009 愛 Audio

[notquitegeisha]

[The audio starts and the sound of the market can be heard in the background. Then there's a rustle and then a soft sigh.]

I just wanted to let you all know that I'm back. I've actually been back for a couple of hours, but I wanted to get resettled. [And get as use to the fact that she was back in the Underworld as she could. There's a pause

Comments

[audio]

[aint_comin_back]

[There you are. He'd been alone in the Underworld again. You know what that does to a man?]

Didn't even know you had a kitten. [aka, yeah, he'd stopped by to check on her, couldn't find her, saw her name on the damn board, and started feeding a gorram kitten.]

[audio]

[notquitegeisha]

[She can't help the smile that tugs on her lips.]

It's not really surprising, is it? I wasn't even sure you knew where I lived. But, thank you for feeding her.

[audio]

[aint_comin_back]

[Of course he knows where she lives. He's the captain -- and head of the guard. He knows things. He also may just stalk everyone in the Underworld.]

I didn't say it was surprising.

[audio]

[notquitegeisha]

[She just sighs.]

Of course you didn't, I apologize for assuming. But yes, Ezio gave her to me shortly before he was sent back to his home.

[audio]

[aint_comin_back]

She's an affectionate little thing. [... Maybe he took her back to his place a couple nights.]

[audio]

[notquitegeisha]

[She laughs softly.] Indeed she is. Though, you might not think so when she's attempting to play in the middle of the night.

[audio]

[aint_comin_back]

[He snorts. After the first night, that's why she stayed in Inara's apartment rather than his. Mal has little patience for animals demanding his attention.]

Some time passed back home, I take it? Been here long 'nough to figure out what happens when people disappear for a few days like that.

[audio]

[notquitegeisha]

[She's silent for a moment.]

Yes... Yes it did. I know what you were talking about now. [She exhales slowly.] About everything. Shepherd Book, Wash... Everything.

[audio]

[aint_comin_back]

Ah. Yeah. [There's a heavy silence; some things are just harder to say than others -- and those things are harder to say to Inara than others. He spent his time when she'd been here before hoping that she wouldn't go through that with them again. That, even though she had been in the Underworld, she would be spared the grief they'd all been hit so hard with.

But some things just have to be said and Mal ain't a coward. Sometimes, anyway.]

Sorry you had to see it all. We did right, though. I gotta believe that.

Re: [audio]

[notquitegeisha]

We did. You did real good too. [Don't pass out, Mal. She did just compliment you.]

[audio]

[aint_comin_back]

[Huh. A compliment. How strange.] Good. Not quite enough. [He lost people.]

[audio]

[notquitegeisha]

Mal, what happened wasn't your fault. You can't blame yourself.

[audio]

[aint_comin_back]

[Oh, he could, but he's not the only one who shoulders blame.] I tend to shift blame over onto that ta ma de hun dan who chased us down.

[audio]

[notquitegeisha]

[She falls silent and closes her eyes, her chest tightening a bit as she thinks over the events of everything. It was all so fresh to her, still vivid in her mind.]

Good, because none of it was your fault.

[audio]

[aint_comin_back]

[It may be more removed for him, but the fact that he's not there with his crew while they're reeling isn't helping.]

Like I said, hell of a thing. Knew somethin' was comin' the day we let River stay aboard. Didn't quite figure on that.

[audio]

[notquitegeisha]

I don't think any of us thought it would get to the point it did.

[She falls silent for a few moments, thinking.]

Mal... You wouldn't be needing any help at that pawn shop of yours, would you?