The instant we stepped back aboard the Sparrow, Vash and I were rushed by the entire crew. They were all clamouring to hear why we'd spent the entire day ashore. They were crowding us so much Emily-Rose's glamour was beginning to feel real, and I was getting claustrophobic.
"Vash. Quarterdeck. Now," I muttered. He picked me up and leapt to the quarterdeck. I instantly steadied myself once we were out of the crush and glanced quickly out at the docks. No one seemed to have noticed.
"All right," I said, staring sternly down at my crew. "I'll tell ya what happened, but ya need ta stop acting like children beggin' fer candy. Honestly now, ya'd think ya'd have more sense. Especially the four'a ya." This was aimed at Scarlette, Tayu, Neji, and Sakura Sumiko. "Ye've known me the longest outta everyone ondeck, an' yer actin' the worst of 'em all!" They all looked sheepish, and I just had to laugh. "Now look at me. See what ye've done? I sound like an ol' mother hen. Not very cap'n like, is it?"
That got a laugh from them.
"So what took ya so damned long anyway, Jaquie?" Scarlette asked, already over the embarrassment of being called out. "Ya weren't attacked, were ya?"
I shot Vash a quick glance. He shrugged.
"Nah, not attacked. Ran inta a couple'a pickpockets, but not attacked. Might have some new additions ta the crew by the time the month's out."
A rousing cheer chorused up from the main deck.
"Wait a sec, Cap'n," Mari piped up, "Havin' new mates is great, but'cha di'n't answer Scarlette's other question. What took ya so dang long?"
"Heh. Found a guy who's int'rested in the same thing I am--"
"Blood?" That was Jonny. Blood seemed to be one of the things most often occupying the little devil's mind.
"Nah, Jonny. Revenge."
"Duh, dipstick." Miyavi gave her a good-natured cuff upside the head. "Getcha head outta the bloody gutter." He laughed at the pun.
"As I was sayin'," I chuckled. "This man'll help me, an' in return, he'll get somethin' from me."
"Ya don't mean--?" This time it was Lucas.
I groaned. "Dammit, Geldings. Once again, I say: Getcher head outta the bleedin' gutter." I glanced at Vash, who I could hear grinding his teeth. "Care ta take over, lover?"
"Geldings!" my husband barked, standing beside me with one hand on the pommel of his broadsword. "Tell me true, puppy. D'ya really think I'd be so calm right now if'n that was what the man wanted?"
The werewolf fidgeted and looked at the wood under his feet. "P-prob'ly not, bosun, sir--"
"Damn straight! Now tell me, Geldings, tell me true. What do you think of my wife?"
"W-what? W-well, she's beautiful a-and strong--"
"God, wolf, have a spine! Ye've been with us fer ten years! Cantcha talk straight?"
"Vasharl, darling," I said softly, putting a hand on his shoulder, "calm down a bit. Yer scarin' the crew."
He took in a slow breath and let it out. "Sorry, Jaquie." He raised an eyebrow at Lucas. "Well, Geldings?"
The werewolf swallowed, his adam's apple bobbing. "C-Captain Sparrow is beautiful and strong. Fright'nin' sometimes, but admirable an'--an' I'm grateful ta her fer sparin' me ten years ago."
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And we'll stop there for now, eh? Comments are appreciated! Keep reading, dears!
SKBCTayuyaFluteofDeath Community Member 
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