~~~
“Relm painted this?” Marée stared down at the portrait she held in her hands in shock and wonder. “Well, I’ll be a virgin mermaid,” she muttered.
Setzer’s smirk danced in his eyes as he reclined in the couch, one arm draped over the back of it. Her tall and commanding presence fit the ship. She breathed an aroma of freshness and life into the Falcon that had been sorely missed.
“I voiced nearly the same sentiment when I discovered Relm knew you, and for a longer time than I have.”
Marée chuckled. “Like I’ve said before, being a captain takes me to all four corners of this damned, twisted planet. Thamasa’s got a treasure trove of knickknacks that wealthy knot-heads pay through the nose for.” She sent an intoxicating twinkle of teasing laughter over her shoulder. “You expect me to give that up, captain?”
Setzer laughed. “Of course not, Marée. Of course not.”
Setzer watched as Marée returned the portrait to its temporary place against the wall before slowly sauntering toward the couch. Her gaze swept over the room, taking in the furnishings and spirit of it. A smile whispered across her lips, and then she sat on the couch close beside Setzer to snuggle into his warmth.
He brought his arm down from the back of the couch and drew her closer. “No negative things to say of a man’s personal office?”
Marée tucked her legs up beneath her and then turned even more into him, bringing her arms as much around him as possible. “Mm. Warm. Soft.” She yawned. “It’s been a damn long day. I think I’ll take a nap.”
Setzer chuckled as he caressed her long tresses of blue-black hair. “I haven’t had a chance to ask my questions.”
“So ask ‘em already. I’ll answer as many as I can before falling asleep,” she said with another yawn for effect.
“Fair enough.” Are you ready for the fist in the face? Setzer cleared his throat and focused his attention on the deck of cards in his right hand. “Your ship. Is it the Ace of Diamonds?”
“Yep.” She snuggled closer.
“Has it always been your ship?”
“Damn thing’s paid for,” she mumbled after another yawn. “ . . . bought it after Kefka and the Empire went boot-tips up.”
Her breathing began to deepen, and he lowered his voice to a whisper as he brought his lips closer to her ear. “Do you always take your final shipments to Zozo?”
Her head minutely shifted as her arms around him began to loosen.
Setzer lightly stroked her forehead with a finger, occasionally twirling a lock of hair. Finally, he decided to attempt one last question. “Did they not give you a choice, Marée? Did they force you to work with them?”
But she already slept, her deep breaths tickling the skin on his chest near the unlaced front of his shirt. Setzer swore under his breath and set the cards aside to rub at his forehead. Then he cocked his head and watched her face as she dreamt.