Voice Test [x-post to dear_player]

[brownish]

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.

Comments

[brownish]

Well not everyone's got trainin' like you've got, now. Not everyone's playing games and tellin' folks what they want to hear. Some of us got to be honest.

[ Seriously though he's happy to see you. Don't listen to this jerk. ]

[notaboutsex]

[The look she's giving him can only be considered dry.] I'm the only one on this ship who is actually making a honest living. Why else would you have a companion on board, if not to make your crew look more... presentable?

[Oh, she's happy to see you, too. Can't you tell?]

[brownish]

[ 100%. Feel the love. ]

You pay rent and you keep Kaylee smiling. Got to have my mechanic happy. Happy mechanic, happy ship, happy captain. [ He smiles. ]

Your services are... appreciated, of course. But it's a mutually beneficial relationship. You know that. If anything, I should be getting a cut of your whorin' money, seeing as I'm acting as delivery service and all.

[notaboutsex]

[An amused laugh.] I think you should probably thank the good doctor for keeping Kaylee happy, not me.

[She raises her brow.] If half of the jobs you took actually paid well, you wouldn't have to take a cut of my money. Never mind that most planets wouldn't let you land without someone respectable on board.

[Inara just smiles smoothly.] And if you actually want to make money, Mal, I guess you'll just have to do the whorin' yourself.

[brownish]

[ Okay, ouch. She had a point, but like hell he was going to admit that. ]

I said your work was appreciated, didn't I? I'm pretty sure that's exactly what I said. We make decent amount of money. Ain't riches, but it keeps us in the sky, and that's what matters, don't it? Keeps you in business well enough.

[notaboutsex]

And you called my work whorin', too. [Of course, that was nothing knew. She sighed a little.]

I appreciate that. I love being on Serenity, Mal.

I just... I don't always know where I stand with you.

[brownish]

[ Well, now. That was an interesting development. Mal frowned a bit at her statement and cocked his head. ]

What's that supposed to mean? You got somethin' to say, Inara?

[ He himself would like a few answers in that regard, but he's not about to try to discern her intentions. Women are so mysterious. ]

[notaboutsex]

[Things do have a way of escalating with them. And she almost said it, too, what they'd been skirting around for so long now. All those words unsaid, because Mal just got to her somehow - got under her skin, made her want to say and do crazy, stupid things, things she couldn't afford to do, not with who she was, and who he was.

Because at the end of the day, she was a companion, and companions were too skilled at keeping their emotions in check. So her expression and voice were smooth once more.]

It doesn't matter. [And then, without skipping a beat-] Does your mun have plans for you? I can imagine they have their hands full with you.

[brownish]

[ There's a mix of relief and disappointment on his face for a brief moment before he washes it under his usual captain's exterior, all professional-like. ]

No, not as of yet. Still tryin' ta figure things out on her end. But she said she wanted me around, so here I am. Not sure if it's gonna be good for much, but then, it's not really up to me, is it?

[notaboutsex]

[They did try to be so professional around each other. That was the deal, of course.]

Our choices are not our own here, I'm afraid. They'll just do what they want with us, even if that means forgetting we're still here.

[But then she smiles a little, trying to cover up her disappointment with being left behind.]

It is good to see you, Mal. I know the others are happy you're here, Kaylee especially.

[brownish]

I don't like it when my choices ain't up to me. Not sure if you remember. There was a big fight about it and everything. Don't take too kindly about being bossed around or forgotten.

[ The sentiment wasn't lost on him, and he gives her a small smile. ]

Good to see you too. You're one of mine. Don't think I could forget you that easy.

[notaboutsex]

I know. It's not easy to forget you, Mal. Trust me - I've tried.

[But she's smiling.]

I'll be here. And it looks like you've got most of your crew back.

[brownish]

[ Even for as much as they bicker, he does like seeing her smile. He can't help but feel a little bit of a boost to his ego at her comment, either. ]

Well, folk come to help those they care about, don't they? Just missin' a couple'a strays, ain't we? Like a big happy family -- we can't get rid of one another if we tried.