"Do you like it?'
"Rubes, she hasn't even taken a bite out of it yet."
"Aaaah," Ruby was practically bouncing up and down in her seat. "I gotta know!"
Curiously, Weiss inspected the meal in front of her. The chicken was cut into tiny white shreds. Steam rose and wafted into her nostrils, almost making her drool. Next to the delectable meat was a mountain of peas.
It'd been too long since she last ate. It felt like an eternity, but it'd been just a few days. Weiss almost forgot what chicken tasted like.
As the former heiress chewed on a piece of chicken, it practically melted in her mouth. When it settled in her stomach, she felt how truly empty it had been. It was really the only food in her stomach by this point. She could physically feel how it slid down her throat and settled below.
The crew leaned in around the table for the verdict.
"It's good," Weiss simply said. "Really good."
After Blake swallowed some green beans, she said. "I bet it's nothing compared to back home," she noted, referring to her previous luxurious lifestyle.
By observation, the faunus concluded Weiss must've hailed from nobility. She probably had gourmet meals every night. This might be subpar compared to the meals the elites eat.
"No, it's not," Weiss confirmed, which earned sad faces. "It's worlds better. You're a good cook, Yang."
That caused them to light up.
Yang's smirk grew when she received the compliment. "I'm great at making meat. Blake handles fish with no problem."
"All the bass," Blake drooled from the thought of fish. "We get so much fish since we're on the sea most of the time. It's heaven."
Ruby proudly pointed to herself. "They leave me in charge of the sweets. We don't get those often, but when we do, ohmygoshit'sdelicious."
In the soothing atmosphere, Weiss watched them eat around the small table. The crew was chowing down with no manners whatsoever. Ruby, in particular, was like a vacuum. She inhaled the chicken like it was air.
Normally, Weiss took her time and ate in small bites. Even tiny nibbles to pace herself. That was proper etiquette in front of the elite. Never to act like a pig. Unable to break her habit, she continued with small pieces of meat on her fork.
"Weissh?" Ruby addressed with her mouthful. "Do you normally eat that slow?"
That earned an unamused look. Weiss couldn't fathom eating that fast. Were they even tasting the flavor?
"Excuse me if I don't stuff myself. How do you eat so fast?"
That's when Yang cut in. "Practice makes perfect. Don't worry about table manners so much."
Unable to help herself, Blake pointed to Weiss with a smirk present. "She has a napkin in her lap."
Hearty laughter echoed throughout the ship. The crew was surprised they didn't wake up Qrow yet.
Flustered from the teasing, Weiss' cheeks turned red. "I don't have to take this."
"Don't be embarrassed," Ruby said with a grin. "It's adorable."
The caused Weiss' cheeks to tint even redder as she swallowed a spoonful of peas. Realizing what she had said, Ruby shyly glanced away.
When Weiss was done chewing, she said jokingly. "Maybe I should give you all etiquette lessons. We can be well-mannered pirates."
Yang giggled more than any of them when she heard that. "I've never encountered a well-mannered pirate. Well, besides Pyrrha," the comment caused Ruby and Blake to nod. "You'd probably need a miracle to make that happen."
"I'd like to meet Pyrrha," the former heiress said, intrigued.
"We see her every now and then," Blake chimed.
"Oh, oh!" Ruby raised her hand like a student. "I wanna learn properness of the etiquette!"
The way she worded that caused Weiss to chuckle. "First, you have to keep your elbows off the table."
From that, Ruby pouted. That sounded impossible. "I'm out."
Not surprised, Weiss chewed on another piece of chicken.
"Hey, do you want more salt?" Ruby asked thoughtfully. "Salty chicken is the best."
Casually, Yang said. "She's salty enough, Rubes."
"Hey!"
Another round of laughter.
Silently, Blake slid over the salt shaker in case her friend wanted some. Weiss trickled a little more on the chicken and took a bite, almost melting from the explosive flavor. The meal was so warm and pure. Unlike the gourmet meals she was given back home that were mainly for the aesthetic.
As they ate dinner, the ship swayed calmly. Sometimes, the plates slipped a few centimeters to the right or left. Creaks could be heard if laughter wasn't present.
"I gotta ask," Yang said suddenly. "What do you think you'd be doing right now if you were back home?"
Calmly, Weiss set the fork down. It was evening. That meant she'd be confined to her room. And depending on the day, attending one of those dreadful balls with one of her suitors. Both scenarios awful.
"On a typical night, I'd be in my room," Weiss said. "Although around this time, I would be going for a walk around the beach. I'd much rather be here."
"We're so happy to have you," Ruby smiled as she set a hand on her shoulder.
Momentarily, her new crewmates- the Thorns- sent her wide smiles. The atmosphere was colorful and filled with bubbles. Weiss had no idea she could make such great friends who cared about her so much. Even if they did tease her a bit.
It was like her previous life was nothing when they gazed fondly at her like that. Like who she used to be. Like her past didn't matter anymore. It was such a nice feeling. It felt like she was floating in the clouds.
Her struggle and sorrow disappeared like bubbles when they looked at her fondly.
She'd never been so happy.
Multiple gasps. This confused her.
"Ah! What's wrong?!" Ruby yelped in concern, standing from her chair. "Are you okay?!"
"Nothing is wrong," Weiss reassured them. "What're you talking about, dunce?"
"You're crying!" Ruby pointed to her face. "Does your eye hurt? Are you going to faint again?!"
"Oh god, anything but tears!" Yang yelped. "Don't gimme the tears!"
Meanwhile, Blake leaned over to look for herself. It was true.
Somehow, the former heiress didn't notice a tear dribble down. Confused, she wiped her cheeks and to her surprise, her fingers were wet.
"Goodness…" Weiss mumbled as she lowered her head and whispered. "I'm fine. I'm merely… happy."
The three shared curious glances amongst each other.
"You're so happy you're crying?" Ruby asked, skeptical.
"Even after we picked on you?" Yang asked.
"Shut up!" Weiss retorted after a sniffle.
Giddily, Blake smiled at her. "You'll never live this down."
While Weiss sniffled once, she wiped her cheeks again.
Knowing how to stop the crying, Yang stood. "I think someone needs a hug."
When Yang got up, Weiss did as well and scooted back. "Don't touch me," the former heiress warned.
Despite the words, they lacked a bite. Yang paid her no heed and wrapped her in a bear hug.
"C'mere you!"
"Agh!" Weiss yelped and tried to squirm out of the death grip.
Not wanting to be left out of the hug, Ruby embraced the other side.
Growling, Weiss said. "Get off me, you bunch of dolts!"
"You know you love it, Weissy!" Ruby chirped as she tightened her grip.
It was official. She was trapped when her arms were locked by her sides.
To tease her more, Blake took the front and reeled them in. The whole time, Weiss growled under her breath and didn't stop squirming to get away.
"Blake, not you, too!" Weiss yelped. "I thought you were the sane one in the group!"
"You thought wrong."
Jokingly, Ruby nuzzled into her pale neck. "Oh, your hair's so soft."
"That's it!"
With power they've never seen before, Weiss forcefully broke out of the embrace. The three almost flew back in surprise.
"Someone's feeling better," Yang happily noted.
Now that they were done with dinner, Ruby asked.
"Do you wanna sleep or take a tour? You must be tired, so the tour can always wait for tomorrow."
"I'd like to sleep," Weiss admitted, satisfied with a full stomach. "Where do I go?"
"Your room is ready," Ruby chirped.
It took Weiss a moment to process what Ruby said. She has her own room? Before she could question it, Ruby grabbed her hand and dragged her down the hall.
Happily, Yang and Blake watched them disappear further into the ship.
"Should we follow them?" Yang asked.
"Let's give them some space."
Yang set a hand on her hip. "I have a good feelin' about this."
Smoothly, Blake wrapped a hand around her arm. "Let's clean up."
Yang blushed as she eyed the empty plates. "Alright, alright."
"There are so many books…"
Since arriving in her new room, Weiss first noticed all the books. Several shelves pressed onto the wall contained dozens of books and novels. For some reason, Weiss didn't think they'd have books. This was a nice surprise.
For Ruby, it was nice to see her new crew member wind down.
"Blake's read all of them probably ten times," Ruby said with a laugh. "She says there's not enough."
"We should get more then," Weiss suggested as she eyed the colorful book covers, noting she'd read a few.
"Yeeeeah," the captain agreed. "That's been at the bottom of the list for a while. We need to get to it eventually."
Overall, Weiss loved the room. Sure, it creaked due to the ship's age, had some loose floorboards, and wasn't nearly as spacious as her former room, but it was perfect nonetheless. This room was warmer, brighter, and full of life even though it was a little bland. The wood below soaked with warmth like a heated street. In the center was a neatly made bed and a dresser sat next to it.
"Do you like reading, Ruby?"
"Only about weapons."
"Of course," Weiss said in amusement. "Why did you pick to wield a scythe?"
"My uncle's the coolest, that's why," the captain chirped.
"Qrow uses a scythe?"
"Yep!" Ruby replied. "Why'd you pick a rapier?"
"I didn't," Weiss said, which earned a confused look. "My older sister gave it to me before she joined the military."
"You have a sister, too?"
"She's older," Weiss informed after a yawn. "We don't see each other often."
To Ruby, that was a foreign concept. She'd spent every day with Yang since they were babies. She couldn't imagine life without her.
"Oh yeah, you're tired," Ruby observed when she watched her yawn. "Lucky for you, this was the last room we had spared. It's like you're meant to be here."
That caused a blush to form on Weiss' cheeks.
"Have a good sleep," with that, Ruby turned to leave. "Goodnight, Weiss."
"Goodnight, dolt."
When Ruby shut the door, Weiss gazed at her bed. It was spacious. Much larger than she expected. Utterly exhausted, she crawled under the blankets, willing slumber to come.
It was the best night of sleep she'd gotten in her entire life.
IT'S SO GAY BUT NOT 100% GAY YET AH!
The chapter is titled after Lost In Thoughts All Alone by Amalee. "Come the sun, illuminate the sky. Pray we may quell the dark. Light take the throne." This references a brighter future for the pirates!
Stay dandy,
~Toto
