"C'mon Berry! We gotta get to the docks!"
Rainbow dragged her friend by the arm. The sun had not risen over the horizon yet. Manehatten was empty except for the early risers and the non-sleepers. The two women ran through the wet streets. It had rained after Caramel left the tavern. This did not surprise anyone as the island city was always partly overcast. However, Rainbow's mind was not on Manehatten, but the Bay.
"A new life Berry! I've always dreamed of being on the seas. Th wind in my face, the water splashing ar..."
Berry shook her head. "No you haven't."
"Way to take the fun out..."
"Hey, you made me stop drinking. You know that makes me cranky the next day."
Rainbow rolled her eyes. She had been thinking about Caramel and his ship throughout the night. She did not actually get much sleep due to her restlessness. Yet, was she cranky? No. Berry was just being stubborn, Rainbow thought. Berry was content with her lot and needed nothing more. Always relying on Rainbow to her the bits for booze. Rainbow nodded in her thoughts. She was doing something good for Berry. Her friend needed to get out and live for once.
They turned a corner and saw the docks at the end of the narrow street. The bustling sounds of activity could be heard in the distance. The sailors were already up and running. As she approached the docks, she quickened her step, to Berry's annoyance. They passed the the last line of dull buildings and stopped in awe.
The docks were lined up with ships o various sizes. Rainbow was not learned in the names or functions of different ships, so she saw them all as the same. Sailors rolled barrels and carried crates up the walkways to the ships. Most of the sailors were burly men, but there were a few women here and there. One such woman was talking with a man in white robes. She had many tattoos covering her very dark body and she had a white and black striped mohawk. Rainbow recognized the man as Caramel and ran over to him.
"Captain, we're here."
Caramel turned around. "Ah, yes, my new sailors. Uh...I never did catch ya names."
"I'm Rainbow Dash, this is Berry Punch."
"Aw, fitting names I should say. Well, Miss Dash and Miss Punch, this is my First Mate, Zecora of Zebrania"
The tattooed women bowed slightly at them. "For our first meeting in time, I say the pleasure is mine."
Caramel chuckled. "That's her way of saying hello."
Rainbow looked about. "So, which one of these boats is yours."
Caramel frowned. "My ship is out in the Bay. Our way of getting ahead of traffic. We have a rowboat ready to depart."
The captain pointed at a rowboat nearby. Rainbow looked out into the Bay. Certainly enough, the Ragnarok was out there, still as statue. She inspected it with as much awe as the others. The craft seemed graceful as it sat in the waters. Rainbow's stare was interrupted by the whistling captain. The woman turned to see everyone was in the rowboat. She was quick to get in with them.
Caramel sat back. "Now Miss Dash, if you are going to be a sailor, you must learn the ropes. It will not be easy, but I believe you will learn quickly. First things first, you must do what I say, when I say it. So, row me to the ship."
Rainbow blinked at his sudden command. "Uhh...Can't you do it?"
Zecora snapped back at her. "Your captain has ordered you, now follow his command through."
Caramel intently stared at Rainbow. "Row. The. Boat."
Rainbow grumbled and took the oars. She heaved them back to push the boat forward. Caramel gave her a smug look as she did so. She looked back over her shoulder. The ship was much farther away now than what she had thought before. That was probably due to her not expecting to be rowing the boat the entire way. Wait, she thought. She looked at Berry Punch, who was simply lounging next to Zecora.
"Why isn't she helping?" Rainbow questioned.
The captain waved a finger at her. "Nah ah Rainbow, I told you to row, not her. Keep rowing."
Rainbow grumbled again. In her frustration, she began to row harder and faster. If she was going to do this, she thought, might as well make it quick. The wind picked up as they went out into the Manehatten Bay. She rowed harder and harder, showing the captain her anger at being told so rudely. Caramel winked slyly at her. This made Rainbow even more angry at the man. Soon they were flying across the water at the speed she had created. Berry lazily watched her without a care. Rainbow glanced over her shoulder. The ship was closer, but still far off.
"Ya gettin' impatient lil' hydra?" Caramel asked mockingly.
"Oh shut it you." Rainbow hissed.
Zecora opened her mouth to say something, but was stopped by the captain. Rainbow could tell that he was amused by her and didn't want his fun to be spoiled. Her arms began to tire as she rowed them to the Ragnarok. The sun was now over the horizon. The pink morning was beautiful and delightful to see, but Rainbow acknowledged none of it. She was thinking solely on the captain and rowing, rowing, and more rowing.
"Keep rowing like so and your arms shall become as strong as a buffalo." Zecora told her.
"Uh....Thanks?" Rainbow replied.
"Don't worry," Caramel said. "You'll get used to her sayin's and rhymes soon enough."
"I hope so 'cause it drives me head round." Berry complained.
"Doesn't take much to do that." Rainbow retorted.
The shadow of the mast covered her. She didn't realize that she was coming close to the ship, as she was facing the other way. She continued to row with vigor. The captain hesitated before pointing.
"Uhh...You might want to stop."
"She turned her head. To her immense surprise, the rowboat was about to collide with the haul of the ship. She desperately tried to stop the boat by rowing in the other direction. It wasn't enough though, as the boat struck the ship, lurching them all. Indignant chatter rose from the deck above. Caramel stood up.
"Well, everyone's gotta start somewhere right? Whatever my boys tell ya, listen to them good, they got sound advice."
Zecora grabbed two ropes and threw them to the deck above. Caramel skillfully climbed the side to the deck. Rainbow was impressed by his agility. The boat started to lift up as the sailors above pulled the boat out of the water.
"Heave! Heave! C'mon lads, we gotta stay sharp!"
The boat was pulled over the ship's railings via pulley system. The boat was then set down gently on the deck. Zecora stepped out and walked away. Rainbow and Berry Punch remained in the boat. Rainbow was awed by the activity on the ship. Sailors scrambled about, climbing the rigging or rolling some barrel to a new location. Massive white sails were folded up along the yards. The high masts of the ship loomed over them. A large black flag flew at the very top. Cannons lined the sides of the ship, she could see about six on each side in sets of two. Above the captain's quarters was a carved statue of a gryphon with outstretched wings. Two sailors stared at her with disdain. Caramel voice called out to them from the wheel.
"Yeah, we got ourselves two greens. Make 'em at home lads."
One of the sailors turned to the captain. "They don't look sea-worthy cap'n."
Caramel nodded. "Not yet. Gotta teach them first."
"Cap'n, I don't mean to offend, but are you sure? One of them is the size of my thumb."
Rainbow's temple bulged out. "Hey, you take that back!"
"Oi! What's ya gonna do, green? Bite me toes?" The sailor mocked.
Before the sailor could react, Rainbow slammed her fist in his face. Blood squirted from his lips as the knuckles ran deep into his jaw. The other sailors turned around in alarm when the sailor landed firmly on the wooden deck. Rainbow walked over to him and pulled at his thin shirt.
"Naw, I'll just bite ya face off!"
Rainbow pulled her am back for another punch, but the hearty laughter of the captain stopped her. She glanced over at him. He had one hand on the wheel and the other holding his side. Rainbow was starting to get annoyed in how humorous he found her and her actions. She let go of the sailor and began to walk toward the captain. The sailor spat at her as she left him on the deck.
Zecora was whispering something into the captain's ear. When Rainbow walked up the short flight of curved stairs to him, she stopped. Caramel kept his smug look. Rainbow crossed her arms and glared at him.
"Yes, Miss Dash?" He asked.
"You're not gonna say anything about me just sluggin' one of your crew?"
"Of course not! Ol' Hunter had it comin' anyway. Besides, you're one of my crew now, remember? I consider ya'll equal, even if ya a green. I've got confidence in you, Miss Dash, otherwise I wouldn't have selected you. You've got fight in you, and you'll need that on my ship."
"Why? We're a cargo ship right?"
"Oh...Er....Yeah, we get cargo an' stuff. We're gonna go get that right now. Hey Dark Moon, get over here, show the new gals around the ship."
A young sailor with white spiky hair walked up to Rainbow. He greeted her with a smile, though it was not the friendliest. Berry Punch joined them. Dark Moon looked at both of them and bowed.
"G'day m'ladies. I shall show you the ship. Follow me."
The man turned around and began walking away. Rainbow hesitated before realizing he had started the tour. She quickly walked up to his side. Berry lazily waddled behind them. The young sailor gestured at the main deck.
"This be the deck lass, this is where all the action happens. Above this is the sails n' rigging. A girl like you will probably spend most of her time up there. You look spry, maybe you'll be in the nest at the top. But that depends on where the cap'n will put ya."
Rainbow looked above her. The rolled up sails were high above her. She didn't not mind climbing and was certainly not scared of heights, so being up there wouldn't bother her. Dark Moon walked to the middle of the deck. There was a large hatch and stairway leading below deck. He motioned for them to follow. He did not wait for them to respond and headed down the stairs. Rainbow could tell that he was trying to get through the tour as quickly as possible. She caught up with him at the bottom of the stairs.
Below deck was just a frantic as above. Sailors of all kinds scurried through the thin halls, or better put, pathways. Crates and barrels were crammed in every space available. At the back of the ship was a broad woman chopping fish up. Dark Moon patted Rainbow on the back and pointed to the front of the ship.
"That way be the crew's quarters. The captain has his own sleepin' station above, we sailors sleep down here, but we sleep on the deck sometimes. Here, follow."
He swiftly moved to the sailors' quarters. As they passed, many sailors watched Rainbow and Berry with curious eyes. One of the sailors gestured with his fingers to another, indicating that the green in front of them was rather small. Rainbow growled at this, bit kept her wits about her. She may have slugged one sailor today, but she did not want to push her luck. Finally, Dark Moon stopped and pointed at two hammocks.
"These belonged to the men you are replacing. Take care of them, it'd be for the better. Now, I've gotta run."
With that, Dark Moon left them. Rainbow threw herself in one of the hammocks. Berry slowly took the other. Rainbow noticed that her friend had been awfully quiet the whole morning. She leaned toward Berry. The girl gave her friend a confused look to ask what was wrong. Berry shook her head.
"What do ya think is wrong?"
"I don't know, that's why I'm asking."
"I don't think we belong her Dash, we're not sailors. I love land, not water."
"I know that, but remember the bits, Berry. All we do on land is get drunk and waste money, here, we won't do that. I say we let this ship take us wherever they want. I'd be happy to live in Baltimare or Fillydelphia. As long as we got bits."
"Yeah, but we still aren't sailors. We don't know a thing about keepin' a ship afloat."
Rainbow shrugged. "We'll learn, even Captain Caramel said so. Trust me, we'll be fine."
"All hands on deck!"
The sailors below deck scrambled to their feet and ran upstairs. Rainbow shot up and followed them. She didn't check if Berry got up or not. When she reached the deck, the whole crew was gathered around the captain, who stood by the wheel. Caramel paced back and forth on the railing in front of the steering wheel. He lifted his arms to his crew.
"Lads n' lasses, our time here in Manehatten is done. We sail for Baltimare. But first, we shall retrieve our cargo from our lovely investors. Hehe, and you know what that means boys. Rest and drink will have to wait, let's get out of this bloody Bay. Move! Release the sails! Gotta catch a breeze!"
The sailors ran about the deck. Many climbed the rigging to the sails. Others fastened ropes to the railings of the ship. Caramel grabbed the wheel and began to turn it. The ship came alive. Rainbow became imbalanced with the sudden movement of the brig. The seasoned sailors took no notice of her and went about their errands. The sails unfurled and the ship lurched forward.
"Look alive, Miss Dash." The captain shouted merrily at her. "I didn't get ya to stand about. We need the top sails opened. Why don't ya climb up there and cut them loose?"
Caramel pointed above her. The sailors had not reached the top sails yet. The urge to beat them to it them rose in Rainbow's heart. It was a competition of who could release hem the fastest. Rainbow quickly grabbed onto the rigging and climbed up. It did not take long for her to catch up with the sailors above her. Faster, faster, she thought. The sailors she passed awed at her. It was clear that she was the fastest of all of them, and she was a green. She reached the top yards. She loosened the ropes that held the top sails, letting them fall open.
The ship sped up with the addition of the top sails. The other sailors hopped down off the rigging. Rainbow swung herself to the main mast and quickly descended. When she reached the bottom, the mumble of the other sailors could be heard around her. However, the hearty laughter of the captain rose above the noise.
"Haha, mighty impressive Miss Dash, I see a bright future with you on board. Mighty bright indeed."
The ship glided above the water. The captain steered the ship around small merchant vessels and fishing boats. The Ragnarok was much larger than most of the ships in the Bay. It was also much faster, as it sped by the other ships with ease. The ship headed due east, away from the Bay. Rainbow turned to see Manehatten becoming smaller in the distance. With the sight of her home leaving her, she started to feel doubts about joining the ship. In retrospect, her decision was rather impulsive and not well planned. It was the promise of bits that compelled her to speak with Caramel and now there was no turning back.
"Well, better make the most of it." She said to herself.
~