[Closed to Kaylee and Matt]

[governorkang]

Kang didn't think he'd ever been this shaken up before in his entire life. He hadn't even been able to shove it aside long enough to handle answering questions during podpop; he'd tried, but only having been back for a half hour... it wasn't enough time. So, he'd left, to try and get his head straight enough to be able to give his report to Captain Kennedy.

Still, he knew that the captain had definitely picked up on it. He'd slipped a few times.

Practicing with his weapons against imaginary foes in the Sensoriums hadn't helped; neither had taking a two hour long walk through a part of the City that had previously been unexplored. He didn't feel like dealing with other people yet, but he didn't want to go back to his room, either.

However, it was late enough that Kaylee was probably closing up the tavern by then. He could deal with her, at least, and having a drink or five was incredibly tempting. Being in a place from home would probably help him with sorting out the memories, too--

--except for the fact that there was a sprig of mistletoe hanging in the doorway, and he now knew exactly what the tradition was.

Kang froze in the doorway, staring up at the sprig with an odd, almost confused expression.

Comments

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

It had entertained Kaylee plenty, how many people had stopped to stare in horror at that same bunch of mistletoe when they walked through the door. GLaDOS had done a number on them after last year's stunt, it seemed. Thankfully, once they figured out that they could still enter and leave the tavern without having to kiss anyone, folks had calmed down about it. Just a piece of decoration, meant for holiday fun. No strings attached.

Of course, that also meant that when Kang walked through the door, he was in for a holiday kiss from his little assistant. Kaylee had been busy cleaning a table nearby, and when Kang stepped in and stopped to stare at the mistletoe she really couldn't help walking up and giving him a peck on the cheek.

[governorkang]

Kang didn't even register that Kaylee was there until he felt the kiss on the cheek, and he drew back with a flinch, going tense. The memory that had popped up at the sight of the mistletoe was shoved away, and he tried his best to give her a happy smile, "...Kaylee. It's good to see you again."

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

Kaylee took a step or too back in surprise, arms instinctively moving to cover her stomach. An odd movement, considering it was Kang here and not some twitchy...anyone else. She shook it off, offering up a small smile that didn't quite cover her curiosity as to why Kang was suddenly so jumpy.

"You too. Place's been quiet without ya."

[governorkang]

...Kaylee's flinch didn't escape Kang's notice, and he mentally cursed himself, wings rustling. "I'm sorry. Rough mission, is all. You surprised me."

Sighing, he stepped into the tavern and closed the door behind him, after checking for patrons.

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

She knew she should have given him a bit of a warning that she was there, especially after a mission, so there was hardly any need for his apologizing so far as Kaylee was concerned. "Nothin' to be sorry for, we're all a little tense."

[governorkang]

"You have no idea," Kang said dryly, fetching himself some vodka and sitting down at a table. "No one caused you any trouble while I was gone? What happened while we were away?"

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

With the smallest bit of a frown, Kaylee watched Kang head for the vodka. "No trouble whatsoever," she promised, continuing in her table washing to give him a little room to drink. "Ain't hardly been eventful, that I've heard. Been keepin' to myself a bit, though, so I may'a missed somethin'..."

[governorkang]

Despite the fact that Kang'd been so quick to get the vodka, he didn't drink any of it for a good few minutes, letting it sit there in front of him. "You put mistletoe in the doorway, so it must be around Christmastime for someone around here."

He shook his head and got up, leaving the mug where it was, "Here, let me help you."

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

Kaylee nodded, finishing up one table and moving to the next. "Or close enough to the time, anyhow. Part of it's to lift spirits up a bit. Everybody's been so down lately..."

She trailed off into a somewhat uncomfortable silence until Kang got up. "You don't gotta, 'M almost done..."

[governorkang]

"It's fine, Kaylee, I need to... it's no trouble, really. You've been running the place all by yourself for at least a week, I'm not going to just sit there and watch you," Kang snorted and grabbed another rag. "Have you cleaned this table yet?"

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

"Wouldn't be doin' it if I didn't want to, Kang. I don't mind helpin' out, and I kinda figured some of it meant I'd be runnin' things on my own on occasion..."

It was his tavern, and she couldn't exactly tell him no if he wanted to do something, so Kaylee just sighed and gave in, motioning to the table next to him. "One you're at and the one next to it ain't been done."

[governorkang]

"I know, but I'm here now." Kang began to work at a brisk pace, frowning slightly as he focused on his task.

[voiceofserenity.livejournal.com]

The mechanic paused, watching Kang carefully as he worked at the table. She couldn't really help the frown on her face now, and in a few steps she was across the table from Kang and looking carefully over his face.

"Not all here..."

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

Matt had finished up his duties and had made a beeline for the Drunken Dragon. He had a feeling Kang was there, considering the twisted up emotion he felt in that direction.

Slipping into the tavern, he cleared his throat. "Kang you here?"

[governorkang]

"Yeah," Kang spoke up from the table he was sitting at, staring at the mug in front of him. Kaylee had left barely two minutes ago; he'd almost forgotten that he'd told Matt he'd be there. The lights were out, except for a single tallow candle that only had about two hours of life left.

"You want a drink?"

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

"Sure," said Matt, sitting down next to him. "After the day I had, I could use one too."

He knew Kang would speak first, so Matt picked up a clean mug and stood again. "I can get it. Just let me know which one's good."

[governorkang]

Kang snorted, "The barrel on the far left, in the storeroom. Vodka's good, too, if you want something strong."

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

"I've got too many crisises to handle right now, so I can't get wasted." said Matt, getting up to head over to the barrel. "YET," he added as an after thought.

Filling it up, he returned to his chair. "To weirdness."

[governorkang]

"Our lives are filled with nothing but weirdness on this damn ship," Kang said dryly, wings rustling. "So I'm guessing you didn't happen to run into anyone from my world?"

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

"None thus far," replied Matt, taking a sip. "Believe me you'd be the first to know. Heck I'd page you with bells and whistles."

"Got a few Azerothians, a boat load of magic people, more heroes, I think Reyes is back..."

[governorkang]

"They might not be so glad to see me. Your message very well could be telling me to watch my tail," Kang shrugged, frowning. Normally, he was more optimistic, but in his current mood...

"Jaime Reyes?"

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

Matt had to agree, considering how down Kang was. Still... "At least I'd give you a heads up."

He nodded. "I noticed him in the crowd. I dunno, just sort of stood out in my mind actually. Didn't get a chance to talk to him though, but y'know, the outfit. Stands out."

[governorkang]

Kang nodded, taking a drink of his vodka. "And that, I appreciate."

"I only know the name, really. You've been awake longer than me, though."

[lackofdarkwings.livejournal.com]

"Ah," said Matt. "Yeah I haven't managed to really get to know as many people as I'd like to. But those who I have I appreciate the company of."

[governorkang]

"So what happened to you today?" Kang asked, changing the subject.