taxonomites | 004: [location: the kitchen aboard serenity]

Entry tags:

004: [location: the kitchen aboard serenity]

So. Mal hates Taxon, this is no secret. The sky is a lowdown dirty imitation, it never rains, there are occasional vampires, very few bars to brawl in, there aren't any cows (which is just plain unnatural for any sort of planet), he can't leave and he can't even remember the last time he did some quality crime.

That's not to say, however, that he doesn't believe in making the best of a bad situation... thus it came to pass that after an indecent amount of abuse to the nearest replicator hatch, he managed to obtain the equivalent of a bushel (however much that is. Basically a LOT) of various fresh fruit, which he then transported on ship, and which he is now admiring in all its mountainous table-covering glory.

Anyone hungry?

[ooc: SERENITY CREW feel free to jump on this and threadjack to your heart's content!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

As a matter of fact there is one definitely hungry person currently on-board. Kaylee wishes her stomach wasn't growling like mad though because she's really enjoying using a certain Dean Winchester as a pillow.

But her stomach is seriously waging war against itself. Maybe if she ignores it a bit longer it'll give up.

Make that two very hungry people. Said Dean Winchester is lounging in Kaylee's bunk, fingers running through Kaylee's hair lazily. He can hear Kaylee's stomach growling, and his is rumbling to match, which makes him laugh.

"Pretty sure that's the sound of your stomach eating itself, Kaylee," Dean teases, mussing up her hair. "I'm starving. Let's get something, and I promise you can lay on me all you want when we get back."

Like Dean would complain.

It's like some weird sort of music, or their stomachs are talking to each other. Which is even weirder. Either way it's pretty funny and she laughs too.

"I'm thinkin' it just might be. Same as yours," she replies before pretending to give some real thought to his idea. "Weeell ... since ya promise an' all I guess I can agree to that."

She sits up and stretches before looking around to see where she put her shoes. If anything that pair of pink flip flops by the ladder will work.

Edited 2009-06-22 18:16 (UTC)

Dean rolls his eyes. Like she really has to think about it. When Kaylee sits up, Dean stretches, runs a hand through his hair, and nudges her playfully as he stands up, grinning.

"You're gonna have to lead the way though. I still get lost around here," Dean snorts. It's not like he hasn't been here a few times, but really, the only way he really knows throughout the ship is from the entrance to Kaylee's bunk.

She stands as well, deciding the flip flops will be most convenient. Slip them on, go get food, come back down to her bunk and just kick them back off again. Easy.

Like how getting to the kitchen is.

"Be sure'n stick real close to me then," she says. After all, he could get lost going up the ladder, down the hall and through the convenient door at the end of it that leads to the kitchen.

She heads over to the ladder to unlock the door and push it open before she gets the flip flops on and starts the climb up, knowing Dean'll follow her up.

Dean has a one-track mind. Shush. He doesn't know that's the way to the kitchen, all the doors look the same!

Dean does follow her, and no, he's not getting a good view while he's climbing up, not at all. He will be wrapping an arm around her shoulders though, once they get up past the ladder.

They do look quite similar. Except Kaylee's. The lights and sign sort of give it away.

She takes that arm around her shoulders as a cue to lead them on down the highly confusing straight path to the door. Thankfully she knows her way around Serenity to more than make up for Dean's highly limited and specialized knowledge of the hallways. "Ya feelin' like anythin' specific?"

There's that. But Kaylee's door isn't the kitchen, now is it?

The walk is short, and Dean feels vaguely stupid for not realizing the kitchen is right there, but he doesn't show it, just leans over and kisses the top of Kaylee's head. Because he can.

"Don't care. I'm not picky."

Nice cover up there Dean. It's very much appreciated ... even though it doesn't keep Kaylee from being amused that he couldn't remember where the kitchen was. On the inside of course. On the outside she just gives him one of her big smiles.

"Shiny. I'll figure somethin' out."

Through the door and down the few stairs they go into the kitchen. Kaylee's stopped up by the ABSOLUTELY GIGANTIC pile of fruits on the table. That definitely wasn't there the last time she was on this side of her bunk door. The strawberry portion of the pile has her distracted enough that she doesn't notice Mal right away.

Oh hi guys. Mal happens to be standing right opposite you with his arms folded, and his eyebrows almost almost reaching his hairline, because he almost can't quite believe what he's seeing. He clears his throat, and waves in a gesture that is er... very very ironic in its cheerfulness.

"Dean, hi, so nice to see you here aboard my ship in a state of semi-undress, without me havin' so much as a by your leave nor a formal greeting, for which I'm sure there's an extremely good reason, isn't that right Kaylee, which you're gonna be conjurin' up sometime that's soon, because as we both know I'm not particular at all about who I do and do not allow into my home, which also happens to be my pride and joy, and which I am not at all protective of, or private about."

The only words good enough to describe this? Ooooh, shit.

Dean's eyes widen, and a flash of panic shocks through him. Here he is, wearing pants and no shirt, with his arm around Kaylee's shoulder. He realizes this around that point, and quickly drops his arm, looking guilty.

"Uh. Hey, Mal..." Dean hedges, and he's definitely not inching over to hide behind Kaylee, nope.

Over in Kaylee's mind there's a panicked moment, plenty of cussing (best not to translate it) and then ... an actual tinge of annoyance.

Might as well start with that formal greeting then, complete with handwave gesture to indicate each of them even though it's really not necessary. "Cap'n this is Dean Winchester. Dean, this here's Cap'n Malcolm Reynolds."

She looks to Mal. "I've been keepin' an eye on him. Ya know I wouldn't stand for him messin' with anythin' on Serenity he ain't supposed to." Which is the absolute truth. Insulting her girl is one thing but actually physically harming her - oh Kaylee really wouldn't tolerate that.

"There ain't nuthin' wrong goin' on here."

Oh. Right. The 'extremely good reason'. "We've just been in my bunk today."

"Gāoyáng zhōng de gūyáng*..." Mal mutters, pinching the bridge of his nose in an attempt to remain calm. "Oh, you've just been in your bunk today, right. Well that makes it all better then."

Yeah, okay the keeping calm didn't work so well. "The introduction ain't the point Kaylee, I've met him before-- you know full well ain't nobody sets foot inside my ship I don't hear about it first, and that's a fact."

*motherless goats of all motherless goats

There might be a bit of a wince from Dean's end when Kaylee mentions being in her bunk. Smooth, Kaylee, that's exactly what you say to an angry captain. At this point, Dean is lamenting the fact that he doesn't have his gun with him. Or, y'know, a bullet proof vest.

"Trust me, sir, I wouldn't harm a single thing on the ship," Dean injects after Kaylee's finished. But somehow, he's thinking that's not going to fly.

So instead, he'll be standing awkwardly, hoping Mal doesn't have a gun on him. No sudden movements.

Well ... that knocks the wind out of Kaylee's half-built up rant because Mal's right. Hell, Taxon even gave them all a way to keep in touch with each other - the tablets.

And she didn't use it. Not for any of the few times Dean's been on-board. She messed this one up real well then.

"'m real sorry Cap'n," she says quietly.

Oh well that. That just ruins the nice built-up steam of anger he had going there. After a moment of looking at her, he relents, replying gruffly. "Just see that it don't happen again."

He then directs his gaze at Dean, and states matter-of-factly. "If you ever hurt her in any kind of way I will riddle you with a great many holes. Just so we're clear."

Nod nod.

Pause.

"Pineapple, anyone?"

Dean frowns when Kaylee speaks up, not exactly fond of that look. It's like looking at a kicked puppy, and man, Dean's not a softie, but that expression's a killer. He's resisting the urge to turn and hug her.

(Jeeze, Kaylee, look what you're doing to the guy. He's gonna turn into the lead male role from a chick flick any minute now.)

Mal speaks up and Dean's gaze flicks back to him. The idea that he'd even consider hurting Kaylee makes Dean's expression sour slightly, and he answers back in a firm, no-nonsense voice.

"Wouldn't even dream of it."

And then he looks back at Kaylee, resting a hand on her back carefully. Not too high, not too low.

"Pineapple sounds good to me," Dean says, tone cheerful. Time to step out of the awkward zone, thank you very much. Dean doesn't do awkward.

"It ain't gonna happen again," she agrees.

(Hey, it's not Kaylee's fault if Dean is incapable of working up an immunity to any and all of her charms, be they flirtatious or of the kicked puppy nature.)

Kaylee looks over at Mal, not too thrilled to hear he'd easily go and riddle Dean with holes, but Dean's reply makes her decide to leave it as is. As long as Dean holds up his end Mal won't decide to practice his shooting on him. And Kaylee figures Dean's telling the truth. She can't imagine him doing or saying something to her to get Mal to react.

A bit more tenseness in her fades away when Dean places his hand on her back. Nice and easy, no sudden moves here.

Except to take some steps toward that kitchen table finally.

"Pineapple ... strawberries ... what's it all for Cap'n?" Subject change go!

Edited 2009-06-22 22:41 (UTC)

Apparently satisfied with Dean's answer (or satisfied enough, anyway) Mal stops being quite so prickly body-language wise, and reaches for the nearest piece of fruit, which happens to be a plum, rolling it in his palm as he perches on a corner of the dining table.

"Well my general plan was for us to all to eat it, but I'm open to other more creative suggestions." He answers, a little wryly.

Excuse Dean as he chokes on the piece of pineapple he'd just popped into his mouth. Sorry, Mal, Dean's mind is probably not in the cleanest of places, considering what he's been doing all day.

So he'll just turn his head and cough a few times, but he's fine! Promise.

Yikes. Kaylee pats Dean's back a couple times with her free hand (the other already has a strawberry in it and like hell if she's letting go). It probably doesn't help but it's the thought that counts, right?

Her mind isn't all too squeaky clean either but she keeps it together.

Instead she decides to give Mal a look. "I'd be more surprised if ya said it all wasn't for eatin'. Thought maybe there was some kinda occasion I forgot about." Which is absolutely unheard of. She's the queen cakemaker of Serenity and knows all the birthdays and events. But this has her thinking. Piles of fruit don't show up on the ship for no good reason.

Not that she's going to protest any because the strawberries are excellent.

It was at about that time that Zoe walked into the kitchen. Much like the captain, she was getting pretty restless herself. It was hard to adjust to a stationary life after traveling for so long. It had it's perks, sure, but there wasn't much for Zoe to do since there wasn't much here to shoot or steal.

Zoe wasn't the type to just sit around all day after all.

However, when she'd heard voices start to come from the kitchen, she'd decided to investigate. She was more than a little surprised to see all the fruit. Her eyes then moved to the people around the table picking at it. "Nice haul," she said to the Captain. Her eyes fell on Kaylee and the young man with her before she glanced at the Captain once again. She had no doubt that the man had been given their mechanic trouble. She just wondered if she'd missed the most of it.

It was the promise of a clash of male egos that got River peeking into the kitchen more than the promise of fruit.

For the most part, she was content just to watch, not feeling particularly hungry for anything laid out on the table. There was the usual prickles and flashes associated with grandstanding, defense and offense, the increase of pressure as they all inflated, and then the inevitable pfffffffffbbbbt of it all leaving the room.

But, when that's done, and people start eating things (though in Dean's case it's more expectorating than eating), she's waltzing in and grabbing a peach. Hunger, she decided, was as contagious as yawning.

So Dean's done choking now, and he's perfectly fine until more people start coming in. Of course. The one day that he wanders out of Kaylee's bunk without a shirt, the entire freaking crew comes out of hiding. That's exactly what he needs. With a sigh, Dean runs a hand through his hair and chews on a strawberry, watching people come in.

Dean is not an awkward person. He refuses to be. So instead of sulking, he flashes a grin at the two newcomers.

"Hey. Name's Dean. Pleasure to meet you both." He's on his best behavior. ~~You should reward him, Kaylee.~~

Whoops. The fruit table is really bringing out the crew today. Maybe Dean and she should've spent an extra few minutes making themselves (or really mostly just him) more presentable.

"Heya!" She turns to Dean. "That's Zoe an' that's River," she says by way of introductions. The half mouthful of strawberry really keeps any introductions she can manage a bit short unless she wants to choke on fruit too. ~~You'll get rewarded later, Dean. Really rewarded.~~

Zoe reached behind her back and grabbed a knife from the rack. She then picked up an apple and started cutting into it. This was all done while looking at Dean. She wasn't trying to be intimidating, no sir. She smirked slightly, "Dean, huh. Like Kaylee said, I'm Zoe." She took a bite out of her slice before continuing, gesturing at Dean with the knife, "You know...most people put shirts on before eating at the table."

River looked at Dean over her peach, and then tilts her head to the side a bit as she chews.

"Like the rifle," said with a mouth full of peach. Which, in fact, makes it sound more 'ick thu riffle,' but hopefully still understandable nonetheless.

Oh dear god, Dean is going to die.

A bit nervously, Dean scratches at his neck and gives Zoe a half-grin. The knife-shaking-at sort of makes him flinch back slightly, and then he scolds himself. C'mon, stop being a wimp, Dean.

"Yeah. Didn't... expect to see anybody else," Dean pauses, and then glances at River. "... Like the rifle, right. How'd you know?"

She takes another bite, juice dribbling down her chin (and oh wouldn't her mother be horrified to see it) though it's a small one and she manages to swallow it before talking again.

"It was written in the steam," said like it's a perfectly normal, legitimate answer to the question.

Good luck, Dean.

"Why thank you Zoe, I picked it myself."

Mal is pleased to see Zoe, because another person to help diffuse this terrible awkward is a very fine thing to have just at this moment. The look he throws at her is of the subtly grateful kind.

"...From a hatch, sure. But with my own fair hands."

Zoe couldn't help but smirk at the Captain. "Well, sounds like you've been hard at work then, sir," she replied, partially teasing. Still, it was more than she had done as of late. Then again, she was still getting used to this place. She'd been doing a lot of walking around and getting a feel for the layout.

"Nope, nothin' momentous, 'less you count my powerful need to do something that's not starin' at my toes as an occasion."

...is Mal's answer, through a mouthful of plum. He very pointedly ignored Dean's choking, because he'd like not to shoot him unless it becomes an absolute necessity.

Kaylee understands the need to keep busy as a distraction from Taxon more than Mal might think she does. She's done a few upgrades in the engine room already.

"'s a good 'nuff reason. Gotta give your toes a break from gettin' stared at too much. They ain't too used to that," she says before reaching for a plum cos those look really good too.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

004: [location: the kitchen aboard serenity]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject