discohamster

[discohamster]

CHAPTER 2

Sunset Snowfall

How many hours have passed? 4…5? Cheyenne looks at her clock. It's only been 2 hours.

“I'm not getting any sleep tonight am I…” she sighs. It's like this almost every night. In fact it is rare to get a good night's sleep, she can't tell if it's just general worries or thoughts of the unknown future that lay ahead of her. She gets dressed, puts on her favorite fluffy light blue coat and blue boots, and quietly heads out the door.

The snow crunches under her with every step as she walks to her favorite spot, a place with no lights to disrupt the full view of stars, to see the vibrant colors that light up the night sky. The perfect view to relax and just breathe in the cold winter air. Its up ahead ,

“finally” slightly out of breath “made it” she said. It's about a 10 minute walk from the inn but still quite the feat with all the snow. she smiles. Flopping down on her back she is cushioned by the snow. A sigh of relief washes over her,

“Breathtaking as always,” she says, looking at the night sky. Suddenly hearing the crunch of boots walk up snaps her out of her fixation on the sky.

“You weren't kidding about loving the cold were ya?” Shanks teased.

“Nope!!! I'm built for this weather! Dare I say the perfect temperature ” she answers.

“I don't know if i would say perfect~” he says jokingly

Cheyenne lets out a laugh “Pft- says the man from the north blue~”

“How could you tell?” with a sly look on his face, also plopping in the snow next to her.

“Not just anyone can come here and not look like they're going to turn into an icicle.” she laughed

“You got me there.” he trails off. “Couldn’t sleep?” Shanks asked.

“It's normal for me, I've had insomnia since I was a little girl. Plus I would call myself more of a night owl anyway~" Cheyenne turns to him. “Are you like that too?” she asks.

“Sleepless nights just like you.” he says, turning to look at cheyenne.

They lock eyes ' I noticed his eyes earlier they're a lighter brown then mine, the snow reflects the moonlight into them perfectly ’ “pretty” she says.

“Pretty?” Shanks is taken back with a confused smirk on his face.

Cheyenne's face turns bright red “Um yeah i was thinking the snow reflecting the moonlight is very…pretty” she says, averting her gaze from him.

“You’re right, it is pretty,” he says.

Cheyenne breathes a sigh of relief thinking he didn't catch the implication.

She lay back down and sighs “it's quite peaceful you know... I love the way the winter air and snow feel, to me it's comforting. ” she laughs

Shanks smirks “not an indoors person?”

“You could say that~ what gave it away?” she says teasingly

“Lucky guess~” he chuckles.

They both lay in silence for a bit, just gazing at the winter night sky.

“It's nice being out here with another human,” Cheyenne admits “not to say that Fish and Otter aren't good company. But I don't know, I just feel more at peace tonight, more safe I guess you could say.”

“You feel safe with a pirate?” Shanks asks in a teasing tone.

“You're not my first encounter with one. Besides, I like to think I'm a good judge of character, but that remains to be seen~ ” she teases lightly with a hint of seriousness .

“Good judge of character huh?” Shanks smiles “I'm not threatening, am i?”

“Nope not in my eyes, and not in the eyes of my friends either.” She gives a sly smile.

“To your friends? Did I meet them yesterday?” he says with a confused look.

“Yes, actually two of them to be exact.” Cheyenne says reaching into her front coat pocket on her chest and takes out her hamster. “Fish and Otter.” Just as she finishes speaking, Otter comes running over wagging his tail.

“Animals? I thought you meant humans” shanks laughs

Fish starts squeaking almost as if he's yelling. Cheyenne nods her head “Agreed.” she says. Shanks stares in confusion. “Oh excuse me, allow me to translate, fish says that animals are friends too, and I won't repeat the rest.” she says side eyeing Fish.

“That bad huh?” Shanks replies looking at Fish, who is looking very huffy at the moment.

Otter barks and wags his tail and does laps around shanks before going up to him for pets. “I take it that Otter has a better opinion of me?” he laughs.

“I don't think I need to translate that.” she laughs

“So how can you tell what they are thinking?” Shanks asks.

“Oh…um just by their body language and the tone of their squeaks and barks…” she says with an anxious feeling creeping up on her. She hurriedly started to make herself look busy and in thought by looking over Otter in a concerned way. “Oh my gosh? Where is your collar sir?” she says with a huff.

Shanks decides not to press the issue.

“Anyway… I’m gonna go back inside and try to sleep at least a little bit. I've got a long morning ahead of me.” Cheyenne says.

“I’ll try too. goodnight see you in the morning…again.” Shanks laughs lightly, waving making his way back.

She can't explain why but she feels more at ease talking to shanks, he was just so easy to talk to, not to mention handsome. She can feel the blush crawling up her face “PULL IT TOGETHER CHEYENNE!!!” she yells, don't fool yourself, that kind of relationship would never happen to you, she says to herself as she walks back to the inn.

[discohamster]

CHAPTER 1

Sunset Snowfall

The cold winds nip at Cheyenne's cheeks as she stands down by the docks. “I see a ship in the distance! I’m gonna make sure we have a fire going and some nice warm drinks!” she yells as she goes running up the hill.

The inn door shuts behind her, “What's with the rush?” asks her coworker. “I gotta prepare some food for the incoming ship. I assume they will be hungry. It is quite the journey to our island.” Cheyenne says.

Continuing with the cooking and cleaning, and setting up for what will most likely be a large pirate crew, she hears someone at the docks yell, “Ship is docking!”

Cheyenne puts on her coat, mittens, scarf, and goes out to greet them. The docks aren't too far from her job so it takes no time at all. This might be the biggest ship she has ever seen come to their island, but no one else seems to be too shocked. The crew don some heavy winter clothes, it's kind of hard to tell what they look like underneath it all. One thing she knows for certain is it's one big crew, with some of the tallest people she has ever seen in her adventures.

Someone, who she assumes is the captain, begins to speak, “ Hello, you wouldn't happen to have somewhere nice and warm where we can stay, would you?” says a crisp but clear deep voice muffled by a scarf. In fact she can barely see his face at all, nothing but eyes peek out from behind it all.

“Welcome! I think we have just what you are looking for! I have already started on food and drink’s at the inn. I can lead the way.” Cheyenne says with a smile.

“Thank you. Lead the way then.” Tracking up the hill to the inn with what looks like a skip in her step, the man chuckles to himself with a hidden smile.

She opens the door to the large lobby in the inn, warm and cozy from the large stone fireplace on the wall straight forward from the door with fur adorned leather couches. The large bar and kitchen to the right that is bustling with business since it's a little past dusk when work ends, some people are already drunk and passed out. Cheyenne rolls her eyes “less people to hassle me, so that's a plus!!!” she ushers everyone inside.

“We've got tons to eat and drink, so please make yourselves at home!” says Cheyenne. “Much appreciated.” says the man. The crew begin to shed the layers of clothing including the captain. Cheyenne suddenly finds herself staring at the man. She knows him. That's Shanks.

How could she not know…didn't she look at the ship…? “I guess I didn't,” she says out loud.

“Didn't what?” says Shanks with a sly smirk. She could feel herself bright red, she hoped the cold flush of winter hid it well. His smirk became a wide grin. “Come and sit. Have a drink and loosen up a bit.” he says, patting the seat next to him.

Cheyenne walks over with a suspicious look on her face, he is quite intimidating, she has never really talked to a man before… that wasn't family or village people. He was quite attractive too which made her more nervous. The look on her face makes him chuckle, “I'm supposed to be working…” she says.

“I'm sure your boss wouldn't mind if you sat down for a while.” Shanks replies, looking at the boss giving him a thumbs up. “See” his grin getting bigger.

“Then I definitely can't say no to that.” She laughs awkwardly. Shanks orders a round of beer for the entire inn. Swirling the drink in her hand ,“So, captain of the Red Hair pirates huh?” she asks.

“In the flesh” as he downs another drink.

“I'm sure your stories are more interesting than mine. I’ve traveled some but just for work.” She lightly laughs taking another swig of her drink.

“Don't be too sure of that. I'm sure yours are just as interesting, if not more.” he says.

“I highly doubt that, but…” she thinks about her adventures, most of which are trading but to her they were much more. Even though she was traveling for trading doesn't mean she wasn't taking a look around at said places. She had gained a few companions that way after all!

“ I have found some interesting things recently! Do you wanna see?” she says brightly, almost beaming.

“I can't say no to that kind of expression, now can I.” he says, but she's already down the hall, and into a room. She comes back out a couple of minutes later with something in her arms.

“A dog and a hamster?” he asks, confused.

“Not just any dog and hamster! The hamster is Fish and the dog is Otter.” she says, holding out Fish in her hand, and Otter by her legs. “You guys can say hi, you know. It's the polite thing to do.” she says to Fish and Otter. Fish scurried over in front of shanks, let out some squeaks and bowed. Otter just excitedly did some circles around shanks, wagging his tail.

“Mighty kind of you all! They really understand you real well. You have them well trained.” Shanks says. “Yep, it just takes time and communication, that's all!” she laughs.

“What brings you guys to our island?” Cheyenne asks.

“Well we needed to stock up. We are running quite low on food and supplies for our doctors.” Shanks replies.

“Well you stopped by the right place! We have tons of meat, not too much on the crop front though. That's probably obvious because of the cold and snow. We also have a couple of medicine shops around here.” she says. “I can show you all around too!” she beams.

“That anxious to be back out in that weather?” he jokes.

“Absolutely! I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. But it's just the way I like it. Snowy and cold” she says, rubbing her hands together.

Shanks lets out a loud laugh “An offer I can't refuse. Alright in the morning you can show us around. Sound good?” he says.

“Yes absolutely! Thank you!, I mean, of course I'd love to.” She says.

“Then it's settled. See you in the morning.” Shanks says, takes the last swig of his drink, gets up, and pat's her shoulder.

“Goodnight.” he says.

“Sleep well.” she replies, looking at him as he walks down the hall, with her hands on her face bright red. “Tomorrow is going to be a long day.” she says before she walks away for bed.