"Now, if I were an old sailor, where'd I hide?" Red thought aloud. "Aimee, let go. I'm not going anywhere."
"I know, but it keeps me secure." Aimee giggled.
"I'd probably lock myself in my house." Red told himself. "Except there are tons of houses in Rogueport! Which one would I hide in?"
"Why not one near water?" Aimee suggested. "If you were a sailor, you'd want to still see water once in a while."
"True." Red agreed. "Let's check houses near the river."
"We don't have much time, Red!" Aimee reminded. "Remember what Callie and Marie told us, the X-Nauts may have the Crystal Star very soon!"
"Someone has to know where he is!" Red thought. "That's it! Ishnail may know where he is!" Red turned down an alley and knocked on a door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Red. Remember? The high roller?"
"Oh, you! Come in, come in." The door swung open.
"Ishnail!" Red cheered as they entered the room.
"Well, if it ain't the high roller!" Ishnail recalled. "Finally settled on one girl, eh?"
"Good one." Red laughed. "Actually, I came here to ask a favour. See, we're trying to find a guy by the name of Admiral Bobbery."
"What makes you think we'll give you his location, Red?" Ishnail folded his arms. "He's paid us good not to tell anyone the location."
"See, we're headed to the remote island of Keelhaul Key, and we need someone who can navigate us through the rough waters." Red explained. "Kapeesh?"
"Snooze fest, Red." Ishnail daftly dismissed.
"You know, Ishnail, it's been rumoured that there's a pirate's treasure trove hidden there. The treasure hidden there is rumoured to be the most valuable and sought after treasure requested. Maybe I can bring something back for your troubles." Red sneered.
"Wait, WAIT!" Ishnail paused Red. "What're we talkin' here?"
"I'm talking gold! I'm talking silver! Diamonds! Rubies! Sapphires! Anything you need, they've got there!" Red explained rather dramatically.
"You got a deal, Red!" Ishnail nodded. "Here's the address. It's 386 Strange Street. It's not too far from the river."
"Thanks, Ishnail. I owe you." Red smiled on his way out.
"Once you bring me some treasure, we'll be even, bro!" Ishnail yelled after him. "Peace!"
"Here it is: 386." Red checked the address. "Here we go." Red knocked three times. "Admiral Bobbery? We need you at the dock!" No response.
"Remember, Red." Aimee recalled. "He probably won't even answer the door. We'll have to sneak in there."
"Right." Red shacked his head. "Stupid me! You bring your weapon, Aimee?"
"Always have it!" Aimee nodded.
"Ink a trail up this wall." Red ordered.
"Can do!" Aimee fired a fully charged shot, creating a clear wall to the roof. Red inked a trail down the chimney so they'd fit.
"Admiral!" Red called as they entered the small room.
"What are you kids doing here?" A Bob-omb asked. He was a brown Bob-omb that had a white beard. He also wore a captain's hat, and his key was the steering wheel of a boat. "Who is Admiral Bobbery?"
"You are!" Red explained. "Aren't you?"
"I don't want any trouble, so please excuse yourselves and leave." He opened the door.
"Look, we know you're Admiral Bobbery." Aimee convinced.
"What rubbish!" he dismissed. "What would you want to do with me if I were this chap?"
"Our ship needs a navigator, and we've heard you're the best around!" Red explained.
"I'm sorry, kids. I shall never set sail on the seas again!" Admiral Bobbery explained. "Find yourselves another navigator."
"Oh boy." Red sighed. "This…this is more difficult than I thought." Red grabbed Aimee and they walked out the door.
"Geez, he's not going anywhere, Red!" Aimee picked up.
"I think you're right." Red agreed. "But there's probably something we can do to change his mind. What we gotta do is find some beef on this guy!"
"Maybe Ishnail can get us some more info on him." Aimee suggested.
"It's worth a try." Red agreed. "Let's go back."
"I can't figure you, Red!" Ishnail shook his head. "I got you the address, what more do you need?"
"I need some dirt on this guys, Ishnail." Red ordered. "Also, there's a 500-coin advance if you can tell us." Red pulled out a bag of coins.
"Deal." Ishnail took the offer without blinking. "So, Bobbery won't sail, eh? Not a shocker, I must admit. Red, are you sure you want him navigating your ship?"
"Why, is there an issue with that?" Red asked.
"No, none a tall." Ishnail continued. "No one is more natural on the water than old Bobbery. The thing is… someone told me his story while back. It's actually one of the saddest stories I've ever heard, and I grew up in the streets."
"Well, do tell, Ish!" Aimee urged. "We gotta know!"
"Fine." Ishnail nodded. "Bobbery was once married to a beauty named Scarlette. The two were madly in love; you know, like that fairy tale love mush, right? Anyway, Bobbery was a sailor, so he'd be away from home for long periods of time. Scarlette never complained, and waited eagerly for his return always. They lived happily, and all was good, for a time, at least."
"What happened, Ish?" Red asked. "Keep going."
"All right, then. As you probably know, not all good things can last. It was a particularly icy winter that year. Scarlette fell ill, but no one knew what to blame. Eventually, it became pretty serious. Bobbery, who was on a voyage at sea at the time, knew nothing of her suffering. By the time he returned, he found her in a hole in the ground. Of course, Bobbery blamed himself. He kept saying how if he'd never left for that voyage, she'd still be with him. The thoughts soon overwhelmed his life, tormenting him and plaguing his sleep. He had only been out to sea one more time after that incident. After that, he vowed to never venture into the blue ocean again."
Aimee was bawling her eyes out like no tomorrow. "Come on, Aimee. There's no need to bring all of us down" Red urged.
"It's just…It's just…It's so sad!" Aimee explained.
"I'd hate the ocean too, after an experience like that." Red agreed.
"After this, do you still want him on your boat, Red?" Ishnail asked.
"We have no choice. While he mourns this death, others will perish at the hand of Grodus." Red said, lowly.
"As you wish." Ishnail went into an old armoire. It was the only decent piece of furniture in the room. He dug out a letter. "Before Scarlette died, she wrote Bobbery a letter. You now hold that letter. It was her last vow that he receive this letter. He's heard it once before, urging him to take his supposed final trip to sea. He has not read it since. Be merciful on the old soul, he's been through a lot."
"Thanks, Ishnail." Red bowed. "Here's another 200 for your trouble. C'mon, Aimee. You can cry outside."
"Here we are: Bobbery's house." Aimee noticed. "Let's get this over with, I feel another cry coming on."
"Just hold it until after he finishes reading." Red opened the door. "Hello again, Admiral."
"What are you doing here again, child?" Admiral Bobbery complained. "I told you to leave!"
"We have one thing for you. This is our last try to get you to come." Red explained. "Read, see if you remember this letter."
"Scarlette!" Bobbery realized. "This must be the last letter, again. 'My love, if you're reading this letter, I am no longer by your side. Because fate has stepped between us, I have decided to write you this letter. If you're reading this, I must have passed away while you were out at sea. I can only assume you'll blame yourself for it, sweet Bobbery. Although my life was short, you gave me more than a lifetime's worth of joy. Though you will mourn, I beg that you remember that time, like love, is a tide. You are one with the sea, as you were one with me. Do not lose both your life's loves.'" Bobbery stopped. "I-I need a moment, please." He stepped into the back room.
Aimee was once again, bawling her eyes out. "Geez, Aimee! Do you gotta get all emotional in front of the Admiral? He's already been through enough problems." Red backhandedly commented.
"Red, was it? I've heard much about you from Ishnail." Bobbery explained. "Your poor girlfriend. Look how much my life has moved her. I believe you require a navigator, correct?"
"We need your help, Admiral." Red summarized. "If we refuse to put emotion and other emotions behind, more lives will be lost."
"Well, if it's a navigator you want, it's a navigator you get!" Bobbery huffed, proudly. "I shall meet you at the boat, Red. Can't wait to get back on the water!" He raced down the street.
"That's great to hear." Red affirmed stiffly, and then looked at Aimee, who was red in the face. "Let's go, Aimee."
"Look at them!" Aimee was looking at a picture of Bobbery and Scarlette. "Look how happy they were."
"We don't have time to dwell on that." Red moved on. "Let's go, we have work to do."
"Red?" Aimee asked.
"What is it now, Aimee?" Red sighed. "We have places to be!"
"Why do lack such emotion?" Aimee asked. "You weren't like this before. Robbery's story didn't move you?"
"...Yes. It was a fascinating tale." Red rushed. "NOW can we get moving!?"
"What's wrong with you, Red!?" Aimee questioned, disgusted.
"Twilight Town taught me that emotion just gets in the way of the mission." Red boldly proclaimed. "I can't prioritize petty things like my 'feelings' over the lives of the world."
"So you refuse to welcome love into your life for the sake of adventure?" Aimee gasped, her eyes bulging with tears.
"Please don't cry again." Red turned away. "I will save things like my 'personal life' and 'love' for after I can go to rest knowing that the threat of destruction has been neutralized."
"...I understand." Aimee agreed. "Maybe one day you'll change." She ran ahead.
"Really?" Red asked, unhardened. "You're good with this?"
"Of course!" Aimee smirked. She let Red run ahead of her as he spotted the harbour. 'Maybe one day, you'll stop taking my feelings for granted.'
