"See..It's just a nightmare...that's all" Dimitri began, not too sure of what to say. " Look at you. You're soaking wet. Let me go get some warm blankets from below deck....."

 " No...please don't leave me alone..."Anya pleaded with him. She was still badly shaken and refused to let go. "Okay okay. If you don't want me to go, I won't go." Dimitri tried to pacify her. She was in too much shock to listen to anything right now.

 Time for a change of strategy.

 " Listen, why don't we go down together and change into something dry then? You don't want to catch a cold now do you? The royal guards will have my head if anything happened to you." He pulled a funny face.

 Anya sniffled and started to giggle a little. Laughing seemed to make her feel better and she nodded her head in agreement.

As they reached below deck, Pooka jumped onto Anya and licked her face, happy to see that she was safe. It tickled her and she started to smile. "How's Valdimir?" she asked, stroking Pooka's fur. Dimitri peered his head the top of the bunk bed where Valdimir was. " Shhh...Poor guy's sound asleep. He's been seasick throughout this journey. I think it must have taken some time before he was able to fall asleep. Better not wake him up." "Yeah..Better not." Anya whispered back.

"You had better go change out of those wet pajamas and get some sleep." Dimitri said. " You can change here if you wish." He shoved a package of clothes at Anya and carried Pooka from her." "What about you? You're wet too."Anya retorted. "Nah! I can handle it! I'm strong and fit you.kn ... Ah.. Ah.. Ahchoo!" Dimitri gave a huge sneeze.

Anya had to cover her mouth to try and contain her laughter. " Well, Mr. I'm-strong-and-fit, at least dry yourself with this." She threw a towel at Dimitri's face, still in stitches and trying to muffle her laugh.

"Well I can see that you are MUCH better now.." Dimitri joked, pulling the towel off. "Making fun of someone when he is trying to tell you that he cares for y....".he stopped, realizing that he almost revealed more than he ought to. He wanted so much to tell her, but just couldn't.

His expression suddenly changed as he gave a huge sigh of defeat. Anya sensed his change of mood and stopped laughing. She somehow felt confused and saddened over his changed attitude.

Dimitri quickly tried to recover himself. "Just get some rest okay?" he said solemnly.

"What about you?"

"I'll sleep later, you go ahead without me."

Dimitri let Pooka down from his arms." Come on mutt. There's nothing here for you to see either." he left with Pooka following closely behind, closing the door behind him.....

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