The Different Ship
4

Rune sat at the dining room table under deck leaning on her hand, all that kept going through her mind was when Azhar said that this wasn’t a normal ship. That what was it; she didn’t see anything out of the ordinary besides well the crew was pirates, and good ones at that. Her thoughts were broken when a couple of crew members came to talk to her.

“Hey ya newbie, did Arab give ya a hard time?” one asked, she shook her head not even looking at them. Even though she didn’t want to admit it she was deathly tired from running around doing all of the deck work plus some today. It still confused her why no one came up., maybe that is what Arab meant by the comment about the ship failing because everyone else is lazy, but no that can’t be because most of them are going around now?

“Are ya tired little?” another one asked her, once again snatching her from her pondering thoughts and once again Rune shook her head, lying to them. Maybe if she didn’t answer they would go away, she didn’t get a good vibe off these guys at all.

“Why ain’t ya answerin us?” the last of the three that had come up said snorting at her and crossing his arms as they enclosed on each one of her sides. She became tense and still didn’t look up.

“Because I have no clue what to say maybe, my name is Ayo and if I were you I would step back before you regret it.” she said drumming her nails on the table lifting her head slightly.

“Ight, what can ya do then, what are ya strengths?” one of them asked her stepping back alongside the others. They seemed to have become more curious but in an odd way more than anything.

“A lot of things and some weaknesses I guess, I guess you will have to wait and see what I have in store like everyone else.” She said to him not giving him a straight answer still staring into space, her mind reeling quickly.

“How do ya not know what ya can do mate?” the other snapped slamming his hand down on the table beside her causing her to jump and whip her head around to him, giving him a nasty glare. The crew member gave her one back but Rune didn’t budge as she stared him down as her drumming abruptly stopped.

“Not that I don’t know, more I don’t care? Is it really your business? Now excuse me.” she said standing up as one scoffed at her looking her over, narrowing his eyes.

“Eh, what are ya ta good ta talk ta us cause ya Arab’s pet?” he accused her. she tensed but shook her head and huffed slightly before she pinched in between her eyes in an aggravated manner.

“I shouldn’t fight with a crew member but oh, you’re itching for one aren’t you?” she said shaking her head and pushing through them trying to keep her head about her. If she wasn’t around them nothing would happen so she began to head up to the deck.

“Oh is that tha speech he gave ya? Well lemme tell ya a lil secret mate. Half of us don’t get along here anyway.” He said to her. Her brow creased in confusion as she turned back to him.

“But he said and its true, if a crew doesn’t function…” she was cut off by them laughing. She then looked at them with a face of disapproval and shook her own head before crossing her arms. What was wrong with these three, they weren’t like the others at all; almost different like a whole different species.

“Tha ship will fail, maybe it already is. Ya just haven’t been here long enough ta see it.” He said to her cutting her from her thoughts as his eyes glowed slightly causing hers to widen in response. As soon as her mouth opened to say something she was cut off when someone walked up behind her and touched her shoulder.

“Ayo tha captain wants ya in his quarters now.” They said she turned to him and nodded before walking up the stairs to the deck and looking around. She didn’t realize that it was almost dusk; she headed on and somehow mindlessly making herself to his cabin and knocking on the door.

“Please come in.” he said that smooth deep voice called out, but instead of relaxed it seemed harsh and tense from this morning when she spoke to him. Rune walked in and saw he was shirtless; she rolled her eyes slightly as the door shut. He was fit and very broad; he was chiseled with large muscles and a toned stomach. upon inspecting him she noted a large scar across his chest, it looked to be almost like a claw mark before she shook her gaze from him to meet his eyes.

“Yes sir?” she asked him not even phased by him. He turned to her and raised his eyebrow watching the reaction she carried suspiciously.

“Well I must say you did a rather good job today, Arab said you can hold your own very well.” He said standing up from his bed to walk over to her. Azhar looked down at her as small smirk shifted over his lips.

“Thanks I guess captain.” She told him as she looked around the room not really caring about what was going on, her posture was slouched and relaxed in front of a superior. He chortled as he stuck his hand out for her to shake; she looked down at it and let out a small grunt before taking it and tensing. It was cool to the touch, an inhuman cool which was strange.

“Ayo, I must say you have the most vibrant green eyes I have ever seen. Green eyes are quite rare and I would know since I have sailed around the world. He told her, she blinked slightly before chuckling lightly herself and pulled her hand back.

“Thanks again but isn’t it odd for you to be complementing me like so? I mean you called me down here for something as frivolous as that? I must say I am quite shocked unless it is more?” she asked him. Her arms crossing across her chest once more and smirking at him, he pulled his hand back and crossed his own arms over his barren chest.

“ah straight to the point I see son…” he said trailing off and lingering on the word “son” slightly before turning to walk over to his bed and plop down.

“You said you came aboard, I do enjoy getting new crew members especially if they work, such as you. You didn’t say much on why though, so tell me now? The reason you came aboard my ship.” He said her, locking his eyes with hers.

“really that’s all you want you could have just asked me that as I got on.” She snorted before leaning into the wall and grunting again staring back at him not backing down.

“Well for one I have pretty much been on the streets my whole life. Did somethings and had somethings done to me, we live some we learn some and I got into a lot of trouble, so instead of dealing with my warrants, I left. Simple as that, before I even got on this ship I had the police after me” she told him plainly.

“I even have to say an interesting story and you planned to stay here on my ship?” he asked her reaching a hand up to stroke his facial hair, she nodded.

“Well I think I am here am I not?” she stated to him, he looked at her and smirked more before laughing and leaning forward slightly.

“Well let me tell you, you deem fit to be a pirate.” He said as his eyes glinted slightly, he knew there was something going on with her. More than she was letting on he was going to replace out and he was going to have fun doing so. So she can keep up her charade for as long as she wanted.

“Thank you once again and if that is all I don’t want to breathe your air anymore so I am going to go.” she said turning to the door before they heard a loud yell.

“Land hoe!” it rang out in the distance, it must have come from above in the crow’s nest. Azhar stood from his head and briskly walked past her before heading down the hall to the deck, she followed behind him swiftly and looked up. A taller, rather dirty man had come down the ladder and headed for them. he had matted brown hair and brown eyes, his skin looked like it had patches on it from the filth he carried. Rune stood there and watched him wobble up to Azhar.

“An island north bound, maybe 150 to 200 yards or so. If my calculations are wrong do it ya damn self.” He told Azhar who returned it with a glare. The pirates eyes wandered over to Rune and looked her over, studying her carefully.

“Who tha hell is ya small one, ya look nothin’ ta be a damn pirate. A pitiful excuse if I say so meself!” he said in a condescending tone that made Rune tense and clench her fists next to her. she went to snap at him but Azhar had put his hand on her shoulder to stop her, still glaring at him.

“Matchy this is is Ayo, he is new here and is good at what he does. So please do treat him with respect and don’t run him off.” Azhar said in a stiff tone. Matchy simply responded with wrenching and spitting out a lewgie at his feet, she cringed at the sound thinking that was rather disgusting.

“Eh? Ya think if tha others weren’t so weak they wouldn’t have ran off like they done? Think of it as a favor, a blessin in disguise.” He retorted to Azhar with a shrug before he leaned down into her face, his breath smelled of booze and rotten fruit along with stagnate water. It caused her to gag slightly before she gave him a nasty glare.

“What ya got good fer ya mate?” He asked her she shoved him back suddenly causing him to stumble backwards as she glared down at him.

“Tch, damn what is with all of you probing me on what I can do? I am good with swords? Is that what you want Matchy?” she asked him. He growled out and shot to his feet and stalked back over to her.

“Are ya now?” he asked her glaring her down, she began drumming her nails on her arm as she crossed them. She had a bad temper and he was pressing all of her buttons the right way to send her over the edge. He then turned to Arab and tisked at him.

“Did ya teach tha mate that ya fat lazy hog?” he asked him in a rude tone, Rune’s eyes went wide.

“Excuse me what gives you the damn right to…” she was cut off as Azhar’s hand covered her mouth, she glared up at him as he looked between Arab and Matchy. These two have always rubbed each other the wrong way, pretty much since Matchy joined the crew.

“Na, he musta had tha talent before he came aboard.” Arab told him with a slight edge to his normal cheery voice, Matchy returned it with a snarl before looking back at Rune, pointing a bony finger at her.

“When we get ta tha island lil one, ya are mine ya hear?” he said before walking off to go under deck and disappearing.

“I am sorry for him, he is an idiot most times… he sure got you fired up though Ayo? You didn’t even flinch when it came to him” he said with an amused tone watching her as she shook her head watching him.

“Tch, its fine it’s not like it’s your fault he’s a moron. He is the one that has it coming to him not you.” She said turning back to him with a serious look in her eyes, his widened faintly as a small mischievous smirk fell over her lips. She looked between Arab and Azhar before raising her eyebrow.

“I accept his challenge.” She stated, they both had a look of shock on their face which made her chuckle.

“You aren’t scared of the loony man?” Azhar asked her, this time she laughed loudly before shaking her head and holding up her hand.

“Scared? No, no I think he is a joke and I am going to show him how funny he is to me.” she snorted and looked around and spotted the island and putting her hands on her hips. Azhar looked her over once again taking in the shape her body held.

“My, my you are a different man aren’t you?” he laughed as she turned to him again and looked confused but also amused at the same time.

“Yea I guess I am.” She said to him. She wasn’t a man, but men must get scared off too easily by that mistake of a man, or maybe his stench scared them off. She was a woman of her word ad what he wants he will get, probably not what he is expecting.

“Well I suppose I should be heading bed I have to get up in the morning with Arab.” She said and walked off to the main quarters. Azhar watched her as she disappeared.

“Is there a reason why ya reactions are so intense ta Ayo Azhar?” Arab asked causing him to turn to him and smirk.

“I am just interested is all Arab, but excuse me I have to do my rounds and you should head under also long day since we should be reaching that soon.” He said tipping his hat slightly as he walked off leaving Arab there in slight shock.