Chen jumped as Elaera boomed at him, almost dropping his little bag overboard. He fumbled for it, juggling the bag between his hands for a few tense seconds before regaining control of it, breathing a sigh of relief. For a moment, he tried to decide if she had been trying to make a crude joke. A quick look at her embarrassment told him that she had just accidentally chosen a strange way to arrange her words. That sounded about right, given their interactions thus far. After she finished conversing with Galdurr regarding a performance, Chen got her attention and gave her a quick rundown of the small velvet pouch. He too would like to hear her play, but it certainly looked like she was uncomfortable with the thought of playing for Galdurr alone. He took lead of the conversation, kind of just explaining to her without looking for much reciprocation. He'd leave it up to Elaera if she wanted to keep going. They probably had a decent voyage ahead of them, so it wouldn't hurt to open up a bit. Gently shaking the weighty bag into his free hand, the songbird pin, a jade ring, and an intricately carved bullet came out. He held them out to Elaera so she could see them.
"Whenever I fight a memorable opponent, I always try to take a little something to help me remember them." Chen shook the bag back and forth, the contents gently jingling together. "So every little thing in here's got a fight or a story behind it. Some might see it as disrespectful to rob the dead." He paused, rolling the bullet between two fingers before shrugging. "But it's just my little way of honoring that opponents memory. If they were a real nasty person, I don't take anything. That kind of individual deserves to be forgotten."
As he waited for a response from Elaera, he listened to Adonis's speech in the background, considering the offer. Of course he wanted to return to his home, and to look for his brothers. But to return with few stories, no gifts, and nothing to show for the ordeal besides his own life? That wouldn't do. He'd always wanted to explore the world a little. There was so much he didn't know about it if Elaera, Galdurr, the island, and pretty much everything else was an indication. But what if his brothers needed his help? Sure, the Monkey's Fist would do its best to aid them, but to sit idly and go off adventuring would be a shameful act. Finally, he reached a decision. Tacrof bordered the Qarian Empire, his home. He'd probably be able to pick up news from the port, and he could make a decision based off of what the others decided as well.
His chain of thought was interrupted by the odd, mushroom clad individual he'd waved to earlier. He hadn't noticed that they'd been edging through the crowd, getting closer and closer. They spoke with a thick accent that he was yet unfamiliar with, but that unfamiliarity lessened significantly when he realized that a joke was being made. Although the jab was childish and crass, it was the first joke he had heard since he had been shipwrecked on Bermuda Island. In other words, it was perfect. Snickering, he did his best not to laugh openly, which would probably draw Adonis's wrath. Whoever this other pirate was, they seemed to have an affinity for humor. He respected that highly, and decided that he liked this new arrival. With a quick glance to Galdurr and Elaera, he surmised that they were open to them as well. He leaned over and whispered back, trying not to laugh.
"I've no idea, but the way this stuck-up crew acts? It certainly feels like they've had their heads stuck up their own rears for quite a while."
Lefic WayfaringWaaksian
"Whenever I fight a memorable opponent, I always try to take a little something to help me remember them." Chen shook the bag back and forth, the contents gently jingling together. "So every little thing in here's got a fight or a story behind it. Some might see it as disrespectful to rob the dead." He paused, rolling the bullet between two fingers before shrugging. "But it's just my little way of honoring that opponents memory. If they were a real nasty person, I don't take anything. That kind of individual deserves to be forgotten."
As he waited for a response from Elaera, he listened to Adonis's speech in the background, considering the offer. Of course he wanted to return to his home, and to look for his brothers. But to return with few stories, no gifts, and nothing to show for the ordeal besides his own life? That wouldn't do. He'd always wanted to explore the world a little. There was so much he didn't know about it if Elaera, Galdurr, the island, and pretty much everything else was an indication. But what if his brothers needed his help? Sure, the Monkey's Fist would do its best to aid them, but to sit idly and go off adventuring would be a shameful act. Finally, he reached a decision. Tacrof bordered the Qarian Empire, his home. He'd probably be able to pick up news from the port, and he could make a decision based off of what the others decided as well.
His chain of thought was interrupted by the odd, mushroom clad individual he'd waved to earlier. He hadn't noticed that they'd been edging through the crowd, getting closer and closer. They spoke with a thick accent that he was yet unfamiliar with, but that unfamiliarity lessened significantly when he realized that a joke was being made. Although the jab was childish and crass, it was the first joke he had heard since he had been shipwrecked on Bermuda Island. In other words, it was perfect. Snickering, he did his best not to laugh openly, which would probably draw Adonis's wrath. Whoever this other pirate was, they seemed to have an affinity for humor. He respected that highly, and decided that he liked this new arrival. With a quick glance to Galdurr and Elaera, he surmised that they were open to them as well. He leaned over and whispered back, trying not to laugh.
"I've no idea, but the way this stuck-up crew acts? It certainly feels like they've had their heads stuck up their own rears for quite a while."
Lefic WayfaringWaaksian