[ 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. ]
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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. ]