Stoater and Commander: HMS Agamemnon

[Ladorak]

Caden picked up his sack when Spender said he was ready. He was given a....sad look by Vulpera and told to.....write to his family? But he didn't have any living relatives...at least none that he'd consider writing too. Ladorak was his family now.....and yes, considering the fate of his parents it was a miracle he wasn't worse. Ladorak had made inroads over the past year.

Walking forward and starting up the gangplank, he stopped as Spender told them he'd catch up. Watching as the ferret ran back over to his mom, Caden giggled a bit and put a paw over his mouth. Awwww.....she's hugging him! What a nice, sweet little momma's boy. Whoever knew?

A loud shriek of love from his mother.....or maybe his sister but probably his mom split the air, causing the gangplank to quaver a bit as Spender was sent on his way. Caden was by this point standing in line and waiting to get aboard. He could only turn around and smirk as Spender caught up with them. He gave the ferret a smug look as Spender challenged Caden to say even one word.

"Oh I wouldn't dream of it...Spendy." the marten's smirk grew wider, and he chuckled a bit as he turned and stepped up to the Boatswain. "Least you remembered yer shampoo." Whatever that was. Caden had never heard of that in his life.

"Right! Next up!" the Boatswain called out. He was a tall jack of a marten, holding a long, thin cane under his arm and keeping a paw on it. Despite being a Warrant Officer, he was a lower ranked one, and lacked a Warrant Officer's uniform proper. He wore a distinctive blue coat with buttoned back lapels and tails. A low top hat rested upon his head, and a gold chain dangled out of a shirt pocket, indicating he was in fact the Boatswain. That chain led to his whistle, the only officer on board to carry such a thing. White pants and black shoes rounded out his "uniform."

Next to him stood the First Lieutenant, the second in command of the ship and effective commander when Ladorak wasn't around. This jack was a stoat, like Ladorak, but shorter in stature and a bit more bulkier. He was dressed almost the same as Ladorak, with bicorn hat and blue uniform, except he lacked epaulettes on his shoulders, denoting his Lieutenant's rank. Someday....I'll be dressed like him Caden thought, looking him over. "What's your name son?" the Lieutenant asked him, and Caden came smartly to attention. True...he didn't have to do that yet, but he figured he may as well fall into the routine, especially as he was training to be one of them eventually.

"Caden Fugate sir." he gave a salute and stood at ease.

"Fugate....Fugate...." the Lieutenant flipped through the roster, and finally located the name. "Aha.....Fugate. Ye bear the last name of our Captain son." No mistake on that Caden thought proudly. "OK, I have you down as an able seajack, Volunteer Class I...nice." the stoat seemed impressed by the fact that this lad was going for officer rank. "Well then Fugate, you're marked down as forecastle and foretop, which means you're working under the Boatswain himself and should report to the forecastle as soon as you get settled in."

"Aye sir." the albino responded softly, giving a nod of understanding.

"Working with me are ye lad?" the Boatswain asked, giving him a snaggle toothed grin. "Good on yer then. Welcome aboard Jal Fugate. Go and pick up your supplies from one of my mates and stick around. He'll be demonstrating the proper technique for folding and unfolding yer hammock. Over yonder there." the elder marten pointed with his cane to where one of the Boatswain's mates was standing.

"Aye sir." Caden gave them a salute and walked over toward the mate, listening to the solid thunk of the wood under his paws. Wow....a world of wood. Not stone or brick...but wood. For years.....this was it! This was the sound of the door to his future being opened! The start of a new adventure...and a new life.

The Boatswain's mates had no official uniform, so they could wear whatever they pleased, but due to their pay could afford nicer clothes than the average seajack. As it was the mate was dressed similar to the Boatswain.

"OK lad step right up, step right up!" Caden hurried over, standing next to a few other young looking recruits. Some gulls were crying out and wheeling overhead, circling the ship and then flying off over the harbor, cavorting and twisting in various arcs as they dove for scraps of food floating about in the bay. Ropes were being used to haul the cargo aboard, which consisted mostly of ammunition, powder, and their food for the next six months. "OK here you are. Ye got yer hammock, yer mattress, your blankets, yer pillow and yer slops all rolled up in the hammock."

Caden had a large, sausage shaped bag of canvas shoved into his arms. It was his hammock...and everything else all rolled into one. "Unroll it for now, check to make sure everything is all there. As soon as yer friends get checked in and head over here I'll be showin' ye how to roll this thing up properly and give ye the rest of yer instructions, so just hang tight for now."

Caden did as he was told, carefully unrolling the "sausage" and looking inside to make sure everything was accounted for. OK.....the hammock itself....his mattress....two blankets, a pillow, and his clothes or slops. The mate had purposely handed him a package for kits, so his clothes were naturally of a smaller size than they would have been for an adult. Not bad....the hammock was free....everything else wasn't. It'd come out of his first paycheck....but that was just how things went.

"NEXT UP! Step up whoever's next!" the Boatswain called out, and anybeast could step forward. The yards were in the process of being raised up the masts and fixed into the place on the bracers. Crew were already aloft making sure the yards would be securely fastened before the sails were taken up. Said sails were being carefully checked for damage or dampness by the Sailmaker and his mate, and all about the ship was a busy hive of activity as preparations to make sail continued.

Caden stood up after having bent over to check his supplies, and dropped his sack on the deck, waiting for his new shipmates to join him.

[Carrow]

After all that business with Spender had been concluded, Cerinus got into line, positioning himself alongside Caden. The mouse was quivering slightly again as his excitement showed. He hoped his brushing up on ship protocol and such would pay off, as, well, now that everything was beginning to move along, the mouse felt more than a tad nervous. He knew he'd be alright though.

The long-tailed field mouse watched the whole process in silence, noting things here and there.
Due to his diminutive stature and the position he was in, he couldn't quite make out what kind of creatures he'd be dealing with just yet. So he simply stood there, at ease for the moment. He knew that the First Lieutenant ran the show for the moment however (due to Ladorak not yet being present), so would try his best to pull himself together in spite of his nerves.

Soon, Caden was stepping on board HMS Agamemnon, and the rodent could hear the booming voice of what he could now see was a stoat. He smiled as he glimpsed the First Lieutenant. He gulped, ever so slightly on edge, but then he gathered his composure and stepped forward, not wanting to delay things a moment longer. Remembering what he'd been told, Cerinus brought his eyes to meet those of the mustelid's, holding his gaze as best he could.

"What's your name lad?" the Lieutenant asked, licking his claw and getting ready to thumb through his roster. The mouse came to attention. Like Caden, Cerinus was trying to get into certain routines as early as he could. "Er, Cerinus Apodemus, sir," the youngster replied, giving his best salute. He knew he was coming across as tense, but he really couldn't hide it, especially not at this point.

"Apodemus...Apodemus...." the Lieutenant ran his claw through the As. Why were names getting more and more difficult these days? Why couldn't they just be Smith, or Brown? But then again...his own name wasn't exactly easy either. Quilliam did not lend itself to commonality much. "Right here you are. Near the beginning. Right, you're rated as a seajack, and I have you down for the mizzentop. You'll be working aloft quite a bit then. Alright then Apodemus, you're all set to go. Welcome aboard and head on over to the Boatswain's mate where Fugate just went." The Boatswain assisted Quilliam by once again indicating where his mate was standing by leveling his cane in the mate's direction.

Carrow nodded at this, smiling as he began making his way onto Agamemnon. With each step, he felt lighter somehow, like all his old worries and fears were fading away to be replaced with new goals, new obstacles. He now had something to live for, and he really did feel as though he'd soon be a new creature. His outlook on life was changing by the moment, and he was finally beginning to open up to the world around him. He smiled broadly as he felt the wood beneath his paws. A new adventure. A new life. This was where it all began.

He could have easily deduced where he needed to go without the Boatswain's assistance, as he could see the line of creatures nearby waiting to be given their things. He got in line, and was soon presented with a canvas hammock. He hefted it slightly, and found it was rather bulky. Must be a bit in there, he thought.

The mouse knew what he needed to do. He unrolled it, and did a quick sweep of the hammock's contents. Yup, everything seemed to be there: asides from the hammock itself, he could see his slops, his mattress, the two blankets he'd been given, and his pillow. Satisfied, the mouse placed it on the deck, and spotted Caden nearby. He smiled, signalling to the pine marten that everything had gone smoothly.

((Cal gave me a paw with the exchange between Carrow and the First Lieutenant )

[bookity101]

Elle gulped a bit when Spender's younger sister looked at her. Either she was trying to be cute, or she was... well it didn't matter... she would never see the girl again, well at least not for many years. And write to her family? As if they would accept any letters from her after they figured out what she had done....

Though in a way, Elle was kinda jealous of Spender. His family obviously cared about him, even if he was a twerp half of the time. At least he had part of a heart seeing as he ran back to his mom and say good-bye. It would've been nice to a family to say good-bye to. Maybe someday she would, but that was a completely different life from what she was right now, for the first part, she would have to be a girl again.

"Um, thanks I think... Erinpura." 'He' waved goodbye to Spender's family, then snagged his things and joined the others. Something seemed to to be bugging Cer, and the source of the problem appeared to be because of Spender, or at least something he said, so for now, she held her tongue, simply following the others where the others lead the way up the gangway. Then she waited for her turn.
***

Luxe broke away from the younger beasts to head towards Ladorak, only to turn away when he saw that Ladorak was talking to someone, correction somejill, and it was his policy to stay far away as possible when couple's were talking. Instead he made his way to sit down by the gangway, waiting for the line to die down of eager beaver munchkins to get out of the way. He had not slept well the last few nights, and it was making him feel rather quiet.

So for now he watched the beasts around him, picking out the sailors with their family's, the raw beasts who were running from something, and the beasts who were simply hanging around watching the festivities. One who stood out seemed to be looking for someone. Pretty tall for a Jis, wearing plain blue... pants? What type of Jis wears pants? Wait, there is ONE self-respecting jill out there who would wear pants in front of everyone. Luxe jumped up from his trunk and headed through the crowd towards her.

"Jis Talian!" Miri glanced around, then noticed the rather large stoat heading her way. Miri spun as she recognized the voice, then the sturdy build of Luxe Calone.

"Oh Hello Jal Calone, What are you doing here?" Luxe cocked his head at her,

"What am I doing here?" He smiled, then rubbed his head. "Well I'm the new armorer on the Agamemnon." He pointed a claw behind him towards the ship. "The better question is why are you here?" Miri had been looking away from him, trying to find someone.

"I'm looking for my boss, Montegu Sylver." She glanced up at him, then had to cover her eye's. "Maybe you've seen him around, He's about yea tall.." Luxe batted the paw that Miri had held up to say how tall he was.

"Yes, I know him. He had Jal.. I mean Captain Fugate saved my skin a couple months back, and I've seen him....twice since then?" Luxe looked around, and didn't see the detective anywhere. "maybe if we go check with the Captain, he would know." Luxe dropped an arm behind Miri and gently guided her towards were he had seen Captain Fugate. Now he knew that she didn't need him to that, but being a gentlemammel was hardwired into him, well more like beat into him by his master... not that it would have mattered in the long run, as they were only 15 or paces from where Ladorak stood. Luxe only hoped that they would be done talking by the time he and Miri got over there...

[spender]

The only thing that stopped Spender from punching Caden right then and there was that his paws were full of luggage, and letting go of them on the gangplank wasn't the best of ideas. Miraculously, he held his tongue as well.

"And your name, lad?"

"Er... Spender."

There was some flipping of pages. A cold dread wrapped around Spender's neck. Adults and papers. Nothing ever good came of adults with papers, in his experience.

"No, no Spender," the lieutenant said, looking back at him.

"Last name!" somebeast hissed.

"Cielciosk!" the ferret blurted.

More page-flipping, and an annoyed frown. "Is that S, or C? It's not in the... ahh-ha, Cielciosk. Here you are." Spender gulped as the lieutenant leaned down and stared him in the eye. "Ciel? That sounds Rosferian to me..."

"V-Vulpine Imperium!"

The lieutenant quirked his brow. Spender had just musked himself.

"Hm. Well, you're in the maintop. Welcome aboard, follow your friends to pick up your supplies from the Boatswain's mate... and don't forget to salute." The stoat chuckled. "Nervous little fellow."

Spender scuttled away, tail tucked between his legs. As if he needed any more embarrassments... Oaw, and more luggage? Just great. He already had the satchel of random things his mother had given him, and the sack he'd packed of his own things... he wasn't made of paws! But he did have teeth, and luckily his mother hadn't packed anything too heavy... except that darned shampoo.

Suddenly, the ferret grinned as he waddled over to where Caden and Cerinus were. Shampoo... oh, yes, there were some pranks he could pull with two bottles of that!

~ ~ ~

"I just want to know how you'd feel about....at least giving commitment a try."

Molly took a deep breath.

"A try," she said. She stared out at the ship. "Yes. A try. I think... the first step to trying, is..." She trailed off, clenching her paws tighter around his. "No step at all."

Molly looked back at him, and gave a little smile.

"I can't answer for sure right now. But if I can't run away, your luck will only improve, Mr. Fugate. I just hope there's enough rum aboard to last the journey."

The stoat jill giggled again. "Me over a princess... honestly, sir, your sense of what's better... sometimes I have to wonder! But you'll get an extra hug later," she added, leaning forward to whisper in his ear. "You sure know how to flatter a jill..."

[Ladorak]

Ladorak was caught briefly by her gaze...but then felt his heart deflate and sink into his stomach and his utter being shatter into shards and collapse with cacophony into a dark pit somewhere. She....couldn't answer? No....no! Why did this always have to happen with him!? Why couldn't he just fall in love with a perfect jill that....well....he had...the first time. But he had been imperfect...a jaded, flawed specimen cut in the rough and unable to live up to his vows.

Marriage was a promise of love....and he had failed. His second.....was a disaster so to speak...and now Molly Serra....whom he thought he loved...but did she really love him? A shiver passed down his spine, tingling his nerves as she whispered into his ear but no! Don't get sucked into her little game! That's just what she wants! To play with you....toy with you and drag you around until you're helpless...and then crush you with her heels. I....I...can't do this again....I can't fall in love so far that I can't get out. Not again.....not another disappointment....I won't be able to take it again. I'm not a happy and content jack...at least not in my love life. I'm a jack on the verge of blowing his brains out over frustration with love. Why can't I just.....feel satisfied? Why do I always feel afraid...or empty? If I'm not empty I'm afraid of being hurt....I don't need love.....yet why does my heart ache for it so?

Pulling back, he gave her a false smile at best, trying to look convincing. "I can't choose who I fall in love with." was all he said, catching some movement out of the corner of his eye. Hmm....Luxe Calone and....someone. A jill. She didn't look familiar to him however, so he couldn't place her. She was a weasel, at least as far as Ladorak could tell. Behind the two of them was.....Captain James Saumarez? The weasel frigate captain was several yards behind Luxe and Miri, looking rather dapper today with his fur fluffed up in that odd cowlick of his.

The weasel could see he wasn't the first on the scene however, so he hung back, waiting patiently as Ladorak addressed Luxe. "Jal Calone.....it's a good day to be at sea." He should have been happy...he should have been soaring....but instead he felt broken....and alone. He did of course put on his best pseudo pleased face. "What is that I can assist you with? Unsure of where to be reporting to?" What do I really want in life? What do I really need? Companionship? The sea? The sea for certain....but then why do I long to hold her....to embrace her tightly and never let her go?

***************

"Next up." the Boatswain motioned for Elle to move up to them. "Let's go. We need your name. Haven't got all day. Have to make sail sometime before noon."

"Right!" the mate spoke up loudly so the gathering kits could hear him. That beech marten was still in line....but he could attach himself either to the next group or the tail end of this one. "Those of you just arriving, check your bundles, make sure you have a mattress, two blankets, a pillow and your slops. For those of you not used to such talk slops is your clothes. What you'll be wearing from now on." he gave a glance at Elle. OK....he'd wait. Soon as that marten wandered over here he'd begin. They had to get a move on. The Captain could be coming aboard at any moment and they needed to be ready to make sail.....

Caden double checked his things but they were all there. "I take it you're looking forward to this Carrow?" the albino asked with a grin, and then added with a bored tone "Oh...hey Spender." Or should I say...Spendy? Make sure you pack yer shampoo Spendy....come and give mommy a big hug. He stifled a smirk, only giving the barest of smiles in the ferret's direction. If he only knew what I was thinking.... Odd though...the ferret smelled like...musk. It was faint, but it was still there. What had happened? Had he....no that didn't make sense. He wouldn't have....musked himself!?

Caden only stared, shifting his eyes slowly over to the mate as he got ready to learn how to fold his hammock up properly......

[Carrow]

"Well yes, of course, Caden," Cerinus replied with an excited swish of his tail. "That whole process of getting on board was a little more nerve-wracking than I expected, for some reason, but oh well, least it's over and done with now.

"Pretty much all set now as regards all that, aren't we? Just need to wait for Captain Fugate to get here!" The mouse's eyes sparkled as he thought of just how tantalisingly close they all were to getting things underway. "This is more than simply something new for me, just like it is for you. Let's call this a fresh start!"

The wood mouse then turned and spotted Spender. He sighed, and rather heavily at that. He could live with being in the company of his two marten friends for years, as he was getting along better with them by the hour, but the ferret was a beast that he was now stuck with; that they were all stuck with.

He couldn't help but smirk as he thought of the mustelid's less than dignified appearance a while ago. He could see he was still embarrassed about that, and even better, it seemed that it'd be something that he wouldn't forget all that easily. Good. Something to retaliate with if needs be.

Then the rodent smelled something, faint as it was, and his smirk grew, before vanishing lest Spender look in his direction. Just to stay on the safe side (even though he needed to do it anyway), Cerinus' brown-eyed gaze transferred to the mate as he prepared to receive instructions on how to fold his hammock. He couldn't ACTUALLY have musked himself? Really? The irony of it all, he thought: a supposedly big and tough creature like him showing such a sign of weakness as that.

Cerinus didn't address Spender, but continued ignoring him, having decided that the 'speak when you're spoken to' approach worked best with the bullying ferret. The unsociable creature couldn't tell at all what Carrow nor Caden were thinking, but the mouse saw this as a small victory. He now had something else to fall back on if he was made a target, something that he realised was rather depressingly inevitable. I'll have to weather a few literal storms along the way, he thought, but this metaphorical one seems more troubling somehow.

[bookity101]

Elle jumped when the boatswain motioned her forward.

"I'm Elliot McNamee... Sir." Elle touched a knuckle to her forehead, managing to not hurt herself in her nervousness.
*****

Luxe smiled slightly at his captain and his friend. "Oh, I know where I'm supposed to go." Luxe motioned Miri forward a step. "This is Miri Talian, an old friend of mine from my apprenticeship." He smiled slightly "Actually she was my first commission as a full blacksmith." Miri nodded and held out a paw to Ladorak.

"And I'm looking for a Jal Montegu Sylver. He mentions you often, so I thought you might happen to know where he is, Captain Fugate." Miri nodded to Fugate's companion, but decided to keep her attention on the beast she was talking with right then, then introduce herself to the jill later on on the trip.

[Ladorak]

"McNamee...McNamee.....aye, there ye are. Right. You're assigned to the the maintop and the waist. Welcome aboard, head on over to the mate and get a move on!" the Lieutenant spoke with authority, and moved Elle on her way.

Good enough for the mate. "OK lads! Listen up! I have some important information for yer to process before ye start work. Pay attention, I'm only going over this once. You should have a hammock, which is free, and a mattress, two blankets, a pillow and slops, which are not. They will be coming out of your first paycheck, but such is life eh? Keep note of this as well. If your first hammock is destroyed, you will get your second one free of charge. However if THAT is destroyed, then all hammocks after that you must pay for. You can buy hammocks, mattresses, pillows and blankets at the ship's store, which is run by the Purser. The ship's store is three decks down on the orlop deck. That's below the waterline so no gunports or otherwise. Slops may also be purchased there if the need arises. OK next order of business..."

He held a hammock up now to demonstrate. "Each hammock has a number on it. Take note of that number." he tapped the number with a claw. "That number is where you will sling your hammock down below. You will be sleeping on either the upper or lower gundecks so be looking for where your number is when you get down there. That is your berthing area. You fix these two loops to a nail each on the rafters, and you've got yourself your own swinging bed. Observe that these hammocks wrap around your body like a cocoon...thus making it next to impossible to fall out. They rock with the ship, giving you a fairly level resting space."

He swung it back and forth and pushed down in the center with a paw to show how it curled up and around a body like so. "In the morning, myself and the other mates will call you to rise. Up and to your posts! Like that see? If you fail to rise after the third time we make our rounds and call this, we have permission to cut your hammock down and deposit you on the deck....so make sure you rise when we call you. If your hammock is cut down twice you have to buy a new one...that's just the way it goes. When you hear this call, unsling your hammock, hold it like so....." he held it up for them, expecting them to follow along. Caden did so, doing his best to copy the mate.

"Place your mattress in the center, keep your pillow where it's at, and make sure your blankets are INSIDE the hammock and roll it.....like so!" the mate placed the mattress, pillow and blankets inside and began to roll the canvas up width wise, reforming that sausage shape from before. Caden started to do so, noting there was quite a bit of resistance in the rolling procedure. Blasted thing.....it was a lot harder than it looked.

"Once it's rolled up, tie a knot at each end and you've got everything all in one. If ye don't know how to tie a good knot then just go home and drop out of the navy....basic knots should be for everyone. I'll show you once how to go about doing this." He looped the rope at both ends into two secure knots, ensuring the bundle stayed together.

Caden had finally gotten his to stay together, and felt it almost give out on him and pop back open, but he secured it fast, watching how the mate tied his knots. They were fairly simple, not much fancy work involved...the harder knots would come later. "Once that's done, take your rolled hammock, head up to the main deck and observe....along the sides of the ship is netting...this netting forms cubbies to place your hammock in. But also observe...each spot is numbered....and guess what each number means. 's right....your hammock's number and the number on the slot should correspond. Place your hammock in the netting, and report to your post. The hammocks serve as bulwarks of a sort against enemy fire in combat, so you'll just have to hope yours isn't one of the ones that is hit. OK that about covers it. Here's your first orders on assignment. Go and stash your hammocks in their proper place, then head down below WITH your slops, find your berthing space on one of the two gundecks and get changed into your slops. Come back up here, report to your posts, and we'll set this vessel sailing! Ah yes...." the mate paused, remembering something last minute.

"Those of ye who are slow on duty.....you'll get this across yer back." he pulled out a thick twine of rope about the length of half his body, and whipped it in front of him. The end of the rope was heavily braided, and knotted to form a sort of bulge. "This is a starter.....it's used to put a good start into ye. Those slacking or moving too slow will get a good whap. Speed is essential on a vessel of war....so the faster you work the better. We have to keep up standards....and we WILL use them if we think yer goin' too slow." Caden gulped. Please don't let me be the slowest....but yeah....I'm swift of paw...shouldn't be a problem right?

"OK, let's hop to it then! Get those hammocks stowed, get down below to yer berth and let's make sail!" the mate shouted, and Caden picked his rolled hammock up and moved over to the larboard side first, taking note of the numbers. OK he was.....144. It looked like even numbers were on the larboard side....good.

"Hey! Hey fellas!" he called to Carrow, Elliot and yes...Spender too. "Evens are on this side! 'm guessing odds are over there!" he moved his paw to indicate the starboard side of the ship. OK so 144....144.....144.....aha! Here we go! He hefted his bundle up and managed to shove it down into the netting, making sure it was in the proper spot. Good...that was out of the way. He retrieved his slops from the deck and almost ran into a Marine who was walking by as he trotted back over to the mainmast. The Marine shouted at him but he didn't respond beyond a cringe and a silent apology. Was an honest mistake...jeez.

He waited for the others to gather, looking way up at the crew working on the mainmast. They were attaching one of the yards to the bracer and it looked to be....perilous work to say the least. Gulping again, the marten let his breath out slowly and brought his gaze down, getting ready to head down to the gundecks with the others.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Jal Sylver you say?" he asked, taking Miri's paw and kissing it before standing back up. He only hoped Molly wouldn't mind....he was a gentlemammal after all....it was proper etiquette. Besides....she was a weasel. He wasn't....exactly into weasels. Molly would know that however from the time spent with him. "Yes...he signed up a few days ago....bloke is probably nervous as all seasons. I mean....he's more of an uppercrust type of jack after all....not used to life like this. I'm sure he's just trying to work out the jitters. Aha.....there he is....over yonder." the Captain pointed with a claw to a very unsure looking Montegu Sylver. He was dressed in his typical gentlemammal outfit and looked quite out of place on the dock.

"I can't recall what position he's occupying....but at any rate he's over there. Excuse me for a moment." He moved by them, approaching Captain Saumarez. "Captain Saumarez....what do I owe the honor of this visitation?"

The weasel officer (who was far shorter than Ladorak) gave a small bow. "Not much Captain Fugate. A simple receiving of orders from Admiral Hood before he boards the Victory. You are to take your ship into Crittenden harbor on a goodwill visit to Ferlusan....as we've already gone over. I think about four other ships are accompanying you....including mine oddly enough. I asked what a frigate would even be doing entering Crittenden but they told me it was vital I be there so...I intend to follow orders. I'm not even supposed to be in the fleet. I've been informed that after our goodwill visit I'm to head by the Channel and start patrols there for Rosferian raiders and frigates. Odd sort of circumstances wouldn't you say?"

The stoat nodded, finding it odd indeed. "And who is to be my liaison in Crittenden?"

Saumarez frowned, trying to recall. "I'm not sure they told me that. But whatever the name is they'll be taking you around the harbor on an inspection of the Ferlusan navy. Dinner on the Admiral's flagship opening night. Rather generous of them wouldn't you say?"

"Quite....are you attending?"

"I dare say I am....once again oddly enough. A frigate captain invited aboard a 112 gunner....a bit above my station if I say so myself."

"Well mine as well....ah well, I'm sure Admiral Hood will pass on details once we're on our way. Thank you Captain Saumarez. My our enemies be smitten and swiftly at that."

"May they indeed Captain Fugate, may they indeed." They threw each other salutes, and Saumarez walked off to report back to Admiral Hood and board his command, the HMS Crescent.

"Right...that settles it. I've got to get aboard. I suggest you two do the same after speaking with Jal Sylver. Might have to drag him on board at this rate." he said, laughing a bit at the hapless weasel. Turning to Molly, he offered her his arm. "Shall we board my command then my dear?"

[Carrow]

Cerinus did indeed pay attention. He tried his best to catch every single word that came out of the mate's mouth. So, first: two free hammocks, in the event that the first one is destroyed. After that, they come out of the paycheck, like everything else that was mentioned earlier, and all of this can be bought down on the orlop deck. Rrrrright.

Next, we attach those two loops to a nail each on the rafters. Nearly impossible to fall out of one of these things, apparently, the mouse thought. Well, that's good at least. It's 'three strikes and you're out' as regards getting up in the morning, I suppose? Okay, I'd better remember that. What's he doing now?

Ah, rolling up the hammock. I see. The rodent watched the process intently. Mattress goes in first, pillow stays where it is, check that blankets are inside the hammock, and roll it. I am assuming... yep, width-wise. Looking to get that sausage shape back. Carrow had a go, and though there was a little difficulty (he had the same problem as Caden did), he managed it in the end. He looked at it. He didn't need to be told what to do next, as he figured it was the logical next step. He tied the knots, something he fared much better at. If there was one thing he knew how to do, it was tie knots. So I'm safe for now, he thought with a smile.

He knew that was of course not the only knot he'd need to tie, but he would be ready to learn when the time came. So, they headed up to the main deck next. Ah, yes, I'd spotted some of this netting earlier. And well, of course, could have seen that coming. Hammock and slot numbers should correspond. Still don't know what mine is, but I'll see soon enough. Inwardly, he was hoping that he was near enough to one of, or both, his companions.

Now we stash the hammocks, then head down to the gundeck. Sure, I can do that. He eyed the starter nervously, but reasoned that it was the best way to 'encourage' creatures to work. He wasn't exactly the swiftest of recruits on deck, but he could manage.

After their dismissal, Carrow spotted what Caden was doing, and he followed suit, as he was of course going to check the side nearest to him first. This is larboard side. Don't know what that means in relation to the numbers, though I could guess. He checked his number. 150. Acting on instinct, the mouse went over to larboard side, at which point Caden confirmed his assumption. As soon as he reached the cubbies, he quickly scanned the numbers. 142, 144, 146, 148... 150. Theeeere we go. With little difficulty, the long-tailed field mouse stowed his hammock, double-checking to see everything was in order. No problems there.

The mouse then retrieved his slops, and looked about for a familiar face. His pine marten friend was over by the mainmast. He smiled as he went back over to the mustelid. "Well, that's that taken care of. If you don't mind me asking, matey, what number did you end up getting?"

[Ladorak]

Caden turned upon noticing Carrow's approach and hearing the mouse's words in his ears. "Carrow! Hey!" the marten exclaimed, giving the rodent a smile. "I got 144. I'm pretty sure I won't be berthing with you guys though. Life of a Volunteer Class I...you know officer candidate and all that. I'll be berthing in the gunroom...same gundeck as you guys I'm sure, but different section. Come on....I'll show you." he waved with his paw, and starting walking towards the main companionway that led below. The fore part of the ship had numerous hatches where goods were being loaded, so Caden wanted to stay well clear of that section of the ship for now.

"Knowing us, I bet we're two decks down....lower gundeck. It's where the newer guys go from what I read." the companionway wasn't too far from the mainmast. He pointed to the quarterdeck which was directly ahead of them. "You'll be working up there on the mizzenmast and wheel if you're training for Quartermaster...but don't ever go up there without permission. Captain's quarters are up there and not just anyone can go up."

He stood at the entrance to the companionway, stairs leading down to the upper gundeck. "Three decks below us and the holds. Upper and lower gundeck and the orlop deck before you hit the holds. Come on...I bet we're two down." Carefully walking down the stairs, the marten passed a few jacks heading up, nodding at them as they passed. "We're lucky we're not even 13 yet....we don't have to worry about knocking our heads on the low ceiling down here. When we start growing a little though...then we gotta watch out. The beams aren't that high above us, and most adult jacks have to stoop when moving."

He stepped onto the floor of the upper gundeck. The gunports were all open, allowing for ventilation and sunlight. He looked behind him, towards the stern of the ship. A few Marines were posted at the entrance to the rear cabins. "Those are officers' cabins back there....and the wardroom, where the officers eat. Once again off limits to guys like us. We're one more down."

Caden circled around behind the stairs, walking down one more flight. The first noticeable thing about being down on the lower gundeck was the smell. A briny, swampy smell pervaded the nostrils, and caused Caden's nose to wrinkle a bit. It wasn't horrible, due to the open gunports airing the deck out, but it was still there. "That smell's from the bilge. A lot of standing water down there....the stench is even worse on the orlop deck cause they don't have ports down there like we do here. At least we get some air on this deck. I guess we'll get used to it though." He pointed down the length of the gundeck. "OK....anywhere in here you'll be sleeping. Just look at the beams above you....you'll see numbers chalked up there. That's for the hammocks. Um...." he turned around, looking at the stern of the ship.

Off in that direction were sheets of canvas, draped from ceiling to floor and blocking off the rear section of the ship. "That back there, behind those sheets, is the gunroom. That's where I'll be sleeping, though I don't get a cabin or anything fancy like that. The uh...Gunner has his cabin back there, and so do some of the Marine Lieutenants. The tiller's back there too, in case the wheel gets shot away. So I'll be close by...just behind a bunch of canvas." he said, giving the mouse a small smile. "I'm positive the 140s are back in the gunroom, and everything from 150 on is out here." Crew were all over the place, walking about, changing into their slops, helping with the loading of cargo up front, storing their belongings.

Caden started walking forward, looking at the cannon on either side of him. He headed towards the trunk of the mainmast that was poking through the floor and ceiling. The bilge pumps were in the center, clustered around the mainmast. They were giant covered boxes that had holes drilled in the sides to place crank handles into. Caden leaned against the side of one of the pumps, slowly taking this all in. OK.....his new home for the next who knew how long.

Turning to face Carrow, he held up his slops. "Hey I'm gonna go and get changed and get up on deck. I'll go back there and check out the gunroom. Why don't you find your berth and get changed too? I'll meet you out here OK? I won't be more'n a few minutes." He tapped the mouse on the side and started aft, walking past the stairs and parting the canvas sheets with his paws. The mizzenmast was directly in front of him, and off to his right and left were cabins. He looked up at the beams...yep.....144....he was definitely berthing in here.

Well...at least there weren't too many beasts back here. He could sort of change in privacy. He walked further back. On his right was the Gunner's cabin, on his left was the Chaplain's. Past those two were cabins for the Marine Lieutenants. And way in the back was the massive tiller, a giant rectangular block of wood that controlled the rudder in case the wheel was shot away in combat. Looking off to his right and noticing a Marine Lieutenant looking at him from the open door of his cabin, the albino blushed and hurried on, moving so that he was on one side of the large tiller.

He was a self-conscious kit, and didn't exactly like getting naked in front of others. True...he figured most on board probably wouldn't care, and also true he hadn't yet hit puberty so none of his more....sensitive parts were showing save of course for his rump, but he still felt self-conscious about it all.

Moving to the very stern of the vessel, up against the wall, he stood in the right angle where the tiller met the stern of the ship, which provided him with fairly good cover for getting changed. Stripping down, the marten went as quickly as he could. He'd never admit this to anyone, but he didn't mind actually walking around this way....he could see why Spender didn't like pants. There was something about bare fur that just....felt natural. But still, he knew he couldn't get caught dead in this state, and he threw his shirt over himself and hurriedly donned his pants.

Phew...much better. Walking out from behind the tiller, the kit began walking a bit easier, his racing heart slowing down. He wasn't sure why he felt the world was watching him whenever he did something like that, but he was glad it was over and done with. Stuffing his old clothes into his bag, he opened up one of the lockers on the side of the hull and stashed his sack down into it, closing the door and walking back past the cabins. That Marine Lieutenant was writing something at the very small desk he had, and Caden could only speculate at what it was.

Coming through the canvas sheets out into the lower gundeck proper, he looked around for Carrow, positive the mouse had already changed and was good to go.