<div align="center"><strong>-=Simeon Gaorong - exiting The Gamble - Eavesdown Docks, Persephone=-</strong></div><br/>There were days it seemed as though the ship's air was as thick with flirtation and desire as the current smell of canine excrement all around them. This was such a day. On the upside, at least that meant the odor had competition for distracting atmosphere. Unfortunately the distraction was hardly any better.<br/><br/>Simeon waited at the top of the ramp while Sasha made her final preparations in forming their party for the venture onto Persephone. His own checks were brief and finished long ago: fastenings secure; PK12 loaded, secured and holstered; P.A.D. in power-save mode and sheltered in his vest. All he had remaining was the collection of his companions before disembarking for their journey to Ferret, assuming that was still the plan. At this rate who knew what else might change?<br/><br/>It was something of a relief when Sasha got around to tugging on the new recruit's leash, more so when he tugged back. That was good. Insubordination was not, but showing a little on the first day was, in a way, promising: he wasn't a flat military recruit absorbed by training and devoid of personality, nor was he likely to be a plant for some competing crew or agency if he'd risk his hiring this early by being snippy. In the long term perhaps it would not be a good quality in the man as a part of their crew, but in the short term? It could be worse.<br/><br/>Si introduced himself to Stephen by way of crowding over his mumbled explanation. It was a phrase he had heard before, some time ago, under less amicable circumstances. While the new crewman murmured his way through clarifying his intent the older soldier approached Sasha and Stephen, saying, "The war is over, Mister McPherson, and, even were that not so, we are not a military crew. Do try to keep in mind that we are not soldiers anymore. There is life to be lived outside of such affairs.<br/><br/>"That said, a sidearm should be more than enough protection for tea, even where we plan to have it. Everything will be fine." Granted, whether or not Sasha felt that was the case was another story, but this was not their first time meeting this lowlife and it would be the first time she'd seen a need to bring and armory for their rendezvous. Ferret was vermin and not to be trusted, true enough, but if it came to a fight it would not go well for her. Cowards so rarely pick violence over alternatives when the outcome is unlikely to be in their absolute favor.<br/><br/>He fell in step with Sasha thereafter, more or less alongside Stephen. Walking behind would suggest overmuch distrust of the new man; side by side was good enough for a relatively "safe" operation.