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]

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."

[striker_eureka]

"So you can show me up with your training?"

He chuckles and shakes his head a little, clearly assuming she's either joking or humoring him. "I bet you're good at it, though. Do you play any instruments?"

[suoxi]

"Precisely." She says smartly, but laughs a little anyway.

"I do, actually." She ponders. "Several classical instruments; violin, cello. Flute..."

[striker_eureka]

"You have all of those up here?"

Musical instruments were a luxury that weren't afforded to PPDC staff and crew. They had other things to worry about, things like computers and plans and the very first fledgling Jaegers.

[suoxi]

She shakes her head.

"The violin, yes. The others are in storage. "

[striker_eureka]

"Huh." He's reluctantly impressed. "Do your sisters also play?"

[suoxi]

"Yes."

Pause.

"Does the rest of your crew enjoy music, as well?"

[striker_eureka]

He shrugs a little. "I'm sure they like listening to it, I don't know if anyone plays. You should ask, though. I'm sure we could rustle up a band of sorts. Give people something to do when they aren't working."

[suoxi]

"Music is very therapeutic. I'm sure that we could come up with something."

[striker_eureka]

"It would be nice to listen to, at least. We don't have much in the way of recreation around here, these days."

The Wei triplets' basketball hoop is still standing, but nobody's played there ever since Crimson Typhoon was brought down. It seems disrespectful.

[suoxi]

"Then I will have to see what I can do."

After all, they're here to please, aren't they?

[striker_eureka]

It takes him a moment, but then he cuts her a sideways glance.

"You don't have to," he points out, because he feels he should.

[suoxi]

"But I want to."

And there lies where the change occurred - she knows she isn't obligated to do anything. She wants to.

[striker_eureka]

"Well." As long as that's clear. "Alright, then."

He guides her around the corner with a hand absently placed on her spine, leading her away from the areas they've been to and down towards the labs.

[suoxi]

She doesn't jerk away or pull free - it's...nice to be touched with no expectation other than politeness.

"Where are we going?"