two ☀ video / action

[deshabille]

Who: Mal & YOU
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Cargo bay of the SS Caprine.
When: Friday all day!

I woke up this morning [from hanging upside down, as one does] and thought: what haven't I done since I got here?

[A pause for effect.]

Well, I'll tell you. I haven't gotten into any good fights. And I think that ought to change.

The cargo bay of the Caprine's open for sparring all day. Come on if you think you're hard enough.

Comments

[tothefly]

[Natasha lets her get to her feet, climbing back to her own easily enough, and she's looming thoughtfully at Mal.]

When you fight, you treat it like a game. You take your turn, then your opponent takes theirs. It's more like dancing. Or a conversation, if you don't dance. Things change. You have to adapt. Go with the flow of it, get a feel for what's coming next. I might be able to show you.

[deshabille]

Might?

[Despite herself, she gives another cocky little smile at that. She believes herself to be eminently teachable, despite her attitude, so she feels absolutely free to tease on this subject.]

[tothefly]

[Natasha likes confidence. But there's a thin border between encouraging confidence and enabling arrogance, and for that reason her expression remains cool and analytical as she looks Mal over again.]

Might. It'd take a lot of work. You're also considerably older than I was when I started, so it may not be worth it. Of course, if you're willing to really work for it...

[Pause for effect--]

...maybe.

[deshabille]

[She visibly deflates. Wouldn't for everyone, but Natasha is someone for whom she has already developed a great respect and would like to see that respect returned. The fact that it clearly isn't is distinctly disappointing.]

I can work for it. [She's almost too quick to answer.]

[tothefly]

[She can respect Mal. Does, to a certain extent, but that cockiness is going to get her killed if she doesn't watch out. Natasha would rather be cruel than responsible. Arching her eyebrows, she meets Mal's gaze, looking for a better answer.]

You say that now. Is it going to be the same answer a week from now? That's what I wonder. It's the problem with having natural gifts. You want to rely on them, and nothing else. I'm not going to waste my time if you just want to pick up a few neat tricks to show off.

[deshabille]

It's not about tricks.

[She goes serious all of a sudden, her eyes sharp and piercing, her considerable attention fixed on Natasha and Natasha alone.]

I don't want to get anyone killed.

[That's the reason she wants to do this in the first place. If being careless is going to get people like Polly and Cassandra killed, she has to improve. No one's driven it home quite the way that Natasha has, but she gets it now. She thinks she gets it.]

[tothefly]

[It's a look she hasn't seen on Mal's face before. Despite the fact that she's seen very little of Mal's face before now, though, she gets the feeling it isn't a look that shows up often. Good. If she can make her think, that's good. Means she's got a Reason for it, something that'll keep her on her toes and looking sharp. Studying her for another long moment, Natasha finally gives her the smallest of shrugs.]

Dancing lessons once a week, if we aren't all dead or otherwise preoccupied. If you're really willing to work.

[deshabille]

Dancing lessons?

[She almost makes a face. Dancing is not . . . something she does. But she schools her expression quickly enough that the most Natasha might notice is a flicker. There is no point in questioning her right now. She seems to know best (something Mal is loathe to admit for most people), and Mal does want to improve.]

What kind of dancing?

[tothefly]

[Even if her expression is only a flicker, there's plenty of dismay in her voice. Enough to make her opinion eminently obvious. She only gets a calm look in reply.]

Depends on yhe day. And on how quickly you learn. Unless you don't want to learn from me. I'm sure you know other people who can teach you.

[deshabille]

I'm not going to beg you.

[Okay, she is a little irritated now.]

I told you I'd do it. So I'll do it.

[tothefly]

[She's satisfied with that answer. Irritation and all. Means that Mal is thinking about things, she thinks, that it isn't just some mindless fun. That's important to her.]

Good. Look me up, next time you come to see Polly. We'll get started.

[deshabille]

[She nods, her hackles lowering a little bit.]

I will. Tomorrow, probably. [Since she comes to see Polly every day anyway.]

I hope you're ready for me. [And another trace of that wolfish grin, one she can't quite get rid of for good.]

[tothefly]

[No, the cockiness isn't going to leave entirely, but that's okay. She doesn't want Mal cowed, just listening. And confidence, when tempered, isn't necessarily a bad thing.]

The day you get the drop on me is the day you don't need lessons anymore.

See you tomorrow.

[She's had enough for one day, and one more to think about just what she's agreed to, and the why. A calculated risk, maybe, but one that could pay off. Maybe. And maybe it'll be fun, too.]