Common Area - Firefly Class Transport

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A few stairs lead into this space. It is spacious, containing a kitchen area, eating area, and place to lounge all in one. Cabinets and alcoves provide room for storage.
Two support beams have been given an opportunity to hold a flat plank of a table between them, thus serving as a primary staging area for both preperation and delivery of the food to the table. Behind this sits another counter top, this one with several cooled storage units above it. To the left lies the sink itself.

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Contents: Obvious Exits:
Aft Passageway (AP)
Forward Passageway (FP)

Mei Li arrives from Aft Passageway - Firefly Class Transport.
Mei Li has arrived.

Three weeks have passed since the strange lady attempted to snatch Cole from the Che. It's been a dull three weeks, too, and although he stayed fairly aloof, the youngster is clearly suffering from cabin fever on this afternoon. He's sitting alone at the counter, peeling the skin off a kiwi.

Mei Li hums contentedly to herself as she steps into the room, her countenance brightening at sight of Cole. "Good afternoon," she greets cheerfully, her skirts rustling as she makes her way to the kitchen. Cabinets and canisters are opened, the usual preface to tea making. "How are you feeling today?"

With a swiftness, Cole pounds the fruit into the counter, squishing the bottom half. "/Death/ to the Kiwi," he pronounces gravely, flipping it over and ripping out the little banana-like core. He looks up at Mei Li. "I'm okay. Bored, though. Just sentencing Captain Kiwi to death for violating Bread Space." He points to the loaves. "Little bugger rolled right in, squished a slice too."

Mei Li arches a brow as she looks back over her shoulder, grinning at the play. "You know.. a spoon would serve you much better and would be... lest squishy. But.. I suppose the punishment fits the crime, hmm?" Her bright air fades just a bit as she studies him, leaving her work for the moment. "I know it's bothersome to have to remain inside.. But if they were forward enough to try to steal Nathan, they'd not hesitate to try to pick you up. I know you're smart and could probably slip away, but I don't want to risk it. We'd miss you too much."

"/Miss/ me," Cole murmurs disbelievingly. "I'm not even allowed to do anything. I wanted to help Jace the other day but he wouldn't hear of it."

Mei Li grimaces a bit, her nose wrinkling. "Well.. some men are funny about their toys. It had nothing to do with you and everything to do with his certainty that only he can do things just right." Lashes flutter as she smiles and winks. "We've had a bit of a head butting before. Actually.. I think nearly everytime we speak we tend to do that. And just because one uptight person won't let you help on those tricky projects.. that doesn't mean the rest of us wouldn't miss you, dear. I would. Terribly," she promises, rounding the counter to come closer to him. "You're the only one on this ship that makes me smile just by walking into the room. And who else would punish the criminal fruit element?"

Cole nods with as serious a face as he can muster. "It /does/ seem like the raspberries have been taking advantage of the old order..." He sighs, shaking his head. "I'm just not used to this, I guess. I've always been...more involved, with what happens to me. Don't you ever feel like you're helpless here?"

Mei Li settles down in the chair beside him, laughing lightly as she raises her hand. "Hello? Remember me? I fainted because I thought an Alliance officer was going to draw a gun on me in the middle of Nathan's big rescue? A lot of help I was. Which reminds me, dear, from now on I'm Lily and not Mei Li. No more Mei Li." She exhales slowly, obviously giving his words serious thought. "I do.. I truly do. I can't fly or fix the ship when it's broken or carry the heavy boxes or fire a gun to help keep the people and cargo safe. The only time people need me is when they're hurt and thankfully that's rare. So.. I've sort of had to find my niche. Cooking isn't too difficult and no one else cares to do it. It's a small thing but it makes me feel like I'm helping. We just have to find yours until we can convince Mister Jace that you're ready to take on the bigger jobs."

"I guess maybe I could clean a bit," Cole admits, looking around at the room. "I kept alleyways in better condition than some of our passengers keep this place." He sighs, shaking his head. "You're a strange looking Lily. Are you still a doctor?"

Mei Li laughs at the comparison. "Yes well.. I think that from now on Nathan's only taking on passengers if there's absolutely no cargo to trade. Poor man. But he'd be grateful for that and so would I." His last gets an even wider smile, her head ducking a bit. "It's awful isn't it? Nathan saddled me with it back on Shadow, before we were lucky enough to find you," she explains. A hand lifts to smooth over her hair as she gives a little nod. "I am. Still Doc Cameron. But .. Doctor Lily Cameron. We have to remember that. Especially when the Alliance or Police are around. No Mei Li around them. It's very important. But I know you won't slip."

Cole nods. "I'd be just as happy if there was no 'Cole', but I suppose that's only necessary on Persephone. I'll keep your secret." He picks at the kiwi, extending a piece to Mei Li.

Mei Li tilts her head, watching him with a little worry. "What would you prefer?" she asks. "Cole or.. whatever your name may truly be or.." Her hands smooth over her skirts and then clasp, landing in her lap. "So you know my secret.. I'm wanted by the Alliance. I'm a criminal. What is yours? I mean.. Is Cole your real name?"

Cole hesitates but a moment before nodding. "I'm wanted by the Alliance also," he admits. "For high treason. Or at least I was. I don't think I'm a priority now."

Mei Li blinks and then blinks again, truly surprised. She just manages not to blurt out 'But you're a child!', instead going with, "Oh? What for? What happened?" Concern fills her as well as confusion.

Cole shakes his head, turning away. "It's not really important. It was my mom's crime, not mine. After they executed her I think they were content to let me run." The statement is made matter-of-factly, but the deep breath Cole takes afterwards as he turns away tells a more emotional story. "I guess we've all got things to stay away from. The Captain's seem to have caught up with him, though."

"Oh, Cole," she breathes, her sympathy clearly heard. "I'm so sorry." Even if his mother was a criminal, he's still an orphan and a child should never have to lose a parent. She rises and goes to hug him, even with his back to her. "Oh, bao bei.." The woman is at a loss as to what comfort to offer or even how. "The Captain's has only just begun to catch up, I think," she whispers.

At times hence, Cole will become comfortable enough to take this kind of comfort from Mei Li, but on this day it's too soon for him. He yanks away from her embrace, shaking his head. "Don't," he insists. "You didn't pull the trigger." He wanders to the other end of the room, giving himself space. "I wonder if Jace would install a program terminal in here. I hate having to go up to the bridge to write, especially when it's needed for more important things."

Mei Li's lips press closed, biting back whatever reply she wished to make. It was nothing biting, the watering eyes would tell him that. "I can talk to Nathan or Mister Dravis about doing it," she offers softly. "I.. I don't know what to say, Cole. I know there's nothing to say.. nothing that will make it better or.. I just.. We always try, you know? I hate to see you like.." Her lips press closed again, eyes lowering. "If you ever.. If you wish to talk about her.. what you remember of her, what you love about her... I.. You can talk to me. I'd like that. Or.. if you just want to keep her to yourself for a bit longer... Can I.. What was her name?"

Cole shakes his head. "Let's just leave it, okay? I'm not a 'dwell on the past' kinda person." He turns back towards Mei Li, tapping his chest on the spot where Mei Li's locket would be if he were her. "Your husband sure wouldn't want you to mope around, right?"

Mei Li smiles softly at his reply, shaking her head. "Of course not. But he would not wish me to lock him away and try to forget him either. It is an unkindness to his memory. Please, Cole. Nothing else. Just tell me her name and I promise you we'll not speak of it again until you bring it up," she murmurs softly.

- Cole rolls Bluff with a modifier of -5. Result: 16
- Rolled Bluff with modifier of -5. Result: 3+2+-5+16=16

- Mei Li rolls Bluff with a modifier of -5. Result: -1

"Tamara," Cole responds quickly, shooting the name off with a casualness that might tip him off as lying, were he not so manipulative and coy, able to put the appropriate reverence in his tone of voice and glimmer of affection in his gaze.

Mei Li nods her head slowly, offering the boy a smile. "A beautiful name," she tells him. "Why don't we see about fixing something to eat? Dinner will be coming up soon and they'll be hungry." Change of subject and normalcy always helps, right?

"Yeah," Cole agrees, nodding. "Food's always good." And they set about the task...