[center][h1][color=E77298]Anastasia[/color], [color=DC143C]Cynwaer[/color], [color=1E90FF]Sjan-dehk[/color], [color=#035E7B]Thea[/color][/h1][/center]

Thea felt a flicker of confusion at Cynwaer’s brusque attitude, but quickly brushed it off. She wrapped her arm around Anastasia's waist, supporting herself with a giggle. [color=#035E7B]“Annie, you're right, sailor boys are the best!”[/color] she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement.

She turned her attention to the captains, her eyes bright with curiosity. [color=#035E7B]“Yes, please! Tell us about your wildest adventure at sea. I love a good story!”[/color] she said, her enthusiasm matching her friend's. She leaned against the bar, ready to immerse herself in whatever thrilling tales the captains had to share.

She then briefly leaned into Annie and whispered, louder than she intended, [color=#035E7B]“Did I do something wrong? Why does the red haired one seem so angry with me?”[/color] 

[color=E77298] “He’s probably just very attracted to you and doesn’t know what to do with the energy.”[/color] Anastasia whispered back.

Cynwaer smirked. If Thea was trying to be subtle, she had failed spectacularly. Not even the din of the tavern could keep her attempted whisper from his ears. Letting out a sardonic chuckle, he shook his head and took a long sip from his mug. [color=DC143C]“Oh, dae’n yer worry yer pret’y wee ‘ead, little lass. ‘Tis nae yer person I ‘ave trouble wi’,”[/color] he said without looking at her. It wasn’t entirely a lie; at least three-fifths of it was the truth. In fact, between Thea and Annie, Cynwaer had to say that the former was more palatable. She was, at least, sharper than her butterknife of a friend, if she could so quickly gather that Cynwaer wanted them gone.

A shame she was a noble girl. [color=DC143C]“‘Tis yer entire sort I’m dae’n like,”[/color] he said after another sip. This time, he shot a piercing glare at Thea, his green eyes narrowed and filled with disdain. [color=DC143C]“Whether yer jus’ a pair o’ bored lasses, or yer treatin’ this like some adventure instead o’ ta’ lives o’ folks who cannae ‘ave bet’er, I dae’n care.”[/color] He paused and drew in a deep breath. A fire was starting to grow in his chest, and he extinguished it before continuing. Riling himself up now would be a mistake. [color=DC143C]“If yer quick enough tae get that I want ta’ twos o’ yer gone, then dae’ us aw’ a favour an’ get ta’ feck–”[/color] 

[color=1E90FF]“Captain Sjan-dehk,”[/color] Sjan-dehk suddenly interrupted. He leaned over the counter and looked at Annie with a friendly smile, at the same time pushing his empty mug away. [color=1E90FF]“Captain Wasun, that is not how we say. Captain Sjan-dehk is better.”[/color] Cynwaer twisted around in his seat, a mixture of exasperation and annoyance colouring his rugged features. Sjan-dehk merely cocked his head and raised a brow. [color=1E90FF]“They are no…They are not trouble, Captain. The two of them, I do not mind if they join.”[/color]

[color=E77298] “Captain Sjandehk!”[/color] Anastasia repeated excitedly and smiled, [color=E77298] “ That sounds even better!”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Well, I dae,”[/color] Cynwaer grumbled. [color=DC143C]“An’ word o’ advice tae yer, Cap’n. Lasses like ‘em are always trouble, nae feckin’ exceptions. Either they’re ta’ trouble, or they bring it tae yer.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk’s eyes narrowed momentarily, in an act so quick that even he didn’t realise it himself until after the fact. That Cynwaer was so aggrieved by the mere presence of these two girls was very curious. Suspicious, almost. Was this merely an aspect of Caesonian society that he failed to understand, as had so often been the case? Or was there indeed something off about the two girls? Or even off about Cynwaer, for that matter? The questions that swam through Sjan-dehk’s mind were endless, and most annoying of all, there wasn’t much he could do to answer them. It wasn’t as if he could just start questioning his current company just like that. Not without looking suspicious himself, in any case. 

And so, he did what he had learned to do rather well over these past few days. He pushed such thoughts aside, and resigned himself to merely waiting and seeing. 

Thankfully, Annie had asked a question he could answer. [color=1E90FF]“It is…Not good, yes? To ask a sailor about storms,”[/color] he replied slowly with a grin. [color=1E90FF]“It is like…Like asking you about your most bad and most painful day. That thing, not good to talk about, yes?”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Aye, the Cap’n ‘ere’s nae wrong,”[/color] Cynwaer added. There wasn’t much of a bite in his words as compared with before; he sounded matter-of-fact, as if this was common knowledge. [color=DC143C]“Storms’re terrible things, an’ frae ‘ow yer askin’, I dae’n think yer e’er experienced one, lass-in-pink.”[/color]

[color=E77298] “Oops… Sorry!”[/color]

[color=1E90FF]“But,”[/color] Sjan-dehk continued. [color=1E90FF]“You ask, so I answer. There was one.”[/color] Cynwaer let out a long sigh, but didn’t stop him. He instead beckoned the barkeep over to refill their mugs. 

Sjan-dehk nodded his thanks to the burly man behind the counter, waited until Cynwaer placed another two coins into man’s shovel-like hands, and sipped from his mug. [color=1E90FF]“Storms, they are like dance, yes? Between Mother-of-the-Waves, Storm-gull, and One-that-dwells-below. The Gull, it makes the wind strong. The One-that-dwells-below, they find…No, they collect the ones that do not survive. And the Mother, she challenge us with her Sea. She makes sure we are strong.”[/color] He drank from his mug again, wetting his lips. Vivid memories flashed in his mind. The cacophony of lashing winds, crashing waves, and shattering hulls echoed in his ears. Dark skies and darker waters filled his mind’s eye. He could even taste blood and salt. 

[color=1E90FF]“So there is one place. We, Jafins, we call it [i]Yahk-peh Huun[/i]. It means…It means ‘Where storms are born’, I think. It is violent place. Mother, Gull, and Dweller all play there. It is the Way, that all Jafins sail there once before they become Captain.”[/color] He shook his head slightly and wrapped his hand around the mug, but didn’t lift it. Instead, he just stared at it. [color=1E90FF]“Anyway, not that story. This is when I sail there for second time.”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Tempestes’ feckin’ tits, what possessed yer tae dae that?”[/color] Cynwaer asked. 

[color=1E90FF]“It was war. [i]Sada Kurau[/i], we were being chased.”[/color]

Cynwaer nodded slowly. [color=DC143C]“Must be a feckin’ grand story.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk looked at him, then at the two girls with an inscrutable look on his face. [color=1E90FF]“It was war, it is never good story,”[/color] he said, voice suddenly dark. [color=1E90FF]“Four ships chase us. Strong ships. All have many guns. [i]Sada Kurau[/i] is good, but against so many, she cannot win. But the sea, we knew it very…We knew it very good. So we lead them to [i]Yahk-peh Huun[/i]. That time, there was a storm there. Our enemies, they followed. That time, skies were dark. Very dark. And rain very heavy. I could not see. My crew could not see. We sail like blind. And the sea, it was strong. The Mother, she tested all of us. Three times, she almost took us to sail to Unending Horizon.”[/color] He paused to take in a deep breath. [color=1E90FF]“[i]Sada Kurau[/i], she lost people. Some fell into water. But we cannot save. It would kill us. So we must leave them. And our enemies, they did not know [i]Yahk-peh Huun[/i] like us. So they suffer. Their ships, all destroyed. All sank. Their people, some survive. They beg us to save them. But how can we?”[/color]

Cynwaer could easily tell where Sjan-dehk’s story was leading. It was a story anyone who plied their trade on the waves knew all too well. To attempt a rescue during a storm – especially one as powerful as described by Sjan-dehk – was both insane and reckless. Callous as it was, there was no point in risking an entire ship to save one, or even a handful of people. A Captain’s first duty was to their ship and crew, and thus had to prioritise their safety. [color=DC143C]“Yer cannae,” he said in a firm tone. [color=DC143C]“Yer cannae e’en feckin’ stop in a storm, aye, or yer’ll be fecked by waves an’ shite.”[/color]

[color=1E90FF]“Yes, it is that,”[/color] Sjan-dehk said and took a long drink from his mug. [color=1E90FF]“So we do what we can. The ones that fall and float in water, we sent to the Dweller. By bullet, death is quick. That way, it is a kinder death.”[/color] He let out a long sigh and shook his head. In a quieter voice, he repeated, [color=1E90FF]“It is a kinder death.”[/color]

He paused for a while, then looked at Annie. There wasn’t any sadness on his face, just a slight hint of wistfulness. As if he had just recalled something that pained him, but also something that he had long since accepted as inevitable. [color=1E90FF]“There. Your story. Now, take advice. Do not ask any other Captain same question. Okay?”[/color]

Anastasia frowned and crossed her legs as she sat on the bar still. [color=E77298] “That’s fucking depressing.”[/color] She bluntly commented once silence filled the air. She tapped her chin as her eyes fell on Sjandehk. [color=E77298] “ Yeeaaaaah I will [i]probably[/i] take that advice…. Anywaaaaays….”[/color]  She gazed between the two captains. [color=E77298] “You cuties wanna do some shots with us? Totally on me.”[/color]

Thea felt a pang of sadness as she listened to Sjan-dehk's harrowing story, but her gaze remained fixed on Cynwaer. His earlier disdainful words echoed in her mind. What did he mean by "her kind"?

As the story concluded and Annie asked about doing shots, Thea took a deep breath and addressed Cynwaer directly. [color=#035E7B]"What exactly do you mean by 'my kind'?"[/color] she asked, her tone firm yet curious. [color=#035E7B]"I can only assume one of two things. Either you mean blonde women, which I find unlikely and silly, or you're referring to what you perceive us to be—rich and spoiled."[/color]

She straightened up, her heterochromic eyes locking onto his with determination. She had dealt with jealousy and hatred for her wealth all her life and she was tired of it. [color=#035E7B]"It's curious for you to judge me for something I had no control over, being born into a certain life. You wish for me to stick with 'my kind,' yet who does that help in the long run? If I were to only frequent bars for the rich, wouldn't that just put more money into the pockets of those who already have plenty?"[/color]

Cynwaer couldn’t stop the grin which spread across his lips as Thea spoke. Not that he had any desire to, in the first place; she was proving to be the most entertaining person he had seen or heard all evening, albeit unintentionally. And with each successive word, his grin grew wider and wider, until it was a veritable smirk, filled with equal amounts of amusement and mockery. There wasn’t anything new in what the girl slung at him. Indeed, it would have been boring were it not for her fervour, and how she seemed to truly believe in her own speech. 

He sipped from his mug as she spoke, and said nothing. Let the girl have her moment of glory; it would make his response all the sweeter. Peering over the uneven rim of the mug, his piercing, verdant eyes gazed into her own, mis-matched irises. 

She gestured around the tavern. [color=#035E7B]"But coming here, spending my family's money in places like this—doesn't that benefit those who need it more than the rich? Isn't that a better use of my resources?"[/color] 

She leaned forward slightly, her voice softening but remaining resolute. [color=#035E7B]"I may not fully understand your world, but I'm trying to do something good. And if that makes me 'trouble,' then so be it.”[/color]

[color=DC143C]“Yer done, then?”[/color] Cynwaer asked and placed the mug on the counter. Before Thea could reply, he wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve and said, [color=DC143C]“Ah, feck it, ‘course yer’re. Yer’d still be mouthin’ aff, otherwise.”[/color] Casually resting an elbow on the bar, he turned to look at Thea, and for a moment, he didn’t say anything, and merely looked at her with that same, condescending grin on his face. [color=DC143C]“Tell yer what, lass, I was’nae gae’n tae say yer type was ‘rich an’ spoiled’, but now ‘at yer’ve gone an’ said it, I like ta’ sound o’ it. Cheers fae that, I’ll be usin’ it frae here on out.”[/color]

He leaned back slightly. [color=DC143C]“Now, where dae I begin? At ta’ start, I s’pose. I’m sorry–”[/color] he said it in a way that didn’t sound like he was apologetic in the least [color=DC143C]“–that yer’re offended, but I’ll dae be fair tae yer and tell it tae yer straight. I don’t really feckin’ care if yer feelin’ are ‘urt. Aye, mayhaps I was mean tae yer fae somethin’ that’s nae yer fault, but yer know what’s fecking worse? Gettin’ killed ‘cause yer unlucky enough tae be born wi’ ta’ wrong blood, or ‘avin’ tae work yersel’ to ta’ point o’ death, or bein’ treated like a feckin’ slave ‘cause some other fecker ‘ad the fortune to be born tae’ a fortune. If yer don’t believe me, then gae take a gander through yer own villages an’ see ‘ow yer people live. Gae ‘ave a look at what yer King’s lads dae, and maybe yer’ll start tae understand why folks like me might nae like folks like yer.”[/color]

Aware that he was getting far too close to giving himself away, Cynwaer quickly stopped himself and took a long drink from his mug. It was difficult – close to impossible, even – for him to avoid going on a rant. Not when he had witnessed just about every possible injustice in Caesonia, due in no small part to his work with Kidelaut and Sioridann. And not when he had experienced such injustice himself. 

[color=DC143C]“Anyway,”[/color] he continued and glanced sideways at Thea. [color=DC143C]“Yer got one thing wrang, lass, an’ aye, ‘tis me fault fae makin’ yer think what yer think, and sae I apologise fae it, but I’ve really nothing’ against yer type comin’ down ‘ere. An’ I’ll gee’s it tae yer, rather yer spend yer ma and da’s coin ‘ere than up near ta’ castle.”[/color] He let out a short chuckle, one that was almost derisive. [color=DC143C]“But don’t gae thinkin’ yer dae’n anyone a grand favour. Unless yer buyin’ out ta’ ‘ole feckin’ place each an’ e’ery night, the coin yer spend’s just a drop in ta’ ocean.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk had been listening to the exchange with a growing sense of discomfort. Part of it was because, between Cynwaer’s accent and the ambient cacophony, he understood just enough to be drawn into the conversation, but not enough to fully comprehend what was being said. It was as unhappy a balance as it could be. 

The other part was that as much as he didn’t like how Cynwaer was treating Thea – and as little as he understood – he couldn’t quite disagree with the parts he did understand. For all his vitriol and unnecessary aggression, the other Captain did make sense; if Thea was trying to frame her coming to this tavern as an act of kindness, then she was wrong. Of course, that was if that was truly her intent, and Sjan-dehk wasn’t about to place too much trust in his ability to comprehend what was going on.

And so, he simply said, [color=1E90FF]“Yes, but many drops make ocean, no?”[/color]

Cynwaer threw Sjan-dehk a look over his shoulder, then shook his head. [color=DC143C]“Aye, but that’s only if ‘tis a drop o’ wat’er we’re talkin’ about.”[/color] He turned back to Thea. [color=DC143C]“Lass, yer’re a customer, that’s all yer are. Don’t get me wrang, there’s nothin’ wrang wi’ that. I’m sure our pal ta’ barman’s mer than ‘appy tae take yer ma and da’s coin, but let’s nae lie tae oursel’s, aye? Yer jus’ ‘ere fae ta’ same reasons as anyone else. Yer ‘ere tae ‘ave a drink, and maybe a change o’ scenery, an’ I’ll nae’ say anythin’ about that fae now.”[/color]

Then, after emptying his mug in a long swig, Cynwaer finished with, [color=DC143C]“An’ come now, if yer really want tae ‘elp the common folk, there’s easier ways than ‘avin’ a drink at this hour. I’m sure a lass like yer’ve got coin, status, maybe e’en influence tae spare. Nae shor’age o’ poor folk needin’ a donation tae get food in their bellies, or fisherfolk needin’ tae repair their boats, or people–”[/color]

That was about as far as Sjan-dehk allowed Cynwaer to go. He stood up and physically inserted himself into the conversation by standing between the red-haired Captain and Thea. [color=1E90FF]“I think you say enough already, yes?”[/color] He said to Cynwaer, and although his tone was calm, the displeased look in his eyes made it clear that he wasn’t seeking an answer to that question. [color=1E90FF]“This thing you talk about, you are…You feel strong for, yes? That is good. But she–”[/color] he gestured to Thea [color=1E90FF]“–is a young girl. Your feelings, they are not directed correctly, yes?”[/color]

Cynwaer’s lips turned into a frown, and he shook his head. [color=DC143C]“Trust me pal, I want tae believe yer, but I’ve seen enough tae know I cannae.”[/color] He let out a sigh and hung his head for a moment, his eyes closed in thought. Then, he looked around Sjan-dehk at Thea. [color=DC143C]“But I’m man enough tae be able tae know when I’m barkin’ up ta’ wrang tree. ‘Tis yer ma or da I should be rantin’ tae. Nae a young lass, e’en if she’s a mouthy one. An’ besides, I’m nae lookin’ fae a fight.”[/color] He smirked, this time a mischievous one rather than one meant to annoy. [color=DC143C]“Come find me a night or two frae now, if yer spoilin’ fae one. I’ll let yer ‘ave it well and proper, then.”[/color]

Sjan-dehk smiled at him, then at Thea. [color=1E90FF]“Good. Now we can do important thing,”[/color] he said, looking at Annie. [color=1E90FF]“Sorry. You wanted something to drink, yes? Rude of us to…To not pay you attention, I apologise for that. You order what you want. I can pay for it.”[/color]

Anastasia had been watching the exchange, her gaze fixated. Despite her outward behavior, she had been well aware deep down that their presence hadn’t been welcome. Frankly she just hadn’t really cared. Out of Cynric’s vision, she made a puppet with her hand, opening and closing to indicate blabbing. She gave Thea a comforting wink. [color=E77298] “ Redhead sailor boy, her point was that it only benefits the tavern to have her business, silly. Doesn’t matter if she came here with that intention or not, just matters you should thank your lucky stars sexy ladies with loaded pockets are here instead of bitching about it.” [/color]

She then took out her coin purse and gazed at Sjandehk, [color=E77298] “ No worries babe, I can buy us all drinks. Super sweet of you though. “[/color] Anastasia then whistled to beckon the bartender. 

Sjan-dehk looked at Annie for a moment, blinked once, then shrugged. If the girl wanted to pay for their drinks so badly, then who was he to stop her? Of course, Sjan-dehk knew that were his father present, the old man would have probably disapproved, vocally and physically. But as far as Sjan-dehk was concerned, he had already paid his dues to courtesy by offering. That the girl turned him down had nothing to do with him.

Thea let him go off, keeping as neutral of an expression as she could as she did so. She wasn’t quite surprised he was reacting in such a way, had actually even wondered if she’d get a similar reaction. She couldn’t entirely blame him, she wasn’t blind to the injustices around her, but she also knew that she herself had little influence in helping fix it. If she were in better standing with her mother and others with higher authority than her, perhaps she could use that to help in a more effective way, but the truth was that she wasn’t. So here she was, trying to do what she viewed she could.

With all his words, however, she actually accomplished something she’d actually been after. She wanted to determine more of this man’s character, as his reactions were much more harsh than the other man’s. So when Sjan-dehk stepped in, she simply continued watching Cynwaer for a moment. Just the slightest hint of an accomplished smile crossed her face just before she turned away from the redheaded man and turned to address Annie instead. [color=o35e7b]”Oh Annie, I’m so sorry! I haven’t given you the attention you deserve! Shots sound like a lovely plan!”[/color] She said to her friend, back to her bubbly self once more.

Anastasia smiled and pulled her friend into a hug. [color=E77298] “Aww  my Thea baby!”[/color] 

Cynwaer caught the look on Thea’s face, but said nothing about it. Instead, he let out a resigned sigh, shook his head, and went back to nursing his mug. There wasn’t any use in continuing this little spat any further; quite clearly, the girl merely wanted a rise out of him, and he wasn’t going to give her any more of that than he already had. And besides, there wasn’t any use in talking to her about these things. Either she didn’t care, she didn’t understand, or she wasn’t in a position to do something about it. Cynwaer would just be wasting his breath.

Better for him to leave such things to Kidelaut. That former knight knew how nobles worked and how nobles thought, and knew how to speak their language. Or Sioridann; the question mark of a person could convince anyone to do anything. The peasantry, disenfranchised workers, the oppressed commonfolk, Cynwaer always did work better with those groups.

Just then, the barkeep returned, thick arms crossed over a chest that was just as broad, and his lips turned in a slight frown. He looked down at Annie. If he recognised her for who she was, he didn’t show it. It didn’t seem like he would have cared, even if he did. “First things first, girl. Don’t whistle. I’m not your damn dog.” Though his voice was level, its gruffness accentuated the hints of displeasure in his tone. “Secondly, what d’you want? We don’t have any of the fancy stuff, so don’t even ask. Your choices are mead, shine, or whiskey. Some of it’s legit. Some of it’s brewed out back.”

[color=DC143C]“Word o’ advice, lass,”[/color] Cynwaer piped up, leaning over the bar to look at Annie. There wasn’t a trace of his earlier belligerence or annoyance on his face. [color=DC143C]“Unless yer tired o’ ‘avin’ a brain that’s able ta’ string mer than twa thoughts together, dae’n touch ta’ ‘ome-brewed shite. ‘Tis feckin’ like lantern oil on some days, an’ I’m pret’y sure it’s actually lantern oil on others. Yer could light ‘alf o’ Sorian wi’ that shite, aye.”[/color] 

Anastasia first smirked at the barkeep,  [color=E77298] “Shine sounds good, puppy.”[/color] Her gaze shifted to Cynwaer and she raised a brow, [color=E77298] “Think I can’t handle my booze? …Sounds like a challenge to me.”[/color] 

The barkeep’s eyes narrowed, and he drew in a deep breath. “Listen here, girl,” he began, voice a low growl. “I told you once already, don’t treat me like your fucking dog. If you can’t follow that one simple rule, then you and your friend should fuck right off before I do it for–”

[color=DC143C]“Aw’righ’, easy, easy,”[/color] Cynwaer quickly interrupted. The barkeep’s threat wasn’t an empty one; it had taken a handful of painful lessons for Cynwaer to find that out firsthand, and as amusing as it would have been to see a pair of noblegirls tossed out by the mountain of a man, he wasn’t in the mood for what would almost certainly be a huge commotion. [color=DC143C]“Just gee’s ta’ lass what she’s after, aye? I’ll e’en pay fer ‘er.”[/color] He cast a sidelong glance at Annie and smirked. [color=DC143C]“An’ besides, if yer still servin’ that sort o’ shite, then she’ll be payin’ fae ‘er wrangs in nae time at aw’.”[/color]

The barkeep huffed through his nose, but reached under the bar for a pair of glasses. He placed them on the counter, then turned around to pluck a mottled and clearly overused bottle from the rickety shelf clinging to the wall. “I s’pose you’re right, Cyn,” he groused and popped the cork off the bottle with a finger. Right away, the burning scent of strong drink filled the air.

Sjan-dehk wrinkled his nose. [color=1E90FF]“What is that? Whale oil?”[/color]

Cynwaer grinned. [color=DC143C]“Nae that fancy, pal. ‘Tis ta’ drink o’ the masses.”[/color] He took the bottle from the barkeep and poured a generous amount in both glasses. [color=DC143C]“There yer gae, lass,”[/color] he said to Annie and nodded to Thea. [color=DC143C]“One fer yer, an’ another fae yer pal o’er there. Dae’n force yersel’s, I’ll tell yer that now.”[/color]

As the hours passed and the drinks flowed, the atmosphere in the bar grew more lively. Anastasia, now visibly drunk, swayed slightly as she clung to Thea. Her voice grew louder and more uninhibited with each passing moment. [color=E77298]“You know what we need to do?”[/color] she slurred, leaning heavily on Thea for support. [color=E77298]“We need to find the mafia! I need my [i]revenge![/i]! They’re out there, and we can totally take them down! Who’s with me?”[/color] Her proclamation drew a few amused glances and chuckles from the other patrons, but Anastasia seemed utterly serious, her eyes gleaming with inebriated determination. It was then a lovely little tune cut through the air, drawing the attention of many nearby.

[center][color=peru]“adieu to you my Dinah a thousan' times adieu
We`re goin' away from the 'oly Groun' and the girls tha' we love true
We will sail the Sout' sea over and then return for sure
To see again the girls we love and the 'oly Ground once more.”[/color][/center]
Anastasia had no idea just what song was being sung, but she decided to sway with Thea with a pleased smile as she listened.

Amusement had long since given way to concern as Cynwaer watched Annie empty glass after glass after glass of the barkeep’s brew. By the fact that she was still conscious, it was clear that she could hold her brew better than the average man. By the way she rambled about looking for and fighting a mafia, however, it was clear that her mind was on its way out. He reached for her glass. [color=DC143C]“Aw’righ’, I think yer’ve ‘ad enough fae one night–”[/color]

The song that interrupted him also distracted enough that, for a moment, he forgot what he was doing, and he simply listened. He recognised it as an old sailor’s song; one that was unknown to a younger crowd, but very familiar to a seasoned man of the sea such as he. There were a few scattered attempts to carry on after the unseen songstress stopped, but either the singers were too soft or the lyrics too garbled for anyone to join in.

And so, Cynwaer took it upon himself to get the job done right. He drew in a deep breath.

[center][color=DC143C]“A fine lass yer be,
Yer ta’ lass I dae adore,
An’ still live in ‘ope tae see,
Ta’ ‘oly ground once mer.”[/color][/center]
He paused and looked around the tavern. [color=DC143C]“Come now lads, yer know what tae dae, aye?”[/color] 

“A fine girl you are!” came a roared chorus.

Cynwaer chuckled, shook his head and turned back to the bar. Behind him, the crowd carried on with the song with vim and verve. [color=DC143C]“Tell yer what, pal,”[/color] he said to Sjan-dehk. [color=DC143C]“I miss these sort o’ songs, aye. Most lads these days prefer ta’ sort wi’ aw’ that bawdy shite and what ‘ave yer, but these ones?”[/color] He let out a long sigh and patted his chest. For a moment, a wistful look came over his face, but he quickly pushed it away with a rueful chuckle. [color=DC143C]“They get yer righ’ in ta’...”[/color] He trailed off and shook his head. [color=DC143C]“Well, I think yer get what I mean, aye?”[/color]

Sjan-dehk nodded. He supposed it was the same everywhere; a sailor only ever sang about one of three things. The ship, the sea, or a woman. Sometimes it was about two of the three, or all of the three at once, but it was rare to find a shanty that sang of some other thing. He couldn’t say he didn’t understand, however. Anyone who sailed the open sea became intimately familiar with both their ship and the waves, and thoughts of home, well, those always lingered in any sailor’s mind, whether they wanted them to or not. 

[color=1E90FF]“It is nice song,”[/color] he remarked.

[color=DC143C]“Aye, ‘tis sae,”[/color] Cynwaer replied. [color=DC143C]“Yer ‘ave any good ones tae share?”[/color]

There were plenty of songs which Sjan-dehk knew. There were eulogies to the dead, prayers to the Mother, or even ones bemoaning a lover who had absconded with another whilst the singer was out at sea. Whether Sjan-dehk cared to share them, however, was a whole other matter. He didn’t think of himself as a capable singer, and even here, in a place where most would likely not understand a single word he sang, he was still reluctant.

[color=1E90FF]“You would not understand them,”[/color] he said. [color=1E90FF]“Let us enjoy what we have, yes?”[/color]