[Daebru is 15, this short bit takes place shortly before Daebru's 16th birthday]

Daebru made his way to the docks of Avernai. The seabreeze brushing his bangs back from his face. Voices rose up around him as he closed his eyes, drowning them out for a few moments to listen to the sea. "Beautiful isn't shay?" a sultry voice spoke softly by his ear.

Quickly turning Daebru found himself looking up at a young man, windswept brown hair, deep steely blue eyes that could pierce his soul, "I'm sorry?" he questioned with the tilt of his head.

"The sea," the man nodded out towards the ocean, "I'm surprised ta see such a fine lady this close ta her without an escort though" his tone was rich, from the isles by the sound of his accent. (Irish/Scottish)

"I'm not as fine as lady as you think," Daebru looked away from the man, scanning the crowd as thoughts of rumors about himself swirled in his head, harlot, a pricy whore at best ... why is this my cover? He let out a sigh, "Now if you'll excuse me I need to find someone."

"Perhaps I could help?" the man leaned forward a bit, cutting into Daebru's view, "I know just about everyone that comes into this port."

"Is that so?" He looked back to the young man, "I suppose it couldn't hurt, and if you're as knowledgeable as you say, you could be quite useful to me," he gave a soft smile.

"Timothy Vanguard, at your service then mi lady," Timothy then gave a slight bow and took Daebru's hand to kiss the back of it.

"Vanguard? You are related to Captain Vanguard then?"

Timothy smirked as he stood up, "I am Captain Vanguard. I suppose that makes you the Lady Haaru?"

"I ... I was expecting someone older, apologies" he gently tried to pull his hand back from the man, but the man tightened his grip slightly.

"Come, we can talk on my ship," he pulled Daebru closer then, "the information you seek is not something that can be talked about openly" the other whispered to him.

"Have a seat" Timothy gestured around the captain's quarters, "anywhere you're comfortable"

Daebru glanced at the bed as he made his way over to one of the chairs by the desk, "thank you. About this information you're offering up...?"

Timothy waved a hand through the air, as he poured himself a drink "Whiskey?"

"I ..."

"It won't hurt you any, and I won't tell anyone you went against being a lady by drinking it" he smiles, so handsome...

"Alright, I suppose a drink wouldn't hurt"

"That's the spirit!" Timothy beamed at him, before handing over the snifter and pouring another drink for himself, "The business uses various ships, but there's a few mates on each ship that are almost always the same. The ones that handle their precious cargo" he spits out the last few words with vehemence as he leans against the desk.

"And you can point them out to me?" Daebru takes a spi of the whiskey enjoying the smooth burn as the liquid goes down.

"I can, and I can tell you which captains turn a blind eye ta it all. Selling kids ... hell, sellin' anyone is just ... it's disgraceful. We're all part o' this world and" he pauses staring at Daebru for a few brief moments, "and we should work ta make it better together."

"I agree. It's why I do the work that I do. Horrid rumors included" he down the rest of his drink and holds out the glass.

"I know they're not true, what they say about you. No one that wants to save the world would actually be like that, no matter how good the money" he pours more for Daebru to drink, "You have this air about you, that screams nobility, that you're someone honourable."

"Thank you, I appreciate that," he looks down into his drink as he leans back in the chair a bit, "Not many would agree with you on the matter," he looks back up to Timothy, "When can we get started?"

"Morning, they'll be unloading in the wee hours of the morning. You can stay in here for the night if you wish, I'll sleep down with my men"

"Please don't"

"Don't?" Timothy cocks his head to the side a bit.

"Don't go out of your way like that, I'm sure I can find elsewhere to stay the night, without causing your trouble"

"It's no trouble at all, mi lady. It's the best room around and it's available for you" he smiles, "If you'd rather I post up outside the room so no ones comes barging in I can do that too."

"No, that would be just ... too much. Thank you ... for the room" Daebru downs his second drink then and watches Timothy for a few moments in silence.

"Studying me?"

"That obvious?" Daebru smirks.

"A bit, and you seem like you could use some sleep. I'll not keep you up."

Daebru lets him take the glass away, watching him move about some more, what's his game? does he even have a game? I suppose I'll find out soon enough.