46 Vol 1. pt. 46 Patch 8.0: How to Train Your Crew (2/2)

”Besides, those respawn counter things are important. Me and you don't have any left, so if we don't want to get totally screwed next time we die, we need to have some fun if you know what I'm saying!”

Neither of the girls is staring at Fenrir anymore.

”Right. Anyways, uhh, new guy, hey. My name is Fenrir. What's yours?”

The male that Oleander is clinging onto looks at Fenrir. ”Ah, my name is Corwin Hale. Pleasure to meet you, Fenrir,” Corwin says.

The proper way of speaking throws Fenrir off for a moment. Corwin sounds the most proper out of everybody Fenrir has met in-game thus far. He really doesn't seem like Oleander's type. This whole thing feels suspicious, but he isn't going to get in his friend's way. ”Don't hurt Olly here or else me and the big green guy are going to have to have some words with you, alright?”

”Geez, dad, stop trying to act tough around my new boyfriend,” Oleander teases, making himself sound like a teenage girl.

Cassiel pulls Serra back away from the rest of them to whisper into her ear. ”Is this what it was like when he met us? Did things happen this quickly?” Cassiel asks.

”I think so. I… guess it is kind of weird to see it happen,” Serra answers.

”By the way, I've got somebody for you three to meet,” Fenrir walks over to the stairs leading below deck. ”Come up here for a minute, Tabs!”

”Tabs! I like that!” Tabitha shouts back. ”I'll be up in a min!”

Oleander and Bonekraka look at each other curiously.

Tabitha comes up covered in sweat with dirt all over her. Fenrir has no idea how she's gotten so dirty so quickly, but he's going to take it as a sign of hard work. ”This is Tabitha, The Shoebill's new engineer,” Fenrir introduces her.

”Glad to meetcha'll! I'll be makin' sure this baby takes wins us the tournament!” Tabitha declares.

Oleander and Bonekraka narrow their eyes on Fenrir.

”Told you no,” Bonekraka says.

Oleander is about to back up Bonekraka, but somebody else speaks up first.

”You're entering the fishing tournament? Can I accompany you?! Please, let me join you! I've always wanted to join and be a part of something like this!” Corwin says.

Oleander immediately changes his opinion on the tournament. ”Yep, we are! Corwin can join… us, right, Fenny?” he asks, hoping to not get called out for the sudden change.

While Fenrir wouldn't accept Oleander doing something only for his sake, he will accept Oleander doing something for somebody else's sake. ”Of course. What're you good at, Corwin?” Fenrir asks.

”Ahh, I am experienced with all of the tasks a ship requires. I can manage the sails, steer, keep lookout, and anything else you would have of me. I may not be the best fisherman, but I would be glad to practice if that is what you would need of me,” Corwin answers.

”Sounds good to—”

”I said no,” Bonekraka reasserts himself.

”Well, we need seven people, and we only have six if you don't help us,” Cassiel says. Fenrir looks surprised to hear her speaking up about it.

”Do not care what new girl has to say. I said no. Tired of boat and fishing! Want to PvP and raid,” he shouts at her, directing all of his anger toward her.

Tabitha slinks back below deck since she has a bad feeling about where this is going.

”Bone, come on, be nice. She was just stating a fact. We can find somebody else if we have to. There's no need for you to talk to her like that,” Fenrir says, standing between Cassiel and Bonekraka.

”Do you think I'm stupid?! I know she just say that to make me feel bad and agree!” Bonekraka shouts at Fenrir now.

”Relax, I only—” Cassiel starts talking, but gets interrupted by Bonekraka.

Fenrir regrets not warning the girls about never telling Bonekraka to relax.

”I do not need relax! You just another girl who know nothing and make him change mind! He always fall for stupid girl who he listen to!” Bonekraka shouts at her. Even random passersby on the pier are looking their way and listening to the drama. ”I said no! Do not want stupid tournament! I bought this game with own money, want to do things I want to do! Have barely played because on boat for so long, now in city full of shit carebears!”

”Haah? Listen here, you bastard. I don't know what you're on about, but I'm not making him do anything. I just agreed to try it out and thought it was fun. Maybe you'd have fun if you'd actually try it instead of being so stubborn,” Cassiel shouts back.

Serra clings to Fenrir's side, but he gives her a gentle push away so that he can focus on breaking up Cassiel and Bonekraka.

”Alright, drop it. Cass, don't let him get to you. Bone, nobody ever said you had to join. Look, I won't lie, I really want you to join us and if you don't then it's going to really suck, but if we're only going to be one member short then I can find somebody else for the tournament while you do whatever you want,” Fenrir explains.

”So you replace me?! You never want to do what I want to do anymore!” Bonekraka shouts, glaring Fenrir directly in the eyes. ”Yeah, what that? You cry now? Big fuckin' baby crying because not getting his way?”

Fenrir wipes his eyes. As tightly as he tried shoving that cork back into the bottle, it's popped back out. ”No, I'm crying because one of my best friends is a total fucking asshole. Get out of here because I have nothing left to say to you. If you really think I never do anything you want, if you really think I just selfishly always make you do whatever I want, then get the fuck out of here before I do something I'm going to regret.”

Neither Serra nor Cassiel have ever heard Fenrir sound so intense before. Even Tabitha has stopped making noise below deck to listen in on what's happening above her.

”Guys, come on, stop. We're friends, remember? Don't let something stupid like this ruin tha—” Oleander is cut off by Bonekraka slamming his fist into Fenrir's face.