John
*Björn listened intently, his eye not leaving his objective... He needed to learn this with all his might. It coukd be useful. After a few tries himself, Björn was throwing nets like a pro and easily pulled nets in at double the pace thanks to his strength. Goliaths were good for manual labor; they're easy students, strong and hardworking. He'd make a great fisherman if he tried... Or anything if he put his mind to it.*

*Björn didn't really look back at Ves. He trusted her to let him know of any issues. Besides, she has Shrike with her anyway! He wouldn't let harm come to her. Besides, if harm was coming he'd see it miles away on the open waters, even with one eye!*

*He hummed to himself as he brought in another haul, already used to the smell. He started to empty them into barrels when he eventually looked back at Ves. She was working hard on the nets, Björn could see that much. She was crafty, nimble, good with her hands. She could probably do anything if she tried.*

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Christina
She worked steadily, putting her nimble fingers to work. Without thinking Ves began to hum a soft tune, her tail twitching behind her. She had a beautiful singing voice, something that very few people would know.

She looked up in surprise when she heard the sound of a lute joining her humming. Kip stood nearby, his fingers strumming his instrument, and he was smiling at her. Ves' ears twitched and her scales turned red. She stopped humming and Kip sighed dramatically. **"Don't stop, Ves. You have a lovely voice."** His own playing did not cease and he shifted seamlessly into another melody.

"You are quite multi-talented," Ves commented. "Both a fisherman and a bard... It's impressive. I wish I had such talents." Kip's smile shifted into his mischievous grin as he stopped playing, walking over to her. **"It's easy. Here,"** He handed over the lute. Ves took it with a blink, then shifted it in her arms to copy how Kip had been holding it. **"Right... Now place your fingers there... Good..."** Ves followed the other Kobold's instructions and experimentally began to strum, switching her fingers about to produce the different notes. Kip clapped his hands and grinned. **"See? Not so hard, is it?"** 

"I suppose not!" Ves agreed with a little laugh. She looked towards Björn and met his eye, smiling warmly. The warmth of her smile was reserved only for him, but it was clear she was delighted by the music. 

Kip left Ves to her strumming and went to go check the barrels. Despite starting late, they were catching plenty of fish. **"Excellent job, Majora. Let's take a break. It's getting a bit late."**

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John
*A small tinge of anger struck him, seeing Ves and Kip so close together. The red of her scales... It should be reserved for him... Was this what jealousy felt like? He wanted to punch Kip's jagged smile out his mouth and kiss Ves all at once. He didn't like his mischievous grin... Not... One... Damn... Bit. And how dare he hear her sing before him?!*

*He hid his rage as Ves smiled at him so warmly... Her smile could silence his anger sometimes. The red in her scales told him countless words. The red meant three little words to him. Words he never heard said but would feel in her look at him. Maybe he would buy her an instrument when he saved enough money... A present for her, a real one. Not just some shell on a string. Kip could provide much more than he. Why was he so stuck on him?!*

*A flicker of anger crossed his eyes as Kip approached. He coukd kill him right now... No. His anger was getting the best of him. He pressed his thumb into a pressure point on his shoulder to suppress the anger and stood up fully, casting an ample shadow.* "Sure. I could carry on though. It's light work."

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Christina
If Kip noticed anything amiss, he gave no sign. Ves, however, recognized the hidden anger in Björn's eye. She worried for him. What had caused it? Kip's proximity to her? Her fingers slowed and she set the lute down. Maybe Björn didn't want her to play. She didn't want to make him upset, despite her own desire to continue tinkering with the instrument.

**"I'm sure it's easy work for you!"** He laughed cheerfully. **"But rest,"** Kip said again. **"Have some supper. I'll be back."** He disappeared below deck.

As soon as he was out of sight, Ves looked back to her lover. "Are you okay?" She asked softly. "You're doing a wonderful job." She climbed to her feet and stretched her stiff muscles, moving over to the Goliath. She reached for his hand and intertwined their fingers together, gazing up at him wordlessly. Then she gently tugged him down towards her, standing on her tiptoes as she pressed her lips to his.

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John
*He watched Kip head below deck with a silent snarl on his face, he jammed a finger into his gill slightly and began to cough hard for a moment. It was then he saw Ves approaching, worried.*

"Ves, don't fret. I am fine." *He squeezed softly her fingers connected to his and kissed her back.* "I ever tell you, you're a great kisser? Let me check again to be sure." *He grabbed her and kissed her again with some passion before letting go.* "Yeah, you're good. That's fit sure." *He laughed for a moment, spotting a dark outline on the water and immediately facing the opposite direction of it. A bead of sweat ran down his face.*

 "I just... I don't like how he looks at you. He looks at you like you're a plaything... Like he's testing me. Testing us." *He snarled.* "Besides, he heard you humming before me..." *He seemed a bit wounded for some reason.* "You play nicely at least." *He gave a sad smile for a moment... Before taking his shirt off.* "I'm off." *He looked towards the water, his hands on the railing.*

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Christina
Ves chuckled softly. "Me? I'm only just now learning *How* To kiss. How could I be good at it?" Still, her scales glowed red at the compliment. She practically melted into his entrance, half-closing her eyes. She could have kissed him forever. 

She grew quiet as Björn began to explain his feelings and worry. She has hurt him somehow. She could hear it in his tone. Her ears drooped. She hadn't been humming for Kip. She hadn't even realized she had been doing so until Kip drew attention to it. 

"He's full of himself," Ves said softly, stepping up to stand beside Björn. "Males... They don't normally pay attention to me." Her eyes looked out across the water. It didn't make any sense to her. Back at the mines, no one had paid her any mind at all. In fact they actively ignored her. So why was Kip giving her so much of his focus?

"Maybe he is testing us... I don't know how to explain his behavior. It doesn't make any sense to me. But Björn... I'm yours, remember? I'm yours and yours alone." 

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John
*He nodded as she spoke. He knew she was right. After all he was full of himself. A real shit-blower... He didn't understand him.* "Just wish he'd leave what isn't allowed alone." *He grumbled a bit before listening to her further.*

"Well before, they didn't see how amazing you are. Your happiness brings joy to me. Your looks bring excitement and your touch? That's something else entirely." *He stroked her cheek with his hand.*

"Well if he is testing us... He won't break us... Thank you, Ves. But you're not mine. I don't own you." *And with that he leapt off the railing and into the water with a yell and a splash! Immediately, his body knew what to do, beginning to breathe through his gills as his eyes adjusted to the salty sea. After a few minutes of enjoying the cold rush, he swam up to the surface and looked at Ves as his eye readjusted.*

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Christina
"It's-" She began to say when he jumped off the ship! Ves' eyes widened in alarm before she realized he could swim with ease in his morphed body. A smile spread across her face and she laughed gleefully as she leaned over the railing and looked down at him.

She was going to say that it was different. Björn didn't own her, she knew this. He did not control her. She was no slave. When she said she was *His* It meant something else. There was a different meaning behind the words. She was his Ves. 

She wished they were alone. She wanted to strip and join him in the water. She wasn't a great swimmer, but she trusted Björn to keep her safe. But Kip was somewhere on board and she didn't want to be naked around him. Her clothes, though, would just weigh her down. "How's the water?" She called down to Björn, still smiling wide.

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John
*He smiled back at her and yelled.* "It's absolutely freezing! I love it!" *He dove back under the water and began to swim around, looking at the nets, the fish, the anchor... Everything down here was so peaceful and free. He wished he could be like this forever, one with the fish in the sea.*

*He resurfaced and floated on his back.* "I bet you wish you could do this!" *He laughed a bit heartier than usual. He was developing slowly. Björn swam around and kept his head above the water to keep an eye on Ves.*

"Want me to come back up? I don't know how much longer I've got with this spell." *He floated upside down below the waves and exhaled, feeling his lungs empty below the water was euphoric to him. The pressure, the freedom, the cold shock, it was perfect. He swam back up to the surface after a minute, not wanting to worry Ves.*

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Christina
Ves watched her lover swim about, her smile growing. He seemed so free in that moment. Ves loved it. She wanted him to be happy, there was nothing she wanted more. She leaned dangerously out over the railing, her tail swaying to keep her balanced. "No, no. Keep swimming. Enjoy yourself! You've been working hard."
 
She was envious of his magic and his ability to move about beneath the waves. What was it like, she wondered, to be able to breathe underwater? To be able to move like a fish? Ves leaned back and settled her elbows on the railing, gazing down at him. She felt peace. No one could find them this far at sea. They were safe.

**"Where's the big guy?"** Came Kip's voice behind her. Ves glanced over her shoulder and then nodded towards the water. Kip chuckled as he moved to the edge of the boat and peered down at Björn. **"Come up whenever you're ready. I have some of that drink you like. And some fresh bread and fruit for us to share."**

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John
*Björn shot out of the water with slight speed as he grabbed the side of the boat and climbed back aboard. His body was dripping wet, but already drying in the direct sunlight. He felt his neck slightly as the transformation ended and his body seemlessly returned to its normal manner.*

"I shall not be partaking in drink. Just water will do me fine." *Björn shook his head to the sketchy Kobold. He didn't want to be drinking, not this far out at sea.* "Maybe when we return to port we can, but not now." *He seemed very adamant about it, as if he wasn't going to let that motive slip. He was not drinking come hell or high water - probably high water at this rate.*

"Ves, I do wish you could experience it. The feeling down there is liberating! I never felt so free and open. It's been a long time since I've felt that free from the life of a traveller." *He gave her a look of knowing and smiled.*

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Christina
Ves stepped backwards to give Björn room to return to the boat. She watched as the magic wore off and the gills disappeared. His enthusiasm was contagious and she smiled warmly, her tail flicking. "I wish I could too," She said wistfully. "You're lucky."

Kip shrugged. **"More drink for me,"** He said with a light chuckle. **"But do help yourself to the bread and fruit. Do you like pears?"** Ves' ears perked. It had been a long time since she had had fresh fruit. Seeing her interest, Kip tossed a pear at Ves, who caught it easily. She turned the fruit in her hands a moment before taking a big bite. Juice dribbled down her chin and she laughed, wiping it away. "Delicious! Björn, you have to have one!"

Kip turned his eyes towards the sun, which was beginning to set. His tail flicked as he exhaled. **"Hmm. I'm afraid we may be a little too late to head back to the docks. It's dangerous to sail when it gets dark and the wind isn't likely to be on our side anyway. We may be stuck out here overnight. Do you two mind sleeping under the stars? I imagine you're used to it, being travelers."**

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John
*He looked at the fruit. It bothered him how it was filled with juice but no meat... He hadn't seen a fruit before.* "What is it...?" *He looked confused at the greenish item.*

*Björn turned to Kip.* "No. It is best for us to return to shore now then. I'd much prefer to be back in the Tavern." *Something was spooking Björn, something primal at the back of his mind. Surrounded by nothing but ocean for miles in either direction, himself and Ves stuck with Kip all night, his perverted smile made him feel sick.*

"Surely we can make it back in time. I don't want to be out here at night. Not one bit." *He shook his head and was concrete in his demands.*

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Christina
"It's called a pear. It's very sweet and juicy. Really good. Try it, Björn," Ves insisted with a smile. She took another bite and sighed happily. It had been quite some time since she had had any fresh fruit. Where had Kip managed to find some? Maybe Broughton had an orchard somewhere.

Kip tilted his head a bit. **"Sorry Majora, I don't control the wind. There isn't a breeze strong enough to move the ship right now. And I'm not going to risk my only means of survival because you want a comfortable bed to sleep in. Perhaps if we had gotten an earlier start, we would have been done sooner. Yet here we are."**

Ves looked between the two males, her tail twitching in agitation. She didn't like the disagreement and she didn't understand it. Yes, Kip wasn't good company, and yes, she would have preferred the safety of the tavern. But it was also kind of exciting to sleep beneath the stars on a boat. Ves looked up at Björn with worry in her eyes.

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John
*His face became cold as he stared down Kip. The tension was so thick an Orc would be seen as clever by its standards... A low grumble came from his chest and neck, the veins in his hands pulsed. Both telltale sighs to Ves that Björn was about to explode.* "Perhaps if you hadn't decided to drink us into a ditch yesterday, we wouldn't be in this situation now would we?" *He spat at the Kobold before taking a deep breath... And biting down hard on his hand, leaving a sore indentation... Gods, he loved that feeling.*

"...Infact, this is not anyone's fault. It's fine. However I won't sleep. I'll let you both rest and I'll keep watch... Just in case." *His voice and demeanour switched after his attempt at self-cannibalism. He seemed to relax himself as he spoke, trying not to focus on every inch of the Kobold that made him angry just looking at.*

*He looked to Ves and gave a calm smile.* "I'll make sure you rest up and when we get back to the shore, maybe I can teach you to swim! I'm just learning as I go but I'm sure you'd be better." *He gave a reassuring smile and rubbed her head a little, taking her green pear and biting into it... He didn't know what to make of the taste and just sat with the chunk he bit just resting in his mouth as he handed it back to Ves.*

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Christina
Ves was getting more nervous by the second. The tension was thick and she could tell that Björn was about to lose his temper. There was rage in the Goliath's eyes. His patience with Kip was running thin and Ves feared the worst.

Kip, for his part, glared up at Björn with a fierceness in his gaze. **"No one forced you to drink,"** He snarled in response. Then he shrugged. **"Keep watch then. Though for what exactly, I guess I'll never know. Now if you'll excuse me,"** He growled as he picked up his lute and returned below deck.

Ves exhaled slowly, relieved that nobody had gotten hurt in the exchange. She peered up at Björn with a curious look. "I'd like that... But Björn? What are you worried about?" She lowered her voice to a whisper. "There aren't any Orcs out here and you can handle Kip easily. I think it's safe... It's safe, right?"

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John
*He looked at his hands shaking and felt his rage bubbling inside of him. He had to stop himself from growling as Ves approached.* "I'm... Fine... No I'm not fine. I need to let lose, he is getting on my dick!" *He threw his arms up in anger for a moment before sitting down crosslegged.* "That slimy little shit is trying to get a rise from me. And I don't exactly want to add murderer to the list of crimes." *He shook his head and sighed.*

*His hand looked sore from where he bit it yet he still felt rage. He needed to calm down somehow yet knew no way.*" I know there aren't Ves... I just have a bad feeling. Like Lunam is telling me I need to be alert. I feel... Like something will happen." *He looked to Ves and carried on.*

"I think we need to make our money and maybe cut ties from Kip. He can't be trusted. I do not know how but the way he looks at you, the way he tries to be macho and get a rise from me, he is trying something. Maybe he wants you to fear me, maybe he wants to separate us, maybe he wants to kill us!...Ves can I... Can I have a hug?"

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Christina
Ves wrapped her arms around Björn and pulled him to her, hugging him tightly. "Listen to your instincts. If you say something isn't right then I believe you. I'll stay awake also, just in case. We'll cut ties with Kip as soon as we're back ashore. We'll take what money he owes us and keep moving. There's no real reason to stay in Broughton."

She kissed his forehead and rubbed his back comfortingly. "But do you think this feeling of needing to 'let loose' is something that will need to be dealt with? You were in the pits for so long... Do you need some kind of outlet? What can we do about it?"

She wanted to help him, but didn't know how. Violence wasn't her solution to problems. He was no longer a pit fighter, but he still had some trouble controlling his rage. He was actually doing a damn good job of it, considering Kip's attitude. But it was wearing on him. He was struggling and Ves didn't like it. She wanted to help.

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John
*He solemnly leaned into the hug and let her hold him close. He closed his eyes.* "I... All I know is war Ves. I don't know how to get rid of the rage. It comes each day. It comes and if I can't let it out it grows and bubbles and fucking gets everywhere... The pain is the only release I have." *He looked at the bruising on his hand.*

"I never want you to see what happens when it takes hold. Promise me that if that ever happens, you take my amulet and you run... Put the whole damn world between us. I will not let myself lose you too. I won't..." *He wrapped his arms around her.* "I need to hear you promise me that much. You can't see what I become. What I was." *He shuddered at the thought. He knew Solaire was nearing the front of his mind. He needed to suppress it.*

"But yes, I think we need to leave before something bad happens... Gods all the sun and work is draining. Lack of food doesn't help either... I think we need to find out what Kip keeps below deck tonight."

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Christina
She took his bruised hand in her hand, holding it gently. She gazed at him, clearly worried and at a loss of how to help. "I promise I'll run," She said solemnly. She meant it. She would run, but she didn't know how far or for how long. She wouldn't just abandon him. Not when he might need her the most.

"We'll figure out some kind of outlet for you, to keep the rage at bay. I don't know what yet, but we'll find something." She drew back a little, brushing his tangled wet hair behind his ear tenderly. "You should eat some food and drink some water. You're probably a little dehydrated, which doesn't help with clarity of thought."

It was with some hesitation that she pulled away and went to collect the food. The fresh fruit and bread that Kip had left was tempting, but she ignored it and instead dug some travel rations from her satchel. She returned to his side and offered the food and her waterskin. "Here. Eat and drink. You'll feel better." 

She sat down beside him, her tail gently flicking behind her. "Do you think that's a good idea? What if he catches us?"

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John
"Thanks... I needed these." *He took a large mouthful of ration once more and washed it down with water.* "I really needed that..." *He smiled a bit as she sat beside him.* "I think if he catches us, we are simply exploring the ship we are stuck on thanks to captain numbnuts. If he has nothing to hide, he won't be defensive. That's what I get on."

*He broke a bit of his ration off, hesitating before holding it in front of Ves.* "Eat up small one." *He wafted it around.* "Mmm, tasty travel ration~" *He teased her, his low rumbling laugh making a brief return.*

"I am glad of one thing right now. We are not separated. You came to rescue me and you stayed with me. I stayed with you." *He held her hand and kissed it softly.* "I appreciate you."

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Christina
"Mmm... Travel ration. My favorite," She joked in return. "So much better than oven roasted fish and potatoes." His laughter made her smile. She was glad he could still smile despite everything. She nibbled on her own dried biscuit. Maybe they could get one more tasty tavern meal before they left Broughton behind.

She remembered when they first met and how he had snarled at her like a caged animal. She remembered how he could not, or would not, smile. Look at how far he had come! He was smiling and laughing despite everything that had happened. It was truly something to be admired. 

Ves blushed as he kissed her hand, gazing at him with warmth. "We stayed together," She murmured. "I'm so glad we did. I can't imagine my life without you, Björn. I don't ever want to be apart from you."

The sun was setting and the first stars were making their appearance. Despite not doing much physical activity during the day, Ves found herself rather sleepy suddenly. She leaned against Björn and covered a yawn with her hand. 

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