Mother Pineapple - u - It just worked out well. Though I'm sure Rosie will have more Pineapple themed nicknames for him in the future. XD
"Just pick some, why is this taking so long?!" I hear Ace complain loudly, rolling my eyes I pull on a pair of shorts and a tank that stops above my stomach. "Rose, this isn't fun, you made this sound like it'd be fun." He continues to voice obnoxiously. As I push the curtain to the side I turn to the three pirates that I'm shopping with and direct a glare at Ace. "I change my mind; I'll go find some more stuff for you try on." Ace says attempting to get up, but Thatch holds him down shaking his head.
Smirking at Ace I turn to Rai, because obviously Ace won't be any help with this. "Can you move around without feeling constricted?" He questions, to which I twist my body and nod my head, giving me a thumbs up he takes a seat. "Next."
Closing the curtains I change into a pair of capris which still offers plenty of mobility, again I show the three of them. "I like the shorts more." The freckled one vocals disapprovingly.
"Ace the point of this is so that she can fight, not look how you want." Thatch says shaking his head. "Good." He says smiling.
This process goes on for several outfits until I'm satisfied with the amount of clothes I have replaced. "So how did you get Marco to agree to this?" Ace asks curiously.
Smirking at the three boys now looking at me with interest I shrug my shoulders. "I told him I'd be running around naked if I didn't get some proper clothes." I explain simply, to which all three of them blush. "I didn't think he'd agree so quickly though." Then again Marco has walked in on me several times, whether on purpose or not I don't know, but the man has seen my bare back one too many times.
"Yes, anyways" Rai says turning to the guy at the counter. "We'd like to purchase these clothes for the lady." He says pulling out his wallet.
"Your money isn't good." The cashier says simply with a snooty look in his eyes.
Feeling my eye twitch in annoyance I let out a deep breath. "I suppose you make good money turning down paying customers." I say glaring at him. "Or is it that you're too stuck up and 'good' for the money?" I ask him as Thatch pinches my arm lightly.
The cashier looks up at me to glare, I just stare right back at him, my obvious rebellious streak I've seem to adapt to since living with pirates showing through. Hesitantly he takes the clothes and begins to total them up. Rai pays the man easily and takes the bags he'd put them in.
"Rosie, Marco said no trouble." Rai says gently. "That kind of thing happens to us a lot." He says like it was nothing, like there is nothing wrong with prejudice twerps like him. "Stop making that face." He says groaning.
Pouting I nod my head. "I wouldn't have done anything serious." I say finally as we head to the next store. The end result basically the same, only this time Ace takes it up.
"Look the girl is a lady; we're not trying to cause any trouble." He says simply. "We're taking this delicate flower out for some clothes."
Hesitantly the man nods his head glaring at Ace for a moment before looking at me. "I suspect that'll be all." He asks shortly, to which we nod our heads collectively.
...
Sitting at a café table I look at the table contemplating how people can be so quick to judge, but then again I suppose they've seen other sides to pirates. Smiling as Ace nudges me I say "See painless." I say hooking arms with Ace, who rolls his eyes. "If you weren't complaining so much I would have finished sooner." I tell him pinching him lightly.
Enjoying the warm spring air I lean my head back so that the sun warms it up nicely. "When we get back you'll start learning the art of the sword." Thatch says grinning at me "Then following that you'll be fighting against Rai." Nodding my head I stretch my arms up happily. "What's with the content look?"
Sticking my tongue out at him I shrug my shoulders. "I'm just happy today, is that so bad?" I ask him playfully, "Besides the weather is nice so it's perfect for practicing." I tell him happily, though I am a bit peeved about the rude cashiers.
Ace ruffles my hair lightly, "Well then I guess we better hurry." He says waving his hand up for a waiter, but being ignored he lets out a sigh.
"We should just eat on the ship." Rai says disinterestedly. "We're not going to get served here." He says getting up, Thatch nods his head in agreement, and the others get up following his lead, standing up as well while grabbing my bags I frown.
"Rose it happens a lot, don't worry about it." Thatch says taking the bags from my hand. "It's part of the lifestyle."
"Not all pirates are bad." I mutter shaking my head, now that I'm actually looking I can see the people either glaring, but more over looking at us terrified, well at Thatch, Ace and Rai like that, like the three of them are about to attack them without a reason. Then again I suppose these people have seen a large number of pirates that are vicious and bloodthirsty purely for the sake of being that way.
Walking through town with the boys all talking casually, sighing I try to let the looks go, after all I have seen both sides of the coin.
Feeling something wet fall on me I look around to see a man glaring at me. "Sympathizing with them makes you just as bad." He says spitefully. "Walking around with them as though they haven't committed crimes, when they've gone around murdering innocent people, you're just as bad!" He yells before spitting on me I look at him like he's crazy, trying to process what has happened exactly, then of course are the people nodding their heads agreeing and laughing along with him.
Rai's arm comes around me and pulls me forward. "Ignore it Rose, he's not worth it." He whispers tugging me along.
Rai and Ace both work on trying to calm me down while Thatch just glares back at the man, no trouble, right. Steadying my breathing I take exact steps, I ignore the anger, the humiliation and take a deep breath, walking back to the ship all the while trying to convince myself that it wasn't so embarrassing as it seemed.
"Go get changed and I'll get Vista." Thatch says patting my shoulder while handing me the bags. "And for the record Rose, you handled that very well." He says smiling at me.
"I agree." Ace and Rai agree heartily, rolling my eyes I glare at them.
"Handled what well?" I hear Marco's very tired and lazy tone say coming from somewhere on my right, turning grudgingly I frown. "Girlie?" He asks raising a brow at me as he walks closer to inspect me. "Why are you soaked and smell like beer?"
"A spot of trouble on our way out of town" Rai volunteers carefully. "Other than that it was an uneventful trip into town." He says dryly. "Anyways Rosie go get changed so we can get you in practice." He says all this like it was nothing, and I know they're all saying it for my sake.
Nodding my head I leave the group of men still slightly angry from that man's actions, how carelessly he'd acted towards me for who I'm friends with; even if he is a stranger it was infuriating.
…
"What happened?" I ask them seriously, Rose looked angry, and not the kind that Ace, Rai, Thatch or me could get out of her, this one looked offended. "She looks like something happened."
"Rose is probably a bit embarrassed." Ace says intelligently for once. "On our way out of town a guy poured his drink all over her and then spit on her, she hasn't said anything, but it's not an easy thing to let go of as she has."
I stare at them all stopping to stare at Rai he nods his head. "I know, I know." He mutters heading off to go check on Rose while Thatch gives me a knowing look. "Ace get a move on it, we got to make sure Rose is alright." He calls to the fire user.
"I'll point him out." Thatch says heading back off the ship with me. "But Marco, remember Pops said no trouble."
"It's not trouble; it's a lesson on how to properly treat a lady." I tell him simply falling in step next to him.
Thatch chuckles as we head into town again on a bit of a mission. "Since Rose has come you've been a bit different you know?" He says suddenly, scoffing I shake my head at my friend. "We've known each other for years and have been friends for just as long, Marco I've never seen you so protective or hell bent on something like this for a girl." He observes.
I nod my head, I'll concede that I've never really gone out of my way like this to protect someone like Rose, but I've never been around someone who's quite like the blue haired girl. "Rose isn't like anyone." I say finally, not very convincing or a real explanation, but the only thing I can manage.
"She's a good looking girl, but a little young for you don't you think?" He teases me nudging my shoulder lightly.
Glaring at him I shake my head at my comrade. "Rose is not that young, and I'm not that old." I counter a bit offended at him insinuating I am old. "And stop thinking whatever it is you're thinking to make you smile like that." I command uselessly seeing his face already smirking at me knowingly.
"We both know Rose is young. After all she is even younger than Rai." I'll admit that, she is young, much more than most women I have paid any attention to, but then again we're back the fact she isn't quite like those other woman. "Well that's the guy." Thatch says pointing to a man with a scar running down the side of his face as we enter the little town.
…
Having rinsed off from the liquid that had been so rudely dumped on me and not to forget his spit, shuddering I rub soap against my arm again, I feel that same flare of anger go through me again. Stepping out I dry off my hair and then my body before I slip into a pair of shorts and one of the tanks that I'd gotten today, heading up to the deck I see Vista waiting patiently while talking with Rai and Ace.
"Are you ready to begin?" The curly-haired swordsman asks me kindly.
Nodding my head I pull my hair back with a ribbon, the same that had saved me from being crushed by not just boards but a certain blonde commander weeks and weeks ago.
Explaining the basics to me Vista quickly gets into the dynamics and rules of the sword and what it takes to begin mastering a blade. Asking me about my previous experience I tell him about a marine that had taught me a little bit.
"You need to be firm; a blade should only cut when the wielder says so." Vista says intelligently, I'm practicing on a dummy, well one of sorts. Ace looks a bit offended by his position in this situation. "Now strike." He commands doing so I continue practicing the various things with the sword I was given. "Very good Rose." He says grinning at me as I take a break to wipe the sweat from my forehead.
"Thank you Vista." I grin at him pleasantly. "You're a very good teacher." I compliment him sheathing the sword, setting it down carefully; I smile at him taking a seat on deck.
"Rose you're getting pretty good." A crewmate says smiling at me friendly. "You're picking up on all the trainings quickly." He compliments me as he passes by with a barrel over his shoulder.
Chuckling I nod my head. "I still have a long way to go." I say looking up at the very blue sky. "Alright next!" I call seeing Rai smile at me, heading over he hands me a glass of water. "Thanks."
"Are you sure you're not a fighter?" He asks chuckling. "Or maybe a pirate? Huh?" He teases me helping me up.
Rolling my eyes I down the cup of water easily. "I am positive, and Ace thanks." I say seeing him walking off to complete some chores, or flirt with the nurses, probably the latter.
"Anything for you" He says waving it off carelessly. "You better practice hard Rosie." He says winking at me before adjusting his hat.
…
Panting I glare at Rai. "You did not have to throw me into the water." I tell him sourly as I shake my head, to which he simply chuckles at. "That is not what I meant when I said I wanted to cool off and you know it!" I say whacking his arm.
"Rosie it's not like you can't take yet another shower. You know I'm sure I've ever met someone who showers so much." He teases me as Thatch and Marco get back on the ship, both looking exceeding pleased with themselves. "What?" He mutters seeing my attention isn't directed to him anymore.
"What were they doing?" I ask him curiously as Marco chuckles at whatever Thatch had said and both slapping each other on the back.
"Probably just went out for a drink." Rai says shrugging his shoulder. "I'm gonna go get you a towel or something." He says walking off randomly as I turn to face him.
"Oi, Girlie" I hear Marco call, turning to him I tilt my head while grabbing my hair to wring it over the side of the ship. Walking over to me with a frown evident on his face he points to my clothes accusingly. "I thought you bought clothes so you wouldn't be running around naked!"
I look down; I am most definitely not naked. "I have clothes on though." I tell him pointing to my shirt and shorts. "I'm not naked." I tell him coolly.
"And you're not covered." He counters haughtily. "Girlie how is this different from your clothes you had before?!" He says upset for whatever reason.
I glance at Thatch unsure how to proceed with this conversation. "They're not cut up?" I offer frowning. "Anyways I'm tired Marco we can fight later." I say heading off to meet Rai. Walking over to Rai I shake my head, accepting the towel. "What's with Marco?" I ask him drying my stomach and legs off, then my hair, well as much as I can.
"I don't know, why?" Rai asks glancing at his commander. "I assumed he was happy, why did you two fight again?"
Rolling my eyes I kind of nod my head. "He came over spouting nonsense about me being naked when I am obviously not." I say simply flipping my hair over my shoulder and tying it up.
…
After eating a very big meal for dinner I bid everyone goodnight, while they prefer to drink and party all night, I much rather shower and get some rest. I'm not sure where their energy comes from, but at least they have it.
"You know I thought you'd have learned by now." I hear that annoying voice full of fire and hatred towards me. "You're not as smart as I thought." She quips as I turn to face her.
"I really don't see what your problem is with me." I tell him calmly. "I haven't done anything to you have I?" I ask her indignantly, I do not need to be terrorized by her after what had happened in town.
Glaring at me she steps closer threatening. "You've stolen someone away from me. I do not exactly appreciate it." She says heatedly, so this is about someone, not about me being a liability to the crew per say, but to someone she obviously wants. "Don't look so high and mighty."
"Don't look so petty." I counter, Riana stares at me surprised and angry, I'll admit I was surprised, but I don't regret it. "Look, whoever it is I'm sure they're not interested in me." I say simply half insulting myself, but if it'll get her to leave me alone why not take a hit to the ego?
Her gaze seems to intensify. "That's just the problem." She says poisonously. "He does." Pushing me harshly against the wall she tugs my hair. "And I'm trying to find out why exactly, why would, Marco be so interested in a boring little child like you."
"Obviously I'm not so boring or a child like you seem to think, if Marco is even interested in me then he may just have gotten better taste." Pushing her hand away and grabbing it before, I can't really believe how brave I'm being, but I'll keep it up if she's shocked and not saying spiteful things towards me. "So if you don't mind I'd appreciate it if you'd just leave me alone." I tell her walking off, in my bedroom I grab a large t-shit and a change of undergarments before heading to the commander's bathroom, locking the door behind me I quickly wash my hair and body, relaxing under the warm water before drying off and changing.
As I leave I bump into someone who has caused me a bit of trouble, though indirectly. "Oh, sorry Marco." I say simply moving out of the way.
"Girlie, you've gotten quite bold." He says smirking at me. "So outspoken." He says as I blush, obviously the stupid pineapple heard me arguing with Riana. "Though, my taste has never been for one like her." He says pushing me out of the doorway, his hand lingering a bit longer than it normally would, shutting the door behind him I run to my room, blushing furiously at his words.
"Stupid Pineapple…" I mutter into my pillows trying to get a grasp of the situation and to remember if I had said anything embarrassing or not.
