(no subject)

[gonna_live]

Sometimes you feel like you're going to go stir-crazy if you're in too large a space.

Besides, somebody's got to make sure Niska's not prowling around the bar.

And Kaylee's in charge. For now, anyway.

So she's at a table near the middle of the room with a cup of coffee -- untouched -- and a pensive expression.

Comments

[mnt_raph]

How you holdin' up?

*Asks a voice from behind.*

[gonna_live]

Kaylee turns around. Raph gets a wan smile.

"Could be worse. I'm not the one in the cell."

[mnt_raph]

Eh, they ain't so bad.

*He's spent more than a few nights in their himself.*

Sometimes she sings when she sees you ain't sleepin'.

[gonna_live]

"...really?"

Kaylee looks like she doesn't know whether to be horrified or enthralled.

"What does she sing?"

[mnt_raph]

Lullabyes, I think. Don't know a lot of them, but they sound kinda like they could be Lullabyes.
...
An' speedmetal. Can't forget the speedmetal.

*He might be kidding, but chances are good that he's not.*

[gonna_live]

"Speed huh?"

[mnt_raph]

*His hand circles around his wrist as he tries to think of the right words to describe speedmetal.*

Uh...well, my father calls it noise, so I don't know if that helps any. Like uh, factory sounds only with rhythm?

[gonna_live]

"Ain't there usually rhythm to a factory? Everything all goin' at the same time with same spaces between all day and all night?"

[mnt_raph]

Well yeah, but now people pipe that stuff in on purpose and like, add guitars an' stuff. Oh an' screamin'. There's usually some screamin' too. Not like, for your life screamin', but just 'm really ticked screamin'.

[river_meimei]

Someone else is making sure of that too.

Or just brooding in the rafters.

Probably both.

[gonna_live]

Eventually Kaylee settles back in her chair, stretching, sighing.

And looking up.

And blinking.

[river_meimei]

River glances down at Kaylee.

She gets a tiny quirk of a smile. Or what's meant to be a smile, anyway.

[gonna_live]

"You could come down," Kaylee suggests. "He ain't likely to come out tonight."

[river_meimei]

"I'm watching," River says softly.

But she slants a considering glance at the booth below her.

[gonna_live]

"Suit yourself."

Kaylee's attention goes back to her coffee cup.

There are multiple reasons she's not going to bother cajoling. They have to do with frustration, and worry, and guilt.

[river_meimei]

River's glance at her is sharper, and worried.

And guilty.

After a moment, she ducks her head, and begins to make her way down to the floor.

[gonna_live]

There's a scrim of oil on the surface of her coffee; it catches the light.

[simon_doctor]

There's a Simon at her elbow, setting down a grilled cheese sandwich.

"Inara said the bar was clear for now," he says quietly.

[gonna_live]

Kaylee looks up at him with a small smile. "Seen neither hide nor hair of him. Which is good." Pause. "'Cause then I wouldn't have this nice sandwich."

[simon_doctor]

He sits down next to her.

"Mal said a little over a week. It's already been ... two days?"

[gonna_live]

Kaylee nods. "Expect time off for good behavior'd be a little too much to ask." This is a little wry.

[simon_doctor]

"Might be worth asking anyway."

Simon absently steals a gulp of Kaylee's coffee. It's not quite cold yet.

[gonna_live]

Not quite, no.

It's worth noting that she doesn't bother making a face at him.

"Might," she agrees.

Pause.

"Captain and I talked about somethin'."

[simon_doctor]

He tilts his head at her. Yes?

[gonna_live]

"What's gonna happen when Niska's up and around." Very calm. Too calm. "And starts talkin' to folks."