Along the borderline

The strange wolf pup says that birds change colors and pigs do too. Calico Jack’s eyes slowly round in wide wonder as the pup ponders not only the fact that animals can change color but that there is an animal Jack has never heard of. Sure, his mom has a bird and he has seen some flying around the beach, the strange white creature’s cawing their displeasure at the wolves that roam the beach but they are all fully grown. What color were they when they were pups? Or… whatever a young bird is called when they are Calico’s age. As he steps back from the borderline, the pirate pup silently ponders what the heck a pig is.

Maybe they are huge, hulking beasts, that stand on two legs and waddle around, crying for food! His imagination runs wild as he asks the other pup about why his mother doesn’t feed him and is surprised at the pain that flashes across the stranger’s face. Confusion paints the patchwork pup’s features as he looks to his newfound friend, an eyebrow raises in silent question but he does not voice any questions to the answer that is given. Instead, his brows furrow as he considers a new question that has just been added to his already bewildered mind, ‘you can choose to leave your ma and strike out on his own?’

Everything gets weirder as the kid’s magpie friend flies away and Jack’s icy blue gaze follows after it before turning back to the strange pup with worry and little bit of hurt lingering in his gaze. The pup assures him that the bird will come back and Calico Jack nods in understanding and, with that, Jack begins to lead the pup toward where the pack’s ship is. Small paws cut a path away from the invisible line that separates the outside world from Jack’s as the pup shares his name and Calico flashes the kid a huge grin. Nico goes on to explain that isn’t a wolf but something called a coyote and the patchwork pup is once again left to mull over what that means.

As Nico continues on, he tells Calico about having to kill food and the befuddled pup just nods, his mind slowly grinding to a halt from the information overload. He speaks of hunting being fun and betting that is better than seeing ships and Jack suddenly stops. His mind reels from everything he is ‘learning’ and the coyote pup officially tells him more things than he has learned since he was born. Icy blues find Nico’s yellow gaze and the confusion the pup has felt since they stared at each other over the borderline is written into every line of his face. An almost painful expression tugs at his features and Calico wears a frown as he says, “Look, I don’t know half of the stuff you are talking about. Ma just let us come out of the den yesterday.”

Truthfully, Jack doesn’t know most of what Nico is going on about but he doesn’t want the coyote pup to think he is an idiot. Puffing out his chest, a proud grin appears on Calico’s lips as he continues on, “But, there is one thing I know. Ships are way better then hunting. And, you’ll just have to see it to believe it.” He flashes a wide, charming grin to Nico, eyes dancing with mischievousness as he tosses the other pup a wink. With that, he once again starts making his way toward the ship, bound and determined to show Nico that ships are way better then hunting. Honestly, Calico doesn’t know if hunting is more fun since he has never done it but that didn’t stop him from making his bold claim.

Nico’s voice pulls Jack’s attention from his predetermined route and he slows to cast his gaze down at the scuttling red crab. Looking to Nico, he lifts a brow in curiosity as he says, “Crabs? Yeah, you can eat ‘em but they are crunchy and their pinchers hurt.” Turning back to his task, a realization strikes Calico right between the eyes and he suddenly stops. Looking to the coyote pup, Jack eyes up the kid as a plan takes shape in his mind. After a moment, he says, “Say, you never seen a ship or crabs. And you know… other things that I don’t.”

Without warning, Calico whips around to face Nico, the patchwork pup’s eyes dancing with eager delight as the next words spill from his mouth at an excited clip, “What do ya say we teach other things? I can show you ships, swords, monkeys, and other things! You can teach me about huntin’ and pigs and the outside world! I’ll give ya food, lots of it, more than you could eat in a year!” The idea sounds great to Calico and he doesn’t see any reason Nico could turn him down. The kid seems to think about food a lot so his terms must be acceptable… right? Chest puffs out as Jack thrusts one small paw to the taller pup and says, “Deal?”


"Calico Jack"