hiding

Shopping nightmare

Alexia grinned, smelling the fresh grass as she rolled on the ground. It had been almost a complete month at sea, and she missed solid ground so much. Thatch and Haruta had let out a sigh of relief when an island actually was close by.

"That is definitely not lady like." Izo stuck up his nose a little, Marco raising an eyebrow at her.

"I don't give a rat's..."

"And cussing isn't either." He continued.

"Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but last time I checked; we were pirates." Alexia pointed out, "Lady like and appropriate language don't really follow suit with piracy."

"Last I checked we were the pirates yoi," Marco reminded, "You not so much."

"Shove it smart ass." Alexia stuck her tongue out, walking away.

"Where do you think your going?" Marco pressed.

"To town of course," Alexia stated as if it were obvious, "I need some new clothes."

"You're not going alone yoi, you have a knack for trouble," Marco chuckled, "And just how did you plan on paying for clothes anyways?"

"How else does one obtain things when they are broke my dearest Marco?" Alexia hinted

"Stripping, theft, begging." Hartua and Thatch both chimed in.

"Sex." Jozu cued in out of the blue.

"Jozu, for someone like you to mention that, it makes me really concerned." Alexia stepped back, trying to pat his shoulder in comfort, failing miserably as he was four times bigger than her. She settled for his lower arm. "And it just so happens, I will steal them thank you. I'm not that desperate." She flicked her hair turning to leave again.

"Mhm." Marco cleared his throat, "again...not alone."

"Uggg you're such a mother hen Marco." Alexia whined. Even Jozu laughed.

"See, even she believes it." Vista came up behind Marco, patting him on the back hard.

"Vista?" Alexia asked, never really spoken much to the man before, "Has anyone ever told you that you have a fabulous mustache?"

"Well thank you Alexia, it is quite splendid isn't it?" Vista blushed, stroking his mustache in pride.

"Izo... if you're not too busy..." Alexia trailed off, already regretting bringing it up.

"Honey it wouldn't have been an option, of course I'm going with you!" Izo replied quickly, "We need to get you out of those god-awful clothes, you look as if you live among men."

"She does yoi." Marco quipped, tossing Alexia a large bag of beli, making her frown.

"If this is what I think it's for, I can't take it. I don't want to owe anybody anything."

"Your taking it and we are spending every penny of it!" Izo laughed, dragging Alexia away from the rest of the small group. Haruta gave Alexia a sympathetic smile.

Alexia didn't realize how serious Izo had been. They were going to spend every penny, and it took more painstaking time than she realized. She had been shoved in and out of dressing rooms so many times she was getting dizzy. Izo had managed to fill more bags than she could even carry. They were on store number four. The town was actually quite huge, with many clothing stores, every single one Alexia was now wishing were burnt to the ground.

"Izo, I think I have enough..."

"Non-sense, one can ever have too many clothes." Izo continued looking through the last rack of the store, "If you didn't want these many clothes, why did you ask me along?"

"I don't know," Alexia was honest, "This is the first time I've been in a town without anything to really hide behind. I've never been in a place, let alone a ship where I didn't need to hide. I haven't shopped for women's clothes in a long time, I was hoping you would have a better idea than me."

"Of course I have a better idea than you!" Izo sounded proud, "I know more about fashion than anyone else on the Moby."

"Where am I going to even put any of this?" Alexia asked.

"You're joking?" Izo laughed, "You've seen Marco's closet right?"

Alexia shook her head no, it dawned on her that she had never even noticed a closet in his room.

"That door by the bed?" Izo reminded, "Is one of the biggest walk-in closets on the ship. Which is such a shame I might add; as he uses almost absolutely none of it. That is assuming you still want to stay in there? You seem quite comfortable, and he never uses up the space."

"I think I prefer the company, strangely enough." Alexia admitted.

"Just to put the rumors to bed dearie, but you and Marco aren't you know... do anything right?" Izo's eyes gleamed at the idea of gossip.

"No!" Alexia exclaimed as her face turned a dark red, "What is it with you men? You gossip worse than women!"

"But you do like him no?" Izo raised an eyebrow, "And you know I mean more than just normal liking." He knew she had the tendency to make smart ass remarks to avoid questions.

"Nn...no!" Alexia sputtered, her face turning redder.

"Don't play stupid with me dearie." Izo laughed, "I won't tell a soul."

"I don't like him like that!" Alexia muttered, crossing her arms like a pouting child, "He's arrogant, a bully and a pain in the ass."

"You just keep telling yourself that." Izo laughed again as Alexia tossed a shoe towards his head, barely missing, "Come on, need to go to the next store."

Alexia groaned, sulking as Izo drug her out the door to the next shop, barely able to carry all the bags.