Quoted By:
"Thanks again for coming with me Pepe. I really appreciate it."
"No problem. I had nothing better to do anyway. But why exactly do you need me?"
"Shopping is... well it's easier if there is a human accompanying me if you know what I'm getting at. Less suspicious looks. Less random checks by authorities. That sort of stuff."
"Uh-huh. They assume that due to your fish-man heritage you are there to steal or that you stole your belongings, is that right?"
"Pretty much. It's why I always ask for an invoice. It doesn't happen every time. But it doesn't hurt to be prepared."
"I see. You can't really fault them. You people do have a strange, alien look about you."
"Hmmm. Yes. People tend to freak out when you have scales, fins, gills and other fishy traits. But I also think it has to do with the fact that most fish-men who wander far away from the Ryugu kingdom usually do so because they are no longer welcome back home. I.e. they are criminals. Which does not help us with our reputation. Eh. I don't really hold it against them. Just goes to show how much work I have ahead of me if I want to fulfill my dream."
"Which is?"
"Coexistence. Showing both sides that they can live with the other in peace."
"Aren't you a bit overly ambitious?"
"Maybe. But if it wasn't difficult it wouldn't be worth pursuing. Gyogyogyo!"
The duo go through a few shops to purchase all the supplies they need. Lamp oil, new ropes, various different fabrics, matches, paint, lacquer and whatever else they need for their day to day activities are but a few things on their long shopping list. Even after that some special items of vital import are listed there. Omukade took it upon himself to handle the rations so that's not there. But Lyda and Greki need supplies to do their work. Supplies they can't buy themselves either due to social anxiety or being too big to fit in stores. By the end of it all Murray is carrying a way-overstuffed backpack the size of a house on his back.
"Phew. Finally. Now all we need to do is get this back to the Dauntless!"
After walking for a few minutes Pepe looks at him.
"Why are you doing the supply runs anyway? Aren't you the first-mate?"
"Yeah, so?"
"Isn't that... below your position?"
"I don't think so. Silver is the captain. He gives the commands. As the first-mate it is my job to make sure things run smoothly so we can fulfill them. Besides, who else would you trust to buy all these things and, more importantly, carry it all back?"
"Fair. None of the others seem like the ones that can be trusted with it. But you're quite loyal to Silver, aren't you?"
"That I am."
"Why? He's an imbecile. You're much more capable than him."
