[ he's laughing with her as she slips inside, and there's nothing unpleasant about the sound, but— it's the same soft, measured timbre as his speaking voice. not at all the bright one she startled out of him once before. talking about his detective work is a cold reminder that all of this is fake. that the person whose company Venus is enjoying doesn't actually exist, and she might as well be applauding a performance.

but that's the only way he'll ever get any kind of company at all and he's always known that, so he'll take it. it's better than being alone, even out here, waiting for his time to run out. ]

Is that the order you want to do this in, then? A shot first, and then you share your brilliant idea?

[ his quarters are tidy and barren, but so are most on the station, with all their personal effects taken. he leads her over to the small seating area, just two uncomfortable chairs and a low table where she can put her stolen goods. ]

I should let you know that I've never had so much as a sip of sake, so consider this to be entirely blind on my part.