Linebeck was busy looking over his ship to make sure it had all the supplies needed for the upcoming voyage. Somehow the kid found a sea chart in the cursed temple, and it could help them on their journey to find the Ghost Ship, and of course, its treasure. But the island on the map was quite a far way off and he had a few more things to stock up on before they set off. The boy, whatever his name was, took off, saying he needed to do a few things before they could leave for the Isle of Ember. Linebeck wondered where the kid went off to, not that he cared anyway. But still the kid had been gone for a while and he'd need his help with the extra supplies. The sound small feet running up the dock made the sailor look up from his list. The kid and fairy were leaning on the railing of his ship as they caught their breath.
"I'm ready to go if you are. I got all the stuff I need, I think." The kid said between heavy breaths.
The sailor looked the young hero and noticed that all he had was a shield and sword and asked, "Where's the rest of your stuff? Surely you're taking more stuff than that."
The kid looked down at his stuff with a confused expression, "What do you mean? This is all I have. I washed up on shore this morning with nothing. It's not like I had a lot on me in the first place."
Linebeck sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. It looked like they were going to need to get more supplies than he thought. At least he had a few extra rupees stashed away for an emergency. That treasure better be worth it, otherwise this would be time wasted for nothing.
"Well, let me get my list of stuff finished up and we'll go get stuff for the ship and stuff for you." the older man sighed.
The fairy chirped in sarcastically, "Wow. Looks like mister cheapskate isn't as stingy as they say he is. He really does have a heart."
"Wha- n-no!" Linebeck retorted quickly as he swatted at the fairy, "I just know what without adequate supplies members of the crew are more upset. They are more likely to keep more treasure back for themselves as opposed to splitting all the profits with their captain, and commit mutiny."
Linebeck straightened up his jacket in an attempt to make himself seem more professional and superior. He didn't need people thinking he was a soft captain. That would ruin the reputation he worked so hard to achieve. He had to make it seemed as though he ruled with an iron fist. Linebeck knew that the kid wouldn't be much trouble if he put up a fight. He could take him on with on hand behind his back. The kid would be more likely to be a nuance to him than to commit mutiny. But none the less, the kid needed clothes and other supplies and supplies would keep the kid from annoying him to death on the voyage.
The treasure hunting captain went below deck to make sure he hadn't overlooked anything. Once he had finished up his list, he started thinking about what a boy with practically nothing would need. What did kids his age need anyways? Well, a change of clothes to start, maybe some treasure hunting supplies. He walked back up to the deck, and pulled the boy and fairy from their thoughts, "Come on kid, let's get the stuff we need. The sooner we get our supplies, the sooner we leave. And the sooner we leave, to sooner we get to Ember island. The sooner we do that the sooner I get my hands on that sweet treasure."
"My name's not kid you know." The kid said as he crossed his arms. "My name's Link."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever kid." Linebeck waved dismissively at the boy, "I really don't care. We need to get shopping before it gets too late."
Link let out a small huff of annoyance and crossed his arms. Linebeck rolled his eyes as they walked into the town. Maybe this kid would be more trouble than he was going to be worth. It was too late to back out now, he needed the treasure dog to do the running around for him. And Linebeck definitely did not want to run through that Temple of the Sea King again. Besides, why get attached to the kid? There was no point. As soon as the kid saved his friend, they were done. The would go off on the separate ways. The kid would go sailing with his girlfriend, and he would hopefully be sailing back home with a bunch of treasure.
It had started to get late by the time they got the supplies for the ship onto the boat. Thankfully, they didn't need to get too many supplies for the ship, as it was going to be a short journey. They set everything down below in the cargo hold and placed everything to Linebeck's specifications, a captain had to keep a ship ship shape after all. Once that was finished, Linebeck showed the boy to his quarters.
Inside the small room sat a bed against the left wall. It was a small bed, but it would do for a kid that small. Beside it stood a little wood dresser with a small window above it. Against the right wall, there was a small desk and chair. The room wasn't the biggest, but it was certainly big enough to house the small boy comfortably.
"It's not much, but it's something. I expect you to keep it straightened up. I want everything on my ship to be ship shape. Understand?" Linebeck asked.
The kid nodded, which was enough for the captain, and they set off for town to pick up supplies for Link. They walked around the town gathering supplies. The kid needed something to sharpen his sword along the way. A dull sword was a useless sword. And a useless sword wasn't going to get them an treasure. The boy also could use a bag. Where else would he put his treasures? Finally they came to the last store on Linebeck's list: the clothing store.
The moment they walked into the store the woman behind the counter rushed over to the boy. The shopkeeper at the clothing store went on and on about how cuuuute Link was, much to the kid's obvious dismay. She fussed over every outfit trying to find things to bring out the color in his eyes. Linebeck would have repeatedly rolled his eyes nonstop if Link's reactions to being fussed over, if they wasn't so funny. He clearly wasn't used to being fussed over, by his constant scowling. The kid glared at Linebeck every time he snickered at the poor boy. He couldn't help it; especially since she insisted the boy show off every outfit she picked out, just to make sure it fit him correctly or went with his eyes. By the end of it all they had racked up a decent rupee. Just the entertainment factor was enough for Linebeck to agree to the price. He set his rupees down on the counter and turned to leave.
"Have fun with your son." The shopkeeper said with a smile as she put the rupees away.
The sailor's face grew red as the kid got payback for the laughter earlier. He couldn't believe it. How could anyone think that he was the kid's father? Where would she get such a crazy idea from? They certainly looked nothing alike. Linebeck really hoped that this wouldn't be a common occurrence. After all, a captain had to maintain his superiority in front of the public, and people thinking he was a doting father wouldn't help that.
Linebeck turned around flustered, "H-he's not- I-I mean he's not my kid." The sailor straightened himself up and tried to regain composure. "He's my crew member."
The woman chuckled as he face grew pink, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed. I saw the green eyes and just assumed."
"It's fine." Linebeck quickly replied as he left the building, still a little red.
The kid and fairy were standing outside waiting for him. The kid's face was trying to suppress a smile. As soon as Linebeck shut the door, the fairy and boy broke out in laughter. The boy was holding his sides he was laughing so hard.
"Thanks for taking us shopping dad." the kid snickered.
"Oh quiet kid. It's Captain Linebeck to you." the sailor snapped. "We have a lot to do to get ready for tomorrow if we're going to find the Ghost Ship and its treasure."
With that, Linebeck turned and headed for the ship, ignoring the gigglefest behind him. He really was rethinking this whole taking on a kid thing, but he had already invested too much into this. Oh well, maybe the kid would wined up finding him a whole bunch of treasure.
I'm sorry this chapter was short, I promise that the others will be longer.