The gentle breeze blows across the port where the Grosvenor is docked, carrying with it the briny smell of the ocean, mixed with the stench of daily dock life. Overhead, the seagulls squawk as they circle around, many of them even landing on the deck in search of food offered by crew. Almost drowned out by the noise the birds are making, James can hear the gentle creak of rope and timber, the lapping of water against the hull of the ship. It all seemed so peaceful to him, and indeed, he? much prefer life aboard ship than on land. It was really all he ever knew since he was a young cabin pup aboard many a ship of the royal navy.<br/><br/>James was a European wolven of fine breeding who had seen his fair share of naval battles, and now he chose a more peaceful living as an officer aboard an East Indiaman merchant ship. James?paws gripped the rail of the poop deck as he overlooked the bustle of daily life at port. Passengers were even now filing up the gangway to board the Grosvenor, as the crew set about readying her for her voyage. Now and then the 6ft tall wolf would turn and issue an order or two, but his eyes always returned to the dock sooner or later. For a moment his eyes lingered on the proud looking foxy sitting on one of her many boxes of luggage and goods. Probably all she owned was packed away in those boxes. Nobody seemed to be taking any notice of her as dockhands loaded goods onto the ship.<br/><br/>James frowns a little, noting that others that appeared below her apparent status were having their possessions loaded up before her. This would not do! James was a wolf of noble breeding and it galled him to see such a thing happening to one of equal breeding. With a slight growl he turns toward a group of rodents that appeared to be lounging about, and not doing their fair days work.<br/><br/>?ou there!?He barks out with and air of authority, watching them as they quickly jump to their feet. ?ook lively! This isn? a fishing boat, nor a place for you to loaf about! We run a tight ship here!?r<br/>?ye sir? The group of rodents utter in unison, a slight hint of reluctance in their voices.<br/>?ontrary to what you may think, there? work to be done here. Get down there and stow that foxy? boxes aboard ship!?r<br/><br/>James shakes his head as watches the group of lazy rodents scurry down the gangway to collect the foxy? possessions. Satisfied, he straightens his hat and checks that his uniform is neat and clean, before resuming his duties. Can? have the passengers thinking this was a sloppy ship, that just wouldn? do at all?r<br/><br/>((I Will add more detail to James as the story progresses, after all, he's a new character as well, so you'll just have to wait and see<img alt=":wink:" src="./images/smilies/wink.gif" title="Wink"/>))