Shaky Voice Testing

[driving_the_crazy_ivan]

I appreciate this whole "breathin' life into me" thing, but is testing to see if I'm good for a game really necessary? Don't you have better things to do with your time?

Comments

[problematical]

Testing is important, can't all be fly by night. Light the lamps and put them in the tower.

[driving_the_crazy_ivan]

... right. You've gone through this testing thing then?

[problematical]

Passed it all with flying colours. Found a place to stay, for now. No familiar faces.

[driving_the_crazy_ivan]

Found a place to... did you get into one of those game things?

[notaboutsex]

I'm afraid these mundanes can be very stubborn, much like a captain we both know well.

[driving_the_crazy_ivan]

Yeah, tell me about it. So, you went through this testing thing then, Inara?

[someonetocarryyou]

Could ask you the same thing, Husband. I seem to recall a certain ship's in need of a pilot.

[She doesn't add "and I'm in need of my husband," but it's implied in her expression.]

[driving_the_crazy_ivan]

... Zoe.

[ He just stares for a moment. Then a hug. All the hugs, wife. You deserve them. ]

[someonetocarryyou]

[Could be she's holding on a little tight.]

Where in the gou cao de universe you been, Wash?

[driving_the_crazy_ivan]

[ Him too. God he's missed her far too much. ]

I don't know. All over the place, I guess. But I'm here now.

[someonetocarryyou]

You're late. We vowed to stick together with that whole becomin' one flesh thing, if you recall.

[She conveniently leaves out the part about 'Till Death Do You Part'. It's not important. They were at least supposed to outlive the Captain.]

[driving_the_crazy_ivan]

I'm sorry, baby, I know I promised. But now we can go back to the captain and tell him that your undead husband is back and can fly the ship again, seeings as I seem to be not corpsified and gross.

[ He appreciates it, though he knows. He wasn't supposed to be alive. Not sure how that worked, but it did. ]

[someonetocarryyou]

[Her lips twitch.]

Nothin' would make me happier. The Captain, on the other hand, might take some convincin' before he'll sleep with both eyes shut.

[driving_the_crazy_ivan]

[ He smiles. ]

Yeah, what about Jayne? I figure that man's going to chase me down with a machete before he lets me back on that ship.

[someonetocarryyou]

I'll take care of Jayne if he so much as thinks about stickin' more holes in you.

[She's joking, but it still cuts a little deep. She's keeping her hands on his shoulders, lest he turn ghost-like without her permission.]

[driving_the_crazy_ivan]

Thanks.

[ Pause. He looks sad. ]

I really am sorry.

[wrench_and_ruffles]

Seems to be mighty popular with the mundane sorts. Testin' and games and all that.

[driving_the_crazy_ivan]

Yeah, I'm gettin' that. I take it you've been through the whole test charade then?

[wrench_and_ruffles]

Been a while now. Mostly been games, for me.

[driving_the_crazy_ivan]

Bet that's a nice change from all this testing stuff. Got any good food in those games?

[wrench_and_ruffles]

Oh, the food here is amazin', Wash! We're planetside, so there's all sorts of actual ingredients. Fruit and vegetables and real flour and sugar and everythin'! Ain't touched a speck of protein in years.

[driving_the_crazy_ivan]

That's great! I gotta get me in one of those places. How common do you think that is?

[wrench_and_ruffles]

Seems common enough, long as you ain't in space. Last place had real food too. This one's nicer though. Safer.

Well, long as ya leave the dinosaurs be, anyway.

[driving_the_crazy_ivan]

Seems like I won't be in space much, so maybe I get to...

Wait...

Dinosaurs?

[wrench_and_ruffles]

[Of course that got Wash's attention. How could it not?]

Dinosaurs! They live in the woods out there. One of the people from the ship even managed to tame one to ride.