Inara Serra is a Companion, a high-society courtesan that is part of the social elite, often accompanying the wealthy & powerful. Companions have a considerable ritual & ceremony surrounding their services, which appear to extend beyond sex to nurturing psychological & emotional well being. Companion training includes social & physical grace, at least some performing arts, & psychology. They can choose their own clients & can have ungracious clients banned from any Companionship.

Inara is unflappably courteous, kind, gentle & motherly to everyone she meets, but she regards her profession with pride & would scorn attempts to 'rescue' her. She's professionally promiscuous as she's a high-end escort, but as a Companion, she is also very picky & careful when it comes to her clientele. She focuses more on the overall emotional satisfaction during sex with her clients, rather than simply the carnal one, although she excels at that too. She is very in demand for both her male & female clientele.

Inara is good in swordfighting, archery, & able to defend herself in hand-to-hand combat against skilled people.