Chapter Four Hundred and Sixty-Three — Broccoli Moneybags
Chapter Four Hundred and Sixty-Three — Broccoli Moneybags Booksie took a bath (even though, with all the Cleaning magic around, it was probably not necessary for cleanliness), got changed into a very fluffy set of PJs, then hugged Rhawrexdee and got the biggest, tightest hug I could give her, then I made sure she was properly tucked into bed, with a heap of warm blankets on top of her and her pillows properly smacked into the perfect shape.She was out almost as soon as her head hit the pillow and before she'd even finished mumbling her thanks."She was really tired, huh?" I said to Desiree and Rhawrexdee as I stepped out of her room.The dragon pulled his head away from Booksie's bedroom window, then nodded. "She is," he agreed. "I will be watchful, and also a dragon. No one will disturb her sleep." Then he settled down onto the ground, his bulk making the entire neighbourhood tremble as he shifted and let his tail thump down."Okay," I said. Booksie was probably used to sleeping next to Rhawrexdee when he was being a little noisy. Kind of like how I got used to sleeping on the Beaver even with the engine rumbling away and the ship creaking all around. Eventually that kind of noise became familiar enough that it didn't matter.It was getting into the later parts of the evening. Actually, it was probably just a little past suppertime? My tummy was reminding me that I'd skipped a couple of meals already, and I imagined that it was probably worse for Desiree."Hey, I know we mentioned you staying here, but uh, well, there's not too much to do now, I don't think. Did you want to come with me? I'm going back home, to the Beaver. I'm sure my friends would love to meet you!""Your friends? I suppose there wouldn't be any harm in meeting new, like-minded individuals! I only hope that they meet my own exceptional qualifications of excellence!" Desiree said."What are those?" I asked."Hmph! I'm glad you asked, small-tailed friend. Any friend of mine must be a grand genius, a peerless and knowledgeable and well-learned person. A beauty, of course, and someone who stands head and shoulders above the common rabble!""Uh... well, my friends are all very nice," I said. "I think that's my own, personal qualification."Desiree frowned a little, then shrugged. "I suppose that as far as qualifications go, that is a minimal threshold that even I'd find acceptable. Lead the way, Broccoli Bunch! Unto this Beaver of yours."I grinned, but before we could leave, I had to talk to Rhawrexdee for a second. "We're heading out," I said. "Hugs before we go?""You buns are very fond of these, aren't you?" he asked.I nodded. "Hugs are essential.""They aren't bad," he said before I gave his snoot a proper squishing."You stay safe," I said. "And keep Booksie safe and happy and warm too. I'll be a very upset bun if you break her heart."Rhawrexdee narrowed his eyes at me, but then he nodded. "It is a very small heart, I suppose, having to fit in that small of a body. It will be difficult to keep it safe, but I'll treasure it like the pride of my hoard.""Good," I said with a serious nod. "She deserves it. And you deserve a few more hugs and such for being a good dragon. We'll be around! My friends and I are staying in the city until the wedding is over, in case Rainnewt tries anything else.""Very well. I would have dismissed your help before, but you've proven capable. Almost as capable as a dragon.""Mhm!" I agreed. Then Desiree and I gave him our proper good-byes and stepped out around the bookstore. "Is there anywhere you need to go first?" I asked."No, I don't believe so? Why does thou ask?" Desiree walked with her nose pointed skywards,"You might want new clothes or something? Cleaning magic is nice, and it's great at removing stains, but I can't do much for rips and wear," I said.I didn't want to be rude and just... say it, but Desiree's clothes let a lot to be desired. She was in loose pants and a loose blouse. Her boots looked pretty decent, as though they'd cost a lot once, but they were also travel-worn and in a bit of a state.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.So far, it hadn't been too much of a concern. The weather was nice, and we weren't out here to attend a ball or anything. Being dressed like someone about to repaint their bedroom wasn't a big deal.Still, I imagined that she'd be a lot comfier in newer, less raggedy clothes."Hmm, this outfit serves its purpose. My modesty is preserved! Though I do see what you are referring to. It is nonetheless in a rougher state than would be appropriate for a person of my calibre. Yes, you are right, Captain Broccoli! I must acquire new clothes so that I may present myself in my full majesty to these friends of yours.""Okay!" I said with a nod. "I don't have that much on me, but it's probably enough for a start of a new wardrobe. Come on! There's a nice shop that Amaryllis likes. They have things that fit me, and the tailor there probably won't mind making a slit for your tails."I tugged Desiree after me, and soon enough we were in the commercial district of Port Royal once more. The shop, the same one I'd been to a while back with Amaryllis, welcomed us, and I stepped back to allow Desiree to make her picks.She hesitated some, seeing the prices on little tags, but I think she was trying hard not to look as if she was worried about the cost."Here," I said as I emptied a few coins into my hand. I mostly had some silver, since Amaryllis said that those were the best to carry around for day-to-day things.Gold was worth too much in most places. Silver was still worth a lot, but not so much that shops couldn't make change. I gave Desiree a small handful, and she eyed the clinking silver for a moment before looking up to me. "Are you certain? This is a great amount of wealth.""It's fine. I think it's enough to get you at least one full outfit. You don't want to cheap out too much with clothes, not if you're going to be travelling a lot.""Know that you have my sincerest thanks," she replied.Desiree combed through the racks and ambled through the shop for a few minutes before picking out a few things to try. In the end, she settled for a simple but elegant outfit. A tunic, which was almost long enough to be a dress all on its own, a pair of trousers, then a belt with several loops and and a built-in pouch on it for carrying little things that cinched up the tunic for her.She picked out a small hooded cloak too, one that the seamstress was happy to cut some holes into for her ears to poke out of. She did the same with the pants, cutting a slit, then sewing a small button-up closure over it.With the rest of her coins, Desiree picked up a pair of tight leather gloves and a small set of bright red ribbons. She tied those onto the ends of her tails. They were the only things in a non-drab colour, and really made her tails pop."I feel... far more ready for the road once again," Desiree said. "Thank you. You didn't have to give me of your own wealth for this.""It's nothing," I said. "I'm happy I could help. You went through a lot, I think, so it's only fair that you get a head start again."Desiree looked away from me, then tugged her new hood forwards. "Yes, well, I will extoll your kindness to my deathbed and teach my children of your generosity," she said. "Now, guide me to these companions of yours so that I might meet them.""Of course!" I said. I grabbed onto her hand and pulled her along with me across the city. The docks were a little noisy at this time of day, and it might have been worse than usual since it looked like several ships were waiting to come in.If ships hadn't been allowed to leave... then it kinda made sense that there would be a bit of an aerial traffic jam at the moment."That's the Beaver Cleaver over there!" I said as I pointed ahead with my free hand.I was glad to see a few familiar people on deck. Amaryllis was back, and so was Caprica... along with a couple of sylph guards by the gangplank leading into the ship.Well, that was interesting. I wasn't going to say no to a bit more security at the moment, however.
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Chapter Four Hundred and Sixty-Four — Welcome Aboard
Chapter Four Hundred and Sixty-Four — Welcome Aboard Calamity and Awen were still gone, as was the non-Scallywags portion of the crew. Calamity and Awen would be returning soon, though, and the boys did deserve some shore leave, so I didn't have anything bad to say about them being off the ship for the moment.The rest were all lounging on the nicer of the ship's two decks. The padded seats were probably a lot comfier, and the view was nicer since this side was away from the main section of the docks and overlooked the mountainside."Everyone," I said as I bounced to my feet. "I want you to meet someone I met this morning. This is Desiree Chartreuse! She's... uh, a fox-person, and my new friend!"I almost jumped as Friendmaking triggered right then and there. How had I not used that yet? Then again, I guessed that I hadn't really asked her to be a friend, it just sort of happened-as most good friendships did.Desiree ChartreuseDesired Quality: Someone kind and fun to be with.Dream: To gain many tails and return home a hero."Greetings, plebians and noble friends of Broccoli Bunch, I am Desiree Chartreuse, though on account of your ongoing alliance and friendship with Captain Bunch, I will allow you to use the name Desiree alone when addressing me." Desiree bowed at the waist a little, her two tails swishing out to either side of her.She seemed very confident in the moment, but I suspected that it was a bit of a front. Mostly because as soon as she was done with her bow, both of her tails swung to the side and tried to hide behind me.Her tails were a great deal more honest than she was, sometimes."Hello, Miss Chartreuse," Amaryllis said. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Then her attention snapped onto me. "Did you really find her? The guild called off the search just a few minutes ago.""Oh? Did you just get here? And yes! We found Booksie! She was way out in a bandit camp, away from the city. Actually, it was kind of a huge coincidence that we discovered her. We got very lucky.""Indeed!" Desiree said as she puffed out her chest. "Who are these friends of yours, Captain?""Oh, right! This is my best friend, Amaryllis Albatross, she's very prickly but she's also very nice and caring and she's smart and the best caster I know."Amaryllis rolled her eyes. "I'm the first mate on this old rustbucket. And the quartermaster. And the poor bird in charge of all the paperwork. Actually, I do most of the work, I think. Broccoli, why is it that you're the captain?""Moving on, this is Caprica, she's a stowaway."Caprica gave me a look. "Broccoli, I'm... not a stowaway.""Actually," Amaryllis said, a birdy grin spreading across her face. She had that look in her eyes, like someone about to do some expert teasing. "You don't have a specific role on the crew, and you never technically paid for a berth. By all accounts, you're still a stowaway."Caprica glared, then she reached down to her belt and undid a small pouch which she flicked to Amaryllis. "There, now I'm your most precious and best-paying passenger.""Why thank you," Amaryllis said. She sounded pleased with herself. "This is the first bit of money we've earned in a while.""Is this ship not profitable?" Desiree asked."You can't imagine how unprofitable it is," Amaryllis said. "We do have some cargo to offload. Odds and ends we picked up along the way, but it'll just cover the cost of fuel, repair, and crew wages.""Ah, I guess we never really spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to be profitable, huh?" I asked.Amaryllis huffed, but it was a huff that suggested that she didn't mind so much. "We're predominantly an exploratory vessel. Once this whole wedding fiasco is done, we should see about picking up a few proper missions from the guild, maybe haul some cargo at the same time."I nodded along, then gestured to the Scallywags. The three of them were off to the side, doing their own thing, but they'd stood to say hello to Desiree. So I introduced the three, Sally and Joe and Oda, but they were quick to scamper back off. It looked like Sally had bought a big knife somewhere and was showing it off to the others."So, this is your ship and crew. It seems quite luxurious for a vessel that brings in no money," Desiree said.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation."It's not that bad," I whined. "Money is nice, but it's not what's most important."Caprica and Amaryllis gave each other a look, and I have the impression that they were agreeing to disagree with me.Desiree nodded though. "That's right! Power is far greater than mere wealth! With sufficient strength, gold is no longer a barrier.""Uh, I guess," I said. "We don't do all of this to be strong, we do stuff because it helps our friends!""Speaking of friends," Amaryllis said. "How's Booksie?""Yes, how is she?" Caprica added."I think she's okay," I replied. "We put her to bed back in her shop. There's gonna be some things to fix, but we helped clean what we could."Caprica frowned. "Will she be safe? I can have some guards stationed around her house.""I think she'll be alright," I said. "I saw city guards around, and some of Cholondee's people. Plus Rhawrexdee is sleeping in her back yard.""That'll be a deterrent," Amaryllis said. "It'll take someone both brave and stupid to try and kidnap her from the clutches of an adult dragon. Did she have any idea who took her in the first place?""We overheard the vile bandits mention a leader, one who Broccoli seems to recognize the name of," Desiree said. "Rainnewt! A no-doubt disgusting being to have organised such despicable acts!""Oh, you were captured as well?" Caprica asked with a gasp. "Goodness, that must have been terrifying."Desiree nodded. "I was most frightened! Though I kept my wits about me and was more than ready to fight the moment the opportunity arose.""Desiree isn't a local," I said. "She's far from home. We don't know why Rainnewt wanted her, but I can't imagine it was for good reasons." Desiree mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like 'tail scarves' but I wasn't quite sure. "Anyway, in exchange for her knowledge of Rainnewt, she'll be travelling with us for a while, at least until she gets her feet under her.""The captain has been tremendously generous," Desiree said. "She has given me new clothes and a place to stay, neither of which were within her remit, and yet from the kindness of her heart... do creatures like you have hearts?""Uh... yes, I think so," I said. I could feel mine pitter-pattering away, though I wasn't sure if my insides had been changed around much by becoming a bun. "Do foxgirls have hearts?""Of course!" she said with a nod. "One for every tail.""Huh." Well, that was weird. "Where are your hearts?"Desiree stared at me, then blushed. "That's not a question to ask a lady."I raised my hands in surrender. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude.""I'm sure plenty of people will be curious about your biology, Miss Chartreuse," Caprica said. "After all, you're the first two-tailed person I've ever met.""I'm only two-tailed for now," Desiree said. "Soon enough I'll conquer another dungeon and earn my third! I can taste it.""Is that why you're here? I mean, away from wherever your home is?" Amaryllis asked.Desiree nodded. "Indeed! My home islands only have a few sparse dungeons, and all are guarded jealously. I earned my second tail after conquering one of them, but without any opportunities beyond that, I'd be eternally stuck at a mere two! No! I will not allow myself to be so weak! And so I boarded a merchant's vessel to another isle, and then rode with some fishermen to yet another island where I discovered some grenoil from this continent who allowed me to board their flying vessel all the way to a port to the south.""Fort Tempete?" Amaryllis asked. "It's the only Deepmarsh city straight south from here, I think.""That is what the locals named the place," she replied. "An ancient and venerable fortress along the coast. Though this city seems far grander still!""You'll have to tell us more!" I said. "Ah, but maybe while we eat? I'm really hungry, and it's past lunch. Oh, and we can show you around at the same time.""I'll go fetch some extra blankets and the like," Amaryllis said. "I have a few things stored away.""We'll have to find a place for her to sleep. Unless you're comfortable with a hammock in the crew quarters?" Caprica asked.Desiree shrugged. "I slept on the floor of a cavern last night, though that was through no choice of mine. A hammock is palatial in comparison."
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