This is the reason why no one on the Red Fish should have hobbies outside of punching people...

[blindoptimism]

Who: The motley crew of the SS Redfish
Broadcast: None
Action: Boarding area of the Red Fish
When: Backdated to Part 1 of the June Bug plot

[On tonight's episode, Coil and Zhas return to the Red Fish with a squirmy live bug in tow. Coil intends to perform untold experiments on the living specimen. But it seems like trouble is brewing on the once peaceful ship... Will the other crew members be okay with these morally questionable experiments taking place on board? Tune in tonight to find out!]

Comments

[openhands]

[As it so happens, Cassandra is just returning to the ship from a visit with Mal. She does stop in her progress down the corridor when Zhas waves to her, taking a moment to look him over. She's never been particularly intimidated by his appearance despite his best efforts, but it's plain to see that he is not aiming towards aggression.]

What do you want?

[Surprisingly, this is not said with an edge of anger. Cassandra promised Nunnally that she would at least lean towards civility when possible. While it's far, far too soon for her to truly forgive and forget on her own without intervention, she means to keep her word to her captain.]

[And besides, if he's not being aggressive, she will not treat him as though he is.]

[theboogieman]

[he'd made a guess as to whether this initial moment would be met with neutrality or immediate conflict--and he's glad he guessed right. he's made no promises of civility himself, but is still walking into this with the specific intention of not starting a fight.

which doesn't always work, but hey. he's trying.]

I'd like to talk. [the full sentence is a little awkward and gruff as usual. he absently signs something in front of his chest before finding the right word.] And apologize.

[openhands]

[Wanting to talk doesn't catch Cassandra by surprise. She figured that sooner or later, he would want to say something even with as little as he does often speak at any length. But the desire to apologize? That does surprise Cassandra even if it doesn't show or soften her expression any.]

I'm listening.

[theboogieman]

[perhaps not surprisingly, it takes him an extra moment to... find actual words to express what it is he's trying to say. he's good at talking about vampires and justice and tactics, but pretty horrible at talking about everything else.]

Reasons for doing it... [he wobbles his hand back and forth.] I can debate. But... I acted poorly. I have been frustrated and that has clouded my judgement.

[he glances away whenever he has to pause and look for words, but returns his gaze when he can. this part is at least sincere:]

You were at no fault for stopping us.

[openhands]

[Cassandra is of the strong opinion that there's no true debating the reasons behind what they did. No reason would ever be good enough. But there's no point in arguing about it. They both know full well that the other will not budge on their position.]

I know I wasn't.

[She doesn't say this to be arrogant or much less self-righteous, however. If she was, she wouldn't have stopped there and gone on with reasons why what they did was egregious beyond just the morality of it. What they did was something that impacted everyone on the ship and whether they like it or not, they have to take that into consideration.]

[Cassandra glances elsewhere for a moment, remembering what Nunnally said about Cassandra's words being excessive. They were necessary, however, as there was no other way to get Zhas to yield, much less Coil.]

I do not apologize for what I said, but I apologize for losing my temper, [she says, her gaze once more settling on Zhas.] It is in my nature to act quickly. Sometimes that comes with anger.

[theboogieman]

[it's Zhas' turn to be surprised... though the change in his face is a very subtle one. maybe he wasn't expecting to get an apology back. maybe he's just not used to apologies in general. either way--it says a lot to him, and he nods.]

I understand. I... wasn't calm about it either.

[it was bad. regardless of whether or not he can justify his intentions, the fact that he upset the whole crew in the process is unacceptable. he thinks back to his conversation with Syeira, who felt it the worst.]

I'm not supposed to put my own interests above the well-being of humans. It's been a long time since I've had to think about that, but I... Should not have acted without considering the crew. I don't want to do it again.

[openhands]

And I would prefer you not as well. I'm sure the others feel the same.

[Cassandra cannot say that she necessarily enjoyed the company of every member of the crew, but she certainly had no real qualms with any of them. Things were peaceful if nothing else. But now there is a divide. Perhaps it is not as deep as it was when the transgressions were fresh, but that doesn't mean that it has already healed itself.]

[That, like Cassandra's true forgiveness and trust, will take time.]

I hope that neither you nor Coil will take to hiding things from the rest of us, however.

[theboogieman]

Mm.

[it's not a very good answer. he would be lying if he told her he hadn't thought about exactly that--and Zhas is not usually a very good liar.]

I hope that as well.

[he won't. he shouldn't promise anything on Coil's behalf.]

[openhands]

Was there anything else you wished to discuss?

[Cassandra has never been one to mince or waste words and she's never been one for small talk either.]

[theboogieman]

[with no one at each other's throats, this has basically gone as well as he could have hoped. he said his part, so did she. he shakes his head.]

That's all.

[openhands]

[Then Cassandra nods to him and moves along with her business.]