bakerstreet | ( the courting meme )

the courting meme
there's someone you've had your eye on for a long while. and now you've taken all you can take and you can't takes no more. it's time to muster up your courage and ask them out on that first date!

➝ post with your character, series, and preferences.
➝ using rng (or not), tag others.
➝ FALL IN LOVE! (optional)

one| chivalry isn't dead. you do it the old-fashioned way, with flowers and poetry. maybe TOO old-fashioned by asking a parent or sibling for permission.

two| me tarzan, you jane. asking schmasking. just sling your true love over your shoulder and carry them off to dinner and a movie. they'll love you eventually!

three| blackmail. you tried the route of the nice guy, but you're tired of being rejected, or maybe you just want to ensure no isn't an answer. so you've got knowledge of a dirty secret, or maybe you're holding their puppy hostage. either way, they're going to say yes OR ELSE!

four| creative surprise. you want to make that first date memorable, so you ask in an unusual or creative way. spell it out with coins in a fountain! Pose the question in an elaborate and framed cross-stitch! write it on a cake!

five| you're too shy shy. today's the day you show your courage! NO WAIT! spine... crumbling... too cowardly! better ask someone else to do it for you, or ask for something safe like a study session that just HAPPENS to be around dinner time.

six| there can be only one! this person has a lot of suitors. how will you stand out? by beating them all up, of course!

seven| serendipity. it didn't start out as a date. you just both happened to be caught in the rain at the same time and ducked into a restaurant to get dry. then, little by little, you start to realize that HOLY CRAP THIS IS ACTUALLY A DATE! WHAT DO?!

eight| quasi-reluctance. truth be told, you didn't want to ask this person out. but you were forced to do it anyway, either as a favor to someone else, to pay off a debt, or even just to get that irritating matchmaker off your back.

nine| jedi mind trick. "this is the date you're looking foooor~." "you're the date i'm looking for." "you will wear a nice dress~." "i will wear a nice dress." when all else fails, mind-screw them into going out with you.

ten| choose your own adventure!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

To that, he nods. "A traditional Japanese entertainer or hostess, if I'm not mistaken." If he is, she can always correct him. Another sip of his tea, this was a pretty good tea house.

"What I do is similar. I am am entertainer; and like the geisha, I am expensive." She smiles again, fingers brushing her cup as she picks it up again. "But I am more than that. The easiest way to explain it to someone unfamiliar is to say that I am a very expensive courtesan. I choose my clients based upon compatibility."

Ah. Now he understood, as the twitch of his mouth to avoid a smile will attest. "I see." Definitely an interesting profession. "I should warn you, I do not tend to hire dates. I prefer to take my chances with my own set of pick up lines." And letting the lady choose to shoot him down or not.

"As you have today?" He seems to be doing well for himself, all things considered. She doesn't usually do this. "Does it bother you?"

"Your profession?" Charles considers for a moment. "It's not something I would want my sister to be a part of," but then again he was very protective of Raven. "But no, it does not. You have a very intelligent mind, I do not doubt you would think less of me if I attempted to make your decisions for you."

That's an answer that pleases her; he's right. Inara dislikes when people around her attempt to make her decisions, or look down on her for the path that she has chosen.

"It is not a profession for everyone. It's not entirely a physical experience, though that is certainly part of it."

"What more is there?" He's truly asking, Charles does like to keep an open mind on any subject.

She appreciates the curiosity as well as not being judged.

"Many things. I have been educated in order to cater to a specific intellect. Arts, sciences, dance, fencing, psychology -- to name a few. It's also based on how people mesh together; if I'm not compatible with a potential client, they aren't selected.

"Sometimes, people just want someone to talk to." To cuddle.

Now it's Charles' turn to be impressed. "Fencing? Well. You are quite the renaissance woman." He would agree on some people just needing another person to listen. He's finding with most mutants nobody listens, they just see their outsides for what they are.

She chuckles quietly, swirling what's left of her tea in the cup.

"I do try. Are you a fellow participant in the sport?"

He leaves his tea sitting for the moment. "It was thrust upon me at Oxford, though I'm afraid I felt like participating brought me very close to cheating during it." Being a telepath and able to anticipate the other's moves? It wasn't a sport. "I prefer a good game of chess if I'm honest."

"Cheating?" Inara peers at him, brow lifted. Hitting below the belt, was he? That's the only cheating Inara really knew of. "I haven't played chess in some time, I'm afraid."

"Nothing that drastic, but the other players would have thought less of me if they knew how well I could read their intentions." Vague enough an explanation that he did not give away his ability.

"Indeed? Do you enjoy the game?" He finds it hard to get a good opponent and suspects she's very good at it.

"A natural, then." Definitely vague enough, though telepathy isn't something she would readily accuse someone of. As far as she knew, it wasn't possible.

"I did, yes. I'm a bit rusty, though I'm certain I could remember easily enough."

"We will have to have a game sometime, if you're willing enough." And chess was something he refused to cheat at with his telepathy.

"I would be more than happy to." She likes this man -- he's pleasant and obviously well educated, and a pleasure to be around.

He quite enjoyed her company as well, its not often he gets to talk with such a sophisticated and charming lady. Their tea finished, Charles sets out money for the bill and a tip. "Perhaps I could see you home?" he asks as he comes around to help pull out her chair.

"That would be lovely."

She rises to her feet, adjusting the silk folds of her dress.

"The House is not far from here."

"Just point me in the right direction," he says with a chuckle, offering his arm to escort her out.

"I promise not to lead you down questionable side streets," she says with a laugh, sliding her arm in his.

"Thank you for the tea, by the way."

( the courting meme )

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