Think I've more or less got it done; anymore and I'd be adding legs to snakes and going in circles. Let me know if it's acceptable! [hider=Wasun Sjan-dehk] [center][hider=Picture Reference] [img]https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/2ea2e2b7-31e5-4124-95b7-9748c3f7520a/d5680ou-669dcfb5-3ffe-469a-9848-d92d6ee8ce87.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzJlYTJlMmI3LTMxZTUtNDEyNC05NWI3LTk3NDhjM2Y3NTIwYVwvZDU2ODBvdS02NjlkY2ZiNS0zZmZlLTQ2OWEtOTg0OC1kOTJkNmVlOGNlODcuanBnIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.BMXSg3WBny7HaU8mRjxBuztQFDcbdU9i8Qy7yKWMPgI[/img] [/hider][/center] [color=1E90FF][h1][b][center]Wasun Sjan-dehk // 25 \\ Male[/center][/b][/h1][/color] [color=6495ED][center][i]The 4th Lesser Marquis of Jafi, under the auspices of High Queen Daraya II and the council of electors Captain of the Sada Kurau[/i][/center][/color] [center][quote=motto of the Wasun of Jafi][i]Forget not our forebears[/i][/quote][/center] [color=6495ED][b]Height[/b][/color]: 1.78 m / 5'10" [color=6495ED][b]Weight[/b][/color]: 65 kg / 143 lbs [color=6495ED][b]Eye Colour[/b][/color]: Dark brown [color=6495ED][b]Hair Length[/b][/color]: Medium-short / Coarse [color=6495ED][b]Hair Colour[/b][/color]: Black [color=6495ED][b]Skin Colour[/b][/color]: Tanned [color=6495ED][b]Facial Features[/b][/color]: [list] [*] Light freckles and sun spots speckled over his nose and cheeks [*] A faded scar running down his left cheek, running almost parallel to his jaw [/list] [color=6495ED][b]Distinguishing Features[/b][/color]: [list] [*] A slight mischievous grin that never seems to leave his face [*] Discoloured patches on the backs of both hands, from base of thumb to wrist [*] Various healed wounds on his arms, legs, and torso [/list] [color=6495ED][b]Clothing Preferences[/b][/color]: Anything that's loose and allows him freedom of movement. Preferably, he wears the side-fastened, cross-necked tunic favoured by his fellow Viserjantans. Two layers would be worn; a thin inner layer to wick away sweat, and a thicker, coarser outer layer to take the punishment of daily work. If at all possible, the inner shirt would be raw white, and the outer the yellow of the Viserjantan Commonwealth. Similarly, his pants would be loose to the knee. Below that it would be fastened to his shoes with wraps. A conical, straw-woven hat would sit atop his head; lightweight, but offering adequate shade from the sun. In battle, he would throw a cut-down suit of lamellar armour over his clothes. Cuirass, shortened tassets, and leather gauntlets. The hat would be replaced with something of a similar shape, but hammered from sheet metal. [color=6495ED][b]Likes[/b][/color]: [list] [*] His ship, the [i]Sada Kurau[/i] [*] Gentle seas and following winds [*] Hunting pirates [*] The rush of combat [*] Old books, particularly historical texts and poetry [*] Woodwind and string music - the sort one might find onboard a ship [*] Simply being on the open water [/list] [color=6495ED][b]Dislikes[/b][/color]: [list] [*] The doldrums [*] Spending more time than necessary ashore [*] Political and courtly intrigue [*] Nobles who have all of the pomp but none of the substance [*] Roundabout ways of speaking [/list] [color=6495ED][b]Sexuality[/b][/color]: Straight, for what it's worth. As it stands, he's married to the damn sea. [color=6495ED][b]Hobbies[/b][/color]: [list] [*] Playing the flute [*] Reading - both old and new texts [*] Attempting to write music [*] Attempting to write poetry [*] Fishing [*] Sharpening his combat skills - swordsmanship and marksmanship [/list] [color=6495ED][b]Life goals/Dreams[/b][/color]: Sjan-dehk's didn't choose a goal as much as he was shepherded into one: to be a good future admiral for his brothers. For what it's worth, he has little qualms with this involuntary goal so long as it keeps him at sea. However, as with everyone else, he does harbour private desires. For him, it is to sail the open seas as an adventurer of sorts; to explore new lands, meet new peoples, and embark on quests of epic proportions that would undoubtedly make a good song or story years down the line. All of that would, of course, involve the [i]Sada Kurau[/i] and his crew. There can be no others. [color=6495ED][b]Personality summary[/b][/color]: Irreverent [color=6495ED][b]|[/b][/color] Friendly [color=6495ED][b]|[/b][/color] Merciless [color=6495ED][b]|[/b][/color] Loyal [color=6495ED][b]|[/b][/color] Unrefined [color=6495ED][b]|[/b][/color] Generous Anyone who doesn't know better would find it hard to believe that Sjan-dehk possesses any noble blood at all; the ease with which he inserts expletives into his speech and rough manners with regards to most things would - rather aptly - better belong amongst the drunken crew of a ship or a raunchy tavern. Just as well he prefers the two over courtly events which he finds too stuffy and restrained for his liking. You never know a person until they've drunk themselves silly, as he'd put it. Still, he is an affable enough man. Quick with his laughs and jokes as he is with his coin. His loyalty, however, that one comes much slower, but once gained will make him a stalwart ally. Slights against you would be slights against him. Gods and ancestors help anyone who brings harm to one of his friends. He'd hunt them as eagerly as he hunts pirates. Very much the first man to jump to a friend's defense and last to abandon them in a fight. However, that doesn't mean he's quick to draw his swords. Any good captain knows it's better to negotiate a peaceable surrender - of the enemy, that is - than to charge in cannons blazing and blades keen. As much as possible, he'll attempt to defuse tensions through words and perhaps even deals. Only when those fail would he show just how much wanton violence he is capable of. And he is indeed capable of acts of viciousness. Ask any pirate who have had the fortune to run across the Sada Kurau. They will tell you of a voracious crew led by a merciless captain. The lucky ones die in battle. Survivors would either be made to toil for their former victims under threat of death or, if that is not possible, made examples of to dissuade future pirates. Pirates who dabbled in slavery won't even be taken prisoner; Sjan-dehk would simply fly the red flag of no quarter and slaughter any and all he came across. [center][color=1E90FF][h2][b]Background[/b][/h2][/color][/center] [center][quote=attributed to the Kan-soon Book of Songs][i]The waters of the lowest delta stems from the tallest mountains[/i][/quote][/center] [color=6495ED][b]Current Occupation[/b][/color]: The 4th Lesser Marquis of Jafi; captain of the Sada Kurau [color=6495ED][b]Past Occupation[/b][/color]: N/A [color=6495ED][b]Relatives[/b][/color][list] [*]Father: Wasun Im-shan, Marquis of Jafi [*]Mother: Ohn Sah of Apsha, Lady of Jafi [*]1st Older Brother: Wasun Sai-jom, Lesser Marquis of Jafi [*]2nd Older Brother: Wasun Hara-tahn, 2nd Lesser Marquis of Jafi [*]3rd Older Brother: Wasun Shim-sen, 3rd Lesser Marquis of Jafi [*]1st Younger Sister: Wasun Shi of Jafi [*]2nd Younger Sister: Wasun Idah of Jafi[/list] [color=6495ED][b]Skills[/b][/color] [list] [*] Sailing - rigging, setting sails, etc, etc [*] Carpentry - mostly in the realm of repairs [*] Navigation - by day and by night [*] Naval gunnery - translates well to land gunnery [*] Swordsmanship - specifically straight sabres [*] Marksmanship - both recurve bow and firelocks [/list] [center][color=1E90FF][h2][b]History summary[/b][/h2][/color] [quote=attributed to the Canon of the First Emperor][i]All beneath the sky and upon the waves have their place, such is the way of Great Harmony[/i][/quote] Every member of the Wasun clan of Jafi has their place. Be it heir, advisor, diplomat, or keeper of the household, their role in the bureaucratic apparatus that kept the march running would have been planned out long before they even quickened in the womb. A masterstroke of long-term planning, if Im-shan dared say so himself. Granted, it was down to pure luck that none of his children had any qualms of their future roles at court and all of them developed qualities beneficial to said roles. It was either that or a testament to the skills of his court tutors. Sjan-dehk's conception, unexpected as it was, thus proved to be a conundrum. Small as Jafi's court was at the time, there simply weren't any duties left for this fourth son to perform. Of course, there always were lesser positions to fill. Largely managerial and administrative roles that kept the march running on the day-to-day, but Im-shan had no shortage of promising common officials to promote, and who would be very upset should Sjan-dehk be simply dropped into an office they saw as rightly theirs. Putting his own children in positions of his inner court was one thing. Doing the same in the greater court would be asking for an uprising. With his wife's counsel, Im-shan decided that Sjan-dehk would find his future in the navy. Responsible for the most part of the defense of Viserjanta's western frontiers, Jafi boasted a considerable fleet that could rival the Royal Armada by raw numbers and which was twice as active. An excellent stage for any minor noble with slim chances of peerage to build a name and reputation for himself. If he did well enough, Sjan-dehk might even make admiral by the time Sai-jom became marquis. Even if he were to prove to be a middling sailor, just having a member of the ruling family serving in the navy would be quite the morale booster. From almost as soon as he could walk, Sjan-dehk was thrust onto the deck of a warship. As a cabin boy, naturally; the lowest post anyone hoping to carve out a naval career could ask for. If his son was to be a sailor under arms, then Im-shan was determined to make him one through and through. There would be no illusions of birthright, no privileges granted over station. Whatever respect and rank Sjan-dehk received would have to be earned the same way as any other sailor - through hard graft, tough work, and time. For his part, Sjan-dehk took to naval life like a fish to water. Life aboard a rolling deck suited him handsomely. Whether it was mending sails, scrubbing decks, or bringing powder to guns in the heat of battle, he carried out his duties to satisfaction and without complaint. By the tender age of twelve, he was already intimately familiar with the inner workings of a ship from bow to stern and top to keel. Two years later, he earned the sabre of an officer-in-training. One who was rearing to be unleashed on the high seas and upon the Commonwealth's enemies. That chance came four years later, when dissatisfied nobles launched a rebellion aiming for an imperial restoration. Neutral Jafi attempted to stay out of the conflict, but eventually was forced to choose a side. Throwing its support behind crown and council, Sjan-dehk and the rest of the fleet was sent to campaign against the rebels. Months of intense combat tempered Sjan-dehk into a hardened veteran, but it was only when his initiative and daring proved decisive in the capture of an enemy ship was he promoted to captain. Taking the prize as his command, he renamed it the Sada Kurau and brought it into combat against her former allies. The war dragged on for five long years. Sjan-dehk proved himself as a capable commander possessing great tactical acumen. As ship after ship fell against him, he used whatever prize money and confiscated loot to re-fit and rearm the [i]Sada Kurau[/i] until it was the ship it is today. When the rebels were finally contained on a singular island, Sjan-dehk was sent against the various pirates and slavers who had taken advantage of the turmoil to raid sea lanes and settlements alike. The Sada Kurau soon earned a dubious reputation as a fearsome pirate hunter, but also capable of terrifying savagery against her enemies. Sjan-dehk cared little about such rumours. In fact, he encouraged them; it made his work all the easier if the mere presence of his ship made would-be pirates reconsider their decisions. With the conclusive end of the war rose a Commonwealth more united than ever. Those who dreamed of a restoration had either been killed or captured in the fighting, or driven in the exile in the immediate aftermath. Crown and court never had more influence in their constituent polities. It was the perfect time to look to other matters. Trade was a top priority, even if only to refill coffers depleted by war. Eromora was the furthest region of the world known to Viserjantan mariners. In the past, trade there had been limited to the odd merchant willing to risk coin and life to make the long journey. Well, that would soo change. The Commonwealth now sought to make a more permanent arrangement. To facilitate that, they built a massive treasure ship. Only one - the nobility who ultimately had to fund the thing weren't quite as confident about the task at hand as the crown and council. As for Sjan-dehk, it was hardly his choice to join the Eromoran expedition. He'd much rather continue securing Jafi's waters than follow maps that were at least a decade old to some foreign land. Unfortunately, his mother had persuaded his father to persuade crown and council to have the [i]Sada Kurau[/i] attached as an escort. Risky as the mission was, it was no secret that its success would make any man who took part very influential and very rich. Sjan-dehk was a good sailor, a respected captain, and skilled fighter, but he would need a little more than that to truly stand beside his brother as admiral in future. That was how Sjan-dehk found himself and [i]Sada Kurau[/i] bound for Eromora. Whatever personal feelings he had for the mission, he hadn't failed a task given to him before. He surely wasn't about to start.[/center] [/hider] [hider=Q and A] [i]It is a starless night. Pale moonlight filters through heavy, purple clouds. A sure sign of rain, you think. Hopefully your business concludes before the deluge comes. You find the docks quiet save for the distant clamour of rowdy merry-making wafting from a ship a few rows down. Coincidentally, it is the ship you seek. Her sleek hull and tangle of ropes creaks as she bobs in the water, and her lateen sails are neatly furled. Lilting music of pipes and strings, accompanied by slurred songs emanate from its deck. The flickering orange glow of lamps hanging from its yards and masts cast shadows dancing across the woodwork. "Ah, looking for me, yes?" The heavily accented voice from behind catches you by surprise. You flinch and turn, papers clutched close to your chest lest they fly away in the landward breeze. Your eyes land on a grinning man. His over-patched clothes have clearly seen better days, and his burgeoning beard at least one or two overdue for a shave. A small cask is tucked beneath his arm and you can hear its contents sloshing from where you stand. You nod and tell him that yes, you have been looking for him. "Good timing, no?" He says with a chuckle and strides towards you. "Come, come." Before you can protest, he places a hand on your back and gently ushers you up the gangway onto the deck of his ship. Though you protest and say that you cannot afford time to join in their revelries, one of his crew pulls you around a small cookfire. Another takes the cask from the man. The dangers of an open fire on a wooden ship doesn't escape you, but all the same you are offered a seat on an overturned crate. You say no. The crew look on expectantly. Sjan-dehk - the man you sought - says yes. You sit. A bowl of some strange stew it thrust onto the lap. "Always best to talk and eat, no?" Sjan-dehk says and those of his crew who understand your tongue nod in assent. They return to their own business. Laughs and music fill the deck. The drawl of strings now take center-stage. "You have questions," the captain says and sits across from you. He opens his arms with a disarming smile. "Ask away." You suggest somewhere more private. He shakes his head. "No, no. No secrets from my crew," he says. "Anyway, they already know my answers." You nod and sigh. Better to just get this over and done with. You balance the bowl on one knee while sifting through your papers.[/i] [color=6495ED][center][b]History[/b][/center][/color] [color=6495ED][b]Did you grow up nurtured or neglected?[/b][/color] [i]"Nurtured, of course," Sjan-dehk replies quickly enough to make you wonder. His next words confirm to you that he has either misunderstood the question or is pulling your leg. "The sea is an excellent mother, no?" You clarify yourself. You want to know about his family. The grin he flashes tells you that he knew from the start. "Nurtured and neglected both," he says with neither bitterness nor fondness. "They put me on a ship as early as I can remember. When I went ashore, we spent time together. Mother fussed over me as mothers do, but never stopped me from going back to my ship. Father never spoke business with me. Never showed me favour either. Taught me to earn whatever I received. My brothers and sisters and I joked and played and rarely fought." He pauses. "So yes, that is nurture, no? And growing up at sea, that is neglect, yes?" You nod and jot down his answer as quickly as you can. You take a sip of the stew with the wooden spoon the crew provided. It is surprisingly hearty and tasty despite its looks. The meat melts in your mouth with just the right amount of salt and other spices you cannot identify.[/i] [color=6495ED][b]When you were upset, where was your sanctuary?[/b][/color] [i]He looks at you as if you asked a question so silly it stuns him. "Here, of course," he says matter-of-factly, as if it were so obvious. You want to tell him that it is not, but you hold your tongue. You tell him that you want to know about his past, not the present. "Still here," he says, then adds slowly, "I grew up on a ship." You bite on your lip. He is mocking you, but not undeservedly. He did just tell you as much. You clarify further. What about when he was ashore? He shrugs. "Anywhere I could see the open sea. Calms me."[/i] [color=6495ED][b]What were you like in your teenage years?[/b][/color] [i]Even as you ask the question, you can see Sjan-dehk shake his head and look down between his legs. You think he even looks a little sheepish. "A little shit," he says with a mirthless chuckle. "Everyone is an idiot at that age, yes? I think I was more of an idiot than most. Too eager. Too overconfident. Took too many unnecessary risks, gave too many people headaches. Good thing I grew out of it, no?" You don't know for sure, but you nod in agreement anyway.[/i] [color=6495ED][b]How close are you to your parents?[/b][/color] [i]"As close as I am allowed," he says. You arch a brow at him. That's quite the strange answer and immediately you start to ask if there was some tradition or custom that kept parents at arm's length. He holds up a hand to stop you. "No, no, like I said, I spent most of my time on a ship, yes? Hard to get close with the time I spend ashore. A few days at a time at most, but it is my choice. I prefer the sea. Still happy that I am not...How do you say? Estranged? From my family. They understand. They chose this for me, they have to."[/i] [color=6495ED][b]Do you have any trauma that haunts you?[/b][/color] [i]The music grows in volume behind you. Now a veritable chorus has erupted around the two of you. You can see Sjan-dehk mouthing the words beneath his breath as you ask your question. He shrugs. "Cannot think of one that sticks out, sorry," he replies a little too quickly for your liking. He is hiding something, you assume with some degree of confidence. You decide to carefully press him for something more concrete. Surely there has to be something? He shrugs again. "I fought many battles. Saw many things. After a while you stop noticing these things, yes?" At that, you decide to drop the matter and move on.[/i] [color=6495ED][b]What advice would you give your younger self?[/b][/color] [i]"Oh, that is easy," he replies with a smirk. "To not wish to grow up to be this tall. Troublesome beneath decks."[/i] [color=6495ED][b]Were you an obedient child or defiant?[/b][/color] [i]His answer is so quick and firm that it almost throws you off your seat. "Obedient," he says, then pauses. With a twinkle in his eye, he adds, "As defiant as I could. Children will be children, no? Punishments on a ship are harsh and teaches discipline very quickly, but it is everyone's nature to be mischievous sometimes, yes? I did what I was told, but when I was idle...Well, I got into trouble more than once." What about when he was ashore, you ask. He grins. "A little more defiant."[/i] [color=6495ED][b]What is your biggest regret?[/b][/color] [i]For but a moment, the mirth disappears from his face and he exhales through his nose as he leans back. "Whenever we are too slow," he says and avoids your gave. The crew seem to sense their captain's turn of mood and their merriment drops to a quiet buzzing murmur. "[/i]Sada Kurau [i]is a fast ship, but sometimes not fast enough. You seen before what pirates and slaves do to people? What they leave behind? You will want to be quick enough to catch them if you have." That doesn't quite answer your question, but you know you have to approach this tactfully. You ask if there is any such incident that stuck with him. "Years ago," he replies. "Island called for help. Usually it would be too late to do anything. By the time we get the news and set sail it would be already days after the attack, you know? This time we go there, we see the slave ship getting ready to leave. We chased them but they found winds in their favour and against us. Got away. Never saw that ship again. That island likely never saw the people they lost again, too." At last, he realises the depressed mood of the crew around him. He jumps to his feet and shouts something in their native tongue, one hand raised in a fist and the other thumping his chest. You don't know what he said, but clearly it did something to the crew as they cheer. Mugs of some sort of booze is portioned and handed out. Someone places one at your feet. Sjan-dehk sits back down and looks at you, the grin back on his face. "That is why we train hard and fight hard. Never let it happen again, yes?"[/i] [center][b]Romance[/b][/center] [color=6495ED][b]Have you ever been in love?[/b][/color] [i]You have been dreading this section ever since he teased you a few questions ago. You already have the feeling that you'll get nothing truthful from the man with regards to this subject. Perhaps it would be best to just go through them as quickly. You ask the first question and already you can see Sjan-dehk's grin widen. "Of course I have," Sjan-dehk replies and gestures to the sea. Why did you see that coming? "Fell in love the moment I felt her salty kiss and rollicking movements." You sigh and tell him that's not what you meant. He chuckles and nods. "I know, I know." He sounds almost apologetic but you have doubts that he means it. "No, I have not. Never saw a lady that caught my eye, and never had time for that."[/i] [color=6495ED][b]What is most important in a partner to you? Describe your dream partner.[/b][/color] [i]He furrows his brow and scratches his jaw. It surprises you that he is even seriously considering his answer, but you decide not to jinx it by saying anything. "Never thought about it," he admits. "Never had an interest enough, but to answer you, I would like someone who does not mind my absence and my ways. If they would sail with me, even better." The spark of mischief returns to his eyes as he looks at you. "If you meet anyone like that, you tell me, yes?"[/i] [color=6495ED][b]How do you display affection? What is your love language?[/b][/color] [i]"Your people do not speak to show affection?" He asks curiously and face earnest. You almost start to explain that you are not speaking literally when he's unable to contain his laughter any further. Your cheeks heat up. You can't tell if it's out of anger or embarrassment. You don't really care. Sjan-dehk raises both hands in front of him. "Sorry, sorry. Could not resist." You fold your arms and tell him that this would be finished quicker if he would stop joking. "Ah, but we are having a good time, no? Why would I want to finish things so quickly?" He says. "To answer you, I do not know yet. When I find out, I will find you and tell you, yes?"[/i] [color=6495ED][b]Have you had your first kiss? What was it like?[/b][/color] [i]You start dreading his response before you even finish the question. As expected, he starts to gesture to the sea but stops when you shoot him a withering glare. He drops his arm. "No, no I have not."[/i] [color=6495ED][b]Do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not?[/b][/color] [i]"Of course I do, I told you-" he begins, but stops himself short. You didn't even need to say anything. Perhaps he's not that mischievous after all. That, or even his mischief has its limits. He leans forward. "I do," he replies softly. The surprise from both his answer and the way he says it almost, again, knocks you off your seat. You ask him to clarify. After everything he has told you, you explain, you have the impression that he cares little for anything related to romance. "You are right," he confirms with a nod. "But love at first sight, that is a good fantasy, no? Something nice to think about when times are difficult. You imagine, you think, you let your mind drift and suddenly everything feels a little lighter. Please, do not misunderstand. It is not something easily found. Not something I expect to happen. Just a nice fantasy to distract the mind every now and then." You nod slowly. You think you understand. He believes the fantasy but understands it's not reality.[/i] [color=6495ED][b]What does marriage mean to you?[/b][/color] [i]He taps a finger on his chin. "Like dropping anchor from a ship?" He asks with faux-innocence. Now that, that almost makes you laugh but you catch yourself just in time. You collect yourself and tell him that it's not always that bad a prospect. He nods and agrees. "Yes, yes, and we all hope for that for ourselves, but a man like me? Too restrictive. I do not think I would make a good husband, yes? Too much time away."[/i] [color=6495ED][b]Are you currently crushing on anyone?[/b][/color] [i]"I think you know the answer by now, no?"[/i] [color=6495ED][b]Do you ever consider having children in the future?[/b][/color] [i]He nods and that again catches you off-guard. You hesitantly ask if there's a joke that you're not getting, or some euphemism that's unique to his language. "No, no," he says with a wave of his hand. He grins. "You are learning." Yes, yes you are. You're unsure if that's a good or bad thing. You repeat your question, hoping to get a bit more elaboration out of him. You are not disappointed. "One day, surely, but that day is very far away. Many things to take care of before then, many things I still want to do and have to achieve, you know? A tree without roots collapses in a stiff wind. A tree that burrows deep before growing tall stands forever." That last part sounds quite scholarly to your ears. You ask where it comes from. "Records of the Venerable Prince of Sukaya," he replies with a dash of eagerness to his voice. "Very interesting book. A lot of insights from Viserjanta's early days." You jot that down. You ask what he meant by things to do and achieve. Sjan-dehk waves his hand dismissively. "Oh, just places to see, rank to achieve, and adventures to be had." The answer is frustratingly vague, but you feel that is all you will get from him and so you move on.[/i] [center][b]Personality[/b][/center] [color=6495ED][b]Describe your ideal Sunday morning[/b][/color] [i]"Calm waters and following winds," he replies with a soft smile gracing his lips. His eyes stare into the dancing flames of the cookfire. "Keeps[/i] Sada Kurau [i]moving but not so much that we struggle to keep her sails intact. Gentle enough to give us time to relax but not so much it strands us." You nod. That was what you expected to hear from him. Still, he continues. "Always a good day when I can just read my books or play my flute without worries, you know? Gives my crew time to unwind. Too much struggle and we all go crazy. Even a sword cannot go from fight to fight without sharpening. Then at night, after we have unwound, we will celebrate like we are now to give thanks for a good day and prepare ourselves for the next." You ask if that adage about the sword comes from one of his books again. He nods and grins. "I tell you, that Records book is full of nice little sayings like that. Perhaps someday you can ready a translated copy. I would recommend it."[/i] [color=6495ED][b]What kind of person do you aspire to be?[/b][/color] [i]"A good captain to my men, a good admiral for my brothers," he replies with a shrug. You decide to clarify a little more. You say that you are not asking about his professional life, but the personal. "Ah," he says, but then shrugs again. "Not sure, really. I think just a good man? Someone who does right by those who deserve it, evil by those who deserve it. Someone just and fair and gives everyone a chance." You point out that 'evil' contradicts 'good'. He laughs. "Well, maybe not a good man. A fair man?" You grin a little and nod. You tell him that yes, that would fit a little better.[/i] [color=6495ED][b]What bad habits do you have?[/b][/color] [i]"Oh, come now," he says. He sounds almost condescending, but you decide to let it slide until he explains himself. "Just as how the songbird praises not its own voice, you should be asking my crew this question." He leans back and opens his arms. "If you ask me, I would say I have none, no?" You think about it for a moment and realise you have no real answer to that. Either that, or the revelry is beginning to get to your head. Flickering orange glows mixed with lilting music makes for quite the hypnotic combination.[/i] [color=6495ED][b]If you could go back in time and change anything in your past, what would it be?[/b][/color] [i]"Drown captain Javisi when I had the chance." Sjan-dehk's answer is quick and so full of malice you worry for a moment. You ask him to elaborate, but it's clear you didn't have to. He was going to anyway. "Saved his life when I was not yet captain. Went our separate ways when we took command of our ships. We fought on opposite sides of the war." He says and you can see his hands start to clench into fists. For a moment you wonder if you should tell him to just drop the matter, but he carries on before you have a chance to even open your mouth. "That is not what upsets me, you know? War is war. We fight for our sides, but that bastard turned pirate when we pushed the rebels back to Udama. Vicious one. Killed many, many people. Caught him eventually. Still, could have prevented all that if I just left him to drown." He draws in a deep breath when he finishes. He shakes his head, then looks at you sheepishly. "Sorry, it still angers me when I think about it." You tell him that it's fine. You want him to be honest, after all.[/i] [color=6495ED][b]What is your greatest fear?[/b][/color] [i]"To have the wind taken from my sails," he says. You suppose you should have seen that one coming.[/i] [color=6495ED][b]What are your pet peeves?[/b][/color] [i]"Where do I begin?" He says and slaps his knee as he leans back. "People who use their rank to get their way, firstly. Dislike it in officers, dislike it even more in nobles." He scratches his head and furrows his brow for a moment. "An untidy ship. Seen many of those. Good thing my crew knows how to keep[/i] Sada Kurau[i] neat. You know the sound of scraping metal? That one drives me crazy. Wet footwraps, now that one I have experienced many times. Never got used to it. Unpleasant every time." He stops himself and looks at you. "Is that enough?" You nod.[/i] [color=6495ED][b]When you are in a sour mood, do you like to be alone or with others?[/b][/color] [i]"A bit of both is healthy," Sjan-dehk replies almost sagely. "Alone to gather your thoughts. Calm down. Get clear sight. Then with people to forget and recover."[/i] [color=6495ED][b]Are you more likely to fight with your fists or your tongue?[/b][/color] [i]"A good captain uses both," he says with a grin. "My crew is like family, you know? Which family would want to risk each other unnecessarily? If we can take a ship peacefully, all the better for everyone involved, yes? They get to live, we get to win." You point out that the enemy would lose a lot more in such a deal. Sjan-dehk shakes his head. "No, no. Not unless they see death as a better outcome. We give them chance to surrender. If they take it, good. If not, we destroy them." The ease with which he said such words rattles you slightly. Still, you suppose it's part of his nature as a warship captain. You decide that your time here is done, but when you stand to leave you feel droplets splash upon your flesh. You look up. The crew looks up. Sjan-dehk looks up. A deluge comes down. The cookfire is quickly extinguished. You try to keep your papers dry by hugging them close. The crew doesn't look concerned as they shuffle below decks. "Bad luck, no?" Sjan-dehk asks nonchalantly as he stands up. "You should stay and wait out the rain. We continue things below decks. You can join us." You wonder if you should take up the deal. A peal of thunder roars overhead. Lightning flashes in the distance. You nod yes.[/i] [/hider]