Blake's bare feet skidded across the slimy deck, only stopping once his body slammed into the bulwark separating him from the deep water that churned all around them. He groaned, clutching his ribs even as he felt the searing pain that accompanied the introduction of numerous splinters into his left foot.<br/><br/>"Boy!"<br/><br/>He looked around, locating the speaker after a bit of initial difficulty due to the continuos spray of salty vapor rising from the waves on that side of the ship; like nearly everything else about being on the ship, it would certainly take some getting used to. It was the man from the tavern with the gold teeth- he gestured, and Blake moved gingerly towards him, throwing his arms out to either side in an awkward (and probably a bit comical) fashion so as to maintain his balance as the ship continued to sway under him.<br/><br/>"Still findin' yer sea-legs, eh? Well, it'll take some time," the pirate said in a voice that was both low and clear as Blake finally reached him. He was at a loss for how the man could be standing so leisurely on the deck even in such choppy waters. "For now, you got work to do. Ain't no room on this here vessel for people who can't carry their weight. You look skinny enough to chuck overboard with one hand," he added observationally, "but you'll still need to work. Fill that bucket over there with seawater, and make sure the rope's fastened before you do! We don't have spare buckets to waste. Then, mop up the guts and chum over yonder," he ordered as he pointed off to the putrid patch of fish-sludge Blake had unknowingly slid right through earlier. He frowned down at his feet and saw that some of the putrid stuff was still caked onto them.<br/><br/>"Yessir, I'll geh righ' on it," he said with an eager nod as he began another balancing act so as to reach the worn, wooden bucket near where his ribs had been introduced to the rail. "Name ain't Sir," the pirate called after him as he moved. "Cor, be it. Seeing as you're dumber than a pile of bricks you'll probably forget, but there it is. Now hurry up!"<br/><br/>Blake nodded gleefully at the compliment even as he quickened his steps, his arms flailing a bit more wildly as he moved with his feet creating small squelching sounds with each step he took. He had been called stupider than a heap of shit and dumber than a pile of rocks, but never bricks. These pirates seemed to appreciate him like no one back home ever did, aside from Mal of course.<br/><br/>He hadn't seen her in some time, and the thought of his friend rekindled his worries about her. In spite of her enthusiasm to get away from Denyan and get started on the road to riches, Mallory had not taken very well to life on the ship. He hoped to see her soon- he was always concerned about being away from her too long, because he knew before long he would do something stupid to screw things up. He needed her, although the pirates didn't seem too concerned about keeping the two of them together.<br/><br/>As he carefully lowered the pail into the water, watching as the ship's momentum caused it to get yanked back by the currents and nearly torn from his grip, he stared back at the coastline to see that it was now barely visible. The rope was sliding through his hands, burning his palms as the pail began to get left behind, but he was too busy breathing in the sea breeze with a look of quiet joy on his face. The rocking of the ship didn't nauseate him, and the air was about as clean as anything he was accustomed to. More important than anything, he was away. Away from the life he had hated so much, and well on his way to vast amounts of wealth along with his best friend in the wor-<br/><br/>"Boy! What're you doing! Pick the fuckin' thing back up!"<br/><br/>Blake jumped, realizing that there was barely a foot of rope left. He hurriedly yanked at it and immediately found himself flying over the bulwark, his light body unable to stay grounded given the force of the pull coming from the other end. Apparently, he was supposed to have secured the rope to something else in case of such an occurrence, but the thought didn't occur to him until after he saw the deep blue, greenish water flying up to meet him.<br/><br/>"You stupid, boney son of a biscuit-eater!" Cor shouted as a pair of strong hands seized him by the legs and began dragging him back onto the ship. "You better hold onto that rope, or you may as well jump in after it!"<br/><br/>Idly, Blake wondered if he knew how to swim, but then he realized he couldn't really remember- in any case, he tightened his grip on the final inches of rope and prayed the pirate didn't let go of him.