(This is exactly how I am in real life! c: ) Avice stepped back. "I'm done now. I only needed to show my superior powers." She grinned mischievously, folding her arms.
"You're too good at that," he said, standing up while trying to maintain his dignity. "That's a dangerous skill."
He took a deep breath and cocked his head. "I just need to find you weakness, that's all! I can't live my life in this kind of fear!"
Avice laughed, putting her head up to cover her mouth. "In all seriousness, I would be sad if I actually scared you."
He crossed his arms, and pretended to look hurt. "I told you that in confidence! I'm not going to tell you these things if you use them against me!
Avice patted his back, snickering. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone as long as you don't tell mine."
"Ugh, I suppose it's a deal," Jack said. "I don't really have another choice." He looked up at the sky, and went from his seated position to laying on his back. Sailors often did this during the later hours of the day when their work was done; it was relaxing, and as long as you didn't impose on the work of others, it was generally fine. Some sailors even slept out here. The thought suddenly reminded Jack. "We're supposed to keep our doors locked tonight, did you know? Like, securely bolted." he said, looking up at Avice.
Avice sat down next to him leaning on her hands. "Thanks to you, I do now. Wouldn't want to be attacked in the middle of the night. That'd be bad."
"Yeah, and we're also having to do night patrols twice a week. All the partners have shifts." He sighed, and shook his head. "It's going to continue until we find the attacker."
Avice nodded, stretching her arms. "That's understandable. I mean, I would take precautionary measures like that, too if there was an attacker on the ship.
"Oh yeah. It's not illogical, and it's certainly better than the original ideas. We thought about having the partners room together, but that would really suck for whoever was paired with the attacker."
Avice laughed at the thought. "That would suck real bad. I'm still stunned that there's an attacker on board."
"It's really strange, Avice," he said thoughtfully, gazing up at the sky above him. He bit his lip, and considered his words. "The attacker, whoever they were, stabbed Jade, but they didn't finish her off, even though they could have. Something about her arm made them stop, and I have no idea what it could have been. She has no tattoos or distinct birthmarks. It's blank skin. But it caused the attacker to leave her instead of finish her off."
