BLUE SUN ROOM FAN FICTION - DRAMA

CASSANDRAE

Eye of the Beholder: Chapter Ten: Part 2
Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Had to split the chapter, since apparently it was too long.


CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 2522    RATING: 9    SERIES: FIREFLY

Continued from Part 1

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three Hours Later, Serenity

The cargo bay was busy with movement as the crew prepared for the job. Kaylee eyed Jayne warily as he polished Vera; the sight of the weapon unnerved her. Especially knowing its ability to extinguish life with one pull of the trigger, that’s all it took, and a good aim of course. The scar on her belly gave a phantom pull of pain, remembering all too well how the bullet of the Alliance fed had ripped through. She frowned, not liking the dark thoughts. Kaylee preferred to see the good side of things, like how thankfully she was still alive from that long ago encounter. The dark thoughts sucked the life out of a person’s soul, like poison, slowly killing them. She seen it happened with her cousin Marty, who had fought in the war, forced to enlist with the Alliance in a draft. Well, to be truthful, she hadn’t seen, but she had overheard her folks talkin’ about it one day. She was to have been doin’ chores but had preferred to eavesdrop on the conversation, and swim in the river with Sam, the neighbor’s son, later on in the afternoon. Poor cousin Marty hadn’t been right in the head afterwards, locking himself away in the attic of her Aunt’s home; never talking to nobody. He had been dead for three days before anybody had found him, hangin’ by a pillar on the ceiling. Kaylee shuddered as a cold chill swept through her body; she glanced upwards to the catwalk. River watched the activities with a focused gaze, as if trying to figure out a complicated problem.

Kaylee smiled cheerfully in the poor girl’s direction, waving a greeting. But River frowned thoughtfully, the mechanic turned to see what had captured the girl’s attention. To her surprise it was Jayne, or better yet, it was Vera, which the mercenary had carefully placed on a nearby crate. Just as Kaylee was about to say that it was best for the older man to put the gun away, a voice that sent her heart a pitter patter spoke behind her. She turned around, beaming a smile in Simon Tam’s direction, “Hi there.”

“Hi. So, pretty busy.” Simon said in a weak attempt to make conversation with the pretty girl in front of him. He held himself a bit awkwardly, unsure what to say next. That particular jitteriness is what made the doctor endearing to Kaylee. At times it was, any how. Like she was the prettiest girl in the room, by making him nervous—‘course she didn’t like none when it made him too nervous, causing him to trip over his words. Saying things to make her feel less pretty and making her feel a fool for setting her sights so high. Kaylee wasn’t moon brained; she knew exactly the differences between ‘em, only thing was she had hoped that they could overcome those differences. Together. Maybe it was fanciful of her to think so, but gorramit if Simon was a mite thick at times. Diyu, even Jayne coulda seen her flirting from a mile away, probably be grappling together if things have been different.

“Yep, jus’ getting’ ready for the job. Cap’n says it should be easy work. Even Inara’s gonna help out.” Kaylee replied as she prepared the portable communicators for her friend. The signal disruptor was all set and ready in a little box in her coverall pocket.

“Right. Easy. Isn’t that what he always says?” Simon commented

“Yep.”

“But it never does,” Simon explained the obvious, “So the odds are that this job will go through without any problems arising, are pretty…well, not set in stone.”

Kaylee shrugged nonchalantly, even while her eyes flashed briefly at the indirect jab. “Cap’n knows what he’s doin’. ‘Sides, we’re helping out those poor folk. Ain’t right, makin’ people slaves. You can’t own folk, it’s just not natural.”

“Well, yes, the general practice is something to abhor, but it is a way of life for some people.” Simon lectured patronizingly.

“It don’t make it right.” Kaylee said flatly, not liking where the conversation was going. “And those people, they’re wrong is what they is.”

Simon paused, trying to find the right words to say but not really taking time to figure out how to say them. That was really part of the problem, since most of the time he came out sounding like a pretentious dandy, which really didn’t work in his favor. She had observed this in the past, not that it did nothing to lessen her growing annoyance now. The doctor continued on his explanation, oblivious to Kaylee’s darkening frown, “I’m not saying it’s right, I’m saying that it’s a way of life for some…slavery is everywhere nowadays, it exists. It has always existed; you can trace slavery’s origins to eons ago, even on Earth –That –Was. Take indentured servants for instance; they’re slaves as much as a person sold into it. Even if we help these people, it won’t fix the problem. We’ll be treating the symptom, not the problem. And it’s risky, if we get…”

“So that’s what you’re worried about, getting caught.” Kaylee said angrily, letting her emotions get the best of her, “You know, not everything in life needs to revolve around a person’s needs or wants. River ain’t the only person in the ‘verse worth saving, ya know. Sometimes you gotta think of other folk too. Be less selfish. So what if we ain’t fixin’ the problem, at least we’re tryin’ to fix something, we’re willing to take the risk, to help. It’s better than doin’ nothing, letting it go by like it’s no care in the world.” And with that Kaylee turned her back on him, leaving him crestfallen. She was angry at him and at herself. Why did he have to be so gorram sure, sound so gorram right? Like he was doing her a favor by explaining things or by paying attention to her, making her feel like she was a chun silly girl. Just for once she would like him not to think so much, instead use his heart for some things or people, not just River.

“Kaylee girl, you got everything ready for me?” Mal asked, coming up to her.

Kaylee forced a smile she didn’t feel, “Sure do, Cap’n. Just waiting for Inara.”

The captain frowned at her comment, muttering something under his breath. Kaylee had noticed how grumpy he had been of late. Grumpier than usual that is. And that was sayin’ a lot. ‘Cause Malcolm Reynolds tended to be crotchety, even though Kaylee knew it was an act. Like her neighbor’s dog that used to bark something fierce when strangers approached him, but melted every time she gave him a belly rub. That’s why she so loved teasing him, he was a good man, that Kaylee was sure of, even though she saw the darkness in him. But he was no cousin Marty, no, her captain was a stubborn mule, was not so easily to give up on life.

“Wash, you have our coordinates ready when we take off?” Mal asked.

The pilot’s voice came through the intercom system, “All ready and set to party, Capt’n. Just as soon as you get back from the…dropping Inara off, we’ll be ready to take off. Should have a ten minute head start, ready to receive the signal once they break atmo‘.”

“Thank you, Wash. Zoe, mind heading up to tell Inara to hurry the hell…” Mal began, but was cut short when Inara stepped out of the shuttle. Kaylee followed his gaze, surprised at how changed her friend was with the slave clothes. Inara had left her hair loose; wild curls in slight disarray. She wore a frayed, plain tunic, belted with rope around her hips, along with trousers frayed at the seams and cuffs. Missing was the ever present cane that she was never without.

“You’re late.” Mal stated.

Inara walked down the stairway, carefully making sure not to trip, as now her legs trembled, making her limp more pronounced. “I’m here, aren’t I? You really didn’t give a specific time, by the way.”

“I told you…” Mal began.

“It’s alright, Cap’n.” Kaylee buffered gently, feeling the tension between the two, “Not like you can leave without her.” She happily made her way to her friend, hooking her arm through Inara’s. “You must be the best lookin’ slave I ever seen. I reckon you look pretty even in a burlap sack. Isn’t that right, Cap’n?”

Mal made a noncommittal grunt at the question, as he cleared his throat, “Nuff chit chat, give Inara what she needs so we can go.” Zoe hit the control panel to open the cargo’s doors. While Jayne brought the mule to the entrance deck, leaving the keys in the ignition, River had silently made her way down the stairway.

As she neared the crate where Vera was placed, Simon came towards her. “River, what you’re doing down here? I told you stay in the room.”

River shot her brother an impatient glare, “Not a gorram doll, not a child. You occupy yourself with non-important things. Let me conduct my affairs, chunren.”

“River!” Simon gasped in shock and hurt, “I…What’s the matter mei mei?”

Jayne couldn’t resist a snicker at the expression on the doctor’s face, but it was quickly wiped away when Zoe slapped him on the shoulder hard. The merc gave her an affronted glare, while rubbing the sore spot, “Whatcha do that for?”

“She’s drowning, can’t you see? The bird flutters in her cage while the cat waits. Always waiting. It hides in the closet. Scratches on the door to be let out.” River said pointedly, her eerie stare on Inara. “It’s waiting to gobble you up, slave girl. Watch your step, or you’ll fall down, it’ll catch you then. Ripping you apart. You’ll die screaming, no one will hear you. No sound in space, impossible scientifically. It’s fact, not fiction, princes don’t rescues princesses.”

Mal raised an eyebrow at the girl, baffled by the sayings, if not a mite creepyified. “Right, so, well, that was…interestin’ and morbid. Doc, if you could be so kind…” He left the rest unsaid; knowing full well Simon would understand the order. River stamped on her brother’s foot before she escaped up the stairs again, running past Book, who had begun to descend the stairway.

Simon rubbed his injured foot a minute before bounding up after her. Jayne began to snicker, but stopped when Zoe eyed the spot on his arm. “Shenme?” The first mate just looked at him, a similar look to what a mother gave to a misbehaving child. It was The Look. So Jayne knew better, for now.

Kaylee felt the chill from earlier pass through her again, she shivered, unsettled. She turned to Inara, who had also been unnerved by the younger girl. “Don’t worry, that’s just River being River. You know.”

Inara nodded, not so convinced, “Yes, of course.”

“Kaylee.” Mal signaled to an imaginary watch on his wrist, “Hurry on up girl, we’re on a schedule here.”

Kaylee sighed, “Fine, grumpy pants.” To Inara she handed the com device which resembled a rustic bracelet made out of leather and a metallic center. “This here is your com; you run into any trouble, just tap it and it should connect to Serenity. Made it so none would suspect nothin’, just a plain knick knack. And I think it’s pretty too,” the mechanic said proudly.

“Kaylee girl” Mal grumbled in impatience. “We ain’t got no time for fashion talk.”

Kaylee stuck out her tongue, “Hold your horses, Cappy. I’m almost done.” Ignoring Mal’s annoyed scowl she continued explaining to Inara, taking the little box from her coverall. “Here’s the signal disruptor, you should try to set it off near the systems console. But if you can’t, it should work well enough either way. Just that it works quicker if you do. I made it look like a pin, to match your bracelet. Works same way too, just tap it and it should make their navigator’s go a bit funky at first, then fool them into thinkin’ they got some inner engine trouble.”

“This will force them to stop? To land ?” Inara asked, taking the box from Kaylee.

Kaylee nodded reassuringly, “Yep. Inner engine is just talk for the main power grid. It’s got some pretty complicated schematics on the newer models, which I’m told the VL-30 has. One of the many farming vessels out there, fancy name for a clunky ship, more room that way. Even though it’s more work on the upkeep—not really worth the money paid for it. Actually that model got recalled by the manufacture in ‘16. The ship’s got to be powered down for any work to be done on the grid. Unless…”

“Wu de tyen ah, Kaylee! I didn’t ask you to give her a gorram workshop!” Mal complained, grabbing hold of Inara as he led her to the mule.

Inara shoved his hand away, snapping, “I can walk by myself, Mal.”

“We ain’t got time.” Mal growled as moved towards her again.

Kaylee ran up to her friend, giving Inara a hug. To her surprise, Inara hugged her back tightly. “You take care now, you hear. Serenity and me are gonna be waitin’ for you.”

Inara nodded, Kaylee coulda sworn she saw her get a bit teary eyed, but it was probably her mind playin’ tricks on her. She knew good and well that Inara wasn’t one to show her emotions outright. Quietly so Mal wouldn’t hear, Kaylee whispered, “And don’t let grumpy over there bother you none. His bark is worse than his bite.”

Inara smiled as she pulled away from the hug, walking over to the mule. Mal held out his hand to help her but she ignored it, preferring to get on by herself. Mal let his hand fall to his side, but Kaylee caught the expression on his face before he signaled to Zoe. Well, now why didn’t she see that before? ‘Course she suspected, remembering the way Mal had first looked at Inara during the ball in Persephone. Wasn’t that jus’ shiny, the Cap and Inara. Well, potential that is, if only Mal weren’t so crotchety. Men. Kaylee thought unhappily, remembering a certain doctor’s face.

“Ok, be back in an hour’s time. Zoe and Jayne, be ready just in case.” Mal stated as he climbed into the driver’s seat. Kaylee waved goodbye as the mule headed out, Inara took one last look at Serenity. The older woman’s expression was one of finality, like she wasn’t coming back. Kaylee felt the chill creep up again, turning back to the cargo hold. She looked towards the crate where Jayne had set Vera, the chill came on stronger when she noticed the gun was missing. She sighed in relief when she looked for Jayne, not seeing him the cargo hold any longer. That was it; he must have taken it with him. No worries then. No worries at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Half an Hour Later, Jimmy’s Slaver Market

The market was set up in the middle of the region’s desert. Beaumonde had only one desert, Troy, while New Dunsmuir had been constructed on the planet’s wide plains and forest region. Although none that region’s natural beauty could be seen in the city, since the metropolis had continued to grow steadily each year with the help of Alliance forces. Inara found it interesting on the market’s placement away from the main city, like setting it away could clean the stain off what went on in the market. A dirty little secret to hide, all it did was add a shiny gloss so people could look past the ugliness that lay underneath. The desert was arid and hot, the dry heat burning skin if not properly covered. The wind gusts didn’t help matters much either, the bite of breeze chapping lips and skin. Mal handed Inara a light-colored shawl to cover her face as they neared the market. She could see it in the distance; the many tents set up, along with vessels parked a mile away from the market.

The growing dread in her stomach twisted into a knot, making her nauseous with fear. Merciful Buddha, why out of every job out there, did it have to be this one? No, she mustn’t’ think like that. She could do this. She could. She would do this. Damnit, she had too. It didn’t help matters that she remembered all too clearly River’s ominous words. “You’ll die screaming, no one will hear you.”

They stopped the mule a quick walk away from the first tent. Inara forced herself to get off the vehicle, her nerves betrayed her and she tripped, falling on the sandy ground. As she got up, Mal was at her side helping her. Inara brushed his hands away, “I’m fine.”

Mal took one glance at her expression, which said otherwise, “You don’t look fine.”

Inara glared at him, “Damnit Mal, I’m fine. I’m just not used to walking without my cane.”

“You know, I never did ask why used that thing.” Mal mentioned causally, studying her, “You walk well enough without it.”

“That’s because it’s none of your business.” Inara countered, brushing the sand away from her clothes. But the wind gust just blew more on, sending her hair in further disarray. “Let’s get this done.”

As she began to walk in the direction of the tents, Mal stopped her, “Ain’t you forgettin’ something?”

Inara glanced back to see Mal holding the little box in his hand, she walked back. She ignored the smugness in his face as she took the box from his hand. She opened the box, taking the pin out, her hands trembling as she fought to put it on. She could do this; piece of lese just wouldn’t close right. Her fingers didn’t seem to work, normally so graceful in their handle of every day things, now they fumbled in such a simple task.

“Here let me.” Mal took the pin from hands, gently closing it on the collar of her tunic. After he was done, he left his hand longer than necessary on her shoulder; Inara looked up, confused and aware at the same time. “Mal?”

Mal looked away, not before Inara saw something close to yearning in them. He removed his hand from her shoulder, reaching into his duster pocket, pulling out a thin rope, “Give me your hands, and hold them behind your back.”

Inara looked at the rope as if it was a snake ready to strike, remembering all too well when she had been bound the first time. “Is that really necessary?”

“Well, it might look a bit strange, having a slave so willing.” Mal said dryly, “’Sides, I won’t tie it too tight, in case something happens.”

Inara turned around reluctantly as Mal bounded her hands together. She fought the urge to run away screaming as her panic hitched at the feel of the rough rope around her wrists. She could do this, she was strong, and she could do this. The mantra didn’t have much effect as her terror mounted when Mal was done. He took hold of her arm, but before they began their trek; he placed his other hand under her chin, forcing her to look at him, “You sure you can do this? Cause there’s no turning back once we’re there.”

Here was her chance; she didn’t have to do this. She could tell him the truth. It wouldn’t be too hard. But her shame was too much, Inara couldn’t tell him. No, this was her problem, no need to bring other people into it. Couldn’t risk them, if some how Harrow found her. After this job, she would leave Serenity. She had stayed too long as it is, could already feel the bonds tying her the crew, like Colin and Jacob, like Nandi and the girls. Inara nodded, answering with steely resolve, “Yes, I can.”

“Good, as long as you’re sure, ‘Nara. I ain’t forcing this on you.” Mal insisted, still not convinced. “This job isn’t that important.”

There was something in his expression that struck Inara odd, as if he knew something. But that was impossible, wasn’t it? She couldn’t have given much away. Or maybe she had. She shook the thought from her head, it was nonsense. Mal would’ve confronted her with it in the same way he had with the Saffron incident. “I can, Mal. Besides, if there’s a chance to help these poor people…It’s the right thing to do.”

“That it is.” Mal said, regret in his eyes, “Ok then. Let’s go.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10 minutes later…

River peeked behind the corner that led to the catwalk. She had been hiding from Simon, who had been hunting her down with a smoother. She hated the so-called smoother, even though it helped with voices and images in her head. Dulled them a bit, made them less loud, helped keep the closet door from shaking and rattling. But, the throwing up didn’t help much; made her insides hurt and her head ache something fierce. The cargo hold was empty at the moment, just as River knew it would be. She heard Kaylee rummaging in the engine room as she walked past, Simon not too far behind; hopefully she would hold her brother’s attention long enough, even if she was mad at him. Zoe was in the bridge, going over certain details with Wash. The preacher man was in his room meditating on things he didn’t want the crew to know. Wolf in sheep’s clothing. His time of reckoning would come soon, no one can run forever. Something the pretty thief was finding out, but Inara was stubborn---could ruin things if she didn’t let people in.

River knew it had been risky filtering through the older woman’s dream, but her fear had been so strong that she had been pulled in. Serenity had helped the transition, her calming presence making the impact less jarring. It was never a good thing to go mucking through people’s minds. The emotions were too strong; River felt everything, made her dizzy and confused. And that didn’t work in her favor; she needed a clear mind to be one step ahead of Them. Two by two, hands of blue. And that was something Simon didn’t understand. Such a boob was her older brother. It was strategic sense to be one step ahead of one’s enemies. It’s the way wars were won, victory found and lost.

She glided effortlessly down the stairs, barely making a sound as she looked for the spare mule. The clock was ticking, tick tock, tick tock. Father would be coming soon, face weary at the truths, lies and hidden yearnings. But she could help, River could. The crew didn’t see her potential like They did. Men in dark suits with glowing wands that hurt people. Bright as a blue sun, couldn’t look into their light. It would burn one’s insides out with a quick flick of their hand. Power of the sun, River knew that power, knew the way it hummed like a siren’s song. And she had stolen it, it was in her, that’s why They wanted her back so badly. But River wouldn’t give Them the pleasures of picking and cutting in to take it out. It was hers, once she was a real girl again she would make Them pay. She would show Them her potential, the power of the blue sun. Then she would be the one burning Their insides out, make the gorram dongwu hurt like They hurt her. Make Them feel again. Make Them fear her for a change. No power in the universe would stop her, and that was something River promised. And she would make good on it, one day she would. When the pieces of the girl she was and the girl she will be were placed back together.

She spotted the mule covered by a plastic sheet. Yes, it was how she left it. Good, everything will proceed as planned. She cursed when she heard the lumbering footsteps of her wooden boy. Jayne. A girl’s name. But he was a boy and a man, too greedy, older yes, wiser no. River sighed; she would deal with this unseen variable. Not that she minded much, after yesterday’s events. She smiled, licking her lips, still tasting the pilfered berries on her tongue mixed with whiskey. Sweetness, tartness and spice; an interesting combination. She had to admit, there was a certain joy in tormenting the older man. Like the pranks she used to play on Simon to get him to laugh more. Too serious and studious her brother was. It was delightful, their reactions. Jayne’s reaction was the best, since the mercenary was unpredictable at times. It was thrilling not exactly knowing what would happen, made her head ache less, made all the static less loud. Made her a real girl for a little while.

River suppressed a giggle that threatened to give away her hiding place as she hid behind the mule. When she was sure the mercenary was in the cargo hold, she jumped up and shouted gleefully, “Boo!”

Jayne yelped in a not so manly manner, scowling when he realized who it was. “Gorramit girl, don’t do that.”

River shrugged, knowing she had achieved her goal in scaring him. He was off his game now, guilty at the cooper kiss in the market, made him less sure of her and him. Felt he liked it too much. Oh, she had him where she wanted him. Cat and mouse, River was the cat and her wooden boy the mouse. Mouse was a greedy little thing, Cat will show him better, send him on his way. Scat, scat. “Lost. Can’t and won’t find what you’re looking for. Just like me.”

Jayne gave a quick glance about to make sure they were alone. “I don’t reckon what’s gotten in the nutcase brain of yours, but ya gonna stop it now. I mean it. Mal and your gorram brother are close to lopping my head off, and I ain’t done nothin’ to deserve it.” He took a step back as River advanced on him, taking graceful, seductive stalking steps.

“You liked it.” River stated plainly, “Liked kissing a broken girl. Not real like the pictures you hang in your bunk. But they aren’t real either. Just wishful thinking.”

“You don’t know whatcha ya doing, girl. You’re too gorram crazy, ain’t right.” Jayne backed away further, seeing how River was intent on getting near him. The thought of Mal putting a bullet in his head helped distract him from the not so innocent feelings that were starting to head southwards, past his belly and into other parts. And diyu if the girl was looking too attractive, for a crazie at that.

River suddenly smiled, as if she heard his thoughts. “He’ll shoot you after he castrates you. He’s very noble man, a man of justice who lives in too much darkness. Simon would give him the knife.”

Jayne blanched at the mention of castration, forcing his hand not to cover his man parts protectively. “I didn’t like kissin’ you girl. So get that notion outta your head. Stay away from me.”

“Liar, your nose grows, wooden boy. Liked tangling your hands in my hair. Liked the way I smelled, how I tasted, sweet and tart. Want to know how the rest of me tastes. Disgusted that you might like it even more. Poor wooden boy, keep living in your world of lies. I’ll be patient,” River said resigned, “You’ll betray us soon enough. Then you’ll stop lying.”

“Shut the hell up.” Jayne hissed angrily, not liking the truth in her words. “You know what, I’m gonna get your gorram brother. See if he shoots you up with some of that tranquilizing lashi. Get you to stop sprouting fei hua.”

River clicked her tongue, amused, “Tsk, tsk. Not scared of you, Jayne. You’re scared of me. There’s a difference. Go on, scat, scat, scat,” she snapped her fingers together twice; “I don’t have time for illogical thinking. Go tattle on me, might make you feel better. But it’ll be a lie, when you go to sleep, then you’ll know.”

Jayne sputtered, not finding a good response to throw at the girl. And it wasn’t because she was right. Gorramit she wasn’t right. No way in hell. Eerie ass girl, gorram mistake keeping them on board. “Well, you just…you know what? I ain’t gonna bother with your chun brother. I got better things to do than talk to crazy girls like you. You ain’t my problem.”

“I’m not now, but I will be.” River continued, she took another step and snapped her teeth, baring them. “Run along, Jayne…before I eat you up. I’m sure you’ll taste quite good with proper seasoning. Food mustn’t’ go to waste.” Her comment had the reaction she had hoped for, as the mercenary looked her in horror and rushed up the stairway, almost stumbling in the process.

River sighed, not sure if she was pleased with how she proceeded with her wooden boy. She shook the disappointment from her mind knowing the mercenary would as soon kiss a slug, than admit he was wrong and that she was right. But she was patient; everything would come full circle, like it was doing now for Inara. She moved quickly, throwing the cover away from the mule, double checking in the back to make sure Vera was secured. The rifle was ready for use and River would use it well, she would take great care of it, so Jayne wouldn’t worry. Even if she didn’t like the loud banging noise it made, but it had to be done. This is what happened when no one listened to River, so now she had to make things right again. She had to make her voice known among the sea of static in her mind. She had to bring the circle to a close, so nobody would get hurt. Everything was connected to everything, and every one. Change something, and you changed everything, a domino effect. Common logic.

River started the engine, hoping Serenity would help her not make so much noise. The ship hummed in agreement. Good, one less thing to worry about. She didn’t need people worrying after her or worse yet coming after her, at least not until everything was in place. She easily maneuvered the vehicle out of the cargo hold and into the desert plain. She laughed when a gust of wind blew her hair back; River relished the feel of the wind cutting through her skin. Enjoyed its freedom and wildness. Like her. She shifted the mule unto a different direction than what Mal had taken. It was a quicker and shorter route, if only he had bothered with asking the proper directions. Men and boys. Plain silly, now that silliness worked in her favor.

She would show Them. She would show Jayne and everybody else. Not just a thing, a weapon, a tool. Not just a crazy and lost girl.

She was flesh and blood, real, and she would show them. She would show them how real she could be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TBC—Chapter 11: Caged Due out next week, hopefully To keep updated on my writing status, go to my live journal, under user name Cassiee

Chinese Translations:

Meili- Pretty

Shenme-- What?

“Duibuqi—I’m sorry/excuse me

nuofu ---coward

xin gan –sweetheart, darling

Tianna,---Oh God

tamade hundan--- fucking bastard

chunren ---fool/jerk

chun --Stupid

Wu de tyen ah--- dear God in heaven

lashi. --shit

fei hua --crap talk/nonsense

Dongwu—animal (meant to use it in plural)

Diyu- -Hell

COMMENTS

Tuesday, July 13, 2004 1:39 PM

AMDOBELL


I really love that River is getting into this, going to make sure they don't end up getting themselves hurt. It was quite affecting how Mal acted towards Inara, giving her a way out in case she did not want to go through with it after he found out but not letting on why. In some ways, poor Inara is more broken than River. This is great, looking forward to the next part. *Xie xie ni*, Ali D :~)
You can't take the sky from me

Thursday, July 15, 2004 8:25 AM

JEBBYPAL


K, refraining from drooling in anticipation---still enjoying the high from this fix as I already told you. Perfect chapter, loved your take on everyone. Did zoe really well and think you captured river perfectly. Loved how she just kept scaring the bejesus out of jayne during the entire scene. Hope she cansave inara without getting into too much trouble her ownself.


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