Act III - The Sea
Part I - Voyage of the Mt. Coronet
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Never had Jim imagined that there was a worse way to be pulled from sleep then by Zoey licking his cheek. Yet here aboard the fair ship Mt. Coronet were a few options that were much, much worse.
Today, as an example, Jim was awakened by what Mr. Silver had jokingly called "the Banished One's alarm clock." It was the ship's bell, rung at exactly 8:30 in the morning every day by Mr. Arrow; never a moment late or early. It certainly did its job; the adrenaline coursing through Jim after being so violently pulled from sleep made it impossible to fall back into it. However, he would not call waking up with a pounding heart and an aching head a great way to start the morning.
That being said, it was still preferable to the other way he had been woken up: the ship rocking back and forth on the sea, which often led to him feeling nauseous and seconds away from heaving the dinner from last night back up the way it went down.
Fortunately, the sea was rather calm this morning, and the only other sound to be heard once the bell stopped was Mr. Arrow giving commands to the sailors. Jim rose from his hammock and looked around. Zoey, Ralph, and Salva were shifting about in their own small hammocks as they woke up, and Professor Livesey was rising from her bed. A benefit to being a very important crewmember was having the privileges of an officer, despite having the role of a ship's boy. One of those privileges was getting to sleep in one of the officer's cabins instead of amongst the regular sailors; though Livesey insisted they sleep in her cabin in case the crew tried anything.
Once "good mornings" had been exchanged and enough sleep had worn off, the small group reported to the Captain's Cabin for their breakfast and morning briefing. Captain Smollett, Mr. Arrow, Squire Trelawney, and the Chesnaught Chester were waiting for them.
"Greetings to all," the Captain started. "How does this morning find you?"
"Quite fine, I say," Squire Trelawney replied.
"Acceptable," was Professor Livesey's response.
Chester gave his affirmative reply in Pokémon speak, Salva on the other paw:
"Well enough, sir," she said with a big smile on her face.
The Captain nodded. "Your reply and increasing language skills are both pleasing to hear," he said. "Ralph's lessons continue to produce results of increasing greatness."
Ralph looked somewhat bashful at the praise. "Thank you, sir," he said.
"Now, we must speak of business," the Dewott resumed. "A full week has passed us since our voyage began. Professor Livesey, what say you of our time to arrival?"
"If the sea and winds should remain in their serene state from this day hence, only another week should pass before we arrive at the Decolore Archipelago; after which, it is simply a matter of finding the correct island," the Professor replied.
"Very good," Smollett continued. "As we grow nearer to the island—."
There was a knock on the door to the cabin.
"Breakfast, officers!" a familiar cook cried from the other side.
"Let him enter," the Captain commanded.
The doors opened and John Silver entered, carefully pushing two tea carts. On one were fresh pancakes, waffles, sourdough toast, fried vegetables, a bowl of fruit salad, and eggs prepared in various ways; all carefully arranged around each other. Small dishes held butter and creamed cheese, and there was a large jug of maple syrup. It looked to be a fine breakfast spread. The other tea cart held flagons of drinks and the glasses that would hold them.
"Mr. Silver, what drinks do you serve with this meal?" the Captain asked, staring at drinks with suspicion.
"Why, the finest liquor aboard this ship, Captain," Silver replied. He then gestured to each jug in sequence. "Here sits a ripe apple cider, mixed with cinnamon to provide an extra spice to its taste. Here, a batch of Wyndon Dry Gin for the more adventurous consumer. And lastly—."
"I need no elaboration on what matter of alcohol you serve, Mr. Silver," Smollett interrupted. "Its status as alcohol is quite informative enough, and there shall be no consumption of it during this voyage by officer or sailor."
Arrow, Trelawney, and Livesey gave out muffled groans of disappointment.
"Surely, with the stress of your stations, you would desire some of the ships liquors to relieve it, no?" Silver asked.
"Even if such a belief were correct, certainly not at this morning hour," Smollett replied. "Have your other drinks been exhausted already?"
"They have not, sir. Would you drink them in the stead of alcohol?"
"Yes, we would. Make it so, Mr. Silver," the Captain ordered.
"Aye, aye, sir. Meanwhile, do eat your breakfasts with all haste afore their warmth is lost."
No one took the Sea Cook's advice since it was obvious Smollet was not finished. The Captain waited until the cook had left the cabin and seemed to get far enough away before resuming his point.
"As I had been saying, as our distance to the island grows smaller I would have the crew monitored closely," he said. "Our true mission has remained a secret for our voyage thus far, but it shall grow harder to hide the nearer our destination draws."
Squire Trelawney scoffed. "And I still voice my belief that your suspicious are for causes greatly exaggerated, if not non-existent," he criticized. "What cause but their admittedly unkempt appearance has given you reason to consider the crew unworthy of our trust?"
"That the map's guardians and our cartographer have seen fit to keep secret their possession of the map is one. That, as they say, several of the wicked buccaneers who sacked their home to claim the map remain at large is another."
"The only vagabond from that night who has shown his face was the Houndoom Black Shuck, and I personally saw to his arrest! You would accuse this crew of being the same villains who destroyed the children's home?"
Smollett turned to Jim, Zoey, and Ralph. "It is the children who find similarities between the pirates of that night that the crew, not I."
Trelawney looked to the children in surprise but did not say anything else.
"And I personally question the Cook's attempt to serve us alcohol at so early an hour," the Captain added.
There was another knock at the door. "Milk and tea to be served!" said the voice of the cook currently being discussed.
John Silver was admitted with another tea cart, this time carrying less alcoholic beverages.
"A thousand apologies for the earlier misstep, captain," Silver said.
"You are forgiven, though do avoid such mistakes in the future," the Captain responded.
"Of course, sir," Silver replied. "Now, if I may make a request, I ask for the assistance of Jim Hawkins in my galley."
"For what reason?"
"On stable ground, one leg is not so impeding; on a ship that rocks upon the sea like a babes cradle balance betrays me quite readily. An assistant with two legs to stand on would help me greatly, and David works the rigging."
The Captain thought for a minute and nodded. "Your reasoning is sound. Jim, report to the galley for the day to assist Mr. Silver upon the conclusion of this briefing."
"Yes, captain," Jim replied.
Silver gave a joyful chuckle. "'Twill be an easy assignment, Jim," he said. "I await you below decks."
The sea cook took his leave with a smile. Having been waiting for the drinks, everyone at the table began taking shares of the breakfast meal. Before they began eating, the Captain spoke up one last time.
"That last brings me to our final point of order; our roles for the day. Jim has been assigned to the galley. Zoey, you shall continue to represent us amongst your guests in the cargo hold."
"Aye, aye, captain," Zoey acknowledged.
"Ralph and Salva, you shall assist her."
"Yes, sir," the two replied. Both of them in clear human speak.
"The rest of us shall resume at our natural posts; I and Livesey at the helm so to command and navigate, Chesnaught being our eyes and ears amongst the common crew, and Trelawney…" he trailed off briefly. "…You may continue with whatever you have seen fit to occupy your time with."
"Simply enjoying the voyage, Captain," the Squire replied. "Now let us dine 'ere this meal shall grow colder than it has already."
This time, no one objected to the suggestion.
With his hunger vanquished by breakfast, Jim found his way below decks to the galley where it had been created. He pushed the tea carts with him as they were a more efficient way of carrying the dirty dishes. When he arrived, John Silver was busy cutting some vegetables.
"Ahoy, Jim," the Cook greeted. "How did you find my breakfast this morning?"
"Quite delicious, as I have found every meal this voyage," Jim replied with a smile.
"Such praise, it warms my old sailing heart."
"I have returned the dishes from breakfast." Jim gestured to the tea carts carrying them.
"Then your first task, if you would please, is to have them shining clean again," Silver requested.
Jim nodded and quickly went to work. He had been washing dishes for years now; doing it on a ship should not be any different from doing it on land. Jim confidently picked up a platter, prepared to begin.
Then the ship rocked unexpectedly, throwing Jim off balance and causing him to drop the platter. It hit the floor and broke into thirds.
Jim grimaced and looked back to Silver, who had turned at the sound of the shattering. The sea cook seemed unaffected by the destroyed dishware.
Silver made a dismissive noise. "No need to fret over it, Jim," he assured. "We've plenty of platters, and they were quite cheap at any rate."
Jim nodded as he picked up the larger pieces and disposed of them in the waste bucket.
He was much more careful with the dishes afterwards, not that it slowed him down when it came to cleaning them. It was not long before Jim had them cleaned, dried, and stacked for future use.
"I've finished, Mr. Silver," Jim said.
"Have you now?" Silver sounded surprised as he turned around to view Jim's work. "My, my; such speed. You've done this task many times before, yes?"
"Aye, at an inn where I once worked."
"The Admiral Benbow, it was called, yes?"
"Aye, it was my home and my place of employ until its destruction."
Silver nodded sympathetically. "I recall your Zorua sibling screeching of how pirates destroyed it; do you know what reason could cause such an attack?"
Of course he did. But though the Sea Cook hardly seemed hostile or ill-intentioned, Jim had been ordered to keep the map and their true mission a secret.
"I do not," he said mournfully. "I would prefer not to talk of it Mr. Silver," he added to try and change the subject. "It remains a very fresh wound."
"Oh, a thousand apologies, matey," Silver said, sympathy in his voice. "I had no intent to pry. I ask this instead: what drew you to the sea, Jim?"
"The navigator, Professor Livesey, is an acquaintance of my guardian. Knowing of our newfound hardships, she offered paid positions aboard this voyage to myself and my siblings." That was another bald-faced lie, but it had enough truth and plausibility to it that Silver might believe it.
"What of your guardian?"
"She remains in Galar, recovering from injuries given to her in battle by those wicked pirates. Where she in better condition she would be here as well."
Silver chuckled. "She sounds akin to a mother any child would dream of having."
Jim flinched. Referring to Ms. Zoroark with the m-word, at least in the context of his relationship to her, still did not feel right to him. "She is not my mother, Mr. Silver; my mother has been deceased for four years."
Silver nodded solemnly again. "My greatest sympathies for such a loss at your age; you are blessed with luck that your guardian treats you as though you were her own."
Jim looked at Silver, unconvinced of such. "I don't know that for certain, Mr. Silver. I don't know how being judged simply because I'm being raised by a Pokémon counts as a benefit of luck."
"'Tis a downside," Silver agreed. "But any child would want for a guardian, a mother, who will fight for their safety at the expense of her own. And your guardian seems a perfect example, Jim; and whether or not you call her "mother" or others approve, you need not be ashamed by a difference in species."
Jim smiled at the encouragement. "Thank you, Mr. Silver. Though, I still wish to forge friendships with humans to match those I have with Pokémon."
"Well then, perhaps you should begin calling me 'Long John.'"
"Why is that?"
"'Tis how my friends address me."
It took Jim a few moments to process the Sea Cook's words, but when he did his face gained a bigger smile than before.
"Or perhaps you could address me as 'Barbecue,' 'tis another name used."
"Why is that, Long John?"
"My unashamed passion and love for barbecued meals, friend Jim. I have what you could call a 'special talent' for cooking ingredients in such a fashion."
"I fear I've never had any barbecued meals, Mr.—, Long John," Jim corrected himself.
Long John smiled back and chuckled. "Come hither, friend Jim, I'll teach you the culinary art of barbecue, though you must wait for our return to dry land to attempt it yourself. We would not wish to risk setting the good Mt. Coronet ablaze in an accident, would we?"
"Certainly not, Long John."
Jim eagerly stood next to Long John at the counter as he began slicing some bread to place alongside the vegetables he had been cutting earlier. As he watched, a scampering sound was heard. Both sailors looked towards where the sound came from and caught a glimpse of a fleeing yellow tail.
Long John shook his head and gave an annoyed grunt. "I cannot call myself a proponent of your sibling Zoey's side business. Stealing food from our here galley has become a most unhealthy habit amongst those Pikachu."
"I'll speak to Zoey about it on your behalf, Long John; or perhaps she shall see the stolen food herself," Jim assured. "Then she shall raise it to the Pikachu colony's leader, hopefully."
"Many thanks to you, Jim," Long John said. "Once I've finished this lesson, what say we take lunch up in the crow's nest? There shan't be much to view, but it's nonetheless a mesmerizing sight."
Jim nodded, more than happy to spend time with his new friend.
The thieving Pikachu scurried down to the lowest deck, otherwise called the cargo hold, of the Mt. Coronet where the rest of its colony was staying for the trip. Today was pretty much the same as the last week had been, everyone primarily spent their time enjoying each others' company and playing what games had been made available. It usually involved either pantomiming or playing cards. The Pikachu attempted to reintegrate with the rest of their colony quietly and seamlessly.
"And where has that piece of bread come from?" came the voice of the Zorua that was their primary patron (and likely defender).
"[It… it was… um, a gift?]" the Pikachu replied in a boyish Poké speak.
"Were your voice not reminiscent of my own when I was caught sneaking cookies, I might have believed you," Zoey said, unimpressed. "I suppose it's too late to have you return it, but you will apologize to our cook when next you see him."
"[Yes, ma'am.]"
"And should this happen again, I shall turn you over to the First Mate to be punished."
"[Y-yes, ma'am, I understand ma'am.]" The Pikachu took off with his stolen snack but at a slower and more hesitant pace than before.
"Was there trouble, Miss Zoey?" a more familiar Pikachu asked.
"None to make much fuss over, friend Pedal," Zoey replied. "It was only one of your followers not being nearly as sneaky with stolen food as they would believe."
"Oh dear, I suppose a reminder that though we are guests we do not have free reign of the ship is needed," Pedal sighed, "I apologize for any trouble we have been causing you, Ms. Zoey."
"Many thanks, though I have yet to be subjected to the Captain's wrath with regards to any of your followers' antics."
"No? But cries of frustration can be heard from the decks above. Are they not the result of my constituents?"
"I have not seen evidence of such things, but I know those outbursts come not from the officers but from the common crew member."
"Does that not mean anything?"
"It seems not too, given the Captain's lack of trust in them."
"Why does he have none?"
Zoey was about to cavalierly answer the Pikachu's question truthfully before she caught herself. Even if the Captain was more trusting of the Pikachu colony, it would probably be a poor idea to tell exactly why the Captain distrusted the actual crew.
"Ms. Zoey?" Pedal asked.
"I know not why," the Zorua quickly lied. "Perhaps he finds them inexperienced or lacking in professionalism."
Pedal considered Zoey's response.
Does she not believe me?
"They seem perfectly experienced in the practice of sailing to me," Pedal finally said.
Zoey internally sighed in relief. "Perhaps to untrained eyes such as ours," she commented. "However, the Captain has sailed the seas for much longer than we. It would be unbecoming of him to be incapable of discerning the difference between a skilled crew and an inept one."
"A fair point, though did he not select the crew himself? Why would he hire a crew he found unsuitable?"
"Again, I lack the answers to such questions. I wasn't privy to nor involved in the selection of the crew." Another lie; well, only the first part was, but still. An ill-feeling was starting to form in Zoey's stomach. Please ask no more questions I cannot answer…
"I suppose it is not my place to worry about such things at any rate," Pedal concluded. "I'll leave the issue of the crew to the Dewott who commands them. My concern should remain with seeing my constituents remain respectable guests."
"Please allow me to be of assistance, Ms. Pedal," Zoey requested. "It is through my business that you are all here anyway."
Pedal smiled kindly at Zoey. "And now 'tis your concern that is most appreciated," she replied, nuzzling her cheek against Zoey's. It tingled with the electricity stored in the Pikachu's red pouches. "However, I think a lecture on proper voyage behavior would be best received from the mouth of the colony leader."
Zoey watched the Pikachu take her leave to begin speaking with her followers. Now she had little to do but stand around and watch the colony of electric mice entertain themselves however they could. She also thought about her lie about the crew to Pedal. The Pikachu was right, this colony and its safety was her responsibility. So if the Captain thought the crew was untrustworthy should Pedal know the real reason why they were considered such?
No, to explain why would require telling of the treasure, and it was agreed upon quite a while ago that only the officers and important crewmembers be wary of this voyage's true mission. Though that did not mean she was happy about having to lie about it. Perhaps that was the issue, the lying. Not only that, but who was being lied to. Lying to the strange and somewhat unnerving crew was one thing, but to lie to someone who had only ever been friendly, if perhaps overly affectionate, and seemed worthy of hers and the officer's trust?
Every one of my senses calls it wrong. Perhaps I must talk of this with someone, Zoey thought. But who?
Her mother was not here, of course, so her first choice was not an option. Jim was probably still helping Mr. Silver in the galley, and the Captain would be annoyed by her leaving her post to find him (and the First Mate even more so). That left only Ralph, who would probably tell her something akin to "it must be done" but she had no one else. Looking around, she spotted Ralph off to a corner and walked over to him. It looked like he was currently teaching Salva more human language.
However as she got closer, she saw Ralph was not teaching Salva. In actuality, the Scorbunny was standing next to him, as if she was helping him. Sitting in front of the two of them were some Pikachu from the colony.
"Now practice making the sound of the human letter 'F,'" Ralph instructed. "Eff."
"Eff!" Salva added very easily.
The Pikachu, on the other paw, made a variety of noises that revolved around the sounds of the letters "I" and "A". They seemed quite disappointed that they could not match Salva's seamless vocalization.
"[Fret not, students,]" Salva encouraged. "[As I was once in your place, I know how disappointing the first effort can be. But know that with practice, making the sounds and speaking the words shall grow easier.]" She cleared her throat. "I have not com-plete-ly, ta-ken to it my-self." Though her words were understandable, the Scorbunny's speech was slow and every syllable was treated like a single word in and of itself. She clearly had to stop and think between each syllable before trying to say it.
"Ahem, Ralph," Zoey spoke up.
"Hello, Zoey," Ralph answered.
"Would I be interrupting by asking to speak with you, in confidence?"
Ralph looked at his new students. "Would you agree to continue this lesson at another time?"
They all nodded in agreement.
"Thank you very much," Ralph said with a smile. "Continue to practice your sounds outside of my teachings, else the instructions on how ebb from your minds."
"[Yes, teacher!]" the Pikachu chorused before heading off to rejoin their friends.
Salva gave Ralph a quick nuzzle before following them. Ralph stared after her for a minute with dreamy eyes.
"Do you think she likes me?" Ralph asked dumbly.
"I need not theorize, I know she does," Zoey said.
Ralph turned to her in surprise. "I would have thought you would keep such a fact a secret for her to reveal."
"I have already lied enough for one day, I fear to tell more would poison me."
"Whatever do you mean?" Ralph looked to Zoey with concern.
Zoey ushered Ralph towards a more isolated part of the cargo hold before explaining herself.
"Whilst I spoke with colony leader Pedal the subject of the crew was discussed, and how the captain does not trust them."
"Continue," Ralph encouraged.
"Pedal asked of why the captain didn't trust them, and I lied that I didn't know his reasoning. To tell the truth would reveal our true mission."
"Then you did the right thing," Ralph said with sincerity.
"If such was true, why do I feel blighted by my own words?" Zoey asked. "Why do I feel I'm deserving of a punishment for some most horrible crime?"
"You simply don't take to lying, that's all," Ralph said. "It's an unpleasant thing, but under these circumstances a necessary evil."
Zoey snorted. "That does little to dispel the sickening feeling in my stomach."
Ralph smiled. "And that means you shall never lie when it is unnecessary, which is a great virtue to posses."
Zoey looked up to Ralph. She began feeling somewhat better.
"Once the voyage has been completed and the treasure collected, you can tell everyone from Wyndon to Postwick about it."
Zoey took on a confident smile. "I most certainly shall."
"It's pleasing to see you in good spirits again," Ralph added cheerfully.
The two gave each other a soft headbutt before heading back to the main group. Salva came up to them as they did, and now she seemed to be the one with an issue given how on edge she seemed.
"Salva, what troubles you?" Ralph asked.
"I hear things," Salva replied in her slow, deliberate human speech. "Things that are un-erv-ing."
"What do you mean?" Zoey asked.
"The Pik-a-chu whis-per a-bout how we act-u-al-y sail for pi-rat tr-ea-sure."
Zoey and Ralph went wide-eyed as their brains raced to process this information. They could not have misheard Salva, seeing as she spoke so slowly.
"What," the two replied.
On the top deck, it was a scene of trying to avoid boredom. The crewmembers were diligently enough doing their various jobs when they needed to, but the winds and the sea were calm enough that the ship did not need to be attended to every minute for the time being.
Captain Smollett, Mr. Arrow, and Professor Livesey, all stationed on the quarterdeck, simply kept watch from their post. It was admittedly hard to see or hear if the crew was up to anything from this distance; that was what Chester was for, and he could be seen wandering through the crew as they lazed about the top deck. The only common crewmember within earshot of the other officers was the helmsman, a tall though clearly aged man who nevertheless handled the wheel of the ship with masterful precision and took every order from Livesey without question. Even now, when he barely had to move the wheel to keep the ship on course, he stayed at his post with his hands on the wheel.
If only the rest of the crew could be so professional, even when there was not much work to do.
Instead, most of the crew had abandoned their stations. Now they simply danced, joked, and sang sea shanties; most of them did so rather off-key.
"Please tell me, what is this sailboat's name?
It's the sailboat Malarkey!
Please tell me truly, this sailboat's name?
It's the sailboat Malarkey!"
Smollett sighed. He did not need Chester's report to learn of this dereliction of duty.
"A penny for your thoughts, Captain?" asked the voice of Trelawney.
The Captain looked over to the aristocrat, he was sitting in a chair he had somehow gotten aboard the ship and was calmly knitting something. He looked even more of a tourist as those Pikachu in the cargo hold.
"I doubt I need to tell for you to grasp what my mind concerns itself with," Smollett replied as he looked at the crew with a distrustful eye.
Trelawney groaned in annoyance. "There is no work to be done now, Captain. What would you have the crew do to stave off the encroaching boredom?"
"Remain at their posts; the sea is unpredictable and the weather she lives under even more so. A responsible crew would continue to attend to their ship even if there is no immediate need to. They would not sing of it like they would a tavern roving harlot."
"Such accusations!" Trelawney seemed insulted on the crew's behalf. "They would never!"
The Captain and the Professor looked at each other while Mr. Arrow put a hand to his face. The three then became very silent, allowing the next set of lyrics from the crew to be crystal clear.
"She's lovely aloft as she's lovely below,
Is the sailboat Malarkey!
But she's best on her back as you very well know!
That sailboat Malarkey!"
Smollett, Arrow, and Livesey patiently waited for an answer.
"Perhaps they do not speak of this vessel specifically?" Trelawney weakly suggested, he did not seem very convinced himself.
Smollett shook his head and groaned. "I would almost sell my soul to see this voyage conclude faster."
"I repeat what I said this morning, Captain," Livesey spoke up. "With these winds and seas as calm as they are, we should arrive in the archipelago by week's end."
"With fairer winds, we might shorten that time," Smollett grossed.
"Perhaps you should spend time in recreation, Captain," the Squire suggested.
"A captain is the last who should leave his post." Smollett sounded insulted at the suggestion. "Only when the ship of their command has safely anchored can the Captain take time for 'recreation,' as you put it."
"And what exactly have you done these last few days, Captain? From where I stand–"
"Sit," Arrow interjected.
Trelawney ignored him. "–you have done little but stare out at the crew and occasionally command a change in course on the advice of our navigator. You seem to possess plenty of available time to do whatever you fancy."
"I. Will. Not. Leave. My. Post." Smollett punctuated every word. "As it seems to have escaped your perception, Squire, you have just described the job of any ship's captain: monitoring the crew and giving commands as needed."
Trelawney sighed. He then got up to head back to his cabin. "Your fears remain most uncalled for, and your hostility towards the crew and obsession with professionalism shall be what incites rebellion amongst them."
As the Squire took his leave, Smollett seemed somewhat shaken by his words. He looked down towards the ground trying to hide a developing look of misery.
"Ignore the words of that upper-class twit, Captain," Livesey encouraged. "He is foolish, naïve, and firmly convinced his status makes him the naturally wiser being; as is common amongst people of his wealth and station."
"Nevertheless, his words still sting as a Beedrill's Fury Attack would," Smollett replied. "Such is the case with insults which hold a basis in truth, whether the insulter is aware or not."
Livesey was confused. "How do you mean, if I may ask, sir?"
Smollett was silent for a few moments before replying. "I shall say only that my dedication to professionalism has truly cost me in days gone by. To explain further would be too personal."
Smollett did not continue. Mr. Arrow was looking at him sympathetically, and Livesey noticed.
"Are you privy to what the Captain speaks of?" she asked the Alakazam.
"I am, but I shall reveal nothing," was the reply. "It is Captain Smollett's issue to explain as he wishes, not mine."
"Of course," Livesey accepted. Trying to pry further would be rude and likely anger the Captain seeing as the mere thought of whatever he spoke of very clearly made him miserable.
The three officers turned their attention back to the crew, who collectively were still not at their posts and had started singing a new sea shanty.
"Oh his name was Captain Flint
As he sailed as he sailed,
Oh his name was Captain Flint
As he sailed!
His name was Captain Flint,
And he sought for golds fine tint,
Oh, his name was Captain Flint,
As he sailed as he sailed.
His name was Captain Flint
As he sailed!"
That the crew was singing a song about the very pirate whose treasure they were after caught the officer's attention immediately. Based on how Chester had stopped roaming the deck, he too was somewhat taken aback. They listened to the whole thing until finally the last verses rang out loud and clear.
"Come all you young and old
See him die, see him die,
Come all you young and old,
See him die!
We are welcomed to his gold
For by it he lost his soul,
Come all you young and old
He has died, he has died,
Come all you young and old,
He has died!"
"You don't suppose that to be a common shanty for sailors to sing, do you, Captain?" Livesey asked.
"Never in my ten years at sea have I heard it," Smollett replied.
"Nor have I," Mr. Arrow added.
It was mutually and silently agreed this was something that would be brought up in the evening debriefing.
The evening debriefing was very much like its morning counterpart, aside from the light coming from lanterns and candles instead of the sun. Captain Smollett had held off any discussions of anything until after John Silver had delivered their dinner, with the aid of Jim whom everyone noticed was calling him "Long John." It caught the attention of Zoey and Ralph in particular.
"You and the cook seem quite friendly with each other," Zoey said as they began to eat.
"Though it is not a problem by any means," Ralph added to avoid offending Jim.
He did not seem insulted. "Is it not grand?" he asked. "At last I have a human friend! I have waited so long to finally make such a connection!"
Livesey and Trelawney looked to each other in confusion, but did not say anything and were otherwise unnoticed by Jim and his siblings.
"It is a good thing, I suppose," Zoey said. "Though I do hope you can still make time to spend with us."
Jim quickly swallowed his mouthful of salad before replying. "Of course I shall make time for you both, Long John is my friend, but you are my siblings."
A loud belch from one end of the table made everyone turned towards Captain Smollett.
"Now that I have your attention," he stated as he wiped his mouth with a napkin, "we can begin this evening debriefing. What have you to say about your experiences aboard this vessel today?"
Jim told of his day working with "Long John," particularly how he taught Jim some cooking tricks and took him to have lunch on the crow's nest. While it was nice to hear Jim had a lovely day, it was not very informative; it seemed as innocent as Jim made it sound.
Zoey, Ralph, and Salva's report on the other hand…
"Are you sure of this?" Smollett asked after the three Pokémon told of what they had heard.
"[With my own two ears, I heard it as plain as day,]" Salva said in Poké speak for the sake of ease. "[And Zoey and Ralph did as well once they listened long enough.]"
"Though they seem to believe it to be but a bit of rumor," Zoey added. "None who heard of a 'secret quest for pirate treasure' took the claim with any seriousness."
"Did they ask you if there was any truth to these 'rumors'?" Professor Livesey asked.
"No, they did not," Ralph answered. "I know not why."
"Perhaps they find the idea too outlandish to bring before an important member of the crew," Trelawney provided.
"Perhaps," Captain Smollett allowed. "However, it is the presence of these rumors alone that concerns me; whether these tourists believe them or not. Rumors are not born from nothing; someone aboard ship must at least suspect our true intent, or perhaps been made wise to it."
Everyone looked to Squire Trelawney.
"I have said nothing about our true quest to anyone aboard this vessel," he defended. "The present company excluded of course."
No one seemed entirely convinced of this, but there was no evidence that Trelawney let his tongue slip so the issue was dropped.
The Captain gave his concluding remarks. "That the crew happily sings of the man whose treasure we seek, and rumors of our intent seem to have been born is very troubling. I must restate the need to be vigilant, which seems to have grown in importance. If any of you believe you have found a trail to the cause of such things, then report such a trail to another officer immediately. This is a direct order, am I understood?"
"Yes, sir," was the chorused reply from everyone.
Well, everyone except Squire Trelawney anyway. Every eye then turned to him.
"Yes, Captain," he finally said.
The Captain gave out a sigh. "I pray now your words are portentous, Professor Livesey," he said. "And that the winds remain fair, so as to carry us to our destination with all speed."
Author's Note
Well, I got one more up. If the next term is not as hectic as the last I might be able to post more, but we shall see.
Happy New Year, readers. May the winds of fortune return next year so we can go outside and feel them again.