ITT: We Are All Pirates' Revenge

Melvin's jaw drops. He can't do anything but stare in horror for a few seconds. Then he runs over, shoves the BB Scar papers into the chest and closes it, grabs a bucket, and leads Kauri out of the room.

"You've seen things you weren't supposed to, boy. Come on, let's get you cleaned up."

Kauri is quickly escorted out of the room by an agitated Melvin. He feels himself (metaphorically) shrink and stares at the floor in both shame and fear. "I-I'm s-sorry…" He wasn't sure what Melvin was going to do to him. Hit him? Kick him off the ship? So many possibilities ran through the boy's mind, feeding his anxiety.

Parada has somehow maintained a grip on the Sharkazil this entire time. Eventually she gets tired of doing this, lets go, and slides off.

"I know you can't really understand me, but you remind me of home..."

"Alright, alright, you can put me down, big guy" Gabrielle says as she tries to free herself from the Sharkazil's arms. She now smells strongly of pineapple juice, but at the moment she doesn't care.

Melvin is gritting his teeth and breathing heavily. "Water, where's the water stored... oh yeah, by the cabinet where I got the fruit for-" he growls a little and keeps breathing heavily. He turns to go back below deck when he sees Kauri looking frightened.

Melvin stares at Kauri for a few seconds, still snarling... but then his face softens.

"Oh, Kauri. You are just like me. Just like I was when I got-" he clutches his mask and shudders.

"But- never mind that. Kauri, I am so sorry. I can't be mad at you."

Edited by DrNoPuma on Feb 21st 2019 at 11:20:40 AM

(The Sharkazil sets Gabrielle down and turns to face everyone; a big smile still on its face.) Grzt?

Kauri doesn't lift his head, so he doesn't see Melvin looking any less upset. "I-I'm so sorry…" He whispered back, his voice now very soft. Despite Melvin's response, he can't help but fear some kind of punishment. (Please don't hurt me…) After all, the green stains on his hands and shirt were still there, even though he may not have understood everything behind it.

"Hold on."

Melvin grabs a rope nearby, ties one end to the bucket, then lowers it down to the sea to collect some seawater before hoisting it back up. He brings the bucket over to Kauri.

"Okay, first let's get you cleaned up. That stuff is disgusting, isn't it? Let's wash you off, then I'll refill the bucket so you can bring it to Tom, okay?"

He shakily nods, noting how much calmer Melvin is. It does help him relax, though he is still a little shaken up.

Melvin grabs a rag and helps wash the green blood off of Kauri. It takes a few minutes, but it comes off without too much trouble. Even the stains eventually come out of his shirt.

"There we go. That wasn't so bad, was it?"

Melvin dumps the dirty water out, then refills the bucket with cleaner water, once again handing it to Kauri.

"There. That should work. I'm sorry I got mad at you, Kauri. Just promise never to look at my stuff without my permission again, okay?"

"Okay, I promise, Mr. Captain…" He meekly replied with a little salute. He picked up the bucket and carefully made his way back to Tom. "Sorry I took so long…"

Melvin sighs. "Now... about the Sharkazil..." Melvin half-heartedly looks around for Duane before walking back to the captain's quarters and shutting the door.

When Kauri returns, Tom is lifting the knife up to the lantern light to get a look at its edge. It seems he's kept working through all the ruckus with the sharkazil, waiting patiently for Kauri to return. When he does, instead of admonishing the boy he pulls out a second whetstone with a different color, and places it in the bucket for a moment.

"Alright, then we can start with the polishing. While the whetstone wets, why don't you try on the first? You saw how I did it, right?"

Tom places the original whetsone in front of Kauri, and holds out the knife's handle as well.

Kauri grabs the knife by the handle and kneels down in front of the whetstone. He began by trying to replicate what he saw earlier, though his mind is still a little clouded by everything that had transpired. Sharp side away, at some low angle… back and forth. "Um… like this, Mr. Tom?" He asks. His technique isn't perfect, but it's not like he's about to chop off his fingers. That said, Kauri just let himself get lost in the grind. Why is it that this was the most normal part of his day…?

(By this point, the Sharkazil has curled up on the floor and gone to sleep again.)

I hope he doesn't eat ALL the pineapples... (Ira remarks.) I eat them, too, after all.

Once inside the captain's quarters, Melvin sighs and slumps against the wall. He picks the chest back up and opens it up. Pushing the papers aside, he finds the locket and stares at it. The image of the smiling woman brings back memories for him.

"Oh, Clara... where did I go wrong? You always said I would be a great captain one day, and now I've lost the trust of my own cousin and first mate..."

Edited by DrNoPuma on Feb 23rd 2019 at 1:45:25 PM

Sven notices Melvin come up from below deck and, almost reflexively, goes to report his findings when he notices he walks straight past him and pulls out a locket.

...best not to interrupt him mid grievance, he thinks. Probably won't want to hear any of it. Seeing the captain mutter to himself while holding the locket solidifies his decision.

So instead, he looks for the other mouse, planning to report to him instead.

Duane notices Sven walk up to him. Is this Ira or the helpful stranger I'm looking at?

Edited by TacoBadger on Feb 23rd 2019 at 3:02:09 AM

The stranger. Came to tell you that there's a party of about 4 lizardfolk heading into the city. I think one of them's suspicious of this ship.

...It takes him a moment, but upon realization that he hasn't introduced himself, he quickly rectifies that.

Oh, and the name's Sven.

Duane sighed. Thanks for reporting then, Sven... say, son, did you by chance pick up what we're collecting here?

Sven just stares at him blankly for a few seconds before hesitantly giving an answer...

...I... I don't think so... why, did you drop it?

Duane chuckles. No, no. Not pick up. Do you understand what we're collecting here?

Oh! He suddenly realizes what Duane meant by that. Ah... treasure, right? He keeps the wording broad, thinking the specifics will likely come up later.

Duane smirks a bit. Sure it’s treasure. Pretty good treasure, but treasure none the less.

Duane turns to Sven. Those “lizardfolk”, are after the same treasure. So, the sooner we leave port, the better. So, as First Mate, I figure I should probably ask you; you’re on the ship, are you coming with?

For once, Sven doesn't hesitate.

Yes. I plan to tag along. I can cook, I can fish, and I can observe. If you don't believe me, you've got the best rejection policy I can think of. At that last sentence, he points to the ship's plank, referring exactly to what you're thinking.

Edited by WilliamRadarStorm on Feb 23rd 2019 at 4:33:01 AM