True Justice

She watched as he walked back to the table and chased after him, not even bothering to wash her hands. "Terence, just because I said what I did doesn't mean we can't talk. You weren't supposed to walk away." Shay folded her arms and sat down across from him, sending an apologetic glance in Adrian's direction. "We're on a ship in the middle of nowhere, and I'm just a stranger to most of these people. And you're shutting me out now." She leaned forward. "Talk to me."

True Justice

Terence smirked and said, "You see, Miss O'Teale, I was under the impression that you were the one that didn't want to talk, not me. I was only honoring your wishes."

He motioned toward her. "Tell me what you want to talk about. I'm open to any subject..."

True Justice

"I like talking. Prying, on the other hand, is another story." She smirked, then sat back, shrugged and looked at both Adrian and Terence. "Actually, I had nothing in particular I'd like to talk about, but I am curious as to your plans upon reaching the capital. Whether or not this turns out to be a 'fool's errand' greatly depends on how you handle this."

True Justice

Terence shrugged. "Honestly, the only reason why I came was to make sure Adrian stayed out of trouble...but as it turns out, I've gotten myself into more trouble already than he has. Hopefully my head will clear when we reach dry land. The salty air messes with my mind...I think."

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Shay listened with amusement. Terence thought Adrian was the one who got himself in trouble? She had to laugh to herself. Oh, how wrong he was. Adrian had been nothing but kind to her ever since they'd met, though his thoughts were definitely elsewhere. Terence, on the other hand...

She quirked an eyebrow, still smirking. "Are you sure it's just the sea air?"

True Justice

Terence's brow shot up. He cleared his throat and tugged at his shirt's collar. "It's definitely not just the sea air, actually..."

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Shay studied him with a frown, noticing a visible change in his demeanor. "If it's not just the sea air, then what is it?" She took a sip of water from the silver tankard in front of her, glancing at Adrian out of the corner of her eye. Her cool gaze returned to Terence and stayed fixed there.

True Justice

Terence couldn't tell her the truth. Not yet. So he decided to try her tactic. "It's personal, Miss O'Teale, but if you insist upon knowing..."

He glanced about the room and continued, "There's a certain young lady here on board...Perhaps you've seen her around. She's...beautiful and funny and smart."

During the time he had been on the ship, Terence had seen a total of 3 women: Shay, the cook and the cook's assistant. The cook was an older woman with leathery skin. Her assistant was nothing that would cause him to glance twice at either.

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"So... you're smitten." That ever-present smirk was back again. "Well, it makes sense. You always have the look of a lovesick puppy." She looked at him seriously. "Let me guess... this young lady is unaware of your affections for her? Is that why you've been acting unusual?"

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"Oh, I hope she's completely unaware...or we'd all be in trouble..." Terence said casually, running a hand through his dark, wavy hair. "Unusual? How have I been acting unusual?"

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"In trouble? How so?" She frowned. "Sometimes I worry about the company you keep, Terence. After all, you got stuck with me."

"Well, like you said, the salty sea air makes you act strange. Add to it the fact that you have your sights set on a girl, and overall it makes for one big mess."

There were certain times when Shay's mouth ran away with her more than usual. This was one such time. If she wasn't careful, he'd threaten to throw her overboard again - and that was one incident she did not desire to repeat.

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"I don't know what kind of trouble...Just that there would be some." Terence said, glancing at Adrian.

"So you're saying when a woman catches my eye, that's where trouble begins?" Terence asked, smirking.

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"I didn't say that, though now that you mention it, I'd have to say yes. You're perfectly capable of getting into trouble without my help - or anyone else's."

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them, but they were out there and she couldn't take them back. Despite her efforts to stay distant and stop arguing with Terence, she had started a debate yet again.

Shay sighed. It seemed to be her lot in life to constantly argue with anyone and everyone - but especially this shipwright who had waltzed right into her life and didn't seem to have any plans to leave. He was beginning to annoy her once again, and the fact that they were stuck together for the remainder of this voyage and the unforeseeable future made it all the worse.

True Justice

Terence laughed. "Oh, but you're forgetting you played a big part in the trouble outside earlier, Shay." He winked at her. "In fact, I think you were the cause of it all..."

True Justice

Adrian cleared his throat and stood up from his seat with all the ease of one used to swaying decks. "Well, I'm going to go out before the storm hits; get some fresh air, all that. Have a nice evening." He stretched and began walking out of the room. Terence wasn't listening to him, and Adrian couldn't make him, but he didn't have to spend time with the two of them bickering like school children. Or watch Terence flirt-- it stirred his heart up and made him feel pain, missing his lady.

"Oh, Aeryn," He whispered as he walked across the decks.