Aboard the Rum Cask

[Chloriosus]

Kastron was having trouble of his own. He had taken a pretty bad fall down the stairs, for what the staircase lacked in length, it made up for in steepness. He was limping slightly, and the tossing and pitching of the ship didn't help him any. The two boys were having a hard time making out where the other was. They fought for several minutes, each of them alternately gaining the upper hand, but neither of them getting any hit to speak of.

[wingfeather]

Eldor threw a few clumsy attacks and returned a few parries but knew that he was retreating, how I much I miss land! Eldor thought. Suddenly is foot caught on a rope lying on the deck, left by some careless sailor, and if there was anything less stable than a heaving ship on a stormy sea, it was thin air, and that is where Eldor found himself.

[Chloriosus]

Kastron had a temper, and at the moment it was rather strongly directed at Eldor, but even though he would rather have him off this ship at the moment, he didn't exactly wish for him to die. Not like this anyway. So as soon as he saw him beginning to go over, he made a grab for Eldor's hand, and just barely managed to catch him. "Great", he thought to himself "this fish is a lot heavier than I thought he would be." He gave one tremendous heave that he put all his strength into, and a few moments later Eldor was lying on the floor next to him.

[wingfeather]

When Eldor felt himself hurtling over the rail, only one thing was in his mind, 'well at least I don't have to share a bedroom'. But suddenly he felt a hand clench his wrist, and he felt himself pulled back aboard. There he lay side by side with one of the many people in the world he disliked, after they had regained their breath both stood and looked at each other, then with one arm around each others shoulder both made their way below deck and fell exhaustedly upon the bed, which they found could be shared quite easily.

[Chloriosus]

Kastron was lying wide awake. He wasnt really the type of person that went to bed early, especially not after the events of this day. It had been basically the first time he had had any kind of conversation, may it be as insulting as it had been, with any kind of person around his age, with exception to his little sister. He had always been around men, and it was usually always the same men, for the crew on this ship rarely changed. He wasn't exactly sure what to make of Eldor, still known as "the stranger" to his mind. "He's rather.. I don't know what to call it, proud?", he thought to himself, proud himself that he had thought of the correct word. He wasn't sure if he would be able to get along with Eldor, but if he were completly honest with himself, even though ELdor made him mad enough to want spit on him sometimes, it was still rather fun to have someone to have a spat with. 

[wingfeather]

Late that night, or rather very early that morning, Eldor woke tossing and turning uncomfortably. Cold beads of sweat broke out on his forehead and he felt as if his stomach were in his throat. He struggled uncomfortably with the blankets for a while till suddenly he quickly jumped out of bed, knocking Kastron out of it in the process, ran for the throw-up bucket (*not the legendary bucket) and made full use of it.

[Chloriosus]

"HEY!" Kastron did not appreciate being thrown out of bed at four in the morning."I thought it was yer legs that didn't work, not your eyes!" Kastron sat up on the floor, rubbing his head once again. "So the ocean pestilence finally caught up with ye, ay?"

[wingfeather]

In answer Eldor retched again. He was feeling lightheaded now, as he staggered back toward the bed and sat down heavily.

[Chloriosus]

Kastron tried hard and rather unsuccessfully to restrain his laughter. He had heard from some sailors that this occurred to some people who were on a ship, especially for their first time, but he had never actually seen it happen, and he was pretty amazed.

[wingfeather]

This laughter on Kastron's part irritated Eldor greatly, ''Why you-'' he did not get any further for they door suddenly banged open revealing Kastron's younger sister Emmalinda.

[Chloriosus]

"Hey Dorel, breakfast is ready! Would you like for me to show ye th' way into the galley?" ,she said in a very annoying (what Kastron called) her annoying fat duck voice. She was smiling. It was pretty obvius that she had taken a rather huge liking to Eldor. She had gotten his name out of one of the sailors who had overheard it at the port, and had partially forgotten it, thus the mispronunciation.

[wingfeather]

Eldor, seasickness forgotten, stood and began quickly rummaging through his belongings attempting to hide his outrage at the mispronunciation of his name.

[Chloriosus]

Kastron smirked. His little sister, not being able to take a hint, repeated her statement with a new mispronunciation of his name. "He heard you the first time 'round, you dim sea cow.", Kastron told her with loftiness. The girl rolled her eyes, tossed her hair, and slammed the door shut. Both of the boys knew it was way too early for breakfast. They looked at each other, then both broke out in gales of helpless laughter. when they both had recovered from their laughing spell, Kastron suddenly became serious. "So tell me, is your name really Dorel? "Cause if it is it's about the stupidest name I've heard so far, and I've heard plenty."

[wingfeather]

''Why you arrogant squirrel of course it is not,'' he answered once his laughter subsided.

[Chloriosus]

Kastron looked at him a little strangely. "A squirrel- I've heard of it before. It's black with red fins innit? They're are remarkably smart, I've heard. I b'lieve I've seen one at the Serpentrile reef. So what be your name, then?"