After we had walked the entire way to the docks, which was more or less almost on the other side of town. Once we got there I ask which ship was the one were going to. The blond pointed to the big wooden ship. The sight of it sent a bit of an odd shiver to my spine. As we approach it, I try to think why I should be uneasy being near this ship. Maybe it's because that the crew seemed to be just active right now that I can see on deck. Or, it's just that I don't come out to the hobber at night that very often.
We just boarded the ship, me just look at the craft with amazement of the deck. I'm pretty sure that I could be pretty much pick on by the crew for not being on a ship like this before.
"Why don't you look at this boys?"
Oh, boy...
I turn to my left to see the three guys from earlier that I was running from. They just smiled at me as the one who spoke then added, "It's that brat."
I knew I went a bit pale as I tapped Alfred's back, not taking my eyes off the three men, "Hey, Al... I'll be right back."
Before he could ask me why, the three bozos sprinted at me as I turn around and ran to the other end of the large boat. I made sure I weaved around all the people thats working on the ship as fast and swiftly as I can. I quickly spotted a rope that's attach to the mast and rail in the direction I'm taking. I ran to it for my life depends on it and I started to climb faster than a monkey I saw in town once. Albeit, it could be the rope for the sail, but it was either that or a late night swim. I was only halfway up when I started to feel the rope I'm on being shaken down. I quickly latched on like it's a life line as I was being shaken this way and that, up and down. I could faintly hear Alfred telling them to leave me alone, yet I wasn't quite sure since I could hear my heart race and pound in my ears. Was there war drums playing with stampeding horses going in somewhere on deck?
I then suddenly hear a deafening yell came from bellow me, "What in the lord's name is going on here!?"
I could feel the shaking stop, making me think that the guy who said that was an angle.
After a five minutes of what I assume was talking to those three, I was still up on the rope, refusing to move. Not knowing when I had forced my eyes closed shut.
I was starting to wonder how I will get down when I heard the person from earlier call out, "Excuse me, Andy? Are you all right up there?"
I didn't want to look down as I answer back, "I'm okay now, thank you. But I might have a bit of a problem at the moment."
There was a slight pause before I heard Alister call up, "What would that be?"
Just gave them a small nervous-airy laugh, "I think I'm a bit locked up here in a death grip. Plus, I'm not sure if the shaking stopped completely on my end."
I could hear light mummers bellow me. Alister then asks a bit concerned, "Do ya think ya can get down?"
I called back to him, "Ya, I think so." I took a few deep breaths before I started to shimmy down. Once I felt a little bit more confident, I started to climb down a bit faster yet still careful not to fall. I couldn't believe that I kept my eyes closed the how time till I felt the railing with my foot. I looked bellow me before I dropped my feet down and letting go of the rope. My feet landed on the ground with a THUD. I even let out a breath I wasn't aware I was holding in.
I turn around to see Alister, Alfred, and a new guy all looking relieved that I was back on the boat's flooring.
The new person has messy blond hair, bushy eyebrows, and emerald eyes. He's wearing a white blause that's open at the top, black trousers, and black boots. He's also sporting a sword on the left side of his hip, but I didn't mind. In this day and age, you would need a weapon no matter where you go.
I look at the new guy that's with us, giving him a smile, "I'm guessing that your the one that stopped those three from shaking the rope?"
The man looked at me with a smile of his own, "Yes, that would be me. I'm Arthur Kirkland, captain of this ship. Your name would be Andy, correct?"
I gave him a bit of a playful grin, "That's what I let people call me. I won't settle for much else, really."
The captain seemed to like my response a bit, seeing some of my character in how I talk. But it didn't last long till he asks, "What did you do to get those three to go after you?"
I gave him a sheepish smile, "Um, one of them bumped into me and the three of them wanted me to apologize. I didn't want to apologize for something that wasn't my fault. Because I was minding my own business, being careful not to bump into someone. But since they were starting to gang up on me, I said 'no way' before I bolted back the way I came." I felt even more sheepish as I added, "But I think those guys were most likely mad that I ditched them around the shopping district. They ran right past both the alley and the building that I was hiding on top of. I wasn't sure if they ran to the other side of town till they realize that they lost me."
Alister and Alfred chuckles at how those bozos lost me in town. Arthur even gained a small grin from the ending of the tale. I think I even heard some of the other crew members that went by gave a tiny laugh to my short story.
As the two Al's laughed, the captain continue to talk with a some amusement, "Well, at least I know you have street smarts. What else are you capable of, if you don't mind me asking?"
I try to show my confidence that I have to him as I started to list them off, "I'm much stronger than I look. So I can handle some forms of manual labor. I'm pretty clever and a fast learner. I really don't mind learning new things. I'm also agile and fast, in both thinking and speed. Plus I'm a bit resourceful in some departments, too. I'm also pretty decent with some animals, mainly just dogs and birds. I have pretty good aim. I would show you, but somebody stole my slingshot last year."
Arthur nodded along with what I'm saying, putting it into consideration. He looked thoughtful as he looked me over as he ask, "What about your parents?"
My confidence was replaced with a sad look. I avoid his gaze as it lingers on my face, answering him a bit hollow, "Their not around anymore. They... they haven't been in this world for a long time. I've been on my own since then."
I could hear a thoughtful 'hmm' that sounded a bit sad. A moment past before he ask, "How old are you? Have you ever used a weapon before?"
My head jerked up to look at him, showing slightly startled eyes, "I'm 14, just turned it during January 3 months ago. But I haven't really used a weapon besides my own fists and kicks most of the time." I then quickly added, "B-but I can learn. Like I said, I can be a pretty fast leaner."
The ship's captain had gone into deep thought. As time ticked by and no sound from him, I start to grow a bit nervous of what he could say.
Alfred came over to me, giving me a hug as he gave his captain puppy eyes, "Please, Captain Iggy? I promise to keep Andy under my wing. And Alister can help out, too. Please~?"
Arther looked at the pleading blond and started to give in. After a tense moment, bushy brows gave us a sigh of defeat, "Fine, the boy could stay."
I felt so happy that I broke out of Alfred's arm and gave my new captain a grateful bear hug, "Thank you, sir! Thank you so much! I promise you won't be disappointed!" I didn't hear the gasps from the crewmen on the deck or the people around us in general. But I did know that I startled Arthur a bit badly by the sudden action. I looked up to him with the brightest smile I had in years, "Thank you!"
I saw a look of startlement clear on his face, but he started to give me a small smile, "Well, your welcome and I hope you will hold onto that promise. But for now... could you put me down?"
I was a bit confused till I realized that I lifted him off the deck in my arms. I quickly put him back on the ground with an apologetic smile, "Sorry."
Once I was fully off of him, he straightens his shirt a bit as he says reassuringly, "Don't worry, I just wasn't expecting that to happen. I'm more used to Alfred doing it on the occasion. Put not as much when it comes to others."
I'm glad that my face has some layers of dirt on it, or else everyone would've seen me blush to high heaven as I said, "Oh..."
Suddenly the words he said came back to me. 'The boy could stay.'
I was about to say something about it when a loud growling noise was heard. Arthur, Alister, and Alfred looked around for to find the source, yet I already knew what it was.
Alfred was the one who ask through the three's confusion, "What the heck was that?"
I smiled a bit sheepishly, "Um, I think that was a stumach that hasn't eaten since yesterday morning, or so?"
The looks that I got from the three of them were priceless as they stared at me. I would've laughed at them if their looks wasn't pointed at me.
Once Alfred snapped out of it for him to give a blank-determin expression, "Okay, I think I know where I should start the tour at." He then walks over to me and grabs my hand with a smile, "To the mess hall!"
Before I got a chance to speak, the blond teen started to drag me with him to go bellow deck with the two men following us with light smiles of amusement.
It didn't take long for us to get to the mess hall. When we did, I can start seeing others getting ready to eat their meals. The delicious smells of all the food has already made my mouth start to water. The thought of the last time I had a home cooked meal with my family came to mind. It made me feel mix emotions looking at the scene.
Alfred kept dragging me till we got to a guy that's behind a serving counter. I can see he's wearing a creamy colored shirt, but that's all I can see he's wearing right now. He has auburn hair with a weird curl in sticking up to the side, and honey warm brown eyes.
As I stood there, Alfred spoke excitedly, "Feli, we just a new crewmate." He then gestures to me with a smile, "This is Andy."
I gave him a small wave, "Hey, nice to meet you. I'm guessing that your the cook, huh?"
Feli gave me a bright smile, "Ve~, that's me! Want some pasta?"
I was confused by the question he ask, though pasta somehow sounds a bit familiar to me. I was silent for a moment as I slowly ask, "What's pasta?"
The look I received from him was pure shock at what I said. His eyes wide enough that they might fall out as he ask, "You never had pasta before?" I just shrugged at him as his eyes looks like their were about start flowing waterfalls, "That just can't be?!" Before I know it, he was moving faster than lightning getting something ready on his side of the counter, "Well I'm going to change that!"
He then handed me a plateful this familiar stringy yellow stuff that has some red stuff on it in one had and a furk in the other.
I took the plate from him as he smiled brightly, "There you go, belle. One plate full of pasta."
I gave him my thanks while he gave a slightly smaller portion of it to Alfred. Once we both got our food, the older teen took me over to where Arthur and Alister were sitting. They weren't that far away from the window we just left, so it didn't take that long to get there. They were sitting at the very end of a long row of tables and benches. I sat down next to the red head on his right since he was closer. Alfred sat down next to Arther's left, facing me in the process.
Alister looked at my plate and gave a soft whistle, "Looks like the chief just got a soft spot for ya."
I just shrug at him, "I just asked him 'what's pasta.' He then acted like you may to an extremely sad orphan's tale and gave me this." I scrunched my brows together at him, "Wait. Why would he have a soft spot for me? He doesn't know me that much at all."
The two older men laughed for a little bit before Arther could say, "Well for Feli, if someone doesn't know what pasta is, he would think its the saddest thing in the world. It's sort of like life blood for Italians in some ways."
The guy next to me nudges my arm a bit, adding to the captain's words, "Plus, the reason why I said he has a soft spot for ya, is that he gave ya some of his own portion. The guy doesn't do that for that many people."
I could feel a hint of heat in my cheeks as I just gave them an, "Oh."
Alfred nudges my foot to get my attention. He has a grin on his face, pointing the food on my plate with his fork, "Well, you better try it dude. Because if you don't, the guy might get a heart attack." I couldn't help the chuckle when the older blond smacked him upside the head.
I looked down to the fork that I set next to the plate, remembering when the last time I used one. I pick up like how I remembered it and stuck it into the stringy stuff. I then scooped it up with the utensil.
I heard a light chuckle from Alister that causes me to look at him. He gave me an amuse smile, "I'm guessin' that its been a while since you last used a fork?"
I couldn't help the embarrassment I felt as I whispered, "About 7-8 years."
I saw some sadness in his eyes when I mention the number of years I've been alone. He gently takes the fork from me as he spoke, "Here, let me show ya." He then done the same steps I did, but he spun it before scooping it. The red head let the food fall off before handing it back to me, "Now ya try."
I nodded to him and copied what he did. Once I lifted the fork with food in it, I saw him giving me a small thumbs up. I smile by that simple encouragement he gave and I went to take a bit of my food. When my mouth closed around the fork, I swear I thought I was sent off from here and now living in heaven. I could feel the warmth, the freshness, the taste thats on my tung. I even think that the world around me have even grown brighter before my very eyes.
I was brought out of my delicious induce trance by the sound of laughing thats around me. I took the fork out of my mouth, leaving the food inside it of course. I glance around to see Alfred, Arther, Alister, and Feli standing there either laughing or with big smiles. I guess how I felt about the food was written on my face when I was still in that trance.
When I was finished with whats in my mouth, I spoke up with a giant smile, "Feli, this is the best food I ever had!"
The Italian just chuckled with joy, "Ve~, that's great to hear, belle. Thank you."
I gave him a quick nod, before diving back into my food. Enjoying more of the delicious bites of heaven I'm having.
I could hear Alfred in front of me stop laughing as a confused look crosses his face. He then looks over to the 've'-ing man, "Um, now that I think about it, Feli. Why are you calling Andy that? I thought you only call girls and women that?"
I start to feel like I just remembered something as I heard the guy answers, "Sì, I do. And the reason why I called Andy that is because Andy's una piccola ragazza, a little girl."
Alister looked at Feli with confusion, "Feli, what are ya talkin' about? Andy is a lad, not a lass. I think ya need ta get ya eyes check."
I just remembered what it was. I was about to tell them earlier before my stomach spoke up. I quickly finish what I had in my mouth so I can look up to the red head with a shy smile, "Um, actually, Feli's right. I am a girl."
Arther was taking a sip of his drink when I said that, causing him to inhale instead of swallowing it. He slammed to cup to the table, hacking up his lungs in the process.
I grew instantly panicked with everyone else. Alfred, being the closest to him, check to see if he's doing okay.
As he continued to try and cough up his drink, I quickly start to apologize in panic state, "I'm so sorry! I was gonna tell ya back up on the deck, but then we got distracted by when I had my last meal. I'm really sorry that I didn't find it that important to mention sooner."
When his coughing got better, Arther glanced at me between coughs as he asks, "That *cough* important *cough* why?"
Once his coughs got softer for him, I answer him with a slight uneasy feeling, "Well, you see, I get mistaken for a boy all the time. So I got used to it over the years. I don't even bother anymore on correcting people about it. Since it really just grown pointless for me to even try." Then felt nervous about the sudden change that could cause. I hesitation was clear as I ask, "W-would that cause any problems? Me being a girl I mean? B-because if it is then I could just-"
Arther cut me off when he fully stopped coughing, "No, no that won't cause any problems for us. You only took me by surprise. But it just might be a bit more dangerous for you than for the rest of us. At certain times, events, or situations I mean, really."
I was a bit confused when he said that. My confusion was clear as I looked at him, "What do you mean?"
Alfred looked really nervous, scratching his head avoiding my gaze, "Um, we really haven't told you about the job title yet. But really..." He then glance up to me, "We're pirates."
I felt stunned when I heard that, at least that's the closest thing I can describe it as. A part of me was hoping that he's joking. But by how he and the others were acting, they were all serious.
I slowly took it in with wide eyes. The odds of prosperously joining a pirate crew by accident like I have. My mind went partly blank at the chances of it happening. After about what felt like enterity in a silent minute, I remembered about that prayers that I made almost every time before I go to sleep. For a better life than the one I had on the streets, cold, hungry... just hoping that I could see tomorrow each night. Not just from every day things, but from the something that got my parents.
But now... I have a chance to get something like that back. To leave that life on the streets behind and start a new.
My eyes fell to the table at the decision I made, a sideways smile creeping onto my face. I shrugged my shoulders, along with all my worries, "Oh well, it's better than living in that old, run down, drafty house all on my own as I search for scrapes to eat each day." I just stared at the table with a small sad grin, "Plus, if something happens, at least I won't be alone. Life is a challenge everyday where anyone of us could die. So why not do it with a bang and also being around friends, right?" I then look up to them as I added, "A pirate's life seems more worth while than the one I have on the streets, that's for sure. So I'll give it a try."
Arther looked at me carefully with a hit of concern, "You sure about this? You still have a chance to change your mind."
I just let my smile grew at the bushy-brow pirate, "I'm sure, I'm sure,-" I then held out my right hand up to him over the table between us, "-Captain Kirkland, sir. It will be an honor, one I won't ever regret."
The pirate captain gave me a smile, taking my hand in a firm grip, "Well then, welcome aboard."
