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The presence of Inara Serra on Boros was something that Ignatius Lui always looked forward to.
When he'd first moved to Boros to better manage his shipping company, the lack of a good Companion house had been the last con in his pros and cons list that he wasn't able to dismiss easily. His twice-monthly ritual of contracting a Companion on Bernadette was a luxury not easily given up, and while Boros did boast House Mektep, it was only recently established and did not yet boast Companions of Core caliber.
So when the House Priestess at Madrassa on Sihnon contacted Ignatius directly, he paused his work day to take the call.
"Mr. Lui, I hope this isn't too inconvenient a time," she said, looking elegant on her wave video.
"No, certainly not. What can I do for you, ma'am?"
"Oh, there's nothing I need from you, but seeing as you've been in absolutely excellent standing with the guild, I thought I would share some news with you."
"I would love to hear it."
"I see that you made rather regular appointments with several Companions on Bernadette for many years before your move to Boros. I can only assume that you're missing that comfort."
"I must admit that I am."
"I'm pleased to let you know that one of our top ranked girls has decided to start an exciting new chapter of her career and will be taking her work to the 'Verse by renting room on a cargo ship that occasionally makes the New Canaan run. I believe she will be on Boros with some frequency. May I pass along your file to her?"
"I would be honored if you would," Ignatius said with a broad smile. "And I'm humbled that you thought to contact me directly."
"It was my pleasure," said the House Priestess, and she disconnected the wave.
Inara Serra was everything that Ignatius had been missing of the Core; elegant, refined, up to date on the trends and fashions that everyone Ignatius knew back home was enjoying.
She was frankly so good at her job that Ignatius offered her a long term position on Boros as his personal Companion far faster than was really appropriate. She declined politely and when he pressed, she said vague things about really liking her spot on the transport ship.
He really couldn't understand that. He'd seen the ship that her shuttle docked in and it was truly an eyesore. He told her as such and saw her eyes turn hard for just a split second before she laughed delicately.
"It's about the people on it," she told him. "And I'm really very happy with our current arrangement."
He knew a dismissal when he heard it.
She still agreed to see him the next time she was planetside, but she seemed a little more distant, and besides that, there was a new pillow in her shuttle.
It was in baby pink cotton and featured a woodcut print of a few strawberries on the vine. It stood out starkly against the shining red and gold dupionis and the textured burgundy jacquard and the rich dark velvets of the other pillows and furniture in the shuttle.
"This is new."
"Yes," Inara said, smiling fondly once she saw what he was gesturing at.
"The ah…woodcut is…it's a Rim planet technique, mostly, right?"
"Well, it's found all over the 'Verse," Inara said. "But that particular style is found on planets in the Red Sun system."
"It's not something I would have thought to be your style."
"Strawberries are very dear to me," Inara said smoothly.
"Is that right? You've not shared that story with me."
"Oh, it's not one story," Inara told him with a smile. "Just sort of…constant good associations. Surely we all have them. A favorite food from our childhoods, or a coffee from a shop that was on the way to classes during university."
"Well then, I suppose it's nice to keep something close by to remind you of good times. And in a new color, too," Ignatius observed. "Are you thinking of redecorating your shuttle in pinks?"
Instead of one of her quick witted remarks or even a hard look of reprimand, Inara gazed at the little pillow with an odd dreamy affection.
"Maybe I ought to," she said softly. "It would certainly brighten my day."