Dinner For Fourteen

[jaywashburne]

Jay had sat there listening to the plan and everyones apparent opinions. Kicking Daniel under the table he grinned, and making sure to keep his voice low whispered something that sounds like a congrats you've got the girl. Then he looked over at Alora and smiled, taking care to tap her shoulder lightly.

"Hello." He wondered briefly where he fit in with the plan and just nodded when everyone put in their opinions. It was all he could really do. He didn't have a place besides pilot in it he figured. He'd fly them there, have the ship ready for takeoff when it was done and they'd be gone.

[alora]

Alora nodded as she listened to everyone else. She seemed to fit here. Like a puzzle came together. Everyone was so warm, and caring. A tight little family. She smiled proudly. Hopefully, soon, this would be her family. Sure it would take a while for them to get used to the fact that Inara and Mal had a kid with out knowing it, but...is that really that odd when it comes to the Alliance?

She felt the light tap on her shoulder, and soft hello. She turned a bit to look at him. "Hi." She smiled warmly at him. She had never smiled so much in her life, not since the Academy had taken all of the biological experiments into the mountains and they ran around shooting each other with water gun. For target practice really. But that had been pretty much the best week of her life. "I'm Alora"

[river]

River looked at Alora and Jay, she calmed down noticing Alora wasn't a threat to them. River still stayed near Vincent. She was actually finding herself on the verge of another fit and she didn't want to have it in front of Alora. As far as River could tell Alora didn't recognize her or acknowledge who she was. River was more than happy to keep it that way. The Alliance had really messed her up with the expirements and such. River was still really tramatized by it all and she wouldn't be normal again.

She could still remember things from when she and Simon were children. How their parents wouldn't let River go ahead to many grades because of bad socialization which really meant they were worried about her getting picked on. River didn't mind the people that picked on her were usually no where near as smart as she was and she didn't care for the opinions of stupid people. Which was why now when Jayne said things to her she didn't care or react.

[vincentmccloud]

Vincent kissed her back. She seemed to make everything feel alright. Londinum may be the last place in the verse he wanted to go to, but just knowing that this was what River wanted and that she'll be right there with him was enough to convince him to go. "Alright then. You know I'll do anything for you." Vincent needed to show his support. River seemed agitated enough as it is, he didn't want his own worries to add to that. His shoulder was really starting to ache now, "Doctor, I think I'm about ready for you to work your magic." As he got up, he kissed River on the forehead. He wasn't expecting her to go with him, she couldn't stand the infirmary, "I won't be gone long, its only a flesh wound," he jokingly added the last part because, compared to other injuries he's had, it was.

[Out-Infirmary]

[Dave Cassidy]

Dave was happy being ignored, because it gave him a chance to eat, wich was good, because this was the best meal he had had in a long time, surpassing a few of his mothers meals.

When he had finished eating, he wiped his mouth with a piece of cloth he pulled out from his pocket, beofre looking over to arabella and saying "That was amazing, Thank you."

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Simon

Simon seemed content with what everyone had said, and was clearing his plate away when Vincent spoke. "Sure, Il be right there." he said, before he turned to Arabella "That was a wonderfull meal, and the plan doesnt sound that bad either. Wich is surprisingly good for this crew." he added, glancing over to Mal, and with that, he made his way to the hatch, to meet vincent in the infirmary.

[simon out-infirmary]

[kaywinnet]

((Hey y'all! I'm back! Dang did I miss a lot or what? Well I missed a lot so I have to catch up now. Forgive the long post.))

Kaylee looked to the floor as Mal turned to her and spoke harshly. "Yes cap'n." She quietly turned and took her seat at the table. She remained silent through most of the meal. Hearing the crew and the quests talk about things. She smiled when Vincent and River revealed their love for each other. "That's great sweetie, I'm so happy for you." She smiled slightly and reached over and grabbed her hand for a moment. Not too long after that she was pulled from her thoughts. All she heard was Bella say 'Daniel' and 'husband'. Her head shot up. "What?" She wanted to make sure she heard right. She was relieved once she heard the rest of the plan. It sounded like a good plan- good as any at least. She watched periodically as James left later followed by Haven then Vincent and Simon as they left for the infirmary. Once things started to quiet down, she got up to clear her spot. She walked back to the table and stood next to Mal. "Cap'n? I'm sorry for snappin' at you like I did. I just-" She looked down- as a child to an adult- as she felt sometimes around Mal. "I'm sorry. I know everything has been troublesome with what happened earlier and all and I didn't mean to add to it." She spoke soft but quickly. She wasn't sure what he was going to say- but she felt like she needed to get out of there. Usually she loved being around people, but when she felt bad about something- she needed to be alone. She spoke at a time and manner when it wasn't her place and she knew that. She knew Mal was just being protective- he always took care of them. She didn't want to get in the way of that. She glanced at Bella then looked at Daniel before speaking again. "Daniel, I'll be up in the engine room. I'd like you to come on by later- I think I'll need your help." She said softly, heading quickly toward the engine room.

{Out - Engine Room}

[river]

River still hadn't eaten alot of her food yet. It wasn't that she wasn't hungry it was the fact that she just never ate much. She hadn't eaten alot since she'd gotten out of the Academy. She was trained to work off of as little food as possible. River never did like it when Mal and Kaylee fought. She'd seen it a few times since she'd gotten onto Serenity but very rarily and it always ended once Kaylee started to cry. River remained in her seat waiting for Vincent to come back. River didn't want Bella to feel bad so she tried to eat some of it.

[Arabella Hart]

Bella sat down, wanting to finish her food. Turning to Daniel, she smiled. “I don’t want her to try and arrange a marriage while I’m there. If I bring you as my husband, she can’t do anything. Plus,” she smiled, blushing some. “I want to upturn her one last time before leaving for good.” Turning, she looked at Vincent before he left. “If you look, you guys will all be upstairs. No one is allowed up there at Sinclair balls without my grandmother’s expressed permission. Such as hired help. Though, you’ll be disguised as them. A couple maids and some butlers are going to be on lookout for us. One, Jacob, will give me the signal so me and Daniel know it’s safe to leave. Betty is grabbing all my stuff for me.”

Standing, Bella began to clear dishes of people who had left. Bitterness entered her tone here. “Everyone will be down waiting for me at the ball. My grandmother is having a dinner to look at prospective matches. Then when I go, I would have to dance with all of them.” Bella loved her grandmother, to an extent. She hated the fact that she wanted to control the entirety of Bella’s life. Bella knew how to take care of herself. Going to the sink, she began to clean what dishes she could. Later, she would send a wave to Betty, when she knew Betty was alone.

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Mal looked at the girl. She seemed to hate her own flesh and blood so much. It was a wonder and shock to him. “I like this plan. I do. And everything we have will help.” Standing, he wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Young lady, if this plan gets us killed, I will never forgive you.” Bu somehow, he knew that it wouldn’t happen. Looking to Simon, he cleared his throat. “You will stay his father and Inara, you will be his mother for the night. Kaylee, no offense, but you weren’t raised under the alliance.”

Watching the cook, he was amazed. Such a young girl, so lsot, such a master mind. “Once those are done, follow me to your new quarters.” Patting Kaylee, he smiled. “It’s ok. I’m captain remember?” Squeezing Inara’s shoulder, he wanted her to come and motioned that when she was done to join. Then he grabbed Bella’s bags and went out the door. But first he turned back. “Jay, after setting course for Londinium, come do the dishes. Our little cook has enough to do today and I bet you did nothing all day.” A twinkle in his eye, he finally left.”

[out-Bella’s new room]

[jaywashburne]

He smiled over at Alora no longer paying attention to anything that was said. "I'm Jay. New on the ship I assume?" Not the smoothest thing he could say but it had come out before his brain was fully functional. He pushed his plate away, having eaten enough as it was. It was a nice meal, the best he'd had yet. The new cook really new what she was doing it seemed.

When Jay said he could do the dishes he rolled his eyes and groaned. "I've done plenty cap. I got this boat in the air." However he grinned, holding up his hands in defeat that said he'd do them. "Can I at least have a helper?" He knew who he wanted for a helper but wouldn't just recommend it out of nowhere. "Anyone?"

[zoe]

Inara saw Mal's Motion and nodded her ascent that she would be there.

She had a bit of food left still, so she contented herself with relaxing and eating the few bites left on her plate.

"Bella this was very very good, one of the best meals we've had in a very long time." Inara said, rising from her place. She picked up her plate and took it to the small sink, setting it to the side for Jay. She then moved to Bella once more.

Leaning forward she pressed her lips to the girl's forehead softly. "Welcome to the Crew Bella." she said with a smile, before turning to follow after Mal.

(out - Bella's Room)

[alora]

"Oh I'll help jay. It's the least I can do from...partially kidnapping slash freeing d..Mal" She cleared her throat attempting to cover her slip up. She was becoming to relaxed in this atmosphere. She couldn't let her guard down. Apart of her now wished she had more alliance training, but she escaped before she had completed. Of course it was only a couple more weeks of training left but that wasn't the point.

Alora had finished her plate of food. She hadn't eaten much. Just like River the academy had trained her to eat little, and use it to it's fullest. But of course she also carried protein bars with her just in case she did get extra hungry. Just for security measures.

[Arabella Hart]

Bella was used ot being the one doing dishes. Looking around, she hersefl was lost. She was brought up the cook did the dishes if there was no dishwasher hired. Wiping her hands, she moved way, looking back. "Ok...but after this night I do them. THat's how I do things." Finding htis moment of peace, Bella sat back down with Jayne, River and Daniel, but spoke to River and Daniel.

"It was last minute working you guys in. I kept trying to find someone young enough to pass as a fiancee or husband. And when you told me about my grandfatehr, it fell into place." Bella felt a need to help everyone here anyway she could. And this was her way of helping River. Then with Dnaiel, well that was different. "Can you quickly come with me before the engine room? I have to send a wave to Betty to let her know what's up. Plus," she laughed, "I want her to be the only one knowing baout you cooming as my husband." She did not need Alec knowing was for sure. By now, she was alone in the kitchen preparing tomorrow's menu.

Getting up slowly, she set a hand on Rover's shoulder softly and then left for a moment to talk to Betty before Daniel came.

[danieltam]

Daniel was still pretty confounded by what was going on, but at least now Bella had explained why he had to go as her husband. Although that didn't exactly ease the pressure off of things. He nodded to his mother as she left. He got up and followed Bella to the bridge. He was both worried and nervous at the same time. This was to be the first time he would have to play a key role on a job they pulled. Plus the manor of the role he had to play didn't exactly help things.

[Out-Bridge]

[river]

River quit picking at her food. She wasn't listening to either of them any more. She picked up her plate and took it to the sink and left it there. River knew Mal would be mad but River could deal with that. She looked off into space she wasn't with them at the moment her head was else where. River was scared and that wasn't a good thing. She wanted to go find Vincent and crawl into his arms where she'd feel safe. He was in the infirmary and River wouldn't go anywhere near the inside of the infirmary it reminded her way to much of the academy. River walked away from the sink and to the door not paying attention to anyone at all.

[out-commons]

[jaywashburne]

Jay smiled, walking around the table to collect any other dishes that everyone seemed done with. "Thanks Alora." Grinning lightly he rubbed the back of his head. He wasn't too sure what to say now. She'd agreed to help, and well here he was, trying to think of something to say.

Leaning against the door frame he smiled. "So Alora, mind if I ask where you came from? Home planet I mean." He wasn't sure if he should have asked, but he had anyway. There wasn't much he could do about it now. Turning on the water he poured in some soap and let the sink fill over the dishes.