[ She is someone. ]
A person like her who bears the energy of magic, dormant it may be but it is still magic.
Someone like her who possess not only those questionable existence of mysticism can't be just a normal person. Those beautiful pearls that hangs in the most delicate string of golds in her ears, someone with the enigmatic jade that rests peacefully in her chest. All of these possession she is with, that oddly resonates with the magic inside her.
Zeki can't point it out but he does feel something, not only from her but also from the jewels that she had with her.
Is it pure coincidence that such a woman who carries dormant magic inside her, carries such a gem with her? Is it pure coincidence that she met Calev and has the demon reacting to her?
[ Is it just coincedence that I met you? ]
Zeki is full of questions, tingling and exciting him to know more.
"I guess you already know Calev, he is our combatant." Axel's said, the sound of his voice is enough to pull Zeki off his train of thoughts and take the stowaway's attention.
"He is aggressive so I apologize for putting him in charge. He can be physical."
The captain finishes off by introducing everyone in the room. His playful smirk never leaving, quite the opposite of how she sees him.
Glancing at Calev who refuses to look away from the window, watching every wave move with the wind. His ears alert with every word being exchanged in the room. Mind focuses on the woman that he keeps on feeling something that is too strange for his liking.
And just like how Zeki feels something from her, he watches the stowaway shift her attention to the combatant. Her eyes still filled with the same look she always have.
But upon looking at Calev, in a matter of seconds it quickly changes into something unexplainable.
Zeki watches her eyes glistens, her pupils sparkling in a split moment before it came back to what she had in the beginning. It looks like those reactions reaction are something she wasn't even aware she was having.
And within that moment, Zeki feels Calev's demon almost rampaging to come out and meet her. Yet, there is something that serves as a barricade that is not letting it have its minutes. However, Zeki has come to a puzzling thought when he watches the combatant glance at her.
It is the longing, from the reflection of his gaze is the demon that he sees inside those black eyes.
Is it coincidence that she was brought here by fate?
[ Did fate brought her here? ]
Zeki's questions increases.
Meanwhile, the stowaway tries her best to understand the words of the captain. It's puzzling her. To think that the captain says Calev is an aggressive man, and even apologizes for having him around her. It confuses her.
Calev has been nowhere near as aggressive or physical with her. Two days of being tied in a mast, he had never shown anything that can scare her. Though the aura he emits had been scaring her since, he is naturally intimidating. But he had never touch her in any way or tried to force his authority and dominance over her.
It's ironic how despite seeing how the combatant quiet and stoic nature, hearing the testimonies of the captain about him, she never met that version of him.
Calev had only shown her kindness.
Although she does wonder how his quietness does emit a certain aura that can scare anyone in the room.
Calev does not open his mouth willingly to speak, he acts as if he is nowhere in the same room. But his ears and presence catches everything more than anyone. No one speaks with him that much, they don't ignore him but they don't bother to make him talk. He is always isolated, and they know how to walk around him.
Everyone says he is terrifying, upon whatever catches her hearing about the man that she owes her life with, it's always the words that separates him from what she had witnessed from him.
But she didn't say anything about her thoughts.
" Mate, mind me not asking. As the vice captain-"
Hakim started, his deep voice getting interrupted by the series of whines and groans from another battlemaster and the rolling eyes of the unimpressed quartermaster.
Hakim however doesn't mind any of those disrespect, he continued on.
" As I was saying. You lost your memories, savvy? How are you supposed to remember your past, I bet you know by now a certain man wants you to walk the plank."
He asked as if his question has the answer that is easy to find underneath the mattress. He throws a suggestive and teasing look to the quartermaster who doesn't hesitate to throw his dagger in Hakim's direction.
Easily, and still flashing his playboy smirk and snickering a few laughs he catches it-but the gasps in the stowaway's mouth can't be stop.
" You scared him."
Calev said in a warning tone, he is still looking outside as if there were more entertaining things in the moving sea than what is happening inside the captain's office.
To say that everyone is not expecting such remarks from the combatant, or the actual grip of his tone like challenging the quartermaster is not something Zeki is suddenly worried off. It is the glint of rage in his eyes and stance that almost came out without anyone's awareness.
" Alright!"
Zeki clapped his hands, calling the attention of everyone and hoping he distracted what's inside the combatant.
" Stowaway, to explain such phenomena. You must understand that this is not anywhere fatal. Calev has done a great job on treating all your injuries, however there is no medicine or any magic that can bring back your memories. I tried. I mean, it's not that your lack of memories is magic inflicted, therefore I have nothing to offer for your comfort."
" Tsk so much for being the greatest of all." Draco said, disgust in his face as he openly judges the doctor.
" Shut up Draco!" Zeki rolls his eyes, and without looking at the Draco and giving him warning, he raises his left hand and snapped his fingers.
Suddenly muffled groans are heard throughout the office, Draco frantically searching his face with his hands as he tries to find his mouth.
[ His mouth disappeared! ]
The stowaway stares at Draco with wide eyes, almost crying right there and then.
" You're cruel."
Argus commented calmly but still those judging tone is audible. Which also earned him the same situation with the younger one.
Now both of them sat in the corner, with no mouths in their faces.
The stowaway almost burst out crying, fearing that this man beside her can easily erase her with the snap of his fingers.
[ This, this angelic and kind man. He can do that? ]
Her eyes widens more as she stares at the Zeki, carefully trying not to show the emotions she has. She is scared that whatever she does that will upset this powerful man, she might turn like those two.
Not only that she is scared for herself but the laughter from Felix and Hakim who doesn't even bother to lessen the volume of their voice is one ticket away from also losing their mouths.
" Continue, Zeki." Axel sighed at the immaturity of his men, and also silently prayed for the fate of the punished two.
" Hakim, to answer your question all we have to do is wait."
Zeki gave her a reassuring smile that did not work because she is still terrified of what she just witnessed.
[ How is he able to smile and look like this when those fingers managed to make someone's mouth disappears?! ]
" Wait? You mean he will remember eventually?" Elijah quipped.
" Yes. The sudden loss of memories is due to the effect of his head injury. He might have hit his head so bad, but don't fret mate. It will come back if something triggers your memories, but sometimes it doesn't. All it takes is time."
She could be smiling from what she heard from Zeki, but she doesn't know how to act around these people. And besides Zeki duality left her astounded.
He does speak and act like a doctor that he is, but underneath that professionalism is a scary sorcerer.
" Or maybe, I can just hit his head and create another head injury so it will save us time to get to know him. I will see through it, I will create a better impact."
Elijah threathenigly said, eyeing the stowaway with the same eyes that she first saw.
She then remembers who she fears the most in this ship.
Elijah.
" Then if that solves it, let's smash Calev's head to the capstan then."
Hakim jokingly said, implying the same situation that the combatant has with the stowaway.
She looks at him, surprised.
[ He's also... ]
" I won't suggest that Hakim." Axel chuckled.
" Idiot." Calev muttered, standing up to whack the gun master's head.
[ Calev also has no memories like me. ]
" Eli, you're so disappointing." Zeki did not bother to hide his distastefulness to the elder's comment.
Elijah's reputation to the doctor continues to plummet.
Axel doesn't have any reaction to show but the disapproving and embarrassed eyes he gave to the quiet stowaway. His crew's immaturity and sometimes long history of stupidity does make him question his leadership.
Is he the idiot for trying to run an organization full of dimwitted strong and capable individuals yet lack the ability to think straight, or this is the curse of mad treasure all along?
" Release them, Zeki."
Without wasting any time, Axel ordered the doctor to release the hex on the two mouthless individuals who were getting louder with their muffled whines.
The sound was getting into his nerves, and he had to fight back himself from absolutely marooning himself for peace and sanity. However he instantly regrets that order when at the snap of Zeki's fingers comes the loud voice of the two individuals who did not hesitantly scream to murder the doctor and those who laugh at their misery and they did not hold back on fighting back.
With the mixture of everyone's voice, Elijah's nagging and scolding for everyone to shut up, and Calev violently kicking Hakim in the shin for something that the captain missed to hear. Axel felt old all of a sudden.
" Is there anything you would like?"
Axel asked in the most tiring, defeated, and soulless voice. Resting his head on his table, his eyes with no spirit in those glints stares at her like he was about to give up his life.
The stowaway was quick to shake her head, denying the availability of the captain's offer. Axel examines her, he definitely feels sorry for the fate that she just landed on without any warnings.
She can't remember anything, she looks so out of it, and would honestly piss her pants if another push would scare her shitless. Without her knowledge, she just boarded not only a ship that is full of pirates-the toughest crew in the sea for starters, but also a cursed one.
Clearly, with this confusion and terrifying experience there could be something that she badly needs or wants.
Instead of answering the captain, she is completely confuse and doesn't know how to act upon what she is witnessing. The captain in front of her, acting so unlikely from what she remembers.
Elijah acting like his usual self, strict and commanding but a sense of difference from how he acts to her. The whole crew loudly display the irony of the stereotypical pirates.
She is confused.
[ I might not remember everything, but I am quite certain pirate aren't like this. ]
" I am sure you would want something, lad."
Axel defeated voice pulled her out of her senses.
" I suppose it is natural for me to offer some help after our mistake." He suggested.
The stowaway thinks for a moment, taking in Axel's words. She doesn't know if she is even allowed to desire something at this situation. But she is also wondering if rejecting something from this man allocates a consequences.
[ Something I want? ]
She doesn't have anything she desires the most but her memories. However that is something she can just ask Axel, and everything is solved in her life.
The stowaway has nothing else to ask but to be spared. With the immense anxiety and fear that she feels every second in this ship, she wants safety. She wants to live, even without her memories, she just want security.
Dangerous and threatening presence of everyone, especially the trauma she receive from the quartermaster. There is no assurance that her life won't ever be put in jeopardy.
Although what they are displaying right now is not the image of what pirates she thinks is, anything could happen. One day, these people who assuringly welcome her and apologized for what happened will someday take her life.
[ I have no assurance for my life. One day, I will be back in that mast. ]
So what does she wants in this moment. Something she critically wants.
" I...uh.."
She tried to answer Axel, her voice quivering as her thought got the worse of her.
She feels her hands shakes, as fear slowly swallow her whole being. Embracing her cold body with her shivering hands, as if a way to calm herself.
" I...."
She doesn't know.
Is there something that can calm her or assure her life that will remain intact. Survival, that is something that she needs the most. But how, when she knows these men are something she can't even survive with for a day.
Does even asking for what she wants leaves the clear certitude of this circumstance? Is there a certainty that these pirates won't ask something in return?
[ Something in return? ]
Pirates; they are pirates. They are known to be greedy, a group of people who steals and attacks. They won't do anything for free, there is no way that the availability of something they can offer has no payment.
[ I need a payment. ]
The stowaway realization made her quiet, making Axel wait for her response. Slowly, she reaches out something in her ears. Something she doesn't know why she has it in the first place.
[ This pearls. ]
The pearls feels smooth and cool to the touch. Lustrous sheen, imparting a luxurous feel to the small delicate stone. There are no imperfections, no matter how her fingers run across in circular motion there is no ridges or anything that will put the pearls into shame.
[ They love this pearls right? Will this suffice? ]
" I..."
[ I won't be danger if I gave them these right? Will I ever have a place for security in this ship if I pay them? ]
She stands up, hesitant and scared. Legs almost shaking, her injury still hurts but no longer unbearable. With her best she stands in front of the scary man, the mighty pirate.
All of them realizes her actions, they hinders their roguery, their eyes holds her figure, watching every move she makes. Calev carefully watches her, ready on his feet if he ever needs to do something.
To Elijah, who's past tormented his paranoid mind, she looks like she was about to do something that might hurt the captain.
But the determination in her face behind the fear it displays, bravery slowly creeping in her spirit hoping it will go as she wants.
And if she is being honest, she has no idea what she is about to do, or where she fished out the courage to stand in front of the man who is now has a glint of interest in his emerald eyes.
He looks up, finally regaining his energy that lost from dealing with his crew of rascals. She has nothing but hope to live and fear for her life-and a pair of pearls that she realizes pirates would want.
Reluctantly, she reaches her hands to cautiously taking it off and placing it in the security of her hands. She stares at it, gleaming in the palm of her hands. There is no significant meaning or value that she can remember from the object.
What she knows is she can probably buy her life with it.
She looks up at the man that has the full authority of the ship, steps with guarded strides to close the proximity between them. The captain, intrigued as the whole crew waits for her next move.
They all stare at the shiny object in her hands, and undeniably it looks like a quarter of the fortune of a town's mayor. As a pirate, of course they recognize the value of something at one glance. However, one man doesn't bother to think about its fortune's worth at all.
The sight of the pearls triggers something inside his mind. A splash of cold waves was feels through his body, and he recognizes the pearls.
Yet, Calev can't remember.
"I...don't kn...know if they worth that much." She voices out, cracking every word with caution laced in it.
The captain stands up, taking the pearls in her hands and scanning the beautiful piece in his hands. He has seen pearls before, it is not foreign to him.
They absolutely sell well in the market, but not as much as gold and other jewels. But this pearl is one of a kind, purest of all, whitest than anything else.
Reflected on the light, it shines marvelously as it hangs in the hook of a piece of gold. The lad might not know the value of it, but he knows.
A smile creeps in his mouth, unable to contain himself as he thought about the treasure in his hands. The stowaway could be a son of a rich governor. Perhaps restraining the stowaway wasn't the most ideal decision, but it certainly ensured the presence of the stowaway on the ship, along with these precious pearls.
[ He could have more valuable things that are worth taking. ]
The captain thought maniacally.
His eyes shifts to the jade necklace, the sight of the gemstone making him smile. The abundant fortune it will bring him made him dream of all the sort of things he can buy. Certainly, as beautiful as the jade, the higher the price it will land on the market.
" And how about the gem in your chest?"
He dare to ask, his smile slowly turning into a malicious grin.
" Uh, I…"
She stuttered, hugging herself to hide the crevices of her breasts in the clothes while taking the necklace in her palms as if hiding it from his eyes. She feels like she can't give the necklace away.
[ This necklace... Why do I feel like...its something, I can't let anyone take. ]
" Belay that captain." This time, Argus spoke.
Everyone looks at him questionably.
" I don't know anything about it, but it burned my hands when I tried to touch it earlier."
Argus shrugged, giving a new intent to the object that sparks numerous questions to the doctor.
" Burned you? I see." Zeki muttered.
[ Interesting. ]
Zeki thought.
"Don't harm me please."
She desperately said as Axel took the earrings. The vulnerability of her voice is obvious, as if begging for everything these pirates can spare her.
Being uncertain of the promise she will buy from the pirates, she doesn't know whether to trust them or not, she decided to not risk still. She gave the earrings, unaware of what it truly meant and where it should truly be.
"You think we will harm you?"
The captain spoke after a moment, they looked at her with defeat.
It is of course expected, no one anticipated a peaceful event when it comes to pirates and their piracy. She remains quiet, not wanting to speak anymore as she felt the hostility in the captain's voice—because the question is nothing in any sense. They had already hurt her.
" Are you perhaps asking to sign a pact with the sea." Draco genuinely asked, looking at her for clarification.
She gives him a confused look when everyone reacts to his question.
" What is that?"
Draco sighs, preparing himself to explain the mentioned pact, but the quartermaster is quick to stop him right away. His serious and strict eyes keep the younger at his feet as he audibly mutters and makes an apology.
" Please, I just wish for my safety."
She is quick to dismiss the unanswered question, focusing more on what was important for her life.
Axel didn't meant for himself to be feared, but as someone who does the things he does, it is one of the bargain he will get. He knows exactly what the stowaway is feeling, he has seen those yet again the emptiness behind those expressive eyes remain intriguing to him.
Clasping the pearls in his hands, he gives her a honest look, allowing the person in front of him to examine him. Her eyes slowly lighten in relief when she acknowledges the acceptance of the captain, her eyes traveling to everyone with worried yet somehow relieved eyes, quite ironically.
"Welcome aboard then..."
Axel smiles at her, finally welcoming her as a guest instead of a prisoner. And she isn't sure until when this is going to last.
Everyone greets her with a smile of course with the exception of the still hesitant quartermaster, but nonetheless forces himself to welcome her still. Per order by the captain and the eyes of Zeki that is judging him felt pressuring. Although the actions are making her tense up and uncomfortable, she accepts it all.
After that everyone starts to leave the captain's office, preparing themselves for the duty that they must attend. Elijah left, and of course with a warning that he is still wary of her. That just made her fear him more than anyone, as expected to the man who wanted her to be thrown out in the first place.
She hears the echoing voice of the captain and Felix who also left the room. Their words catching her attention as she wonders what could be these pirates' duties when they are not looting a town. The doctor immediately questions her condition and prevents everyone to suddenly disturb her, not wanting the injury to suddenly worsen when in fact it is getting better.
"What should I address you mate?"
Hakim suddenly asked in between conversations.
He was in the middle of telling his wild adventures to her when he realized he had no idea how to address her.
[ Huh? ]
"He lost his memories, idiot!"
This time Argus is the one who answered and whacked the taller man in the back of his head. As if he didn't make the same mistake earlier at the galley..
[ Are they pirates or idiots? ]
If she ever said those outloud, she is sure she will meet her end right there and then.
These pirates are what her common memories that were spared luckily, are the ruthless sailors. She can't remember if she had ever met one in the life she can't recall, but she sure knows pirates are men who are dangerous for the civilians.
However, in front of her, the sight of these men that she somehow jumped into the conclusion that they are not far from their ages-does not meet her expectations of pirates.
The sight of them laughing and trying to get into each other's nerves just gives the idea that they are not simply just pirates who loot the city.
They are not just crewmates that are working in a world of crime, but their closeness are what labeled them as friends. Something that she has nothing, no friends that she can remember at all.
And she wonders, if those pearls can buy not only her safety on the ship, but also a friend.