Rhett's blood mist formed countless little hands, carefully repairing his ship's mast. He had been a pirate long enough. He had some idea how to fix it.
Joy Boy was banned from coming within three meters. He crouched in the distance, watching, his hands twitching.
"Duang!"
His finger stretched and poked the mast base.
Rhett's mist formed a giant hand, slapping Joy Boy's head.
"Keep your rubber hands off my ship!"
Joy Boy shrank into a corner.
The girl watched, her eyes moving between them. She offered Joy Boy some dried meat. She pitied him.
Joy Boy reached for it.
Rhett glared.
Joy Boy stopped. The girl pulled the meat back.
---
A royal ship approached. It looked ragged, its movements hesitant.
Rhett noticed first.
A man in dirty robes, flanked by fearful guards, boarded. He knelt.
"Please! Save our country!"
"Our rulers are demons! People are starving! They kill for pleasure! We need your help!"
Joy Boy frowned. "Why us?"
The man had an answer. "We heard of you! The bouncing ship! The man of mist! The ice maiden! You could defeat the tyrants!"
Rhett asked a question. "The Know-Leaves said that?"
"Y-yes! From travelers!"
Rhett asked more. "What do your people eat? What minerals do you mine?"
The man stumbled. "Bread! Wild greens!"
He was certain about the tax dates.
Rhett smirked. The fear was real, but it was fear of power, not compassion for the people. The speech was rehearsed.