The Deck, late Saturday afternoon (post-Cheerleading Exhibition)

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

The deck was out of the rain, something important when there were two Firecats and the Son of The Sun to keep dry, which was why Karal had suggested it.

Karal and Altra watched as Solaris made herself comfortable on one of the chairs, her two guards standing unobtrusively in the background. She seemed to be enjoying her time here, which was something of a relief.

He was less nervous than he had been yesterday, nothing disastrous having happened (though Altra was keeping a sharp eye out for gremlins). She smiled her thanks as he handed her a cup of tea and, once she was settled, he leaned forward slightly, the two of them talking quietly about matters both Karsite and Fandomish.

[ooc: Open yay!]

Comments

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

No visitor didn't mean Gavin was going to be a shut in for the weekend. Even less so when he spotted a familiar figure on the deck.

He bounded closer and said, "Karal! Still love me like you used to?"

He wasn't paying that much attention to who was with him.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal went pink. Oh, Sunlord. "Gavin," he said as he quickly stood. "Umm, this is--" How did he introduce her? This was never covered in his training. "Solaris, who is the Son of The Sun." Solaris was watching with interest and a half-concealed smile. "Solaris, this is Gavin Darklighter."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Oh, hey, let me shut my big kriffing mouth," he said and blushed. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention!"

[sunlord-son.livejournal.com]

"It is perfectly all right," Solaris told him, still with that half-smile. "It is good to know Karal has such devoted friends." She extended a hand towards him to shake, having been told of the custom, and hid her amusement at the way Karal's eyes widened. "And I am pleased to have a chance to offer you my thanks personally for what you did for our world."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"I was just teasing him," he explained, taking her hand and shaking it gently. "And, um, it was no problem. I'm glad I could help. And that things are better there now."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

Evey wandered out, in search of parents and so forth who she hadn't met or might be interested in meeting, and stopped short, not wanting to intrude.

[sunlord-son.livejournal.com]

"He needs to be teased," she said approvingly. "He can be far too serious at time. And they are much better now, and look to stay that way." She nodded at a nearby seat. "Will you join us?"

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Altra spotted her first, which meant that Karal saw her as well. He excused himself, and hopped up, hurrying over to her. "Evey," he said happily, and held out his hand. "It was entirely unexpected, but Solaris has come for the weekend. Will you come and meet her?"

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Inara had had enough of being cooped up inside for the day, and she didn't care if it was raining, thank you very much.

She smiled when she noticed Karal. It had been so very long since they'd talked. Still, when she saw he was with a guest, she didn't approach.

She did, however, give Altra a little wave.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"If it's not an intrusion?" Gavin asked, looking from Solaris to Karal. "I don't want to interrupt."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"...I'm not dressed for it," she said shyly, gesturing to her hoodie and jeans.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"It's all right," Karal assured him, deciding that his weekend couldn't possibly get any more surreal than this. "Here, I'll even fetch you a chair." And he did, pulling up one of the many chairs scattered about the place.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"It doesn't matter," he assured her. "Please? It's important to me that I at least introduce you to her. She won't be expecting you to be dressed in anything fancy."

:Karal was wearing much the same things when she arrived,: Altra added, :And she didn't seem bothered.:

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," Gavin said, taking the seat. "Um, how do you like the island, your...majesty? Holiness? Empress?"

He had no idea.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Karal saw her through ALtra's eyes and spoke quietly to Solaris for a moment, before standing and walking over to Inara, Altra padding by his side. "Inara? Would you like to meet Solaris? I've mentioned her before, she is the Son of The Sun, and she has come to see Fandom."

[sunlord-son.livejournal.com]

Karal winced as he took his seat, but Solaris merely smiled again. "It would be Your Radiance, but I am here simply as Solaris, so I would ask that you call me by my name. Should you ever come to Karse, it will be titles all around, but for now, at least, they are not necessary."

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

"All right," she reluctantly agreed after a moment, taking his hand and trying not to stare at Solaris.

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," he said pathetically. "I don't know any royalty back where I'm from. We use military titles so I'm used to things like lieutenant and captain an commander."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Inara stood, glad she wasn't dressed as she had been the day before, but hesitated before following him. "Karal? Are you sure that's wise?"

[sunlord-son.livejournal.com]

"It really is all right, Gavin," she said soothingly, deliberately using his name to try and reassure him. "Now, Karal tells me you are something called a pilot? I have to admit, I have no idea what that is."

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," he whispered, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "She won't bite, I promise." Karal led her over, and took a deep breath. "Solaris, I would like to introduce you to Eve Hammond. Evey, this is Solaris, who is the Son of The Sun."

[sixstandingby.livejournal.com]

"Um, it means I fly ships," he explained. "In space, in the sky. It's a manmade machine that let's us fly through the air."

[sunlord-son.livejournal.com]

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "There are devices that can carry a person through the air? What are they used for?" She was already turning the possibilities over in her mind.

[vkandis-son.livejournal.com]

Surprised, he asked, "What do you mean? Why wouldn't it be wise?"

[remember5th.livejournal.com]

Evey strugged with a moment with whether to bow or curtsy or something.

She finally settled for ducking her head a little. "It's a wonderful honor to meet you, ma'am. I've heard so much about you."