Mayhap a state of confusion is just what the Alliance needs. Not to throw them into disarray, mind you, or to foil any of their plans or deliberations. Which I assure you, I am fully aware that they are of the utmost importance. I am not so frivolous a man to suggest a thing. [ He is certain she is aware of that by now. ]

But a little bit of turning what is considered normal on its head might not be an entirely bad idea, wouldn't you say? [ Here, his smile grows wider, all but blossoming across his face. She would be correct in saying he does not often look or feel this happy, but he believes she merely has that effect upon him. He also wishes he could feel this way every day, but there is always some problem or situation that requires serious consideration.

A question about whether she might allow his hands to wander is on the tip of his tongue, but it seems to him that she is all but welcoming him to do that very thing. And so his hands travel once more, moving past her collarbone and down to the tops of her breasts. He would allow his hands to continue their downward journey, but a notion has sprung into his mind that perhaps prolonging said journey will only increase those passions that she is attempting to keep in line.

He might not be fully aware that that is what she is doing, but this routine of theirs seems to be one they have repeated before. He hesitates, and then finds the courage to continue moving with his explorations, and she seems to try and conduct herself in a way that seems proper. And yet what is proper about what they are doing? Certainly, they are not going about this wantonly or wildly, although they certainly could, but shouldn't moments like this be governed by passions?

He thinks so, and so he refrains, a sort of teasing expression crossing his face as he takes this momentary pause. ]