Chapter 8: Emotional Hurricane

Lola sat in her room staring critically at the décor. It was certainly a far cry from what she was used to and the thought of spending the next two nights all cramped up pained her. She knew she should be grateful that she had escaped Persephone safely but old habits die hard and she had a habit of expecting the best. Growing weary of her surroundings she lay down to have a nap but was interrupted by a knock at the doors. She slid the door open to reveal Inara dressed in a deep blue sari and holding a teapot.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you” Said Inara as she glided past Lola and set her teapot and cups down on the desk “Mal told me that he had taken you as cargo and I thought I would take it upon myself to offer you my company, and some tea of course.”

“That is most kind of you” Replied Lola, giving Inara the first genuine smile her lips had formed since she boarded Serenity.

Inara poured two cups of steaming hot tea and then, cup in hand, sat daintily upon Lola’s bed, arranging her skirt carefully with her spare hand. Even though her eyes were focused on her sari she could tell Lola was looking at her. She could feel the burn of Lola’s gaze so much so that it made her slightly uncomfortable. Eager not to endure any more staring she pursed the only topic they had in common.

“So, Mal tells me you trained as a Companion”

“No completely.” Admitted Lola “I trained as one for a while but soon came to realise that life as a companion would be too restrictive for a woman such as I and so I left. However, I did not want all of my training to go to waste and so I became a diplomat soon found myself on Persephone. It seems that having a woman doing all the talking works wonders, as I’m sure you’d understand”

“All too well” Replied Inara, sipping her tea but never taking her eyes of Lola.

“I suppose you’re wondering how a woman of such supposedly high status came to be on the run. I admit it must sound odd” Said, smiling once again.

“Not as odd as you might think”