Disclaimer- Guilty Gear doesn't belong to me, but if it did, I'd be a really rich girl! XD
Welcome Aboard
Chapter: 3
I'd like you to meet…
Johnny kept his hand on the young girl's shoulder as they entered the ship. All the girls seemed occupied with dinner preparations as Johnny and the new little stranger walked across the deck. Johnny finally stopped at the front of the ship and smiled as his crewmembers scurried across the deck getting preparations for dinner ready. The little girl just stood there, Johnny's hand still on her shoulder, watching the other girls. She was starting to get nervous, not being used to so many people in one place. She clutched onto the old teddy bear even tighter. Suddenly Johnny gave a whistle and all the girls looked up at him.
"Well, hello ladies!" Johnny said, expecting the girls to respond with their usual cheery "Hello Johnny!" but instead the crewmembers just looked at Johnny and the shy little girl at his side. After waiting a few moments with no reply, Johnny went on talking. "It looks like we're going to have a new girl aboard!"
"Oh great, not another one." The fair skinned blonde girl said under her breath, pushing back her pink pirate hat.
"Be quiet, Febe!" whispered June in a forceful tone with a firm nudge. June shook her head, as her purple pigtails swayed side to side then focused her attention back to Johnny. By that time all the girls started to gather in a semi-circle around Johnny and the new little girl. Johnny heard the remark but decided it be best to ignore it.
Janice, the crew's kitty wasted no time in approaching the new girl. The cat made her way to the front and started to sniff at the little girl's shoes. The little girl was startled at first and dropped her teddy bear. She immediately backed up even closer to Johnny. The cat proceeded to examine her. Within minutes it was apparent that Janice approved of the newcomer and started nuzzling against her legs.
Johnny smiled at his feline friend as she scurried back into the group of girls. Johnny then found it appropriate to continue. "But yes, I'd like you all to welcome our newest member… " Johnny paused for a moment realizing that he never did ask her what her name was. Johnny gave a sheepish smile to the crew then got down on one knee next to the little girl and whispered "What is your name?"
"My name?" she whispered back
"Yeah, what do people call you?" Johnny continued to ask, as the Jellyfish crew girls watched them.
"I don't know…" She replied again, feeling rather pathetic. "I-I don't remember…"
"Do you remember anything?" Johnny replied in an almost sarcastic tone. "Name, age, birthday, family, anything?" The little girl just shook her head with a worried look on her face, completely clueless about her past.
"Alright" he whispered back. Johnny then stood back up. He started looking across all the faces of his crew members, taking a mental note of all of their names. "What's the Date today?"
April was the first to chime in "It's May 5th Johnny!"
Johnny took his hand to his face and rubbed his chin. "I see, thank you April." April just gave a big smile as Johnny got back down on one knee next to the little girl. "How about May?"
"What?" the little girl looked at him confused.
"How about we call you May?" Johnny smiled at her. "We need to be able to call you something…"
The little girl blinked then looked at all the girls. They were still watching her and the man in black. She then quickly looked back to Johnny and nodded in agreement.
Johnny smiled at her then got back to his feet. He cleared his throat and started his previous sentence over again. "Attention ladies, I'd like you to meet our newest addition to the Jellyfish pirates, May!"
At first all the girls were quiet until April started to clap for the newcomer. Eventually the other girls started to clap as well. With all the positive attention she was now getting, little May started to feel a little less nervous as a smile graced her face.
"And guess what!" Johnny spoke out, above the clapping.
"What's that Johnny?" all the girls calmed their clapping and replied in unison.
"Today is May's birthday! I believe this calls for a celebration!" Johnny shouted to the crew. The girls started to cheer even louder now.
"Today's my birthday?" May asked Johnny, confused all over again.
"It is now!" Johnny smiled down at little May and patted her shoulder as the crew girls all continued to cheer. Johnny then took his hand up to his mouth and all the girls quieted down again. "Well, it looks like we better get ready for tonight! April?"
"Aye Johnny?" April replied happily.
"How would you like to take May and get her cleaned up?" Johnny requested.
"Sure thing Johnny!" Aprilsquealedas she started to approach the new girl. "Hi there, I'm April!" April held out a hand to the still fairly shy May.
"Hello" May replied, putting her hand in Aprils, still trying to get used to the crowd of new people.
"Come along with me, I'll get you cleaned up in no time!" April smiled and grabbed Mays hand. April gave Johnny a wink and started to head off towards the bathing quarters.
"Well?" Johnny said to the crew as April took May away.
"I'll go help April!" smiled Octy as she pushed some of her green bangs out of her eyes.
"Me too!" squeaked Novel, waving her wrench in the air.
"And we mine as well find the little urchin some appropriate clothes…" Febe spoke up, looking at June. June nodded and those two headed off to find some hand-me-downs for the new girl to wear once she was done with her bath. "Did you see what she was wearing? Eww, that ugly red sweater, and that skirt… not to mention her hair looks like it hasn't seen a brush in years…" The girls continued to chat as they walked away. Johnny just shook his head, getting the feeling that Febe wasn't too fond of little May.
Leap, the ships chef spoke up too, "I guess I'd better start on some more party-appropriate foods, looks like we'll be having dinner a little late tonight!" She smiled and started towards the kitchen.
"This is all so exciting! Let me help you madam Leap!" Sephy followed close behind pushing her broom.
July smirked, pushing her hair away from her one good eye, she turned to look at Augus. "I guess that leaves us to decorate, huh?"
Augus whipped her brow, keeping her black hair tucked behind her ears. "Why the heck not… it's not like we've got anything better to do…"
Johnny continued to smile as he watched all the girls disperse, satisfied that they all decided to help out. He then looked down and saw the teddy bear that May had dropped earlier. He bent down and picked it up. He examined the stuffed toy and walked over to the rail at the edge of the ship. He seemed to be staring off into space when the last crew member left on the deck approached him.
"Mroow" Janice jumped up on the rail that Johnny was leaning against.
Johnny smiled at her and scratched Janice's ear. "She's an interesting girl, huh?" Janice just nuzzled Johnny's hand as he proceeded to pet her. "It's strange that she doesn't even remember her name… maybe she's got amnesia…?"
"Meow" Janice replied.
"I should probably attempt to find out more about this girl… for all we know someone could be looking for her right now… Maybe there's a reward out there for her return…heh... ok, probably not, but still…" Johnny sighed and just continued to look out at the orange horizon. By this time the sun was no longer visible, only the faint reflection of the light shown off the edge of the deep blue sky. "What do you think Janice?"
"Mrrow…" The cat nuzzled Johnny's hand once again.
Johnny just smiled. "I guess you're right, lets just enjoy tonight, we can worry about all this tomorrow."
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