InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "MM. SMELLS LIKE SUNSHINE!"

cptn_tightpants (cptn_tightpants) wrote in marinanova,
@ 2016-12-23 12:25:00

Entry tags:

charlotte charles, malcolm reynolds

Day 407 | Open Action
Mal assumed the wardens were always toying with him, but this was low. A capture of Inara. And not just any capture. That capture. The one where she was packing up to leave Serenity. It toyed with his various memories of her. The Inara that had been here, the one he'd let go around finally and the one from his timeline. The warring memories weren't playing nice today, so he tucked the capture into a pocket and went for a walk.

Of course, that capture had a funny way of sticking in his head, and Mal couldn't help but pull it out again and again. Whether it was at the Dive, sector 0, the stables, he was looking at it. At one point he was so focused he walked into a tree.

In the end, he found his way to the memory garden with his bush and little rock tower where he could view it in peace.

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after sixty years

pushedback
2016-12-29 05:09 am UTC (link)

They haven't really talked much, but Chuck's seen the guy come into the restaurant every so often. He doesn't seem like someone who wants to be disturbed too much and while it's her life's work to bother grumpy old men into being less grumpy, there are only so many hours in the day.

Seeing him in here though, so engrossed in whatever it is he's got, she can't help but make her way over. There's only so much respect for personal space she can give, after all.

"Can I get you anything else? Coffee?"

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Re: after sixty years

cptn_tightpants
2017-01-09 07:59 pm UTC (link)

Mal startled when she spoke; his hand knocked the capture off the table, and he dove for it before it smashed to the ground. Luck was on his side today, and he did manage to catch the screen. He slipped the item into his pocket as he looked up at her. "Sure.. Coffee's fine. Wait! Huh?" He forced his focus to the here and now. "No. Something stronger. Don't care much what it is."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

pushedback
2017-01-12 07:10 am UTC (link)

Oops! She didn't mean to startle him like that! There's an apologetic yelp and a weak attempt at catching the thing, but it seems like he's got it. She gives him a once over, worrying at her bottom lip. Okay. Alcohol she can do.

"Coming right up."

She heads over to the bar, returning momentarily with a tumbler of whiskey. This used to be Tyki's place. As sunny as the decoration is now, Chuck knows a thing or two about working in a bar.

"Sorry."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-01-17 07:18 pm UTC (link)
	Mal takes the tumbler gratefully and takes a long sip. "Ain't your fault. Too in my own head today. Ain't a good place to be." He finished the whisky and indicated he'd like another. Maybe he'd drink the next one slower. "You get anythin' special today?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-01-18 09:59 am UTC (link)
	She's not judging. As long as he's not causing trouble, he can drink as much as he wants in her bar. "Mmn, I have a pretty good pecan and salted caramel. Oh, and some pear and sharp cheddar from yesterday, that one turned out really nice!" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-01-18 05:03 pm UTC (link)
	"Pear an' sharp cheddar?" he asks, looking a little dubious. "Those don't exactly sound like flavors that'd go together, if you don't mind my sayin'. But if it's real good, then I might be persuaded to try it." You know. Anything to get his mind of Inara. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-01-19 05:31 am UTC (link)
	"Well, I like it just fine and I'd like to think I know my cheeses." She smiles before going to fetch some pie for him, one slice of each just in case he really doesn't like her pear and cheddar concoction. "Here you go. I eagerly await your judgment." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-01-20 12:44 am UTC (link)
	Mal examines the pie from all angles and even goes so far as to sniff it before spearing a morsel with his fork and popping it in his mouth. He masticates the bite for a moment looking thoughtful. "Better'n I would have possibly imagined," he finally admits with a grin. "You ain't bad." High praise coming from Mal. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-01-20 04:42 am UTC (link)
	"Told you so." She smiles brightly, all full up of pride. "So, how's it going? I see you in here from time to time, figured we might as well get to know each other." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-01-21 11:21 pm UTC (link)
	"How's it... um..." He spears a larger piece of pie and shoves it in his mouth to avoid answering for a moment. A long moment later, he manages a quiet, "Fine. Things is fine. Horses seem to be in good health lately." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-01-22 07:46 pm UTC (link)
	Oh buddy, you really think she's going to just leave you alone with your pie? No way, sir. No way. "Oh, you like the horses? I don't think I've ever been down there, actually." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-01-24 07:19 pm UTC (link)
	"I work in the stables most days. Some small sense of home there," he said quietly. "Go ridin' most days too. You should stop by. Bet I could fix you up with a real nice one." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-01-27 04:17 am UTC (link)
	"Mm, maybe I should. I haven't really been out there before - last time I came in contact with a horse was a bit, uh. Murdery." Does he want her to tell the story about the jockey that wasn't a ghost but had horse legs? It may be one of the most bizarre things to ever happen in her life. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-02-01 02:06 am UTC (link)
	"Murdery? As in murdering the horse or murdering people on horses?" Because he's participated in many horseback shootouts. And killed horses to gain the advantage. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-02-01 02:14 pm UTC (link)
	"Murdering people with the horse!" Yep. That's actually the most accurate explanation for what was going on. "It was pretty exciting and entirely dangerous, but we figured out what was really going on at the end." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-02-02 12:05 am UTC (link)
	"Wait... huh? Like... trampling them or something?" Because he's been around horses for much of his life and that's just... wrong. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-02-03 10:42 am UTC (link)
	"Yeah, like that! They'd get the horse to stomp people to death — it was this big whole revenge thing. It almost got me, but I got away at the last second." So many close calls with death in just the past year and yet she's only died twice. Charlotte Charles leads a blessed life. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-02-04 04:58 am UTC (link)
	Mal stares at her open-mouthed. A minute later, when words finally make their way from his brain to his mouth, he manages a, "But... what? Getting a horse to stomp people to death? I mean... I suppose you could train them to do that... but that's... they're docile creatures!" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-02-05 11:56 am UTC (link)
	"Mmn, yeah, I don't know. Olive was the horse expert, she could probably tell you more. Shame she's not here..." Genuinely. The longer she's been here, the more she realises that if anyone from her world would show up, she'd be the happiest if it was Olive. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-02-07 07:22 pm UTC (link)
	Mal is still working his head around using a horse to murder people. It takes a moment for him to attend to her words. "Hm? Oh... uh. Sorry she ain't. Seems a theme around here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-02-08 10:55 am UTC (link)
	"Right? People keep coming and going and I still haven't met a single one that I know from home." For good and bad. She doesn't really mind but it's a bit weird. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-02-09 02:05 am UTC (link)
	He shrugs. "It ain't much better when they're here because there's always the chance they'll disappear again. Mine did." Good job Chuck. He doesn't admit things that easily. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-02-09 08:48 am UTC (link)
	Ah, there it is. She had a feeling she'd get a bite if she just continued fishing long enough. "I'm sorry to hear that. It's rough, huh? I've lost a lot of friends here but no one I knew from back home... it sounds worse." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-02-09 08:27 pm UTC (link)
	"Things are different here, you know? Circumstances change when people come here. Things can be... better even then they were back home." He looks up sharply. "Now how did you do that?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-02-10 09:06 am UTC (link)
	"Did what?" She responds in perfect innocence. She wasn't doing anything, promise! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-02-10 08:28 pm UTC (link)
	"Got me to talk. You used your wiles." He glares at her a moment before shaking his head. "But everything I said is true." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-02-11 05:28 pm UTC (link)
	"Hey, I'm just providing pie and a willing ear, nothing else." Though that seems to be more than enough, most of the time. She does have a way to make things open up to her, eventually. "Who was it? That you lost." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-02-12 03:27 pm UTC (link)
	Mal pauses. Opening up is dangerous. It causes problems. People know too much. He takes another swig of his whiskey and pulls out the capture, turning it so she can see. "Her." The capture shows Inara packing up to leave while telling Kaylee just how awful Mal can be. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-02-12 10:20 pm UTC (link)
	If it's any consolation, Chuck is really good at keeping secrets by now. Nothing he says will leave this bar! "Oh wow. She's gorgeous - your girlfriend?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-02-13 03:17 am UTC (link)
	"Well that all depends on which set of memories you decide to follow. Back home we're in a bit of a spat. Here... well, things is always different here ain't they?" He looks to the screen again and frowns. "Don't really have a label for her. Don't think it really matters." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-02-13 10:06 am UTC (link)
	She nods - things are different here. Better, if you ask her, but she knows she's in the minority when it comes to actually liking this place. "No, I suppose it doesn't. I'm sorry she's not here anymore. It can get lonely here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	cptn_tightpants 2017-02-14 09:16 pm UTC (link)
	"S'pose it does. Ain't that big an issue." It is, but Mal's talked too much today. It's time to go. He finishes his drink and sets it on the bar. "Thanks. Guess I'll see you around." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pushedback 2017-02-15 09:10 am UTC (link)
	"Thanks for stopping by. You're always welcome here, you know. I could use the company." Someone's gotta eat all these pies. (Reply to this) (Parent)