Big Strong Manly Elf Muscles

"Oh. Are you sure?"
 
These words are ringing in my ears like a bell that's under a chestnut tree. I mean... it won't stop ringing. Because it's getting hit with falling nuts. Ding dong.
 
I cornered Halfbeard this morning while she was at the helm and couldn't leave. I asked her why she would say something like that to someone she just met. She told me, "I used to be just like you. Running from things. Running from the stuff you know, but also running from the things you don't know yet."
 
I was a bit offended. "Things I don't know yet? Are you implying something."
 
She asked me, "Yesterday when you asked for a ride and I called you 'Miss Ryel' you didn't correct me. Why was that?"
 
I told her what the other captain said about women being good luck. "Oh, that guy. He's a moron. He would manage to drown in a desert. And he's a creep, too. Why do you think he *really* only takes on female passengers?"
 
I told her I just didn't want to miss out on another ride. "I could tell you needed me. Boy or girl or something else... I just knew you needed to be on my boat. You just don't know how much you need me yet."
 
What kind of person says something like that? I just don't know how much I need her? I guess I do need her, though. She offered me a free ride all the way to Absalom if I promised to use my "big, manly Elf muscles" to help load and unload when we stop to trade along the way. And given that I don't know when I'll have a proper job I can't pass up that offer.
 
We will arrive in Iadara late tomorrow night so I better make sure my "Big, manly Elf muscles" are nice and rested. Halfbeard says the cargo hold is gonna get pretty full. But it's a pretty small boat so it shouldn't be too bad.
 
Don't know where she thinks I'm hiding these "manly Elf muscles" but I 'll be as helpful as I can, I guess?
-- Ryel <3