[color=#ff39d6][i]She backed down anyway, huh,[/i][/color] Ashley thought, relief washing over her as Tonka took her leave.

"Care to say goodbye to this old lady? Or do you have to look cool in front of your friends?" the lady teases.

[color=#ff39d6]"I've told you before, you're not old until I say so. And I wouldn't exactly call them friends."[/color] She winks at Mikhail, as if to say [color=#ff39d6][i]except you, babe.[/i][/color]

"In that case, come over here. I have something for you." The not-old lady offers Ashley a hug with her one free arm.

Ashley makes a face like a spoiled child being offered an extra helping of vegetables.

"Come on," the woman beckons, undeterred. "You said they weren't your friends, so you're not embarrassed, isn't that so?"

Ashley got played. Sighing, she does a walk of shame over to Auntie's embrace.

"Through whatever manner of trials and storms we may weather—"

[color=#ff39d6]"—this oath I do swear before all powers, both great and small—"[/color]

"—to death or glory everlasting, we go together—"

[color=#ff39d6]"—or we go not at all,"[/color] Ashley finishes. [color=#ff39d6]"Are you satisfied?"[/color]

"Oh yes, quite," Auntie responds with a chuckle.

With a little sleight of hand, Ashley produces a long, black hair that was clearly from her own head. [color=#ff39d6]"See? I found one that's not gray."[/color]

"Hell! If you find one, don't pull it out!" She lightly swings her staff toward Ashley, clearly playing along.

Ashley swiftly dips backwards, dodging the "attack." [color=#ff39d6]"You're quite lively, too."[/color]

"Your smooth lines are wasted on a woman twice your age," Auntie teases. "Here, take this," she says, throwing Ashley a bag.

[color=#ff39d6]"What is it?"[/color] Ashley inquires, a bit bewildered.

"It's pemmican!" Auntie says with a toothy grin. "It'll keep the rest of the meat from falling off your bones. There's plenty, so share some with your acquaintances. And your boyfriend," she adds with an excited-old-lady whisper, tipping her hat in Mikhail's direction—pinpointing Ashley's "type" with surgical precision.

[color=#ff39d6]"You— Shush! I'm leaving now! Take it easy on the stairs while I'm gone,"[/color] Ashley fires back, forgetting entirely that she was supposed to board the ship last as she scurries up the ramp toward Xara and his seafaring friend.