By the time Naia returned to the Moby Dick and had dressed, it was already nightfall, and the party was in full swing. Music echoed across the open waters and both crews' laughter mingled. Naia smiled when Ace's own laughter echoed louder than the others. She settled herself on the railing towards the back of the vessel, content with watching from afar.
"Pops was looking for you." Naia jumped as Marco came to land beside her. "Everything alright?"
"I still can't believe we're back. It feels like some sort of dream."
"You're telling me. It feels so unreal I can't help myself but reach out to make sure Ace's real."
"I'm happy you found each other again." Naia smiled at him.
"Second chances do us all good, right?" Marco sighed, turning to look up at the sky. "I'm sure you're excited about your second chance with Shanks."
"It's been unreal, and everything's changing so quickly. I'm getting too old to keep up." They chuckled at the thought.
"The day you get old is when the sea drains of water." Marco held a hand out to her. "Now, come. Your son has done nothing but tell me how he was looking forward to hearing you sing, and I imagine your captain feels the same."
"What were you thinking?"
"We could give them a show with that one."
"Nah, that might be a little much, even for him."
"You like to make things difficult, though."
"Not tonight."
"Did something happen?" Marco stopped her short. Naia lifted her gaze to him, and it hurt more than she wanted it to to see the uncertainty and fear in them.
"He's suspecting my position. I do not believe the outcome for me will be different."
"Don't talk like that!" Marco shouted. He gritted his teeth and the few pirates who had turned to watch quickly looked away. "We know what to do and we've already started to-"
"I have yet to do anything truly different." Naia stopped him short. "I am stringing him along the same, using my title the same and forcing his hand." Marco looked outraged but Naia continued, "I do not regret a single thing, but I am not so illusioned to think there will be something on the other side of this for me."
"I-" Naia watched silently as her words sank in. "Let us sing and forget. At least for the night. I think I might stick to the piano."
"Marco!"
"No, if you want to do everything alone, then you can do this alone." Naia stared at his back as he walked away. The weight of the world pressed against her shoulders, and she could do nothing to prevent it. Is this how Atlas feels? Perhaps, a visit would help enlighten her. Naia caught Whitebeard's gaze, nodding briefly before turning back towards another crewmate. Ace looked excited, as did Shanks. He seemed to be boasting about something, and Naia felt her chest tighten. She could do this. She had to.
A piano melody floated in the air, and Naia felt the air rush out of her lungs while her eyes stung. Marco always seemed to know what song she needed to sing. Naia was grateful he wasn't too upset at her.
"I've been reading books of old. The legends and the myths. Achilles and his gold. Hercules and his gifts," Naia let the tune roll off her tongue. The pirates slowly began to turn their attention to her as she sang, getting lost in the music and letting it sweep her away to a world she wanted. A world she needed.
"She said, where'd you wanna go? How much you wanna risk? I'm not lookin' for somebody. With some superhuman gifts. Some superhero, some fairy-tale bliss. Just something I can turn to, somebody I can miss." Shanks was staring at her with an intensity she had never seen before. Does he hear the desperation in her voice- on her face? How badly she wanted to be with him and only him.
"Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo. Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo." Marco's voice echoed before she could get a note out. Naia turned sharply to look at him. His face held such determination, such anger, it took Naia's breath away. That had been happening way too often for such a short song. A small smile bloomed across her face as their voices harmonized.
"Some superhero. Some fairy-tale bliss. Just something I can turn to. Somebody I can kiss. I want something just like this!" They let their voices linger in the air while the piano tune died out. Pirates around them clapped, but were caught between stunned silence and cheering for such a performance. Naia was reminded of how long it had been since she performed for this crew. There were more newbies than the original crew. They had likely never heard her sing. The Red Hair pirates were cheering, and those she had met on Dawn Island had a nostalgic look on their faces.
"Gurararara! This is precisely why I make you sing!" Whitebeard grinned down at her. "Another, but allow my daughters to help you out this time!"
A violin joined the other instruments and Naia chuckled as a few nurses joined her onstage. Shanks raised an eyebrow but the pirates grew more rowdy as the music picked up.
"Look how the light of the town, the lights of the town are shining now. Tonight I'll be dancing around. I'm off on the road to Galway now." The daughters wrapped their arms around her, smirks on their faces.
"Look how she's off on the town. She's off on a search for sailors though. There's fine fellas here to be found. She's never been one to stay at home," they sang above her. The music shifted and more of the daughters pulled various pirates out to dance.
"Téir abhaile riú, téir abhaile riú. Téir abhaile riú Mhearai." Ace was laughing as Marco led him through the dance. This song had once been sung in a port town in what is now considered the North Blue. Her and her sisters had such fun watching them from the docks. While the town itself was gone, she had kept the song alive.
"Come now and follow me down. Down to the lights of Galway where, there's fine sailors walking the town, and waiting to meet the ladies there!" Shanks' eyes were glistening and the oil lamps surrounding the ship made it seem as if they were on fire.
"Watch now he'll soon be along. He's finer than any sailor so come on now pick up your spoons. He's waiting to hear you play them WHOOO!" The daughters pushed her off the stage into the strong chest of her captain. Shanks chuckled above her and Naia could feel her cheeks heat up, but the excitement rushing through her veins had her grabbing his hand, leading him through the dance.
"Téir abhaile riú Mhearai. Téir abhail gus fan sa tá do mhargadh déanta." Shanks' cloak whipped around them while they spun through the throngs of dancing pirates. The atmosphere seemed to glow.
"Stay here and never you mind. The lights of the town are blinding you. The sailors, they come and they go, but listen to what's reminding you. Handsome men surrounding you. Dancing a reel around you~!" The tune flowed effortlessly from her, the dancing never impeding her ability to sing no matter how fast the dancing got. Shank tightened his grip around her waist, keeping her close, but Naia twirled him around.
"Listen to the music flow. I'm falling for the flow of home. I'm home to dance till dawning." Naia met his gaze strongly and the world seemed to pause around them. She tugged on his hand pulling him back into the fray of the dancing while those of the older generation of Whitebeard joined her in singing.
"Téir abhaile riú Mhearai. Téir abhail gus fan sa bhaile. Mar tá do mhargadh déanta. Do Mhargadh de - do mhargadh déanta." Naia was panting by the time the music died out.
"You, my nymph, are simply amazing!" Shanks gasped. "Dahahaha, I forgot how it feels to have such a great dance partner," Shanks laughed as he spun her around.
"Are you saying you're dancing with other women?" Naia raised an eyebrow at him. Shanks flushed and brought her to his chest.
"One can't simply stay on the sidelines when there is a party."
"No, I suppose one can't." Naia smiled wistfully. "Hopefully, you won't have to search for much longer."
"You get more stunning every time I look at you." Naia yelped as Shanks hauled her up, her hands coming to rest on his shoulders. Their eyes met, and the music faded into the background.
"Your flattery will get you nowhere, Captain." Naia blushed.
"I flatter no one but you," Shanks whispered into her ear. "Come let us go back to the ship."
"It's so early, though," Naia protested.
"I want all the time I can with you." Shanks gently set her down, pushing a stray hair behind her ear. "And only you."
"Shanks," Naia breathed.
"Naia! I want learn that dance!" Ace's voice shouted from across the deck. Naia bit her lip before bursting into laughter.
"My son calls and the night is young, Captain." Naia winked. "There is plenty of time to catch up with one another!"
Songs:
Something Just Like this by Alex Goot, Madilyn Bailey
Téir Abhaile Riú by Celtic Woman