The ship renovation plan had finally begun—of course, not without chaos. After countless heated discussions, arguments that nearly turned into physical duels, hammer-throwing contests (literally), and blueprint tug-of-wars that almost got Juno to strike Arthur's name off the crew list, one important decision was finally made:
The name of their new ship.
"Grand Fortuna!" Bastien shouted triumphantly, raising his fist high into the air as if he had just won a wrestling match. "This ship will be the symbol of our good fortune!"
Arthur eyed their old ship—which was cracked in places and creaked like an arthritic old lady—with deep suspicion. "Good fortune, huh? You mean good fortune like... the ship not leaking while we're eating? Or good fortune like... it not exploding while I'm asleep?"
"Exactly! That's what we're renovating!" Bastien said, slapping a deck board that let out a worrying crack.
"This ship's going to be bigger, faster, stronger! We'll even install automatic cannons—and maybe a secret ladder for emergency escapes when things get messy," Bastien continued enthusiastically.
Nara, who was sharpening her sword while munching an apple, chimed in, "In its current state, I think it's more important to install a super-fast coffee machine. If this ship can't brew good coffee during a storm, that's a violation of human rights."
Juno, sitting by a half-collapsed window, busily sketched rough designs with quick strokes. "And more bedrooms. If there are only two rooms, we'll be sleeping stacked up like salted fish."
Arthur, who had been buzzing around like a rabbit overdosed on coffee, immediately pointed at the design sheet. "Oh! Oh! Let's add a mini swimming pool! Imagine, we could throw pool parties on deck!"
"We don't even have a proper kitchen yet, Arthur..." Bastien massaged his temples wearily. "The pool is at priority number one thousand."
"But if we sink, we'll already be used to playing in the water, right? So... preventive!" Arthur insisted, wagging his finger as if he had discovered a genius idea.
Juno raised an eyebrow, staring at Arthur with a thoroughly exhausted expression. "Preventive for what? So we can practice drowning?"
"Exactly!" Arthur nodded seriously. "Also, I was thinking, we could plant a small garden on the upper deck. Full of pretty plants and one coconut tree. Imagine, just sailing along and plop!—free coconut!"
Nara struggled to hold in her laughter. "And when a storm hits, we can watch the coconut tree fly like a cannonball?"
Arthur gave a thumbs-up. "Even more fun!"
Still not satisfied, Arthur continued, his voice getting even more excited. "Or... or... we could build a secret room under the deck, filled with soft mattresses and snacks. So if the ship gets attacked, we just hide and munch on chips!"
"Arthur, this is a ship, not a five-star hotel," Bastien said, staring at him as if he was considering throwing a bucket at his head.
Arthur pouted. "Fine. Then at least... an emergency slide from the top deck into the sea. So if the ship's sinking, we can escape with style."
"In that case, we might as well install an ice cream cannon," Juno muttered without lifting her head from the blueprint. "So when enemies attack, we can hurl ice cream cones at them as we flee."
Arthur lit up. "Great idea! I love it!"
Bastien slapped his forehead hard. "I feel like this discussion is drifting further and further from reality..."
"No dream is too big!" Arthur declared dramatically, raising the screwdriver in his hand toward the sky like a hero destined to be carved into the monument of stupidity.
Nara burst into laughter, slapping Arthur's back. "If that dream can make this ship fly, maybe one day I'll believe you're a hidden genius."
"Amen," Juno mumbled, still focused on erasing the swimming pool, coconut garden, and ice cream cannon from the blueprint.
Through all the chaos, the crew finally returned to the actual renovation work: replacing rotted boards, reinforcing the masts, fixing the ship's propellers, and—of course—making sure the Grand Fortuna would be ready to face storms, cannon fire, and Arthur's crazy ideas.
That night, under the dim light of the moon, with the sounds of hammering, laughter, protests, and the occasional bolt thrown at Arthur's head, they continued working.
Grand Fortuna wasn't just a ship to them. It was home. A place where all their ridiculous dreams, grand hopes, and foolish camaraderie set sail together.
Even if, one day, they would sail while being chased by enemies... sliding down an emergency slide... ice cream cones in hand.