How to be a Companion

[ff_ambassador]

Inara is sitting on the couch in her shuttle, a tea set in front of her on the table, the spout of the teapot steaming slightly. She is smiling, imagining how the upcoming conversation is going to go

Comments

[the_seafarer]

"Good afternoon, Inara," he says, and gives her a cheerful, boyish smile, hands clasped behind his back. "It's my pleasure, I assure you. It seems strange that we have never met before, doesn't it?"

And stranger that we should first meet in this way, his smiling eyes seem to say, and despite having communicated with her via note to arrange this meeting adds: "I hope I'm not interrupting?"

[ff_ambassador]

"It does. It's amazing how many patrons Milliways has these days," she agrees, ushering him into the shuttle and closing the door slightly behind her. There's no need for anyone (Jayne, Mal) to eavesdrop on this conversation.

She reads the slight discomfort perfectly and smiles at him reassuringly. "You're not interrupting in the slightest - I've actually been waiting for you. Please, have a seat." She directs him to the couch and seats herself gracefully beside him.

[the_seafarer]

"Thank you." The couch is comfortable and low; he sits easily and though he holds himself straight, he feels as relaxed as...might be expected.

The shuttle itself reminds him vaguely of a small apartment belonging to a Tarkheena of Calormen; the rich cloth and scent of incense warm the little shuttle, jewel-bright colors gleam while covering metal walls. It is private and welcoming and quiet; a haven, of sorts.

As is Inara herself. He turns to her with a fainter smile than the one he had greeted her with, but no less candid. "I wanted to thank you, as well, for...agreeing to aid me. I'm afraid I'm rather hopelessly at loose ends, and aside from what Mal has told me," his mouth quirks a little; they both know what information from Mal can be like. "Well, we're starting at a fairly blank slate."

[ff_ambassador]

Inara rolls her eyes slightly at the mention of Mal, her mouth also quirking. "Well, you are welcome. And really I should be thanking you. I have a bit of a vested interest in this particular caper." Her smile twists slightly as an image of Atherton floats into her mind.

She shakes it off and smiles again at Caspian. "Where would you like to begin? If you have any specific questions about Companions, that might be good to answer first."

[the_seafarer]

He notes the twist, and frowns just slightly before nodding. "Yes, I know." Mal hadn't said much, but what he had mentioned was more than enough. How any man could treat any woman in that manner, no matter what their class or occupation, is dumbfounding.

Shifting in his seat a little, his fingers linked lightly together, he nods again, and looks just past her for a moment in thought. "I...know every little about your role," he says, finally, "though I think I understand as much as I know. This man, he assumed too much and was rightfully punished," and will be again, "and I wish not to make the same mistake. Not least because it will make my disguise all the more convincing." His voice is mild and level, and now when he meets her eyes once again, his own are frank, friendly.

"Perhaps you could begin by telling me more about yourself and your work?"

[ff_ambassador]

Inara smiles ruefully. "I think it would be difficult for you to make the same mistake. I'll see if I can try to explain. Though, to do things properly, we should have a cup of tea first

[the_seafarer]

"I certainly agree." The tea is soothing and tastes exotic; far different from the sort he knows well. Replacing the cup carefully, he leans forward a little, hands folded on one leg.

The temptation is to ask what he needs to know and whether she can show him, but he restrains it. Impatience is the last thing that might help with this particular situation, and Inara's soft voice and graceful movements have helped to calm him.

He supposes that is part of what he'll have to learn.

"It appears I've quite a lot to learn. These traditions; are they all like the tea? And..." He hesitates, a little, but she is being frank and deserves the same respect from him, and so continues with only a slight pause. "Do they differ, between the men and the women?"

[ff_ambassador]

Inara smiles. "No, there are no differences between men and women when it comes to traditions."

She leans back a bit, studying him. "The most important thing to use when acting like a Companion is control. Over emotions, desires, everything. A Companion shows only what she, or he, wants their client to see. And the more you focus on them, the easier it is."

The look on her face changes. The smile is smaller, yet more mysterious, her eyes focused intently on Caspian. She looks down, then peers up at him through her lashes, like she can't resist gazing at his face, her smile like it had never fallen on anyone else.

[the_seafarer]

He grows still, and meets her gaze--who could not? the effect is magnetic, as heady as wine--and then drops his own to shake his head slightly. "I see," is all he says, though his mouth twitches slightly. (After all, he is not impersonating a Companion just yet, and though his control is never quite let go there is no need to harness his every expression just yet.)

Still, it takes a moment before he looks back up at her again. "Aye. I understand. It is...flattering, to be the object of such focus. Your clients must count themselves fortunate, indeed."

[ff_ambassador]

Inara doesn't laugh, though the temptation is there. She drops the power of her gaze and her smile becomes a grin.

"It's a power, and a heady one at that." She leans back and makes herself comfortable. "I'm sure you understand why we have an intense screening process when chosing clients. And another key thing to remember is that a Companion always choses her clients. She is never forced to be with anyone, which is why it is rare that anyone who has earned a black mark can rejoin the Registry. Why would a Companion choose to be with them when there are plenty other petitioners for her affections?"

Her grin turns a bit evil. "Which is why that should be fun for you. A client's first interview is suitably intensive - this one will be even more so."

[the_seafarer]

His own smile widens at hers, and his shoulders shake a little with his low chuckle. "So I've come to understand."

Mal had been very amused by the thought, really.

Sitting back, he considers the information he has and what he requires, and then gives Inara a merry look. "Why indeed? And yet this man will believe that he can change his fortune. I suppose his ego will take care of much of that, really." Lifting a hand, he rubs idly at his jaw.

"What part of the interview will I be responsible for? I know that Jack will be there, taking it partly in hand, but I imagine the Companion is more than a simple prize to be won. How does the role--my role--play out there?"

[ff_ambassador]

Inara nods. "You need to make sure you are asking him about anything that is pertinent to his return, and those can be some uncomfortable areas to cover. His financial situation, for one - Companions aren't cheap. His health, making sure he has had a full physical recently and he should have records to prove this. Feel free to inquire after his recent sexual encounters as well." Her expression becomes slightly disgusted. "There's no telling where he had to go after losing Client status."

She thinks for a moment. "I think the most important thing you will trying to find out, as a Companion, is why he thinks he should have the right to contract with Companions again. I would expect an indepth answer and it would have to be sincere. Bribery would not work - the Guild is very protective of our people. It's more like a family than a business."

[the_seafarer]

"It is fortunate, then, that this is not a true interview." Will it be face-to-face? He wonders if he'll be able to keep his temper in control.

Though his face colours slightly, he simply nods in understanding. "Aye. I'll do my best. As, I'm sure will Mal and Jack, though..." he trails off, and then laughs. "Though perhaps Mal's questions won't be the very best to use. So I will be asking the questions, I imagine, and Jack will be...acting as a buffer, I suppose?"

There is another thing that weighs on his mind, and though he hasn't mentioned it yet, it casts a slightly uneasy look into the clear sea-gray eyes.

Tradition, Inara had said. He has little qualms with punishing this man--he is a cad and an arrogant fool--but to merely pretend to be part of something so old and honored troubles him. It eases his mind a little to think that he is not mocking it, merely playing a role, but he resolves to ask Inara about it before leaving.

[ff_ambassador]

Inara nods slowly. "I think that would probably be best. Not that I don't trust them, but, well, you have the right air about you. I can't really explain it, but that noble sort of attitude is exactly right."

She sees the unease in his face and looks at him quizzically. "There's something bothering you. Please tell me - I promise, whatever it is you won't offend me."

[the_seafarer]

From King to Companion. He smiles a little at the thought.

"Aye. It's just that--the whole thing began as a joke, of sorts, though it isn't any longer, and I do not wish to offend, Inara. Your traditions and customs; they are respected, they are important. It only troubles me that they might be misused in any way."

She has a powerful and empathetic gaze, but he meets it with his own frank one. "I only want to assure you that I hold your traditions in as high a regard as my own. But you understand my worry?" It almost isn't a question. He's quite sure that Inara's depth of understanding is likely greater than his own.

[ff_ambassador]

Inara looks at him for a moment, a huge smile growing on her face. She leans over and impulsively kisses his cheek.

"That is incredibly generous and thoughtful of you. I'm not sure you realize how rare it is for someone who isn't a Companion to understand us."

She takes his hand a squeezes it gently. "You won't be misusing our customs, you'll be helping to bring justice to someone who has it coming to them. But your worry is reason enough for me to allow you to do it."