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winter-spark · 4 months ago

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Guys I did it it! I finally put down some introductory scenes for my Pirates AU! I'm calling it Lost at Sea right now because when I went to label the document those are the first words that came to mind but as of what I know is gonna happen, I think it fits.

Note: This was just to lay down some of the setup. This is the roughest first drafti-est first draft I could present. I had fewer ideas for the Zafran Princes just thought they all had to get a perspective because I knew Orange and Tangerine would be main characters and it felt weird to not include Navel and Citron(especially since Citron is sorta is, I didn't actually have any ideas for the intro for the four of them though because the first scene I have in my head with them is a little bit later. I did always intend to start with a scene between Izumi and Itaru, though. Thank you for reading if you read this.

Also, I did a little bit of research on Pirates for this but in doing that I've also decided to do whatever I want because I can. Alright, thanks. & remember that everything finds its footing better after the pilot.

“Itaru!” Izumi waved over the edge of the Mankai. “Didja get everything you needed?”

The Mankai was a strange vessel. It wasn’t like the galleons Itaru had seen nor even the sloop, he was a crew member on. It didn’t really look much like it was for battle, despite its size. It almost looked like a home? Not that it was house-shaped, just that it looked… homely. Itaru stopped rolling his barrel and looked up at her. “You know that’s confidential.”

“I don’t know why though. It’s a simple yes or no.”

“I’m not gonna give ship status to a potential enemy ship.”

She seemed in thought. Then she leaned over with a grin. “Are you happy there?”

“I–” Itaru knew this was a part of her recruitment campaign. He hadn’t yet figured out why but she’s offered him a spot if he’s ever needed one. Mankai was in no means a small ship. What reason did she have to offer Itaru, an essential nobody, a spot on the ship? But still this was the first time she directly asked if he was happy. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Oi!” Her ship’s bird landed on her shoulder, it’s wing pointed off in a direction, “That’s you isn’t it?”

Itaru looked. It looked like they were getting ready to head out, he groaned. “I gotta go…”

As he headed off he could hear her call out to him, “Alright! But think about it okay!”

Itaru had made it in time, hoisting the barrel of water onto the ship. He sighed. He would’ve been left if Izumi’s bird hadn’t warned him… He looked over at Mankai, it was such a pretty ship. He did wonder what it looked like aboard it.

“Ay,” Tonooka’s arm landed over Itaru’s shoulder. “You made it.”

“No thanks to you,” Itaru gave him a playful shove.

“Hey, I had matters to attend, but I was worried about you.”

“Yea?”

“Yea. What took you anyway?”

“The water was heavy.”

“You’re so weak,” Tonooka twisted his knuckles against Itaru’s head. Itaru pushed at him, he didn’t need a reminder.

“Hey, what do you think it’s like on Mankai?”

“That ship with the old dudes?”

“And Izumi.”

“I mean, the ship is nice I’ll give you that, but what would they do under attack?”

“But don’t you ever wonder why they aren’t ever attacked?”

Tonooka raised a brow at him. “What are you saying?”

“Just–Do you think people fear them?”

Tonooka shrugged. “What does it matter? They’ve nothing to do with us.”

“Yea, I suppose.” There were a number of older people on the ship, maybe Izumi was just looking for someone her age. Maybe she just latched onto the idea of offering a spot to Itaru because he was familiar, they’d had a number of run-ins before. Yea, that made sense.

"He's so expendable."

"Kamekichi!" Izumi frowned at her feathery crewmate.

"He is! Isn't that the reason you're interested in him? With the whole retirement thing and all. I thought you were looking for recruits."

"I am but I've been trying to recruit Itaru before a lot of that." Izumi watched his ship start to set sail, "I just think I enjoy his company more than his crew seems to."

"You should just kidnap him."

"Kamekichi!"

"What? They won't try that hard to get him back, guarantee."

"You give bad advice." Izumi petted his head.

"I give great advice!" He squawked. "I should leave too, just for that. You'll never see me again!"

"Ah okay," Izumi rested her chin in her hand, "Well, Isuke will always be here with me."

"Ah!" Kamekichi flew off her shoulder, clearly offended. "You're supposed to beg me to stay."

Izumi tapped her chin. "Hmm…"

"Rude!" He tugged her hair. She laughed.

"I'm just messing with you!"

"Ah Izumi!" Isuke ran up, "Your father would like to discuss the course with you."

Izumi's father was retiring. From being Mankai's captain, not from the sea. But it made sense. Not much was left of Mankai. First to leave were some of her father's closest friends–Zen wanted to start a traveling restaurant, Yuzo wanted to be a captain himself, Kasumi wanted to explore other avenues than Pirating, maybe be on land for a while, Syu was summoned by his father's company to run cargo and trade ships. Yukio, the first to encourage to their departure. Then soon enough, other members left too. Some with/to help Zen & Yuzo. Some were just done with the sea. And some were still around, ready to leave once Yukio officially did.

But Izumi wasn't done yet. And neither were Isuke and Kamekichi. The three of them hadn't had their fill of adventure and the sea and finding loot! Izumi wasn't ready yet to leave Mankai. So even though she wasn't sure she was ready to be a captain she'd be doning that role. And she'd be looking for recruits. Mankai was too big a ship for three people.

She met up with her father and he told her his plan. Basically he and Captain Reni were going to be meeting up at an island and then Yukio would retire. It'd be his last voyage. Wow…

Izumi took a breath and shook her head. Hopefully, by then Izumi would have some new recruits by then.

Navel looked at the stars and his map. He was pretty darn good at his job so if he really wasn't gonna be the next captain he didn't mind sticking with navigation. However, he wasn't sure he'd want to be Citronia's navigator. Orange knew the ship like the back of his hand, he was in charge of keeping the ship safe and making sure it got repaired when it needed to be, it was initially mainly the main sailing functions but he likes to make sure everything’s in order. Sure, Citronia was the Quartermaster but still.

Navel turned to a chart. Yea like he thought, they were near a fairly windy area. Best to turn the sails and work with the wind rather than against it.

Navel looked down from atop the mast. No one should really notice him. The wheel was tied still so the boat wouldn't turn on it's own but even if someone was there they shouldn't see… Navel took one more look around. Alright. Guilty pleasure, it was but he loved the rush. Instead of climbing down, Navel took his telescope and held it atop of the rope and let himself hang below, and slid down to the deck.

"Good evening Navel."

Of course he'd be there, probably judging him. Navel pocketed his telescope and turned to Citronia, "Yes dear brother?"

"Well I was coming to suggest you get some rest," He began adjusting the mast, “You’ve not left your post in a while.”

"What are you–"

"Were you not about to do this?"

"I was but," that's the thing, Navel was gonna do it. He forgot sometimes that being the expert didn't mean Citronia wasn't gonna butt in.

"You can help."

Navel frowned but did so.

"Is this good?"

"Yea, it's fine." Navel headed off. Citron frowned.

Maybe he shouldn't have helped. He didn't mean to take the wind from his sails. Navel had looked in a good mood so Citron thought he could talk to him…

Citron looked out at the horizon. The sun would be a while. He enjoyed being out on the sea, and he didn't mind his job, but he wished interacting with his brothers was a lot more pleasant. Their moms had done more on the ship than Citron's though, Citron's mom wasn't even a pirate, really, more of a stowaway that happened to get along with the captain. So it was a little strange Citron was even here and so highly revered by the crew. And yet the people he wanted to like him the most…

Tangerine came out, in somewhat of a hurry.

"Is there trouble?"

"Why would there be?" Tangerine tilted his head.

Citron put his hands on his hips. "Then shouldn't you be sleeping?"

Tangerine shook his head. "You promised you'd play a song for me."

"Was that tonight?" Citron tapped his chin, teasing the idea that he was in thought.

Tangerine looked around. "Are you too busy?"

"Of course not," Citron patted Tangerine's head. "I just need my violin."

"I'll go get it!" Tangerine perked up.

Citron chuckled. "Alright and I'll keep watch then."

Tangerine nodded and headed in. There were others to keep watch but Citronia was always trying to carry so much of the weight on his shoulders, it's clearly part of the reason everyone loved him so much but Tangerine honestly wished he'd sit down.

"Good evening sir," Mika, a cooper, greeted him in passing. Tangerine turned to him and made a face.

"We're the same age."

"But you're an official–"

"Barely."

"So… you don't want me to call you sir?"

"Ah…" Tangerine didn't really ever get any status calls, so it was a little nice… But sir? "Can we pin this?"

"Yea, of course."

"Thanks." Tangerine smiled and shook his hands. "I gotta go, but we'll definitely talk later."

"Okay."

Tangerine headed to Citronia's room and got his violin case. There was a new song he'd picked up a bit in the last port town they were in.

He exited to find Orange inspecting the wall.

"Big brother?"

"Hello, Tangerine," Orange stood up straight and nodded slightly at him.

"What are you doing?"

"Navel said he got snagged on the wall in this hall but the moment he laid down he fell asleep so I'm trying to find it."

"I see, do you want me to help?"

Orange looked above him then at him. "No carry on, I suppose it's not too much of a threat, especially since it's just our quarters so if I can't find it I'll just ask Navel in the morning."

"Oh okay."

"Yes, and don't stay up too late."

"Okay," and Tangerine headed off with the chipper energy he always had when heading to see Citronia. He must understand him better than Orange could ever fathom too.

Orange gave up on the wall, it was something small anyway. He just needed something to do. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. Everything was pretty much in shape. Navel was in bed. Citronia was on deck so he’d rather not go there. After things get windy, they’ll get stormy. Navel said so anyway. So another check of the ships features wasn’t a bad idea, but maybe tomorrow.

“Orange there you are.”

“Yes, Moon?”

“Would you like an update?” Moon was somewhat of a friend to Orange’s mother, so when she wasn’t around Moon tended to take care of Orange. His mother had been the first mate but she nearly shared Quartermaster responsibilities with his father’s first wife. With the traditions of ship, such as the next captain being chosen by lineage, she’d thought for sure Orange would also end up as Quartermaster, as much as she’d kept things in order with everyone. Citronia was just a natural with the people though. And it wasn’t like he was ever unfair with the way he divided up the loot. So Orange was in what seemed a losing battle if he really wanted to follow in his mother and father’s footsteps.

“Mm, Citronia and Tangerine ‘re on deck, I take it Guy’s at the wheel? And most others have gone to bed.”

“Pretty much, but it is tied for now. Your elder brother, though, has thrown somewhat of a party.”

And that’s part of what it was wasn’t it? Citronia could just spontaneously start a party late the night before the weather started being more difficult. Orange would opt as many people to sleep as possible so everyone was as ready as they could be, Citronia with all his wit and calculations though still did things that didn’t quite made sense. And if Orange asked why he’d throw a party he’d problem ask if there was an issue celebrating the crew.

Vaguely, Orange could hear it. Other musicians on the ship had their instruments out, playing. Playing what Orange didn’t know. He got up, his hair snagging on the wall, there it was. Orange cleared his throat.

“Right in the morning have a carpenter come and fix this, it’s about…” Orange eyeballed the distance down the hall and from the floor it was. Moon noted that down. Orange then turned to head to his room.

“You’re heading to bed?”

“Better to let them regret it in the morning than be the one who ruined the fun.” Orange headed into his room. Right. Navel was asleep in there. Orange took out a spare blanket and pillow, he should get a second hammock.

He laid down, the distant sound of music still playing. He closed his eyes. He was tired but sleep never came that easy.

#writing #fanfic #i guess I already admitted to writing it #if it's bad #please don't think less of me #I'm still getting used to some of these characters #as a matter of fact I've barely even written most of these dynamics #like there's three I've never written in here #and one or two dynamics in a different mold than I've written them previously #and two maybe three of the characters here I've literally never written before #lol I think I've only written Citron & Navel interacting when Navel's tired #which was only two scenes but it's funny it's happened twice #okay #erm.#idk what im doing #but am I tempted to write snippets of this and post them as just that because this might be too big a project for me to commit to ngl #idk #Mankai Pirates AU

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