She nods politely when he tells her about the food supply issues. It's the trouble any colony with a growing population might have. Or any starship carrying more people than it accounted for, for that matter. That might be a closer analogy, highlighting the acute nature of the problem. They seem to have it hand, she thinks as he introduces himself and she attempts her usual Tradeline gesture, left hand briefly clasping his right forearm as they shake hands.

It takes a moment for his last words to register. When they do, Tayrey has to hide her wide-eyed surprise and incredulous smile with a cough.

'Well. I'm sure you do good business.' Upper-level Company types might prefer to pretend such lines of work don't exist, but spacers are different. Of course she'd heard talk, back when she was an apprentice and still barred from going stationside herself. Pavarey teasing her, telling her not to worry about the future, that pretty young lieutenants looking for stationside overnights never had to pay for them.

He'd been right. Back home, where everyone knew what to expect and there were no complications. No Earther cultural traps for her to fall into.

Tayrey smiles at Erik again, leans in closer so she can speak more quietly. 'I'll have to plead the junior officer's trouble of not being able to afford premier overnights, presently. But maybe you're worth saving for.'