"Not even if Poseidon himself hoisted his wet ass onto land and demanded it." Erick sighed as he placed his hat back on top of his disheveled hair. 

They had to find some way to come up with the 300 doubloons they owed, they couldn't get in from any of the old crew. 

Westley sighed as his eyes skimmed over the map. It was covered in red circles and x's of places they needed to avoid and places they could go to cautiously. Durfolk was completely scribbled out in an excessive amount of red ink and labeled "NEVER AGAIN". There had to be somewhere they could get some help or money.

"What about finding some work at Montport?" Westley asked as Erick shook his head.

"No, the only people who would hire us can't give us enough to pay our debt off, and the people who can give us enough money would run us out of town if we asked," Erick said with a huff.

"Did we ever pay back Melvin?" Westley asked as Erick just slumped in his chair.

"Well, uh, we actually left him on Tomsout, and I only put half his payment in the pouch we gave him," Erick said as Westley palmed his forehead and dragged his hand down his face.

Of course most of the people they knew hated them. After this, he was going to force Erick to start fixing these relationships with people.

"What about the friends we had on Valcra?" Westley suggested as Erick rolled his pencil across the map.

"It's worth a shot I guess. We haven't seen them since we went to the Sun caves." Erick said as he circled Valcra.

"What are the Sun caves?" Norah asked her little hazel eyes shined with wonder.

"Ah, you want to know the tale of the Sun caves?" Erick chuckled as Norah nodded her head with excitement. 

Westley smiled as Erick pushed his chair away from the table and Norah ran over and sat down in front of him. Her golden hair a fizzy and fluffed. Next town they stopped at they should pick her up a hairbrush. Erick never brushed his hair and honestly, Westley never had reason to. his hair never tangled and just naturally fixed itself. 

"Well, let's see," Erick said pondering for a moment as he began his tale. 

Westley rolled his eyes and sat down next to Norah, it had been a while since he had heard Erick tell one of his tales. He smiled as he remembered when the crew used to all gather around as Erick would hop on top of barrels or crates and reenact his stories. He loved those nights, it was some of the few times he actually saw Erick being as giddy and joyful as everyone else.

"The Sun caves were actually created by the moon, she was madly in love with the Sun, an would sit an watch him everyday. She wanted more than anything to join him in the sky, However the sun told her there was no place for her in the sky during the day, the clouds having taken up all the extra room. Jealous that the sun had no place in the sky for her the moon decided to climb into the sky and carve out her own spot just for her." Erick said as he mimicked the carving motions.

"Why did she want a spot in the sky? It must be so lonely up there." Norah said as Erick shushed her. 

"Calm your waters, all will be explained." Erick chuckled as Norah pouted but let him continue.

"Now as I was saying," Erick said as he continued with his tale.

"The moon set her sights upon the night, there was plenty of room there for her, carving into it to create room for herself. Once finished carving she was left with three giant boulders of the night sky which she dropped into the ocean. However, once she got into her spot in the sky she realized how lonely it was up there and she took pity upon the sun. Now she knew why he had fallen in love with her, she was the only one who looked upon him an wished to be with him in the lonely sky." 

"If the moon was now stuck in the night how did she get to see the sun!? Without her wouldnt he be even more alone!" Norah gasped as Erick smiled an continued.

"She took the boulders and carved a special place for the sun to go when the night appeared. Inside would be all sorts of creatures and friends for the sun to have when he visited. The moon took the burden from the sun for the night, of course, the moon liked to visit him as well, so every now and then she would slowly get ready to leave, then for one night disappear entirely. For the moon loved the sun, and the nights she goes missing from the sky she visits her lover in the caves she created just for him."

"but isn't she still lonely when she goes into the sky at night?" Norah asked.

"Oh no, she's not," Erick said with a sad smile. "My mother knew the moon personally, they were very good friends and the moon told her a very special secret that she shared only with me." 

"Oh! may I know! please! I promise I won't tell anyone! Westley won't either! right?" Norah said eagerly as she tugged on Erick's sleeve.

"I swear on Davey Jones that I won't tell a soul." Westley smiled as Erick gave him a playful smirk.

"Alright, just you two," Erick said pretending to be serious as Norah sat back on the floor.

"The moon is friends with the stars, however, the stars are the bright souls of our loved ones. anyone that dies goes and lives with the moon forever living in the night watching over us all. That way no soul would ever have to be lost or lonely ever agian." Erick said as Norah looked at the floor.

"Captain Erick?" Norah said as she looked up at him.

"Yes, little lady?" Erick responded, giving her a sorrowful smile.

"Do you think that Papa, Mama, Edmund, and Charlie are all with the moon?" Norah asked as Westley's smile faltered.

It was heartbreaking to remember, she was only ten and lost her entire family. Norah had nothing, no family, no home, no money, no possessions, and a beast chasing after her. yet she still kept her elegance and hope even through all that. He was certain he would never let anything else happen to Norah, maybe while they were visiting Valcra he could find a family for her. They still had a few good loyal friends that would give her an amazing life there. however, the 300 doubloons needed to be dealt with first.  Then he was going to devote all his time to Norah, Erick could probably throw in a good word for her as well. 

"Of course they are! every night there up there dancing and playing with the moon as they watch over you." Erick said as the smile returned to Norah's face. 

"Then tonight I wanna dance with them! I want them to watch me dance and show them that I'm ok!" Norah said as she got up and twirled. 

"Absolutely! I'm sure I can find some music on the ship somewhere." Westley said as Norah squealed with delight.

Suddenly she stopped and brushed the front of her dress, putting back on her elegant stature. She gently folded her hands and rested them against her skirt.

"I mean, splendid," Norah said regaining her formal posture.

"Little lady, you don't have to be so formal with us, were both gentlemen. You're already more of a lady just by being on the ship." Erick said as Norah relaxed a little.

"Does that mean I can try some rum?"

"Absolutely." 

"Not. No, I forbid it."