True Justice

Adrian stepped over to the edge of the deck and leaned on the carved railing, watching the sea and enjoying the movement of the waves. He listened to Shay speak with half of his mind and devoted the other half to adjusting himself to life on the sea again. It wasn't hard. He'd done it for many years of his life.

When Terence began to speak, Adrian began to blush for him. His friend was being (he thought) unusually forward today. He couldn't ever do that with a woman. Be friends with her? Yes. Speak in open flattery about various facial features? No, no. No, no, no, no. "What I say, Terence," Adrian said, swallowing his awkwardness, "Is that you're being very forward." He turned to face him, trying to be playful and not embarrass his friend, "What's got into you, mate? Are you trying to make Miss O'Teale uncomfortable?"

True Justice

Shay felt indignation burn as she listened to Terence speak, along with the strongest sense of irritation. No, not just irritation. She was downright angry. "Mr. Rowland," she started, barely containing her anger. She scrambled for words that would sting. The only words she could come up with sounded rather lame, but she used them anyway. "I may have to pretend we are married, but that doesn't mean I have to like you. In fact, I don't like you. And it is apparent from your words that you don't either."

Her anger eased a little bit at Adrian's words. They were downright soothing, especially after Terence's unusual remarks. She even allowed herself to smile a bit. "Thank you, Adrian. I can see you honor ladies like myself, unlike your companion." She glowered in Terence's direction, then threw a smile in Adrian's direction. "I appreciate your kindness."

True Justice

Terence's jaw dropped open ever so slightly. He clearly had not seen this coming. He had meant everything as a compliment, but apparently, no one else had seen his meaning. "Shh, Miss O'Teale..." He glanced about at the sailors staring and glared at them. A few snickered as they returned to their duties.

Terence held up his hands beside him. "I know you obviously misunderstood me. Yes, I know I was forward, but I didn't mean anything but a compliment." He walked to the railing of the ship and leaned on it. "I don't know what came over me..."

True Justice

Shay heard the sailors snickering, but she didn't care. She folded her arms. "What? You could enjoy me better if you were deaf? I highly doubt that was a compliment." She raised her eyebrows at Terence, waiting for him to respond. "How else am I supposed to take that?"

True Justice

Terence made a face, and if he was the blushing kind, his cheeks might have turned pink. "Well...that...you see..." He cleared his throat. "That was only a joke..."

The wind whipped his dark hair around. "I think you have a lovely--Oh, forget it..." Terence said, stopping before he shoved his foot completely into his mouth.

True Justice

Shay watched with mild amusement as Terence fumbled for the words, but merely raised her eyebrows. "Well, whether you were joking or not, it's fun to watch you try to defend yourself." She casually leaned against the railing of the ship. "Don't tell me you're feeling seasick already."

True Justice

Terence jumped at the subject change, glad to be rid of the other one...however, this one wasn't so pleasant either. He gripped the railing. "No, not yet. Thankfully. You'll know when I am. I'll act a little snappy and say things I'll later regret...Not that I haven't done that already, but you get my meaning."

He pushed off the railing and sat on one of the crates near Shay and Adrian. "You know, the first time I was on a ship was when I was 11. It was the best day of my life. I had always wanted to be a sailor...until I saw my breakfast for the second time on the deck. Not a pleasant sight. My mother laughed and said, 'I knew it was a bad idea to take you on here, but your father insisted. It's a good thing we haven't left port yet or we would have been stuck.'" He shrugged.

True Justice

"Ah, well, I can already tell this shall be a... pleasant... voyage. You're not like yourself, Terence." She pursed her lips. "It worries me - not only for your sake, but my own. I don't know if I can take any more of your"--she paused--"compliments."

She listened with interest to Terence's short history. "Well, let me think." She inhaled deeply. "The first time I was on a ship was when I was seven." She smiled fondly at the memory. "I loved it. I still do." She looked out at the tossing waves with a far-away look in her blue eyes.

True Justice

Terence's expression softened as he watched Shay. Her blonde hair was picked up and fluttered by the wind. Her eyes were a mixture of the light sky and the dark sea. She was beautiful, but he had told her that already.

He was about to reach out and tuck the hair behind her ear, but he caught himself and came to his senses, frowning with shock. Get a hold on yourself, Terence...

Terence had no idea where the urge came from, but he was going to make sure it didn't take him by surprise again. Crossing his arms, he looked at Adrian, "About how long does it take to get to the Capitol from here?"

True Justice

Shay sighed wistfully as she watched the waves and thought of days long past. She was lost in thought until she glimpsed movement out of the corner of her eye. Terence was watching her. Normally, this wouldn't bother her, but his expression was strange. Distracted. His expression was softer than she'd ever seen him look in the day or so that she'd known him. His face suddenly fell as he crossed his arms. "Terence." She poked his shoulder. "Now you really don't look like yourself. Are you okay?"

True Justice

"Hmm?" Terence said, looking at her. He ran a hand through his dark hair. "You know, I don't feel like myself either, Miss O'Teale...It's the air...or something."

True Justice

"Of course it's the air. It's good old sea air. Enjoy it." She poked him again, simply because she enjoyed it. "And about that... would you really call your wife 'Miss O'Teale'?" Her eyes sparkled. "It's a bit formal. Not to mention, my last name is Rowland for the moment."

True Justice

Terence's eyebrows shot up and for once in his life, he was speechless. He hadn't expected her to say anything like that. She had poked him again, all the while looking at him with those enchanting blue eyes of hers.

He shook his head, tearing his gaze away from her eyes. "Will you quit poking me, Mrs. Rowland?" He grabbed her hand before she could poke him again.

True Justice

Shay gasped when Terence grabbed her hand, and let out a laugh that was a mix of indignation and amusement. "You seem to be getting a little forward, eh, Mr. Rowland?"

She smirked when he asked her to stop poking him. She wrenched her hand out of his grasp and poked him again. "No. I will not."

True Justice

"I've already been accused of being forward. You, however, are guilty of the same crime, my dear." Terence said, chuckling as she pulled her hand from his.

Terence rolled his eyes when she poked him again. "Don't push me, Shay." Terence said, giving her a silent challenge with his brown eyes.