拥抱 // First Embrace

[companioning]

{A. 愛 Action: 2241 Stevens Road}
[Something isn't quite right. She knows that before she even opens her eyes. The sheets aren't hers, for one, and the bed itself doesn't feel right. She opens her eyes and immediately pushes herself up.

Not her shuttle, nor is it anywhere she recognizes.]

Wǒ zài nǎli?

[Carefully she climbs out of the bed, pushing her tangle of dark curls from her eyes. Glancing once around the bedroom, she creeps over to the door, pulling it open.]

Hello?

{B. 愛 Phone}

Nǐmén hǎo. [Inara's voice is soft and even soothing, though she herself is actually very on edge at the moment.] My name is Inara Serra, and this is quite possibly the strangest thing that's ever happened to me.

[There's a slight pause before she continues.]

That's not the point though... Actually I was hoping that there might be others here who I know. Kaylee Frye? Simon or River Tam? [Another small pause.] Malcolm Reynolds?

{C. 愛 Action: Around Town - later in the day}

[She had found clothing - nothing of her own, but it had all fit her right down to the undergarments. It was possibly the most disturbing thing she'd experienced and she'd truly experienced some disturbing things.

She had needed to get away from the house, needed to clear her mind - needed to do that without looking at all the photos she didn't remember being taken. So she has no idea what she's looking for, but she's wandering around the town, glancing into the various stores she's passing.]


((OOC: Hover over the Chinese for translations))

Comments

[captain_tightpants]

Kaylee's here too? Oh, so now half my crew's been absconded with and forced into this very special hell of all special hells.

You wanna hear some language, just stick around. I got plenty more for the da shiong la se la ch'wohn tian who stuck us here.

[companioning]

[He can't see it, but her lips are actually twitching with amusement. She really shouldn't be amused, but Mal certainly has a way with words. She clears her throat though.]

Shì de, she is. She says she's been here for a couple of months now. She sounded well though.

What sort of person would bring us here though? [Her voice drops down into a whisper, she doesn't want those she lives with to hear her.] Mal, I don't know if I can stay in this house... The man, he's very... Wǒ bù zhīdào, different I suppose.

[captain_tightpants]

Different? I think I know what you mean. Don't quite act right n' make to believe you been here your whole life. Empty-eyed, n' when they talk to ya it seems they been programmed to say such.

Everyone in this house's actin' like that. Powerful unsettlin'.

I tell you what. You sit tight and I'mma find us a place to lay low 'til we can get better ground. I'll look for Kaylee, too. See what she knows.

[companioning]

No... He's not like that at all. He's certainly not acting as though he's been programmed. He's... I really don't know how to describe him. Different, that's about all I can think of.

[She's quiet for a moment.]

I think that might be a good idea. At least if we're together it will be easier for the others to find us.

[captain_tightpants]

Oh.

Well if he tries somethin' you give me a holler n' I'll come to the rescue, dohn-ma?

This place is creepifyin' enough without sully-minded individuals 's got too much time on their grabby hands.

[Things are serious. Mal is in honorable mode.]

[companioning]

Really? [It's probably a good thing he can't see the smile she has right now.] Should I make sure I have some incense just in case?

[She's teasing him, though to be serious now.]

I will, though if he knows what's good for him, he'll do well to keep his distance. Though, I do appreciate your offer and will most certainly take you up on it if I need to.

[captain_tightpants]

[He snorts.] What, you plannin' on offerin' up your respectable services to folk here too?

[It never lasts long, does it?]

Don't do nothin' heroic. I'll be in touch shortly.

[companioning]

[There's an awkward silence before she speaks again.]

What I plan to do is truly none of your business.

And I don't believe that will be necessary, Captain, I'll take care of myself.

[Now she might be a little irked with him.]

[captain_tightpants]

What? You're gonna choose now of all times to act proud? [He scoffs.] S'just like you to complicate things in the thick of a dangerous situation.

Lettin' feelings get in the way of safety's just stupid. Get yerself killed that way. You gonna cooperate or do I gotta drag you kickin' and screamin' to save yer gorram life?

[companioning]

[He just seems to know exactly what to say to rile her up.]

You have a lot of nerve, Malcolm Reynolds. A lot. I'd like to see you try to drag me anywhere I don't wish to go. You might not like the outcome of that one.

[captain_tightpants]

Wh- I-... Fine. But when you gone and got yourself into a right fix don't go lookin' to me for no help 'cause I lost all manner of helpfulness just now.

[Hangs up the phone with more force than necessary.]