The Acquaintance Ship sails on the Fanta Sea, keeping its passengers the same age for as long as they are on the ship. However, the cost is one percent of their souls per year on board. After 100 years, the passengers must begin working on the ship. The work is convincing others to stay on board. For each person a passenger convinces, the passenger receives part of the new person's soul. The Maidens China, Japan, and Mexico had been on the ship for over 100 years so were working to convince Clio and Sherlock to stay. Cricket had been on the ship for twenty years as a perpetual four year old.