The water elementalist watched Kira's face as the First Mate seemed to ponder on the application of waterspinning to the defense of the ship. Jharnia nodded, grinning in spite of her nervousness, flattered by Kira's appreciation. The young woman didn't want to be caught in a sea battle of any kind, but the money and the adventure would be worth it, right?

Jharnia glanced down at the main deck as Kira began to play, curious to see how the rest of the crew would react to the wonderful sound of a masterwork instrument. As soon as the music began to radiate back across the rest of the ship, faces turned to look, watching the black-garbed woman play, grinning and nodding with approval. There were even a few cheers for the new First Mate, and a few beckoned for the fiddler to join them on the main deck.

From one of the dark doorways leading down into the main of the ship, more of the crew appeared, lured out by the music and frivolity. In particular, two grizzled sailors and a young cabin boy appeared, the gruffer of the three speaking in hushed tones to a few of the men who had been on deck most of the day. Even some of the merchants appeared, more wealthily-dressed than the crew but less comfortable still on the slowly rolling deck.

At last, Captain Blaine appeared, leaning against a doorway with a silver tabby cat lurking on the polished deck between his boots. When Kira's notes grew into a steady beat, the rhythm of clapping hands and stomping boots joined the shanty, and a sailor grabbed the hand of one of the passengers, swinging her into a dance across the deck. Another fiddle appeared, a black-bearded man nodding to Kira over the strings and the bow, joining in with the familiar tune.