video;

[virginprice]

[Alcuin is sitting at his console with a thoughtful look on his face. It's been long enough that he's settled in and now he has concerns beyond the absolutely necessary- and the money to take care of them.]

Are there any in the city who have a marquist's skill? The circumstances of my arrival left my marque in need of tending, and I now have the coin to pay for it- if none of those who have been brought here know it, I will look among the kedan, but I thought I would try my fellow exiles to begin with.

[He smiles.] If you know of anyone, pray tell me. I would be grateful indeed.

Comments

[virginprice]

[He adds the sugar and passes her the cup, his dark eyes dancing.]

Quite understandable. I have something of a taste for sweets, myself.

[suoxi]

[ taking it gingerly, she flashes him a sultry little smile before wrapping her fingers around the cup to warm her hand. ]

Then you're in luck, I brought quite the stash.

[virginprice]

I cannot wait to have a taste.

[His smile is innocent. Flirting? What flirting could there possibly be?]

[suoxi]

[ what? flirt? her? noooo. that's not a coy look at all. ]

I'm fairly sure you'll enjoy the selection. It's only the best, of course. I could hardly present you with anything subpar.

[virginprice]

[Of course not. Nor is this one.]

I cannot believe that anything you touch would be subpar.

[suoxi]

[ she takes a tiny sip, though her eyes remain trained on him. she's got a merry look on her face - the casual, playful banter is fun. ]

Absolutely not. I make a point to pick only the very best.

[virginprice]

[It is rather nice. It reminds him of a Servant of Naamah who had an assignation with him- yes, a Servant was given an assignation with another Servant for a birthday present. He had a good time.]

As you deserve, of course. [He sips his own tea, after adding quite a bit of sugar.]

[suoxi]

[ she laughs lightly, and tilts her head to the side ever so slightly.]

As do you.

[ the tea is good - he hadn't ruined it, though she hadn't really expected him too.

Not much, anyway.

She's eying the sweets; cinnamon is one of her favorite things and it doesn't take long for her to settle on one and nibble. ]

[virginprice]

[Alcuin takes one for himself and takes a neat bite- another practiced skill. Can't be getting crumbs all over a patron.]

How have you been? I have not seen you since Messire Wayne's party, I believe.

[suoxi]

[ that would be terribly inappropriate ]

Well enough. I'm still working on opening a Companion house here. [ she smiles wryly. ]] It's more work for one person than I anticipated, but well worth the effort, I think.

[virginprice]

I cannot imagine it would be easy. Do you require assistance with anything? [Besides... the actual sleeping with people. Probably.]

[suoxi]

[ an amused look flashes over her features. ]

At the moment, it's all on the business side. Finding a building, establishing contacts, that sort of thing. It's a lot more tedious than I'd anticipated.

You don't happen to have a knack for numbers, do you?

[virginprice]

[Well, he prefers the business side to the other, anyway!]

I am quite good with them. Delaunay ensured our education was thorough, and I've always enjoyed the challenge.

[suoxi]

While...talented in many ways, I confess accounting is not one of my strong points. [ she gives him a smile. ]

You wouldn't happen to be interested in that aspect of it, would you?

[virginprice]

If it would assist you, I would be happy to turn my hand to it. I've gone over Delaunay's books before- I know how it works. [It can't be that different in Keeliai, can it? Numbers remain fairly static.]

[suoxi]

That would be wonderful.

[ she's relieved, and she leans back and relaxes a little. ]

You would be free to choose your own clients, if you opted for that avenue, as well.

[virginprice]

[He doesn't precisely frown, but he looks down and fiddles with his teacup.]

It would be strange to have such free choice.

[suoxi]

[ she leans forward and reaches to take one of his hands, giving it a brief squeeze. ]

You absolutely don't have to do anything you don't want to. If you choose to continue your trade here, do it at your leisure and pleasure. No one else's.

[virginprice]

[He squeezes back, but sighs a little.]

I have never felt wholly easy about how I left the service of Naamah. I did penance for it, yes, but... it's a complicated story. I do not know if matters would be different here, compared to home.

[suoxi]

[ She considers this as she lets go and leans back, hands clasping together. ]

Hm. I suppose that would be entirely based on how you felt. You are, of course, under no obligation.

[ if it made his life more complicated and reminded him of a time when he wasn't truly happy, then it certainly wasn't something Inara would ever press. However, if he chose to do so, she would be happy to instruct him, should he care to learn, in all the ways of a Companion. ]

[virginprice]

I know. It would hardly be the same situation as at home.

[Where his patrons were important to Delaunay, but not him- though he could have said no, of course. He could have refused any of them, and he did sometimes. Mostly Vitale Bouvarre.]

Truly, I would not mind taking clients who only wish for pleasant company and talk. I always found that the most interesting.

[And having a beautiful man pay attention to every word you say can be very attractive for some.]

[suoxi]

[ She nods. Situations here on the turtle could be...complicated. ]

I always found that part to be the most mentally stimulating. I very much enjoy a good conversation.

[virginprice]

My favourite patrons were those who liked to talk- but most of them thought I would have no interest in such matters as I did. Mostly they liked to talk to me.

[He was always good at playing ornamental, after all.]

[suoxi]

[ she smiles at him, and reaches for her teacup. ]

Sometimes people just need someone to listen to them. I can understand that.