Imelda
Tension on the harbor still lay thick in the air from the would-be engagement, as Imelda and Raymond stared at the children on the Sloop. A silenced hush loomed over them all, only being broken at the sound of Seagulls crying and the three children completely oblivious to the situation argued amongst themselves. “Huh the sleeping lady is gone!”
“Think she went and told on us?! Oh man! If we get caught sneaking away again, mother’s gonna get angry!” Their voices were accompanied by footsteps as they approached the ramp of the ship.
“She’ll never find out! We’ll sneak attack her when she gets her as we planned, and prove we dont need that crappy caretaker looking after us! So come on, let's go find a better hiding place! Preferably one with windows.” As their conversation carried on Raymond with his sword still pointed to Imelda, had the same look of confusion. Imelda however was still puzzled by this whole situation, but for some odd reason felt a sudden sensation of anger. Nothing prompted her next action, as she realized her entire body had moved on its own. Whatever her foot hit didn’t feel exactly right to Imelda, but nonetheless her opponent was now a reasonable distance away from her. Holding the right side of his body on the liver area Raymond fell to one knee, holding himself up only with the weight of his sword.
”Dammit… This is annoying.” Biting the inside of her cheeks Imelda looked towards the town, before setting one foot in front of the other. She no longer cared about the tense situation she had just been in. Opting to instead just to find Mango so she could just take it easy while they were on this island. However, as she started to walk away the marine who held the gun yelled.
“Stop damn you! You just kicked a Marine officer, you aren’t getting away with this!” His voice like his legs were shaky, and his rifle refused to be steady in his hands. Yet he stood his ground with the rifle still pointed towards his enemy. “Surrender yours-,”
“Enough!” Pulling himself up to his feet the Petty Officer began to sheathe his sword. Despite the kick he stood straight and approached the Marine with the gun. “We already know we were wrong in our accusations. So justice was not harmed today.” He placed a hand on the Marines left shoulder. With a tight squeeze he went on, “And as for that attack, it was well deserved on our parts as Marines. The name of Justice was used in horrible vain.” Watching the horned woman walk away from her sloop, and past the onlooking crowd that had formed. Raymond knew it was time to get this situation under control. “Alright Marines! Let’s get the area back to normal, we need to have things perfect for when the Captain arrives back here! And as for you three!” Raymond looked towards the ramp of the Sloop with disdain in his eyes. “Come down here so I can esco-” The words fell short, almost as if he was struck again. Where three kids had previously been standing, was a completely empty spot with no kids in sight. He looked high and low around the area before coming to a realization. “THOSE BRATS DISAPPEARED AGAIN! DAMMIT!” He approached the two Marines helping their friend into the water back to dry land. “You three, those in the area about the current situation. The kids are once again lost! Waste no time, understood! The Captain should arrive here in an hour! We can’t have a single thing go wrong at that time! Now move out men!” The two Marines stood up straight to salute the Petty Officer, “Yes sir!” While the both of them stood in their salute, their comrade found himself slipping back in the water.
“Someone PULL ME UP!” The screaming was soon followed by a large splash of water. He had fallen back in the harbor, desperately calling for someone to help him get out. With a quick glance Raymond noticed a ladder not even 3 feet away from the swimming Marine, pinching the bridge of his nose he started to walk off hoping that the three Marines understood their orders.
“Somehow I just have a feeling that things can't get any worse than this…” Running his back across his slicked brown hair, Raymond began his duties once again. With a small sliver of hope that his prediction came true. IF ONLY HE KNEW…
“Excuse me ma’am, you look like a lady who could use some beautiful jewelry with only the rarest of gems inside. If you’d like to take a look inside we have beautiful ornaments for horns bedazzled with sapphire stones!” A very round man with a very questionable curled mustache pestered as Imelda walked by his shop. In fact every shop owner in this time seemed to be calling towards potential customers, who also seemed to be wearing distinguished clothing. Some of them gave a side glance towards Imelda as she walked by them, while also ignoring the other shop owners trying to sell her some form of dress, shoes, hats, and even imported expensive alcohol. Imelda without thinking too much of her surroundings ignored every last one of them taking her usual turtle paced speed while walking. She seemed to be deep in thought as she moved along, the encounter on the Harbor left a very sour taste in her mouth. There wasn’t even a fight, and yet she felt as if she lost somehow. It had to be that weirdo knight who had interfered, is what she assumed. Yet there just wasn’t any anger in her heart towards him, at least not that she could pinpoint. The whole ordeal bothered her so much that she had only begun to notice the small trickle of blood going down her chin, from the part of her lip she had been biting. With enough frustration built up Imelda planted her feet square on the ground and took in a deep breath.
”Dammit! This is fucking annoying! Mango! Where are you!?” The words came out as a more of a roar to the surrounding well dressed pedestrians. The entire street went nearly quiet as some people even tried their best to walk around, or just flat out avoid the screaming woman. ”I need a damn drink! Hey you!” Imelda stared at a random person dead in the eyes, or at least the part of the face that the eyes usually are. They were wearing a plague doctor mask with a large red cross on both sides of the beak, and a long green cloak that covered their entire body. This person stopped in their tracks and watched the blue horned woman approach. ”Take me to the nearest bar! I’ve had a shitty day!” The masked person didn’t speak a word, instead they took a small bow and simply began to walk off. ”Hey! Didn’t you he-” She watched as they gestured with their covered hand to follow. Finally wiping the blood from her chin Imelda couldn’t help but smile at this point. Although she was still upset, at the very least there was something good that could come out of the day. So without second thought she followed the strange dressed person.
Between the pair walking together no words were spoken amongst them both. Imelda who seemed to finally calm down and return to her usual neutral state followed without issue, in fact she trusted them. Even as they finally made a turn down a strange shady alleyway, Imelda was fully convinced everything was going to be alright. The alleyway was dark and almost no light reached the bottom from the top, there were even a couple of shady men standing with what looked like a bottle of Rum. At their feet were about seven other bottles completely emptied, both the men wore red and black striped shirts with tattoos on their arms that read, “The Crow Brotherhood.” Imelda paid no attention to it however, since she was completely lost in the idea of being able to have a good drink in her system. She didn’t even notice how her escort was slightly hunched over as if cowering away from the men and holding their head down. Both the men eyed the pair as they walked by, and watched them approach a singular cellar hidden deep in the back of the alleyway. A dead end almost, Imelda stood a couple of paces away as she watched the masked figure start to open the cellar doors. What should have taken a few seconds turned into a few minutes as Imelda squatted against the alley walls, while her escort had a little trouble trying to open the doors. The lock was very rusted and the hinges didn’t want to be opened. But with a little brute force the lock finally gave way and the hinges squeaked loudly as the escort opened the doors. They looked back at Imelda and gave a simple thumbs up as their chest rose and fell. ”Are you trying to tell me you’re all good?” With no response the masked figure walked down into the cellar and right behind them was Imelda.
The stairs of the cellar were made completely of stone at the top, but past the fifth step Imelda was unsure. The place was dark and it would be nearly impossible to tell one foot from the other, but she figured if her escort went down there then it must be safe. So without a single second thought she began to walk down into the cellar. The smell of alcohol hit her nose almost immediately as she descended down further and further into the pitch black darkness. Imelda had no idea how long she was walking down for, and was unsure of where her foot placement was. ”Whatever’s down here better be worth it.” She thought as she felt her feet reach a flat area. The steps had finally ended and yet she was still in a dark area with no light. At least that’s what she thought because only seconds later a door would open ten feet away from her and the sound of music and laughter filled her ears. Along with the sights of people dancing and drinking inside this shady cellar. Stepping inside the well hidden bar Imelda looked around and couldn’t help but feel happy as she looked around. The place was well decorated and lit compared to the stairway leading to it. It even had a full six person band playing cheerful music.
Imelda would still follow her escort who took an empty seat at the bar top, which conveniently had an empty seat next to it. The bartender slid over to the pair and gave a hearty laugh, “Hah, Eloise my favorite doctor! Will it be the usual friend?” The bartender was a fair skin woman with brown hair in a ponytail, the cigarette on her lip looked newly lit and she spoke with it in her mouth as if it were second nature. Eloise simply nodded and held up two fingers as she wiggled in her chair as if excited. “Oh two right off the bat?” The bartender laughed. “I’m assuming the other one is for your new friend? Well then coming right up!”
”Eloise huh? You must come here often if you’re even known by name.” Eloise tried to hide away after Imelda finished her sentence as if embarrassed. Imelda didn’t care however her spirits were already lifted and the incident on the harbor left her brain. It didn’t take long for the bartender to return with two tall glasses of dark beer, foam was still falling from the side. ”Oh man! This is gonna taste great!
“Nuh uh!” The bartender's hand snatched the drink away before Imelda got a chance to even grab it.
”Hey what's the big idea!” Imelda slammed her hands on the bar and stood as if ready to fight for the beer. With a smirk the bartender simply looked at Imelda with a half closed eye. Imelda was confused and began to get furious again and right as she was about to open her mouth again the bartender simply opened her eyes and stared at Imelda.
“Sit down.”
A sudden wave of fear washed over Imelda’s mind at that very moment. She didn’t feel in control of her body as she felt her butt hit the seat again. It was then that Imelda noticed the scars on this woman’s arms and middle to lower torso. Imelda didn’t want to sit down but yet something in her body ordered her to do so. “Good bull, now tell me please. Before I give a drink to some random face who showed up with our Eloise, what’s your name and occupation? For instance I’m Bistro and I run the Cellars Wall which is this little place. Now your turn.” The words were cold and somehow full of ego. It sent shivers down Imelda's spine.
The words were getting choked up inside Imelda's throat as she stared at the obviously seasoned woman. Once again Imelda felt a sudden wave of anger overcome her and yet there was nothing she could do in this situation. Her body knew she would lose a fight here. But with her overwhelming feelings Imelda yelled out, “My name is Ram D. Imelda! And I'm the captain of the Blue Horned pirates!” It was almost like a declaration that left Imelda panting for air as if the wind in her body had disappeared. While trying to catch her breath she heard a clatter on the bar and looked up to see Bistro smiling and the beer on the bar.
“Now that wasn’t so hard. Go ahead and drink up Imelda, this ones on the house for you.” With a wink Bistro walked down the bar to some other customers. Imelda felt a hand pat her shoulder and looked over to see Eloise trying to cheer her up. Once again saying no words to Imelda, but at least her thumb was raised once again.
”Fuck this… I just need to drink this day away! Come on toast with me!” Imelda grabbed her glass after finally regaining her breath and held it up as if to toast with Eloise. However, to her shock, the other glass was already empty and already being replaced by another. ”WHEN DID YOU DRINK THAT!? YOU DIDN'T EVEN TAKE OFF THE MASK!” Imelda felt her head begin to hurt with such a weird idea. She didn’t even wait for a toast at this point, Imelda began to drown herself in the glass of dark beer.
Twelve Drunken Hours Later
”Ahh, ain’t this nice. A beach too myself. A clear beautiful blue sky, the winds at a perfect speed. Ahhhh ~ yeah this is the life. Hehehe.” Imelda now known as the STRONGEST pirate captain to ever sail the seas enjoyed her free time. Everyday was spent either napping or just… well napping.
”Hey person writing this, keep it together will ya. And be a little more quiet!” Behind her lay a mountain of treasure that she’d acquired over the years. Treasure that she herself didn’t want, but knew she would need in order to feed her crew. Nothing could go wrong for this great pirate captain. She had the world in her hands, and absolutely nothing could ruin it. Well maybe except the fact that this was all a dream and Imelda is currently in danger.
”Wait… What? What danger? And what the hell is that awful odor!”
WAKE UP MANGO IS IN DANGER! YOU’RE NOT SAFE RIGHT NOW WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!
Imelda’s eyes flashed open without fail. ”I’M UP JUST SHUT UP NARRATOR!” The first thing to appear in Imelda's view was Eloise, holding a broken vial with the smell of what she could only describe as a horrible dead fish mixed with skunk spray. It spun Imelda’s head, but she still sat up with a huge overwhelming feeling of hangover. The next thing she noticed were the dark walls of the alleyway leading to the cellar doors. Why the hell were they back here? ”Eloise? What the hell happened?” Imelda held her palm on her forehead as she felt a sudden headache start to form. Maybe it was the smell? Or the alcohol? She couldn’t decipher which it could be, but the voice she heard next took her thoughts away. Mainly put them at ease. The voice of a person she hadn’t heard all day and sorely missed.
”Told ya not to drink too much.. Ya dumbass captain..” There was the familiar voice Imelda knew.
”MANGO!! I missed ya bu-” Her words were cut off, as her vision finally started to fully come to. She looked at her friend standing there with both of his signature daggers in his hands. He was standing in a fighting pose meant for short range combat, but at the same time he wobbled. Blood fell to the cold stone each second he was stood and wobbled as if defying the action of falling to the ground.
”I missed ya too… Heh, handle… the rest… Imelda…” With those words Mango crumpled to the ground still holding onto his daggers with a white knuckle grip. Imelda could only stare as the sounds of the world left her ears.
”Hey… Hey Mango… HEY! STOP FUCKING WITH ME! WAKE UP!” Without a second thought Imelda jumped to her feet and ran over to her friend's motionless body. She nudged and shoved him as if somehow that would work. Imelda couldn’t even feel her own heartbeat as she looked down at him. For the first time in a long time in her life as she finally leaned over his body, holding back her tears, Imelda felt truly helpless. The tears were so close to erupting from her eyes Imelda knew that there was nothing to do, but before the tears could leave there were two hands on her side. Not comforting hands, more like shoving hands. Looking at whoever dared to touch her right now Imelda saw the pointy end of a mask in her face and a struggling person trying to push her off. Eloise? ”What the hell are you doing!?” Eloise stomped her foot in the ground and showed her the brown satchel she had been carrying around all day. On the front was a symbol of a red cross. Eloise was a doctor. ”Wait, you’re gonna fix em up!?”
Eloise nodded.
”You do that then I’m gonna go look for who did this!” Imelda stood up from Mango’s body with a fire in her eyes to find those responsible.
Eloise pointed to the left at a group of five bodies on the ground. All dead.
Imelda took the hint and walked over towards them. As she got closer to them, she noticed all of them wore a red shirt and each on their arm had the words, “The Crows brotherhood,” tattooed on their arms. With a deep inhale Imelda cleared her mind as she stared at them all. Mango fought this hard for her while she, was passed out drunk. Imelda readied herself to fight everyone on this island if she had to in order to find the person in charge of this group. So all in one breathe she screamed, ”ALRIGHT ELOISE TAKE CARE OF MANGO! I'M GONNA GO KILL A GROUP OF THUGS! ORRRRAAAAAAAA!” And just as she was about to take off running around this town causing trouble, a new voice spoke up from the direction that led to the entrance of the alleyway. A voice Imelda didn’t recognize. It was a soothing woman's voice… But also held a slight condescending judgemental tone to it.
“Some captain you are? Do you even know the way we're going, or who we're even looking for? Captain Blue Horn? And who the hell is narrator?"
