Well, I already know what you'll say: I'm a coward for not going. But I really hate the beach. Now I'm going to complain about it to you for the next, oh, thirty five minutes. Though I'm really pushing for forty.
( without a single care over the fact that he could clearly see her and her reactions, she rolled her eyes a bitβ
unfortunately confirming his suspicions. )
Nothing has to be bothering me for me to want to enjoy a nice day at the beach. Relaxation and rest is good for the mind and soul, even if you fear it. So tell me why you of all people have something to complain about. Remember you have one minute.
( and don't mind her sitting back on the beach chair, turning her body to look at the device. her posture was quite lazy, showing him exactly how little she cared. )
[Crane could respond with a number of facial expressions. Disappointment, perhaps? Indifference at how she continues playing this game? No, because this game is interesting. It passes the time. Of which he only needs ten seconds - if that.]
I am surprised that an individual as intelligent as you is content to coast, that's all.
[She is comfortable being in control, but where is that exercise of individual power? Perhaps she'll mistake "coast" as a jive at her lounging at one. But it's not that simple.]
( the moment the words came from his lips, she arched an eyebrow upward and sat up, finally showing off a more distressed and even annoyed expression. it was the first time she had actually shown him a less than poised and controlled expression. he was getting to her. )
What is that suppose to mean? I take one leisurely day at the beach and suddenly I'm coasting?
( she didn't quite realize he was referring to her behavior in general during her time here. )
Is this why you called me? To share your ideas on my person with me?
( wasn't he calling to complain? )
This is out of line even for you, how would you feel if I did the same back to you?
( because in the time she's known him, she already has a long list of things to critique him over but she's been nothing but polite. now the politeness was slowly sinking away like the waves pulling from the beach. )
I'll admit I have thoughts about you in my mind but I'm not calling you to force you to hear about them.
( about how frustrating he is, and how mad he drives herβ
but there's positive thoughts about him in her mind as well such as his intelligence and how he seemed to stimulate her mind. for now she sat up, holding her device before her as she recorded the next message and sent it off to him. her expression now seemed a bit less angered. )
You....you know I just realized something. You care about me don't you?
[Crane remains impassive. Her words reveal the need to feel appreciated. She wants to be seen. But he trusts data and evidence, and though she might wonder, he has seen enough to know she enjoys picking his mind. To peel away one scab and then another until she is satisfied.
Care? He doesn't remember the last time he cared for anybody. There are tools he favours. Criminals and crooks he prefers to use for their services over others. But each is a calculation about risk versus reward, and knowing what they bring to the table.
He holds back a sigh when she asks her question and notes with a hint of satisfaction that she seems to be sitting up. Paying attention.
Good.
His gaze flits between her face and the end of her body, the state of her sitting area. One could almost consider him judgemental.]
Compared to other people? Well, I'm glad you're interesting.
[Does he say that to anybody? Perhaps he cares. Perhaps not.]
( there are a million thoughts racing through her mind as she watched him now more closely, carefully. she could feel the way he was judging her for wearing a swimsuit of all things on a beach, for relaxing and lounging and for simply basking in the glow of her femininity. it was ridiculous and preposterous that she's still giving him the time of day at all and yetβ
much as he enjoyed combing through her mind and analyzing her, she enjoyed it just as much. he was a strange little man who physically was just her type but beyond that his intelligence and manner of analyzing people was similar to her own. they had some similarities and while she could certainly adapt to other people who didn't share much in common with her, it always felt more comfortable being with someone familiar.
because as strong as inara could be, she was still all alone in this strange world. waiting and watching for what could go wrong and trying her best to survive. surely....it couldn't hurt having him as an ally right? that's what she told herself as she felt a faint blush creep on her face over his words. )
I am interesting, I'm glad you noticed. Took you long enough.
( a bit of flirting but also an annoyed tone in her voice there because truthfully she knew her own worth. she was the most popular companion, being promoted to ambassador for the alliance due to her work and skills. her beauty was sought by both men and women after all. )
[His voice is as cold as the sun is warm. But his words are soft, suggesting the contrast is deliberate. He understands controlling yourself - perfecting your mask to the point people cannot learn anything about you from you. There is nothing to read except physically, curiosity and heated skin. With her lying out in her swimsuit she is making it so there is everything to notice.
Does he notice her physically?
He allows that question to linger, toying with her as he does everyone. Because at the end of it all, she's just another point of data, another curiosity to explore before someone else claims his attention.]
I don't know if I should be insulted or flattered.
( his words, movements, and choice in contacting her now of all times were deliberate and clearly controlling in nature. she wasn't sure what exactly he was angling at beyond just prying into her mind and entertaining himself with her, but she was of a sensitive nature in the end.
she did find something to be flattered by in all of his words and rough prodding. )
Is that all you had to share with me? If so, if you don't mind, I think I'll be returning back to lounging at the beach, wasting away my time frivolously.
Well, there are a few topics of discussion I could bring into play. But I'm afraid they'll disturb this pleasant and frivolous vacation of yours. So I think we'll allow things to settle before we get down to business.
[That said, he'll offer a neutral expression that almost seems graceful. He matches it with a soft and pleasant tone of voice - that seems as cool as the beach is warm.
He then ends the call, denying her the control to do that herself. Why drag out this call and make them both miserable? He's already inside her head.]
( all she could do in turn was twitch her lips in slightly annoyance as the call comes to an end, bringing a conclusion to this strange and boundary-crossing conversation. she's left wondering what exactly he was looking to accomplish here and why he felt the need to inform her of his thoughts but all she could do was just lie back in her chair and mull over it. she certainly didn't intend on sharing all her feelings.
not when he was already staking his claim in her mind and leaving her far more intrigued and on the hook than she ever intended to be. however much like him, if something or someone else came along that could entertain her better well....she's sure he won't linger forever in her mind. )
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
video | un: ulysses
Well, I already know what you'll say: I'm a coward for not going. But I really hate the beach. Now I'm going to complain about it to you for the next, oh, thirty five minutes. Though I'm really pushing for forty.
video | un: serenity
also helped he was somewhat easy to make fun of. )
Coward? Can't really say I even noticed you weren't here.
( that's her first strikeβ )
What makes you think I'll even give you more than a minute to complain? Unlike you, I'm actually having fun today.
no subject
[Then he got in touch and sent the proverbial raincloud that now hovers over her head. Isn't life grand?]
But if you are trying to relax, lounging indolently as you are, there is something bothering you.
[It's him, isn't it? Please say yes.]
no subject
unfortunately confirming his suspicions. )
Nothing has to be bothering me for me to want to enjoy a nice day at the beach. Relaxation and rest is good for the mind and soul, even if you fear it. So tell me why you of all people have something to complain about. Remember you have one minute.
( and don't mind her sitting back on the beach chair, turning her body to look at the device. her posture was quite lazy, showing him exactly how little she cared. )
no subject
I am surprised that an individual as intelligent as you is content to coast, that's all.
[She is comfortable being in control, but where is that exercise of individual power? Perhaps she'll mistake "coast" as a jive at her lounging at one. But it's not that simple.]
no subject
What is that suppose to mean? I take one leisurely day at the beach and suddenly I'm coasting?
( she didn't quite realize he was referring to her behavior in general during her time here. )
Intelligent? You think I'm intelligent?
no subject
Not quite. I think you have potential.
[His voice affects a cadence that flows between one word and the next.]
An intelligent person would not be wasting their time in idle pursuits. But there are intelligent people who don't realise what they are.
no subject
( wasn't he calling to complain? )
This is out of line even for you, how would you feel if I did the same back to you?
( because in the time she's known him, she already has a long list of things to critique him over but she's been nothing but polite. now the politeness was slowly sinking away like the waves pulling from the beach. )
no subject
[Her dismissive attitudes. Her disrespect about certain aspects of his character. Did she think he wouldn't notice?
But he doesn't sound offended. He speaks in an amicable tone while stating fact.]
But I would simply accept what you said as reality. Since I already know it.
[That what you would share is your real opinion.]
no subject
( about how frustrating he is, and how mad he drives herβ
but there's positive thoughts about him in her mind as well such as his intelligence and how he seemed to stimulate her mind. for now she sat up, holding her device before her as she recorded the next message and sent it off to him. her expression now seemed a bit less angered. )
You....you know I just realized something. You care about me don't you?
no subject
Care? He doesn't remember the last time he cared for anybody. There are tools he favours. Criminals and crooks he prefers to use for their services over others. But each is a calculation about risk versus reward, and knowing what they bring to the table.
He holds back a sigh when she asks her question and notes with a hint of satisfaction that she seems to be sitting up. Paying attention.
Good.
His gaze flits between her face and the end of her body, the state of her sitting area. One could almost consider him judgemental.]
Compared to other people? Well, I'm glad you're interesting.
[Does he say that to anybody? Perhaps he cares. Perhaps not.]
no subject
much as he enjoyed combing through her mind and analyzing her, she enjoyed it just as much. he was a strange little man who physically was just her type but beyond that his intelligence and manner of analyzing people was similar to her own. they had some similarities and while she could certainly adapt to other people who didn't share much in common with her, it always felt more comfortable being with someone familiar.
because as strong as inara could be, she was still all alone in this strange world. waiting and watching for what could go wrong and trying her best to survive. surely....it couldn't hurt having him as an ally right? that's what she told herself as she felt a faint blush creep on her face over his words. )
I am interesting, I'm glad you noticed. Took you long enough.
( a bit of flirting but also an annoyed tone in her voice there because truthfully she knew her own worth. she was the most popular companion, being promoted to ambassador for the alliance due to her work and skills. her beauty was sought by both men and women after all. )
no subject
[His voice is as cold as the sun is warm. But his words are soft, suggesting the contrast is deliberate. He understands controlling yourself - perfecting your mask to the point people cannot learn anything about you from you. There is nothing to read except physically, curiosity and heated skin. With her lying out in her swimsuit she is making it so there is everything to notice.
Does he notice her physically?
He allows that question to linger, toying with her as he does everyone. Because at the end of it all, she's just another point of data, another curiosity to explore before someone else claims his attention.]
no subject
( his words, movements, and choice in contacting her now of all times were deliberate and clearly controlling in nature. she wasn't sure what exactly he was angling at beyond just prying into her mind and entertaining himself with her, but she was of a sensitive nature in the end.
she did find something to be flattered by in all of his words and rough prodding. )
Is that all you had to share with me? If so, if you don't mind, I think I'll be returning back to lounging at the beach, wasting away my time frivolously.
no subject
[That said, he'll offer a neutral expression that almost seems graceful. He matches it with a soft and pleasant tone of voice - that seems as cool as the beach is warm.
He then ends the call, denying her the control to do that herself. Why drag out this call and make them both miserable? He's already inside her head.]
wrapping this up here β₯
( all she could do in turn was twitch her lips in slightly annoyance as the call comes to an end, bringing a conclusion to this strange and boundary-crossing conversation. she's left wondering what exactly he was looking to accomplish here and why he felt the need to inform her of his thoughts but all she could do was just lie back in her chair and mull over it. she certainly didn't intend on sharing all her feelings.
not when he was already staking his claim in her mind and leaving her far more intrigued and on the hook than she ever intended to be. however much like him, if something or someone else came along that could entertain her better well....she's sure he won't linger forever in her mind. )