#wss366 5/20 #Serve #MastoPrompt #Vessel

“PDA, PDA — how rude,” FATE GEAR screamed, scandalized by Toriko’s handsy behavior. Her old-fashioned rigging was taut, and anti-gravity engines whined.

“The pirate VESSEL’s voice was excruciating. It bypassed the ears entirely and bored straight into the brain.”

Everyone on deck clapped their hands over their ears — uselessly, except for Sorawo. Toriko might be dexterous, but her hands couldn’t be in two places simultaneously.

(Truth be told, Sorawo was a trifle disappointed. No, she wasn’t! People were looking.)

Only Yuri, the keyboardist, didn’t flinch. Ringing in her ears or not, she was already hammering her keyboard. “STOP IT! How often have I told you not to yell? Do it again and I’ll MUZZLE you until needed!” FATE GEAR usually obeyed Captain Mina, but the keyboard was the only way to make her comply.

“Sorry, very sorry.” Came a restrained reply. FATE GEAR’s rigging sagged. “I exist to SERVE.”

“Hogwash,” Captain Mina said. “You exist to torture us!”

“I’m hurt.” FATE GEAR’s voice was petulant. The ship directed her words only to the captain.

“Put on your big girl panties. A pirate ship needs to be tough.”

“I don’t wear panties, and I said, I’m sorry! I remembered what happened the last time those two disasters showed up. They let loose a sorceress, who threatened the existence of reality, and that assassin woman, the Thorn Princess. I was upset.”

“And who abetted them? You!”

“Uh… are you talking to yourself?” Toriko asked, her face slightly amused.

(Impressed, Sorawo thought, “That’s my girl, nothing ever fazed Toriko.”)

“No, the ship. (Worthless piece of junk.) Anyway, what are you two doing here? I hope it’s not like last time. You made quite a mess of things.”

“A friend, Benimori-san, invited us to a costume party, but we ended up here,” Toriko said.

“Benimori-san,” Mina bellowed, and in a few minutes, the diminutive woman in question appeared, a chef’s hat on her head and a large mixing spoon in hand.

“Yes, Captain?” she said, as batter dripped from her spoon onto the deck. FATE GEAR was not pleased. The engines rumbled in protest.

“Did you invite these two dufuses?” Mina asked Benimori.

“No, they invited me; only I landed on your ship.”

“Otherside shenanigans,” Sorawo whispered to Toriko.

Toriko nodded. The Otherside had tricked them again.

Captain Mina scowled theatrically. “Your fighting impressed me last time. So here’s your choice: SERVE under the #pirate flag, or rot in the brig.”