They were introduced to the rest of the small crew. He wasn't quite sure what to make of them, especially the dark-haired one. He felt as if the boy was trying to size him up, but other than a nod in greeting he paid him little heed. He had stood toe-to-toe with those who were much more a threat than this youngster ever could be.
Jacaroy bid them to get settled, an nearly before his footsteps had died away Lenika had turned to him and tho she smiled he could tell there was more than a little nervousness there, just under the surface. And if he had not already noticed it, the way she started to fidget, flit about the small cabin confirmed it even before she spoke.
"My family will like you, though I do think they'll wonder where the handsome, furry man that I described is at," her smile was as warm as ever but her eyes showed concern. For which of them he wasn't quite sure. "What"what do you think about getting settled and relaxing like Jacaroy suggested?"
He reached out and took her hand in his, taking a moment to enjoy the rare feel of her hand directly in his. "They will meet him." He looked to her eyes. "But until we are there, until I know it is ....safe...." He let that trail off a bit as she nodded to him. He did not want to finish that sentence, to voice that he was probably more concerned for her safety than his own.
He was going to a land he had never been to before. He had no way to know how a 'creature' such as himself would be received. And if it went badly, it would likely be even worse for her, having been the one to bring him there, to be the one consorting with the beast. He had been on the sharp end of a spear or arrow more times than he cared to count, simply from someone being fearful of his appearance. He would not put her in middle of that if it could be helped.
And those thoughts flashed quickly through his mind even as he drew her close and shared a lingering kiss. "And yes, relaxing a bit sounds wonderful. Perhaps Jacory would let us lounge up on deck, maybe somewhere out of the way?"
Jacaroy bid them to get settled, an nearly before his footsteps had died away Lenika had turned to him and tho she smiled he could tell there was more than a little nervousness there, just under the surface. And if he had not already noticed it, the way she started to fidget, flit about the small cabin confirmed it even before she spoke.
"My family will like you, though I do think they'll wonder where the handsome, furry man that I described is at," her smile was as warm as ever but her eyes showed concern. For which of them he wasn't quite sure. "What"what do you think about getting settled and relaxing like Jacaroy suggested?"
He reached out and took her hand in his, taking a moment to enjoy the rare feel of her hand directly in his. "They will meet him." He looked to her eyes. "But until we are there, until I know it is ....safe...." He let that trail off a bit as she nodded to him. He did not want to finish that sentence, to voice that he was probably more concerned for her safety than his own.
He was going to a land he had never been to before. He had no way to know how a 'creature' such as himself would be received. And if it went badly, it would likely be even worse for her, having been the one to bring him there, to be the one consorting with the beast. He had been on the sharp end of a spear or arrow more times than he cared to count, simply from someone being fearful of his appearance. He would not put her in middle of that if it could be helped.
And those thoughts flashed quickly through his mind even as he drew her close and shared a lingering kiss. "And yes, relaxing a bit sounds wonderful. Perhaps Jacory would let us lounge up on deck, maybe somewhere out of the way?"