for striker_eureka

[suoxi]

(( continuing from here ))

Inara, true to her word, arrives at his door the next morning. She's better prepared to meet Max this time; she has a pouch of treats that she has acquired, and the dress is cotton - easier to clean - as opposed to silk.

She taps on the door, and waits.

Comments

[suoxi]

"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."

[striker_eureka]

"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?"

[suoxi]

Inara nods, continuing the leisurely pace they'd set.

"More than likely, yes. We all have different requests, though we are fairly accommodating if something cannot be done."

[striker_eureka]

"Well, I'm sure we'll do our best to accommodate them."

A pause, then he looks over at her, apparently giving to the urge to ask a question that's been bugging him.

"So how many other Companions are we talking about?"

[suoxi]

"Four more." She glances back at him, a brow raised.

"Is that alright? There would be five total, including myself."

A lot for one 'dome.

[striker_eureka]

"Five Companions for one Shatterdome?"

Look, Hercules isn't exactly a businessman, but he can see how renting space to five registered Companions is pretty much a win-win situation.

"You won't be stepping on each other's toes?"

[suoxi]

"Is that too many?"

She pauses and turn to look at him curiously.

"I can always tell them no."

[striker_eureka]

He hurries to assure her it's totally fine.

"No, no, it's fine with me," he says, holding his hands out almost in supplication.

"I don't know how you ladies run your businesses, I don't want you feeling too cramped or something. I know this is a big 'dome, but still." He grimaces a little, like he's aware of how poorly he's articulating himself, and hopes he hasn't offended her or something.

[suoxi]

"We will be fine, Marshal."

Inara's smile turns sly.

"We are big girls, I promise. We can handle ourselves accordingly. Why..." She lifts a shoulder. "We might even decide to pool our resources and invest in a Festival of Flowers, as a gesture of appreciation."

[striker_eureka]

Hercules does not blush. He might clear his throat a little and scratch the back of his neck, but that's it.

"I'm almost afraid to ask you what that is..."

[suoxi]

She's not chuckling. Not at all, nope.

"A party, of sorts. Everyone needs a break, now and then."

[striker_eureka]

He appears a little mollified.

"Ah. I think the 'dome could do with a party, don't you? It's been a while since we had cause to celebrate much of anything."

[suoxi]

"Whatever you were thinking, it isn't that." She leans in and whispers conspiratorially.

"We don't participate en mass."

[striker_eureka]

Again, he does not blush. He does give her a sidelong look though, and huffs a little.

"Yes, I figured that out, thank you."

It's not his fault, okay, he's never requested a Companion before, he doesn't really know how their whole system of business works, or what they offer.

[suoxi]

His indignant has her laughing.

"I will be happy to clarify anything you need, Marshal."

She's teasing, mostly.

[striker_eureka]

"You're too kind," he says dryly, his eyebrow lifting.

But her laughter is nice, and Max yaps at him, bored just standing around in the hall, so he continues their previous trajectory.

"If it's not too much... Why did you decide to become a Companion?"

[suoxi]

She starts up walking along with him, and lifts a shoulder.

"It seemed...glamorous, I suppose. All the tradition, the finery, the beauty."

[striker_eureka]

It's been a very, very long time since Hercules has let himself think about glamor or finery; it's almost a completely foreign concept to him.

"It certainly suits you," is what he ends up saying, nodding at her dress and her artfully curled hair and pristine makeup.

[suoxi]

She inclines her head.

"Thank you. I realize we can be considered rather frivolous, but our profession is something we revere greatly. We respect ourselves and our bodies, and we truly care about our clients."

[striker_eureka]

He's quiet for a few steps before he speaks up again, reaching up to scratch at his beard.

"I think the things that make you happy should never be considered frivolous. And if that means tea ceremonies and pretty dresses, then... That's nobody's business but your own."

[suoxi]

"...Thank you."

It was very kind of him to say; not many people think of it that way.

"What makes you happy, Marshal? Other than pretty dresses and nice smiles?" Wink.

[striker_eureka]

Risking your life as often as Hercules has tends to give you a different perspective on life. So he'll never fully understand all the things that are apparently necessary for a Companion to run her business, so what?

"I like music," he finally admits. "Never was any good at it, but it was nice to sit on the porch and pick at a guitar with an eskie of beer at my feet while the sun set."

[suoxi]

"So do I." Inara isn't sure what an 'eskie' is, but she figures it out quickly enough. "I've always enjoyed music. Do you sing, Marshal?"

[striker_eureka]

He barks out a laugh. "Lord, no. Like I said, I never was any good at it." He's selling himself short. So he'll never join the opera or anything, but he can carry a tune alright, and he's got a good memory for lyrics.

But Hercules has been a soldier all his life; sometimes other things are deemed unimportant and pushed by the wayside.

[suoxi]

She's not completely buying it; he has a good baritone - she bets he can carry a tune.

"I can sing. Perhaps we can get together sometime."