Erika made her way down below deck she hadn't seen the girl from her vantage point above. Sure enough she was there. The corner at the end of the row of bunks now had a table in it under which were four poofs, presumably for sitting. The girl's hammock was neatly stowed and she herself was bent over into her decidedly small bag looking for something.

"You're the new girl yeah?" Erika asked.

Petra shot up from her bag. She looked utterly startled. She smoothed down the front of her dress and walked around the table.

"Yes I am I mean hello I am new. I mean--" she cut herself off and took a breath then continued much calmer.

"Yes I joined with the crew last night as the healer. My name is Pertianna Yekaterina Alexandra Androvna" she offered her hand.

Erika looked down at the offered hand and smiled. Then stepped forward to the girl taking her gently by the shoulders, placing her forehead against hers and breathing deeply. Petra fought every urge she had to pull immediately away and instead stiffened until the woman let her go.

"I am Erika, welcome Petrianna.” She said

“Thank you.” Petrianna managed. “is there anything you needed?”

“Only to meet you see how you are settling in. how are you liking things so far?” Erika asked.

“Well I have not been here very long but fine I suppose.” Petra answered.

“No I suppose you have not been here very long.” Erika said with an easy chuckle. “what made you choose to ship off with pirates might I ask? Nothing against us or you but you don't immediately strike me as the type.” She said.

Petra considered for a moment she certainly could not tell the whole truth, not to this entirely too touchy woman, the vaguest answer would be best. “I wanted to.” she answered simply.

Erika laughed. “Yeah ok. I guess thats why we are all here. You're a cleric right?”

“Gracious she changed topics quickly” Petra thought. “Yes I am a cleric of The Great She Bear.” She said.

Erika regarded her and smiled she seemed as tense as a knife “Petrianna, you don't need to be nervous of me relax.”

“I am not nervous” Petra countered. She tried vey hard to relax her hands and stand still.

“You don't need to do that either.” Erika said.

“Do what?” Petra asked.

“Stand so still yeah. Maybe some people are still like stone but you crackle like a fire don't you?”

Petra bloomed a small fire on her fingertips and smiled looking from it to Erika.

“You take your own time yeah?” Erika asked.

Petra considered a moment. No phrase anyone else had used to describe her felt more right to her in this moment. “Yes.” she looked up and said simply.

Erika smiled at her. “well whenever you're ready, don't be afraid you can ask me anything. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about this ship. Only one's been around longer than me are Captain and Sezjeck.” She said.

“Sezjeck is the dragonborn?” Petra asked.

“Oh so you've met the first mate?” Erika asked.

“No I guessed by the name. I like to read and to know about things. I tried to learn a lot about everything before I left home.” Petra answered.

“And where is home?” Erika asked.

“The North.” Petra replied.

Erika smirked, this girl played things close but still seemed alertly inquisitive “and my home is the sea.” Erika said.

“You are 'Aina.” Petra said. It was equal parts question and statement

“What gave it away?” Erika asked easily gesturing to herself.

“Specifically what you just said about your home being the sea.” Petra smiled. It was a question she could easily answer.

“I suppose that is our defining feature.” Erika smiled, she liked this girl already. “Well speaking of homes, have you met our other Northerner?”

“I have not as such. You are the first person I have properly met Erika. Who is it?”

“Dimitri.” Erika said

“The one who tried to be elected last night?” Petra asked

“The very same. An ambitious young man. After last night demonstrably inexperienced. But a talented young rogue.”

“Is everyone on the crew a rogue? It seems a lot to have all in one place.”

“Oh it is indeed trust me.” Erika said. “but no not everyone is a rogue. They are advantageous to piracy though.”

“Why?” Petra asked, full of curiosity. “oh would you like to sit. Im sorry I should have offered sooner.”

“Don't worry about it. You take your own time.” Erika flicked out a poof with her foot and sat down.”

“So rogues.” Petra said sitting down opposite her. “I know they are sneaky and quick and smart. But why does that make them good pirates.”

“well the thing about a rogue is they are rubbish in a fair fight. Pirates don't fight fair. As a business we really on being sneaky and smart and quick. As you said. We rush in unexpected, we cause a mess, we accept surrender and then we get the loot.” Erika explained.

“But you are not all rogues.” Petra said.

“Gods no. all rogues? A ship with all rogues would sink within a fortnight. No. There are the rangers. And of course depending on who you ask rangers are wilds rogues or rogues are city rangers.”

“or rangers are druids that suck at magic. Don't say the last too loud on a ship though.” Ruben said joining them.

“Petrianna, my husband Ruben, a ranger.” Erika introduced him.

Petra nodded her head to Ruben now seated beside Erika.

“Personally I say wilds rogues. And there will be more of us once we take a ship. All the monster hunting vessels are full of rangers. You can't fight a sea beast with a sword you have to hit it from a distance. And if you can sense where the monster is going to be well, that makes the job easier doesn't it?” Ruben said.

“Why does everyone end their statements as questions?” Petra asked earnestly.

Ruben was bit taken aback but Erika just laughed. “It's just something you get used to yeah?”

Ruben laughed with his wife, Petra hoped her smile did not seem forced or awkward.

“But we're not all rogues and rangers.” Erika said.

“or else honestly it be very difficult to be successful pirates.” Ruben continued.

“You see the rogues are good for that first surprise. and the rangers can manage things from a distance,” Erika began.

“bBut you also need people that can handle a fair fight once the odds are evened. Thats where fighters and barbarians come in.” Ruben completed.

“Fighters are fast and strong, it's right in the name. Give them a weapon and watch them work.” Erika said.

“they charge in, they take every opportunity they can, they get knocked down and just keep getting back up and hitting.” Ruben continued.

“Not as much as barbarians though.” Erika cut in “Because you see anyone is capable of a blind rage. The barbarians are just better at it.”

“They do more damage, they don't heed their wounds, and they don't stop.” Ruben said.

“so basically the rouges get the party started, the rangers keep it going and the barbarians and fighters take care of business.” Erika said.

“And some ships are lucky enough to have a monk or two” Ruben said gesturing to his wife. “all the sneaky smarts of a rogue, but also worth a damn when the odds are even.”

“And that brings us to you.” Erika said.

“Me?” Petra asked.

“Zlerics are always welcome on ships as healers. Sometimes as more depending on your god.” Erika said with a wink.

“Wizards are accepted as well. Magic from careful study is something that is as understandable and acceptable as magic from a god.” Ruben said.

“But what about other magic users?” Petra asked.

“Most sailors don't trust magic outside of wizards and clerics. Magic from bloodline, creation, raw nature, patrons,” Ruben grimaced “its all a bit unlucky, a bit untrustworthy. And pirates take luck more seriously than most.” he finished.

“But we're not all superstitious. My people certainly aren't. You can't have a nation without magic.” Erika said.

Petra felt at once excited at the information and entirely overwhelmed by the format in which it was delivered. Her eyes continued to dart between the two of them and to a spot on the table.

“Thank you for explaining, all of that.” she managed.

Erika was the first to stand up. “I think he are a bit too much for our little cleric, husband. We will leave you to get settled in Petraianna.” she pulled her husband to his feet.

“It is Petra.” she responded standing with them. “you can call me Petra.”

“Petra then.” Erika smiled, signed her breath and went with her husband behind her above deck.