Prompt #34: Someone gets seasick the first time they go out on Drake's boat.

"So what's got you headed to Slateport?"

When his question was met with silence, Drake peered back toward his passenger from his place at the helm and cleared his throat.

"Glacia?"

"Hmm?" Clearly not paying attention earlier, the ice-type expert tipped her book to her chest and looked at Drake expectantly.

"I asked what yer doin' in Slateport. Y'don't leave Ever Grande much, so something special's got to be happening."

"Oh, I'm going to stop by the marketplace. There's a vendor there that specializes in goods from Sinnoh, and I wanted to restock my supplies. I'm finally beginning to run low, so I didn't want to miss her. Thank you for the ride, by the way."

Drake nodded as he growled a 'welcome', and Glacia smiled. She hadn't known the Dragon Master long, but she knew the last thing he wanted was to be seen as polite.

The engine revved to life as she took a seat on the deck, and as Drake hauled in the last of the moorings, he muttered something as he walked back to the helm.

Glacia had already buried her nose back in her book, but she knew he had said something. "Pardon?"

"I said, you might not want to do that."

"Do what, exactly?"

"Read."

"And why not?" she looked mildly offended at the suggestion.

Drake pursed his lips and raised an eyebrow, "Y'haven't been on many boats, have you?"

Glacia huffed, "I've been on enough."

Both brows raised in resignation, Drake simply shrugged and tended to the wheel. "...Don't say I didn't warn ya."

As much as Drake's words sank in, Glacia was too irritated by the insinuation that she was just some clueless foreigner to pay them any mind, and as the boat left port, she settled back into her novel.

The sloping walls of Sootopolis barely had slipped over the horizon when a loud snap sounded from the deck. Drake craned his head and caught a glimpse of Glacia gently massaging her brow, book closed in her lap.

"Y'okay?" he called back to her.

"Hmm, oh yes, I'm fine. Just taking a break." She defiantly snatched the book back up and opened it again.

Drake turned back around before she could see the smile hiding beneath his mustache.

They had just passed through the slim shadow of the Sky Pillar when a groan issued from behind the captain's chair.

Drake chuckled as he plotted a clear course that would allow him to step away from the wheel. He was soon standing by Glacia's side, offering her his hand. She looked up at him as if he was handing her a Seviper, but the pallid color of her cheeks told him he was right.

"I told ya not to do that."

"Ugh, I... I'll be fine. Just..." one hand flew to clutch her chin, and Drake smiled.

"C'mon, it happens to the best of us."

Without further protest, Glacia placed her other hand in Drake's, and he gently guided her to the railing of the boat.

"Don't... don't watch," she stuttered, but Drake was having none of it. As she wobbled on her feet, he steadied her shoulders as she kneeled down at the rail. After a few minutes, it was over, although the color still hadn't returned to her face. She turned to regard the sea captain with a stony glare.

"This never leaves this boat, understand?"

"Sailor's honor."

She glared at him a moment longer before relenting, "I'm sorry, I should have listened. That... wasn't fun."

Drake gave an amused huff, "Don't have to apologize to me. Sure didn't hurt my feelings."

The sour look returned, but Drake ignored it. He offered his hand again, and helped Glacia back to her seat.

"I'll get y'something when we get to Slateport. But for now, how about y'leave that book alone?"

Nodding, Glacia sighed, "I guess the scenery is pretty nice."

"Atta girl."

Dejectedly, Glacia leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes.

"The Champ puked three times the first time we went through the Pacifidlog currents."

"What?" Glacia rolled her head to look at Drake, surprised.

"So yer doin' fine."

"Why would you tell me that? What about sailor's honor?"

But Drake just shrugged. "Steven never asked 'bout that."

Glacia managed a weak laugh. "Just... be gentle please."

"Already plotted a course 'round the nastiest ones," his eyes twinkled beneath his cap. "Can't have anyone settin' a new record just yet."

"It's very much appreciated," said Glacia with a smile. Perhaps the surly sea captain wasn't so surly after all.