JENNA: * Jo stirs at last when she feels chilly in the shadow of the hill and comes awake with a slight start. She sits up blearily, glancing at the fire (which is by now pretty much dead), then yawning and getting to her feet to gather up the cloak she slept on and shake it out a little before slinging it over her shoulders. Then, heeding a rumble in her stomach, she digs for some jerky and sits down to eat, watching Shane sleep for a little while.

JUSTIN: * It's close to an hour before he starts to wake, giving his limbs a long stretch before collapsing again and opening his eyes to blink at Jo blearily. The vast shadow of the hill is confusing his natural sense of time, and he starts to sit up, rubbing the sleep from his face. "What time is it?"

JENNA: "Early enough," she replies comfortably, offering him a piece of jerky. "I was going to get some lake water if you didn't come to soon." She grins at him mischievously, and it's difficult to tell whether she actually would or not.

JUSTIN: * Shane takes the offered meat, biting down on it just hard enough to keep it in place as he shuffles to a proper sitting position. "Well, I hope you would've tried shaking me first..." He stretches again, giving a quiet yawn. "Been awake long?" He glances around, and guesses not, by the look of the camp. Nothing's really been touched.

JENNA: "Hour or so." She shrugs. "Wasn't in any hurry, so.." She gets another piece for herself, staring vaguely out at the water. "I mean, the coast's not going anywhere, is it?" She smiles ruefully and devotes a few minutes to finishing her food.

JUSTIN: "Well, it's been a few hundred years, I suppose a few more minutes isn't going to ruin us." Shane finally starts to eat the jerky he's stuffed into the side of his mouth, fishing around for his canteen and taking a few sips of the lukewarm water. "You have me a bit confused, though." He wipes his mouth off, bringing his knees up to dangle his arms across. "One minute your impatience is almost tangible, and the next, you just want a few more minutes to relax?" He grins, arching an eyebrow at her.

JENNA: "Depends on how sleepy I am," she retorts, rubbing at one eye. "But if you insist, let's get on the road, shall we?" The grin returns, and she gets to her feet, trotting over to douse what's left of the fire. "Though there may still be some bread left, if you want to fill out your meal."

JUSTIN: "I think I'll do all right without it." Shane smirks, finally getting up to his feet and packing up his cloak. He gets himself suited up -- coat, belt, and pack -- and helps to clear the site before heading toward the pecos. "Think we'll be lucky enough to make it in one day again?" He starts untying the birds, glancing over his shoulder at Jo.

JENNA: "Well, even if we do make it in one day, we'll have to look for a boat -- and I doubt any'd be sailing at night." She slings her pack on, walking to untie her bird and mount up. It makes its usual objections, but she trots it in a circle until it shuts up. "I'm not as familiar with this area, so I wouldn't really know how much farther we have."

JUSTIN: * Shane scratches his cheek, leading his peco away from the tree before climbing into the saddle. "I'm not as familiar with the area as I should be." He turns his bird around and starts trotting along the shoreline. "I guess we'll have to be lucky in more ways than one, if we want to get where we're going sooner rather than later."

JENNA: * Jo smile drily, following him. "At least we have a pretty fair idea where we're going." She pushes the bird a little faster, pulling up alongside Shane and grinning comfortably. "Though I guess any other clues he left behind would be underwater by now."

JUSTIN: * Shane chews what's left of his jerky, relaxing in the saddle as they make their way around the lake. "Well, 'due east' is going to have to be clue enough for us. If we're off by too much, I'm worried we won't find the island. Without some sort of map, well... it's a big ocean." He smiles slimly, watching the surface of the lake as it catches the morning sun, finally sneaking over the hilltop. "But we won't have that problem, if I have anything to say about it."

JENNA: "Of course not.." Jo says with a grin, casting her gaze ahead for a few minutes. "I wonder if there's a settlement nearby now. We might be able to pick something up from the people who live there." She loooks almost apologetic for indulging in that kind of optimism.

JUSTIN: "Well, the only town east of Juno that I know about is Hugel, and I'm not sure what kind of help that will be." Shane shrugs his shoulders lightly. "'Course, there are plenty of smaller settlements dotted about that evade the annual census. They're usually so underpopulated that the government doesn't bother to make a fuss over it." He turns her an equally apologetic smile. "Not sure what help they could be, either. But at the least, they might be able to point us in the right direction for a boat."

JENNA: * Jo nods, frowning slightly. "Well, maybe they'll know ... or maybe not." She laughs. "That would have really annoyed Teague -- to get to the shoreline and find nothing because it's all underwater." She seems to rather enjoy that thought.

JUSTIN: * Shane smirks, moving his hat aside to swipe a hand through his disheveled hair. "Perhaps you should write him a note when we're sitting on our pile of treasure. Or maybe I should? I suppose it's half my fault it won't be his." He smiles lazily, staring into space as he imagines what will be in their pile of treasure, should they actually find it.

JENNA: "You can write the note," she says drily. "I can't write any more than I can read." She half closes her eyes, picturing the look on her former boss's face, and her lips curve into a slightly vicious smile. It fades rapidly, however. "Better not pick a fight with him, sadly. He's already angry at me ... don't need to give him a reason hunt us down."

JUSTIN: * Shane snorts, eyeing her with a half-frown. "Oh, come on. He's a thief, not a demigod. He can't snap his fingers and find you. The world is a big place, even for someone like him." He smirks, tugging his hat on tighter. "Don't let him scare you. It's not like you're threatening a warlord on edge of global conquest."

JENNA: * Jo shakes her head, not prepared to argue the point, given the way things went the last time she brought up the workings of the guild. "Either way ... no point. With any luck, he's forgotten the whole thing by now." She sincerely doubts this, but she just as sincerely wishes it were so.

JUSTIN: * Shane grunts noncommitally, but he certainly doesn't disagree. It would make things easier if they didn't have to worry about it -- if Jo didn't have to worry about it, which is his main concern. "Well, if it will make you feel safer, I'll keep all my nasty thoughts about Teague to myself after we find our treasure. But I can't say it isn't tempting to rub it in his face."

JENNA: * Jo grins at him. "I'd appreciate it," she says with a faint snort. "Tempting as it is to send him the book with a note about beating him to it." She considers this for a moment. "Ah, I wouldn't want to send him the book anyway." In spite of her bluster, she feels a familiar thrill of fear at the thought of him tracking her down. She rubs the back of her neck, grimacing.

JUSTIN: * Shane tuts her quietly, fingers drumming absently against his leg. "If we ever do send him anything, I'm not letting that book go. I think it will be the highlight of my new collection." He turns her a bright grin. "I am going to start a collection, and you're going to help me read it. Just you wait and see."

JENNA: "I'd rather listen to you read it," Jo replies agreeably, glancing at him sideways. "Where are you going to put it all?" she snorts, despite not really wanting to bring up this particular subject -- as she already knows his answer. "Are we going to buy a wagon to carry all your books, now?"

JUSTIN: * Shane chuckles. "Of course not, that would just be silly." He tips his hat back a bit, sitting straighter and sighing lightly. "I'll get a place to keep it all." He's careful not to be specific about what he means by 'place'. "I can switch books whenever we pass by. Just like a library." He taps his chin in thought. "You know, I bet I could make a little money on the side if I started my own library..."

JENNA: * Jo gives him another sideways glance and shakes her head. "If you say so ..." She decides to drop the subject, however, before his plans get any more elaborate. She nudges her peco a little faster, making for the horizon, and gives a long stretch. "Here's hoping it's worth the walk."

JUSTIN: * Shane comes out of his thoughts long enough to see Jo starting to pull away, and he hurries along to catch up again. "Oh, I think we're well past hoping. It better be worth the walk, or I'll eat my hat." He leans over, practically out of his saddle, and tugs the back of Jo's hair with a smirk. "And I won't let you forget whose idea it was."

JENNA: * Jo grins at him, reaching back in surprise at the slightly painful tug. "Well, if that's the case, I'll be sure to stew it up good for you." She frowns slightly, scratching her cheek, and cocks her head at him. "I have to wonder, though.. if he found it, is it even still there?"

JUSTIN: * Shane resettles in his saddle, shrugging his shoulders slightly. "One could make the logical assumption that if he did find it, he'd be a lot more well known, and the location of the treasure more thoroughly documented." He smiles, turning her a brief look. "And he probably would have written it in his journal after he got back. I'd be more worried that someone else has already gotten to it between then and now, with or without a guide."

JENNA: "If it wasn't still there, I doubt Teague would be looking for it, at least," Jo suggests, frowning slightly. "He was dead set on getting the book, so.. there ought to be something there, at least." Unless Teague was duped, of course, but she doubts that's the case, either, given his intelligence sources.

JUSTIN: "It's been a long time, and there could be dozens of possible scenarios about what happened to that treasure." Shane smiles a bit. "But I'm pretty confident it's resting right were Omar found it. Poor guy, all that effort, and nothing to show for it." He sighs, smile not going anywhere. "I'm sure we'll put it to good use, though."

JENNA: * Jo nods and grins. "Buying new pecos, maybe," she remarks, reaching forward to ruffle her bird's feathers. It ignores her, however. The rest of the journey -- a day and a half's worth -- passes with relative ease and swiftness, ending, as promised, at the coast. Though the patch of land they stand at is empty, it's not hard to see a small town off in the distance -- and a fairly familiar one at that.

JUSTIN: * Shane leans back in his saddle, staring at the distant town, smoke from various chimneys drifting lazily into the sky. "I suppose luck hasn't abandoned us, yet." He glances at the sun, just to make sure they didn't somehow veer way off course. "Think a small burb like this has any sailors for hire? I'd hate to be so close to a town, but far away from what we need."

JENNA: * Jo scratches her cheek, glancing from Hugel to the water and back to Hugel. "Well .. they probably fish. Maybe a fishing boat will get us where we need to go." She starts for the town, the peco squawking as it kicks up damp sand behind it.

JUSTIN: * Shane angles his bird around next to hers, fixing his hat on his head. "If the fishermen don't have a problem with it. They probably don't get many requests for ferry rides." He tilts his head then, rubbing at his jaw as his brow furrows. "You know, now that I think about it... if there's an island with a buried treasure right off shore from them... wouldn't someone from town have stumbled onto it by now?"

JENNA: "You'd think so ..." She looks doubtful, considering the possible reasons for it. "Maybe it's just farther out than they go to fish ... unless it's hard to get to for some reason." She doesn't like that idea very much, but it does seem likely.

JUSTIN: * Shane sighs, patting his hat on his head. "I hope it's not too far out or too choppy, or we're unlikely to convince anyone we're worth their time." He hates to feel suddenly pessimistic -- they've come this far, and nothing's gone wrong yet... but it's the homestretch, and if something is going to fail, it's likely to happen now. "Well, I guess we should save any worrying until we know what we're up against." He chirps at his bird, giving it a quick nudge with his heels, and it picks up the pace a bit.

JENNA: * Jo keeps pace with him, shrugging slightly and then nodding. "Well, they might help us if we offer enough, but I'd hate to spend a lot of money.." Particularly, she leaves unspoken, if the treasure has already been looted. They'll still need some funds to pick up another job, especially if the market's bad.

JUSTIN: "We won't stay well-off if we spend everything, that's for sure." Shane reigns his peco in as they approach the edge of town, passing through the not-quite-a-gate along the main road in. The guards -- if they can be called that -- simply wave at their arrival, looking far more friendly than Shane is used to as of late.

JENNA: * Jo arches a brow at this reception, but she shrugs it off, angling for the docks, where a few boats can be seen -- clearly no one is fishing at this hour. "Wonder if they've had any more trouble with lizards," she murmurs, mostly to herself, as a few other citizens wave cheerful greetings.

JUSTIN: "Thinking of a fall-back plan already?" Shane grins, waving back to a few people as they approach the eastern edge of the town, where the ocean meets the land. "Don't get yourself sidetracked now, Jo. We're almost there."

JENNA: "It's not the kind of job I'd hope for anyway," Jo grunts, peering toward the water and frowning. A few of the sailors seem to have noticed their approach and are waving. "Do you remember meeting any fishermen the last time we were here?" she asks Shane, looking doubtful.

JUSTIN: * Shane scratches at his cheek a bit, turning her a bland look and a shrug of his shoulders. "Met no one besides the ranchers. And that doctor." He reigns his peco in to a slow walk, giving the area a once-over. "Everyone seems friendly enough. I don't think it could hurt to ask the locals."

JENNA: * Jo nods slowly. "Maybe .. they won't charge us too much." She pushes her peco a little faster to the docks, stopping short when one of the men there calls out, "Welcome back! We were wondering if you'd ever come back around -- been a while, yeah?" She stares at him for a moment, then glances over her shoulder at Shane.

JUSTIN: * Shane blinks, giving Jo and the sailors a blank stare each. "Well, I... suppose it has." He takes his hat off, brushing his hair back with his free hand. "Do I... do we know each other? I don't believe we ever came down to the docks the last time we were here... Jo?"

JENNA: * Jo shakes her head silently, but the fisherman chuckles, scratching his head. "Word travels fast in a small town. You'll have to forgive us." Jo looks doubtfully at Shane again, then turns her gaze back to the fisherman. "We just.. took care of some lizards, you know?"

JUSTIN: "All in a day's work, really." Shane smiles, then looks distinctly sheepish. "Well, maybe not most days. But some." He taps his hat back onto his head, and after a second, he clears his throat. "I'm not normally one to rush, but... we're actually here looking for a boat."

JENNA: * Several men have gathered by now, looking interested. "We'd be happy to lend you one.." the first man says, looking politely puzzled. "But what could you be wanting out on our waters? Nothing of interest out there but fish." Jo shifts uneasily, letting Shane continue talking.

JUSTIN: * Shane rubs the back of his neck, turning his eyes to Jo, and then to the water beyond. "Well... it's not anything on the waters that we're after, really. We're looking for an island." He glances back suddenly, looking among the gathered men. "Do you... know of one nearby? It would be terribly embarrassing if we were in the wrong spot..."

JENNA: * At this, a silence falls over the group, and they glance among each other, apparently uneasy. After several moments, the first man gives a faint sigh, reaching up to scratch the back of his head. "Well.. can't say nothing about an island ... I've never seen one out on my fishing boat." He folds his arms, frowning. "But ... there's a spot out there we just don't go. Water's dangerous and fishing's bad. No one's been far beyond it. If your island's anywhere around here, that'd be the place."

JUSTIN: "Dangerous?" Shane tilts his head, a slight frown on his lips. "Dangerous how?" He rubs at his arm, feeling rather less optimistic all of a sudden -- even though they weren't sure they'd even find a boat at all just moments ago. "We have some money, enough to pay -- unless it's completely unsailable...?"

JENNA: * Jo stirs again, frown deepening, but the sailor shakes his head, lifting his hands. "Ah, well. Please don't go offerin' us money. We owe you a favor. The water's mighty choppy, though. I don't know if any of our boats would survive it ..." He glances back over the crowd. "Is old Jay in town today? Jay Grim's the only man I know has the boat for it." There's a scattering of murmurs, then a growling voice from the back of the group rumbles, "Mathis, don't go volunteering folk when they aren't around."

JUSTIN: * Shane gnaws at his lip, afraid to lose what ground they've managed to get so far. "Where does he live? We'll proposition him ourselves. And favor or not, I'm prepared to offer whatever compensation is necessary." He turns his eyes to Jo. "We didn't come this far to let a little choppy water stop us."

JENNA: * Jo nods, and the voice from the back speaks again. "He's here, boy." An older man, face lined and weather-beaten, pushes his way to the front, scowling at them. "I'm not from this village, so you're damn right you'll be compensating me for the trip." Jo tilts her head, looking at him with sudden interest. "So you'll take us?" she asks, and he gives a snort. "Well, that depends, doesn't it?"

JUSTIN: * Shane slides down from his saddle, quickly stepping toward the crowd, and the old man in particular. "Well, name your price then! We don't intend on swindling you. We came here fully prepared to pay for the trip." He pulls his purse from his belt, tugging the drawstring loose and fishing around for some of the larger bills.

JENNA: "Put that thing away, boy," the old man snaps, stumping forward a little farther and glaring at them both. "What I want to know first of all is what you're looking for on that island, that you're willing to pay so much to get there." Jo tilts her head, shrugging. "We were just.. following the map." He watches her beadily for a moment, then shifts his gaze to Shane. "That so, boy?"

JUSTIN: "Well, uh..." Shane stares down into his wallet for a moment, apparently too busy counting to register the man's instructions right away. "Not so much a map as... directions?" He finally draws the purse tightly closed again, tying it to his belt. "The directions told us to go to the island, so we're... going to the island."

JENNA: "And you're following this map -- these directions -- just for fun?" He grants them a stare of great skepticism. "I haven't got the time to rent out my boat to joyriders --" Jo gives him a cross look. "We have our reasons, old man," she snaps. "And they're not your damn business."

JUSTIN: * Shane clears his throat, not looking quite as cross, but certainly in agreement with his companion. "You'll get your pay, no matter what our business is. It isn't anything illegal, if that's your concern." He folds his arms over his chest, staring out at the water again, as if he could see their destination out there somewhere.

JENNA: "Legal, illegal. I don't care. Just don't waste my time." He turns to walk away, waving a hand over his shoulder. "I'm getting some lunch. You want your little boat ride, come talk to me after that." Jo glares after him for a moment, but one of the fishermen gives a brief chuckle. "Well, for old Jay, that's not a bad reaction ..."

JUSTIN: * Shane sighs wearily, stepping over to Jo's peco and leaning against it as he looks up at her. "I certainly hope he's more cordial on the trip, should he agree." He turns his attention back to the sailors, giving them a brief, polite bow. "Thank you all very much for the assistance, it's much appreciated." He glances at Jo again, out of the corner of his eyes. "Speaking of lunch, though."

JENNA: "I guess I could eat." Jo grins down at him as the sailors disperse, waving farewells. "I doubt the old man's gonna be any friendlier with food in his stomach, though." She slides down from her mount, glancing at him. "Got anywhere you want to eat, or should we just camp out here with our rations 'til he gets back?"

JUSTIN: * Shane scratches his cheek, setting a hand to his hip while he thinks. "I've had my fill of rations, thank you very much... mm. Perhaps the inn? I remember the food being halfway decent the last time we were in town." He moves back to his peco, hopping up into the saddle.

JENNA: "If you insist ..." Jo mounts up again, turning her bird toward town and pushing it into a trot. With all the recognition they've already received, she isn't looking forward to more of it, but she'd just as soon get some hot food in her stomach before they take off for the unknown. "Hope your memory's not faulty, though."

JUSTIN: * Shane trots his bird along after her, winding back toward town and more specifically, to the inn near the edge of the village along the main road. "My memory? Faulty?" He smirks. "Even if it was, you couldn't possibly want to pass up something that isn't jerky, rabbit, or fish."

JENNA: "I like fish," Jo says absently, looking around the town with unabashed curiosity. It doesn't appear to have changed much since the last time they were through -- and in fact probably doesn't change much at all. "Mutton or beef might be good, though."

JUSTIN: * Shane tuts her, slipping from his saddle to lead their pecos toward the stables. "Well of course you like fish, or you wouldn't eat it." He doesn't bother to continue the point beyond that, though. He pays one of the stablehands to lay out some good feed for the birds while they'll be eating, themselves, and ushers Jo toward the front entrance with a grin. "And I tell you, you haven't had fish until you've tried some of my recipes. But that you won't get to find out for yourself for a while yet."

JENNA: * Jo rolls her eyes heavenward. "I'll take your word for it until we have a portable kitchen ..." She lets him lead the way to a table, dropping into her chair with a long sigh. "I think we've been taking it too easy. I'm starting to get lazy again." Then she stretches her back lazily and leans her elbows on the table.

JUSTIN: * Shane removes his coat, draping it over the back of his chair before seating himself. "Well, if you're getting lazy, that's /entirely/ your own fault." He gives a brief stretch of his own, waiting for one of the inn workers to take notice and move to assist. "Personally, I feel better than I have in quite a while. I think a little rest is doing me some good."

JENNA: * Jo sniffs. "If you say so. I just hope the old man'll take us." She falls silent as wait staff approaches, smiling politely and asking them what they'd like to drink. Jo orders her usual water, staring boredly at the table. "I also hope his boat doesn't fall apart."

JUSTIN: * Shane orders a glass of milk, and they're given menus to peruse in the meantime. "Well, he seems to know what he's talking about. If everyone says he and his boat can handle it, I suppose we should believe them." He smiles a bit, trying to be optimistic again. He's certainly still excited at the prospects.

JENNA: * Jo sets the menu down without looking at it. "What kind of meat have they got?" She looks around the room, expression thoughtful. "He'll probably do it. Old farts like that can't resist a challenge." She leans back, sticking her hands behind her head.

JUSTIN: * Shane smirks, flipping through the small menu absently. "As long as he agrees, I'm not concerned about the reason." He sets the menu down for a moment, rubbing at an eye as he gives her a hard look. "Don't you ever eat anything besides meat? There are other food groups, you know." He crosses his arms, feet crossing under his chair.

JENNA: * Jo looks faintly annoyed. "Meat's what tastes good. You always order me other stuff anyway." She grins at him and shrugs. "Why should I think about it?" She looks around the room again, embarrassed when she catches a villager's eye and earns a friendly wave. "Geez, it was just a couple of lizards," she mutters, keeping her gaze firmly on the table from there.

JUSTIN: * Shane sighs lightly, reopening his menu and giving it a more thorough read through. "A couple of lizards that were devouring their flock. I told you it was important." He smiles slimly, and their drinks arive a moment later with their waitress.

JENNA: * Jo takes her water and downs a sip without replying, waving at Shane when the waitress asks if they're ready to order. She glances at her arm, still scarred from that particular fight, and shrugs again, shifting her gaze up to watch Shane as he reads.

JUSTIN: * Shane smiles a little bit wider, pulling his glass of milk over to the side and eyeing the menu in his hand. He starts off by selecting some vegetable dishes, rolls, and some cheese concoction, just to get Jo a little worried. He finally relents, however, and orders a steak just for her. "Anything else you want, Jo?"

JENNA: "That's fine." She gives him a level stare, as if to let him know his joke was not appreciated. The waitress smiles, taking their order, then slips away to the kitchen. "Hope he takes a long lunch. The break is kind of nice."

JUSTIN: * Shane takes a small sip of his milk, then raises a brow at her and chuckles. "Excuse me? Didn't you just complain about getting lazy not a few minutes ago?" He shakes his head, grinning, and takes another drink from his glass. "I knew you'd have a hard time denying it."

JENNA: "You're the one who can't wake up mornings." Jo wrinkles her nose at him, taking a long drink. "Hard not to get lazy in an encouraging atmosphere." She grins, though, wriggling slightly in her seat. "The truth is I want to get going. I want to see the island. Or whatever it is." She sits up slightly. "Hope it didn't sink ..."

JUSTIN: * Shane snorts, leaning back in his chair and kicking his feet out ahead of him to tap the toe of his boot against her. "Sink? It's got earth underneath it, Jo. And I don't think the ocean's swelled in the meantime, there's not much to feed it." He chuckles again, taking another drink of his milk. "Your island will still be there. /My/ concern is whether or not the treasure will be."

JENNA: "You never know.." She takes another drink, staring quietly into the glass, then looks up. "I still say.. if the boss was after it, it's still there. He doesn't do wild goose chases. But.. I guess there's a chance another guild made it first." She frowns a little, considering this.

JUSTIN: * Shane shrugs, folding his arms over his chest again. "Well, it's been a long time. There's really no telling. If all Teague knew about was the book, there's a chance nobody's been to the island since Omar made the trip. Otherwise, there would probably be more recent accounts, yes?" He rubs at his chin, looking thoughtful. "We might be the first people to set foot on the island in centuries..."

JENNA: "Maybe whatever's there has crumbled to dust." She laughs, though, glancing toward the kitchen, where the waitress is returning once again. "I hope not, though." She leans back as the waitress sets their food down, then reaches eagerly for her steak and grins.

JUSTIN: * Shane resists the urge to reach across the table and swat her hand, instead settling on looking somewhat disappointed. "You'd better leave room for some proper vegetables." He says shortly, heaping his plate with portions of all the non-meat food he ordered. "And I'm sure it hasn't crumbled. The world's an old place, no two ways about it. If it was going to crumble with age, it would have done so by now."

JENNA: "The world, sure." As if to placate him, she shifts a couple of vegetables onto her plate, but she proceeds to ignore them in favor of the steak. "The treasure? Maybe not." She then falls silent, concentrating on her meal. In spite of her knowledge that a rare treat should be savored, she can't seem to stop herself from wolfing it down.

JUSTIN: "Well if they made it proper, it should still be around." Shane shakes his head, picking at his food and shoveling a few choice bites in before he continues. "Gold and jewels don't just rust over or fall apart." He stops for a moment, frowning ever so slightly. "Of course, if it's not gold and jewels, maybe we'll have a problem."

JENNA: * Jo's mouth quirks in a smile, and she swallows her bite before lifting her head. "I gotta wonder. But even if there's no treasure.. it'll be interesting to see place no one's set foot on in hundreds of years.. right?" She turns back to her food, her own feelings mixed. Pretty scenery doesn't seem like much payment for so much work.

JUSTIN: * Shane stares at his food for a moment, finally offering a little shrug. "I suppose it's something to brag about, at any rate. Though I hope there's more to find for our troubles than just that, even if it isn't treasure." He continues to eat his food, going at a steady pace with regular breaks for milk.

JENNA: * Jo nods slowly, polishing off her meat and poking at the vegetables for a moment before starting those as well. "Either way.. it's something new." She grins. "Beats following a wagon around."

JUSTIN: * Shane smiles a bit, watching her poke the veggies. "It does, at that. And it's nice to have some time to ourselves. Following orders all the time is no fun." He scratches his cheek, pushing his mostly empty plate away before leaning on his elbow. "And I'm not a very sociable person..."

JENNA: "You get used to it after a while.. but when you do a job at your own pace, it's hard to get back into it." She pops one of the vegetables into her mouth and chews thoughtfully, not much enjoying the taste. "But I guess it's what we do. Even our old jobs involved taking orders." She washes it down with some water.

JUSTIN: * Shane turns her a tired look. "I know, that's part of the problem." He smiles then, rubbing his face with a sigh. "After so many years taking orders, and occassionally giving some that nobody listens to... I very much prefer to be my own boss." He grins a little, looking at her pointedly. "Well, not entirely my own boss."

JENNA: * Jo grins at him, pushing her plate away when she's done with her food. "It could be worse, right?" She turns to take a drink of water, finishing off her glass. "You're better-looking than Teague, for sure."

JUSTIN: * Shane snorts, giving a long stretch. "Oh, as if that's hard... I'm not even sure that's a compliment, considering just about everyone is better looking than Teague." He grins, waving the waitress over as she passes and asking for the bill. "I won't even bother comparing you to my old boss, as I'm sure you remember him well enough."

JENNA: "I doubt I'd have lasted, working for him," Jo replies delicately, then lifts her brows. "Teague had a few girls after him, though I suppose that was his power as much as anything." She leans comfortably against the table, grinning. "I agree, though. It's better to work for yourself."

JUSTIN: * Shane busies himself with counting out the money for the meals, leaving it on the table with a tip and getting to his feet. "Perhaps we'll have some luck from now on, and find work that doesn't involve following a wagon around and taking orders, hm?" He steps around the table to offer Jo a hand up, whether she wants it or not. "Or maybe we'll strike it rich and never have to work again. My, and you think we're lazy /now/."

JENNA: * Jo looks at him doubtfully, then takes his hand and gets to her feet, frowning a little. "I don't know.. I'd want to keep working ... it would be boring to have nothing to do." She scratches her cheek, then shrugs and starts for the door, sticking her hands behind her head. "Shouldn't be a problem, though."

JUSTIN: * Shane clucks his tongue, ambling out after her. "Oh, there are plenty of things to do besides mercenary work, Jo." He gives her hair a gentle tug. "And if money weren't such a big problem, we could probably find something less stressful to keep us busy." He tilts his head to the side, considering. "I could start a garden... imagine, growing lettuce and tomatoes for my own salads. Wouldn't that be nice?"

JENNA: "If you like lettuce ..." She turns and wrinkles her nose at him, starting down the steps. "For now, though.. there's the trip ahead. And convincing a cranky old fart to lend us his boat." She glances toward the docks, hands on hips. "Better be ready to bargain."