Morel's Test

Bai Zhu pushed the door open and went inside.

The captain's cabin was not large. A sea chart lay spread across the table, its corners held down by two brass paperweights. Several faxed documents were scattered beside it, printed with Bai Zhu's chubby face from a few months ago. A teacup sat by the chart, steam rising from its rim.

Captain Nishimatsu sat behind the desk, his captain's hat removed and placed at his side.

Morel stood by the window.

He was even taller than Bai Zhu had imagined, broad-shouldered. Just standing there, he blocked part of the light streaming in through the window. A large pipe rested across his shoulder, his white hair stuck out in a mess, and his clothes were not particularly tidy, adding a touch of weathered weariness to him.

He looked at Bai Zhu first, then at the equipment pack on Milluki's back.

Milluki shrank his hand back under his gaze and instinctively shifted the bag behind himself.

Morel spoke first.

"Two?"

Captain Nishimatsu turned to Bai Zhu.

"Bai Zhu?"

Bai Zhu nodded.

"That's me."

Captain Nishimatsu looked at Milluki again.

"And this is?"

Milluki was just about to puff out his chest when Bai Zhu spoke first.

"Jerba, a technician. Expensive, bad-tempered, and slow to run."

Milluki nearly jumped.

"Could you leave out some of your personal grudges when introducing me?! Captain, don't listen to his nonsense. My name is Milluki Zoldyck—"

Morel stared at Milluki for several seconds.

"You have Nen. Zoldyck? That Zoldyck?"

Milluki nodded.

"What's in that bag?"

Bai Zhu casually answered for him.

"Little self-defense toys his family stuffed in there. Rich people bring some gear when they go out. Perfectly reasonable."

Morel did not press further. He shifted the pipe to his other shoulder.

"How long were you listening