The deck was calmer than usual today.
The waves seemed calm and the hearts of those upon Gwendolyn seemed even calmer as there had been no monsters to keep an eye out for in a while.
There was just the sway of the ship against the water and the creak of magical lumber instead.
For once, nobody seemed in a rush.
Steve lounged on a stack of cargo crates with a mug in hand, trying to balance it on his forehead without spilling. Haru crouched nearby, tail swishing, utterly absorbed in cheering him on.
"Careful… careful… tilt your head back a little more—"
The mug tipped sideways and doused Steve in whatever cheap brew had been left behind.
Haru howled with laughter, pounding his fists against the wood until his ears flattened back against his hair. "Pffft—You look like a drowned rat!"
Steve shook himself off like a dog, drops flying everywhere. "That's it. I'm throwing you overboard."
"You wouldn't dare," Haru grinned, baring his fangs. "The boss likes me too much."
