As she expected, Ayla could sense the positive effect her stated knowledge brought to the Captain’s expectations for the voyage. There was, after all, a very good reason her proprietor family had reached their status in society. The ancient methods combined with modern sciences produced profoundly positive effects in the realm of care and healing. On the backs of the elven skill did the humans thrive. 

She smiled as he alluded to cures for nausea. She hefted her bundle and the vaguest clink echoed from within; she had few precious possessions, and her mortar and pestle were among them. She engaged a thoughtful expression before speaking to the air above them.

 “I might prepare a blend of ginger root and peppermint leaf,” she mused. “Fennel seed as well. Perhaps a bit of chamomile and lavender for a soothing finish.” She glanced towards him and shrugged. “As a tea or otherwise. If concentrated, it may be administrable as a tincture.”

At his offer to offer her view from the nest, Ayla faltered. Immediately she look to the designated lookout and breathed out a low whistle. 

“Really?” she murmured wonderingly. “Oh, that must be a beautiful vantage point. I would be honored.” A smile crept across her face, finally reaching her eyes. Though each of her expressions before had been genuine and warm, the light of joy had yet to reach the gold of her wide eyes. She caught herself drifting away on the daydream of the future and landed abruptly back into their discourse. 

“Only if there is a moment of time to allow for it, of course. I dare not presume otherwise.”

Beneath the light of the mast, Ayla rocked on her toes, mimicking the gentle sway of the ship beneath their feet. Dreamy glances to the sky and horizon pulled her in and out of the here and now as the Captain finished his documentation. She liked his stance on listening and helping; it was rare for a human, let alone a man, to place any obligation on himself to use his ears and talents to the betterment of others. It was ever more elusive for a man of status to believe he had responsibilities beyond his own whims. She hoped he was genuine.

“Blood Agreement?” she marveled. The concept was foreign and she was unsure as to what potential snags this may create in her escape plan. She watched as he pressed his signet to the parchment and felt the nerves creep back into her belly. 

[i]“Normally the name lights up as well…”[/i]

She hoped the concern of her face seemed only for his sake of the results not being to his expectation. Since he seemed to brush pass the incident, Ayla resumed her easy smile, though perhaps it was a more difficult expression for her to muster than before. 

“I am most obliged, Captain Church. Please do let me know if I can be of service. I know my skills come few and far between. I will not be a burden to you or your crew. I have faith that your direction will come with all proper propriety of your station and shall do my utmost to fulfill the needs of your vessel.”

Following his direction of finishing preparations, Ayla moved towards the center of the deck where some crew and passengers alike were milling about before finding their arrangements for the evening. She presumed that the Quartermaster would be giving directions to those on board and did not want to miss out on any information she may need to be accountable for in the future.