Stavanger Bay Noises closing in from all sides warning all the ways to die

Tetsubo was not knowledgable in the ways of the world outside of his basic training, but he had learned some of what he required through Skellige and the pale woman that tended to Skellige's needs; he knew that the lord held his family to certain standards and that he followed certain traditions that would forever confuse the beast. He wondered if perhaps the role of First Mate was an honorific—but the woman explained the purpose of her role and the gargoyle slowly nodded as if he understood.

Then, he stated: You are not equipped for such a role, which was an opinion based solely on their previous interaction, and her failure to deterr him. It was spoken of as an observation but was rather pointed, and likely would cause offense that Tetsubo neither meant nor considered. It was not a debate to him. Now that the warrior was here, he was ready to assume such a role and keep Smokestep safe for as long as either of them drew breath—and failing that, Tetsubo would take his own life in accordance to his training.

But he wasn't finished. The term she had used made him think of the pale woman that serviced Skellige, and that was where Tetsubo's bestial mind went next. He took a stride closer to the dark woman but not to antagonize (although he tended to do that regardless), and looked her over as if he were appraising every inch—If the young master has taken you as a mate, I will have to inform my lord. You are weak. Your children would only cause ruin to the Cairn line. He sniffed, he observed, and appeared satisfied to some degree. You are heavy, but do not carry the scent..

He sank back to a neutral pose and gave her the space she (probably desperately) wanted.
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