Pieter glanced meaningfully to Berlin during Hana's and Rio's exchange. He wasn't sure he liked the idea of giving the boy more access to exploding... objects, but he was glad that the mage and the boy were making progress. The boy certainly had justified trouble trusting others, but if they were going to be crew, they'd better trust one another. He raised an eyebrow at his comment about reading. [i]Leave someone with an Elb, and they'll turn into a scholar.[/i] Still, knowing how to read was something everyone benefited from. He wasn't too sure how well Wheel could read, but the berserker didn't exactly live by the same rules as everyone else. Hana shook his hand, a small smile returning to her face. She said, "Deal's a deal." Giving a quick glance to the sun to make sure it was past breakfast, Pieter unstoppered a ceramic flask of rum, taking a swig. Hana continued, "I'd be more than happy to help with both. However, the liniment can't be used if you're covered in dirt. You'll have to take a bath."

Pieter gagged, spraying rum across the deck.

---

Despite the thrumming pain behind Wheel's right eye, the steaming kettle was held steady, and none of the tea scalded Uban. "Lightning grenadoes, huh? Now that's quite the trick." He set the kettle back on the stove, "I knew your party trick could do more than kill farmers." His tone was conversational, the idea that what he'd said could be offensive didn't cross his mind. "Huh, what I'd give for some turtle soup. Next time you see a drunk turtle, toss a grenadoe at it, we'll have some good eating, huh?" He clapped Uban on the shoulder, a wry grin on his face.