Fic: World Falls Away - Part One, Chapter One
I'm debating a proper header here... And because I'm killing time, here it is.
Title: World Falls Away - Part One, Chapter One
Author: Nari
Pairing: Mal/Wash
Characters: Mal, Wash, OC's in the form of ranch hands, Mal's ma, and Wash's dad
Rating: this part G, overall R
Summary: The Alliance come to help out the farming community on Shadow.
Notes: My nano fic. Which still hasn't hit 50k but almost there! Looking set to go well over that mark, too. The age timeline in this fic is very AU. We're starting off with the boys being around 18 for Wash and 20 for Mal.
Thanks: To lvs2read and itinerant_vae for the beta's! And wildannuette for being encouraging.
Part One - Mal
Chapter One
His ma tells him that things are gonna be getting better. She's said it before, says it a lot these last few years. This time, he can see the little sparkle in her eyes, the bright grin. Ain't just desperation talking. She knows something and he eyes her.
“Wait and see,” she says. “Wait and see. In a few months from now, these fields'll be green again and those cows'll be fat an' happy.”
Til then, there's still chores to do, still the branding to get through, so there's no time for sitting around, gazing and thinking on what might be. If she's right this time. Mal can't think of a reason why she would be. Still can't help but hope. Deep down, he knows that it's all going to be fine again, that things have a way of working around.
Work comes first, though. He mounts his horse and coils his rope, kicking the mare up into a gallop. The other ranch hands are waiting on him down in the pens. They have a good two dozen calves to get through today, the type of hard work that'll work up a good appetite and his ma always cooks the very best meals.
Mal doesn't get down there for more than an hour, roping calves and watching as another hand throws the animal down. Always makes Mal wince just a bit, but it's got to be done. Lots of thieves around on these worlds. A brand's not too big of a deterrent for most, but they do what they can. One man throws the calf and pins him down, another comes in with the red hot brand.
They get six done before there's such a noise his horse spooks under him. Pulls out to the side in a flash. Mal drops his rope but keeps his seat, hands steadying the reins, legs steadying the horse. He pats her neck, muttering 'whoa', as she dances on the spot but eases some.
Mal finally looks to see what caused the disturbance. Calves are scattered everywhere now, trying to get away, and it takes them a second to regroup and press to a corner of the small pen. The ranch hands are looking up and Mal follows their gaze.
Mal's eyes widen as some huge ship descends down from the sky, like Mal's never seen before. Seen 'em in books or heard them described, but never up close like this, even a half mile away. The most they get on Shadow is junkers. Small time smugglers, dealers, crews just stopping over real quick before moving on to more profitable lands. 'Cause they won't stop long enough here to see the planet for what it really is or could be.
Rolling hills and creeks. Mountains off in the distance that Mal can make out peaking on the horizon to the west of their homestead. Large creek runs right through the land, cutting their hundred and sixty acre section in half. The engines from the ship that hovers over one of the fields causes ripples in the easy moving water and the long grass that surrounds it.
Ain't so green in the fields farther off, though. They haven't got the manpower for irrigation and the last few years just keep getting drier. Even the creek is half the size it was once.
The ship that hovers in for a landing is sleek, bright silver that glints off the sun and Mal has to squint his eyes. The Alliance insignia is big on the side. He thinks it might be some kind of freighter, a large bulk transport.
“The hell is going on, Mal?” Wally, one of the ranch hands, asks, and Mal looks to see them all staring at him now.
“I dunno...” His voice trails off as he gazes out across the field. “Alliance don't come out here. So guess I'd better find out. Open that gate.”
They listen to him and a kick combined with 'haa' has the mare, Sandy, launching into a gallop. He aims to meet whoever comes off that ship. Alliance ain't never had business here before and he knows what his pa used to say. Alliance didn't have a right being here, either. They came and they messed up a man's life, that's all.
Mal pulls Sandy up as he reaches the ship. He gets there in time to see the ramp lower, crushing already half dead grass under it. The engines are shut off and the land goes back to blissful silence. A few birds in the background and soothing bubble of the creek, the clack of a few rocks that get swept down in the current.
Sandy snorts under him and Mal swings his leg around to dismount. One hand holds the reins, the other hovers over the hilt of the gun he carries on him. One his pa used to carry, and now transferred over into Mal's name. It'll do the job if one needs doing. Mal doesn't let harm come near his family, that's one promise made he takes seriously.
There's a few moments where he's just staring up into the black belly of the ship. It makes him nervously want to grip his hand around his gun but he keeps it loose. When someone finally does walk into the light, he tenses, raising the hand that holds the reins to shield his eyes from the sun still striking off the hull of the ship.
“Good morning.” The voice that greets him sounds amiable enough. Friendly, even, with a hint of professionalism behind the casual. “This is the Reynolds 'stead is it not?”
“It is,” Mal answers. He doesn't relax for a second and he can feel his finger tips brush against the hilt of his gun.
“Ease up, son.” The man finally steps on down the ramp, into view, so that Mal can actually make him out. His breath catches a bit. The man is done up in full gear Alliance uniform. Mal's not had any proper schooling but he reads up where he can, uses what his ma taught him. He knows what that patch means, and those stripes. The man in front of him isn't some small time messenger like he'd have thought the Alliance would send around these parts, when they bothered to send anyone.
His eyes widen. “You're a Major.”
The Major nods. “Adam Washburne.” He waits a polite moment but Mal just stares back at him. The Major's eyebrows lift. “Your name, son?”
“Mal. Ain't your son either, so it's just Mal.”
The Major smiles politely but Mal can see the first traces of annoyance. Mal jumps at the sudden snap of his ma’s voice very near his ear. “Mal! Don't be a brat, child. Show a little respect.” She gives an apologetic smile to the Major. “I'm sorry, sir.”
The Major tips his head to her. “No worries. I have a son of my own, I know how it is. I brought him with me as a sort of learning experience, in fact.” He turns over his shoulder with another of those polite nods. “Hoban? Come down here and meet the Reynolds.”
Mal grins a little, he can't help it. It's not just the name. The kid that comes down the ramp embodies the very word rebellion. His hair is spiked up, either put that way purposefully or it hasn't seen a brush in awhile. There's no uniform, just cargo pants and a bright shirt that rivals the glare off the ship's metal. He doesn't walk straight backed, he walks with a slump.
The Major sighs as Hoban steps up next to him with a sunny grin and wave for Mal and his ma. “I know exactly how it is.”
His ma, showing manners that Mal is sure he doesn’t have and is surprised to see in her, gives Hoban a polite nod. “Honey, why don't you take Hoban down to the house and show him to his room? I made up the one next to yours, he should have everything he needs. Major Washburne and I have things to discuss, I'm sure.”
The Major nods. “That we do.” He gives Hoban a stern look, speaking quietly but not so much so that Mal can't hear him. “Behave for once.” The Major gestures to Mal's ma and the two make their way onto the ship.
Mal watches them, unsure about leaving her alone but, despite his better thinking, the Major seems kind enough. Not to mention his ma knew they were coming, and he's going to have to talk to her about that later. He's distracted from his worry when Hoban speaks up.
“You can call me Wash.”
“Wash?”
“Sort of a nickname.” Wash grins.
Sandy stamps her foot, impatient while the bugs start to get at her. Mal quiets her again with a hand on her muzzle, but not before Wash can give a quick start back.
“Never been on a horse before?”
Wash looks wide eyed. “Never even been near one.”
Mal chuckles. “We'll walk then. Maybe you can tell me what you're doing here.”
They head off back to the barn and Wash happily fills Mal in on everything he knows.
Part One - Chapter Two
Title: World Falls Away - Part One, Chapter One
Author: Nari
Pairing: Mal/Wash
Characters: Mal, Wash, OC's in the form of ranch hands, Mal's ma, and Wash's dad
Rating: this part G, overall R
Summary: The Alliance come to help out the farming community on Shadow.
Notes: My nano fic. Which still hasn't hit 50k but almost there! Looking set to go well over that mark, too. The age timeline in this fic is very AU. We're starting off with the boys being around 18 for Wash and 20 for Mal.
Thanks: To lvs2read and itinerant_vae for the beta's! And wildannuette for being encouraging.
Part One - Mal
Chapter One
His ma tells him that things are gonna be getting better. She's said it before, says it a lot these last few years. This time, he can see the little sparkle in her eyes, the bright grin. Ain't just desperation talking. She knows something and he eyes her.
“Wait and see,” she says. “Wait and see. In a few months from now, these fields'll be green again and those cows'll be fat an' happy.”
Til then, there's still chores to do, still the branding to get through, so there's no time for sitting around, gazing and thinking on what might be. If she's right this time. Mal can't think of a reason why she would be. Still can't help but hope. Deep down, he knows that it's all going to be fine again, that things have a way of working around.
Work comes first, though. He mounts his horse and coils his rope, kicking the mare up into a gallop. The other ranch hands are waiting on him down in the pens. They have a good two dozen calves to get through today, the type of hard work that'll work up a good appetite and his ma always cooks the very best meals.
Mal doesn't get down there for more than an hour, roping calves and watching as another hand throws the animal down. Always makes Mal wince just a bit, but it's got to be done. Lots of thieves around on these worlds. A brand's not too big of a deterrent for most, but they do what they can. One man throws the calf and pins him down, another comes in with the red hot brand.
They get six done before there's such a noise his horse spooks under him. Pulls out to the side in a flash. Mal drops his rope but keeps his seat, hands steadying the reins, legs steadying the horse. He pats her neck, muttering 'whoa', as she dances on the spot but eases some.
Mal finally looks to see what caused the disturbance. Calves are scattered everywhere now, trying to get away, and it takes them a second to regroup and press to a corner of the small pen. The ranch hands are looking up and Mal follows their gaze.
Mal's eyes widen as some huge ship descends down from the sky, like Mal's never seen before. Seen 'em in books or heard them described, but never up close like this, even a half mile away. The most they get on Shadow is junkers. Small time smugglers, dealers, crews just stopping over real quick before moving on to more profitable lands. 'Cause they won't stop long enough here to see the planet for what it really is or could be.
Rolling hills and creeks. Mountains off in the distance that Mal can make out peaking on the horizon to the west of their homestead. Large creek runs right through the land, cutting their hundred and sixty acre section in half. The engines from the ship that hovers over one of the fields causes ripples in the easy moving water and the long grass that surrounds it.
Ain't so green in the fields farther off, though. They haven't got the manpower for irrigation and the last few years just keep getting drier. Even the creek is half the size it was once.
The ship that hovers in for a landing is sleek, bright silver that glints off the sun and Mal has to squint his eyes. The Alliance insignia is big on the side. He thinks it might be some kind of freighter, a large bulk transport.
“The hell is going on, Mal?” Wally, one of the ranch hands, asks, and Mal looks to see them all staring at him now.
“I dunno...” His voice trails off as he gazes out across the field. “Alliance don't come out here. So guess I'd better find out. Open that gate.”
They listen to him and a kick combined with 'haa' has the mare, Sandy, launching into a gallop. He aims to meet whoever comes off that ship. Alliance ain't never had business here before and he knows what his pa used to say. Alliance didn't have a right being here, either. They came and they messed up a man's life, that's all.
Mal pulls Sandy up as he reaches the ship. He gets there in time to see the ramp lower, crushing already half dead grass under it. The engines are shut off and the land goes back to blissful silence. A few birds in the background and soothing bubble of the creek, the clack of a few rocks that get swept down in the current.
Sandy snorts under him and Mal swings his leg around to dismount. One hand holds the reins, the other hovers over the hilt of the gun he carries on him. One his pa used to carry, and now transferred over into Mal's name. It'll do the job if one needs doing. Mal doesn't let harm come near his family, that's one promise made he takes seriously.
There's a few moments where he's just staring up into the black belly of the ship. It makes him nervously want to grip his hand around his gun but he keeps it loose. When someone finally does walk into the light, he tenses, raising the hand that holds the reins to shield his eyes from the sun still striking off the hull of the ship.
“Good morning.” The voice that greets him sounds amiable enough. Friendly, even, with a hint of professionalism behind the casual. “This is the Reynolds 'stead is it not?”
“It is,” Mal answers. He doesn't relax for a second and he can feel his finger tips brush against the hilt of his gun.
“Ease up, son.” The man finally steps on down the ramp, into view, so that Mal can actually make him out. His breath catches a bit. The man is done up in full gear Alliance uniform. Mal's not had any proper schooling but he reads up where he can, uses what his ma taught him. He knows what that patch means, and those stripes. The man in front of him isn't some small time messenger like he'd have thought the Alliance would send around these parts, when they bothered to send anyone.
His eyes widen. “You're a Major.”
The Major nods. “Adam Washburne.” He waits a polite moment but Mal just stares back at him. The Major's eyebrows lift. “Your name, son?”
“Mal. Ain't your son either, so it's just Mal.”
The Major smiles politely but Mal can see the first traces of annoyance. Mal jumps at the sudden snap of his ma’s voice very near his ear. “Mal! Don't be a brat, child. Show a little respect.” She gives an apologetic smile to the Major. “I'm sorry, sir.”
The Major tips his head to her. “No worries. I have a son of my own, I know how it is. I brought him with me as a sort of learning experience, in fact.” He turns over his shoulder with another of those polite nods. “Hoban? Come down here and meet the Reynolds.”
Mal grins a little, he can't help it. It's not just the name. The kid that comes down the ramp embodies the very word rebellion. His hair is spiked up, either put that way purposefully or it hasn't seen a brush in awhile. There's no uniform, just cargo pants and a bright shirt that rivals the glare off the ship's metal. He doesn't walk straight backed, he walks with a slump.
The Major sighs as Hoban steps up next to him with a sunny grin and wave for Mal and his ma. “I know exactly how it is.”
His ma, showing manners that Mal is sure he doesn’t have and is surprised to see in her, gives Hoban a polite nod. “Honey, why don't you take Hoban down to the house and show him to his room? I made up the one next to yours, he should have everything he needs. Major Washburne and I have things to discuss, I'm sure.”
The Major nods. “That we do.” He gives Hoban a stern look, speaking quietly but not so much so that Mal can't hear him. “Behave for once.” The Major gestures to Mal's ma and the two make their way onto the ship.
Mal watches them, unsure about leaving her alone but, despite his better thinking, the Major seems kind enough. Not to mention his ma knew they were coming, and he's going to have to talk to her about that later. He's distracted from his worry when Hoban speaks up.
“You can call me Wash.”
“Wash?”
“Sort of a nickname.” Wash grins.
Sandy stamps her foot, impatient while the bugs start to get at her. Mal quiets her again with a hand on her muzzle, but not before Wash can give a quick start back.
“Never been on a horse before?”
Wash looks wide eyed. “Never even been near one.”
Mal chuckles. “We'll walk then. Maybe you can tell me what you're doing here.”
They head off back to the barn and Wash happily fills Mal in on everything he knows.
Part One - Chapter Two