There were a number of things Alfred realized when he awoke a short time later.
The first thing he realized when he awoke a short time later was that he was not at home by any means, and that if anything he was probably far from it.
The second thing he realized when he awoke a short time later was that he was in a dark place, with bars surrounding him and a chain around his ankle that it took until now to realize was very uncomfortable.
The third thing he realized when he awoke a short time later was that he, thankfully, still had the amulet around his neck. He grasped it tight and held it close to his heart, feeling a sense of comfort wash over him just with it being by his side.
The fourth thing he realized when he awoke a short time later was that it was insanely dark, even with his adjusted vision. It wasn't welcoming in the slightest.
And yet with all of this, he could only think of one thing.
Matthew was going to murder him.
Taking a deep breath, Alfred tried to stumble to his feet, using the wall behind him to help himself up, when a massive headache suddenly spread across him with the action. He swayed, and feeling the urge to vomit, Alfred sat back down in hopes of letting it subside.
He waited for a moment, taking small little intakes of oxygen to clear his head and hopefully keep his rampaging stomach from spitting up anything that may still be inside. In the time he sat there, the boy took a moment to gather everything that had happened previously, piecing it altogether in a slow manner.
Their home had been attacked. He'd gone down the street in a mad dash to see what was the matter when he'd run into that accented pirate. Now that he thought back on it, that particular pirate had a strong, English accent. Nonetheless, he'd almost had himself sliced up when his father's amulet had been discovered. Apparently it held some significance he himself didn't know.
Alfred held up the trinket by the chain, watching it spin a bit with the movement. It still seemed to sparkle a bit, as if it were winking at him, trying to mask some secret to its hold, where it went. Was this little heirloom the key to something much greater? Could that be why the pirates had come? To search for it? What kind of mystery did this simple little amulet hold? What drove them to destroy a whole place, wreaking havoc all over, for this one treasure?
Whatever the reason, Alfred decided, it wasn't a good enough one to destroy his home. He didn't care what the cost, he'd have to die before he handed the last remnant of his father over.
He tried to stand again, and with more success than last time, he found himself standing in the dingy little space, gazing around like a child being punished for a reason he honestly and truly didn't know. Alfred walked to the edge, in a few steps, and gripped the bars tight, and gave them a rough shake.
It was locked, as he figured, he admitted. Though there had been a spark of hope that it wasn't, it was. Still hoping to make enough noise to gain the attention of something, good or bad, he shook it again. He repeated the motion until the noise got irritating even to him, and he stopped.
Alfred clenched his fingers together, suddenly taking note of how cold they felt, but he tried his best to ignore it. He then decided to use the next tactic, his voice. He had to bring some attention to himself so he could hope to figure out where he was, and why.
"Hey!" he bellowed loudly, hearing his own voice echo a bit due to the emptiness. "Hey! Let me out!"
The blond went quiet just long enough to hear the sound of shuffling from above. He swallowed heavily, the sound of his heartbeat evident in his chest. As if on instinct, Alfred backed up, hoping to see someone come across.
There was a rustle of unlocking at what he supposed was the door at the end of the hall, it opened, and a bit of light poured in. The shadow of a person was revealed, and soon the silhouetted figure came into view, and with the bit of light, it was easy enough to make out the person's features.
"You're so loud, aru! You're lucky Captain is willing to see you now, since you are obviously awake!" the figure grumbled, arms crossed across the chest. Alfred wanted to retort, but instead he figured to hold up his hands in some sort of mock apology, and looked him over.
The person was male from the voice, but looked a bit feminine with long, dark hair, tied back into a ponytail. His clothes were less extravagant than the pirate he'd met before, clearly more of a worker. Alfred wasn't going to lie, this guy looked like he was going to take him by the throat and kick his ass.
"Quit staring! It's creepy aru! Kiku! Kiku come help me escort him to the Captain aru!" the man barked in the direction the door.
Alfred really wasn't quite understanding what 'aru' meant, but didn't have a chance to ask as the pirate from before appeared. It was the shorter, darker haired one, clearly of Asian decent with a better look at him. He nodded shortly at the other man.
"Hai, sorry Yao-San. I got a bit…tied up."
"It's okay, just help me here."
The one called Kiku held up the keys and handed it to the other male, in which he quickly unlocked the door. He threw it open and stared at him, Alfred staring at him right back.
"You know, I'd love to walk out with you, but I kind of got this…" Alfred said sarcastically, indicating to his chained ankle.
Yao frowned a bit, clearly displeased with his tone of voice as he went over to him, and motioned for Kiku to follow.
"Please don't run away," Kiku said as the soft click of the lock falling fell. "It would be most unpleasant for you."
"Wasn't planning on it," Alfred responded truthfully. "Honestly, I wanna know why I'm here and how the hell I'm getting home."
The taller of the two shoved the blond a bit, indicating him to walk forward, in which he complied. He saw no point in trying to run away for a number of reasons. One, there was nowhere to run, considering he'd figured out he was on a ship by this point, and two, he wanted to talk to the captain himself.
Kiku took hold of his arm and steered him in certain directions, and it was then Alfred realized the height difference between them. Kiku was rather short, he noticed. He supposed he hadn't noticed it the night of the attack, due to the fact that he'd been so wrapped up in other things.
They didn't speak to one another; there was no need. Alfred couldn't think of anything he should say to him anyway, so he continued just following which ways to turn.
When forever seemed as though it had finally passed, they arrived at a door near the end of one of the halls. Kiku knocked on it somewhat loudly, and Alfred wasn't sure if the person inside would even hear it. But he did, however.
"Come in."
Yao opened the door, and the three of them walked inside. Alfred's eyes immediately flew around the room, taking in the detail of everything.
It was an elegant sort of place, a beautiful wooden desk sitting firmly towards the back of the room, a red, velvety sort of chair embroidered along the edges in some kind of golden finish. Along the top of the desk were books, and a few maps, with an inkbottle of black ink, a feather pen poking out from the top. There was also a pistol sitting there, though Alfred himself had no idea if it was loaded.
Alfred then looked at the person sitting in said chair, and felt himself mesmerized by the appearance. It was the same man as before, clad in the familiar scarlet coat as before, nearly the same attire. The same white undershirt as before, the same cravat placed at the neck, the same dark pants tucked into the same, laced boots at the front (he knew because they were promptly propped up on the desk). His hat was still on, as well, shadowing his eyes slightly to make them appear to glow a bright emerald green.
The captain smirked at him, and Alfred felt a sense of discomfort wash over him. The amulet suddenly felt heavy around his neck, and he almost didn't want to meet his eyes. He did so, however, and stared back with all the might he could muster.
"Yao, Kiku, leave us," he said calmly, not tearing his gaze from the blond. "We'll talk in private."
Neither Asian argued as they left the room.
They stared for a long moment before the pirate broke the gaze, and pulled his feet off the desk. He rested his cheek on the knuckle of his hand, and his smirk seemed to widen.
"Well, hello again. I suppose the only thing you're thinking of is why on earth you're here, correct?" the captain asked, staring expectantly.
Alfred pondered for a moment to think of if he should say anything. He wasn't sure if not speaking would show he was indeed a bit frightened, but he wasn't sure if speaking would get him anywhere good. Matthew had always told him his big mouth was going to get him killed.
In the end, he only nodded.
The captain didn't seem to think anything of the quiet response, and nodded in turn. "Understandable. But let's cut to the chase, shall we? The only reason you're here is because I want that precious little treasure dangling around your neck."
Upon instinct, he raised his hand to the trinket, clenching it tight between his fingers, the cool metal heating up with his touch. He scowled a bit, and before he knew it he was retorting. "I don't understand why you took me aboard. If you wanted it that bad you could've killed me easily and just taken it. So why?"
Alfred was surprised by his own words, the fact that he'd said them at any rate. He stared, waiting for the man's gaze to darken or even a sneer, but nothing came. The smirk still remained, and if anything, he seemed more amused.
"You're a smart one, aren't you? Why is a question I am in no position to answer for you. You're here because I said so, and that's the way you'll know it until I decide otherwise, savvy?" the captain said blatantly, raising an eyebrow.
Alfred frowned, and went to open his mouth when the man cut him off once more. "Now, on a more urgent scale, I want you to give me your amulet."
Finally, Alfred could speak. "No."
"No?"
"You can't have it!" the blond argued, shaking his head. "I can't…I can't let you have it for so many reasons…so if you think taking me to some place where I'm away from home is going to change my mind, you're wrong!"
The captain rose from his chair, and stared at him blankly, clearly unwilling to show any signs of emotion; whether it was frustration or amusement. He walked over to him painfully slow, and Alfred had to force himself not to back up.
"I could kill you. I could kill you and leave your dead corpse here on my floor, watching your blood spill out of your body and rip that amulet from right around your neck…" the captain said darkly, but then frowned. "…But I won't. So here is what I'll tell you, lad. I will allow you to keep that amulet, for now. Just know, in time it will be mine."
The last words sent some sort of chill down his spine, and he didn't know why. He bit his lip, and swallowed, but said nothing. The captain crossed his arms and tilted his head a bit. "Oh, and one more thing. What the bloody hell do I call you?"
Alfred figured that was a pirate's way of asking your name. He quickly found his voice. "Alfred. Alfred F. Jones."
His smirk returned. "Alright then, Alfred. You will know me as Captain Arthur Kirkland."
FINALLY GOT THREE OUT. UGH.
I've actually been working on this for a few days now. I almost lost the entire thing once, but luckily it saved for me so everything is swell! :'D 3
This is actually my longest chapter, surpassing 2,000 words. I'm happy with the chapter, to be honest, so I hope it sounds good to everyone else! Here we get formally introduced to our Captain. ;D
Also, for Yao, I really hope I wrote him right. This is my first time writing him officially, so I hope it sounds well enough to muster ^^;
All in all, thanks for reading, and I hope to see you next chapter! Peaches, Sprinkles, and Cheers! :D Please read and review if you have a chance~
-IchigoMelon