Cicada was still cackling as the older member's started to pull themselves out of bed. She put her pistol away taking a glance at Levi, "Best part of the day. The rest is just hard work," she glanced back into the quarters Zanna are ya up?!"
"Shut up!" the girl called back still in her bed, "I'm hungover."
"Yes, and we need to get to Portia," Cicada countered her.
"I'll figure it out later," Zanna mumbled before James pushed her out of bed. she squealed and looked at him, "Fine, fine, I'll get to it."
Cicada was still snickering as Zanna walked out flipping her the bird with James following after. He looked to Cicada, "I'll make sure she's actually working instead of napping."
Cicada gave her first mate a nod and began making her way to the mast.
Levi, walked up the stairs unsure of what his job was going to be. He saw Lil pulling ropes to move the sails, and that was not an easy thing to do. Most times that was the mens job, she kept surprising him. "Alright, captain. What's my job?" While others were doing their job he just stood there. His brown hair a mess. It usually worked it's self out as the day goes on. (Sorry it's short.)
Cicada looked over at Levi. She watched as her crew went to action and then back at Levi, "It depends on what you can do. I'm aware you're a captain, but as to your actual skills I don't know much." She began to walk over to Levi, "I've already got a first mate and a damn good one at that. The same goes for my navigator and medic."
"I've got the muscles for any hard job people aren't willing to do." Levi has always liked hard labor, half it was to show off his body, but mostly to be active. "Hauling heavy thing, pulling the sails, anything really." He flashed her a smile. If he could, he'd rather be first mate, but of course that spot would be taken. He's the new guy, so there aren't many jobs to do. "Literally just out me on anything."
Cicada thought for a moment. She needed to not show favoritism, but at the same time, Levi was an ex-navy captain. A position of leadership would make more sense even if she had all of those positions filled. She needed to talk to James and figure out what to do with their newest member, but for now, "For now you can help River in manning the ship. That means running the sails, anchor, anything overly physical. He's the light-skinned boy in the blue jacket yelling orders at everyone, he'll give you something to do"
Levi shrugged. He took off his jacket, only wearing his white shirt again. I really need new clothes. He walked over and tapped River on the shoulder. "Yo, the captain says you can give me something to do." Lil stopped what she was doing and looked over to River and Levi. She was curious as to what job River was going to give him. It is an extremely hot day, and Levi was already sweating. It was days like this that he hated being on boats. Not much shade and you could barely take a break because you needed to take care of the boat.
Cicada walked away to go and see if she can find James to talk to him about Levi. River turned to see Levi standing there. He heard what he said and looked around to see which area needed help, "Ah yes, the newest navy brat. Why don't you help Lil with the sails, you to already seem to know each other."
"Alright." Levi wasn't one to fight people who were in charge, unless they were in the wrong. He walked over and reached over her. Sweat dripped down Lil's face. "It's surprising you can do thos yourself. With a smile he easily started pulled at the rope. "I can do it, but it's still a struggle. So thank you." It was a good workout, so he didn't mind. "Captain, needs someone like you. There are a lot of lazy people here, and you seem to be willing to do anything." Levi laughed at Lil's words. "I just like keeping busy. Sitting around was never my thing."
River gave a slight nod and continued to overlook everyone on the ship. Cicada made her way to the navigation room where Zanna was plotting the course and James was making sure the other didn't fall asleep. Zanna gave the captain a nod and CIcada waved her out of the room. Z gave a slight head dip and walked out, most likely heading back to bed. Cicada walked up to James and confided in him, "I'm not sure where to put Levi within the crew yet."
"I thought that would be obvious," James told her, "You brought him on for a reason."
"I did," Cicada said confidently, "And I don't know where to put him. The best spot would clearly be…"
"First mate," James affirmed, "but I'm already here, and you know I've been wanting to step down for quite some time. Settle in as just another one of the crew and eventually step off and live life ashore."
Cicada sighed, "I know ya have James, but I'm not ready for either of you to go."
"We'll have transition time. Levi can begin to train in my position and we'll figure it all out later," James suggested, "Let the crew get used to it to."
"Alright, but he'll stick under River's lead for now," Cicada confirmed, "So no one in the crew thinks he's getting special privilege."
James laughed, "No one would think that, we all trust your decision."
Levi had now taken off his shirt. Honestly he didn't see a point in wearing one when it's so hot out. The sweat make him look like he was glowing, but it was the same for everyone. Levi worked with a smile on his face. Lil being Lil, sat off to the side sipping a fruity drink, cheering Levi on. She had always been one to have fun, but she also knew when it was time to work. Everything seemed to be working out right now, so she was taking a break. "Oh my gosh who is that hottie?" Lil playfully said while fanning herself. "Stop, you'll make me blush." Levi replied, but his voice was a bit strained from trying to pull the rope. "The captain really did pick a good one this time," Lil whispered.
Cicada stepped outside and removed her jacket, so all she was wearing was a thin loose white tank top to which she tied the back of it so only her breasts were covered. It wasn't as bad as she had originally thought. She removed her hat as well to put her hair up into a high bun before putting the hat back on loosely. She started yelling out orders with the new directions given as she made her way up towards the wheel. They needed to catch a western wind if they wanted to make it to Portia by nightfall.
Levi tied the rope when he was done with the first sail. Looking around he noticed a few guys struggling to moving to food barrels to the cabinets. Levi ran over, a bit out of breath and began helping them. With the boat rocking back and forth, no one wanted the food to go over board. Even if they would reach land soon, Levi didn't like wasting food. The others smiled and thanked him. Keeping busy and doing odd jobs was the only thing he could at the moment. He grabbed a barrel and took it to the lower deck. It felt strange doing this instead of sitting behind a desk and yelling orders. But it was a nice change of pace.
Cicada watched Phoenix slid down the mast from the crows nest around the midday mark. Phe had a bright grin on as she made her way to Cicada, "I could see Portia, but there's quite a few navy ships along the docks."
Cicada let out a sigh as she began to turn the ship slowly, "I'll head us to the alcove then."
"And if they're in the town?"
"We'll just be careful," Cicada responded sharply before shouting out more orders to change their direction smoother. They needed to be careful now.
Levi over heard the conversation and wiped the sweat from his forehead before walking over. "If it's the navy, I could deal with them." He was ex navy, and knew how to deal with them. If they asked any questions he would say he's taking a break and traveling on his own for a while. Navy people were easy to fool. "Here." One of the guys he was helping brought a drink out for Levi and leaned against the wall for a break. In this heat, everyone deserves a little break. Taking a sip he looked up at Cicada, waiting for her answer. If she didn't want that, then he would respect her wishes.
Cicada thought for a moment, but shook her head. She was well aware of how easy the navy was to fool, but they needed to keep on the downlow at the moment, "No, there's an alcove on the west beach near Portia we can dock at. I would rather avoid confrontation with the navy at the moment with how low our resources are."
"Alright." Levi sat down in some shade. "I'm going to take a break." Honestly the sound of the waves made him want to jump into the sea and cool off. He'll wait till the alcove. For now he'll stay on the boat. One of the guys he help brought him another drink. He had almost drown yesterday and today was working his ass off. "Thank you." He took little sips so it wouldn't shock his body and make him sick.
Cicada gave a quick nod and barked out more orders. She could start to see the outline of land in the distance and the small fleet of navy ships along the bay. Her and the crew tended to avoid any confrontations with the navy that they knew they couldn't win. Tricking them would definitely be easy enough, but there were a few members of the crew that caused Cicada to avoid that completely. Not because these people would reveal that they were pirates, but rather that they were former members of the navy and some that had rather high rankings as well, or were going to at least.
Levi stood and looked over the railing. Land, finally. it had been months since he has set foot on land. Actually, his mission was to find pirates and take care of them. This is a weird change of fate. He was never meant for the Navy and he knew it. But they saw his skills and practically forced him to join, especially when they found out who his father was. That sick bastard was dead to Levi now. The cool spray of water hit his face and it felt really nice. Levi prayed that tomorrow would be cooler. Too much of this heat will kill him. "Land, it's land!" Lil ran over and looked over the railing as well. She had a huge smile on her face, which made Levi question how long shes been out at sea. How long have any of all of them been out here?
Cicada let out a quick laugh as she watched her crew get excited over the land they saw. It had been almost an entire year since that last docked, but soon that was all going to change. She barked out a few more orders and let River take the wheel. She had to make sure the alcove hadn't been compromised yet and began heading towards the rowboats, "Levi! James! Breeze! Lil! Come with me!"
Lil ran down to the cabin and grabbed her bandanna. It was a plain red bandanna the looked nice with her golden hair. Levi's shirt was too gross to wear, so he decided to go shirtless. "Coming." He pushed himself from the floor and smiled. This is going to be fun. If he was honest, he kinda wanted something to happen, a little action wasn't bad. But first, he wanted to get new clothes. He debated about wearing his navy jacket, but decided against it, it would draw to much attention. Levi helped James lower a rowboats down. They shouldn't need more than one, not many of them were coming.
Cicada grinned and hopped off the main ship and onto the rowboat to release the ropes and such. Breeze hopped down after her with her bag of medical supplies on her hip. The other three jumped down after and they pushed off while the Firefly continued her path. She looked to the others as both James and Levi rowed them ashore, "We're just scouting out the alcove to make sure it hasn't been found yet. If it has, we row back, if it hasn't we don't. Everyone got it?"
Levi just nodded, focusing on rowing the boat. Getting closer he didn't see anyone, but you could be to sure. The boat stopped when it hit the sand. Right then and there Levi wanted to jump out of the boat and into the water. It was so blue, you could see straight to the bottom. It looked so good to him, it made him thirsty, but he knew better than to do that. "So, who's going to go scouting?" He looked for the water to the alcove. Levi wasn't sure of how they did things around here.
James had directed the boat into a smaller outlook surrounded by beaches and trees on all sides but the entrance. The only way in and out. Cicada waited until the boat was closer to the shore to hop off and walk onto the sand. She looked to her group of five and then around the little paradise. She had found this alcove a few years back and figured it was a good land base for whenever they were ashore and needed supplies. She looked to James, "Get the row boat ashore. Breeze, Lil, check the eastern half. Levi, James and I will check the western half. Meet back here before the sun goes down. If you find anything come find the other group. Everyone understand?"
Lil nodded and headed off with Breeze. Once Levi was out the first thing he did was scoop up some water and splash his face. Standing he rubbed his hand through his hair, making it slick back. Everyone could clearly see his whole face. On the right side was a scar, it was mostly hidden by his hair. "Alright, let's go." With a jerk of his head he walked towards the west, then he noticed he took charge for a moment there. This is going to be difficult.
Cicada let out a snicker as Levi attempted to take charge for a moment. She stepped ahead of him and James followed along. Cicada spotted the scar that Levi had and figured it must have been from his time in the navy. She started towards the western bay, "I believe that was my line. Don't worry I won't reprimand you this time, you're not the first navy brat I've picked."
James rolled his eyes and walked past Levi, "That would be me."
