How to be a Companion

[ff_ambassador]

Inara is sitting on the couch in her shuttle, a tea set in front of her on the table, the spout of the teapot steaming slightly. She is smiling, imagining how the upcoming conversation is going to go

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[the_seafarer]

"Good afternoon, Inara," he says, and gives her a cheerful, boyish smile, hands clasped behind his back. "It's my pleasure, I assure you. It seems strange that we have never met before, doesn't it?"

And stranger that we should first meet in this way, his smiling eyes seem to say, and despite having communicated with her via note to arrange this meeting adds: "I hope I'm not interrupting?"

[ff_ambassador]

"It does. It's amazing how many patrons Milliways has these days," she agrees, ushering him into the shuttle and closing the door slightly behind her. There's no need for anyone (Jayne, Mal) to eavesdrop on this conversation.

She reads the slight discomfort perfectly and smiles at him reassuringly. "You're not interrupting in the slightest - I've actually been waiting for you. Please, have a seat." She directs him to the couch and seats herself gracefully beside him.

[the_seafarer]

"Thank you." The couch is comfortable and low; he sits easily and though he holds himself straight, he feels as relaxed as...might be expected.

The shuttle itself reminds him vaguely of a small apartment belonging to a Tarkheena of Calormen; the rich cloth and scent of incense warm the little shuttle, jewel-bright colors gleam while covering metal walls. It is private and welcoming and quiet; a haven, of sorts.

As is Inara herself. He turns to her with a fainter smile than the one he had greeted her with, but no less candid. "I wanted to thank you, as well, for...agreeing to aid me. I'm afraid I'm rather hopelessly at loose ends, and aside from what Mal has told me," his mouth quirks a little; they both know what information from Mal can be like. "Well, we're starting at a fairly blank slate."

[ff_ambassador]

Inara rolls her eyes slightly at the mention of Mal, her mouth also quirking. "Well, you are welcome. And really I should be thanking you. I have a bit of a vested interest in this particular caper." Her smile twists slightly as an image of Atherton floats into her mind.

She shakes it off and smiles again at Caspian. "Where would you like to begin? If you have any specific questions about Companions, that might be good to answer first."