Disclaimer: (I forgot to add this to the first one.) Most characters in this fic are owned by Joss Whedon. Currently, the only ones who aren't are Rain and Jade.
Chinese Translations:
Ai ya damn
Shi yes
Other Languages:
E niente it's nothing
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Rain watched as the girl called River left the cargo bay. She couldn't help but notice her cousin's reaction, and smiled. Then she turned to look at the doctor… and paused.
He was extremely handsome, and rather young looking. She decided he could only be a few years older than Jade. He wore black slacks and a long sleeve blue shirt. His hair was cut short, and styled like that of the richer folk, which forced her to wonder.
Well now, she thought, maybe this place'll prove to be more than just a job.
But at that moment River came back in with two women. One immediately attached herself to the doctor's side. She was pretty, her hair somewhere between brown and red. Her over-alls and the grease on her face marked her as the ship's mechanic.
Though she wanted to pout, Rain turned to study the remaining crew member. The woman was absolutely stunning. She had thick black curls, and dressed in the most elegant attire. Rain couldn't help but ponder why such a beautiful woman was in the company of these people.
"Kaylee, Inara, this here is our new pilot, Jade. And that pretty lady would be Rain, his cousin." He turned to the new recruits. "Kaylee's our mechanic. There's nothin' this girl can't fix. And Inara… she's our ambassador."
It was obvious when most of the crew smiled that this was a joke of sorts.
Inara walked forward. "What Mal is so gracefully avoiding is that I'm a companion. I hope that won't be a problem."
"E niente. Actually, it's quite interesting," Rain told her. "I've never met a registered companion before."
Mal and Jade both rolled their eyes even as Inara smiled. "We'll have to talk sometime then. But first you must tell me what you said first. I'm not familiar with the language."
"Oh, sorry. Sometimes I think I'm using Chinese when another language pops out. It's Italian. They spoke it in certain places on the Earth that was."
"I've heard of that language," Simon said. "It was considered one of the romantics, even if it wasn't as wide spread."
Rain was impressed. "You know your history Doc. That's exactly right."
Simon took a moment before he replied. "What I'd like to know is how a woman living on an outer moon manages to learn a dead language. Italian hasn't been spoken in centuries, other than by historians."
"Yes, but anyone with the know-how can learn it if they truly wanted to. Any language for that matter."
"How many do you know?"
Rain had to pause for a moment as Jade laughed. "Maybe you should specify Doc. She knows all of the languages they speak in the 'Verse. And least half the ones that're dead."
She stopped trying to count. "Shi, what he said. It's the simplest answer."
"This is all real interestin', but let's get a gorram move on. I'd rather not stay on this moon and put off the next job." Jayne stomped out of the cargo bay and headed off somewhere.
"Well, I guess that discussion's wrapped," Mal said. "Jade, why don't I show you t' the bridge so you can get acquainted with the controls. Rain, you go right ahead and wander a bit." He left, Zoë and Jade following.
With a sigh, Rain started back outside to get their packs. Her cousin was rather absentminded. "Do you need any help?" Kaylee asked from behind her.
Rain looked over her shoulder. "Sure, I could always use a bit. There's not much, but it'll go quicker."
It took one trip for Rain, Kaylee, and Simon (who wouldn't let Kaylee help alone) to bring in the few packs that they had and disperse them between the two rooms. Along the way Kaylee pointed out the various shuttles, rooms, and quarters. Now, finally, Rain was alone to think in her own bunk. Lying on her bed she stared at the ceiling, wondering where this job would bring her. She'd been off the little moon before, but only to go to another moon close by. This was her first time getting out of her system entirely. But she loved space, she loved ships, and she loved having a reason to get up in the morning.
"You have secrets." Rain looked over to see the girl named River in the doorway, leaning against the jam.
"Doesn't everyone?" Rain asked her.
"But I can't see them," River responded, sounding frustrated. "I can always see them. Why can't I see yours?"
Rain studied River for a minute. "You're a reader, aren't you?"
The girl nodded. "They tell her she is. Everything's wrong with her, but it's the only truth."
The switch to third person confused her. "What do you mean?"
River smiled. "Mad they call her, but they're wrong. Only a little insane. It's the voices that drive her to it. The voices and –"
"River!" Simon called. He rushed to her. "There you are mei-mei. I was wondering where you'd run off to." He turned to Rain. "She wasn't bothering you, was she?"
Still rather confused, and slowly realizing something was going on here, Rain shook her head. "No, it's fine. We were just talking."
"Alright, well, I need to take her for a bit anyway." With his arm around his sister, the two left.
"Half this boat must be mad," she said to herself, rolling onto her side. But the discussion had started her mind to spinning.