tai-chi in the park [friday evening]

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

In the falling twilight, Inara can be clearly seen in the park moving through the gentle rhythms of her tai-chi exercises.

[ooc: open to interaction with townies, students, and any parents who've lost their way to the school]

Comments

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

Gabby decides to go jogging in the park with her ipod and nearly runs over Inara. "I'm sorry." she says

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

Inara manages not to fall over, but reaches out to steady herself against the other woman's shoulder.

"It's okay," she says. "No harm done. Are you okay?"

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

"What?" Gabby says taking out her headphones. "I'm fine. Sorry."

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"You might like to keep an eye where you're going, next time," Inara says, keeping her voice neutral. "The town tends to be full of unexpected surprises."

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

"Right, I'm learning that." Gabby says. "Gabrielle Solis, I run a modeling agency."

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"Inara Serra," replies Inara. She wonders whether she should attempt the shock value or just be polite. In the end, she decides polite is probably safer. "I work at the Apple."

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

"The Apple? I'm not familiar with it." Gabrielle says

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"Aphrodite's Apple," Inara says. "You'll find it in the town directory."

She's not about to tell the other woman that she works in the local brothel. People tend to get ideas about that.

"A modelling agency? Do you find work for models or find models for work?"

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

"I find models, I used to be one though." Gabby says. "Then I met Carlos, but he's in prison now."

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

It's certainly not a turn Inara expected the conversation to take. She sticks with what is probably the safest point. "Carlos?"

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

"Oh, my husband." Gabby says. "But he's out of the picture for awhile."

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"Prison does that," Inara says, facetiously. "So you're here in the town by yourself? Do you know many people here?"

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

"I met a few people today, but no I don't really know anyone."

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"It's difficult. Everyone has their own lives. I've been here several months now, and it's still very confusing. Your best bet is probably to go to one of the parties that occasionally gets thrown."

She figures that she might as well try to get to know the other woman better. "Or you could meet me for dinner on Sunday night? Have you tried the Russian restaurant, yet?"

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

"Haven't tried anything yet, my maid Yaolin cooks and cleans for me." Gabby says.

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"Well, it was just an offer," Inara says. "If you ever want someone to talk to, you can call me on my voice mail."

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

Gabby nods. "I'd love to meet you for dinner, I didn't mean that I didn't want to, I meant I haven't tried anything because I'm new."

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"Oh." Inara is a little embarrassed at misreading the young woman's signals. "Well, how about I meet you at the restaurant Sunday night?"

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

"That sounds great." Gabby says. "Oh well, I actually...I don't know where it is." she is a bit embarrassed.

(OOC: It's okay, Gabs slept with her senior in highschool gardener)

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"It should be on the town map they gave you when you registered. The town's not too large right now - it shouldn't be too difficult to find.

"Or we could meet here in the park and walk over to the restaurant."

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

Gabrielle nods, "We can do that." she says

(OOC: Which time? Lol)

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"Well, I probably shouldn't interrupt your jogging any longer. See you on Sunday night."

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

"It was great meeting you...you know, you could be a model." Gabby says with a big smile.

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

Inara returns the smile. "Thanks," she says. "I think I'll have to decline, though."

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

Gabby nods. She hands her a card."If you change your mind..."

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"I doubt I will, but thank you for the compliment!"

[sultry-solis.livejournal.com]

She nodded and went jogging on her way

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

After dinner at Deb's, Ben and Michael take a stroll through the park. They are walking with their arms around each other, and if one watched closely one might see them steal kisses now and then. They spy Inara.

Hey, Inara.

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

Hello, Mike, Ben!

Having a good evening?

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

So far, yes. It's a beautiful night. How about yourself?

((ooc: okay by me.))

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

I like autumn. It's not too hot and there are some lovely evenings.

Things are fairly quiet. A few customers, a few counselling appointments.... Quiet.

I just was speaking with a woman who's opening a modelling agency in town - the town is certainly growing.

[bens-mikey.livejournal.com]

*nods* I just hope it doesn't get overwhelming. I like the small-town feel, where people know each other and care about each other. More people can also mean more judgemental types. *pulls Ben closer* I'm just getting used to not being afraid of public displays of affection, I hope we don't have to start worrying about hate crimes.

We've got your cards on the counter at the Emporium. I know a few of them have gone home with customers. Hopefully you'll get more business soon.

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

Yes, I was worried about the 'small-town' feel of things, too. Even though I grew up in a big city, there's a sense of community here - rather like the training house I was at.

Did you have to worry about displays of affection where you used to live?

[mikeys-ben.livejournal.com]

"Unfortunately, yes. Same-gender couples had to be careful of the when and where they chose to show affection." Ben shakes his head. "People can be scarier than any monster sometimes. If you were in the wrong place or at the wrong time, you could get anything from verbal harrassment to violence." Ben smiles down at Michael. "We had a few places we could go and not worry, but we would never have dreamed of walking through the middle of the park with our arms around each other."

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

Inara stands back and looks at them. "I find it rather sweet, actually. Then again, I come from a culture that has legalised prostitution, so I'm hardly going to judge people for their sexual preferences."

She doesn't mention that Companions are taught to accept clients of both gender - although the Companion's individual sexual preferences will ultimately decide the clients they take.

[mikeys-ben.livejournal.com]

"This place has been a real haven for us. I'd hate to see us lose that." Ben raises an eyebrow at the mention of legalized prostitution, but if Inara was representative of the type of people involved, then he was all for it. "It's nice to think that someday the rest of the world will catch up to what we've got here, but it seems pretty slow in coming."

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"Well, sometimes it takes a bit of time." Thinking of the rebellions taking place against the Unified Alliance, Inara stifles a grimace. "And sometimes it takes a lot of time. It'll happen."

[mikeys-ben.livejournal.com]

"I know it will. We've taken great strides so far, but we have a way to go yet. Sometimes it saddens me to think I won't live to see it happen, though. Which makes this place so wonderful...I have yet to run into anyone who has a problem with it."

((ooc: Mun is straight but is a PFLAGer and GLBT ally who appreciates the sentiment. :) ))

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"This is a good town that way, anyway."

Glances at the guys, "I shouldn't interrupt your walk too much longer. Go wander." She grins. "And have a pleasant evening!"

[mikeys-ben.livejournal.com]

"Thanks, we will. You too." Huddled together, Ben and Michael took their leave and made their way among the soft glow of the lamps just coming on to illuminate the park.