Just Another Day

"Strange. the ones I see usually eat snails, mussels, and other stuff outta the water," he said casually as he finished chopping the fish. "I prefer fish and shellfish. Much better than snails."

"Ew..." Shanku winced. She slid off the counter and went back on deck. "I'm out."

"Have fun! Come visit me again!" Templeton called cheerfully after her.

I hope I never learn anything that nasty again. Beetles, yes. Slugs, no! Shanku stuck her tongue out and laid her ears back at the thought of eating slugs and snails. She looked curiously up at the white sails billowing out above her. On the highest mast there was a basket. I wonder what's up there?

Shanku crouched and jumped up. She beat her wings laboriously against the wind and slowly made her way up to the basket. She kept close to the mast to guide herself with her claws. She gripped the edges of the basket and pulled herself up to a perch. She found another man up here! He had brown hair down past his shoulders, his loose white shirt had long sleeves, and he wore the expected grey pants.

"You're the stowaway, eh?" he asked her cheerfully when she landed.

"Yup!" Shanku nodded and added uneasily. "Although, everybody else thinks I'm a pet."

"Are you?" he asked simply.

"No way!" Shanku exclaimed.

"You're welcome to be my pet," he laughed and leaned back against with his elbows resting on the rail.

Shanku hrmphed indignantly.