Gus smiles in amusement at Cualli's reaction to the cold. He takes a few deep breaths of the sharp air and rubs his gloved hands together.
"Good thinking, I can't say I'm sure either."
His hands return to his pockets and he follows Cualli away from the barracks.
"So," he says, turning his head towards her.
Cualli feels a pang of nervousness shoot through her body and she seems to sink deeper into her coat. All of the things she'd had in her mind to say to Gus have disappeared. She remains silent for several long moments.
"It's about what we were talking about on the carrier," she begins, staring at the ground as she walks, avoiding his gaze. "With the talk about... discussing... stuff." She's silent again, half digging through her brain for the right words, half waiting until they're a ways away from the base.
She finally gives up trying to put things gently. "Gods, I feel like a richard. It's just-- all the talk on the carrier, the flirting, I feel like I've led you on. Because I realized afterwards that the someone else-- and him and I aren't dating, it's just... casual stuff between us, no commitment, friends-with-benefits-- he might not take it well if he finds out that I've gone and slept with someone else." She speaks quickly, nervously, and is trying to force herself to keep her voice down.
"And maybe I'm overreacting. Maybe he wouldn't find out about me going off with someone else for a night and we'd be fine. Maybe he wouldn't be upset by it or think badly of me for it. But I don't know if I want to risk it." Cualli stares ahead for a moment, then looks at Gus. "I'm sorry. I figured it was... better sooner than later that I told you so you wouldn't be too disappointed."