The man's eyes narrowed at the towheaded child, his eyes screaming of suspicion and racism.
Quino had to resist a sigh.
"Please, sir, can I go on? I can sneak into the storage," she said, acting the part of the homeless orphan kid.
"Why would someone like you need to go on this ship?" The man wasn't budging, judging by the way his eyes only hardened as she begged.
Yes, Quino would honestly ask the same thing if she was in his shoes. She had patches of soot on her white tank top and camo cargo shorts, with a little bit covering her face and hair. The edge of her tank top was tattered, but still long on her small body. Her tennis shoes were covered in soot or dirt, maybe even a bit of both. Yeah, she could understand what the man in front of her was insinuating.
His eyes, however, didn't seem to acknowledge her condition but rather...
"Sir, I know I look a bit strange with my white hair and dark skin, but I'm not a terrorist," Quino said, trying her best to appease the man.
She had almost forgotten how Riddleve was about their terrorism. Her adoptive mother had once told her that there were some cities that feared light-haired, dark-skinned people because of the coincidental reports that most terrorism was made by them. Which wasn't true, at least Quino had come to that conclusion. Either way, she happened to fit into that category and Riddleve City happened to be one of those cities that were very strict on terrorism. She was surprised she hadn't been arrested yet.
"You may not go on," the man said with grave finality.
Quino opened her mouth to push a bit more, taking another shot at convincing the man to let her get on the ship, but she was stopped by a thin, almost gaunt, white-haired man who was definitely on the tall side. Though his head was covered by a hat that looked very similar to a beret, she could see his dark eyes. Despite his slender physique, Quino was intimidated by him.
"Where is this ship going?"
The man managing the ship's dock simply stared.
Quino glanced to the white-haired man, then settled her eyes back to the man in front of them.
"Whale Island," the man said after a few more awkward seconds.
"That place, huh?" the white-haired man muttered, though Quino had picked up on it. "I'll pay."
"Huh?"
Quino swiftly locked her small burgundy eyes on the pale man by her side. He held out a card with two H's on it.
Wait, isn't that..?
"Oh, would you like first class?"
"It's not for me," the white-haired man stated. His hazel eyes looked down at Quino.
"Me?" Quino asked, pointing to herself.
"Who else would I be talking about?"
"I— Are you sure?" She was so surprised that she wanted to nod her head, but she felt too guilty to be too excited about this opportunity. There were other ships she could hitch a ride on.
"First class," the white-haired man told the man who had been staring at the two with wide eyes.
"Y-Yes, sir," the man said with a smile so fake that Quino had to fight the urge to hide her disgust.
Quino watched as the man made the necessary transactions, watched as he gave the white-haired man his card back, and watched as the said man disappeared without a trace.
"Well, aren't you getting on?" the man managing the ship's dock said, his words dripping with annoyance.
She paid him no mind as she passed the man with a grimace on his face and got onto the ship.
Of course, she felt very out of place when she had managed to finally get to her room after many dirty looks and misdirections. Her unruly appearance was a bit much for any of the rich people in the first class section. Yes, she was very happy she had finally managed to get to her room.
"I'm glad I don't have to deal with all those snobby rich people anymore," Quino muttered to herself as she looked around her surroundings, taking in the sights her room had to offer.
It was ornate and pristine, just like Quino would have predicted from a first class room. But there was a big problem.
"Sheesh, it's so neat and pretty in here. I don't want to cover everything with dirt and soot," Quino said with a sigh. She pulled her shirt away from her, inspecting the dirty tank top that looked more gray than white now. It never really bothered her, being covered in soot and grime. She was a blacksmith's apprentice, after all. But now that she was staying in the first class area, it made her feel a bit ashamed.
Quino opened one of the two doors that were connected to her room.
"This is a big bathroom." Her eyes took in the sight of the ornate bathtub that was pristine white decorated with gold and the counters that looked way more expensive than counters should ever be. The sink, toilet, and shower were just as ornate as the bathtub, all three of them white and gold like the bathtub.
She walked in, closing the door slowly.
"I guess I should try my best to get all this dirt off," Quino said as she prepared the bathtub.
She was definitely going to enjoy herself.
XXX
Quino woke up the next day feeling the most refreshed than she had ever felt in a while.
Now that she had a good night's rest, there was one thing that was plaguing her mind.
Her eyes landed on the window beside her queen bed, where the endless sea and just as big sky greeted her. They wouldn't get to Whale Island until tomorrow.
With a heavy sigh, Quino's train of thought went back to the one thing that had stuck out to her during the entire day yesterday.
Quino wasn't dumb. She knew what that card from that tall man had been. It was one of the few things she had been interested in.
When she was younger, Quino had dreamed about being a Hunter and the many things she would do as a Hunter. As she grew older, though, she had become more focused on keeping Barb's Irons afloat and taking care of the house. Her adoptive mother, while kind and loving, wasn't interested in working. Quino wasn't sure how the shop had prospered, or how the house had been decently organized and clean throughout the years.
"That guy was a Hunter," she muttered as her eyes drifted away from the window and toward the ceiling. Even the ceiling was fancy, though it looked like it was going to be needing to be replaced soon. There was paint in a few places that was peeling off. Could a simple touch up do the job?
Quino heaved a sigh, willing her body to get up from the soft bed. Her feet dangled off the side of the bed, but she made no heed to that fact.
How did someone like that manage to become a Hunter? He hardly had any muscle!
She took in her surroundings again, finding the whole room surreal.
It's like I'm in a dream, Quino thought.
Her burgundy eyes landed a pink box with a fancy red bow tying it. She slid off the bed and approached the box, noticing the card that was attached to the bow.
'In case you wanted to at least fit the part, here are some clothes for you.'
Quino frowned. "In case I wanted to fit the part?" She didn't see anything to indicate who had sent her this gift. "Suspicious."
She untied the bow and opened the box. In it was a dark red dress. The dress was elegant, expensive, and formal. In other words, it looked absolutely revolting to Quino.
"W-What?! Who thinks I'll actually wear this?" Quino said with a blush. Merely looking at the dress was embarrassing her.
But she was curious to see if it would look good on her.
Who knows, maybe it might be a good tool to get all the rich people off my back, Quino thought as she grabbed the dress and the flat black Mary Janes that came with it.
She made her way into the walk-in closet that was empty, save for her dirty clothes that she had left lying in a corner of the room.
Letting her curiosity take over, Quino changed into the dress and Mary Janes.
Usually dresses wouldn't look too flattering on her because of the muscles she had gained throughout the years of blacksmithing. But the fact that the dress, this ball gown, was sleeveless and even seemed to accentuate her muscular figure made her reconsider dresses. The dark red seemed to compliment her burgundy eyes and it fortunately didn't clash with her white hair. And while it did flare out at her waist, it wasn't as much as a ball gown usually would. Yes, it was a formal ball gown, but it was simple and it wasn't flashy. The down side was the fact that it ended at her ankle, and she didn't like the velvety feel to it or the restriction on her movement, but Quino figured it was a good equivalent exchange.
Much to her surprise, Quino approved.
"Okay, I don't look too bad. I can pull this off. Nobody would know I was the poor, dirty little girl they were antagonizing all day yesterday, right?"
But then Quino glanced at her white, curly hair and grimaced.
She always hated her hair. Sure, it didn't frizz up but the top of her head was a constant mess of curls that looked more like an endless sea of white swirls.
"I could straighten it," Quino muttered, running her hand through her white swirly curls.
She shrugged. "Forget it, that's too much work. If people have a problem with me, then I'll just have to deal with it. There's not a single person in this world that's liked by everybody."
With determination, Quino set off to have breakfast at the dining hall.
"Hey, look at that little girl."
"Oh, her? Isn't she that dirty urchin that somehow snuck up here yesterday?"
"She thinks she's one of us just because she's wearing a dress?"
"Hmm, wow, she must think we're stupid not to notice."
Quino was at her wits end with all these comments. And she wasn't even at the dining hall yet!
She heard someone snicker. Saw another sneer. Then heard another jab. Her entire walk to the dining hall consisted of several comments that sounded more like thinly veiled insults, various sounds that spoke of their disapproval, and expressions of disgust or abhorrence that Quino tried her best to ignore.
When she finally did make it to the dining hall, she wanted to go back and insult every single person she had passed on her way to breakfast. But she contained her anger and went toward the buffet.
Her eyes feasted on so many wonderful dishes that her anger practically melted away. She would've jumped for joy if she was expressive.
"Um, excuse me, miss," a voice called from her left.
Quino looked over to see an old woman who had a lovely smile. For being fake, that is. She felt like the old lady was about to say something that she wouldn't want to hear.
"This area is only available to the first class."
Are you kidding me? Quino thought as she did her best not to express her frustration.
"Yes, ma'am, I know that. I'm first class," Quino said as calmly as possible.
"Well, I was sent here to make sure you were first class. Could I see your License?"
"License?" Quino asked. She couldn't help the tiny bit of frustration that had leaked out.
"Yes. You registered for the first class by using your Hunter License. May I see it to confirm that you haven't used a stolen one?"
Quino breathed in deeply.
She's just an old lady. She's just doing her job. There's no need to blow up on her.
"The thing is, I don't have a Hunter License. This guy paid first class for me," Quino explained.
However, this only made the old woman frown. "Well, I'm afraid without proof you won't be able to enjoy the privileges that come with being first class. I'm sorry."
"So I can't eat this food?" Quino asked as politely as she could muster.
"No, I'm afraid not."
"Will you take away my room too?" Quino asked through gritted teeth.
"I— Well," the old woman didn't finish but she had made it clear to Quino.
Why is life so unfair?
Quino walked away as calmly as possible, though her muscles were practically rippling with restrained rage.
She wasn't sure what to do with herself.
Would going back to my room even matter? The staff probably locked the room by now.
Still, Quino was always known for being persistent.
Passing by the same people who had slighted her time and time again, she was capable of blocking them out completely. Her mind was settled on one goal and one goal only: getting to her room before they locked it on her.
She got to her room just in time to see one of the staff putting a key into her room's door.
"Hey!"
The staff member whipped his head toward her and then ran away, not only forgetting to lock the room but also forgetting the key he had dropped.
Quino swiped the key from the floor and entered her room. She quietly closed the door, even though all she really wanted to do was slam it shut and let the world know she was fed up with everyone and everything.
Her body dragged her toward the bed, her stomach growling in protest.
"What's two days without food?" Quino muttered to herself as she looked out the window to watch the clouds roll by.
I think I need another bath, she thought.
But she had fallen asleep before she could get up from the bed.
XXX
Quino now knew what two days without food felt like: hell.
She was starving and her stomach wouldn't stop growling. She had slept in her dress yesterday and had switched to her dirty tank top and camo cargo shorts when she had realized just how uncomfortable it was to sleep in her dress. At that point, she didn't care if she dirtied up the room beyond repair. Which she had managed to do. Except instead of replacing the contents of the room with new things, they had decided to put Quino into debt. So now she had to somehow pay off 40,000 jennies. All for a single room.
Yeah, Quino was glad to have gotten off the ship.
Well, more like jump off the ship. She had to sneak away because the staff members wouldn't even let her leave her room. So she used the window in her room, climbed to the other side of the ship, and jumped onto Whale Island's dock.
She was glad to be rid of the ship and its inhabitants.
Quino took in a deep breath, inhaling the freshest air she had ever experienced. She watched as people continued on with their lives, witnessed the content and happiness that the residents of Whale Island seemed to have, felt the peaceful serenity that only a small town could muster.
Her feet started walking, her burgundy eyes taking in the simple yet beautiful town. Though as she walked through Whale Island, she discovered that it was more like a village than a town. Everyone knew everyone, and they all worked in harmony. The close ties made her a little jealous.
It wasn't long until her eyes feasted upon what looked to be a blacksmith's shop.
She rushed into the shop, wondering what craftsmanship she'll see.
While there were weapons, most of what was being displayed was more for agriculture or decor. A little part of her was disappointed, but Quino thought it was a nice change of pace. It just proved how peaceful things were on Whale Island.
"Lass, you need anything?"
Quino looked to her right and found an old weathered man. "No, sir, just browsing." She studied the old man for a few more seconds. "Are you the owner of this shop?"
The man smiled, a few of his front teeth missing. "I am. Most tourists don't think I'm capable."
She smiled back, then said, "Well, it takes one to know one."
The old man raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her statement. "You're a blacksmith?"
Quino nodded. "Yes, sir. I started young, my mother needed help around the shop."
"How old are you, missy?"
"Eleven," Quino said.
"Impressive," the old man commented.
"Sir, what's your name?" Quino asked, giving a warm smile to the old man.
"Bartabus."
Quino nodded, extending her hand. "My name is Quino, sir. Maybe next time I come and visit I'll be able to buy something from here."
"Come by soon. I'll get my wife to make you some nice lentil stew."
"Sounds good!" Quino said as she exited the shop.
He was nice, she thought with a bright smile.
"Excuse me!"
Quino was pushed to the ground in the blink of an eye.
"Geez, watch where you're going Mellik," another voice said.
"Ahaha, sorry."
Quino got up and saw a light brown haired kid, who looked a bit on the scrawny side, holding a crate and a muscular black-haired teenager holding another crate.
"I'm so sorry," the kid said as he gathered apples that must have fallen from the crate he was holding.
"Sorry about my little brother. Won't happen again," the teenager said as he dragged his kid brother away just as he picked up all the apples from the cobblestone ground.
Meanwhile, Quino hadn't said a word.
After a few seconds of trying to process what had just happened, she shrugged her shoulders and continued on.
Quino spotted a forest not too far away from the village. She wasn't the most adventurous type, but she might as well explore everything Whale Island has to offer. The forest was very green, and she could tell that Whale Island's main feature is most likely the forest. Though there weren't any paved roads, Quino felt that that just made the beauty of this forest stand out even more. Quino is a sucker for rustic, earthy looks though.
She descended deeper into the forest, much deeper than she would usually feel comfortable with. It was then that she found all sorts of exotic creatures. One of them being a pitch black snake with dark green rings around its body. It was sleeping as she studied its memorizing looks. But then her eyes traveled up to where the snake's eyes would be and realized that they were a dark brown color.
The snake was looking right at her. It slithered its tongue out, a pink liquid lathered on it. A drop of the pink liquid dropped and collided with the floor, a sizzle erupting Quino out of her study.
That liquid is corrosive, Quino thought. She felt panic overcome her, though all she did was freeze.
She needed to move, she needed to leave, now. But her body just wouldn't obey her.
So here she was, the snake's dark brown gaze looking directly into her burgundy eyes while her panicked burgundy eyes looked straight into the snake's dark brown eyes. A few seconds passed by, the tension so palpable, so tangible, that it threatened to drown her.
The snake hissed, and Quino knew that it was her time to go. She shot off to the right, hoping to outrun the snake. But she had underestimated it gravely.
It was a huge snake. Despite its huge size, however, the snake was somehow keeping up with Quino.
She kept running and running, but she wasn't making any headway. So, with much speed, she climbed a tree. Quino had gotten as high as she could on the tree when the snake had finally made its way to her.
Noticing how high she was, the snake stared at her for a few seconds before slithering off.
When Quino was sure it was gone, she had started her descent down the tree. She planted her feet on the ground and stood there for a minute, the effects of the adrenaline running through her system making her pant heavily.
Quino, for all her intellect, didn't realize that the snake could've easily reached her if it had tried.
After she stopped panting, the adrenaline having left her, she started her trek back to the village. She had her fill of adventure for today.
XXX
"Free fish, free fish!"
Quino had just gotten back to the village and a plate of grilled fish was shoved in her hands. Not like she was complaining. She was really hungry.
Digging in with much abandon, Quino didn't bother to savor the meal. But she did enjoy the meal regardless.
After she was done with her fish, she decided to investigate what the commotion was about.
"Gon caught the Lord of the Lake!"
This didn't make much sense to Quino, but, from what she'd gathered, apparently a twelve year old boy had somehow caught a fish about five times bigger than him. And that was his rite of passage to take the Hunter Exam.
Quino really loved this village.
It was a shame that she had to leave though. Unlike Whale Island, her adoptive mother's mysterious disappearance couldn't wait. She needed to find her first, but afterwards she might come back every now and then. Maybe even settle there, if she wanted to get away from the city in the future.
With much disappointment, Quino hopped onto the biggest ship there was. Surprisingly, it was easy to sneak on.
But then she saw all the intimidating and frightening men on board and realized that this ship wasn't all what it seemed to be.
From riches to rags, Quino thought miserably as she sat down far away from the rest of the people. Hopefully these guys aren't as mean as the rich people.
Hey everybody!
I did it! The first chapter of the remake!
But I am sorry I didn't upload a chapter during the week like I said I would. I got busy/distracted with things and I may have procrastinated just a little bit (or a lotta bit). Not much else to say...
Well, you know the drill. I don't own Hunter x Hunter. Togashi Yoshihiro owns it. I just own my characters. And that's only about four... and all the random people I give names to. This is a long disclaimer.
So anyway, I hope you enjoy the first chapter of the remake! Get ready (to rumble!) for the next chapter and we'll see if I upload a chapter during the week! Bye Bye~