005 ✫ Video

[useofaswhat]

Looks like someone decided it's autumn, even though it ain't autumn 'cause we're not spinning round a sun and don't have seasons. Anyone got an idea why the Admiral thinks we all need t'be showered with dead plants?

The way I see it, there ain't any use for raining down magic leaves outta nowhere except to crunch when you walk on 'em. Seems we might as well get some use outta them. Any of you folks ever build bonfires back home? Wouldn't be too hard to rake up a pile and light it in the CES. Don't sound like a bad time, specially not if someone saved any of the rotgut from that last history-time break. [Duo? He's looking at you.]

Comments

[useofaswhat]

Well, it ain't right. You hear anyone tell you otherwise you keep away from them, understand? [That explains why Mal is more comfortable and less attractive now.]

[love_slave]

Only one person has.

He's gone now. [Blake. There's a sort of tone there.] If he came back I'd just hit him, though.

[useofaswhat]

Good! Hitting's just the start of what qīngshuài de èbà – what sorry excuses for people like that deserve! Might teach 'em a little bit about respect.

[love_slave]

I'm a very nice person, but if someone makes me angry I can do much more than hit.

[There's that confidence again- except that's not a tease. That's a promise.]

[useofaswhat]

[Oh, he believes it.] Then remind me not to make you angry.

[buildindreemz]

Yeah, I get it. He's either a sadistic asshole, or a complete dupe. Neither option is very pleasant.

He was... kidnapped? I think. I don't remember all the details, I just remember being really scared that whole first month I was here.

[Ariadne shrugs a little.] Where I come from, we have technologies that enable people to do some amazing things, things that people from hundreds of years in the past might've thought was magic, but nobody can just... do things with their minds, or whatever. Maybe it's all relative.

[useofaswhat]

Got himself kidnapped. [Mal closes his eyes and massages his temple.]

So maybe he is just some idiot who can't steer. I'm startin' to wonder why I signed on again.

There's a lot you can do with the right technology and it ain't the same as a superpower. People've been messing each other up with machines for as long as they've had 'em. You see some strange húshuō in my 'verse but nothing quite like that.

[maxwells_demon]

Better be your first choice for further employment.

Where do you wanna meet me to get this stuff?

[useofaswhat]

I'm keeping your name on file.

What're you close to? I'll mosey on over there.

[maxwells_demon]

I'll swing by the bar in a couple minutes. Seems appropriate, don't it?

[useofaswhat]

Only place for it, now that you say it. See you in a minute.

Video->Action!

[maxwells_demon]

Aye aye, Captain.

[And you'll see him with the two bottles in a paper bag at one of the tables towards the middle. He's taken a seat at the table, planning to stick around a while.]

Lights, no camera, action!

[useofaswhat]

[In contrast Mal is planning to take his booze to go, but that doesn't mean he won't stay for a shot or two. He takes the seat across from Duo, nodding in greeting.] So you brought back two? You tried any so far?

Action

[maxwells_demon]

Two's decent considering how I'd sooner have end up with none.

But nah, I haven't tried any yet. [He eyes the bottles wearily. He's used to champagne, wine and some basic beers, not much of a drinker anyway.]

[buildindreemz]

I think. It was a while ago. There are probably people who remember it better than me.

[She shrugs vaguely.] There are a lot of people here with weird powers. Hell, there are people here who aren't human, that's pretty weird, too.

[scarlet_discord]

[She just smiles.] I got toys for him. The whole job shouldn't take me more than half an hour.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

[Yeah, she's mostly just been observing because very little is amusing, here, and Mal and Zev have wandered into amusing territory.]

Has anyone ever told you you're terrible with women?

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

That ain't true. I do all right talkin' to you, don't I?

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

[She is putting on her best innocent but interested face, because Zev was right, sort of. He gets uncertain, and nervous, and Natasha doesn't find it attractive, but it is easy to use.

These are wiles, Mal, run.]

I didn't realize you were interested, Captain.

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

[Oh, no you don't. It's one thing from Zev, who was a perfect stranger and thus more difficult to evade without coming off as insulting, but from Natasha wiles are just low and he will not stand for them.]

I'm not. You're a very beautiful woman, an' all that, but you're too much like my wife.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

Your wife? Does she know about us? I'd hate to be a homewrecker.

[Okay now she's just being dry about because the corner of her mouth is twitching.]

You haven't mentioned her.

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

Doubt you could be more'f one than her.

[Literally. Not that it quite counts, given how many men Saffron's married at this point. It wasn't like their marriage was valid.]

Yeah, well, guess you could say we're separated.

[Private]

[persuadeyou]

What's her name?

[At least Natasha's never had to do a wedding before. But she has much fewer cons than Yosaffbridge.]

[Private]

[useofaswhat]

I got no good way to answer that.

[Private]

[anidiotchild]

[Do you want Simon's honest opinion on that front?]

I'm relatively certain you'll get demoted if you shoot any of them.