A/N Welp, started writing this one right after the last chapter. Let's see how long it takes me to finish! :D
Disclaimer: Hell naw~!
Arc One, Chapter Twelve: Loose Lips May Sink Ships, But This Time It's Just What We Need
The next morning was bright and clear, the sea air crisp. Many different people bustled around the large town, occasionally bumping into Ludwig or receiving strange looks. It wasn't very common for someone like the German to show up... It had taken him all night to get to the port town of York. He was tired but first things first. Ludwig continued to walk and get an idea of the layout, eventually coming to the docks and spotting the Arcadia to the far end. Least he knew they were here and not out at sea; that was a good sign that Feliciano should be around.
After a bit more walking he spotted the sign he was looking for. Hanging off the front of a large building it read 'Tavern and Inn'. Just what he needed right now. With a spring in his step, Ludwig made his way over and into the building.
"Can I help ya?" a voice from behind the counter called to him as he entered. A young man sat there with a guest log off to the side.
"Ja... Need a room for a week..." Ludwig said, walking over to the man.
"Sure, just sign the book, it'll be five silver... It includes your evening meal," the man explained, turning the book and laying a quill for the German to sign. Digging out the coins he needed, Ludwig laid them down on the counter and signed the book. "Thank you and here's your room key, number two is up the stairs, first one on your left."
Ludwig gave the man a smile as he took the key and headed up. He'd sleep a bit before scouting out possible places. A young dirty blond boy nearly collided with him, managing to stop just in time. "Oh, sorry," the preteen apologized before racing off once more.
"Peter what have I told you about running inside!" Another blonde, this time with almost golden colored hair, called after the small energetic blue eyed boy as she started down the stairs. She had woken up with only Arthur in bed, Alfred probably having gone off to check on some things. "Sorry about him, enjoy your stay!" she said resting a hand on Ludwig's shoulder before contiuing down the stairs and off in the direction of the kitchen.
"It's quite alright..." Ludwig muttered as he continued up the stairs and made the left to his room. Once inside he locked the door, dropped the bag, and collapsed on the bed. He was out before he could even take his boots off.
Meanwhile, Feliciano was simply staring at the ceiling, unmoving. He hadn't gotten any sleep last night and it showed in the way his brown eyes seemed duller, as well as the faint marks under his eyes. The Italian was still situated in his little corner, pictures he'd drawn on the floor by moonlight surrounding him. "Breakfast," Becky called as she unlocked the door and walked in with a bowl of hot oatmeal. "Wow you look like crap..." she said unabashedly, setting the bowl infront of him and brushed some hair from his face. Feliciano's eyes traveled to Becky's face, seeming to take a few moments to process what he was seeing before a spark of recognition lit them.
"Ve~ You came back. Grazie," he thanked with a small smile, picking up the bowl and blowing on it. "I couldn't stop thinking about mio Fratello..."
"Well I told you I'd bring breakfast didn't I?" she said, giving him a kiss on the top of the head for comfort. "And I know how you feel... When Matt, Al, and Art started going out I was worried sick." Going over into the other corner she took the bucket that was there and left the room with it, returning in a moment with a new one.
"Ve? Oh, sorry; I forgot," Feliciano replied. "Fratello's going to come save me soon, I know it. It's always been like that; Lovino protecting me. I just wish that I could do the same sometimes..." He ate a spoonful of oatmeal, though his movements seemed like someone else was pulling the strings. Like a doll in a child's hands.
"Well I'll be sure to bill you for any and all damages then," Becky replied with a smile. Once he was done, or mostly done she collected the bowl. "I'll be bringing some water by for you later to wash up." Captive or not she'd treat them well, unless told otherwise, and so far he's been the nicest one kept down there. Feliciano looked at her before giving a nod of gratitude.
"Ve~ You're really nice Miss Rebecca. You're going to make a man very happy one day, I can tell." He paused before shifting his position a little. "I won't let Fratello wreck this place. It's an inn, right? I can tell because of how loud it gets sometimes."
"Oh I already do... I'll be sure to let Arthur know..." She grinned before giving a nod. "Yup, it's been in my family for a while now. Anyway we'll meet again, later!" she said with a wave and headed out once again. The Italian pirate lifted a hand in a wave before letting it drop back to the floor.
"Ve... I'll be ok. And even if I'm not, I'll get to see mama and papa again~ Kind of a hollow victory there, though." He chuckled a bit at that before letting his eyes shut. Feliciano's words were met with only soft footsteps and the sound of a door closing. Becky was going to have to have a little talk with Arthur about this guy... She didn't want him here much longer. The loud violent guys she could deal with, keep her distance, but this one? Using soft words and emotion to get to her... Well, it was working and Rebecca was finding it hard to keep unattatched to the young Vargas.
"Art... we need to talk..." she said walking back into their room, her eyes landing on the blond. Arthur looked up from a map he'd... Acquired, to put it nicely.
"What is it Becky?" he asked, setting the slightly worn parchment aside for the time being.
"I want him out of my basement..." she said simply as she walked over and slipped her arms around the other's neck, laying her head ontop of his. "Get whatever you need from him and let him go..." The Brit wrapped her in a one armed hug, looking at Becky with a touch of worry.
"Did he say something to you?" was the reply, an edge of threat lining Arthur's voice. "And I'm afraid it's not that simple, love. We need him to tell us where the location of his grandfather's treasure is. If we can get it, York will never have to worry about poverty again. But, according to Alfred, the bloke won't talk."
"I know..." she answered, giving him a peck on top of the head. "He didn't say anything threatening or anything... But he's doing a damn good job of making me feel sorry for him... I'm not accustomed to dealing with ones like him..."
Arthur smiled at her a bit. "How about this: I'll send Alfred down there from now on. Is that better? Give you a little break."
"That might make me feel worse..." she muttered after thinking about it for a moment. "I do have an idea though..." Becky lifted her head and looked Arthur in the face with a grin. Leaning in she gave him a kiss. "You could help remind me where my real feelings are..."
Arthur took a moment to understand the meaning of her words before he smirked, tucking a bit of the blonde's hair behind her ear. "I think I can managed that easily enough," he purred, arms sliding around Becky's waist.
It was early evening when Ludwig opened his eyes again. Glancing outiside it took him a moment to realize he slept the day away. "Shit!" the German cursed as he jumped to his feet. His first day and already he's behind! Well... Might as well make the best of it for now. Recalling they said that dinner was included with the room, Ludwig figured he'd take them up on it since he paid for it anyway. Heading out of the room and down the stairs, he decided on eating and then finding out where the crew of the Arcadia hung out while on shore leave. Coming around the corner he couldn't help but stop and stare... What luck! Off to one side of the room were a bunch of loud, rowdy, and many levels of intoxicated pirates. He knew they were the ones he was looking for, since he recognized a few from the attack. Ludwig grinned. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all. Pushing his bed head hair back, the German went and found an open seat. It didn't take long for food and ale to be set down infront of him.
A little more than five minutes after Ludwig started eating, a drunken man from the Arcadia plunked down near him, alcohol apparent on his breath. "Oi, I've never seen you 'round here befo'," he slurred, throwing an arm around the German's shoulders. "Where ya from?"
Ludwig swallowed his food before shrugging off the drunkard's arm. "What's it to ya?" he asked with an unamused look on his face. "And considering it's a port town... I doubt you've seen everyone that comes and goes..."
"True, true... But, yer definitely not one o' ta towns people, that much I can tell. Anyways, I was jus' curious." The pirate ordered another round of ale, including one for the other male.
"Aye that be true..." he said taking a bite from his food and washed it down with some drink. "Tried my hand on a merchant ship, but one of the other crews started something and took him out..." he told the pirate. "When we stopped here to supply up I never got back on..."
"Hm... Tha' be some tough luck ya got there," the other man answered, thumping Ludwig on the back. "Here's to hoping you find yersel' a job soon."
"Tell me about it..." Ludwig replied, taking a few more bites of his food. He turned and gave the other a look. "I don't suppose you know of any ships looking for able bodies?"
"I know that the Scarlet Maiden needs a new captain," the pirate replied with a raucous laugh. "Idiots never knew what hit them until it was too late~" The alcohol he'd been consuming had obviously loosened the other's lips quite a bit.
Ludwig forced a chuckle and downed the rest of his first ale before picking up the one the sailor bought for him. "Scarlet Maiden? Never heard of 'er..." he lied; not like the other would know.
"She's one o' 'he mos' feared ships on 'he sea besi'es our ow'. Captained by Italian twins tha' came straigh' from 'he depths o' hell. Though, once ya separate 'he two, they're no threa'. 'he one we go' di' leave nice bi'e mark on our firs' mate. Apparently he's not eatin' much either." The man shrugged, not really caring.
"I hope your keeping such a vicious beast well caged..." Ludwig gave a hearty laugh and downed half of the mug. It made him happy to hear that Feliciano left his mark on one of those bastards, but also worried to hear he wasn't eating.
"Don' ya worry, buddy. He's locked up nice and good in teh basement of this place. Even if he escaped, he'd be caught or killed in a second with all teh men 'round here that're part of teh crew tha' caught him. Including mysel'!"
"You're holding him here? Of all places?" A look of worry crossed his face before he laughed again. "Aye, I feel I can sleep sound knowing you fine men are around to keep things in line!" Oh gott this was a lot easier than he imagined; he didn't have to even look, this idiot was very forthcoming with information. Now it was just a matter of figuring out a way to get down to Feliciano, get him out, and not get caught between now and the pick up time.
"Good to know~" the other replied, drinking more of his ale. He looked over when he heard shouting, waving to the group calling him. "I best be goin'" he said. "Enjoy yer stay!"
What's this? Two chapters in one day? Huzzah and all that crap! Let's just hope that things keep going well for the authoress and that she doesn't get distracted again. ^^; Thanks for reading, review!