By Cape Mondego

"Just so long as you don't manage to annoy the person you're talkin' to, like I do a lot," Oxley said. This was no time get down about that, though; he had things to plan. And who could get down when what was being planned was a proper skylark?

"I'd best go see them other lads, then," he said and pushed away from the rail. "And, it did help, talkin' to you, Mikey. Thanks, for that."

Very true, that. Foley nodded. "Long's it helps. See you back 'round, with the other lads."

Oxley was a good lad, he decided. Better than some of the older Marines, that was for sure!

"It helped, sure 'nough. And I'll see you in a bit, Mikey. Might even persuade Tom Shepherd to give us a tune or two. He's a pretty good fifer, after all!" He grinned and turned to head below to try to rouse out some of the others.

Chuckling to himself, Foley leaned back against the deck rail. Better to leave planning such things to the boys. Especially if the goal was to get another boy to shake out of his stiff and serious shell.

After a moment, he pushed away from the rail and headed below himself. Time to find the Greek and get him involved too.