Sunlight streamed through the window of Arthur's cabin, covering his face in warmth. The morning sun promised a good, warm day, full of potential miracles. Arthur's legs were tangled in the blankets that previously covered his bed, and his arms were splayed out around him. Captain Kirkland snored softly, then mumbled incoherently and rolled over in his bed. His eyes blinked open slowly, and he rubbed at his face.
Then Arthur heard an uproar coming from outside. Bangs and crashes were followed by a strangled, "Get back here!" That annoying voice . . . Then came a noise that sounded like china breaking and tables being overturned.
The pirate face-palmed and thought, What has Yong Soo done now? He struggled to get up from his comfortable laying position just in time to see his cabin door open and slam shut. He locked eyes with a child's frightened blue eyes and the events of last night came rushing in.
"Oh, bullocks-" The door burst open again, this time revealing flowing blue and white robes.
"There you are, you little-" Yong Soo swiped at the boy, who dived toward Arthur's bed with a choked, "Iggy!"
The child made it to Arthur's side and hid behind the captain, trembling with fear. The Korean looked up and realized he was in the captain's room. He began to flush a little bit.
"Oh, sorry, Captain Kirkland . . . I found this kid on the decks while I was cleaning and he probably climbed on last night while we were anchored to the dock, I don't really understand how he was able to get on board but I can take care of it right away sir-"
"Yong Soo, stop. I took this kid in last night." Arthur said, rubbing his temples. The shocked countenance written on Yong Soo's face almost made Arthur laugh, but he bit his tongue in hopes of keeping his quickly fading pride. The Korean shook his head and repeated, "You took him in?"
Arthur rolled his eyes and said, "Yes. I took him in." Yong Soo grinned and replied, "I get it! Sorry about that disruption, captain! But, uh . . . the crew is kinda curious about the kid."
"Of course. Leave me for a few minutes to get dressed, then I will come and explain everything." The shipman nodded and quickly exited the room, leaving Arthur with the boy still huddled behind him. He sighed and turned to face the boy, who buried his face in Arthur's backside.
"Sorry about that, chap . . ." Arthur said, patting the kid on the head. The child sniffled and looked up at the pirate, and his eyes said, It's okay. Then Arthur lifted up his comfortable wool covers and clambered out of bed, the boy trailing after him. He quickly opened his cupboards and retrieved his gaudy pirate outfit, which he placed on his bed. The young boy watched with big eyes as Arthur shed his shirt from last night and donned his blood red top.
"Err . . . could you look away for a second?" Arthur said, his face beginning to turn red. The boy grinned mischievously and shook his head, taking a seat on the bed. Arthur looked up at the ceiling and groaned something incoherent, then turned and hastily exchanged his pants.
"You are such a . . . " He muttered at the boy, who was giggling adorably. Any ire the pirate might have had was quickly melted as the child gave him a five-star smile and leaned over to hug him.
"Iggy!"
"Oh, bugger . . . come on. You have a grand entrance to attend." The pirate tried to sound stern, but it came out more like an affectionate parent. Look at what you've done to me, you little prat.
Stepping out of his own door, Arthur felt a little like he was stepping into another door. He was seeing his own ship the way a little kid was, every possible nook and cranny, every potential hiding spot or trouble area. Loose ropes swayed in the wind like nooses, and metal poles clacked together like skeleton teeth. The Bloody Wolfsuddenly seemed to invoke its namesake more than ever before.
The little hand inside his clenched together, whether in fear or apprehension Arthur didn't know. He squeezed back comfortingly, then turned to face his crew.
"Everyone, I am sure you have heard of the commotion caused this morning. The reason for that is right here," Arthur declared, gesturing to the little boy. "Last night, I found this lad on the street. I have taken him in, so I expect everyone gathered to treat him like one of the crew."
"Captain, you found a sveetheart! That boy is so cute!" Elizaveta gushed as she pushed her way in front of the crowd and kneeled down before the child. "Little one, what is your name?"
"Elizaveta, the boy has trouble talk-" Arthur interrupted.
"Alfred!" The boy confidently shouted, stepping in front of Arthur. "Alfred! I Alfred!" Arthur gaped as Elizaveta clapped her hands in front of her face and grinned.
"Alfred! That is a vonderful name! Well, little Alfred, you can consider yourself to be officially recognized on this ship!" Elizaveta crooned, hugging Alfred as the boy began to flush slightly and the crowd of gathered sailors began to chuckle.
"Oi, Elizaveta, don't scare the tyke! We all know how frightening you can be!" Yelled Kyle. Elizaveta stuck out her tongue at him and would have given him the bird if Arthur didn't choose that moment to step out in front of them and begin to speak.
"Erm . . . Elizaveta, if you didn't notice, Alfred is having some problems speaking. We need someone to help him with his speech impediment- It's not bad," he added quickly when he saw the worried look Alfred gave him. Elizaveta nodded and gave an enthusiastic "yes."
"I vould love to! This little one is so adorable, it vould be my pleasure!" She beamed at him.
Arthur smiled and said, "Great. Thank you." Then he turned back to the rest of the crew and clasped his hands in front of his chest. "Alright. I have a question to ask you lot. Since our grand escapade yesterday, our destination has been up in the air. As you all know, we have as much money as any noble worth his title, so money is not a problem. Now, to the matter at hand . . . to what poor country shall we bestow our lovely selves?"
The question echoed around for a second before an obnoxious voiced piped up.
"Anywhere is good, man! We got gold, we got freedom, and, most of all, we got no stupid navy on our butts like usual!" Choruses of agreement clamored agreement with Yong Soo's statement.
"Zat is true! Ve have all ze zings a pirate could vant!" Katyusha exclaimed happily. Elizaveta nodded from her spot next to Alfred and flashed Arthur the thumbs-up.
"Eh, Cap'n, why don't we just sail for a while? We don't need a destination to be happy," Kyle added.
Arthur was surprised for a millisecond, then broke out into a relenting, mature smile. He scratched the back of his head and said, "If that is what you blokes want . . . We'll start sailing immediately." Everyone on deck broke out into smiles, and a great roar of applause followed Arthur's answer. The pirate chuckled inwardly. It isn't too hard to please these pirates, isn't it?
Then, dramatically, he removed a knife from its scabbard on his hip and set it on the ground. It wasn't anything special; just a silver knife with a wooden hilt and a small false ruby set into the base. "Alfred, would you like to do the honors?" The pirate asked. The boy didn't reply but cautiously walked up to the weapon. He kneeled down and gently flicked the knife.
Even though Alfred didn't tap the hilt that hard, the blade whisked across the deck with a spin akin to a football. Its rotation caused the blade to blur, making its outcome unpredictable. Just like the wheel of fate, Arthur thought absentmindedly as he watched. For a second longer, the dagger whirled into the deck. Then, with a sharp THUNK, itimbedded itself into the wall of the deck and was silent.
It seemed every sound on the deck had been muffled, and even when the knife shanked the deck, a quiet persisted. Even the masts and normally rickety chains were stifled in the silence, edging around as the wind died into a small breeze.
"Zat's . . . West . . ." Francis whispered, breaking the silence. "To zhe New World."
A/N: Longer chapter this time! And Alfred and Arthur are being adorable, as per usual.
I want to apologize about Katyusha's and Elizaveta's accents . . . I don't mean to be rude with the accents, it's just that they are a really fun way to make the character unique. I don't really know how to type a Korean accent because I've never heard Korean . . . ;
Critiques make my day! And flames will be ignored or used to make dessert. :)
