Dinner With Pirates
The clothes Sora had loaned Evangella were loose to say the least, but they were more comfortable than her wedding dress. She was more than happy to be in a pair of pants whether they fit or not. When she found her way up to the deck, she wasn't quite sure what she was expecting but this wasn't it. The ship was alive with music and dancing as people drank and ate. It wasn't at all like the dinner parties she had been raised on. There were people everywhere having the time of their lives and celebrating as though it were their last night on Earth. Evangella looked around and found Sora in the middle of a crowd arm wrestling with one of the crew members. She had cleaned up from the raid they'd done earlier. As she got the upper hand and slammed her opponent's hand into the table, she stood up and threw her arms over her head, whooping in victory. Looking over, she made eye contact with Evangella, smiled and waved her over. "Have you had anything to eat yet?" She asked. Evangella shook her head and Sora took her by the wrist, leading her to where the food was. Considering they had only left a few days ago, everything that they had brought with them was still fresh. Along the side of the ship, they had a table set up with meats, fruits, vegetables, breads, cheeses, and several other foods that she hadn't expected. "Eat what you can now. In a couple of weeks, we're going to have to switch over to our dried supplies. Also, have fun. The crew won't hurt you." ************* It took a bit of work for Evangella to loosen up enough to join the crew in their antics. The rum helped, it was stronger than any of the stuff she had been given in Astra. After a few drinks, she had started to enjoy being on board. She had joined the circle of dancing pirates, picking up on their movements with ease, the heel of her borrowed boots hitting the deck with each beat as she held tight to a bottle of rum, getting a little drunker with each sip. When her bottle ran dry, she moved to the outside edge of the ship to take a breath. In Astra, she had never had this much fun. As a princess, she was supposed to be the regal image of the crown. Dance tedious dances to classical music in stiff dresses, only drink the finest wine or champagne and spend each day preparing to rule. Never would she have been allowed to even think of wearing pants and partying with pirates. She would never admit it out loud, but she didn't necessarily miss Astra. She hadn't let go of her teachings and morals entirely, but she drank and danced as if she were one of the crew. "Evening, Princess," Sora came up behind her and leaned on the rail next to her. "Enjoying yourself?" "This is more fun than I've had in a long time." "Well, I'm glad. It seems some of the sailors are just waiting for the chance to ask for a dance." "Maybe in a bit." "Take your time." A comfortable silence fell over the two as Evangella watched the dark waves in the moonlight and Sora cradled her bottle. The crew behind them sang some out of tune shanty about drunken sailors, though it was more drunken slurring than singing. "Can I ask you something?" Evangella spoke. "Sure." "Are you being nice to me because I'm a princess?" This made Sora laugh loud and long. "We're pirates, not barbarians. Not to be rude, but my crew and I couldn't care less that you're a princess." "Then why am I here? Why did you show me mercy?" Sora took a long swig from her bottle before deciding to answer. "You, my dear, are stolen goods. Stolen from your home and now stolen from the people that stole you. Pirates steal things of value. The men in the cells beside you? Monsters. Worthless. You, however, radiate innocence which is rather rare these days. And that makes you valuable to me." Evangella didn't quite understand, but whatever Sora was trying to say frustrated her. "I don't need your pity if that's what you're saying." "I don't pity anyone. I assume everyone is planning to betray me, kill me, or both. Even you. But I try not to be a monster unless I need to." "And what is your definition of a monster?" "It's more of a loose term really." "How so?" "Well, there are a number of things that make someone a monster. It's easier to use one general word than a list of specifics." "And what makes you a monster?" "A number of things." "Is that supposed to be reassuring?" "No." "Oh, well that's good to know. I trust you entirely now." Sora chuckled at Evangella's sarcasm and raised her bottle to her lips. "If you plan on getting any sleep I'd do it soon. We start work at dawn and you are going to learn how to use a sword. I'm assuming they didn't teach you such things at princess school." Evangella shook her head and moved away from the rail. "I suppose you're right. Goodnight, Captain." She touched two fingers to her brow and flicked her wrist. "Night. Oh, and Princess? A word of advice, lock your door and sleep with one eye open. My crew consists of good men and I'd lay my life down for any one of them, but that doesn't mean they'd do the same for you." Evangella nodded and headed below deck, leaving Sora and the crew to wind down for the night.