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[e_delmar]

Ennis ain't never been one for reading, like Kaylee does. And even if his hands weren't a mess, knitting still wouldn't be his thing. But he's got some wood, and he's got a knife. And even if the damn thing'll end up looking like a shaved log, carving gives him something to do, and the lounge is at least a small change of view from the bunks.

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[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She reaches over and takes his arms, rolling up his sleeves for him, careful to avoid the brush.

"Now, just have fun with it. Don't try to imitate a symbol if you don't want, just experiment."

She sits back with a smile.

[e_delmar]

Ennis frowns, moving the brush against the paper in one, two uneasy strokes. The shaking's almost not noticeable, but the strain on his face is, and he puts the brush down after drawing something that almost sort of looks like a triangle.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

Inara notices his distress.

Softly, "It's fine." She reaches over and takes his hand, gently stroking it.

[e_delmar]

"Ain't never been real good with anything like writin'."

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She sits quietly, still stroking his hand, warming it.

[e_delmar]

He takes a breath, frowning down at the brush.

"Even when it weren't done with brushes 'n such."

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

"The brushes just make things more complicated. I've worked on this for years and I'm still learning."

[e_delmar]

His look says more complicated? with something of a laugh.

"Years?"

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She grins. "Oh yes. It's one of the first things you begin learning in school, at least my school. And I continued when I entered the Training House, so it has been quite a while."

[e_delmar]

"That where you went when you were done with school?"

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

"Not quite. I entered the Training House at age twelve. It's the traditional age to begin Companion training."

[e_delmar]

He looks up, obviously surprised.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

"It sounds strange, I know, but there is far more to being a Companion than the physical aspects. There are years of intense education in all areas of science, mathematics, history, politics. Only the brightest girls, the ones with the most promise, are accepted to a Training House."

She looks up at him. "The physical education...that doesn't begin until much later."

[e_delmar]

He coughs, once, twice, it's a few minutes before he stops, his face red from [mostly] the coughing.


"Just meant, didn't know they picked people so early."

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She moves one hand to his back, rubbing it gently as he coughs.

Then it's her turn to blush slightly. "Oh! Yes, it is a bit early. But not as much as geisha back on Earth-That-Was. The traditional age for them to begin training was 3 years and 3 days. Can you imagine?"

[e_delmar]

. . . clearly, he can't.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She shakes her head. "It was difficult enough living in under the strictures of Companion life at 12, I can't begin to think what it would be like trying to control at 3 year old."

[e_delmar]

He frowns, shaking his head.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She gives his hand a squeeze. "I know it sounds strange. Even people from my world have a hard time understanding Companion life."

[e_delmar]

"Don't seem like much 'f a life to me."

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

"It is confining in a way," she admits. "But I did get to meet many different kinds of people and see a view of the world and inner workings of society that most people never do. There's a freedom in that, in understanding people and helping them."

[e_delmar]

Ennis looks skeptical. Interested, but skeptical.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

"The life is most certainly not for everyone. The classes start out much larger than those who end up making it all the way through. And you never stop learning or practising, even after you are finished with official training."

[e_delmar]

"You keep on with the, uh. school?"

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She shakes her head. "Many Companions travel - we didn't have to attend formal lessons, but I certainly practised on my own. Especially dance. But I don't have to worry about that any more."

She smiles brightly. "It's a nice change knowing that I don't have to report to anyone any longer."
Oh, what a good liar she is.