<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - Galley -&gt; Cargo bay - aboard The Gamble, docked on Persephone=-</strong></div><br/>Griff's introductory remark came before Si could gauge how his humor had landed, but the doctor's smile was reassuring enough that he hadn't missed the mark, at least. “You look nice, Si. I hope you’re not planning on some quality time with a doxy once we touch down, chief? We got some business to tend to and some affairs to get in order before we can think about such pleasantness. I’m gonna need you to keep Sasha company today, watch her six. I’ve gotta go talk to a man about a cata.. about a an engine part.”<br/><br/>"Hao hao, Captain. Unless you have taken to referring to Miss Dearing as a doxy - and please, if you choose to do so now, do let me know first as I would very much like to see her reply - I cannot say that being in the company of such a person is on my agenda. After all," he added as he stood and smoothed down his vest, "I would hate to tarnish my image with the crew. I know you all think so very highly of me that any disappointment would be crushing to morale."<br/><br/>The veteran gathered his P.A.D. to tuck it away while Griff shared a moment with Dani and situated himself beside the doctor by the time they'd finished, prime positioning to offer her a short bow and the crook of his arm when he straightened. "Not at all. I would be honored to give you my hand, Miss Marsdan, and its attached arm if that would help. Any excuse to corral certain portions of this crew is worth using to the fullest." The older man provided a friendly smile when she accepted, her hand on his sleeve, and set his other hand on top of hers - as was proper - as they made their way down the stairs into the hold to the tune of Miss Little's landing announcement. Yes, the smell of those dogs lingered still, and he was not immune to it any more than the other members of the crew. It was not something that bothered him, however. The dogs seemed healthy and would grow up into fine animals. Si had not taken to attending them personally, but he did stop by the hold more than once to watch them and reminisce on simpler times, when he was little more than a pup himself.<br/><br/>"I cannot decide if it is a pity we did not keep one of the cargo for the ship or if it is for the best we did not. An uncomplicated companion is a welcome respite from our usual passengers, but it takes little imagination to picture how little Miss Hayes would appreciate a four-legged visitor in her engine room, regardless how jubilant his company." He wanted to ask if she had always been a dog person, but...asking about the doctor's past never ended well - he'd learned that fairly early on after joining the crew. He was in a position to understand unwillingness to discuss one's past, but in Miss Marsdan's case it seemed to be something more. Some wounds are best not opened without good cause. Instead he asked, "If you were to come ashore with us - now now, I know you are much too busy here to leave the ship, but if you did, is there anywhere you would like to see? I could stop to take a few pictures on our way if you would like a view of the city, albeit one on a small scale."