Her understanding was appreciated, especially since the secrets of his family's trade were not to be shared so lightly, even with someone who's company he had grown to quietly enjoy. Thalassa was a rogue to be sure, but a charming one, and he had seen glimpses of the hidden heart of gold tucked safely behind her gruff, mysterious exterior.
"Indeed," he agreed with solemn gravity to the question of bias - or the lack thereof. But his eyes were bright in his stoic face, revealing laughter at her jest if she knew where to look.
He could not stand straighter, but there was an air of quiet pleasure at her compliments and he inclined his head to her in a shallow bow of gratitude for her words. The final steps were to grind the edges on the blades, to make them sharply functional just like their owner, and then to wipe them down with a polishing cloth until they gleamed.
The new pair of daggers were presented to the Ancient with the satisfaction of a craftsman who had done his job well and knew it. "Good luck," he rumbled to the Captain, quiet sincerity in his voice. "I would like to see them once they are finished. Perhaps we can spar again," he suggested, a twinkle of humor returning to emerald eyes at the reminder of their last fight, when he had been striving to improve his armor.
"Indeed," he agreed with solemn gravity to the question of bias - or the lack thereof. But his eyes were bright in his stoic face, revealing laughter at her jest if she knew where to look.
He could not stand straighter, but there was an air of quiet pleasure at her compliments and he inclined his head to her in a shallow bow of gratitude for her words. The final steps were to grind the edges on the blades, to make them sharply functional just like their owner, and then to wipe them down with a polishing cloth until they gleamed.
The new pair of daggers were presented to the Ancient with the satisfaction of a craftsman who had done his job well and knew it. "Good luck," he rumbled to the Captain, quiet sincerity in his voice. "I would like to see them once they are finished. Perhaps we can spar again," he suggested, a twinkle of humor returning to emerald eyes at the reminder of their last fight, when he had been striving to improve his armor.
