Some of these are a little old, like this one.

Prompt: Hanging out with friends


Emeraldas' favorite government dog had one particular problem. Well, he had many problems, but they were working on those. This one was more like an impossible to remove leech, a leech with bright blue eyes that were usually glaring disapprovingly at her.

Zero's favorite pirate also had a particular problem, though one that admittedly didn't show up as often. It was like a mosquito that appeared at unexpected and unwanted times, buzzing in his ear no matter how many times he brushed it away.

The queen pirate and commander shared a glance across the table to show their distress. So much for an enjoyable evening.

"Emeraldas," Marina called to grab her attention away from the captain. "It's been a while." She sipped a cocktail, somewhat proud that she'd managed to track her captain and the pirate down. It certainly wasn't safe for them to be alone together in some cheap bar.

"Not long enough," Emeraldas sighed under her breath. Zero cleared his throat to cover her words. "What are you doing here?" the pirate questioned at an audible level.

"Having a drink," the first officer answered.

Zero had stopped bothering to pay attention to whatever Harlock was going on about. He was more concerned with the women, seeming ready to go for each others' throats. He was lucky they were both so civilized and good at hiding their distaste with a mask.

The square table held two pirates and two Independents, each one sharing irritation with the others being there. The tension was thick enough to cut with a blade.

"So are you going to tell me about this new weapons project, or are you going to keep letting the government screw with you without question?" Harlock concluded. He was happy to have followed Emeraldas here. He didn't mind Zero honestly, but he certainly didn't approve of Zero near Emeraldas.

Zero finally took notice of what the pirate was saying. Biting his tongue only held him back so much. An excuse to get away from the table spilled from his mouth. "I need a drink." His glass actually was empty, and he thanked the heavens for how much he drank.

"Me as well," Emeraldas noted as she stood to follow him.

The two left at the table were stuck, their drinks still full. They stared uncomfortably at each other before looking back to their targets.

Zero and Emeraldas leaned against the bar top, their arms pressed together as they muttered in hushed tones while the bartender fixed them another round.

"Could you call off your dog?" Zero grumbled.

"He's not my dog. Could you call off yours?"

"She won't listen to me."

Emeraldas gave a silent sigh. If she stayed any longer, she was likely to pull a gun on both of them. "Where's our way out?"

"The back?" Zero looked pleadingly to the bartender, who shrugged with a slight smile.

"Let's go somewhere nice," Emeraldas hummed, "like my ship. That way I can shoot them if they try to follow us again."

Zero pulled down on the brim of his cap, trying not to smile. She had a nice way of thinking. "Yes, ma'am."