He stiffened. Obviously, the question was one he was unfamiliar with answering. Finally, he shrugged and sighed. "Well, my mother died when my sister was born, so I grew up with my father, but I moved away to Cantlyre as soon as I could. A family emergency called me back, but I left almost immediately afterwards. I haven't been back since." He paused, more than a little uncomfortable. It felt like there was more to the story than he was letting on. "What about you?"
Jared went down into his kitchen and popped the top of a bottle of rum. He sniffed the top of the bottle. "Woo! That's some strong stuff." He commented, finding some kind of cups to use. As he searched, he kicked a couple of chairs into place. "Take a seat." He offered.
Avice thought a moment, sitting down and crossing her legs. "When I was 11, my father died on a trading ship after sirens led them into the rocks. There were no survivors. When I was 13, I ran off from my home, after my mother arrived in drunken stupor and nearly threw her bottle at my head. I stowed away on a ship to Urela, where I crossed country scamming people as a gypsy for three years. I landed in Thicket, where people caught me for stealing money. After they taught me a lesson, I decided to stay and work until I was 19, which is when I found the crew. And, well, here we are." Avice shrugged, reminiscing old adventures and people, smiling faintly at the recollections.
"Thanks," Ellia said as she sat down. "What do you think of all this attacker stuff?" she asked, looking around. Not many sailors came down to the kitchen unless they had drunk too much the night before, and they wanted a hangover cure. * * * Jack sat for a moment after the her retelling, rubbing his thumb along his knuckles. "I'm sorry about your father," he said eventually. "I understand why you hate sirens so much now."
"It's simply a memory, now. I've learned to accept it." Avice nervously brushed her hair back. "I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable with my question."
Jack shrugged, his smile back on his face. "Don't worry, Avice. I just don't like talking about myself too much." He felt slightly guilty about refraining from telling Avice about Natalia, but the captain had asked him specifically not to tell anyone about their connection, and if he told Avice, not only would he be breaking a promise but he'd also be forced to tell Natalia's past, which was not his right.
Avice nodded, standing up. "I understand. Heh, it's kind of peaceful without all the chattering in the background."
Jack nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's nice to go back here every once in a while, especially when it gets particularly hectic." He placed a canvas over the bird coop, obscuring the late afternoon sun. "They're early risers," he said to Avice, "so they like to go to bed early."
"I'm sure they will forgive you," he said. "They're not really ones to hold a grudge." He turned back to the main deck, where faint streams of conversation flowed to them. "Do you want to head back?" he asked.
Avice nodded, walking back to the main deck, humming happily. "I think I can peg today as a good day."
Jack laughed and slung his arm over her shoulder jovially. "Are most days not good days?" he asked cheerfully.
Avice became a bit tense. "Hah, most days are average days. But today was good." (Avice worked at a brothel in Thicket, and I would assume there would sometimes be angry people that could get touchy, which is why she feels uncomfortable when touched. Just a little more of a peek into her past. c: )
Jack noticed her tenseness, and suddenly realized his mistake. He quickly slipped his arm off, and took a step away, trying to give her some space. It had been an action of friendship, but he still felt badly. There was a moment of awkward silence for a second, but Jack pushed through it. "I wonder if Natalia has made any progress with the attacker?"
"I hope so. I want to know who the attacker is so they can get what they deserve." She made an exaggerated stabbing motion, a joking grin on her face.
"Now Avice," he chided sarcastically. "Two wrongs do not make a right. Or in this case, two stabbings do not make a life." Shaking his head in mock disapproval, he stepped out onto the deck into the bright sunlight.
"But when life gives you a target, don't you shoot it?" Avice said, standing at the edge of the shade for a moment, before stepping into the light.
He turned to reply, a smile on the edge of his lips, but he was momentarily distracted. After a moment, he seemed to regain his sense. "Uh.. I mean I guess. But those are targets, not other people!"
