Sarah paused just outside, indiscision rit large on her lovely face.  Her companions, the daughters and sons of other noble houses she once knew quite well, hardly seem to notice, so busy in their playful discussion of her 'dreadful' fate.<br/><br/><em>It's always the same.</em>Sarah thought with a sigh.<em>This 'show Yrysriac a good time before she head off into the unknown again.' is just an excuse for another party.</em><br/><br/>She could understand it... a young noble's life, especially for the second or third born, could be deadly dull. And there was SO much time to fill until your uncle, or father, or someone important in the family died and you might have real work.<br/><br/>It was why she had joined the academy, studying Xenos for a lark.<br/><br/>It was why she was still alive.<br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://www.crimsonvision.net/images/comic-tallmara.jpg)</div>Sighing, she turned to the one girl who she still considered her friend, even after nearly 200 years.  "Corana, thank you for suggesting this... but I think it's time I left.  I can see my captain in there, and I'd better do what I can to keep him from getting sloshed... or stabbed before we depart in the morning."<br/><br/>The gold haired waif, dressed in 'dock workers' garb that probably cost a thousand times an average dock workers salary, glanced into the pub with some apprehension.  "Are you sure Sarah?  I've told you, you can always..."<br/><br/>Sarah smiled and hugged her friend, forestalling the offer.  "I know.  Stay with you.  Marry that cousin of yours.  Settle down.  Settle for..."<br/><br/>Her words trail off, they've had the discussion a hundred times before.  "No.  I'm going to restore my family's name.  Our place.  I've already got the largest share in the Aquairre's escort, I've been promoted to Cheif Helmsman on board... the Captain's noticed my talent... I've finally got a chance to make my fortune."<br/><br/>The other girl nods slowly.  "You never were this stubborn in school, Sarah... but I can see you are determined.  Well, I wish you well."<br/><br/>Sarah hugged Corana one more time, then slipped away, her grey shipsuit blending into the shadows as she heads into the pub.