"Is Mona settled in already?"
"Hmm. I told Mona to stay for a bit and soak in this world, really digest it," Arion explains. "Suddenly arriving in another world can be a bit rough for a girl her age."
"I don't feel that way,"
"You're not the same," Arion says, wrapping his arms around 2B from behind and resting his hands on her soft, white belly. "You don't have a goal you're fighting for."
"Yeah," 2B leans into Arion's chest. "Protecting Humans is my mission… but isn't it a bit of a coincidence? Mona clearly doesn't have that goal, yet she appeared by your side."
"Perhaps it's just that people from another world are drawn to each other," Arion offers.
"Maybe," 2B agrees; thinking isn't her strong suit.
The two hold each other, watching the sea turn red as the sky colors.
2B senses Arion's gradual change, and his hands growing unruly; she understands his needs.
"Back to the room? Or here?"
"Here."
The captain's cabin and the navigator's room sit close to each other—one on the main deck, one on the upper deck.
On this wooden ship, sound travels easily through the walls unless there's wind and waves; it's not ideal to be loud in the room.
So to avoid Mona noticing any commotion, they handle it simply here.
Of course, they could go to the forward-room, but that sunset-wreathed intimate setup has a different vibe.
2B understands. She doesn't need Arion's instruction and takes the lead, lifting her ankle-length skirt and bending at the waist over the railing.
Inside, she's only wearing a thong—2B's preferred undergarment, comfortable and convenient.
Arion likes it too—no covering, the perfect shape.
It's like a ripe, juicy peach.
Just looking at it makes mouths water, craving a big bite.
2B blinks in slight surprise, lips parting, and begins to hum a sultry tune as Arion's desire grows.
After Arion drinks her sweet, juicy nectar, he presses forward, filling the role model with passion.
2B turns, kissing Arion's neck with intent.
She's not like Arion; when her mouth tastes her own flavor, she won't kiss unless she can rinse first.
2B doesn't understand why Arion dislikes her earlier expressions so much.
Without overthinking, the escalating passion leads to heavier making out as their machine bodies heat up, and 2B's ocean-blue eyes look glassy.
Arion loves this version of 2B—there's no end to it.
The intensity rises like evening waves pounding the hull; spray arcs, the full moon reflects on the water, and the surf keeps roaring.
It's a beauty greater than the sunset.
The saying "watching the sea and listening to the waves" plays out perfectly behind 2B.
"Why is your stance so wide?" Arion can't help but land a red mark on 2B's hip.
"Do androids all look like this?"
"Yeah," 2B nods. "My Commander White is even bigger."
"Bigger than this?" Arion recalls Commander White, a popular, refined, commanding presence, wearing a qipao with a high slit.
If White is larger in the lower region as well, it's within possibility.
"Exactly," 2B exhales. "If Commander White knows you, she'd be very happy."
"How happy?" Arion
From 2B's tremor, the experienced Arion knows her reproductive module is activating.
They pause, waiting as the reproductive module calms, then in this sunny garden start swinging the hoe, hard at work.
Only then does 2B's voice tremble and answer Arion's earlier question.
"Y-yes… if it's for Humans, Commander White would do anything."
"Too bad she didn't come with you," Arion sighs. "If there's a chance to meet her later, would you teach her some of this knowledge?"
"Mm, that's our android responsibility…"
After Assistant's briefing, Mona reflects on the world's dangers and grows quiet.
This sailing era, full of danger and exploitation, makes it hard for ordinary people to survive, doesn't it?
Thinking back to Arion's initial invitation, she's now penniless with nowhere to go. Acceptance may be her only option.
At least meals and housing are provided, unlike Mondstadt's harsh beginnings.
Mona lies on the pristine deck, feeling frustrated.
After a while, she rolls over and looks at Assistant, still in the room.
"Assistant, what kind of man is your Captain?"
"Kind."
"Of course—who'd admit their master is a bad person? Let's say he's a good man, and a good one at that."
"It depends on how you define it. To me, someone who's good to 2B is good."
"Okay, then he has a ship, plans to go to sea, and is recruiting partners. Is he planning to become a Pirate?"
Mona doesn't think highly of pirates—rape, murder, arson, all tied to the word pirate.
But she knows pirates aren't all the same; some fleets are more like Marines than pirates—like the South Cross Fleet.
"He's a Pirate Hunter."
"Is that like an adventurer who hunts pirates for bounties?"
"Exactly. We've already wiped out a captain-level crew with a ten-million Belly bounty."
"Ten million Belly… that's strong. But what's the Belly's purchasing power here? How much for a cabbage, or a meal?"
"A good, fresh cabbage costs 150 Belly; a large eel set costs 1,000 Belly."
To illustrate, Assistant projects the eel set, showing Mona the portions.
"Mmm," Mona swallows. "That's cheap for a large portion. Mondstadt prices are crazy—cabbages cost low, but a meal is expensive."
"Are you hungry?" Assistant asks. "There are eel jerky and bread in the cabin; I'll bring some."
Mona blushes. "That's a bit embarrassing."
"Don't worry, I've got you."
Assistant leaves the navigator room, passing by Arion and 2B mid-reproduction; they don't interrupt, heading to the kitchen to fetch half a slab of eel, ginger, scallions, garlic, steamed.
Assistant's cooking isn't fancy, but it's enough—fried eggs, steamed fish, etc.
While fish steams, Assistant slices bread, toasts, and smears jam with fresh cabbage shreds, then brews hot tea.
Everything is ready; Assistant returns to the navigator room with the tray.
On the way back, Arion and 2B are still finishing, and the deck is stained with water from 2B's earlier exertions—clearly they're not done yet.
"Please enjoy."
"Wow, this looks amazing! Did you make this?"
"Just reheated a bit."
Mona can't wait; she bites into eel, tasting the delicious flavor and smiling with contentment.
Two slices of toast, half a eel, and hot tea fill her up.
After breakfast, Mona rests for a bit, then decides to speak up. She stands and leaves the navigator room.
Mona finds Arion on the stern's railing, and Assistant nearby.
"Assistant, you finish talking with Captain? I've decided."
"Yes."
"I'd rather work for you in this dangerous, unfamiliar world. At least I'll have food and a shelter, and a place to stay."
"That's a smart choice," Arion says. "But I'm not going to feed you for free; there will be compensation for work."
"Okay. I'm willing to do whatever I can."
"Great. I'm going to sea soon, but I'm missing a Navigator. Do you know how to navigate by constellations, currents, and winds—the core Navigator skills?"
Hearing this, Mona clenches her fists.