“Understood,” replied Aria, nodding her head.
Jack narrowed his eyes. “That’s not the same as a promise.”
Don’t push it.She brought her hand up. “I promise not to attempt to escape or contact anyone.”
“Good. Don’t cross me on this, or there will be consequences you won’t like,” warned Jack.
“Aye aye, Cap’n.”
Jack shook his head, chuckling. “All right then,” he said. “Dinner is in the mess at 6 p.m. sharp.” He shook his head as if to clear it. “Until then, I should probably be flying a ship, or something.” He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. “I’ll see you later, darling.”
Aria sat on the bed, well pleased with herself. “Freedom of the ship? Not too bad, Aria,” she said to herself. “Besides, that was fun. I think I’ll be seeing him again before not too long.”
She got up and checked her appearance in the mirror.Looking all right, my dear, not too shabby at all.Good enough to wander the corridors of a pirate ship, certainly.
Aria walked to the door and pressed the access panel. Sure enough, the door slid open. Aria clapped her hands in delight and stepped into the corridor. As the door closed, she turned around and noted the number of her suite, in order to remember it later.
The hallways of theMaracaibodid not appear all that different from any other ship Aria had seen; it wasn’t as if there were skull and bones flags and peg-legged men saying, “Yar,” or anything like that. Instead, people of various races and species walked back and forth with crisp efficiency as they went about their various tasks.
It seemed like a big ship—at least, judging by the number of crew moving about. Once she stepped out of her corridor and joined what seemed to be the main traffic of the ship, there was a busyness that was rather shocking to Aria, who had experienced nothing but her own company for large periods of recent time.
“Ah! The lady has her liberty. This one is glad to see this.”
Aria turned around to see who was talking to her before she thought to look down. At waist height, beaming up at her, was a diminutive, orange-furred alien who appeared vaguely familiar.
Aria searched her memory and ventured, “Felipesegundo?”
The creature looked delighted, shifting back and forth on his small feet. “Yes! The lady remembers! This one is honored.”
Her social circles back on Palamar had not included any aliens, and she was unsure of the appropriate way to conduct herself.Well, time to learn, I guess.She bent down to reach eye level with the creature.
“Pleased to meet you, Felipesegundo,” she said. “My name is Aria Gryffin.”
The creature lowered his eyes shyly, before extending a furry paw, which Aria held and shook. “You do this one great honor,” he whispered.
Aria straightened. “So what are doing right now, Felipesegundo?” she asked.
“This one has just finished his work shift and is returning to quarters.” Suddenly, a smile radiated across his face. “If the lady is interested, this one could show you the ship!”
Aria found the creature’s enthusiasm adorable.If he had a tail, he would be wagging it frantically like a pet palimpa.How could she refuse? “I would be honored, Felipesegundo.”
The creature hopped a little before extending a soft, furry paw for Aria to hold. She felt a bit like a maiden in a fairy story, off on a fantastical adventure.
“So what system do you come from, Felipesegundo?” she asked, as they began their journey.
“Trebizond, Lady Aria. At least, that is the word for it in your language. This one’s language is very, very difficult for humans to learn. In this one’s language, it is called—” the creature emitted a short, coughing bark.
“I think I’ll stick with Trebizond,” said Aria.
“Very wise, milady,” said Felipesegundo earnestly. “By the same token, in your language, this one’s people are called Trebs.”
“I’ve never met a Treb before,” said Aria. “Are they all as nice as you?”
Felipesegundo’s fur turned from an orangish color to a light shade of pink. “Milady is too kind to this one,” he murmured shyly. His fur slowly faded from pink back to orange, which Aria politely did not comment upon.
Under the Treb’s thorough and enthusiastic guidance, Aria learned a great deal. In between discovering the basic layout of the ship, she also learned Felipsegundo was one of seven sons, all of whom had “Felipe” as the first part of their names. Life on Trebizond, it seemed, was a hardscrabble existence, and the Treb regularly sent back a significant portion of what he earned.
“And do you find it a good living, Felipesegundo, if you don’t mind me asking?” inquired Aria, curious.
