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Splintered Light Chapter 5.3: At the Captain's Table

Although Calus had dined with Captain Jacksoni on a few occasions it had never been in his cuddy. The small table set up in the center of the room was much more intimate than the large, dozen-or-so chairs of the meeting room where he usually held such affairs. Not only was the table smaller but the number of individuals in attendance was likewise limited to a select few; other than himself and the Captain only the Foreman and Bosun were present. The chair to Alsitair's right-- the chair normally reserved for the First Mate, was empty.

The Tiger stood when the translator entered and was joined in doing so a moment later by the Goat and Prong Horn. It was the Captain who offered the greeting. "I'm so very glad you could join us this evening, Master Len. Please, your seat is here beside me."

Captain Jacksoni motioned to the empty chair and Calus moved quickly to comply. "Thank you, Captain. Is the First Mate not joining us tonight as well?"

Everyone at the table sat as he did and Alistair showed him a bottle of wine. "He is managing the crew on deck. Would you care for a glass of Retton '33?"

Calus reached out to place a talon around the base of the bottle, drawing it just a little closer to look at the label. He felt that the offer was something of a test. "Red? Thank you, captain, but I prefer white, myself."

The Salamander's initial assessment received more credence when the Tiger continued offering the bottle. "We are having veal tonight."

The translator raised an eye ridge. "A special occasion then? And, veal? Well... in Mehnzyl that pairing would still be a white... although I will admit that I've never had Retton before. If you insist I certainly wouldn't decline."

Willem let out a decidedly derisive snort and stated with a grumble in Doelichian. "Just take the fucking wine. we're not in some goddam king's court."

Alistair glanced toward the Foreman; the Tiger didn't speak Doelichian. "Pardon?"

Calus smiled politely to the Captain, responding in Mehnzylian. "Mr. Zuider was suggesting that I try the Retton. He noted that it would be most appropriate."

Captain Jacksoni glanced to the Goat. "Is that right?"

Willem nodded, covering his muzzle with his own glass after switching to Mehnzylian as well, offering up a quick, generalized "Aye, sir. Somethin' like that."

Not pressing them any further, Alistair poured Calus a glass, filling it half way to the top before rotating the bottle as he slackened the pour. It was a classy move, one that the Salamander hadn't seen since leaving home. "Thank you, Captain."

The Tiger smiled, placing the cork back in the bottle. "My pleasure, Master Len. Again, I'm pleased you were able to take time out of your busy schedule to join us this evening, and I look forward to including you in on an important topic."

Being essentially useless for the vast majority of the voyage had been weighing heavily on Calus' mind and the thought of finally being given purpose by his employer was more than just a relief; it was a godsend. "I would be happy to assist however I can, Captain."

There was a polite knock at the cuddy's door a moment before the ship's cook entered. Uben had a shoulder harness on and was pulling a food trolley behind him with several metal cloches situated atop it. Alistair didn't seem to mind the interruption. "Mr. Veektur! Excellent timing!"

The Bull inclined his head as he grabbed the lead attached to the trolley and pulled the wheeled table around to push it ahead of himself. "You said eight, Captain. It's eight."

The Tiger chuckled and motioned to the spot next to the table closest to the door. "So I did, my good man... so I did. You can set up right there."

The 'right there' of which Alistair had been speaking was the spot between Calus and Rolf. The cook did precisely that and began to move the covered dishes from the trolley to set them where they belonged in front of each diner. Although the plates were covered the Salamander could still smell the amazing scent of a well-prepared dinner from within. From what the translator had heard from other seamen the sailors aboard the Wave Rider ate well, but there were certain benefits when it came to joining the captain for a specially prepared meal.

Captain Jacksoni kept a paw held in the air, signifying that nobody was to eat yet, and that paw remained until everyone had been served. Only once he lowered it to the cover of his own plate did everyone go to remove their own cloche. In unison the four diners revealed the meal beneath and Calus certainly wasn't disappointed. Once everyone had their food set before them Uben gathered up the excess dinner items and placed them on the trolley, offering a curt farewell before showing himself out.

The chatter at the table was pleasant for the most part; Rolf and the Captain went over events of the day and reviewed the plans for the coming one. It was all very mundane discussion that could have been done anywhere and hardly the exceptional discourse expected at the dining table. Eventually the discussion turned to the topic of the passengers, and that was when Calus received the Captain's attention. The Tiger, having almost finished his dinner set down his silverware and turned to regard the translator. "Speaking of the passengers, how go things below decks, Master Len?"

The Salamander, who had always eaten light was barely through half of his meal but he maintained a mannerly discourse by setting his utensils aside to carry on his part of the conversation. "Well enough, Captain. The passengers seem to be in good spirits and for the most part the crew is getting along well."

The Tiger's ears raised. "For the most part?"

Calus always made it a point to keep an optimistic view of things so he didn't feel it necessary to spread unpleasant reports of discordant crew men, but he also realized the importance of accuracy when it came to information he provided. "Below decks is just fine, but among the active laborers there was a minor unpleasantness earlier. It was regrettable but, then again, even happy households sometimes have their little disagreements."

The Foreman snorted and swallowed his mouthful of food. "You would call a fight up on deck a 'minor unpleasantness'?"

The Salamander looked to the Goat and replied as candidly and emotionlessly as possible despite the Foreman's forward and aggressive tone. "When I was there it was a combination of a misunderstanding and a lack of common ground that resulted in an argument and some throwing-of-words, so, yes-- I would call that unpleasant, and it was relatively minor in the scheme of things."

Willem wasn't willing to surrender the point. "That argument turned into violence, and one of the crewmen ended up in sickbay because of it."

Calus cleared his throat, carefully controlling his response to avoid coming across as either defensive or guilty. "The Captain asked for my point of view, Mr. Zuider, and at the time I encountered them they were in an argument, not a brawl."

Willem opened his muzzle to say more but Captain Jacksoni held up a single digit and the Foreman fell quiet. The Tiger picked up his glass and took a sip of wine before setting it back down. "The sailors in question were Archie Lews and Mr. Fritz... you spoke with them for a time, I believe, Master Len?"

The Salamander nodded with confidence. "I did indeed, Captain. Both were right and wrong in their views at the same time. Mr. Lews didn't want Mr. Fritz to be speaking Doelichian near him and Mr. Fritz felt that it was not up to Mr. Lews what he did or did not do."

Rolf reached for a dinner roll, by all accounts seeming quite bemused at the discussion. "So they had issues with one another, you'd say?"

Calus raised an eye ridge but, after only a moment's pause nodded. "Correct, Mr. Severna... I would say that is a fair assessment. I spoke with each of them for a time and they seemed to have little inclination to work well together."

Willem scowled. "And you didn't think to have em part ways?"

The translator shrugged. "I am not in the chain of command, Mr. Zuider. I cannot order the sailors around."

The Bosun's smirk grew and he took a bite of bread. "He's got you there, Will."

The Foreman snorted out the correction. "Willem."

The Tiger set his glass down. "Quiet."

Both of the officers complied immediately; the Captain then looked to the Salamander as he poured himself more wine. Calus met his gaze confidently and spread his talons out on the table on either side of his plate. "Captain, I attempted to reason with both men and, quite frankly, neither was being reasonable. I learned early on that it is impossible to rationalize a method of behavior with irrational men."

Captain Jacksoni nodded thoughtfully, his paws moving to mimic the translator's talons. "I see. Thank you for the report on the matter, Master Len."

The Salamander nodded respectfully. "Of course, Captain."

The Tiger turned back to the Goat before speaking again. "Now, Mr. Zuider, would you please explain to me the results of this scuffle?"

The Foreman's expression gave the impression that he meant to snort again but as the Captain's eyes came to rest on him he forestalled the action by simply licking his left nostril then speaking. "Mr. Fritz is injured bad enough that he can't work. The surgeon said that he'll need several days to recover."

Alistair nodded thoughtfully, taking another sip of wine. Once the glass found its way back to the table he turned to Rolf. "And what of Mr. Lews, Mr. Severna?"

The Prong Horn, who had just finished neatly folding his cloth napkin looked up to the Captain. "Spending the same amount of time in the brig so he can calm down. I told him if he likes fighting so much then I'll be sure to have Jacques gives him a turn at the rails the next time there's a pirate attack."

The Captain offered a single, terse "Cute." that suggested the word was presented with some degree of sarcasm. His next question confirmed that. "And how did Mr. Lews respond to your offer?"

The Bosun tried not to smirk. "He said he'd be fine with it, just so long as he doesn't have to work next to--"

Willem's ears went up and he glanced to the Prong Horn when Rolf glanced his way, words slowly dying off. The Foreman stared. "Didn't have to work next to what, Mr. Severna?"

The Prong Horn sat back in his chair with a shrug. "Well... let's just say Mr. Lews doesn't really like anyone from Doelich."

The Goat's ears slid back as he scowled. "Or from Soyria, or Lehsunia, or the Jiuyani Isles... Mr. Lews is an intolerant oaf who has no respect for--"

The Captain raised a paw and all talking ended. He picked up his nearly empty glass and swirled the remaining liquid around within it, watching the motion of the fluid as he did so. "We've already dealt with enough name calling and bad mouthing today, Mr. Zuider. What I wish to know now is what can be done about our out-of-line sailor... thoughts?"

Calus didn't miss the way that Alistair looked straight at him when he offered up the request for ideas. When the translator realized that all eyes were on him a strange thought entered his mind, and nagged enough at him that he spoke it aloud. "Is this the purpose of me being invited to dinner this evening? Am I to provide input on this altercation?"

Alistair smiled, finally downing the last of his drink. "Calus, my friend... I value the opportunity to speak with all of my crew and all of my employees. The fact that you are joining us at dinner tonight is happy happenstance, and I welcome your input on this very matter because I understand you were present when the altercation first started. More than any of us here you had a first-hand introduction to the issue we now address."

Calus realized, despite all of the Captain's flowery speech and ingratiating, well-meaning words that he didn't say no. Regardless, the Salamander wasn't interested in pressing the issue; what the Captain did he had a right to do. "During my talk with Mr. Lews I was able to ascertain that he is full of self-doubt and often second-guesses the motives and actions of others. This translates into more difficulty the less his fellows are like him."

Captain Jacksoni nodded thoughtfully. "So... you believe that posting him on job duty with a Doelichian in the future could add to more negativity?"

Willem snorted. "Doelichian, Lehsunian, Soyrian... he only works well with those of your country, Captain."

The Tiger glanced to the Foreman. "I was asking Master Len, Mr. Zuider."

Calus came to the conclusion that a generalization would be a good way to close out his portion of the conversation. "Based on what they were EACH saying, Captain, I believe that neither Mr. Lews nor Mr. Fritz were willing to work together... and Mr. Lews may garner a similar response during work from most other crewmen until or unless he learns to be more open to those of other countries."

Alistair sat back in his chair, stroking the fur at the end of his chin while gazing off at the wall; the action gave Calus the impression of the Captain being lost in thought. For a Tiger who was known for thinking and acting quickly, seeing Captain Jacksoni in such a quandary was a unique experience. Eventually Alistiar did speak up, and when he did it was to address the Foreman. "Mr. Zuider?"

"Aye sir?"

The Captain put a cork in the wine. "Could the day shift do without Mr. Lews?"

The Goat got a sour expression on his face but his tone remained neutral. "If we had to, sir, we could."

Alistair then turned to Rolf. "Mr. Severna?"

"Aye, cap'n?"

The Tiger carefully put his utensils onto his plate and gave his muzzle another final dab before placing his napkin atop them. "Have you ever had a problem personally with Mr. Lews?"

The Prong Horn's lips looked like they wanted to quirk upward into a smile, but they ended up remaining neutral. "Only before he knew I was the Bosun, sir. No problem since."

Alistair nodded, standing. "Well, then at least there's no issue with authority."

The two officers stood after their Captain and Calus quickly followed suit. The Salamander could see the lines being connected in the Tiger's head; it would be best for everyone if Archibald were reassigned. Willem spoke up next. "Captain... what about that battle line idea of Mr. Severna's?"

The Prong Horn's ears went up. "Ah... that was more of an ice-breaker, Sir... I wasn't really serious, and I--"

The Goat stared straight at Rolf. "He seemed to like it and it'd get him outta the way. He'll be practicing with the battle party and if he shoots off at the mouth there he'll get clobbered good. It's a win-win."

Calus felt like he was finally no longer needed; he would be able to make his escape and return to the comfort of his own room. That also meant that he would return to being useless for however long it took to get to their destination. That didn't sit well with him. "Captain, if I may propose an option?"

The Tiger looked toward the Salamander as if suddenly remembering that Calus was even there in the first place. "Of course, Master Len. By all means."

Based on his first attempt to deal with Mr. Lews his proposal would be risky but, at the same time, the translator didn't mind a challenge. "I cannot help but feel that some of the responsibility for this altercation lands on my shoulders. Granted, I am neither a diplomat nor a mediator, but I had not succeeded in diffusing the situation between Mr. Lews and Mr. Fritz... perhaps I would have better luck working with Mr. Lews in a less stressful situation."

Rolf and Willem exchanged glances, then looked to the Captain with intense interest; for a split second Calus was a little worried about what he was getting himself into, but that sensation passed quickly as his confidence took over once again. "I believe with some work and some social desensitization, Mr. Lews can be a productive member of the crew regardless of his team's composition."

All ears in the room raised at the proposal, but all the Captain offered was "We'll see... but thank you for the additional options. I shall consider everything and come up with a resolution by morning."

And that was the unceremonious end to dinner.