Ch. 7
I retired to my room to change. I picked up my simplest Indian garb, and wrapped a shawl around me for good measure. As I headed for the door, I noticed something on my desk. Walking over I saw it looked like a messenger bag, only with a smaller pouch. I picked it up and opened it, for it had a book in it, as I could tell by the shape. When I saw it, I smiled in happiness, for it was a new blank journal. On the first page, written in my Captain's script, was this note:
For when they refuse to learn your signs and I am not around.
It was written in his native tongue, and I grinned brighter at my comprehension of it. I was still quite good, despite hardly using it. For a moment I could do nothing but stare at the deep blue of the book, then I realized what a spectacle I'd be if someone was to enter my room, and hurried to put it away. As I did, I noticed a discrete pocket that held another 'quill with ink within.' I grinned widely, for I loved to watch the ink drip in its case, while it never spilled. I secured my bag and removed my shawl, slinging the bag over my head and letting it rest at my hip before rewrapping myself in my shawl.
I hurried out of my room in search of Captain, who would probably be at the helm speaking with Ishmael. Several workers passed me on the way and I smiled happily at them, which they returned. Despite what people say, it is better to be comfortable in your clothing than to be 'fashionable.' At the moment, I was in the lap of luxury. Dressed neither as a boy nor in thick and uncomfortable garb, I do not think anything could make me happier. Well, I could, but I was content for now…
Captain was indeed where I had predicted him, with Ishmael in tow. I walked up to them and grinned as I signed my thanks to Captain, bowing low after. He chuckled at my display, for he knew I would not hug him with the others around. "Actually Marina, it was Ishmael whom thought of your gift and arranged for it while we were at Mr. Gray's," Captain told me. My eyes widened in surprise as I hurriedly turned towards Ishmael and bowed to him. As I stood, I signed, "Thank you for your thoughtful gift, Ishmael."
He laughed and nodded, "Anytime Marina, let me know when you've filled that one." I nodded enthusiastically, for I knew it would indeed fill up soon. I intended to get to know the League well, if they were to be staying on my one-day-to-be ship. I turned back to Captain, "I put Tom down the corridor from Skinner. Is there anything to be done?" I questioned, and he shook his head. "Good, Ishmael and I are just finishing up our routes. You may go work in the engine room if you wish," Captain dismissed me, and I ran out happily. If there was anything better than not dressing as a boy, it was working down below.
I smiled as I skillfully ran down the long corridors, dodging those I passed cheerfully as I ran, waving as I did. I reached the door to below and Dayanand opened it, on his way out. I asked of his health and he said he was fine before inquiring mine. I told him the same before waving my farewell and dropping down below. I slid down the ladder and landed giddy from the speed of falling. I walked along the pipes as I looked for Vishal who, despite not having a title, was much the leader of the 'underground' of the ship. I smiled as I passed the workers, well, the ones whom were not busy with their noses currently in their station. Which in truth were most, for it was indeed a full time job to keep the ship running. I was merely glad that they could soon get some well-deserved rest when the night shift switched with the day.
"Finally back, eh girl?"
His booming voice drowned out the noises that engulfed the engine room. Like a child to her father, or rather, a sister to her older brother, I turned to in the voices direction and beamed. With a running start, I leapt to Vishal's open arms and my wizened breath of a giggle burst past my lips. In the beginning when I had had to sneak into the engine room just to get down here, Vishal had found me poking about and taken me under his wing. Of course, that was after I managed to avoid his men when he sent them after me to get rid of me. When he had seen his men, tired from the chase, he had given one of his booming laughs, and called me out. I had refused to come down from the high pipe I had climbed on, and stayed up there until I was coaxed down with the promise of being taught something neat.
Of course, as soon as I was down, he had grabbed me and would have thrown me out if I had not managed to slip from his grasp and disappear within the pipes for a few hours. Apparently I caused so much trouble Captain needed to come down to fetch me, and had found me asleep next to a warm pipe. Captain had carried me away to my room, and the next day when I was determined to sneak back down below to raise mischief for the man who had lied to me, I found the door opened for me, and many new things to be learned waiting.
Since then, Vishal had been the one of the closest in my adoptive family. He was brother, while Captain was (in my mind) father, and Ishmael (so I joked with him) was mother. I had no sister, but I had several cousins and a few uncles as well. Who knows, maybe with the League now, my family could grow…
I am not sure how long I was down in the engine room, but I managed to be covered with oil and grease from head to toe regardless of the time. Not even Vishal would touch me by the time I left; the laughter of the workers followed me as I playfully slammed the door shut behind me. I smiled down at my dirty clothes, so much for making an impression. As I walked down the halls, I noted it did not really matter, considering it was long past due the time of first impressions. I sighed; I had been at least hoping to shift their opinion a bit being dressed as a girl. I had never really been good at that though, so if they could not take it, I suppose they would have to work on that problem on their own…
I met Mr. Gray in the hall then, and I stiffened at the anticipation of what could happen. Would he just ignore me once more (something I would be happy about), or would he insult me (which has a higher probability of happening). Apparently he was learning to multi-task for he found a way to do both. He looked me up and down with a sneer (insult), before walking by me without a word (ignore). Not to help my image but I huffed like an angry bull and stomped to my room. What was that fop doing down this corridor anyway? Why could he not just stay in his room as the others had…had?
I realized I still did not know the time and could not be sure what the League was up to at the moment. Captain obviously had not needed me for he had not sent a messenger for me. So perhaps the others were all resting now. It was after all eight when we had enlisted Mr. Gray and gotten Sawyer as well. Mayhap I should rest as well, for tomorrow evening we would need to enlist (capture?) our last League member.
Without realizing it my body had grown extremely limp, my mind and spirit weary. Had I spent too much time down below? It was a good possibility, though it was also as good a possibility that the excitement of meeting the League and them discovering I was a girl could have something to do with it too. "Marina?" I was tired, but I knew that voice, despite just meeting him. I turned to Skinner and smiled wearily. I had not eaten for a good while, and I was very tired for 'some' reason. I leaned against the wall, no doubt leaving a mark that would later need to be cleaned. "I was hoping to see ya as a girl the next time I saw ya, not a grease heap. You okay?" he asked, his black gloves reaching out to grasp my arm and shoulders. This time I let him, and pointed him to my room as I leaned against him, raising my hand to cover my mouth as I yawned loudly.
"You been up all night, love?" He asked. Excuse me, but was he referring to me as, 'love?' I sighed inwardly and let it pass, having no energy to hit him, and nodded my head. Knowing he did not know my signs and not wanting to smudge Ishmael's gift, I made the motion of pulling out a pocket watch and tapped the 'watch,' with a questioning, albeit tired, look. It took Skinner a moment before he got it, and he told me the sun had just risen. I had indeed spent the night working without even realizing it, and with no food since midday yesterday. Perhaps I wanted myself to faint?
Skinner opened my door and led me into my room, sitting me on my bed. He looked me up and down with disapproval, then at his dirty jacket before looking around. He walked over to my dresser and opened my drawers, pulling out a dark green outfit and putting it on my bed next to me. "Change into that love, then go to bed, alright? I'll go tell ol' Nemo what's what and get him to get you food, how's that?" I smiled gratefully to him telling Captain, but shook my head to the food. I would sleep, and then eat later; I needed no one to serve me food because of my own mistake. It was my own fault I had not eaten in so long.
Skinner just nodded his head and walked out the door, shutting it behind him. Had he even taken notice to my command? I doubted it; in any case, it was too late now. I quickly slid from my grimy clothes and slipped into the fresh pair. The soft material was a joy, and before I realized it, I was wrapped in my shawl and fast asleep on my bed…