deshabille | one ☼ spam + video

spam {may 2}

[She knows they say the Turtle moves, but technically that was one of those things that wasn't said aloud much back home. Either it was an Abomination or it was generally frowned upon, and even her life as it was then didn't shelter her entirely from the taboo of discussing certain subjects. Not that she paid attention to taboos; she was simply aware of them.]

[Here she feels more intimately connected to the movement of the Turtle, despite the fact that it's not here. Space is, and that's what matters; if she closes her eyes she imagines she can feel the rocking of the boat, the push of flippers. It's a nice thought, anyway, so she closes her eyes slightly more often than usual.]

[It doesn't take long to explore the whole Barge, so she does it again for good measure. Then, when she's satisfied she's seen everything there is to see, she finds a corner of the deck to tuck herself away in and stays there for a while, smoking and considering the stars. They, like the stars at home, will constantly change. She finds this familiar, if not comforting.]

[A cigarette dangles from her fingers as, slowly, her gaze moves from the "sky" to the others on deck. She takes a drag, lets smoke curl between her lips, eyes bright with curiosity. And she smiles.]

video {may 3}

[All that's visible at her back is brown canvas, and the light is low, which may or may not be intentional. But Mal is smiling, truly and deeply pleased.]

All the amenities here, I see. [It's mostly sarcastic, but also a good, secret way of saying, hey, this thing is really neat and I want to know how it works even.] I'm not going to bore anyone with my unfamiliarity with certain things, because I'd absolutely hate if anyone did that to me, but really, well set-up. Although too small.

[She leans in slightly, head to one side.]

I can't decide if it's run on magic or something else, or if there's even an answer that makes sense or it's just one of those things you're not supposed to question - and I'd anticipate that the Admiral doesn't respond well to constructive [ha] feedback, though I'd still guess I've served under worse - but there is a kind of magnificence in the ship itself.

Unless you've seen more impressive, of course. In which case, feel free to correct me. [And tell her all about what's more impressive than this.]

[She pauses as though considering saying something else, and finally settles on,] Introductions are tedious, but I'll get them out of the way now so I don't have to later. Call me Mal. I'm new. Obviously.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ No, Mal, don't be silly, that would mean telling people things. :| ]

The CTS.

[Heaven forbid.]

[Well, she's just gonna stand up and head that way. You can follow her or not, bro.]

[ He would say thank you, but... who am I kidding, no he wouldn't. He follows along, though. ]

Oh good, so they do give you lot maps.

Alternately, there's a chance I might not be a total idiot.

[Sunny! Bright! Cheerful!]

I try not to get my hopes up.

Please, keep them low, so I can astound you.

[And look, here's the CTS, which she is going into first. Because reasons. Reasons being she wants to know what you're up to, sir.]

[ What— no, that is the opposite of what he wanted. He balks at the doorway. ]

I asked for access, not an escort.

Actually, you didn't ask for anything other than my status as inmate or warden.

I'm not here to escort you.

Then you could leave.

[ Still standing there like a cat on the edge of a bathtub, yep. ]

So could you.

[Still just inside the doorway with her hand on her hip, watching him.]

That's not the point. I have things to do.

[ Things. ]

Well, you'd better come inside then.

I won't interfere.

[With things.]

[ He just frowns. Forever. And ever. ]

[ Actually he is just going to stand there a minute and make a face. Then: ] Will you also refrain from commentary?

I think I can manage that.

[She'll just watch and take notes. Like she's watching and taking notes now. He wants in more than he wants to prove himself superior. This is a little surprising.]

[ There are not words for how much he does not like this, in fact — he has no idea what kind of person she is, if she's liable to break her word or even use what she sees against him. Just being without his powers makes him irritable enough, but the idea of being exposed like this, of being vulnerable in front of a total stranger, is grating to the point that he would rather do almost anything else.

But he needs this. He needs every minute of practice he can get. There simply isn't time to squabble. ]

If you cannot, I may very well gag you myself.

[ And with that snappy reply, he steps in. The change is subtle, but immediate. Where usually his movements are fluid, precise, with an undercurrent of unnatural agility, the moment he steps into the CTS he loses all vestiges of grace. The first few steps are slowed, and although the pace of his step and his balance adjust to compensate (he's done this enough times to master that much), his movements still drag. He's practically clumsy.

And rather than acknowledge any of that, he shoots her a glare, as if daring her to say something, and moves past her into the center of the room for the first scenario. ]

[She might do both, break her word and use information against him, but not in the way he's likely thinking. She has no intention of physical harm, but she uses what she sees, always has, always will - and this is not an exception.]

[Her eyes snap from his face to his legs when he crosses the threshold, and if he's paying attention to her he'll see it: not only the look but the sudden and intense interest. She's thinking now, trying to figure him out.]

[When he glares at her, she meets his eyes again and half-smiles, then leans against the wall, well out of his way. Doesn't say a word.]

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