milliways_bar | (no subject)

*Waves it away.*

No problem hun.

*turns back to make sure she didn't spill anything*

Did i spill your drink? I'll buy you another if so. Truly, i'm not usually so clumsy. Or so rude - my name is Inara Serra.

*Gives a small but graceful curtsy*

And you are? I've seen you here on my previous visits, but i have never met you.

*Shakes his head.*

Nah, i haven;t gotten anything yet.

*Stands, offers his hand.*

Timothy Hunter at your service. Merlin, Opener, Wizard at large, and Milliways bouncer.

*Takes his hand firmly in hers*

Of all your occupations, i have to say that bouncer is the one i am most familiar with. Though i have met several other types here with similarly unusual callings.

Since you haven't got anything, may i buy you a drink?

*Cocks hsi head.*

That you may. Thank you. Bouncers the newest title, I'm still learning.

*laughs*
Sounds like an interesting job, especially here. I'm rather partial to red wine, is that all right?

*thinks about this for a long time.*

I'm actually not old enough to drink. Plus, y'know, on the job.

Indeed. I didn't mean to tempt you to evil ways.

*She smiles and winks. She has known several young men of his kind, and loves to tease.*

How did you manage to find yourself here? I stumbled here quite on accident, but a fortuitous one.

*A faint grin.*

Mine was a little bit more focused.... One of my teachers taught me the way and... well, couple weeks ago, i just stopped going back. Figgered i might as well get a job here.

This place is captivating. I wanted to get back home so badly when i first came, but then getting up the courage to leave when i discovered how was just as difficult. I wasn't sure i was going to get back, hence the closed-eyes entrance here tonight.

*Leans in conspiratorially*
Are there any unsavory characters you have to keep a special watch for? A woman alone needs to be aware of these things.

Most people.

*Frowns a long moment.*

Todd. He's this blue eyed blond haired golden boy, who one might think is completely innocent...all an act. The kids a monster. Paul is scary, but, well, i think there might actually be something to him.

*thinks*

Beyond that? people tend to be friendly. And if they're not, let me know.

Todd . . . i know i've heard others talking about him here. And not in good terms. There is something about beauty in types like that, it masks the truth.

*She shudders*

I will absolutely let you know. Thank you for being so kind. This place can be intimidating at times. So many different people, different KINDS of people. . . It's fascinating, but overwhelming at times.

*slowly nods.*

oh yes, quite interesting. Er, if i may ask, where are you from?

Well, that's an interesting question. In my world, Earth itself was destroyed 500 years ago and a large part of the universe has been colonized. I was born and trained on one of the central planets - one that has been colonized since before Earth-that-was was destroyed.

At present, i'm traveling with a crew aboard a transport ship. I'm not really part of the crew, but i do act as their .. .ambassador at times.

*blinks*

Wow.. well, takes all sorts...

*A slight grin.*

And you just wound up here?

Yes! I was leaving my shuttle one night to go to an . . appointment, and when i stepped through the door i was here.

It was quite disconcerning.

*Raises an eyebrow at the unsaid, idly pulling threads of crimson magic from the air to play with.*

And to come back here?

Prince Corwin and Sir Alanna showed me the way. Tonight, i went to my shuttle door, focused on this place and stepped through.

*She blushes*

I added the part about closing my eyes. I don't think i'll be trying that again.

*She rubs her shin where it hit the table*

*Chuckles aoftly.*

If were me, i'd change the running..... Scuse me.

*Glancing at a commotion deeper in the bar.*

Duty calls.

As Inara nears the bar, Shipwreck tips his hat to her in greeting. "Evenin', ma'am." He grins devilishly.

*She gives him an elaborate curtsey back*

Good evening, sir. It's a lovely night, isn't it?

*She winks and leans towards toward the bar*

The usual, please, bar.

*A bottle of red wine and a blown-glass goblet appear*

Thank you kindly.

He nods. "Well, I guess it's *always* a pretty nice night 'round these parts." He tips a fresh bottle of gin her way. "'Specially with such charming company, y'know." He takes a hefty swig of the liquor and then turns to face her.

"Where the sam hill are my manners? Name's Shipwreck, but you can call me Hector."

I'm Inara Serra, you can call me Inara.

*she shakes her head at the offer of gin*
No thank you, i try to avoid hard liquor. Except on special occasions.

*She grings, then raises an eyebrow*
Hector is your nickname?

"Naw. Shipwreck's the nickname, but I only let you call me Hector if I like ya." He waves the bottle a little bit. "Where ya hail from, Inara?"

I was born in Shinon, but am presently on board a Firefly class transport ship. I'm not really part of the crew, but i act as a sort of ambassador for them at times.

*She sips her wine, leaning back against the bar*

And you, Hector, where do you call home?

"Oh, I get around. I've served tours all over the world. Gotten thrown out of at least one bar in every port on the Pacific, and a fair few on the Atlantic, too."

"Transport ship, huh? I've spent more than my fair share of time on some of those. Never did have nothin' like this, tho."

*laughs* That is very true. Though our mechanic did rig an inter-engine fermentation system that produced very . . . interesting wine.

*She sips her excellent wine and cocks her head*

So how did you manage to get here, sailor? But accident or on purpose?

"Wouldja believe a little of both?" He shrugs. "I wanted to go to a bar, just not necessarily THIS one."

He laughs. "Not sure I'd drink anything made by a mechanic, although I know a gunner who makes the meanest damn pot of jambalaya around."

*Laughs* She had the best of intentions, but it was fairly undrinkable.

Jambalaya? I don't think i've ever had that before.

"Jambalaya's Cajun food. Big pot full of rice and beans and shrimp and chicken and whatever else's around. Good stuff."

He paused. "Firefly class. That ain't U-S-N classification. Where d'you port out of?"

I'm not sure you would know it actually.
In my world, Earth has been obliterated for almost 500 years.

Shipwreck pauses. "Oh. Well, shit! Hope it didn't happen on my watch!"

Honestly, he figured that Ol' Mother Earth was high due for the dustbin any day now, what with the Rooskies and their itchy trigger fingers and COBRA throwing their weight around. Hell, if ol'Snakeface got a hold of The Bomb, they could just about kiss it all goodbye, y'know?

"So what's that like, never knowin' the motherland, so to speak?"

*She laughs at the expression on his face*
No, i'm sure it didn't happen on your watch.

*She takes another sip of wine*
It's strange, because it was so long ago, but we are still bound by it. By the way Earth was, it's power structures and politics. Every one, down to the most uneducated rural, can speak 2 languages, Chinese and English. We are shaped into a more base culture, more backwards because of what we lost . . .

*She shakes herself, realizing she is in lecture mode.*

I'm so sorry, i'm probably boring you to tears. It's been a while since i've thought about these things.

Shipwreck shrugs. "Aw, it's nothin. I don't mind hearin' other people's stories. 'Swhat bars are for. Besides, your future ain't necessarily mine, and my past wasn't necessarily yours, I don't think. Bar's weird like that. There's shit 'round here that I guaran-damn-tee ain't from *my* 1986. All them kids with the magic? No way."

He muses on Earth's heavy pull on its children. "Well, it's like they say. You can take the sailor outta the ocean, but you can't take the ocean outta the sailor. You never can forget where ya come from, even if you didn't really come from it."

That makes perfect sense, and was rather poetical at that.

*She cocks her head, looking him over*

You remind me so much of a dear friend of mine . . . he's the captain of my ship.

He grins roguishly. "Bet he ain't as handsome as I am!" For all his rough edges and sour attitude, Shipwreck was a pretty good egg. You kind of have to be, in his line of work.

[ooc: I'm going to have to wrap this up, since my eyes are starting to cross, but this has been really fun! Thanks!]

*Laughs* He doesn't have your manly muscle tone, that's for sure.

*She feels the wine making her sleepy, her eyes getting heavy*

I think i might need to retire soon, sailor. I hope that's too much of a disappointment to you.
*she winks*

Shipwreck grins and flexes a little, the barest hints of tattoos peeking out from below his shirt sleeves. Besides the large anchor on his forearm, of course.

"Have a nice night, Inara. Catch you around." His biggest disappointment, pretty simply, was that she wasn't retiring with him. Oh well, there's always the next time.

(ooc: indeed!)