Preparation and proposition

You spend the next couple days helping with the preparation of the ship. In truth, Ferra is far more valuable to this than you are, with her incredible strength and endless stamina. At one point, you find yourself beside Captain Ben, simply watching as she lifts a crate that would normally take four people, easily hefting it onto her shoulders and walking up the loading ramp.

Ben chuckles. “What a woman! I don’t suppose she has a sister?”

You laugh. “Ferra is one of a kind, sorry.”

He shakes his head. “Shame. You’re a lucky man, Nicholas. I’d say treat her well, but I’ve seen enough of you two to know I don’t need to.”

You nod. “I appreciate it regardless. Ferra is very special to me.”

You find yourself being more valuable in making sure that the newly added crew members get along well, although there are very few issues with that to begin with. Most of the people Victor suggested were already becoming friendly with the crew as it was. Integrating the new people goes quickly, and you’re sure that a few days at sea will have everyone working together easily.

Alex, meanwhile, is more notable by her absence whenever there’s work to be done. The flighty efreet instead has ended up forming a friendship with the most unlikely of people on the crew. Shanna, the water spirit companion of one of the crew, who seems to be Alex’s opposite in so many ways. Quiet where Alex is loud, short and curvy where Alex is tall and lithe, and most notably, a marid where Alex is an efreet. You and her companion and lover, Steven, watch the two of them together for a time before simply shrugging. They’re both happy, and that’s what matters in the end.

Late on the second day, you’re approached by a nervous seeming Melora. The blind seer stands next to you for a while as you watch some of the final preparations. After a few minutes, she speaks.

“Can we talk again? Alone? I want to…explain some more.”

You nod, and she leads you back to her hut, closing the door. Ferra waits outside. Melora sits on a mat on the floor, gesturing for you to do the same. The room is dimly lit by a fire once again, and you try to read her intentions on her face, but she is as impassive as ever. Once you’re settled, she speaks again.

“I wanted to do this alone, because it’s…rather intimate. I want to know what you look like.”

You look at her curiously. “What do you mean? I know you’re blind, but you seem to be able to notice visual things.”

She nods. “I’ve been blind for half my life, but I can compensate with my power to a degree. But it’s indistinct, imprecise. Victor has described you, but…may I?”

She lifts her delicate hands towards your face, and you smile. “Of course. I understand why you wanted privacy for this.”

Melora hesitates for a moment. “I…until you came, I never thought I would want anything of this nature. But now…losing my sight enhances my other senses, and hearing you, even the scent of you, it makes me feel things. I am a seer, I cannot discount the feelings of destiny.”

Reaching forward, she gently brushes her fingertips over your face. You can feel her trembling slightly as she traces your features, and you see her lips part as she takes a breath. Her hands run over your eyes and nose, lingering upon your lips before trailing over your chin and down to your neck. She’s right, this is incredibly intimate, and you feel your heart beating faster as the two of you unconsciously lean closer together.

Just before your lips meet hers, she pulls away with a gasp. “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t intend…I’ve never…”

You place a hand on hers, and she takes a shuddering breath. You smile. “It’s ok, Melora. We can stop here if you like.”

She seems to pause for a moment, then shakes her head. “No. This is right. Would you…would you stay with me? Please?”

In answer, you simply lean forward again, and gently kiss her. She shivers, then throws her arms around you, leaning into the kiss.