The front lawns, outside the dorms: Monday afternoon

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack had gone for a run. A very long run, down to the beach and back, though about half way through he'd decided he was insane, because it was too damn hot, which was bad timing, because he still had to run back.

Luckily there was a hose he could soak his head with and a nice bit of lawn to stretch out on. Which was what he was doing right now, wearing nothing but a pair of very short shorts, lying on his back while he worked on his tan.

[ooc: and lo, the post was open!]

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He almost reached out to stop him. Almost. "Whatever you want," he replied instead and closed his eyes.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"It's where specially selected people train in the erotic arts, as well as receive an extensive education in the less esoteric arts, meditation, academics, and polite conversation," Inara explained, "so that they may be either permanent or temporary companions to businessmen, politicians, or anyone who pays for their--our--services."

[chasingsnitches.livejournal.com]

"Right," he said gruffly, snatching his shirt and disappearing inside the dorms.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"The practical kind of help is best. It's what I was thinking of, really," he said quickly, feeling stupid for letting his mind wander. Think he was going to blame Isabel for that. Or Ronan, or both. Dammit.

"Definitely going to do that, Jack. Definitely. Thanks, man."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack opened his eyes in time to see him disappear, and he sighed and rubbed his head, wondering if--

No. It was easier not to think, and he closed his eyes again, basking in the sun and let his mind go still.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack was nodding as she explained, It was what he thought. "Impresive. Very impressive, it's not easy to get accepted in those places for training," he said, then grinned. "Though someone as lovely as you, and as naturally charming? You probably had to shoo the offers away."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

A curl of something that felt a lot like anger drifted through him, and he watched her leave though narrowed eyes.

With a snort of laughter, he dismissed it and stretched out on the grass again.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Blushing slightly, because she'd heard stories about the bidding, she replied, "I was very young at the time and don't really remember that much about the details."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Practical help is what I'm best at." Jack very lightly traced a finger along Johnny's knuckles, testing his reaction. "Think you can find room 215? I think what you need is a chance to," he smiled wickedly and met his eyes, "experiment. With someone a little bit more experienced, who won't put any pressure on you."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Okay, no chick flicks. But no horror," Lana insisted. "I don't mind fighting and things blowing up, but no scary evil gory things."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana laughed and sat down next to him. "So how did you get to come back? What have you been up to? I've missed you!"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

The blush was adorable, and Jack very lightly brushd his fingers across the back of her hand. "Tell me what it's like," he said. "Why do you want to be a Companion?"

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"I want to make people forget whatever's bothering them," Inara said, almost surprising herself, "and to find comfort, even if it's just for an hour or two. What about you? Are you a student here?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack barely followed that. "You're going to make me a pie?" he asked, bemused. "And I'm very sure you taking off your shirt would distract people."

[la, LJ, thanks for not giving me notifications!]

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He smiled crookedly at her answer. "Admirable, and I used to be. Last graduating class, got some time off and came back to be a TA, apparently."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"No gore, got it," Johnny said then gave her a serious look. "Can't believe you didn't come out and watch the flag football game yesterday."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Oh? For which class?" she asked with interest.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Had some time off, and this seemed a good a place as any," he said with a shrug. "And I am extremely missable."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Dealing with the opposite sex," he said, smirking. "Something I have a lot of practice with. I think I've dealt with all of them, actually."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Johnny didn't move but he glanced down at Jack's finger as he traced the back of his hand. Then he met his eyes. "Yeah, I can do that," he heard himself say before seriously considering it. Not that that was a bad thing; just different for him despite the few times he'd been with Ronan.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"All of them?" Inara asked, "Don't you mean both?"

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

"For Pie class. At some point. Though today, we just learned about crusts, with puppets." Evie nodded vehemently. "And it would! It would certainly distract Sokka." She smiled happily, and confided, "Really, it's not fair that he can take his shirt off in public and be within the bounds of propriety, but I can't. He was naked! From the waist up! For most of the game!"

[irulan-atreides.livejournal.com]

After enduring the heat in the common rooms Irulan decided to take a walk outside, perhaps it would be much cooler outside than it was inside thre building.

What she saw instead made her stop in her tracks.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Which had Jack blinking at her again, and smiling widely, because she was too cute. "Did you want to take your shirt off? Because I happen to agree with you. It is incedibly unfair. I'm sure I could talk to someone, see if they'd change their mind."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Nope," he said, watching her carefully for her reaction. "Not in the fifty-first century. Humans only have two, but there's a handful of aliens which have a few more."