Angelle's mine. All else is Joss'.

-----------------------------------------------

Emotions...something that as an assassin, you learn to control or at least hope you control so as to not let the enemy know what you're thinking. In the assassin rule book, it's close to the top and one would think it is also a priority to most Companions, dealing with the people they have to deal with, but someone sure as hell hadn't told Inara.

With Atherton busy acting like an arrogant asshole, oh, wait, he ain't acting, Inara pushed her way over to us, her beautiful royal blue and white lace dress hugging her thin waist as it belled around her fragile glass slippers. As I looked at her, I couldn't help but think about a bed time story my mother once told me. She smiled, her soft mocha colored lips parting to show her clean pearly teeth. Black, soft hair dropped over her shoulders like curly cascades of silk. Her voice was as smooth as her get up, its sultry sound almost blending with the soothing music instead of carrying over it. All in all, you could say I felt a bit like the homely mocking bird standing next to a colorful song bird.

"Mal, I am so glad you could come." Still playing the part of good little Companion, she made small talk or as my daddy liked to call it 'bullshittin'. Most small talk, he said, was actually a way to get in and then asked the real question on your mind. It also tended to make you drop your guard long enough to make you say yes. Daddy said it was one of my specialties. Honestly, I've got no idea what he's talkin about.

"We were in the area and it gives a chance for Kaylee bird to get dressed in her finery. Paid a lot for that dress to see it hangin' in her room." They both glanced over at the precious redhead, her arms almost elbow deep in strawberries, chocolate, and the occasional piece of imported fudge. Me, at this moment, really just wanted a swig of whiskey or moonshine, though the latter wasn't quick as ladylike.

"Captain Reynolds, how good to see you...again." Athe