The Sea, It's so… beautiful.
I've always felt a connection to it, a pull as strong as the tides themselves. It's as if I belong here, among the waves, cradled by the endless horizon. Here, where the wind sings and the water whispers secrets older than time, I feel truly, alive.
I remember the first time I met the sea, a child barely old enough to speak. My father brought me over so I could touch the sea with my tiny fingers. The saltwater had stung, but it was a stinging I became addicted to.
Since then I've always had a desire to ride the waves, but always struggled. Whether it is failing to join the Royal Navy of the kingdom I reside in- Fronland, for having a father with a slightly~ bad history. Or failing to join a merchants ship because of, well, my father's colourful history.
I can see now you are probably wondering what my father did, or who he is. Don't worry, I'll get to that in due time.
So, after failing in all attempts of joining any kind of crew. I gave up… just kidding, I tried the final, not-so glamorous option. A pirate ship.
Don't get me mixed up, I didn't want~ to join a pirate ship, it was just the only way me and my love (The Sea) could be together, and to be honest, it was the easiest option… due to my family legacy.
You see, my father was a pirate, and not just any pirate, a successful one. Not a successful father, but a very successful pirate.
So that's why I'm here, on a pirate ship, setting sail from a God-forsaken town, to god knows where. This new life of mine is far from the romanticised adventure I once envisioned.
"Mister Maris!" A gruff voice interrupts my thoughts, "I didn't bring ya along so you could day-dream all bloody day!"
I scramble back to reality, my gaze shifting from the pirate haven we were docked at earlier, which was quickly disappearing from my view, to the source of the voice, "Sorry, sir!" I call out, trying to hide the irritation that bubbled up from being yanked out of my reverie.
I need to stop internally monologging, it's a very weird tendency I have… wait a second, I'm doing it again.
The ship creaked and groaned beneath me as I scrambled over the hazelnut-brown decking, trying to find something to make myself look useful.
"Mister Maris! The deck needs some rinsing! Use one of them buckets!" The gruff voice continued.
Oh Great! Rinsing! I think as I take a quick glance at the man currently giving me orders. He adorned a long, dark-blue coat, a loose-fitting white shirt, and a dark waistcoat pulled tight across his chest. As well as, of course, the classic triangular hat. Damn, I really want one of those.
This man's name is Daniel Tran and he is an "officer" on this ship, he's also the man who recruited me to this crew, though, I'm starting to wonder if I should be thanking him or plotting his downfall.
I jump into action, rushing across the deck. Pirates hustle past, some hurrying to their positions, while others laze in hammocks, swaying gently with the ship's rhythm. I dodge between them, trying not to draw too much attention.
As I weave through the chaos, my hand brushes against the main mast—a towering pillar of wood that seems to anchor the ship itself. It's solid, rough under my fingertips, like the backbone of this floating beast. The three massive sails attached to it stretch high above me, catching the wind with ease.
I can't help but admire the craftsmanship. There are other sails, too—two smaller ones at the front and another pair at the back, working together like parts of some grand, breathing machine.
This may not be the fanciest ship, but something about it feels sturdy, reliable. Experienced hands must have built this.
I thought as I continued on, to the bucket.
This is quite a large ship, something only expert pirate crews could obtain, I heard the word "Brigantine" being thrown around earlier and I guess it could be the name of the ship? Or maybe the class of the ship, such as a Galleon?
As I finally reached the bucket, my hand hovers over it for a moment, and then it hits me, why use the bucket, When I could simply use my magic!
"Maris Advolat!" I casted, motioning my dominant hand at the sea, and then guiding it up to the deck of the ship.
A swarm of water scrambled up the side of the boat and onto the deck, plastering it in water… as well as about every single pirate within a few meters of me, including Daniel Tran.
Crap