(Untitled)

[yuelian]

There's the pitter-patter of tiny feet in huge combat boots as a Chinese girl of about twelve walks quickly into the room, both hands stuffed into her pockets and back slouching slightly. She straightens up immediately when she notices her new surroundings, although nothing about her indicates fear or confusion, only slight surprise and sharp

Comments

[overallgoof]

She smiles, a nice and friendly smile, if slightly goofy. "Hey there. Was that Chinese there? And what's Serenity?"

[yuelian]

"Shi de*!" She beams, the response obvious even though it's in Chinese. "I'm Chinese, but my parents adopted me. And Serenity is a ship, of course. A spaceship!"

*It is!

[overallgoof]

"A spaceship? Wow!" She grins, used to kids' overactive imaginations. "That sounds awesome."

[yuelian]

"Nah, it really ain't as grand as most people think it is. Especially when the Cap'n's yellin' at everyone and when it breaks down again, but I still love it. Where do you usually live? Is it a spaceship too? Or is it on one of the planets?"

[overallgoof]

"Oh, you have a clunkity spaceship. Not one of those big fancy ones. I think the clunkity ones are nicer, myself." She grins. "No, I don't live in a spaceship. Just a flat above a Chinese place in London. Maybe one day I'll move up in the world and get a spaceship of my own."

[yuelian]

"Let me know if you want to buy one," she says solemnly, "'cause I know all the good sellers. I'm Amber, by the way. What's your name?"

Typist: ... YOU DIDN'T SEE THAT.

[overallgoof]

"I'll be sure to do that," she responds, equally solemnly, though there's a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Amber's a great name. I've always liked it. I'm Laari. Pleased to meet you." One thing charming about her primary-school teaching skills... she talks to kids the way she knows they want to be talked to: like grown-ups."

[yuelian]

"Laari's a pretty name, too! What does it mean? Is it short for somethin'?"

[overallgoof]

"Thank you! And no, it's just Laari. Laari Thropp. My sister's name is Kaat. My parents like extra vowels, it seems. So where did you learn Chinese? Did you grow up in China?"

[yuelian]

"Nah, China hasn't existed for ages and ages and ages. Everyone knows Chinese where I'm from, at least a couple'f phrases. Ain't it the same for you?"

[overallgoof]

She blinks a little at the first sentence, but shrugs it off. "No, I'm afraid not. Unless 'domo arigato' is Chinese? I think it's Japanese, though."

[yuelian]

Amber giggles. "It's Japanese, but 'm not sure what it actually means. Do you want to learn some Chinese?"

[overallgoof]

"I would love to learn some Chinese." She grins.

[yuelian]

"Hmm, we can start easy. Ni hao means hello!" She pauses thoughtfully. "Well, usually. 'less Uncle Jayne says it, then it means 'Where are my gorram guns?'."

[overallgoof]

She laughs. "Okay. Nee... knee how?"

[yuelian]

"That's pretty good!" Amber grins.