Xasan wasn’t sure what the girl was going to ask him, but he looked forward to hearing it. She was adorable, the way she acted like a little mouse, too afraid to touch anything. She’d need to build up her confidence to fit in on his crew, but there was time for that. She’d only just stepped onto the boat after all.

“What sorts of piracy do you involve yourselves in?” A standard question, one that was even asked around Trove. Everyone had different expertise, and crews were formed based on what skill sets were needed for different activities. Some crews excelled at fighting, others sabotage, some mercantilism- well, he could tell her all that if she ever stopped talking. “It’s not that I’m against it. Most laws are arbitrary anyway, but I don’t particularly enjoy hurting people? I’m a healer, and I would prefer if my abilities were used to keep people intact rather than... not intact? It’s not that I can’t fight, or that I won’t, it’s just that innocents- You know, oh, and animals. I won’t be harming any animals for you so you can forget it. In fact, if you kill animals I should probably leave now-”

“Smuggling.” He hadn’t meant to interrupt this time, contrary to popular belief he could keep quiet, but she was working herself up quickly and he didn’t want to lose his druid because she’d gone into an anxiety spiral. “We buy goods and bring them to Trove, or to countries where they’re illicit to sell.”

“What sorts of goods? Weapons? Drugs?” Her eyes widened. “People?”

Xasan shook his head. “No, I don’t deal in slaves.” Life got too complicated when you started treating people like cargo. Everyone had an opinion on the matter and besides that he’d been past groups of slaves. It took him months to forget the look of their eyes. “Don’t have the stomach for it.” Contrary to popular belief, most ships from Trove avoided slaves. They were frowned upon in the city, and most of the captains who traded in them weren’t well regarded. He took off his hat and rested it on the table beside his sketchbook. “Sometimes we’ll crate weapons or drugs, but it’s usually normal things. Fabrics, foods, dyes and the like.”

“That doesn’t sound very illicit.”

He shrugged. “Well, not to us, but most Empires have products that they specialize in. They don’t sell for much within any given country within their empire, but to rival empires?” He hiked his thumb up. “They can sell it all for much higher, or if they’re enemies they can refuse to sell the goods at all. It’s a bargaining tactic during trade agreements that always means good money for us.”

Brysys frowned, mulling the information over. “And the countries who buy from you know you’re doing this?”

Xasan frowned as well. “I wouldn’t say that they know about it. Individuals do, but I don't think they’re running to their leaders. If their royalty wants something specific, then they can take it up with their Black market. I don’t get involved in any of that myself. It’s easier to drop off the cargo and leave.” Not that he’d never been involved in leg work for Royalty, but he preferred to keep those relationships positive. It was bad enough when your name and face were plastered across a sheriff’s wall. Life was much harder when an entire army was after you.

“That’s it then? You’re basically a merchant ship with illegal cargo?”

He considered that, wondering if he should be insulted. He liked to think that the work he did was important. It was certainly profitable, and it brought much needed trade into Trove. Looking at it that way it wasn't that different from what merchants did, so many she had a point. “When there aren't complications.”

“And how often are there complications?
He chuckled. “Frequently.” That wouldn’t be important for much longer. Soon they’d be on a  whole new journey, in a new chapter. Soon they wouldn’t have to settle for port towns. Soon they’d be able to go anywhere.

She looked like she had more questions, but he was beginning to suspect that she might always have more questions, and he hadn’t been lying when he said he had work to do. “Was there anything else that’s pressing? Are you satisfied with-” there was a knock on the door, but he kept talking through it, “-the answers you’ve received so far?”

Brysys nodded. “Except I’m still not entirely clear on what I’m supposed to- do? Here?”

“Oh, you can worry about that later,” he assured her as the door came open and Deelah walked in. “Deelah! I’m surprised you knocked.”

“Just wanted to be sure everyone was dressed,” her tone seemed tired, but cheery to Xasan. Cheery for Deelah anyway. She kept her emotions restrained and he respected that about her. He was far too dramatic to have an emotional first mate. “We’re underway and I’m headed off for a nap.”

Xasan nodded. “Rest well. I have some paperwork to file, unless you’d like to do that for me?” He didn’t even pause. The answer was clear before he’d said it. “No? Well, I’m sure I can find someone to hand it off to. Hazel, perhaps.”

“Don’t you have her researching for you?”

“Hmm, that’s a good point…” His eyes wandered back to Brysys who looked like she was about to protest something. “You aren't good with- no, nevermind you’ll think I’m serious. I’ll just do it myself.”

“I’ve already told him he’s not my type,” Brysys informed Deelah who spared her a disbelieving smile.

“That’s the thing about ol’ Silver Tongue, over here. He’s everyone’s type.”

Xasan was caught in a hard situation. On one hand that was as close as Deelah was likely to come to complimenting him, and on the other, “You’re not actually my type, either. Just for the record.” Brysys turned her affronted gaze upon him as he continued. “Far too wilting lily for my taste. I prefer someone a bit more outspoken. What’s the word?”

“Violent,” Deelah supplied.

Xasan snapped and pointed at her. “Yes! That’s the one. Thank you Deelah. No offense, obviously, you’re just a bit polite for my taste.”

“Is this a prank?” Brysys didn’t know if she was supposed to laugh or not. Her? Demur? Quiet? “I’ve just been trying not to insult you!”

Deelah nodded her understanding. “That’s a good idea actually. I insulted him once and he hasn’t left me alone since.”

“You insult me daily,” Xasan corrected, “it’s one of the things I like best about you.”

“Is it? Well, I should probably stop then.”

He dropped his jaw in mock offense. “You wouldn’t dare!”

This was a trap. Brysys knew better than to join in on teasing. It looked safe, but then you actually tried to be a part of it and suddenly everyone was mad at you. “I just don’t want to be kicked off the boat until I’ve had a chance to get the information I need.” It didn’t seem like it should be difficult, but these people were very odd and she didn’t know how she was supposed to behave!

They were both looking at her now, so she continued. “I have a tendency to upset people when I’m honest with them and I don’t know how to not be honest if I’m speaking, so not speaking seems like the safest option.”

Deelah looked between them with a neutral expression. She didn’t know which of them was kidding themselves more. The idea of someone not being Xasan’s type was ridiculous. She’d seen him flirt with particularly alert looking zombies. When it came down to it he was interested in whoever was interested in him, and he’d pursue whoever seemed the most likely to threaten to hurt him without actually following through on the threat. Much.

And the girl- Maybe she just wasn’t very good with people, Deelah could relate to that well enough, but she was kidding herself too. Months at sea in close quarters with people and you ended up seeing all sides of a person. Most of the crew had ended up in the Captain’s bed eventually. She couldn’t blame them really, it was bigger than all the others.

“We’re pirates, my dear,” Golden Scales was allaying her worries, putting her at ease. He was in the nice phase now, gathering up good favor before he artfully ruined it. What was it he told her? He wanted to be well liked enough that no one wanted to kill him, but not liked so much that they asked him for favors. He was good at it too, as long as you didn’t really get to know him. That man was more facade than a Filomellionari handshake. “Offense, insults, bawdy jokes, they’re all expected. I think you’ll be more comfortable here than you realize.”

“I- Alright.” 

“Deelah? Could you escort Brysys back to her quarters?”

“Sure.” She was headed that way anyway. Xasan had put their rooms next to each other so Deelah could keep an eye on his newest pet. Hadn’t even figured out if she could shape change first, but what else did she expect? She’d told him to pick up adventurers and he was more interested in the words she’d said than her actual intent. 

Anyway, at least the girl carried herself well. She wasn’t fawning over Xasan and making a fool out of herself yet. Well, she wasn't making that sort of fool out of herself. “So,” Deelah struck up a conversation once they were back outside. “Is it just the Captain you’re not sleeping with, or are you planning on staying celibate until port?”

The darker woman looked up at her with a frown. “Why? Are you propositioning me?”

Deelah laughed. “No, I was just making conversation. Do you think everyone who talks about sex wants to have it with you? Are you going to tell me how I’m not your type now?”

Brysys smiled. “You’re not my type, actually. And I don't think everyone does, but you can hardly blame me with the Captain.”

“Well, I can't argue with you there. He was well behaved with you, though. Maybe you scared him off.” A joke, but not one that she expected to land. She knew it wasn't that easy with Xasan. Granted, he didn’t seem very invested in the girl. Her opinion of the man had fluctuated over the years, but she thought she had a handle on what he was really like. He might angle for low hanging fruit to fill the time, but at heart he was a romantic, just like every other bard.

“Perhaps,” she seemed thoughtful, but she carried on the conversation instead of lapsing into silence. Deelah wanted to tell her she didn’t have to bother. She never minded silence, but the other woman was already talking so she listened. “Anyway, as I told him, I don’t tend to speak to people after I sleep with them, so in the interest of staying on good terms with everyone I’m just going to keep that to myself. Certainly, I have strong urges sometimes, but I have gone months in the woods without before and it’s been perfectly fine.”

“Months in the woods,” Deelah repeated.

“That’s right.”

“With no one around.”

“Yes.”
She nodded. Sometimes it was easier when there weren't any options available, but she kept that to herself. “And how long did you stay in the woods before you met us?”

Brysys shook her head. “I don’t know. Several months I suppose.”

“And you slept with someone in town?” Brysys remained quiet. “Is that a no?”

“Well, I didn’t consider-” 

She didn’t finish her sentence so Deelah asked another question. “What’s your record on that sort of thing, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Three.” Brysys murmured. “Three months.” She frowned. “How far is it to Trove?”

Deelah smiled and clapped Brysys on her shoulder. “Well, you’ll have time to try for a new record. Should only take about four months to get there from here. There may even be a stop along the way, if the Captain’s not in too big a hurry.”

“Right.” There was a note of trepidation in her voice, but Deelah wasn’t concerned. She’d figure out soon enough that the things she was worried about didn't matter much to most of them. The crew fluctuated frequently, but the ones that hung around could live and let live. 

They lapsed into silence after that. Deelah led the way, leaving Brysys at her door with a wave as she went into her quarters.

Deelah’s room was occupied, as it normally was, by her mother. “Just heading down for a nap. Don't mind me.” She was Vriassna today. No wonder she wasn’t there to help them hove off. “Back to Trove now, then wherever the Captain takes us next.”

She looked up from her book and nodded, that was enough for Deelah. Neither of them wanted to push the other too far. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” her mother murmured, and then returned to her reading.