Back on the deck, Sam waved Alice over, pointing to a small section of a sail.

“What this?” he asked, a bit annoyed. The white fabric had what was clearly a pink flower stitched into it, about the size of his palm. Its center was bright yellow, and the edges were a deep royal purple. He tapped his foot, “Well?”

Alice tried to stop her giggling, but to no avail. “You think this is funny?” he asked, fighting back a smile, “How are we supposed to be taken seriously with flowers all over our sails?” His efforts to sound scolding and stern just made Alice laugh even harder.

In between giggles she said, “Look at the end stiches! I finished them all the way you taught me!” Her hands were at her stomach and she had doubled over.

Despite his best efforts, Sam was infected by her laughter. He couldn’t stay mad at Alice, no way. It was just impossible. Both of them rolling around giggling caught the attention of the rest of the crew, who came to marvel at her needlework.

Milo held it to the sunlight, and adopting a fake bourgeoisie accent remarked, “Why, I think this is a work which represents the growing cultural gap between nature and the common man,” he said thoughtfully. “What do you think, Brutus?” The big man took one look at the flower, then after a moment of unhurried contemplation, grunted in response.

This got everyone laughing, and before long attracted the attention of the Captain. “Why are you all gathered on the deck, hooting like apes? Is there a bonfire I haven’t been informed about?” he asked.

The group tried to stifle their giggling, as Sam tentatively presented the flower. The Captain held it in his hands, staring at it blankly. Then, a corner of his mouth twitched up. Then the other. A hearty laugh escaped his chest and he joined in with the rest of his crew, tears brimming in the corner of his eyes. He had seen Alice do some pretty ridiculous things, but this outpaced them all. As much as he wanted to scold her, he just couldn't catch his breath to do so.

He searched the group and found Alice in the middle of it all, having fun, grinning ear to ear. And watching her then, spinning around effortlessly and genuinely enjoying herself, he let himself admit that there was something pretty about her.