Untying the Evening Binds

I loosened the leather cords binding my forearm wraps, feeling the day's discipline ease as the wraps slid free onto my small bunk. A worn wooden hairpin carved in the shape of a feather lay skewed on the bedside ledge, caught under a metal latch. Rather than forcing it out, I drew a slow breath, gently depressing the latch with my thumb while sliding the slender wood out without a nick. Gathering my long red braid, I freed my hair and secured it loosely with the pin, letting the ship's steady night hum settle deep into my shoulders.