"Okay, okay, okay!" Lyn said, waving her mug around in merriment. "Last one, then we do something else!"

The others laughed and nodded in agreement. They all had bits of paper somehow attached to their faces. Alexander stuck his behind one lens, while Lyn tucked hers beneath the tricorne she had taken from Cassandra. They settled around the table and stared at Cain, snickering as they reread the name pinned to his bandana. Miserie lay on one of the yards above them, watching the other pirates interestedly. It was impossible for her to participate, but she didn't mind learning about some of the adventures they had had before her.

"So…" Cain rumbled. "Am I male?"

"No," the rest of them chorused.

"Am I dead, last time we checked?"

They looked at each other, and Cassandra hoped he hadn't noticed the gazes lingering on the first mate. "Alive, actually."

"Third, have we ever fought before?"

"Yes."

With the standard questions out of the way, Cain sat back and rubbed his chin. "Has Lyn slept with me, sexually or not?"

Cassandra smiled. He was nowhere near drunk enough for him to miss something like that. Cain might not have had Cassandra's eyes and memory, but the bodyguard had been trained to pick up on the littlest details nearly as much as she had. With the pretense out of the way, all of them looked over to the flushed first mate. "Nope!"

It came as old news for her, but Alexander and Morgan looked perplexed. "Have I met, uh, Cain?"

"Yes."

"Before the Grand Line?"

"Yes."

The enormous pirate grinned. "Do I wear an excessive amount of eyeshadow and black makeup? Fought both with and against Lyn? Name starts with 'S' and ends with 'abrina'?"

"Shit, man," Jordan complained as he tossed the paper onto the table. "Six questions. You're no fun. Why can't you be more like Lynlyn?"

"Because she asks the most bizarrely specific questions that eliminate one or two people," Morgan said. "As amusing as those questions were, they are by no means a game-winning strategy."

"Rhetorical question, dumbass."

Lyn threw herself onto the table, scattering dishes everywhere. "No! Stop! New game!"

"Alright, what do you propose?" Alexander asked.

"Learned a fun game at Xiphos' last night!" she gushed. "Ship, captain, crew! It's a dice game!"

The second mate frowned. "Most of our dice broke, so we don't have enough, do w- of course, we do," he corrected himself as Lyn thrust her hands out at him. "How is this new to you? Haven't we played it a few times since I got dice on Fyuchrzend?"

Cassandra leaned over to murmur, "She was out."

"Every time?" Alexander shrugged. "Huh. Didn't realize that."

"Dice game?" Miserie said from above. "Like backgammon or craps?"

Cain got to his feet so he could better talk to her. "Here's how the game is played. We use five dice…"

"Where did you get these?" Alexander asked.

"Xiphos gave them to me!"

He rotated one of the dice. "Bone with Xs carved onto the one faces. He just gave them to you?"

Lyn cocked her head to the side and beamed. "Maaaaaybe."

"Up for it?" Cassandra asked the navigator, who had been holding himself horizontally since he had finished eating, only budging to pick his names from the bowl. Lyn had been using him as a bench, and his chest always remained parallel to the deck. "You're part of the crew aboard this ship, so your captain is asking."

"Fine," he grumbled. "Watch yerself, Cap'n. Can' cheat at dice as easy."

"Just who do you think I am? There's nothing at which I can't cheat. I can shave a fly with a knife or a gun. Do you honestly believe I can't control dice, even unweighted ones?"

"Aye, yer a lyin' bean-flicker wit' no fuckin' morals."

She just smirked. "If you hate the house rules that badly, you don't have to play."

"'S a fuckin' drinkin' game, twatblast. No need t' drag stories into everythin'."

Lyn rolled off the table and landed on her feet in front of them. "House rules? What house rules?"

"Care to explain?" Cassandra chuckled at his upraised middle finger. "Highest cargo asks everyone a question; lowest cargo has to answer, others can do whatever."

"Oh! Well, I can see why you wouldn't like it."

Damien gave a guttural growl. "Aye, and this cuntin' spermweasel rolls 'ighest 'alf the time. Ain' like th' fuckin' tricks she do with cards; those're easy t' see. Dice though, tha's different."

Lyn's eyes shone like stars. "Ooh, we just have to play this now!"

She yelped as he bent his leg backwards to poke her head. "Don' need you gabbin' all over th' place at every fuckin' thing somebody says."

"Silly!" she chided, ruffling his dreadlocks. "You act like I wasn't in your head and didn't see how much you love us all!"

"You back on drugs, wench?"

Lyn leaned over to stare him directly in the eyes. "Then tell me you don't care at all for us. Not one bit."

"'Specially when you're talking like this, vag cheese."

Cassandra clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Hey, let's focus here, people. Miserie, get down from there. Now, since Lyn so generously provided the dice Xiphos so kindly, uh, gave her, she goes first."

Captain, ship, crew was always an interesting experience with the Black Glove Pirates, especially when they were all somewhat drunk. They took great pleasure in calling out, "What's the point, and who's the hammer?" to which the Devil Fruit Users would gladly reply, "We are!" They always set the captain die before Cassandra, and she responded with an acknowledging nod. The inevitable argument over tied scores were settled all kinds of ways: dice, coins, shots, fights… nothing unexpected aboard the Howling Knave.

They all collectively groaned as Lyn rolled a perfect set on her first try. "Okay, who thought playing this shit with Lynlyn was gonna be a good idea?" Jordan complained.

"Hey, it isn't over yet," Alexander reminded her. "We still have a chance."

A few minutes later, Morgan reclined in his chair and put his hands over his eyes, and Cain slumped against the mast. "All right, little miss, what question do you have?"

"If you got a tattoo…" She giggled as Alexander slowly rested his head on the table. "Where would you get one?"

"Are you kidding me?" the musician asked, his voice somewhat stifled by the wood. "Are you still stuck on this? Do you need to see a therapist about it or something?"

"Miserie wants to get a kraken on her shoulder," the mermaid said instantly. "Captain showed her a book with pictures about sea monsters. Miserie thinks they look cool."

Cain thumped his chest. "Black hand, right here. Or maybe on my back behind the mountain. I may not be able to do a full Jolly Roger on account of being a bandit soldier and all, but that doesn't mean I don't have crew pride."

"Can't get one, no point," Jordan added.

"No, but if you could, what would it be?"

The Changeling wiped her hand across her face, plastering a waxing crescent moon across her right eye, nose, cheek, and lips. "I already have the only thing that matters. I like to get tats once in a while, but they're never permanent."

"I like Cain's idea," Cassandra said as Jordan rid the moon from her face. "It has a slightly different meaning for me, but it's still pretty good."

Morgan reddened. "On your chest, Captain?"

His eyes darted away when she looked over at him. "If you'll kindly stop thinking about my breasts for a moment, how about you contribute?"

"The royal flag of Winter Isle," he said curtly. "I don't know where it would go."

"Winter Isle has a flag?" Jordan asked. "I thought you were split in three."

"We are. For now."

Cassandra smiled. "See, that's why I let you join. We all know what Alexander's going to get. Damien? No? Well, you weren't lowest, and like us Moon Sisters, you can't get one, so not really a point. Round two?"

By the time they had all finished the dice again, Morgan had his elbows on the table and his face in his hands, Jordan was flat on the deck, and Alexander was arguing with Cassandra. "Why, why did you think this was a good idea again?"

"Oh come on. Do you think she controls chance or something?"

"I know that, but it still feels-"

"Lyn won again. Deal with it."

The artist gave her proudest, most radiant smile. "So, Alex…"

"Alexander," he grated out.

"Oh, take another shot, Alexander. If you could magically go to anyplace right now, where would you go?"

For once, it wasn't Miserie to immediately answer. "Marineford," Damien snarled.

"No offense," Cain said cautiously, "but don't you think you need a little more training first?"

"Fuck that. Get the swine-rapin' corn'olin' flea-garglin' needle-dicked anus-spreader before me, no fuckin' trainin's needed."

"I'm not quite like Hothead. I'll take going to All Blue. There's a restaurant set up there, the best in the world."

Morgan sat bolt upright. "How on earth does a commoner like you know about Eros Cuisine?"

"Commoner? Come now, I thought we had moved past that."

"Nevertheless, how do you know?"

"It was founded by King Luffy's cook. Why wouldn't I know about it?"

"Neeeeeeerrrrrrd!" Lyn giggled after her own outburst. "I'd go to the moon! That'd be so sick! I'd get to see the whole world! Not up close, of course, but still! What about you, Captain?"

She hesitated before speaking. "One Piece."

Jordan swatted her back. "Bullshit. There's no way you'd just jump straight there. Try again."

"The Academy, so I care all the recruits to death."

The assassin smirked. "That's more like it. I dunno where I'd go."

"I'm surprised," Cain boomed. "I would have thought you'd want to be in the world's biggest brothel or something."

"Funny, but that's not what I'd do with a magic teleportation. I can get fuckbuddies anywhere I choose. No, I'd go somewhere like the Peachy Queendom or Mariejois."

"Jay, you are not assassinating the Fairy Doctor."

She scoffed. "No, no, no. Of course not. Just stopping by and saying hi, that's all."

"Right. Well, anywhere else people would like to be?"

"Summer Isle." Everyone looked at Cain in surprise. "I've never been, but I'm a pirate now. I think it'd be interesting to visit. Plus, you've mentioned the statues of the Pirate Kings. It'd be nice to see where Captain Libera will stand."

"What, don't want it to be a surprise?" she asked teasingly.

"If you want, I suppose."

"Good. Any other takers? Miserie?"

The mermaid ducked out of sight. "She doesn't know."

"That's okay; that's fine," Cassandra assured her. "We don't all have places. Now, let's try again. Lyn, if you could find it in your heart not to force us to hang you by your toes, that'd be much appreciated."

Lyn only beamed. When it was her turn to roll the dice again, she took extra care to show she wasn't cheating in any way. Jordan watched the artist attentively, and Cassandra had to push her over when her eyes started to stray. Morgan also shook the dice longer than usual, even blowing on them before he rolled. His resulting dead roll caused guffaws all around, and they only laughed harder at his angry protests.

In the end, Jordan eked out the victory with a single pip over Lyn. Her smug grin caused Cassandra to groan. She knew what was coming. "Who is the person you want to fuck the most?"

Alexander closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. He had managed to avoid last place, however, and that honor had fallen to Cain. The enormous pirate rubbed the back of his neck and gave an embarrassed cough. "C'mon, Cain," Lyn bubbled. "Who was it?"

"There was… another soldier in my unit," he said at last. "We were… close friends. We couldn't see each other any more when I became Morgan's personal guard. Not that I regret my decision to accept my assignment," he assured his charge. "I'm glad I took that position."

"You never mentioned this," Morgan said in confusion. "Who was she?"

"Nobody you met. We haven't seen each other since my reassignment. We thought it would be easier this way."

Lyn threw herself onto his lap. "Silly Cain! What about what you want?"

"I wanted to be the heir's protector. At the time, that was more important. It was the choice I made, and I'll stand by it."

"At the time?" Cassandra prompted.

Cain shrugged. "What can I say, Captain Libera? Opinions change when exposed to new experiences."

Jordan nodded understandingly. "So that's Caicai. Who's next? Cici, what about you?"

She kept her face perfectly blank. "Pass."

"Oh, don't be such a fraidy-cat!" Lyn exclaimed. "Isn't there anyone?"

"I'm pretty sure there is," Jordan said with an evil grin. "Weren't you all about being open, no secrets, that kinda thing?"

"Pythia's boyfriend," she said flatly. "Now that I have my Devil Fruit, I won't instantly die when I touch him."

"Wait, why would you die?" Lyn asked.

"He loves his venomous spines. One prick and you're probably gonna die slowly and painfully."

"Oh." Lyn cocked her head to the side and gave a slight frown. "So why-"

"Enough about him," she cut in. "What about you?"

The artist gave her trademark dazzling smile. "Secret!"

Jordan was surprisingly satisfied with that answer. "Fine with me. I'd say… Helhel." They all looked at Cassandra, whose grip threatened to shatter her glass. "Oh, come on, Cici. Do I really have any other option? Gorgeous blue hair, amazing bronze skin, lips that could-"

She was interrupted when Cain gently plucked her from her seat. "Don't antagonize her. You've given your answer; no need to irritate her further."

"Thank you. Damien? Alexander? Either of you want to chime in?" Alexander shook his head vigorously, and Damien simply ignored her. "Well then. Last chance, anyone? Fine. Round three."

After a few questionable calls and the table being jostled, Morgan emerged as the victor. His air of triumph as he stood up was just begging to be popped, and they all knew it. "If you had a hundred million Beli to spend however you wished, what would you purchase?"

Everyone paused as they thought about it. It was a sensible question, and nobody missed Alexander's grateful expression. After a moment, Lyn asked, "Can I give it to Captain?"

"No," he said in confusion. "It's your money to use... Why would you even do that?"

"Well, she's Captain, so she knows how to do things better than me. I can just tell her what I want, and she can get it cheapest. That way, I can get the most for the least amount of money!"

He closed his eyes as he prayed for patience. "Yes. That last part. What is it you want?"

"Iunno!" She giggled as he worked to contain his frustration. "I don't need a lot of expensive stuff! Tattoos are costly, sure, but I'm still gonna be a pirate! No rent or eating expenses, transport, doctor fees… basically set!"

"Aye," Damien grunted, and Miserie echoed his statement.

"I'm Hundred Face. I take what I want, and my family's not exactly poor either. Especially when I get this whole snafu sorted out, funds won't exactly be a problem."

"I have a similar initial sentiment to Lyn," Cain admitted. "I'd give it to you, Morgan, but I'd ask you to purchase the finest ingredients you could to make a magnificent spread."

Lyn burped loudly. "Man, we just stuffed ourselves last night! How can you be so- what am I saying, you're always hungry."

"I'd buy a grand piano," Alexander said, "a few other instruments, some vintage Criminal clothes, a prime Gior suit or two… and a monument on the Charred Island to memorialize those who fell."

To say everyone was taken aback would be putting it lightly. Morgan raised his glass in solemn silence, and the rest followed suit. After a moment of respectful prayer, they all waited for someone else to speak up. Cassandra certainly wasn't going to mention her desire for new weapons and weaponcrafting devices. After a minute, Alexander scooped up the dice and began shaking them.

When all was said and done, Cain was left scratching his chin as he thought of something to ask. "If you had to change careers - not that I want to, Captain Libera - to something completely different from what you've done before, what would it be? For example, Alexander, you can't be a musician, and Jordan, you can't be an assassin."

"Can I be a pirate?" the impersonator asked impishly.

"No," Cassandra said. "You're not one of mine, but you've had enough experience with us. Choose something else."

"Well, how about an actor? Strictly speaking-"

"Try again."

Jordan groaned loudly. "Such a bitch. A fucking exotic dancer?"

"Now when you say 'fucking exotic dancer,'" Lyn said slowly, "do you mean actually?"

Alexander swatted her, but Jordan only chuckled. "Anything works for me."

"I would be a banker," Morgan stated. "Before you ask, yes, of course I would attempt to embezzle. I am a bandit and a pirate. However, I would not be caught."

Cassandra raised an eyebrow. "And exactly how would you not?"

"Once a Black Glove Pirate, always a Black Glove Pirate," he said with a fiendish smirk. "While you are under no obligation to help me, I am sure that some of you would aid me in such an endeavor in whatever way possible."

"Oh, so now you're part of the crew?" Jordan asked.

"Of course I am. I have satisfied my conditions, only attempted to have Captain killed once, and do not shirk my duties. I am most certainly part of this crew. Isn't that right?"

"He is," Cassandra confirmed. "Just as much as the rest of us. Since I can't be a mercenary, probably try to join a firearm manufacturing company. I'd be the ideal person to test their products, and with a little teaching, I could help make them."

"I hardly think being a pirate historian should count," Alexander said. "It is one thing to keep track of things-"

Lyn cut in with a loud buzzer sound. "Try again."

"Museum curator, then," he said. "That should be fine, right?"

"Yeah, whatever. That's so boooring. I wanna be a bartender!"

Alexander thought for a moment. "Weren't you a part-time bartender in Alamentia?"

"Merchant!"

"You helped merchants all the time."

"Uh… dancer!"

"Didn't you also do that?"

The artist tackled him to the floor and sat on him, ignoring his protests. "I dunno then. I'm sure there's tons of other things that'd be awesome to do, but I can't think of them right now. What about you, Cain?"

"I asked because I was curious. I don't actually know what I'd do. As I've been chastised about so many times, I don't have a lot of diversity when it comes to hobbies and interests." Cassandra made a show of averting her eyes. "Any others?"

"Miserie doesn't know." Damien grunted as well.

"No, Damien, you rolled lowest," she reminded him. "What would you be?"

"Fuckin' babysitter."

"You're supposed to be honest."

"Wha's it fuckin' matter? There ain' no fuckin' retirin' or job changin'. I'll fight 'til I die, an' nothin's changin' that."

Cain extended his hands before Cassandra could speak. "That's fine and reasonable. Let's just move on, shall we?"

The shenanigans continued, including Jordan 'accidentally' knocking Lyn's dice off the table. Her replacement roll was astoundingly low, and Cassandra was forced to comfort the pouting first mate while Alexander, Jordan, and Morgan smiled unashamedly. Cassandra, on the other hand, had gotten the feel of the dice and managed to get a near perfect score. Nobody thought the result suspicious, except for Damien, who did nothing but curl his lip. She decided to be kind to him on account of his silence and asked a question to which she already knew the answer. "You're about to be executed, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. What is your last meal?"

He gave an amused smirk. "Got no problem with that. Raw meat wit' 'ellfire sauce an' knock-out booze."

"Now, when you say meal…" Morgan trailed off.

"You wait until the end," she said. "We don't need you making us all feel dumb."

A genuine smile spread across his face. "As you say. Then what would you have?"

"Nothing much. Blue lotus petals and an apple covered entirely in gold leaf."

"That'd be so cool!" Lyn gushed. "That's so you!"

Cassandra gave an appreciative nod. "And you?"

"Dunno! Pizza, kebabs, hot dogs, or something like that!"

"Street food," Morgan restated flatly. "Of all the food in the world, you pick street food. Have you not matured at all?"

She beamed at him. "Nope! Why be so boring?"

Alexander shook his head. "Why indeed. I think I'd have fried plantains, oxtail, rice and beans, baked swordfish with mango chutney mixed with ginger, and bread pudding. Ain't that right, mate?"

The navigator howled with laughter. "No' bad, Songbird, not bad!"

"I would have Sahmirian boar, broiled island whale steak, fermented Nemuartsksom shark, dark bread with salted butter, goose eggs, beans, peas, onions…" Cain trailed off as he thought. "Oh, everfull stew as well. I couldn't ignore that."

"And your drink?" Morgan asked.

"Every variety of mead and ale I could get. Nothing quite like those to wash down food like those."

"Okay, my turn," Jordan said. "Does eating pussy count?" She gave a pout when the second mate didn't bat an eyelash. "You're no fun, Alal."

"Alexander."

"There we go. I don't know what I'd do. Probably pufferfish or ackee, something that's supposedly good but might kill me. Hell, I'm gonna die anyway, might as well flip a coin a little earlier."

"That wasn't quite where I was going with my question, but I guess that works too," Cassandra told her.

"Miserie wants shellfish of all kinds prepared by Morgan. She likes his cooking."

"Thank you, Miserie, for showing respect to my profession. Would that be so difficult for the rest of you?"

Cassandra kicked his chair. "Just go."

Morgan sat up straight and adjusted his clothes. "The first course would be a sampling of salted herring, smoked salmon, salo is a special type of cured pork, caviar, deviled eggs, pickled vegetables, and salads, paired a bottle of Brigandine lemon vodka. Along with those would be cabbage soup homemade from Winter Isle itself. That would be followed by the main course of stroganoff, sturgeon, stuffed geese, pheasant and duck, and roast veal. For this, I would choose sweet sparkling wine from the Crehmon Empire and red wine from Raksteli Island. Finally, I would end with the finest vodka from Snow Rose Island accompanied by varenye, the preserve I attempted to prepare last island but was overruled by those rude Juhlans."

"Damn, boy," Jordan said at last. "Did you somehow get Caicai's stomach?"

"I would sample as much as I could. It would be quite a lot to take in, but it would be the perfect meal with which to end my life."

"You have to make that for us one day!" the first mate exclaimed. "That sounds so delicious!"

"I assure you that I will make that at some point, and it will be the finest meal you have ever eaten."

"Better than Eros Cuisine?" Alexander asked.

Morgan gave a proud smirk. "Amateur cooking compared to mine."

"Sure it is," Jordan said, grabbing the dice before Lyn could. "No cheating, darlin'. This time it's all me."

She wound up not getting any points at all. Lyn scored near the bottom, and Cassandra would have won had Alexander not edged her out at the last moment. He idly shook the dice in his hands as he thought about what to ask. "If you could take over someone's body, whose would it be?"

"Fuck you," Jordan snapped. "That's targeting; take a shot."

"Wrong game," Cassandra said. As tempted as she was to just say she liked being in her own body, that wasn't the point of the game. "I'd say Damien, but all the meat in your head would make it impossible to think." She dodged his swipe. "So I'm going with Shar D. Bol's. A Logia User on her way down the Line, fame and reputation, what's not to like?"

"Her femininity and lack of territory," Morgan said curtly. "The Five Stars share power, which is not really my style. I would prefer Han Janz."

Alexander raised his eyebrows in surprise. "The Governor? But he's a pirate. You scorn pirates."

"He is so more than just a pirate. He controls lands in all five oceans and is widely respected for being firm and fair. Yes, I've done my research. He is an Emperor in every meaning of the word. What I would do to rule even a fraction of what he does."

"Gonna hop ship the instant we hit a Janzian island?" Cassandra asked.

"I am not that stupid," he snapped. "It is demeaning enough to be the servant aboard one pirate ship. I cannot fathom attempting to advance through the ranks of another. Besides, if you become Pirate Queen, you will be ruler of the seas. I would rather be the close crewmember of the Queen than one tiny cog in the machine of an Emperor."

"Fair enough. Cain?"

"Uh… I'm sure there are others, but the one that comes most easily to mind is Andres."

Cassandra sighed. "Of course you would. Proper soldier, not the leader, but high enough to order people about. Way to stretch your imagination."

"I'm sorry!" he said. "He's the first one I thought of!"

"Stop picking on him!" Lyn protested. "He is who he is, boring as hell! No offense."

"None taken."

"As for me, I'd be Raven! She's smart, fast doesn't need to sleep, and she's basically unstoppable!"

"Oh, dear spirits." Alexander rubbed his forehead. "That would just be completely intolerable. I think I'd walk the plank if that happened."

"Nah, I'd just save you!" she said brightly.

The alchemist groaned. "Of course you would. There'd just be no escape."

She catapulted herself forward and snagged him in her embrace. "C'mon, Alexander, you know you'd love it! It'd be so much fun!"

"I'm sure," he said, not even bothering trying to extract himself. "What about you?"

"Miserie would want to be Constance. She is brave and strong. She could be really mean, but she's really nice. She was understanding to Miserie, and everyone that works for her likes her. She also defends her workers from bullies. She even does it if those bullies are other workers."

"See, that is a good answer," Alexander told the woman clinging to him. "Thank you, Miserie."

She blushed and tried her best to hide behind the yard. "You are welcome."

"And you?" Cassandra asked him. "Who would you be?"

"I couldn't tell you their names. There are people still alive who have conversed with King Luffy and King Gar, maybe even King Roger."

"I thought the question was if you could become them, not meet them," Cain said.

Alexander smiled. "You misunderstand. I would want to, even for a moment, know what it would be like to feel the immensity of all that history. As much as I would like to talk with them, knowing how that weight feels on my body would be such an amazing experience."

"All you have to do is live through the next three Kings!" Lyn shouted. "Easy!"

"Yes. Just live for the next century or two. Easy. And last, but not certainly not least, Jordan. You lost, so you have to answer."

"First off, what about Didi?" The navigator's answer was a derisive guffaw. "Fine. I can change into anyone. Why would I want to switch?"

"Because you of all people should know that mimicking and switching are different."

The Changeling pressed her lips into a thin line. Cassandra was surprised to see her altering the colors of her fingers beneath the table. "Do I have to explain myself?"

"Not if you don't want to!" Lyn exclaimed. "Just the name."

She nodded and took a deep, calming breath, her eyes fixed on the table. "Cici."

Of all the answers Cassandra had been expecting, her name had not been one of them. Everyone was equally stunned and didn't know what to say. She moved her hand to the side slightly and gently took Jordan's hand. The assassin started, then gave a weak smile as her fingers stilled and wrapped around her Sister's glove. Cassandra squeezed slightly and briefly bowed her head. "I'm honored."

The game broke down from there. Lyn and Cassandra tied one pip off a perfect score, and the two pirates exchanged grins. Those promptly evaporated as Damien to swung his feet over his head into a suspended sitting position so he glare angrily at his captain. Cassandra hastily ordered a re-roll, but the next round was even worse. Lyn tied with Cain, but the shipwright couldn't think of any questions and the first mate generously declined as well. Damien refused to ask anything because he hadn't rolled highest, and Morgan had to uphold the honor of bandits and follow suit. Instead of trying once more, Cassandra declared the game over.

It had been a good night anyway. They had been playing various games for hours, almost completely through first watch. When Morgan pointed that out, he also reminded her that he couldn't very well stay up during second watch and prepare breakfast during third. His arguments for using their ingredients at their freshest didn't sway her, but she let him off anyway. The mood aboard the Howling Knave was good, and she didn't want to ruin it.

\\'/.\\'/.\\'/.\\'/.\\

Damien paused during his endless repetition of sit-ups with his feet hooked on the main top-gallant yard. His brow furrowed, and he turned to face the black ocean. The Line was lightly sprinkling salt grains all over the place, but he had been largely ignoring that. He could feel, he could sense the approaching mass of life. He knew that feel, and he wanted it gone. He flipped onto the yard before hopping lightly off. His splash almost reached the deck, and he began swimming towards the enemy ship.

He had barely moved away at all when he found himself with company. "What is Damien doing?"

"Swimmin'," he growled as he surfaced. "Now fuck off."

Contrary to what he expected, the mermaid continued to easily glide beside him. "Why is he swimming? Miserie thought he had watch."

"Ditchin' you cumlings. Go tell Cap'n."

She kept his pace as she thought. "Why is Damien part of the crew if he does not like being with them?" The mermaid didn't get the hint when he remained silent. "Miserie likes being with them, but she doesn't like stares. That is why she isn't around them as much. But Damien is the opposite. He doesn't care about staring, but he is always away. Miserie doesn't understand."

He was more focused on the water around him. Instead of asking more questions, she began to notice too. Along with the natural pulse of the ocean, the thrum that matched the beat of his heart, there was something else. He knew she could feel it as well, probably even better than he did. A rhythmic thrum shook the waters as they approached, and the spirits gave his eyes the vision he needed. The ocean sizzled as he looked around, and his growl caused a few more bubbles. The damnable ship even had oars. The motherfucker was trying too hard.

"What is going on?" she whispered.

The oars were accompanied by a drum and call, which explained their speed and efficiency. That explained their chickenshit way of navigating. He hated them more with every passing second. Taking a deep breath, he dove underwater and smirked. He pulled himself beneath the lump of iron that protruded from the bow of the ship and grabbed onto the keel. He bounded along the bottom of the hull on all fours, scraping off barnacles as he went.

The mermaid swam below him, always watching. When she spoke, her voice came clear through the water as if talking in air. "Do you need help?"

When he reached the end of the keel, he dug his fingers into the wood and swung around to drive his toes into the stern. The momentum from the ship carried his torso back, and he clenched his muscles to bring his body against the planks. Grinning madly, he began clambering towards the surface. Although he did gasp for air when he left the water, his pace never let up. He had business aboard this ship.

He was very abruptly grabbed around his middle and lifted into the air. He pushed away from the wood so he wouldn't crash into the floor of the cabin like an idiot, and caught the lip of the final room. They careened through the air and landed heavily on the roof. He rolled to his feet and shoved her off of him. She just smiled infuriatingly. He walked along the roof and dropped to the balcony below. The man was ready to fight, but Damien had speed powered by fury. He sunk his claws into the man's neck and ripped out his throat before he could so much as squeak. Damien dragged the body through the open door and dumped him before the wheel.

"By the go-" The helmsman was cut off when Damien hefted the guard's sword and threw it hard enough to knock the other pirate against the wall.

"Such a fuckin' weakass pansy," he snarled. "Wha' kinda fuckin' 'elmsman 'as a fuckin' roof?"

Despite his pain, the other pirate twisted his face in utter confusion. "What?"