Morning Is Breaking, And So Are The Rules

Calico Jack races toward the waves, Jolly Roger swooping low and squawking in joy as they approach the rolling water. A bark of alarm pulls the eager pup from his run, paws slowing and ears falling flat against his skull as he slows to a stop and looks toward the wolf that had caught him. He tries to put on his best, innocent, apologetic face he can muster, ready to face the adult and smoothly talk his way out of this.

However, to his great surprise, a pup, not from his family, is running at him while yelling. Eyes blink slowly as Jack looks to the fire streaked pup, trying to understand why she is so worried. Ears perk up as Calico cracks a charming grin, allowing the pup to get a little closer, before easily saying, “Ah, I won’t get swallowed up. I wasn’t going to go too far out, just wanted to get my paws wet!” It is a bold-faced lie but she doesn’t need to know that, if she is worried about him, then he won’t do anything too dangerous while she is here.

Jolly Roger caws loudly as he circles the pair, gracefully landing near them on the black sand and walks toward the pair until he is stand next to Jack. He clicks his beak as Cal looks over to the bird, a thoughtful expression tugging at his features. Looking back to fire-kissed pup, he gives a small flourish of a bow and says, “Calico Jack, at your service. And that,” a paw jerks in the direction of the blue and yellow juvenile macaw while saying, “is Jolly Roger. We thought nobody came out this early! Whatca doin’ out of bed?”

The question is posed but there is no condescension in his voice. Far from it, Jack is genuinely curious as to why someone else is up and keeping the strange hours he does. He is use to these hours only because his friend Nico usually visits in the early morning. But her? Who would willingly leave the warmth of their den so early if they didn’t have someone to play with? A gentle, easy smile is on his lips as he looks to her with great curiosity.


"Calico Jack"