Holo's nose wrinkled and she had to fight off the urge to twitch her ear. Her head turned toward the sky, gazing off into the west, where an array of billowy white cloud encroaching in on the horizon. 
	“Rain...” She mumbled to herself. “What splendid timing.”
	“Did you say something?” Lawrence said, turning to look at her.
	Of course, she thought, frowning internally, but keeping her expression aloof. He was lost in thought again....
	“No,” she replied, flatly.
	As far as she was concerned, it had been plainly obvious she had said something, and her refusal to say what it was had been a less than subtle hint—even for someone like Lawrence—that he'd better pay more attention to her. But much to her frustration, he turned away, apparently satisfied, and lost himself in thought once more.
	Now, she frowned externally.
	He knows how I feel about ships. I've told him again and again and I've made it no secret that I've been nervous about this trip. Yet, his mind thinks only of silver trenni this and gold lumione that—as it always does. I bet if he were paid enough he'd push my overboard for all he cares of me!
	She frowned a bit harder, a slight pang of guilt worsening her mood. She knew Lawrence cared deeply for her, but sometimes he could be so dense.
	They boarded the ship shortly after. The traveling merchant and his motley entourage: the beautiful young nun and the school boy. Playing the part of the young nun, Holo kept her ears tucked safely away underneath her hood, and her tail hidden in the expensive dress Lawrence had bought for her. Holo the Wisewolf was not one to be impressed by expensive gifts, but nice gifts were a different thing entirely. Feeling the soft fabric rub against her flesh reminded her that he did care, and it sometimes made it hard for her to stay angry.
	But all that quelled anger returned tenfold the moment they placed their order for food and drinks—or the moment Lawrence had placed it for all of them.
	It wasn't so much that he took it upon himself to place their orders, since he had the right to decide how his own money would be spent, and since he was largely responsible for financing all of them, there was only so much Holo could demand. 
	It wasn't even so much the dank hole they'd been placed in, with the damp, smelly air and the damp smelly wood, and the sagging hammocks for beds, and the fact it was less a bedroom and more of a cargo storage area. The whole area smelled like a mixture of mold and urine and was aggressive on her nose, but she'd expected all of this and hardly used it as an excuse to justify anger against Lawrence.
	What she found unforgivable was what Lawrence had ordered: dried meat, cheap bread, cheap wine, and a pitcher of water. She never liked eating cheap food or drinking cheap wine, and sometimes she complained about it, or even held it against him—but ultimately she knew the situation. It was his money to spend, and the supply was limited and hard earned.
	However, it was expected that with all she endured with him, he would sometimes splurge a bit and get nicer things. That when they were on rickety ships sailing across the water, in a dark room that smelled of mold and piss that he would possibly buy something warm to drink, something delicious to eat. That when she was already stressed out from having to on the water, already ignored because he chose his thoughts over her, that he might attempt to distract her—if not with one thing, that is to say his actual time and attention, with something else, like his money.
	But Lawrence chose neither. After bidding goodbye to the sailor, he went straight to the only table in the room to pour over coins and profits and other droll things, all things he chose over Holo, leaving the aforementioned to her own devices. 
	Needless to say, the moment the wine arrived, Holo began drinking.
	The only benefit to their dank little hole of a room was that the foul smell blocked out the scent of incoming rain—but that didn't mean she couldn't feel it. Every sway of the ship, the steadily worsening winds and growing waves. The water was growing restless beneath her feet.
	She nursed her wine, not intending to get drunk, but desiring to dull her senses a bit, and more than that, provide Lawrence with an opportunity to redeem himself.
	It's not as if I am a meek town girl desperately craving reassurance... but it would be nice if he could at least notice my discomfort. What is so important that he must count his money every chance he gets? Didn't he count it just a few days ago?
	Lawrence continued pouring over his paperwork, not even noticing when she slammed the cup down on the table and picked it up only a few moments later to take another drink.
	He is extra foolish today, is he not? Holo turned away, her brow crooked. She sat down on the hammock, but the moment her body sunk into the stretchy material, her body tightened a bit.
	Hmm, 'tis been awhile since I've last relieved myself.... Her eyes tightened.
	“Lawrence,” she said suddenly, putting on her most decadent tone.
	He turned back, blissfully unaware of her rage. “What's wrong?”
	Oh, must something be wrong for me to call your name?
	“'Tis just that I need to relieve myself.”
	“That would make sense,” he replied, matter-of-factly. “You've drank quite a lot of wine.”
	“Indeed.” She said through gritted teeth. “And now I need to urinate.”
	“So? Go on deck and pee, then.” Lawrence turned back to his papers.
	Holo bristled. She stood up a few moments later, after having given Lawrence plenty of time to have catch his rude mistake. She walked up next to him.
	“Lawrence.” She said curtly.
	He turned to face her with a queer expression. “What is the-”
	She stomped on his foot, turning his words into a stifled howl of pain.
	“What was that for?!” He barked.
	She walked back to the hammock, crossed her arms, and sat down again, eyes closed, her body turned away from him.
	Lawrence sighed with annoyance and rubbed his head. “Look, when you're ready to tell me what is wrong I am right-”
	“-I have already told you.”
	Lawrence frowned. “Remind me.”
	“...It is your own fault if you were not listening.” She turned her face away. “It is not the kind of a thing any real man would make a lady say twice.”
	He crooked a brow, but lifted his head in revelation a moment later. “Ahh....” He closed his eyes and collected himself, and then stood up. “It's raining quite badly, isn't it?”
	Holo watched him warily.
	Lawrence approached the door to their room and walked out.
	It seems like the fool has finally figured it out.
	She dead-panned. Though I suppose that remains to be seen.... She lifted her tail into her lap and groomed it.
	When Lawrence returned, he cleared his throat before speaking. “I talked to one of the crew. They're going to work on getting you a bucket, but it might take a little awhile. There is a storm about to hit and it's all hands on deck.”
	I could have told you that! Holo's jaw clenched. I did tell you that.
	“Also....” He rubbed the back of his head and smiled nervously. “It is stupid, I know, but I forgot about your tail. That would be difficult to hide on a ship.”
	She looked back at him with an expression that said she found him as stupid as he felt. 
	Looks like he figured it out. At least most of it. Will he remember the most important thing, however?
	“Good. It is about time. You do realize a mistake like that could cause you to lose many of your precious coins?”
	Lawrence blushed a bit and coughed into his hand. “W-Well, I wouldn't worry. When it comes that I am more careful.” He then headed for the table and sat down. He looked at Holo and at the tail in her hand. Seeing that her time was clearly occupied, he turned back to his money. “Speaking of which....” he mumbled, before disappearing completely into his own world again.
	Holo sat there, wide eyed, fighting the urge hang her mouth open in amazement.
	Could he truly be so dense? No, 'tis not possible.... 'Tis not possible somebody be as... as... stupid as this! She clenched her jaw. Does he not see what is in front of him unless it jingles and sparkled in the light? To forget about me for a bit and to get lost on his own I understand, but to say that. Surely it was a message? A jest?
	No. He is not smart enough for that. He merely spoke his mind, and he did so in the most transparent and rude way possible.
	Holo sat there racking her brain for suitable way to pay him back, something appropriate that would send a powerful message about what he had done, but nothing came to her. Whether the proceeds had been too egregious or she was too blinded by shock and annoyance to come up with anything clever she couldn't say; all she knew was that she would get him back for this.
	She crossed her legs and sipped her wine again.
	I do hope they hurry with that bucket.

	Holo groomed her tail for awhile, and then she petted it, trying to look busy as she stared off into a corner lost in thought. Those for whose benefit she needed to appear busy she was not sure. When she turned around to strike up a conversation with Col—partially with the intent to mock Lawrence—she found him curled up in his hammock sleeping blissfully, and Lawrence was so busy with his ledgers and bean counting had no worried of seeming this way or another.
	She crossed her legs a bit tighter.
	Where are they?! The boat swayed, almost as if in response to her thought. I understand the crew is busy handling the storm, but surely taking time to bring one bucket to one Wisewolf is not such a difficult task...? Unless they've forgotten me.
	Or more likely they have forgotten the fool and his meandering way of speaking.
	Holo squirmed.
	This is all his fault. He hasn't even turned around since he came back. He doesn't care at all that I have to relieve myself and can't until that bucket gets here.
	She frowned tightly.
	It is embarrassing to admit, but it's bad. It's one thing when I am drunk, but I am will not be reduced to dancing around like I am a child while I am sober. It is too shameful! She blushed at the thought. But it is bad. A lot worse than it should be considering how much I drank.
	I'll have to tell Lawrence.
	She glared daggers at his back. As much as it sickens me to even mention his name again.
	At least it'll give him a chance to redeem himself. Maybe he won't act like a complete fool this time....
	“It is... worse now.” She said suddenly.
	Lawrence paused his writing and sat there, still for several moments. Then his head rose. “The need to pee?”
	“Yes,” she replied quickly. “It has been awhile.”
	“It has, but I'm sure they're very busy handling the storm.”
	“I'm sure they are, but what if they have forgotten? Am I supposed to remain like this all night...?”
	“You will not remain like that all night. If they don't come down soon, I will ask again, but I don't want to bother them with it. I don't need the crew thinking we are a hassle, or, even worse, telling that to the captain.”
	Holo opened her mouth to offer a rebuttal, but she let it close before speaking.
	“So just hold it for a little longer, okay?”
	At no point in his lecture did Lawrence turn around to actually look at Holo. When she didn't respond, he simply sighed and returned to his ledger. 
	I cannot believe he would treat me like this! She thought, her jaw clenched again. I am sitting here trying to wet myself like a child and the only thing he cares about is his precious money! Maybe I should mark up on the deck and disrobe for all to see. I wonder what Lawrence would have to say to that!
	She swallowed and squirmed again. Her eyes veered over to him, and after verifying that he was not looking in her direction (which was of no surprise), she slipped a hand between her legs.
	This is nothing short of degrading! To make me, Holo the Wisewolf, hold her pee without making any effort to help.... Fool! I should go behind that crates over there and make water without saying a word.
	Holo's ears flicked a bit.
	…I could, couldn't I? It is not the sort of thing that I'd like Col to see of me, but.... She turned around and found him sleeping soundly. And since we are on a ship the urine would just soak into the wood after awhile, and it isn't as if it would affect the smell in here much.
	...Who exactly would it trouble if I was to urinate over there? Not any of the crew, surely, but maybe....
	She looked daggers at Lawrence's back again.
	All I have to do is stand up and walk over there. She squirmed again and bit her lip. Nature would do the rest....
	She frowned and rose silently. 
	See how you like this! She thought bitterly, approaching the crates.
	Lawrence stopped writing as he heard the sound of her footsteps. He listened to her, and turned around just as she was disappearing behind the crates. A suspicion made him rise.
	Holo stood in the back by a solitary window peeping out into the rainy abyss, her legs crossed tighter than she was willing to admit. She lifted her dress skirt and squatted down, embarrassed by how quickly she began to urinate. The warm liquid ran down her buttocks and sprayed on to the wood in front of her with a wet, hollow echo.
	That instant, Lawrence rounded the corner. His jaw dropped.
	“H-Holo!”
	She looked up at him, sneering, too angry to feel embarrassed. 
	“What are you doing?! Stop!”
	“I can't stop, fool!”
	“B-But you can't-! You-!”
	“Idiot! Don't act like this isn't your fault! I've been waiting for over an hour and you've done hardly a thing to get me somewhere to go!”
	Lawrence went silent for a moment, his face struck with a sudden awe. “But... I... you can't....”
	“Enough! Stop staring at me! I will make sure you know just how wrong you are when I finish!”
	Lawrence turned around and walked out of sight, stuck standing dumbstruck as various realizations dawned on him.
	Holo's powerful stream against the wood slowly turned to a trickle and series of spurts that last for some time. When she was finally satisfied, she shook her bottom half, but to no avail.
	“Fetch me something to wipe with.”
	Lawrence obeyed faithfully, grabbing a handkerchief from the table and bringing over to her, a blush on his face as he looked at her glistening privates.
	“You are such a fool.” She snatched the handkerchief away and cleaned herself. “A true idiot.” She stood and draped her dress skirt back down to her ankles as she stepped away from her mess.
	He followed her away from the crates, back into the center of the room. She turned to face him, sneering.
	She lifted her foot and brought down onto his own.
	“Ow!”
	“You fool!”
	“Holo, if you had to go that bad, why didn't you-”
	“I tried to tell you!” She perched herself on her toes and leaned in close to his face. “But you were so concerned with your money that you didn't care!”
	Lawrence stared at her, as if his mind were processing things at a million miles per hour. And then his expression widened in a sudden understanding. “Ahh.”
	“Do not say 'ahh' as if you have it all figured out! It is not just that you ignored me, but that you forgot!”
	“Forgot...? Forgot about what?”
	“Exactly! Had you been paying more attention maybe you would have remembered. And I think now of all times would have been when you should have been paying attention, since you know I don't like traveling over sea.”
	Lawrence's expression of epiphany turned to one of guilt.
	She sat down on her hammock and sank downward, her arms crossed tight. “I am amazed, simply amazed by your foolishness. You've acted selfishly before, but nothing like this! It was as if I didn't even exist, but I exist now, don't I? ...Fool. And I could have looked past it all if you'd only have remembered—though if you had, I doubt there would be anything for me to look pa-”
	“-Falling off!” He said, as if the idea had struck him out of nowhere.
	She looked up at him, silent.
	“You're afraid of the ship swaying to the side. Your tail wasn't the only reason you didn't want to go up there. It was because you're afraid you'll fall into the water.”
	She blushed a bit, embarrassed at hearing it said so frankly. “A little late to the finish line, aren't we?” She lifts her tail into her lap and begins to groom it again.
	He slapped his head. “Damn it....”
	“Don't worry,” she said, suddenly calm. “Since you've spent so much time pouring over your money, you should know just how much you have to make it up to me.”