Disclaimer: I dont own Firefly, I just party with it.
This is my very first fic. If anything is wrong, please tell me.
Humility is Key
"Kaylee, you told me those would last a month, at least. What are you playin' at? My ship stays in the air, stays free, you crash her, then we aint' free, are we?" Mals voice rang through the clamoring engine room. Kaylee ignored his words, consumed in her work. She wiped away a smear of grease from her cheek with her sleeve, quickly brushing past him,
"Cap'n you cant think that those cupplers would last more than a week in their condition. Besides, the coil is all out of whack," she replied, grabbing a wrench from the floor.
Mal sighed, shaking his head, "Well, you should have told me that," he snapped back, his eyes narrowed in his usual manor. Kaylee set her jaw, her cheeks swallowed up in color.
"I did, five times," she said, placing a hand on her hip. Kaylee had these arguments often, and she was more than convinced her Captain was obstinate. She flicked her eyes, "Kuh-ooh duh lao bao jurn..." She mumbled, brushing past him once more. Mal sighed heavily, turning and heading towards the door, "Wont be saying that when our faces turn blue," he retorted, disappearing from sight. Kaylee mocked him, roughly continuing her work.
Mal pushed though the hallway, stumbling as Serenity was carelessly pushed about. He was nearly to the helm, when he was confronted by a very disgruntled Jayne. "Gorramit Mal, we don't land soon, we're gonna be sorry. If it were me runnin' this sh-," but the gunman was cut short.
"Well you aint', are you? So I suggest you let me fix this little problem, with as little sight of you as possible" Mal quickly dished out, giving a look of explanation. Jayne grumbled, pushing past Mal and down the hall. The Captain shook his head with frustration. Finally he reached the Helm, only to find a distressed River.
"Too much weight. The wind is too strong, little feather cant stay up. Wont. Stop. It is his way" she said, looking up with her listless eyes. Mal quickly took his seat, glancing over at his co-pilot.
"Remember what I said little albatross. You don't trust her, she'll turn on you, gotta have faith," he said, pushing numerous buttons and strapping in. River nodded, mumbling little things to herself, as she went about helping. Mal couldn't help but notice how tense she seemed. He thought for a moment. Maybe he should land, everyone needed to get some fresh air, especially little River. Not to mention, a job would be nice. "I'm thinking we sh-"
"I know. You want to land," she said not even giving him a spare glance. She stared out into space, her eyes marveling at the many brilliant lights. Mal quirked a brow. He nodded slowly, looking back to his controls. "Don't feel human. Need to see the sky, the flowers. Out here, like a bird, forget why you're here, who you are," she said, glancing to him with a patented River smile. Mal replied with his own grin, understanding exactly what she meant.
"I'm thinking-"
"Jiangyin."
"Can you…not do that?" Mal said with a quizzical look of plea. River smiled, bobbing her head slightly pleased with herself. "We haven't been there in a long while, and its near," he said to himself, making the arrangements. He picked up the hand-held device to the intercom system. "Attention all crew and passengers this is your Captain speaking, we are landing on the nearby Jiangyin. If you have any questions, please, don't ask."
---
"Margaret Lynn Worth!"
Meg flinched at that hideous name. She heard it repeated, but made no attempt in moving. The third time now. She grumbled, sitting up from her swing on the porch. "Yes Aunt Sage?" she finally spoke up, kicking her feet lazily. She heard no reply. She groaned, lifting herself from her perch, and shuffling to the door. She pushed the screen open, sighing with contempt. The door banged closed on purpose, making the young woman tense up.
"Come here please," is all she replied. Meg felt a sudden pang of apprehension. Please no more chores. Of course unless it was caring for the animals, no, then she would have no objection, and do it willingly. Meg rounded a corner, stepping into the gathering room. Her Aunt Sage sat quietly on the gingham sofa. The young woman presented herself, remembering to smile reluctantly. "What is that your wearing?" came her Aunts gentle, courteous voice. Meg looked down at her outfit.
"Clothes," she said acidly. She closed her eyes, sighing. Now I'll get extra work fur sure. Her Aunt merely smiled gently, and patted the sofa.
"Come child," she said in her silky voice. Her Aunt was a delicate creature, with pale white skin and black ringlets. She only adorned herself with the most feminine of embellishments, and always composed herself in a pretentious manner. Though she may act so, she really was the kindest human alive. Meg reluctantly crossed the room, settling upon the stiff couch lazily. "Do sit up Margret," her Aunt said kindly. She went about preparing her cup of tea, making sure to make her nieces as well. Meg took the cup carefully, taking a deep breath of the sweet refreshment. "Margret, tomorrow is your twenty-first birthday," she began, and right away Meg knew where she was headed.
"Oh Aunt Sage, please, I don't need your petty lectures," she seethed.
"Oh, you must have them my dear. I am in utter astonishment at the direction you are steering your life. I don't think you have the faintest idea of what trouble you are causing yourself, and-"
"Please don't start. It was such a lovely day.."
"You puzzle me Margret."
"…Meg please.."
"I know your name child, don't correct me." Meg slumped backwards gradually, as each word hit harder and harder, until she could take more. Sage's lecture took around fifteen minutes in all, and after each pause, Meg found herself slipping deeper and deeper into complete boredom. "Now, go off to the barn. The animals need to be tended to," she sighed, waving a hand and setting it in her lap. Meg shoved herself from the sofa, and crept across the floor. She tiptoed up the stairs, and into her small bedroom. Rummaging through her clothes, she managed to find her afternoon dress. Holding it up, she inspected it.
"Well, I wouldn't want to soil it by wearing it outside," she whispered to herself slyly. Instead, she slipped on her brown, knee-length coat. She crept back down the noisy stairs, noting to skip the loudest one in the middle. Racing to the door, she opened it up, and sped outside. Finally out of the prison, she snatched her book from the swing, and skipped down the steps. Looking out into the vast meadow before her, she hummed quietly to herself. Meg found the dirt path that lead to the barn, and started down it, eager to reach her beloved creatures.
Meg pushed the dusty door open, greeted by a pillar of light, that had fought its way though the holes in the barn. She smiled happily, the sound of merry chirps and calls surrounding her. "Calm down, you'll be fed soon enough," she cooed, going about her duties. She started by feeding the dogs that guarded the house. Three large dogs she often called 'baby' or 'hun'. Their actual names were-thanks to her father- whom named each after a great battle in the Unification War,-Sturges, Khang and her favorite Ren, short for Serenity. After that, she made sure to lay milk out for Hera, the fat barn cat, whom she always overlooked by accident. She then tended to both the cow and horses, then the Carrier Pigeons, which served to real purpose, but she enjoyed their company. Her last and favorite of all company, Poe, her Raven with a limp. After she had everything complete, she crawled up a latter, into what she called her 'den'. In all actuality, the 'den' was a loft, with a desk, hammock, trunk and many pictures and clippings.
She placed Poe on his favorite perch, (which was actually an old coat hanger) and settled herself in her hammock. Laying back in it, she took out a book, and was soon emerged in it. "Oh Poe, how I wish I could be like the women in these books. Free, of all this. Back home even, but not here," she sighed, biting her lip anxiously. Suddenly, Poe began cawing, his vocals searing with impatience. Meg sighed, sitting up, "What now?" she said, placing her book down. She assumed it to be some stranger looking for lodging, or a neighbor out to call. She touched the small sidearm she kept at her desk, one her Aunt hated with all her might, but was needed due to the nosey 'hill folk'. Who were all keen on stealing and kidnapping.
Running to the window that overlooked the prominent property, her jaw expanded. "Wuh de tyen, ah.." she murmured. Running from the window, whilst gripping her weapon. She slid down the latter, jogging to the house. "Aunt Sage!"