<div align="center"><strong>-= Lex Rake, aboard the Gamble =-</strong></div><br/>Lex was just about to answer Dani's question when Griff came in with a man Lex hadn't seen before. The newcomer gave off the unmistakable air of the greasemonkey, which made Lex wonder what Hayes would have to say about someone else even so much as looking at "her" engines. Lex didn't know Hayes all that well, but he figured he knew her well enough to read her possessiveness like an open book. In large type.<br/><br/>Griff introduced Dani to the newcomer, and Lex could see her discomfort. He knew that she had already extended her normal limits more than he had ever seen her do before, and he wondered how many more surprises she could take. Judging from her posture, it wasn't very many more.<br/><br/>Griff put a name to the newcomer - Anwar - just before Dani spoke up and requested a word in private. Lex knew that she would be fine with the captain alone, and figured a diversion was called for. He strode forward, hand outstretched, a charming smile on his face.<br/><br/>"Anwar, hello. My name's Alexander Rake, but everybody just calls me Lex." He grasped the man's hand and gave a firm shake. He wasn't flirting, he was just trying to establish a good old fashioned man-to-man rapport. He wanted to give Dani a little privacy with Griff.<br/><br/>"I could be considered a passenger, I guess, but really I'm just waiting for the day that I can prove to the captain just how useful I can be." He was already subtly leading Anwar away from Dani and Griff. A constant stream of conversation and intentional body language putting himself between Anwar and the others. "You see, I'm a Registered Companion. And don't worry, I don't go after anyone that doesn't ask for me, so you're perfectly safe." Another disarming smile. All friends here. "One of these days, I'm quite sure of it, the captain's going to find himself in a situation that I'll be able to untangle for him, and then he'll be happy to have me along, I can assure you." Now fully between Anwar and the private corner that Dani had indicated to Griff, Lex leaned against the wall, striking a casual pose. "Anwar. That's a very interesting name. How do you come by it, if I may ask?"