Odessa was impressed, that was for certain. Captain Dio had managed to keep his cool for this long, when all the clues hinted that he was usually not quite so. Side glances down at those present aboard his ship rewarded her with surprised, downright shocked faces, probably either at her gall or at the calm composure of their captain. Still, she had to remind herself that this was nothing but a bit of fun whilst waiting for the rumoured trade ship, so she had to make sure that it wasn't taken too far. "Do lighten up, Captain," she said cheerily, grinning at him. Even on her elevated position, he was almost at her height. Perhaps any normal person might have been disgruntled, but Odessa was not for she had come to terms with this little physical trait many years ago. Being smaller allowed for more maneuverability on both rigging and around opponents when fighting, and she had used that to every advantage at any given opportunity. "It was a jest, and nothing more. Why would I attack you and your crew after claiming to want for peace?" The woman cracked a crooked smile at the man, "Besides, I was speaking in terms of numbers, not ability nor strength. Your ship is a beauty, if I may say so, and I'd never mar anything like this for no reason." The corners of her words had been smoothed over by a thick layer of honey-sweet appreciation. She wasn't lying either, this ship was one designed to draw the eye.
At his invitation, Odessa painted upon her features a mask of polite apology, though her eyes told of a different story. They glimmered under the faint lights of both the ships, with the excitement and thrill garnered off this mere duel of words. Perhaps on the surface, it appeared to be nothing more than a chat between acquaintances, but Odessa saw it for what it really was. Hidden beneath the cloaks of joviality and pleasantness, was a deadly sword fight where the two duelists were balanced on a horizontal beam, nothing but hard planks beneath them and each attempting to shove the other off. Her shoulders straightened as she took yet another step forward, the plank beneath her barely creaking beneath her weight. At this proximity, she could clearly see the rough lines of his face, and committed it to memory. She would never know when she could encounter him again- the seas were as vast as the sky, yet the paths of those that traversed it crossed like the ones of a city's square. "Shall I be frank with you, Captain Dio?" Her voice had lost it's sugary tone- the usage of it having been grating on her pride for a while, and took on the direct edge that it usually had. "Even though we get along well, we really have just met. How could I trust you not to slip poison into my drink, or drive a knife into my back?"
"Still," Odessa paused, arranging her features into a contemplative stance, "I do feel bad for saying the things I did, especially after you were so cordial about it. I couldn't nip away at your stores anymore than I would kill my brother." Ignoring the fact that she didn't have a brother, of course. It wasn't lying, it was just a vague phrasing of words. The woman closed the remaining distance between them and held out her primary hand in friendly invitation, "In fact, as a form of apology, allow me to treat you to a meal. We have a wonderful cook aboard the Orion, and do let me assure you that our usage of weapons are limited to either prey or enemies. You are neither of them." The wind rushed past her, and in that small moment of static silence when all she heard was the howling of nature, she realized that her words might have not entirely been false.
Of course, Odessa was aware that her might turn her own argument against her, that she would try to use his presence aboard her ship for her own gain. But, at times, she could be a woman of her words. "I promise."
At his invitation, Odessa painted upon her features a mask of polite apology, though her eyes told of a different story. They glimmered under the faint lights of both the ships, with the excitement and thrill garnered off this mere duel of words. Perhaps on the surface, it appeared to be nothing more than a chat between acquaintances, but Odessa saw it for what it really was. Hidden beneath the cloaks of joviality and pleasantness, was a deadly sword fight where the two duelists were balanced on a horizontal beam, nothing but hard planks beneath them and each attempting to shove the other off. Her shoulders straightened as she took yet another step forward, the plank beneath her barely creaking beneath her weight. At this proximity, she could clearly see the rough lines of his face, and committed it to memory. She would never know when she could encounter him again- the seas were as vast as the sky, yet the paths of those that traversed it crossed like the ones of a city's square. "Shall I be frank with you, Captain Dio?" Her voice had lost it's sugary tone- the usage of it having been grating on her pride for a while, and took on the direct edge that it usually had. "Even though we get along well, we really have just met. How could I trust you not to slip poison into my drink, or drive a knife into my back?"
"Still," Odessa paused, arranging her features into a contemplative stance, "I do feel bad for saying the things I did, especially after you were so cordial about it. I couldn't nip away at your stores anymore than I would kill my brother." Ignoring the fact that she didn't have a brother, of course. It wasn't lying, it was just a vague phrasing of words. The woman closed the remaining distance between them and held out her primary hand in friendly invitation, "In fact, as a form of apology, allow me to treat you to a meal. We have a wonderful cook aboard the Orion, and do let me assure you that our usage of weapons are limited to either prey or enemies. You are neither of them." The wind rushed past her, and in that small moment of static silence when all she heard was the howling of nature, she realized that her words might have not entirely been false.
Of course, Odessa was aware that her might turn her own argument against her, that she would try to use his presence aboard her ship for her own gain. But, at times, she could be a woman of her words. "I promise."