milliways_bar | (no subject)

David studies the documents on the table from a discreet distance, interested by the process. Everyone develops their own techniques for managing multiple covers and David has learned much from studying the methods of others.

And tea. Don't forget the tea.
Oh wait...that tea belongs to Splinter.

Say hi to Splinter, Mal.

"Wèi, Splinter," Mal offers once he really looks up at the man. "Just visitin'?"

"I feel as though that is a question I should be asking you," he says raising a single eyebrow. There's a dart of his eyes from Mal to the empty chair, and then back. As if asking for permission to sit.

A wave of the hand to sit down - it's certainly not anything that Splinter can't see.

"Just trying to take care o' some business. My aliases've gone stale, so I'm trying to catch up before takin' on another job."

"Would it be more convenient to have a visit at some other time?"

Um.

"No? Though now you're makin' it sound like this is a Visit rather 'n a visit."

It's times like these that Splinter is somewhat pleased to have lost the tell tale-ness of his tail.

"There is something I wish to speak to you about," he says finally...after what might be too long a pause for a visit. "But it is by no means time sensitive."

Well that's enough to have Mal push his paperwork to one side. At first, he thinks it might be a job - but Splinter'd have his boys take that on if needed.

"Somethin' about Ma?"

"something yes," he mutters in Japanese. He stands there for a few seconds before realizing he hasn't sat down yet, and as such does so.

This seemed like such a good idea before, back when Bar had alerted him to Mal's attendance in the bar. Splinter has no real reason to feel intimidated by Malcolm Reynolds, save for the obvious.

In an effort to center himself, and quiet his nerves, Splinter picks up his cup and takes a sip of his tea.

Oh get ON with it, you silly old rat!

"I have grown quite fond of your mother, as I am sure you are aware."

"Wèi, this has not escaped my keen senses, what with the -- y'know. Shapeshifting."

"Indeed," he says lifting his cup to take another sip. Coping mechanisms come in all shapes and sizes, it just so happens that Splinter's come in the shape and size of tea.

And here he was thinking of the fact that he now lives with Sallie full time as the most present expression of his affection for her, completely overlooking the far more obvious one.

"Your mother...Sallie," he corrects. "Has made it known that she wishes to be married, and I have come to ask for your blessing."

There. He's said it. Now he can have more tea.

Mal's eyes go wide, as if the larger ocular surface area would somehow make the information process more quickly.

Not in the slightest.

"There - wait. Ma said she wants -- are you sure?"

"Yes," he says simply, still clutching his tea.

"And...you're askin' me for...permission?"

"Blessing."

There's a difference, Mal. A very big one.

Good.

"You ain't even said it's somethin' you want."

Splinter looks up at Mal now, his expression is neutral as ever, and yet it speaks of the many things that Splinter is leaving unsaid for now.

How want is a luxury that for so long he could not afford. How never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined circumstances leading him to this time and place. To be romantically loved was never something Splinter allowed himself to imagine, because such a hope would only surely be squashed.

His sons think him a silly old man for enjoying his "stories" as much he does, but to crave and be denied that kind of affection is one of the surest forms of torture.

"I would not be here, now, were it not."

Splinter is not asking for permission.

"Ma and I weren't talking, after the war. For years. I thought then that...my happy would be Serenity, and Ma's was the land.

"And now I'm married, and Ma is happier 'n I ever had a chance to see 'er. You did that. Milliways did that. I could never say no to that."

There are times when even Splinter has a difficult time maintaining his hard-nosed facade.

This would be one of them.
Though he tries to fight it, his lower lip trembles ever so slightly.

"Thank you, Malcolm."

But unless Splinter thinks this is going to turn sentimental:

"And if you hurt her I will kill you and enjoy it."

See? Easy.

"I assure you Captain Reynolds that should any situation, like the one you are suggesting, ever arise I will be counting on you to be my second."

Let's be honest, aiding Splinter in committing seppuku is the only way Mal could follow through on his threat and not find himself too close to a neck-breaking shadow of his own.

"Well. Today's just full o' surprises.

"Do you know when you're goin' to ask?"

It would appear that they have reached an accord.
This pleases Splinter.

The question...pleases him less so. Mostly because the answer is not something he can be sure of. He breaks eye contact and reaches for his tea.

"I do not know as the question is not mine to ask, but to answer."

Wait.

What?

"She already asked you? What do you need me for?"

Splinter did say Sallie made it clear she wanted to be married...

"I wished to know your feelings on the matter."

"Well. There you have it, I suppose. When can I start plannin' a bachelor party?"

Very little about Splinter moves, which is what makes hie eyes narrowing so much more noticeable.

"Don't get crotchety wi' me, you're the one in love with my mother."

"I fail to see what my affection for Sallie has to do with a bachelor party."

He's far too old for any of that, than you very much.
Not to mention Splinter has never really had a peer group.

This is going to go great.

"Don't worry - I'll catch you up w' the times, good sir. But business; anything I can do? I guarantee that I'm a lot calmer 'n Inara or Zo' might be."

Dubious Splinter continues to be dubious.

"There is one thing, I would very much appreciate it if you did not mention our discussion to Sallie."

"...Why the hell not?"

"I would prefer if she learned of my intentions from me, rather than second hand."

And he's not quite ready to say, Yes, yet.