(Collab with [@bloonewb])

It didn't take Taria long to peruse the ship for the umpteenth time once she left Ellion and Merebelle's company. For the most part, she had simply been watching the others, making sparse conversation here and there. She wished to be seen as someone who they could rely on, but what troubled her was whether she actually [i]was[/i]. Self-reflection was a little tedious after a while though, so it wasn't long before she decided to head down below deck, perhaps have a drink or two, maybe even take a nap. 

Arak stumbled down the stairs, having to be effectively carried by the Dragon Teeth. No, truly, it cannot be! His own brother, willing to risk the ire of both Gods and Man to kill him! Perhaps he did not know, but the stories tell of men being cursed nonetheless.

"Not to worry, sers, I am perfectly capable of handling myself from now onwards," he said, and the Dragon Teeth let go of him. He walked, as if in a daze, and didn't watch where he was going until he slammed into a woman walking in the opposite direction. "Seven pardons, my lady!" he cried, extending his hand to help her up.

"No matter," Taria replied, blinking up at the young man. "I should have paid more attention myself." She took hold of the offered hand, mostly to be polite since she was quite capable of standing up by herself. Once she was standing, she realized that she recognized him, not just as a face of someone from the ship, rather the fellow who had barged into the King's chambers. Her forehead wrinkled a little as she tried to recall his name. "You're Arak, right?"

"You honor me to no end, my lady," Arak said, helping up the woman and bowing. "Forgive me truly, you know of me, yet I do not seem to possess memory of you. If you would give me your name, I would shout it on the lines of battle to my dying breath."

A chuckle escaped the Greyjoy. He had quite a way of talking, this man, though she didn't feel it was forced charm, rather how he usually spoke. "I'd rather you not die at all," she started, returning his bow with one of her own. She straightened and then smiled. "I didn't make myself known much. I'm Taria Greyjoy, formerly Snow. Nice to meet you, Ser."

"I have not the privilege of being a ser, my lady," Arak said, smiling sheepishly. "Yet then, I am not one worthy of being the subject of any a conversation. You say you were a Snow? It is of course always a day to celebrate when a fellow of the house of Snow is given unto them a proper home in the folds of their great families. A cheer for you, my lady! I myself have not yet been given by the gods fortune enough to say the same." He chose to omit the fact that he prays to the gods every day that he is never branded with his family name. Surely not everyone on this voyage knows he is a Bolton.

"Thank you," Taria replied with a small smile. She understood how he probably felt, the longing one felt at having a name that wasn't just based on where you were born. "It was only recently, well, the night those monsters attacked the Red Keep." She looked at him closely, though tried not to seem too scrutinizing. "You seem from the North as well, am I right?" No matter how far and wide she had travelled, others seemed to always guess where she was from before she even mentioned being a Snow. She figured it was from her lighter complexion.

"If I may be so honest, I applaud your good eye," Arak said, shifting uncomfortably in his armor. He did not know how to conduct himself around womenfolk. He was about to go on, but was stopped by the sound of clattering footsteps on the stairs.

"Brother!" came a voice from above, as William descended the steps, walked over, and clapped Arak's armored shoulder with a clank. "I've been meaning to talk to you. Oh wait, not really. Where can I find some good mead on this damn ship?" Without waiting for an answer, he randomly picked a direction and began walking away, but not before turning back and shouting some parting words. "And give her an extra silver for luck!" Arak felt he was going to scream.

"If you'll excuse this humble servant, I must depart," Arak said, and returned to his quarters.

Nodding, Taria watched him leave before heading off to find drink for her own self... though she stopped in her track. [i] Wait... An extra silver?[/i] That other man, did he think she was a prostitute?! Her hands tightened, face heating up in anger. [i]What a...[/i] She let out a breath before shaking her head, deciding it wasn't worth getting angry about.