Noe woke to a very, very strong heat and a headache. Moaning, she snuggled in her bedding deeper, until she realized she hadn't had bedding since her job cleaning the tumblehut. Starting, she sat up straight, curled against the wall, on the look-out for danger. I'm not lucky enough to find it, she thought with some humor, when she remembered the night previous.

"Oh Hulali... I got smashed." Choosing not to shake her head in dismay, instead she just pulled the sheets around her, burying her face in the coverlet. Gah, you silly girl, look what you've gone and done. You likely made yourself look like a fool. They'll never want you on the ship and you'll have to go on the catch-and-easy for real this time and oh what'll poppa say...

Vik's bed smells good.

The thought totally disturbed her mental tirade, and a slow silly smile spread across her face. He didn't even do anything with me, he just let me sleep in his bed. Awwwww... and they said Old Rose was a mean place. Already she had been defended by a beautiful pirate with glass green eyes and rescued by a smithy who was built like a god. And she'd had that delightful discussion on the rocks with Hyram.

Fighting the grin, Noe failed, and instead shrugged herself out of the bed, and decided to search for Vik, and maybe a bite of breakfast. If he had the materials, she'd make him a feast like he'd never forget; she was mugrobi, after all.

The kitchen was clean though fairly careworn. There was a breadbin with a fresh loaf inside. There was butter and ham in the coldbox, both neatly wrapped. Small pots filled with tea, sugar and an array of condiments took up the kitchen bench space. Had she looked in the drawers she would have found all the knives and cutlery she could possibly require, along with a small ornamental sword and a toy hingle.

The stove was stacked with wood and already warm to the touch.

Noe was not the shy type in any matter. Digging through drawers and cabinets, she pulled out the ham, a few pans, a small slab of butter and every spice the man owned. Looking through her supplies, she sighed, not surprised but a little disappointed nonetheless. Dze, I can make it work. Placing the hingle toy on the counter where she could look up and smile at it whenever the urge hit her, she began her work.

As all good chefs do, her first order of action was to clean her hands as best she could. Cutting a few slices of bread, and then two slices of ham, she put it back in the coldbox, as well as most of the butter, taking only what she needed. Chopping one of the ham slices into small bits, she got out eggs and began to plan for the meal. Setting up a pan on one of the cooler spots, she put a little of the butter in, followed by the chopped ham and three eggs.

For the first egg, she first, she wasn't prepared for the blunt edge of the pan, and so got some shell in the mix. She mumbled dark curses under her breath as she fished out the bits, but continued. In the second egg, however, there were two yolks.

"Well, I'll be..." Smiling, she mixed the third egg in, and added some of the fresher spices; oregano, parsley, a little salt and the wee-est touch of brown sugar for enhanced flavor, stirring it all up with a spoon in the pan. The mix smelled delightful, and Noe was glad she only added a grain or two of the sugar; the other flavors were going to be delicate and mellow with it, instead of over powered.

While the eggs simmered on low, she then took the second slice of ham, and cutting it into quarters, laid it on the backside of a pan. She placed the entire thing on the stove. Improvised griddle/hotplate. Watching it closely for burning, she slathered the rest of the butter on both sides of every piece and rubbed some more of the brown sugar onto the sides of each, the smell already making her mouth water. Next to the ham she placed the bread, the butter on it sizzling over the warmest part of the upturned pan. It finished quickly, around the same time as the scrambled eggs.

After settling the eggs and toast on plates, Noe quickly (and with minimum burnage) got the hot ham off the griddle and onto the plates. Keeping them near the stove so they wouldn't get cold, she began to clean up her mess, mostly pleased with what she'd accomplished I Only hope Vik likes ham and eggs...

There was a noise behind Noe, a squeak, barely louder than a mouse.

A small, skinny girl in a ragged dress was standing behind her, her mouth agape. Her dirty feet were bare, and her hair looked like a bird's nest. "Who are YOU?" she demanded, sounding nervous and scared, but still showing the innate curiosity of childhood. "Is that breakfatht?"

Noe squeaked, leaping away from the counter like she had been burned. She was not prepared to be interrogated by a very demanding little girl and her shocked lisp. Turning around sharply, she saw the child's tattery dress, the hair, and felt some of her heart flail. He has a kid?!?! Noe wasn't a big fan of children.

However, the surprise faded, and Noe found herself looking at a very mussy child. Who needed her hair brushed. And likely wanted food, if her question had meant anything at all.

"Um... I'm Noe. Vik- Your father rescued me last night." Sighing, she turned around quickly and siphoned a little bit of food off each plate to make a small portion for the girl.

"And yes, this is breakfast." The little girl was cute, in her own sort of way. Placing the girl's plate on the table, she hurriedly finished cleaning her mess, totally awkward in the presence of the child.

"Viktor? He'th not my daddy," said the girl, giggling. "My daddy is Ue. He'th workin' in the forge, I think. Thankth," she added, plopping herself down at the table and digging into the food with her hands. Clearly, utensils were a luxury in this smithy.

The little girl seemed totally trusting of a stranger preparing food in her house. "Vik'th great, ithn't he?" she went on, a mouth full of food collaborating with her lisp to make her nearly incomprehensible. "He saved uth too once. From the Bad Brotherth. He'th thuper thtrong."

Noe couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped her lips. Whew, crisis avoided. She felt so much better knowing that the adorable little thing at the table was not Vik's. Wait... did this Ue need breakfast as well? Sighing, Noe sliced a few more pieces of bread. Extra toast would make everything else last a little longer.

Saved from the bad brothers? That's distinctly odd. But I dare say he is very strong... her mind wandered for a second before jumping back to reality.

"That he is. Vik is a good man." Noe buttered the warm toast, and shuffled the plates and their contents around some more. Mm, I can do with a little less eggs... and here, I don't need two slices of ham... she quickly scooted two thirds off her plate and onto those destined for Vik and Ue. Although the street urchin in her bemoaned this loss, her Mugrobi pride made sure she took care of her hosts.

Leaving her meal on the now cool stove, Noe picked up the men's plates. Passing by the little girl, she couldn't help but pat the nest head once. The darling was so enamored by the food. Well, at least I still have my talent at cooking. Listening to the sounds, Noe guessed which direction lead to the forge, and after smoothing her still sleep-rumpled clothing, and held out the breakfasts.

"Ayah and good morning!" She smiled sweetly.

Vik put down his hammer for the final time, the sword making had taken him and Ue all night. They'd only just finished as the daylight lit the room. Exhaustion was weighing heavily on them both.

"Thanks again for the help Ue, I couldn't have done it without your help." He said to the master smith.

As he said it, the smells of freshly prepared food drifted in and caught both men by surprise.



Vik visibly brightened as Noe walked in, he had to admit he had a soft spot for her.

"Ah now here's a sight for tired eyes. Master Ue, this is the lovely Noe." Vik announced as he took the plate from Noe. "Thanks love, you didn't have to do that, I'm overjoyed you did though."

A light blush crept up Noe's face at the compliment, and she delicately placed the plate into Vik's hands, her own lingering a few seconds too long before handing the other plate to Ue. Running a hand through her thick hair, she looked up at Vik with a dimply smile.

"Ah, it's not a chore. I thought I would repay you for your daring rescue. And hello, Mr. Ue, ma'ralio." She felt tempted to bounce on the balls of her feet like a child, but she didn't. I'm far too mature for that. Her giddiness, however, showed itself in the apples in her cheeks. He's awful handsome, tired and sweaty, muscles glistening... She didn't rid herself of the image. It was just too good to forget. Some of it glowed in her face as she stepped forward, eyes lidded.

"Are these the weapons for the voyage?" Noe said it with interest, standing very close to Vik, almost touching him as she surveyed his work. She look down at the sturdy looking blades, wanting to caress the metal but having enough sense to remember the forge's heat. "You are a masterful craftsman, you both are." Her eyes flicked between Vik and the gleaming metal, slowly realizing that she was in a terrible position for abstaining from old addictions. Dze, I don't care right now. I might regret in a few days, but this voyage should prove to be fun.

Ue bowed low and stiffly; his posture would have befitted a Hessean man, but he had no visible accent when he greeted Noe: "Good mornin', miss."

He straightened and turned to Viktor, a crease of worry in the corner of his eyes.

"Voyage?" he said quietly. "What's that about, 'en?"

Viktor frowned and finished his mouthful of the delicious breakfast.

"I've committed myself to a crew, Ue. I've found a way to get rid of the debt to the Brothers that has all but crushed our chances to survive here. If we can accomplish what we're setting out to do, we'll be free and clear. Plus I plan to get us some new customers wherever it is we go."

Vik clamped his hand on his master's shoulder. "Its something I have to do, you two are my family and Old Rose is my home, I have to do what I can to save both."

Ue looked at Viktor strangely, but clapped him on the back.

"You're a good man, Viktor," he said gruffly. "I'm in your debt. I hope you won't be too long at sea. Daisy'll miss you somethin' fierce."

Vik gave his new little family his warmest smile. "I feel the same Ue, I won't enjoy being away but it is what it is. I don't think it will be a long voyage, but I'm not sure how to gauge such things."

Taking another large bite Viktor gestured to Noe. "Least I have such a lovely, charming lady to venture into the unknown with."

Biting her lip to conceal the shameless grin that threatened, Noe wasn't able to hide the slight coloring of her cheeks. He said lovely. It was almost too much; Noe was used to paying the compliments, not receiving them. She was going to enjoy the voyage far more than she ought to if he continued to ply her with such kindnesses.

Smoothing her skirt again, she realized quite suddenly that all of her clothes, everything she owned, was still stashed away in her old room underneath the tumblehut. It was easily gotten to, but she needed time to pack and all sorts of other things. After a final, longing look at the swords, Noe stepped forward, bowing her head politely to Mr. Ue before turning to Vik.

"I'm afraid I have to go now, to ready for our meeting later." She curtsied, looking up at the blacksmith through her eyelashes. "Thank you again for rescuing me. It means a great deal to me." She stood on tip toe, and managed to just reach his cheek for the kiss, hands resting on his chest. Maybe she stood like that for a moment longer than she ought to have, but he was just too distracting...

Finally stepping back, she winked flirtatiously at Vik and started towards the door. "I shall see you at noon, then!"

The soft spot he had for Noe deepened a little more as she kissed his cheek. His blood quickened as she winked, it had been a good while since a girl had sped his pulse.

"Looking eagerly forward to it, don't be late, I'd hate to sail with out you." Vik returned her wink and said farewell with a deadly charming Mirko smile.