Follow The Current

Chapter 27

Sunny sat on the railing of the ship, on night watch with Pince. "Can't we go somewhere and not have someone trying to kill us," Sunny asked him. He chuckled softly, "It's all part of the adventure." She rolled her eyes, "Adventure my ass." He sat beside her, "You thinking of leaving the crew?" She snapped her eyes at him in a glare that had him scared for his life. "Why would you think such a thing? This is my family and my home, why would I ever leave?" Pince shrugged, "It's not like we'd blame you if you did. Once a Shadow Pirate, always a Shadow Pirate, no matter where you are." She rolled her eyes as she shook her head, "I'm here to stay." "Good because it'd be dull without you here," he said with a soft smile. She laughed softly, "What are you talking about? You have Brian here to make it lively." 

"Yeah but he's ugly to look at," Pince said to her. "And he doesn't help in the kitchen, just eats everything." "I do more eating than helping," she pointed out to him. He chuckled, "You're my taste tester." She laughed and shook her head. He couldn't help his smile as he looked down at her. She felt her cheeks warm as he looked at her. They leaned towards each other till their lips were pressed against each other. 

"I thought you two were supposed to be guarding the ship not sucking face," Igiel said, causing the two to jump in shock. Pince had lost his balance on the railing and fell over board as his older brother laughed. "Pince are you okay," Sunny asked as Pince came up and spit water. "Just fucking dandy," Pince said as Sunny tossed a rope to him. He climbed up the rope and glared at his brother who was bent over laughing. "Thanks for that," Pince said as he removed his shirt to ring out the water. Sunny looked over Pince's well sculpted body. He wasn't bulky in muscle like Muris and Dio, but he had more muscle than Lance did. His defined lines had her biting her bottom lip. She then sent her eyes elsewhere. 

"Anytime brother," Igiel said as his laughing fit calmed down. Dio then came up, "Why are you wet?" "He fell overboard after I caught those two sucking face and not doing their assigned task," Igiel said to him. Dio chuckled, "I see." 

Dio and Igiel relieved them for the rest of the night and before Sunny went into her room he pulled her towards him, to continue where they had been interrupted. When they pulled away he smiled softly, "Good night Sunny." She smiled, "Good night Pince." 

At the next island it was fully decorated in heart shaped decorations. "It's Hearts Day," Laya, Sunny, and Trish said in happy unison when they saw it. "What's Hearts Day," Tanya asked them. "It's the day for lovers. It's a full on festival filled with food, gifts to be bought, dancing, and much more," Sunny answered. "Those who get caught sitting at restaurants without a date, the restaurant owners will put a giant stuffed bear across from you," Trish shared. "But a single person caught walking alone, will be given flowers and such so they're not left out." 

"Sounds like lots of fun," Scarlet said with a smile. Lux wrapped his arm around her waist, "Lead the way love."   They got ready and unboarded the ship. Igiel watched as Sunny grabbed Pince's hand eagerly before pulling him to see some of the performers, Trish took Brian's hand and his ears became slightly red, Tanya took Kin's hand and the two kids ran off with their crew members telling them to be careful, Muris had his arm around Lance's waist as they talked about the decorations, Lux was whispering something in Scarlet's ear and she laughed, and Laya and Dio were walking hand in hand to one of the shops. Leaving Igiel by himself. 

Oh fun, he thought as he began to walk about by himself. As he did various people would hand him a rose and he honestly didn't know what to do with them. He just continued to carry them as he made his way around. He noticed a woman and man walking about, but she didn't look like she was enjoying herself, by the tight grip the guy had on her arm, he knew why. She was beautiful with long orange hair with streaks of red in it. Her eyes were gold like coins, and freckles dusted her cheeks. On her wrists she wore bracelets that he recognized to be ability blocker cuffs. They had been prettied up to look like your normal jewelry. He lost sight of them in the crowds, but before he did, their eyes met briefly and it looked like she was pleading for help. 

He walked about, hoping to spot her again, but it was no use. He found his crew in a bar gathered in a round booth. "Look who finally joined us, with no one to save him from the single life," Pince said, his arm around Sunny's shoulders. Igiel laughed softly and waved the roses, "Hardy har har." He ordered a beer and sat down. "Anything interesting happen while you were out on your lonesome," Dio asked him. Igiel shared the woman he had seen with them, "But I haven't seen her since then." "I wonder what her ability is," Laya said curiously. "How do those on this side get abilities," Lance asked her curiously. "There is this ship that travels with beasts they captured from the island. Anyone and everyone can kill them for a price," Sunny answered. "We took some of our savings to acquire ours when we saw the opportunity." 

Igiel straightened up when the man came in with her, forcing her to sit in a chair, nearly causing her and the chair to tip over. "Let us know if you need assistance," Lux said as Igiel stood. He gave a simple wave of his hand as he approached them. "Think we'll finally get to see his ability, "Kin whispered slightly excited. "Who knows," Brian shrugged. 

"That's no way to treat a lady," Igiel said as he approached them. "Mind your damn business," the man sneered. "Are you okay milady," Igiel said to the woman. She looked up at him, her eyes on the verge of tears. Her words were caught on her tongue. "Leave my wife alone," the man said to Igiel. Igiel lifted the woman's wrist and inspected the bracelet. "Ability blockers are a bitch to wear, unhealthy to wear constantly. Yet it looks like there is a coating on the outside of it that makes it so only those who touch the underside to loose their abilities." Igiel wrapped his larger hand around it. "Meaning I don't need a key." He used his ability and the bracelet rotted, turning to dust. He did the same to the other wrist. "Thank you," she whispered to him. The man's eyes widened as she turned towards him. "Don't touch me you witch," he said with a shakey voice as he got up. "What's wrong," she asked him. "Do you no longer feel superior now that I'm no longer cuffed? No longer can you beat me and take what you want from me?" He quickly left the tavern and she looked at Igiel. "Thank you for saving me from him," she said and he sat in the chair across from her's. "He wasn't really your husband was he?" She shook her head, "I was a slave he bought. He knows of my ability, but I've never used it since those who sold me had me cuffed at a young age. For years I've tried to get these cuffs off, but my old owners had the keys to them since that ass didn't want them. He didn't want to risk me getting free and take back my life." 

"What is your ability," Lux asked as he approached them. She lifted her hand and she made a different color flame ignite on the tips of her fingers, "And I can talk to animals." "That's rather interesting," Lux said with a smile. "What are you going to do now that you're free?" "I can't stay here, that's for sure," she said to him. "Ever thought of being a pirate," Lux asked her. Igiel looked up at him, "Do you plan on asking every woman who has an ability to join the crew?" "Tanya didn't have an ability when she joined," Lux clarified. Igiel looked back at the woman, "What is your name?" "It's Pyra," she said with a soft smile. "I'm Igiel, this is my Captain Lux," Igiel introduced. "I know, I often see your wanted posters," she said. "An educated woman, I like it," Lux said. "I warn you, the crew is rather insane," Igiel told her. "And most are childish." "Sounds like fun," she said with a soft smile. "Joining a pirate crew sounds a lot better than what the future has for me if I stay here." 

Her so called owner will come for her, and capture her once more. She didn't know how to fight, just use her abilities that she barely had control over due to not having been given much of an opportunity to practice. 

"Excellent," Lux said with a smile. "Welcome to the Shadow Pirates Pyra." Igiel shook his head with a soft smile. The poor woman was truly in for it now, he thought. She had no idea just how strange this crew really was. It was home though, and he wouldn't have it any other way.