"Where I am from, the body is clothed for the pure fact that exposure could mean death. But I also was very used to bathing on the fly, so while nudity could be an issue, there are times you just let it go. Even back then, I could see the act of nudity as something freeing, I think. Sex can be beautiful with the right person, and sex incorporated with the body, precious."

But something happened, something she had not expected. He had saw something in her words understood she was telling him exactly how she saw him: wise, strong, tempered in a goodness he had never seen before. He was not just some person you could find on the ship randomly: he was here and somehow not, a soul of the ship few bothered to get to know.

And he gave a bashful look Kaya did not expect, one that was endearing, sweet. And while she was going to comment, she saw something else. A genuine look, a smile, one that seemed to brighten the room, make it like it was spun from gold in her heart.

She knew that feeling.

"I'm sorry you don't hear it more often," she said, her voice showing only a very slight quiver. "But its true."