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[color=1E90FF][b]Interactions[/b]: Kalliope [@Tae][/color]
[color=1E90FF][b]Mentions[/b]:[/color]
[color=1E90FF][b]Time[/b]: 1800[/color]
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Despite the situation, hearing the women repeat his words in his native tongue – albeit with pronunciation that could do with some work – was likely one of the better surprises Sjan-dehk experienced since arriving to Sorian. He could hardly contain the smile that curled his lips, and so he didn’t bother to. At last, a local he could talk to without sounding like an illiterate fool. [color=1E90FF]“You can be both. Just one strange girl,”[/color] he said and took another bite from his bun. As he chewed, he looked her over carefully once more. For someone with at least a dozen muskets pointed at her, she was awfully relaxed and calm. There was something more to her, Sjan-dehk was certain of it.

The scars on her face spoke of some form of violence in the past. Souvenirs of battle, perhaps? Or simply wounds from a back alley brawl? They could also be painful memories of abuse. Really, it was hard to tell, and it was hardly the most pressing question. That title went to her knowledge of his language. Where did she learn it from? And from whom? It had to be someone she met regularly, so that immediately struck off enterprising traders and merchants from the list of possibilities. A travelling scholar, maybe?

So many questions, but Sjan-dehk could only chew so slow before it started being ridiculous. [color=1E90FF]“Ah, sorry, I meant woman. Or lady. Whatever you prefer.”[/color] He waved for his crew to stand at ease. They hesitated, but one-by-one, each man slowly brought their muskets to their sides, stocks resting on the deck and muzzles pointed to the sky. Whoever this woman was, she seemed friendly enough. A little too curious, maybe, but that hardly warranted a firing line. 

[color=1E90FF]“I will admit, you made us look like idiots, sneaking aboard like that.”[/color] Sjan-dehk didn’t need to turn or even look around to know that the guards – as well as Mursi – bristled at those words. As they should. [color=1E90FF]“But I’ve to thank you. The path of knowledge is one of falls and rises, as it’s written. You’ve made my crew fall, but now they can rise stronger. Speaking of which, excuse me.”[/color]

He looked over his shoulder at Mursi. For a moment, the two of them held their gazes; Sjan-dehk with an arched brow and questioning expression, and Mursi with one that was beyond apologetic. [color=1E90FF]“I’m pretty sure you know what to do, Master Mursi.”[/color] Sjan-dehk said with a subtle nod.

Mursi snapped to a salute. “Yes, captain. Latrines for the week, captain.”

[color=1E90FF]“And the guards you posted. Make them help you. It’s their damn fault for being blind as well.”[/color]

A few of the guards standing behind Sjan-dehk let out quiet sighs of resignation, but none voiced any sort of opposition or contestation. Had this happened on any other ship, they would’ve been flogged for being negligent in their duties, but Sjan-dehk was willing to let them off easily for the first offence. [color=1E90FF]“Don’t let this happen again.”[/color] He looked to his left and right at the row of musketmen, his gaze lingering on those with their heads hung low. [color=1E90FF]“Learn from your mistake, and all will be forgotten. Repeat it, and well, we’ll have to help you learn. Understood?”[/color]

Their answer came as a unified chorus. “Aye, captain!”

Sjan-dehk nodded, then waved his hand. [color=1E90FF]“Dismissed. Mursi, write up a new roster and deployment when you're able.”[/color]

He didn’t wait for them to fully disperse before returning his attention to the woman, and only then did he remember that she could probably understand most of what he had said. [color=1E90FF]“Ah, sorry,”[/color] he said with flushed cheeks. [color=1E90FF]“Rude of me. Just wanted to get that all done and out of the way as soon as possible. Better that way, yes?”[/color] He popped the last of the bun into his mouth and quickly ate it. Offering her a little grin, he continued, [color=1E90FF]“Besides, I think having the one who got them in trouble around would make them commit it all to memory a little better.”[/color]

Was he being a little too casual with a woman – whose name he still didn’t know, no less – who had snuck aboard his ship? Probably. But she didn’t seem to mean any harm. If she did, she could’ve done whatever she needed to do a long time ago instead of wandering about like a sightseer. Neither did she seem to be particularly unsavoury or loathsome. 

[color=1E90FF]“You’re right, [i]Sada Kurau[/i] is a beautiful ship.”[/color] That was another reason why Sjan-dehk decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. The compliment had sounded sincere enough to his ears, and anyone who could appreciate the beauty of his ship would already be on the same page with him. Within the same book, at the very least. [color=1E90FF]“If you want to see her, you just have to ask. I’m more than happy to show you around.”[/color] He paused, then continued, [color=1E90FF]“Oh, and you only answered two of my questions. Who are you?”[/color]