((Mentioned: @gloamingdawn, @valarin-sunstorm, @dicenne))
Normally the subtle rocking of the ship and the small crashes of the tide beckoning the creaking wooden frame would bring comfort. It meant he was home, even if home was always moving, reeked of cigarette smoke, and involved sleeping in the most uncomfortable hammock ever. Lately it was feeling different, though. Iestyn had made friends ashore, however dubious the word ‘friend’ was to in his vernacular. “People he liked being around” would be a more accurate term.
He had attended Owl Fest, a two-day long art and music fair hosted by familiar faces. It was a risk to go at all, he knew that. He knew she would be there. Still, he didn’t want to miss everything. They meant more to him than that. Or, no, it wasn’t that they meant anything to him. It was that he thought it would be fun. He had nothing better to do that day, anyways… He shook his head, looking out the porthole beside his hammock. He could stop visiting altogether if it came to that. It wouldn’t bother him any. He rolled over.
Laraeline had been there. It was the first time he had seen her since that awkward encounter. Best to pretend none of that ever happened, wasn’t it? Iestyn made plenty of mistakes in who to trust before. He just had to stop getting ahead of himself. Either way, getting her covered in glitter was a great way to break the tension, even if it came with… consequences. The thief’s jacket sparkled every time one of the damned flecks caught the sunlight, even days later.
Speaking of such, Iestyn had a growing feeling that Lynesse was considerably less amused by his shenanigans than others. There were a few hints here and there: her reluctance to accept the hit he had put on Laraeline until knowing the full story (where was the fun in that?) and the downright exuberance she displayed in burying him in glitter (above and beyond the call of duty. She had even glittered him once as an “example” without being paid!) Still, Iestyn supposed for the times Em wasn’t around it was good to have someone keeping him in check. Light knew what trouble he could get into with no one acting as his conscience. He laughed to himself.
He couldn’t really hold anything against Lyn, he definitely deserved the punishment he got twenty times over. Besides, he would do about anything for a laugh and it amused the hell out of Valarin. It was nice to see the lad again, too. Their last encounter ended Iestyn with a concussion, and… he had said something to upset him. Couldn’t rightly remember what it was at this point, but he realized the priest had something haunting him, just like he did. The thought upset him more than it should, really, at least Iestyn deserved his nightmares. Val deserved peace. In lieu of that, he could give him a few laughs here and there.
Iestyn wondered if it was obvious to Dicenne that he was missing his performances on purpose. He was, what, four for four now? His absence was becoming noticeable, it seemed. People were starting to come up to the thief and describe what he had missed out on or even brag about being there when he wasn’t. He ran a hand through his hair, looking towards the ceiling of the cabin, now. The performer had been busy on his comm again, talking to his sister throughout the festival. Maybe he should just talk to him. If anyone would understand—
He laughed. Good one. Why would the thief tell anyone anything? The more people knew about him, the more they could use it against him. He had far too many enemies for that.
If he was smart, he’d cut ties now. For all he knew, he could have bumped into her again. Last time was… far too close for comfort. She needed to be safe, and that meant he had to stay as far away as possible.
