[Aynia]

Aynia entered the cabin and assessed the room. It was larger than she was expecting. The bed and cot were made up to look very luxurious and the floor had a beautiful woven rug to help with the noise, as well as turquoise tapestries hung on the wall. The roll top desk was heavy and made of a dark wood, studded with silver handles on each of it's ornate drawers. Off to the side of the desk she spied their stack of trunks. Over in the corner opposite of the stack of luggage was a wooden dressing screen with what looked to be a table for a wash basin behind it.

Both of the women gave a curtsy to the Lord Captain as she bid her farewell and turned towards each other. Aynia walked over to the bed and sat down with a sigh. Maeni got busy with opening the trunks and laying out what they would need for the rest of the afternoon and evening. She laid out an outfit for Aynia consisting of a thigh length dark blue tunic over soft brown breeches. She laid out a pair of boots, a wide leather belt and a green and blue delicately embroidered overcoat. She found the outfit absolutely puzzling for someone of her stature, the Queen of the Warren. She supposed that being the Queen meant you were able to wear what you wanted, even if it were a pair of breeches and leather boots.

Aynia watched Maeni as she worked to unpack what was needed out of each trunk, putting supplies into the roll top desk and laying out her clothes for the rest of the day. Her face softened and she sighed again without thinking. Her companion took notice and stopped what she was doing to turn towards her. "Is anything the matter, my Queen?" She hesitated for a moment before she added in, "Besides the obvious stresses, of course." Aynia looked a bit sheepish at being caught but decided to voice her thoughts. She sat up a little straighter and looked at Maeni more seriously. "Do you ever tire of accompanying me everywhere? Of being my right hand? I am sure that it must be exhausting and you take so little time to yourself."

The other woman inhaled slowly, containing her exasperation completely, keeping a neutral yet interested face as she listened to the same concerns for what had to be the 50th time now. She knew that Aynia was well meaning, but she was happy with her place. It was... stable for all accounts and purposes. She had heavy responsibilities, but she knew that her position in Court and her service to Aynia were honours bestowed upon her and she endeavoured to go above requirements for each of her duties. When she reached her position as handmaiden to her Queen, she never dreamed of anything more. She was raised for a life of service, and service made her feel needed, and as though she were making contributions to the Warren. She snapped out of her daze during Aynia's spiel and replied with her usual defence. "My Queen, I am happy to have my position as your handmaiden. It is a great honour. I don't need much time to myself, no I am not in need of a partner, and no, I do not fear my life to be wasting away here at your side." She met Aynia's eyes and smirked devilishly. "Besides, you and your adventures are never dull, they provide me with almost as much excitement and emotion as my heart can take."

Aynia grinned as she picked up her outfit, turning to allow Maeni to loosen the laces on the back of her bodice, and continued. "Ah, you see almost means that there is yet more room for excitement and emotion!" She disappeared behind the screen to change. Maeni simply shook her head with a small chuckle to herself and resumed her duties.

Aynia emerged from behind the screen in her more seaworthy appropriate clothing. "I do believe I shall wander the ship, get my bearings as much as I can. If you'd like you can join me, or you can go your own way and enjoy your afternoon." Maeni thought for a moment and decided she could use the fresh air. "I believe I may just join you. The ocean air can only do me good. I don't want to stay cooped up in the cabin the entire way."

The two walked together to the deck and over to the rail overlooking the harbour getting farther and farther away as they sailed into the open ocean. Maeni suddenly felt a slap on her back and jumped as Aynia accompanied it with a sudden "Well, I am going to go ahead and get to that wandering. You enjoy yourself. Watch the ocean and the horizon. Perhaps find a place to read a good book in the open air? I'm going to give you this opportunity to make your own way for a while." With that she walked away, leaving Maeni standing alone next to the railing, watching her with a somewhat panicked look on her face if you paid attention. She sighed heavily and turned back to look out at the ocean and the buildings and docks of the harbour growing smaller and smaller yet. Perhaps she would go fetch that book and do as Aynia suggested. An afternoon of reading under the sun and in the fresh air really would do her some good.