CHAPTER 6: THE FEAST
After a few minutes, Raven finally managed to clear her head but Beast boy was still talking beside her and his voice seemed too loud. And no matter how hard she tried to shut him out, she can't. It must be the lack of meditation. Raven made a mental note to do that soon.
Finally, Raven turned towards Beast boy and put both hands on his shoulders, then growled, "Shut up."
Though her voice was soft and seemed calm, after years of being around her, Beast boy could hear the growl and annoyance in her voice and got the message. He immediately closed his mouth and waited.
Raven gingerly stepped onto the wooden floor. She felt a little light on her feet.
"Maybe you should lie down?" Beast boy suggested, "I think you still have the fever …"
"I feel much better." Raven insisted as she really did. Somehow, her temperature's gone down though she could still feel a slight throbbing in her head.
Then she realised, she owed it all to Beast boy. He was the one who helped cool her down with a damp cloth, he was the one who caught her when she was falling. He was the one who didn't leave her abandoned in the sea and even brought her back into the living with CPR.
"Thank you." Raven said suddenly, in a rush of gratitude. Beast boy smiled.
"So … are you feeling well enough for the Feast? I think it starts in about thirty minutes?" Beast boy asked unsurely.
Raven could tell that he was feeling ravenous and wanted to eat. And a little substance in her stomach couldn't hurt her, could it? "Yeah, I'm fine. You can tell me the details on how we got here as we eat."
"Great!" Beast boy leapt off the bed in excitement.
And that's when Raven noticed, like really noticed and registered the fact that he wasn't wearing a shirt. She caught herself staring, but wasn't sure if it was because of shock or … something else. Embarrassed, blushing and a little angry at herself, she turned away quickly.
"You need clothes." said Raven in a dry voice.
"Oh yeah! Thomas and his friend said that we'd find clean, dry clothes in the cupboard." Beast boy hopped over the cupboard and opened the doors before peering curiously inside. He seemed to not notice her discomfort.
"Cool Raven! Look! There's all sorts of pirate - ey shirts and trousers inside!" Beast boy cried gleefully as he pulled out a white, loose, sleeved, linen shirt with a collar and black buttons near the neck. Donning it on, he chose to unbutton the buttons and added a black belt.
After rummaging inside, he found, and put on a three- quartered pair of trousers made up of soft, billowy fabric around the legs and only wrapped around the middle of his calves smugly. Kicking off his boots, he took out a pair of black boots and put that on too.
"Are you done?" asked Raven after standing still for a whole five minutes.
"Yes, turn around!" Beast boy exclaimed excitedly as his friend turned to face him.
Raven looked at him up and down. Truth to be told, he didn't look half-bad. Actually, he looked pretty decent. Not that she was going to tell him though, instead, she said, "It would look better without the hat."
Beast boy took off the ridiculously large black hat which had an equally large skull on it. "You mean this? But I won't look half as intimidating without it!"
Raven almost laughed. "Take it off. Trust me." then, without thinking, he walked towards him and ruffled his hair with her fingers. Then abruptly, she dropped her hand at the side, as if his hair had suddenly caught fire.
"Why'd you do that?" Beast boy asked, surprised.
Raven shrugged and tried to look nonchalant, "Messy hair suits you."
Beast boy raised an eyebrow but didn't question her further.
"What about you? Aren't you going to change? Surely you're not going out in just your … uh … suit?" Beast boy thought she might look out of place as he eyed her clothes. Yes, most definitely, she would not fit in.
Raven sighed, "Fine. I'll change. Do they have something for females?"
"Well … this used to be the Captain's wife's room …" Beast boy scratched his head.
Raven walked towards the cupboard and took a quick glance of everything inside. Shirts, pants, two pair of boots. Some belts, and another large hat. Mostly practical clothes but she could work with that. After all, she didn't have much of a choice around here.
After another minute of surveying the clothes. She finally came up with something. Warily she turned around to face Beast boy who was watching her curiously.
"What?" he asked, his eyes widening innocently, "Sorry. I was curious about which clothes you were going to pick -"
"Get out." Raven said.
"What?" this time, his eyes expressed hurt.
Raven realised that she should have made her voice less harsher. Seriously, the boy could be so sensitive! "I need to change."
"Oh …" Beast boy looked relieved, "Is that all? I thought you were angry or something. I guess I could turn around."
"No. Out." Raven's voice was firm now.
"Right. OK. Just tell me when you're done." Beast boy quickly moved to the door and disappeared behind it.
Raven crossed the room and made sure the door was locked securely. Then, she began pulling on a cream coloured linen shirt with off-the-shoulder sleeves that were billowy before hugging her wrists tightly at the end. Next, she put on a red vest without buttons.
Raven also pulled on black coloured hugging pants that looked like capris. She tugged on a pair of brown boots with cuffs and had a leather, brown loosely at her hips.
Feeling a lot comfortable with dry clothes, she felt ready for the feast and she opened the door to let Beast boy in. He was standing against it and when it opened, he fell backwards with a squeal.
Raven stepped aside neatly as he landed on the floor with a "Thud!"
"Oww! Dude! You could have at least warned me!" Beast boy said irritably as he stood up.
But as he saw Raven, his irritation turned to delight, "You look great!" he gave her a thumbs up.
"Thanks. Can we go now?" Raven asked.
"Sure!" Beast boy lead the way through the corridors.
"Oh and, don't forget, speak pirate when you get there!" Beast boy reminded her.
Raven sighed gustily.
"Come on, Raven! Say 'Arrrrr!'"
Raven kept silent.
"Raven!" Beast cried, exasperated.
"Arr …" Raven tried, but it came out more like a growl. Nevertheless, Beast boy was satisfied.
"See? That's the spirit!" he whistled cheerfully as they climbed the stairs to the deck.
As he swung the door open, he almost crashed into Thomas and his friend! Yelping a little, he fell back but Raven firmly pressed her hands on his back and pushed him up to a standing position again.
Thomas stumbled back into his friend then laughed, " Are ye ready fer th' feast?"
Beast boy nodded and climbed out, followed by Raven.
"I be glad t' see that she's alright. Ahoy t' our vessel, lass!" the skinny pirate tipped his hat just a little to Raven as she walked out. In response, she gave a small nod of her head.
"Yer matey doesn't natter much, does she?" whispered Thomas to Beast boy.
"She's just shy. Give her some time." whispered Beast boy back.
"Shiver me timbers, but th' lass's beautiful! Say, be she yer wench?" the skinny pirate glanced at Raven then put a hand on Beast boy's shoulder in a brotherly way.
"What?" Beast boy frowned, clearly not understanding his meaning.
Behind, Raven turned red. The indignation she felt was driving her mad! Marching to the front, she shoved the skinny pirate away and pulled Beast boy to her. Then, she hissed in his ear, "He means girlfriend!"
Beast boy's eyes widened, then looked at the skinny pirate and shook his head vigorously.
"Let's go." Raven tightened her grip and ignored the yelp that came from beside her. Then, she marched him off to the smell of food.
Raven pushed the door open with so much force that there was a loud bang as it slammed against the door. The pirates gathered around the table fell from a noisy chatter to dead silence as they took in the scene before them. In front, was a huffing Raven, who was now of course, conscious, grabbing Beast boy's hand with such a grip that the green skin around the wrist was turning white. Behind them was a very amused looking Thomas and the skinny pirate looked well, bewildered.
Nevertheless, the Captain seated right at the head of the table smiled warmly and gestured to two empty seats on his right, "Sit down, me hearties! Sit!"
Raven finally let go of Beast boy, much to his relief and she stalked off to the Captain and firmly clasped elbows with him before sitting down. Beast boy also walked to the Captain, rubbing his wrist which was turning as red as a lobster and wincing a little too.
As he clasped elbows, the Captain said in his ear, "The lass is very strong."
Beast boy returned a weak smile, "Aye. You have no idea."
After Beast boy sat, the Captain rose and held up a goblet, he cleared his throat and began, "Tonight, we gather 'ere t' celebrate a triumphant escape from th' evil Death Skulls! Against all th' odds, Beast lad 'n Raven 'ave managed t' escape! So in thar honour 'n success, let th' feast begin!"
There was loud cheering and clapping, followed by the Cabin boy (a servant, though, he was treated quite well) coming out with salted, roast chicken with a lot of herbs and spices. The pirates all dived hungrily into that while Beast boy just looked sick.
"You're not going to have a piece?" he asked Raven, still looking a bit sick.
"No. The food's probably rotten. See those herbs and spices? They're to cover up the rotting taste of flesh." Raven explained.
"Ugh!" Beast boy doubled over.
Next, was a plate of some white, rectangular things that looked like biscuits or crackers, only much thicker. Raven reached for just a piece.
"What's that?" inquired Beast boy curiously.
"It's hard tack."
"You know I always need elaborations and further explanation!" cried Beast boy, exasperated.
"It's flour that's baked. And it's safe as long as you don't see any worms in it."
Shivering, Beast boy reached for a piece too and he turned it over in his hands cautiously. He surveyed every inch of the hard tack before convincing himself that it was worm free, then took a large bite out of it.
He almost broke a tooth.
"Oww!" he dropped it instantly. It handed with a "Thump!" on the wooden table.
"There is a reason why it's called hard tack." Raven said sarcastically as she bit a small corner off.
Beast boy's stomach growled. He was so hungry but yet, hated pirate food so much!
Next was another plate of meat, except this time, it was beef. It was too, covered with a whole lot of herbs and spices. Then, the Cabin boy brought out two plates of fish and a plate pickled vegetables. Beast boy reached for the vegetables while Raven took two more pieces of tack and a small portion of fish.
They left the rest of the food to the hungry pirates who ate as if they haven't seen food for a week. Next, they passed around a bottle of rum. Which Beast boy and Raven strictly refrained from drinking, partially because it has been shared with so many mouths.
As the evening wore on, the Captain announced that he was going to rest for the night. As he exited however, he laid both of his hands on Beast boy's and Raven's shoulders. Raven could feel a huge wave of emotion from the Captain and almost jumped. She looked into his eyes and not only sensed, but could also see sadness, relief, joy and grief reflecting in his dark irises.
He gave a tiny smile, and said, in an almost fatherly fashion, "I be glad ye 'ave escaped. Get some rest, ye've had a tirin' day."
Raven nodded and stared after him even when he left the room. Why was he suddenly so emotional? The other pirates have noticed the exchanged and looked back and forth between one another.
Beast boy too, has noticed something deep and sincere from his voice but he wasn't sure. But when he turned his head to Raven, she had a face of intense thinking and concentration with just a hint of puzzlement.
Then, she smoothened it out to her usual neutral expression. Beast boy wanted to laugh. Typical Raven, always putting on masks for her face. Beast boy preferred it if she showed more emotion though, it makes her seem more like a human being and less like … her father, a demon. And besides, somehow, she looked prettier with expression.
Raven was still mulling over the whole interaction when her sixth sense told her that something was not quite right. The pirates were noisy and as talkative as before but they seemed … contained. As if there was something that they know but wasn't sure if they could tell. And the laughter and chatter seemed to forced to be normal. Raven was sure they had witnessed the exchange and knew something about it.
Looking up, she cleared her throat and asked, "What happened?"
Silence fell over the table. "Wha' do ye mean?" a pirate spoke up, looking a little nervous.
"Your Captain. He was … acting strange, in a sentimental way." Raven prompted.
"Ah, he's always like that aft a few bottles o' rum!" said another pirate casually. Too casually.
Thanks to her ability to correctly interpret emotions around her, she knew that something was still amiss and the pirates were just trying to put up a front.
"Raven! What are you -" Beast boy tugged on her sleeve and whispered nervously but Raven waved him away. She's no time for Beast boy right now.
"I know something happened to the Captain." she stated slowly, keeping her voice as neutral as possible, "Something big. And I want to know what is that something."
The pirates stared blankly at her. But she could feel their determination to keep things secret was wearing down. Must be the rum, she thought.
"There's no use in denying it. I know." Raven's voice, though sounded monotone and neutral, had a ring of authority and truth in it. Her violet eyes had conveyed her unspoken message too: Tell me now. Years of practice had allowed her special skills like those.
The skinny pirate sitting beside Thomas sighed and shook his head. Thomas wary but patted his hand on his friend's back, "Well, wha' can I says, James. Th' lass's got a point."
Soft murmurs of agreement went around and quick glances were made. She even spotted a few nods too.
Raven drummed her fingers on the table and waited. Now she was getting somewhere …
"Robin, I can try to get them back, but I won't guarantee it!" Cyborg said exasperatedly.
"You must!" Robin insisted, looking just as exasperated.
"They landed in the middle of sea, how do you know they're not dead?" Cyborg argued back.
"Beast boy can turn into a shark or something. Or fly him and Raven to some island." Robin fired back.
"And where am I going to find that island?"
"Are you saying you're not going to work the Time-machine for them?"
"I never did! I said I will try! But no promises!"
Starfire looked back and forth her friends nervously. She didn't want to interrupt but yet, she didn't want them to fight either. She looked at Mallah who was still tied up on the floor but rolling his eyes to the ceiling. Then, he gave a loud yawn.
"I do not suppose you have any idea where my friends went, do you?" Starfire spoke.
Mallah looked surprised that she was talking to him. Then, he answered, with a cold gaze, "No."
Starfire gasped loudly. "No! They might drown, then! I do not think anyone could survive tumbling into the seas of the Caribbean! Not even you." she shook her head sadly.
"What? I can, of course! There's always islands around and ships. 1500s was the time of pirates. I can overtake anyone on board by myself in minutes! Especially the group of sissy pirates called 'Red Daggers'. They steal from the bad and evil then give to the good." huffed Mallah indignantly.
"The Red Daggers sail in the sea of the Caribbean?" Starfire asked, intrigued by them, "And what are pirates?"
"Some group of men who steal, rob, kill, but on the seas." Mallah shrugged, as Starfire looked horrified, "The Red Daggers, however, try to avoid most of these things. Cowards, the whole rotten lot of them. And yes, they mainly operate in the Caribbean sea." Mallah even looked disgusted thinking of them, then he added thoughtfully, "They were good fighters though, but the Skulls can still beat them easily."
"Skulls?"
"The Death Skulls were the most notorious pirates that ever sailed in the Caribbean. They were the exact opposite of the sissy pirates. In short, they were the best bad guys you could ever hope to be. The two groups of pirates were often at war with one another." Mallah said knowledgably. A side effect of The Brain increasing his IQ to a genius level was having at least some knowledge of all sorts of things here and there.
"Were there any other famous pirates in the Caribbean?" Starfire wondered, a plan formulating in her mind.
Mallah paused, his knowledge was still however, limited and he was getting suspicious of Starfire asking so many questions, nevertheless, he answered, "No. I don't think so. Except maybe for the Black Swords. They are friends of the sissy pirates and are sissy themselves too."
"Thank you!" Starfire cried joyfully then flew over to Robin and Cyborg. Mallah frowned, why had she thanked him? And what was she up to?
"Robin! Cyborg! I have some information of Beast boy and Raven's potential whereabouts!" Starfire's outburst had gotten their attention and they stopped arguing to listen.
" Mallah very kindly told me that there were three groups of pirates who sailed in the sea of the Caribbean! So Beast boy and Raven most likely met them! They are called, the Death Skulls, the Red Daggers and the Black Swords. If our friends are not on board on any of their ships, we can confirm the fact that they are somewhere on one of the islands in the Caribbean!"
Mallah gaped. The girl wasn't so dumb after all! Then, he felt like kicking himself for passing over that information like a fool.
"Well, that's certainly good news." Robin smiled at Starfire gratefully, "I'm sure we can work with that." he glanced at Cyborg.
"No problem, man. Just need a little more of research and time. I'm sure I can track down those ships." he clapped a hand on Robin's back.
The tension between them earlier dissolved and Starfire let out a sigh of relief.
Robin took Starfire's hand and whispered, "That was smart."
Starfire smiled wider, "Mallah, was a great help!"
Robin glanced back at Mallah who's face resembled a stormy, black sky and grinned, "Thank you!" He then made arrangements for the police to come and collect the criminals.
When the police left, with Mallah and The Brain safely handcuffed and put in a cage. The three set off to the library to do research, together.
A/N: Hey … I'm so, so sorry … but I'm having a writer's block right now. I can't seem to pen down the next chapter! But don't worry! I'm sure it will clear in a few days!