<div class="floatleft">(http://i.imgur.com/rcYHbkb.jpg)   <br/></div>Character: Jude Talonius (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=1068434)<br/>Location: Docks, disembarking the freight vessel<br/>Wearing: Full linen cloak and scarf, parade armor beneath, rucksack, scimitar<br/>Tagging: Penelope, open<br/><hr/><br/>Conscious of the exotic creature she'd seen on the deck the days before, Jude seems to lack the social grace to approach unbeckoned, and has kept her to her awkward silences throughout, despite her own distinct curiosity.  Not shocked by her dress, or her grace, she is rather star-struck, in a way-- the woman seems to have the grace that she herself does not... She has exchanged few words on the journey, and thus garnered a reputation as either 'touched' or 'frigid' to the crew, the rumors punctuated with aspersions toward Arrakalian girls and their ways.  Her sword, perhaps, or the rumors of their destination have averted any obvious trouble... certainly the presence of her companions was welcomed, though she knew not how to return their candor.<br/><br/>When Penelope takes her hand, however, she seems to startle and shuffles her feet like an awkward child-- though she is taller than the young woman--<i>her cousin</i>-- she looks at her with the distinctive air of someone looking up to another.  She can't summon a jest in return-- but she follows Penelope with a mixture of apprehension at the gravity of this and of gratitude for the impetus to move on.  This is fate, isn't it?  These women are family-- adopted, perhaps, but no less a Talonius than she, some backwater girl with a stained past in the eyes of everyone else.  But here is where she should be.<br/><br/>"Right," she manages, quietly observing Lynn and-- for a sudden moment-- proud.<i>They were waiting for</i>us, she thinks, and manages a meager smile, drawing back her shoulders a bit, eager to hear the reply.