The Show Goes On Chapters 6-10

[eiahmon]

Title: The Show Goes On
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Summary: Wishing-Fire's AU 100 Themes Challenge. Braig is a gummi ship pirate; Ienzo is his first mate. Let the fun commence!

6-10

6. Tiny

The kid was small.

No, Braig told himself, he was fucking tiny. How could anybody be that small?

“How old are you, kid?” he asked him as he poked him in the side. The kid didn't say a word and simply curled up in a ball like those pill bugs that Braig had used to torment back in Radiant Garden. He poked him again. “Hey, you gonna answer me?”

The kid uncurled slightly, and one blue eye peered out from a mass of metallic blue bangs. “Six,” he said shortly, and then he curled up again.

Braig would have preferred someone close to his own age, but being the only cabin boy on a large ship royally sucked, so he supposed beggars couldn't be choosers. Hopefully the kid would pull his – admittedly small – weight.

“What's your name?”

The kid looked at him. “Ienzo.”

7. If

If they attacked this ship, it could bring unwanted attention down on them.

If they didn't, they would starve, as they were rapidly running out of cash and supplies.

If they got the unwanted attention, it could make their work more difficult and dangerous then it already was.

If they didn't get some cash, they weren't going to have to worry about unwanted attention ever again.

Braig growled and slammed his fist down on the table in his quarters, which made Ienzo look up from his book and frown in annoyance.

“Feeling better?” his first mate asked evenly.

“We need this kill.” Braig said as he stood up from his chair and began to pace.

“But it could make things difficult for us.” Ienzo said as he laid his book down on the table.

Braig paced a bit more, and then: “Fuck it, let's do it.”

8. Enchantment

Braig sat huddled under the windows of one of the local taverns and listened to the gummi ship crews as they went about their business.. They walked through the town, bought souvenirs for themselves and their families, and traded stories with anyone willing to listen.

Braig found their stories boring though. No, his favorite part came after dark. On certain nights, other gummi ship crews came in, rougher and meaner than those other crews. Rumors floated around about piracy, but no tavern owner would turn away potential business if they weren't causing trouble and had money to spend. So Braig hunched down in the shadows outside one of their favored watering holes and listened as their voices drifted through the open windows. Stories of treasure stolen, battles fought and won, and journeys with only fellow crew and the stars for company filled his imagination, and Braig wanted in.

9. Dancer

Loud drunken laughter flowed over Braig as he leaned back in his chair and took a deep swig from the tankard in his hand. Across the table, Ienzo drank deeply from his glass of wine, and Braig allowed himself a moment to relax. One turned 35 only once in their life after all. His remaining officers were seated at tables around them, forming a protective ring, while the rest of the crew was scattered about the tavern.

Braig banged his tankard on the table and wiped the foam from his mouth. “Well, Ienzo, you arranged this party. What's on the list for entertainment?”

Ienzo set his empty glass down and smirked as he refilled it. “Oh, I think you'll appreciate it.” Four shapely, scantily clad women came into the room then, and Braig grinned widely as they began to dance for him.

Best birthday present ever.

10. Excuse

“Just give me one.” Braig hissed as he placed the barrel of his gun against the trembling man's forehead “Give me an excuse to pull the trigger.” Braig smiled in satisfaction as the man cowered in front of him. “Did you honestly think you would get by with it? Did you really believe that I would let it go? As if. You were warned of the rules when you signed up: you betray me, and I destroy you.”

“Please Slasher,” the man pleaded “I'll take what's comin' to me, but spare my family. They didn't do nothin' wrong.”

Braig smiled again and gestured to the burning house. “Too late.”

“You bastard!” The man jumped to his feet, and Braig pulled the trigger.

The body slumped to the ground, and Braig looked over at Ienzo with a grin. “He gave me an excuse.”


Chapters 1-5 -- Chapters 11-15
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