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The docks were bustling with travelers and sailors by high noon when Cristianno arrived at Booty Bay. He took a deep breath, smelling the salty air and he smiled, walking down to the dock where Ziggly was already waiting for him. Cris, wearing a new blue shirt to initiate his new career as a trading merchant, waved at the goblin and dropped his duffle bag onto the dock. “Hey there, short stuff.”
The goblin sneered at him and kicked his shin. Cris yowled. “Dude! That’s my bad foot! It was just getting better!”
“Yeah, well that’s what you get for being a pussy.” The goblin lifted his arm and offered Cris his hand, which Cris gladly took and shook. “Ready, Captain Seawolf?”
The sound of the word “Captain” was overwhelming and Cris smiled widely. “Definitely.”
“Have you named the old girl yet?”
“No sir! I have to do that first.”
The goblin reached into his bag beside him and pulled out a slender bottle of Junglevine wine. “Shall we, Captain?”
Cris smiled widely and grabbed his bag. “You always think of everything, Zig. Let’s go.” They walked down another dock, Cris smiling the entire way. “I hope you brought extra drinks for us.”
“That was your job, Captain.”
Cris rolled his eyes and laughed. As they approached the ship anchored at the end of the dock, Cris placed a hand against the warm surface and smiled. “There she is.”
“Ay, the Sly Whore.”
“Yeah, we need to change that.”
“What, you don’t like the Sly Whore, boy?”
Cris grinned and shook his head. “I didn’t expect to see you here, old man.” He turned around and saw the Captain standing behind Ziggly. “Where have you been hiding?”
“Away from the scum of this place.”
Cris laughed and hugged the Captain, “I thought you were part of that scum, you ass.”
“I need my damn breaks too, you fucknut.” They laughed and looked at the ship. “What are you going to name her?”
Placing his hand on his chin, Cris smiled and said “The Dark Rose.” The Captain looked at Ziggly and they both snickered. “What now?”
“That sounds like a pussy name,” Ziggly chortled.
“Ay, I agree with Ziggly. What kind of name is that?”
“It’s a damn good name, you jackasses.” Cris ran toward the ship with the wine bottle and slammed it against the wood. He jumped onboard and shouted back, “Did you clean out the cabin, you slob?”
“I took my nude paintings, if that’s what you’re wondering, hound.” Cris laughed and disappeared into the Captain’s quarters. The Captain stopped smiling and without looking at Ziggly, said “You better keep an eye on him if you know what’s good for you. Remember why I told him to take you with him.”
“Ay, Captain. Do you really think he’ll want to steal from you?”
The Captain took a deep breath and cracked his neck. “He’s a pirate at heart. If he did learn everything from me, I wouldn’t put it past him. You just make sure he’s well out there. He is my heir, after all.”
“And…if he gets any of your booty?”
Calmly, the Captain spoke, each word crisp and clear. “Break his hands and feet. Take over the ship and bring him back to me. That’ll teach him.”
“You’re not going to …kill him, are you?”
A dry, heaving chuckle escaped the Captain’s lips. “You know the price of stealing from another pirate, goblin.” He gazed at the ship, noticing Cris emerging from the cabin and smiling. “Just make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid and damn it, goblin, if anything happens to him out there, I’ll add your head to my mantle of sea creatures.”
Ziggly shuddered, “No, sir.” They stood in silence for a few seconds before Cris headed toward them.
“It looks like I’m ready!”
“Where’s your crew?”
“I’ll be picking them up as I go, Captain. It’s small, but I have trustworthy people in mind.”
“Beware of mutiny, boy.”
“I know.” Cris walked up to the Captain and embraced him firmly. The Captain reciprocated the hug, but quickly pushed him away.
“I know.” Cris walked up to the Captain and embraced him firmly. The Captain reciprocated the hug, but quickly pushed him away.
“You’re really getting soft, boy.” Cris chuckled and grabbed Ziggly’s ear and yanked him onboard, the goblin yowling.
“And you’re getting old, geezer.” Ziggly ran to begin the preparations to depart and Cris waved. “I’ll see you around, Captain.” He lifted his hand to his forehead and saluted.
The old man lifted his hand as well and lifted his middle finger. Cris’ laughter echoed through out the port as the ship sailed away. “Take care, pirate.” He sighed and turned away, hobbling toward the bar.
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