"Oh! The sea's acknowledgment! Belief!" Joy Boy nodded, half-understanding. His eyes sparkled. He had another idea.
"Then you be my captain! And I'll be your captain! We can both be captains! That way, we both have pirate crews!"
Rhett: "..."
"No. I have my own ship and my own vice captain."
The girl stepped forward. "I am the vice captain. Two people."
Joy Boy deflated. "Fine. I wanted to travel with you."
Rhett ignored his mumbling.
Then Joy Boy looked up, enlightened.
Rhett braced himself. Maybe he understood freedom or competition.
Joy Boy patted his stomach. "I get it!"
"Eating is most important! Eat first, think later!"
Rhett gave up.
He turned to the sea, wondering if he should fix his mast or demand payment.
The girl tugged his sleeve. She pointed at Joy Boy, then at her head, with a hint of pity.
Even the girl understood.
Joy Boy finished the last of the food.
Rhett pointed at his broken mast.
Joy Boy bowed. "Sorry! I'll pay!"
But then his face fell. "But I'm broke."
Rhett's eye twitched.
Then Joy Boy smiled. "Travel with me! I'll work to pay off the debt! I know cool places! It won't be boring!"
Rhett looked at his broken ship and the girl. A temporary alliance.
He considered. Joy Boy's adventures were the core of this era. He could watch the "main character" at work. It would be interesting. And he could test the limits of history.
He would pay for the mast with his presence.
"Fine. Work to pay it off."
"Yes! Welcome to the Joy Boy Adventure! It'll be fun!"
"Not joining. Temporary. And don't break anything."
Joy Boy agreed, though he didn't seem to listen.
The girl watched them, her eyes showing new colors.