<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Dark Star Dropship</strong><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/ef/Damian_Harper.jpg)</div><br/><br/>His hands lingered on her skin. How could they not? There was a heat lingering between them. The feint scent of sweat and sex, mixed with warm breaths and a deep sense of satisfaction. It was an afterglow Damian had missed, in all honesty. But one he will miss again soon enough. He was a workaholic; and their little escapade had not managed to alter that at all. Already, he was starting to chastise himself mentally for leaving his work for as long as he did. On top of that, he would definitely need a shower and a long night's rest now, which did not help his privates' defense of his carnal actions either. Still, slowly, his body relaxed, palms caressing her hips as he did not try to hide his admiration of her body at all. Why both with shame when he could instead enjoy what was offered before him? The sight of the beads traveling between the mounds of her chest were not lost on him, and had he the physical and mental fortitude at that time, it may have been enough to spur on another session in a different venue instantly. But no, he quite honestly was exhausted. The effects of what had happened before finally began to catch up to him, all adrenaline drained.<br/><br/>He released her when it became clear she wanted to rise, though he settled back on his knees a little at first. The same beads covered his form as they did hers, though he seemed the type to perspire less easily. Not unsurprising, given how he often managed to step out of the cockpit of Charybdis with just some moist along his brow and little else. While his machine's lack of energy weapons definitely had something to do with that, it was still a feat. His current posture left little to the imagination, allowing the light to catch his musculature just right to form highlight along his chest, shoulders and abs.<br/><br/>He did not respond to her offer for a next time, at least not in words. Instead, he gained the slightest hint of a smirk - which was more than most ever got from him.<br/><strong>"Cannot have people thinking I can be anything but harsh and judgmental. They might relax when I come through a door, given the chance,"</strong> he responded, his attempt at humor falling flat because of how monotonely he delivered it. However, if deadpan was Allia's thing, it might work better than expected after all.<br/><br/>He had begun donning his own clothes again after she had started making her way to the showers. There was no point in keeping his current attire clean. He needed to freshen up completely, so he may as well include laundry with that. His eyes didn't leave her form as she walked away, however, his mind giving him the odd impression that she was... sauntering. Did she always do that? Whatever the case, it was a pleasant way to end a horrible twenty-four hours, that was certain.<br/><br/>He would sleep like a log that night, even if dreams were still prevalent in his mind...<br/><br/><hr/><br/><strong>Dark Star Dropship</strong><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/b/ba/Emily_Jirani.jpg)</div><br/><br/>Emily didn't mind Kari's confidence in her appearance at all. If a woman looked good, and she knew it, why hide it? There was a respect for others involved, as well as not becoming conceited or arrogant, of course. But at the end of the day, if one wasn't allowed to be proud of their own merits - physical and mental - what was the point of having any kind of pride at all? Naturally, the choice of words still prompted a genuine chuckle from the veteran, who could only nod in agreement. Despite it all being entirely unrelated to her position at the helm of the entire company, the conversation was still telling to Emily. Her new commander was confident, and not lacking in common sense at all. They were elements she had not really picked up on half as well before. Where the division of the company as a whole was concerned, there used to be a lot of people in between them. There wasn't much direct communication. But those traits were valuable in making the seasoned warrior feel some comfort knowing they might be in good hands, after all. If nothing else, Kari's old man had obviously raised her well.<br/><br/>Emily laughed at the next quip to come from Kari's lips, displaying the deeper, but still feminine tone of her voice once more. <strong>"Yes, well, let's just say I didn't have half the brains you had when I was young; and twice as much alcohol running through my system,"</strong> she shook her head. <strong>"Not a good combination that. Shit, I'm lucky that one tattoo was the only one I ended up getting by mistake. I remember, for a time, thinking it had been the greatest idea ever. Plans were in the work to get the name on the other cheek too,"</strong> she winced in mockery of herself before downing her drink to drawn the well-intentioned shame.<br/><br/><strong>"Which one's your favorite? And why?"</strong> she asked next, genuinely curious given the collection was already quite sizable. She figured it might not be easy for Kari to choose at all.</div>