Room for Improvement

Played By:
Jasper Dragonheart
Shawn Daysleeper


Miro glances up at the deepening blue of the morning sky.  He knows he should return to the shipyard and prepare the paperwork for the delivery of the merchant's ship. The morning light grows stronger, although the air is still brisk as seabirds squawk and squabble overhead. Yet he is loathe to leave the Swanship.  He glances up at the Sylvan ship on the far jetty and then back to the smaller craft before him.  No, a Swanship does not need to be as large and elaborate as that, but yes, there is definitely room for improvement.  Again Miro runs his hand over the raw torn timbers, pondering what has caused such damage.  Hissing he jerks his hand back swiftly as a slither of wood wedges itself in his thumb.  Absently he sucks the wound as his blue eyes continue to roam the damaged vessel.

...there was definitely room for improvement.

Nole goes down to the ship to investigate the damage left to be repaired. Now that Olwe is safe at the Inn he has time to think about his ship. There are already a few elves at work in the early morning, but Nole does not pay them much mind. He knows he has to repair his ship for the long sail home. As he gets closer to his ship, he sees another there, standing right beside it. He does not expect to see anyone near the ship. He could see at once the one standing there is elven and a male. At once he sees he is rather attractive but, like others he has seen, he hides his feelings from himself.  He has a task to do and he has to evaluate the ship.

.. he has a task to do..

Miro is so absorbed in his thoughts about the Swanship he does not notice the approaching footsteps until the other is almost by his side. Glancing up, thumb forgotten and still in his mouth, he expects to see one of the many elven fishermen who head out to sea at this time of day in search of the day's catch.   It is no fisherman who now stands before him, but instead it is the tall mariner who commands the Swanship.  For a moment it is all Miro can do to remember to breathe as he stares in awe at the elf standing before him.  Gentle blue eyes used to surveying distant horizons gaze serenely at him, his handsome face framed by long, flowing silver hair.  Suddenly remembering the thumb that has become frozen in place in his mouth, he whisks it down and behind his back, surreptitiously wiping it dry on the back of his jerkin as he fumbles for words. "I... I was..." He ducks his head and coughs to clear his suddenly dry throat.  "Hello," he finally manages to get out.

"Hello."

Nole is looking over the swanship closely and does not realise the other elf approach. As the other speaks, his attention turns to him. He sees he is very handsome. He remembers years ago when he looked at other males attractively and that was one of the most important that he cared about. Since he became a mariner he put those feelings aside. And later when Olwe entrusted him with the mark "wisest of sailors" and he became an emissary, he rarely gave thoughts to himself. But as the other spoke, he suddenly feels years younger and less responsible. "Hello," Nole says in reply, almost childlike. As his ship creaks beside him, he remembers the present time and his responsibility. "Do you know about ships?" he asks in a more formal tone.

...he rarely gave thoughts to himself.

Miro lifts a hand to hide his smile before folding his arms across his chest. His eyes go again to the Swanship and he nods. "Aye. I know enough to know this one has been through something mighty. I have only seen one other Swanship so damaged before, and that was a long, long time ago." He lifts his eyes to Nole's as he continues, his ocean blue eyes puzzled. "I have seen you take harbor here before. I can tell the mark of a mariner by how they handle their craft. I never thought to see your ship in such a state. How did it happen?"

"How did it happen?"

Nole blushes a little at the other's words. "I... I got caught in... a sudden storm." He frowns. Rarely has he ever so damaged his ship at sea. The fact it is not his fault this time leads to his embarrassment in front of this handsome elf. "I assure you I take great care with my ship. This was just a special... circumstance." He does not lie, but telling the truth that his king angered a Vala and his Maia just did not seem right just now. With a slight thought of anger at his king, he hides his face a little out of embarrassment. "Yes,  I have been here before." He tries to divert the conversation. "But I do not recall ever meeting you. You know of me?"

...he does not lie.. 

Miro cannot help but notice the sudden blush of embarrassment of the other elf.   He understands well the pride that good captains take in their seamanship, and their care of their craft, and it shocks him a little that his one, the Master of a Swanship, would somehow blame himself for the damage that Miro knows is unavoidable with the ship's design.  He turns and nods towards the ship to save the other further embarrassment. "No, we have not met." he says absently as his eyes again roam the Swanship. "I am Miro, and I own the shipyards on the eastern shore of the harbor, beyond the lighthouse.  I make it a habit to know the ships that come and go here in Grey Havens. Swanships are not that common nor are such handso.. umm, skilled captains."

"No, we have not met."

Nole smiles a little at Miro. "I am Nole Eambar, and you seem to have a sound knowledge, Miro." He looks over Miro's form. It saddens him to know he has quite a base here and is well established in the Grey Havens. Nole and Olwe would likely be departing soon with the dwarves back to Alqualonde. After that there is Olwe's ongoing mission. Thinking long about Miro will only bring about sadness when they leave. "Yes, please," Nole nods approvingly. "Show me these flaws you speak of."

"Show me these flaws you speak of."

Miro  lifts a hand and tugs on one of the ornate rings he likes to wear in his right ear as he thinks a moment. "I must deliver a ship today, or I shall have a fat merchant hammering upon my door, but be you staying at the Green Leaf Inn, as you usually do?  I can call upon you tomorrow with some designs to show you what can be done, if it is your wish."  He wipes palms suddenly sweaty at the realization he was going to show this elf, THIS elf, of all elves, his secret and treasured plans for a Swanship.  He swallows hard as he waits for Nole's reply.

He swallows hard as he waits for Nole's reply.

Nole listens and nods approvingly. "I do not want to keep you or get you in trouble. I will be in the Green Leaf Inn. I look forward to seeing your designs when you are able." He suddenly feels warmer at the thought of seeing him again. "Maybe you would like to come this evening? We could have dinner together at the Inn."

"..We could have dinner together at the Inn."

 Miro feels his face flush with pleasure, and he smiles a long slow smile as he nods his head in acceptance of the invitation. "When you are so gracious and kind, how could an elf refuse?  I shall come to dinner, and I shall bring the plans." And then, with a spurt of audacity his smile widens as he continues. "What is more, I will look forward to it.  Good morn' to you, Nole.  We shall meet tonight."

"We shall meet tonight."