𝓒𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓼 𝓶𝔂 𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽 ~ 𝓪 𝓑𝓾𝓰𝓰𝔂 𝔁 𝓕𝓮𝓶 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻 𝓯𝓪𝓷 𝓯𝓲𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷

𝓣𝓱𝓻𝓮𝓮 : 𝓝𝓸 𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴

As you made your way through the quiet streets of Anchor Reef you had to resist the urge to pinch your wrist just to be sure that this wasn't another one of your elaborate dreams. It was happening. Finally happening. You were leaving the Conomi islands behind; the place you had called home for most of your life, and you were actually headed for the grand line; with an infamous pirate no less!

Just then the pirate in question turned to gauge just how far behind you were and judging by the disapproving glower he shot your way you realized immediately that your current walking speed was not up to his standards. "Come on come on! Move it, sweetheart. When I said haul ass I meant it, we seriously need to hurry the fuck up!"

"Sorry" you responded feebly, quickening your pace in order to try and match his long, purposeful strides, "you do have longer legs than me" you couldn't resist pointing out.

"Really? I hadn't noticed" he fired back, sarcastically, "it's no excuse though. If you're going to serve me as you so rightly claim to want to do, then you better learn to follow orders, got it?"

Nodding enthusiastically, you repeated "got it, captain"

Seemingly pleased by your obedient response, he smiled as his gaze returned to the middle-distance, "atta girl!"

Seriously? He spoke as if you were his pet or something. However your thoughts then quickly returned to the sleepy town that you were now leaving behind. You found yourself casting nervous glances around you; expecting to see twitching curtains as the townsfolk observed you, unassuming little Amby, traipsing down the cobbled streets in the company of Buggy the clown! Ugh. You were being ridiculous, undoubtedly such gossip would certainly ruffle some feathers throughout the town, but your paranoia was completely unfounded. It was still too early for most residents to be up and about, and besides, they probably wouldn't even recognize this version of you: with your hair flowing free and donning clothes that wouldn't be considered your style.

Doubt still niggled at your insides though, for unrelated reasons, and guilt weighed heavily on your conscience; you'd never felt so torn in all your life. You were leaving behind your adoptive family and friends, but at the same time you had finally been presented with the opportunity to follow your dreams.......and heart.

Finally you both turned the corner which led down to the small harbor, and the sight of a large imposing ship came into view. Imposing as it was however, it distinctly was not the Big Top; the well known ship which belonged to the Buggy Pirates. No. This ship was pink, ornately carved; the figurehead being a ducks head, and the sails bore the distinctive design of large pink hearts.

What the actual fuck......?

"Uh, Buggy.......what is this?"

"That?" He whirled around to face you; his ocean eyes dancing with unsuppressed mirth. Pointing behind him over one shoulder using his thumb, he enunciated slowly "that's a ship"

You fought to suppress a huff of annoyance, "Yes I know it's a ship, but it isn't your ship"

"Correctamundo, sweetheart. Ten outta ten for observation. I'm glad you know the difference between my ship and this frickin' eyesore. I mean.....pink is so not my color—"

"No I know whose color it is though! This is the Miss Love Duck!"

"Correct again" he lightly pinched your cheek between his gloved finger and thumb in a mocking gesture, "the Big Top is currently en route to Coral island, we're merely.....hitching a ride"

"Hitching a ride on Alvida's ship!?" You hissed accusingly. This was not what you'd bargained for at all. "I thought you.....I thought you'd sailed into town on your own ship....with your own crew—"