(no subject)

[badinlatin]

And look! There's a Mal inna bar! Hooray! Oh, and the fact that Mal frantically looks around for a Companion's lack of presence before he enters into the bar should escape everyone's attention.

Not finding anyone to avoid, Mal saunters to the Bar to place an order for fried rice and vegetables when he hears . . . something going on in the rafters.

Feel free to have at anywho.

Comments

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

Random smiles, cheerfully.

"You look a little distracted."

[badinlatin]

"Huh? Oh, yes...Coulda sworn there was somethin' movin' about up there." Mal had never even thought to look up in this place before, but he supposes its nothing, and claims a stool at the bar.

"Don't think I've met you yet - Mal Reynolds."

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Random. 'S a pleasure."

He takes a sip of his scotch.

"So. Creatures in the rafters?"

[badinlatin]

"Suppose so. Ain't too familiar with the in's and out's round here..."

"Random? That's a new one on me. Where ya from, Random?"

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Well, I know Raven used to hang out up there. But he got a room."

He thinks for a moment.

"I'm from Amber. You'll not have heard about it. What about you?"

[badinlatin]

"I live on a ship, name o' Serenity. Live out in the black, actually." Mal gestures to the observation window in plain view from the bar.

"You live about here now, or you just visitin'?"

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Oh, visiting. Spending time with friends."

He peers out the window.

"Looks like an interesting ship. Does she steer well?"

[badinlatin]

"Under the right person, she handles better than the Alliance go se you find anywhere else in my 'verse." Mal picks up the chopsticks provided with his dinner and continues.

"Ever had a chance to be on a ship like 'er, Random?"

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

He's dressed in a lace up shirt and breeches.

"Nope. I'm an Amberite. Live in a Castle, and the like. No such thing, where I call home."

[badinlatin]

"Castle? Don't reckon they exist in my time." Mal's not wearing what exactly could be called a lace up shirt, but he's sporting his typical military breeches and boots.

"I got to ask...is Random your real name? I mean, is it a nickname, or...I dunno...something?" Feel free to yell at Mal for being rude.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

He smiles. It's one of the more polite inquiries he's had about it. Generally, introductions come with bad puns.

"It's my name. Sad, too. I have nine brothers, and they're all named things like 'Julian' and 'Eric' and 'Gerard.' But I'm Random."

He grins.

"Good thing it's apt."

[badinlatin]

"Nine? Good gorram...Think I would've gone crazy with that many folk in my house." Funny, coming from the man who grew up with a bunch of ranchhands.

"Nice to have a name that fits; important sometimes."

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Nine brothers who are still alive. Three dead ones. Four sister."

He sighs.

"It's hard. 'Specially as every single one of them wants to rule the city."

[pink-sombrera.livejournal.com]

Sheemie is sitting a little further down the bar, with a simple meal.

[badinlatin]

Just before Mal tucks into his rice, his eyes dart up the bar to a man eating. Feeling entirely too sociable, Mal motions quietly for the stranger to move down a few stools so they can talk.

"...Less you wanna be by yourself."

[pink-sombrera.livejournal.com]

Sheemie joins him readily, smiling.

"Long days and pleasant nights, sai."

[badinlatin]

There's another one? Tamade.

Mal's voice drops slightly, either out of weariness or upset. "Ain't nobody told me 'bout another gunslinger."

[pink-sombrera.livejournal.com]

"I'm no gunslinger, sai", Sheemie assures him quietly. "Friend and squire to gunslingers, but I were never one."

[badinlatin]

"Oh." If Mal was trying to hide relief, let it be known that he was entirely unsuccessful.

"Surprised I ain't run into you before, as much as I see your friends."

[pink-sombrera.livejournal.com]

"I'm new-come here, sai. Just a few days since."

[badinlatin]

"You know...'bout what exactly caught me up with your friends?"

[pink-sombrera.livejournal.com]

Sheemie tilts his head. "I kennit not, sai..."

[badinlatin]

Crap. How in hell do I explain River and guns and Academy and Kaylee all sad and broken in that dream... Mal totally lacks of coherent response.

[pink-sombrera.livejournal.com]

Sheemie frowns in confusion and some worry - he met River and liked her - as that thought comes across loud and clear. Quietly, he says, "I have the touch, sai, so I do. Academy?"

[badinlatin]

"Academy's the place where River was---"

Yeah, he's catching on.

"How the gorram did you hear that?!"