[ nikolai is not expecting this level of ire after saving his teammate's life, but he's dealt with many a colorful personality over his storied lifetime, so it doesn't even make him blink. he does peer down the hall to see if anyone else might be coming. regretfully not. ]

You still have your gun. [ he points this out mildly. ] So I'll just have to stick close to you. Most would consider themselves lucky for such a gift.

[ he doesn't wink again, because he has inspected his glove and those are definite teeth marks in the leather. wonderful. he perks, though, at the mention of his nickname. ]

My mother used to call me that. [ she's not calling him anything anymore since he banished her to the southern colonies, but that's neither here nor there. ] And why not? I'm not here to jump when a talking ship tells me to. It would at least have to be a talking dog.

[ but he can see the distrust in the other man's eyes, that a talking ship might be preferable to listen to than a flesh and blood stranger. nikolai doesn't extend his hand, but instead bumps their shoulders together as he beckons him down the hall to continue their search for the orb. ]

Well, come along. These doors aren't going to open themselves, and you've got the only gun. I'm Nikolai. King of Ravka, if that's important to you.