The easy, affectionate gesture of Videl touching her cheek, one reminiscent of a motion that Sylvari had so often done for her friend in the past, flooded the justiciar's thoughts and blocked out all else. There was only the sensation of his cold, surprisingly smooth fingers against her lifeless face, a picture of two outcasts that had found solidarity in each other.

It was too much for Sylvari. The reddened hue of her cheeks overtook her entire face, an unfortunate tell that crossing the barrier to unlife had not ceased. She tried, and failed, to sputter a response to Videl's words. She was still lying on the deck covering her face with her hands as Videl looked out to the waves, likely surveying for his frigid steed. Eventually Sylvari worked up the willpower to rise and stand alongside him, a bit further than she normally would, and definitely looking anywhere but his face. Her voice was quivering, soft, and very unlike the normally confident and forward justiciar.

"We fended the bandits off, with no casualties or injuries to the crew. That's the important thing. I have the rest of their lives to catch those responsible for this attack, but for right now, I am simply pleased we upheld our duty." Sylvari paused, the scarlet hue gracing her ivory skin once more. "I am also glad you weren't hurt..."

It wouldn't take one that was all too observant to notice the scarlet hue that adorned Sylvari's cheeks. Perhaps her veil had stood in the way, if only for a moment, but that was nothing in the face of Videl's ever watchful gaze. The fact that such a blush had warmed her cheeks had lightened the load for Videl a bit but it wasn't enough to completely dispel his guilt. Thankfully he wouldn't have to focus on it for too much longer, as the crew from before had begun to gently push their wooden door open.

"E-excuse us.. but is everything alright now?" One of the crew had been peering out of the crack in the doorframe, their worried gaze filtering over the pair. Given their current positioning, and how much of the door had remained closed still, they hadn't been able to notice the the scarlet hue that washed over Sylvari. All that they could see from their position had been her back. "You should be fine to come out now." Upon realizing that the crew had still remained within the captains quarters, Videl had gone ahead and given them the go ahead to come out. If the bandits from before were intending on coming back, they likely wouldn't have chosen teleportation as their transportation method. In his eyes, it was more or less safe for them to head back out.

With Videl's go ahead, the crew would depart from the captains cabin before returning to their posts. They had been a bit confused, and mildly annoyed, at the fact that there was snow aboard the ship, but aside from a grumbling here and there they had remained silent on the fact. "Once we deliver this package of ours.. We should take some time to talk a bit." His words this go around were rather pointed towards Sylvari. "There are a few things that I think we should discuss. I have a few things that I would like to get off of my chest and few questions that I would like to ask." His hand would then slip downwards and into Sylvari's own. "Please allow me this."

Sylvari froze as Videl's fingers intertwined with her own. She had wanted to be annoyed at the crew's eagerness to brave possible danger without her signal. She had wanted to compose herself, both for her friend and these strangers so her face didn't look like a fire beetle. She had wanted to regain her confidence and converse with Videl properly. All these things dissipated like a light mist in the noonday sun as soon as his hand took hold of hers.

"I..." The words she intended to speak died in her throat, along with any mental record of their existence, to a point the justiciar could not even guess what she had intended to say. She merely looked out to the waves, desperately trying to lose herself in the soft rhythms of their gentle dance. It was a few minutes until she finally had the courage to speak, though she still stood still as a statue, her fingers straight like daggers as Videl held them.

"Ok..."

Given that Videl would have to wait for their journey to end before he could speak with Sylvari about everything, he would simply wait for this journey to come to an end. He had waited this long.. What was the issue in waiting a little longer? That thought process overtaking him, Videl would feel a bit more content. "Thank you." These were the only words that he would offer to her before raising their linked hands and placing a soft kiss at the back one of her own. After that was said and done, Videl would allow for himself to slip away a bit, drawing himself towards the edge of the ship.

He had been preparing to venture back into the waters below, hoping to return to his previous position astride of Lumi. Just as he was turning back, however, Lumi would launch herself onto the deck of the ship. In her mouth had been a single strip of clothing. And upon this strip of clothing? There had been an insignia that Videl had come to remember all too well. 'So this is the work of those Scorched Ones, huh..? That damned Azazel..' While he wouldn't outwardly make his thoughts known, Videl would sway his head from side to side before pulling the scrap free of Lumi's mouth. Once it was within his grasp, Videl would turn about and hand it over to Sylvari.

"This belonged to one of those bandits from before. Or, well, should we call them pirates since we are out on the open waters..? Either way, it's the best that we have at the moment. We'll have to report this to the guild after ensuring that our product reaches its intended location." Rather than the cold and calculating gaze that Videl had often taken when it came to this man in particular, he had instead decided to hold it within himself. This wasn't something that he wanted to deal with. Not until they had the time to speak with one another. "..Let's get things wrapped up so we can have that talk, yeah?" After saying these words, Videl would return to his task of keeping an eye out until they reached the city.

The continued flustered expression that Sylvari held from Videl's displays of affection evaporated near instantly as he placed the scrap of fabric from the bandits into her hands. She scrutinized the patch carefully, committing to memory every curve and edge of the patterning. She folded the cloth methodically and tucked it into her pack as she looked out to the waves, seeming more menacing than they had just minutes before.

"Once our job here is finished, we'll have leave to hunt these criminals. They obviously have a problematic level of organization, training and backing. I worry for the shipping lanes of Charon if they were able to establish dominance in the region. We'll show them justice's cold fury for bringing evil to the lives of innocents."

The vampiress' face was stoic and determined. Her singlemindedness was as constant as it was frustrating, as she seemed to have forgotten discussion of their needed conversation and her shyness moments before entirely. She merely retook her place at the prow, scanning for any more dangers as the ship pressed on into the waters of Moonglade and their package's final destination at Eclipse City.