Crushed and filled with all I found -
more, give me more, give me more
For a moment, I worry that he will refuse to take my hand and simply send me packing. I don't like to depend on a stranger, but if he doesn't see that I don't like it, everything will be fine. I keep up my mild smile and quirk a brow, and I do not withdraw my hand. Putting on a good front is a practiced art that started very young.
I don't hide my relief when he takes my hand - his are rough, like Bodja's - and he offers me his name. "Call me Jack."
"Jack," I repeat with a respectful nod. It's easy not to act like a queen anymore. I have not been one for some time. I wonder if he has any titles, and if he hides them.
"Behind me's the Kaiholo Port." He gestures with a nod over his shoulder to the colorful market and docks. "You're in a stretch of islands called Torchline. Main island's called Haulani. I'll give you that much for free. What's it worth for more?"
He doesn't release my hand. I temper my smile, and I hold his eye, and I all but loath the knowing smirk he's got on.
"You ain't my first Outlander, love. I know you've got nothin', so let's cut the crap here, shall we?"
Outlander. I've never heard that term before, nor had I ever heard of Torchline, or Haulani. As much as I hate his smirk, I hate even more how much I don't know. I could try and find someone else - but I have no way of knowing if the next person is worse or better.
Fucking perfect.
"If you know I have nothing, Jack, then what is it you hope to gain from me?" I finally dare to ask.
I don't hide my relief when he takes my hand - his are rough, like Bodja's - and he offers me his name. "Call me Jack."
"Jack," I repeat with a respectful nod. It's easy not to act like a queen anymore. I have not been one for some time. I wonder if he has any titles, and if he hides them.
"Behind me's the Kaiholo Port." He gestures with a nod over his shoulder to the colorful market and docks. "You're in a stretch of islands called Torchline. Main island's called Haulani. I'll give you that much for free. What's it worth for more?"
He doesn't release my hand. I temper my smile, and I hold his eye, and I all but loath the knowing smirk he's got on.
"You ain't my first Outlander, love. I know you've got nothin', so let's cut the crap here, shall we?"
Outlander. I've never heard that term before, nor had I ever heard of Torchline, or Haulani. As much as I hate his smirk, I hate even more how much I don't know. I could try and find someone else - but I have no way of knowing if the next person is worse or better.
Fucking perfect.
"If you know I have nothing, Jack, then what is it you hope to gain from me?" I finally dare to ask.
Straea
