Sihnon had parties, lavish gala affairs to entertain as well as train. So it as not the concept of such an event which had given her pause, but the idea that she'd been brought to this particular place and now was being sent to such a party, that was unusual. Still, one does what one can, and this was her element. She found it easy to gracefully from guest to guest, greeting and talking. This was where she reigned and her years of training showed.
At one point she might have lead her own house, but that was long ago and before life had determined that her time was already limited. That was why she'd left the shining city and the comfort of home. She had wanted to live while she could and seeing the breadth of the universe seemed a good way to do that. She'd never counted on finding a home or a family on the ship she'd chosen. The people had seeped into her heart over time, affection and worry and care for them made her stay.
At least until she knew it was no longer just the passing warmth of feeling, she'd become attached. She was not supposed to do that, it was against the rules of her occupation and her own stand. Inara had left when she knew that she had the choice to change who she was or to go. It wasn't a decision she made lightly and it tore her apart, but it was necessary for them all. The others never knew of her condition and given enough time after she was gone she would fade from their minds and when the end ultimately came it would be easier.
But what a glorious ride it had been. She had seen things, done things had aventures her life with House Madrassa could never have offered her. She'd lived, well and truly lived. And if she was honest with herself, which she tended not to be until it was in the late hour before dawn and she couldn't sleep, she had loved.
Now, here in this place, she wasn't sure the end that biology had planned for her would even come to pass. But once more she is given the chance to live, and she is taking it in both hands. Her sweeping steps and her dair hair piled into an intricate coil at the back of her neck. Her gown a shining silver like light dncing on water flowed with each step, the bared arm held close with a glass she sipped from occasionally. She was the picture of composure and poise. And why not? No one here had even come close to shaking that rather famous facade of controlled calm.