003 ✫ Voice

[useofaswhat]

I've been on some pretty odd worlds in my time but I never saw one like that before. Somethin' new every day on this ship, huh? [On the whole, he sounds pretty pleased about it.] Anyone out there know how to patch up spike holes in leather?

[Private to Natasha]

Appreciate the expertise back in the wilds there. How'd you know how to deal with big cats?

Comments

[useofaswhat]

Got caught by the tail in one o' those closing-in spiky wall traps. I got out fine, my coat didn't.

[takeyouapart]

Right.

Um, I can fix it for you if you want to come to the Infirmary. Or I could show you how to patch it.

[Why yes 'fix' and 'patch' are distinct here.]

[useofaswhat]

Infirmary's catering to wounded clothes now too? I'll trust your doctorin' skills. [Read: with my sewing skills, if I attempted to patch this I would ruin my coat. :(] Be up there in a few. [And isn't it a relief to know how to get places again?]

I'm good for spam if you are <3

[takeyouapart]

Infirmary's quiet enough that I think I can handle an extra patient or two.

lovely spam, wonderful spam

[useofaswhat]

No better time to tend to the wounded then.

[The walk to the infirmary only takes a few minutes, fortunately, and is free of wild animals, booby-trapped hallways, or sphinx-style riddle keys. Unfortunately.] So you stitch up leather as well as you do people?

spammmm also if you have any objections to magical coat fixing merlin can go either way >>

[takeyouapart]

[Modestly:] It's a gift. You're - Mal, yeah? Captain Reynolds.

spam are you kidding he'll think merlin is the coolest ever

[useofaswhat]

Yeah. And you're the one runnin' this place with Dr. Tam, right? It's – Merlin?

spam well he does like people thinking he's cool

[takeyouapart]

[He nods.] Yeah, that's right. I noticed you knew each other, you - he told me he was travelling on a ship, you were the captain there?

spam

[useofaswhat]

's right, he's on my crew. [Despite his friendly tone he still manages to sound a little protective when he says it.] He was the medic on board. Will be again, once we get back.

spam

[takeyouapart]

[Merlin replies to that with a smile, immediately in favour of people who sound like they'll look after those who look after them. He gestures at a nearby clear worksurface.]

Can you, er, show me the patient?

spam

[useofaswhat]

Afraid it doesn't look good. [He pulls off his coat and lays it down: as he said, there are a couple holes punched in the leather, both around the size of a silver dollar.]

What's the prognosis?

spam

[takeyouapart]

I think it can make a full recovery.

[If the holes were in Mal, of course, he'd ask permission to use sorcery. Coats generally don't get the same consideration, and honestly, he's working on the assumption that Simon's already told his captain about his new coworker's quirks. He lays a hand on the worn leather and speaks, softly.]

Gestrice.

[It's difficult to see anything happening; the holes are simply there one moment and gone the next, as if nothing had ever happened.]

spam

[useofaswhat]

[He had not. Simon was less rattled by the nature of the Barge than Mal had anticipated, apparently, but there are still surprises for him. He's looking at the coat, blinks – and suddenly it's looking even better than it did before it was pierced.]

Wǒ cào*! What the hell was that? How'd you do that?

*Holy fuck!

spam

[takeyouapart]

....oh, he didn't tell you. [He clears his throat.] It's -- magic. I'm a sorcerer.

spam

[useofaswhat]

[He's examining the fabric, running his fingers over where the holes were and turning it over to look at the lining.] You ain't kiddin' me? Are you the Merlin in those old stories or just named for him?

[That is] No, he didn't tell me. Is this how you heal people? What'd he think about that?

spam

[takeyouapart]

[They haven't really talked about Simon's personal feelings on the subject. But he hasn't actively objected or tried to get Merlin kicked out of the Infirmary, so, that's as good as acceptance in Merlin's book.]

It is. Mostly. He - I think he accepts that what I do works."

spam

[useofaswhat]

[After living on Serenity Simon, along with the rest of the crew, has probably learned not to turn down good help no matter where it comes from. Really, Mal just thinks it'd be funny to see the doctor unnerved, and so far he's been disappointed in that regard.]

Seems to well enough. Better'n well, that's some fine tailorin'. What do I owe you for that?

Re: spam

[takeyouapart]

What do you owe - nothing. [He smiles and shakes his head.] The infirmary doesn't charge, and I don't either.

spam

[useofaswhat]

You're sayin' we're square? The way I see it this comes out a little light on your end.

spam

[takeyouapart]

I'm saying we're - square. [Yay unfamiliar phrases.] You can owe me a favour if you want, but...you really don't have to. It's really nothing for me.

spam

[useofaswhat]

It ain't nothing to me. I'll just have to owe you one.