A/N: Hello and welcome to my story :) You know, I'm very surprised at how few fanfic stories there are for this book, which I think is an amazing book. So, I decided to write one for it :D I hope you'll like it ^.^
"My goodness, that man possesses some fine features." said Beatrice, fanning herself with her fan imported from Japan as she observed a certain sailor.
"Such features are comparable to those of a misshapen rock." inserted Cecily.
"That man can't compare to that one, the one striding around with nary a stain on his breeches!" exclaimed Selina, shielding her eyes with her white gloved hands from the sun.
"The one walking as if an iron rod was rooted up his buttocks?" remarked Cecily. Beatrice snapped her fan closed with a scoff.
"Enough with your rude remarks, Cecily." said Lily in exasperation, speaking for the three of them before Beatrice could lose her temper. "If you wish to make yourself feel better, take it elsewhere."
"Pardon me? My comments are perfectly fitting." said Cecily not the slightest bit fazed.
"No, they are retorts to hide the obvious fact that you are approaching 21 years of age and that there are no suitors waiting for you." said Beatrice, clearing enjoying her prime youth of 19.
"Stop wallowing in your self-pity and give us room to observe possible suitors." said Lily, her eyes already returning back to the view.
"I may sound rude but none of our rudeness can equal to yours; why have you attached yourself to us when it's clear that we do not share communities." asked Selina.
Cecily paused."As you're so kind as to be candidly honest, I shall return the favor. The three of you are young and beautiful, and so by immersing myself in your company, I hope to expand my opportunities."
"Why, you poor abnormal thing. Be gone, now that you've got my pity." said Beatrice, turning her back on Cecily, inciting the other two girls to follow.
Cecily scowled, and then she smiled; nothing could penetrate her high ego. However, she was mindful of her superiority and decided not to make the three feel inferior in her presence. Twirling her frilly umbrella, she walked away towards the edge of the harbor, focusing her attention on the oncoming ships towards the high horizon. It was a beautiful day with only the slightest of breezes, resulting in the effect of her long black hair swaying gently with the wind. Needless to say, she felt beautiful even alone.
The trio walked away with a huff from Cecily, mature enough to refrain from gossiping while within hearing distance, yet they had not gone very far before a half-decently dressed man prodded his head in their way.
"Oy, what are a couple of lasses like you doing around these areas?" He asked, a gold tooth flashing.
"Whatever reason could there be than to bask near this beautiful sea?" responded Lily, shyly bending her face.
"Perhaps to look for a man like me?" The man asked, "I joke." He added in response to the girls' indignant looks. "Then perhaps to offer your brothers as recruitment? I'm going out on a limb here. See, we are looking for more crew." He continued hopefully, clasping his hands together.
"What? Nothing could be farther from the truth-" began Lily.
"Actually, we have the perfect specimen." vouched Beatrice, her eyes shining. She pointed with her elegant fan at Cecily's back and as though uttering a secret, whispered, "That girl yonder -is not a girl at all! A man who fancies himself to be female, that is. It's quite embarrassing; he keeps stalking us. I shan't suggest him be taught a lesson." The other girls, playing along, shook their heads with disapproval at Beatrice's words.
"Her, erm, him, there. A nanny boy? The disgust of it!" The man said diligently, his eyes already narrowing at the small figure of Cecily. He turned back to the girls, shaking his head. "I must thank you, miladies, for fulfilling your Christian duties to save a poor soul and convert him from the wrath of his sick mind! I must go recruit him now; farewell and may we meet again in the future." He finished with wink at the girls and waved over two of his men to follow, and they marched over to where Cecily stood.
Meanwhile, Lily and Selina had listened with rapt attention to the conversation with their mouths hanging slightly open, extremely surprised what Beatrice was doing, but now that the man had left in pursuit of Cecily, they threw their heads back and laughed and laughed most unladylike.
The men approached the he-she, and gingerly tapped him on the shoulder. The man turned around with a surprised look, his brown eyes widening largely in what he probably presumed to be an adorable look. "Yes, how may I help you, sir?" The he-she asked in a rather high, girly voice. Egad, this man needed help!
"My dear sir, might I offer you the utmost choice you can ever imagine; join our crew aboard the Dauntless Unicorn!" The man said boldly, flashing a slight smile.
"Er… I believe you have me mistaken. I am not a boy and therefore wouldn't even dream of stepping foot on a ship-" Began the queer man.
"-Aye, my lad, but it would be the most opportunity to unite with your inner manhood," said the man sympathetically, "and build yourself like a man ought to."
"Pardon me but that is considerably rude to assume that I am a man when clearly I am not!" replied the queer angrily.
"Please, good sir, I am trying my hardest to understand your position, but I must stress that I strongly support this decision. I think it would do you well."
"Mean sir, you are spewing nonsense of which I cannot begin to comprehend! I am leaving!" The queer shouted, turning away.
The man sighed, disappointed that he had to now come to the final resort. "Agreement is not necessary." And with a gesture of his hand the two men behind him pounced on the poor he-she and, ignoring his muffled protests, had him bounded and hoisted onto the ship before anyone could begin to fathom. After all, press ganging was common and not strictly prohibited.
Aboard the HMS Dauntless Unicorn, the man overlooked the binding of the she-man, he turned to give the dock one final glance before they were to set sail, and saw the three young ladies. Thanking them with a smile for their good intentions accompanied by a wave of goodbye, they responded with their own blown kisses and laughs.