Ballroom Blitz

[Eli Mathers]

"That might work..." Eli said and looped his arm around her's. "Shall we go Mrs. Mathers?"

[Tali’Zorha]

Meanwhile --

Tali was straightening things up for Eli and Inara's little party, she enjoyed being included in the 'family' as it were so soon. Given how horrible most of the realities she had lived in were, this was a nice change of pace. Jack was so different to the other Jacksons. He had such love for his Kinsey and even for her. Although she still had that 'danger sense', that always kept her on edge. The knife in her boot, the small weapons cache no more than 20 feet away from her. She didn't want to use her telekinetic abilities unless there was no other choice, she knew that Kinsey didn't advertise that she was anything more than telepathic.

"Place looks great, always said it needed a woman's touch." Jack said as he walked in and set up the table with food."And you look great as well." he winked.

"You flatter me, I look like a barmaid." Tali said and cocked her head. "Although then again that may be your 'type'. So you met my daughter in a bar and she gave you your first taste of Homebrew and you taught her to make soup.You realize how... normal that is?"

"I do indeed." Jack nodded his head and crossed his arms. "Eli and Inara are special. Inara to Kinsey and Eli to well... all of us. I'm glad you're helping with this."

"As long as I get a dance and yes, there's going to be a live band tonight." Tali said as she wiped her hands. "I should probably change... Kinsey too. She's probably still polishing glasses or getting home brew ready. Does that woman live in tank tops?"

"Pretty much... she's got simple tastes. Not that she doesn't have a closet full of designer stuff and she can't polish herself when she needs to but... I fell in love with her without a ton of makeup, tank top and wrinkled uniform slacks. Now Inara... I've never seen her without a full face of makeup and something nice on." Jack stirred one of the bowls and smiled. "I have to admit, I love that our family continues to grow."

"Well, once I get over my PTSD with men... I do intend on remarrying... my mother lived to close to 140 years. I'm not THAT old yet and I don't intend to go into my sunset years old and alone." Tali said and took a sample of one of the dips. "Or maybe I'll just share you with Kinsey. You're a hell of a cook."

"

[Joe]

“And just like that I’m hiring again. That girl doesn’t share anything except a bed with him.” Joe teased as he made his way over carrying a stack of plates. He leaned heavier on his cane and his limp was more pronounced tonight but it didn’t stop him from smiling at Tali as he closed the distance. “And you look fine.”

[Tali’Zorha]

"Thank you Joe... and let me help you with those." Tali said as she took the plates from him. "I'm still rather amused, most Kinsey's I've encountered, they are either loners or they've been slaves, it's refreshing to see that the one I actually gave birth to has amassed a rather large extended family. Although it does seem like for as many people that love her, there's quite a few who roll their eyes when her name is even mentioned..."

[Joe]

“And they’re the first in the at happy hour to buy her brew.” Joe said with a shake of his head. “Speaking of. We could use four more bottles from the stores downstairs.”

[Jack Ryder]

Jack glanced at the bar and pointed to five polished bottles. "Brought it up when I came in, Kinsey and I changed the bottles, we found a glass shop that makes lavender colored bottles. Besides, the brown look like other beer and spirits. Upside... the glass doesn't break, downside the glass doesn't break."

[Joe]

“I wonder who picked the color out.” Joe said with a grin. “It seems fairly close to a shade a lavender we’re all familiar with.”

[Tali’Zorha]

"It's our most defining feature." Tali said with a smile. "Besides some of our... other assets. When I was younger, I used to really play up my lavender eyes, wore make up that really made them pop, even found a shade of lipstick that matched them. When you're surviving on odd jobs, little things that made me a bit more interesting helped." she nudged Joe. "I'm sure you'll find I'm more than a pretty face. Can't say I don't feel at home here. Lot cleaner though, doesn't smell like piss."

"Wait until Football season starts up. Both American and Rugby..." Jack said with a wince. "Although no one dares to use a corner unless they don't know who really runs the show here. Kinsey just had to show a blade... stopped that behavior right quick."

"Good thing I carry one with me all the time." Tali said with a sadistic grin. "Wouldn't be the first time I've threatened someone's manhood... or womanhood..." she cleared her throat. "Girls are just as disgusting as boys when they're drunk too."

"Aye... but you can't necessarily make a game of 'pee darts' happen." Jack raised a finger.

"Grozit... they do that here too? Joe... you really need me around." Tali shook her head. "If the limp didn't get my attention, the crowd certainly does. By the way, how long does it take her to come up from downstairs... or did she get some Intel business while there? Can't say it was because she was making out with her hubby... although I can tell you did earlier. You have a little lip gloss on your upper lip."

[Joe]

“She didn’t go that far downstairs thankfully. Last I looked in she was still polishing glasses. Usually only gets this obsessive when she’s nervous.” Joe said as he adjusted a few of the dishes on the table giving it just the right touch to finish off the look. “Not sure if it’s the party or something on her mind. She’s not always forthcoming”

[Jack Ryder]

"My wife is her own woman although she has been a bit... distracted by something." Jack replied and shrugged his shoulders. "Although she's always had a very interesting relationship with Inara, one of the few links she has to her old life before she became part of this one. The secret to why we work so well... I let her be her own woman and not try to make her do anything she doesn't want to. Within reason of course. If it were entirely up to her, she'd never attend a staff meeting or briefing."