Come as you Ain't.

Kaylee Frye

invites

Inara Serra

to a Grand Hallowe'en 'Come as you Ain't' Party

7:30 - October 31st - The Dining Room & Cargo Bay of Serenity

RSVP

The wording on the card confuses me. It had obviously been pushed through the slit at the top of the door to my cubby. But this Hallowe'en isn't a celebration that I'm familiar with. It's then I notice the other piece of paper, again covered in Kaylee's handwriting.

Inara

I'll explain when I see you. Can I borrow some things for the party.

Please?

Kaylee

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The knock comes while I'm tidying up my shuttle. And the speed with which Kaylee enters after my "Ging jin" shows how eager she is to talk.

"Did you get my invite?"

"I did, mei mei. But I'm afraid I'm at a loss as to what it means. What is this Hallowe'en?"

The smile on her face reminds me of a childs. "It's a holiday from the old days. It's proper name's All Hallow's Eve... 'cause it's the day before All Saint's Day... that's somethin' the Shepherd celebrates. But back on earth-that-was they used to hold all these fancy dress parties. Gettin' dressed up as monsters or ghosts or things."

"It sounds like a wonderful idea, Kaylee. But where are we going to get all these costumes together. This party's tomorrow night, we've only just left Persephone, and we won't be docking again for at least a week." I don't mean to disappoint her. But there's just no way that I can see her plan working.

"Oh... I know that..." her voice is as cheery as ever. "But Simon told me that as well as the scary costumes. Other people just dressed up in clothes they wouldn't normally were... So... a 'Come as you Ain't party!" Her smile is infectious and I find myself grinning along with her.

"Well, thank you for the explanation. At least I won't make any faux pas. It's just a case of deciding what to wear."

Suddenly she looks shy... almost embarrassed. "Well... um... that's kinda why I wanted to speak to you..." She falls silent, but at my questioning look she continues. "I wondered if'n I could lend something to wear. I pretty much live in these..." indicating her overalls. "and I don't really have anything 'ceptin' that dress the Cap'n bought me for the ball on Persephone... and that's too wide to wear round Serenity. I'd keep gettin' the skirts caught on everything... So... could I?"

"I'm sure we can find something for you." The relief on her face is obvious as I get up and draw aside a curtain, revealing various items of clothing. "And what do I have that isn't really me...?"

"Well, I've got a clean pair of overalls that'd probably fit you..."