By the time evening came, Ves and his kids had returned to the coast and returned their boat.
Instead of shuttling back to Tixe City, Ves decided to linger a bit longer and moved to a cliff that overlooked the coastline.
Distant boats and human figures still moved about as the local star disappeared below the horizon.
"Come here, Lucky. Dig a firepit on this spot for us, please."
"Meow meow!"
"I don't care that you are not a dog. Just dig."
"Meowww…"
"Aurelia, come here and help me season the fish that you have caught."
His oldest daughter looked a little confused. "Okay, papa. Did you not command the food processing machine to season our fish as it detoxified our catch?"
