(no subject)

[gabriel_tam]

He's been pacing the floor in his office all evening.

The first seeds of rumor are in place and ready to be started, far preparatory to making any official announcement. Gabriel knows perfectly well how quickly the media will pursue any interesting story, and this one promises to catch public attention in a big way.

The controversy and the curiosity will do more to launch his campaign than any formal, stilted announcement ever could.

And yet, now that things are poised to start moving, he feels as though the world is holding its breath. Gabriel has checked all the details compulsively, and has considered multiple strategies for timing the release of certain information-- but he can't be positive of the effects.

He hopes Simon's ready for it. That River is ready for it. That they all are.

It's with that worry in mind that he opens the door of his office and walks through into somewhere entirely different from where he had expected to be.

Comments

[simon_doctor]

Simon didn't actually plan to be here tonight either.

But he had an impulse to see what he could get from the Bar in the way of a fruit dessert, to surprise Kaylee. Which is why right now he's standing a few feet from the Bar, in contemplation.

His back's to the door.

[gabriel_tam]

Gabriel breathes out a single half-exasperated sigh on finding himself at Milliways unexpectedly, and then looks around the room.

His glance falls on his son, and he straightens his jacket, then walks over.

"Ni hao, Simon."

[simon_doctor]

And Simon turns a little sharply, but doesn't jump; startled, not blindsided.

"...Dad."

[gabriel_tam]

A not-quite-sardonic smile, and a polite half-bow.

"As you see." It's half-joking, inviting Simon to share in Gabriel's wry amusement as he adds,

"Unexpectedly, but that's as it may be, I suppose."

He doesn't look displeased, though.

[simon_doctor]

"Ah."

There's ... maybe a little sharing of wry amusement there.

"The bar hasn't done that to me in quite some time now."

[gabriel_tam]

"The last time it happened to me," he says dryly, "your mother was with me and we were leaving the estate. This time I was leaving my office."

[simon_doctor]

"I see."

A pause, and on impulse: "...Have you had dinner yet?"

[gabriel_tam]

Clear surprise, and then a slow smile that makes him look younger than his years.

"Not yet, as it happens; I worked through and was headed downstairs when I ended up here."

[simon_doctor]

It's being easier, this time. A little easier.

Simon tilts his head at a nearby table, and the two sit.

[gabriel_tam]

As they settle in, a waitrat scampers up to take their order.

Courteously, Gabriel looks at Simon. "What would you recommend?"

[simon_doctor]

"Honestly? I've never had anything here that wasn't superb. The fresh produce is particularly good, though."

[gabriel_tam]

"And without needing to consider what's in season on-planet..."

Gabriel looks thoughtful for a moment, then gives the waitrat his order and casts an inquiring glance at Simon.

[balletrat]

*Gabriel Tam has had to deal with a lot recently.

But is he prepared for aerial assault?*

[gabriel_tam]

It hits him in the shoulder and he jerks, spinning quickly to see.

Gabriel stares down at the plane for several seconds in complete surprise before he picks it up, turning it over in his hands.

A child's game. He played games with his children, once.

Shaking his head in surprise, he sends it winging into the air and sailing across the room.

[river_meimei]

River's across the room, at a table in the corner. She has a brown coat (hemmed to size, now) and a brown fedora (too large), and a mug of hot chocolate.

She's distracted. Hands cupped around the mug, face abstracted, gaze shifting.

[gabriel_tam]

He hates the sight of that coat, but he's resigned to it by now, enough so that it doesn't cause anything but a momentary twinge.

Gabriel crosses the room slowly to her table, where he stands looking down at her.

"Ni hao, baobei."

[river_meimei]

River glances up at him, faintly startled.

And then smiles. A little shy.

[gabriel_tam]

He smiles back.

"Mind if I join you?"

[river_meimei]

"I have hot chocolate."

That's a yes; her tone, at least, is friendly, and so the welcome can perhaps be inferred.

[gabriel_tam]

"So you do." Gabriel's still smiling as he sits down. "Think I could get one of these rats to bring me a cup?"

[river_meimei]

"You'll have to be very persuasive."

This is said with the exaggerated solemnity that generally heralds a joke.

[gabriel_tam]

"I'm one of the best corporate negotiators Birnam's ever had," he tells her, eyebrows raised in polite disbelief that he'd be doubted.

She's seen him like this before, when he was trying to tease them with overdone logic.

"Surely I can convince a single rat?"

[river_meimei]

River sighs patiently.

"Maybe," she allows.

Warningly: "They're very tough."

[gabriel_tam]

"Let's see what I can do, shall we?"

As if they'd been watching, a rat seizes this moment to scamper up and squeak inquisitively.

At River.

Gabriel sighs, and leans down toward it.

"Pardon me." It's very elaborately formal.

[river_meimei]

The rat's squeak and whiskertwitch somehow manages to convey Yeah, gov? I'm a busy working rat, here. Make it snappy.

River watches, lips twitching.