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]

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*

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

*startled by that, sort of half smiles against them*

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

*sighs a second, leans in and kisses her softly*

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

*indrawn breath, freezing for a moment, then leaning into him a bit and returning the kiss just as softly*

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

*arms around her, pulling her close, sighs*

*afte a moment, quietly* He'll figure it out eventually. No one's that stupid.

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

*snuggles up a bit* Well, he ain't really stupid. Just about girls I guess.

*has a thought* What if he don't like girls? What if I've been running around throwing myself at a fella who's sly?

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

*happy to cuddle her* Guys usually are. Although girls seem to be more stupid about not saying anything. We're stupid! You practically have to beat us over the head with it. *smiles a little*

... um. Well, if he doesn't, not much you can do about it. Has he looked at any guys that you've seen?

[xiaomeimei.livejournal.com]

*head on his shoulders* Yeah, I might've noticed that a bit.

*considers, worrying at her lower lip* Well, I ain't actually been considering it in that light. I mean, he's real pretty. An' he dresses real nice an' I just figured that's 'cause he was rich. But sometimes he and the Captain...not that the Captain is sly mind you...but what if Simon likes him anyway?

[firebugwarren.livejournal.com]

*fingers through her hair*

Some straight guys just like their clothes. *small smile, doesn't say he's one of them 'cause, grunge look, but still* Pretty doesn't usually have much to do with which way a person swings. But he might like the Captain. And he might go both ways. Could always ask him, see if he knows.