suoxi | for striker

He's adorably baffled by her willingness to pimp out his 'dome to her sisters.

"I... Thank you," he eventually says, his eyebrows still a little bit drawn together in confusion, though he's trying to keep his cool like this is something that happens to him every day.

Max is blissfully unaware of anything but the fact that she's still petting him.

It really is rather endearing.

"You're quite welcome, though it's really me that should be thanking you." He's willing to share his space with them, though Inara knows what having more than one Companion will bring him.

And Max -- Max is also continuing to endear himself to Inara, and she slips him one of the treats she'd brought as her other hand smooths over that wrinkled nose of his.

Apparently deciding to shelve his incredulity over her willingness to help him out, Hercules turns his attention to other matters.

Namely, the happy slurping sounds Max makes when he's gnawing on a treat.

"Are you spoiling my dog?" he asks, his eyes narrowing a little as he tries to look appropriately threatening.

Her eyes flick up and she affects the most innocent expression that she can muster, though there's the vaguest hint of a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.

"Would I do that?"

The smirk on his face should make it pretty clear that her innocent expression isn't fooling anyone.

"Yes you bloody well would." He huffs and leans back in his seat. "Everyone in this 'dome does. I'm amazed he can even walk, he's getting so fat."

That makes her laugh, and she rubs her hand on her thigh as she leans back, much to poor Max's disappointment.

"Alright, you caught me." She holds both of her hands up in defeat. "Red-handed. And honestly -- who can blame us?"

Max is a diva. Hercules would say he doesn't know where he gets it from, but honestly, Max came by it honestly. He was Chuck's dog first.

"He's something of a mascot for the crew now. Used to be just for Striker Eureka." He smiles a little, his face getting a far-away expression on it as he remembers the good old days, when his son was still around. "We were the steel bulldogs thanks to this ol' guy. Got his face painted on our armor and everything."

Max shifts and scratches at his side with his hind foot, his collar jingling merrily.

"Now that the war is over, it's like everyone's become a steel bulldog."

Oh, he definitely gets it from Herc's late son. Everyone is pretty well aware of that.

"I think that's great." She watches Max scratch himself, a small smile on her face. "He's good company, and seems to be a very positive presence in the 'dome." People need that, no matter what.

Hercules probably doesn't help matters much.

"Yeah, he's good for a good time, ol' Max." It's clear Hercules loves the big dog without reserve, even if he complains all the time.

"Perhaps we should give him some exercise?" It's an innocent enough suggestion, though there might be something more behind it. Inara spoke with more than just her fellow Companions last night, and gained quite a bit of insight about the dear Marshal here and all that he had truly been through.

He could use some pleasant company, and poor Max could use a walk, or several.

"I also wanted to speak with you about the possible acquisition of tea. I brought a decent supply, though it will not last." Is that a staple ration? She doesn't know. At any rate, it's a relatively safe conversation topic.

"Only if you bribe him with treats," he replies, pushing out of his chair and smoothing the front of his shirt before grabbing for Max's leash.

He holds it out to her with raised eyebrows, silently asking her if she wants to be the one to put it on and wield it as they walk. Max seems to like her, Herc's sure he wouldn't protest having her on the other end of his leash.

"I can add it to our list, sure. Is there a special type you need?" Hercules knows enough about how the Companion ceremony works to know that it begins with tea. He's never visited one, so he doesn't know what kind, but it's not an unreasonable request for her to make. "Most of us are coffee drinkers here, so I'm afraid we don't have much tea in stock. But I can requisition some for you, and the others."

She smiles, and takes the offered leash with said smile. She'll be happy to hold it while they walk.

"I will write the types down for you. If it's too difficult, just one will do. It isn't imperative to have seven different types of tea." Some just prefer it. Inara enjoys variety, but can make do.

"Are you one of said coffee drinkers, Marshal?"

He quirks his eyebrows at her as he leads the way out of the office, holding the door for her.

"Do you usually use seven types of tea?"

That seems like a lot. Do they use a different type of tea for each different kind of appointment? Or do they just drink endless cups of tea during their time together? It seems a little odd.

"Hm? Oh, yeah. Can't quite kick the habit, unfortunately. At least I don't smoke."

She slips out before him, wrapping the end of the leash around her hand so that Max doesn't get any bright ideas about getting free.

"No, no." Well -- some Companions might. "Not seven - not for me." She offers a smile, and waits for him once outside.

"There are worse habits to have, yes. Companions always defer to tea based rituals, but I will tell you a secret if you promise not to tell."

Max seems perfectly happy to just trot along beside her, leash or no leash. Apparently he has a new favorite. Herc would feel a little more betrayed at having his position be usurped if he couldn't sympathize.

"Ah, alright." That didn't really clear things up for him very much but that's okay. Herc is well aware of when he should and when he shouldn't ask questions.

"My lips are sealed," he promises, his eyebrows lifting as he smirks and mimes locking his lips.

Max is precious. Hands down, her new favorite 'person' on the 'dome.

"Well..."

She smiles secretly at him, and leans in, just a little.

"I actually prefer coffee. Black - no cream or sugar."

Hercules laughs, a low, warm chuckle, and shakes his head a little as he leans in and bumps her with his elbow gently.

"A woman after my own heart," he intones dramatically, smirking. "That's the only way to drink it, if you ask me."

"Oh, I agree. But you can't tell anyone." She keeps her voce low and quiet, as if they're teenage girls trading secrets. "Can you imagine the scandal, a Companion not preferring tea?"

"You'd be ruined," he agrees, a laugh still in his voice.

"But don't worry, your secret's safe with me"

"Utterly."

She smiles and bumps her shoulder against his in return, smile a little coy.

"I knew I could count on you."

She's got a beautiful smile. All of her is beautiful, actually, but that only stands to reason. She's a Companion, after all.

They walk in companionable silence for a little while before he clears his throat.

"Are you settling in well?"

Max trots along with them, the jingle of his collar the only noise for several strides.

"Well enough. Give my regards to your crew - my quarters far surpass what I have expected."

"Well, we do try to keep our guests as comfortable as possible."

Especially when said guests bring them as much status as a Companion does. Hercules won't be surprised if they get to see many more politicians than they're used to now that she's come to live with them.

"I appreciate that."

Really, she does. Even if they are moderately jesting with one another, she's being entirely honest.

"It was very kind of them to include the amenities I requested."

"I'm assuming you requested them for a reason, so yes."

The thing is, the 'dome was built to house far more people than it does. To give her a large suite with all the things she requested wasn't much of a hardship, they had the space. And he'll be able to do it for the other Companions she convinces to join her. At least, he hopes so.

"Will your sister be requiring the same sorts of things?"

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