Devil's Luck Pirates

-Hey Pearl, look. It's your chance to catch an actual fish.

William says as he points to a fish that's laying on the sand near the water.

Pearl after locking her sight on the pray, jumps off the small boat and rushes to try and finally catch a fish.

But right before she could get her gloved hands on it, the fish flops and flies back into the ocean.

She stands there for a moment with her empty hand on the sand. With William snickering as he watched the whole scene while getting out of the boat.

Pearl stands up, adjusts her hood, and walks into the forest after letting out a very annoyed "humph".

-That wasn't very polite of you, Captain. – Duros says after dragging the small boat they used to get on the island into the beach – She was trying her best while we were fishing!

After all the scuffle with the Angler pirates back in Gallows Island, Duros decided to keep the fishing rod and hat he picked up from that man to execute his master plan. Quickly becoming very proficient in the art of fishing. He tried his best to teach Pearl how to fish, but her gloves and complete lack of experience in the topic only resulted in her being able to catch boots. Ending up with a pile of 30 pairs of boots.

-So, what's the plan, Captain? – Verona asks.

-You and I will go check that shack you saw before we landed. Duros and Ragnar, you go after Pearl and try to find some supplies. I'm tired of eating only fish and orange juice…

Then, with their goals set, the crew splits up. Ragnar and Duros head into the jungle to find Pearl and some supplies while William and Verona go to the small cabin near the coastline.

After walking a good distance, the two of them silently approach the old shack. Since there are no windows, William and Verona put their ears on the wall to try and hear if there's someone or something inside.

They can only hear heavy breathing.

-Hmm… I say it is a crying seal or a happy otter… – William says as he looks at Verona.

-It doesn't sound threatening. Maybe we should just… Knock on the door and see what happens. – Verona responds standing up.

William agrees, following his partner.

*knock knock*

-AH!... Who's there? – The voice appears to belong to an elderly man – Is that you Arthur?

Verona looks at William for a second, not sure of what to respond. William, on the other hand, sighs while wincing slightly.

The door opens slowly and the pair take a good look inside the shack. A dainty little place with only one room and with several fish hanging in the walls.

The owner of the voice results to be indeed an old man. A very, very old man. This man is so old that he has wrinkles on his wrinkles.

He squints at William for what it felt like an eternity.

-Arthur? Is that you? – His face seems to brighten a little – My son! Welcome home.

The old man grabs William's hand and drags him into the shack.

He looks Back at Verona, both of them not knowing how to react to this until William decides to just go with the flow.

-F-father! It's good to see you, it's been… How long has it been now?

William could almost see Verona's face of disapproval behind his mask and goggles.

-It's been 30 years my son! But anyway, who's that lady you brought with you?

Verona doesn't look bothered by the comment

-A-ah, this is my friend Verona. If it wasn't for HIM, I wouldn't have been able to come back to you. – William said emphasizing the 'him' part.

-Hmm, you always had some strange friends, my son.

The old man signals them to sit down at the table as he brings two bowls of what it looks like to be pounded fish. Not cocked fish, just raw, pounded fish.

-So father, how have you been after all these years? How is mom?

-Dead as always. – The old man responds without a care in the world – I've been so lonely in here… You and your brother Jefferson never come to visit. If it wasn't for the letters you sent me, I would've probably killed myself by now…

-O-oh… Well, I'm here now father. And I'll stay with you until your dying breath – William says. After hearing all that, it almost makes him feel bad for this elderly man.

-Anyways, do you know anything about the Navy blockade around this area, father?

Almost…

-Navy blockade? Aren't you in the Navy? – The old man asks confused.

A drop of sweat runs down William's forehead as he fears that his façade is already crumbling down.

-Ah… So, about those letters father. Why don't you read some of them to me so we can remember the good o' days? – William suggests quickly changing the subject.

-Oh! That's a great idea! – The old man happily stands up and brings out a folder full of letters.

-Ah… This is one of my favorites. It's from 30 years ago. When you recently joined the Marines.

William wasn't expecting to go that far back. But now the old man is too much enthralled on reading the letters to be stopped.

-Great plan captain… – Says Verona with a sigh.

Looks like they will be here for a while.