Accepting the handshake, Damien was sure to maintain eye contact throughout this exchange. Seemingly unbothered by the implied threat behind the grip on his hand and simply reciprocating it. Matching the grip had its implications, with the first and foremost being the intent to dispel any illusions of ill intent regarding Fiorella and a shared future. The second was confidence which was rooted in a lack of insecurity about his intentions here and relationship. And when paired together these things served as reassurance in the face of Julian's apprehension.
"[That's just how we look where I'm from. But it's a pleasure to be visiting all the same.]" Even if he disagreed with the fine print of how society operated here, he was still being given the benefit of hospitality despite the extreme cultural differences. And so in turn it felt only fair that he defer and give due respect when necessary while never allowing himself to come across as obsequious. "[Blockade running? Quite daring. That's arguably when the value of access to supplies is at its highest, and usually so is the associated risk. It's no small achievement.]" Damien glanced between his partner and Julian, wordlessly implying that he was simply picking up on something Fiorella had said.
He continued further, if only briefly. "[While I've never done it myself, I have at times been part of a spearhead to help blockade runners make it past the former part of their namesake. So I'm not surprised that you're made of tough stuff. It takes a certain kind to be willing to fly a block of metal through a wall of guns.]" An honest compliment and one steeped in an extremely colorful background of personal experience. More importantly, it was an open invitation to share stories of such experiences - one that Damien seemed keen for Julian to accept. But whether that eagerness was from a position of feigning sincerity or actual sincerity was for the young man alone to determine over time.
