Giving Fantasia: The Taking Fantasia Sequel

Chapter 120: Sad But True

Chapter 120: Sad But True

Jim wanted to know everything. 

Luckily, Sinbad also wanted to know everything. So they made a trade. Sinbad answered Jim's questions, then Jim answered his.

Sinbad's story was a classic tale of 'sad but true.'

"I joined Captain Hook when I was eighteen. Remember, I'm from the Otherland." Sinbad tapped his pirate scar. "When Otherland kids turn eighteen, they enter adulthood. Adults are not protected by the Otherland guardians, but children are. Since I lost my magical protection, I joined Captain Hook. That's not uncommon – most Otherlanders join gangs for protection when they turn eighteen."

Jim rubbed his own scar. "Why piracy?"

"Why else? GIRLS!" Sinbad laughed. "I was an eighteen year old hotshot and girls love pirates! Of all the careers, piracy is the most romantic! Come on Jim – every girl goes through the pirate craze! Didn't you know that?"

Jim considered. Then he grinned, just a little. Yup. Wendy definitely went through an 'I Love Pirates' phase. Hell – she made him watch Pirates of the Caribbean as many times as he made her watch Star Wars.

"So Mom was..." Jim grimaced. "...pirate crazy?"

"Ha! Nooooooo." Sinbad x'd his arms. "Big fat no. Mom was not a pirate fan. That's why I ditched Captain Hook. Mom was too smart for her own good. She thought school was boring, she couldn't wait to get out of the rut – which is why I liked her. Well, that amongst other things."

Jim continued before Sinbad could elucidate.

"Why did you kidnap Mom?"

"For fun." said Sinbad. After a moment, he revised. "And because James – her best friend –"

"Tiana's dad."

"Whatever. James didn't like me and neither did Eudora. Mary was always chill, but James had more clout. It was a weird dynamic. Mom and James were best friends -- Eudora and Mary were best friends.  So when Eudora and James started dating – Mom and Mary became friends. I dunno – weird."

"Anyway..." Sinbad resumed. "I jumped into that little quartet: James, Eudora, Mary, and Mom. I met all of them, they met all of me, and I couldn't have cared less that James didn't like my style. So I kidnapped your momma, set all sails, and we were married before neap tide!"

Sinbad waited for applause. Jim surprised him.

"What was Mary like?"

"Huh?"

"Mary." Jim made two small loops behind his head, miming a bow. "Mary Darling? Did I ever meet her? Was she nice?"

The miming confused Sinbad. However, he understood Jim's intrigue. "Oh yeah. Mom said she adopted Mary's kids."

"Yeah. Wendy, John, and Michael. They're awesome. So I was just wondering – was Mary nice?"

Sinbad nodded. "Mary was an angel. Literally an angel. She had this... I dunno talent for finding people's good side. She could make you feel like the coolest person in the world. Ha ha – it was always a jolly, holiday with Mary!"

Jim smiled. He thought about Wendy and drew similarities. While Wendy had strict reservations (like her father), she was always the first to pay a compliment (like her mother).