<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/uaGvhZz.png)</div>With light just barely sneaking in through a narrow crack in the roof, it was undeniably daytime. It wasn't the pesky ray of light that woke her up though, it was the sound of rustling clothes. Pieces of metal being tacked back together, straps being tightened and the clicking of boots.<br/><br/><strong>"Leaving already?"</strong>Aeryn's eyes were still blurry, she hadn't bothered turning over to see what was going on either for that sake.<br/>"Mhm."<br/><br/>Some response from someone who'd guaranteed kept half the slums awake throughout the night.<br/><br/><strong>"What's it this time, a princess guarded by a dragon on the other side of the continent? An evil archwizard turning commoners to frogs?"</strong>Aeryn groaned, loudly, and rolled over to face the half-dressed figure standing a few steps away.<br/><br/>"Dinner."<br/><strong>"Huh."</strong>Was it that late already? Time sure flew by. Rolling over to her back, she stretched out to the point her joints started popping, her hips were in the air and her arms hit the back wall.<strong>"Had fun?"</strong>Aeryn asked when she fell back down. Her voice was still tinted with sleepiness but crystal clear as ever. What little decency she had of attire fell off when she stretched, not that she cared. A rogue wave sent the neighboring ships creaking against her own, muting the answer. Seeing Cailyn nod her head while talking was good enough though. Aeryn decided to sit up as well, and pulled herself back, against the far back wall of the boat cabin. Her hands moved up behind her head for a tiny bit of comfort. "Thought about getting a new boat?" Cailyn asked while pulling on her gloves. It made it look like dinner had a five foot horn and was charging into a market rather than a plate.<strong>"Are you proposing?"</strong>She got a cheap laugh out of Cailyn, Aeryn laughed a little as well.<strong>"Nah, not anytime soon. Better things to spend money on."</strong><br/><br/>"Mhm," Cailyn's response was hollow, maybe a little condescending.<strong>"Oh come on you're no better!"</strong>She wasn't angry about it though, if anything she kicked it up a little just for the effect of humor. "I'm not proud of it though," Cailyn responded, Aeryn could spot the smile forcing its way forward in the corner of her mouth though.<strong>"Moralist. Prostitutes need to eat too you know."</strong><br/><br/>After that, they both just enjoyed the silence for a little while. Aeryn's eyes kept darting over Cailyn's frame as she pulled on the last few pieces of armor. A proper knight in shining armor, she felt like a vagabond in comparison - And maybe she was. She really had that "Everything is fine, because I'm here!" vibe written all over her. Tall, strong, confident, with golden hair that waved with the wind. Maybe it was wrong to feel envious of it, she'd done her share of good deeds as well, though valiance seemed to be on the same line as pay.<br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(https://i.imgur.com/0oHIplj.png)</div>"Heading out again soon?" Cailyn eventually asked while working on the cape. Aeryn pulled herself out of the bed and stepped over to help her put it on.<strong>"Not sure. I have enough saved up to manage for a while, so I'm thinking I'll take it slow for a bit."</strong>Cailyn nodded. Aeryn managed to get the cape attached on one side and moved on to the other. "Sure you don't want to join us? We're heading out the day after tomorrow."<br/><strong>"Yeah, I'm sure."</strong>It felt like she'd inconvenienced Cailyn's party more than anything the last time she'd joined her. While she still got along well with Cailyn, she couldn't say the same for the rest of her party. At least Cailyn respected her wish and left it at that. As an extra grace, Aeryn pulled up Cailyn's collar a little to cover up a few marks from the night before.<br/><br/>With Cailyn getting ready to leave, gathering up the few things she'd brought with in a satchel, Aeryn rummaged her own clothes.<strong>"This'll do..."</strong>she muttered as she found some beige pants and a cream shirt. Looked like she was straight out of a potato field, but she didn't want to dirty her nicer clothes. While she was over there, she decided to check her neck too with a small, cracked mirror.<strong>"That bad huh,"</strong>she again muttered as she inspected the red marks around her throat.<br/><br/>"Well you<em>did</em>ask me to choke you. Several times." Cailyn shot back while Aeryn pulled her fingers over the marks. "Honestly, I was getting worried I might kill you a few times," she added. Aeryn chuckled a little and put back the mirror. Pants were stepped into and the shirt was pulled on.<strong>"I think you'd know,"</strong>Aeryn said in return. Cailyn shook her head as though Aeryn was a complete fool.<strong>"Want a boost?"</strong>Cailyn nodded, and they headed out.<br/><br/>"See you around, Aeryn." Cailyn stepped up to the side of the small boat, sandwiched between two far taller ones making getting out a little difficult. Aeryn didn't have much trouble getting in and out, so she hadn't bothered setting up a ladder. Instead, she offered her hands to Cailyn and pushed her up to the point where Cailyn could grab on to the side of the next boat in line. She gave a small wave, Cailyn waved back, and they split off.<br/><br/><strong>"Guess I should go something to drink,"</strong>she said to herself and went the opposite direction, jumping against the side of the boat so she could reach the railing and pulling herself up.