Illustration by  bigsquig

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The aardwolf was loitering next to the ship's wheel, smoking a long pipe.

"I heard we were taking on a new..." he looked the newcomer up and down. "You must be mistaken. This ship isn't a charity, mate. We don't feed starving lions."

The feline struggled to compose himself. "I'm, uh, Artie. I'm reporting in."

The aardwolf scoffed. "For what? You're just a runt. What could you possibly do for us?"

"I... steal things. A lot of things. Your quartermaster didn't believe me, so she had me go to..."

It was clear the aardwolf wasn't interested in Artie's story. Instead he gazed lazily up at the seagulls flying overhead. He blew a smoke ring in their direction but they didn't seem to notice.

"We don't just 'steal things.' Have you ever sailed before, mate?"

"A few times."

"Are you good with a blade?"

"If I have to be." Artie saw that his answers weren't cutting it. "Your quartermaster gave me a test with—"

The pirate's eyes bugged out at the second mention of the quartermaster, but he quickly calmed himself. "Mina's not here, mate. You're done impressing her. However easily impressed she is..."

He left Artie's fate hanging in the balance as he deliberated, eventually removing the pipe from his mouth and leaning against the wheel as if he was staking a claim to the whole vessel.

"Fine. If Mina says you're good, you're good. I'm Alexander, by the way. Ship's first officer. No, you won't be meeting the Captain. He doesn't like to be disturbed by trivial matters—which you are until you're given a chance to do all those things you said." He smirked. "If you're given a chance. Until then you'll be taking orders directly from me. Does that suit you, runt?"

"...yes. Sir."

"I notice you haven't asked permission to come aboard."

This was a "no turning back" moment if there ever was one. But it wasn't as if Artie had a choice in the matter. He had to get off the island and there was little chance of him being followed aboard a ship like this. In fact his presence here was the only reason he wasn't currently looking over his shoulder.

"Permission to come aboard? Sir?"

Alexander nodded. "Granted. Now grab a mop. I don't want to see your face looking at mine until I can see my face in those planks. Savvy?"