On Grab Bag Canon Plot

[oneslickedison]

Mun Darling,

... what do you mean you don't have a flipping clue on what to do with me?!

Please stop imagining me with cat ears. You know they're of no practical use, and it's just frivilous thought-wasting exercises.

C'mon. You're more creative than this. I'm more creative than this.

You'll think of something. You always do.

Sincerely,

Howard, who is not going to become a feline-person. It's stale as five day old bread.

Comments

[oneslickedison]

Well honestly, what will I have to deal with? Cat ears? C'mon.

...You obviously haven't looked in a mirror when you're in pajamas, have you?

[notanambassador]

I hope you're lucky enough to have a mun that only inflicts you with cat ears.

Frequently. Perhaps that's why I don't notice.

[oneslickedison]

... I don't think so, because she keeps laughing evilly...

[A quick twist of the lips.] Trust me, you might be immune? I am not. Especially not to red silk.

[notanambassador]

. . . that is not a good sign. She's not giving any hints?

I may have to try different colors to see if they have the same effect.

[oneslickedison]

She just keeps saying 'Hangover!' and giggling like a schoolgirl. I have no idea. I'm going to get a hangover?

You may find that you get a range. You may have to be prepared to deal with that.

[notanambassador]

A week long hangover? That sounds unpleasant.

Somehow I think I can manage you, Howard.

[oneslickedison]

Yes, but nothing I can't handle.

Somehow I think I would like you to manage me, Inara.

[notanambassador]

Somehow I'm not surprised. Nothing seems to get your attention quite like my taking charge of a situation, particularly situations including you.

[oneslickedison]

What can I say? I am a sucker for strong women who know what they want, and what they don't.

[notanambassador]

You're a sucker for strong women, red silk pajamas, and dancing. You have an interesting collection of weaknesses.

[oneslickedison]

Can't ever say I'm boring, now can you?

[notanambassador]

You shouldn't let me learn about any more of your weaknesses or you'll be too easy to manage.

[oneslickedison]

Beautiful, I am never going to be easy to manage, and we both know it. But if you want to even the score ... you could tell me a few weaknesses that I might need.

[notanambassador]

You want me to just tell you? Where is the fun in that?

[oneslickedison]

Oh? Are you going to let me tempt it out of you? Fun.

[notanambassador]

You're a smart man, I'm certain you can manage with no help from me.

[oneslickedison]

I am reputed to be clever ... and I do know that you don't have much head for strong liquors, even if you enjoy them, you also like dancing, fine dresses, and kissing.

[notanambassador]

I can manage strong liquor as well as . . . other women my size.

[Okay, not well at all.]

But the dancing and kissing are both relative. Both can be done well or poorly and it makes quite a difference in my susceptibility.

[oneslickedison]

Hmm. Yes. I can see that.

[A slow lip quirk, but he keeps it under control. Mostly.]

I see ... so ...I should just try both of them again. To see how susceptible you are to my charms.

[notanambassador]

[Getting the genteel glare treatment.]

That sounds self serving to me. A line of research that requires you to kiss me repeatedly to test the results?

[oneslickedison]

[He grins cheekily, stuffing his hands in his pockets.]

I always like to test my data, Inara. Make sure I've come to the appropriate conclusion. Namely, you like me to kiss you. How will I know if I don't try again?

[notanambassador]

I'm considerably more complicated than one of your machines. You may never achieve reliable results.

[oneslickedison]

And this is why I must constantly crunch the numbers. But don't worry, I'll add other factors to it. Can't just go around kissing you. No ... there will be dinners, and picnics, and music - lots of music - and near kisses and cheek-kisses, and no kisses at all.

[notanambassador]

You're not going to get any kind of reliable data with that much variation.

Which is your goal, I suspect. No risk of a conclusion ending your fun.

[oneslickedison]

You might be absolutely correct.

Again, correct. [Looks at her, arching an eyebrow.] Still want to let me experiment?