Ceres smirked, shaking her head a little. "This is not me looking a gift horse in the mouth. This is me gathering information on the friendly offer I've been made." She replied, cutting a piece off her fish and putting it in her mouth. "It'll get cold if you don't eat." The woman had noticed Octavius being on edge, of course. But she wanted to rub it in just a little more that she didn't care about him knowing at all.

"I'd ask if you have any questions, but I can guess the first one already. Yes I used to be a marine. Fifteen years ago, that is. I told you because I want you to know up front, to prevent surprises later on. I was still young, and needed a job. So I started as a dishwasher at a marine base. Later I became a cook and was promoted to chef on an admiral's ship. Quite a friendly guy. But there is no freedom or adventure in cooking for some big shot. So I deserted and went out to sea by myself. I actually put a sleeping poison in the last meal I prepared for the admiral. They couldn't wake him up for a full day!" She grinned, taking another bite from her fish. "It's how I got my first bounty too. So no, I'm not on their side any more. Distrust me all you want, so..."

She stood, walked over to his side and extended her hand to him this time. "For now all I can offer my word for now, with a handshake. I'll join your crew if you still want me, and prove through action that I'm not with them any more if that's what you're looking for."