[ It's a faint noise that he makes as she tells him that she'll get a cavity from his compliments. Some soft rebuttal between her two sentences, but barely loud enough to really interrupt. It could've just been a noise in general. ]
Oh, that's makes sense.
[ Is what he says about her not being alone for too long. Yes, it makes sense that she won't be because people will want to talk to her. The cookie has, officially, rolled at least ten times in his hands. His eyes drift to the side before he lifts it up to take a bite, since he feels self-conscious that he hasn't yet done that much.
But his gaze fixes back on her face when she asks what he can offer her. His gaze slides off her shoulders at the comment of needing a gun. He realizes that he just took a bite of the cookie but hadn't been chewing. Right. He chews, swallows, thinks. ]
... yeah, that makes sense.
[ Henry repeats himself. He isn't sure if having a gun would've kept Eileen safe, but he likes to think it would've held that man back for him to have done something(????). But as far as he knows, she died. He was just next door. He was just outside her apartment. He was so close to being able to help her. Did that make her more scared?
He holds the cookie carefully and lets his hand drop. ]
( 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. )
I don't need my points for anything. There isn't anything that I really want.
[ He did see there is something to protect a person from the penalty (is that even the right word?) for dying. Like dying isn't enough of a penalty. His eyes almost start to unfocus but he keeps himself in the conversation. He lightly shakes his head and adds: ]
I understand...
[ The idea that she'd have to look over her shoulder. It isn't something that he isn't unaware of, anyway. He blinks a few times before once more taking another bite of his cookie. It still tastes just as nice as before. It helps. He blinks, again, as he tries to think of something to say. But he doesn't know what the next missions will be like; he understands she's on her own even if people have been kind; if it'll make her feel safe -- ]
I'll bring it to you as soon as I can. [ He dips his head in a small nod. Right, the idea of cherishing the relationships he has means he has to try to talk more. ] You brought me into your home and so, it seems right to give you something to feel safe. Since this space is safe to you. It should stay that way. [ Henry forces himself not to trail off with what he's saying. ]
Telling you that it is... doesn't mean you'll feel it right away... so... I don't mind.
[ Right -- he said he would do what he could and this is what he can do. ]
( 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. )
[ Henry tips his head back to stare at the ceiling. He agrees that it's good to feel safe where one is. That is why he removed the door to his apartment. Maybe, one day, he'll put it back but as it stands, he'd rather it be off. He'd rather be able to leave whenever he likes; he'd rather be able to listen to everyone as the move down the hallway and know he isn't alone in the world. Even if sometimes, the world fades away into his own thoughts.
He dips his head back down and nods. ]
It's the companion bots. [ He lightly points with his free hand toward the wall. ] I think I could. I don't know that gun, but I think I can.
[ I should eat this cookie. I've been holding it for too long. In a moment of self-consciousness, he finishes the cookie in his hands in two bites. He doesn't know what else to do with his hands with it being free of the treat. His hands move weakly in the air like he's trying to gesture before he just takes the cup of tea set out for him instead.
He hears her laugh and blinks, but she says she remembers something amusing from home. His chin dips in a small nod. She doesn't seem unkind, so he takes that answer as it is. ]
Got it.
[ Maybe he should ask Maria if she wants a gun, too. ]
That's nice of you. [ He adds when she offers to make his apartment feel more comfortable or let him just have tea with her. ] The space already feels fine for me. The apartment, I mean. The door isn't there, so, that's all I need. [ And now he's holding a cup of tea without drinking. His head tilts to the side before he lifts up the cup to take a small sip. ]
Oh. This is good. [ He stares down at the drink. ] Yeah, being allowed to be here is enough. So, we can call that even. To everything. [ Another sip. ]
( 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. )
[ Henry takes the napkin and dried fruits readily. He holds both in separate hands and stares at the items briefly. His eyes drift from either one before he wipes his mouth and eats one of the fruit offered. ]
That's right. [ A beat. ] It has a figurine in the living room, too. [ As that's a gift from a friend, he feels it's important to mention. Although, he drifts his eyes up as he isn't sure if it can be viewed from just walking down the hallway. Should he put it more prominent so people can see it?
Another dried fruit munched on in thought. ]
Thank you. [ He says as he returns from his thoughts. ] I believe it is. Yeah, we're already friends.
[ Henry lifts his chin up and smiles. It's faint and one he feels is barely there, but he is happy. It leaves him with a warm feeling to say that he's making friends. Cherishing relationships is letting the people know that they are cared and thought about, right? Yeah. That's simple and easy, but sometimes, sometimes, it's good to tell them that much. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2025-06-25 04:49 am (UTC)[ It's a faint noise that he makes as she tells him that she'll get a cavity from his compliments. Some soft rebuttal between her two sentences, but barely loud enough to really interrupt. It could've just been a noise in general. ]
Oh, that's makes sense.
[ Is what he says about her not being alone for too long. Yes, it makes sense that she won't be because people will want to talk to her. The cookie has, officially, rolled at least ten times in his hands. His eyes drift to the side before he lifts it up to take a bite, since he feels self-conscious that he hasn't yet done that much.
But his gaze fixes back on her face when she asks what he can offer her. His gaze slides off her shoulders at the comment of needing a gun. He realizes that he just took a bite of the cookie but hadn't been chewing. Right. He chews, swallows, thinks. ]
... yeah, that makes sense.
[ Henry repeats himself. He isn't sure if having a gun would've kept Eileen safe, but he likes to think it would've held that man back for him to have done something(????). But as far as he knows, she died. He was just next door. He was just outside her apartment. He was so close to being able to help her. Did that make her more scared?
He holds the cookie carefully and lets his hand drop. ]
I can get that for you.
cw: sex worker discussions
Date: 2025-06-25 09:55 pm (UTC)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. )
no subject
Date: 2025-06-27 06:05 am (UTC)[ He did see there is something to protect a person from the penalty (is that even the right word?) for dying. Like dying isn't enough of a penalty. His eyes almost start to unfocus but he keeps himself in the conversation. He lightly shakes his head and adds: ]
I understand...
[ The idea that she'd have to look over her shoulder. It isn't something that he isn't unaware of, anyway. He blinks a few times before once more taking another bite of his cookie. It still tastes just as nice as before. It helps. He blinks, again, as he tries to think of something to say. But he doesn't know what the next missions will be like; he understands she's on her own even if people have been kind; if it'll make her feel safe -- ]
I'll bring it to you as soon as I can. [ He dips his head in a small nod. Right, the idea of cherishing the relationships he has means he has to try to talk more. ] You brought me into your home and so, it seems right to give you something to feel safe. Since this space is safe to you. It should stay that way. [ Henry forces himself not to trail off with what he's saying. ]
Telling you that it is... doesn't mean you'll feel it right away... so... I don't mind.
[ Right -- he said he would do what he could and this is what he can do. ]
Do you know guns? What kind of gun do you want?
no subject
Date: 2025-06-27 04:42 pm (UTC)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. )
no subject
Date: 2025-06-28 06:42 am (UTC)He dips his head back down and nods. ]
It's the companion bots. [ He lightly points with his free hand toward the wall. ] I think I could. I don't know that gun, but I think I can.
[ I should eat this cookie. I've been holding it for too long. In a moment of self-consciousness, he finishes the cookie in his hands in two bites. He doesn't know what else to do with his hands with it being free of the treat. His hands move weakly in the air like he's trying to gesture before he just takes the cup of tea set out for him instead.
He hears her laugh and blinks, but she says she remembers something amusing from home. His chin dips in a small nod. She doesn't seem unkind, so he takes that answer as it is. ]
Got it.
[ Maybe he should ask Maria if she wants a gun, too. ]
That's nice of you. [ He adds when she offers to make his apartment feel more comfortable or let him just have tea with her. ] The space already feels fine for me. The apartment, I mean. The door isn't there, so, that's all I need. [ And now he's holding a cup of tea without drinking. His head tilts to the side before he lifts up the cup to take a small sip. ]
Oh. This is good. [ He stares down at the drink. ] Yeah, being allowed to be here is enough. So, we can call that even. To everything. [ Another sip. ]
going to start wrapping this up ♥
Date: 2025-06-30 01:07 am (UTC)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. )
salutes.
Date: 2025-06-30 02:28 am (UTC)That's right. [ A beat. ] It has a figurine in the living room, too. [ As that's a gift from a friend, he feels it's important to mention. Although, he drifts his eyes up as he isn't sure if it can be viewed from just walking down the hallway. Should he put it more prominent so people can see it?
Another dried fruit munched on in thought. ]
Thank you. [ He says as he returns from his thoughts. ] I believe it is. Yeah, we're already friends.
[ Henry lifts his chin up and smiles. It's faint and one he feels is barely there, but he is happy. It leaves him with a warm feeling to say that he's making friends. Cherishing relationships is letting the people know that they are cared and thought about, right? Yeah. That's simple and easy, but sometimes, sometimes, it's good to tell them that much. ]