The boat moved forward with a rhythm like it was feeling tired too.
The fight was over. It still had an effect on them.
Nami was still at the helm looking out at the sea. She kept checking the horizon like she was waiting for the fog to clear and show her Treasures ship again. The wind was softer now. It was not trustworthy.
Down in the cabin the air was tense.
Caelum was sitting with his arms on his knees trying to catch his breath. He was not bleeding anymore. He was still really tired. It was not his body that was exhausted it was like something inside him was still trying to settle down after what happened.
Carina was standing near him watching him. She was not making fun of him this time. She was actually interested.
"You did not pass out " she said after a while.
Caelum looked up a little.
"I tried not to " he said.
"It showed " she replied, crossing her arms. "Most people in your condition would not even be awake."
Caelum let out a breath.
"Most people do not have to deal with this " he said, looking at his hand where he could still see some static.
Carina looked at his hand too.
She was quiet for a second then she took a step closer to him.
" so " she said, her voice softer "you did not run away."
Caelum looked up at her.
"There was no choice " he said.
"There is always a choice " she said. "You chose to stay."
What she said just hung in the air. It was not a joke it was like she was really thinking about what he did.
Caelum did not say anything away. It was not because he had nothing to say it was just that he was not used to people analyzing him like that.
Carina tilted her head a little looking at his reaction.
"You are weird " she said.
"I have been told that before " he replied, like it was no deal.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"I did not mean it as an insult " she said.
She took another step closer to him not close, but close enough to make it feel like she was doing it on purpose.
"A guy like you " she said, "does not usually get involved in problems that're not his."
Caelum frowned a little.
"I do not usually travel with two thieves either " he said.
There was a pause.
Carina looked at him then her eyes got sharper like she was thinking about something serious.
"Does it bother you?" she asked.
Caelum looked at her for a second then looked
"It is... Unusual " he said.
That was all he said. It was enough.
Carina let out a laugh.
"What a way to say yes " she said.
She leaned against the table, a little now and lowered her voice.
"Relax, Caelum we are not going to rob you while you sleep " she said.
He looked at her again.
"That does not make me feel better " he said.
"It should " she replied. "It means we would only do it if it was worth it."
There was silence.
Caelum blinked once.
He clearly did not expect her to say that.
He tried to say something. He could not find the words.
Carina looked at him for a few seconds like she was thinking about what he would do.
Then she stepped back like nothing had happened.
"Relax " she said. "It was a test."
Caelum let out a breath leaning back against the wall.
"Did I pass?" he asked.
Carina shrugged.
"You are still here that says enough " she said.
Then the hatch opened.
Nami came down looking at them.
"Alright that is rest " she said. "We have land in sight."
That changed everything.
They went up to the deck.
The island was not big. It was alive. There was a dock, some small boats and low buildings with smoke coming out of the chimneys. It was not fancy. It was not abandoned either.
It was a working port.
"It does not look like a place " Caelum said.
Nami did not answer away.
"There is no thing as a place without problems " she said. "There are places where problems have not started yet."
Carina was leaning against the railing watching carefully.
"Low control, few Marines, trade " she said. "I like it."
Caelum crossed his arms.
"We need food, water and rest " he said.
"And money " Nami added.
" money " Carina said with a smile.
Caelum looked at the port the ship, then at them.
For the first time since he left the island he did not feel like he was alone.
"We go in get what we need and leave " he said. "No drawing attention."
Nami and Carina looked at each other.
They had one of those looks like they were talking without talking.
" course " Nami said.
"Totally " Carina added.
Caelum narrowed his eyes.
"I do not trust that 'of course' " he said.
Carina smirked.
"You should start " she said.
"No " he replied. "I should prepare."
Nami let out a laugh.
"That works too " she said.
The boat slowly approached the dock.
The ropes tightened the wood creaked softly.
They were, on ground.
In the East Blue that did not mean they were safe.
It just meant they had a problem to deal with.