Shira'Va's bio-luminescent eyes peered up at Kala from behind the semi-transparent mask. After a moment, she returned her attention to her locker, withdrawing a small mechanical instrument that Kala recognized as being an implement often used in weapon tuning and modification.<span style="color: purple">"Sorry,"</span>She stood turned to face Kala,<span style="color: purple">"Next time, maybe."</span><br/><br/>The Quarian maneuvered her way back out of the crew quarters through the rowdy crowd. Taseer had pulled something small from her footlocker and approached one of the male crew, leaning toward him and whispering something in his ear that he apparently approved of as she covertly handed him whatever it was she had taken, which he put into his pocket. It was an act of necessity as Taseer's pants were too tight to feature pockets.<br/><br/><span style="color: navy">"Last one on the ship buys the first round!"</span>She yelled as she parted form the man and left the crew quarters, prompting those still in states of undress to hurry.<br/><br/>Taseer and the first round of crew to ride the elevator up piled in while the rest waited. There was a feverish excitement in the air at the prospect of shore leave with pay - a giddiness that was uncharacteristic. The deaths of a number of the crew not a few days past had simply vanished like bad dream upon waking. Fresh credits and a place to spend them had unwritten everything from their minds but success. An Asari acted out a series of mock gunshots to a fellow crewman, boasting how when they hit their first ship she was going to kick some serious ass. Meanwhile a male human was trying to schmooze his way into a rough-and-tumble looking human woman with a variety of tattoos and piercing and half shaved head, doing his best to get in her good graces.<br/><br/>Pirates and mercenaries.<br/><br/>There was no sense of where they were - the gravity of the situation, the peculiarity of the environment into which they had been hired. Life was about sex, fighting, and credits. As long as those three things were fulfilled, then everything else was moot.<br/><br/>A Turian, the one with the visor, had apparently decided to keep the thing on, and had added a neo-punk outfit to the mix; complete with a shirtless vest. He looked at Milenya, still ginger with the hit Shira'Va had delivered.<span style="color: red">Hey, you're one of them ground crew right? Went down and cleaned out that slaver shit?</span>He asked her.<span style="color: red">You're some kind of kickass chick then.</span>He chuckled.<span style="color: red">Wouldn't guess it looking at you. Too hot, everything right where it should be.</span>He gave her a looking over and gave the Turian equivalent of an appreciative whistle.<br/><br/>They all got in the elevator and the Turian ended up quite close to Milenya.<span style="color: red">So you wanna have some fun tonight?</span>He placed his hand on her ass and gave it a squeeze.<br/><br/>Taseer was leaning over the pilot's chair where Mickey was finishing docking. The moment the procedure was finished the crew all started to head out. Taseer spotted Kala and whistled loudly to her, waving.<span style="color: navy">"Come on, rich girl!"</span>She grinned broadly and laughed.<br/><br/>Illium hit them like wall of heat. Even high on the spires as they were, Illium maintained its signature heat. The sun had set and the sky was illuminated from below by millions of lights. It at once was louder and quieter as well. Sound bombarded them from the nearby traffic lanes, and a hundred thousands sounds beyond all reaching them - but there was no echo like in the ship, no closeness and confinement. It carried with it a sense of distance, depth, and freedom.<br/><br/>The ship dropped them not far from a large, open plaza into one of Illium's nightlife districts, lined with bars, clubs, and shops. The Plaza had a recessed seating area at its center, a few water features in place surrounded by filled seating. The high walls around them shone brightly with brilliant holograms and advertisements while windows and street callers attempted to entice them inside the shops. A number of the crew broke off and headed their own way, further into the row or off to shop around.<br/><br/>One of the crew attempted to get other women in the group to flash to the people in the plaza - and was largely successful as shirts and skirts went up and laughter followed. Taseer followed along, enjoying conversation as they headed for the biggest brightest club they could find.<br/><br/>As they went, Milenya's cursory glances at the people in the plaza caught something that tugged on a nerve. A man, human and of a strong build, short hair,  and inconspicuous clothing was looking directly at her. Even among the flashing and boisterous individuals, there was no mistake. He was staring directly at her. Not a moment later his eyes fell to a tab in his hands and he lifted his hand to cover his mouth and rub his thumb across his upper lip to address an itch. In and of itself such a look was nothing, but something in his posture, in the expression he had... something seemed off. It wasn't like she wasn't being admired or leered at.<br/><br/>It was like she was being observed.<br/><br/><br/>***<br/><br/><br/>The Asari with Darion gave him a wink as he mentioned the rigors of her job.<span style="color: purple">"It's not so bad... I'm paid 8 thousand credits a month. Plus tips."</span>She sprawled out on the seat, raising her arms over her head and stretching, an action that emphasized her ample breasts.<br/><br/>She settled in and nodded at Darion's comment for scotch.<span style="color: purple">"You got it."</span>She lifted her arm to her lips, a tiny omni-tool glowing like a bracelet.<span style="color: purple">"Let's keep the scotch coming for my man Darion."</span>The bartender looked right at her and nodded.<br/><br/>She raised her hands and gestured to herself.<span style="color: purple">"Well I am <i>all</i> yours Darion. Want my shoes off, and off they go... "</span>She slid in the seat until she was close to him, lowering her voice in a sensual tone. Darion became aware of a muted but enticing fragrance she wore.<span style="color: purple">"Want me close, and here I am."</span>She watched him with her violent eyes and darkened lips, parted lightly, the corners of her mouth turned upward in a coy smile.<span style="color: purple">"Want me naked..."</span>she trailed off and tugged at the neckline of her dress drawing it enticingly close to her nipple.<br/><br/>She smiled and reclined.<span style="color: purple">"But I'm also here to talk. I've got stories, naughty and nice... and wouldn't mind learning a few more if you've a tale to tell. I know market conditions, I know liquor."</span>She glanced at the table where Ashana was.<span style="color: purple">"I know some other things that'll relax you too, if that's your sort of thing."</span>She told him, lifting her drink and taking a sip as she watched him.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>