𝓒𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓼 𝓶𝔂 𝓗𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽 ~ 𝓪 𝓑𝓾𝓰𝓰𝔂 𝔁 𝓕𝓮𝓶 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓻 𝓯𝓪𝓷 𝓯𝓲𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷

𝓔𝓵𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓷 : 𝓑𝓵𝓾𝓮

*Amby's POV*

Several hours had passed since the storm - and more notably, the altercation aboard the Miss Love Duck and the ensuing patching up of Buggy's hand incident - now you found yourself trudging the narrow cobbled streets of a tiny port village with your infamous captain by your side - well, several steps ahead at least, and not simply due to his superior leg length. No, his oscillating moods also seemed to have a direct effect on the pace that he set. When in a relatively bright and optimistic mood he walked by your side, as he had when you'd first come ashore. But as he grew increasingly frustrated and irritable, so in turn did the length of his strides, and you weren't exactly keen on hurrying to keep pace.

Actually that felt like a new development for you. Instead of being so eager to not vex him by lagging behind, you preferred to keep your distance, not particularly wanting to listen to his incessant grumbling, and not fearing the risk of him admonishing you. It was odd but... you no longer felt remotely intimidated by his outbursts. Almost like you were finally growing semi-comfortable with standing your ground with him. You couldn't understand it but, it seemed as if something had changed between you both since the storm. You'd both been vulnerable at different points, and in turn saved each others' asses. So no doubt that had affected your dynamic.

And the incident in the cabin.....the way his hand had glided ever so slightly up your leg...... and the way he'd looked at you.....

Well, if it was down to him having consumed too much liquor then he'd sobered up real quick, as there was no visible signs of him being tipsy once he returned from his talk with Alvida. So, you decided not to dwell on what that was all about.

As for your current situation, it appeared that Buggy and Alvida had somehow managed to set their differences aside temporarily and cease squabbling long enough to determine the most appropriate course of action now that the main mast had been broken. Fortuitously, this tiny village named "Port Siren" was located just a little further to the West; so the damaged vessel didn't need to travel too far in order to undergo the necessary repairs. The fact that it was only a few miles off course from your charted destination was also a huge bonus and relief to say the least.

So as soon as the Miss Love Duck had docked, Buggy had harried you along; desperate to set foot ashore before most of the crew were able to. His reasoning for this was basic common sense - the Miss Love Duck would be out of action at least until tomorrow, if not longer, and this was only a small village, so you'd be in need of a place to stay for the night. Of course Alvida would order some members of her crew to stay on board the ship in order to protect it, but the majority of them and Alvida herself would undoubtedly be seeking lodgings in the village.

However, it hadn't taken long before it became apparent that Buggy's strategy was in vain, as each establishment you visited turned you both away with a polite - undoubtedly nervous - and apologetic explanation that they were full up.

You'd come to realize (no, more like you'd been forced to accept) the real problem was that you were pirates, and whilst some Inn's made allowances because they wanted the business, most hoteliers would rather not run the risk of not receiving payment and having their rooms wrecked. Alone, you probably would've gotten away with it - after all you didn't look that piratical. In fact you were seriously contemplating having to bite the bullet and suggest that Buggy hang back until you'd secured a room, and then you could sneak him in later. The only problem there was Buggy's flamboyant nature meant.....he wasn't much of a sneaker. Hell, if his arrival could be announced with fanfares and a red carpet, he would've been totally down for that.