Rory "Grunt Lord" an anthro zebra

At first you could have been forgiven for thinking a strange looking anthro horse was talking to you but you'd heard stories of of Zebra Tribes from the south, enemies to the reptile slavers and you recognised the stripes.

"Of course," you said quickly with a smile, "Whatever you need." You were sure the pirate crew would test your character in the first few weeks and that it would be important to pass these tests.

The shirtless zebra grinned, "Good answer. Smart kid. My name is Rory but they call me Grunt Lord. You can call me Grunt Lord too. Do you know why?"

Wisely you suppressed the wise crack of a joke that came to mind first. "Because you're lord of the grunts?"

"Good guess," confirmed the zebra. "You're one of four grunts on board the Bone Smasher. The newest. You should know that we go through grunts quickly."

Grunt Lord stepped aside to let a beady-eye rat pirate scurry by, "One of the other grunts is down in the stores checking on the apples. You know how this works, right? One bad apple ruins the whole barrel. We need every apple but have a dozen barrels to protect. Your new pal is a boar called Victor. Go help him check those apples. Got it? "

"Got it," you confirm knowing work like this was necessary.

The zebra grinned slyly, "One last thing; there's a grunt down there called Mimi she's been punished. You're not to talk to the rabbit or interact with her in anyway. Understood?"

Smelling a trap or perhaps just another test you just nod and let Grunt Lord lead you to the trapdoor cover of the stores.