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[e_delmar]

Ennis ain't never been one for reading, like Kaylee does. And even if his hands weren't a mess, knitting still wouldn't be his thing. But he's got some wood, and he's got a knife. And even if the damn thing'll end up looking like a shaved log, carving gives him something to do, and the lounge is at least a small change of view from the bunks.

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[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

Inara decides to get some exercise, heading down from her shuttle to the areas where she may run into the rest of the current occupants of the ship. She's feeling a bit lonely at the moment.

So when she turns the corner and sees Ennis sitting with his wood (no pun intended), a smile crosses her face. She manages to keep the worry off her face.

"Nĭ hăo, Ennis."

[e_delmar]

He looks up at her, a look of surprise there even though he heard her coming, mostly. It's hard to be quiet when a ship's got metal floors. He blinks once, twice, and lifts the hand with the knife in greeting.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

Those years of dance training and being taught how to move around without waking your customer has to pay off somewhere.

She leans against the wall, facing him. "What are you making there?"

[e_delmar]

He shrugs and glances down at it again, clearing his throat before he speaks. Voice's still rough, though, and quiet, and he swallows a few times, like that'll help.


"S'posed to be a horse."


It doesn't look anything like a horse.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

It looks more like a horse than other carvings she's seen.

"Well, it's lovely. That's a wonderful skill to have."

As she speaks, she studying him. Noting the pallor of his skin and the steadiness of his hands.

[e_delmar]

They ain't nearly so steady as they once were, and the hands are even more white for his clutching the wood tightly, tryin' to keep from showing that they shake.

"Ain't much else t'do, sometimes."

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She nods, then straightens and walks over, sitting next to him on the couch.




"How are you this morning." She can guess the answer, but wants him to know she's been concerned for him.

[e_delmar]

His eyes stay down, and that shrug of his is pretty much a regular fixture.


"Been worse."


And it's true, even if there's worse yet to come.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She touches his knee lightly. "I'm sure Simon has you on painkillers and such, but I do have more of that cough syrup, if it helped."

It's not showing, but she's fretting. She hates not to be able to help.

[e_delmar]

He looks up a little, and his eyes are full of-



something. kindness. thanks.


"Helped. Do appreciate that. And your-"

He waves his hand lightly.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She relaxes a bit at the look, and manages to smile at him.

"Good, I'm glad. I'm happy to make you some now if you need it." She cocks her head. "Or I could-" and she copies his gesture with a smile.

[e_delmar]

"M'good now."

The words are rushed, if quiet, a little embarrassed.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She looks at him with an eyebrow raised. "Are you sure? I don't mind."


"And I'd like to help you if I can."

[e_delmar]

The cough is a throat clearing this time, nothin' more, and his cheeks are tinged.


"Later."


It's almost more of a question.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

"Of course. I don't have any pressing engagements today." There is a slight note of bitterness in her voice, but it's much less than it might have been.


"Would you mind some company for a bit? It's a little too quiet in my shuttle right now."

[e_delmar]

"Ain't much company."

It's said like an apology, but it don't mean she can't stay if she don't want to.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

"Nonsense. You are wonderful company. Unless you don't want me sitting here talking at you," said with a smile.

[e_delmar]

Ennis just looks at her.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She laughs. "Okay, I'll stay."

She sits quietly for a bit, watching him shape the wood.

[e_delmar]

He works, but it's slow going. He manages, mostly, to keep his frustration to his face, if he shows it at all. It's got a back, now, and some things that might be legs, though they ain't nearly so detailed as he'd like.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She sees the frustration and understands it. A body's betrayal is the worst to overcome.


"Do you prefer to carving something from memory or do you just let your imagination guide your knife?"

[e_delmar]

The question surprises him a little, and it seems embarrassment's to be expected.




"The wood," is what he says, but it's muttered a little, under his breath.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She nods. "It's been said that the sculptor Michaelangelo on Earth-That-Was used to say that he could see the shape of his sculpture in the marble and all he did was bring it out."

[e_delmar]

"Dunno if it's quite like that."

He turns the wood around in his hands.



"Just get a feel for it."

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

"What's the most difficult thing you've ever carved?" she asks, tucking her feet up under her.