i_amregistered Two girls and a bar (Inara & Starfire at the Lux)
Inara blinked at the imposing edifice..Starfire said this was a bar, it was surely something. She wasn't entirely sure what to make of the odd structure but her own artistic impressions were less important then the chance to find out if the others had made it into town.
"This looks like as good a place as any."
Inara cast a side long look to Starfire her floating friend before she walked forward heading for the front door of the Lux.
From: [info]i_fellfirst Date: 03/07/2006 20:25:21
Makizeen was tending the bar that evening as Lucifer made himself content at the piano. The Lux was a clean, well lighted place. It was more than a bar but it was not quite a dance club. It was a small, classy joint that the likes of Humphrey Bogart might have visited in one of his film noirs.
When the club suddenly had two patrons, and two very lovely patrons at that, Lucifer stopped his tinkering at the piano. He had perfect teeth when he smiled.
Immediately Inara got the feeling this man was more then he let on, something in the way he carried himself. Unlike most men he was not trying to look more important or powerful then he was, all of this mans posturing was to make him seem less then his true self. Companion training had taught her to instantly categorize and study people, the specifics of this man were not her concern, what did matter was that he was in a position to know that which she wanted to find out.
"Thank you. It is a very lovely place you have." Social pleasantries were called for, and a smile of practiced perfection returned his own.
From: [info]i_fellfirst Date: 03/07/2006 21:14:39
What a sweet and lovely child, the likes of which he had not seen in some time. Lucifer peered over her shoulder and glanced at the companion's companion.
"Please don't be shy. Makizeen will serve you at the bar."
The masked woman stared. Though her the exposed side of her face was beautiful it did not smile nor try to be polite. If anything it looked upon the two mortals with a particularly sinister expression, perhaps jealousy, perhaps something else.
It was hard not to be struck by the attractiveness of their host, quite the epitome of elegance in his manner. Equal measure of silk and fire in him, the most dangerous type of men always were. Inara wrenched her eyes and mind from the host and back to her company.
Raven haired Companion turned with a light touch of thanks to Starfire who had allowed her to take the forefront here. It was still nice to know she had someone to fall back on even if she barely knew the woman. Inara ushered them both toward the bar and seated herself. She hardly waited for Star to find a seat before she spoke to Makizeen.
"Something ..fruity."
Fingertips drummed on the bar top, she should wait before jumping into the questions, but who knew if the others might be in need of help. Every minute could count.
"I'm sure you see a lot of people, you haven't by chance seen an amazingly aggravating man in a long brown coat have you?"
From: [info]i_flyfar Date: 03/08/2006 10:51:33
Starfire did not fear the half-masked woman, but she didn't like her very much either. She glanced at the man at the piano before sitting beside Inara and listening to the question she offered Makizeen.
This bar didn't qualify as a rough place. At least, it didn't look like it. Her green eyes took in the polished bartop. Maybe Inara would have some luck.
From: [info]i_fellfirst Date: 03/08/2006 17:13:59
Makizeen did not reply.
She stared at Starfire and when Starfire did not order, her lip curled into a mild sneer that did not look natural on such a pretty (half) face.
She went about making a Mai Tai for the companion. Lucifer apparently did not hear Inara's question.
The drink was forth coming quickly enough, but the answer seemed to fall dead, or was it the question which had fallen on deaf ears? Drink in-hand Inara turned to face the host with his perfect visage. A chill ran the length of her spine.
"Excuse me, I didn't catch your name. I'm Inara Serra, I was looking for some friends of mine. They might have come through here recently."
If he did or didn't even his vaguely disconcerting visage was preferrd to the malevolent half mask behind the bar.
From: [info]i_fellfirst Date: 03/08/2006 23:03:45
"Mr. Lux if you like..."
His fingers moved deftly over ebony and ivory keys. A kiss is just a kiss, a smile is just a smile...
"There was a gentleman in here earlier today, if I recall correctly."
His expression was miles away as he spoke over the notes.
A gentleman? Well that limited it to Book or Simon. None of the others would be considered that except i the very loosest of terms. It was enough to inspire her into movement toward the piano. Easy smile drawing the upward curved of glossed scarlet lips.
"Did the gentleman have a name? I'm anxious to find my traveling companions, they tend to get into trouble if not watched over."
Humor injected to cover the hope that rose in her voice. No need to get overly excited, he said a gentleman and that could mean a good number of people she had never met.
From: [info]i_fellfirst Date: 03/09/2006 08:35:25
"I can see that."
As he played he didn't elaborate on what he meant; whether he could tell that she was anxious or that her friends obviously needed to be watched over.
"A Captain Reynolds was in here earlier today. Though I'm afraid he left some time ago. The City has a habit of changing very quickly, finding him should be interesting."
He glanced over at the companion, and then the other.
Eventually Makizeen poured Starfire a glass of water when it was obvious she would not be ordering anything.
Inara whispered the name on the breath she had, up till now, been holding. He was alive, he was here. Her eyes shut in a moment of self indulgent joy, if he came here of his own power then he couldn't be badly injured. It was possible she could find him, perhaps the others as well. Whatever misgivings about the man she had this news had set that slate a bit cleaner. Inara bent to press a kiss to the cheek of the pianist.
"Thank you Mr. Lux, you have no idea what this means to me."
From: [info]i_flyfar Date: 03/09/2006 09:29:52
Starfire thanked the woman at the bar for the water, even though she was sure Makizeen could care less.
Inara had apparently found a hint of the person she was searching for. She smiled. At least they knew one of her friends was here and that Inara wasn't alone. She took the water in quickly before setting the empty glass on the counter. Starfire got up and went over to where Inara was.
"We will find him," she said to Mr. Lux. Her first contribution to the conversation. "Do you know if he had any intention of coming back here?"
From: [info]i_fellfirst Date: 03/09/2006 13:37:08
To Inara he smiled wryly: "Don't thank me. You haven't found him yet."
His attention was then turned to Starfire: "Perhaps. It's difficult to say. I made a bargain with him that if he should find an old acquaintance of mine, I would connect him with a radio station. Whether he pulls through or not is yet to be seen."
Now she had a choice to make, and with the darkness sinking in outside at the end of day Inara was unsure which way to go. She could return to her shuttle for the night, she could look for Mal which might not be wise in unfamiliar terrain and darkness. This was an entirely new city to her and she frankly was in need of some advice.
"Starfire, I want to find Mal but I'm not sure night is the best time to look for him, would it be imposing too much to ask you for an escort back to my shuttle?"
Rarely was Inara ever physically alone, emotionally she was typically professionally distant but she was realizing how much company meant to her now.
From: [info]i_flyfar Date: 03/13/2006 16:03:15
OOC: Sorry for being so slow!
"No, I can come with you," Starfire said with a nod. She wouldn't have deserted her to walk the streets alone even if Inara had asked her to.
She looked back at the owner of the club. "Would it be much trouble to ask that if you saw Captain Reynolds again, to tell him Inara was here?" she asked. At least then the man would know that his friend was in the City.
It was time to move on, Inara finished her drink and set her glass back to the bar top. Eyes flickered from barkeep to host, inclination of her head in thanks before she followed Stars lead toward the door.They both paused to see that the pianist would relay the message.
"Well, on to the next great adventure."
She was trying to be upbeat about things, but the daunting prospect of searching an entire city was...well..daunting.