Second Opinion (Pregame 1 EN Storage)

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

Mei whispered conspiratorially. "To be honest I'm a huge fan of both his and Butcher's arena careers since I was a teen and now I'm on a ship with him, with both of them. He seems like a really sweet guy, we've takes a few times and he's a great zero-g dancer. So it's a bit of fantasy fulfillment I guess plus it's been a while, too long if you get me.

Plus I mean look at him, aren't you curious? I mean, if you're only into girls that's cool, I happen to be one myself." She said with a playful smile.

[Gianna Rains]

Gianna gives an indulgent smile. "Do what you gotta do, Mei. He's a good guy. I haven't... gone climbing... but it doesn't mean I wouldn't. I just..." She looks a little sheepish. "Anyway, I'm... Rooting for you?" she says, face quirking in obvious doubt that that's what she should say.

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

Mei gave Gianna a smile that says 'Oh you'.

"Are you OK Gi? Are we OK? Because you seem a little conflicted talking about this kind of stuff. It kinda seems like you are at war with yourself over something."

[Gianna Rains]

Gianna shrugs, then gives Mei a lop-sided smile. "I don't know you that well. I don't know... what exactly you want to do. So I'm just going with supportive." She glances around, somewhat wishing she had kept a hold of the sippy cup.

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"But we're cool right?"

Mei was suddenly reminded that this was a superior officer she was talking to and no amount of balloons and booze was going to change that.

Oh I might have just fucked up bigtime. Always gotta press your luck don't you? Like she wants to be a part of my little sexcapade. Stupid.

"Sorry Gianna, I get carried away some times. I, uh...thanks for the advice try to enjoy the rest of your night." she said pensively and prepared to push off the wall and float away.

[Gianna Rains]

"Hey, what're--" Gianna starts to interject, reaching out to catch Mei's arm. Clearly overdoing the maneuver in this gravity, she accidentally pulls them both into a not entirely gentle crash against the wall.

"Ow. Dammit. Sorry Mei," she says very slowly, rubbing a now- bruised shoulder as her duck floats beside them, temporarily forgotten.

"We're fine," she remembers to say. "I'm just... Well, a klutz, obviously," she says, shrugging as embarrassment crosses her face. "But I... You know..." Gianna looks for a moment like she wants to hide in her Santa hat. Her voice goes low as she tries to explain: "I dunno... what you... want..."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

Mei was also going to have a bruise, her elbow smacking the wall, but it didn't bother her; but a rush of adrenaline helped cut through the fog of wine. She reached for the duck, making sure it didn't wander to far.

"I don't think one mistake in zero-g counts as klutzy. Here don't lose this." She said handing over the duck. "That's really cute by the way."

"I'm sorry for confusing and flustering you. I came to your room unannounced and uninvited, exposed myself to you, dragged you away from something you were in the middle of, accidentally insulted you, kissed you then asked for advice about sleeping with someone. I'm all over the place and sending a lot of weird signals.

I'm way to comfortable with my own body and nudity. My first company, that first ship was a total dump and because of it everything was co-ed so I had to get used it and I forget other people usually have greater sensibilities. I would very much like it if we could be friends, real friends. I never had a sister and when I look at you I see slumber parties and shopping trips and clubs.

I will also admit that I find you very attractive. I would like to explore that down the road if you do, but we should probably start with the friends part first. I'll admit that I'm a flirt and I have a "healthy appetite" so I can't promise that I will entirely be able to avoid hitting on you but I will actively try to control it."

[Gianna Rains]

Gianna takes her duck in her left hand, giving a little grin of thanks before Mei starts explaining a lot. As Mei talks, the Canopian's head tilts slightly and her grin gets a little wider. When the Capellan has finished talking, there's a brief pause.

"Friends... sounds like a good idea," Gianna says, sounding thoughtful even around her grin.

"Although."

Gianna slides her right hand behind Mei's head and pulls her in for a second kiss. It's deep but not especially long, and the Canopian lets go of her friend's head right after.

"I was kinda hoping that was gonna be your answer," she says honestly. "But I care about the other stuff too, so... Maybe we'll just start with friends, and see where it goes?"

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

Mei was delighted by the response she was given and joined the kiss enthusiastically.

"Deal" she sad when Gianna finished. "In the mean time please go back to whatever I dragged you way from, I have a mountain to climb."

Licking her lips as much from the kiss as the thought she was having she gave a little wink and prepared to set off.

"Good luck with the rest of your night."

[Gianna Rains]

"Ok," Gianna says, looking rather pleased with herself. "But, um," she adds in a conspiratorial semi-whisper. "I am going to need a report on the... expedition." She gives Mei a wink of her own before pushing off the wall.

/exit