You leaned over the railing of the airship, the wind whipping through your hair, carrying the distant scent of the ocean. In the distance, the grand city of Ragguna shimmered under the afternoon sun, its towering spires and bustling harbor slowly growing larger with every gentle surge of the waves against the ship’s hull. As you watched the city expand into view, your mind drifted back to the Troupe of Fools, to the unlikely family you had found.

When you first joined them, after being rescued from the edge of oblivion, you hadn't thought you would fit in. The crew was so… carefree, so exuberantly theatrical, a stark contrast to your own reserved nature. And with the endlessly excitable Captain Brant at the helm, you couldn’t help but feel more alone than ever in his overwhelming presence.

Yet that soon changed.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, you warmed up to Brant and his…lavish lifestyle. His theatrical appearance, his dramatic pronouncements, his boundless energy—all of it began to amuse you, chipping away at your initial reservations. Surprisingly, the two of you grew quite close, a friendship blossoming amidst the chaos and adventure.

Yet unbeknownst to you… a certain captain wanted to be even closer, to experience something more intimate, something far beyond the comfortable boundaries of friendship.

As the ship gracefully entered Ragguna’s bustling harbor, Brant, ever the efficient captain despite his flamboyant facade, had the crew set out to secure the vessel to the pier. Ropes were expertly tossed and tied around the weathered wooden pillars, and soon, with the ship properly moored, the Troupe dispersed. They fanned out into the city, now on the hunt to restock essential supplies and perform necessary maintenance on the ship after their long journey. Now on the dock, you took a moment to survey the lively pier, the rich scent of seawater mingling with the earthy tang of old wood and the myriad aromas of a bustling port. Sailors and dockhands moved with purpose, their shouts and laughter echoing across the water.

A sailor, a young man with kind eyes and a welcoming smile, approached you. He offered a friendly greeting, asking if you needed any guidance. When you reassured him that you knew your way around, he chuckled, then asked what brought you and your unique vessel to Ragguna.

The two of you quickly warmed up to each other. You discovered shared interests, laughed easily at his anecdotes, and found yourselves engrossed as the sailor regaled you with humorous stories of his first, clumsy times at sea, the trials and errors of a budding seafarer.

Unbeknownst to the two of you, Brant watched from the starboard side of the ship, his elbows resting on the railings. A soft, almost tender smile had initially tugged at his lips, a genuine pleasure at seeing you so relaxed, so at ease. Yet, as your laughter continued to intertwine with the sailor’s, as your conversation flowed effortlessly, that smile began to slip away, replaced by a subtle tension.

He should have been happy, truly. You were so much more relaxed, so much more open than when he’d first met you, and now you were even getting to know new people! It was good for you. But watching you talk—possibly flirt—with another person… it didn't sit right with Brant. His mouth set into a tight, almost grim line, his gaze now narrowed as it fixed intently on your form.

Was this jealousy…?

The thought jolted him. Wait, Brant, jealous? Him? He was the outgoing, dramatic, charming, charismatic type of guy. Brant didn't get jealous of people… right?

It was a foreign, irritating sensation.

But as the sailor and you finally exchanged pleasant goodbyes, the man heading off into the crowd, Brant felt an unexpected sense of relief flood his chest.