拥抱 // First Embrace

[companioning]

{A. 愛 Action: 2241 Stevens Road}
[Something isn't quite right. She knows that before she even opens her eyes. The sheets aren't hers, for one, and the bed itself doesn't feel right. She opens her eyes and immediately pushes herself up.

Not her shuttle, nor is it anywhere she recognizes.]

Wǒ zài nǎli?

[Carefully she climbs out of the bed, pushing her tangle of dark curls from her eyes. Glancing once around the bedroom, she creeps over to the door, pulling it open.]

Hello?

{B. 愛 Phone}

Nǐmén hǎo. [Inara's voice is soft and even soothing, though she herself is actually very on edge at the moment.] My name is Inara Serra, and this is quite possibly the strangest thing that's ever happened to me.

[There's a slight pause before she continues.]

That's not the point though... Actually I was hoping that there might be others here who I know. Kaylee Frye? Simon or River Tam? [Another small pause.] Malcolm Reynolds?

{C. 愛 Action: Around Town - later in the day}

[She had found clothing - nothing of her own, but it had all fit her right down to the undergarments. It was possibly the most disturbing thing she'd experienced and she'd truly experienced some disturbing things.

She had needed to get away from the house, needed to clear her mind - needed to do that without looking at all the photos she didn't remember being taken. So she has no idea what she's looking for, but she's wandering around the town, glancing into the various stores she's passing.]


((OOC: Hover over the Chinese for translations))

Comments

Phone

[companioning]

Oh. Yes, I suppose I am. [She smiles a bit, amused at how much the girl has to say.]

That's very kind of you, and yes, I do believe a map would be lovely and helpful have right about now.

[Though the next offer makes her hesitate for a few moments.]

Ah. I believe I might just pass on that one... I'm sure he's wonderful, but perhaps some other time.

[charming_freckles]

Well, I'm sorry you got stuck here too... I hope you landed into a nice house! I'm Sue, by the way!

[Sue rummages around in her backpack before producing a map.]

I made this when I first woke up here. All of the houses looked the same, it was kind of confusing...

[She passes the map to Inara. It's... drawn in crayon, but the level of detail on it is impressive for something produced by a ten year old. It's to scale, for one thing, and the streets and buildings are clearly labeled. Sue also used the crayon colors to label types of buildings, as indicated by a key in the lower right corner. Red buildings are residences, blue buildings are businesses, etc.]

[companioning]

I... [She trails off, not quite sure how she's to respond to that. She truly doesn't want to be there, but if she must, she hopes her house is nice too. But it's a bit soon to ascertain if it is or not.]

Thank you, I hope so too. [She smiles though finding Sue rather adorable.] It's lovely to meet you, Sue. I'm Inara.

[She takes the map, and looks over it with a bit of surprise. It's certainly not what she'd have expected from one so young... But it's a nice surprise, and a helpful one as well.] Thank you. This is better than anything I could have expected. How long did it take you to make?

[charming_freckles]

"Inara." You're so lucky, that's a lovely name!

Oh, about two days... I started the outline the day I woke up here and added all the details the next. "A good adventurer is able to get out of a place as easy as they can get in," they say.

...it doesn't help us get out of Mayfield, but knowing how to get in and out of places and around in general is helpful.

[companioning]

[Inara flashes Sue a bright smile.]

Xièxiè, thank you, Sue. That's very sweet of you, but I think Sue is rather lovely myself.

I think this map is going to help me out quite a lot. [She pauses though, her eyesbrows knitting together in worry.] Are you sure you want me to have it though? It's something you've put quite a lot of work into.

[charming_freckles]

Thank you!

Oh, it's fine, don't worry! I've been here for months, and me and Puffy have done plenty of exploring, haven't we, Puffy?

Poof poof! [Puffy affirms!]

I might make another copy, though... you found it useful, so maybe someone else would too!

[companioning]

You're very welcome.

[She chuckles, nodding. Though to be honest, Puffy is a bit disconcerting. But well, he does seem harmless enough.]

Do you need your map back to make a copy?

[charming_freckles]

Oh no, that's alright! I think I'll just start from scratch... and make a big batch of cupcakes and deliver them to my friends while I run around working on it! This'll keep me busy for a while!

[And Sue couldn't sound happier about that! She hates being bored SO MUCH.]

[companioning]

[Inara beams at Sue, she's just perhaps the sweetest thing ever.]

That's incredibly sweet of you, Sue. What sort of cupcakes can you make? [She pauses and then adds:] Perhaps you'd be so kind as to teach me how to make them sometime? I've never been overly good at baking.

[charming_freckles]

Really? You strike me as the type of woman who'd be good at... well, everything! But I'd be delighted to bake with you sometime! Chocolate seems to be the favored flavor in baked goods here, and a baking connessier I met told me that I should really give something called "buttercream frosting" a try.

Oh, here! [Sue points out the address 1486 Kramden Road on the map she gave Inara. It already has a little star on the building, marking it as Sue's house.] This is where I live! Please feel free to stop by anytime! The people I live with are all really nice too!

[companioning]

[She laughs.] I am good at many things, though sadly baking just isn't one of them.

[She can cook though, so that's something, right?]

And buttercream frosting is delicious. I'm sure when you learn to make it, it will be divine.

[She looks down at the map and nods.] All right then. When would be a good time for you to have me over? I don't just want to show up.

[charming_freckles]

Well, I have to go to school during the week, so either after 5 pm or on the weekends would be best!

[companioning]

Perhaps the weekend would be best. [She grins.]