Meryl turned at the sound of footprints behind her. With lantern raised her free hand dropped to the small of her back where she kept a short dagger saved. She was no fighter and knew one quick swipe would likely only buy enough time for her to get a running start. The sight of Mary-Anne approaching in the evening dim left her slightly relieved if not a little surprised. Her pulse lightened and her mind immediately shifted back to business. “Hallo, Marry-Anne Galloway.”

[i]Galloway…Galloway… [/i]Her mind raced through a mental index. [i]Gallow-Way, Gallow, Way to the Gallow[/i]. Her left eyebrow cocked slightly in the lantern light- An inquisitive tell she was known for. It was an unusual name which, despite her numerous contacts, she wasn’t familiar. What was the Captain’s name, again? She thought as the man’s identity temporarily escaped her. [i]Ripper, Rapper, Rodent… Roper![/i] That was it. Different last name. So they weren’t married…as she’d suspected. 

As one of the new crewmembers passed by, Meryl briefly scanned over the wiry man who was also, supposedly, the ship’s physician. She hoped he was a better at being a doctor than he was at loading cargo. She turned her attentions back to Mary-Anne quickly noticing how the woman’s countenance had fallen at the man’s passing. “Maryland” She said in response to the greeting. “Maryland Bannister, but I usually go by Meryl.” She glanced down the dark winding pathway that led back to the port town. “I’m not really one for drinking, but I am interested in what measure of crew our Captain has managed to scrounge.” 

“I'm also curious what kind of debts this lot has already managed to rack up.” Meryl said as they walked in the dark. [i]Gambling and debts are for fools, they control people, Meryl. They’re sheep. A man that will let his vices control him isn’t a man. He can be controlled.[/i] She could hear her father’s words replaying in her mind. She needed men that were malleable, pliable… or controllable. As they approached an unlit doorway she retrieved a ring of keys from her belt loop. Ruckus laughter and the shuffling of tables could be heard on the other side. She nonchalantly flipped through the keys and opened the door in the lantern light.

They entered through a candlelit corridor. Meryl very gingerly stepped over a pair of revelers that had already hit their limit for the evening and were scantly conscious. One man groaned and slowly reached a groping hand up towards the women as they passed- a hand which Meryl verily casually met with a swift kick that produced an oddly satisfying [i]Thwack![/i] as it impacted the wood floor. The man whimpered sorrowfully. “Watch your step.” She said with a brief glance back as they stepped into the main hall.