milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Lunchtime. Thank goodness. Inara is starving, her stomach occasionally making embarrassing grumbling noises as she makes her way to an open seat at the bar.

She quickly dives in to her soup and sandwich, people-watching between bites, her favorite relaxing activity at Milliways. Come say hi!

[ooc: Mun is at work, so apologies for slow tags! Need a diversion before html breaks my brain :D]

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"So you are from the future." Her hand is still in mid-air, not quite to his.

"I'm from my present," he tries to quirk a smile. "Just my year's 2551."

"Réncí de Fózŭ," she says. Then she shakes herself and really looks at the man in front of her.

"I'm so sorry...Mal. I shouldn't be acting so shocked - considering where we are. I'm being so rude." The slight hesitation before she says his name is the only outward appearance that she is still totally freaked out.

"It's alright. Really and honestly. Promise."

Mal knew -- knows, she's right here isn't she? This is the strangest thing ever -- Inara better than Mal knows nearly anyone else in his life.

"You're not the only person I've confused, here."

Inara nods fervently. "I'm sure of that."

"Would you like to sit down and join me? I'd love to talk to you...about what I can."

Very much yes.

"If I'm...not intruding."

Awkward.

Inara knows she is getting more relaxed if she sounds slightly exasperated. "Of course you aren't. Please sit down."

She notices the cane then - another familiar item. "Is..is that Wash's cane?" she asks tenatively.

"Oh. Shi a. I thought it was very stylish."

A lie, somewhat -- Inara's Mal has mocked it more times than he's praised it, back in 2521. Lot changes in thirty years.

An eyebrow quirk, but she isn't feeling quite comfortable to tease him about it. Yet.

"There are so many questions I want to ask you, but I know I can't."

"You can try."

Inara thinks carefully, before asking what she thinks is the safest question.

"Still flying?"

"In my way."

It's less safe of a question than Inara supposes.

"I still have Serenity."

Inara lets out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding. Serenity is such a huge part of their lives, Inara isn't sure what she would do if she was gone from them.

"What are you doing with yourself?"

A slow shrug. "Working. Traveling. Keeping an eye on everyone as much as possible."

Inara nods. She doesn't want to ask, but maybe Mal can read it on her face. Everyone.

He can tell something's weighing on her, but there's so much that it could be he doesn't hazard a guess.

"Should I make up a pretty story?"

Inara shoots him a Look. That feels familiar.

"No. I think I can handle the truth, even if you can't tell me."

"You're aware of how inherently confusing that statement was, right?"

Sigh. "Yes. Some things never change, I suppose."

"What with the confusing nature, and..."

Being spectacularly gorgeous, he stops himself from saying.

"Y'know. Wiles."

Inara laughs. And it's the first thing in this conversation that has felt completely natural. She relaxes a bit.

"I feel like I've been interrogating you." She smiles at Mal. "Is there anything you want to ask me?"

"What year is it, for you? So I have a reference, I suppose."

"2521. That's the year in the 'verse."

"Thirty years. Hunh."

Stilted, "You look...young." Mal tries laughing. "Seems so ridiculous to say that out loud."

Impulsively, Inara reaches out and clasps Mal's hands in hers, smoothing the skin with her fingers. Like she does now sometimes, with her Mal.

"This has to be so strange for you."