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When the man went from stiff (which was only slightly bearable) to harsh, the girl known as Tess looked away, blushing, and feeling with full force the negative aftereffect that her joke left. It was gut-wrenching, his tone. She had embarassed him and thus angered him, she supposed.

For something... something vague in his eyes showed that he was feeling disdain, which Tess, puzzled and regrettably, blamed herself for triggering with her saucy sense of humor. Pfft, or maybe he just didn't like pint-sized female dockworkers or, to say the least, he disliked the way this pint-sized dockworker enjoyed taunting him with personal jokes. Oh, this called for an abject apology.

"Forgive me," Tess implored using the most sincere voice she could muster, hopeful that her apology would sound sickeningly humble. The lass needed forgiveness. She needed pity. For what better way, except by winning him over, would she convince him to help her carry a good hour-load of cargo? It would not bode well for her sake if he refused; it would double her burden.

"Sometimes I can't control my own brashness. It is a fault I'll carry 'til death, so my master says. I hope you'll be able t'overlook any of my flaws you see in the future."

Future. Had Tess actually said that?

Verily, if they had a future at all, it was destined to be a very, very short one. What was this speaking of morrow's circumstance? She didn't know him, he didn't know her... much less did he care to know her name. All he would do is help her load and then leave -- or, in the case that he and his stubbornness could not be persuaded to do so, would neglect the former entirely, skip to the latter, and just... leave.

And they'd never cross eachother's paths again. She'd be a forgotten name to him, or rather, the forgotten nameless. "How much do I owe you for the crate of -- and then the sound of shattering glass brought Tess' gaze from Eronus' face to the docks, and the remnants of the bottle were seen, momentarily surfacing a thought of spite from her, Thanks for leaving me a mess to clean, Vicecaptain -- liquor?"

"Owe me?" What a startling proposal. She had never really thought of recieving anything other than another crate full of alcohol in return. But he was asking, submitting really... which meant she could think up whatever type of payment she desired, and he'd comply. What fortune!

"Tell you what. I won't take a cent from you if you give me an hour of your time. How experienced are you in the art of manual labor, Vicecaptain?"

The girl was now beginning to thoroughly enjoy her new-found authority, one such as the lender had over the debtor. This was working out better than she had planned. Now, she didn't even have to request his help. She could order it.

Rubbing her eyes in pain, she chastized herself silently for being so stupid for looking directly at the construction in the first place. She should have known that where there was construction that there would be something shiny, and where it was shiny that meant she could see it so therefore that meant there also had to be a lot of light. Shiny something plus light equalled very acute eye pain.

Swearing to herself to remember that little lifes lesson, she was caught off guard when she heard some one land not too far from her, the muted sound of jets running, reminiscent of the ship she had just spent several eternities on. However, since she had been caught by surprise her wings flaired and puffed her a few more feet away from him. When her large emerald eyes took in the sight of who it was who had come to see her, she realized she had just made a mistake. She didn't particularily want to explain about her wings.

Realizing his outstretched hand, she took a couple steps forward to regain the ground she had surrendered to him earlier. Blinking heavyily, when she finally regained vision she focussed her wide eyes gaze on him a bit more clearly, with less uncertainty and nervousness. With more sophistication, if one would.

At his thoughtful inquiry, she cracked a smile and forgot the whole formal act. It didn't seem like she'd have to be like that around him. Especially now that she also took into consideration the state of his........clothes.

"Well, I was just about a second ago. However, it seems to me that now I've been found."

She smiled ruefully downwards as she realized what he had. Yes, she dressed to her social class. Today, since she knew they were going some where hot and desert-esque, she had chosen to wear a pair of white jean capris and a white tank top, with a large emerald green netted top on top of that which was the exact shade of green that her eyes were.

Maybe it wasn't so much that that had stamped her rich. It was, however, most likely the fact that she had only the finest quality clothes on her, the capris that seemed to have powdered pearl spread over them, the green net top that seemed to be woven of some wondrous material that hardly looked like material at all, maybe it was the shoes with the white silken ties and the large emeralds set in the forefront of it. Maybe it was the emeralds adorning her wrist, her neck, her ears, her hair, and her finger that perhaps suggested a more luxurious lifestyle. The gemstones weren't small, either. Each one could have probably been sold for a small fortune. Especially the one that hung from a silver chain around Toula's neck. That one could have sold for a large fortune.

Seeing as she was some what covered in sand or dirt, whichever one it was, it might have seemed odd that a girl wearing more money than what most would make in a lifetime would so carelessly go around mucking it all up.

Blushing good naturedly, she chuckled softly and held out her hand in turn.

"My name's Toula. Toula Charneau. And what might your name be?"

"And you."

She smiled charmingly back, as she shook his hand. When she let it fall from his grasp, she allowed her eyes to follow the gaze of his, which as it were, was back to his ship. She remained silent for a while, before laughing softly and smiling good naturedly, her demeanor that of light jesting. She was amused, at how he seemed to lose himself in his thoughts and simply continue on in his musings. She felt he must have been quite passionate in his task.

"Admiring is hardly the word, but then again I've never been a judge of good ships. It seems like you'll be needing a lot of...help, on your endeavor. What do you plan on doing with your ship once you've accomplished your mission in its repairs?"

As he turned back to her, she met his eyes for a moment before looking back to his ship. In doing so, she was allowed to observe him more carefully from the corner of her eyes. Toula was some what odd like that. If she wanted to find observe someone, she never looked directly at them for more than fleeting moments. It ended up, quite often, in the people that she was most interested in thinking that she didn't know they exsisted.

"Well, in all honesty when I was doing the rolling it wasn't all in the dirt and when I was in the dirt I wasn't exactly admiring your ship."

Smirking softly, she was quite clearly teasing him in a light, kind hearted way. She could tell he was highly proud of what it once had been, and that it was something very dear to his heart. She wouldn't dare to genuinely offend him about such a topic.

From the few and brief glances that she actually did take of him she got more general pictures of him, while when she seemed to be looking away she got more minute, subtle details. So far, she had noticed his clothing was quite shabby, which could have either been because he had just been working on his ship or because he lived to merit such attire. Another thing that had caught her eye were the permanent metal wings that protruded from his back. But, perhaps, it was mostly his green eyes that made her wish she was brave enough just to look him in the eyes. She always did have a little thing for green eyed men.

Snapping herself out of it, she knew she was getting carried away. Something that she seemed to do all too often. He was armed, and she wasn't after all. She would have to be careful, wouldn't she? Hearing his words and seeing what she had seen from it, some how she didn't feel he'd attack her or use his sword against her. But then again, she couldn't know for sure...

Stopping herself from such thoughts, she didn't want to over complicate things. It was a fault of hers, that.

((I have most of Ellie's profile written, I'll submit it in the morning once I put the finishing touches on))

In truth, an hour of Eronus' time was probably more valuable than one hundred crates of liquor, but aa part of him felt guilty. A much larger part of him was glad that he had a valid excuse to avoid returning to the Excelsior for another hour, a prospect he did not savor, but he only allowed himself a small inward grin on that matter, admitting that he was deathly afraid of returning to his own ship, and more prominently his captain, was a matter of great shame for him. Still, he hated manual labor, so he sighed when he finally responded "Very well...Where would the captain like the supplies stowed?". His answer, however, never came, because a stern female voice had crept up behind the trio "Well I don't know about THAT captain, but THIS captain is about to stow her Vicecaptain IN THE BRIG if he doesn't get back to the ship he's mostly responsible for crippling." Eronus paled, and if it was possible, stood even more rigidly. Of all the things he feared most in the world, there was nothing quite like the terror that was Captain Ellie Langley in a rage. "Captain Langle--" but again, he failed to finish "Yes Eronus. CAPTAIN. As in above Vicecaptain. What the hell are you doing here?" she then wheeled about on her heel, to face Sera looking incredibly intimidating in her captain's uniform (which was identical to Eronus' only more decorated, and less disheveled) "And you! What are you doing making the most brilliant naval tactician in Alfard STACK BOXES? Do you have any idea how ridiculous that is?! And YOU!" she wheeled about again, this time to face Tess "Do you have any idea how close you just came to being ROBBED? I just came from the Port Authority. I checked the ledgers. This ship. The Spelljammer? Not only is it not supposed to be docked here, it most certainly isn't due for any sort of resupply. Check your ledgers woman! Good lord! All three of you better have some miraculous explanations ready, or I swear I'll order the Excelsior to blow the dock we're standing on right out of the sky!" Ellie finally paused for breath. Eronus just stood, dumbfounded, and geniunely concerned for the future safety of these two strangers he'd just met.

Toula noted the almost ferocious quality that lay within Marcos' eyes when he told her of his plans for revenge, that strange quality of something that seemed to have been long bound and was finally beginning to break free from the strains and confinement of a golden cage.

At the mention of his making his mechanical wings, Toula had to admit she was highly impressed. Her own wings gave a nervous twitch when his did, a slight puff of wind sending sand swirling about her for apparently no reason. Nervously, she folded her wings tightly against her back, not wanting to risk any more subtle give aways as to the secret only she and her parents knew about.

Returning her thoughts back to Marcos, she realized then that he seemed to be telling her just about everything about himself. It wasn't everyone who did that, but the people who did were often the people that you could trust the most. What had he hidden from her? So far, nothing to be honest. As she pondered this little thought, she figured that since he was being so trusting of her she might as well return the favour. It would have been nice, she thought to herself a little sadly, to have a friend.

Looking at him for a moment a little uncertainedly, she tried to weight out the concequences of what she was about to say. What she was about to offer him. If she extended a helping hand to him, what would result from such an action?

As she thought about it, she took another glance at the ship. If she allowed Marcos access to all the parts he could ever want or need, enough to build him the best ship in the skies, what could she gather from such an offer?

Looking down to her shoes, she had her answer. She could escape from the cage of silk and gold that she had been living in for her whole life. She could fly away with this man, away from everything that had ever been expected of her and perhaps even find something out about herself....maybe. That was, if he would be willing to take her. Well, only one way to find out.

Smiling casually and even laughing seemingly at his little predicament, she looked up slightly so she could meet his eyes.

"Do you trust me?"

"Ah, Mayor Suud how delighted to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Lady Charneau if your gracious husband would allow?"
"Of course, Sir Mayor. We humbly thank you for allowing us to visit your manor, it was much too kind of you."

And with that, the Mayor bent over Lady Charneau's hand and gave it a polite kiss. This was the kind of life that Toula had been born into, one of grand entries and sparkling gems, where polite and grand titles were given all around and nothing meant anything. It had been a confusing life.

"Why, not at all my sir and lady! Nothing is too much for the honourable family Charneau!"

Of course, no mention of how the Charneau business kept much of Sadal Suuds treasury well funded. Things weren't so blunt and obvious here.

"And where, pray tell is the Mistress? Surely sir Mayor she is well?"

Ah, yes. The mayor's wife hadn't been feeling well. It was amazing, how much one had to remember to play the delicate yet deadly game that was socializing in the highest classes. Butlers and maids traipsed silently around the important guests, delicately plucking away their coats and removing their shoes, as if it had all been done by air. No luxery, no delicasy, had been spared in order to impress them. It was what Toula had grown accustomed to, and something she learned to dread.

"Indeed, she is exceedingly well. Regrettably, our eldest son Markus has been cavorting around the local scene and has in fact, been sent away to serve his punishment off in the mine continent. His poor mothers heart had been weaked so that she rests deeply, but her warmest welcomes are extended to you."

Ha. This was a classic example of the high class games. From this speach it was to be understood that their eldest son had done nothing wrong, but in fact was simply off some where else where he wouldn't be seen while his mother was struggling for dear life against her illness, she being in no fit state to come greet them herself. That, and perhaps, she also wouldn't have wanted to go greet them. There had been a rather nasty scandal, between she and the Lady Charneau, one that the mayor's mistress had come off as the worser of. It involved siphoning funds, and that was as much as anyone dared tell anyone else. Everything else had to be found out by much more subtler means.

"Oh, no isn't that charming? We must simply do our best to liberate your son at once. I'm sure the Mistress must be breaking. Now, where is that darling of yours, that little Victor? Last time we came to call he was but a young lad, wasn't he dear?

"Yes, aged 15 I believe?"

A humble blush as the party retired to a most regal living room, and was served the finest of champagne. Toasting them, the mayor allowed a little chuckle.

"Well, my boy Victor has now reached his twentieth year. He's grown to be a fine man, if I do say so myself. He was just shipped off to Anuenue to continue his studies."

"My, isn't that lovely! Twenty, you say? Our daughter, Toula, has recently turned eighteen. She finished her studies in Anuenue a few years early, as you can see."

"Oh really? Well, that's quite remarkable, eighteen and already graduated? What does the little lady intend for herself with such an impressive record?"

"She has already been started in on the family business, if that belies anythign to you my dear friend."

A quirk of the eyebrows, and a savvy smile.

"Indeed it does. Victor has been studying to become a most promising lawyer, you know. His professors all say that the boy shows quite the talent for it."

"Darling, didn't we just recently start up a criminel defence practice in Anuenue? Perhaps Victor could stop on by and perhaps apprentice? Surely he'll be a most beneficial addition to the party."

"Indeed. Toula could even show him around, if it wouldn't be too much a bother for Victor? Our daughter can be a bit over bearing.."

"But of course not! Victor would be delighted to have such a fair tour guidesse to show him around. The poor boy, while a lawing genious as it were has such a little mind for maps."

And this was how things were dealt with, in the higher classes. This is how the handsome yet slightly stupid and arrogant sons of prosperous families always managed employment in the best of places, and how they always seemed to marry off to beautiful, ignorant daughters of even more prosperous families. For, not only had Victor been secured a high paying job and prestige in the Lawing community, he had also been granted courtship of Toula. The daughter they assumed was already well on her way to charming the heart of the son in question, Victor.

Little did they know that Victor was puzzled and confused as to where the daughter of the Charneau family was, seeing as he had been waiting to stroll down the walk way to their ship with open arms and a charming smile to escort the lady into his home. Instead, he was still waiting to see even a hint of where she was. He had no way of knowing that she had snuck off into the back lands of the port, and was instead talking to some one to who was most definately not a handsome yet slightly stupid and arrogant son of a prosperous family.

And she herself had no intention of being the beautiful, ignorant daughter of her damned prosperous family for any longer.

She would have laughed with him, she would have giggled and smiled.

But as she took in more of him, saw all his scars and his lack of an eye, she lost her jokingmanner completely and was, in the matter of quite literally, a split second, deadly serious.

"Just answer yes or no. Do you, or do you not, trust me?"