Sunday
I join an open crew.
The brig is facing an island, hard anchored, sails down
There is a kid walking around holding and petting his dog
He is talking to himself out loud about the environment he is observing and adventuring
I join in, seemed like the right place to be
Earlier in the day
I had a feeling, about a specific person but not for a specific reason
I reached out to say howdy ahoy and to apologize for allowing too much time to go between communications of the past and the present
Fast forward
The kid eventually stops talking to himself and starts talking to me.
He starts saying "wolf" repeatedly and then fills in the blanks with something he is thinking about. He has designated me the captain so I tell him we are going to fight a fleet.
Another kid joins, this young pirate talks less.
"Wolf....""Wolf....""Wolf....""Wolf....""Wolf...."
Towards the end of the fleet a sloop attacks. It is a solo pirate acting silly on the mic. He ends up sinking 4 times.
"Wolf...." "Wolf...." "Wolf...."
He is a bright kid, I have no doubts his future will reflect that.
Eventually a spot opens and I message the person I contacted earlier to say howdy ahoy.
I say "there is a spot on this boat and I think it was meant for you"
Luckily and thankfully they accept the offer.
Another kid joins as my friend joins, we sink the silly solo pirate one more time after another attack.
This new kid is also a bright young pirate,
For the next few hours we sailed around doing sea forts, and shrines to help my friend with commendations and to help the bright young pirate work on his goal of pirate legend.
At one shrine a sloop is sailing around, at some point a pirate swims over. I prepare to do what I need to do if it needs to be done, but he communicates clearly that he is sailing with his young brother and would like to ask for mercy so they could continue their session in peace. I let him know that he has my word we will not start conflict and I intend to keep my word.
It takes strength to show vulnerability. It takes strength to communicate openly. I have no business fighting anybody like that.
At the end of the session the kid went from 40/38/37/25 to 50/47/46/32. Almost a pirate legend, like he wants to be. He will do great.
My friend closed out the session with "thank you, I needed this"
To which I responded with "as did I"
The sun sets on Sunday