Jahana's song ends. She's tried to keep everyone's spirits up for the coming adventure. They think her mad for wanting to go. But given the opportunity for new experiences, she is one to take them.

On that thought, her eyes wander over the roving band that has decided to give her the lead for this particular bit of mischief. Aldan, her dearest friend in this place - light, serious, powerful, she adores his nature and his company. Jack and Adelle are new to her. In Adelle, she believes she will find a kindred spirit. The thought makes her smile as she hopes she is right. What lovely chaos they will create together. Jack is still a mystery. He seems to be all questions and eager curiosity, but in battle he's a devil. Time will tell if he's in it for himself or if he's got your back when it counts.

And then there's the narwhal in the room - Mr. Vaelion Atianna himself. She crosses her arms and leans back against the railing with a great sigh. How. In the hell. Had she found herself tangled up with a damn Aventi male? Hadn't she left home to avoid this very fate? Still, it wasn't the mate that her father had picked out for her. So he had that going for him if nothing else.

But he did, in fact, have more going for him than just that. Add to his damnable skills and more damnable looks the fact that he was also nobility and he became almost irresistible. Not that she found him irresistible. But others most certainly would. But not her. No ... not Jahana. She wouldn't allow that. Not now. Not ever.

Doesn't hurt to play, though. Could one play with fire in the water? An interesting thought. "Let's find out," she says aloud to no one.

She lurches gracefully up of the railing, striding easily to where Val is working. She watches as his muscles bunch and release as he works the ropes. Spray clings to him like a second skin. *I suppose it would be, wouldn't it,* she thinks. Then she remembers. He's only half Aventi. His features are not like hers, save for his eyes. Those amazing teal eyes. She could get lost in those seas like no other.

*Shake it off, girl,* she thinks to herself with a twitch of her head. *One need not devour the whole when a bite will satisfy*

She walks up behind him, lining her frame against his, and whispers, "Come here often, big boy?"

Vaelion’s hands stilled for a fraction of a second on the ropes before resuming their steady, practiced work. His broad shoulders tensed slightly, but only because he’d already felt her presence before she spoke—the whisper of her approach against the sea breeze, the warmth of her frame so close behind him. He exhaled slowly, the barest chuckle escaping as he tilted his head just enough to glance at her over his shoulder, teal eyes flashing with something sharp and knowing.

"Only when there's trouble worth chasing," he murmured back, his voice rich and full of that lazy, honeyed confidence. His hands moved deftly, securing the line, and then turned to face her fully. She had played at pressing herself close, but Vaelion never shied from a challenge. His frame shifted, effortlessly cutting off any retreat as he leaned down just slightly, his presence towering, his proximity tempting and deliberate.

His gaze traced over her face—those storm-bright green eyes, the way the sea breeze tousled her azure tresses, the way her lips curved with mischief and something unspoken. He smirked, just enough to make it dangerous. "I’d ask if you’re lost," he mused, his voice a low purr, "but something tells me my cousins would throw me overboard if I abused this opportunity." With a wild grin Vaelion scooped up Jahana as thou he were going to toss her overboard. His laugh deep and rich as he spun away from the railing and set her down.

Aldan watches the two playing even as he continues focusing on his work with the sailing of the ship and he can't help but grin at their antics.

Jahana shrieks, attracting the attention all within earshot. It is a squeal of laughter that follows, however, that alleviates their fears that the Caprice is being boarded.

She playfully slaps at him. "You jackass," she says, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "You could have gotten us both killed." Her hand lingers on his chest, as she turns to the crew. "We're fine! Everything's fine!" she calls to them.

She can hear them snigger as they turn back to their work. "So other than thoroughly embarrassing me, was there a point to that little bit of deviltry?"

The scent of sea and sweat rolling from him teases her senses. Warm, strong, alive, she could almost taste him. Had tasted him, the kill still fresh on his mouth. She hadn't turned away. He was intoxicating. She wanted more. She slithers closer to him, only her hand still in contact. "I have to imagine your amusement, more than my embarrassment, was top of your list. Either that, or you just wanted an excuse to have me in your arms"

She steps into him fully now, resting her hip against his. The muscles in his stomach quiver as her hand drops to his waist, working its way slowly around to the small of his back. She runs the tip of her nose gently up his body, breathing him in deeper now. His chest just inches from her lips. He can feel her exhalation - a sigh that, in other context, would sound of pleasure.

"You have me," she purrs. "Now what?"

Vaelion’s grin was slow and knowing, the kind of expression that spoke of a man who had already decided how this game would end. "You wound me, Jahana," he murmured, voice rich with amusement, "as if I’d need an excuse."

And then he stole her breath.

One moment, he was all teasing glances and baited words, the next—a claim. His hand found the curve of her waist, fingers pressing firm but unhurried as he drew her flush against him, the heat between them undeniable even through the layers of salt-stiffened fabric. His lips met hers with a confidence that was as much challenge as it was indulgence, a kiss that spoke of old debts and new promises, of stolen time and the thrill of now.

The crew, wisely, did not interrupt. There was a kind of lawless respect among sailors—some things were sacred, and a man kissing a woman like he intended to win the war, not just the battle was one of them.

The sea rocked the Caprice gently beneath them, lantern light catching in the tangled locks of Jahana’s windblown hair as Vaelion finally pulled back—just enough to watch the way her eyes stayed half-lidded, lips parted, breath stolen.

"I have you," he echoed, his thumb brushing the line of her jaw before his hand dropped away, easy as the tide. "For now."

The challenge in his voice was unmistakable, a promise wrapped in amusement as he stepped back just far enough to let the cool night air slip between them. The evening was still young, the ship still alive with the laughter of their kin and crew. There would be no more than this—not tonight.

Jack sort of flushed with embarrassment when he saw the kiss. Part of him wished that was him, not Vaelion but ...

He looked away and sighed, hoping Jahana hadn't noticed.

Jahana’s head spun, the world tilting on its axis. Her knees threatened to buckle — not that she’d ever let him see. She inhaled slowly, measured, controlling the rise and fall of her chest as she fought to steady herself.

"You..." she started, her voice husky, only to find words slipping through her fingers like sand.

"Are..." Another breath. A pause.

Her sea-green eyes, normally playful, burned with something untamed as they snapped open - pupils dilated, irises ringed with a feral flare. The sight of his smug grin, as if he had already claimed victory, sent a slow heat curling in her belly. The fact that this unmitigated jackass had won, if only for a moment infuriated her. Worse still, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to slap him, shove him overboard, or drag him back to her cabin to finish what he had started. Any of those reactions would give him the upper hand, and he’d had enough of an advantage already. No, she wouldn't let him win... not this round at least.

Charm and disarm ... that was the only way to salvage her dignity. Her lashes lowered, a knowing glint replacing the momentary vulnerability. Her fingers ghosted languidly over her lips, as if wiping away the taste of him. The touch trailed down, skimming over the spot where his thumb had lingered against her jaw. She met his gaze. And then she winked.

Turning with a slow, deliberate grace, she let her hips sway just enough to torment, each step unhurried, a silent dare. She made her way toward Jack, leaving Vaelion in her wake like a storm retreating before it could be tamed. "Tell me," she purred, tilting her head as she slid her gaze up to meet his eyes, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Are all the Atianna men like him?"

Smoldering green flicked to Aldan, then softened with genuine fondness. "Not him, of course. I may be many things, but a poacher is not one of them. And his heart is already spoken for." Then, just as her presence threatened to fade into teasing laughter, she turned back to the cousin in front of her, her aspect returning its fire from Vaelion’s kiss.

"And tell me, Jack," her voice dipped lower, a velvet whisper, "is it just the men?"

Jack looks a little flustered at the question.

"I .. beg your pardon m'lady. I do not understand the question."

Jahana's expression remained inscrutable as she curled against Jack’s shoulder. Her lips near his ear, yet her eyes remain locked on Vaelion. The mischief dancing within them is unmistakable, even from across the deck.

"Oh, I think you understand me just fine," she purred, her breath teasing the fine hairs at Jack’s neckline. "But I shall repeat myself, if only this once.

Her tone became light, taking on a note of playful frustration. "I asked you to tell me if all Atianna men are irresistible, smug, unmitigated jackasses when a jaw-droppingly beautiful woman approaches them and offers her passions? And, just to cover all my bases, does this affliction extend to the women as well? Inquiring minds want to know."

"I cannot speak for others but, I always try to act as a perfect gentleman, not as a jackass."

Aldan smiles with a grin and calls out.

"He's quite right... and even when he misses things, we still love him for it!" He grins and continues his work as directed by the mate.

Vaelion’s grin broadened, slow and self-assured, the kind of smirk that spoke of victories unspoken and battles already won. He didn’t need to respond. Didn’t need to chase. The fire in Jahana’s retreating gaze, the way her words curled around Jack but never truly left him—that was all the confirmation he needed.

With an easy roll of his shoulders, Vaelion turned back to his work, the ropes in his hands demanding attention, though his mind still lingered on the lingering heat between them. The salt air stung at the fresh bite of her challenge, but he let it settle deep, savoring it like a fine, aged brandy. Oh, she could try to slip away, to turn the game in her favor—but they both knew the truth.

He’d already won this round.

His hands moved with practiced ease, securing the rigging, but there was a swagger to his movements now, a rhythm of satisfaction. Let her play the storm, let her rage and tease and test the tides—Vaelion was the sea itself, constant, vast, and unshaken.

"You've been rather quiet Adelle." he said with a casting glance. "Don't tell me, someone's got your tongue too?

One elegant brow rose as she watched her "nerd porn" cousins and Jahana making a fool out of them. She snickers and shakes her head with a wry grin while sitting on the railing with perfect balance. She grins at Vaelion and gives him a smirk Tell me cuz..who thinks they are tough enough to try and take my tongue?? gives him a grin worthy of their grandmother* Are there yet??? Are we there yet?? Are we there yet?? whining and looking around

Vaelion let out a low chuckle, the sound rich with amusement as he cast a sidelong glance at Adelle. His teal eyes gleamed with a sharp, knowing edge as he leaned back against the railing, arms folding over his broad chest. “Oh, I can think of a Kraken or two who’d like to give it a go,” he mused, his voice carrying that ever-present, lazy confidence. “But I imagine you’d take their fingers before they ever got close.”

His smirk widened, a rogueish glint in his gaze as he tilted his head toward her. “And here I thought patience was a virtue. Or have you been spending too much time in the Dragon Realm, getting used to everything bowing and scraping to your whims?”

His fingers tapped idly against the railing, the salty wind tousling his hair as he glanced back toward the horizon. “We’re close, and I promise you’ll get to stretch those legs soon enough. But if you’re that bored…” He shot her a wolfish grin. “You could always make a wager. Loser has to keep their tongue in their mouth for an entire day.”

Jahana realizes, much to her dismay, that Jack is not the one who will save her from her humiliating defeat this round. She grins over at Aldan "Someone should!" she calls back

On hearing Adelle's voice, she turns out of Jack's reach and strides over "No, we're not there yet," she says, sticking out her tongue to her friend. "But if you think you can get there quicker in the water than on it, I'm sure that we can find someone on board who can accommodate you."

She leans a hip casually against the railing. "All kidding aside, Adelle, you said some things before we left that landed ... let's just say in familiar territory for me. I get trying to be, um, what's the word, untethered from obligation? If you need, or want, and ear or shoulder that understands, you have them."

Her posture is one of easy conversation, but her words are soft, gentle with empathy. There is a kindred spirit here, one that Jahana would like to know better.

Jack had been gripping the wheel rather tightly while Jahana was nearly. Once she steps away, the grip loosens.

"We should be there within the hour at this pace" he says. "This ship has speed"

"Soooo. What's the plan when we get there?"