“What do you know about him, Commander?”<br/><br/>“He's human. Skilled with biotics and infiltration, veteran of the Alliance military. You know, same shit, different face.”<br/><br/>“Speaking of his face--”<br/><br/>“What makes you think I'd tell you anything about his looks?”<br/><br/>“Don't you get photos along with the dossiers the Council sends you?”<br/><br/>“Of course, doesn't mean I'm eager to provide you with masturbation fodder.”<br/><br/>“Commander, as you know, it is part of my job to keep detailed mental tabs on all of our crew members in case one of them needs to be<i>discreetly </i>taken care of. Just tell me this, for research purposes: new guy's face, would you sit on it?”<br/><br/>Despite herself, Reese couldn't help but smirk. Full peach-toned lips twitched into a grin as deep brown eyes continued to stare out onto the Presidium. “Talyet, you're incorrigible, aren't you?”<br/><br/>“So, that's a yes?” The handsome drell tilted his head, staring at her with large, glassy eyes. Black marbles housed in a face of turquoise and maroon. Reese had always found drell strangely beautiful, their reptilian features emitting a bizarre, exotic eroticism, something Talyet seemed to latch onto quite intensely. The drell's voice was deep and raspy, seemingly vibrating in his throat, but it was easy enough to detect the mischievousness lurking beneath the lingering reverberations.<br/><br/>The Commander chuckled, shaking her head. “If I give you a solid 'maybe' will you be nice to the Lieutenant?”<br/><br/>“Commander Amari, I'm offended. When have I ever been anything other than kind and welcoming?”<br/><br/>“Do you need a list?” She reached over, placing her hand on Talyet's shoulder. “He should be here any minute. Get it together.”<br/><br/>Talyet made a low, rumbling sound in his throat, like sand grinding against itself. “Certainly, Commander.”<br/><br/>A quick nod, acknowledgment of his superior officer's unofficial instruction. Reese removed her hand, clutching her wrist at the small of her back as she stood at the base of the Citadel Tower, waiting. Her mouth had fallen from its playful smirk and set into a hard, straight line, manicured brow furrowed slightly, leaving the ghosts of little wrinkles on her otherwise smooth skin. Gazing over the expanse of the Presidium, she couldn't help but feel reminded of home. The greenery mimicked the trees and foliage of Earth. Fluffy, white artificial clouds dotted a light blue sky while a cool breeze kissed her prominent cheekbones. Strange how a space station constructed thousands of years before the discovery of Earth and its dominant species could feel so familiar to her. It couldn't stop her from missing the comforting closeness of her ship, of course, but it was without a doubt a nice place to stretch her legs.<br/><br/>Talyet had been the only one to volunteer to meet the new recruit at the Tower, the rest of the crew taking leave to wander through the Citadel at their leisure. All except Suni, who never seemed particularly eager to leave AIDEN's side. Anytime the Anzio was docked for more than a few hours, Suni always took the time to tinker with and update AIDEN's systems, whatever that meant. Reese was fairly sure the snarky artificial intelligence was capable of updating himself, but she found it was typically easier to just let Suni be Suni and not over-analyze.<br/><br/>"Which one?" Talyet asked, tweaking his head in Reese's direction.<br/><br/>"Councilor Sparatus. Got the recommendation from one of the ambassadors, but don't bother asking me which one. Valern and Tevos seem keen on him as well, but Sparatus was the one who sent the information along." Although they had always done their best to present a united front, the turian Councilor, Sparatus, had seemed to take a particular interest in Reese's operatives and was oftentimes the one relaying information on behalf of the Council. Reese had never minded much, preferring Sparatus's company over that of Tevos or Valern, both of who were a little too focused on their own species for her liking.<br/><br/>"After we pick him up and get him situated on the Anzio, you're free to find amusement like everyone else. We're all set to reconvene tomorrow morning and trade introductions before we head out again."<br/><br/>The drell's inner eyelids snapped closed for a fraction of a second as he stared forward, admiring the sparkle of the Presidium's manufactured lake. "Commander, are you suggesting...?"<br/><br/>"I've recommended everyone find a prostitute for the evening, Talyet. The longer the crew goes without sex, the more insufferable you all become. I like you more when you're sexed out."<br/><br/>"Understood. If I may be so bold, perhaps you should take your own advice, Amari."<br/><br/>"Talyet, I like you when you're bold on the field. Not quite as much when it comes to my love life. Now, behave. He's here." The Commander nodded in the direction of an approaching human, her body stiffening the closer he came.<br/><br/><i>Just last longer than the last one</i>, she thought sadly, a rigid smile etched onto her face.<br/><br/><a class="username" data-user-id="1302" data-username="@Theo" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/1302/">@Theo</a>