Stavanger Bay There's talk goin round this town, keep it down now

It was almost alarming how quickly Erzulie had slid into the First Mate's confidences, and the trust and affection she had for her almost made her balk.  But she didn't.  Instead she took the proffered compliment and let it warm her, and she nodded to the invitation.

When she moved over to it, she left a good portion free, a clear invitation that Erzulie could join her if she had the time.  She didn't know yet why the woman's words struck such a chord in her, but in the next month or two, it would become starkly clear.

"Thank you," she simply responded for now, settling in on the furs and feeling an ineffable gratitude for her insisted, if lighthearted, statement.