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[belongtonobody]

Inara had endured six months on the island of Tabula Rasa, bearing witness to a season of snow and a day of Reavers. She had moved from Serenity to separate herself and still spent time with the crew regularly. She had made plans to start a school, a Companion house of her own, and found herself unable to start so complex a project, one that would

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[belongtonobody]

Inara had meant it as nothing more than a joke, but the change in Kaylee's expression was enough to make her reconsider. The notion of a soiree in these circumstances was, initially, ludicrous - but they had had parties enough, certainly, in these parts before, and the little hut by the waterfall could be made to look lovely with some lanterns and a touch of effort. Maybe it wasn't such a silly idea. "Simon owes you more than one dance," she said, her own face lit up now, teasing, pleased. "Just keep being patient, mèimei, he'll come to his sense in time."

She hooked her arm through Kaylee's, absently stroking her hair, and looking up the walk to the ship she'd once called home, if only in secret and to herself. "You should come around and see it for yourself some time. It isn't much to look on, but the waterfall nearby is lovely and it's cozy enough." She'd not been able to coax much out of the clothes box to wear, but there had been odds and ends that were suited to decorating, and when the island had given everyone presents, it had seen fit to grant her a beautiful bed, all silk hangings and comfort, just as she'd once been used to. "We can sit and have tea and plan our party."

[gorramcheerful]

Kaylee barely needed an excuse to attempt to get folk together and enjoy themselves, especially when crew were involved, likely there was plenty to put together to make a party of sorts, Kaylee had a room filled with various shiny bits and pieces she could loan. Besides gatherings weren't so uncommon here! The mechanic seems to sense that Inara's curiosity in the idea had been sparked too and she grinned hopefully. As Simon was mentioned, Kaylee shared a conspiratorial sort of smile and couldn't hold back a quiet giggle. "Oh, I know." she nearly sighed, still grinning as if she didn't doubt she was right. "Patience. They teach you any particular trick for that?" Kaylee teased back, after all Inara was the most poised, calm and collected person she'd ever known!

Kaylee leaned on her friend as their arms remained linked, she'd always feel calmed 'round Inara. "Y'know I'd love to, ain't always as much work fillin' my days--" She paused. "Wait, you got yourself an waterfall?" Kaylee looked clearly delighted, they weren't uncommon, but she didn't know anyone who lived by one! "Sure thing! Y'know, that bookshelf offers all sorts o'proper books for cookin'. Bet I could make somethin' special an' all."

[belongtonobody]

"There's the trick," Inara said, smiling, pleased. "We just have to find new ways to fill your days." She knew the inability to work on the ship wore away at Kaylee, that the lack of materials and the way the ship refused to fly again ate at the girl -- and still she dedicated herself to working on Serenity however she could, making little repairs and keeping an eye on her girl. Still, there couldn't possibly be enough to keep Kaylee consistently occupied. There would have to be something else. If a party was a temporary solution, at least it was still something to do and to hold to.

"There's a waterfall right there, yes," she said, "but I'm not sure I could call it mine. A lot of people go swimming there, actually. It's lovely. We could decorate and go over those recipe books and put something nice together. A bit rustic, perhaps, but nice."

[gorramcheerful]

Kaylee grinned at the thought, trying to reorganise her day? "It's only fair, ain't so much to be done on Serenity these days. River's more often out an' about. Same as Cap'n. Simon's workin' at the clinic proper. Guess I need my own hobby, huh?" Kaylee mused, wondering what exactly that ought to be. "At least plannin' a proper shindig'd be a start, don't ya think?" She offered hopefully, as though this would be only further reason to actually hold it. She imagined, already all the crew would come. Anyone else Inara wanted!

"Wow sounds like y'picked the right place." Well, Kaylee seemed to think Inara had some claim. "Maybe it just needs a name?" She suggested, thoughtfully, grinning. "If y'gave it a proper name an' all then you'd have t'have some claim to it, right? Bet you could come up with somethin' nice." Rustic? Kaylee gave a small smirk. "Well, can't be as rough 'round the edges as half th'places we used t'visit out in th'black?" She countered almost playfully as if to talk up Island accommodation.

[belongtonobody]

So far as Inara was concerned, Tabula Rasa very nearly was the same as some of those backwater planets they'd seen so much of before, with the same lack of civilization. For all its people and government, the lack of economy grated at her still, and Inara didn't know what to do with herself without the flow of funds that enabled her to be what she had always been. Things would come together in time, though. She had only to be patient and to think, and it would be alright.

"It's comfortable enough," she allowed with a smile. "And having people over to visit will make it all the better. You can help me come up with a name when you've properly seen the place."