Silver Raven

The Heart Pirates

“Is it wrong because it’s illegal, or is it illegal because it’s wrong?”

A few minutes later I found myself inside of their submarine with Hat-kun in front of me and Bepo behind me.

“I wasn’t expecting a new crew member today so we don’t have a room ready yet. But you’re welcome to stay in my room if you’d like.” Law explained nonchalantly as we walked around the ship.

“I’d rather not,” I told him while staring daggers into the back of his skull.

Trafalgar sighed, “You’re reactions were much more entertaining when you were playing the part of a bar tender, Raven-ya.” Forget what I said earlier about this guy having manners. We reached the end of a long corridor before Hat-kun turned around to face me. “This is my research room, it’s off limits.” Hat-kun pointed to the door over his shoulder. “Bepo, show her around and introduce her to the crew.” Hat-kun commanded before entering the off-limit room.

“This way Raven, the whole crew should be in the kitchen.” Bepo informed me while leading the way. A couple of twists and turns later I found myself entering a room with Bepo. Eight men turned their heads as we entered, some with looks of curiosity, some with perverted expressions, and others with looks of wariness. I recognized Heart Eye right away, he belonged to the second group. Bepo went around, introducing me to the crew members.

Heart eyes, turned out to be called Shachi. The man with a penguin hat, Penguin, was also at the bar that day. The other pirate at the bar, his name was Train. He sported an orange jumpsuit like the rest, I really hope that I don’t get stuck in one of those too. He had short brown hair, making him look almost bald. They all seemed to be in their mid or early twenties, although I still wasn't sure how old Bepo was. I didn’t really remember the names of any of the other men, but that didn’t stop them from bombarding me with questions.

           “Where did you meet the captain?”

“Do you live here?”

“Is that your natural hair color?”

“Are you and the captain really not dating?”

“How old are you?”

“Have you ever been a pirate before?”

“Can you fight?”

The questions flew at me too quickly for me to be able to decipher who said what. It felt more like an interrogation, rather than a greeting.

“A bar, I did, yes, we are definitely NOT, 20, yes, and yes.” I answered the slew of questions all at once. Once those questions were answered, twice as many were there to take their places.

“Hey, Raven. Since you and captain are a no-go you wanna go out with me?” Heart- Shachi asked me.

“No way in hell.” I responded with my fake cheeriness. He instantly got depressed, though not as bad as Bepo, and the other crewmembers began to laugh at his rejection.

“Raven, I’ve got you something.” Train told me while holding something orange in his hands. I unfolded the piece of cloth handed to me and cringe in disgust. This captain obviously needs better taste. Just thinking about wearing the bright, baggy uniform made me embarrassed. Some of the crewmembers registered my reaction and began laughing.

“You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to,” A burly man to my right boomed in laughter. I could feel my cheeks heating up at the slight embarrassment, but I found myself laughing right along with them. I think I could learn to like it here.

“Cheers to our new crewmember!” Penguin announced with a glass in his hand.

“Cheers!” the rest chanted in unison. The clank of cups filled the room before it was drowned out by the gulping of men. The last-minute party went for the remainder of the day and well into the night. I’m more of an introvert, so I found myself on the side even though the party of was for me. Laughter and drunken fights filled the party and I found myself smiling the entire time. Hat-kun came in at one point, but didn’t stay for long.

My first night on the ship I slept in the dining room, surrounded by sleeping drunks.