mal awakens with his heart pounding, sitting bolt upright. He can’t remember what he dreamed, but it was frightening. Must have been about the war. Gotta lay off that tequila when he’s tired. He lays back down and tries to sleep.]

"Keep the Shiny side up"

PREV PAGE 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 NEXT PAGE