"It eases the pain of not knowing when it hits," the dying man explained.
"What hits?"
"The sea."
"Oh." Ted chuckled and poured himself a glass. "I think you're well within your rights to drink if you please. Not like it can make a huge difference in your condition."
"You wanted help with the cards?" Doctor Farthings groaned, apparently still in pain after stuffing himself full of sedative herbs.
"No, actually." Ted hesitated for a moment. "I would like to have some help with talking to people who have just experienced a great tragedy."
"Why, has something happened? Did one of the other ships...oh, mother of worms…"
"Yes," Ted said. "With you, I don't have a need to pretend to care too much. However...those people out there, they very much expect me to tear out my hair over this. I have no experience trying to fake an emotion of this magnitude."
