Chapter 12: Dinner Discussions
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"Well what's all this then?" Mal asked as Kaylee walked into the dining room giggling on the arms of Oz and Simon.
"Just these two fine gentlemen walking me to dinner all proper like." Kaylee said smiling widely.
Jayne opened his mouth to say something undoubtedly rude, when River stamped on his foot. "Oww!" Jayne yelped. "Gorram it girl."
"Your foot was about to go in your mouth. It would have gotten stuck so I stopped it before it began." River said sitting down at the table. Jayne glared at River as he sat as far away from her as possible. She just smiled sweetly at him.
Mal laughed and took his seat as well sitting at the head of the table. Simon sat next to River and Kaylee sat next to Simon. Oz ended up sitting on the other side of River and next to Mal.
"Here we go." Book said setting dishes of food on the table before sitting on the other side of Mal.
"Are we late?" Wash asked walking into the room with Zoe a step behind him. "Oh look I told you we should come, Book made the food." Wash exclaimed claiming a seat next to Book. Zoe chuckled lightly at her husband and took the seat next to him.
"And who's this?" Zoe asked looking at Oz.
"Right. This is Oz, he'll be with us till White Marsh." Mal did a quick point around the table. "Shepherd Book, Wash, Zoe, Jayne, Simon, Kaylee, River, and where's our ambassador?"
Inara arrived at this moment and squeezed in between Zoe and Jayne. "Pardon me for being late."
"S'alright. I was just introducing everyone to Oz." Mal said.
Inara smiled, "We've already had the pleasure—"
"Oh?" Both Jayne and Mal said.
Inara made a face at them. "Oh grow up." She said before beginning to put food on her plate. Everyone quickly dug in before Jayne could eat it all.
"So Oz," Simon asked after a few minutes of everyone eating, "what awaits you in White Marsh?"
"Forests." Oz said after a moment.
"Forests? What do you mean by that?" Kaylee asked.
"Forests what'd you wanting forests for, they're on any planet." Jayne said around a mouthful of food.
"Isn't there supposedly a hidden monastery on White Marsh somewhere in the Owen Forests?" Inara looked questioningly at Book.
"Yes that is one of the myths of White Marsh. But no one has ever found this monastery." Book said.
"Why would you want to hide a monastery?" Wash asked.
"To keep what is precious pure. Secrets stay secret." River replied not looking up from her meal.
"Wash how long we got until we reach the planet?" Mal asked.
"Should only be a week, maybe less." Wash answered.
"Something wrong, Captain?" Zoe asked.
Mal shook his head. "No just want to make sure we get there on time."
The rest of meal was filled with quiet chatter. Oz was quiet and watched the rest of the group interact. When the meal was over everyone helped clean up before they went their separate ways. Book and Jayne went to work out before bed. Wash went to check the auto pilot while Mal and Zoe followed him talking about a pick up on White Marsh. River meandered off and Simon lagged behind her. And lastly Kaylee grabbed Inara for some girl talk with promise to Oz that she would learn about the door device later. Oz was the last one to leave the room and had decided now was the time for a change.
Of hair color.