Dinner For Fourteen

[Simon Tam]

When Simon heard what Vincent had said, he simply stood there for a few moments, outh open slightly before saying "Well, I... Erm..." looking into his sisters eyes, he could tell how much she loved Vincent, and was.... Happy for her. "Good." he finally managed to say.

[Arabella Hart]

She’d answer the pay question first. It was the one needed to be known second to the actual job. “$2000 ahead of time. $3000 after the job has started/ All unmarked cashy money.” Bella may have been raised a lady, but traveling, she had picked up the slang.

Bella held onto her chair. She saw listening faces. It made it easier. Nodding, she looked to Haven, Daniel and Kaylee for support. Her body shook slightly. She didn’t expect to be saying everything this soon. Then she began.

“I ran away at seventeen. I hated my grandmother’s. She wanted to control my life. This included my love life. I was done and only felt alone. With only a couple bags, I packed everything up and left. The cook, who was a second mother to me, helped me leave, as well as a stable hand. She’s been watching my stuff, packing a few things here and there and saving money for me.” Bella decided to leave the fact that the stable hand was her ex out. They didn’t need to know that.

This next part would take some cunning though. “My coming out ball is in a week. Not even that actually. It’s been set since I was sixteen. Planned since then. My grandmother is hoping I will come home and is still having it.” Reaching into her pocket, she grabbed a handheld computer with information on it. Sliding across, she sent it to Mal. Then, going to her charm bracelet, she took a slightly large charm off it. A small key. This she gave to Vincent. This would be the next few interesting parts.

“I do plan on showing up. And I’d like to grab some of my things-clothes, books, pictures, my mother’s jewelry...Betty will pack it all for me. Only with me going, I’ve wanted to find a crew to take with me to break in. I think I’ve found it.” She was looking between each face in turn, but avoiding Daniel’s. “The layouts are on that small computer. In it, you will find out how to get to the small safe. In a bag separate in there, there should be $3000 in unmarked cashy money. It’s all yours. Then, another group can go to my grandfather’s study. In the small cabinet are some hidden files. They should help River. She knows what they are.”

She stuck one finger up though. “One catch.” Another deep breath. “I’m taking Daniel as my husband.” This is where she would stop for right this moment. Let them soak it all in. Especially the last part.

[justin667]

Jayne was nearly done his food. It was delicious. Something they had never had on here before. The job sounded easy enough to him. There were plenty of breaking ins they had done. And with the security codes, it was made even easier.

He was about to get seconds when he choked on his food that was in his mouth. Thumping his chest, he swallowed his food. “Dong-ma? You two are getting hitched?” His voice was horse and his eyes were watering. Taking a drink of water, he was trying to figure out if he had misinterpreted or not.

[Dave Cassidy]

Dave sat back and listend as all this was said, and didnt think much of it untill she mentioned that she was taking Daniel as her husband. "You do realise youve known each other for, what, a day now?" he said, eyebrows raised.

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Simon

Simon had barely sat down and started eating before she mentioned the husband part, and he nearly choked, and felt the need to agree with Dave, "Im sorry, but Dave's right, you have known each other for barely a day, how exactly do you plan on pulling that off?" he asked.

[danieltam]

Daniel listened deeply to the plan. He was certainly quite surprised. She hadn't even been on a day and she already seemed to have a decent criminal mind. He started to take a drink from his cup, and then she mentioned him having to go as her husband. It took him by such a shock, he sprayed his drink everywhere and started to choke, "W-w-w-what?.......Y-y-y-y-you......a-a-a-and.......me....together?!" He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The look of panic just streaked across his face.

[river]

River smiled at the group. She was glad Simon didn't say what he was thinking about her and Vincent. She looked at all the panicky faces and then decided to help Bella.

"They aren't really getting hitched. It would be pretend, so that Vincent, Alora, and I could get in find what it is that we need and then get out. Daniel and Bella being married should only last two days. Three days if the plan goes arye" said River

River was still holding onto Vincent. She was unwilling to let go at the moment. Alora's presence had set River on edge. She loved how much safer she felt with Vincent. River looked at Simon knowing what was going through his head. He was happy for her but he was also tempted to pull her into the med bay and change her meds, that she wasn't taking anyway. Simon didn't know that yet, which was why she was having a few more fits than normal. Only Vincent, Haven, Daniel, Bella, and Inara knew about the fits that she was having and she hoped to keep it that way.

[vincentmccloud]

Vincent was quite surprised at how well Simon was taking the news of him dating River. It would have been nice to have gotten more of a reaction from him, be it support or otherwise. "Well, that went well. Too well actually. Are we sure thats really your brother?" he jokingly whispered to River. He held her close to him. It felt good to have her brother's blessing, such as it was.

At this stage, Vincent was only half-paying attention to Bella's plan until she handed him the key. Upon hearing what it was for, he turned to her, "It's Academy stuff, isn't it? Are you sure this is what you want to do?" He wanted to help her, but more importantly he wanted to keep her safe. He knew of these coming out balls, Lucy had one when she was Bella's age. This ment that this job would be on one of the major core planets, and he was concerned as to which one it was. "Query. Upon which planet would this little job of yours be taking place on?"

[zoe]

Inara remembered her own Coming Out Ball, though hers had been a little different than I'm sure Bella's would be. After all, she was a Companion, and it was meant to put her face out there and get her clientelle started.

Which it had, marvelously, and here she was over 30 years later and a millionaire....though she was certainly not telling anyone here that, she liked her humble lifestyle here.

"Bella, I will gladly help you and Daniel get ready for the Ball, that is if we're going." It was a way Inara could help, if Malcolm accepted the job, it wasn't like they had anything else to do, and the blackmarket beagel business was a bit slow.

[Haven Tam]

Haven stopped eating. Her fork held in midair before falling out of her chair. Standing up, she didn't pick up her chair. Good thing River cleared things up.

"Well, a day bro and your already engaged!" She would pick on him so bad now. But the job sounded good. "Oh! I can help buy a dress!" She wanted to go shopping. She loved to shop after all.

[Captain Malcolm Reynolds]

Mal finished his drink. Right now, he wished he had alcohol listening to this plan. "Well young lady, you'll fit right in here." That money could buy a lot of fuel and supplies. Plenty to stock up until tehy got another decent job. But hte marriage sounded sketchy.

He laughed. "You wanna take him as your husband? Aren't there fancy shmancy customs to follow?" How would that lal go down. Looking at River, he smiled. "Maybe you can find out mor elittle one. How do you know about her grandfather?" But he knew the answer to that. he had read her mind obviously.

[Arabella Hart]

Bella set a kind hand on Daniel’s shoulder. She hoped it would reassure him. Smiling, she was relieved to hear that from Inara. “Your help would be appreciated greatly.” Turning to River, she was glad the girl got it all. But of course she would. “My grandfather had many secrets. I’m about to unlock a past which haunts us both.”

Looking between them all, she bite her lip. “Londinium. Not far from here. I have some money to fuel up to get there if needed. All the codes are there. Any new ones Betty sent me. Only her, Alec, and a few staff who are on our side know. And I have a dress. I got it before leaving. It will suit for that night.”

“Betty will meet us two days before. You guys can sweep the layout if needed. She has all the uniforms, so you can blend in to get in and out. Then blend in that night. The colors are simple-gold and red.” My family colors is what she was thinking to herself. “Two days before, we will go to a small shop I know. $500 is set aside for things to buy, whatever is left will also go to you. We can buy rings there.”

Looking at Mal, she hoped he would accept this job. It meant money. “I don’t need any of that money. I only ask about once a month for a few bucks to buy things I need-shampoo, feminine stuff, all that. So all that can go to you guys. I was raised rich-but I don’t need the lavish things. What I will need are two people who know the customs to be his parents. Inara, I was thinking you, being a companion or retired.” Bella could tell she was a companion or once was. She had that regal air about her. “And I don’t know anyone else well enough to know their bringing ups.”

[vincentmccloud]

Daniel

Daniel was still shocked by what he was hearing. Even with Bella putting her hand on his shoulder and others offering to help out, he still had trouble getting words out. His sister was right, one day and already engaged, how was this supposed to work? After what seemed like an eternity, he finally managed to speak again, "What-why do we need to go...together...like...that?"

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Gene

Gene love the idea of thieving from rich Alliance aristocrats, hoarding all their money, living a life of luxury, while leaving the poor to suffer with nothing more than basics. When he saw how Daniel reacted to playing Bella's husband, he couldn't help but laugh at it.

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Vincent

Londinum. Out of all the planets in the core, it had to be the one he least wanted to go to. Although he didn't show it, he was actually nervous about the job, maybe even a little scared. He hadn't be back since he left and it was a bad idea to got there, not only for him but for half the people on board. "Ok, its a good plan. I like it, but there is something that concerns me. This ship has a cast of characters featured on Alliance most wanted. And we're supposed to go to Londinum?! Into the lion's den. This can only end badly." Part of him was determined not to go back, but he just wanted everyone to realize the insanity of this plan.

[alora]

Alora sat there blinking a couple times. Wait...how did she get in on this job. She hadn't even talked to Mal yet...oh. Note to self: pull Mal and Inara into the common room after diner. They need talking to. There no she would remember. Her eyes flickered from one stalking person to another. So many people in such a close range. It was a bit hard to keep all their thoughts out. Everyone loved the plan, so why did they keep poking holes in it.

"Well the only actual Alliance related people will be under cover breaking in. Am I right? So technically all we need are disguises." She put in her two cents. It was worth a try. Getting involved so she didn't look so suspicious. Her eyes got Jay looking at her. She blushed a bit. She had never been so close to someone her age except at the academy.

[river]

River looked around. But held onto Vincent's arm.

"I want to do this" said River to Vincent quietly.

She kissed Vincent's cheek to reassure him that she was fine. She was scared and jumpy at the moment. Vincent was making her calmer. River noticed Alora blush when Jay looked at her. River smirked but kept most of her attention on Vincent.

[Haven Tam]

Haven closed her eyes. This was a lot to take in. Bringing her dishes to the sink, she decided to excuse herself. "I am no need here, besides I'll be healing. Bella, my father was raised on the core. You should use him. But all fake names." Pushing in her chair, she decided to find James to talk to.

[out-common room]