Author's Notes

Here we go! It's been a long enough wait! Here's a new chapter fresh off the presses and ready to go! Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Out on the Town

With the smell of fresh bread as a guiding arrow, it didn't take Maxim long to find the mess hall. The expansive room was full of simple tables and chairs made of tanned wood. Windows lined the wall, a sliver of indigo sky visible through each. Ceiling lamps hung down like fruits from a tree. A singular chandelier dangled above the room's main draw: a lengthy wooden station stacked with bread, soup, and other food Maxim couldn't make out.

A long line extended from the station all the way to the door, right to his position. He sighed as he realized he would have to wait for his meal. Within a few minutes, the line had steadily advanced. The Rowlet tried his best to keep from nodding off in line, looking around for some kind of focus to keep awake.

"I see yah tryin' to cut in line!"

"Cut in line?! Says the lying arse who's trying to skip ME!"

Right ahead was the perfect distraction; a Crocalor and a Timburr at each other's throats. The latter's face was as red as the Crocalor's own scales as he continued to lob insults.

"Has your own heat roasted your brain, you lug? Don't try and pass me then pretend I'm the one causing the problem! At least own up to it!"

The red gator spat out a small ember. "Bah! I'm no liar! You were the one oversteppin' your boundaries especially with that oversized plank o' yours!"

"Oversized plank?!" The Timberr growled, raising said object at him. "Try saying that when this thing bonks you over the head, you moppet!" The Crocalor shot steam out of his nose, as heat began to flow from his maw. Before the two could come to blows-

KABOOMM!

A purple projectile struck the floor near the arguing pair, shooting splinters and dust into the air. When the dust cleared, there was a hole burned into the ground by a slimy purple liquid. The crackle of dissolving wood was enough to make the duo jump back.

"Whoooopppssss~! My bad!"

A deep yet soft voice came from behind the countertop. The source was a pink and violet colored slowbro wearing a blue apron. A stubby arm rubbed the back of his head, while a strange, spikey shell covered his other one. Even from far away, Maxim could make out what looked like eyes at the base of the shell.

"No fighting, okay?" The slowbro said, waggling a finger from his normal arm. "It's hard for others to eat when it's too noisy!"

The pair straightened up and quickly nodded. "S-sure thing, Hyde! We'll get along!" They both said in unison before getting back in line.

Thankfully, the line continued to move without issue. When the time finally came for Maxim to get his share, he took a closer look at the food selection. A thick block of cheese had been cut into many pieces, some placed on small metal plates. Stacks of rolls were placed beside a massive pot of stew being stirred by the Slowbro with another mon, a Grafaiai, perched on his shoulder.

"C'mon, you gotta stir it faster than that!" The simian spoke in a light, but aggressive masculine tone. "

"Uh, excuse me?"

The pair froze and glanced down at Maxim. The Rowlet weakly waved to them. "I was hoping to see what was being served here?" He said.

Both stared silently before the Grafaiai tapped his partner on the shoulder..

"Well, whatardya waitin' for? Give the kid some grub!"

The slowbro poured some soup into a wooden bowl, then handed it to Maxim. The Rowlet looked over the soup with curiosity. "Huh, what type of soup is this?"

"Tamato Soup! A beloved special from yours truly, Cardin!" The Grafaiai said before taking a mock bow. "One taste and you'll be knocked into the stars above!"

"Heyyy, I helped too…" His Slowbro coworker sighed.

Cardin rubbed the back of his head. "Oh yeah and Hyde too, don't wanna forget that! Anyway, enjoy your food! I've got to mark Hyde's 'accidental shooting' tally again…"

Maxim looked back at the still-boiling hole in the floor and shuddered.

An unoccupied table in the back was the perfect spot for him to eat. Pokemon around paid him no mind, instead focused on celebration and chatting with friends. All the joyful energy in the air called to a familiar yet far away memory. Friends, had he done things in his previous world? Did he even have friends in his previous life? He pushed away those feelings of loneliness before they took root.

"It's alright. I can worry about making friends later." He thought. "Besides, if I stare any longer my soup's going to get cold."

He looked down at his meal. The orange colored broth had chunky bits peeking out of the surface, and a rich, earthen aroma radiated from the bowl. He took his first sip, and his world exploded into a mix of bitter, spicy and savory flavor. Again he took sip after sip as a hunger-induced trance took over. By the time he finally looked up from his bowl, it was practically picked clean.

"They weren't kidding! This is amazing!" He thought.

With that satisfying dinner out of the way, Maxim only had one more thing to do: sleep! Arrows and signs helped to guide him down the hatch to the barracks floor, the day's final stop.

The gargantuan room stretched on and on, filled to the brim with hammocks strung between interlocking beams. So many of them were locked into a diagonal position it caused the room to resemble a maze of silk. Pokemon of all shapes and sizes were either adjusting their hammocks, talking with neighbors, or fast asleep. Larger mons, like a sleeping Tangrowth, easily occupied three hammocks by themselves. And yet it all happened without a care in the world.

His eyes drifted over to a currently unoccupied hammock next to a wall. The perfect place for him to nap. Maxim silently made his way over, looking from side to side to make sure he wouldn't run into anyone. Hopping into the silk, Maxim turned on his side away from a group playing some kind of card game. Their frenetic whispers were easy to hear, but thankfully not enough to distract him. Amidst the dimming glow of candlelight, Maxim felt his eyes grow heavy.

Here's hoping tomorrow is a smooth start… He thought right as sleep overtook him.

#########################$#$#$$$#$#$ $ $ $ $ ^&*^**^*(&^(*

F453ITEGH

FSHEGH

….

Let experiment number ^& commence!

…

…

…

….

"Well done! It was a success! Congrats all around everyone!"

CLAP CLAP!

"Well, done Maxim, well done!"

CLAP CLAP!

"It wouldn't have worked without your quick thinking Sa*$*#! "

"Hehe, if it wasn't for your suggestion, I wouldn't have figured out how to adjust the power source! You really are your- $ $^

MAXIM!

BAAAAAAAAAARIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG

BARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!

"RISE AND SHINE, THE WINDS OF TOMORROW ARE BLOWIN' IN!"

Maxim was jolted out of the hammock by the loud noise. As he scrambled to get off the floor, he looked around. Daylight peeked out of small circular windows while pokemon rose up ready to meet the new day. Turning into a sizable crowd, they began to pour out of the room. He sighed and put on his scarf, trailing behind the rest.

One by one the crew members came up to the deck, forming an unorganized crowd. In front of the crowd was Captain Drake, with Signal on his left and Clyde on his right. The Quaquaval stood straight, arms crossed dramatically in the blowing wind. His eyes remained closed as one feathery finger tapped on his arm. Once a few minutes had passed, his posture relaxed, only for him to let out a mighty yell.

"GOOOOOOOD MORNING MY LOVELY CREW~!" He bellowed. "Best be well rested, because Calvin Island approaches!" He turned around and pointed to the distant horizon. Sure enough, an island was slowly getting closer. He turned back to the crowd.

"Once we get there, it's time to drop off this bounty, and claim another hefty reward. What do you all think about that?!"

"YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, forcing Maxim to put his wings to his head. I can't blame them after that ferocious fighting, but this is gonna take some getting used to." A small sigh escaped his beak.

"I hate to dampen the mood, but I have some bad news to share. You see, the crew of Blue Horizon suffered an unexpected delay which means it will take them roughly three whole days at least to make it to the rendezvous point. As such, we will be staying on Calvin Island for the meantime."

All the cheering shifted into groans as a somber mood descended. Maxim was only confused at the news.

Drake remained unfazed. "No matter! This is a great opportunity to take a good break after a long month of work! Calvin Island's a simple location, but a peaceful one. Enjoy yourself at the local stops, just don't get drunk enough for us to leave you on the island!"

Laughter bursted out as Drake puffed out his chest for another yell.

"AND REMEMBER, MOVE FORWARD ONE STEP!"

"AT A TIME!" The crowd returned back.

"DISMISSED!"

The crowd slowly began to disperse, leaving Maxim to decide what to do next. Before he could come up with a plan, Drake appeared in front with Clyde in tow.

"Ah yes, Maxim, just the mon I wanted to see!" He grinned, before nodding at Clyde. "Let's get things started shall we?"

Maxim fidgeted in place. Ahhh yeah, the "orientation". Hope they won't put me through hell.

Clyde cleared his throat. "Ah hem! Now then, since you're now a new crew member, that means we've got to lay out some ground rules for ya!"

"Err, ground rules?" Maxim gulped.

"Aye! Our Crew Codes! Every new crew member is required to know them by heart, and you're no different!" Clyde grinned. The Politoed took out a small navy-blue booklet and began to read aloud.

"The Crew Codes are to be followed at all times! Breaking them leads to a punishment reflecting the act! To start:

1. Every crewmate is entitled to their own business and affairs, provided it doesn't affect another crewmate or the crew itself."

Maxim nodded, pleased that the crew wouldn't bombard him with a bunch of questions without his permission.

"2. Every crewmate shall work for their daily poke! This includes labor, raids, exploration, etc. Otherwise, no pay! Non-negotiable!"

"Does being a flying feather duster count? Surely being good at sweeping is worth a few.. Poke or whatever money is called here." Maxim mused.

"3. All crewmates are to be vigilant at all times, even when resting! Anyone caught slacking or goofing off at their post is subject to punishment, so no Horseaing around, got it?!"

A certain trio came to mind, but Maxim chased the thought away.

"4. The most important one! A relationship between crewmates is built on trust! Therefore, you must swear that you will remain loyal to your fellow crewmate through thick and thin, and never leave the crew to dry! Anyone caught deceiving or betraying the crew's trust for their own gain is to be kicked out and marooned from the crew! No ifs, ands, or buts!"

Clyde shut the book with a mighty clap then placed it back into the bag around his hip. "Well that about covers it! Now then, since you've already signed the paperwork I think we can move onto the next step. Ain't that right, Captain?" He winked at Drake, who nodded back.

Reaching into his bag again, Clyde took out a small sack, the clinking of coins giving way its contents. The bag landed at Maxim's feet.

"Money?" Maxim said, cocking his head to the side. "Would this be my first 'paycheck' on the job?"

"Yep! 500 poke! Nice little starter bonus! Shame you joined the crew after we knocked down Ocher, else you would have gotten more than that!" Clyde grinned.

Maxim scooped up the pouch and carefully tucked it away in his scarf. "Well thanks. I guess pay is pay."

"So what do I do now?" Maxim asked.

"Calvin Island is coming up soon. So while your partner gets ready, why not kill a little time on the deck?"

"Sure thing, I guess. Don't have much else to do."

Maxim wasn't sure how much time had passed as he watched the island grow closer and closer past drifting clouds. Eventually he could make out several features: Forests and grassy plains stretched over the land, while at its heart was a town complete with a harbor filled with docked ships. Near the left edge of the island was a tall forest packed with strange, dome shaped trees. A simplistic yet diverse island, and a welcome place for the crew to stop by.

The ship slowly eased into harbor, careful to squeeze through the gaps provided by other docked ships, finally coming to rest in an open space between two smaller galleons. A loud clack followed by a jolt on deck occurred as gigantic metal rings clasped the ship's side. Now that the ship had docked, Drake called out from the main deck.

"Alright everyone, feel free to disembark!"

With another set of cheers, the crowd of privateers disembarked, only a few staying on deck. Maxim walked over to the ramp, but Drake's leg stopped him.

"Oh hey! Don't leave without your partner!" He chuckled before clapping his hands together. "Hey~! Over here!"

"Alright, Alright! Gimme a sec!" The voice from a very familiar weasel echoed. Running towards them with a bag in hand and scarf missing was Rene, a visible scowl on her face. Her gaze softened when she looked at Maxim.

The weasel placed a paw on her hip. "I'm not that good of a teacher, y'know! You remember how the last time went, yeah?"

Wait, she was going to be his partner? Maxim turned to Drake, who nodded in return.

"Indeed! It's been a while since poor lil' Rene here had a partner, and I feel a fresh recruit like yourself should at least shadow under one of our best solo members!" He shot a wink at Rene, but the Mienfoo only shook her head. "She'll whip you into shape in no time flat!"

"Well, I'll give it a shot, Captain. As long as I'm not launching myself as a living cannonball like her." He thought.

"Yea, yea, yea! I know I'm awesome. Let's just get this going already!" The Mienfoo groaned. She pulled out an aged piece of paper, slowly unraveled it, and presented it to Maxim. The Rowlet found himself face to face with a map of the entire island. Maxim could make out the tall forest, small town, and other locations including a face shaped cave of some kind.

"Here's your own copy, don't let it go flyin' away from you. See yah outside the ship." Clutching her bag tightly, she slid down the ramp.

"Have fun you two! I've got business to attend to!" Drake chimed in, pointing down at the dock. A group of armored pokemon wearing light blue scarves escorted the pirates off their ship one by one in chains. Then came Ocher, with the dragon held his head down and ears flat as his once proud form was cuffed to a wooden box. One of the armored mons, a spindly Watchog, pulled Drake to the side to talk with him. The two became locked in conversation as Signal watched from a few feet away.

Upon hopping off the ramp, Maxim was taken out of further observation by a quick tap on his head. Rene stood right behind him, tapping her foot on the ground.

"Shit! I better get a move on!"

He gulped and picked up the pace, not wanting to delay his partner further.

Right before leaving the dock, a wooden sign stood next to the town entrance with letters painted in white.

WELCOME TO CALVIN TOWN - Where The Gentle Breeze Blows!

"Well come on, we ain't got all day!"

Maxim held in a sigh as Rene fussed for him to follow around. The Mienfoo was dead set in getting him acquainted with the town, three day stay or not. Each building in town was constructed out of wood and stone, the average building no higher than two stories. Combined with the simple cobblestone streets and thin metal street signs, the area reminded him of an 18th century village in his original world. Pokemon peeked out of the open windows to sightsee and more at the streets below. He let out a small yelp as a bucket of paint crashed into the street below, a painting Smeargle above slowly waving a paw. A steady stream of pokemon flooded into stores and alleys, forcing Maxim to keep close to Rene.

"The first major stop is just right around this corner!" She called out.

Maxim flapped his wings to keep up as she ran down a narrow street. His novice skill at flying was a bane that forced him to swerve around signs and hanging lamps. The street emptied into a much larger road with a beige sign with faded letters painted on it: Merchant's Road. Sure enough, rows of wooden stalls, tents, and stands dotted both sides of the road. Maxim looked around. A Mismagius selling various glowing orbs, a Typhlosion running a box opening business, and many others took up shop. There was even a Pikachu with the number 1 on their scarf selling…home insurance? From the surge of pokemon that blew through from store to store it was easy to see that this was the lifeblood of the town.

"I'm honestly impressed that this world has a functioning society. But then again, things are crazy enough for this to be sane to me." Maxim thought as he looked from side to side.

There was one location that really caught his eye, a rather lavish red tarped tent covered in vivid golden floral patterns. Right above the entrance was an arrow shaped sign with the title: Boniface's Breathtaking Bazaar!

Rene had noticed the store herself, and stopped walking as stared at it. She turned around to Maxim and beckoned him forward. Once he got close enough she looked around before leaning in.

"There's more to being a privateer than just plundering and exploration. Ya got to be clever and think on the fly!" She whispered. "So I'm not just gonna teach you how to fight, you're gonna learn another key skill: barterin'!" Grinning, Rene crossed her arms and nodded towards the tent.

"What? You want me to talk them down for prices?" Maxim whispered back.

"Yeah! That 500 poke of yours is gonna go fast otherwise!"

Maxim raised a wing to his temple. "You do got a point. I'm no finance expert here, so I'll follow your lead on it for now. What's the plan, teach?"

That got Rene to flash a wide grin. "We're going into this fancy tent and givin' the owner a hell of a price shakedown! C'mon, lets go!"

Rene dragged him through the tent's entrance. On the inside, rows of scarlet covered shelves held many items from strange, oversized seeds, to glowing disks and a bag full of pebbles.

"Hellllllllllooooo~~! You come to buy Boniface's goods, yes?" replied a slightly shrill male's voice.

Maxim glanced up to see a giant walking, talking mushroom walking towards them. Gold jewelry lined the top of the mushroom's cap while a lime green scarf wrapped around their neck. His biggest draw was the shining gold badge attached to the top of his scarf, shaped vaguely like a diamond. The Shiinotic waved at the pair before speaking again.

"What brings you here, friends? Do you seek goods, services or perhaps guidance?" He raised the orb in his arms forward, slowly rubbing the top with thin fingers.

Even with his friendly attitude, Maxim felt creeped out by the pokemon's unmoving grin and vacant stare. It was as if he was staring through them. If Rene was also unnerved she didn't show it, instead crossing her arms with a smirk.

"Goods? You know it! I can tell from a small gander that this place is legit! And that scarf and badge o' yours is nice too!" She cheered.

The Shiinotic clapped his hands together. "Ahhh thank you! Boniface works hard to establish this branch of his growing merchant empire! Many have come from different islands to have a taste of the exotic goods here! Now then, what are you interested in?"

Rene picked up a shining orb, then presented it to Boniface. "A Rebound Orb! And its nicely polished too! How much for this one?"

"400 poke! In good condition too!" He beamed. The smile on his face deepened when Rene placed a paw on her temple.

"400? That seems a bit..much, don't you think? It seems in mint condition, but wouldn't it be easier to sell at a lower price?"

Boniface nodded and spoke."Ohohoho! You have a wonderful eye! Valuable indeed. But Boniface's prices are right as rain. That item is worth every penny!"

Rene "I suppose. But this kinda orb ain't super rare either! Not saying they can grow on trees, but orbs show up often enough!"

"Then if you can find another orb like this in a nearby dungeon, that would prove me wrong. Surely that is easy task for privateer, oui?"

Rene was left at a loss for words. "How did you-?"

"Many faces come through here. Easy to read, easy to know and learn. You're no different!" The Shiinotic taunted. Rene gritted her teeth as she raised a paw, but that just made him wag a finger.

"Ah ah ah! No more fooling moi! Either pay proper price or Boniface charge you extra premium!"

Biting her lip, the Mienfoo hesitated for a few seconds, before reaching into her pack and presenting her poke. Boniface nodded before accepting. "Merci! Pleasure doing business with you!"

He turned over to Maxim. "Hello, friend! Do you need goods too?"

"I-I'm good! Thank you!" Maxim stammered before skittering away behind Rene.

The two said nothing between themselves as they walked back through Merchant's Block. Rene kept walking forward without turning her head back once. As crowds of pokemon began to flood in, the pair continued to silently travel.

After a few minutes of walking, Maxim worked up the nerve to speak to her again.

"Hey Rene, are you okay?"

The Mienfoo stopped, sighed and then tilted her head back. "I'm fine. That guy was just too damn tough to crack!"

"Are most merchants hard to deal with like him?" He asked.

"N-no! I promise I can find another one to demonstrate on! That one's just a fluke, is all!" She said, crossing her arms. Before they could scout out another merchant, the pair received an unexpected interruption.

Rmmmmb

"What the? You good, shorty?" Rene said, raising an eyebrow.

Maxim looked down, too embarrassed to look her in the eyes for his next words.

"I.. may have forgotten to eat anything this morning. Slipped my mind."

Several seconds passed before Rene howled with laughter, nearly falling over in the process.

"Hahahaha! You forgot? There's no way!"

Maxim rubbed the back of his head. "I got carried away between everything that happened so far today, sorry."

"Bah, don't apologize. Least you can do is go fill your belly on some grub." Rene said. She pulled out her town map, took a glance, then pointed in the direction of a nearby street. "Map here says there should be a stack of restaurants down there. Go and eat somethin' there."

She began to walk off in another direction, catching Maxim by surprise. "Wait, you're not coming with me?" He said.

Rene shook her head. "Nope! You've got to be independent! You don't need me holding your hand for this!" She clapped her paws together. "Plus, I ain't hungry anyway! I'll meet you down there later!"

With that, the Mienfoo was gone, leaving Maxim by himself. His stomach rumbled again, giving him the motivation to get going.

"I better make this quick." He whispered as he flapped away.

The good thing was that the road was nearly a straight shot. Maxim weaved in and out of traffic by flying, cutting down the travel time. The road crossed into a circular plaza. The wonderful scent of baked and steamed goods taunted his nostrils, only making his growling stomach more weary. The Rowlet came to rest on a bench.

All around, vibrant buildings held restaurants galore. Some, like a sharpedo shaped shack, had a visible kitchen, while a Pidove shaped diner had tinted windows shielding the inside. Maxim's attention hopped from place to place, until he set his sights on a peculiar one. On the plaza outskirts was an oblong shaped building painted a vibrant blue. On the top of the building was a sign shaped like a Wobbuffet holding a bowl captioned Hideki's Noodle Shop.

"Noodles?" He thought. "Sounds simple enough for me. Here goes."

Past a silk curtain, purple colored walls led to a line of seats and tables spaced out on a polished wooden floor. Floral themed lanterns hung from an open ceiling. The menu was displayed behind a counter run by a sulking Sandshrew.

"Ugh, what are yah orderin? Don't spend too long staring up there, okay?" The Sandshrew said with a weary tone.

"Let's see… Oran Berry Noodles, Colba Berry Slaw, Tamato Berry Bisque, Rawst Berry Ramen? The more items I look at, the more confused I get!" Maxim thought. "Alien world equals Alien food, that's something to remember!"

"What's the matter? Confused, little buddy?"

A voice called out from right behind him, that of a gentle masculine tone. Maxim turned around to come face to face with a large bipedal chicken he recognized as a Combusken. A silky white scarf with a golden badge that glimmered in the sunlight was attached around his neck. The pokemon sported a wide grin with his arms crossed behind his head.

"Honestly if you ask me, you should go with the Oran Noodle Special! It's calm, refreshing, and tangy! Just the way I like it!" The Combusken beamed. Maxim swore if the bird's grin widened any more it'd be brighter than the sun.

"But not too spicy?"

"Nope!"

"Well, I'm hungry, and I'm not one to be picky, at least I hope. Hello, one order of the Oran Noodles please!" Maxim said.

The Combuskin chimed in. "Make that two orders please!"

Both pokemon paid for their meals, then went to look for a table. One touching the wall caught Maxim's eye, but he wasn't the only one interested. He hopped into a seat only to find the same Combusken facing him.

"Hey there! Hope you don't mind me sitting here too!"

Maxim was questioning why this mon wanted to take with him so badly, but it's not like he wouldn't mind some company. "That's fine, but just who are you?"

With a brush of his head feathers, the Combusken puffed out his chest. "Oh me? My name is Hurik, Gold-Rank Explorer!" He pointed to his badge. "Yeah I know, cool right? You can save the praises for later!"

"I see, that's interesting. But what's an adventurer?"

That question left the Combusken at a loss for words, as his eyes expanded and beak hung open.

"Wha-wha-WHAT?! What kind of question is that to ask? Have you never seen an adventurer before?"

Maxim rubbed the back of his head. "Err nope."

"You're joking, right?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Absolutely sure?"

"Uh huh."

Hurik reclined back, rubbing his claws over his face. A few seconds and some low whispers later, and a grin flashed across his beak. "Well okay, I'm not sure where in the skies you're from, but I guess a little history lesson wouldn't hurt, would it?"

"First privateers, now adventurers? I've got to keep tabs on these second-nature jobs." Maxim thought.

He nodded to confirm. The Combusken sat up straight, then adjusted his badge. A fiery gleam shined in his eyes. "Alright, listen up Rowlet, because Hurik here is gonna give you a crash course on being an adventurer!"

Just outside of town, a party of armed guards had escorted Drake and Signal to an isolated location. The plain white walled house with a blue roof was a shockingly simple place for an important meeting. Suspicion began to creep up on Drake as he realized the place was devoid of security. It even lacked a fence!

"Not exactly up to snuff for such a formal meeting." Drake said to the armored Watchog leading in front. No response came back.

One of the guards, an Aipom, scurried up to the door and knocked five times. A few seconds later, a soft female voice answered.

"Hello! Please come in!"

The guards parted, allowing Drake and Signal to pass. Drake inwardly groaned at the gesture. He had a bad feeling about who was waiting for him beyond that door. Signal only stared back at him with a sheen in his eyes.

With a gentle turn of the nob, Drake opened the door to the sound of a crackling fire and the smell of warm tea. The inside was just as simple: plain walls, with a pair of tables and chairs placed neatly in the center. The lit fireplace coated everything in a yellow glow, including the mon sitting at a table. Drake's grin completely evaporated as he laid eyes on his "host".

A female Indeedee, wearing a golden scarf with a platinum badge attached, sat cross legged with a tea cup in hand. Her almond eyes casted a warm glow as she waved at Drake.

"Matilda?" He murmured. "He sent you?"

A small nod answered him. The Captain almost wanted to swear. Titling his head back, he spoke to his first mate.

"Signal, leave us. Wait for me by the door."

The Braviary nodded, leaving the house. Once the door shut, Drake took a seat at the table. Matilda poured a cup of tea and then slid it towards him, a light smile on her face. Drake's frown refused to vanish however, as he glared at her shimmering badge.

"So why did the Governor send you? Hasn't he been keeping good enough tabs on us?"

The Indeedee said nothing, only taking a small sip of tea after mixing in a cube of sugar. Seconds seemed to stretch for an eternity as he waited for her answer.

"Your tea is getting cold. I suggest taking a sip to ease your worries." She said, placing her empty cup down.

Drake sighed and took the cup in hand, allowing himself a small sip. The sweet and silky drink went down easy, but did little to help his mood. "Now will you answer me?"

With a small nod, the Indeedee straightened up. "I suppose it was my turn to check on you. Stellar work as always, Captain Drake!"

"Could you get to the point already?" He said, crossing his arms.

"My my, so blunt! I was just passing by when the Governor gave me the order to meet with you!" She giggled. "I promise there's nought an ounce of ill will by me coming here!"

Matilda reclined back into her chair, crossing her hands in front of her face. "Besides, I wanted to hear all of what you've been up to since last we met. The last three missions specifically. And of course, the human you found."

His grip on the teacup tightened as he tried to maintain a steady pose. Keeping his thoughts clear was key around a psychic type.

"Hmm, he told you a little bit about our conversation yesterday, didn't he?" Drake sighed. "Surely nobody else knows."

The Indeedee's small grew larger. "To my knowledge, he has not. I won't ask you about that subject yet. After all, we still have some catching up to do beforehand!"

Ignoring the sensation of an oncoming headache, Drake nodded.

"Yes, yes we do. How about I start with Gearly Island?"

Until next time, dear reader! Please make sure to leave your thoughts in the comment section! Every little bit helps me to think about how to improve my writing!