O the fair plucky lad

He was handsome and free,

"O my fair plucky lad,

Come and stay with me!"

But the fair sailor lad

Turned into a selkie

And dove into the sea

- a Viribyr drinking song

He had plenty of tea parties before. The first one he ever remembered clearly was at the Sun King's palace where everyone fell upon themselves to curtsy and bow to the great man himself. Jori had followed his father's example there, but his eyes had been on the platters of sweets in front of every plate. The years had given him the patience to wait though, which is what he did as Madam Zhao reached for the pot decorated in weeping willows and humming birds.

«I take it that someone has told your captain of his sheykee heritage,» said Madam Zhao and Jori looked up because he recognize the word 'captain'.

The two of them were staring each other over like seabirds before one of them dove down for the prize. He had a strong inkling that it might be him. A part of him was amused by the whole matter, he had not known that Aly would care to argue over him. The other part was irate, did Madam Zhao not have her fair share of handsome men to fight over?

«Yes, someone had,» Aly agreed.

«What do you know of sheykees?» said Madam Zhao as she handed the cup first to Aly then to Jori.

If the woman tried to get her polished and manicured hands onto Aly Jori would be most irate. He shifted near his seat and glanced over at the translator. The other man looked torn between amusement and polite blankness. When he saw Jori look over at him he quickly glanced away and leaned down to whisper something in Madam Zhao's ear. The smile that came to her face was not one that Jori liked seeing. It reminded him of a cat that was too pleased with the mouse it has caught.

«They have a skin that they can take off to assume the form of a man or a woman. This skin can also be shared between the pair. They also have lovely voices that are like... the flying bird women that sing. That's all really, I'm afraid I don't know much.»

Sometimes he wondered if Madam Zhao ever aged. She was certainly in her thirties when he met her in his early twenties. But there was no silver in her hair, and her face was too powdered for him to see wrinkles. He doubted she would ever let him that close again to see. Perhaps it was a wig she wore, he mused, glancing at the top of her head before looking quickly away again.

«They are companions for sea faring captains because they know the sea intimately. Of course, it is rare that you come across a selkie who is a captain of a ship. Though he is not fully a selkie.»

«His mother is human.»

Jori resisted the urge to yawn and fidget. Aly had command of the language, that much was clear, though he could pick up from the fast cadence that Aly was uncertain. The other man spoke like the wind when he wasn't sure of something, Jori thought. He should tell Aly that, it would help him win more card games.

«No, I meant that he has not fully realized his potential. I thought it would be me that unlocked it, but I suppose I should have known better.» She reached forward to touch Aly's cheek. «You've chosen a very interesting man to hitch your ship onto, little doiphao.»

"What are you saying," Jori demanded, getting fed up now with the glint in her eye. "Aly if you don't like what she's saying, tell me and we'll leave, Ragnarök be damned."

That snapped Aly out of whatever spell the Madam placed on him. Not literal, just her mere presence did things to people. «I apologize, but we are here to warn you to ready your ships for a great battle. I don't know how you will be summoned, but I assume that the horn will just... transport you. Like how the Plucky took us here.» He gave a laugh that made Jori's teeth clench. «I am sure mathematics cannot explain it. Well, no math that existed at the moment.»

«You don't have to worry, little daiphao, we have been readying our ships for some time. I thought it would be against the emperor and his navy but I see that my own seers may have seen too far into the future.»

«So you are ready?»

She took a sip from her tea cup. Then reached for a moon cake and bit into it delicately. «For someone who is so well versed my language you should know that we hear of these prophecies all the time. We even have a word for it, but the word is not important. The old world is dies, and the new world struggles to be born; now is the time to decide what child emerges from the womb.»

He was thankful that now Aly looked perturbed, which was exactly what Jori felt like when he was talking to her. «I see.»

«Don't worry, I am only quoting a seer. I do not care to have such a power myself.» She finished her cup and held it out to Jori and Aly. «Seers see all manners of things in the dregs of a cup. What do you see?»

This gesture he understood, and uncaring of the hotness of the tea he downed his own cup and matched her gesture for his own. The bottom of his cup was a perfect circle, like a ring, while hers looked like a bow and arrow. He frowned, and squinted, no that was quite a reach, it looked like an oval that was cut in half.

"It was nice meeting you Madam Zhao," said Jori. "I hope Aly has told you what's needed." He placed his cup onto the saucer as quietly as possible and said, "I would like to show him the port, if you are agreeable to it. It was so difficult to walk around there with him and all those people staring."

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Why not sample Madam Zhao's hospitality on your ship?" said the translator and the three of them turned to stare at him. "We are more than happy to bring things onboard for you."

«What an idea,» Madam Zhao said. "Am I finally permitted onto your ship then, Jori?" She looked towards him with a bright-eyed curiosity that surely meant no harm if Jori hadn't known any better.

«I do have a request of you, Madam Zhao,» said Aly and when she turned to look at him said evenly, «I have a nephew onboard. I would prefer he make his own choices as to where and who he'd sail under.»

The smile she flashed him was dazzling. Almost like the look she'd given him that had made him stay the first time he'd visited Yichan. But not enough for him to stay. The reason for his leaving wasn't because of nagging from Giersa or any words Ralphye or Hari said to him. Not even the threats on his person from Perre. It had been a memory of the night he had with his parents, of the pie slowly cooking in the oven and the softly lit candles on the table. His legs had been too short to reach the floor from where he sat on the chair so he'd dangled them while he watched his parents joke and kiss with the same sort of playful disgust that Ellis directed towards him and Aly.

This wasn't what he had with Madam Zhao. What he had of her was security, and all the exotic recipes and spices he'd ever want in one lifetime. But it wasn't what he missed, wasn't what he dreamed of. He didn't love her, and that was why he had left Yichan. Back then she must have thought that he was so smitten with her that there had been no guards in his room, so it had only been a matter of finding the Plucky in the harbor and sailing away.

Was she mad? He wondered, staring at her back when she left with her translator.

"That went well," he said to Aly as they made their way back to the Plucky to inform the crew that they would be hosting guests on the ship for the first time since he'd inherited it.

"Did you think she would be angry?" Aly said in a rushed whisper, eyeing the guards that followed them. "I tried my best but she is so hard to read."

Maybe that was why he left, Jori decided, he hated having to decipher what someone was thinking, to walk on eggshells around the person. "Never mind her, do you want something to eat?"

"I thought she was coming to the Plucky? She seems the type to bring her own food."

"Yes, but I want to share something with you, did you even try the moon cakes on the table?"

"No?"

He took Aly by the hand and walk him towards one of the stalls. The owner eyed Jori's coins warily, but seeing as it was silver, decided it was worth taking it for twenty of the cakes. It was a dizzying array, Aly picked them on the shapes but Jori knew inside each cake was a sort of surprise. Some had raisins, some had bean cream and custard, perhaps even a hint of cinnamon and honey. It was not just for Aly to pick out treats for Ellis and himself, Jori's attention was on the stall next to them. He had seen it as they walked to Madam Zhao's house but didn't think much of it considering his stomach was empty and all he could think about was the food he might be served at her house. Now though, her words came back to him. She had asked about a ring for Aly.

Did Aly even want a ring? Were they even married? Was he supposed to ask for a yes or a no? Maybe it didn't matter, because with Aly he felt all the things that was missing when he had been with her. He didn't need to censor himself, to tip toe around someone that wanted to maintain power at all costs. Aly liked cooking with him, which was something Madam Zhao delegated to others. The moon would fall from the sky before she came into the kitchen and kneaded flour with her own hands.

«Do you want something sir?»

He looked up, startled from his thoughts and his eyes fell upon an ivory carving of a seal. That was rather fitting he thought, and looked quickly towards where Aly was still thinking over which cakes he wanted.

«This one,» he said, and motioned for the seller to hurry. It was probably overpaying the man but he handed him five silvers, «Thank you.»

«Good luck,» said the man with a wink and a bow.

Jori blinked, and decided he must have misunderstood. He bowed politely in return and wandered over to where Aly stood.

"Are you done?"

"I can't decide," said Aly.

So he was more than happy to pay for more cakes. They lasted surprisingly long if you put them in an airtight container.

"Come then," he said, and they made their way hand-in-hand back to the Plucky.

The ship's crew greeted them with a palatable relief and cheer. That was until Jori told them that the deck must be polished to a shine because they were hosting.

"What a horrible punishment," Giersa mused, as they too, were forced to pitch in.

"Why, did you want me poisoned? Hanged for rejecting her?"

"You had Aly with you, I had complete faith in his abilities."

Madam Zhao defined punctuality on her terms, but he supposed if she said she was coming for dinner then they had at least three hours' time. The crew was forced to hurry but that was only because he didn't want her to suddenly swoop in and look down upon the slovenly state the Plucky was supposedly in or not in. Well then, she was free to walk wherever she please, except the captain's cabin. He made certain to lock that particular door.

Perhaps Madam Zhao had her spies watch the Plucky because as soon as Jori called for the buckets to be put away, she was their with her crew in tow. They brought with them tables and several poles which they set up to form a sort of canopy in case the weather turned foul. When everything was set up, they hurried down the gangplank to bring up all manners of dishes and placed them on the table. Very impressive dishes, Jori thought, he recognized the duck with the special sweet orange sauce and the pot filled with egg noodles. His mouth salivated, and it took all of his self control for her, the guest, to sit herself down first and him to sit on other end of the very long table joined together. Aly sat on his left and Ellis sat on his right, all the while casting curious glances at their guests. It was returned by Madam Zhao who had her eye on Ellis all throughout dinner. After the fifth or so look in Ellis's direction Jori had to speak up, ignoring enjoying the food laid out in front of him.

"What is so interesting about my son?" said Jori and surprised himself with that address.

There were times when conversations around the table stopped as everyone leaned in to see what on earth the new argument or gossip would be about. It was not restricted to the Sun King's table. Jori could feel the other men's eyes on him as he waited for the translator to relay his words to the older woman.

To his surprise Madam Zhao was the one who responded, "I did not think you would do this." She paused, motioned for her translator to come closer and said to him, «I've always thought men cared for their lineage. It is nice to see that you've surprised me.»

"The Madam said that you surprise her," said the translator. "It was her thought that adoption was not as common in your lands."

"It happens often enough," said Jori crossing his arms. "When you sail together as a crew, is that not an adopted family?"

The man repeated his words to Madam Zhao. She looked pensive, then called for one of her men to pour her a drink. She held in his direction and said, "A toast to Captain Jori and his family."

That broke the awkward tension, and everyone cheered and drank, because Madam Zhao had not only called for her cup to be filled but all the men's as well. Next to Aly, Ellis muttered, "I thought she didn't speak our language. Why does she even need a translator?"

"So she can pick and choose when she wants to respond to you," said Jori.

"Like Mother," Ellis concluded. He eyed his full cup, "Is this very strong? Can I have one drink?"

It was a toast, and while he knew the Yichan brewed their alcohol to be even stronger than the Viribyr, he decided Ellis ought to at least have a taste. "Don't go off the ship after," he warned. "I don't want anyone fishing you up if you trip and fall."

"I won't," Ellis agreed, and he clinked glasses with Jori. His face fell when he had a taste and he wrinkled his nose, coughing. "Oh. I didn't— that is very—potent."

Aly chuckled softly and also raised his glass to Jori. He took that moment to clink his glass with the other man before pulling out the little carved seal from his pocket.

"I don't have a ring to give you," he whispered in Aly's ear, taking Aly's hand into his and pressing the carving onto it. "Will you take this instead?"

He watched as Aly's eyes widened minutely before a wide, happy smile split his face into the brightest of sunlight. "That's alright," said Aly, his eyes glinting before he took in a breath and said, "you shouldn't wear rings on a ship anyway. You might get degloved."

"It would be tragic," said Jori solemnly leaning forward to lost himself in Aly's eyes.

"I'm going to move," Ellis interrupted. "Not out of the ship! Away from the two of you, I'm happy with the number of teeth I have." He rolled his eyes. "If I sit here any longer they'll all rot out."