(no subject)

[gabriel_tam]

He'd spent the first week just studying the idea, examining it from every angle. Over the next several weeks after that, Gabriel had written and discarded draft after draft of the proposed act, then rewritten, edited, and revised it until he now knows every word by heart.

He thinks it's ready-- and he honestly believes that it's right.

Yet at the same time, Gabriel Tam knows that he's more a man of the Core than of the Rim, no matter how much he works to understand the philosophies of the latter. He thinks he's guessed how they'll react, but he can't be certain. He himself didn't fight in the War; he was certainly never an Independent.

But he knows those who were.

Tonight, therefore, Gabriel makes time in his schedule for a visit to Milliways. He arrives carrying a slender folio of papers, and sets them on the tabletop in front of him as he takes a seat in a booth that has a good view of the room.

Comments

[badinlatin]

Mal's shift isn't until tomorrow, but he does have a cocktail recipe book in front of him, presumably working out a list of specials for his turn behind the bar.

He sees Gabriel as he's skipping past the section called 'The Perfect Martini', and gives a short nod hello.

[gabriel_tam]

"Captain Reynolds. Nĭ hăo." Gabriel stands, giving a short, formal bow, and gestures in invitation to the seat across from him.

"I was hoping to find you here tonight."

[badinlatin]

"Oh?"

At least he's gotten to the point where he's not automatically assuming that to be some sort of evil portent.

"Should I be complimented?"

[gabriel_tam]

There's a quick smile, and he says,

"If you like."

A beat.

"Nothing's wrong; I can reassure you on that point, at least."

[badinlatin]

Mal stands from his own table, moving to Gabriel's.

"That's somethin', at any rate. What's the news?"

[gabriel_tam]

"Nothing yet." The latter word carries the faintest hint of emphasis.

Courteously, Gabriel waits for Mal to take his seat before resuming his own, and signals to a waitrat.

"Inara's well, I trust?"

[badinlatin]

"That she is -- keepin' busy with the brothel upstairs and all."

Mal lets the opportunity for misinterpretation slide by unmarked; he's been getting better at that lately.

"And the missus Tam?"

[gabriel_tam]

"Regan's also well," Gabriel tells him. "Children's Interplanetary continues to occupy a goodly amount of her time, as do a number of other things."

The waitrat arrives and squeaks inquisitively, and Gabriel glances at Mal.

"As I recall, Ng Ka Pe is your drink, unless you have a different preference this evening...?"

[badinlatin]

"Ng Ka Pe's fine," Mal returns, adding a thanks more to the waitrat than to Gabriel.

"Anything exciting?" pointing to the folio of papers in front of Gabriel's hand.

[gonna_live]

At some point Kaylee is looking up, putting her hair up again, and --

Well.

If you catch the glance of your father-in-law, and you're not on good terms at the moment --

Even if you don't feel like trying any more, that's no reason to be unfriendly.

An awkward wave, therefore, is issued.

[gabriel_tam]

It's answered by a small, seated bow, one that's given with automatic formality.

To someone who has an appreciation for such things, the gesture could be seen to be finely nuanced; not at all rude, not even verging on impolite, but also nothing especially warmer than polite neutrality.

[gonna_live]

It's...

It's better than what she was expecting.

Tentative: "Ni hao."

Because Kaylee's been -- thinking. And something's changed fairly recently. And -- if he's open to discussion --

Then they'll discuss. Is all.

[gabriel_tam]

"Nĭ hăo."

Gabriel's tone is cordial, and certainly polite.

"You're well this evening, I hope?"

[gonna_live]

"Doin' all right. Xiexie. And -- you -- you're okay?"

[gabriel_tam]

"Quite well, xièxie nĭ," he tells her. "Both Regan and I have been busy, of course, but that's nothing unusual."

Gabriel doesn't even glance at the papers in front of him.

[gonna_live]

Kaylee does glance at them. "No." Quiet. "If you're busy right now, I -- it's nothin' to worry about, but..."

[gabriel_tam]

The top sheet is a closely-written summary of a bill, titled the "Interplanetary Infrastructure and Guardianship Act" and bearing Gabriel's name as sponsor, which may or may not be clearly visible before Gabriel shuffles the papers together, taps them neatly on the table, and sets the folio down.

The effect is that of him giving her his full, polite attention, rather than letting his focus be divided by whatever is printed on those digital sheets.

"I was merely reviewing things," he tells her, cordially. "There's no further work to be done there tonight, I'm afraid."

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

Here is someone who would not have the first clue of Alliance history or current politics if his life depended on it. Thankfully, however, it does not.

Which is why Wellard is studying a book on combustion engines instead, dutifully taking notes on a pad of paper as if he expected to be quizzed on it later. However, he is not so oblivious to his surroundings to not notice Gabriel enter- Mr Tam gets a careful nod.

[gabriel_tam]

Wellard gets a polite one in return, and a cordially warm smile.

"Nĭ hăo."

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

That is actually one of the very few phrases in chinese (mandarin) that Wellard knows. Or that he understands, at least. That he can pronounce?

"Good evening, Mr Tam."

(Wellard will stick with english, to be safe.)

He glances down at his notes, then back up carefully.

"How are you doing, this evening?"

[gabriel_tam]

"Quite well, xiexie ni," Gabriel tells him. "And yourself?"

A pause, and this time his smile's a touch warmer, more open.

"Although please don't let me interrupt your studies too much."

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

He had been, perhaps, expecting more formality and coolness. Gabriel's open smile puts those thoughts to rest, and he returns it, leaning back in his chair.

"I'm doing well enough, thank you." He looks down at the book, and chuckles ruefully.

"Oh, they're not actual studies, just things I'm learning on my own."

[gabriel_tam]

With reason-- but Gabriel has spent some time thinking about their last conversation, and among other things, about how much Mary Lennox seems to trust this young man, even if not his pirate friend.

"I'm certainly pleased to hear it."

A pause, and then he inquires cordially,

"What sort of things?"

[politestpirate.livejournal.com]

"Engines, of a couple different types." Wellard turns the book around so that Gabriel can see one of the diagrams he was studying.

"Granted, the ships I was on, and the one I'm building are sailing ships, but its interesting to see how things like automobiles, aeroplanes and star ships work. I may even see about making a model of the steam engine, but we did have those in my time, at least." He chuckles quietly.

[gabriel_tam]

He nods.

"1802, wasn't it? Some time ago, for some of us." Gabriel considers him for a moment, then asks,

"You're acquainted with River and Simon-- have you met Simon's wife?"