maskormenace | (no subject)

[ 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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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?

Not even a little.

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.

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

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?

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

Dunno where t'go after that.

[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.

... Night shift at the blood bank?

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

... you whore out over the comm?

...Only with words.

Seems an' odd way of goin' about it.

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.

Got a lady in your life then?

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

[ He takes that without a blink. ]

... S'complicated.

[Most people in these parts do.]

I see. I won't pry, then. [He knows complicated; that's basically his life since arriving here.]

So, I'm guessing you'd rather not do the phone sex operator gig?

Hard t'sum up, mostly. Ain't sure we're even together.

[ He snorts a bit. ]

Reckon I needta be a little more desperate first.

[Toby is definitely familiar with that sort of complicated but decides to move on from that, instead laughing in good humour at Mister Reynolds' response about the job.]

Fair enough. Like I said, unconventional; you're more likely to find just anything else before becoming even that little bit desperate. I only really took it up because of the ease and the hours.

Got nobody lookin' over your shoulder too?

Not really. Sometimes my lover, but only because I work from home. It's convenient like that.

Well. I'd hope he knew about it anyhow.

It's not as if I go out of my way to hide it, though hearing things he could be doing probably gets him all riled up, and then he can't do anything about it while I'm on the clock.

So after, huh?

Morning after sex, so to speak.