Kenji leaned back against the side of the boat, raising an eyebrow. "Fourteen? That's a lot of people, kid. You really think you'll find that many willing to go along with your plan?"
Tony chimed in, still rowing steadily. "Yeah, and even if you do, we all can't fit on this little dinghy. I'm pretty sure it's already a miracle this thing hasn't sunk yet."
Eleo tapped his chin, his ears twitching thoughtfully. "Hmm, good point. Is there anywhere we can get a bigger boat? Maybe... a flying one?"
Tony paused for a moment, his bony hand gripping the oars. "Flying boat, huh? Well, if you're serious, there's a place in Pencil Town. They've got all kinds of experimental gadgets and machines. Pretty sure I saw a flying boat the last time I was there."
Kenji groaned, running a hand down his face. "Pencil Town? That's super far away! It'll take us weeks to get there at this pace."
Tony shrugged, his skeletal shoulders creaking as he kept rowing. "Yeah, but don't worry about me. I don't get tired."
Eleo frowned, glancing at their supplies—or lack thereof. "Wait a second. What about food? How are we going to eat?"
Kenji smirked, his tone turning dry and playful. "Well, I mean... there's always rabbit stew."
Eleo's ears perked up, and he grinned. "Mmm, rabbit stew? That actually sounds delicious. I could go for some of that right now!"
Kenji glanced at him, his smirk widening as he gave Tony a knowing look. "Oh, I bet you could, huh?"
Tony snorted, shaking his head as he rowed. "Kid, I don't think you're catching on to what he means."
Eleo tilted his head in confusion, his grin fading slightly. "What do you mean? Rabbit stew sounds great."
Kenji chuckled, his voice low and teasing. "Yeah, it does sound great, doesn't it?"
Eleo narrowed his eyes suspiciously, his ears flattening a little. "Wait... you're not talking about me, are you?"
Tony burst out laughing, his raspy cackle echoing over the water. "He's totally talking about you, kid. You walked right into that one."
Eleo crossed his arms, pouting. "Very funny, Kenji. I'd like to see you try."
Kenji leaned back, chuckling. "Relax, I'm just messing with you. Mostly."
The group fell into a moment of silence, the sound of the oars dipping into the water filling the air. The horizon stretched out before them, and the distant glimmer of stars began to twinkle as night crept in.
Eleo finally broke the silence, glancing at Tony. "So, how far are we from Pencil Town anyway?"
Tony didn't look up as he rowed, his voice calm. "Far. We're talking days—maybe a week, depending on how much trouble we run into."
Kenji sighed, resting his chin in his hand. "Great. Just what I needed: a long boat ride with no food and bad company."
Eleo smirked, leaning back and closing his eyes. "You'll survive. And when we get that flying boat, it'll all be worth it. Trust me."
Tony chuckled, the oars steady in his hands. "You've got some wild dreams, kid. But who knows? Maybe Pencil Town will surprise us all."
They then made it to their first island. It was a small, crescent-shaped stretch of sand adorned with swaying palm trees. Tony rowed the boat to shore with effortless grace, his skeletal frame illuminated by the golden light of the setting sun. Eleo bounded off the boat, ears twitching as he explored the shoreline. Kenji stayed back, stretching his arms with a tired grunt before grudgingly following.
On the island, they found fruit trees brimming with ripe, colorful bounty. Eleo climbed up with ease, tossing mangoes down to Tony, who caught them in his bony hands, while Kenji grumbled about how much easier life would be if someone invented canned food already. That night, they made a small fire near the shore and roasted their finds. The flames flickered against the star-speckled sky, their laughter occasionally breaking the serene silence of the night.
When morning came, the world seemed brand new. The sun rose in a blaze of pinks and oranges, and mist clung to the water like a ghostly veil. They pushed the boat back into the sea, Eleo cheerfully hopping in, while Kenji muttered about wet boots.
Days turned to nights, the cycle repeating as they moved from one island to the next. Each new destination brought its own peculiar charm.
One evening, they arrived at an island blanketed in wildflowers. The blossoms stretched as far as the eye could see, painting the landscape in vibrant hues of purple, yellow, and red. Eleo rolled around in the flowers, laughing as petals clung to his hair and clothes. Tony sat nearby, arranging the blossoms into strange, lopsided crowns, while Kenji leaned against a tree, trying to hide his smirk as Tony placed one on Eleo's head.
Rain came in torrents on the third day. Gray clouds gathered overhead, and the sea churned angrily beneath them. Tony rowed with unyielding determination, his skeletal hands gripping the oars as lightning illuminated the horizon. Eleo and Kenji huddled under a makeshift tarp, the rabbit-eared boy shivering while Kenji grumbled about wet fur smelling worse than wet socks.
When the storm finally subsided, the sun broke through the clouds in a dazzling display, casting rainbows across the sky. The air smelled fresh and clean, and droplets clung to every surface, glittering like tiny jewels. Eleo ran to the edge of the next island, leaping into the shallow surf with a triumphant cheer, while Kenji wrung out his clothes, muttering something about how adventure always seemed to ruin good clothing.
The trio found solace in their routines: gathering food from each new island, building small fires for warmth, and sleeping under the open sky. One night, as they lay on a pebbled beach, the stars stretched out like an infinite canvas above them. Eleo pointed out constellations, his voice soft with awe, while Tony remained silent, staring up as if lost in thought. Kenji, lying a little apart from the others, found himself smiling despite himself, the weight of the journey momentarily lifting.
Sometimes, the islands were lush and full of life, with waterfalls cascading into crystalline pools and animals darting between the trees. Other times, they were barren and rocky, their beauty stark and haunting. They encountered towering cliffs where seabirds nested, their cries echoing against the stone, and sandy beaches where crabs scuttled sideways into the surf.
One afternoon, as the sun hung low in the sky, they found an island filled with strange, spiraling trees. The branches twisted and curved like frozen smoke, their bark shimmering faintly in the light. Eleo tried climbing one, only to slip and land in a patch of soft moss, laughing at himself. Tony leaned against the boat, watching with what might have been amusement if his skeletal face could show it, while Kenji shook his head, muttering something about "kids these days."
Time passed in a blur of golden sunsets, moonlit nights, and the ceaseless rhythm of waves against the hull of the boat. The trio grew accustomed to the unpredictability of the sea, the quirks of each other's company, and the unspoken camaraderie that formed as they ventured further into the unknown.
One morning, just as the first light of dawn kissed the horizon, Kenji stood at the bow of the boat, his sharp eyes scanning the distance. The sea was calm, the air cool and crisp. His gaze caught a shape rising on the horizon—a distant, jagged silhouette against the pale sky.
"Pencil Island," he muttered, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. The others stirred awake behind him, the realization dawning as they looked past him toward their destination.
The docks of Pencil Island were alive with the hustle and bustle of activity. Boats, both traditional and fantastical, were lined up like massive, sleeping beasts. The flying ships hovered just above the water, tethered to sturdy posts, their metallic surfaces gleaming under the midday sun. The air was filled with the sounds of machinery, chatter, and the occasional squawk of gulls circling above.
Eleo's eyes widened as he took it all in, his gaze darting from one massive vessel to the next. "Wow, they're so big!" he exclaimed, his voice full of wonder.
Tony, standing beside him with his skeletal hands resting on his hips, tilted his head and sighed. "Yeah, they're impressive, but there's one problem."
Eleo turned to look at him, his ears twitching. "What is it?"
Tony gestured toward the ships with a bony finger. "We don't have money. And those boats aren't exactly cheap."
Kenji, leaning casually against a wooden post, smirked. "I think we'll have to, uh… you know." He gave Tony a pointed look, raising an eyebrow.
Tony crossed his arms. "But is Eleo going to be fine with it?"
Eleo's head whipped between the two of them, confused. "Fine with what?"
Kenji coughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "Well, there's only one way we can get it," he began, hesitating before adding, "By stealing it."
Tony nodded. "Yeah, and you're probably not going to agree."
To their surprise, Eleo didn't hesitate. "No, I agree."
Tony blinked, momentarily thrown off. "Really?"
"Yeah," Eleo said, his tone resolute. His golden eyes gleamed with determination as he crossed his arms. "I want people to join me, and if I have to steal to make it happen, I'll do it."
Kenji chuckled, pushing off the post. "Well, that settles it, then."
Tony rubbed the back of his head. "I didn't think you'd be so okay with this."
Eleo gave him a sharp smile. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes. Let's just make sure we do it right."