2. Silent

You watch until the strange land you used to inhabit disappears beyond the horizon. The wind has picked up a considerable amount but you hardly notice the cold. Men move about the ship before you as the day continue progressing. It's not until the sun begins to set that Iain finally returns to the deck. Stopping before you, his light brown eyes carefully regard you as he continues to remain silent. "What?" You ask, exasperatedly, while staring back at him somewhat defiantly. Instead of replying, he tilts his head back towards the stairs that lead to the lower deck. Sighing audibly, you slowly stand up and gesture for him to lead the way. Despite your annoyance you are glad to finally be somewhere more private. Iain leads you down the narrow hallway and opens the door at the end of it. The small room inside is fairly nice and surprisingly well lit. Stepping past him, you walk up to the small porthole on the wall. While you're looking out of it you hear Iain turn to leave. "Wait!" He pauses at your voice and raises an eyebrow quizzically. "I..." You cautiously begin, as you try to think of what you want to say. "I am sorry if I've been short with you." His brow slowly lowers but the confused expression doesn't leave his face. Sighing, you turn around and cross your arms. "I just very confused about everything." There's a small pause before you hear Iain hesitantly step inside the small room.

When you turn around, you find him standing before the small writing desk near the door. He picks up the quill that's on it before quickly scribbling something down on a piece of parchment. When he hands you the parchment, you don't recognize the characters he's written. "I don't know what this says." You sigh again as you place the parchment back on the desk. "Why won't you just answer me?" Iain stiffens slightly at your words and casts his gaze away. Inhaling deeply, you **** yourself to calm down before softly saying, "Sorry, again..." Glancing over, you see a carafe of wine on a small table near the bed. You pour two glasses and take a deep sip from one before turning around. "Let's start over?" You ask, while offering the other goblet to him. Iain's eyes glance warily into yours while he slowly takes the drink from you. His eyes don't leave yours as he raises the glass and quickly downs it's contents in one large gulp. Your eyes widen slightly when he hands it the empty goblet back to you. "Oh..." You breath out slowly and hesitantly refill it for him. He takes the goblet from you but doesn't drink this one as quickly. "I suppose I'm not the only one who's stressed." You comment under your breath before taking a sip from your own glass. The small scoff that escapes Iain's lips is the first sound you've heard him make and it startles you slightly.

He leans back agains the desk and runs a hand through his messy hair. Frowning slightly, you sit down on the bed opposite from him and watch him carefully. His hazel eyes seem cloudy and distracted as he stares off into space. "It's okay if you don't want to talk." His eyes snap back into focus at your words and he seems slightly confused again. He continues regarding you for a moment before you see a look of realization wash over his face. Shaking his head slightly, he reaches up, and pulls down the collar of his shirt. A large, angry, scar runs diagonally across his neck and continues on behind his shirt. Flinching, you feel a wave of guilt wash over you when you realize his lack of words isn't a choice. Without thinking, you quickly stand up and step towards him. Your movements falter when you find yourself reaching out towards him. Blushing, you quickly lower your hand and say, "I am sorry, for the umpteenth time. I wasn't aware." Iain gives you an understanding nod before finishing the rest of his drink. Sighing, you glance down at the strange writing on the parchment behind him. "Quite the pair we are; you unable to speak, me unable to read." A slightly amused look comes over Iain's face and he slides over to allow you a better look at the writing.

With his free hand, he points at a set of characters on the page, then up at himself. "That's your name?" You ask and take another step forward. Iain nods, then stands up and goes to refill his cup. You remain at the desk and trace your hand over the foreign letters. After a moment his long shadow is cast over the parchment as he moves behind you. His broad abdomen presses against you slightly as he leans over you and picks the quill back up. When he's finished writing, he steps away and you turn to face him. He glances pointedly at the paper, then back at you. Pausing for a moment, you tilt your head slightly before asking, "Is that my name?" He nods again and you turn to look at the writing again. It's the first time you've seen your name written out before and you try to quickly memorize it. Eventually, you turn back around and give him an appreciative smile. Iain's expression remains fairly neutral as he watches you take another sip of wine. It's growing dark outside and the rocking of the ship is slightly amplified by the drink. "It's getting late." You comment slowly as Iain's light eyes remain fixed on you. He pauses for a moment before downing the rest of his drink. When he begins to move towards the door you're surprised to feel a sudden rush of adrenaline course through you. "I didn't say you had to leave." Iain's eyebrows raise in surprise at your words and he stops midstep. Swallowing nervously, you watch as he slowly turns to face you.