I read a poem I liked the other day.

"Gone - flitted away,
Taken the stars from the night and the sun
From the day!
Gone, and a cloud in my heart."

Tennyson wrote that.  I feel that way sometimes.   Like there is indeed a cloud on my heart.  I still feel like an outsider, even on Serenity, which seems to accept everyone.  I find myself in my rooms more often, or just outside the ship more, trying to connect and simply not feeling it.

I also miss Red.  He was wonderful to be around, the small amount of time we got to spend together.  I hope we get to meet again.  I sent him a letter just the other day.

Rufus has...forgotten me it seems.  I suppose I read to much into a dinner date and how we managed to talk like normal people.  It would have been nice to see him during the festival though.

Back to my books then.  The characters in my book never leave me.  Never leave a cloud over my heart.

[Filtered to Serenity]

Thank you to everyone who has given me such lovely gifts for Lunasa!  I never expected to be showered with such affection, and I am honored and touched to have been remembered by you all.  Please accept my most gracious and appreciative thanks.

[Private to Hellboy/Easy]

Red...the bracelet is lovely, you should not have gone to such trouble.  But thank you.  I will wear it to remember the charming giver, and I hope we can meet again sometime soon.  You can always reach me aboard Serenity.

Miss Bangladesh, I was wondering if you could give me some information.

That lovely tavern we visited the other evening...does it have that entertainment every evening?  If so, what was the password you used again?

There is someone I wish to take with me...

As we are going to be visiting the festival, I have an offer to make to any of the crew that do not find themselves otherwise disposed.

I will be attending a few of the current even panels, and will require protection for my person and then afterwards, at the festivities.  I am willing to pay quite well for this.  Please let me know.

[Private to Harry Dresden]

This is open to you as well Harry.

[Private to Rufus]

Rufus...I would like to go dancing.

Captain, now that we seem to be in Garettstown for a short amount of time, perhaps you would care to join me when I speak to a contractor about the project we discussed.  I have made an appointment for tomorrow morning.

Captain, I would like to have a word with you please.

....

*sighs softly*

When is Rufus going to ask me to tea?

Of course, I could be reading too much into it, but I would like to think perhaps someone would like to take me out.

...There's nothing wrong with a little romance, right?