The companion tea ceremony had taken Inara over a year to learn and another five years to master. It had it's roots in the Japanese tea ceremony from Earth that was. The slightest movement, down to your breathing had to be controlled. It had to flow like water. There was meaning behind each movement. There was hidden depth in the slightest whisper of your clothing. It was an art form.

Inara found peace in the movements of the ceremony. The familiar disciplined actions brought focus in chaos. The calmed her when the world seemed unstable.

Now she did them for comfort. She had no client to prepare for, the outside world was simply too much. Inara traced a finger around her cup softly. No matter how many cups of tea somehow she couldn't drown Mal out of her mind.

With a gentle sigh she pushed the kettle away and laid back on her bed. Maybe Jayne had something... stronger?

Wait, did she just consider asking Jayne for help?

She must be going mad.