watching her idly, hidden away. He wonders...what she's up to. Kind of.

watches the crowds as they pass, frowning a bit. She's looking for an easy target.

smiles, a bit amused. He can guess just a little what she's up to. He'll wait until she's got herself something before approaching her.

sees an older man pass, and she goes to his side to speak to him, making the smallest motions towards his pocketwatch.

snickers a bit. He hopes if she runs, she runs in his direction then. It'll make things easier.

slips the pocketwatch from his pocket, smiles to him then turns away, walking off. Yes, in Xiang's direction.

waits quietly for her to get closer. He's not going to jump her. Just grab her and pull her to the side. Yep. Totally normal.

keeps walking, surveying the watch. She's distracted, trying to decide if it's enough extra to pay her rent.

grabs her arm once she's close enough and pulls her close and out of vision from the normal passerby.

jumps and immedietly starts pulling away. "What..get your hands off me!"

"Shh, or we'll both be caught. Just wanted to chat. I mean no harm...usually." Sheesh, such a violent reaction.

falls silent, then lowers her voice. "What about..?"

"Was just watching how smooth you were at that little pickpocketing. Haven't seen a dame do that in awhile." Let go of her.

pulls her arm away. "I can't find work. I need to survive, and you get better with practice." She replies, suspiciously.

waves his hand nonchalantly. "Oh I know. It was hard too. That's why I've got an offer for you."

pulls her coat a little closer to her chest. "What sort of offer?" She asks, frowning a little.

"Ah well. How good are you handling on being on a ship? Can you cook well? You don't know who I am do you?"

looks over him, then shakes her head. "I can cook. Why do you ask?"

"Just an idle thought. You're good at smuggling I'm guessing?"

shrugs. "I wouldn't know. That's the one low I hav't sunk to." She replies. "But I'm sure I'd be able to."

"Oh, believe me. It's more interesting then pickpocketing. And much more exciting."

nods. "What is this offer? Do you want me to smuggle for you, then?"

"Oh no, not just that. It's hard finding good crew these days. I wanted to offer if you'd like to join my ranks."

stares at him for a moment then looks around. She sighs, then nods once. It seemed to be a step up.

"Don't look so down. Other then maintaining the ship and raids, it's more interesting the scraping around to pay rent."

chuckles a little. "I'm sure. No more of this..."

"The other members will have a ball with your new garments." Isn't sure if that's a good or bad thing though.

plays with her hair. "Am I to go with you now?"

shakes head. "Since you're here with me now. I'll show you our frequent spots, hideout, and the rest. They're cleaning the ship right now."

nods, tucking the pocket watch away. "Alright."

idly walks down the alleyway. "Once we get to the darker parts of town, I won't have to hide out as much."

stays close, pulling out the pins holding up her hair. "Why were you here, then?"

"Scouting. Watching people. I was bored. I happen to see you so it was worth it I guess."

nods. "I see...And you saw no one else?"

"No one else of interest. I guess I'm kind of picky."

shrugs. "I suppose i's good that you picked me, then. I fit your...pickiness."

"I guess so. At least you don't have to deal with angry landlords. Just drunk crew members instead."

pulls her jacket closer to her body instinctivly. "Men or women?"

"Women. They really just do stupid things. Nothing offensive."

relaxes, then nods. "That should be fine..."

"I think they dumbest they got is trying to jump from the higher deck to the lower deck. They were 'flying.' It...obviously didn't work."

chuckles. "Don't worry, I don't drink much. And, if you don't mind my asking..why do you have only women?"

shrugs lightly. "I don't like men on my ship. They're dirty, loud, and obnoxious I guess."

smiles, a little amused. "And you? Aren't you a man?"

"Yes. But I like to think I keep my manners at least decently."

nods. "Yes, I suppose that'd set you apart...how much farther away is it?"

"Not too far. Impatient are we? Or are you just excited?" Walks into what looks like an old, abandoned building.

shakes her head. "No, it's just that these shoes aren't comfortable."

ends up walking out of it and into the back alleyway towards a "dead end."

follows him, frowning a little at the dead end.

knocks against the wall, waiting for a minute before it opens up.

steps a bit closer to him. "What is this..?"

"Main base. It's where we move most of the smuggled goods for selling. And to just lounge. It's close to the pub I believe."

nods, staying close to him. "I see..."

takes a seat in one of the nice chairs. "Get comfy. I don't know when we'll be departing yet."

sits near him, looking around. "This is...nice..."

"You'll fit right in I'm sure." Glances around.

nods, then watches him. "You haven't told me your name."

"Ah. Beg your pardon for not introducing myself. Xiang."

rests her hands in her lap. "I'm Lan."

smiles just a bit. "I hope you'll enjoy yourself as part of my crew.

nods. "I hope so too..." she looks around for anyone else.

doesn't expect any of them to be around at the moment. "You'll get along fine, I'm sure."

looks at her hands. "What do you usually do in the meantime...?"

"Usually just rest or have fun. It's difficult to pull a rather successful raid sometimes."

nods. "Do you mind if I take off my boots...?"

"Of course not. Kick back. They're probably horsing around anyways."

leans over, with some difficulty due to her corset, and starts to unlace her boots.

corsets are horrible, horrible contraptions...from experience.

straightens up after taking off the boots. "Ahh..."

"I don't understand why you all wear such frivolous contraptions sometimes."

runs a hand over her stomach. "It's to make one look more attractive. Don't you find us more attractive this way?" she teases.

"It sounds like an early death in my opinion." Gives her a rather dull look. "I guess. If I swung that way Lan."

tugs on her skirt. "It's nice that you admit it. It's something I suppose you'd have to get used to."

shrugs lightly. "I don't have time for that type of stuff, so admitting it isn't much of a problem."

nods. "I understand that...and it explains how you're able to stay around so many women."

"I still prefer a female crew to a crew of men though. You guys are more pleasant to be around...most of the time."

chuckles. "Well, that's nice to know."

smiles a bit. "They just put me to weird tasks sometimes. I think they do it for their own amusement."

smiles a little. "You must be a caring captian, then." she replies, smiling.

"It's either that or I'm easy to get pulled into things." Shrugs a bit.

laughs a little. "Either way, I'm sure they appreciate it."

smiles a bit. "I treat my crew like family."

smiles to him. "That's good. I don't have a family...having one would be nice."

"They're family alright. We've shared way too many personal secrets to not think so." Rolls his eyes.

chuckles. "Well, I see. If the time comes, then I should share secrets of my own, shouldn't I?"

"Only if you are comfortable with it. It's not like they're nosy. They gossip about other things that they hear from the city."

nods. "I understand. I don't mind gossip."

"People say some really weird stuff, so it's kind of interesting."

raises an eyebrow, looking a little amused. "What sort of weird stuff?"

"Rumors are always a kick. But people just talk about odd things when they think no one else is listening."

nods. "I see." she replies.

pulls out an old looking pocket watch. "Let's get you onto the ship. They're going to make a mess when they decide what clothes you 'should'

wear."

chuckles then nods. "Alright, lead me there."

gets up, holding his hand out to her.

stands and hesitates, before taking his hand.

leads her back out and towards one of the more remote areas of the city

follows him, trying to remember the way.

you won't have to try too hard remembering. It's a pretty direct route, he just knows how to hide his ship.

decides to focus on him, then. "It isn't too far, is it?"

shakes his head. "We'll be there in a minute or two."

nods. "Well, that's good to hear. I'm a bit tired."

stops, looking up. He takes fine care of his ship. "Well, we'll get a cabin set up for you and you can make yourself at home then."

looks up as well. "It's very nice." she comments.

"Come now. Let's get you settled in."

nods and follows him. "Alright."

her a rather brief tour of the ship before leading her to an empty room. It's slightly furnished.

decides it's much better than her apartment. She thinks she'll enjoy living here.

"If you have stuff in your apartment you'd like to move, we can make a day to do so."

nods. "Thank you. I don't have much to bring, though."

"It'll make things easier I guess. Not having too much."

nods, and sits on her bed. "Thank you, regardless."

her a bow. "I have business to finish attending too. You may rest or acquaint yourself with the crew."

nods. "Thank you, I will.

smiles a bit and leaves.