Zoe's Office - May 29

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe had calmed down somewhat after the catharsis of her rant from the previous day. For the moment, letting go of some of her anger and worry allowed her focus on the more important tasks at hand: organizing all of her paperwork for the new students, and dealing with the feeling of being about twenty months pregnant.

"You can come out any time you want now," she murmured, rubbing her hand over her belly. "You don't have to make me wait two more months. Your daddy and I won't mind, I promise."

[Open, if you dare. *g*]

Comments

[bigdamnprincipal]

There was something about seeing Inara in the doorway that made Zoe feel better almost immediately. "Hi," she greeted her.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Hello," Inara smiled back, "I hope you don't mind the interruption, but I thought you might like some tea. It has been known to be very soothing to expectant mothers." She paused, then added, "After your announcement yesterday, it sounded like you might need it."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"I don't think I can really turn down something soothing," Zoe replied. "That's very kind of you."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Inara set out the mugs and poured some for Zoe, then for herself. "Anything I can do to help. I know it's not much..." She handed the mug to Zoe, then sat down in one of the chairs, at a loss for what to say now.

[bigdamnprincipal]

"This is more helpful than you might think," Zoe replied, taking a sip of the tea and smiling. "So...are you enjoying your workshops?"

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"I..." she paused, thought for a few minutes, then asked, "Professor Bluth, the man teaching sexual education...is he..." Another hesitation, then she leaned over and whispered, "Has he suffered a head injury?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

"I wouldn't be surprised if he'd been dropped a few times as a child. We were a little...desperate for instructors this summer."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Inara nodded solemnly. "I wondered. Did you know the man taught a class on why foreplay was unnecessary?" She probably sounded pretty horrified by the prospect. "What that's just...wrong!"

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe smirked. "That probably less about him being an idiot, and more about him just being a man. They all tend to ignore that sort of thing until you train them to do otherwise," she said, taking another long sip of tea.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"How am I going to get the training to train them here?" Inara worried at her lower lip.

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe's first thought was to suggest simple practice, but Inara's current age made her hold that comment back. "I would have thought that sort of thing would be covered in your Companion training?"

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"I haven't completed it yet," she explained, "I know all the theory, but the practical experience doesn't begin until age sixteen, and that's the truly important part."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Ah," Zoe said slowly. "Then you have some time still? Before you have to worry about getting experience?"

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Inara nodded. "Yes. It's still a little bit worrying, though. People here--they don't seem to understand what a Companion is. Not that that is important right now. How are you feeling? Is there anything you need or would like done?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

"I'm feeling all right. I'd be happier if it was July though, and this was all over," Zoe replied.

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

Laughing, Inara asked, "I assume you've seen a physician? Everything is well, I hope?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Yes, everything is well. I have a healthy unborn baby girl, with a love of apples and a killer kick."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Congratulations! Will she be your first?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe laughed. "Yes. I'm brand new to this whole experience. This pregnancy was...I don't want to say accidental, but it was a surprise. Not an unpleasant one though."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"At the House, they were very positive about the experience, even if they did teach us many measures to prevent it from happening," she volunteered. "Have you thought of a name yet?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Yes. She's going to be named Grace," Zoe said with a smile. "Grace Elizabeth, to be exact."

[ambassadorinara.livejournal.com]

"Oh, that's lovely," Inara murmured, then again for reasons she didn't understand, asked, "Do you need any help?"