Placeholder Touch the Waves

[Sunette]

His hand trailed up her arm, lingered at her shoulder, and slid to a slow and sweet halt against her cheek. His warm palm against her cheek once more, her face leaning back into it. It was a familiar warmth at this point, realizing once it was back that she missed it during the time between the last exposure. His gaze caught hers for only a moment before looking back out to the sea. A tinge of pink raised up in her cheeks, and not just because of the heat in his hand.

"Offers I don' intend to keep, lass? I don' think you know me well enough to make tha' assumption. If ye'd like'ta, then I could take ye out to see righ' now. A short passage, a better view of what it is to be with Laviku. And..."

His hand left her cheek, a subtle tug at her heart as it did. It was a sensation she very, very much enjoyed… But before she could miss it too much, his fingers trickled down her neck. Pulse raising in seconds, hard enough for him to easily feel it on his way to her shoulder, only increasing with that wink.

"And... how it feels to be with a Svefra, as well, Sunette."

Oh. OH. This tanned, muscular, suave sailor made a bold move just now. There was no misunderstanding what he offered. None at all. She wasn't sure what would convince him to offer something like that after watching her accidentally kill a fish and inject it with corrosive venom, which was slowly causing the innards of the fish to leak out of its many wounds. And, still, his fingers traveled under the cloth at the collar of her shirt, stroking her bare shoulder. Her eyebrows raised, her smirk growing. This was a game she knew how to play, and she knew how to play it to get what she wanted.

And what she wanted was to go out to sea.

In one fell swoop, Sunette rose to her knees, swung one leg over his lap, and straddled Tydus. She watched him with a stare that was different from before. Hungry may be the word to best describe it. Her hands started at the base of his shorts, running up his bare chest, ending with her arms resting on his shoulders. Her hands stroked his scalp, massaging it as she leaned in, closing the gap between their faces.

Take me out to sea…

She leaned in farther, lips millimeters from his ear. Her breath was warm, smirk unending. Her chest pressed against his, giving him a small feel of her generously proportioned bosom.

And we'll see what else you can take while we're out there.

She pulled back, but kept their faces close. Her eyes watched his, her ravenous gaze never leaving him in a stare down of sexual tension. She took her hands, grabbing the cloth of her shirt at her breast. One nail pierced it at the same placement as her pendant, and ripped a line up the shirt, the cloth falling to the sides to expose a portion of her breasts. The shirt was going to be replaced anyway so she figured, why not give him a constant visual encouragement? And this time, it was her turn to shoot him the wink.

[Tydus Tempest]

The Tempest scion had seen it before, and he saw it again now. This woman was desperate for a man's touch, she wanted it, craved it. He could see it with each blush against her pale skin, with the racing of her pulse against his fingertips. For Tydus, the desire was not nearly as desperate. He was rather put-off by her display of her venom, the claws and fangs she had, but there was always a reason for distraction. And this one seemed to promise it. She desired it. She...

Or not.

The woman's vulnerability was suddenly replaced by a predatory instinct, how she straddled him, smirked at him. Tydus felt like the fly in the web of the spider, looking up at her, though his helplessness was not quite as pronounced. As the woman pressed into him, her breasts against his bare chest, covered only by thin fabric, the Tempest scion's fingers moved to weave beneath her shirt at the waist, traversing along the bare flesh that her movements exposed. Her desire was manifested in words, a demand with the force of his own Hypnotism evoked by sexual appeal. The claws and fangs were lost in the appeal of the act, but the woman did anything but stop with the single act.

Her fingers moved along his scalp, weaving into his coarse, dirty-blonde locks just as his eyes began to close from the pleasure that hummed in his mind. It was primal, a visceral urge that he knew he would surrender too all-too easily, his body feeling some of the pleasure that his mind demanded. But, her work was interrupted by the next words she spoke, intrigue breaking the trance that he was just about to fall into. She spoke her game too soon, though she was by no means going to leave the ship without reward. Though, first, there was an issue to address.

Her next words were a challenge, a baiting assault on his desire as she pressed a sharp claw into the fabric of her shirt. As she tore at it, the Tempest could not help himself as his gaze followed the new line that formed, tracing the tear of flesh before moving to admire the newly-bestowed vantage that her action had given him. Laviku-blessed eyes traversed the smooth pale skin that adorned the curvature of her breasts, the Svefra's own hands trailing upwards along her waist, a slow sweep along each flank. Fingers moved upwards to traverse along the curvature of the breasts she so generously allowed him to see, Tydus taking feel into his own consideration, the confidence the Svefra were infamous for portrayed in the action.

There was one final thing to address before he agreed to her demand. The Symenestra's face was just shy of his, in order for her whisper to carry so easily into his ear, presumably to spill the furthering of her trance into him, but he had a ploy, as well. He pressed forward, allowing his lips to press again to the exposed skin of her neck, trailing along the expanse of her pulse before he whispered into her ear. His words, not laced with his Hypnosis, were not as entrancing as hers, she had obviously and thoroughly won that battle.

"Aye, lass. I'll take ye out ta sea. We need'ta cast off, then. Can' jus' sail out without untying teh knots, righ?"

The Svefra's own heart beat against the woman's chest, hastened in rhythm by her ministrations, her weight spilling her warmth along the length of his body. His mind, already sloshed with healthy amounts of ale, was invaded further by her evocations of desire. She had her passage for the evening, though he needed her to remove herself so that it could be done.

"I can take yeh out a wee bit. Ta see teh sunset a bit better. If ye'd been here earlier, maybe we could've cast out a bit more. Tanroa's not on yer side today, I'm afraid." A chuckle escaped his lips as he lowered his hands along the path they had taken earlier, fingers trailing along her thighs just before he moved them onto the deck, waiting for the woman to remove herself so he could do as she had asked.

[Sunette]

Sunette had turned Tydus into butter in her hands as she worked her magic, just like she wanted. And, a bonus, his hands wondered over her body. He began at her legs, his hands large and strong against her pale thighs. After she had ripped her shirt, those hands continued up her waist and didn't stop until they reached her chest, getting a nice feel of her porcelain, supple breasts. She was actually very surprised, grabbing his wrists and leading them back down to the curve of her sides.

Not just yet. Enjoy the view; I'll let you know when you can touch.

His lips pressed against her neck, her knees feeling weak at the sensation of his kisses along her ivory flesh. She would never let him see her falter, though. His lips found her ear, his words telling her exactly what she wanted to hear.

"Aye, lass. I'll take ye out ta sea. We need'ta cast off, then. Can' jus' sail out without untying teh knots, rich? I can take yeh out a wee bit. Ta see teh sunset a bit better. If ye'd been here earlier, maybe we could've cast out a bit more. Tanroa's not on yer side today, I'm afraid."

The sunset. Over the water. Her smile was beaming as his hands trailed back down her body, then supporting him against the deck. She was ready to ship off, but not quite ready to stand just yet. She put both of her hands on the sides of his face, pressing her lips against his in a deep kiss. Now that she had released her toxin into the fish, what little was in her fangs now would be much less potent, the taste of it all washed away with the swig of ale she had taken, leaving her lips tasting of nothing but ale and lust. Her lips parted from his the moment she needed to breathe (or, sooner if he stopped her) and she arose, still standing with him between her legs for a second before taking a single step away.

Tell me what I need to do to help.

She glanced around the ship, understanding that she had absolutely no knowledge of how to assist him, but refused to simply not offer her services. Well, other services. She wanted to learn, despite the near overwhelming urge she had to let him take her in every sense he desired… An urge she probably would later cave to. Her hands ran through her silver locks, taking a section of her hair and using it to bind the rest in a ponytail.

[Tydus Tempest]

Restriction. That's what she imposed upon him. Her victory by means of flaunting her 'assets' and placing them upon him was paired with the knowledge that he was not allowed to partake. It was painful for him to accept, but he was by no means going to attempt to take what he wanted against her will. After all, there was the poison to consider. But, above this, there was the intrigue of waiting. Sunette hung above him like a prize to be won, the fish that evaded his grasp. Though, Tydus was never a fisherman, he learned from the Magic Man that making deals took the same sort of patience. It was something to work towards. A plan to be made.

For the moment, the Svefra put his thoughts aside, the smallest of frowns pressed into his lips before she took what she desired from him. Lips pressed to his, the Svefra pressed both against the woman's body and the wall as she held his face still, the Tempest left with little choice but to follow her lead as hands moved to her hips, holding the Symenestra's body against his as the taste of ale flooded his tongue. This kiss, he found, he rather enjoyed, his palate overwhelmed by the show of lust the woman pressed into him. Tydus' mind was blank for several moments afterwards, his lungs empty of air. A gasp escaped him as his mind remembered to breathe, oxygen flooding his brain and lungs all at once, though returning only to leave the Svefra red in the face.

The Svefra could do nothing to stop her, captivated by her lips, though, when she stood up, he found a smirk rising upon his lips as a hand rose to press to his cheek. His face was burning from the contact, a hand moving over the gunwale and into the water, Tydus cleansing his features with the sea's cool touch before he too rose to his feet. Nearly a chime passed in silence before the Svefra looked to the Symenestra, orders spilling from his lips so that the casting off from the dock could go smoothly.

"Alrigh', you want to help? Come with me, we need to put up the sails so we're ready to head out. Shouldn' take too long, t'is a small ship."

Without waiting for the woman to follow his indication, the Svefra moved towards his quarters. Inside, he found both the front and back sails of his casinor tightly bound, ready to be unwrapped and attached to the mast. The Svefra took the larger of the sails, the front, and pulled it towards the main deck of the ship, loosening the bonds and setting the rope aside until the front sail was fully laid out.

"Alrigh', if ye can, bring the small sail over here, we need'ta get them onto the mast so we can cast off. Laviku willing, it'll only take a few chimes. Then we'll have all day to sail about in the bay."

The Svefra cast his gaze about in search of the sun, looking to its position in the sky for a rough estimation of the time. He couldn't tell fully, but with the sun on its path westward, though still rather high up, he could assume that they had at least a few bells of light left before Leth took Syna's place up in the clouds.

The weather was clear, and when the Svefra dipped his fingers into the water for the second time, utilizing his time in waiting for his sailing partner for the day to catch up, he breathed in, filtering out the presence of animals to tell how the tides were to be.

The docks were well-placed, it seems, the Akalaks, poor sailors in comparison to the master race that they were not, at the very least knew how to position things so that the tide could roll out well enough. In about ten chimes would be the right time for the pair to cast off, and so, preparations needed to be made accordingly.

"Let's get ta workin', lass. Yer gonna learn how to sail, it seems."

We'll learn together. I've never done this alone, so it'll help to have an extra pair of hands...

[Sunette]

Sunette couldn't help but be pleased by how flustered she had made Tydus, enjoying way too much that he had to resort to splashing his face and taking a full minute to cool down. And, finally, he began telling her exactly what to do.

"Alrigh', you want to help? Come with me, we need to put up the sails so we're ready to head out. Shouldn' take too long, t'is a small ship. Alrigh', if ye can, bring the small sail over here, we need'ta get them onto the mast so we can cast off. Laviku willing, it'll only take a few chimes. Then we'll have all day to sail about in the bay."

He watched the sky and dipped his fingers into the bay, the Symenestra watching him, trying to figure out what exactly he was doing. The day seemed fine enough to her, but what did she really know? He headed toward what she assumed to be his living quarters, coming out with a large piece of cloth.

Sail? Onto the mast? What's a sail? What's a mast? She figured it was safe to assume that the sail was the cloth. Sunette looked around the dock at the other ships. Where did they have their sails? On the tall wooden pole? She smiled, realizing quickly that this was a moment to shine. She would finally be able to show the helpful parts of being a Symenestra.

"Let's get ta workin', lass. Yer gonna learn how to sail, it seems."

She immediately began stripping off her top as quickly as possible, folding her shirt into a band and tying it around her breasts. She needed to show as much skin as possible, and not even for Tydus. She used her nail to rip her pants into shorts, rolling the legs down and slipping them off, along with her sandals. The deck immediately felt more secure to her, the microscopic barbs gripping the wood. She quickly ran to his quarters, snatching up the smaller sail and running for the mast. She dropped the sail and leaped up onto the mast, wrapping her legs around it and shimmying her way upward briskly. Each barb on her skin helped keep her attached to the pole, giving her moves confidence. Climbing was her strong suit-- All Kalinor was was climbing. She slowly transitioned to a backbend, high enough on the mast to be face level with him. She smiled sweetly, holding both hands out.

Pass me a sail and tell me what to do.

[Tydus Tempest]

The Tempest scion listened behind him for movement and found nothing that he expected to occur. He turned to check what was going on, the Symenestra entering his field of vision just in time for the man to watch her rip off her shirt, her breasts exposed for a moment before she covered them with her shirt, rolled into a sort of sash like shape and pressed around her torso. The modesty of normals seemed to extend to the rest of society, it seemed, a chuckle escaping Tydus' lips as he stood himself up. Though, she did not stop there. Her efforts to astound him were placed and set beyond what they likely should've been, for the Svefra had already expressed interest in the woman, but her ability to climb was intriguing.

She scaled the mast, which in truth was rather small, proportional to the ship they were on. Though, it was impressive nonetheless. More so when the woman arched backwards, her entire body bent back so that she could see him, albeit it upside down. It reminded him of what had transpired earlier, though to a far different effect, and the Tempest decided to mess with her just slightly. Pulling the sail along with him, the Svefra made it so that he was directly in front of the Symenestra, his hands cupping her face as he pressed a kiss to her lips yet again, the taste of ale still washing out the poison that he feared from earlier. With her taste thoroughly neutral at this point, there was no reason to hesitate. The Symenestra was entirely unwilling to back down, prone to teasing at him and probing at his senses. He would do the same, though any success likely bit back at him just as well as it affected her.

Lust was the dominant encouragement for the Svefra to set sail this day, for Tydus would've preferred to simply drink the night away in relaxed and illusionary contentment, but this woman presented a different opportunity. The Svefra passed the woman the sail, placing it into her hands as he replied, "Lass, there was no need for ya to climb up, but it's done now. Put this sail onto the pulley system that's in front of yeh. We'll raise it up, then tie the lines, and do the same for the other one. I'll let ye handle this one since yer there."

The Svefra returned to get the smaller sail, hooking the massive fabric onto the pulley and raising it up. The sail still needed to be latched onto the boom, the Svefra pulling the fabric and carefully looping the ropes into the sail and tying them tightly to the ship, the Svefra moving forward and pulling on each line in turn to ensure that they were secure. Satisfied with the work, the Svefra moved to the front sail, passing Sunette by and linking the front end of the sail to the bowsprit, again checking the tautness of the knots before he moved again to the ship's stern.

"Aye, lass. Now ye definitely be wanting teh get down. We're going to cast off now. Move to the bow. Teh front of the ship, lie down and look pretty." He smirked back at her before he moved to undo each of the knots in turn, two at the stern and three at the port side gunwale. The casinor swayed in its new-found freedom. The ship sailed forward just as the tide picked up, waves propelling the ship forward slowly just as the Svefra approached the wheel. He caressed it once, murmuring a quiet prayer in Fratava before leaving the wheel to offer his sacrifice.

The Svefra unsheathed his cutlass, raising it to his left hand and slicing into the skin, pain bubbling at the surface of the back of his hand as blood fled from the wound, trailing along his skin. The Svefra dipped his hand into the water one last, allowing the blood to flee from the wound and disperse into Laviku's seas as he murmured his prayer for a second time,

"Laviku, Lord of the Seas and Oceans, bless this journey upon your life's blood and receive my own in your honour."

The salt water cut at the wound, cleansing it, pain again welling in the skin. The Svefra raised his hand out of the water, blood mixed with salt water trickling down the back of his hand before the Svefra moved to the wheel, a grin stretched across his features as he said, for the Symenestra to understand, "To the horizon we go!" Excitement bubbled in his chest, the Svefra's confidence rising as they moved further from the dock.

[Sunette]

Sunette held his face in return as he kissed her, her face inverted from his own perspective. She appreciated that he didn't seem to fear her venom, smiling mid-kiss as the thought flew between her ears. The kiss reminded her of a situation she had with a previous suitor, before their untimely passing. His chuckle and continued physical affection seemed to suggest that he enjoyed her presence to some extent. Perhaps he would be willing to consider… No, she pushed the idea from her mind. Riverfall seemed to only hold positive changes for her, and she was overly thankful for it. She was soaking it up, a dry sponge for this sea of fondness. First Stefan, and now this sailor Tydus. She would not threaten to distort this budding friendship.

Her pendant hung in the air below her, the crimson glass catching the sun with every sway, bobbing in and out of their shadows. The back of her chain pressed high against the front of her neck, a single hand pulling it closer to the base to alleviate the very slight sensation of choking. Her abs and back were a bit sore already, not being accustomed to holding a position like this. Perhaps showing off wasn't the best idea…

"Lass, there was no need for ya to climb up, but it's done now. Put this sail onto the pulley system that's in front of yeh. We'll raise it up, then tie the lines, and do the same for the other one. I'll let ye handle this one since yer there."

Pulley system? She clutched the sail to her chest with one hand, pulling herself back to the mast with the other. Sure enough, between her thighs was a pulley system. She immediately felt like a fool, attaching the sail to it with fumbling fingers as quickly as she could manage. With seconds to spare between her finishing and Tydus beginning to move the pulley system, she slid down the pole and landed on both feet with a light thud against the deck.

We're going to cast off now. Move to the bow. Teh front of the ship, lie down and look pretty."

Sunette smirked, walking with a bounce in her step toward the front--the bow (how she loved learning this new vocabulary)-- of the ship. Though it began to sway beneath her feet, her barbs kept her grounded and confident with every movement. Lie down and look pretty? She would do just that, actually. Or she was going to. Upon reaching the bow Sunette heard the soft mumblings of a language she had no knowledge of, her curiosity raising once more. She glanced over her shoulder and caught the view of the Svefra male slicing his hand.

Panic. She gaped at the blood on the back of his hand, closing her mouth only to swallow the lump in her throat. Oh, how she suddenly desired nothing more than to sink her fangs into his flesh and devour all of the ruby red essence of life she craved so until she was left quenched and he, a corpse. How delicious Svefra blood would be, how--

No. No. She couldn't. She was starting over, here. She wouldn't. He was kind to her. She slapped her hands over her eyes, sucking in the cold, salty air until her lungs were filled to the brim. She began to recite lines from the Viratassa in Symenos from memory, attempting to grasp the idea that succumbing to her craving would be a sin against her god that she no longer wished to commit.

"Spilt blood cries out to me. It speaks of life and death. It sings of sins and blessings. Every drop is precious, but not all cries are holy. By nature, by love, by creed, by the will of gods the chains of blood are made. Cursed is the creature who severs them in selfishness." Viratas, forgive me.

[Tydus Tempest]

If there was anything amiss in the woman as she situated herself at the front of the ship, Tydus did not notice it. The Svefra finished the last preparations for the back sail, pulling upon the lines to unfurl the sail, the winds catching against the front sail, propelling the ship against the crashing tides.

The Tempest turned the wheel sharply to the left once the port was left, the boom obeying the wheel's shift and turning the back sail, the ship turning as a result, the Svefra keeping an eye out to watch for the presence of other ships, but it seemed that the need was no longer present.

Larger vessels populated a different section of the docks, attached to the docks and far out of reach. It was brilliant, for it allowed the Svefra to breathe a sigh of relief. The need to navigate the ship past a point of the Svefra's own experience was not there. The winds were present, the ship propelled by the winds of the Gods, yet another sign that the Tempest was to enjoy this sailing.

Ah, Zulrav is with us this day...

A breath filled the Tempest's lungs as Laviku's salt-blessed air poured into them, a laugh escaping his lips as the ocean filled the Svefra with life. Just recently, he had re-discovered his love for the sea. Fear was replaced with a cautious yet earnest affection, sacrifices became more meaningful to him. The blood had dried against the Svefra's skin, Tydus reaching for the tunic at his shoulder, ripping a small segment from the bottom of the fabric.

I need to wrap this up, right? I don't really know how, but I assume anything's better than just leaving it open...

The cut was extremely shallow, just enough to draw blood, but the Tempest was unsure. He'd seen Nerida treat any kind of cuts, and decided that he'd consult her later, but for now, the wrappings were to be put into place.

The Tempest wrapped the shredded expanse of fabric along the back of his hand, tying the ends of it into a crude knot as the Svefra called out to the Symenestra woman, hearing her voice, though he failed to discern or understand her words.

"Ar' ye okay, lass? Ye're being awfully quiet."

The Svefra raised his injured hand, using the other to keep to the wheel and hold it in place, the boom struggling against the winds to stay still forcing the Tempest to keep an amount of exertion in the action. It was not an overly strenuous action, but one that required his physical attention nonetheless.

Tydus' gaze moved to behind him, noting that the docks were quickly shrinking into the distance, the wooden piers almost entirely out of sight before he looked out to the blaring horizon, speckled with the golden light of Syna's retreat to the east.

"I'll stop teh ship in a few chimes. Keep it close ta the port. T'is a nice time to be on the sea."

[Sunette]

Though Sunette continued to spout religious quotes, deep breaths continuing, her mind couldn't leave the image of the blood on Tydus' hand. Her mouth began to water out of her control, swallowing the saliva quickly. Though she could contain its release, she could feel the venom in her fangs beginning to accumulate again. Nothing, nothing, was more alluring than the idea of ending the struggle in her mind, than snuffing out the resistance and giving in to her addiction.

Another deep breath and Sunette lowered her hands, eyes still closed and turning toward the water, keeping her back toward him. Out of sight, out of mind. The sea could distract her from her homicidal thoughts. And, thankfully, it worked. The wind rushed against her face and into her lungs, the tension caused by her urges leaving her body with a heavy exhale. Her bare feet on the boat gave her a sense of connection, feeling the waves against the ship in her own body. The sound of the waves crashing against the wood of the ship was--

Riiip.

The sound of Tydus ripping the fabric of his top broke Sunette from her trance, eyes flashing open.

"Ar' ye okay, lass? Ye're being awfully quiet."

She turned quickly, eyes landing on his hand immediately. Blood gone, covered by the cloth. Oh, thank Viratas. She found her smile once more, making her way toward him. Suddenly every worry was gone, the hunger not even prevalent in her thoughts.

Oh, I'm fine. I apologize. Needed to… Take a moment to myself, you know? I… don't handle the sight of blood very well.

She shrugged sheepishly, reaching Tydus' side. He turned to glance at the docks, her gaze following suit. The docks were full, but the water was empty. They would really be alone out there. Her smile grew, her eyes relocating to his face.

This will be the first time I've been on the water while being able to see the water.

She laced an arm under his, her hand placed lightly against his bicep.

Thank you for this. I appreciate it more than you can understand.

[Tydus Tempest]

Tydus appreciated the woman's touch, a small smile gracing his features, a hand rising to caress her cheek at the immediate, instinctive desire to reciprocate the touch ensued. But, he had other pressing matters in the moment.

The distance between stern and pier increased, Tydus felt the increasing force of the waves against the ship. Small, rolling tides crashed against the ship's hull, the movement rocking the casinor, displacing it, causing Tydus to unconsciously adjust his posture, his hand gripping the wheel with more force, his posture widening to accommodate to the changing state of the ground. A deep breath filled the Svefra's lungs, exasperated laughter escaping him as he felt the fear of days before, the pressing, visceral fear of Laviku and his oceans, cast aside. Though, it returned. Fear returned with each ripple, each crash, but Tydus finally understood.

Fear did not equate to lost faith. Fear did not mean anything. If not for fear, then one would begin to misunderstand the absolute power of the ocean, of the God that Tydus revered and owed his existence to. Laviku was a God that demanded sacrifice, and in this sacrifice, fear was fostered. Fear was love, or at the very least, this was what Tydus reasoned to himself as he manipulated the wheel, turning the ship sharply to the left, the boom moving against the wind, immediately slowing the ship as a result. Tydus allowed yet another breath to escape him before he worked to stop the ship entirely, Tempest moving forward to operate the sails reeling them into position and loosing wind from the grasp of the ship's acceleration. It all but stopped in a matter of ticks.

The Tempest scion moved to the starboard side of the ship, the large, weighty anchor that rested against the bulwark of the casinor the target of his gaze. The Svefra felt a haze in the movement, his focus blurring for several moments before he crouched before the anchor. The rough, worn metal scraped against his palms as he lifted upwards with his legs, oxygen flooding his lungs in the unconscious attempt to build energy to compensate for the motion. To success, though the Svefra's face reddened from the exertion, Tydus pushing the anchor over the side of the ship, a large splash resulting from the sudden weight, the ship shaking slightly, though it stopped immediately after the anchor set against the sea. With the ship stopped, the Svefra eased into a relaxed state, a laugh escaping him again as he returned to the Symenestra woman, pulling at her hand and tugging her towards him.

He motioned to the ship's bulwark, conveying the desire to sit down, his position taken leaving both himself and the Symenestra within reach of the ale that the Symenestra had shared earlier, but there was a different appeal there, as well. The bottle. A fine wine lay hidden behind the barrel, the grandest of liquids aside from the brilliant, elusive elixir that the proprietor of the Alements had shared with him just the day before. Though, for the moment, rum was out of his reach, the desire ever-present upon his lips, though fate laughed at him, leaving him only with the inferior option.

"I get the need to have a moment." A brief, hard chuckle escaped the Svefra's lips as he pressed his free arm to the gunwale, his hand undoing the stopper to the bottle of wine, a hearty swig pouring down his throat a moment later before he finished his thought,

" I can't even remember my firs' time lookin' at ta ocean. T'was born on it, ya know. Mos' are born on the land, but me Pod... me people ar' almos' always born on the sea. We live on it. Live with it. Fear it... Love it."

The last two sentences were his current, pressing paradox, but he didn't care anymore. He'd bottle the fear and pour it down his throat if it meant release from the far more gnawing presence. The wreckage was far from his eyes, and sunken into the ocean by now, but he'd never forget what was done in these waters.

He took another swig before attempting to fight off the feeling, leaning into the bulwark as he said, "T'is my pleasure, Sunette. Ye're a lovely woman, after all. I jus' can't say no to ya, can I?" He laughed the pain away, hiding it under a playful stare and a flashing smile.