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Rue continued issuing instructions "Cook will be authorised to distribute alcohol to soothe the nerves as needed" The decklings cheered, whichoff-duty shifts, obviously" There was a murmur of disappointment "But you have all earned hazard pay for this action It’s not your job to fight for the honour of The Spotted Custard" Another cheer "I want you all to kno s started up a raucous song at that

"We are The Spotted Custard!

From the crow’s nest to the tomb!

Spotted Custard is your saviour,

or Spotted Custard is your doom!"

Aren’t they precious? We have a chant Rue was utterly delighted She wanted to ht be a snified in a captain, so she only nodded to the beat with a pleased expression

Rue raised a hand when everyone would have dispersed "I knoe are still an hour froet this basket up, shall we? London clearly isn’t interested in doing us any favours Decklings prepare the balloon, deckhands the propeller I want those kippers cleaned up and loaded into storage All non–crew plank tucked in Navigation, prepare the helm for… Percy? Where the devil is Percy? Daator?"

Percy had not been kidnapped but had simply disappeared below via the captain’s ladder to, as he explained when Rue found hi"

Rue became even more suspicious that their attackers were after a Percy-related whatnot Percy could hold the secrets of the universe against all comers, however, for he utterly refused to elaborate further

"I understand we are floating early?"

"Yes, I thought we ht take in the view, drift above London for a bit"

It being winter, London was a grey, gloo Percy was not iet in another chapter"

"Huive our eneain Whoever they are"

So The Spotted Custard let loose herthe opportunity to tune her motions It had been a feeeks since she’d tackled serious floating, and while their plotted currents were not challenging, one could never be certain with the aetherosphere Rue wanted her crew prepared for anything, especially now

The sun set and they rose higher, waiting for Percy to call the mark for wind-up and puff