Chapter Text
He hadn’t expected to get swept so far away from shore when he went swimming on a summer day. The currents of an unforeseen riptide took Manny a few dozen feet out to sea, where he continued to tread water in place. He could try to swim back to shore, but… it was just too far away and his arms and legs were too short to give him much distance.
It was just by happenstance that the Lady Arabica had been sailing towards shore, and it was closer to Manny than the shore. Maybe I can make it, he thought, when he began paddling towards the ship. But fatigue would give way before he ever got there.
…when he next awakens, squinting and blinking away his salty tears in the bright sunlight, Manny is in someone’s arms… he can’t make out their visage. He tries to speak, but coughs up some water instead. The tall figure lays him out on what feels like a wooden floor and presses their hands against his chest. It’s fortunate for him that he began gasping for air before whoever it was had to perform CPR… not that he wouldn’t like to be alive, but he just ain’t gonna deal with that awkwardness!
Finally, after catching his breath and hacking up the last of the saltwater in his lungs, he’s able to sit up, wipe his eyes, and look up at whoever had saved him. “Aaaaaghh… t-thanks… who’re ya…?”
“Captain Lucas!” booms the tall, handsome pirate in front of Manny, who flinches. He pouts and gets up to give him some space. “…ya alright, matey? You were marooned all the way out there and looked like ya were ‘bout to sink any moment…”
“I’m OK,” Manny says with a weak laugh, still squinting. There’s a reason he wears sunglasses. “Just got swept out into the ocean by a rip current… never saw it comin’.”
“Well, yar LUCKY I was ‘ere to pull ya outta there!!” Lucas appears obviously drenched in seawater, with some seaweed hanging off the side of his hat. He offers Manny a hand, which he gladly takes as he’s helped back up.
The short man looks around… it looks like he’s on a ship. To be more specific, the same one he had been swimming towards when he passed out. There are other pirates around here; he recognizes their faces. Penny, Francisco, Nina… all of who frequented Delphi on the occasions the Lady Arabica sailed here. But they’re all looking at him weirdly.
“Thanks, Cap’n Lucas… uh… didja happen to pick up my sunglasses by any chance?”
“’Fraid not, little man. Say, what’s yer name? Ya don’t have amnesia, do ya?” he chortles.
Manny shakes his head. “It’s Manny… that sucks, I really liked that pair too. Soooooo… ya got a shirt or somethin’…?”
“Oh, yeah I do! C’mon on below deck.” He walks downstairs with a motion for Manny to follow him. They come down to what appears to be the kitchen, with another pirate there. “That’s Lou, he might have somethin’ that’ll fit ya. HEY LOU!!”
The gruff cook looks up from his station. “What? …who is that… tiny, shirtless man?”
“I was swimming.”
“He was drownin’ after a nasty rip took ‘im out into the sea an’ I SAVED HIM!!!” The captain cackles, seeming proud of this.
Lou squints, with his one eye, at Manny, then rolls it. “Another rescue… so what did ya need?”
“A shirt. At least ‘til y’all get back onshore…”
“I got just the ONE for ya!”
***
After being dressed and sitting around on the Lady Arabica making polite conversation with the crewmates, it wouldn’t be long before the ship arrived at the docks of Delphi, and then Manny would have to disembark. He looks longingly at Captain Lucas for a moment before nodding to himself and walking up to the pirate captain.
“’Ey, Cap’n Lucas… I’ll get goin’ now, but ya’ll be in town a little longer, right?”
“Hm?” He tilts his head, furrowing his eyebrows. “Yeah. Why?”
His crewmates all look as Manny fidgets slightly, looking away and muttering to himself before grinning to their captain.
“Well, I wanna thank ya for savin’ my life… so how about I take you somewhere an’ treat ya for a meal?”
Captain Lucas raises his eyebrows, then laughs loudly and slaps Manny on the back. “YAR!!!! Where?”
“How ‘bout the Crazy Raven?”
Penny and Francisco begin whispering among themselves in the distance as Nina squints and makes a face; all of them are familiar with the venue. Is he… asking him out on a date?
“It’s a done deal! I’ll be there around five.”
Manny smiles and bows his head, walking away with a wave. “See ya there.”
The captain smiles and waves him off. Then he turns back around only to see his crewmates giggling among themselves. “…huh? What’s so funny?”
“The way he was acting…” Francisco murmurs, scratching his neck awkwardly. “He seemed interested.”
“Yeaaaaaaah, all embarrassed and blushy and reluctant, hehe,” Nina snickers.
Captain Lucas adjusts his hat. “Interested how? …not in our treasure? Do ya think he’s gon’ steal our coffee beans????”
Penny elbows the other two in the ribs. “Guys, be serious, we’ve gotta move these crates by afternoon.”
“…right!”
“’Course we do.”
They all give Captain Lucas a sideways glance before going their separate ways on the Lady Arabica.