RP GR "Adventures in GunRunning" ACT 16
POSTED BY: DireKtorsSmeagol
UPDATED: Wednesday, May 19, 2004 22:54
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Rowan's Move
LOCATION - INARA'S SHUTTLE
TIME: Before, during and after the atmo blow.
Rowan can't remember the last time they talked like this - like sisters. Aislin fills her in on how the space station construction business is booming, and that their father has handed the day-to-day business dealings over to the same young man who had once been Rowan's suitor. Their mother is still involved in the arts on Osiris, still full steam ahead. But of their brother there is still absolutely no word. It's as if Ru has fallen into some black hole in space.
AISLIN: "I've put out as many feelers as I dare to among my clientele from Blue Sun and the Alliance, and the strange thing is they all say the same thing - isn't ru the Chinese word for scholar? I'll admit, I'm not sure what to make of that."
ROWAN: "Usually, a programmed answer like that means they know what you're talking about, but are sworn to secrecy. Xiang's mole in Blue Sun used to do that when he thought we were being monitored, only it usually accompanied a written note that said something entirely different." (Rowan sighs, frustrated) "We'll just have to keep looking, I guess."
AISLIN (smiling): "Do you know what you just said?"
ROWAN (returning the smile) : "I said we."
They sit together that way for some time, smiling warmly, still almost touching through the monitor.
Hearing the loud THRUM that would accompany an atmo blow, Rowan glances about the shuttle for a second, then returns her attention to the screen.
ROWAN: "Sounds like the clean up is finished." (glances at the chronometer on the console) "I've got a crew meeting in about ten minutes."
Returning her gaze to her sister's, she sees the reluctance in Aislin's eyes and returns it in kind.
ROWAN: "I wish we had more time."
AISLIN: "We will, xiâo long. Sooner than you think, in fact. I'm hopeful you're attending the tournament on New Hokkaido this week?"
ROWAN (blinking in astonishment): "How would you know about that?"
AISLIN (smiling with delight): "It so happens that Captain Arshagouni is a tremendous fan of yours. He plans to attend the tournament when we reach orbit and he has retained me as his escort."
Joy is something Rowan hasn't felt in some time - she'd almost forgotten what it was like to experience so much pleasure that she was sure she might burst from it. To see Aislin in the flesh for the first time in more than ten years? It was ten times more than she had ever hoped for. Leaning forward, Rowan holds back unexpected tears and nods.
ROWAN: "I'll be there. I don't know my bracket number yet, but--"
AISLIN: "Don't worry. I'll find you."
ROWAN (beaming): "Right. Of course you would. Then I'll see you there."
AISLIN (with conviction): "If I have to hijack the captain's yacht to do it--wo ai ni xiâo long"
ROWAN (tears falling now): "wo ai ni."
They reach for the controls at the same time and Rowan watches the cortex screen shut down. Trembling, she spends a moment composing herself, wiping tears aside until finally they stop. Taking a couple more long breaths, she nods decisively and rises to exit just as she hears another voice and realizes MERZ has come to visit.
MERZ: "What is 'pretty'?"
EOM
wo ai ni - I love you
We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
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Thorne's Move:
Location: Galley
Even as he considers alternate shipping options for future deliveries, Thorne notes Damon's drawn gun and immediately finds a piece of hard cover to get between him and it. Revolver instantly in his hand, he exposes only one eye and his gunhand as he draws a bead on Damon's forehead, but eases up on the trigger as he notices that the pistol the boy is waving around still has the safety on. He watches Book move in, maintaining his point of aim in case something goes wrong. It doesn't, and by the time Jayne has slammed Damon to the floor, Thorne is back in his chair, revolver holstered, and a cup of coffee in his hand.
He looks across the table at Zoe, who is staring at him, and asks:
THORNE: "What? Don't you people ever take cover during gunplay? I found long ago that I'm not anywhere near as bulletproof as a steel bulkhead. Anyway, you ready to hear about the tactical situation for tomorrow?
EOM
"Keep the Shiny side up"
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LOCATION - GALLEY
As ...
JAYNE to Mal
"Fer future reference, the grease is s'posed ta be on the pig, not lubin' up the mech'nism of a gun."
Mal's other eyebrow raises to join the other in the climb for his hairline. He frowns slightly at Jayne's comment - it would have been funnier if Mal had not known that Jayne didn't mean it to be a joke. "Always a barking match with him, has to act a *curly wolf our Jayne" Mal thinks as he peers into Jayne's face looking for any sign of humor. "Nope, no humor, better nip this now."
MAL
softly and still in a light banter, but underpinned with menace
"I bet you would'a been happy if that ladder you got intimate with earlier had been lubed up. Keep up the attitude and I'll see you get a second date with your mighty steel lover. And the next time she'll put you through the ringer, dong ma?" ...Mal holds his flinty gaze on Jayne until he is sure the message has sunk in... 'He's got a point about the shooter"
Quote:till looking at Jayne, Mal begins to speak. Until Mal hears Thorne's voice.
{From SaintJayne}Jayne purses his lips and glowers back at Mal. Now everyone on the ship would realize what happened to his face. He stifles a snarl and casts his eyes down to look at Damon.
THORNE: "What? Don't you people ever take cover during gunplay? I found long ago that I'm not anywhere near as bulletproof as a steel bulkhead. Anyway, you ready to hear about the tactical situation for tomorrow?
Mal realizes at that very moment that Thorne doesn't understand the dynamics on Serenity. ..."So much for the great military genius' observation skills"... Mal wryly thinks.
MAL
over his shoulder to Thorne
"Not when it concerns a member of my Crew while on my boat. ...pauses in brief thought... Been shot many times, bullets come out almost as easy as they go in."
...Mal pauses for another split second...
"We'll discuss the drop as soon as we help out Damon with his problem here. Drop is tomorrow, this is now."
Quote:
{From Maniac}As Mal and Thorne stare each other down briefly, Book remembers visiting the ruins of the Thorne farm and ponders a moment over Rosie Thorne's possible life... a life that leads a person to become more than what they thought they were meant to be. He's come a long way from the farm. Book thinks.
Mal turns his head to look at Book.
MAL
"Shepherd, you mind caretaking that ... with irony...fine piece of iron until we can suss this out."
Quote:Mal nods at Book's answer and then moves up to the landing next to Damon. Damon has gotten up to his elbows and is breathing deeply of the air to his starved lungs. He massages his bruised larynx while leaning on the opposing elbow. Mal looks down at the now breathing Damon. Mal extends his hand towards Damon to help him up.
{from Maniac}"I know a safe place for it." Book responds, but he does nothing more with the gun immediately besides hold it a little tighter in his hand.
MAL
"You done scrapping and runnin' like a *Kilkenny cat and tell me what the gorram hell is going on? I bet it is a doozie of a tale."
EOM
LINGO
{* Curly wolf ~ real tough guy, dangerous man.}
{ Fight like Kilkenny cats ~ fight like hell.}
EOM
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Thorne's Move:
Location: Galley
MAL: "Not when it concerns a member of my Crew while on my boat. Been shot many times, bullets come out almost as easy as they go in. We'll discuss the drop as soon as we suss out the problem with Damon here. Drop is tomorrow, this is now."
Thorne has seen the shellshocked ride a dream into wakefulness before. He knows that if you just take cover and leave them for a few seconds they separate the dream from reality. No need for risky moves. He's also well aware how easily a bullet goes in, and what it feels like, and how easily it can end you. But it's not his ship, or crew.
Thorne: "Okay, Cap'n. First things first. Looks like the kid's got a touch of PTSD* to me. You ever wake up back in the war? Same thing here. Probably something mucho unpleasant in his past."
Thorne rises and walks over to look down at Damon, who is finally catching his breath.
"Is that it, Son? You fighting those old devils? I doubt you're the only one here who's been in that fight." He glances at Mal and Zoe...and Book. He reaches out amd places a hand on Damon's shoulder. "Come on. Settle down and get some more coffee inside you. Otherwise you'll miss my brilliant tactical brief." and to MAl. "No harm, no foul, eh, Cap'n?"
EOM
PTSD = Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
"Keep the Shiny side up"
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Damon’s turn:
LOCATION - GALLEY
As ...
Quote:
JAYNE to Mal
"Fer future reference, the grease is s'posed ta be on the pig, not lubin' up the mech'nism of a gun."
MAL
softly and still in a light banter, but underpinned with menace
"I bet you would'a been happy if that ladder you got intimate with earlier had been lubed up. Keep up the attitude and I'll see you get a second date with your mighty steel lover. And the next time she'll put you through the ringer, dong ma?"
THORNE: "What? Don't you people ever take cover during gunplay? I found long ago that I'm not anywhere near as bulletproof as a steel bulkhead. Anyway, you ready to hear about the tactical situation for tomorrow?
MAL
over his shoulder to Thorne
"Not when it concerns a member of my Crew while on my boat. ...pauses in brief thought... Been shot many times, bullets come out almost as easy as they go in."
...Mal pauses for another split second...
"We'll discuss the drop as soon as we help out Damon with his problem here. Drop is tomorrow, this is now."
Damon lies on the floor, still relishing the air finally flowing into his lungs between coughs and gasps. Crew? Did he say crew? He pushes himself up onto an elbow, rubbing his throat, and watches Mal as he talks to Book. Not a minute earlier there were guns at his head and hands at his throat, but the threats and uncertainty disappeared the moment Mal jumped to his defense. Twice, without a second thought.
Quote:
Mal waits for Book's answer and then moves up to the landing next to Damon. Damon has gotten up to his elbows and is breathing deeply of the air to his starved lungs. He massages his bruised larynx while leaning on the opposing elbow. Mal looks down at the now breathing Damon. Mal extends his hand towards Damon to help him up.
MAL
"You done scrapping and runnin' like a *Kilkenny cat and tell me what the gorram hell is going on? I bet it is a doozie of a tale."
Damon looks up at Mal’s outstretched hand and hesitates only for a moment before taking it. He gets to his feet, finding his bearings while trying to come up with a suitable answer to Mal’s question.
“I think I went and dozed off while sittin’ there… guess I woke up with a bit of a start.”
Quote:
Thorne: "Okay, Cap'n. First things first. Looks like the kid's got a touch of PTSD* to me. You ever wake up back in the war? Same thing here. Probably something mucho unpleasant in his past."
Damon shifts his weight uncomfortably as Thorne starts talking like Damon was some malfunctioning engine part. What the guay is PTSD* anyway?
Quote:
Thorne rises and walks over to Damon, who is finally catching his breath.
"Is that it, Son? You fighting those old devils? I doubt you're the only one here who's been in that fight.”
Damon decides to take Thorne’s questions as rhetorical. The man seems confident with his observation and assessment and until faced with a direct question, Damon’s perfectly happy to leave things as is. Devils from the past that can’t be beat are best avoided and ignored.
Quote:
Thorne: “Come on. Settle down and get some more coffee inside you. Otherwise you'll miss my brilliant tactical brief." and to Mal. "No harm, no foul, eh, Cap'n?"
Damon’s gaze flickers over to Mal. As eager as he is to be done with this whole ordeal and find somewhere quiet to sit and rethink everything that has happened in the last few minutes, he doubts Mal is just going to drop it. He may have more questions and then there’s the fate of Damon’s gun to discuss.
Guay = hell
PTSD = Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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Mal
"Yes, no foul. Damon we will turn this kettle of fish over later."
Mal goes over to the intercom
"Inara, we are having the meeting in the Galley, please bring Rowan with you. If you see Merz, let her know the change in plans"
Looks to Thorne.
"We got around 10 minutes before our other distaff members arrive. That OK with you?"
"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"
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Thorne's Move:
Still in the Galley
MAL: "We got around 10 minutes before our other distaff members arrive. That OK with you?"
Thorne: "Fine with me, Cap'n. If you'd like, when they're here I'll provide the skinny on the landing site, and the folks we'll meet, and you can decide how you want to play it from there.
EOM
"Keep the Shiny side up"
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Wash's Move:
Location - Galley to Location - Front Hall to Location - Bridge
Wash leaves the Galley, munching on a Blue Sun chocolate food substitute synthetic protein pill that he picked up. He walks through the Front Hall, and steps up into the Bridge, which is completely deserted. He sits down at his console, and runs a diagnostic, out of habit, and notices on the communications monitor:
# MISSED LIVE WAVES: 001
RECIPIENT: SERENITY - ANY CREWMEMBER
SENDER: SHEPHERD BOOK
NO MESSAGE
CORTEX ADDRESS: BLOCKED
AUTHORIZATION: ALLIANCE COMMUNICATION AUTHORITY #JGB44THX1138SB OMEGA
Wash (to Rex, as he looks at him): “Ok, now that’s weird, I just left our friendly Shepard down in the Galley… (More thoughtful) How is he calling Serenity from somewhere else, and how is he able to get an Alliance wave blocked, wish I could do that. What to do…” (Wash reaches over and toggles the intercom to the Galley) “This is Wash, Captain you’ll wanna come up here to the bridge, and bring Book with you, ok?” (Switches off the intercom, then addresses Rex again): “I’d better get all of the maps in the binder, just in case Mal needs them for the meeting… I wonder how bad this mission’s gonna end up? I’ll no doubt have to save everybody’s rump again, like I always do… How come I never get an easy piloting job, like ‘just slowly land in this marked circle’ or ‘just dock at the space station, at the large airlock, the one with auto-guidance’? Oh, well, at least I’m getting stretched”
(Wash’s dorm room clock, the one in the shape of a firefly that his mother gave him as a wedding gift reads 14:50 AMT (02:50pm) Hanging just to the side of the clock, but within arms’ reach is the walnut handled double-barreled shotgun that his father had made especially for Zoë, for her present.)
- EOM -
Decoy's battle cry: "Not the face, not the face!" When he goes first, naturally.
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BLENDED POST, INARA AND MERZ
LOCATION – INTERIOR, INARA’S SHUTTLE
A soft laugh bubbles from deep within INARA, pausing at her lips to light her face from within, before spilling forth into the quiet room. INARA is unaware of Rowan's audience. She leans back, one hand braced behind her on the couch.
Pretty . . . such a trial to describe, MERCEDES...where to begin? INARA’s eyes are unfocused, the smile that remains on her lips the only reminder that she was still conscious of her guest.
INARA
I've been a Companion for many years, Mercedes . . . a friend, lover . . . a learned woman of the world. I've seen planets glowing iridescent in the darkness of space . . . I've seen strings of lights, like the finest of pearls spread across the horizon . . . I've seen things to make a person weep . . . and all of these things I know, in my heart . . . were pretty.
I was taught to be pretty . . . to sit well, and speak, converse and entertain. I have even been called pretty myself. For all the years since my education at the Academy, I've been drenched in all that is lovely and luxurious . . . but the prettiest thing in the world to me was the meadow just outside my bedroom window at my Grandmother's house.
I woke up to it every morning, and went to sleep to the sounds of the insects singing in it every night . . . I played and ran, hid and explored . . . and to me, the sight is still the prettiest in the world.
INARA turns now, eyes refocusing on MERCEDES' face. So, Mercedes, to define pretty is different for everyone . . . but I think pretty is what touches you . . . pretty is the thing you just can't stop thinking about or looking at. Does that help?
MERZ watches INARA, every word she spoke carefully considered. When INARA has finished, MERZ starts to nod, then shake her head, and finally stops, helpless and confused.
MERZ
I think I am not ready for this yet. I can define so many words and yet I do not “know” them. Not like you she nods toward and INARA and ROWEN, know them. I understand Companion, and friend and lover and pearl and weep and even pretty as definitions. I have knowledge of lovely and luxurious and meadow. But I do not comprehend them.
MERZ stares down at the delicate tea cup in her hands and runs one thumb carefully, very carefully around the rim. I broke three of these before I learned the technique required to control the strength in my hands. It took weeks . . . I have never played . . . or wept. But I can learn. I must learn. I will learn. And as I do, your words will ever guide me toward understanding.
MERZ carefully places the now empty cup on the table and looks up at ROWEN then. But, are you absolutely certain that JAYNE is pretty?
She listens to the giggling women patiently. i must be getting the hang of jokes. now if only i knew what i said that was . . . funny?
If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress
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Rowan’s Move
LOCATION – INTERIOR, INARA’S SHUTTLE
Hearing Inara describe the marvelous beauties of terrafirma and visual mysteries of space, she reflects on the sunsets by the ocean on Osiris, the simple gracefulness of the century-old Banzai tree in her mother’s garden, and ultimately the glow in Xiang’s eyes whenever he looked at her during precious moments of silence.
She looks up from her own musings to see MERZ looking up at her in earnest.
MERZ: But, are you absolutely certain that JAYNE is pretty?
The automatic response is to giggle, but Rowan moves to sit next to her before explaining. Poor thing looks awfully perplexed. Rowan has met folks who couldn’t comprehend her own particular brand of sarcasm – has, in fact, been accused of arrogance from time to time because of it – but Merz seems genuinely curious and unaware in a way that reminds Rowan of the innocence of a child.
ROWAN: “As Inara’s already said so eloquently, there are various degrees of pretty. She might agree that Jayne does not immediately present as pretty in the best sense of the word. But there’s something to be said for the blatant maleness of him that strikes as pretty – at least for a healthy red-blooded female like me. And there’s nothing that puts a fella further off his guard than when a woman flirts with him. Calling him shuai nan hai was just me being one part playful, and a larger part satirical. Dong ma?
Even hearing herself, Rowan feels inadequate to the task. What would it be like to have to learn the basic comprehension of one simple word? How does one describe an emotion so complicated that poets have had to write volumes about it?
EOM
We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
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