dear_mun | Voice Test [x-post to dear

All right. I think it's time you and I had a little chat. And by "about time", I guess I mean "right away".

Look, I don't know what you plan on doing with me, but let me make one thing perfectly transparent with you: I am not happy. I am not happy with being off my ship, or being away from my crew. The Alliance? I could do without them for a spell, so if I'm going to thank you for anything, I guess it should be that.

But it looks like I'm not going anywhere for a while. Great.

So why now? You've known me for years now, and you're only just now deciding that I'm worth doing something with? The other folks I've seen don't give you the best vote of confidence, now, so excuse my cynicism. I'm a realistic-sort of man, you understand. Nothin' personal, just not overly-fond of big hopes and dreams and crazy plans being dashed without even so much as a foot forward.

So you keep me around, keep Alliance off me, maybe we can make this work. Capisce?

Good. I'm glad we could get that settled, then.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well... I mean, yeah. Don't change the fact that he's better with a throttle than a pistol, though. And that's how I like it. Ain't nobody can fly like him, so I gotta keep him safe. Seems perfectly reasonable to me.

Is that so? I'll bet that was a sight to see. [ He can't imagine she was none too pleased about it, either. ] Kidnapped?

It's true that Wash is the best pilot anyone's ever like to meet in the 'Verse or anywhere. However, that's not all there is to him.

Sure, but every other person on the ship was in the same situation. [Oh, pleased would be the last thing Zoë was in that instance.] Went to sleep aboard Serenity. Woke up on the Tranquility.

I imagine so. But I feel like some of those are best kept a secret between a man and his wife. Sacred secrets. [ Or something. ]

Well, if anything, it's nice to see a theme. And you manage there on your lonesome?

[She snorts under her breath.] I wouldn't share those with you anyway, Cap'n. Girl's gotta keep some things to herself.

[And though a lot of people forget, Zoë is still a woman.]

Not alone. Wash and Kaylee are there with me. Wash'd been there for over a year before I showed up. Had River and Simon too, but people come and go from the ship without warning all the time.

[ Now that's got Mal concerned. Ain't nobody taking and hurting his crew under his watch. ]

You suspect they been killed? How'd that husband of yours end up in a place like that for so long? What're they takin' you for?

[It'll take a bit more than just a creepifying ship—to quote her adorable husband—to keep Zoë down, and Mal should know that by now.]

Doubt that's the case. Heard that people come and go from the Tranquility all the time. Not sure how he ended up here by himself and once I find the ones responsible, I'll be sure to ask them all those questions.

[Before she shoots them.]

Surprised you ain't found em yet. Must be one hell of a ship if that's the case.

None of you been hurt, have you? If so, might have to find some heads to bust myself.

Not for lack of trying. Ship's bigger than anything the Alliance dreamed of. Bigger than Niska's space station.

Far as I know, everyone's physically fine. Simon hasn't had to patch any of us up.

[ He looks rather impressed. ]

Wuh de tyen, ah, that is a mighty big ship.

[ Compose yourself, Mal. Be a respectable captain. He clears his throat and nods. ]

Well, s'long as ain't none of you hurt, suppose I can sleep a little easier, knowin' my crew's bein' taken care of.

[She can't help but smirk a bit.]

That it is, sir. It's as big as some of the cities on Alliance worlds. But it's not home.

[Nowhere could be home if it wasn't Serenity.]

I wouldn't say that we're fine. Just some hurts run deeper than the surface.

How's a thing like that sustain itself, I wonder. Lotta work must go to keepin' it in the sky... Thinkin' that's what they took you folks for?

[ That second part's got him concerned. ]

I don't like what you're implyin' there, Zoe. I don't care if you ain't got bruises, ain't nobody hurts my crew and lives long to tell about it.

That's one of the theories some of the people throw around. Got a lot of time filled with nothing, so I joined the Security Department.

[And this is where Mal is supposed to be surprised.]

No one to punish for it all. Can't kill the future. Or ghosts.

[ Okay, yeah. That is a mite concerning. He stares a moment, mostly confused and shakes his head. ]

They got you smokin' somethin' you shouldn't be up there? You and me both know ghosts don't exist, Zoe. Unless we're talkin' about one of the more metaphorical, psychological sort.

Before this place, I'd agree with you, sir. But after six months of gôu pì, I've learned that things aren't always true for every place.

And there's been both kinds of ghosts running around here.

[ Okay, reeally starting to get concerned here, Zoe. You're not doing your captain any favors. ]

Now... I want you to take a moment, Zoe... really consider what you're sayin'... you're sure you're not makin' things up now to scare me, are you?

Voice Test [x-post to dear_player]

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