The Mishaps of Piracy

Chapter Three: Attribute

Yu felt the white-haired stranger wrap an arm around his waist, dragging him across the floor and up the stairs. He felt much lighter without the weight of the chains. He whimpered softly as they neared the light. How he hated what came with it. Pain, screams-usually his, though they quieted as he grown used to the beatings-the sickness that sometimes came with the infected but quickly healing wounds, and the hunger. He heard the white-haired boy whisper comforting words, a foreign language he had never heard of. "Where are we going?" he asked, but he only received a black stare. He sighed with frustration. Communicating was going to be a chore. He glanced at the other's face, seeing the irritation in the other's eyes. He ducked his head. He didn't want to be thought of as bothersome, useless. "Allen Walker" said something again in a cheerful voice, talking soothingly to him. He found it comforting, and he leaned forward with a sense of warmth.

Allen adjusted the brunet onto his back, hooking his arms under the knees of the other male. He was surprised that someone taller-even slightly- would be so light. He guessed 100 hundred pounds, more or less. He felt the other male's long, elfin fingers digging into the soft flesh of his shoulder before wrapping loosely around his neck. He closed his grey eyes as the rain fell softly from the thick, cloudy sky in gentle plops against the ground. Rain was one of the weathers he liked, one similarity between him and his master. As the water gathered in the muddy streets, he could hear the slipping and slapping of water as the rest of his crew followed behind him, followed by crowds of what resembled police. Allen laughed, breaking into a run, his legs carrying him faithfully to his adored ship.

The brunet's long, dark hair tickled his neck, and a cold cheek pressed against the junction of his nape and shoulder. Allen looked back at the boy; suddenly sheepish for realizing he hadn't introduced himself to the boy he was saving. But what could he do about it? He'd have to wait for Lavi. The brunet angled his head in slumber, his hands clinging childishly to the front of Allen's shirt. This boy couldn't be much older than him, though it was difficult to tell, the boy being so unhealthy and all. The brunet was slipping from his hold, and he adjusted the Japanese boy again. Maybe he could get Lala to help carry the brunet.

The rain was pelting hard now as Allen sat the young Japanese male onto the damp deck. There was movement all around him as his crew, without his orders, knew exactly what their jobs were. Days like these, Allen knew he would have some time to relax. A petite girl with fluffy knee-length golden hair was suddenly by his side. "Ah, Lala. I'm feeling a bit hungry, could you get Jerry to whip up a snack for me?"

The blonde shook her head. "I'm afraid that's impossible. She frowned. "Apparently he caught the flu from Jean." Allen sighed, massaging his temples. Two workers in one swoop. Wonderful, he thought mournfully. "Not the only decent cook on the ship…" Jerry was one of the-no, the best-chefs he had ever had the privilege to meet. "I… see. Can you help me get him into a bunk? I do believe there should be at least one left…"

"Actually, the last bunk down below went to the last person you took in…" the doll said.

"Oh yeah. Lavi. I forgot about that," Allen said.

Lala stared at Allen's face. "I think that… her room must still be available," she commented quietly. "But whether you want a stranger in that bed, it's entirely up to you, Captain." Allen looked toward the brunet now propped up in the blonde's arms.

"Yes. Do that for me, will you, Lala?" She nodded, slinging the Japanese brunet over his narrow shoulders. Thank God for such helpful dolls.

"Get out of the rain, Captain, you'll catch a cold."

Allen laughed. "In a few minutes." He wanted to stay out a little longer, almost because it was an attribute of respect to her.