I'm currently re re re editing check out better_than_ten_percent/collection?id=3363173 for all of Zel's outfits throughout the story.
I'd been on Serenity for about a week now. It almost felt like old times being around Mal and Zoe again. After the war we split and went our separate ways; much to Zoe's dismay. Seein as she's my big sister she's always tried to protect me and keep me safe. In fact during the war she tried her best to keep me from all the fighting. She did the best she could, but it was kinda inevitable, no way to really keep anyone away. She and Mal eventually taught me how to shoot and fight; skills that have been pretty useful recently while I've been hopping from ship to gorram ship. But I think I'll stay here for a while here on Serenity; god knows it's been a long time since I've been here. Matter a' fact it was before Zoe and wash got married, and not to mention it's nice to wake up and see some familiar faces.
I got up early today no earlier than usual though since Mal hired me as a cook aboard Serenity, a job I'm more than familiar with; Its what I've been doing since the war ended. Well that and the occasional job as a hired gun, but I think I'll be keeping that to myself. I pulled out my sink in my new bunk and washed my face to wake me up a little, and then brushed through my hair. Unlike Zoe I liked mine out…well unless I was out on a job then it just got in the way. Mom used to tell us it was wild yet beautifully tame; how she came to that conclusion I'll never really be sure. I quickly looked through my bags I had yet to unpack and got out my black pants black button up cardigan and a pair of boots Mal sent to me on my birthday a few years back, and last but not least my dad's old ring. I pushed the ladder out and climbed my way up to the main hall so I could start working on breakfast before everyone got up.
"Morning there" Mal said from behind me
"Ta ma de (damn it) Mal you scared the shit out of me". I finished pulling the ladder closed and turned to my new captain.
"You're up early" I said suspiciously. I'm usually the only one up at this hour not even Kaylee and Wash are awake.
"I'm captain on this here ship, I wake when I feel like it" Mal replied while we walked towards the kitchen next to one another.
"If you say so. So what do you really want to talk about" I asked. Mal took a seat at the table at the same time I walked behind the counter and got out a couple pans so I could start cooking.
"Just wanted to tell you I'm happy to have you on the ship. Me you and Zoe got a special bond. We fought together and can't nothing change that. You'll always be my mei mei (little sister)". I smiled it isn't always that Mal gives an emotional speech.
"And to me you'll will always be my ge ge, but don't tell Wash I said it.
"And why not"? I could tell Mal starting to enjoy this conversation and for all the wrong reasons.
"He's convinced I don't like him, and that aint the case I'm just still getting to know him. When Zoe wrote to me that she was getting married I just didn't picture her being with someone so… mild"
Mal tried to keep it in for a couple seconds, but I could practically see the strain on his face before his laughter ripped through the kitchen
"Come on Mal it's not that funny. And on top of that I got work to do so why don't you take yourself back to your bunk. You're distracting me.
"Fine see you in few" Mal said and walked off back down to his bunk.
I continued to get the cans out of the cabinets in the back, and couldn't help but think how nice it would be to touch down somewhere to get some herbs and fresh ingredients, and less instant just add water go se (dog crap). I mean seriously powdered eggs and canned milk, not condensed milk either its regular milk. I swear this ships got all the canned fruits and vegetables in the gorram verse. The only real foods here are what I brought with me and that aint much honestly.
I started with scrambled eggs and then moved on to the bacon and toast; along with a pot of coffee with some coffee liqueur I picked up from a trader on Persephone a few years back. When I finished I walked over to the com and called everyone up. I laid the plates out on the table and placed the food in the center while everyone filed in and sat down.
"Alright guys you know the drill by now what am I making today" I asked and got back behind the counter
"Oatmeal, grits, or cream of wheat …well canned milk of wheat really. I wouldn't opt for the last one if I were you".
"Grits" everyone but Inara replied.
"Cream of wheat for you?" I asked.
"If it's not too much trouble" I shook my head gently and got out some extra pans and spoons so I could finish up breakfast.
"Hey Zel why the hot cereal every mornin' for breakfast"? Kaylee asked.
"Well growin up ma said it isn't breakfast without it so I always make some… but I can always stop if it's not to …"
"NO" Jayne, Mal and,Wash shouted effectively cutting me off.
"Okay then give me a few minutes I'll have everything out on the table soon".
Once the rest of the food was done I went around the table and piled a bit onto everyones plate before takin a seat next to Zoe and Jayne. I threw some grits into my ownbowl and took a piece of bacon.
"Ya know to be a cook you don't eat much" Jayne stated.
"Well I'm rationing the food. We only have a little while before we end up eating protein packs. I'm not sure how long though; I'm planning takin a look through everything. And despite the fact that none of you will talk about what you really do I'm no fool." The room was silent. Everyone even Inara stopped and looked at me. "Seeing as we'll be off world most of the time I think it's in everyone's best interest that we take a close look at what we're putting in. I have a job that expends the least amount of energy out of everyone so I take less." I explained.
"Zelene we used to do that during the war no need for that now" Zoe said
I picked up my bowl and spoon and continued eating while I stared my sister down not breaking for a second.
"Stubborn" she murmured under her breath and continued to finish up her food; Zoe forever the big sister. I swear she thinks she's my mother half the time. She isn't even that much older than me.
"You would know. Anybody want coffee. It's got alcohol in it?"
Disclaimer unfortunately I don't own anything except my OC zelene