Time had gotten away from him but he didn't notice or care. Before the guests had arrived, he and Piet had gone through every inch of the boat to make sure it was perfect and exactly what they wanted. Tobias being the instiable man he was had seduced Piet, unable to resist each other they had lay claim to nearly every room in the ship then an old favourite: the crow's nest. They'd been too distracted to notice guests arriving and only when he'd droppped his coat from the nest did Tobias notice. "I think we better get going," he laughs.

On deck, he quickly gets himself dressed and looks to the shocked eyes that greet him. "What?" he grins not even blushing. "We're newlyweds!"

theodosia stood quietly off to the side of the ship, her hands resting gently on the railing as she stared down at the water below. the waves lapped rhythmically against the hull, dark and mysterious, whispering secrets only the sea would ever know. the wind tugged softly at the edges of her dress, but she barely noticed. her thoughts were far from the breeze or the creaking boards beneath her feet. they were somewhere deeper—beneath the waves, perhaps. she didn’t mind engagements, not really. it was the performance of it all that wearied her. the careful choreography, the practiced smiles, the way every word was weighed and measured. she couldn’t help but wonder if she was simply not made for such things. maybe she was never meant for knotted fates and gilded compasses inscribed with declarations of love. maybe simplicity had always been meant for her. a quiet cottage. a sun-warmed garden. a life unburdened by expectation or spectacle. she was already twice married now. twice bound by promises that hadn’t she didn't understand. she leaned forward a little, letting her gaze sink into the frothy waves. the sea looked almost inviting in a way that frightened her. not for its danger, but for its promise of escape. the sound of footsteps behind her broke the stillness. she didn’t turn right away. instead, she spoke softly, her voice barely louder than the wind. “pardon… i was only looking at the waves,” she said, her tone calm but distant. “i’ve heard stories of mermaids since i was a girl. tales of them waiting just beneath the surface, curious, watchful. i wondered if i might spot one today.” she finally turned her head, offering a small smile, more wistful than amused. “i think it would be easier to believe in mermaids than in love sometimes.”

during her thorough exploration of the venue she happened upon the lonesome femme. normally, evelina might have allowed her to maintain by herself. approaching a stranger was a daunting thought , especially being of lower class. but it was a celebration. one that should not be spent in one's head a habit that evelina was guilty of herself , perhaps the reason she was able to spot it with such ease.

soles click ever so softly as she makes her way beside her , leaving a few feet of space. it is her turn to look over the railing now as lithe digits curl against the metal railing. knuckles slightly whiten as verdant orbs meet the rhythm of the waves. a small part of her wishes to climb the railing to dive right in. it had been so long since she last swam.

evelina lost sight of why she ventured over only to be reminded as the other spoke. she jumped slightly and an embarrassed flush blooms brightly across her mirror. “a thought that you are not alone in.” she reassures her and offering a small smile in return. “while love is out there, it is rare. who is to say mermaids do not share the same fate? perhaps today we shall catch sight of one. a secret for us to share for the rest of our friendship.” a bold assumption but she was not one to shy away from making friends.