Open Closing Time [Edreina]

[Razkar]

68th Day of Spring
Anchorage Flotilla
18th Bell

Captain Tonio knew what it was to sail away from a woman. He'd done it before. Sweethearts, childhood romances, enamored girls, even wives and his three daughters. Sometimes it was a release, he remembered with a wry smile, for some were so desperate and intense it was like escaping from a shark. Other times... it crushed and gnawed at him.

So he recognized the look on the Myrian's face when he looked over and saw him on the fore deck of the Cuttlefish. He was pretty hard to miss, after all. They were readying the saique to leave come the morning sun, and he was spurring them on and on to finish the loading. Now sacks of feed and biscuits, salted pork and fresh water, nets, food stuffs, everything they might need, along with the usual cargo they would trade in Syliras.

A dozen Svefra swarmed endlessly across his deck like army ants, but the Myrian was still. Watching. Waiting.

Tonio sighed, though you would not see much sympathy in his eyes. Bastard savage had cost him money, after all, threatening him with blackmail and slander after the... incident, with that land-walker noble's son. But he still walked over to the Myrian, saw that the only movement visible was one hand... stroking a shell at his belt.

"Hoping she'll see you off, Myrian?"

There was a slight incline of that pierced head as the Myrian acknowledged the barbarian at his side.

"This where you tell me that savage me needs to stay from your girl?"

"She's not my girl," Tonio said evenly, packing his pipe, "And you're not as savage as people think."

"Yes, I am."

Tonio seemed to consider this for a moment and just shrugged. He hadn't seen the Myrian fight, after all, just spar... and that had been enough. He didn't particularly want to find out what kind of violence Razkar was capable of when he really meant it.

"Either way, you're worrying too much."

There was a subtle shifting in Razkar's posture that Tonio just about noticed. Some kind of... softening. Like a guard at attention shifting to at ease. A small sigh escaped his mouth.

"It is not like love. She is friend. But I not want to go before saying good bye."

"I understand."

Razkar turned to face him at that. Tonio looked into those black eyes without fear, just as he had when they first met. The Myrian had changed little since that day in Riverfall, but the fact he wore his hair loose over his shoulders instead of his habitual, tribal topknot made quite an impression. Black, thick curls framed a tanned face, eyes that bore more intelligence and emotion that the Svefra would have thought a savage capable of.

"... I think you speak truth."

"Calling me a liar, otherwise?"

"No." Another small pause. "I thank you for not throw me off boat. After thing with petching boy."

"You still owe me fifty mizas."

Razkar rolled his eyes but left well enough alone. Tonio snorted softly and there was the flick and hiss of a match being struck... the pungent aroma of burning tobacco, that Kenash brand he liked so much... the suck of that first, glorious, fresh puff... then tendrils of curling grey that struck out in front of Razkar's eyes.

"I'll leave you be. Plenty to do, and Syna's departing."

Razkar nodded, and resumed his vigil over the field of lashed-together ships. Trying to spot one redhead among the hundreds bustling down there was hard enough, but harder now the light was fading.

But still he stood. And waited. And hoped.

[Edreina]

OOCSorry it is so long! o.o And droning... I just found myself delving and delving and then... oy vey. Anyway. I left it off where you can either intervene or write another post of self-reflection and leave her to fight him off and escape. Restlessness. Uneasiness. Inexplicable annoyance. All had been plaguing Edreina for days now. She must have walked every deck joined in the Flotilla a dozen times in a fractional number of days. Everything was the same. She needed to go, to leave, to see something new. Perhaps she was finally going insane. Perhaps this was just her body's way of saying that it was time to move on, to find a new place to see, new people to meet. Her heart ached for the open sea, leading her to a distant city. Leth was approaching quickly as Syna danced away. Edreina found herself at one of the "tavern" ships where men and women congregated around massive kegs of ale and roaring bonfires. Where bodies congregated under the influence of music and alcohol. It was if she had snapped from a daze, only to find herself perched on a barstool, half-empty mug on the bar beside her. Was that hers? She knew that her mind had been elsewhere, but what had brought her here? It was then that Edreina realized that her mouth had the sweet and tangy taste of ale lingering about. And, the faint buzzing in her head, the heaviness in her limbs suggested that the half-full mug beside her was not her first. Might as well... Nothing better to do. She turned her back on the throng that was dancing, socializing, flirting throng behind her and planted both elbows on the bar, turning the mug round and round between her fingers. She likely looked the craggy old woman she felt, face drawn and emotionless with undancing eyes. Even her hair seemed more lank as it tumbled carelessly down her back. After a few moments, her hands carried the mug up to her lips and she took a long draw, grimacing the instant the liquid left. She did not prefer the taste of ale. Hell. Tonight she did not even like it. But it satisfied her need to distraction, for something different. Licking the roof of her mouth and smacking her lips lightly, trying to dilute the powerful aftertaste. She drank alone for several minutes, finishing that mug but refusing another. Just as she began to contemplate standing, leaving, wandering around until exhaustion claimed her, another Svefra approached her. He was tall and lean, as expected, with darker blue eyes and a fluff of black hair. Though they shared only eye and hair color, Edreina found herself reminded of a long-lost friend. They shared a meaningless conversation, bodies doing most of the talking as he leaned in close and she did not shy away, automatically raising the corner of her lips as to keep him from thinking himself unwanted. But he was. Edreina did not want him. She wanted to be alone. At the same time, she wanted him there, his company, the company of any human. After a few more minutes, he made the inevitable offer to "get outta here" and Edreina stood without a word, looking up at him meekly through her lashes. The look was seductive despite the turmoil that raged behind her eyes. He probably did not notice. Or did not care. They made it only a few ships before Edreina found herself pressed against a nameless mast, being smothered by a sloppy, drunken kiss. Gods. Why did she not notice how wasted he was before? This would not be an enjoyable evening... But Edreina found herself unable to stop. It was so nice to have someone close, paying attention to her, making her feel wanted. She pressed closer, egging him on with her hips. But things were going to hard too fast. His hands were fumbling with her clothes. Did he mean to... here!? Edreina stilled and pushed against his chest, eyes narrowing. "Hey... don't you want to move this somewhere else?" Her voice remained low, subconsciously keeping him on the hook. But his hands did not still as they attempted to remove her scant clothes. Edreina pushed at his chest harder, voice rising. "Hey! Stop that!" This was not fun anymore - had it really been to begin with? - and Edreina felt the little positive reaction the man had garnered evaporate from her body as gentle fear trickled into her. But he kept on, greater mass keeping her pinned against the wood as he pulled her bottoms to the side, baring her. Edreina blushed and had to fight off a sinking feeling in her chest. She pushed against him again to no avail. Surely someone would see what was going on. "Please! Stop!" Her voice was weaker than she would have liked. Something about such a demeaning situation had drawn the strength from her. He glanced up at her for just a moment with glazed eyes. Gods what was up with this guy? He seemed to be capable of only one mindset, one goal. Fear turned to anger within the trapped Svefra lass. Who was he to attempt this with her? "Stop!" Growling, Edreina began to truly put up a fight, punching the man in the ribs and pushing against him with both hands so that he staggered for an instant. It was just enough for her to maneuver her thinner body out of his grasp. But she was drunk - at least mildly so - and her balance was distorted. Lingering fear made her limbs feel too light and boneless and before she could make it more than three steps, she stumbled and had to fling her arms out to regain balance. Her heart seized up as she felt the man's rough, iron hand clamp around her outstretched wrist. People were still passing on other ships, not noticing how one of their own was quickly being over powered despite her protests and her struggles, being towed back into her attacker's grasp.

[Razkar]

"Stay out of trouble!"

Those had been Tonio's last words to him as he had jumped ship (as it were), and Razker truly did intend to do just that. It was his last night with the Flotilla, after all, and he wasn't looking for a fight. The bonfires were burning merrily, the ale was flowing, and the smell of roasting fish...

And she wasn't coming. Syna faded and seemed to linger on the water for just a little longer, almost apologetically, just for him... then even that great orb of fire gave up the ghost and vanished.

Razkar had sighed and bowed his head just once. He... understood. Yes. He told himself that. Maybe she was awful at goodbyes, too. Maybe she had something else come up, something with family. Maybe that Sea Witch had poisoned her mind and-

"Ah, petch it!"

Tonio heard the outburst in that savage tongue, turned to see a stalking figure already hauling himself off the deck. He'd said those words and all he got in return was a wave from the departing Myrian, weaving across the decks and planks with a lot more finesse than he had when they first arrived.

Tonio shook his head and went back to his card game.

"Men. We're the same the whole bloody world over, once a woman's involved..."

The night passed in a boring, tedious crawl. He found a corner to enjoy a mug of ale, watched the crowd by the blazing bonfires with his head resting on one hand. Goddess... what was the matter with him? It wasn't like she was his woman. He had a woman! And yet, this... unsettling... uncomfortable... twisting in his guts, like he was leaving something unsaid or unspoken.

Now and then someone passed and raised a glass, recognizing the savage storyteller with a smile. Razkar responded in kind, seeing no reason not to be affable with these strange sea people. They were kind and placid in their way, as their ocean often was...

But he was looking for her all night. Eyes scouring, searching, hungry... finding nothing.

Razkar drained his mug with a heavy sigh and decided sleep was in order. At least there, hopefully, there would be none of these doubts. He meandered over planks and decks and even took a zipline or two, taking the long way back to the Cuttlefish. The male smiled to himself as he walked.

Oh, few weeks with these people and you're an expert on the Flotilla, are you? Well, I'll bet that-

He stopped when he heard it. Scraping. Shuffling. Clothing being... slid off flesh. The wet slapping of lips. And... and a voice. Hesitant and unsure, just slightly slurred...

Razkar would know it anywhere, and his head snapped round to the far mast on the next ship over.

He saw the two contorting, twisting shadows, male and female, entwined with one another. His mind wanted to go but his feet just wouldn't obey, stopping him from moving away and giving her some privacy.

This is sick! Walk away, you animal, the girl's having some fun and you shouldn't be leering!

With and inhuman effort, Razkar tore his eyes away, heart oddly empty and yet twisting like a top in his chest. Well... that explained why she didn't see him off. Evidently she was busy and... and happy. Good for her. He hoped-

"Please! Stop!"

Razkar stopped again, and his heart turned to ice.

That whole "thinking" thing didn't occur to him again. He moved swift and sure over the decks, staying to the shadows after hearing those hated, horrible words, uttered in a tone that was just... wrong. As he closed from the back he saw Edreina - he'd know that flashing mane of hair anywhere - struggling, half her clothes ripped or pulled away, kicking and punching-

"Stop!"

But whoever the male was, he wasn't listening, even when she finally squirmed away from him and tried to run-

-and fell instead, on her hands and knees. Razkar stopped, eyes growing colder and colder by the second, silently hoping that the male didn't just-

His prayers, such as they were, got answered. In that listless, wobbling gait of the drunkenly lecherous the world over, the Svefra staggered over to Edri and grabbed her wrist, dragging her back to the mast, to the dark, to whatever violation he had in mind for her.

Razkar saw a flash of her face. Terror was choking her. Stilling her limbs, stopping all further resistance, tears shining and disbelieving in her eyes-

His world went red.

Edreina didn't see exactly what happened to the male. She felt his hot, clammy, disgusting breath on the back of her neck as he bent her over, hardness pressed against her arse as he fumbled with the last of her clothes. Gods, he stank, and she wanted to run, but she couldn't, the fear and exhaustion and that damned ale had sapped all her strength.

Please, let it be over fast, just let-

There was a strangled gurgle, the whomp of flesh meeting flesh, and then the weight flew off her back like it was never there. Disbelieving, she did not yet turn, seeing shadows spiking and flashing in front of her thanks to the distant torches behind-

The snap of bone. A shriek of unholy agony, muffled by a firm hand over a mouth. A thunk. Two of them. Wet and hollow at the same time, like... like a skull being smashed into a mast.

Then a heavy thump as something limp and unconscious hit the decks.

"Edri...? Edri...?"

Razkar came to her side. She looked up, still terrified, shaking, clothes nearly rags around her. Behind him, the drunken male was out cold and based on the shape and color of his face, it was even money whether or not he'd wake up. Either way, he would never use that right arm again, not after Razkar had broken it at the elbow. And his nose. And perhaps his skull.

"Edri...?" He made his voice as soft as he could, blinking some of the crimson mist out of his eyes, forcing the dark rage emanating from his necklace to subsist. "Edri, are you hurt..."

[Edreina]

Edreina choked and felt all of the fight leave her body as she was hauled back into the shadow of the mast. The creature's hand twisted in her hair, painfully aching her back and dragging her head back to the point where she could only see stars above. She wanted to up there, among them, safe and out of harm's way. His free hand fumbled against her clothes as he kept her in place with something hard pressing with sickening insistence at her rear. Feeling her clothing flutter and down, apparently torn away in his ineptitude, Edreina closed her eyes tightly, trembling finely. Just remember the thunderstorms... when you were little. It was only terrifying for a minute, and then it was over. Just close your mind, let it pass. You'll be okay! As resolve continued to leave her, that voice got louder, shouting in her mind. He arched over her like some sort of beast, hot, stinking breath making the side of her face feel dirty and wet. Her eyes were shut tight, so she did not see Razkar's shadow approach. Blood pounded in her ears, so she did not hear his steps. She was only aware of how the weight was torn away, ripping out some of her hair on its way. Without the support, Edreina's limbs gave way and she fell against the mast in a huddle, pulling her legs close as her trembling redoubled. The mast against which she curled huddled as something slammed against it and then the deck beneath her did the same as something collapsed atop it. "Edri...? Edri...?" Thank the gods, the voice was Razkar's. Somehow, he had seen her and come for her. Edreina wanted to turn and look at him, to find comfort in her friend, but she was so ashamed. Clothing in shambles, hair a rat's nest, skin marked and red from the man's clumsy hands... she felt filthy. When Razkar approached her, gently, as if she were a wounded animal, she looked up at him. Some part of her was so terrified that a male so close to her made her curl up around herself tighter. She knew, deep down, that he would never take advantage of her, never hurt her beyond sparring. But the primal fear still lingered. "Edri...?" His voice was softer than she had ever heard it, and that was comforting. He kept blinking, as if something was in his eyes. The confusion pushed some of her fear away. Looking down and away, shame keeping her from being able to hold his gaze. She carefully retrieved her lower garment and slid it up and over her legs, back into place. It was torn on the side, forcing her to tie it off in a knot. Dammit. Now she would have to buy new clothes before venturing to Syliras. ...when did she decide she was going there? When the man reminded her of Orion? The thought was tainted ever so slightly now. "Edri, are you hurt..." Edreina looked up at him again. "Only my pride..." She muttered, looking herself over. Yep. Some of the places where he had gripped her would bruise, but she would not tell him that. "Thank you for... well... Coming when you did. I don't like to think about what would have happened had you not come." Her tongue was still thick from the alcohol but it seemed as if fear had burned away some of the effects of being drunk. She looked down and then back up in a flicker of uncertainty. "Sorry that-" What was she sorry for? Getting in over her head? Being unable to remember the lessons he had beaten into her? Gods the whole situation made her feel filthy and rotten and worthless. In a moment of anger, she rose to her feet in single, jerking motion. Despite swaying physically, her determination did not waver. She stepped over to the unconscious form and spit on him. She did not lash out, did not kick his inanimate form. He was not worth it. After spitting, she made an old Svefran hand gesture meant to curse an entire line, something only used in the most angry of situations. Some said that there was old magic in the gesture but it was just superstition. In a low, almost snarling voice, "May Laviku drag your worthless body to the coldest, darkest depth of the sea you..." The rest of the words were Fratavan, but would have made any hardened sailor blush. She whirled, turning her back on the offence and putting it from her mind. Despite that, she still trembled with latent fear. Facing Razkar, her shoulders hunched slightly and she looked at the deck, feeling the urge to apologize once more. Unable to stem the flow of nervous enery, she began attempting to undo the tangles in her hair with nimble fingers. As absurd as it all was, she wanted this night behind her. "What are- uh... What are you doing about?"

[Edreina]

Edreina choked and felt all of the fight leave her body as she was hauled back into the shadow of the mast. The creature's hand twisted in her hair, painfully aching her back and dragging her head back to the point where she could only see stars above. She wanted to up there, among them, safe and out of harm's way. His free hand fumbled against her clothes as he kept her in place with something hard pressing with sickening insistence at her rear. Feeling her clothing flutter and down, apparently torn away in his ineptitude, Edreina closed her eyes tightly, trembling finely. Just remember the thunderstorms... when you were little. It was only terrifying for a minute, and then it was over. Just close your mind, let it pass. You'll be okay! As resolve continued to leave her, that voice got louder, shouting in her mind. He arched over her like some sort of beast, hot, stinking breath making the side of her face feel dirty and wet. Her eyes were shut tight, so she did not see Razkar's shadow approach. Blood pounded in her ears, so she did not hear his steps. She was only aware of how the weight was torn away, ripping out some of her hair on its way. Without the support, Edreina's limbs gave way and she fell against the mast in a huddle, pulling her legs close as her trembling redoubled. The mast against which she curled huddled as something slammed against it and then the deck beneath her did the same as something collapsed atop it. "Edri...? Edri...?" Thank the gods, the voice was Razkar's. Somehow, he had seen her and come for her. Edreina wanted to turn and look at him, to find comfort in her friend, but she was so ashamed. Clothing in shambles, hair a rat's nest, skin marked and red from the man's clumsy hands... she felt filthy. When Razkar approached her, gently, as if she were a wounded animal, she looked up at him. Some part of her was so terrified that a male so close to her made her curl up around herself tighter. She knew, deep down, that he would never take advantage of her, never hurt her beyond sparring. But the primal fear still lingered. "Edri...?" His voice was softer than she had ever heard it, and that was comforting. He kept blinking, as if something was in his eyes. The confusion pushed some of her fear away. Looking down and away, shame keeping her from being able to hold his gaze. She carefully retrieved her lower garment and slid it up and over her legs, back into place. It was torn on the side, forcing her to tie it off in a knot. Dammit. Now she would have to buy new clothes before venturing to Syliras. ...when did she decide she was going there? When the man reminded her of Orion? The thought was tainted ever so slightly now. "Edri, are you hurt..." Edreina looked up at him again. "Only my pride..." She muttered, looking herself over. Yep. Some of the places where he had gripped her would bruise, but she would not tell him that. "Thank you for... well... Coming when you did. I don't like to think about what would have happened had you not come." Her tongue was still thick from the alcohol but it seemed as if fear had burned away some of the effects of being drunk. She looked down and then back up in a flicker of uncertainty. "Sorry that-" What was she sorry for? Getting in over her head? Being unable to remember the lessons he had beaten into her? Gods the whole situation made her feel filthy and rotten and worthless. In a moment of anger, she rose to her feet in single, jerking motion. Despite swaying physically, her determination did not waver. She stepped over to the unconscious form and spit on him. She did not lash out, did not kick his inanimate form. He was not worth it. After spitting, she made an old Svefran hand gesture meant to curse an entire line, something only used in the most angry of situations. Some said that there was old magic in the gesture but it was just superstition. In a low, almost snarling voice, "May Laviku drag your worthless body to the coldest, darkest depth of the sea you..." The rest of the words were Fratavan, but would have made any hardened sailor blush. She whirled, turning her back on the offence and putting it from her mind. Despite that, she still trembled with latent fear. Facing Razkar, her shoulders hunched slightly and she looked at the deck, feeling the urge to apologize once more. Unable to stem the flow of nervous enery, she began attempting to undo the tangles in her hair with nimble fingers. As absurd as it all was, she wanted this night behind her. "What are- uh... What are you doing about?"

[Razkar]

"Only my pride..."

Razkar's lips quirked but he did not smile. He was still too flushed with adrenaline and outrage for that. His quick eyes flicked over her and he saw some patched of mottled and purpling flesh, but... nothing serious. She was lucky, he thought ironically, that he'd been too drunk to use his strength... properly? Goddess, you even look at an attempted violation in terms of training-

"Thank you for... well... Coming when you did. I don't like to think about what would have happened had you not come."

For a moment Razkar just shuffled awkwardly, angrily dispelling his introspective thoughts. Now was not the time for them. His eyes roved over her again, trying and failing not to notice the pale, smooth skin now exposed, the curve of her-

For the love of Queen and Clan, boy, stop it!

"Not a problem." He finally blurted out, thankful that in the shadows she could not see his embarrassed features. He scratched the back of his head and shrugged, smile a little more enigmatic all of a sudden. "Was lucky I walked this way, I suppose. Don't know. Maybe gods marked my path, eh?"

She didn't answer, turning her attention to the still and battered body behind him. Razkar looked down, face blank, but eyes afire once again. He did not particularly enjoy the sudden, searing venom in her words, but said not a word of reproach nor had a thought of it, either. The man would have taken her, violated her and then walked away without a qualm. Back in the jungle, he would have hacked off his manhood and left him to bleed to death. But here...

"He may live." Razkar said, voice eerily conversational, as if he was talking about the weather or a distant relative. "He may not. Not care. Was violator."

Yes, lets keep on that, shall we? We're much more comfortable with blood and death than controlling our petching loins-

Before he could bite down on his tongue and lash out in his own mind, she broke the spell yet again, hands flying up to her hair. "What are- uh... What are you doing about?"

Razkar opened his mouth and then he noticed the shadowy figures still roaming around on the decks. He took her arm, ignoring the sudden tension there. They didn't have time for him to be sensitive.

"We should walk. Not be around here too much..."

She was reluctant, but lingering on that deck, already marred and blackened in her mind forever, was not an option for her. As they moved swiftly but casually, avoiding groups and allowing her some relative privacy to fix her garments, Razkar talked. Eventually.

"I was..." Looking for you? Hoping to see you? Acting like a lovesick child? "... just having ale. Last night in Flotilla. Thought would see some..." He finally sighed and they stopped, a good distance from the scene of the crime (or the setting for justice, whichever you believed in). "Fine, I was hope you be there. But not. Not want to talk about thing. Would escort you to you ship? No, not make face, think I let you walk alone now, you wrong in head."

Then he spoke again and his brain dropped it's metaphorical jaw at his stupidity.

"Or you can stay on Cuttlefish. Sure Captain will not mind."

[Edreina]

When he grabbed her arm, Edreina felt herself stiffen minutely out of pure instinct. Despite everything, especially her abrupt fears, his touch set something off in her body. It was a paradox of reactions that muddled her already ale addled mind. "We should walk. Not be around here too much..." It took her an instant too long to react as her sluggish mind puzzled over things that really should not be relevant right now. But, with a gentle urging she began to move as he instructed, eyes narrowing as her ruined garment rode up in unexpected ways, giving her one hell of a wedgie. After removing it twice, she gave up and continued to walk awkwardly. Though no one would likely notice as she staggered. Unless they were staring at her nearly bare ass... that would be awkward. But her mind was wandering off. "I was... just having ale. Last night in Flotilla. Thought would see some..." She must have been slap-happy as adrenaline turned to endorphins in her ale-tainted blood, for when he explained his being out, she giggled and grinned. "Whatta coincidence. I was having an ale too, and it is one of my last nights here... at least for awhile. I'm gonna..." She trailed off to watch someone run and jump from one deck to another, heading towards one of the bonfires. Belatedly, she snapped back into herself. "Gonna head off to Syliras, see a few friends. Then Riverfall. This place has gotten too small for my liking." She nodded to herself. Then something began to niggle at her. "Thought you would see some... what?" "Fine, I was hope you be there. But not. Not want to talk about thing. Would escort you to you ship? No, not make face, think I let you walk alone now, you wrong in head." Almost on queu, she stumbled and had to grab onto Razkar's arm to keep her balance. "More like wrong in feet," she grumbled, releasing him and walking on her own again. The first part puzzled the drunken Svefra a tad. Her words were slow and hesitant, almost as if she was thinking them and speaking them at the same time: "I won't talk about anything you don't want to talk about. But..." She smiled to herself. "Nice that you wanted to see me before you leave." "Or you can stay on Cuttlefish. Sure Captain will not mind." "That... sounds like a better idea. My ship is so faaaar." She made a grand gesture, grinning to herself once again. Everything was just so damn funny. "If I trip and fall in, you'll have to save me again and then we will both drown. Won't be fun." She shook her head emphatically, becoming lost in the motion as her hair whirled about to the point that what little balance she had left was lost and she found herself tumbling into Razkar again. "Sorry." She giggled and righted herself once more. It seemed as if the less adrenaline there was flooding her veins, the more the ale's effects became noticeable. Or maybe she was just tired. She burped and tasted sour ale, grimacing to herself. "Gods. I'm never doing this again." Deep down, she was just glad that she was keeping it down this time. First time Edreina had gone drinking with her siblings, she had been unable to keep it down. Second time she had managed to keep it down but had drunk herself under the bar with only three mugs. Lightweight much? When they finally came into sight of the Cuttlefish, Edreina's mind began to wander at all the wonderful places she could sleep. As odd as it was, she wanted to have Razkar around, preferably within arm's reach. He soothed her trembling nerves and made her feel safer. It was something she truly appreciated at that moment in time. Spoken for... Her mind quipped with a tapping foot, as if tired of the places her mind liked to wander. "I'll just sleep on the deck," she said quietly, more for others than herself. "I don't want to wake anyone when I leave in the morning."

[Razkar]

When the shaking of her head became some insane interest in the properties of perpetual motion, topped by a giggle, Razkar resisted the urge to hang his head and sigh. Instead he just blinked, once, but for longer than usual.

Great. Now her body chooses to let the alcohol start working again. Wonderful...

At least that depressive thought stopped his mind from beating the living shyke out of him from offering his bunk to a near-rape victim. Then again, he pondered silently as they walked (well, he walked, she staggered) back to the Cuttlefish, there was nothing untoward in that. Not at all.

A burp from his side and he crushed a smile. Gods, how long had it been? Taloba, certainly. Nearly, in that Riverfall tavern, an alluring but somehow flawed Epyharian across from him. The ale he'd had that night had been weak, nor even really worth it, but still... it was something.

Sometimes it wasn't about sipping or coughing or even drinking. It was about numbing.

"I'll just sleep on the deck. I don't want to wake anyone when I leave in the morning."

"... shyke!"

Razkar muttered under his breath when he refocused and found that their feet had taken them back onto the deck of the Cuttlefish. Dark and quiet now, light by a pair of torches but deserted, the crew and passengers sleeping. Razkar's ears pricked at the low, sonorous sound from under his feet.

Well, some of them were sleeping, if Turak's Tskanna-like snoring was anythin to go by.

"I..." He hesitated a little bit, still seeing her sway, then noticed something behind her. "... I will stay with you." He took her arm as gently as he could, turning her around as he walked her forwards, one arm at the small of her back. "We can sleep on deck, under my cloak. It is warm but still need... er... blanket? Yes. I protect you, make sure you not hurt. But first, must do this to get rid of drink. Will sleep better."

They stopped, and even in her tipsy state, Edreina was aware a sudden... absence of wood in front of her.

"Sorry about this."

Razkar pushed her in the cold water. Best way to sober someone up. Then he sighed and shook his head, mind already wondering just how badbly he'd get torn up once he hauled her back onto the deck...

[Edreina]

OOCI'm sorry if I describe being drunk improperly... I've never been intoxicated O:) "I... I will stay with you. We can sleep on deck, under my cloak. It is warm but still need... er... blanket? Yes. I protect you, make sure you not hurt. But first, must do this to get rid of drink. Will sleep better." Oooh. Under the same cloak? Edriena's mind purred until she mentally slapped himself. Dammit girl. You just got molested and already you're on about mounting a Myrian again. She giggled as something struck her as funny and began to silently chant "mounting a Myrian". She was so caught up in her idiotic repetition that she did not notice how Razkar was moving her towards the edge of the ship until he spoke again, breaking her from the pattern. "Sorry about this." In an instant, the deck was gone and Edreina found herself being hurled over the railing into the Suvan. Razkar was just lucky that Edreina had the chance to take a breath before she plunged into chilly Suvan. The shock of water on her flushed skin made her clench up tightly, part of her breath escaping before she regained control. The cold water and exertion set her heart to pumping rapidly, burning off the small amount of alcohol lingering in her system. When she surfaced, her face was set in a hard glare and her hair seemed to blaze in the moonlight as it fanned out around her shoulders. She waded there for a minute, slowly feeling herself return to a modicum of normality. The water felt so nice, better than dry air and wooden decks any day. Glare melting into a smile, Edreina backed up against the rocking Cuttlefish and pressed herself against it, preparing her breath. With a final deep breath, she sank beneath the water and used the ship's side as leverage to send herself rocketing forward in the water. Keeping her legs still, ankles together, Edreina began to pull with her arms as the burst's momentum faded, keeping most of her waterdynamics as she sliced through the water, appearing to be an ivory blade with some sort of red silk fastened about the handle. In the water, she was at home. Edreina felt full sense returning as she continued to exert herself, stretching her breath to the max before surfacing. She turned and faced the Cuttlefish and, through it, the rest of the Anchorage. It was oddly beautiful, a sight that would inspire a thousand poems had they not already been written. Lanterns gave the gathering of ships an odd outline, the bonfires made it dance. She returned to the Cuttlefish slower than she had left it, gliding easily through the water. She looked up to see Razkar at the railing, watching her with a curious expression upon his dimly lit face. She grinned up at him, pale face radiating like another moon. The Suvan had cleansed her, carried away the fear and lack of sureness that had been plaguing her. The Suvan had brought back Edreina's mischievous antics. "Mind helping me up? I'm a wee bit tired." Edreina reached up towards Razkar and grabbed onto the ship with her other hand. He helped her get up to the railing but, the moment her feet found purchase, she released the ship with her other hand and used it to capture Razkar's, leaning back with her full weight until something gave. Edreina tumbled back into the Suvan, surfacing an instant later, laughing and grinning. She looked around to see if she had succeeded in dragging the damned Myrian in with her, which would only make her laugh harder.

[Razkar]

OOCWell, you did pretty good! And don't worry, you're not missing much.

Well, you should have seen that coming...

That was what was running through Razkar's mind as soon as "shyke, that's cold!" had finished its outraged litany. He'd leaned down to help his now-sober and much better looking friend out of the water, only for his world to be thrown forward, a blur of rushing water, whipping air and a devious laughing-

"Myri's holy sodding teats!"

That just set her to laughing harder, when the Myrian burst to the surface and let loose in his own tongue. Sure to wake the neighborhood. But her lessons held true, and his bedraggled form was soon treading water just as she'd taught him to, gliding unsteadily but purposefully towards the netting on the side of the Cuttlefish.

Razkar tried to summon some anger in his glare but he couldn't do it. Seeing that smile back on her face, the return of that carefree girl banishing the shocked shell she had been before... it was worth getting a little wet. More than worth it.

"Well," he said bluntly, getting a good grip, "Now that is done..."

He hauled himself up and let the Svefra find her own damn way up to the deck. If it had been lukewarm before, now, coated in a fine sheen of salt water, he shivered slightly, excusing himself to disappear below deck and return with his cloak, dozens of scalps sewn together. Now more than enough to cover them both.

The Myrian blinked and uncomfortable memories of that... chat, with her and Uleru came back to his mind. Not just a garment, this, but a wearable trophy. Every scrap of it representing lives taken, enemies conquered... screams and blood and pain... sacrifices and offerings...

Razkar shook his head. These thoughts did not help, and he would not have them mar his final night with her.

"Come here, female," he said, managing to inject some gruffness into his voice, finding a shady corner with some flour sacks piled up against the railing, serving as pillows and mattress. Lumpy and scratchy, true, but what did one expect about a ship? "Dry and get comfortable. I know I am..."

He settled into his own routine while he waited. His harness came off and was laid down within easy reach, but his double-bladed dagger, gifted to him by his Aya... that stayed on his belt. It rarely if ever left him. He was glad to have been wearing breeches that night, too, if he would have a nubile Svefra under the covers with him.

Nubile. Thinking words like that is not going to make this night pass any easier! Why did you invite this again?!

Razkar sighed audibly and let his head fall back, eyes closed and cloak across his lap. He chuckled, shaking his head, wet hair loose and still dripping.

"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." He opened his eyes as he felt a shuffling next to him. "Will miss-"

The Myrian's voice became a strangled gurgle as the moon- and torch-light caught a sizable expanse of naked Svefra skin setting onto the "mattress" by his side. Guileless blue eyes looked over at him without a qualm and his mouth worked like a fish.

So? You've seen naked females before. They hardly even wear tops or corsets in Taloba during the Summer. So what's the problem?

"Not to, ah, make offence," he eventually said, dragging his eyes up to her and keeping them there. Somehow. "But can perhaps put something across... chest? If we to be sleeping under same cover..."