(no subject)

[bad_in_latin]

[ The video is blurry at first before eventually focusing in on a gentleman in suspenders and what can only be described as some kind of cowboy coat. Leather duster? Whatever. Despite the apparent old-fashioned getup, Mal looks relieved when he gets the comm to work. Feels relieved, in fact. ]

… Well. Least the comm tech’s familiar. Can’t say as I tend to send many messages out all public-like, but this seems t’be a special occasion.

[ And he is desperately grateful for that familiarity. He adjusts his suspenders a moment before putting on a neutral smile. ]

Evenin’. The name’s Malcolm Reynolds. Uh - Firefly captain. And since that likely don’t ring no bells, that’d be my spaceship. I’m guessin’ that ain’t something anyone’s seen hair nor hide of here, but I’d surely appreciate anyone who might have a thought to it. Don’t hardly seem fair for this so-called righteous governin’ force to go takin’ our property. Anyone else get stuck with that particular hand? Or any chance of there bein’ a chance it’s been stowed away somewhere hard t’find?

Because I surely get tetchy all land bound an’ all. Don’t hardly do me no favors to keep me out of the sky.

[ All neutral still - since, y’know, the government has to be listening in on this too. Wouldn’t do to advertise a break-in right up front. Just a good citizen wanting to not go crazy in a new world…

While he figures out how the hell to drop off the grid as fast as possible.

After a few choice conversations, he adds the following message: ]

Anyone know a good bar to get drunk in?

Comments

[bad_in_latin]

They got me tied to Nonah right this second. Ain't like to stay though.

[hisheartsdesire]

Nonah—I think I've only been there twice, maybe. If we are to meet, I suggest we do so in Heropa. They're far more welcoming of imPorts there than in many parts of Maurtia Falls.

[A beat.] Oh, I ought to mention... I'm Tobias Matthews. Or, Toby. Pleasure to meet you, Mister Reynolds. Looking for a night out in the near future.

[bad_in_latin]

Tobias, huh. I ain't averse to meetin' in Heropa.

[hisheartsdesire]

Excellent. [He's so glad to hear it. Mr. Malcolm Reynolds is a rather handsome fellow.]

Perhaps I could also show you around; maybe you'll decide to transplant yourself there from Nonah for a time. Not that I know your tastes exactly. Only that, if I do have the opportunity, I could only do so at night.

[bad_in_latin]

... Why night? You some kinda vampire?

[hisheartsdesire]

[Slightly hesitant. Normally, he'd try to hide it, but someone else outed him on the network a couple weeks ago.]

Well, actually... yeah. The sort of vampire that turns to dust in sunlight. Does that change anything?

[Because if so, he understands. There'll be hard feelings, but he'll try to survive.]

[bad_in_latin]

[ ... That startles him more than anything. He'd just been trying sass him a bit. ]

-- For truth? Real and actual?

[hisheartsdesire]

[It's a sensitive subject, so Toby doesn't play around with it.]

Yes. I truly am— [A monster. An abomination. A vampire with some sort of broken werewolf pack bond thing.] —a real, actual vampire.

[More than anything, he sounds tired and resigned about it.]

So, uh. Is that all right with you?

[bad_in_latin]

[ Mal mostly just seems baffled. It's so far outside his realm of experience he doesn't know how to react. ]

Always wanted a vampire buddy.

[hisheartsdesire]

Glad to hear it.

[Given the varied responses he's gotten in this world, Toby wonders what Mr. Reynolds actually thinks.]

Do supernatural creatures like vampires and werewolves actually exist where you come from?

[bad_in_latin]

Not even a little.

[hisheartsdesire]

It's probably for the better. Anyway, does that mean we're still on? Because if so, I guess it's a matter of when—my schedule's flexible. I don't know about yours.

[bad_in_latin]

Seein' as how I got fired already, I ain't picky as to when neither.

[hisheartsdesire]

So soon? [Trying not to sound too amused, since he doesn't know what Mr. Reynolds thought of that job anyway.] What was it, might I ask? And what plans have you now that your schedule is wide open?

[bad_in_latin]

Gun control spokesperson. Didn't much like me detailin how t'get around it.

Dunno where t'go after that.

[hisheartsdesire]

[He chuckles.] I see. Well, I'm sure you'll find something. Eventually. I don't know that I should make any suggestions, as I could only take night jobs, and even then, my current work doesn't seem... conventional.

[bad_in_latin]

... Night shift at the blood bank?

[hisheartsdesire]

—Hardly. That's something people would expect, I think. No, I'm a phone sex operator.

[bad_in_latin]

... you whore out over the comm?

[hisheartsdesire]

...Only with words.

[bad_in_latin]

Seems an' odd way of goin' about it.

[hisheartsdesire]

I thought so, too. But I'd rather that than actually doing the deed with so many others; I already have someone I'd much rather stick with.

[bad_in_latin]

Got a lady in your life then?

[hisheartsdesire]

A man, actually. I take that you perhaps have a lady in yours?

[bad_in_latin]

[ He takes that without a blink. ]

... S'complicated.