(no subject)

[suoxi]

Characters: Inara Serra & Open
Date: After her network post, during this week (2/5-2/10)
Location: Various. See below!
Situation: Various
Warnings/Rating: PG13 at least. There will 100% be talkings of sex.


((ooc: this is kind of a catch-all post generated from Inara’s network post. If you want to interact with her in any way feel free to tag in outside of the setup below! She has a few meetings set up but feel free to tag outside of them!))

Comments

Tea Shop;

[suoxi]

[ Inara has set up different times and meetings for those that wanted to speak with her in regards to her job, or propositions, or those that are simply curious and would like to meet her. She works at a small tea house in the Fire Sector, and those interested were given the address and directed to meet her at a specific time at that location. The kedan owners were fine with this - it meant more business, and Inara's presence seemed to bring in people on its own, anyway.

She waits for her guest here, tea service in front of her, hair piled high with select ringlets dangling to frame her face. ]

Brothel Research;

[suoxi]

[ For those interested in accompanying her to the brothels, Inara waits again by her tea house, but this time outside of it. She is willing to make several trips in order to get different perspectives and opinions. Don't be afraid to tag under this thread! ]

Let me know if you'd like me to edit or move this comment!

[lostundercover]

[Having only just arrived recently, Costigan missed Inara's post. Instead, he happens into the tea shop looking for a cup of coffee, casing out various places in all of the sectors to try and familiarize himself with the city as quickly as possible. He glances over to her as soon as he enters and can't help but do a double-take. Native or human? He feels like a woman like that has to be human, but it seems odd to see her in an environment like this.

Costigan begins heading to the counter to order himself something, but he pauses and turns to walk towards her instead. She already has a drink, so he can't really offer her that, but he'd be beating himself up if he didn't find some excuse to talk to her.]

Are you meeting someone?

[It's a simple question whose answer can tell a lot. The former undercover is dressed in jeans, a simple navy t-shirt, and a plain lightweight brown jacket. His hands are stuffed into his jacket pockets and he glances around fairly regularly. Someone perceptive will probably get the sense that he's fairly anxious, fatigued, all too willing to fight when needed, and yet somewhat well-mannered in spite of his blue collar appearance in the way that he held the door for someone leaving and now still gives her some space as he asks.]

[batwave]

[Bruce had missed Inara's initial post setting this meeting up. His first foray into the network had drawn more attention than Bruce had ever really wanted, so he's been staying far away from it, aside from monitoring a few select people.

In the few days since his arrival, Bruce had managed to land a small job peddling paper lanterns and that suited him just fine. The owner seemed quite taken with him and didn't seem to mind that he had actually flaked out on the last couple of hours of his shift.

Gotta keep up the flakey persona, right?

He's taking Dick's advice about a nice restaurant in the Fire Sector, but decides on the tea house instead. It was smaller and he could keep a better eye on the goings on around him. When he strolls in, hands stuffed into his pockets, he almost immediately spots Inara sitting alone. Though instead of obviously taking the empty chair at her table, he sits at the vacant table nearby and smiles before lifting his menu.]

This all sounds great. [He glances at Inara.] Any recommendations for the new guy?

this is good :>

[suoxi]

[ The tea set she has is arranged for the potential of guests, but the cups are stacked so that it could also be a standard table setting - especially for a place like this. Most tables were stocked with the pot and four cups - Inara could be alone, or waiting on company. It's not an unfair question to ask. ]

Not for some time, no. Please -- have a seat. You look exhausted.

[ She smiles, and gestures for him to sit across from her. ]

Are you new? You have the look of someone who's recently washed up.

[suoxi]

[ Inara watches most patrons come in and out - it's a habit of hers, people watching. It's something Companions just did - it was in their nature, part of their job.

When Bruce entered, her eyes followed him until he spoke and addressed her - then she smiles. ]

I suppose it depends on your preference. Do you like things spicy or mild?

[lostundercover]

[It seems too easy and that almost makes him more anxious. Costigan casts a glance around the place before he looks back to the woman and takes the seat as indicated. He shifts in his chair, surprised by just how prepared she seems for this kind of thing, as if expecting him.]

I'm fine. [He offers lightly, mostly out of habit.]

Yesterday. I've been getting to know the city.

[depicted]

[Dorian has taken a liking to Inara, which is no surprise. She is beautiful to look at (never a flaw) but she is also beautiful through cultivation and performance. Charming grace—what the German might call anmut—holds far more attraction to him than mere physical beauty. Like all good art, it puts him in a good mood.]

Good evening, Ms Serra. You're doing well, I hope?

[squint]

[ Cobb is nervous. Which is to be expected, he figures--but it's immediately gone the moment he lays eyes on the girl. She's far more beautiful than the video comes across, that's for sure. There's a certain way she holds herself. Elegantly, beautifully. It reminds him of Mal.

Cobb's lips twist into a half-smile as he approaches her, though he doesn't quite sit. Not yet. ]

Inara?

[epigrammatical]

[Lord Henry strolls in to the tea house with his usual insouciance, spotting Inara quickly and approaching her table. He greets her with a gentlemanly bow, and waits for her invitation to seat himself.]

Miss Serra. Thank you for making the time to meet.

[suoxi]

[ Old habits die hard. She can understand this. ]

It's not so bad, once you come to understand the layout. I'm Inara.

[ She smiles, and offers her hand. ]

Would you care for some tea?

[suoxi]

[ She looks up and smiles at him, inclining her head just a fraction when he speaks her name. ]

Yes. Please, have a seat.

[ Inara gives him a warm, genuine smile - and pours both herself and him a cup. ]

You know, after we spoke on the network, I realized that I never caught your name. So many people here prefer anonymity...It's something that manages to both baffle and intrigue me at the same time. I can understand the need for secrecy, of course, though sometimes I wonder at the motives.

[suoxi]

[ The invitation is immediately extended - she gestures, smile tugging at the corners of her red lips. ]

Of course. Do sit - while likely not exactly as you're accustomed to, the tea here really is quite good.

[suoxi]

[ Inara dips her head in a bow of acknowledgement, smiling merrily at him when she is addressed. ]

Mr. Gray. I am, thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you in person.

[squint]

No intention. [ If it was, Cobb would have purposely sought to put himself on anonymous. Called himself Mr. Charles. He'd merely been far too occupied with--well, everything.

He slides in, notes the smile is genuine, and actually manages to half-return it, gaze sliding to his own ring finger, empty.

This is not a dream. He thinks that, anyway, and takes the hot cup. ]

It's Dom. I wasn't really thinking when I texted you. [ But he's here. And that smile was just what he needed. ]

[suoxi]

My topic seemed to have thrown several people off -- and perhaps offended one or two.

[ that's alright. she'd known it would - the one young woman had reminded her so strongly of Mal she'd had to fight from reacting in a way that she would've had she been speaking with the man himself. ]

In any case, it's a pleasure to meet you in person, Dom. I find...conversing over tea or something similar has a much more personal affect. Don't you? There's nothing quite like face to face interaction.

[squint]

Face to face interaction is tricky. [ It's honest--damned honest, and he takes the cup, blowing on it before hazarding a small, small sip. It's perfect, just like the way she smiles. Reminds him of how Mal used to smile, and Cobb, in turn, looks at Inara with a wistful gaze. ]

It's when the games start.

[suoxi]

[ It IS honest – and her opinion of him just went up a notch. He’s smart – she can appreciate and admire that. ]

It can be tricky. It’s an unfortunate risk we take communication with each other as a whole, I suppose. [ she sips her tea, aware of the look he’s casting in her direction but unable to define it as of yet. ]

But I hope that you and I can at least communicate with as few hiccups as possible.

[epigrammatical]

[He sits, tidying hat, gloves, and walking-stick with his customary neatness and efficiency.]

So long as the tea provides the purpose to which I am accustomed—balm, social lubricant, and something to do with one's hands—I am sure it is excellent.

[depicted]

And you. Hopefully, we'll be able to find what you want to see. Is Favrielle here already?

[lostundercover]

[Costigan reaches out and gifts her hand a gentle shake, then he withdraws his hand almost immediately.]

Bill Costigan?

[He says it like it's a question. Like maybe she has the wrong guy right now. While the undercover doesn't really suffer from a lack of confidence, he can recognize that her comfort level in this situation is too high; something is off.]

I'm not really a tea guy. I was actually looking for some coffee when I came in here.

[suoxi]

Unfortunately, I received word that Favrielle is under the weather. She won't be joining us on this tour. [ Inara seems genuinely disappointed. ]

It will be just us, if that's all right.

[suoxi]

[ the smile broadens a fraction. [

Then you will find it perfectly suited to your needs, then.

[ she pours him a cup, and herself one as well. ]

Now, you had questions for me...?

[batwave]

Spicy, definitely.

[His smile matches her own. How sincere it is, however, is still up in the air.]

Re: Tea Shop;

[occupygotham]

[ when Bane leaves his liberally titled residence, it is with his jacket done up to the top most button, a scarf wrapped liberally around his mask. While he is not ashamed of his appearance, far from it, this potential meeting is something he would like to keep off of the Bat's radar. It is far from fool-proof, but it was enough to disconcert the eye as he made his way openly through the streets of the Fire sector.

he finds her quickly. a boon.

when he approaches her table, his gaze is steady, his thumbs hook into the lapels of his jacket ]

Miss Serra, I presume?