[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=D8899B]Mei Qiáo[/color][/i][/b] and [b][i][color=008080]William Harper[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSxq03OBSbggRo-TD0p0bEEG01ICEJo7lZbz9lPLx3VElSh9xNg-Q[/img][img]https://img.cinemablend.com/filter:scale/cb/6/4/a/b/d/a/64abda9122910e2617318cdc3d43516062ebc1ae5b880e96ddb5beadc78d4655.jpg?mw=600[/img][hr][b][color=D8899B]Location:[/color][/b] Galley [b][color=D8899B]Skills:[/color][/b] N/A[hr][/center] Mei glanced up briefly to see Harper enter. She had hardly talked to the man at the bar last night and did not know what to make of him. He seemed like a capable man, but for all she knew he was a horrible pilot. The only thing she did have to go on was that the Captain seemed fit to keep him on board, so he must be good for something. [color=D8899B]"Not at all Mr. Harper, but we are crewmates now, so please, call me Mei."[/color] She gestured at the chair closest to her, wondering what the man wished to speak about. Harper's eyes narrowed as he sat. It was a look of scrutiny more than anything else. He was not physically present for the stowaway incident, nor the shooting, nor the mostly unsuccessful tracking attempt by Dorothy and Foy. Like himself, Mei was a bit of an enigma. Harper didn't stay alive in the conditions he did by staying uninformed, even if that information came in the way of what was [i]not[/i] said. Of course, sitting on info under the guise of "Not My Business" was a damned good tactic, too. In any case, as soon as he was settled in the chair across from his new crewmate, he gave a friendly smile and sipped his formerly hot coffee. [color=teal]"Mei."[/color] he repeated back to her. [color=teal]"It is a lovely name, Mei. Simple. Not overstated. I have always appreciated Mandarin, the way it can be as nuanced or as straightforward as the speaker needs it."[/color] Another sip, followed by a clearing of his throat. [color=teal]"I have a couple minutes before I have to get to duties. Just wanted to get that awkward first conversation out of the way."[/color] Harper gave her a considered look. There wasn't exactly a lot of trust on the table right then, and that lack likely ran in his direction as well. Sadly, trust was a tool or a commodity in the 'Verse, and the appearance of it had to be built. Anisa chose her for the crew, same as she chose him. He just wanted to get a feel for her. [color=teal]"It's a little weird being with a new crew for the first few days. I know. And please, while we're off duty? It's Liam."[/color] Mei nodded as he sat down. She wasn't quite sure what he was getting on about her name. Frankly, she hadn't given it much thought. She often did not use her first name. She usually used her codename. In fact, that reminded her to talk to the Captain about that. Any information being passed around should be using her codename and not her real name. It wasn't likely she would run into any trouble, but it paid to be careful. [color=D8899B]"All right Liam. I'll admit, it is weird. I have often worked for myself and myself alone. Is there anything specific you wish to ask me or are we just supposed to...talk?"[/color] Like he was intent on doing, Mei herself was trying to get a read on the man. After all, part of her job was investigation and she did not fully trust this crew. Not yet. [color=teal]"Mmm hmm."[/color] responded Harper, thoughtfully chewing on a corner of a reheated, toasted protein sandwich. He swallowed hard and took a sip of coffee, continuing, [color=teal]"Just talk. Questions might arise, but as I said - a couple of minutes before I'm back on the clock. Let's pretend we're normal people for a moment and not ...whatever we are now. I'll start: You showed some [i]dà fàngsì[/i][/color][sub]1[/sub][color=teal] coming back to the crew last night. I wouldn't have."[/color] Maybe he would have. There would have to be good reason for it, though. He assumed as much of this woman. Mei was impressed with his use of the language. However, his words intrigued her. [color=D8899B]"I believe in honor. When I first ran across your lot, I was under a false impression. What that impression was, I cannot say. Not yet. But that is the reason I snuck aboard your ship. I came to find out I was wrong, albeit too late as your crew gave chase. So when I saw you there I felt bound to tell the truth. It is like the old way of [i]Luò zài wǒ de jiàn shàng[/i]."[/color][sub]2[/sub] A good half of his first sandwich went down while Mei spoke, prompting Harper to remind himself to use better table manners. Bad habits were easy to pick up, apparently. He regarded the woman's answer briefly, using the fact that he was chewing as an excuse not to speak immediately. It was an interesting response, no doubt. A code of honor was an important thing out in the Black, but it didn't necessarily make one a good person. It could also make one predictable. Still, provided Harper could trust her words he might feel some sort of relief. [color=008080]"You know Mei,"[/color] he began, finally swallowing, [color=008080]"we are going further than light conversation over breakfast. Let me try something else: What is your favorite color?"[/color] Mei ignored the man's lack of table manners, but was curious as to why he wished to change the subject. He had asked the question, after all. She had spoken honestly. [color=D8899B]"My favorite color is blue."[/color] Odd question to ask after the previous one, but perhaps all the man desired was that they keep it light. [color=D8899B]"What's yours?"[/color] Harper smiled behind his cup of coffee. He did enjoy a sudden subject change, especially when it allowed for him to pick up tiny clues as to character. In truth, he did want to keep things light. He also wanted to ascertain whether or not this woman's presence had anything to do with his own. He still wasn't satisfied one way or another, but he was sure that he'd feel a lot better once they left Newhope far behind them. Setting his cup down, he answered the potentially dangerous young lady, [color=008080]"I am partial to teal, actually."[/color] His voice was a little quieter. He even leaned in a bit. [color=008080]"Green, with just a hint of blue; preferably of darker hue. I had a very comfortable silk shirt, about a lifetime ago, that was the most pleasant color of dark teal. Sometimes..."[/color] a mischievous glint took to his eyes, [color=008080]"...sometimes I see it in certain topaz gems, or in the coloration of autumn birds. Not something I see inside of ships very often except in some of the wire and fiber-op casings, which I think is very sad. But yes... Teal."[/color] His smile still in place, he bit off a corner of his other sandwich and began to chew slowly, holding her gaze. Mei didn't know what the man was getting at. What benefit did it serve to know her favorite color? She rarely wore color unless disguised, otherwise, she kept it to mainly black attire. [color=D8899B]"Teal is nice. Any other light conversation questions to ask? My favorite animal? Favorite food?"[/color] She didn't want to sound rude, but she expected more from a conversation with the mysterious man. [color=D8899B]"What brought you on board? I mean, you know how I got the job, but I don't know how any of you all got to be on this ship."[/color] The generally pleasant attitude of the pilot maintained deapite what appeared to be growing annoyance from Mei. He got through the majority of his remaining square of toasted bread and textured protein as she spoke, and gave the conversation just enough of a hiatus to sip from his cup before responding. [color=008080]"Favorite food? I am more partial to sweets than I really should be, but you do ask a valid question. The fact is, I am not sure exactly who the Captain got this ship from."[/color] Maybe that was what she was asking and maybe it wasn't. Nonetheless, Harper responded to the interpretation that gave the least amount of personal information away. [color=008080]"You would have to ask her about that. Though Prometheus [i]is[/i] a fairly recent acquisition and a decent update from her predecessor."[/color] All technically accurate statements. He disliked being dishonest over casual conversation. Harper tossed back the remainder of his coffee and gathered his dishes up. [color=008080]"I could go on and on about Prometheus's design specs and handling relative to Firefly Class vessels or even the comparable Alliance contracted ships, but my couple of minutes are up."[/color] He moved to store his plate and cup in the washer toward the Galley, [color=teal]"Thank you very much for letting me bend your ear over breakfast, Mei. We will have to do this again when it is less awkward. Plan?"[/color] If anything, it gave her more questions than answers, but it also provided her with more to ask the Captain. Or, rather, more to figure out for herself if that was the case. [color=D8899B]"Yes, preferably when there is not anything going on, such as the potential death of a crewmate."[/color] She referred to the preacher, unaware of his situation. [color=D8899B]"Sounds like a plan then. Thank you Liam."[/color] [hider=Translations] 1 = Big Chutzpah 2 = Falling on my sword [/hider]