Boots of the three resounded against the wooden docks, echoing a hollow sound. A nearby fishing boat let off a horrid fishy smell, and gulls circled everywhere. The crew made their way into the area where the beach met the docks. 

Max begged a little to a Captain who wasn’t hearing it. “Come on, Thatch. I could really use the coin. Hiding out hasn’t been easy for me. The Order never has to know you paid me.”
Lios, who had been following, erupted in laughter. “He said- he said the Order doesn’t have to know! Hahaha!”

Even the Cap cracked a smirk as she stopped mid-step to turn and face him. She was almost eye-level to him and he flinched a little. “I wouldn’t give you a job even if I had the mun to pay you, not after that shit you pulled.” 

Max shrugged, “It was good-hearted squad-sibling rivalry.”

Edel’s eyes grew wide, her brow furrowed, “Squad-sibling rivalry does [b]not[/b] involve four goats, a burned cheesecake, and several inappropriate photographs of the Arch-Druid, Forsythe!!” 
“Listen-“

Lios, seeing the captain so riled up stepped in. “Look, Forsythe, was it?” The human nodded. “Give me one good reason why we should employ you.”

“Well you need the crew and I need a job. I don’t really see any obstacles here. I’ll even call her Captain.” He smirked menacingly. 
Lios squinted. “Can I have a moment with my Captain please?”

The Fae leaned over Ed and whispered, “Captain, why don’t we hire this guy?”
“He’s a trouble-maker! And a criminal on the run!”
“So are we,” he said in deadpan. 
“Look he just- he’s like a bad luck charm.”
“We can always throw him overboard if he causes us that much hardship, Captain. We just lost a ton of crew members. We don’t have anyone to swab the decks!” 
“Fine!”

“Alright, Forsythe. I’ll hire you, under a few conditions.” The beautiful captain crossed her arms. “One: No goats, no cheesecake, and no lingerie pictures of [i]anyone[/i] permitted on my boat. Two: If the Order catches us, I’m selling you out to save our skin. Three: Since you’ll be living on the ship, and eating our food, I’m only paying for time on deck. You’ll only get paid when you do your chores. Four: You will stay with us until we reach the end of our mission, not just to the next port.”
Max tilted his head, “Which is what, exactly?”
“Five: Don’t ask questions. Deal?” The tall woman stuck out her hand, which Max gripped and both gave a firm handshake. 

[i]That was easy.[/i]