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[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220927/23fb834f443fddf069b302a80ffae13a.png[/img]
[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220927/713c9ea7f90a3bccf2680492bc93671a.png[/img]
[img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220928/bcf4c8fb894d886cf1f86d12d903935e.png[/img]

[color=1E90FF][b]Time[/b]: Late Morning[/color]
[color=1E90FF][b]Interactions[/b]: [@Tae] Kalliope [/color]
[color=1E90FF][b]Mentions[/b]: [@princess] Charlotte; [@PapaOso] Cassius[/color]
[color=1E90FF][b]Attire[/b]: [hider]
[url=https://i.postimg.cc/8z5xjhFf/b73aac48-9c15-4c53-9289-37731ac8aace.png](Placeholder until I get a better reference image)[/url]
Roughspun, blue trousers
A shoulder belt and waist belt carrying his equipment
Two swords and two pistols, one on either side
A woven, conical hat wide enough to shade his entire face[/hider][/color]
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The mysterious, discomforting feeling festering in Sjan-dehk’s heart diminished slightly as his conversation with Kalliope progressed. How could it have done otherwise, in the face of pretty eyes shining with playful mischief, and in the presence of her amicable warmth? Even the prying questions that had floated through his head earlier fell silent – as they should have been from the very start. Sjan-dehk felt himself genuinely relax, instead of having to pretend to be casual and at ease. He could scarcely remember why he had to in the first place. Not even Kalliope’s remark to the departing Cassius could rattle him, although that was more because he didn’t quite understand what she had meant. 

A subtle flutter tickled his heart at Kalliope’s words. [color=8D3B72][i]“My dashing Captain.”[/i][/color] There was something about the way she had said those three words that made Sjan-dehk feel happy, yet at the same time, brought him a degree of bashfulness he hadn’t experienced in a very long time. He dipped his head ever-so-slightly, and hid more of his face within the shadow cast by his hat. 

Nevertheless, he chuckled at Kalliope’s remarks regarding the stranger-with-the-guards. Sjan-dehk made a note of her name – she seemed to be an important Alidashti, and thus was likely someone he needed to be aware of, at the very least. [color=1E90FF]“Let’s hope the repercussions never find you, then.”[/color] Sjan-dehk offered her a grin along with his words. [color=1E90FF]“Makes what you did pretty damn admirable, if I do say so myself.”[/color]

And just as he was about to ask Kalliope about her history with Layla, she introduced Cassius to him.

There was nothing wrong with her words themselves, but there was something in her voice, some strange and vague thing underlying what she had said that brought the discomforting feeling back to the forefront of Sjan-dehk’s heart and mind. His brows furrowed slightly. 

[color=8D3B72][i]“...known for his ways with the ladies."[/i][/color]

Suddenly, Sjan-dehk started to understand what Kalliope had meant by Cassius uttering the wrong name the previous night, and with it, an insight to their relationship he wished he never gained. Not that he knew why he felt what he felt, and that made things all the more uncomfortable for him. He was, however, very much aware that the unease he felt was etched upon his face, and so he quickly turned away from her. He looked towards Charlotte, but his eyes were, in fact, focused on the horizon far in the distance. 

He cleared his throat and tried to sound as normal as he could when he answered Kalliope. [color=1E90FF]“So that’s her name? Charlotte? Only just met her this morning. She seems nice enough so far. Reminds me of–”[/color] He cut himself short just before mentioning his sister. [color=1E90FF]“Of people I know. Might be too early to tell for certain, but I can’t see any harm in getting to know her a little better.”[/color]

Then, he turned back to Kalliope, his face neutral but eyes reproachful. [color=1E90FF]“But I do know that she’s had quite a rough morning as it is. Let’s not tease the poor girl and give her any more grief, aye?”[/color] He let out a muted sigh as he looked back towards the shore. This was all so very silly, and worse than that, immature. What did it matter to him, if Kalliope was in a relationship with Cassius? Nothing at all, surely; she was merely a friend, if even that. Acquaintance might be a more accurate way of putting it – Sjan-dehk had only known her for all of a day-and-a-half, at most. In a mutter, he added, [color=1E90FF]"Just doesn't feel right, you know? To see a girl like her getting shat upon."[/color]

Yes, he was just being silly. That was what Sjan-dehk told himself. 

And perhaps, that was why right at the very moment, he wanted to be anywhere else but here. The beach no longer felt even remotely familiar or comfortable. Every fibre of his being told him to leave, to return to the comforting surroundings of his Sada Kurau and lose himself to the monotony and drudgery of the daily routine of keeping a warship running smoothly. 

But he couldn’t. To do such a juvenile thing was shameful.

Instead, he did something even sillier. [color=1E90FF]“Looks like they’re having a good time,”[/color] he said and tilted his chin towards Charlotte and Cassius. As much as he could, he tried to keep the bite from seeping into his words, though he doubted he was overly-successful. [color=1E90FF]“Your partner seems quite interested in her as well. Should we go join them? Going into the water sounds like a pretty damn good idea to me right about now.”[/color]