Thren laughed. "Thanks for the warning." He grimaced on her behalf as the boat jerked upward, breath catching as he felt the suction when the boat is pulled from the water. He moved to clutch at his seat, and stopped mid motion. "Should I be trying to brace this or anything? Or is it mostly just between us and the Maker, because I remember earlier, and I don't think he's on our side."
Viara quirked an amused brow, speaking in hushed tones - it was a short trip up, after all - "The seats are nailed down. Just watch the rope. And I think Andraste's on our side at least, she appreciates your assessment of her tits." Viara winked, and then looked ahead as the rowboat crested over the side of the ship. The sound of female grunting grew steadily louder during the climb, with maybe a spattering of male voices. Once the boat rose to the top, Viara grinned at her crew - she could see about forty, all told, a collection of shapes, sizes, and descriptions of women. All were elven, and in various states of dress. Each and every one was clad in trousers similar to what Alerrin had wore, but their figures were bound in tightly corsetted tops, largely black and brown, but some wore much more vivid colors. A few only bothered with cropped, low-cut tunics leaving little to the imagination. They didn't wear much in the way of jewelry, at least on board, but some had sashes tied about their heads or waists.
Now and again she spotted one of her men; they'd been anchoring the lines as the rowboats were tugged up. Most of the ladies grinned at Vi and made some rough, grumbling comments, and more than a few turned very curiously towards Thren - it was unusual for the Captain to simply invite anyone aboard. Vi hopped over the side of the boat as soon as it was secure, not saying anything, but giving them the once-over. All appeared well.
Alerrin appeared from the periphery, raising his voice, the distinctive, low timbre causing most to snap to attention - obviously, they were used to him giving orders. "Leaving at sundown! Prepare the mizzen, get ready to weigh anchor." The majority of the women complied at once, but more than a few lingered, eyes snapping back and forth between Thren and Viara, though at a harsh word from Alerrin, they too went to their stations.
Vi tugged at Thren's sleeve and cocked her head. "Come on, before they sneak back."
Thren was guarded and barely registered Viara's fingers tugging against him. He looked back at her. It hadn't been their appearance, he'd spent time in chasind camps, and amongst other less restrictive cultures. It had been the fierce shift in attention that had pushed him back into his reclusive shell. He nodded briefly. "I'll follow." He stepped onto the deck experimentally, relaxing as his boot slid firmly against the planks of wood.
He watched the elves as they worked diligently, attending their duties. They worked together on many tasks, wordlessly throwing themselves into their labor. Elves were one of the few races that Thren never fully felt comfortable with. Dwarves and humans were easy. Elves could have horrible pasts that were delicately restrained, any long history of abuse, servitude, abandonment. Thren never knew how to greet them, where to hold his hands, whether to look them in the eye. It could either assert dominance or suggest a dismissiveness that he did not intend.
He nodded in the direction of any who hung back, and offered a gentle smile.
Vi glanced over her shoulder with a little grin toward Thren. He probably felt very awkward; it was a new world floating above the water, and she didn't blame him for being apprehensive. Once they were within the hallway leading to the kitchen, she spoke quietly "Don't mind them, they're just not used to handsome, young men being on the boat. They might absolutely mean to stare, but they're just being cheeky." She slowly descended the short-but-steep steep set of stairs that led down towards the galley, but abruptly stopped about halfway down as if she remembered something vital. Vi turned - she was even shorter than normal in compaison to him now due to the incline; her head somewhere in the vicinity of his stomach, since she was on a lower step. She blinked, and craned her head up even further to look at Thren's face.