Left to her thoughts, Ayla fell into a vortex of concerns and plans. Potential dangers arose in her mind that she attempted to abate with preemptive problem solving. Some of the complications she anticipated would circle back to swallow her more positive thoughts like a snake eating its own tail. She became flustered and distracted.

The poise Ayla had carried herself with thus far cracked for a moment. Caught in the storm of her own emotions, she retreated to the women’s cabin and found her corner from the night before. Given that the day were still active, only a few other passengers remained within the apartment. They paid little mind to the woman who silently sought shelter in the far corner. 

Slumped in the stiff embrace of the walls, Ayla pressed herself to find stillness throughout her entire being. She breathed with intention. She reached through every nerve of her body to sense the stable, albeit active, ground supporting her. Though the process took longer than was customary, eventually the refugee found command of her pulse again. Feeling drained and weary, the elf napped for a time. Not fully asleep and not entirely awake, she allowed the cradle of the vessel lull her into a twilight state of consciousness. 

Some time later, she emerged again to the salty air feeling refreshed yet wary. At the announcement of the evening meal, Ayla collected her plate and sought space at one of the far ends of the temporary banquet space; she was still not quite ready to mix among the passengers so blatantly as to sit among them at dinner. 

Seeking the last space at the far end of one railing, Ayla slipped into her place quietly and lightly. She found herself seated beside a stranger among the passenger list, though across deck from a collection of the higher-ranking crew members. It was logical and expected as far as she was concerned. It did not occur to her that the Quartermaster might not say anything at all to anyone about her. 

Her mind wandered, anxiously concerned with how much information had passed from Quartermaster to Captain. She expected her secrets would not be sacred in that regard but felt no ill-will to either party. In keeping smooth operations aboard the ship, Ayla knew that the Captain must be well-informed of any discoveries made by his crew. She supposed that this meal might be her opportunity to evaluate Captain Church’s sentiments on her identity.