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Description
In a neutral port many pirates enjoyed their spoils, the normally crowded ships were deserted in favor of bars and brothels. Some would stay behind to guard their ships, though the job was normally reserved for those being punished. Not being allowed to leave the ship and go on shore, after all, was a harsh punishment while all their fellow pirates got to enjoy themselves.

One ship, however, was still bustling with more activity than was usual for one that had been docked for a few days. It was later in the day, prime time for drinking and story telling, yet the ship of the Ghost of the Seven Seas was crowded by crocs. Crocs that seemed to be on some kind of mission, albeit confused and hesitant about it. They would seem to wander back and forth about the deck, going below and bringing various clothes, hats, and even some weapons to the captain’s cabin before disappearing again in search of something else.

The captain of the ship, Emery, was not preset. He’d gone ashore, but had no quals or suspicions about the number of guards who’d volunteered to stay behind. Their resident grem, Arlo, wasn’t fond of going into town so late in the evening, and Emery felt a lot better having his lucky charm protected so well while he wasn’t around. Even if they were in neutral space it had been proven on more than one occasion that not all other pirates could be trusted to keep from stealing from other pirates.

That’s why Arlo’s plan was able to progress. The grem himself wasn’t issuing orders, that had been left up to a smaller croc named Tybalt, but it was his idea all the same.

One would’ve thought that dressing the little mammal up to look like a proper pirate himself wouldn’t have been so difficult. The crocs themselves didn’t wear much in terms of clothes themselves, however, and most of what they stole or kept around as trophies of sorts all proved to be too big or too clashing for Arlo to look good in it.

Arlo wanted to look the part of a proper pirate; the grem had told them he was a ‘costume’, another tradition of the land dwellers to don garments that were not normally their own at this time of year. He had tried to encourage some of the crocs to join him, but they had been more reluctant on that part of his idea.

“Oh…this one’s t-too big.” Arlo had a hat settled on his head, but with the way it hid almost half his face it was obvious it wasn’t meant for someone of his size. Or even his species, the crocs argued.

“Maybe we go steal clothes?” A large croc, Boris, put forth. “There are grem pirates. I see them. Captain Barbossa keeps some, and he is grem too.”

“He’s too big of a grem ya lout!” Tybalt growled. He’d taken the oversized hat from Arlo’s head, his temper immediately cooling when he saw the way the grem looked at him. Those big, innocent eyes…

“Urg…there’s gotta be somethin’. You really need this done before the cap’n returns rabbit?”

“Yes!” Arlo clenched his hands into fists, determination lighting his eyes. “I w-want to look the part. Like a pirate. Like y-you all!”

Boris’ eyes drifted to Tybalt, who in turn shook his head. “Lookin’ it an’ bein’ it are two different things. Maybe none o’ the clothes look right because you have never been pirate material.”

“Oy!” Tybalt was smacked by Boris as a few stragglers outside the cabin called in their displeasure at the green croc’s harsh words. Tybalt was always cruel to the young grem, but the captain still let him near Arlo so no one could do much aside from scold the other.

Despite Arlo’s timid, even innocent nature, the entire crew was rather fond of their captain’s lucky charm.

Yet the damage had been done. Tybalt’s mean words visibly shook Arlo’s resolve. The grem’s hands lowered and his eyes drifted down as he shuffled his clawed feet, looking the very definition of ashamed. “Oh…I’m s-sorry. I just wanted to…sorry.”

Now he’d done it. Despite all his cruelty Tybalt had a greater fondness than the rest of the crew for the little grem—feelings he would never admit too, but that came back to bite him whenever he treated Arlo so meanly. He growled at the younger’s display now, turning and storming out of the cabin to jeers and taunts of his own as Boris sat down to comfort the young grem.

“Ignore tiny green croc. Little grem is good pirate! He helps read Captain’s maps and brings very good luck to crew. All by himself, small mammal combats mean spirit of crew too. Is very good important to crew and Captain happiness.”

Arlo sniffed, peeking up at the huge croc anxiously. “I—y-you’re sure?”

Boris nodded, grinning. “Captain more grumpy without lucky charm too. Very good for crew.”

That much was true. Arlo knew Emery could have a bit of a temper when pushed too far, but he’d never really seen much of that anger. Especially not when it was a rage that was justified…

Before Arlo or Boris could say anything more, Tybalt made a sudden return. He shoved the large croc out of the way, snatching away all the previously rejected clothes and hat from Arlo’s reach before he threw some clothes overtop the grem’s head. “Here. These should fit.”

As the young grem struggled to de-tangle himself from the mess of clothes Boris was eyeing his companion skeptically. “How does Tybalt know clothes will fit?”

Tybalt growled. “Because they look right.”

While the two crocs squared up as if about to fight, finally freed himself and set about looking the clothes over. Tybalt was right, everything did look to be the right size. It even looked like it all matched, a hinderance they’d hit time and again with all the other outfits they’d pulled together that had fit before. The grem still found himself being very careful as he pulled each piece on, curling his clawed feet up when he slipped his legs into the trousers—how weird, there was a spot for his tail! It even let him latch the trousers above the tail so he only had to rest it in the slit rather than work it through a small hold. Seemed fancy.

Little by little he worked his way into each layer as Tybalt and Boris growled and snapped at one another. Shirt, belts, jacket, and finally the hat. Just as with the rest of the outfit, even the hat settled perfectly on his oddly shaped head, and Arlo gasped, his hope restored. “It fits!” He said softly. Even that quiet exclamation caught the two croc’s attention and their fighting stopped in favor of giving him their attention.

Tybalt looked away after seeing the fully dressed grem, so it was Boris who had to assure him of the look. “It fit! Fit good! Little grem look very much like pirate now.”

Arlo was reassured by the large croc’s words. It gave him the courage to go out of the captain’s cabin and out onto the main deck where the rest of the crew could see him. Some of them chuckled, but it was good natured and they confirmed Boris’ observation. Arlo had the look of a pirate, one that looked perfectly dressed to stand by their captain even. Captain Emery liked to keep up his appearance, after all, and it only made sense for the albino croc’s lucky charm to reflect that.

“What are ya lot doin’ all gathered on deck here. Having a party while your captain is ashore?”

The crocs jumped and all turned to look where their captain’s voice had come from. He was coming up the gangway, and only when they all fell quiet could they hear the tell-tale thud of that heavy, false leg. Emery didn’t look drunk, be his expression read of something easy, pleasant, meaning he had been drinking. He always did seem to be in a better mood after time ashore. Some of the crew were a bit eager to let him see his lucky charm now, wondering if that good mood could be inflated further. The better the captain was feeling, after all, the better their own shore leave tended to go.

“Welcome back Cap’n.” A few of the crew called out as they all parted to let Emery on board. They didn’t even try to hide Arlo. In fact they stood in such a way that the only path for the captain to walk was to go straight to the grem, leaving line of sight uninterrupted.

Emery froze when he saw the young grem standing there in those clothes. Arlo suddenly felt very exposed, grabbing at his long ears and pulling them around his face as if to hide behind them. The captain didn’t say anything, only blinking a few times before he finally approached to get a better look at his little lucky charm. He chuckled low when he was close, leaning down as he settled a hand on Arlo’s shoulder. “You look great in that lad.”

Arlo lit up, taking in a small, surprised breath. “Really?”

“Aye.” After subtly nuzzling his snout against the grem’s, embarrassing the other further, Emery straightened up and addressed the crew. “You lot came up with this surprise?”

“No cap’n, it was the lad!”

“Says a lot of land mammals dress up this time of year.”

There was a scatter chorus of agreement. If Arlo couldn’t turned any more red, he would’ve. His eyes and ears had already turned black, indicating he was running a lot hotter than usual. “Th-they dress up…sometimes, as those they admire.”

No one really heard Arlo’s explanation aside from Emery, and really the captain thought it better. No need to get the crew going too soft on him. “Alright lads, everyone dismissed. Go find some good drinks an’ warm beds for your night.”

Cheers went up, and none of the crocs needed to be told twice. They pushed and shoved each other as they walked down the gangway, only Tybalt lingering back before one last look from Emery sent him away. When they were alone, Emery pulled Arlo close, enjoying the warmth of the grem’s body against his own.

Arlo gasped again, then leaned into the embrace, wrapping his arms around his captain. “Come with me. I have one more piece for you so you can be authentic.” Emery whispered. Arlo tilted his head, peering up at Emery curiously before allowing himself to be led back into the captain’s cabin. The albino croc closed and locked the door once they were inside, motioning for Arlo to stand in the center of the room while he went to retrieve this ‘something.’

It took a few moments and some digging, but Emery pulled a long case from a stack of his spoils. It was an ornate box, carefully closed with a shiny metal clasp. “A gift I’ve been meanin’ to give ye.” Emery told the young grem as he motioned him close. As Arlo cautiously moved to stand beside the captain the case was open to reveal its contents.

Cradled in what looked like silk was a finely crafted sword, one that Emery plucked easily from the folds and presented handle first to the grem. It was a well crafted blade, the handle ornate, but sturdy. Truly, it was a nice sword. Arlo was almost too afraid to take it, but he knew Emery meant for him to have it with the way it was offered. Fingers wrapped around the handle, carefully lifting it into his grasp and admiring the shine on the sharpened blade. “Wow…C-captain it’s beautiful.”

“The only blade worthy to be carried at your side lad.” Emery had set to tying the sheath to Arlo’s belt, then turned the grem to show him his reflection in a full-body mirror. “There ye are. Now you’re a real pirate.”

Description
In a neutral port many pirates enjoyed their spoils, the normally crowded ships were deserted in favor of bars and brothels. Some would stay behind to guard their ships, though the job was normally reserved for those being punished. Not being allowed to leave the ship and go on shore, after all, was a harsh punishment while all their fellow pirates got to enjoy themselves.

One ship, however, was still bustling with more activity than was usual for one that had been docked for a few days. It was later in the day, prime time for drinking and story telling, yet the ship of the Ghost of the Seven Seas was crowded by crocs. Crocs that seemed to be on some kind of mission, albeit confused and hesitant about it. They would seem to wander back and forth about the deck, going below and bringing various clothes, hats, and even some weapons to the captain’s cabin before disappearing again in search of something else.

The captain of the ship, Emery, was not preset. He’d gone ashore, but had no quals or suspicions about the number of guards who’d volunteered to stay behind. Their resident grem, Arlo, wasn’t fond of going into town so late in the evening, and Emery felt a lot better having his lucky charm protected so well while he wasn’t around. Even if they were in neutral space it had been proven on more than one occasion that not all other pirates could be trusted to keep from stealing from other pirates.

That’s why Arlo’s plan was able to progress. The grem himself wasn’t issuing orders, that had been left up to a smaller croc named Tybalt, but it was his idea all the same.

One would’ve thought that dressing the little mammal up to look like a proper pirate himself wouldn’t have been so difficult. The crocs themselves didn’t wear much in terms of clothes themselves, however, and most of what they stole or kept around as trophies of sorts all proved to be too big or too clashing for Arlo to look good in it.

Arlo wanted to look the part of a proper pirate; the grem had told them he was a ‘costume’, another tradition of the land dwellers to don garments that were not normally their own at this time of year. He had tried to encourage some of the crocs to join him, but they had been more reluctant on that part of his idea.

“Oh…this one’s t-too big.” Arlo had a hat settled on his head, but with the way it hid almost half his face it was obvious it wasn’t meant for someone of his size. Or even his species, the crocs argued.

“Maybe we go steal clothes?” A large croc, Boris, put forth. “There are grem pirates. I see them. Captain Barbossa keeps some, and he is grem too.”

“He’s too big of a grem ya lout!” Tybalt growled. He’d taken the oversized hat from Arlo’s head, his temper immediately cooling when he saw the way the grem looked at him. Those big, innocent eyes…

“Urg…there’s gotta be somethin’. You really need this done before the cap’n returns rabbit?”

“Yes!” Arlo clenched his hands into fists, determination lighting his eyes. “I w-want to look the part. Like a pirate. Like y-you all!”

Boris’ eyes drifted to Tybalt, who in turn shook his head. “Lookin’ it an’ bein’ it are two different things. Maybe none o’ the clothes look right because you have never been pirate material.”

“Oy!” Tybalt was smacked by Boris as a few stragglers outside the cabin called in their displeasure at the green croc’s harsh words. Tybalt was always cruel to the young grem, but the captain still let him near Arlo so no one could do much aside from scold the other.

Despite Arlo’s timid, even innocent nature, the entire crew was rather fond of their captain’s lucky charm.

Yet the damage had been done. Tybalt’s mean words visibly shook Arlo’s resolve. The grem’s hands lowered and his eyes drifted down as he shuffled his clawed feet, looking the very definition of ashamed. “Oh…I’m s-sorry. I just wanted to…sorry.”

Now he’d done it. Despite all his cruelty Tybalt had a greater fondness than the rest of the crew for the little grem—feelings he would never admit too, but that came back to bite him whenever he treated Arlo so meanly. He growled at the younger’s display now, turning and storming out of the cabin to jeers and taunts of his own as Boris sat down to comfort the young grem.

“Ignore tiny green croc. Little grem is good pirate! He helps read Captain’s maps and brings very good luck to crew. All by himself, small mammal combats mean spirit of crew too. Is very good important to crew and Captain happiness.”

Arlo sniffed, peeking up at the huge croc anxiously. “I—y-you’re sure?”

Boris nodded, grinning. “Captain more grumpy without lucky charm too. Very good for crew.”

That much was true. Arlo knew Emery could have a bit of a temper when pushed too far, but he’d never really seen much of that anger. Especially not when it was a rage that was justified…

Before Arlo or Boris could say anything more, Tybalt made a sudden return. He shoved the large croc out of the way, snatching away all the previously rejected clothes and hat from Arlo’s reach before he threw some clothes overtop the grem’s head. “Here. These should fit.”

As the young grem struggled to de-tangle himself from the mess of clothes Boris was eyeing his companion skeptically. “How does Tybalt know clothes will fit?”

Tybalt growled. “Because they look right.”

While the two crocs squared up as if about to fight, finally freed himself and set about looking the clothes over. Tybalt was right, everything did look to be the right size. It even looked like it all matched, a hinderance they’d hit time and again with all the other outfits they’d pulled together that had fit before. The grem still found himself being very careful as he pulled each piece on, curling his clawed feet up when he slipped his legs into the trousers—how weird, there was a spot for his tail! It even let him latch the trousers above the tail so he only had to rest it in the slit rather than work it through a small hold. Seemed fancy.

Little by little he worked his way into each layer as Tybalt and Boris growled and snapped at one another. Shirt, belts, jacket, and finally the hat. Just as with the rest of the outfit, even the hat settled perfectly on his oddly shaped head, and Arlo gasped, his hope restored. “It fits!” He said softly. Even that quiet exclamation caught the two croc’s attention and their fighting stopped in favor of giving him their attention.

Tybalt looked away after seeing the fully dressed grem, so it was Boris who had to assure him of the look. “It fit! Fit good! Little grem look very much like pirate now.”

Arlo was reassured by the large croc’s words. It gave him the courage to go out of the captain’s cabin and out onto the main deck where the rest of the crew could see him. Some of them chuckled, but it was good natured and they confirmed Boris’ observation. Arlo had the look of a pirate, one that looked perfectly dressed to stand by their captain even. Captain Emery liked to keep up his appearance, after all, and it only made sense for the albino croc’s lucky charm to reflect that.

“What are ya lot doin’ all gathered on deck here. Having a party while your captain is ashore?”

The crocs jumped and all turned to look where their captain’s voice had come from. He was coming up the gangway, and only when they all fell quiet could they hear the tell-tale thud of that heavy, false leg. Emery didn’t look drunk, be his expression read of something easy, pleasant, meaning he had been drinking. He always did seem to be in a better mood after time ashore. Some of the crew were a bit eager to let him see his lucky charm now, wondering if that good mood could be inflated further. The better the captain was feeling, after all, the better their own shore leave tended to go.

“Welcome back Cap’n.” A few of the crew called out as they all parted to let Emery on board. They didn’t even try to hide Arlo. In fact they stood in such a way that the only path for the captain to walk was to go straight to the grem, leaving line of sight uninterrupted.

Emery froze when he saw the young grem standing there in those clothes. Arlo suddenly felt very exposed, grabbing at his long ears and pulling them around his face as if to hide behind them. The captain didn’t say anything, only blinking a few times before he finally approached to get a better look at his little lucky charm. He chuckled low when he was close, leaning down as he settled a hand on Arlo’s shoulder. “You look great in that lad.”

Arlo lit up, taking in a small, surprised breath. “Really?”

“Aye.” After subtly nuzzling his snout against the grem’s, embarrassing the other further, Emery straightened up and addressed the crew. “You lot came up with this surprise?”

“No cap’n, it was the lad!”

“Says a lot of land mammals dress up this time of year.”

There was a scatter chorus of agreement. If Arlo couldn’t turned any more red, he would’ve. His eyes and ears had already turned black, indicating he was running a lot hotter than usual. “Th-they dress up…sometimes, as those they admire.”

No one really heard Arlo’s explanation aside from Emery, and really the captain thought it better. No need to get the crew going too soft on him. “Alright lads, everyone dismissed. Go find some good drinks an’ warm beds for your night.”

Cheers went up, and none of the crocs needed to be told twice. They pushed and shoved each other as they walked down the gangway, only Tybalt lingering back before one last look from Emery sent him away. When they were alone, Emery pulled Arlo close, enjoying the warmth of the grem’s body against his own.

Arlo gasped again, then leaned into the embrace, wrapping his arms around his captain. “Come with me. I have one more piece for you so you can be authentic.” Emery whispered. Arlo tilted his head, peering up at Emery curiously before allowing himself to be led back into the captain’s cabin. The albino croc closed and locked the door once they were inside, motioning for Arlo to stand in the center of the room while he went to retrieve this ‘something.’

It took a few moments and some digging, but Emery pulled a long case from a stack of his spoils. It was an ornate box, carefully closed with a shiny metal clasp. “A gift I’ve been meanin’ to give ye.” Emery told the young grem as he motioned him close. As Arlo cautiously moved to stand beside the captain the case was open to reveal its contents.

Cradled in what looked like silk was a finely crafted sword, one that Emery plucked easily from the folds and presented handle first to the grem. It was a well crafted blade, the handle ornate, but sturdy. Truly, it was a nice sword. Arlo was almost too afraid to take it, but he knew Emery meant for him to have it with the way it was offered. Fingers wrapped around the handle, carefully lifting it into his grasp and admiring the shine on the sharpened blade. “Wow…C-captain it’s beautiful.”

“The only blade worthy to be carried at your side lad.” Emery had set to tying the sheath to Arlo’s belt, then turned the grem to show him his reflection in a full-body mirror. “There ye are. Now you’re a real pirate.”