Chapter 4: Difficult

It's been a few days since I boarded the Black Swan with my brother in search of the Gardiner's Trove. Just like any other day, everyone works diligently. One group hangs wet ropes off the sail yard to dry, another group retwisting a loose rope. Like usual, Yoh greets me when I emerge from the hallway.

"Morning, Avalon!" he says. I wave to him. "Laundry day" he says, acknowledging the wicker basket in his arms. It is then that I notice a couple of guys around a vat of rainwater, singing as they wash their clothes. A sailor off to the side tosses me an apple. I catch it with one hand. I take a bite, the friendly mood of the ship relaxing me.

Apple in hand, I'm about to start back to my room when the hem of my ultra-short dress gets stuck on a split piece from one of the rails. That's the problem with wearing dresses that end well above my knees; it easily gets caught on things. I give my dress a tug, but it doesn't come free. It's then that I feel someone behind me, casting a shadow over my small frame. When I turn around, it's Roberts standing there.

"What's the problem?" he asks.

"Nothing important; I just got stuck is all."

Roberts sighs and rolls his eyes at me. "Troublemaker." His tone drips with annoyance. And with a light tug, I'm free. "Th-thanks" I say meekly.

"Don't you have any other clothes?" he asks me. "You know, ones that won't get stuck on things?"

"Not really, no."

Roberts seems perplexed by my response.

"Thanks" I say again before hurrying back to my quarters, slightly embarrassed by this awkward encounter. The more I thought about it, I came to the realization that I wouldn't have anything else to wear if I were to wash my outfit.

I sit cross-legged on my bed, looking out the circular window on the other side of the room. I sigh to myself, realizing how unsanitary wearing the same clothes for god knows how long without washing them would be. Just as I'm thinking about this, there's a knock on my door.

"Avalon? You in there?" I hear Yoh from the other side of the door. "Come in!"

The door opens and Yoh steps into my room, carrying some stuff in his arms.

"Roberts asked me to bring you these" he said.

"Roberts did?"

Yoh lays out an assortment of clothing on the bed next to me. Even though they're all men's trousers and shirts, I can't help but feel touched at such a sweet sentiment.

"Not sure if you'll use the pants much, but I'm sure you'll make use of the shirts" Yoh jokes, referencing how my stripper outfit.

"Ha, ha. Real funny" I say. "Nah, but in all seriousness you've pretty much nailed it."

"Why not just walk around naked at that point? I mean, that's not unusual for you, huh?"

I pout and playfully punch Yoh's arm, which is surprisingly hard as a brick.

"Yeah, Roberts is quite concerned about your lack of clothing options" Yoh says, bringing back the conversation. "Not that he'd ever admit that to you. . . It's not like he's inexperienced with escort women like yourself, minus the killing of course, but I think he has a certain respect for you since you have more respect for yourself than any other woman he's met. I guess he doesn't really know how to treat you in that regard."

I feel a blush work it's way onto my cheeks.

"It's actually kind of funny how angry that makes him" Yoh laughs. "Anyway, I'll go now so you can get changed. It's laundry day, so bring down your clothes if you want them washed."

And with that, Yoh lets himself out.

From the pile beside me, I dig out a gray dress shirt and put it over my underwear. I decide to leave on my stockings since they're fishnets anyway. Strolling over to the other side of the room, I take a look at myself in the mirror. If I didn't look like a slut before, I sure as hell did now. It was almost as if I'd actually slept with Roberts, but I pushed that thought to the side. I pulled a short piece of rope out from my bag, tying it around my waist and rolling up the sleeves to my elbows. It certainly wasn't anything I'd wear to town, but I figured here it was fine. What the hell, right?

When I get to the deck again, Roberts is ordering people around as usual. "Hey, Roberts?" I say coming up behind him.

"Hm?" He says.

Not expecting to see me dressed the way I am, his eyes widen and his cheeks flush.

"That is way too big for you" is all he could say. At this, I let a small smile creep onto my lips.

"I-I mean, not that you look bad in it!" He looks away as he says this, meanwhile I'm standing there with a cheeky smirk on my face and an eyebrow raised.

"I-I just mean you don't look too weird I guess" He says, second-guessing every word that comes out of his mouth. "I mean, it'd be very hard for you to look weird."

I let out a giggle. "Thank you" I say.

I re-tighten the rope around my waist as Yoh passes by.

"Hey, you look cute" he says to me.

"Really?"

"Yeah, totally cute. Right guys?" Yoh says to the men working nearby. I get a lot of yeahs and even a few whistles. All around, it seems as though everyone's response is positive.

"Oh! Laundry right?" Yoh says referring to the dress in my hands.

"Yeah" I say.

Yoh leads me down to the lower section of deck where the washing stations were. I got straight to work, scrubbing out the stains with a soapy concoction. When I finish, I go over to Yoh and ask if there's anything else I can do to help.

"Why don't you go help those guys over there scrub?" he says, pointing to a group of men scrubbing the walls and rails of the deck. I happily oblige, grabbing a scrubbing stone and joining them.

After a while of working, a tall shadow is cast over me for the second time. This time, when I turn around, I'm not surprised when it's Roberts standing there.

"Hey" Roberts says.

"Yeah?"

Out of nowhere, Roberts' anger flares up. "Why are you scrubbing the deck?" he asks. I'm surprised at his terrifying face, but I don't shrink away.

"I thought I'd help out and pull my weight around here. Problem?" I ask.

"There's no need for you to do anything" he says flatly.

"What if I want to work?" I ask.

Roberts seems to be at a loss for words.

"You . . . You're actually . . ."

"Yes?"

"Um, well . . ."

"What is it?" I ask, taking a step closer.

Suddenly his anger flares up again. "Nothing!" he shouts at me to which I cringe slightly. He then spins on his heel and storms off.

What the hell was that about?

Short and sweet!