Chapter 3 – It Isn't a Dream
"I barely fucking pushed her!" Kidd shouted in outrage, unaware of the force he had used when he pushed her. Killer was looking over the rail, looking down at the ocean's surface, waiting for her to come back up but there was no sign.
"Want me to go get her?" He asked his captain but heard him click his tongue.
"What'll she bring to the table? She's useless." Kidd approached the rail of the ship as well, looking down with a grimace.
"She knows how to fight." Killer corrected him, knowing first-hand what her capabilities were, to some extent. Just the memory of it alone almost made him wince, his body remembering the pain after that kick she had landed on him. "Plus, she can do things around the ship until we leave her at the next stop." Killer saw bubbles popping up at the surface. She was not coming up. "We have to do it now, Kidd."
"Fuck… fine, whatever." He waved his hand in the air and, immediately, his first mate dived in, searching for Skyler in the dark abyss of the ocean.
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Skyler didn't know how long she was in the water but the chill she was feeling was immense. She cursed herself for goofing around in swimming lessons when she was younger but she wasn't making an effort either to get to the surface. Maybe, just maybe, this was all a dream that she would wake up, kind of like those dreams when someone's falling and wakes up just before hitting the ground.
Everything around her was dark, like a void that was swallowing her whole and she didn't know where to turn to at this point. The water leaked through her nostrils and mouth, invading her lungs, bubbles of air escaping as her body tried to make her cough it out.
In the darkness of the ocean, she noticed a shadow appear but her vision was going blurry and she couldn't quite make out what it was. She vaguely felt something grab her arm, pulling her towards it and something else wrap around her waist.
Everything was going dark but just as she was about to lose consciousness, she broke through the surface of the water, swallowing as much air as she could and instantly coughing out the sea water she had swallowed.
"Don't go dying that fast on us." Looking to her side, she saw her saviour, Killer, still holding onto her so she wouldn't sink back down. "Kidd!" He shouted out and, suddenly, they were being pulled out of the water by an invisible force and landing on the ship's deck. Skyler fell to her knees, coughing out a bit more of the water that was in her lungs, hand on her chest from pain she was feeling. "You could've at least made an effort to swim up." Killer stated, taking off his blouse and squeezing out the water from the fabric before throwing it over his shoulders.
"This all feels so unreal…" She breathed in heavily, trying to take in as much air as she could. She felt the weight of the situation heavy on her shoulders as her mind settled into the reality of her circumstance. She was really trapped in a foreign place, unsure what time or if it was her world at all, but the display of her and Killer 'flying' into the boat only proved this was her 'reality'. "What do I do now…?" She mumbled more to herself than the men around her, as she tried to figure out what she would do next but she was at a total loss.
This was uncharted territory for her, she knew not where she was or what to do to survive. When they arrive to the next island, she would be left there and then what? Skyler really didn't know where to begin. Maybe she should've offered another bargain so she could stay in the ship, perhaps that way she would have better odds at finding out a way to return back home.
Killer noticed her turmoil, understanding what she was trying to figure out was a way out. Maybe he could try and convince Kidd to let her stay, help in her endeavour. He stopped his train of thought: why on earth was he so worried about her wellbeing when she had just arrived? Maybe he had a thing for the underdog of the situation, maybe wanting to root for her success since everything seemed to be against her?
Kidd, on the other hand, was annoyed by the whole situation but had to admit that he was curious as to how she had gotten there in the first place. At the same time, he felt he didn't have time for this, given that he wanted to arrive to Sabaody as fast as possible to finally set out into the New World. He didn't know how much this would set him back, even if it was one stop in an island and drop her off.
Did he want to do that? Killer did say she knew how to fight and he did enjoy a woman that showed she had grit. Plus, from what he had heard, she did make a bit of a number on Killer, his first mate, which is no easy task. He wanted to fight her as well but she was injured at the moment so that would have to wait.
For now, she would be a bit of a dead weight.
"Just hurry and fix the fucking ship. I'll keep an eye on you." Kidd stated turning around to head below deck. "Don't want you ruining Victoria."
Killer reached out, grabbed under her arm and pulled her back up to her feet. Both were still soaked from the dive they took and, only now did Skyler notice the chill of the wind and started to shiver lightly. She would get sick so fast if she stayed in those clothes.
"Come on, I have to change too." He said as he noticed her shivering and went ahead leaving her blushing and confused as to what he meant by that. It sounded as if she was going to change clothes in front of him, a complete stranger. She slapped herself mentally.
Of course that was not what he meant!
"Buy me dinner first, please." She replied and followed him. If it weren't for the mask, she would've seen the hugest grin on his face.
He composed himself and, once they came to a stop in front of a wooden door, he knocked. A woman with a huge curly mane of orange hair opened the door. She was wearing a striped pink coat too big for her arms and a wide pale pink dress with a huge bow. She looked endearing, welcoming, and greeted them with a huge smile.
"Killer! Sweetie, how can I help?" She asked, hands on hips and looking at the two of them.
"She needs some clothes before she gets sick. Think you can help, Quincy?" Killer leaned against the wall, knowing full well that Quincy was more than capable. She had tailored and mended so many of the outfits that the crew had. Some of them even just got fabric and gave to Quincy so she could do her magic.
A tailor had not been on the list of priorities when it came to gathering a pirate crew, but it was a hobby for Quincy and it did come with its benefits.
"Oh, that will be easy!" Her voice sounded so bubbly, a stark contrast to what Kidd sounded like and Skyler couldn't help but wonder why on earth did Quincy choose to follow that redhead. Assuming she had a choice, of course. She could imagine Kidd not even giving a choice to the people that were in that ship. "Come on sweetheart! I want to hear everything about you!" Quincy immediately grabbed Skyler's wrist and pulled her into the room. Skyler hissed as she felt the sharp sting on her leg. "Oh I am so sorry!" Quincy quickly apologized, letting go of her.
"Have fun." She heard Killer say before the door was slammed shut behind her.
Looking around to her new surroundings, Skyler noticed that she was in some kind of dorm room. There were bunk beds lined on one end of the room, whereas, on the opposite wall, there were a few storage closets and shoes lined up. The walls were heavily decorated be it with posters, some wanted posters as well, jewellery and even musical instruments.
And the colours… Oh the colours clashed so much and it was giving her a headache just looking at them. Not only did they have all colours of the rainbow there, they were so bright and loud.
"So, as you heard, my name is Quincy! Nice to meet you!" She shook her hand energetically before letting go, rushing to the closet, rummaging through the clothes stored away. "We better get you off those clothes before you get sick, sweetie." Her head perked up, the orange mane of hair bouncing with the sudden movement. "Sorry, what was your name?"
"Skyler." She presented herself, surprised by how welcoming and overly kind Quincy was compared to what she had encountered so far.
"Oh Skyler, what a pretty name! Well, Skyler, very nice to meet you!" She returned to her search in the closet and pulled out a few articles of clothes, be it dresses, tank tops, mesh shirts, there was a bit of everything. "I heard all the commotion and I was told you kind of kicked Killer's ass! Or… wait, was it his balls and not his ass?"
Skyler choked a bit by how Quincy had worded that but was followed by a muffled chuckle from her.
"I'd say he kicked my ass more than I did his." She pointed out the bandages that littered her arms and legs that were visible.
Quincy took note of that, making sure to rush to a nightstand and taking out rolls of bandage dressing so she could change that as well.
"I think you won that, though! Getting that kick in right to his balls was a beauty!" With this, Skyler let out a hearty laugh that echoed in the room, Quincy laughing as well.
"Quincy! On what team are you on!?" The two laughed and Skyler noticed Quincy had picked up a notebook with a small pen stuck to it and a measuring tape.
"Is it okay if I take your measurements? For the future as well, if you need anything." She had such a comforting and warm smile that Skyler couldn't say no. She just stretched out her arms, in a T-pose, and let her do her thing.
"I don't know if I have much of a future here, though. Supposedly I am being dropped off at the next stop." Skyler stood still, letting Quincy take her measurements either way.
"That's too bad… Do you have family or friends there waiting? Do you know where to go?" She seemed genuinely worried about Skyler, and that warmed her heart. At least someone on that ship seemed to show some care towards others, even if they were strangers. The concern made Skyler's eyes sting a bit as tears threatened to come pouring out but she would not allow them, at least not when she was around other people.
"I don't even know where I am, Quincy." There was a sad smile on her face. The answer made Quincy stop what she was doing and look directly at Skyler's green eyes. "I just… showed up here, somehow. I don't know where I am or how I get back home…"
"Oh, sweetheart…" There was so much worry and care in those words that almost shattered Skyler completely. Quincy placed her hands on Skyler's arms, gently rubbing them in a comforting manner. "Don't you worry, we'll figure something out." With a smile, Quincy returned to taking her measurements, checking the length of her legs now.
"Your captain doesn't seem too fond with the idea of me being around to begin with."
"Aw, you don't mind him. That man is as stubborn as a mule but he can be kind to those he cares about." Quincy stopped to look up at her, again with that reassuring signature smile of hers.
"He seems quite impatient and hot-headed though." Skyler raised an eyebrow and Quincy nodded eagerly.
"Yep! He is! And stubborn, short tempered, prone to violence, and very, very temperamental!" She finished taking the last measurements and stood up again. "But he does care in his way. He just wants us to be safe and he always does everything to protect us. Even putting himself in danger to keep us safe."
Skyler was surprised because she did not expect that last part about Kidd. He just seemed brash, impatient and violent but, in a way, she could see that he may care, at least, for his crew. It would be harsh if he did not but, the way Quincy was talking about him, it was clear that she had admiration towards him. Even with Killer, whenever he talked to his captain, there seemed to be a sense of security with hearing whatever Kidd had to say and he would even temper the harshness that Kidd could have.
It was good that the captain had a crew that could also smoothen out his rough edges. They seem to complement each other really well, like they were all pieces of a puzzle that stuck together just fine.
"Quincy…" Skyler started and earned a gentle nod from the woman. "Do you think Kidd would let me stay here?" She saw a glimmer of excitement in Quincy's eyes, and Skyler had to admit that her enthusiasm was a bit contagious. "I think my odds of finding my way home are best if I stay here rather than stay in whatever island I get left off."
"Oh Skyler! We'll manage something!" Quincy seemed even more excited at the prospect of a new addition to the crew, although for an undetermined amount of time. "Maybe talk to Killer first about that! He always was the better of us at buttering up the captain." This earned a chuckle from Skyler, easing the tension and anxiety she had been holding in.
Quincy helped Skyler get off the wet dressing of her wounds and replaced them all. She then cycled through some clothes that were about Skyler's size and they were able to set on some corduroy, wine red pants which Quincy folded at the bottom in order to give them a bit more shape. Along with it, a black, three-quarter sleeve top that was also loose fitting and a pair of short leather boots the finish up. When it came to accessorising, Quincy did want to go overboard but Skyler cut her off, preferring to keep things simple, choosing only a long cord necklace with a green stone at the end.
She waved at Quincy, thanking the ginger for all the help and support she had given and left the room only to be faced with a now dry Killer, with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Quincy ran her mouth, didn't she?" He asked and Skyler nodded, hesitantly. "She's always like this with everyone… Come on, I'll see what I can say to Kidd to keep you around."
"Wait… You heard that?" Skyler was confused but then corrected herself. "Wait… You'll help me!?"
"Yeah, she's not exactly discreet when she talks." He started walking and she followed close behind. "And I was already thinking over your situation and I do agree with you. Your odds are better to find a way home if you're with us. We move around, get in touch with many people so it could be easier to find information."
"But… Why help me?" The question made Killer come to a full stop and turn to face her.
"Honestly? I don't know but I'm curious to what you can bring and what you know." He scratched the back of his neck, trying to shake off the comfortable shivers that ran through his body because of how attentive she was looking at him. "And I want revenge for that kick you gave me. The crew will never let me hear the end of it." His shoulders dropped defeated and his ears were greeted with the heartiest laughter coming from her.
"I'll make it up to you, don't worry." She tapped his shoulder light-heartedly.
With that gesture, Killer was thankful he always had his mask on, otherwise she would've seen the blush on his cheeks because of the implications of what she had said.
"Right, come on then before Kidd really loses his patience." Killer shook his shoulders and headed down the hall towards the area that had been damaged, Skyler following close behind.
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A/N:
So this will be the chapter with the first big change compared to the original version. I want to include more characters of the crew besides the main four that we've seen more times (Kidd, Killer, Wire and Heat). I'll be adding others from the crew and developing those relationships more. Before, Skyler felt like she was isolated to mainly Killer and Kidd and I think she needs a bit more of a support system within the crew. Quincy was the easiest for me to add in initially, her design seems to be a bit more cheerful and quirky so it's easy to translate that to writing, despite not seeing much of her if anything at all in the anime.