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So as you all know, that space station had a bunch a' pretty nice stuff on it. Me an' Lilith here [and here the camera points at her briefly, while she organizes a number of different things from the Cyllene so they're all set out nicely] went through the trouble of gatherin' a lotta it all up for you guys, so you didn't have to - smart, I gotta say, if you stuck around here, 'cause I hear that thing got kinda dangerous if you stuck around.

So if you're one a' the ones who stayed here, or if you went an' didn't get what you wanted, we have the following for sale or trade:

[And here, the camera turns from his face to an array of items laid out on his bed, which the video pans over as he mentions each one:]

Three tubes of lotion, smells kinda tropical I guess;
Two sets of makeup;
Two rolls of the softest damn toilet paper you've ever touched;
Four bars of some kinda fancy olive oil soap;
Two men's an' two women's outfits - I know you all need new clothes, I see you all every day an' lemme tell you, you need somethin' new to wear;
Five packages of coffee from someplace I've never heard of, looks exotic;
Five bars of some really rich dark chocolate;
Two jars of some kinda fruit jam;
An' ten little boxes of somethin' that'll get you pretty stoned.

You want any of it, you gotta pay up. We take payments in weapons an' the ammo that goes with 'em, alcohol that didn't come from the Tranquility's own stores, an' jewelry an' other priceless family heirlooms. You name your price; we'll tell you if it's good enough or not.

[Filtered to Jaye:]

Got somethin' for ya.

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[ Jaye's been giggling through the list of things they have when the filter comes up. Oh, what's this? ]

It's not toilet paper, is it?

[He laughs.] Not unless you want some. No, I got stuff stashed away for you, separate from all that. Though, you like chocolate?

[But don't mind that question right now as he goes to open up the dresser in his room and yeah okay, there's a ton of really fancy alcohol now on top of it, but he pulls out a cute little dress, blue, with a print of some birdlike alien creatures he doesn't recognize darting along its lower edge.]

I think it's your size, or at least, I hope it is. There's matching earrings, too. I dunno, just reminded me of you, I guess.

I like chocolate.

[ She'll mind the question if she wants! Especially since the sight of the dress has her eyes widening, mouth opening as if she's going to say something, though nothing actually comes out for a moment. ]

I- I can try it on. And there are people around who can alter it, if it doesn't fit. [ A pause. No one has gotten her gifts in some time, and it means... more than she can really say. ] You didn't have to.

[He smiles a little, then shrugs.] Nah, didn't have to, but I did anyway. You still avoidin' the hallways alone? I can come get you, walk you over here so you can try it on. An' pick up some chocolate, too.

Yes. [ No hallways alone, no thank you. ]

I haven't worn a dress in a long time.

I didn't know if you'd be interested in one, yeah. Not really a good excuse to have one around here. But, well. Anyway, point is, I'll come get you an' you can see if you like it. The earrings, though- well, here.

[He finds where he's stashed them and holds them to the camera for her. They're the same little birdlike creatures, all long-tailed and dainty, made out of silver or some similar metal.]

At least those you could prob'ly wear with whatever you want, if the dress doesn't work out.

If not, someone will take it. But I do like all sorts of jewelry.

[ These earrings are no exception, judging by the way her eyes light up. ]

Dangling ones are my favorite.

Yeah? Well. Guess I'd better keep that in mind.

[The camera sways a bit as he has a drink from his canteen, then it refocuses on his face.] Anyway, I'll be there in a couple minutes.

[ Another absolutely delighted giggle; she loves being spoiled. ]

I'll wait by the doors.

[Good thing she's run across someone who's more than happy to spoil her, then. When possible, anyway.

He may not be completely drunk, but he's clearly had a bit more than usual for this time of day, if the way he's grinning like a fool is any indication. But hell, there was some good booze to steal from that space station and you bet he's going to enjoy it.]

'Ey, chica. Y'know, with how often I end up havin' to come get you, it's a shame you can't just move in.

[ She's quite happy to see him, but as soon as he says something about moving in Jaye gets a deer-in-the-headlights look, eyes wide and suddenly standing too straight, too tense -- like she's ready to bolt. ]

I still have my room with Faith. Just. It's easier, with the gardens.

[ And moving in with Mordecai sounds too much like something she doesn't want to name. ]

Oh, I know. Just kiddin' anyway, it's not like I mind coming here to get you every now an' then.

[While certainly not entirely oblivious to her reaction, he just shrugs it off as surprise. He truly hadn't seriously meant she should - though now that he's considering it, it does sound kind of fun. Just impractical, given her farm and whatever else Ned might have her do.]

Anyway, speakin' of the gardens, how're all your animals doin'?

[ There's a moment where Jaye just watches him and then she relaxes, letting it go. Just kidding. Okay then. She can work with that. ]

They're fine. I think Howly's losing weight.

[ It's hard to tell when you can't actually see him. ]

Yeah? That'd be good for 'im, I guess. We gotta get him an' Dukino together sometimes, y'know. Long as they don't try to eat each other, anyway. Dukino could use a playmate.

[The real challenge is finding them a place they can romp around without destroying something that belongs to someone. Though that's clearly more a problem for Dukino than Howly. The hellhound is pretty socialized.]

Bring him up to the gardens sometime. Away from the other animals -- they'll be okay.

[ And if not, Howly and Jaye can sort him out. ]

Then I will. Or Lil will, since he stays with her most a' the time anyway. Too many breakable things in my room. Hell, amiga, speakin' of which, you really gotta see all the booze we brought back from that space station. Some real good stuff, too.

[He has obviously tasted a lot of it today. He's quite pleased with that.]

Well, we're going there, right?

[ She's got a dress to try on, after all. ]

Yeah, yeah, of course. Just sayin', I was pretty impressed. Might even be willin' to share if you ask me nicely enough.

[But yes, walking, that's a good thing to do so they shall do it. All this talk of alcohol has reminded him that he really ought to drink more of it, too, so he has a gulp from his flask. He's evidently still able to do that and walk at the same time but we'll see how long that lasts.]

I always ask nicely.

[ That is a compete lie and she knows it, but she grins at him anyway before reaching over to try and tug his flask out of his fingers. ]

[He spots the movement and laughs as he pulls it out of her reach, though he only keeps it away a moment before handing it over.]

Or you just don't ask at all, apparently. But hell, permission's overrated.

You'd let me know if you didn't want me to.

[ She trusts him to do so, at least, and she grins at him again before taking a sip and handing it back. ]

Heh. An' the only time I wouldn't is if I was seriously low, which doesn't happen here much.

[Thank god for that. He takes it back and has another drink.

They make their way to the lift, and from there, his room isn't much farther. He gets the door for her. All the things they're trying to sell are still spread out on the bed, but it looks like Lilith has gone.]

Small miracles, [ she hums.

That or the ship is trying to ply them with booze, which is also entirely possible. ]

No luck selling toilet paper?

[It's quite likely, in fact. Keeps them complacent.]

Heh. No, nothin' else, either. Kinda surprised the drugs didn't have any buyers yet, knowin' this bunch.

[He shrugs. Mijo hops off to perch on his chair, as usual, and Mordecai turns to pick up the dress from where he'd left it, holding it out to her.]

I, uh, I hope the color's okay. [BLUE SEEMS SAFE he hopes, he knows he's usually pretty good at blues, most of the time.]

[ She would say something about how people may want to be discreet or don't think they'll run out anytime soon, but the dress distracts her. ]

It is, [ she breathes, reaching out to touch the fabric, to trace along the design. ]

[He smiles, then passes it to her and shrugs.] Just hope it actually fits, though I guess you're right, there's people who can make it fit if it doesn't. I, uh... I mean, I don't want you to think I went over there intendin' to bring back somethin' fancy for you or anything, I just happened to see it an', I dunno. Seemed perfect for you.

[Ugh he is not being sappy, that is not his style, and he has a drink as if doing so will wash that kind of stupidity away. He does like seeing her happy like this, though.]

You thought of me.

[ There could be reasons for that beyond friendship, or there could not be. Right now, it doesn't matter to her particularly, because there is something shiny and new and she wants to try it on. ]

Turn around so I can put it on and surprise you.

Well yeah, that's- You know. What friends are for.

[Friends. Yes. Why would he want anything else, when her friendship is valuable to him, and the intimacy that comes with something past friendship is something they already have? Besides, it's only short term. He still wants off this damn ship. It's going to be hard enough to leave her as it is.

But he smiles, then shrugs and turns around.]

Hopefully it's a good surprise, an' not a "damn it hangs off me like a poncho" kinda surprise.

Sometimes ponchos are fashionable.

[ She laughs, and once Jaye is certain Mordecai has turned around, changes. She's been wearing the ship jumpsuit (grass stains don't show up on it as easily) and so it almost all comes off at once, and then the dress is pulled on. It does fit, Mordecai had done a good job; it may perhaps be shorter than it was intended to be, but Jaye can't help the fact that she has long legs. Her earrings are swapped out for the matching pair, and after a moment of deliberation, her (shorter than it once was, but long enough now) hair is pulled up into a bun using the hair tie around her wrist. ]

Okay. You can look.

[He turns, and grins as he looks her up and down. Damn if he doesn't want to just take it right back off her, though. It's a funny paradox, that the best clothes on attractive women are the ones that make him imagine them without anything on.]

Wow. Damn. That looks really good on you. Talk about a lucky find, heh.

[ Jaye giggles and gives a little twirl, swishing the dress back and forth on her legs. It's been a long time since she's worn something like this. ]

Very lucky. Thank you.

Heh, you're welcome. If there's ever some kinda event here where somethin' nice to wear is appropriate, you'll be one a' the best-dressed people on the ship. Not that you need an excuse, though; now's as good a time as any."

[He reaches forward, tracing fingers up her neck with a bit of a smirk, then slides a finger under one of the earrings to hold it at an angle so he can look at it.]

Wonder what these creatures even are, or where they come from. Pretty unusual.

[ She laughs again, tilting her head into his touch. It's nice, feeling pretty. Dresses haven't been her "thing" for a long time, but on the Tranquility, it's nice to have a change. ]

I don't know. Joe talks about how they brought animals from Earth with them; maybe these aren't even real here.

Yeah? Haven't talked to the guy much.

[Nor does he want to talk about the guy right now. He traces his fingers down her neck, and then down her back, admiring her before stepping away again.]

Here, lemme show you what else we found.

[He had already mentioned the alcohol of course, but now he goes to retrieve one of the nicer bottles and holds it out toward her.]

Says it's whiskey, an' unlike the stuff we get here, I think it might be the real thing. Wanna find out?

[ It's both a nice bottle and a nice bottle; Jaye's been looking into doing more "artsy" things with her time, just to do something with it, and she runs a fingertip approvingly over the shape of the glass. ]

Definitely.

[He chuckles approvingly, and curls an arm around her, stroking his fingertips along her spine.]

Whaddya say we go find a nice, quiet spot in the gardens an' enjoy it, then?

Mmm. Sounds good.

[ She'll keep wearing the dress, even; just let her gather her clothes. ]

[Yes please keep wearing that dress, he will happily stare at her forever. He grins and leans in closer to kiss her, then pulls away and collects Mijo from his perch before getting the door.]

Oughta spend more time in the gardens, anyway. The rest of the ship gets boring real quick.

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