"You should come away from the railing, miss. We're doing thirty knots, easy, with the wind in our favor like this, and the water's absolutely frigid. We lose anyone overboard, they're in trouble. Plus, I heard, the uh, the second mate, she said, uh…"
The catboy's tail swung nervously behind him, side to side.
"Spit it out, Henley," she said without turning away from the churning ocean.
"She said dolls don't swim so well."
"Yeah, all right," she grudgingly admitted, stepping well back from the wooden rail between her and the icy brine. And then, "Aren't you cold?"
"Nah. Cold-weather breed, me. Triple coat. And I swim just fine." he said proudly. "Proud nautical family, mine. Still, not looking to take a dip today. Aren't you cold, miss?"
"Can't feel cold any more."
"Huh."
"Captain awake yet?"
"Yes, miss. Captain's just finishing breakfast."
