[center][h3][sub][b]E V A N D E R   W H I T E M A N E[/b][/sub][/h3]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/EqOFKC8.jpg?1[/img][/center]
[right][hr][color=gray][b]Windward Island[/b]
Port Harbor, the Sunken Shepherd
[@Mcmolly][/color][hr][/right]

Evander returned a polite nod to the Chief as he was handed a contract, quickly skimming through it. [color=A9CCE3]"Aye, I like to think I'm not the worst around."[/color], he noted in reply to the Chief's comment on his ability at the helm. In truth, he was particularly skilled, though he would never be one to tell you himself.

His attention was drawn to the reward offered on the contract. Five-hundred shelma, and the rights to keep any artifacts found. It wasn't much by any means - though he still found it peculiar that another would so readily offer up any potential gain from the expedition. It was one of the many questions Evander now had for Solia, and he was itching to get answers. His chance would have to wait, however, for only moments after he had signed the contract a new arrival made themselves known in the Sunken Shepherd.

Introducing themselves as Bron Cirrus, it quickly became clear that this was the man leading the expedition. He offered them some general instructions, and provided those assembled with the use of his ship, [i]The Skullfish[/i]. Suddenly things became all the more real for Evander, and he was reminded of similar 'briefings' he'd been a part of in the earlier years of his diving career. That seemed a long time ago, now.

After Bron finished addressing the crowd, and the assembled divers in the tavern began speaking amongst themselves once more, Evander finally found himself and Solia with some degree of privacy. He took a few seconds to say anything, noticing that Solia had returned to her previous position - head down, and hood hiding most of her facial features. He wasn't quite sure where to go from here - and it was clear that she wasn't either. Should he ask her what he had planned to only moments ago? Suddenly, it did not feel like quite the time. 

[color=A9CCE3]"So..."[/color]

Evander allowed for a break after the first word - deciding finally in his mind whether to continue where they left off, or to begin anew.

Lifting his tone with a hint of enthusiasm for the adventure that lay ahead, Evander broke their silence. [color=A9CCE3]"... Well, I don't know about you, but I haven't gone on an expedition in years. I [i]can[/i] dive, and I've done it before, though it may take me a while to get back into it. Whatever we decide to do, dive or climb, I'll follow your lead."[/color] He left a slight pause, before adding, [color=A9CCE3]"I trust your judgement." [/color]

He wasn't quite sure where they stood, or indeed even what she was, but if there was one thing Evander had trusted throughout his life, it was his gut. And it told him that he'd found a partner.