Open Closing Time [Edreina]

[Edreina]

Edreina scrambled up the netting behind Razkar, still chortling to herself at her own genius. Upon the deck, she began to examine the deck, seeking out the smoothest section of deck to make into her bed when Razkar disappeared and reappeared with his massive cloak. Just as she was going to point out a spot she had found to be suitable, Razkar began to move towards a padding of flour sacks. "Come here, female." Edreina smiled and rolled her eyes at the command, but followed orders, stopping a few steps away from the makeshift bed, crossing her arms over her still healing stomach. "Dry and get comfortable. I know I am..." As he began his routine, she did the same, smiling the whole while. Teach him to toss me into the Suvan... She removed her sopping wet rags and carefully lay them out to dry, glaring at the damage done by- no, she would not start thinking about that again. After that, she began to fluff up her wild mane, tugging at knots with her fingertips until her hair managed to cascade in gentle, looping waves of burnished copper. "Is interesting way to end time, I suppose. Save maiden. Go for swim. Make one more story. One more memory. Glad to have you here before leaving. Will miss-" Whatever he was about to say was lost in some strange gurgling sound. Sitting upon the "mattress" with her back to him, Edreina turned slightly to look over her shoulder, blowing hair out of her face with a puff through her lips that quickly became uncontrolled giggles as she saw the expression on Razkar's face. Clearing her throat and stifling the giggles - but unable to mask the smirk - Edreina arched a brow. "Not to, ah, make offence. But can perhaps put something across... chest? If we to be sleeping under same cover..." She rolled her eyes as his pointedly met hers. "Raz... boobs are just boobs. It's not like we will be putting them to use." She snorted and turned so that her entire form was stretched upon the sacks, wriggling with a furrowed brow to find a position that suited her curves. After that, she propped herself up on an elbow to look at her friend, blue eyes as calm as ever. "And you have the only thing around for me to cover with unless you want me to sleep with one of these sacks over my chest. Won't be comfortable but if you're that big of a baby, I can deal. You are letting me stay here after all." She shrugged and draped her other arm across her stomach so that her fingers could knit together and then brought her top leg to cross over the one beneath it so that her position was at least slightly demure. "I know you have seen a woman's body before. I doubt women in Taloba go around fully clothed in the heat of summer." She paused and shook her head, realizing that she was reading too much into the situation. He was likely only concerned with her nudity in case someone came onto the deck unexpected. "Anyway... I sleep on my side. I'll make sure to face away from you." The wind caught her, raising little chill-bumps across her skin and tightening two little nubs to the point that Edreina found herself blushing fiercely, rolling slightly so that she could cover this side effect a bit. "Now can you please share that damned cloak." Her teasing was punctuated by a shiver that rattled her teeth.

[Razkar]

"Raz... boobs are just boobs. It's not like we will be putting them to use."

Well, I know that's a lie, at least.

Fortunately Razkar had the sense to keep his teeth together. At that point, though, a crow bar wouldn't have opened them up. All he could do was keep his gaze glassily fixed on those blue eyes. Thankfully they were... magnetic, in their way, and provided him at least some anchor. Until his vocal chords started working again.

Gods, boy, you're pathetic.

"And you have the only thing around for me to cover with unless you want me to sleep with one of these sacks over my chest. Won't be comfortable but if you're that big of a baby, I can deal. You are letting me stay here after all."

That provoked something, at least, some semblance of gentlemanly conduct. That and her subtle shifting to at least try and mask some of her more... delicate parts.

"Yes, but-"

"I know you have seen a woman's body before. I doubt women in Taloba go around fully clothed in the heat of summer."

"That is true, but-"

"Anyway... I sleep on my side. I'll make sure to face away from you."

Interruptions were not taken well by Razkar. It spoke to him of disrespect and carelessness, two things he did not abide. A little well of indignation was tapped in him and he was grateful for it, since it took his mind of the nearly-naked female a hands-width away from him. His eyes narrowed as she laid there, spelling it out for him and oh, gods, why did he want to tell her it was fine for her to face him?!

"It is not just that thing," he said carefully, swallowing since his mouth was so inexplicably dry. "People see you in... not clothes, they talk and make whisper. Not want that for you. And women in Taloba, yes, not wear clothes, but you are not Myrian, and we-"

The wind wasn't really a gust, it was just a gentle blow that raised goosebumps on his skin and then was gone. But for some ungodly reason, his eyes darted down when he saw her breath in shortly, but sharply, and when they went down-

-he saw those dark points stiffen and tighten.

Something else did the same thing and Razkar was suddenly very reluctant to take the cloak off his lap.

"Now can you please share that damned cloak?"

Bugger it!

"Um..." Razkar said, he a mighty warrior and, verily, without fear! "Er... yes... sorry, mistress."

He shuffled a little to get into a more vertical position, keeping one knee cocked up slightly so that would be the only thing visibly "up", and fanned out a healthy chunk of the cloak across her so she could wrap it over herself. One hand still fiercely gripping one corner to keep his lower body covered, he let himself relax and his head fall back, staring very intently at the stars...

"You know," he finally said, reaching some kind of peace in his own desperation, "You not make it easy some time, Edri. And don't make face, even if I not see it. You know what I talk about." He smirked and flicked a glance at her, now mostly covered up. "I thought was savages meant to tempt young females? This is other way."

[Edreina]

Edreina took the cloak and rolled onto her side, away from Razkar, bringing her knees up to her chest and using her arms as a pillow. She was not entirely adequately covered but she did not want to risk scooting any closer lest her body begin to behave different in the night when her sense of control no longer governs motions. Barely able to control your mind let alone your body... "You know... You not make it easy some time, Edri. And don't make face, even if I not see it. You know what I talk about." Again he displayed an uncanny ability to see through her skull to her facial expressions. Just as she began to wonder what it was that she was not making easy, making a face of confusion, he assured her that she knew what he was talking about. But did she? The first thought to come to mind was how she always seemed to be causing him trouble in some way or another. Tonight, she had gotten drunk and in over her head. She was just lucky that he had happened by. She could hear a smile in his voice as he spoke again. "I thought was savages meant to tempt young females? This is other way." Wait... what!? I'm tempting him? When did this start to happen? If it were true, he'd done a damned fine job of hiding it. Half the time she felt like a mutilated beggar around him, his eyes always seemed to avoid her when unconscious motions would have naturally drawn the male eye. He was so gruff with her, as if he just wanted her gone or quiet half the time. But the other half he acted like an older brother. He could not be serious right now. "Razkar..." the word was a whisper, a sigh, as if filled with a sudden desperation that choked away her voice. She could not let herself hope, imagine... just to be crushed again. No, she had to stop him before he built her hopes up any higher than they already were. Eyes a bit harder than average, narrowed to the point that her eyes were a deeper blue than is normal, she rolled to face him, carefully keeping herself covered from the occasionally dancing breeze, cloak tucked up under her armpit. "Please don't pretend, not for my sake. If I'm given the smallest flicker of hope, I won't- I can't-..." She sighed and looked down, softening slightly. "I don't want to ruin our friendship. If I have a chance - or think I do - I will do everything I can to get what I want..." She let her eyes wander, just for a second, over his exposed, tanned, muscular flesh. Then she quickly looked away, unable to bring herself to be reprimanded in this current mindset. So often she had to stop herself from displaying her desire, he needed to see this. He could not let her start to get ideas. Not if he still wanted her as a friend. But at the same time... Edreina glanced up at Razkar, then back down to her hands. If they were to do it, just once, just to get their- her... desires out, things would be more manageable. The curious woman would be sated and able to drive away the thoughts with more ease than she currently was able. Dammit if him in the moonlight did not have an effect on her. She could not handle it. Not when he did not feel the same. In one abrupt jerk, she rose to her feet and padded across to the barrel of water. Taking a breath, she dunked her face into the barrel of cold water. He's a spoken-for man, Edreina. And one of your best friends. You don't want to ruin this. Not for your own damned selfish curiosity. When she pulled her face from the barrel, she was breathing a bit heavier than normal, gripping the edges of the barrel with white knuckled intensity, fighting herself into submission. When she felt as if she could control herself for one night - and sleep for a thousand - she ambled back over, shaking her head and smiling a small smile to herself. After sliding quickly back under the cloak, using her arm to dry her face, she smiled and laughed dryly to herself. "Drunkenness is not the only thing water can wash away..." Was all she said, suspecting that he already knew what was wrong with his bed partner. "I'm sorry, Raz..." For not being able to control myself... for always pressuring you for something you cannot do without ripping out your own heart... for being a horrible friend... Her shining blue eyes conveyed what she could not bring herself to say out loud. With a sigh, she rolled over, curling up as she had before, begging just to go to sleep and have the night over with. She should have gone back to her own ship.

[Razkar]

The words spilled out from her and with every fresh sentence Razkar felt himself shrivel. Gods, how could he be so blind not to notice the depth of her attraction? The need and hunger in her eyes should have stroked his ego beyond measure, but really he was... he felt sorry for her.

Because he knew it would not go anywhere. It couldn't. He could never look Ayatah in the eye again if it did; never give his word again for it would already have been broken and thus of no use to anyone.

Her eyes roved over him and the Myrian almost felt himself shift uncomfortably, as if he was being tried out for size by a python. Such desire... he'd not had a woman look at him like that since Aya.

Now it pained him, and it made him stupid. Razkar raised his hand, planning to put it on her shoulder to... comfort her. Just comfort her. Well, that would have been the plan, anyway, but in the highly-charged mood she was in, any physical contact from Edreina would have probably tipped her over the edge-

So thank the gods she solved the problem for them.

She whirled and rose and clad only in underwear - or what he assumed was underwear - she stalked to the nearest barrel and submerged her head under the water with one fearless jerk. Razkar's face twisted into a mask of shock, tinged with incredulous amusement... and he slowly shook his head...

"Drunkenness is not the only thing water can wash away..."

"I am seeing this. You barbarian girls," he said, frowning as he did, careful not to inject any more flirtatious lilt into his voice, "You do not do things halfway."

"I'm sorry, Raz..."

She curled back up like a child, knees up, on her side, facing away from her and swaddled in his cloak. The words come out in a sigh, with no tears choking them, but they might as well have been sobbed for the effect they have on Razkar. But what can he do about it?

Hug her? That would work well. Give her a peck on the cheek? See previous answer. Ignore her? I don't think so...

"Heart wants what heart wants," he said softly, enough for her to turn slightly towards him. He's laying on his back and staring up at the stars, a carpet of diamonds in the clear sky. "We not have skies like this in the jungle. Trees get in the way. But here... here you can see all of heaven..."

Razkar had never heard the Myrians speak of heaven. Probably because they didn't have it. Eternity for them was an endless cycle of birth, life, death and then rebirth as their souls were recycled as new Myrians. But they did not remember the last lives... so what happened to those memories?

He shook his head and those thoughts were shaken off with it. He turned to face her and gave a weak smile, shining with regret.

"Another life, maybe... and not need to be sorry to me, Edri. You are a good friend." He reached out... and patted her shoulder, gave it a quick squeeze and allowed himself only a moment to enjoy the smooth, pale skin under his palm... then let go. "Now, sleep. I know I will. Long day tomorrow..."

[Edreina]

Spring 69, 513 AV 6th Bell Anchorage Flotilla, The Cuttlefish When the Syna began to peek over the horizon, Edreina woke, warm and content. And... not in her hammock? Edreina sat up quickly, gasping at the unfamiliar setting, the odd garment that covered her. For a drowsy instant, she was completely bewildered. But, slowly, everything began to sink in and memories of last night began to flash through her mind's eyes. Her eyes drifted slowly over to Razkar who was, oddly, still beside her. He was stretched out on his stomach, arms sprawling and loose black hair a mess around him. But he was more peaceful that Edreina had ever seen him. Without all of his walls, his steel, his sense of duty, he looked like any other person she knew except with more piercings and darker skin. Edreina was caught off guard by the urge to touch his hair, see if it felt like the oil it resembled, to touch his tattoos and see if they felt different from the rest of his skin. She managed to suppress it with some difficulty, turning her back on him so that she could sit up with her legs stretched out on the deck. She shivered and was abruptly reminded of her lack of dress. She stood and covered herself quickly, mind roaming over the latter events of last night. She had been stupid, childish, selfish, immature... the list could span from Avanthal to Ektol. But it had not been entirely her fault. Since her first rejection, Edreina had been able to maintain control of her curiosity. The alcohol had addled her judgement. You're making excuses. Edreina sighed and stretched her arms up over her head. "Heart wants what heart wants." Too bad it wasn't my heart doing the wanting... Edreina's thought was stale, bland. She stretched again with a quiet groan, body tightened by her inflexible positioning hard mattress. The way her back felt, it was as if she had not allowed herself to uncurl her limbs all night. Thank the gods she had maintained some level of control in sleep. Standing alone on the deck, Edreina began to make plans. After last night - and a compounding of the last week - the Anchorage had lost its grandeur, its appeal. She needed to leave for a bit, refresh her environment. Today, Edreina would go out, buy a few supplies, and be gone by midday, heading for Syliras. And what about Raz... She turned and eyed him with her arms crossed over her stomach. Should she stay here until he wakes? Come back before she leaves? Where was he going anyway? She foggily remembered him mentioning that last night was his last on the Flotilla. With a sigh, she decided that getting her goodbyes out of the way now would be preferable to later. Just as she was about to go over to wake Razkar, one of the Akalaks walked out... Tunak? Turik? Something like that. Either way, he stepped into the fresh air and stretched his boulderous limbs with a few pops that made Edreina cringe. After a second, he seemed to notice that she was there and eyed her curiously, gaze flickering to Razkar's still prone form and then back. He nodded to himself - What did that mean? - before smiling at her and calling out a good morning. "Hello... ah..." Edreina was still a bit baffled by the nod and found herself blushing for no reason. "Anxious to set off?" Off to the side, she heard a waking breath and some shuffling, sign that their conversation had roused Razkar from the world of dreams. She was almost sorry for that... He seemed happier when asleep.

[Razkar]

His dreams were treacherous and enticing, and when he awoke with their gasping images still fresh behind his eyes, Razkar was in two minds about them. In the one he felt... almost soiled by his own lack of willpower, the betrayal of his body, lusting so after one other than she who had been there for him in the jungle for so long. His great love...

The other mind was much more base and couldn't even spell "noble", but it wasn't Razkar's honor that snickering, salacious voice was appealing to. It teased and taunted him with images of Edri, pale and naked and beautiful, knowing that Razkar wanted her-

But just because you want doesn't mean you take... even if it's apparently on a platter.

With that somewhat self-aggrandizing thought, a voice pierced his veil and bought him groaning back to reality. Air sharp with sea water, hard wood "softened" by bags of food stuffs under him, and the oh-so-familiar feel of his cloak...

And her. Her smell. That strange, salty-yet-scrubbed smell that the Myrian would now and forever associate with the Svefra.

Then his bleary eyes saw her talking to someone... a large someone... and large purple some-

Oh, no.

"Myrian!" Turak all but boomed, and Razkar swore that you could have used his grin as fertilizer. He would never hear the end of this. "I trust that you slept well? Hmm?"

That hmm had barbs in it. Barbs that leered. Razkar felt his skin darken, and hoped Edreina would not notice that, yes, Myrians can blush. Perhaps she'd think it was an optical illusion, a trick of the light or her eyes... or...

He caught a glance from her. Apparently not.

"My night passed good." He said stiffly, hauling himself upright and cracking his back back into position. "I hope you, too."

"Had some company, did we?"

Razkar tightened his jaw and forced himself to maintain eye contact. He had nothing to hide, no cause for shame or evasion. Doing any of the three would only goad the licentious Akalak.

"My friend was not to walk to her ship. Was trunk. With ale. So I offer sleep."

Turak cocked an eyebrow and swiveled it to Edreina. "You know he has a hammock below decks, right, Oh, Myrian such a rom-"

"I wanted to protect her, also. Was men who not hear word "no" good out last night."

It took a few moments for Razkar's butchered Common to become clear to Turak. The look on Edreina's face - flush with shame and embarrassment and the fragments of that dread that had drove Razkar into a red, killing rage - crystalized it for him. No witty rejoinder that time. No quip. His face became as serious as Razkar had seen it for weeks.

"Oh... well... in that case, I, ah... Yes!" His head turned back to Edreina again. "I am somewhat anxious, my darlin'." Razkar's eyes narrowed before he realized how stupid it was to be a jealous male, here. "Me and my cousin, we're roamers, y'know? Like you Svefra. Not used to hanging around one party when there's so many others to sample! So, off to Syliras for us! The Shining City...!"

He turned away muttering delightedly about an Epyharian bordello he'd heard of there - Six hands! Six! Can you imagine what they could do?! - and walked back down the stairs with a tread so heavy it made the wood crack in places. Razkar shook his head and got sleepy all over again... so he carried out their usual ritual in the morning-

-and dunked his head in The Barrel.

"You must excuse," he said eventually, after coughing and sputtering the water from his face, icy tendrils of it worming down his neck and chest, "He is... not bad soul. But he has great greed for life. Women, drink, fight, world..." He shook his head with something like fondness. "Not like all Akalak, that one. Not so... up own arsehole."

He chuckled at the poor witticism and leaned on the railing next to her, warm smile alighting his face. The morning favored him, she realized. It was before his mind had fully settled into the warrior mentality he prized so highly. Only in dreams are we free... and in the first waking, we bring some of that freedom with us.

"Syliras. That is where we go soon..."

[Edreina]

The Akalak's quip caught Edreina off-guard, causing her eyes to narrow and brow to arch. And what does... Oh! With the realization, she turns to Razkar to see how the comment affected him. Apparently... Myrians are capable of blushing. Squelching a laugh, she turned to the Akalak and began, "Oh no no. It's no like tha-" only to be cut off by Razkar's reply. There was something cold in his voice that Edreina did not entirely understand. When she once more found herself being addressed once more, she all but gaped like a fish. Sharing a hammock might as well have been sacred to Svefra. Only the most trusting and in sync couples managed it - or even attempted it for that matter. Someone else tried to do that with you once... The quick and unbidden thought caused Edreina to brush brightly and bite her lip to hide a less-than-innocent smile. "Oh... well... in that case, I, ah... Yes! I am somewhat anxious, my darlin'. Me and my cousin, we're roamers, y'know? Like you Svefra. Not used to hanging around one party when there's so many others to sample! So, off to Syliras for us! The Shining City...!" Edreina had missed the part of the exchange directly before Mr.Purple's return to her inquiry and was quick to pull any emotion other than curiosity from her betraying facial expression. The use of "darlin' " only caused Edreina to blush brighter. His lifestyle was one that she could understand and at the mention of Syliras, her eyebrow cocked slightly. Heading to the same place, are we? Turning back to Razkar, her eyebrow only attempted to continue its course into her hairline as he slammed his face into the water. When he emerged, gracelessly coughing and spluttering water from his nose and mouth, she had to cover her mouth - and thereby her smile - with one hand to keep him from thinking that she was laughing at him. After a minute, he finally spoke. "You must excuse... He is... not bad soul. But he has great greed for life. Women, drink, fight, world... Not like all Akalak, that one. Not so... up own arsehole." This time, Edreina did not mask her laugh. "I quite liked him. Nice to see someone who doesn't give a damn what others think; more interested in living life how they please. It's refreshing." It was odd to think of how that was refreshing seeing as she lived among the most footloose race in Mizahar. But, nonetheless, it was. Seeing it on a foreigner was different. "Besides, it is better to be up your own arsehole," she shook her head with a laugh, "than someone else's. At least then you know exactly what kind of shit you're dealing with." It was a favorite saying of her father's, vulgar as it was. "Syliras. That is where we go soon..." "I gathered that much," she jerked a finger over her shoulder, in the direction of the departed Akalak. "I'm heading there as well." She thought for a moment. "I think I will talk to Tonio about traveling behind you. Better for me if there are pirates or just over all scum on the way, better for him to have another ship about. Perhaps he will need me to carry things in my hold." She shrugged, making simple speculations at this point. "I doubt I will be with y'all much, though, once we get closer to Syliras. Great area for caves that." She smiled and nodded to herself, already planning the trip out. As she spoke of the possibility of caves, Edreina was not able to help the little light that came into her eyes as she contemplated getting to go out and explore. Yes... This is a good idea.. They subdued thought was in relation to her decision to leave the Anchorage for a spell. Leaning against the mast with her shoulder, arms crossed over her stomach, Edreina chewed on her lip thoughtfully. "I'll have to buy some supplies... City clothes..." She wrinkled her nose in mild distaste for the city-dweller expectation that women be clothed properly. "And say some goodbyes." This part did not bother her as much. Zindr had sailed off a day or two prior leaving only Surai and her parents to inform of her departure. She looked up at the Myrian, head cocked slightly. "Would you like to come along? See a bit more of the Anchorage before you leave it?" She stood up and stretched, about to head off to her ship in order to retrieve a few Mizas either way. "Would sure be nice to have someone to help me carry the bags. Might keep you from having to do work here." The first part was meant to entice, and she looked at Razkar with her best "pretty please?" smile. The second only to inform. The day before leaving, ships would come alive with movement and if a passenger was seen to be in the way by a captain, they would be put to work lugging things from one place to another. "I promise we will be back before you have to leave."

[Razkar]

Razkar's expression brightened a little more when he heard that she was going in the same direction as him. Well, fine, it was more than "a little" but he wasn't about to draw attention to it. Already he had flashing images of walking with her in Syliras, shopping, sightseeing, both of them enjoying that strange-

And what of your Ayatah? Would it not be even more wonderful to take her arm down those streets? Remember yourself, boy!

Razkar gritted his teeth behind his smile and nodded, still happy, nonetheless. Then she made her request and he shuffled a little, scratching under his chin.

"Well, there are few jobs that Captain-"

"Would sure be nice to have someone to help me carry the bags. Might keep you from having to do work here."

It took only a few blinks for Razkar's logic to abdicate and his selfishness temporarily reign supreme. The smile she put on - reminding him of a riamm he had when he was young, especially when it was hungry - was just the icing on the cake.

He huffed dramatically and rolled his eyes. "If you going to look like pup dog, fine! I come and I help." He lowered his voice as they both started towards the edge of the ship, sly smile twisting his lips. "Get me away from Tonio, anyway, eh...?"

They were already walking across the first narrow plank when he shook his head at her last question. "No, Captain say we not leave until when sun is highest. Waves soft then, or so he say. So, we have few bells. We get what we need done, then go. Sound good to me... So! Where first?"

He bowed dramatically, even as he wobbled and wavered on the plank, enjoying her discomfort. "What is first stop for Mistress Edreina?"

[Edreina]

"If you going to look like pup dog, fine! I come and I help." Edreina clapped and pirouetted in happiness, having not truly expected him to agree. For once, being a smaller female with wide blue - often wrongly called "innocent" - eyes had paid off. "Get me away from Tonio, anyway, eh...?" Edreina grinned and bumped Razkar, taking on the gangplank first. "Be careful how you speak of your captain, Land-strider," the Svefra lass mock-scolded, crossing her hands behind her back as she stepped across lightly, one foot directly in front of the other. "What time do you need to leave, anyway?" She stepped onto the next ship and turned to face him, shaking her head to adjust her hair as the wind blew it in a new direction. She smiled at his answer, glad that she had chosen the right time as well. "What is first stop for Mistress Edreina?" Grimacing reflexively at his addition of the title, she watched him wobble for a moment, contemplating jumping onto the gang-plank, thereby throwing him horribly off balance, and watching him fall into the Suvan. Her eyebrow arched and a wicked smile quirked a single corner of her mouth as she placed one foot purposefully upon the gangplank and looked Razkar right in the eye. It was fun to see how the realization dawned on him and, smiling the whole while, he raised his hands in surrender to the puny Svefra lass. Once he as safe aboard swaying ship, she set off towards her ship. "My ship for the Mizas, then my parents' for a wonderfully heartfelt goodbye," sarcasm dripped from her words more obviously than a sudden downpour, "then a couple of shop ships to pick up the necessary junk for being in a city." They walked diagonally across the Flotilla's outer rim until the Goldengrotto came into view. Edreina's heart warmed slightly at the realization that she would soon be untying the ship in order to set off on her own again. It was a liberating thought. "Have I brought you to my ship before?" Her ship was marked by a yellow band around the mast and a series of black circles within the band. Once upon the deck, she excused herself and disappeared into the trap-door that separated deck from cabin. Once there, she pilfered many of her hiding places for a handful Gold-rimmed Mizas and decided to replace her ravaged linen with the roll she had been given for her tattoo. It was a brighter tan and in much better condition than her prior... Perhaps she should have transitioned sooner. Nonetheless, she put the Mizas in a leather pouch and tied it off around her neck. Emerging from below, she smiled and slammed the trap door shut with enough force for the bang to slightly startle the Myrian who had been staring off across the Anchorage. "Shall we continue?" In the short time that she had been out of sight, the Anchorage had exploded with life as people began to run about performing their various morning chores.

[Razkar]

As Razkar had seen before, it didn't take long for the rest of Anchorage to rise from bed and lurch to life. They weren't quite the early risers that the Myrians were, but it was near, and by the time Syna was half-visible over the horizon, setting the Suvan on fire beyond the tangle of boats, a thousand twisting and passing shadows were alighting the decks.

Razkar listening closely with a slight smile as he heard the faint bumps and vibrations from below the deck. The swaying put him off slightly, but he could feel it... imagine what she was doing down there as he heard chests and doors close, mutterings and the rustle of fabric... then coming back up and-

"Gods, woman!"

He spat in his own tongue as the trapdoor was slammed shut, hand flying to his gladius out of instinct. But it was no enemy or monster, just a grinning Svefra woman still flush over her minor victory. Razkar rolled his eyes and went back to the view.

"Shall we continue?"

"If you have finish with surprises..."

A quick chuckle and they were off again, but they didn't go far before the questions started. The Goldengrotto, as he had heard Edri refer to her ship (he was sure it was on the side of it, too, but he had trouble reading the curving, cursive script), wasn't near as large as the Cuttlefish but reflected her own well. Speedy, smart and ill-designed to be lashed and shackled to larger cousins. But that strange yellow band...

"What did yellow mean?" He said finally, continuing as she turned, frowning. "On mast of ship, was yellow band with black circles. What does that mean?"

Then another question came to the fore, something that had bothered him since she had said the words. He thought it more... delicate, however, little as many would believe a Myrian was capable of such subtlety, and thought about his words carefully.

"When you speak of parents, voice was... um... I do not know word, but voice was not good. Like... you do not go well together?"

Edreina was mildly surprised to see trepidation on her friend's face. Myrians by nature are clan- and family-oriented to the extreme. Only their loyalty to Myri is more hidebound and irrevocable. Outsiders, even other Myrians, are simply not expected to question or pass judgments on family matters. Doing so is an easy way to invite scorn, censure and broken bones.

Still, this is a barbarian people and they seem more... flexible. But one can still be careful.

"Oh," he added in a small voice, as if reminding himself, just as a looming and strangely familiar vessel came into view, "And you think it is a good idea, them see me with you?"

It only occurred to him after that if there was some bad blood, well... bringing along a savage would only make her day...