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Date: 2025-06-18 04:01 pm (UTC)
strumpet: (pic#17865808)
From: [personal profile] strumpet
You don't have to force yourself you know?

( inara was quick to chirp in with that response, a smile dancing on her lips as she set aside the hot water now filled with leaves, to seep for a few minutes as she went back into the kitchen to grab a bit of food she had for them. when she returned, she took one quick look at henry, sensing that subtle shift in energy before dismissing it for now.

she isn't sure what he's been through and what experiences he might have had, but there was something about the terminology she used that he seemed to dislike. so she made a mental note to avoid that term, setting a small plate of cookies and dried fruit before him. if he wanted something more filling, she'd be willing to make it but for now they were here to get to know each other and speak more. )


Ah—

( she managed to say, taking a seat across from henry. so that was it, and while she wasn't going to criticize him, it was surprising to her that even in a place like this where no one knew she was a companion, people seemed to turn to her to reveal all of their feelings and thoughts. it was actually nice in a way—

no payment, no expectations from her. she gave him an empathetic gaze, moving to pour the freshly brewed tea for them both. )


I see, I'm glad then that you can feel comfortable here. It's always nice encountering people who can help save us from our troubles, our feelings or anything else that is bothering us. I'm very happy to hear you've had such an experience. While I can't say I've gone through the same exact experiences as you, I do know what that's like. Back in my world I.....I left the life I knew in a haste. I was sure I'd be lost for a long time but I found a ship called Serenity and found a new home with the people there.

So while I don't know if they'll ever be brought here, I hope I can also take 'breathe' from others, what they could give me. It's a little....scary actually being on my own.

( it's probably the first and only time she's been honest, open but henry had been that way. so to relate to him better, she decided to admit that. )

Date: 2025-06-24 06:17 pm (UTC)
strumpet: (pic#17865914)
From: [personal profile] strumpet
( his retort came as a surprise to her, but far from being one to push back on the firm decisions others made, she offered him a small but understanding nod in return. he still seemed like a strange man to inara, especially with the way he seemed to stay within his own mind [and even more so with how he grabbed the cookie] but as she sat there pouring the tea, she focused on the energy he was giving off. it wasn't a special power by any means, it was more intuition than anything, but he was giving off very gentle vibes. there was nothing to fear or nothing to criticize truly—

the only thing to do was to enjoy this tender moment between two people who were exploring a new and blossoming friendship.

as the tea was finished being poured, she moved his cup over to him before taking her own towards her lips and blowing on it gently. she took a sip as she watched him roll the cookie before setting her cup a bit away from her lips to speak. )


Henry, I'm going to get a cavity with all these sweet compliments. I appreciate it though, I'm sure I won't be alone for too long.

( she didn't want to sound too needy or desperate for companionship, after all she did enjoy her moments of solitude. however the 'found family' she had back home meant a lot to her and getting to see them daily, partaking in their misadventures and having that stability was something she had grown used to.

still his next response left her smiling a bit bashfully as she looked at him with a curious expression. )


Is that right? And what can you offer me Henry? I'm not a woman with many needs, the only thing I've been wanting is better tea to partake in and perhaps....

a gun.

( the tone shifted just a bit but it was clear with how delicate she was, it was mainly for her own protection. hopefully he understood that. )

cw: sex worker discussions

Date: 2025-06-25 09:55 pm (UTC)
strumpet: (pic#17865956)
From: [personal profile] strumpet
( without even trying, it wasn't hard for her eyes to gaze over to the way he rolled the cookie she offered him and how it seemed to spin over and over again in his hands. it was almost hypnotic in a way, and inara being far too polite to comment on it, simply glanced between sips of her own tea.

as soon as he broke the silence with actual words to push their conversation in a proper direction, she placed her cup down and looked at him before wondering if she was a bit too impolite in mentioning a gun. how sensitive was this man? was that too brazen? it was always difficult to tell with his type.

yet she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow— he could get which one? the tea or the gun? it was time to find out. )


The gun? I don't want you to use up your points for something like that, especially if you need them for something else. I just figured...

( and once again being honest with him, more than she had with anyone else— )

I could use it for my own personal protection. I came from a world where....I always had to look over my shoulder just in case of anything.

( she won't go into details about her line of work, but being a companion wasn't the safest job, at least not always. even her higher end clients, senators and multi-millionaires could get dangerous when they felt they were owed something from inara. whether it was more time with her, forcing or pressuring her to leave that line of work to date them, or something far worse in bed....she always had her guard up.

there was no expectations of that in etraya, but the caution and need to control any outcome kept her worried, thus desiring a gun. )

Date: 2025-06-27 04:42 pm (UTC)
strumpet: (pic#17865984)
From: [personal profile] strumpet
( his response left a number of questions and curiosities in her mind, as to why he'd be so willing to give up his points so easily. yet instead of prying, she simply provided him a comforting and reassuring nod as she watched him dig into the cookie.

his kindness was so effortless, it was almost admirable in a way. she wasn't a mean person by any means but she was far more willing to assume such affection came from wanting something. with him, it didn't really feel like that was the case at all. )


Thank you....I do believe no matter where I am, a safe place to escape to is important. As for the gun....

My captain back on the ship I lived on in my world used a Taurus Model 85 revolver but....I'm not entirely sure if you can request such a thing from Aurora. Is that where'd you get it from? I heard through the grapevine that's how people get things here.

( in turn she picked up one of the cookies for herself, her bright red nail polish contrasting the soft brown of the treat. she took a smile and almost bird-like bite before mulling over what kind of gun she should ask for. she knew how to handle one and the most basic maintenance but the gun expert on her crew had been jayne—

he'd probably ask for something that could tear down a wall or blow off a head. that thought made her laugh just a bit before she realized she hadn't clued in henry as to what she was thinking about. it seemed he wasn't the only one who lived in his mind from time to time. )


Ah....my apologies, I just remembered something amusing from back home. I think a revolver or a standard handgun is just fine. Small enough to fit in my purse or clothes you know? Just in case.

( but that thought about keeping her home safe was a nice one, and it made her think how she would come to owe him so much more because of the gun—

and for a woman of her position, she disliked owing anyone anything. maybe just maybe, she also wanted to just be his friend. )


I appreciate it Henry, by the way. I can help you too in any way that you need, if you want your home to be just as comfortable I can do it.....or if you need a place to escape and just relax in, you're always welcome here. You can just come and relax and I'll make you tea.

( they didn't need to have a conversation really, she'd be more than happy to host him in silence. )

going to start wrapping this up ♥

Date: 2025-06-30 01:07 am (UTC)
strumpet: (pic#17865898)
From: [personal profile] strumpet
( good to know— in fact henry had been far more helpful to inara than she could have ever expected. she wasn't quite sure what to make of him when they first met, dancing on that ballroom floor, him establishing some boundaries early on yet offering to help her towards the end of their conversation. she wasn't entirely sure what to think and what little she did, was mostly about how he might have wanted something in return or how he was just making talk.

that was a common theme she had noticed from other people— they all liked to talk and make empty promises, never to follow through on. so in turn she had become someone who didn't put much stake in their words unless they showed they could be counted on. much like her captain back home and the rest of the crew. they were all people who kept their promise and could rely on each other, only truly needing one another. she was sure she wouldn't find that here, yet the more she got to meet new people and learn about them, seeing their kindness in small ways much like how henry was showing her, the more she realized that perhaps echo picked the best representatives of each world to bring here.

at least she hoped.

in turn as henry finished up the cookie in two bites, inara served him a new one on a small napkin along with some dried fruit she had brought and passed it over to him, a soft smile still gracing her features. there was something about a man so serious and awkward in his movements that seemed to keep the mood elevated and joyful. inara could only wonder if he knew he had that kind of effect on others. )


So that's your apartment huh? The one with the missing door?

( she isn't going to ask him why, not when he's been so polite and kind to her, so instead she focused on the rest of their conversation. )

Alright then Henry, if that's what I can do for you, please let me. I hope this is the start of a good friendship.

( and she held her own cup of tea up, idly motioning for a small 'cheers' moment before taking another sip herself. )

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HENRY TOWNSHEND.

February 2025

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