(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

[timecapture]

She knew everything. It's because of her that I started investigating Rachel Amber in the first place. She helped me learn to control my powers.

[bad_in_latin]

I mean at the end, kid. Y'said you had to let her die, right?

[timecapture]

... Yeah. She's the one who first brought it up.

["Max, this is the only way." It still hurts to remember those words.]

At least, the one at the time the twister hit did. The Chloe I ended up letting die did so without ever seeing me or knowing anything about what happened to Rachel in the end. [And she is never going to stop feeling guilt over that.]

But I still have the butterfly photo I took that day, the one that changed everything.

[Which she shows him, clearly occupying a place of honor in her scrapbook.]

[bad_in_latin]

[ He leans in a little closer to the comm to see properly. ]

Leaves you all alone, don't it?

[timecapture]

[No, Mal, don't make her have feelings. You're going to get the wibble face.

... Too late.]

Yes. It does.

[bad_in_latin]

[ He's good at that, okay. Real good at it. ]

How you holdin' up?

[timecapture]

Honestly? I'm keeping as busy as I can and trying not to think about it.

[She still has the photo, she could go back - but she won't. She's already made that choice. Plus, she swiped the camera Chloe gave her in the previous timeline, not that Joyce had minded; she'd all but pressed the camera into Max's hands herself.]

[bad_in_latin]

An' here I am ruinin' it for you.

How old're you, kid?

[timecapture]

[Max manages a laugh, shaky and teary, as she brushes her hair out of her face. A black, spiked bracelet - Chloe's - half-hides the glowing script on her left wrist (the reason she'd moved it there to begin with).]

I'm 18.

[She's not exactly having a hard time seeing the "holy shit, you're a kid" angle, here.]

[bad_in_latin]

... Jesus. Hell of a thing to be shoulderin' at that age. Oughta be out an' about makin' less horrifyin' mistakes.

[timecapture]

If it makes you feel better, I did plenty of stupid shit with my powers before I wised up a little.

[bad_in_latin]

Yeah? Like what?

[timecapture]

Snuck into my school for one, remember? I actually made a bomb and blew my way into the principal's office, nabbed some records, and then Chloe and I went for a swim in the pool.

[bad_in_latin]

[ Mal snorts a bit. ]

Sounds like a fun weekend. Can't say as I've ever tried it.

[timecapture]

Oh, yes. Personally, my favorite part was when Chloe and me had to hide from the security guard in the locker rooms and hide out at her place.

Did I mention the security guard was Chloe's step-dad?

[bad_in_latin]

Lemme guess: he didn't take nice to his daughter gettin' pulled along in all these antics?

[timecapture]

Actually, Chloe was already the rebellious type to begin with. But... no, not really.

[bad_in_latin]

Well, I reckon most fathers get tetchy 'bout their girls gettin' dated.

[timecapture]

He wasn't much of a father.

[She's quite pointedly not complaining about the "dated" remark, though.]

But that night made some of my favorite memories with Chloe.

[bad_in_latin]

[ That's what he figured. No other comment needed then. ]

What else you got? Can't be the only good thing.

[timecapture]

Well, we hung out in the junkyard, and I helped Chloe learn how to shoot.

And then I was able to help my friend, Kate Marsh. She's alive, anyway, but it still feels good to know I was able to stop her from hurting herself.

[He would have heard about her, naturally. It was because of her that Max had discovered her ability to stop time.]

[bad_in_latin]

Yeah, you mentioned her. Good t'know you managed some good that ain't been undone.

[timecapture]

I'm friends with Alyssa now, too.

[Poor Alyssa, always having things thrown at her or getting splashed by oblivious passerby. She may not have used her rewind in her world since... well, Chloe, but she still remembered when and where Alyssa would get hit by something.]

It's not so bad. I'm hoping I can make some friends here, too, even though I know it won't be the same.

What about you? Are you settling in okay?

[Not that he seems the type to settle, but she figures it can't hurt to ask.]

[bad_in_latin]

[ Yeah, settling is the key word there. He makes a so-so gesture with one hand. ]

Ain't hardly the settlin' type, but I reckon you know that already. Ain't sure what I'm doin' yet.

[ He can already feel the claustrophobia creeping up on him. ]

[timecapture]

I hear that. It's kinda crazy that they pulled us all in here like this. I'm not even really sure why.

But if you wanna grab a bite to eat or vent, you can let me know, okay? We noobs need to look out for one another.