Patricia
"Your beautiful *What?*" **Puzzled, Mercy giggled at the name.** "Oh I see, that's her." **She gesticulated at the ship, with a nudge of her head.** "Beautiful... She's marvelous and I'm sure she's able to accommodate us both, right?"

**A wave of relief washed over her nerves, she was thankful for having self-control within the moment where she contemplated drawing her rapier and subduing him quickly. By the look of him... He didn't appear helpless, nor intimidated. If Mercy wanted anything out of this encounter, she needed to be patient. She noted his demeanor, especially the hand which seemed ready to wield a deadly tool against her.**

**Slowly, Mercy lowered her hands in order to unbuckle her belt, in a few flashy hand maneuvers the utility piece came off, the scabbard and corresponding rapier dangling with it. Then, Mercy carefully went over to the stranger to hand it right over without a hassle.** "If surrending my beloved rapier means I'll get to escape this..."

**Mercy paused, turning her head around to glance at the land behind them, and sigh. She was clearly troubled about her sentiments here, of the Empire.** "...Let's just say I've had nothing but trials and tribulations here, and I'm eager to leave it. What do you say stranger?"
Jeffery
*He made no further comment on the name of his vessel, seeing as the strange name would confuse anyone who did not know the language, though that was a matter he allowed to slip back into the recesses of his mind. Though he nodded at the final comment.* "She's able to hold up to four in the cabin with enough comfort to ward off insanity." *He put simply. The entire span of the ship was about perhaps the size of decently sized home. For simple voyages in shallow waters, and mobility up rivers. Small enough for Nikau to man and have access in-land, but large enough for extended trips. Which he usually took.* 

*He planned on treating this like any other ferry job. Have a passenger on board for a while until they decide to depart, the usual. Happy to see her comply when she removed her sword belt. Releasing his grip on his own hilt he nodded his thanks and tossed the belt and sword over his shoulder. The blade over his back and out of supposed reach.* "It won't go anywhere, we'll see if you get it back." *Was all he said, before letting her go on.* 

*Glancing to the land among the sea he nodded slowly, tapping his booted foot against the sand.* "I see. Too long in one place I presume. I know the feeling exactly, lass. Though for all I know you could be on the run after murdering a baron." *He said with a small laugh, before shaking his head.* "Not a concern until the time comes." 

*Finally he reached out his hand in greeting, his palms rough and callused from their constant friction against ropes and pulleys.* "My name is Nikau."
Patricia
"Hmhmhm, well you're charming, Nikau." **She'd comment with a humming chortle, then reach out to meet his hand with hers. Once they joined, Mercy's grip was rather lax, lacking strength on her end. Unlike Nikau's callus palm, Mercy's was what most would typically expect from a woman; a soft, feminine ardor, and if she gets close enough, Nikau might be able to pick up the scent of pleasant aromatics, ones she used on herself when bathing in streams or ponds. The fragrance was lavender-ish, with a hint of unpleasant must, that of unclean clothes.**

"I'm Mercy. Where did you come from, huh? This is the South-Eastern coast, so I presume... Dezabia." **Without further ado, Mercy began to step further up the ramp, tempted to enter the ship without him. Turning around, she faced him, having gone behind and stood there with her arms crossed. Still, she offered mutually amiable expression.**

**She waited for his response, or an indication from him that allowed her to enter the ship, or perhaps assist in any way.**
Jeffery
*He smiled at the compliment.* "Oh no you've just caught me on a good day, lass. The wide open sea and a ready mind- along with some sort of candles I bought off some elf merchant. Supposed to relax the mind..." *He said, trailing off with a chuckle. She returned his handshake, and he took the moment to observe a bit closer. She wasn't one of the few forester women Nikau came across- hardly a job for a lady though they were out there. She kept herself in a clean manner, her hands smooth and expression not gnarled. Skin not grimy. She was a Macen of course at first glance, like Nikau, though what type was the question. Perhaps he would figure out soon enough if she was on board. Having another with him made the trips and chores much easier.* 

*With him she would find the smell of sea all over his body and sailing clothes. A bit of dirt smudged around his hands and a bit under his eye where he may have wiped it. Faded face paint still noted. His longer brown hair was tied loosely back into a sort of bun with wooden pins, but well combed. His eyes constantly seeming to scan every detail of the world, pale green in color as if the ocean itself was trapped within them. With every grin he seemed to be missing one tooth near the forefront, though they were kept from rotting with a bit of brushing from sage and salt. An old stereotype that traveling sailors valued their smiles when wooing women of foreign lands. Small stubble of facial hair also dotted the lower portion of his face.* 

*He eyed her as she stepped farther up the ramp. But made no move towards her. Instead he once more grabbed the bucket, from her angle she could see he was slowly treating every ten liters with a spell. Before dumping it into the barrels lined with treated leathers to prevent direct rotting contact with the wood and affect the water's cleanliness. Speaking as he set back to work.* 

"Close, Mercy, I've just come from the city of Kal. Same direction though. Following the trade winds."

*He paused, swatting at a bug in the air.* "Then I visited Shasaek just north of here. Finished a job. And now we are pitched south, back towards the Straits." *Nikau turned and nodded up the ramp.* "Why don't you go meet the ship." *He put plainly. He held confidence in this move, his system being traditional to his people alone no one would figure it out in these lands. So he didn't worry about his ship being stolen. Besides, the more he checked away the more safe this situation seemed. The weight of Mercy's rapier over his back also allowed him to stay assured.*