❡001 video

[pvtparts]

[Polly's taken the time to explore the Barge top to bottom and bottom to top. Now she's spending some time on the deck to figure out the communicator. All of this is brand new, but there's also plenty familiar about it at at the same time. So, she's cool as a cucumber when she gets the video working.]

Well, I guess today's excitement answers the question whether or not there's ever any riots involving squidmen around here. [For the unobservant, that sure is some dry sarcasm. But it's okay. She can easily get used to this kind of weird.] I've got more than that, of course seeing as how I'm new, but I think I'll just wait.

You can call me Polly.

Comments

[deshabille]

[That's very considerate of you, Polly.]

[Mal shows up after changing, because she smelled a lot like fish after her afternoon, and sits down next to Polly without ceremony.]

A breach is a temporary readjustment of reality that makes you someone else for a little while. Also, you may have signed on with a god for this job. That's one theory, anyway.

Hello.

[pvtparts]

[Polly nods.]

It's good to see you, too.

So who were you?

[She's not responding to the god thing because incompetent gods. What's new?]

[deshabille]

[Literally nothing about that is new. At all.]

I was still me. Just more sort of - involved in political subterfuge. It was distasteful.

Before that, I was a pirate. [Which was a lot more fun.]

[pvtparts]

I'm sure that was more fun.

[Not because Polly thinks so, but clearly Mal thinks so. So, she's just going agree for the sake of ease.]

[deshabille]

Mm.

[Thank you, Polly.]

And then somewhere in the middle we went on a weekend trip to a town that I think tried to eat my inmate's soul.

[Which she says entirely flippantly. She's not concerned about Polly being able to take care of herself if something like that happens again (although perhaps if should be when). It's just - information-sharing.]

[pvtparts]

But you didn't let it.

[It's not a question that Mal would not let anything happen to her inmate. Even if she does pop out of shrubs. So, job well done, Mal.]

[deshabille]

No. [Of course not. But she doesn't brag about it, in part because she's still very irritated with Pietro (which shows) and in part because they were separated. Which made her angry. Which also shows.]

You're eager to get to work. [Also not a question.] It didn't take long to get assigned, for me. Not sure how long it takes on average.

[pvtparts]

I can be patient.

[And she can.]

[That, of course, is not the same thing as taking it easy or not getting in the middle of things.]

[deshabille]

Sometimes you can, yes.

[Until she's not. And kicks someone in the fork. Not that there's anything wrong with that.]

[Mal looks sideways at her.]

So. Why are you here, exactly?

[pvtparts]

[Polly shrugs. There's been a few changes back home, but they could use a little push.]

I thought it was time for a change.

[deshabille]

[Concealing a smile - of course - Mal cants her head, as though she's considering the validity of this answer.]

I thought vague and mysterious was my game.

[pvtparts]

[She looks over at Mal with a grin.]

You looked like you were having so much fun with it, I thought I'd have a go.

[deshabille]

And how are you finding it, Sergeant?

[pvtparts]

Frankly, it seems as though it'd be exhausting, Corporal. I don't know how you do it.

[deshabille]

I'm tougher than I look.

[pvtparts]

[Polly silently raises a brow.]

[deshabille]

I feel that I should be deeply offended by that expression.

[pvtparts]

I think deeply is a bit melodramatic...

[deshabille]

Me? Melodramatic? How dare you.

[pvtparts]

Me? Daring? Maybe.

[deshabille]

If not, I'd like to present the theory that you're entirely an impostor.

[pvtparts]

I would be disappointed it took you this long to notice.

[deshabille]

Deepest apologies. I've been somewhat distracted by being in space.

[pvtparts]

You should never let your environment distract you from the important details, Mal. You know better than that.

[deshabille]

I do. Good thing you're here to keep me up to snuff.