The Sundance Crew were still looking for their next job. Luckily, their employer didn’t skip out on the payment this time around, she almost did but she couldn’t say no to Yuto. They were six days into their stay in Ahnemone and to give Julius a break, the crew headed out for dinner at a local pub.

“And then Cap got picked up on the floor by his ankle,” Thomas shouted in between laughs. He was recounting an old tale from before Victorian joined.

“Mr. Captain almost lost an arm.”

“And then a leg.”

“But he didn’t.”

All the four storytellers burst out laughing. Even Elena joined, glaring back at those who glared at them. The food was great, not as amazing as Julius’, and the rum was better. The pub was filled with music and Victorian almost joined if it wasn’t for the fact that she didn’t know how to dance.

“C’mon.” Baise slurred. He grabbed Elena and the two headed off onto the dance floor. Maes took his best gal and joined the captain.

“Cap, switch.”

Baise and Victorian danced together with the former leading of course. The pub’s dance was much more fun than the ones she learned for the galas. Form wasn’t important and her smiles were allowed to show teeth. Dancing in pants was much more comfortable compared to the dresses and with no corsets, Victorian was a free.

Back at the table, Julius and Alzono were betting and fighting then betting again on how long it would take for Elena to hurt their youngest members. While Yuto and Morgan were chatting up numbers regarding how their first mate would injure the poor dancer. Either way Kiyiya prepared his new medicine for human testing.

“I’m telling you, you Useless Chef, five minutes and he’s a pulp.”

“He’ll last ten you Stupid Fox.”

“Navigator-san I believe she will ‘accidentally’ step on Maes-kun’s feet.”

“What are you saying-boya? She’s going to squeeze his fingers until they bleed-boya.”

“How much Useless Chef?”

“One extra dinner or one less chore.”

“Deal.”

“Navigator-san?”

“Twenty fiore.”

“Accepted.”

The two bets were placed and the gamblers waited for their results. Kiyiya on the other hand made a bet with L’Roux who appeared, although the sniper claimed he was present the whole time, on the outcome of his new concoction.

It had just been a few minutes into the bet when a fight broke out. Julius was aiming for Alozono’s head while the fox tried his best to dodge since he wasn’t allowed to shoot Julius.

“You were wrong too you Stupid Fox.”

“Was not you Useless Chef.”

“You said he’ll last ten minutes. It’s been ten and a half minutes.”

“Which still lands within the ten minutes you Useless Chef.”

Elena on the other hand was finished dealing with Maes who had stepped on her toes one to many times and headed over to deal with the two rivals. With one hand grabbing Julius’ ankle to stop his kick and the other over Alzono’s face, in one swift motion, both men ended on the floor.

She dusted off her pants and turned to address the crowd gathered in the now silent pub, “I apologise for the fight now return to what you were doing before, please,” she said ‘please’ with such force that one of the workers almost peed himself and the rest of the customers returned to their table out of fear for their life.

The Sundance Crew returned to their table and enjoyed another round of rum, Maes wasn’t allowed as the poor boy passed out from Kiyiya’s experiment. Feeling queasy, Victorian excused herself while the rest ordered a second round.

“Alzono bets that Alzono can drink more than you Captain.”

“Yeah right Alzono. Let’s go. I bet I can outdrink all of you, except for you Elena.”

Halfway through the third round of drinks, twelfth for the whole night, a group of large burly men approached the crew’s table. One of the largest walked right up to Baise and pointed a gun at the unfazed captain.

“Red Sash Baise, you’re really disturbing my night,” he said, taking a sip from his bottle.

Leaning back on his chair with his legs on the table, Baise slowly drank from his jug as did the other members of his crew.

“Oi, I’m talking to you here. Do you know who I am? I’m the leader of the Bluehorn Bandits, Marshall Bluehorn.”

At the sound of his name the lively pub became as silent as the night. Those who were close to where the Bluehorn Bandits and the Sundance Crew were located cleared space and formed a ring. Those who were brave enough to watch stood behind the Bluehorn Bandits forming the ring while most hid behind tables and posts.

“Marshall.” Baise laughed at his name.

“What’s so funny Red Sash?” Bluehorn pressed the gun closer into Baise’s head; the young captain was still not worried.

“Weapons aren’t met to be treated as toys. You should put that down if you know what’s good for you.” Baise warned, not sparing a glance. Tempting Bluehorn even more, Baise leaned his chair back almost to the tipping point.

“Fine if you don’t care about your life what about hers?” Bluehorn gestured for one of his bandits to come out and he held Victorian at gunpoint.

“I’m back?” Victorian said although it came out as a question instead. A minute ago she was making her way through the crowd back to where the crew was when she was grabbed by some man and held at gunpoint.

The two gunmen prepared to shoot but where cut off by Elena. The first mate lowered her cutlery and wiped her mouth before she said, “You should listen to our captain.”

That was when both Marshall Bluehorn and the Bluehorn Bandit holding Victorian felt a murderous presence. There with a scalpel pressed against an artery and a katana gleaming under the pub’s light pressed against the necks of their respective targets.

“Aslepius.” Bluehorn gulped as he side eyed Kiyiya before turning to see Yuto against his member. “Samurai, when did you?”

“You should listen to our captain. Guns are not toys so put them down.”

The next day, the Sundance Crew set sail for Gladiolus. It turned out, after a bit of help remembering, the Bluehorn Bandits had a delivery job that the Sundance Crew could perform. When Going Sunny left the dock, the crew waved goodbye to the slightly beaten up Bluehorn Bandits who decided to see their saviours off.

“So that was interesting.” Victorian noted. She pressed a hand against her head. She could still feel the gun barrel pressed against head.

“It’s nothing. You’ll get used to it.” Baise walked by and ruffled Victorian’s hair, the small action made her feel safe.

“Oi Cap! Our bounties increased. We not new pictures too!” Maes shouted from the second floor. He shut the door and ran out, laying the newspaper flat on the ground.

Sundance Crew – Dead or Alive

Ship: Going Sunny

Members:

Red Sash Baise, captain, 15500 fiore

Lane the Piercer, 14500 fiore

Iron Horse Maes, 11500 fiore

Alzono the Fox, 8500 fiore

Sixth Sense Morgan, 7000 fiore

Samurai Yuto, 12500 fiore

Kiyiya Son of Asclepius, 8000 fiore

King Julius, 8500 fiore

Deer Eyes L’Roux, 8500 fiore

unknown woman, 1000 fiore.

Reason for increase:

Participated in illegal human trafficking.

Members caused disturbance and wrecked property in Hibhiscus.

Unknown woman assaulted the Duchess of Viridian.

Damaged property in Ahnemone.

“Hey Tora congrats on your first bounty. Shame they couldn’t get a good picture of you.”

“It’s good that they didn’t get a photo of my Maes. I don’t want a bounty. What if someone finds me? What if that’s my father?”

“Yeah that’s right.” Thomas brushed off Victorian’s greatest fear as if it was nothing. “Good thing they didn’t capture a photo of you or your red hair.”

“But your photos are updated now. What if someone captures you?”

“Tora, there’s a reason why our bounties are high,” Thomas explained coolly before breaking out into a smile, “it’s because they can’t capture us.”

“I thought you guys were merchants! How did you end up with bounties on your head?”

“Not really sure. It started with a coliseum,” Baise explained, staring up at the sky as blue as his eyes. “Fun times. I’m more surprised that they remembered L’Roux this time. Look photo and new bounty.”

“Oh yeah.”

“Would you look at that?”

“Congratulations Mr. Sniper.”

“I am very proud of this accomplishment Sniper-san.”

“We should celebrate. Julius! The rum!”