2 June; Midshipmen Meeting

The sun was warming the dark blue fabric of his coat, perhaps a little too much. His shirt felt damp and clung to his shoulders. But it was a fine day and Slater was determined to enjoy being on deck, instead of cooped up in the midshipmen's berth studying.

Even better was standing on the quarterdeck. On the leeward side, of course. But he was close to the wheel and the usual small crowd that always seemed to hover near it. The boy grinned to himself. Nobody was paying him any mind, which meant he could watch and listen with impunity. That suited him just fine!

St Montgomery removed his hat to run his hand through his tangled locks, squinting as he looked up at the sun. The sea air, while of itself pleasant, had never done much for allowing him to keep his hair neat and free of that feeling of stickiness. He allowed that to distract him from the tedious boredom for a few minutes before he grew tired of trying to work loose one particular tangle. As he glanced around the deck, a smile alit his face.

Standing off to the side, alone, like a weaker gazelle waiting to be preyed upon was one of his fellow midshipmen. Slater.

Most excellent, St Montgomery thought, sliding up so that he was behind the midshipman and clapping his hand down on his shoulder. He leant forward to speak to him, whispering, "and makes you stand out here, alone, hmm? Up to no good are you?"

The abrupt weight of a hand slapping down on his shoulder made Slater start. An instant later, he grimaced. He knew that voice. "If enjoying the day is no good, then certainly that's so," he said flatly.

"Slater, Slater..." St Montgomery said, with a veneer of fondness in his tone, "Remember, I'm only here to help watch out for you. Anything I do, is only with your best interests at heart."

He smirked.

"And it is in your best interests to lend me your copy of Sheet Anchor."

He might have believed the other boy, had St Montgomery not smiled like that.

"Is it?" Slater asked tonelessly.

Slater's attitude definitely needed some sort of improvement, St Montgomery decided. When asked something reasonable so nicely, it was only right of a person to jump to do whatever was asked.

"I don't want to have to ask again," St Montgomery said, his expression going neutral. You would not like to see me when I'm angry...

"Hullo," said a voice behind them.

Now Slater knew that he had the upper hand. "Funny," he said. "I don't recall hearing you ask."

He turned, however, when there came a greeting from behind him. It was Docker, the new arrival from the flagship. "Docker," Slater greeted with a slight nod. Quite a well-timed interruption indeed.