<strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - In Preparation for disembarking the Gamble - at Eavesdown Docks on Persephone ~</strong><br/><br/><em>Control.</em>One of the key components of her early training and a tenet that Sasha fervently lived by, having superior control was a means to achieve much in this chaotic life: power, pleasure, security, success ~ whatever one’s goals might be.  For life aboard the Gamble, the most obvious manifestation of control was through the power of authority;  the ultimate authority being the Captain, followed closely by the First Officer. The chain of command protocol was a time-tested tool that kept things running smoothly...kept people safe. And keeping everyone safe and everything running smoothly was a responsibility Sasha took very seriously.<br/><br/>Sasha was almost a decade older than Mae, but she remembered the intense rollercoaster of emotions of youth well enough. As with any spirited teenager, Mae probably thought she had all the answers and was eager to take life by the horns and ride it for all it was worth, any naysayers be damned. She embodied a teenager’s natural tendency toward self-absorption and impatience, which unfortunately sometimes conflicted with the way she was expected to carry out her responsibilities as pilot of the Gamble. Knowing that the outgoing girl made friends easily and already had several right here on the Gamble, Sasha felt the young woman would benefit more if as an older woman she took on more of a mentor role for her instead of  another indulgent friend. As a still-forming youth, although she wouldn’t realize it - or acknowledge it if she did - Mae needed boundaries and firm guidance as well as love and affection to help shape her into the woman she was developing into.   So when Sasha recognized the mute rebelliousness sparking within Mae’s angry glare, she mulled over several options: provoke the girl further to elicit an escalated response; ignore her belligerent demeanor; or encourage the girl’s positive actions and try to guide the talented but young pilot toward maturity, to better control her impulses. As long as Mae respectfully obeyed her and Griff’s commands, the last thing Sasha wanted to do was tamp down Mae’s effervescent fire.  When Sasha deliberately encroached into Mae and Vincent’s comfort zones while giving them both their duties, she was pleased with the way the young woman took responsibility for their orders, even though it was obvious in the glittering defiance in her eyes that Mae was chomping at the bit.<br/><br/>Vincent, on the other hand, she was less pleased with. She scowled slightly when Vincent acted like she was only addressing Mae and not him as well, a somewhat panicked expression skittering across his face when she first approached them. And his milquetoast nod in her direction as he retreated to greet Lex did nothing to improve her opinion of his behavior.  Yes, he was the co-pilot and had less seniority on the ship. And yes, his amorous feelings toward Mae were more than obvious and probably created a measure of conflicting allegiance.  But Sasha was his First Officer, and she would not tolerate half-assed obedience.  She would have to work on getting Vincent to man-up a bit more.<br/><br/>Sasha wondered if sending them off together on their own may very well be a recipe for disaster, and considered the idea of having Si accompany the two young pilots as they navigated the mean streets of Persephone.  Sighing in exasperation, she decided to let the chips fall where they may. Forcing a chaperone on them would quash the opportunity for them to prove themselves, and a good dose of confidence garnered from completing a successful mission would go a long way. They both were adults and full members of the crew; she needed to give them their space and allow them to follow their own paths, as long as those paths didn’t jeopardize any other crew member or the collective good of the Gamble’s crew.<br/><br/>When speaking with Dani, it seemed that the medic had a lot on her mind, as usual, but she didn’t appear overly panicked at being given a responsibility that involved interacting with a stranger. But noting Si’s subtly protective posture and their body language together, Sasha again considered another use for Si besides covering her own ass on the job meet. Maybe she was asking too much of Dani before she was ready, and she knew Si provided a calming presence as well as a significant measure of security.<br/><br/>As the cargo bay door opened fully, Mae and Vincent hurried forward to greet Lex and introduce themselves to the newest member of the crew. While Griff reluctantly escorted Mrs. Sylvester off ship, Si and Dani held their positions. Watching the lingering reunion between Lex and Mae, Sasha’s expression softened slightly. Mae’s friendship with Lex had been good for the girl; truth be told, having Lex on board had been a positive for pretty much the entire crew. Even she - against her normal instincts - had felt herself inexplicably drawn to the man. But, knowing full well the exhaustive training he had completed, and the chameleon-like nature of Companions, Sasha was wary about giving in to the pull she felt toward the captivating man.<br/><br/>As Lex graciously redirected Mrs. Sylvester’s audacious advances, Sasha found her gaze lingering on the beautiful man’s hands and lips as he pressed a soft kiss onto the elderly woman’s hand. The eyes may very well be the window into a person’s soul, but you could also tell a lot about a person by the way they moved their body, how they physically interacted with others. Plus, sometimes it was simply pleasurable to just enjoy beauty where it could be found, and Lex was definitely one beautiful man.<br/><br/>As Sasha’s eyes moved to the other man - McPherson, Griff had mentioned to her - she quietly watched him take in the goings on, liking what she saw at first glance.  He certainly looked the part and held himself with an easy confidence that could be a nice addition to many situations she and Griff found themselves in. Knowing Griff had already vetted him, he was obviously qualified for the job; whether he was suited to it was yet to be seen. Sasha would have liked to have him accompany her on the meeting with Ferret so she could get a better feel for the new man, but Griff had already advised her that he would be taking McPherson with him on his search for the engine part.<br/><br/>Sasha’s curiosity was piqued when their newest crew member appeared immune to Mae’s good-natured flirty greeting. Mae was a naturally sensual young woman, and with her bountiful physical attributes combined with her outgoing personality, she usually drew any men in the area to her like bees to honey. Perhaps McPherson was sly, she considered...although that idea was quickly snuffed when the ruggedly attractive man lifted his gaze toward her, his heated look of appreciation putting to rest her question. Chuckling to herself as Mae flounced off appearing completely unaffected by McPherson’s snub, she hoped the man’s unfriendliness wouldn’t sting too much. Although truth be told, it’d honestly do the girl good to learn not<em>everyone</em>could be wrapped around her little finger. If things came too easily to a person, it made them soft. And being soft was a dangerous condition.<br/><br/><strong>"Miss Dearing, who is to show our new set of hands around the ship while we are out?"</strong><br/><br/>Si’s question brought her attention to him momentarily as she responded, “It’s alright, Si, thank you. He’s going planetside with the Cap’n to find that engine part.”<br/><br/>Turning back to the scene just outside the ship, she watched in amusement when Griff further pawned Mrs. Sylvester off onto the unsuspecting McPherson, shaking her head and chuckling softly as he played up his role with good humor.<br/><br/>As the Captain then marched unceremoniously up the loading ramp directly toward her, Sasha raised her dark eyebrows in mock innocence, the corner of her mouth turning up ever so slightly. Standing toe-to-toe with the Captain, she didn’t flinch or blink as he blustered right up to her, his fierce gaze effecting no outward reaction from her.  Although inwardly, her pulse leapt in response to Griff’s nearness - her body’s preparation for a potential confrontation no doubt, she reasoned. Long moments passed, her luminous blue eyes locked with his warm chocolate eyes, the air in the space between their bodies seeming to heat palpably against her skin. Suddenly his stern look melted into one of good-natured humor as his warm laughter spilled over her.<br/><br/><strong>“That… was good. I’ll get you back for that one, believe you, me.”</strong><br/><br/>Momentarily enjoying the warmth of his humor and his friendly touch, Sasha eyes narrowed as he made his light-hearted threat, knowing full well Griff was notorious for committing practical jokes on the crew members. As the Captain proceeded through the cargo bay urging the crew to action, Lex passed by her with a nod, dropping his bag just inside the door, the dazzling Companion striking up a naturally provocative pose as he leaned against the door frame. “Good to have you back, Lex,” Sasha addressed him, not moving closer but somehow her quiet tone and intense presence filled the space between them. “I trust everything went well?”<br/><br/>As McPherson tromped up the ramp Sasha stepped in front of him, momentarily halting his movement.  Extending her hand she nodded in greeting. “McPherson. First Officer Dearing. Welcome aboard.”  Up close his height and bulk gave weight to his confident demeanor, and Sasha found herself looking forward to finding out just how well he could handle himself.<br/><br/>After stepping aside so McPherson could talk with the Captain and then head off to be shown his cabin with Lex leading the way, her eyes drifted outside again, her breath catching for a moment as she saw Dani<strong><em>outside</em></strong>talking with Mae, having obviously chosen to do so on her own. A grin warmed her features as true happiness for the traumatized woman blossomed inside her. Dani would be fine without Si staying behind to act as guard dog with the cleaning crew; in fact - she believed Dani would be just fine period. Somehow the motley mix of characters who called the Gamble their home just<em>worked</em>; their individual dysfunctionalities meshing just well enough to feel almost like a real family.<br/><br/>Had any of the crew been glancing her way to catch her genuine warm smile and softened features, it would probably have been a bit disconcerting for them to see how different she looked when not wearing the mask of cooly professional First Officer, when she was simply being...a woman.<br/>