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There are too many people inside. Too many strangers, too close, stepping wrong, talking wrong, looking wrong and all in all, inside is just wrong.

Which is why Iskender is outside the Cooper house, contemplating the kraken pond.

At least, he's looking in that general direction.

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Strange human. Maybe he is going to visit the baby kraken, too? Maybe they are friends! Friends are good.

"Pikachu?"

This is not the strangest thing that Iskender has ever seen.

Not that you ever really get used to hallucinations, but he just glances at...it.

And doesn't look away.

"Pikapika?" It sits on its haunches, regarding him. And flicks its zigzag tail.

"Pike," he agrees.

"...Pikachu," it informs him, before sniffing at his shoes.

"I will leave soon."

His penal time is almost up, and Jack has wanderlust.

(Also, he wants to spend more time with Jo)

"How will you fare?"

"Rough seas."

"I can wish."

Rough seas keep things interesting, anyway. It's a joke, and Jack smiles for it.

He stands beside Iskender looking in the same direction. "And when I return, I'll find you and leave again."

Jack doesn't intend to return as Jack, but he's confident Iskender will recognise him as Ruth.

A sharp (slightly jerky) glance up.

"Alone?"

"Leave the farm, not you."

Jack made two promises. First to Jo, then to Iskender. He intends to keep them both.

Iskender taps a pattern out against his thigh.

"Captain on his own?"

"Mayhap," Jack says. "Future's never fixed. Have you a preference?"

Hesitantly,

"Crew's useful."

"Essential."

Iskender just grins at him.

Jack grins back, barks out an approval, and claps Iskender on the back.

"Adventure and chaos. You'll see."

"Theory into practice. It's important."

Beat.

"And fun."

"Aye lad, you learn quick."

Jack can't wait.

Cheerfully,

"Genius."

"Not always means smart," Jack counters. He's not talking about Iskender here, whois just Jack's sort of clever.

"It can help when not a professor."

Another amused snort.

"Aye, that it can."

A quick smile and he looks back at the pond.

"There's a kraken."

"Aye."

Jack had noticed.

"Not as dangerous as his brothers in the ocean.Or as impressive."

"Give him time."

"As always."

Jack snorts. "Rules the pond as they rule the seas, already."

Thoughtfully,

"Think he needs some ships?"

"Most like," Jack agrees. "Else how will he learn destruction?"

"Out of matchboxes."

Iskender may have found himself a project.

Until he gets distracted, anyway.

"Crewed by bugs. For the meat."

"Ants or ladybugs?"

"Ants," Jack says immediately.

"Ladies belong not on ships."

Which should explain something about Jack.

"Just part of them?"

River is not really wandering absently around the grounds, getting dirt and grass blades stuck between her toes. That's because she's over there, staring at a tree with a mischievous look of calculation on her face, possibly considering-

Oh, wait.

She really is wandering around the farm. And she's heading his way. Our bad.

That's okay. He's being a stork. One leg crooked and up, even.

She can't see him.

Oh, please.

Hiding from her never works.

River stops still, and adopts a befuddled expression.

IT IS A MIGHTY DISGUISE!

He isn't even wobbling.

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