Mal made a noncommittal noise. "Well, plenty of people would like to think they're clever, but genius, well, that's taking it a bit far. I don't know that I've met a genius before." She made no effort to conceal the fact that she was mocking him. He didn't seem to mind, anyway.

"And even if there is a 'there'," she continued, "it could well be a trap, or something. It all seems almost ridiculously sinister. So I'll be Mal, thank you, and you can be quote-unquote Toshiyuki, and we'll see who's more satisfied on their deathbed."