Still giddy after seeing Madelyn, Buggy continued the long slog back to the hotel. The easy downward slope and warmth of the sun on his back made him pause to look over the sight of the town. The picturesque buildings, brimming with color and character. The people equally as distinct with their individual pursuits bustling about amid the carts, animals and stands. Further down, the docks with boats coming and going on the bright blue waves of the sea. Even up here he could feel the caress of the sea breeze, allowing the sun to be gentle in its warmth. If he should choose to retire, it would be a good place for it. Have to get through this con job first and then depending on how things go…who am I kidding? He probably would never be able to come back. Best to enjoy it for now. It and its hotel owner.

He took one last look, slowly leaving his spot and went further down the hill. He was getting near the outskirts of town when he noticed the three men he had seen earlier at the range, talking animatedly into a mini transponder snail. Black floppy hat man made eye contact with Buggy again and then pulled the other two closer around the snail. A bit unusual, but Buggy shook it off. Maybe the man didn't like clowns.

There was nothing Buggy could really do to change his appearance so he just leaned into the whole creepy aspect about clowns when pirating. Intimidation was key a lot of the time. It was in the quiet moments that Buggy sometimes wished he didn't have such a striking appearance; however Madelyn's words about his nose did strike a chord. The nose was just a part of him. He laughed to himself. A flashy nose for a flashy man.

Buggy walked a little bit faster, he wanted to get a change of less flashy clothes from the hotel to go work with the twins and his men on the hull of his ship. Meeting Madelyn again had been lucky, but he really needed to make sure the ship was seen to. Buggy sighed. Yes, the twins had been helpful, but they needed to curb their impulses; they would not always be to their benefit. Buggy grimaced and shook his head. The twins were proving to be good hands, they just needed firm reminders from time to time.

Buggy was then reminded that he wanted to thank Mr. Whitaker for the food recommendation yesterday. The man had tipped his hat to Buggy as he was leaving the hotel entrance and so Buggy took a second to do so.

"Mr Whitaker, good day to you." Buggy gave him a bow.

"Same to you, Captain."

"Thank you for that restaurant recommendation, very good food. What are you doing here? Still talking numbers with Miss Juvat?"

"No, no I tried to catch another client of mine who is inside, he was occupied. " The old man shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "I must go, but it is a pleasure to see you again, Captain. Glad you liked the food."

After saying farewell, Buggy noticed a carriage in front of the porch of the hotel's entrance. It was a four horse carriage with a driver sitting atop holding the reins. The side of the vehicle had an interesting coat of arms. Two foxes standing on their hind legs with their backs to each other and in the middle a fish jumping with a berry coin in its mouth. He walked in and looked over at the reception desk.

Deb and Madelyn were behind the desk. Deb's face barely contained hatred and Madelyn's was blank. They were each looking at a man across from them who was talking to them or to himself. It was hard to tell. A man, whose face reminded Buggy of a fox, with a pointy nose and red-orange hair to match. He was leaning with his elbows on the desk getting as close to Madelyn as he could, while Madelyn was firmly using the desk as a shield, her hands on the farthest edge.

At a distance from the foxy man, was another man who was looking on at the scene. He yawned in between glances up and was resting himself on the back of the couch that faced the porch window with a pronounced slouch. Next to him was a little wooden box with a metal handle that he balanced on the sofa's back. Truly the man was a potato with legs, he even had moles on his face that were like the eyes that potatoes could get.

Buggy looked away from the potato man and looked back at Deb and Madelyn. Deb noticed Buggy and indicated to him to come over with her eyes. He cautiously began to walk over, listening to the conversation as he got nearer.

"I thought you'd appreciate the apples. I know the restaurant needs them for one type of delicious tarts they make. I made sure to put one bushel aside for you since I know you like to bake."

"Yes thank you." Madelyn said, her normal customer service professionalism gone. "As usual, the shipments you bring in are of top quality, Mr Merryweather. Your father's business is in capable hands. I'm sure it will be even better when it fully becomes yours." Madelyn glanced behind Mr Merryweather and saw Buggy. "I must bid you goodbye, Mr. Merryweather. I am needed elsewhere."

Madelyn started to turn away when Gereald reached for and grabbed her hand.

"But my dear, surely you will come with me to dinner tonight?" Madelyn immediately removed her hand from his and said firmly.

"No, I'm sorry, I can't Mr Merryweather."

"Come now Madelyn, I've told you to call me Gerald."

Buggy was now standing behind Gerald. He pretended to wait his turn. The hands in his pockets formed fists as he listened to the oily tone of Gerald's voice. Bastard thinks he can take away my mark. He looked back at the potato man and nodded once he caught his eye. He had something under his long coat, whether it was a gun or a sword, Buggy wasn't sure.

"Miss Juvat," Deb emphasized to Gerald, "is occupied tonight, sir."

"Nonsense, everyone needs to eat. Including you Madelyn."

"Hey! I think she said no, shithead." Buggy pushed Gerald away from the desk.

"Ah," Gerald wiped his clothing from the push and put hand up to the potato man to hold back. He slowly walked around Buggy and then came to a stop in front of him. "An interesting would-be savior, you have here my dear Madelyn. I keep telling you, you should have better clientele."

They were almost of equal height, however Buggy was a little taller. The clown debated chopping himself to be even taller, but decided against it.

" I've seen you before, oh yes, on a wanted poster a few months ago. What was it, Binky? Boogie? Burpy? No…ah! Buggy the Clown. Now tell me, what is a clown like you going to do?"
"I only look like one, unlike you." Buggy said grimly as he stepped closer to Gerald, who took a slight step back.

"Oh my how cutting. With a nose like that it's no wonder you chose that name." Gerald had a nasally laugh.

Buggy used one arm to pick up Gerald by his shirt to push and hold him against the far wall on the right side of the desk. In his other hand he had one of his knives drawn against the man's throat. Buggy enjoyed the change to Gerald's demeanor; near death experiences tended to have that effect. It wasn't even really about his nose, more so the pleasure of intimidating this insufferable idiot. Made it even better with Madelyn watching.

" It is, isn't it? And what was that about my nose?" Buggy's voice was deadly.

Buggy then heard a gun cock and something clatter to the floor. Then another gun cocked and the clown felt someone move behind him.

"I ask you to put that gun away Mr Smalls. Captain Buggy was only defending me. I think Mr. Merryweather understands now, Captain." Madelyn said urgently.

Buggy let him go and put the knife away. Gerald lost a little of his footing as he shuffled around the clown. Buggy shot him a malicious grin, but said nothing. Madelyn, he had noticed, had stood between himself and Mr Smalls. She was still holding her gun at Mr Smalls until Gerald swatted at Mr Smalls to put his gun away. Mr Smalls rolled his eyes when Gerald looked away. He then attended to the wooden box that had fallen and opened when he drew his gun. A transponder snail had fallen out and was making agitated noises. The potato man gently put it back in the box.

"Keep it out!" Gerald hissed at him. "Need to call the shipyard."

When Madelyn reholstered her gun, Gerald looked at her and said, "Another time I think my dear."

He gave a curt bow and left. Mr Smalls gave a loud sigh and bounded after him in his wake. The carriage outside started to leave soon after. Buggy looked over to Madelyn and saw her body crumple a bit while her face was focused on the outside door. His hand did a bit of back and forth, but finally placed itself on her shoulder. What kind of idiot puts herself in front of a gun?

"Annoying man." She said harshly.

"Doesn't take no for an answer?"

Madelyn turned to look up at Buggy and said "I have been very blunt with him, but he just laughs it off." Madelyn sighed into a tired laugh. "He thinks since he's the mayor's son that he's a catch."

She shook her head. "Ugh! Never mind him. You were magnificent." Madelyn placed her hands on his chest to further emphasize the "you". Damn this adrenaline, why is my heart pumping so fast?

"I'd say." Deb was still behind the desk, her chin resting in her hand, observing Buggy and Madelyn.

"Oh Deb! Are you alright?" Madelyn quickly removed her hands while Buggy removed his.

"What kind of foolish thing was that, putting yourself in front of a gun?" Deb thundered at Madelyn.

"I agree with you, Deb. Madelyn, that was a really stupid thing to do, but being brave does have some stupidity attached to it sometimes." Buggy added walking over to lean casually on the desk.

"You know what Gerald is like Deb, plus I couldn't let anything bad happen." Madelyn ignored Buggy and walked behind the counter

"By making yourself a target?" Buggy demanded.

"I acted for your welfare." Madelyn turned and fired back.

"As if that makes it any better Mad—!" Buggy started to retort but stopped. For me?

Madelyn then walked over to Deb and put her arm around her in a side hug. "I'm sorry to give you a fright Deb, please don't worry about it."

Deb nodded and patted Madelyn. After a glance at Buggy, it seemed to completely dawn on Deb that she had to go check on something. She told them that she would be right back.

After she left, Buggy walked behind the desk and got close to Madelyn, looking her in the eye. He was gleeful over the fact that she was concerned for him. Touched, in fact, that she put herself in harm's way for him. That meant not needing to take the more threatening route to get her money. For reasons he didn't care to think about fully, he was relieved and happy about that.

"I happen to know that you didn't have any bullets in that gun of yours, bold move baby." He winked at her.

"But, "your welfare", hmm?," he continued putting a hand up to his chin, "Only because I'm a guest, right?" He smiled down at her. Madelyn sighed and looked down at her feet, speaking carefully.

"...In truth…I would be sad to not see you at dinner. On top of that, we have not come to a decision about the prize I won." She folded her arms and looked back up at him, as if offering a challenge. He got face to face with her.

"Oh the prize you won, huh?"

"Yes."

"I wonder what prize you will choose."

"I'll give it some thought…and tell you at dinner." Madelyn poked him in the chest.

"You know I'm only letting you win, right?"

"Maybe we should have a rematch?"

"Maybe you should…" He looked at her lips. "…put your mouth…I mean! Money—"

"I have the front desk now, Maddy." Buggy and Maddy took a step away from each other. "Thank you Captain for helping with Gerald. He was gone with his ships the last few weeks so Madelyn had some respite." Deb gave the clown a gracious smile.

"Doesn't anyone stand up to him?" Buggy asked bewilderedly.

"It's not that no one stands up to him, they do." Madelyn started to straighten the desk, no pen or paper safe from her. Deb shooed her away and sat in the chair behind the desk, making Madelyn closer to Buggy. Madelyn looked back up to Buggy and explained.

"It's that despite his annoying habit of being in my pocket, he's actually a very good trader and merchant . He also helps fund various organizations across the island. Not to mention the orphanage, which as chairwoman to the orphanage board, I am very grateful to him for." Madelyn explained.

Deb huffed,shook her head and said after looking around, "Not to mention, he thinks he has the power to do what he wants with no consequences. I hope someone else gets to be mayor soon. Not having daddy to fix things would maybe humble him."

"So he's a necessary evil for the island?" Buggy surmised.

"We could probably make do with the other traders and merchants , but it would put a damper on the economy." Madelyn acknowledged. "Plus he did help me when my father passed away."

"But now he has it in his head that he can now help himself to you, Maddy." Deb added with a sharp rap to the desk. She stood up to put some papers away in drawers behind the desk.

"Believe me Deb, I have done everything, short of bodily harm, for him to drop that notion."

"I happen to be good at causing bodily harm." Buggy raised a finger.

"I may take you up on that captain, if he keeps annoying Maddy." Buggy pointed to Deb, clicked his tongue and winked. She smiled down at him and returned the wink. Deb was approximately a foot taller than him. Not a bad looking woman. A little bit older than Madelyn I'd think. Probably should do more to get on her good side. She may be of use to me.

"That's not necessary…at the moment. No conspiring you two." Madelyn narrowed her eyebrows as she looked at them, one to the other. She put her hands on her hips, not convinced at all by their sudden innocent airs.

"He is beneficial to the community at large and, for now, I can put up with his attention."

Madelyn sighed, rubbing the temples on her head and told Deb if anyone needed her she'd be in her office. She also told Buggy, with a smile, that she'd see him later. Madelyn walked to her office while stretching her neck from side to side and closed the door behind her.

"So are we going to ignore what she said?" Buggy asked a few moments later.

"Not yet, Captain." Deb folded her arms and glanced down at Buggy giving him an appraising look. "Not yet."

"I want to apologize for being gruff when we first met." Buggy walked back to the front of the desk and leaned on it.

"Kind of you."

"I can be."

"So I heard."

"Huh?"

"The orphan children, I have a son named Jon who teaches at the school they attend. Occasionally he plays and visits with them. He came home for lunch today.

"Well they were…"

"Obnoxious I'm sure." She smiled.

"Heh a little, but it was fun." Buggy tapped the desk and said "Well, I better get going it's been awhile since I've checked on my ship. I have two teenage apprentices watching it who can be even more obnoxious than those kids."

Deb nodded and waved at him on his way out the door. It was better to get underway with the ship instead of worrying about clothes. He considered his quarry's actions as he walked down the street he had first taken to get to the hotel when his ship landed, thinking the dry docks ought to be nearby.

Magnificent she calls me. Ironic how much fun it was to save Madelyn Juvat from somebody else. He smiled thinking of the dainty woman in turn "saving" him from Mr Smalls. With thoughts like these, he took many of the townspeople off guard with his chipper attitude as he asked around to where the dry docks were situated. He even said hello to the people who were obviously staring at his nose. With the directions given he was able to promptly find his ship. It did stand out, with its elephant cannon figurehead and red and white sails reminiscent of a circus tent.

"Captain Buggy!" One of his crew called out and waved.

""Hey! Sorry, I know it started with a…G…"

"Gunter, captain, and no problem there are a lot of us and it's only been a few months since we joined."

"Yes, but as your captain I should know it." Buggy observed this made the man almost tear up in adoration of him and quickly added with a flick of his hand "Anyway, what's the situation with the ship?"

"Dennis and Daniel got some of the crew and, since they know many of them, the local dockers this morning to start on repairing the hull. Thankfully no significant damage and now we're starting to paint it with the antifouling."

"All right, first I need to talk to the twins, but then I'll come help paint." Buggy even gave Gunter a 'good job' and a clap on the back. Gunter's tears became a reality.

"Aye Captain!" Gunter wiped his eyes. "The twins, last I saw, should be on the starboard side."

Buggy nodded and went to find the troublesome twins. He found them painting side by side, whispering to each other.

"Do you think…?"

"I'm not sure maybe we can–"

"Maybe you can, what boys?" Buggy interrupted, his arms folded.

"We can…" Daniel began.

"Get some more antifouling, we're almost out." Dennis finished. Buggy raised an eyebrow, but then said good naturedly

"I can get it, I'll come paint with you."

Buggy turned and walked away while Daniel let out a breath, but Dennis shook his head at him. Buggy returned and started to work with the twins. They were silent for a time, but Buggy then asked,

"So tell me boys, how did you convince so many of the crew to come and help?"

"We gave them breakfast and promised booze after we're done." Daniel said.

"That'd do it—you're paying for it though." The boys laughed and nodded.

"Also…" Dennis bit his lip. "The dockmaster expects compensation for his men who are helping us and for the use of the dock, sorry captain, we just wanted to get the spot."

Buggy shrugged and continued painting saying,

"That's usually how it goes. Shouldn't be a problem. It seems, however, that my earlier discipline didn't stop you shitidiots from making rash decisions."

The boys both flinched at the insult as they painted. The clown captain waited, wanting his words to sink in and then continued in a kinder tone.

"Though…I think by the time we're finished painting, you both should be sore enough to think before acting next time."

The boys made some noises of agreement and the three continued painting for many hours. In between painting Buggy had to answer questions from crew and the dockers and see to other maintenance on the ship. He liked the dock workers at the town of Spey. While there was some noticeable staring at his nose they did their jobs with precision, diligence and cheer. They even laughed at his jokes.

At 5pm, they goodnaturedly teased Buggy when he said he had to leave to get ready to take a lady to dinner.

"Hope she likes the nose captain!"

The twins and other members of the crew looked over to see what Buggy's reaction would be, some even held their breath. Buggy himself paused for a moment.

Buggy spun around slowly as if to put himself on display and then laughed,

"The nose is just part of the package!" The crew took this as a cue to laugh as well.

"Thanks for your help gentlemen, drinks are on the twins tonight!" Buggy said with flourish and a bow. The twins groaned, but laughed. Buggy went up to the dockmaster and arranged for the dockers to continue helping with the work tomorrow. They agreed on payment in the next couple days. He then exaggeratedly ran off to get back to the hotel. A chorus of laughter followed in his wake.

Perhaps that dream kiss from Madelyn Juvat could become a reality.