The Pirate's Princess (Not)

Chapter Eight: The Navy Plus Party Preperations

We were still walking around the town when we ran into Nate and Tom. "How's that food list of yers goin?" Leo asked and Nate answered tiredly. "The usual, gettin everythin they got ta give me."

Leo nodded when Tom spoke up. "So, ya hooked up with 'er already. Dang that's fast even for you cap'n." I immediately shook my head with wide eyes taking a step back.

"Nah, with this kid? I'm not sure if it would work out." What? He called me a woman earlier now I'm a kid. Bipolar much?

I removed his arm from around me and took a step to the side. "Holy, dang ya clean up well kid." Tom said making Nate look away from the food long enough for him to blush then look away.

"What Nate? Never seen a woman's shoulders before?" Tom said hitting his back slightly. Nate stayed silent for a while. We all started laughing when his ears turned red.

"Well, did ya get the rum yet or will Chris and Sam be doin that?" Nate shrugged as he bought some strange food and walked back to us. "I think they should be gettin it." Tom answered.

Since they finished we all walked back to the ship together. "Those are the Mysterious pirates! Get them!" Navy officers came out of no where and Leo slung me over his shoulder and started running with everyone else.

"Put me down!" I screamed over the shouts of the Navy officers. "No! Yer just gonna go back without my pay!" He screamed back. I reached torwards the officers but they were too far behind to even see me.

My only chance to go back has vanished into thin air. I was sooo close. I was right, oh so very right, Pirates ARE jerks. I can't believe that I enjoyed them even for a second.

"Uggg!" I groaned as they made it to the ship. "Will you please put me down now!" Though it was kinda fun being higher up, it hurts after a while.

"Nah, I can see yer enjoyin it." He said chuckling. "Cap'n, should we leave port or what?" Tom asked once Chris and Sam brought the last barrel up. "Aye, we should. Ya heard me boys! Bring up the sails, up with our flags!"

He started to order everyone around not planning to let me go anytime soon. I rolled my eyes and with a sigh I leaned forward, tucked, ducked, and rolled.

I officially got out of his grasp and happily leaped onto my feet. I ran to the edge of the ship to see the port too far away to get to.  I put my back against the railing and slid down on my butt.

"Ya want ta go back that bad eh?" Tom said sitting next to me. "I  finally had a chance. To be important. I lost my chance. I'll do anything to get it back." I said looking up at the already setting sun.

"Tom! Get to work!" Leo yelled from his post by the wheel. Tom nodded and stood up looking back at me he smiled. "You'll get yer chance again, I know ya will."

I smiled and nodded to him happy to get another perspective. These past few days made me forget that I was up for ransom. With nothing to do I simply played with my clothes a bit trying to find something to change.

Getting bored I stood up with a lot of effort and walked around looking for Sam. I finally found him cleaning the deck on hands and knees. "Need some help?" I asked getting on my knees next to him.

"Oh! Hey miss! You don't have to help me if you don't want to." He said cheerfully smiling his usual smile. "Well, I do so hand me the bucket will ya?" I said pointing torwards the bucket beside him.

"Well... if you say so..." he said handing me the bucket. I smiled at him earning a smile back and started scrubbing with a spare brush that was next to me.  "Thanks." I said looking up at him a second before looking back down.

Before I knew it I was lost in my cleaning. To be honest I hated it. I didn't like cleaning. Every now and then, when I need to think, I just get lost in my thoughts.

*Flashback*

"Sing sweet nightingale, sing sweet nightingale..."

My mother was singing a lullaby trying to make me sleep. I wasn't tired, I would say, 'yes you are, you just don't know it yet.' She'd answer.

I'd sigh then yawn and as if by magic I'd fall asleep. I was a good child. Did as I was told, studied what I could and so forth.

"Sing sweet nightingale..." she'd continue singing until I was in a deep sleep. I think. I wouldn't know since I was asleep.

Though one time, a week before she died, I didn't sleep. I pretended until she walked out of the room. I giggled and snuck around behind her.

'So, how about the seven seas my dear? When can we return to the good old days?' My father asked when she entered the living room.

The steps ran right down next to the room so when they weren't looking I hid on the other side. 'You know I can't.' She said annoyed.

'Why not. Our litttle girl's 10. She can come with us. I didn't train her for nothing.' He said sounding just as annoyed.

'She isn't ready for a life like that. She needs a normal life. Wait a few more years. Wait 'til she's ready.' She said calmly before coughing.

I never understood how she could cough so much but speak and sing so silky smooth. I loved it when my mother sang she'd always sing with pupose and delicately.

Still coughing my father lead her to a chair and helped her sit. I hated seeing her like this. Since they were turned away I quickly, yet silently, ran up the stairs and into my room.

*End Of Flashback*

I came out of my daze to see Sam smiling at me. "You have a wonderful voice miss!" He said cheerfully standing up. He held a hand to me and I took it since my knees were stiff.

"What do you mean?" I asked confused. "Well, you were singing some song, uhh... sing sweet nightingale I think." He said blushing. I looked at him in bewilderment before it clicked.

"Oh! I'm sorry I didn't realize I was singing aloud!" I quickly apologized embarrassed that I actually did that.

I never considered myself a good singer. I haven't sung since that day either. I chose not to in order to protect myself. Anything that out did Violet meant punishment.

I looked at the sky to see that the sun was setting. Time goes by quickly when you're lost in thought. I turned when Nate called me over.

"Hey, Anastasia! Can ya help me with somethin'?" He asked when I made my way torwards him. "Sure what do ya need?" I replied smiling a little.

"This way." He gestered for me to follow him and I did. We went below deck and turned a few corners when we made it to the kitchen.

Food was everywhere and pots and pans were filled with simmering foods. "Can ya start with cutting the vegetables, then started putting spices on the meat?" He asked already working on some colorful food in a pan.

"Sure!" I replied happily getting to work. I just finished chopping the vegetables and handed them to him when he roughly grabbed them and shoved them into the pot.

"Get started on the spices!" He yelled making me start immediately. I finished spicing everything when I finally asked a question that had been on my mind for a while.

"What's with all the food?" He looked up for a moment before looking back down and answering. "It's a thing we do. About twice a month, once every two weeks, whenever we want..." he paused tasting some food before adding some more seasoning.

"We have a big party to celebrate whatever. We feast, sing, dance, get drunk, have a hangover, especially Masoch. That man can't hold his liquor for anything."

He started to chuckle when we finished up cooking. He handed me multiple plates as we made our way onto the deck where a long table was setup and most of the crew was sitting down

This was going to be quite a night. What have I been force but kinda gotten myself into. Nevermind. Don't answer that question.