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"X. As in X marks the spot? What a strange name..." Alphonse said. "And good. Know one thing, as long as you can read my maps, it doesn't matter where you've come from. You're welcome aboard my ship."

"But since you can't come aboard or even see the ship tonight, you've got another place to stay, right?"

Alphonse was just about to open his mouth to say something when the bartender interupted him. "Hey! We're closing now. Get your lousy a** out of here, Al."

"Don't call me Al, you lazy bum!" Alphonse shouted back and stood up from his chair. He looked down on X. "It looks like they don't want us here anymore. Let me walk you home."

Now that she mentioned it again, Alphonse realised that he might be a bit drunk, yes. Infact, he was very drunk. It's funny how you think you're sober until you stand up.
"That's right he had a lot to drink. Listen to me girl, I just don't have the heart to let you go away with this..." The bartender tried to tell X something but before he had the time to finish, Alphonse had grabbed X around her legs, lifting her over his shoulder and walked out of the tavern with quick steps, kicking the door open and putting her down outside.

"Haha! Don't listen to that old idiot. He's just jelaous of you. You're going to experience all sorts of adventures while he's left here, cleaning glasses and seeing the same pathetic people get drunk everynight." He said and closed the door behind him. "Now, which way to your place?"

Alphonse started walking towards the direction that X had pointed out.
"So... Why do you want to join my crew anyhow?" he asked. He walked in a slow pace, looking up in the sky. Even though it had been hot all day in the sun, it was chilly now that the moon was out.

"Woah woah woah!" Alphonse got suprised at what the girl had to say. He grabbed her arm and moved her into an alley that were just next to them, in soft, sort of dancing move. "Running? What have you been up to exactly?"

Alphonse loosened the grip on her arm. "Oh... so you're not a criminal?"

He took a few steps back and observed her. "And you look old enough to be able to leave home... How old ARE you?"

"Noooooooobles, huh? Interessting." Alphonse said and took a few moments to think over what he had just heard. "So the guards are on the lookout for you since you're the daughter of some wealthy merchants. That makes sense."

Should I ask her why she ran away? ...Nah. We'll save that for another time.

"Hey... Listen. There's something I feel like I should tell you. But you have to promse me that you won't freak out, ok?" Alphonse said.

Alphonse took a deep breath. "Ok. Listen. I don't want to scare you or anything. I just... Well, I feel that I should be honest with you." He said, while looking into her eyes to make sure that he has her concentration. "Most captains use their ships and crew for transport services, exploration and the like. But me... I'm planning on going in on piracy. And what's more... It isn't the first time for me either. I've been living as a pirate for more then a few years. And I can't lie to you, It's going to be dangerous. Very dangerous. But if you'd still like to come, I'll be waiting for you by the noteboard tomorrow. I understand if you don't show up" He put a hand on her head and jokingly messed her hair up a little."Sweet dreams, miss fugitive." He turns around and walks away.

The Next Day
Alphonse is standing by the noteboard, whisteling again.

(Yeah, I've got to go too. Perfect timing! See you tomorrow!)