Library of the Four Winds Challenge 06#16 -- Black

[xiao_meimei]

We spend more of our time out here in the black than any other single place. Makes a right bunch of sense if you think on it, what with the sort of work we do. Weren't exactly what I meant when I said I wanted to see the 'verse, but I'm finding that it's a sight better. Course it's nice to be in port and see all the shiny things in the stores, but it ain't like we're usually in much of a position to be buying shiny things.

Out here in the black, ain't no shiny distractions and reminders of all the differences between folks and what some folk might see as fei wu and what other people might see as real pretty. It's just us and Serenity. I got my engine room and my bunk, with my pretty dress in it if I feel like looking at shiny things. Ain't sure when I'll ever get to wear it again, but it's there.

Got all sorts of possibilities, too. Out here, ain't nothin' that might not happen. Can figure you're just a girl and you're on a boat with just a lot of other folk and nothing much matters but that you get the job done and that you're there for each other and take care of your crew. Other things, things that might matter on the ground don't matter so much here. Course some folk still try and make them matter and that's just fei hua. And more than fei hua, that's just their loss.

I like it out here. Ain't what I expected when the Captain walked in on me and Bester and offered me the job. Sure is different than back home. But Serenity's become home and she's made for being out here, doing what we're doing. Ain't nowhere else I'd want to be.

Comments

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

She said... *slight smile* Said I got under her skin.

She also said that we don't really know each other, not really, and that's true. We don't talk. Or didn't. Not before this, not about anything. I don't know her favorite color, what books she likes to read or music she likes, any of that.

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

Well, that sounds like an admission of likin' you to me.

*smiles* So you figure it out. Talk to her. Ask.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

*very slight flush, wry smile* I guess it is.

Work it out as we go along? I guess so, it just still seems odd to .. well, maybe not.

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

*smiles, nods*

Well, workin' it out as you go along's what you got to do with most stuff. I don't know nobody who's got all the answers to everythin'.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm not used to being the guy you hold hands with in public. More the guy you sneak out with in back alleys.

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

Well, ain't nothing wrong with that either. Who's to say you can't be both?

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

*impish grin* I dunno. What would you say?

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

I think holdin' hands is nice. Back alleys, or engine rooms, got their own sort of appeal, though. *grins*

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

Room for all kinds of romance? *slightly wistful in his smile, before it turns into a posetively rakish grin, hair falling over his eyes again* I used to hang out in the back alleys...

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

Well, bein' open to new things is always one way to widen your horizons.

*blushes just a touch at the grin, grins back* Did you now?

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

That's true.

*touches her cheek, grinning* Yep.

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

An' is that somethin' you're still prone to doin' now?

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

That depends on who else is in that alley.

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

Well, I get the feelin' your girl wouldn't mind meetin' you there.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

*slight smile* We're still discussing whether or not she's my girl.

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I guess you are.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

*touches the back of her hand* I guess you know whose girl you'd want to be.

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

*shrugs* Guess so, though I've 'bout given up hope.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

Then he's an idiot.

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

*smiles a little* That's real sweet of you to say.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

*small smile back*

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

*kisses his cheek*

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

*startled for a moment, then kisses her cheek back, grins*

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

*rueful smile* I wish I'd met you earlier.

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

*touches fingertips to her lips for a moment, trying to think of something to say*