Aria blinked, surprised to realize just how distinct the 'mistress-underling' relationship the two was. It didn't offend her sensibilities, but she had to recalibrate her mind from thinking of Sherry as a self-possessed personality lady to a near-thrall of this other mysterious cat-lady, almost like beautiful bait.<br/><br/>"To both questions," she replied to Pumiro, then her eyes shifted to Sherry again, speaking more to her, despite the sense she was getting that that the former's will was the latter's. "Two things figure large in my apparently overstepped attraction to you. One, I will confess that an adventuring companion and I, ah, left an enjoyable moment unfinished to make it to the party." and-or because things had been moving too swiftly for Rose, she reflected, "And I arrived with quickened blood. Two, and more importantly, Sherry, you are a creature, beautiful and exotic and intriguing, I don't mind saying; I'm sure you'll have gone your whole life noticing the effect you must have on most men, and on women such as myself. You may find such a thing tiresome, as women of such beauty often do, but 'tis that simple. Swift and bold, aye, and for your various coy moments up to now, it seemed to suit your own mood, and as I'm in no position to negotiate price on a ship anyhow, I feared not being seduced into undercutting the price."<br/><br/>She gingerly placed Pumiro next to her on the bed, amazed by her lightness, and stood. She paced about the room, linking her forearms behind the small of her back. "Yet I see now, Sherry, your will or leisure may not be entirely your own. I might feel bad to press my passions on you, thinking any reciprocation was not at your own pleasure, so much as your mistress's bidding." She shrugged.<br/><br/>"Or I overthink it. I did just express interest in fellows who love upon ladies for coin, after all..."<em>gods</em>, she was more self-conscious than she'd been a minute ago, but she did enjoy thinking that Rose had stoked her mood, though in the end her own boldness was just that; her own, "...and perhaps your situation is much the same as theirs. Profession primarily rather than pleasure, but by your own choice all the same. Please allow me to show you the rest of the ship; I've been too easily aroused in hoping to see the rest of<em>you</em>."<br/>