On the main deck Joseph had returned to the side of the sailingmaster, he huffed and removed his hat once again, tucking it under his arm he proceeded to rub his face with both hands, groaning. The sailingmaster peered at him with brown eyes from under the pointed brim of her hat, smirking, “a bit of a handful?” she grinned, looking at him for a moment before looking back out to sea as she gripped the ship’s wheel. [i]A bit of a handful[/i]… Joseph ran his hands through his curly hair which flexed back with a little bounce as it was released from the tie, which he pocketed, “aye” he replied, also looking out to the ocean ahead of them before scanning the ship and his crew. He’d heard Elissa’s desperate shouting and banging on the door of the cabin, but hadn’t made out her words at that time, the earlier exchange with her however did come to mind now that he’d calmed down - how [i]did[/i] she know his name? She seemed to know [i]him[/i], too, but it could be a desperate, although unusual, appeal to his better nature.. and what about that dagger? He’d inspect it more closely later; a ring though? He’d a number of small articles he possessed since well…since forever it seemed, he couldn’t quite remember when or how he’d acquired them, but had stashed them in a trinket box which he kept in a drawer in his desk. His curiosity considered if it was worth a look. The sailingmaster could sense Joseph musing, “perhaps a little of that Bishop’s Scotch” she declared, and glanced at the Captain with a grin; Joseph laughed, [i]that would certainly help[/i].

Joseph had not noticed Elissa’s sleight of hand in retrieving the dagger from him - it wouldn’t be long before he noticed it missing of course, perhaps until the end of the day if Elissa was fortunate.

The Morgue was clear from any pursuit for now, the crew would need to eat and rest for a short while. The morning sun glimmered across the ocean, the air was fresh and the weather was fair and mild.