( Another hiss, a broken and rattled thing, part cackling — part simulation. Simply a creature relearning the biological patterns that once shaped its expressions.

Master Augustus does not step forward, does not give chase. He waits. Bides his time. And, with a cleaved mouth that might spell out a grin: )

Was just us, sailing to the heart. Where them muttered and moaned about all the treasure was there to find.

( But he sours, mildly. ) Quicksilver, he's all greed burning the coals of'is black heart. Wouldn't have shared. Cut himself a deal with merchant folk, you think we'd have seen a trickle? No. Was to keep it all'imself, thinking he was cleverer than any. Only, he wasn't. We was.