As you made your way through the quiet streets of Anchor Reef you had to resist the urge to pinch your wrist just to be sure that this wasn't another one of your elaborate dreams. It was happening. Finally happening. You were leaving the Conomi islands behind; the place you had called home for most of your life, and you were actually headed for the grand line; with an infamous pirate no less!

Just then the pirate in question turned to gauge just how far behind you were and judging by the disapproving glower he shot your way you realized immediately that your current walking speed was not up to his standards. "Come on come on! Move it, sweetheart. When I said haul ass I meant it, we seriously need to hurry the fuck up!"

"Sorry" you responded feebly, quickening your pace in order to try and match his long, purposeful strides, "you do have longer legs than me" you couldn't resist pointing out.

"Really? I hadn't noticed" he fired back, sarcastically, "it's no excuse though. If you're going to serve me as you so rightly claim to want to do, then you better learn to follow orders, got it?"

Nodding enthusiastically, you repeated "got it, captain"

Seemingly pleased by your obedient response, he smiled as his gaze returned to the middle-distance, "atta girl!"

Seriously? He spoke as if you were his pet or something. However your thoughts then quickly returned to the sleepy town that you were now leaving behind. You found yourself casting nervous glances around you; expecting to see twitching curtains as the townsfolk observed you, unassuming little Amby, traipsing down the cobbled streets in the company of Buggy the clown! Ugh. You were being ridiculous, undoubtedly such gossip would certainly ruffle some feathers throughout the town, but your paranoia was completely unfounded. It was still too early for most residents to be up and about, and besides, they probably wouldn't even recognize this version of you: with your hair flowing free and donning clothes that wouldn't be considered your style.

Doubt still niggled at your insides though, for unrelated reasons, and guilt weighed heavily on your conscience; you'd never felt so torn in all your life. You were leaving behind your adoptive family and friends, but at the same time you had finally been presented with the opportunity to follow your dreams.......and heart.

Finally you both turned the corner which led down to the small harbor, and the sight of a large imposing ship came into view. Imposing as it was however, it distinctly was not the Big Top; the well known ship which belonged to the Buggy Pirates. No. This ship was pink, ornately carved; the figurehead being a ducks head, and the sails bore the distinctive design of large pink hearts.

What the actual fuck......?

"Uh, Buggy.......what is this?"

"That?" He whirled around to face you; his ocean eyes dancing with unsuppressed mirth. Pointing behind him over one shoulder using his thumb, he enunciated slowly "that's a ship"

You fought to suppress a huff of annoyance, "Yes I know it's a ship, but it isn't your ship"

"Correctamundo, sweetheart. Ten outta ten for observation. I'm glad you know the difference between my ship and this frickin' eyesore. I mean.....pink is so not my color—"

"No I know whose color it is though! This is the Miss Love Duck!"

"Correct again" he lightly pinched your cheek between his gloved finger and thumb in a mocking gesture, "the Big Top is currently en route to Coral island, we're merely.....hitching a ride"

"Hitching a ride on Alvida's ship!?" You hissed accusingly. This was not what you'd bargained for at all. "I thought you.....I thought you'd sailed into town on your own ship....with your own crew—"

"Oh please. If my crew had been with me, this town probably wouldn't still be standing, sweetheart. You folks would've been in for a real treat though, as we really know how to put on a good show, but regrettably......my ship was left back in Orange Town!" He barked, anger suddenly flaring to the surface like it had a tendency to do you had noticed, "my crew was temporarily....disbanded...but what is left of them are on their way. So until then, at least we're heading in the right direction!"

You halted, hesitation rooting you to the spot. You were close enough now to clearly see all the activity centered around the vessel, as members of Alvida's crew scurried around; preparing to set sail.

"What now?!" His hands came to rest on his hips, your hesitancy visibly getting on his very last nerve.

But you didn't care. Not in that moment. Because this wasn't part of the deal. He'd failed to mention that he didn't have his own ship or crew.

"Can't we just wait....for your crew to arrive? And then you'll be captaining your own ship at least...." your words trailed off as he took slow, deliberate steps towards you; his tattooed brow forging into a deep scowl.

"Are you questioning my authority, you little shithead?"

"No, it's just—"

"GOOD!!" he bellowed into your face, and you automatically closed your eyes on instinct, "because I make the decisions, and the longer we have to sit around waiting here for the Big Top to arrive, the further away that little rubber prick is getting!"

You blinked in confusion, but knew it best not to ask. Plus, the irritating clown sensed your bewilderment and spoke before you did...

"It doesn't matter. There's no need for you to know. Besides, we're both entitled to our secrets, right?"

His last remark gave you pause. Was he holding a bit of a grudge? He seemed ever so slightly pissed off that you hadn't been willing to divulge more information to him regarding your map tattoo. But oh well. As it was quickly beginning to transpire, you were even less sure if you could trust him. You were right to hold back, captain or no captain, you deserved your privacy.

By now members of Alvida's crew were rubbernecking at you and the clown pirate, so Buggy grasped you by the arm and chivvied you along towards the gangway; halting only to let a procession of burly, bearded men roll barrels containing food and water supplies aboard the ship.

"As far as they're all concerned, you're just a new crew member, ok?" he muttered so only you could hear.

"And you really think they'll believe that?"

"Well, you kind of are"

"WHAT'S GOING ON, CLOWN?!"

You both whipped your heads up to see Alvida herself, now observing the pair of you from the top deck. To say she did not look impressed, was a gross understatement.

"Nothing, why would there be anything going on?" Buggy replied, flashing his trademark smirk, and before you could register what was happening he caught hold of your wrist and urged you to walk behind him up onto the deck.

Alvida narrowed her eyes at Buggy accusingly, "Nothing you say? Then what's all this?"

The "this" she was referring to was of course you, or rather your presence. Naturally she was going to want to know why her new associate and shipmate had showed up with a stranger in tow. Thankfully she didn't appear to have recognized you from the Sea Shell.

What you weren't expecting, in fact nothing on earth could've prepared you for, was the explanation he gave...

"Oh, this, this is.....?" he floundered, realizing in that moment he didn't actually know your name. And why would he? He'd never bothered to ask so you hadn't volunteered it. But you supplied it now without a single moments thought or hesitation,

"Amby"

"Amby, of course" he proceeded to thwack himself on the forehead with the palm of his gloved hand; feigning forgetfulness, "I'm shit with names. Anyhoo, she's just a little something I picked up in town....."

You turned to gape at him, aghast, as he slinked an arm around your waist and pulled you close against the side of his body. He felt solid and warm, and....your natural reflex was to pull away but he was strong and had a tight hold on you.

"I don't want any of your "pick-ups" aboard my ship!" Alvida growled, "what the hell do you think I'm running here, some kind of pleasure cruise?!"

"Aww, Alvida, babyyyy...." Buggy drew the word out into an almost pleading whine, "be fair, I didn't have time to check out the gift shop so she's like my souvenir from Anchor Reef, and besides.....she'll help keep me distracted so I'm not constantly under your feet"

Alvida let out a low growl from under her breath and rolled her eyes, "you men, you're all the same"

"Actually, Abby here—"

"Amby" you interjected with increasing irritation,

"Whatever, yeah, she would have to disagree with you there, after last night..." he turned his head slightly and winked at you suggestively, clicking his teeth for added affect, "right, baby?"

"Alright, enough before you make me throw up all over the deck and then your little groupie will have to clean it up!" she grumbled, resigning herself to the fact that you were coming along for the ride - or rather, the voyage. The ride she was presuming would be Buggy himself.

Goddamit. The very implication of it should've made your skin crawl, but instead all you felt was embarrassment. Complete and utter mortification at being presented as some kind of cheap whore or fuck-buddy. A fuck companion to keep him occupied during the journey.

"But you better keep the noise down!" Alvida warned, pointing angrily at the pair of you like she was a parent chastising her unruly kids.

Buggy only added to the surreality of the situation by nodding his head comedically slowly: pulling that whole wide-eyed innocence look off yet again, as if lying came as second nature to him. It was worrying how way too good he was at this. The painted eyes and ludicrously long eyelashes didn't exactly help matters either.

"Yeah, you'll just have to control yourself, baby" he grinned gleefully and playfully nudged you. The bastard was enjoying this. He was reveling in literally seeing and feeling you squirm, whilst you silently prayed that a giant hole would somehow miraculously appear in the deck and swallow you up.

"And you better make yourself useful, this isn't a free ride for you just because you're screwing my first mate!" Alvida suddenly fired at you, emphasizing her point by gesturing towards a specific group of  the crew who were making their way below deck, "Go help Ken and the others check the hold stowage!"

Go check the what now? 

Just because you'd harbored a secret obsession for piracy over the years did not mean you knew your way around a ship, or that you understood the lingo.

"Uh, Vida, maybe you should go a little easy on her.....it's her first time" Buggy somewhat gallantly came to your defense upon registering your vacant expression.

But Alvida merely sneered in response, "Then she's going to have to learn and learn fast. Now, you have your own jobs to be getting on with, clown!"

A flicker of anger: the perceptible flexing of a muscle in his strong jaw betrayed Buggy's annoyance at the female pirate, but he simply gave her a mocking salute, "aye aye, captain"

So that was that. You had no choice other than to obey the commands of the captain you had no desire to serve, and resolutely made your way below deck.

Your brain felt overloaded to the point of exploding. You were furious at Buggy for subjecting you to this. He had struck a deal with you and yet neglected to mention the fact that you would be sailing with Alvida.

Laurette's words of warning resounded in your head; serving as a harsh dose of reality as your eyes adjusted to the dim light. You had been a complete idiot to get mixed up with the likes of these pirates. You were so out of your depth you could almost feel the onset of a panic attack.

But there was nothing you could do, it was too late. You had made your choice and there was no going back now.