He couldn’t say when the last time was that anyone
had taken him by complete physical surprise. He
was usually quite good at working around people
in the confined spaces, but he was on land. And
anyone that knew Billy Bones well, knew he had
the land feet of a bumbling child. He’d miss
gauged the chair. His boot getting tied up in it
and sending the Bo’sun toppling. Right into Asha.
He reacted on instinct really. Arm wrapping about
her to keep from knocking her to the ground, only
for the woman to misinterpret his good intentions.
The dirt floor of the tavern might as well have
been solid stone, that drove the air right out of his
lungs and a smarting ache through his back.
He hesitated only a moment before taking the
hand she offered, blue gaze blinking firmly before
centering upon the woman who really should not
have possessed the stregnth to throw him about
like a doll. But he probably help with already having
been falling forward and all.
”Tryin’ not to crush you…”
"Well, that was terribly considerate of you," She laughed,
like she hadn't laughed in far too long, and pulled Billy
to his feet. Dusting off his shirt, Asha pursed her lips,
and watched the crew over his shoulder. "You'd best
watch yourself. Better men than you have lost hands
for that." That was at least half true; none of them were
good men. "How's your back?"