Side: Sharkie
Along the cost of Izoold, a young man fixed his somewhat gaudy vest that was a painfully bright red. The vest was adorned with many silver buttons, lining the seams every few inches. Under the vest was a plain black tank top made of a light material which ensured the man wouldn't overheat. As opposed to the other men that stalked about with their less gaudy vests and long pants, this man opted to wearing swim trunks, figuring that he'd somehow, if not guaranteed, be tossed into the ocean for some odd reason or another.
Sighing in somewhat exasperation, the man, who had chestnut colored hair, picked up another barrel that weighed too much for only having 30 kilograms of stolen goods, specifically apple gels and other medical items.
He, along many others, was loading barrel after barrel onto the ship docked in one of the global ports. Of course, within Aselia, many ports had been built since the reunification of the worlds, Sylvarant and Tethe'alla, that occurred a millenium ago, which followed the Great War of the Worlds. Not that Lloyd really cared at this point given that it didn't have much to do with him of all people.
"Lloyd, will ya hurry it up! We've got places to be, things to st-SELL!" A man with a goatee barked from the edge of the ship, waving his arms this way and that. "Do ya wanna get a pay cut from the capt'n when he figures yur slackin'- too busy fixin' that goddess forsaken vest of yurs?"
The brunette paused for a moment to give the other man a blank look.
"Why don't you come down here and help then?"
"... Funny story 'ere Sharkie, capt'n went ahead and ordered me to keep an eye out for those guys. Get my drift? Troublesome lot they are." The slightly older man said, running his hand through his medium length jet-black hair before pushing his headband back in place.
"Those guys huh? Fine, go and play 'I-spy' with the other crew then. I honestly don't care if those guys are here or not. And stop calling me that, it's annoying." Lloyd scoffed, going back to hauling cargo again.
"Whatever ya say Sharkie. There's not much work left anyway."
Ignoring the other pirate, Lloyd glanced towards the other groups of people hanging out around the port. He wasn't quite sure what to feel at the moment, considering that all these vendors and mercenaries did NOT notice a ton of wanted criminals walking about. Surprise? Relief? Pure bewilderment? Lloyd was pretty certain that almost everyone on the crew had wanted posters… Or he could be wrong.
"People sure are weird… or just plain stupid." The brunette sighed, frowning at his last barrel to haul off to the ship. Maybe it was due to the pirate crew dressing more casual than usual? Or maybe the wanted posters aren't accurate? "I think I look rather piratey if I say so myself…"
The teen pirate soon fell into step with another pirate who was carrying two barrels, though it appeared that the man would be smashed by them since he was rather small.
"Oh- 'ello there Sharkie! T'day's been a long day right mate? Capt'n sure doesn't cut us any breaks at all. At least well make tons of profit t'day, especially since our pockets been dryin' out with the Scythes causin' trouble at sea." The short man laughed, though one would only see his smile since his eyes were hidden behind long, wavy bangs. He too had brunette hair, maybe a slight shade darker though.
"Urgh- not you too Harold! Don't call me that."
"Eh? Call ya what?"
"Don't call me Sharkie!"
"But Sharkie has always been Sharkie?"
"No no no, that's not my name. My name is Lloyd. Please stop forgetting my name! I reminded you a few hours ago too!"
"Lloyd? Are y'sure yur name's Lloyd? But ya look like a Sharkie."
"How the heck do I look like a 'Sharkie'!?"
"Well, y'swim like a Shark? An' everybody calls ya Sharkie too, not jus' me. Are y'sure yur name's not Sharkie?"
"Yes- I'm REALLY sure my name is NOT Sharkie."
"Mhmm, if ya say so Lloyd."
"Really, please don't forget this time."
"Yah yah, I'll try not to Sharkie."
"...I give up."
The two pirates boarded the ship with their final cargo, setting the barrels down with a loud thump. Lloyd promptly made his way towards the lower cabins, figuring that he'd manage to swipe a plate of fried fish or two. Maybe three if he isn't caught.
The wooden floor boards creaked softly as the brunette passed other pirates that stood in the hallways talking to each other. Peering into the kitchen, Lloyd glanced around to make sure the chef wouldn't spot him.
The kitchen was empty.
The pirate raised an eyebrow at that. Maybe the chef was delivering food to the captain?
Lloyd shrugged, stepping into the kitchen and sneaking to the set plates of food.
"Sharkie? What'cha doin' in 'ere?"
"SHI-h-hey. You scared me Leo! What do you want?"
The pirate from earlier with the goatee stood by the doorway, leaning against the wall. He simply eyed Lloyd's hand that was outstretched for a plate of fish.
"What do I want? Nothin' much 'sides a fellow pirate's company. Don't feel like talkin' with yur first and only friend, Sharkie?"
"First of all, you're not my first friend nor my only friend. I have plenty of friends back home. Second, stop calling me that! Now everyone here thinks my name IS Sharkie!"
"Whatever Sharkie. Don't touch the grub though. Capt'n actually had chef make it for somethin', though I don't know for what."
Withdrawing his hand, Lloyd frowned. Seeing Leonardo leave to most likely the bow of the ship, the younger pirate followed after him. After all, Lloyd himself didn't have a task to really work on with the gang's recent raids. They'd most likely set sail to Flanoir to sell the goods there. By the time news got around about their raid on Izoold, they'd be long gone.
"I wonder if the newspaper is going to have a headline about us." Lloyd said with some curiosity.
"When have they not? We're the number one criminals of the sea! The infamous Ravens of the Sea!" Leonardo smirked.
"You have a point. It's been rather boring with how not even those so-called 'Miracle Mercenaries' are unable to put us behind bars."
"Miracle mercenaries? Ha! More like miserable merc'naries! I don't think th' church is even trying anymore with how little we've seen of their dogs."
Lloyd murmured a soft agreement, though at the same time he fought against remarking on the most obvious reason the church had yet to get serious; this year marked the beginning of the journey of salvation.
After a short moment of silence, Leo had a serious expression on his normally dorky face.
"Sharkie - I 'ave an idea if yur lookin' to make some trouble, and I mean serious trouble." Leo said, voice quiet with a tone that Lloyd couldn't quite place. The older pirate glanced about, as if he was treading on thin ice, before motioning for the younger gaudy pirate to follow him off deck.
"Wait, wait, wait. Leo, why are we getting of the ship? We need to depart soon - ten minutes to be precise. Can't you tell me this idea of yours on board?"
"I can't. The idea in itself ain't gonna work with the crew. 'specially since it'll make ya the number one person people want dead."
"W-What? Then why would I want to do that? I know how entertaining it is to get in trouble with the government and church, but that was a lesser form of mischief and crime. People want us hanged, but we are most definitely not a priority."
"I know that Sharkie. C'mon, I know how bored y'are everyday. An' it's about time you start walkin' yur own path. This idea ain't the only thing I need to inform ya of. Let's go to the sea cave over there. Don't worry 'bout me an' the rest of us."
Getting shoved down to the port and towards this sea cave that Leo had mentioned, Lloyd sighed with slight irritation and apprehension. What could possibly be going on that he didn't know?
xxx
"WHAT?" Lloyd was stunned into silence following his outburst at what his pirate friend had just told him.
"Shhh! Sharkie - now's not th' time to be yappin' so loud!" Leo snapped, glancing towards the entrance of the cave. "Understand this: the capt'n ain't who ya think he is! He's in cahoots with the church and those guys! Sides the fact I want my best bud to enjoy life, I'm also savin' yur hide. Capt'n had been preparin' to 'ave th' rest of us captured and hanged at Meltokio after dockin' at Flanoir."
"You can't be serious. The captain would never-"
"Lloyd, listen 'ere. I only found out a few 'ours ago. Capt'n is actually one of the high officers in Cr- those guys. Th' capt'n's already suspicious of me. I told Harold 'bout it, but he didn't believe me. If we're not hanged, we're most definitely gonna be experimented on if what I heard from the rumors say."
"..."
"An' this trouble that I suggest ya do- I think ya would actually take a lot of interest in it since it's about that regen journey an' provin' the world an' the church wrong. What better way to go out with than a bang?"
"Alright. I'll do it."
"Really Sharkie?"
"Yeah, yeah - I'll do this 'task' you suggested. Don't think I'll be thanking you for it though."
"Ha, never really expected you to. Any favors between us are cleared then Sharkie?"
"...yeah. Leo, don't be stupid."
The older pirate gave Lloyd a look before smirking. "I won't let 'em get me if that's what yur suggestin. My time is up an' I bid ya good luck Sharkie. Perhaps we'll meet another day."
"Goodbye Leonardo."
Lloyd remained standing in that spot, hidden partially in the shadows of the cave as soft footsteps became inaudible.
Facing towards the entrance of the cave, Lloyd let a small, smirk to paint itself on his face.
"I guess it's time to start the first step in my plan: steal the Chosen of Salvation."
