inara's shuttle is the place to be

[ff_ambassador]

Inara is sitting on her couch, relaxing with a cup of tea and some darning. One of her lace shawls is unraveling from the corner. She's intent on the needle in her hand, enjoying the concentration the task requires. The door to her shuttle is propped open - she's been keeping it that way recently.

Comments

[e_delmar]

Can't so much go out for a breath of fresh air when you're travellin' out in space, so instead of lighting up or driving Jack nuts (or both), Ennis' walking again. Slow, measured steps and his hand tight on a railing, whenever he can find one.

[ff_ambassador]

Inara looks up as she hears the careful steps nearing her shuttle. She gets up and sticks her head out curiously.

"Ennis! How are you today?"

[e_delmar]

He stops rather suddenly, giving his head a shake as if to clear it. It's only a moment, and then the smile's back, and his eyes are warm, if fuzzy.

"Morning Inara."

[ff_ambassador]

She smiles back. "Good morning to you. What are you up to?" She steps around into her doorframe.

[e_delmar]

He raises an eyebrow, that smile still plastered on his face.

"Going for a walk."

[ff_ambassador]

"Obviously, yes." She shakes her head. "I'm sorry, I been concentrating so hard my brain has decided to take a vacation." She waves her shawl at him.

"Well, if you'd like to take a break, would you care for a cup of tea? I have a whole pot."

[e_delmar]

A shift from foot to foot as he seems to consider something.

"Don't much care for tea, but I'll take a seat."

[ff_ambassador]

"Wonderful! Please, come in." She steps aside and ushers him in, moving ahead of him to move her sewing kit off the sofa.

"I'm sorry about the tea. If it wasn't so early in the morning, I'd offer you a real drink. It's the only other thing I have in here at the moment."

[e_delmar]

The tea's fine, saves him having to come up with an excuse for not wanting coffee.

He glances around as he enters, lowering his head a little and shifting at all the fancy stuff. The seat he takes is soft and warm, and he lets himself relax into it just a bit.

"Ain't much like the rest've the place."

[ff_ambassador]

Inara seats herself on the other part of the couch and pours another cup of tea, setting it in front of Ennis and leans back, looking around the room.

She grins. "Yes, it is a bit different. I worked out of here, so it required a bit more of refined decoration that other parts of the ship."

[e_delmar]

He shifts a little more, looking down at his chair suspiciously.

"This is where you, uh."

He coughs, pulling out a handkerchief.

[ff_ambassador]

"Well, not HERE here," she begins. As his coughing continues, she looks at him worriedly. She sits up and touches his arm lightly. "Do you need a glass of water?"

[e_delmar]

He wipes his mouth and nods.

"'preciate that."

(Of course, now his eyes are wandering over the rest of the room, curious and wary both at the same time.)

[ff_ambassador]

She gets up and hurries over to her sink, filling a spare teacup with water. She brings it back over to him, handing him the cup and sitting closer to him, eyeing him with concern.

[e_delmar]

The coughing passes, and the handkerchief's returned to his pocket. Eventually, his eyes land back on her, almost surprised to see her closer.

[ff_ambassador]

Inara is studying him. "That cough sounds nasty," she says simply.