a/n: Gino isn't the smoothest OC in the world.

Monolith Soft owns all the good things, none of which are Gino.

Maybe it was the mad sprint to the elevator before the gate had lowered, maybe it was all the fumes from the station, but Gino was definitely breathless as Neesae stepped off the platform. He also needed to swallow twice before he could manage to say a thing.

"These are for you!" he croaked, extending his arm stiffly. He wasn't sure if he was still holding the flowers, because his entire focus was on Neesae.

She looked glorious. Short red dress with just enough slink to let her move like water and just enough straps to make him dizzy. Braids piled high, yet still spilling over her shoulder, each one tipped with a wink of metal. He didn't need to look to know her nails were on point, and she'd done something to her face to make it more mysterious than ever.

"Don't you have work?" she said with a cool smile.

"I quit. Or I would, if I had to. Lucky for you, I just got off."

"Oh, lucky me," Neesae said with slight sarcasm. She slowly took the naked bunch of roses from his hands. Gino wished he'd wrapped them in something, although a small part of his brain reminded him that a shop towel would not have helped the presentation. She inspected them carefully. "I do believe I saw Commander Vandham wearing exactly the same flower in his lapel this afternoon."

"He don't have lapels. He'll end up buried in a tank top. Probably eats them for breakfast."

"You know what I mean. You gave him a flower too?"

"Uh, we shop the same places?" Gino offered with a weak smile.

"Whatever, little man."

"Don't you like them?"

"They're okay." She flicked them slowly along her chin, then bopped them against his forehead. "Thanks."

"Come on, Neesae. Say you like them."

"Mmmmm."

Gino was getting more and more breathless. "Girl, you got me however you want. All you gotta do is say. You know my life is suffering if you don't smile."

As he had prayed would happen, Neesae's cool reserve couldn't withstand his miserable pleading. Fair enough, if groveling was what it took, he'd grovel like a champion. Her glistening lips quirked into the start of a smile. "Well, I suppose."

"Neesae, I'm finally off, and you look even better than usual. Maybe we can do something together? Admit it. You'd like that, maybe?"

She arched her eyebrows at him. "I am looking totally extra, little man. I came down to let you see what you'd be missing. Which suggests I was a tiny bit upset you were busy."

"Which means you're a tiny bit happy now?" he asked hopefully.

"A very little bit."

He grinned at her. "Cool! We could grab a pizza, head back to my place. My roommate's working tonight and…"

"Oh, no, I don't think so. This outfit and the woman in it are not heading back to your place. We are going out. You can come along or not, your choice."

"I'm not dressed to go out," Gino said desperately.

"Like anyone dresses up properly. No one will notice. Just fix your hair a little," she said as she patted his 'fro into better shape. Gino locked his knees to keep from sinking to her feet in something close to worship. Then she gave him a sly look. "And wear a flower. I hear all the big shots are doing it." She flicked one flower at him and waited.

Gino wore the flower and liked it.

a/n: Let's review: Tatsu had 13, Lin had 12, Bryan had 11, Sara-Ariel had (briefly) 10, Roo had 9, Mathias had 8, Vandham had 7, Lila had 6 in her bucket, so Gino gave 5 to Neesae. She'll be holding 4 in the next story. Remember this now, because there will be a quiz later.

Next up: Neesae.