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MORNING LIGHT streamed through the slatted window, resting on the old desk where Sebbi was hunched over, fending off another yawn as he focused on the finishing touches. A bead of sweat snaked down his jaw, bloodied fingers guiding the needle through the fabric.

He frowned. The thread was not an exact match. The Wizard's handkerchief was a deep purplish-blue that had proven hard to come by in Noriie. The closest Sebbi had found was a navy thread with hints of aquamarine. A tiny indiscretion, barely visible, but he had wanted his gift to be perfect. And it was anything but. 

The seams were off, the fabric spotted with his blood, the ribbon wider at the ends than its slender middle. It looked like a snake squashed under cart wheels.

"She'll hate it," he mumbled into the silent, morning air.

She won't.

"I hate it." He turned it over in his palm, the fabric shimmering just like it had when the Wizard had given it to him. He'd said he enchanted it, and it certainly looked alive. A part of the night sky pruned for enjoyment anywhere and at any time.

But she'll love it, his inner voice asserted.

Though doubt lingered in his chest as he glared down at his handiwork, he carefully folded the ribbon before slipping it into his pant pocket. He got up from his chair, wobbling knees and an aching back making him realize he hadn't moved since sitting down to his task last night. He hadn't even eaten - a tray of food on his bed had gone untouched - the sludgy porridge cold and gloopy, the spiced jerky about as appetizing as old leather. 

Outside, the sun grew higher in the sky, its golden rays threading through the grey weave of that morning. The Wizard had told him to be at the docks by dawn. But dawn was fast approaching, and Sebbi was becoming all too aware of the emptiness in his belly, the exhaust causing his eyelids to droop, the stench rising from his armpits.

His gaze lingered on a silk purse, laid out between wrinkled tunics and a few pairs of trousers. Inside was a small, oval ruby Sebbi had had with him since Aelurus. He snatched up the purse, gave a slight grin, and tucked it into his pocket. Bantu had done so much for him - saved him from the desert, fed and clothed him, paid for his board. The least Sebbi could do was give him the ruby. 

He knew Bantu wouldn't accept it outright, but before Sebbi was human, he'd been a cat gifted with cleverness and agility, and the ability to sneak around, mostly unseen. A slip of the hand, dipping into Bantu's pocket and depositing the ruby without him noticing ought to be easy enough. 

Having gathered all his things into the knapsack Bantu had given him, and checking his pockets a second and third time to ensure the ribbon hadn't slipped through a hole unseen, he made for the door. He had a man to thank and a flying ship to catch.

*

Bantu and Uusa were seated at the back of the inn's small restaurant, crammed into a long, pillowed seat. Aside from a table of four, and a few hunched over stragglers at the bar bemoaning their burgeoning headaches, they were alone. A fire burned low in the hearth.

Sebbi strode toward them, excited and nervous. Excited to see Abby and Lucy. Nervous as to how they'd react at him being alive. When they asked how it was possible--because of course they would ask, it was inevitable--what was he to say?

He didn't have a clue as to what had happened. One moment, he was in the Hollows dining with ghosts, the next, awake in a forest. 

"Sebbi! Well met!"

Noticing Sebbi's approach, Bantu hefted an arm into the air and waved him over.

Uusa, who'd been pulling double duty - drumming his boredom out on the table and alleviating an itch behind one of Dancer's ears - whipped his head away. He stopped petting the cat and prodding the table, choosing to fold his arms over his chest instead. "You're still here?" He grunted and rolled his eyes. 

Dancer's welcome was far warmer. He jumped on the table and gave Sebbi a bow.

Uusa's eyes widened. "Tr-traitor!"

The cat meowed and tried to lick the boy's hand, but he was too quick. He turned his back to them all, staring out the window, determined not to look anywhere else.

Dancer stretched and yawned before returning to Uusa's lap, paws tucked under him.

Sebbi shook his head, sliding into the open spot beside Bantu.

"Good to see ya." The older man's hand fell on Sebbi's shoulder. "Hungry?" He slid a menu toward Sebbi.

A gurgle rose from Sebbi's stomach. Bantu chuckled. Uusa shook his head, little brown hairs brushing against his horn nubs. "Starving," he replied.

They ordered. They ate. Hard-boiled eggs, spiced quail jerky, fresh biscuits and elderflower jam. Slabs of honeyed ham and hard cheese served beside platters of pickled vegetables.

They even had cups of fish broth, of which, Sebbi had four, much to Uusa's ire. Though the boy didn't much mind giving Dancer his fill. By the time the cat was finished, his stomach was rounded, his muzzle glistening with animal fat. Broth dripped from his whiskers.

Admittedly, the sight warmed Sebbi. Dancer was in good hands, Uusa, too. They made a good pair, and he wished for them a lifetime of good things.

"You really leaving?" said Bantu once he'd finished running his napkin across his mouth and ridding it of red berry preserve stains.

Sebbi nodded. "That's the plan."

"We'll miss ye."

Uusa spun around, jabbing his fork into the table. "I won't!"

Calmly, Sebbi placed his elbows on the table, and leaned in close.

Uusa bristled. Dancer cocked his head, curious, as was his nature. "Wh-what?"

"Suspicious..." Sebbi stroked his chin, studying Uusa's face.

"Wh-what is?" Uusa grabbed Dancer, plopping the cat in his lap so he could began petting him. The cat's ears flinched as rough hands rubbed him from head to tail.

"You say you won't miss me, and yet your cheeks, ears, and yes," Sebbi nodded toward the top of his head, "even your horns are blushing."

"Are not!" Uusa shot to his feet, Dancer dangling from his arms. He peered pleadingly at his father. "Pa, tell him I won't miss him!"

Bantu leaned back in his chair, the wood squeaking under him, and chuckled. "My boy, just be honest. Ye will miss him. He's entertainin', givin' ye back what ye dish out."

Uusa whipped his head away. "He's boring. And he's turned Dancer against me."

The cat meowed, and gave Uusa's hand a little lick. "We-well," he glanced down at his cat, and gave his chin a little scratch, "it's a little too late for that. I know you like him more than me." Another meow, another lick. Finally, Uusa broke into a smile and hugged the cat close to his chest. Dancer nuzzled his face in the curve of the boy's neck, purring. "Okay, okay. I get it. I forgive you." He fell back in his seat. "Your whiskers tickle, jeez." 

Shaking his head, but grinning at his son and his cat, Bantu turned to Sebbi. "You ought to be leavin', I suppose?"

Sebbi shook his head, the words suddenly stuck in his throat.

Bantu outstretched his hand. "May the Mother Drygon watch over you and yours."

Sebbi took his hand, and squeezed. "May the Mother Drygon watch over you and yours."

While he shook with one hand, his other snuck the ruby from his pocket into Bantu's without a hitch. That should be enough to pay for Bantu's travels for the season, maybe longer. And hopefully it'd buy Uusa and Dancer all the fish stew and broth their hearts desired.

Sebbi stood, looping the knapsack over his shoulder. "Well," he said, turning to face them one final time, "see you later, kid."

Uusa harrumphed.

"Take care of him."

His head jerked up. "Of course I will. Dancer's my best friend in the world."

Shaking his head, Sebbi said, "I was talking to the cat." Uusa's face twisted, his chin jutting over the table. Sebbi smirked. "But it's good to know that you both think so highly of each other."

Uusa blinked, mouth agape. "You-you think Dancer considers me his best friend, too?"

"He says as much every time he meows. Haven't you been listening?"

Uusa's blush engulfed his entire face. "Of-of-of course, I have!"

Sebbi smiled. "Good."

Giving Bantu one last nod, and bidding them farewell, Sebbi left, headed for the docks, and the Celes.

*

Sebbi thought a flying ship ought to be easier to find, but after wandering the docks aimlessly, he was beginning to think there was no ship. That he'd hallucinated the whole interaction with the Wizard Kellog altogether, or, at the very least, that he'd misheard the Wizard's words.

Perhaps it wasn't flying ship but a fryer ship - a small, crew-manned vessel known for resupplying gunpowder to the larger cargo ships out at sea. In that case, what he was looking for was a small, sleek metal boat, with a high flying crows nest. But no, there weren't any of those anchored at the docks either.

"Aye! Cat-man!"

Sebbi whipped around, black hairs flying around his head. A man sprinted toward him, though he was hard to make out, given that he was bathed in so much sun, he looked like more like a blur stampeding its way toward the docks. "You're him, right?"

Sebbi's chest seized. "Ex-excuse me?" He took a step back, one heel slipping on a wet spot on the planks. He wobbled, before catching himself on the ropes of a tethered schooner.

The man continued barreling toward Sebbi at top speed, waving crowds of fishermen and merchants out of his way to prevent collisions. As he came closer, Sebbi could confirm that yes, the blur was a man. A rather large, imposing dark-skinned man with a braided beard and bright blue hair. Thick boots caused his footsteps to ring out like gunshots.

He skidded to a stop in front of Sebbi, barely out of breath, sporting a grin that was missing the front two teeth. As it was, he spoke with an accent. "Cat-man, yes?" His ocean-colored eyes glittered. "Sir Wizard described you down to them very fret lines."

Upon closer inspection, Sebbi realized the man wasn't much older than him. Though he sported enough hair Sebbi would have considered him an honorary Aelurian.

"Fret lines?"

"Yeah." The man raised a hand, and flicked the skin between Sebbi's eyes. He flinched though the man didn't seem to notice. "You were fretting cause you couldn't find our Celes." He glanced around, grimacing at the array of ships bobbing on the ocean. The normal, non-flying ships with regular sails and wooden hulls.

"A real beauty she is. Better than these monstrosities." He blew out, the beads woven through his beard braids slapping against his chest. "Deserving a much better spot than being caged up here in this graveyard."

The man's fingernails were caked in grease, as were his trousers. Three belts had been tied around his waist, two of which conveyed a purpose - one sported an array of finger-length bullets, on the other hung a rusted wrench the length of the man's forearm. The third belt screamed of fashion and little else for it was a flimsy braided cord, gold and adorned with feathers. Sebbi knew next to nothing about fashion, but even he thought the belt was gaudy. And, that if Lucy had known of its existence, he'd have bought himself two.

Curved lines of an intricate tattoo ran from the man's shoulder to his collarbone, before disappearing beneath his hide vest.

"Rocks over that way," he pointed behind Sebbi, "keep the winds from coming. A real hard time getting any wind to catch in your sails."

"But the Celes flies, yes?"

The man grinned. "No other ship like her on the continent, but she still needs wind. We're anchored over there." He pointed down the road. "At a little secluded cove. Captain instructed me to get you, so we didn't miss the wind."

"And you are—"

"First Mate Reiz Malmadon," he smacked his chest, loose clumps of dirt falling to the ground, "crew calls me Red, cause of the hair."

"But it's blue."

"Smart as a whip you are." Slapping Sebbi's back, he led him away. "Come on, let's get you aboard the Celes."

Red hadn't been lying; the Celes was a ship you couldn't miss. And not just because it was the only flying ship Sebbi had ever seen. It was also in unique shape. Run-down. Ramshackle. Decrepit.

When Sebbi thought of the flying ship that ferried around the world's most renown wizard, he pictured something gilded and glamorous, not some slapped together pile of rotting, blackened wood, with tattered, browning sails, barnacles attached to the hull (how did that happen if the ship flew in the first place?) and—he tilted his head, shading his eyes from the sun, and squinted. Was that a skull and crossbones carved on the ship's prow?

"Beaut, ain't she?" Red slapped his back and Sebbi, caught off guard by the state of the Celes, lurched forward.

"She's—" He scratched the back of his head, a piece of the Celes's railing snapping off and splashing into the ocean. "Something." He settled on.

This was one of those instances where a little lie would do well to scrounge up some good favor. And since this ship was his ticket home, he needed to curry as much of that as possible, at least so no one decided to toss him overboard.

"State of the art technology keeps her in the air," continued Red. "Never seen anything like it. Uses a lot of ly'ren stone."

As they approached, Sebbi noticed several dark stains between barnacles. "Are those scorch marks?" Eyes wide, panic swelling in his chest, he asked, "Has the Celes caught fire?"

Unphased, Red chuckled. "Dozens of times, mate. Ain't a good ship worth their sails that hasn't seen there share."

"Of fires?"

"Sure," he grumbled, scratching at his bicep. "We'll call them that."

Sebbi was just about to ask what exactly Red meant, when a ladder unfurled before them. Red took no time clasping the lowest wrung and pulling it toward his chest. "Now don't go prankin' us," he called up, giving the ladder a tug, "sayin' you attached this to the ship and then—"

"Don't worry—" came a monotone, almost bored voice. "Captain won't let me drown visitors."

"And what has the captain to say about good ol' Red?" He stood straighter, accosting Sebbi with a grin.

Sebbi had no words. He still hadn't wrapped his head around the barnacles on the flying Celes's hull, let alone the fact that it had been involved in something fire-similar. His mind was in no state to comprehend the conversation playing out before him. In fact, his mind was in all-out mutiny; it could only handle so much nonsense at a time.

"Captain's fine with it." The response blew the smile off Red's face. Another piece of the ship plunged into the water. "So long as I give her notice before I do it, you know, so she can start hunting for your replacement."

Red's stunned expression evaporated with the last stain of pre-dawn grey clinging to the sky, as, when he turned back to face Sebbi, he was smiling again. A very happy Red shoved the ladder into Sebbi's arms. "Guests first—"

Sebbi glanced between him and the ladder, questioning the sanity behind this arrangement. A ship that flew. A ship that was more of a junk heap that flew. A ladder that may or may not be attached to something at the top. It certainly felt secure, but maybe, at this point, it was wishful thinking. "You sure this is—"

"You heard Nugura. She's a sly one, but she ain't no liar. And she follows the captain's orders, personal feelings aside. Won't be pulling the ladder from underneath you, literally or figuratively, if that's what you're worried about."

Sebbi was worried about everything. But with Red's eyes on him and sensing his growing impatience, Sebbi silenced those thoughts, gripped the ladder in each hand, prayed to whatever gods were closest for his protection, and climbed.

Luckily, The Wizard Kellog was waiting for him, hand outstretched.

"Sebbi, good to see you in one piece." He grabbed him and helped pull him over the ship's railing. "How do you like the Celes?"

His gaze darted around. A woman with dark hair, a steely gaze and reddish skin, sat on the railing opposite him, polishing an incredibly long and sharp-looking blade. Her eyes narrowed when her gaze met Sebbi's, her blood-red lips twisting into a snarl.

Sebbi had met his share of dangerous predators, but the woman before him, made those past encounters seem downright pleasant. 

"It's...a ship."

The Wizard Kellog nodded. "Astute observation. Tis indeed a ship and a wonderful one at that." He turned, facing an upper deck where a red-headed woman manned the helm. "I have much fondness for this ship." His fingers grazed the railing, his gaze wistful, before he turned back to face Sebbi. "Shame I can't recall why. Fickle memory, I suppose." He chuckled. "Well, shall we make with the introductions?"

Sebbi nodded.

"You've met Red," Red gave a little bow, "he's the ship's engineer."

"Nothin' I can't fix." He gave his belts a tug, the rusty wrench that was looped through one, hitting against his thighs. 

The Wizard shot him a pleasant smile, before pointing to the woman sitting on the railing. She had finished with her sword, stuffing the cloth into a satchel at her waist before sliding the blade into a gem-encrusted sheath. "And this is first mate Nugura." 

She stood. Though she was smaller than Sebbi, her presence was immense. He felt like prey that had unwittingly allowed itself to be cornered. 

"Yo."

The Wizard leaned in to Sebbi, one hand hiding his mouth from view. "She's not much for talking."

"Which makes her the ideal first mate. Never questions an order I give her." Footsteps sounded behind them. Sebbi turned. The red-haired woman had stepped out from the helm and was striding toward them. 

"Ah, Captain Daphne." The Wizard bowed. 

"No need to be so formal, Kellog. We've been traveling mates for how long now? Five? Ten shows?"

The Wizard's brow crinkled. "I'm afraid you'd have to ask Mandon. I've always had trouble keeping time." 

Her cold blue eyes glanced at the Wizard's hands. "A timepiece might help."

"Tools best used by old men," he dismissively waved, "not for yours truly." 

A metallic-sounding snort bubbled out of Captain Daphne's throat. "And you would consider yourself?"

The Wizard's cornflower blue eyes narrowed, his voice losing some of its usual jubilance. "Not old, that's for certain."

Nodding, the captain turned to Sebbi. He stiffened under her scrutiny. "Who're you?" Her eyes moved over him slowly, intentionally.

"Se-Sebbi, your—" Heat erupted over his cheeks as he realized he'd never met a captain before. "Y-your captain-ness."

Captain Daphne glanced at Nugura, who shrugged, and Red, who gave a big, grin. The Wizard Kellog fussed with the flouncy sleeve of his blouse. All the while, Sebbi grew increasingly hotter in the silence. Maybe it hadn't been fire that smudged the Celes's hull, but people that had burst into flames after experiencing life-ending embarrassment.

Certainly, he'd turn into an inferno; it was only a matter of seconds. 

Finally, the corners of the captain's mouth curled, and around him, the crew broke out into laughter. Even the Wizard Kellog stopped examining a loose thread hanging off the hem of his jacket to join in. 

Sebbi blinked. "Ex-excuse—"

The captain nodded at Red. 

"You've been accepted." A muscled arm coiled around Sebbi's shoulders and pulled him into a side hug. "Come on cat-man, let ol' Red show you to your room. Got a nice view and everything."

*

That night, unable to sleep, Sebbi crept from his cabin and up to the deck. Salt air assaulted him, the humid breeze making the ends of his hair flutter. The Celes swam through clouds, the gleam of a fat moon reflected in the recently washed deck.

"There's nothing like it."

He whipped around. Red was stretched out, legs dangled over the railing, back against one of the ship's four propeller wings. He glanced once at Sebbi, before casting his gaze skyward.

"The stars." He nodded at the hundreds shining down on them. "There's something about seeing them from up here, feels closer."

Sebbi nodded as he made his way to the railing. "This," trailing his fingers along the rough wood, he smiled sadly, "this reminds me of when I used to talk to my brother."

Red's eyes slid over to him. "You have a brother?"

Sebbi nodded. "He's older, and he is a lot."

A chuckle fell from Red's mouth. "I hear that. I have twelve siblings."

"Twelve?"

He shook his head, and sat straighter, knees pulled into his chest. "We all grew up in the orphanage at Blox. Place was cramped. Stunk like you wouldn't believe in the summer months. Come winter though, it got so cold all of us would huddle together under a blanket fortress some of the older kids built us." He leaned back, resting his head in his hands. He watched a wisp of a cloud roll past. "Before I knew it, I'd become one of the older kids building fortresses for everyone else."

"So you—"

"No parents." He shook his head, strands of blue hair blowing in front of his face. "I was found, taken in. Good life, don't get me wrong." A gentle smile softened his expression. "Warm food, decent bed. Had a ton of playmates. Never a dull moment. Only thing I have of my true parents is this." He reached down in his shirt, and pulled out a chain. A key dangled at the center.

"A key?"

"Don't know what for, but its pretty, no?" When he held it up to the light, the jade green stone it was carved from seemed to sparkle. "I like to think they meant for me to have it. Like it and I were destined to be together." He tucked it away. "You feel destined about anything, Cat-man?"

Blushing, Sebbi gave a nod.

"Mmhmm," Red said, knowingly. "So it's a someone."

"Th-that's not—"

"Well, you and them will have to take a ride on my ship one day."

"You have your own ship?"

"Not now, but someday I hope to be the captain of my own ship, though it doesn't have to fly. I just want to be able to sail the seas that  haven't yet been traveled, discover new worlds, things like that."

Sebbi chuckled. "You remind me of someone."

"And this someone's amazing, I take it?"

"She always thought the ground overrated."

"Oh it is." Red jumped to his feet. "A crew member on a flying ship's not going argue that." He sidled up to Sebbi, hands next to Sebbi's on the railing. "But every so often its nice to feel like you're anchored to something. Have yourself a solid footing. Know there's something to go back to when you find yourself lost."  

The Celes continued gliding through the air. It's sails dipping and rising, swatting at clouds, and startling flocks of gulls as they paused between dives into the ocean for fish. Aside from the occasional splash and the low rattle of the engines below deck, all was quiet.

Even the ocean was serene; a swath of dark blue that perfectly recreated the sky above. Sebbi felt like he could reach out and touch the stars.

"So—"

Red removed a rolled bit of paper from his back pocket and wedged it between his lips. Taking a match from the same pocket, he struck the railing. It burst into blue flame.

"How's a flying ship get so many barnacles stuck to its hull?" Sebbi asked.

Red lit the paper, and Sebbi watched the edges burn. A blue flame signaled the something that burned had been alchemically enhanced. Abby's dad used a similar kind of match when he smoked; the magick made it reusable. "It's a long story." Smoke curled above their heads before dispersing into the night sky.

"I think I've got the time. Besides," he shrugged, "I could go for a good story."

"Alright." Red flicked a bit a ash overboard and took another inhale before he began. "It all started when I brought back a pair of what I'd find out later were cursed shoes..."

The Celes hummed. The night air stilled. Beneath them, the ocean slept and Sebbi smiled.

Shoes, he thought.

The very best stories always began with shoes.