You must be new. [ That's a comfort, actually, knowing he's not the fresh meat anymore. He squeezes harder than he needs to when they shake hands, his smile fake and smarmy. ] Word of advise, on the house. Lighten up, or you're going to find this terribly difficult.

[ Easy for him to say, as a Dominant, of course. He's not quite thrilled to be here either, but at least he's got that going for him.

He thanks the waitress who comes by for a coffee for him as well, and lets Irving wait a second for an answer, while he lifts the mug to his lips for a sip. ]

I am. If a man can be considered a sailor at all, trapped on this island without a ship. Without the wind and the brine and the black sailing above his head. [ It's only been a month and he's getting antsy about it. God help him. ] You seem more relaxed about it than the other Navy men around here. Why is that?