Pain replaced merriment as the spinning man came to a screeching halt, Aurelia's hand buried in his gut. The woman was small, but damned if she wasn't a soldier. His humming was replaced by a gasp as she walked away and he clutched his gut in confusion as she walked away, followed the the redhead and joined by another man. Was he not the one injured here? Why was she getting the crowd's sympathy and attention? With a grimace, he spit, and then took a mouthful of wine from the bottle in his hand, letting the rich taste overwhelm his annoyance.
He supposed, at least she apologized. Perhaps years of the military life had sucked all sense of fun from the woman. He sympathized, truly, it could be a stifling institution at the best of times, his own years serving in the guard were a bleak memory for him. Well, if she wanted serious, Hannibal Bartleby Hughes was capable of it. With a few long strides he made his way over to the small group and held his hand up to silence the man and redhead for a moment. Standing in front of the Nekroz woman, he unsheathed his sword just the smallest amount, and ran his thumb down the blade, drawing blood. A quick motion smeared it in a line across his forehead. It was an unofficial salute of sorts in the military, known as A Penance by name. A definitive apology in a career where actions meant more than words.
"I apologize."
He spoke simply, with a bow, before turning away and leaving the three. It was going to be a long journey, and he would need all the support of the caravan to survive it. Whether or not his enthusiasm was appreciated, he'd need them to listen when the time came. As he walked towards those further back in the caravan he removed a handkerchief from his pocket and began cleaning up his blood, first off of the blade at his side and finally wrapping it around his thumb after cleaning his face. With each step, his swagger slowly returned, and he grinned as he approached another woman, more tan than the rest just a little ways from the group, passing a woman and young boy in the process. If he was phased by her derision about his passion drink, he gave no sign, and proclaimed to everyone as he passed:
"Ho! My fellow beacons of life in this cruel wasteland! A joyous close to the first day, isn't it? I feel as if the whole of Oasis couldn't stop us if they tried! With luck this blasted desert won't either."