Thomas deflated visibly, and his smile waned. His hidden insinuation that the helmsman should attend the dance with the First Mate had either gone wholly unnoticed or dutifully ignored. On top of that the First Mate herself remained as mercurial as ever. Thomas saw her expression glimmer through emotions like the shadow of a fast moving cloud flying before the sun, and he found himself nonplused by her reaction. 

He had thought that after the moment of candor that the two of them had shared earlier that she would be more receptive to sharing the company of those with whom, while perhaps [i]trust[/i] was out of the question, in the very least she respected. It was becoming starkly clear to Thomas that he had gained a loyal, and stout officer at his right hand, but without waves beneath her feet and men to command she was out of place. The haunts of her past were too raw to allow her the social pleasantries of friendship, and Thomas felt a twinge of sadness for the scarred woman.

With a nod Thomas returned his attention from his own thoughts to the two that stood before him. He met the eyes of the sea artist first, and nodded sagely.

“Your analysis of the [i]Feather[/i] is surely valuable, and I sincerely trust your judgment. I have all faith that once we are wholly prepared ourselves, and with you at the helm, that we can catch that ship of bilge-drinkers, or bypass them entirely, without much fuss. I have already instructed Dujo to continue on with the outfitting of the [i]Skate[/i] as was planned. We won’t be going before the wind half-cocked, I can assure you.”

He looked to the First Mate. “If you wish to remain with the ship, then by all means do so. I am sure Dujo would appreciate the assistance. As for the number of ears, and their efficacy, while the venture tonight might prove fruitless, an informant for our enemies that dwells inside of the Governor’s Mansion is of grave concern to me. I shall attend if for no other reason than to enlighten Antonia of this potential threat, and she can thusly begin to do what she does best.”

Thomas took a half step back, and bowed his head slightly to the helmsman. “With regard to my offer a moment ago, I was presumptuous in my speech. I did not mean to suggest that you required my assistance, and I apologize. As I think on it now, the lady I had in mind may be unavailable in any case.” His eyes did not look to Nicolette, though they surely wanted to.

With a step back, Thomas looked down at his sweat-stained shirt and ruddy appearance. He looked up to the pair with a smile. “I shall leave you both to your own devices then. I must be off to make myself presentable for this evening’s festivities. I bid you both farewell.”

Thomas nodded before turning and walking off across the deck towards his cabin, the sound of his boots echoing dully in the hot, thick, Jamaican afternoon.