The first thought that popped into my head as I was standing in a row of around 10 men was 'What am I doing?' I was crazy for thinking this was my escape. But I couldn't back out now. The captain was walking slowly with his hands behind his back down the line of men, his face serious as he examined each one. He only stopped when something stuck out to him, then he would start his slow walk up again. When he reached me, I looked anywhere but at him, afraid his eyes could drain my secrets right out of me. These fears were silly, of course. It was impossible for that to happen...right?
He stopped when he got to me, looking me over as if he were thinking of a good place to put me to work at. I suppose he found that place because he began his walk again, leaving me slightly breathless and confused. Did I not stick out as female? Was he going to say something later? I had to save these thoughts for later, because the captain had begun to speak.
"Alright!" he yelled, strutting to stand front and center. "Though this isn't the best crew I've had in all my years, I suppose it can work." He said this with slight irritation and everyone bristled a bit at the tone. Was he talking about me specifically? Who else was he hinting at?
"Now, my boy here will let you know of yer stations." He said after a moment, gesturing for his youngest to step up. It seemed he favored Eridan, since I noticed that he only made talk with him in the tavern. Cronus had stayed silent, regarding everyone and everything with quiet eyes.
"Okay. Listen up 'cause I wwill be sayin' this once an only once." He said sternly, his w's wavered. I wondered why he had such an odd quirk to his speaking. He continued by listing a bunch of names and duties, getting closer to mine. "And Gatlin." He waited, looking down the line of men as I assumed I needed to raise my hand or something. He nodded once at me and continued. "You wwill man the croww's nest."
I had always had a slight fear of heights and I was about to object and say something but the captain shouted some orders. We shuffled onto the ship, heads down or looking around. My eyes immediately found the crow's nest and my stomach dropped into my feet. No way was I getting up that rope ladder and sitting in that death basket.
I tried breathing evenly, my nerves slowly getting to me. Why was I here? I know nothing of sailing. My brother would have laughed and told me I was an idiot for thinking I could do this. But he isn't here, so I guess I should laugh at myself. Wrong move.
"Wvhat are ya laughin' at?" I heard behind me. I tensed up. Had I really just laughed aloud?
"Are ya gonna answver me or just ignore me?"
"I-I.." I stammered, then realized I should make my voice seem more gruff. "I was just thinking of something a friend of mine told me before I left."
The eldest Ampora just stared at me and I was starting to feel heat creep to my cheeks. He shook his head and looked away, mumbling something about 'stupid newbies.' I breathed a small sigh of relief and looked around, noticing everyone had gone to look for their bunks. And I was left alone, standing on the deck.
