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]

Jack smiled slowly as he watched her cross the lawn. "And a very good afternoon to you," he said, sitting up and stretching a little. "Jack Harkness, at your service."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Inara Serra," she bowed slightly, "at yours as well, it seems."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Really?" The look in Jack's eye was partly speculative, but mostly teasing. "So if I asked you to sit and talk for awhile, you would?"

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Recognizing Jack's look for what it was, Inara laughed. This she could handle. "I suppose I would, yes."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Then come, sit, tell me all about Inara Serra," he invited, waving a hand at the grass next to him.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"There's not much to tell," she shrugged one shoulder as she sat down on the grass, gracefully folding her feet underneath her, "I'm fifteen, grew up in Companion House Madrassa on Shinon--that's one of the best ones in the Alliance," she said with some pride, "and ended up here because of a lottery."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack watched her appreciatively, admiring her grace. "Companion House?" he asked, having an inkling what that might be. 'The Alliance' was ringing a bell, but he couldn't quite place it.

[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."

[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."

[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]

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]

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."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

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

[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."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

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

[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."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Inara considered that information. She wouldn't judge Jack for it, but she was a bit relieved she'd only be expected to work with and for two sexes of humans. "Is it a difficult adjustment? Practically, I mean?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Not if you're smart and ask questions if you're not familiar with the species in question." Jack rubbed his forehead with one hand and grinned, looking the tiniest bit sheepish. "I learned that one the hard way. Working out the mechanics sometimes take a bit of imagination, but that just adds to the fun."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Fun?" She asked, "My instructors tended to emphasize ritual and comfort and passion--fun wasn't really discussed as a goal."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack boggled at her. "Seriously?"

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Of course."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Wow. Wow, okay. You're missing out. On a lot." Jack was still staring a bit, wondering what sort of training they were being given to skip the most important part. "Can I ask," and normally he wouldn't hesitate, but she was only fifteen, "are Companions not supposed to enjoy sex?" He'd heard of groups like that, but they were usually attached to a religion.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Oh, no, mutual enjoyment is definitely the point of the exercise," she said with a smile, "but there's a difference between enjoyment and fun, at least by my understanding."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Huh." Jack rubbed his chin thoughtfully, turning that over in his head, and still not getting it. "Had much practical experience?"