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[gonna_live]

Kaylee's been in Milliways most of the day, working in the garage on her and the captain's project. She did promise. And she can try to keep her promises.

She's still exhausted. That's why it's a cup of coffee in front of her, and at the bar, her chin's in her hand.


[miniscule tag: cameron "i'm a creepy damn robot" phillips THE WORLD ALMANAC AND BOOK OF FACTS, Heavy Weapons Guy]

Comments

[veryscaryrobot.livejournal.com]

Booted feet thud behind Kaylee, and their owner steps up to the bar beside her. Cameron's request is long, and involves a number of chemical-sounding syllables. A small glass container of pale green liquid appears; she lifts it to eye level for scrutiny.

[gonna_live]

Well. None of that's out of character.

Kaylee lifts her head and injects some warmth into her voice when she says, "Hey, you -- "

But it's not River.



Not the end of the world. No harm in being friendly, at least at first.

[veryscaryrobot.livejournal.com]

Cameron turns her head toward Kaylee. There's no surprise visible in her expression, but the motion is quick enough to suggest it.

"I'm sorry," she says. It's a question.

The arm holding the capsule at eye-level doesn't move.

[gonna_live]

Kaylee sits back a little.

"Hi," she tries. "That's -- that's all."

[veryscaryrobot.livejournal.com]

After a pause that lasts a few seonds too long, she says, "Hello."

She doesn't say anything else, but instead of turning away she studies Kaylee's face with the same unselfconscious absorption she gave the capsule.

[gonna_live]

"Can... can I help you?"

She is unconsciously holding on to her coffee a little closer. As though Cameron is a giant threat to her caffeine source.

[veryscaryrobot.livejournal.com]

Finally, Cameron blinks.

"I don't know," she says, as though Kaylee has posed an unexpected and interesting question. "With what?"

[gonna_live]

"You're... lookin' at me," Kaylee says, helpfully. "I don't know."

Girl is creepy!

[veryscaryrobot.livejournal.com]

"It's polite to make eye contact." She lowers the capsule, and sets it on the bar with delicate precision, eyes still on Kaylee. "Would you prefer I look away?"

[yosafbridge]

Enter another tired woman - this one mostly keeping to herself.

But when she sees yet another familiar face, it's all she can do not to make some kind of comment.

"Zhŭ a..."

(Too late.)

[gonna_live]

Kaylee straightens -- and immediately facepalms.

"Ō, zhè zhēn shì gè kuàilè de jìnzhăn..."

[yosafbridge]

"You can say that again," Saffron replies, rolling her eyes.

[gonna_live]

"So how's the ship-stealin' racket these days?" Kaylee folds her arms. "Lucrative, I'm guessin'?"

[yosafbridge]

"Not every ship's as easy to sabotage as your Serenity," Saffron retorts.

Meaning no, not so profitable these days.

[gonna_live]

"Yeah, but you ain't a great saboteur." Kaylee leans back against the bar. "Didn't take me all that long to undo any of that, either time. -- maybe that's your problem."

[yosafbridge]

"Oh, you know how to do your job, I'll give you that," Saffron concedes.

"Takes a lot of talent to keep that lièzhì ship flying."

[gonna_live]

Up sides to feeling a little numb. And Saffron doesn't know about what's in the garage, either.

Kaylee tilts her head.

"I'll say xièxie nĭ for the compliment and let you know that if you're tryin' to get some kind of rise out of me, you're gonna have to work a bit harder."

[crysomemore.livejournal.com]

There is a large Russian man down the bar, who's drinking a large glass of vodka, and making progress on a plate of spaghetti before Kaylee comes in.

"Long day on job?" the Heavy asks kindly when he sees the look on her face. He's really just a big teddy bear.

[gonna_live]

Kaylee startles -- and says, a little ruefully, "I reckon you could put it like that, yeah. You too?"

[crysomemore.livejournal.com]

He gives her a knowing smile. "Always. It is one of zhose professions, but my team... I vwould not trade it for zhe anysing... you know?"

[gonna_live]

"...I got some passing acquaintance with the notion, yeah." A crooked smile. It doesn't last long. "Mind me askin' what kind of work you're in?"

[crysomemore.livejournal.com]

"...I could give real answer, or I could give, uh, fake one."

Beat.

"Just a choice of a false-hood, or, I cannot tell you if I vant my team to stay safe. False-hood is 'building of infrastructure.' Either vay, it is dangerous vork."

[gonna_live]

"Building of infrastructure works," Kaylee says hastily. "We'll call it that. Got some passing acquaintance with that kind of thing, too. No worries."

[crysomemore.livejournal.com]

The Heavy beams. Nice woman is nice!

"Sank you. It is tough, especially vhen people here are curious... though I suppose it is not so much a secret in Bar? Less people knowing, zhe better. Hmm.

"You also keep people safe?"

[gonna_live]

"One way to put it." Another slightly crooked smile.

(Kaylee's learned the hard way about giving people too much information in this place, especially when they're a little reticent themselves.)

"Let's say I maintain infrastructure."