It's that time again...

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

There are few things in the 'verse Kaylee can't stand. One of them, obviously, is that wonderful little group made up of people like Early and Niska. Another is insults to her ship. Possibly the biggest thing on the list, though, is seeing sad and lonely people, mostly because she knows there isn't much she can do to help outside of offering a friendly smile and shoulder to lean on.

Or, in this case, offering free hugs.

Once again, Kaylee has settled herself down at one of the tables in the Mess Hall with her 'Free Hugs!' sign. Even if hugs aren't wanted, the mechanic is also perfectly willing to lend an ear for a nice chat or just some company for a little while. Anything to boost morale.

Comments

[brainiacinblue.livejournal.com]

"...No catch?"

What is this madness?

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

This is Kaylee, that's what.

"None whatsoever."

[brainiacinblue.livejournal.com]

"You're not going to use it as an opportunity to suck out someone's life force?"

What? Just covering all his bases here. She could be harvesting something here.

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

She's heard some pretty odd reasoning before, but this one is kind of taking the cake. Kaylee just laughs and shakes her head.

"No life force gatherin', just some plain ol' hug givin'. Cross my heart."

[notadamnangel.livejournal.com]

He hadn't seen much of her since Punishment happened, and neither of them were in good shape then. Dean at least was more in agreement for hugs this time.

So he hurried over to hug her, and sneak a quick kiss in.

"Hey baby, everything ok?"

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

No one had been in good shape after the Punishment, and as far as Kaylee was concerned there were only a handful of people on the ship who even knew she had been there. If she could help it, Dean wasn't going to be one of those people. He didn't need the extra worries.

Smiles overrunning any other emotion that might have shown on her face, Kaylee returned the hug and kiss more than happily.

"And gettin' better."

[notadamnangel.livejournal.com]

He lingered with kissing her before drawing away slightly. Just so they could breathe and he could cup his hands against her cheeks, "Good, was worried after I heard from Kang. You shouldn't have been there for it." Granted with his mental state, he shouldn't have been there either. It took a while for the nightmares to calm down to only a few a night again.

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

...and so much for not telling.

Kaylee did her best to keep the smile from faltering and shook her head. "It's alright. A lot of folk saw it that shouldn't've. Just somethin' we gotta deal with one step at a time."

[echoofaperson.livejournal.com]

For Tom, the sight of the sign drew a tiny smile to his lips, unplanned, and though it was merely a curl of his lips, entirely genuine.

For Iniss, the further reminder of human sentimentality was enough for him to take control of Tom's eyes long enough to roll them, the two expressions clashing oddly on the teenager's face.

< What is WRONG with your species? >

< I think it's perfectly alright. It's sweet, we're all far from home. >

< Idiots. You're all permanently brain damaged. The food is bad enough without adding syrup. >

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

It was an odd combination indeed, but not one that Kaylee was unfamiliar with. Many crew members had both reactions without having two beings in their bodies.

"Won't bite, if you want one," she promised.

[echoofaperson.livejournal.com]

"I-"

< Don't. Even. Think. About. It. >

< It's just a hug, they're not contagious. >

< To humans, perhaps, don't get me involved in your useless sentiment. What good does the gesture do? I refuse to be any part of this. No. >

It was very apparent from an outsider's perspective that the teenager was at war with himself, expressions shifting too rapidly to follow and eyes unfocused as he turned inwards towards the debate.

His voice was soft when he spoke again, smile lingering. "I wish I could."

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

He wasn't the first person to turn one of the hugs down, and Kaylee was fairly sure he wouldn't be the last. Some people just weren't ready for it, or weren't sure how to proceed, and a lot of the time they just needed to figure it out on their own.

"Offer stands, if you change your mind. Even if the sign ain't out."

[8wings.livejournal.com]

Anwei had been planning to eat and leave - she wanted to do some exploring, wear herself out before she tucked herself into one of those very cozy-looking little bunks - but then Kaylee's sign caught her eye.

"This is the first thing I've seen here that makes sense!" she said, walking up and pointing. "Is there where I sign up for the cuddle watch?"

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

"Don't got a cuddle watch yet," Kaylee laughed, giving Anwei a friendly wave as she approached, "but I'll keep in mind for the next round. Might do some more good past just hugs."

[8wings.livejournal.com]

No cuddle watch? Damn. "Well, cuddle watches depends on the mix of crew. Um, I would like a hug, but afterwards, could I practice scratching your back? I used to be pretty good at backscratching, but I haven't had a lot of humans to work on."

[8wings.livejournal.com]

"Um, unless you don't like people scratching your back?" she added. Silently she frowned at herself; she was too nervous, too greedy, and it was showing, she thought.

[smegging-hell.livejournal.com]

Lister has decided to stop by the mess hall to see if the slop they're made to eat is just as bad as he remembered. Luckily for his stomach though, he spots Kaylee's “Free Hugs!” sign first.

“Really, free hugs?”

Pretty lady, offers of hugs, this is right up Lister's street.

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

"Free as free can be," Kaylee replies. "Only catch is you gotta give one to get one."

Pretty fair deal, if you think about it...

[smegging-hell.livejournal.com]

"Sounds like a catch I can live with," Lister gives a happy smile. "So, do you catch people by surprise, or is it a more 1, 2, 3 hug kinda deal?"

[teethofneedles.livejournal.com]

"Givin' out anything besides hugs?" Karis shot a rather sarcastic and leering remark at Kaylee as she passed. Don't mind the zombie. She's just exploring.

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

"Don't mind talkin', neither, but nothin' past that." Any negativity coming from the zombie rolled off Kaylee's shoulder without much affect on her. She was used to snide remarks coming from Jayne, and had learned that many statements of his (and of a good portion of a crew) should be taken with a grain of salt.

[teethofneedles.livejournal.com]

Karis huffed. Deprived of easy prey, it seems. "Meh. Not like I can do anything besides look, anyway."

[radiantcourage.livejournal.com]

Well, Hoshi was definitely not going to turn down a free hug. She walked right up to the table, smiling and waving at Kaylee.

"Hey! My name is Hikari Hoshi," she said in Eastern order. "So, free hugs?"

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

Excellent, another taker. The mechanic waved back with an extremely smiley, "Kaylee Frye's me," and looked the approaching Hoshi over. She seemed like a good new addition to the crew, nice and friendly.

"Free as they can be. Only requirement is you give one to get one."

[radiantcourage.livejournal.com]

"I think I can abide by that," Hoshi replied with a cheeky grin on her face.

With no hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Kaylee. "There! Now you have to give me one."