Future of Calamity [Under Rewrite]

Chapter 16 - Boiling Blood

"And what are you folks planning, anyway?"

Grim at the sight of her disturbed approach, the pirates only allowed a hesitant side eye as she stomped closer; a foul mood evidently siezing her mind once again. Seeing that she refused to let it go, the higher-class pirate turned with a huff, bird tweeting threateningly - as intimidating as a cute goldfinch could be - while it settled comfortably in his tricorne hat. "Like I said, we're getting through that gate. If you're not helping us, then the conversation's over," he explained with an uncaring tone.

The daemon rolled her eyes, placing a hand on her hip. "Is it possible to get through?" she questioned coldly.

"If the first mate says he'll do it, he'll do it," he stated without a hint of doubt, unwavering confidence in the strange malak they sailed with.

Velvet narrowed her eyes at the unique outlook upon such an entity, orbs crackling with interest. "You sure put a lot of faith in him. He's a malak, isn't he?"

The lead pirate blinked away the specific label with a shake of his head, "That doesn't matter. He's got the Captain's blessing, and that's enough for us," he seamlessly explained, no scowl at treating the malak like a human being. Velvet hummed under her breath, the subject of a malak's humanity already bouncing around her head in droves; two particular beings causing this rush of hypocrisy that itched under her skin.

Pushing the feeling away, she pulled the conversation to beneficial information. "Couldn't you ignore the narrows and sail around?" she asked blankly, the topic of working with a pirate drilling in a nail of suspicion.

"Not now," he replied with a downcast expression. "We lost both of our compass and several of our crew in an earlier attack."

'Compass?' she wondered to herself in thought, as Number Two hummed behind her silently.

The pirate continued in earnest, his face breaking out into hopeful determination, "But in the end, we're pirates. If someone blocks our way, we can't fall back!" he cried with a resilient raise of his fist; the remaining crew cheering in tandem. As the daemon cast her gaze over the confident pirates that stood steadfast in the wake of their first mate, she couldn't help but wonder about the white-haired man who left with him. It was a fool's errand to join a band of criminals and expect them to behave. But deep inside, something twisted in her gut.

'No, that life is gone now, there is nothing left.' she inwardly berated. 'My journey ends at that man's doorstep, riddled with sins that can have me only in death.' Velvet's uncommon form of conviction permeated her body like a fufilling gas. 'Until then, I will not rest before Artorias lies dead at my feet. For Laphicet.' Looking up at the proud pirate, her face relaxed mildly - still on the edge of frowning - but the true sight of their familial connection soothed her mind. "And that's what makes a pirate, huh?" His toothy smile was infectious by human standards, and she turned on her heel and stalked towards where their group stood in wait. Even now, she could catch the glimmer of disappointment at them being one member less from the samurai's conserved features. Both sides that meshed together inside relented.

Nearing the circle, Rokurou perked up slightly at the battle of planning between herself, and inquired calmly. "So?" he asked, his previous identifiable emotion vanishing like a puff of smoke. "What's the plan?"

"The pirates share our goal. I don't think we have any choice but to band together," she stated with a contemplative look, holding a finger knuckle to her lips. Magilou slid in with an ever expressive face.

"True enough!" she sang, "If forward lies destruction, and backwards lies doom, then sideways is your only option!" she proudly announced with a hand to her chest.