Three faces continue to be drawn out with different expression yet bearing the same emotions;
shocked,
confused,
and denial.
A moment has already passed, maybe a minute on top yet the eyes in them can't stop blinking in pace, mouth still ajar that any fly can enter with no problem.
Fruits and vegetables are still on the ground. Some are rolling on the street across. Yet a care is never given, a glance is never spare. They just look with wide eyes, saucering to the figure ahead them.
Unable to comprehend anything, still trying their best to process what they just discovered. Their minds frantic as they think of the days they have spend together with him—her.
Still confusion haunts them, wondering how they have never seen this kind of situation, how they failed to notice.
Their faces, to every detail, did not make mistakes to be less than appalled.
To everyone who are able see them, they will likely laugh to the three idiots who are unable to move.
Even the combatant can't help but sniffle a laugh, trying to act tough but the comical reaction that the three men had just input failed his persona.
He laugh quite loudly this time, his mind can't erase the stupid faces of his mates. As the quietest member of the ship, it is a surprise that he can be loud with his rich laughter that almost squeaks as he tries to catch his breath.
It is a sight indeed.
To her however, she bears the look of uneasiness and anxiety. She can't point out if their reactions carry the conclusion she wants or the ending she has always thought of.
In fact their faces can't be registered as comical as what Calev can see. To her it is the processing procedure before they will realize that a wench has been with them, boarding freely.
" I think they are not fine with me."
She grimaces, whispering to the laughing Calev.
Although she will likely have noted how Calev's laughter plays a note to her ears, she can't find a time to do so. The only thing that runs in her mind is worry.
" Am... I?"
Her voice quiver, still lingers with anxiety.
Calev, forces himself to stop laughing yet fails to do so. Spurting out laughter from now and then as he attempts to stop.
The three men finally came back to their senses, a certain small and loud member and a gun master swallowing a lump in their throat, a quartermaster trying to regain his composure.
"You... You are..."
"A woman."
"A goddess.".
The three horsemen of bewilderment look at each other questionably.
Two younger ones' eyes daring the eldest as if asking what they have heard came out from him.
The quartermaster tries to stand steadily as he feels himself sinking on his feet, blushing slightly at what he said absentmindedly.
" I mean--..."
He tried to explain, his delicate eyes that were enchanted by the woman in front of him trying its best to come back to his darker ones.
"Am I getting thrown out the ship?"
She meekly asked, unable to look at anyone but her feet.
She feels everyone's eyes staring at her figure, she is still uncertain about his fate although Calev has never failed his best to assure her.
"They won't." Calev finally spoke." We won't."
" But."
She looks up to meet everyone's stern eyes, her voice almost breaking at the sight of Elijah's stoic face. His expression from earlier leaves no evidence as if he is not the man moments ago.
" Whaddya mean?"
Hakim, even though bearing no clue of whether this is a dream or not, decided to finally break the silence.
" Calev said, a wench is bad luck to the ship."
She just repeated what she heard from him, but it feels heavy in her tongue knowing full well what comes after that.
" That is why yo kept this from us?"
The gunner concluded rather than questioning it.
" Well beautiful—" He stopped midway, bewildered with his own words.
" Wow, that is awfully weird to address you considering you have become my mate."
He cringes, partly wanting to dissolve any of her anxiety by trying to lighten the mood.
" As the vice captain—"
"UGH!"
Everyone but her groaned, Hakim ignores them although still affected by their constant disapproval.
"Anyways!" Hakim rebutted,
"As I was saying, as the vice captain, we have no means of gender discrimination or sexism, everyone is allowed to board as long as you're not any enemy and the captain allows you to."
He offers her a smile.
His words slightly lighten the weight in her, calming all her nerves as she glanced at Argus and Calev who gave her a reassuring smile, Elijah however remains unbothered but bears no hostility in his expression yet he nods in agreement.
Trying to smile back, not wanting to offend anyone. For her their reaction is always the judge of her fate.
She just wants to be able to not step into their ways, and so she force a tight smile, wanting them to know that she accepts such kindness from pirates.
"We are not complete monsters."
Elijah this time muttered.
Speaking for everyone in the ship, knowing full well that the captain himself wouldn't mind a woman in his ship.
" I honestly accept this rather than finding out later on that you're a naval spy."
Elijah made her shudder, quickly nodding at him as if assuring the scary man that she understands and remembers.
"Which she is not."
Argus immediately said, half scolding the quartermaster when he realized she is about to be back at her worried stance.
The words made her look up at the man, appreciating how fast he defends her. Finally giving them a genuine smile before mouthing a question 'am I really not in trouble?' to the combatant who is already about to leave the area with full hands, both a sack of potato a bad of her one more dress they bought.
He smiles nonetheless despite hearing her worries for millions of times. His heart feels the pull for it. This time around as she finally rest assured, it ceases but it lingers; a satisfied pull of emotions.
When her mind finally clears out all of those thoughts, she decides to be a help to everyone.
Helping the three men picking all of their vegetables and fruits on the ground. Carrying all the non heavy materials and assuring them that if she needed help she would say so to them.
Except Elijah who asks if she can carry those bags. Noting that woman or not, duties still remain and threatening to throw her out if she won't be of any help at all.
[ No discrimination indeed. ]
"But wait." Argus exclaims, a horrified one as if he just discover something so viscious.
"You're really a woman?"
He suddenly blurts out in the middle of their walks, as if they had not pondered on that moments ago. He stops midway before turning to look at her and Calev who is behind her.
The two men beside Argus stop too, a pissed quartermaster who wants nothing but to rest his arms from carrying such sacks almost kicking him to the curb of the street.
Argus stares at his friend suspiciously, malice running in his irises and his mouth curled into a cunning and mischievous smirk.
Pretending to act horrified and offended, a gasped escaping his lips quite exaggeratingly his eyes acts soft and protective.
"When did you know?"
He voices out a question that they three had been thinking out loud.
" Yes, exactly mate, how and when?"
Hakim supported with his own curiosity. Unlike Argus who has a teasing manner of asking, Hakim winter gray eyes shows genuine confusion.
"At the sickbay."
Elijah rolls his eyes, as he connected all the dots silently and answer the question nonchalantly.
[ So this is why he was all over this stowaway trying to protect her from all of us because of her worries. ]
Elijah nods to his own thoughts.
"Aye, she was in need of a medical assistant and I have to clean her along with that—"
The combatant tried to explain without thinking at all. He is just genuinely answering.
"And you saw it."
The quartermaster concluded, but there is a hint of question that he wants to clarify. As if he wants the latter to answer differently.
"Aye."
Argus and Hakim gasp, eyes widening at what information they got.
They can't believe the combatant actually did all those works. Argus, although trusting his mate, can't let anything slip this time around.
He was just trying to tease his mate, but a more showing clarification almost gave him a heart attack.
"You changed her out of her clothes?"
Hakim shockingly asked. Calev nods innocently, unable to determine the malice of their statements.
"I'm here you know."
She shyly said, unable to keep quiet with all their talks about her and Calev events.
Her mind drifted back to the time she had accidentally exposed herself naked while drinking water in front of him, or how she was visibly naked to the man while she was out cold.
"These lowlifes."
Elijah shakes his head in disappointment.
"You pervert!" Argus shouts as he accuses the combatant.
[ Eh? How did I become one? ]
Calev looks dumbfounded, his dark eyes softening with nothing but confusion.
"So this why you have been keeping her own your own, as if reserving a claim. You were planning to mark her in the first place! You kicked me out of our cabin so you can spend time with her!"
The horrified man announces with a loud voice, dramatically asking all the angels around to forgive his friend for sinning.
"Calev!"
Hakim exclaims, his mouth hanging so wide withy the shock circuiting his whole nerves. Unable to believe that an ever so quiet combatant is capable of thinking something so perverted.
Elijah's eyes widens in realization, his mind thinking all the time Calev had been acting so off. Following the stowaway almost everyday, even having her in the same room with him.
Of course they never minded, they all though teh stowaway was a man. But the fact that Calev knew she is a woman and he still invited her in in his quarters put a shiver down his spine.
He can't believe it.
[ That is why. ]
"Did he touch you anywhere, force you?"
Argus asks, putting all his carriers and stepping in to her, holding her hands securely and carefully as he demands an honest answer.
There is no longer playfulness in his voice, but complete concern. As much as he doesn't want to think bad about the closest friend he have in the ship. Having a beautiful maiden like the stowaway with him does shoots something suspicious.
Calev, although is offended by all the accusations, can't help but only roll his eyes in annoyance. He can't believe how these people he calls mates, friends, crew, family can easily accuse him of something.
"Yes. He touched me."
She unsurely answered, surprised with the proximity of Argus and all others lingering eyes with sincere questions.
Everyone and including Calev had their eyes widened for the tenth time this whole interaction. The three men glaring at the combatant, their judgmental eyes preys upon him.
" You took advantage of the weak, fragile, beautiful lady, by showing her kindness and compassion! You're a beast!"
Hakim shouts, dropping the sack of tomatoes and others a dozen times today. Gripping the collar of the combatant sleeveless tunic, glaring at him fiercely.
" I don't tolerate perverted dicks, you spawn of the devil!"
" You're lower than any man."
Elijah mutters, spitting on the ground near Calev's foot.
[ The quiet ones are so cunning. ]
The three of them thinks out loud.
They have never had any premonition such things will ever emit from the nature of Calev when all they thought he can ever do is murder and attack but this.
Surely disappointment lingers in them as they watch Calev with confusion and panic in his being. Trying to get the stowaway to answer the questions and explain properly as he also is surprised about the sudden answer from her.
[ I had never done such things. ]
"Uhm, you always do."
She innocently explained, when the combatant persisted in having her talk more accurately.
"You cleaned all my wounds."
She said in a matter of fact tone, her eyes looking at him innocently not caring about the bulging sockets of the three men.
" Lad- I mean wench--ugh wha' shall I call ye."
Argus shook his head in frustration as he thinks of what to call the stowaway who is now not fit for a lad.
" Princess, aye that much like it."
Argus continued as he thinks about it deeply. Hakim got distracted for a bit and let go of Calev's to step back next to Argus and nods in approval.
[ Princess, aye. Much more appropriate. ]
He looks satisfied with the new name, considering how her features suited for one.
" Goddess."
Elijah whispers to himself, mentally punching his face for spilling a ridiculous word upon seeing her beauty.
He feels stupid, and thankfully this time around no one heard him.
" Princess, did he ever do anything to you while you're all alone in his cabin?"
Argus shakes the two men who distracted him by picking a name that will suit her best. He focuses more on what needs to be addressed as of the moment.
" B—Besides cleaning my wounds and telling me stories, he did nothing."
She said, eyeing everyone, hoping her answer will finally rest the topic.
When she sees the unsatisfied eyes of Argus, and the annoyed look the quartermaster has she decides to finally retract the conversation on her own hands.
" You don't trust your mate?"
She questions, looking at the combatant apologetically. Feeling guilty for being the reason for the man's sudden reputation shift.
" No, its no that, I mean you're a wench."
Argus quipped, as if he jus stated the obvious. Motioning to the stowaways figure, like the whole being of the woman is the whole answer.
Confusion is written in her face, as she have no idea what kind of concept the man has in his head.
"This is why you won't ever get your own woman without spending a dime, all you get are their slaps."
Elijah utters, kicking the man in his shin. Argus drops to his feet and ease the pain as he cursed loudly.
" Stop accusing me of something stupid before I wipe your mouth out of your face."
Calev finally speaks after he watches his reputation become worse than any convict. However it is not his reputation going to drain that made him speak, it was how Argus addressed the stowaway that made his blood boils.
It sounded so disrespectful.
" I'm not like you who can only think of getting into any woman's skirts."
It is clear that Calev's demeanor has changed to something serious. His eyes look murderous, making everyone know that he did not take any of those as a joke.
He doesn't really care about what he will look like to anyone, but when he saw the realization in the stowaways face he had enough.
Slowly, the whole context is getting into her. Although still confused, she manages to connect the whole commotion about her and Calev being in one room.
She never really thought of anything as malicious as that, in fact Calev has always respected her throughout those days. However the suggestive looks that Argus has given her made her feel somehow upset, and for the first time she did.
Yet she shows no signs of it, feeling out of the place to do so.
But Elijah noticed it.
And so after a moment of silence, a cold glare and dangerous aura seeping from the combatant. An upset stowaway who refused to look at anyone at all while she helped Hakim picked all the vegetables and fruits once again in accordance with the quartermaster order. An annoyingly sheepish lookout who smiled at Calev in surrender, Elijah finally stepped in.
As the two are busy with the stock on the ground, Elijah apologizes to the combatant and tells Argus that he ought to apologize as well as, the same goes to Hakim.
They don't mean to show distrust towards the man who put his life on frontline for their crew.
The whole things wasn't intended to be such a serious scandalous accusation. Argus was only planning to tease Calev but the whole thing got out of hand.
Eventually Calev accepted their apology but he managed to smack Argus in the head. Hakim managed to get away from that consequence as the stowaway protected him from the combatant by telling him that they still needed to fetch the vegetables and fruits.
"Not fair." Argus commented as he rubs his head in circular motion.
"These stocks are all fucking ruined." Elijah cursed loudly.
Upon Elijah's profanities and series of scolding for the four individuals; the three men groaned in unison but she remained quiet.
The ruined vegetables and fruits were thankfully replaced by newer and fresher ones as they made their way to various stores where they went and made a bargain.
The local vendors defeatedly accepted the severely injured ingredients and replaced them not because of its business but because they were scared of these mighty pirates.
Elijah's mood lightens up as he watches four people carry the bundles and sack as he thought he made a huge bargain without using another ounce of coins.
" Be careful with that flour aye!"
Elijah's voice is not something to be missed when he is that loud and clear.
Hakim just roll his eyes, the tiring job and the nagging voice of the quartermaster getting into him.
" Yes, mother." He grumbles, his voice deep enough to be heard.
Argus laughs with the comeback, finding it funny how the name suits Elijah. Calev also finds that hilarious, smirking at the now glaring Elijah who threatened to sew their mouths.
The scene of which the quartermaster being teased instead of his usual authority bearing dominance to these three is new to her. Seeing them laugh like normal friends, seeing Calev look so endearing makes her feel light.
For at least a moment, it doesn't seem so bad to be with pirates.
" Stow that laughing, or I will end the three of you."
" I'm not laughing." Calev shrugs, but his smirk never disappearing.
Elijah groans, almost lunging unto Argus who doesn't want to stop. The sack of tomato in his arms almost in danger from the way his body moves along his fit of laughter.
If the days consists of moments like this. If the stowaway have witness such dynamic like this from the start, would she feel different from the way she is right now?
In her eyes, despite knowing their style of living—this kind of instances shows how everything has a different side. A side that is mostly unknown.
Elijah Vischer, a tough and always grumpy quartermaster of Mad Treasure. Known to be as brutal and mad like the pirate king he serves, can look unfortunately helpless around these teasing friends. Blushing with both anger and embarrassment, trying his best to compose himself but ends up losing his cool at Argus jokes.
If she had known this side of Elijah existed, would she be more afraid of him?
" I said fucking belay—"
" Yes, mother." Both Hakim and Argus said in unison, that mocking tone making Elijah stop on his tracks just to kick Hakim on the shin.
He is the closest one.
" Oi, that fucking hurts."
" It will hurt more if you wont shut the fuck up."
" But mother—"
" Shut up!"
The stowaway can't help but laugh, enjoying the fun side of these men. Her voice soothingly flowing through the wind, her tone so serene as if luring the hearers. She sounds so bright, the weightless feeling of her laughter gives a familiar cozy embrace.
The four men averts their eyes to the woman. Watching her with her hands covering her mouth as she tries to keep quiet. Her eyes are close, head tucking into her shoulders as if wanting to hide any trace of her giggling all alone.
She might look stupid for some, but to those four men—she looks like a new set of air to breathe.
The way the sun shines into her. The way her dazzling image almost blinding to their eyes. Its unexplainable how beauty mesmerizes someone easily, all they can understand is she is beautiful.
Especially with that big smile and laughter that suits her whole face.
Elijah coughs.
Intentionally, and it come out like a warning.
It is indeed a kind of warning, to himself at least. A warning to remind himself and take back his senses.
However to the stowaway, it sounded like she was just about to be scolded. And just like an self—induced reaction, she stopped. Forcing herself by biting her lower lip and looking at the ground.
" Let's make haste, savvy! I'm beat!"
Elijah groaned for an uncountable times. He just wants to return to the ship and rest for a while. Considering the number of responsibilities her will deal with later on, a good nap is ideal for a hot afternoon to him.
However their journey to return to the ship is again cut off. Not by another comment, another teasing, or another discovery, but because of a grumbling stomach.
She is hungry.
It is in the middle of a hot afternoon, and she has been walking around the market for almost two hours now. The men she's with appear immune to hunger, never once mentioning the idea of having a lunch.
She tried her best to forget about it, not wanting a stern quartermaster in her platter but her adventures on this island never seemed to stop.
The grumbling is heard again.
" Fucking fuck! I just want to return to the ship already!"
The quartermaster cursed for the tenth or hundred times today. His eyes rolls in annoyance as he turns around to look at her.
" I'm starvin' mate, let's grab something first. "
Argus sheepishly said, saving the woman from the pissed man.
" Yes, mother. You're son—"
" Hakim, I will personally fillet you body if you won't stop calling me your mother."
With that one final threat, Elijah leads them to a nearby tavern. The place is almost full, with the current clock to consider it is a rush hour for diners.
Predictably, pirates dominates the area. People flocks inside, from travelers, merchants, to normal residents of the town. The noise of every chatters and the tone of laughter along the sound of a soothing music from a bard in the corner of the room.
Dark setting, with the tiny shroud of natural lights from small windows illuminates the place. The busy tavern maids, balancing over works and protecting themselves from the malicious hands of the men that dares to touch them.
The stowaway feel the uncomfortable eyes of these men as she sat down in one of the tables along side Calev and Elijah. The other two men with them are quick to leave and venture the crowd on their own.
Argus immediately finding his way to the crowd of women, already planning his night to be spend with one of them. While the loud Hakim chatting with other people at the next table—they are likely pirates from other crews.
It seems that, despite the reputation of the crew of mad treasure to other pirate groups, there few who are in good terms with them.
Calev tries to tune out the noise in his ears as he closes his eyes to rest. And while Elijah eats his share of meal, the stowaway is busy admiring the pies in front of her.
Everything happens immediately here, not quite a posh restaurant, but the food is amazingly cheap. The stowaway eats with delight, the pie savoring her hunger as she feels like a kid on cloud nine.
Unbeknownst to her, the quartermaster watches her in awe, observing her for the first time in her real figure.
She look beautiful, he must admit. Nobody can actually deny such a fact. Her long black hair decorated with small ornaments from the drapery. The floral specs in her hair almost making her look surreal.
Her beautiful skin that takes a gorgeous comparison to her black hair. The hazel eyes that reflects the fall of trees, the early rays of sun. He feels dumbfounded as he realizes the features has been too obvious but he-everyone in the ship are too stupid and clueless to even realized.
[ She's a woman.]
He can't stop watching her, as if he is captivated, enchanted by the woman. The way she moves, the way she looks at everything, there is just something that is telling, yet untold.
All that he can think of, is how similar she is to what a description of a goddess is.
[ Goddess? Seriously, the shock must have gotten into me badly to think such thoughts. How crazy.]
" D—did...A—are... you ...?"
Surprised when she met his eyes who's watching her intently as she eats. She immediately turn away but is instantly bothered by tons of questions when she notices he never gaze out at her physique.
" Are you planning on throwing me away?"
Elijah is taken aback, but nonetheless shakes his head, disagreeing with her overly repeated worries.
[ Is this all she ever thinks of when she is with me? ]
Remebering how she acteed when they were both alon in the market earlier. Or how she is seems to be on guard when she is with. The way she never fails to follows whatever he commnands to her.
He suddenly feels bad for how badly he's been treating her for the past couple days. Believing that she was a man, Elijah mistakenly abused her with tons of labor. Intentionally.
[ But she never even said a thing, or complain. She should have said so that the jobs I have assigned her is not fit for her. ]
[ But the more I think about it, she never had a hard time carrying it all out. One of the reason why I could have never guess she is a woman. ]
Suspicious he must say.
" I'm not."
He curtly said, dismissing the thought.
" I'm sorry for keeping it a secret."
She blurted out, feeling like she owed them one for lying about it.
"Why? You did it to keep yourself safe, it's no matter to me."
He said, and for the first time she sees a genuine look from him. Elijah didn't feel like lying about what he feels about it.
He honestly don't care if she had kept that as a secret.
[ It has nothing to do with me. ]
"Thank you."
She nods in acceptance, feeling more relieved that finally she see a different look from him.
She continues her meal as she watches around the place, taking notice of anything she deem interesting or something she might ask to Calev later on in their cabin out of curiosity.
Given the fact that there are a lot of people inside, she can hear countless if stories that sparks her mind. Music is heard, along with the laughter and proud voices of many story tellers in the building-particularly of Hakim. Who proudly boasts about his membership and his vice captain position in the pirate king's ship.
Everyone is curious about the pirate king and so they listen very well. Almost jotting down notes about how the pirate king has defeated every naval fleet that goes his ways.
She too listens, carefully eavesdropping to the nearby table. Wanting to know more about the captain of the ship she is in.
They are in the middle of Axel's journeyb in acquiring the Mad Treasure. Something she feels like wanting to know more—the idea of conquest to the story adds more interesting factor.
When suddenly she forgot to listen, as her eyes lands on a man who is sitting a few tables across the tavern.
[ That man? ]
The man looks a few years older than her, but younger to be consider as old. He bears the same persona of pirates, yet there is something evil that is coming off from him.
[ I can't breathe. ]
He can't see her from where she is, but she clearly sees him. The horrifief feeling creeps into her. The man mind his own business, not noticing a hyperventilating woman whose eyes never leave his oblivious figure.
She doesn't know this man; or at least she doesn't remember him.
Yet his physique, the big arms full of tattoos. The fair color of his skin that contrasting the dark brown hari of his, sleek and just right above his shoulders.
His dangerous piercing green eyes, the ffeling of being glare at by it. His deep and smooth tone but loud voice, hearing him boasts like a maniac inside the tavern as if he is an important person.
Its ringing in her ears, too familiar but she can't recognize.
However her body and mind recognizes the fear. The quivering and shaking in her own being dominating her seat as she helplessly look at the man. Unable to take her eyes off him.
She is scared.
Its an uncanny feeling of anxiousness. She doesn't know why, but it just feels likes something in her mind, her body, her distant memories that allows her to detect an omonious feeling. It is as if the danger emanating from him, is anticipated precisely.
[ I can't breathe. I ca...n't b..rea...th...e ]
The headache starts, this time more painful.
All she can hear is the ringing and buzzing of a painful noise as she clasps her head for support.
[ Why do I feel so scared? Who is that man? ]
"Are you alright?"
Elijah, who becomes alert with sudden condition immediately asked if she was alright.
There was no answer, she continued to breathe painfully as she put her head to the table in defeat.
[ I'm scared. ]
A cry left her mouth. loud enough for Calev to hear.
He opens her eyes and see her, hands in her heads, weeping slightly, just like how she used.
"What happened?"
He asks, yet all she did is breathe heavily, panic rising in her chest. In her head, not only the pain dominates it but an unrecognized memory where she can't properly collect.
But the same man appears in it, still bearing the same aura of danger. Her memories are groggy yet his face is clear, eyes menacing as he looked at her, she can't shake it off.
" Please..." She cries, holding her head like a fragile glass as she almost crawl beneath the table to hide herself.
The people inside slowly noticing the commotion in their table. Their curious eyes peeking over the the woman who is not shaking and tears in her eyes.
Her breathing hitches as a memory of being slapped by the man appears. The scene going back in fort, but surely it will haunt her down.
A tear left her eyes as she watches herself getting dragged helplessly by the same man in her memories.
The scene of being held back, fighting in a weakened state to run from his grasp, all running in her head as she forces herself to remember which memories are these.
[ What are these memories? Is this my past? ]
She breathes heavily in front of the two men, as her tears slowly cover her red cheeks. She shakes in fear, unable to form any words.
The man in her memories and the man sitting tables from them singlehandedly traumatized her without her knowing the reason and her connection to the man.
"You know him?"
Elijah whispers, having witnessed the whole thing uncover, the stowaways' sudden panic attack when her eyes landed on that man.
" Who?" Calev immediately asks, his voice getting deeper with anger.
He motions to the man sitting five tables away from them, which Calev's gazed follows.
The man still had no idea that his mere presence had created trouble. His life continues on while literally two meters from him, a messed and stressed woman is fearing for her life.
Calev feels the pull.
The pull made him want to step into that man's life and destroy him completely. He just feels the same danger she feels. As if the only way for this woman to stop weeping is for him to die.
But he held his ground, reminding himself that they are here on the island for one important reason and he is not about to ruin that.
" Do you know him?" Elijah repeated, this time he is more determined to know.
[ Do I know him? These scenes? These memories? Why is he on it? Who is he? ]
"No."
She sniffed a cry, sinking into the ground she is hiding.
" Come here." Calev reaches out to her, his chest getting tighter by watching her restless.
As she try to hide herself in the arms of the combatant who never hesitates to wrap it around her protectively.
" Its alright." Calev soothes her, whisper the same words over and over again.
The sight interested the quartermaster, but there is no time to dwell into that.
"You sure?" The quartermaster asked again, wanting an honest answer.
Calev, although wanting nothing but to calm her down, decided to let Elijah interrogate.
He needs to at least know what grounds he should have before killing the man. So he can decide how he is going to kill him if he finally gets the chance.
"He.." She hiccups.
She slowly backs away from the combatant and looks at Elijah.
" I don't know, I don't know. But I'm scared. "
She cries, Elijah searched for something in her eyes but all she found was real emotion spilling out of it.
"Arr, what be goin' on there, matey?"
[ That voice. ]
Elijah turns to look at the owner of the voice. He is standing, overlooking at the sight in there table. Trying to peek at the woman in the combatant's arms. His green eyes intently watching, a smirk playing in his thin lips as if the scene entertains him.
The stowaway holds the combatant tighter, burrying her face on his chest. Shaking as she tries her best not to breakdown.
Calev feels resentfully hesitant, unable to do what he feels like doing to that man who giving a certain appeal to the stowaway.
[ That voice... Why does it sound unncanily unpleasant? ]
" Fighting over a wench?"
Amuzed and maliciously staring, he immediatelt express a loathing presence right on the spot. As if it is not enough that the way his contradicting smile is making Elijah pissed, it is the way he stare at them that makes him undertsand what type of man he is.
" Its no business of yours." Elijah spat.
" Oh, if it isnt the famous quartermaster of the pirate king."
His laughter, sinister although there is no exertion of it. The stowaway grip tightens on Calev, making him feel the angrier.
" I don't know pirate king is interested with a wench? Is she a new purchase?"
" I'm killing him." Calev growled, loud enough to be heard by the quartermaster.
" Don't." Elijah warns, his jaw clenching as the unknown man walks closer to them.
The crowd is quiet, with few laughters coming from other pirates who found the unknown man funny. Hakim and Argus who was preoccupied with their own bussiness finnaly approach them confused and on guard.
" You got business with our captain?" Hakim who keenly analyzed the situation managed to take the lead of the unwanted conversation.
" None, mate. I was just wondering, that wench over there."
Hakim eyes couldn't look more intense at the way he stare him down. Not missing any moment, not sparing a time to blink. The man remains unbother, his playful smirks quickly annoying the master gunner.
" Is he fucking provoking me?" Hakim angrily asks, almost fishing out his pistol from his hoister.
" Hey, mate!" Argus laughter eases the tension that the tavern found itself to be in.
" The woman is our crew, so back off now. We don't want any fight now, do we?"
Argus playful manner seems to relax the situation. Stepping between the two individual who almost stands the same height, but Hakim is taller.
Although Argus personality shines as someone who can easily have fun in times likes this as if nothing is happening, his mates knew better than that. His dark grey eyes almost turning into dark purple is an evidence that he too is irked by this man.
" We have a mission Hakim, so calm down." Argus whispers, glaring at the tall man.
" You too Calev, it is not time for your wrath."
Calev looks dangerous. Even though his arms embracing the woman protectively yet gently, his eyes hovers the man like he is his next target. The darkness swimming in his eyes, a familiar chill around his aura made them all shiver.
" Calev."
He glance and nods at Calev signaling him to get a hold of his senses.
" You two, take care of this. Do not engage in a fight." Elijah warns the other two before grabbing Calev who is almost unmovable.
" Oi, no need to be that hostile mate! I was just concern over what was happening earlier. You see, I happen to overlook a woman crying under the table, makes me wonder if she was alright? Were you being coerce, beauty?"
Anyone can detect the false concern, under the pretense of wanting to save someone. Openly mocking an act of justice and heroism, under his voice that has nothing but spouts of evil and malice. Smooth and deep, yet sounding so dangerous.
Elijah steps into the two he carefully grabs calev and force them to leave the tavern. The laughter echoing as they leave, and so does the voice of the maniac who is still trying to get their attention.
" Calev."
He calls, the calm quartermater almost sounds helpless as he did.
" Calev, you can let go of her."
He repeated when the combatant did nothing but let the obvious fury in his eyes take over. The realization hitting him as he watches Calev's eyes turns darker, his hands getting tighter around the crying stowaway.
" Listen, I'll take care of her."
He assures the combatant who eyed him intently, not wanting to leave her.
" Get a hold of yourself, and lets get out of here. I bet she knows him but can't remember. If she is this scared to see him without knowing who he is, there is a possibilty."
Elijah explains, carefully taking the stowaway out of the combatant's grasp. Calev slowly let go, gradually he calms down and his eyes finally showing light. Despite the anger remains inside him, watching the woman cry makes his chest aches more insteadf.
" Elijah..."
He alarmly said when she suddenly passes out. Reaching out to catch her, but Elijah manages to do so in his arms.
" Don't worry, she's is alright. Just calm down, I don't intend to pester myself by fighting with your demon. Calm your rage. Lets not cause any troubles at least today, we're here for a different reason, savvy?"
Calev nods vigorously, his hands almost shaking not knowing where to rest them.
" She's.."
" She's alright." Elijah repeated, walking away from the market with the woman in his arms and the quiet combatant behind him.
Both of them didn't say anything, but rather their mind is busy taking every feature of the unknown man. Embedding it into their brains so his face wont be forgotten.