Avery was right. At every turn where Daniel expected retribution he found mercy. A whisper in the back of his mind told him that maybe this is what the God of his childhood was supposed to be like. In both cases, he was not sure if submitting to the spell-like lifestyle was a good idea. He had always wanted to be his own man, and a good man too. 

[b]"This vessel an' crew be like none I ha' seen b'fore."[/b] He began, trying to gauge the flood of words and thoughts. It was both easy and difficult. It was very counter-cultural to seek information so directly and easily, but it felt safe. He chided himself for behaving like a curious boy. Still, Avery's eyes burned into him and he found that his withholding information was not him bowing his knee first but all the while she had been extending such kindness to him without want or need of any strings being attached. She had more than invited him into free speech. This was either a trap or honesty. 

[b]"Ye as a Cap'n I ha'e ne'r seen b'fore. "[/b] Daniel continued. [b]"Tha' pow'r ye wield is terrifying, yet I ha' not seen a crew or Cap'n so well loved."[/b] Love, desire, his mind wandered while he pulled on it to keep on task and focused. There was something else, a caring that was small and warm in him. Though it was like what he felt for most of humanity, the caring nature of a doctor, it behaved somewhat differently. Daniel would come to realize later in his life that this, for the first time in years, was the beginning of true trust.

~~~

[b][color=f6989d]"Yes, Sir."[/color][/b] Amelia responded, feeling flushed from the gentlemanly gesture. Oh how it made her feel like a sheep among wolves. Rather promptly, she turned to return to her post handing out the meals. It was all so new but the crew certainly made her feel as welcome as possible. Still, being surrounded by so many men at her age was unnerving at times. She knew that they meant no harm, it was just that Mother had always warned about what a wayward man might do and pirates were certainly (in her Mother's mind) considered wayward.