(no subject)

[gabriel_tam]

Parliament is between sessions at present, which is somehow less of a relief than he had expected it to be. He's anything but relaxed, these days.

Gabriel knows why, though. At long last, after months of hotly-contested debate, the Interplanetary Infrastructure and Guardianship Act will be voted upon during the next session.

There's very little left to do now but wait and see, but he's never liked waiting all that well, even when necessary. This is probably why he's absently drumming a staccato beat on the table with his fingers while he reviews the stored media feeds on his datapad.

Comments

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

Mary huffs herself down on the table across from him, in visible irritation.

"You are not," she tells him, "to let yourself fall asleep in the bar ever. Especially not when Puck is about."

[gabriel_tam]

"All right," he agrees, easily enough. There's concern, though, in the look Gabriel is now giving her.

"Did something happen, Mary?"

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"I should say so," Mary sniffs. "He tried to marry my uncle!"

[gabriel_tam]

"... what?!"

He gets hold of himself in the next second.

"Was there, er, any particular reason?"

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"Because he is awful?" Mary suggests. "Because he hates me and I hate him? Because he thought it should be funny? Because he wanted to be our wicked stepmother and be able to do anything to us that he liked? Because he wanted to make my uncle take care of his babies?"

More than enough reasons, clearly.

[gabriel_tam]

Clearly.

"It appears he has something of a low sense of humor," Gabriel says dryly-- and then considers her.

"What did you do, Mary?"

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

Mary raises her head, looking a little proud - she, at least, is competent in a crisis.

"I found Duo and Dickon and Duo knocked my uncle out and made Puck go away and Dickon gave my uncle the antidote."

All very simple, really.

[gabriel_tam]

He doesn't quite sigh in relief, or not audibly, anyway. He does smile, though, and it manages to be both fond and proud.

"Hĕnhăo -- very good, Mary. I'm pleased to hear it."

Especially the fact that she went for help.

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

Mary knows how to deal with many problems on her own, but, alas, she is not yet expert in getting people to fall out of love with other people.

Also, Archibald is too big for her to be able to easily knock him out.

"He does not remember any of it now, so it is all right - he only thinks it is a dream. My uncle, I mean," she explains. "But now we know that Puck has the plant for the love spell, so it is best that you and everyone be careful."

[ltmuldoon.livejournal.com]

There are two reasons for this tag. One, the mun loves this puppet, and two, the mun's been watching enough Firefly to make even the producers go nuts.

Ergo, there is a Muldoon watching the tapping with a bemused expression, "...bored?"

[gabriel_tam]

Two excellent reasons, particularly the watching of Firefly episodes, the narration feels.

"Duìbùqĭ," he says, looking up and offering a cordial smile. The restless movement of his hand stills.

"Too much energy, I suppose."

This might have more bearing if he didn't look as though it'd been some time since he'd gotten enough sleep.

[ltmuldoon.livejournal.com]

"Mmmn." Duiwha? Muldoon's on the verge of saying something snarky and entirely inappropriate, but that doesn't seem proper. This guy has the air of...well, importance.

Besides, he's making an effort to be civil. And he's calmed down some despite things on his world.

"....I feel you pal. This place's nice, but when a guy's antsy there's not a whole hell of alot to do to occupy yourself. Time could go by faster with a game. Or a foozball table."

[gabriel_tam]

"I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the last," he says dryly, then presses a button on the datapad to freeze the display.

"But I can certainly commiserate with being dissatisfied with enforced idleness."

A beat, and he offers his hand.

"Gabriel Tam."

[ltmuldoon.livejournal.com]

"...Lieutenant Muldoon, United States Army."

There is a pause, "...2003."

Why he added that, he couldn't say.

"...I'd add a bunch of other shit to that, but given the place, y'know-you learn to not take people at face value right?"

He studies the datapad curiously, "Would you mind too terribly if I asked what you were waiting for?"

[gabriel_tam]

"Gāoxìng jìandào nĭ, Lieutenant."

There's a quiet sort of respect there, even as he adds, "It's 2520 where I'm from-- but I'd say that your advice is valid across times and worlds, nevertheless."

Gabriel glances at the datapad and then slides it over to him. The small picture on the screen is of a reporter frozen mid-commentary, with a scrolling text translation of her words down the side of the panel.

"Are you interested in politics?"

[ltmuldoon.livejournal.com]

Muldoon is too engrossed in the fact that it's plastic and possibly an LCD screen the size of his hand and-

"...Huh? Very actually. Comes with bein' special forces." Even if he got screwed over, "...Actually it's just a personal interest. My kids used to prefer watching C-Span and CNN to-Did you say 2520?"

He does a doubletake, "...That's some politics then."

[countofserenno.livejournal.com]

Dooku catches a bit of Gabriel's nervousness...just a scent. "You seem to be worried about something."

[gabriel_tam]

"Hmm?"

He glances up at this and offers a polite smile.

"Perhaps a bit restless-- I hope I wasn't disturbing you, sir."

[countofserenno.livejournal.com]

Dooku shakes his head. "Not at all. I just...couldn't help but notice." Pause. "And I do not believe that we have met. My name is Dooku, Jedi Master." There is a slight bow...with a handshake extended as well.

[gabriel_tam]

"Gāoxìng jìandào nĭ," he returns, matching the other man's bow with a socially correct one of his own before shaking hands.

"Gabriel Tam. I'm afraid I'm not familiar with your title, however."

[countofserenno.livejournal.com]

Dooku is surprised. Jedi notwithstanding, he hasn't had anyone return his bow. Note to self: Mr. Tam may be from a different galaxy. However, his manners are very good. Probably a diplomat of some kind.

"You would not be the first...would I be correct in guessing that you have not heard of the Galactic Republic, either?" That should seal the deal one way or another.

[gabriel_tam]

"I haven't, no-- although from the sound of it--"

There's clear interest in his gaze as he asks,

"Might I presume that it's some sort of interplanetary government?"

[countofserenno.livejournal.com]

Dooku nods. "It is. I take it that you are familiar with the concept?"

[gabriel_tam]

"Extremely."

Gabriel's smiling.

"Ours is the Alliance -- the Anglo-Sino Union of Allied Planets, that is."

[countofserenno.livejournal.com]

Dooku nods. "I take it that you are involved with your government?" It's a wild guess...though the term could be very broadly applied to mean simply that he owns a few politicians or gets big contracts, concievably.