How I found Neverland.

Entry # 367

Neverland.

Inhabited by lost boys, pixies, Faye, and pirates.

Danger level: high for adults, low for children.

I never knew it existed. Not until I heard the story. In Calypsio, a small coast town known for hurricanes, pirates, and trading.

I was visiting a seafairing friend of mine, Captain Nicola Ramsey of the trade ship The Lark, when I heard the story. Nicola, or "Nic" as she prefers, is one of the only female captains in the world, and the only one in Calypsio.

A title she has more than earned.

I greeted her in our usual fashion. Me, casually trying to charm her, Nic, falling for none of it.

"my dear Nic, you look as ravishing as ever." I say, smoothly taking her sun-tanned hand to kiss it as she walked down the gangplank.

She, equally as smooth, removed her hand from my grasp as she said "And you, as flirtatious as ever Branch. Although, I never grow weary of being immune to your charms." she smiled her lopsided smile, her green eyes twinkling, looking like they could light up the world.

I feign a gasp as I say "does this mean you finally believe me to be charming?"

Nic rolls her eyes, having been caught in our game. "A mere slip of the tongue, I assure you. How about we head to the local bar round the corner, to loosen my tongue, and quench your thirst?"

"Ah! My fine lady, you have read my mind. Shall we go then?" I ask, smiling roguishly and holding out my elbow.

Nic, in her true fashion, completely ignored it and took the lead, her curly golden-brown hair blowing in the wind under the red bandana around her head.

I followed Nic around the corner and into the bar, narrowly missing a drunk Parton and his significantly less drunk companion.

Nic made her way to the bar, deftly dodged waitresses with their trays, and card playing patrons who were well on their way to drunk.

I of course, followed her. Though, perhaps not quite so deftly.

"Hey there Jake, " Nic called to the bartender, a middle aged man with dark circles under his eyes. "I'll have a Whiskey, on the rocks. "then she pointed at me and added "he'll take a water, before he tries to be funny asking for melted rocks or something. "

I looked at her indignantly, "I would never...Well, maybe...that might be something I probably...would...do. " I say, looking a little defeated.

Jake laughs, and says "well, he wouldn't be the first to try something like that. I'll have your drinks in a minute." and walked off to get our drinks.

While we were waiting, I began to hear part of a story from a neighboring table.

"you mean to say, them pirates came back, half their crew dead, the other half bloody and covered in scars, and all they have to say was 'we got caught in a terrible storm'? Now that's a lie if ever I heard one." the first man says.

The second man took a swig if his drink and answered "that's what they said. But the rumor I've heard is that they found an island. Covered in gold, and guarded by an army of the finest swordsmen and archers in the world. "

The first man leaned forward so as to catch every word as the second man continued.

"these men call themselves the lost boys....and the island, is called... Neverland." .

At the mention of its name, I nearly fell out of my chair.

Neverland. A mere whisper. A whisper of a boy.

Nic looked at me with concern, seeing as how I had very nearly ended up on the floor for no apparent reason.

"You okay Branch? Your looking kinda feverish. We can head back if your not feeling well. "

"N-no, thank you. But, I have another idea on what we could do."

Jake came, dropped off the drinks, then headed off to the other side of the bar.

Nic, clearly amused and still a little worried about me, took a swing of her whiskey, asked the obvious question "oh yeah? And what exactly would it be that we could do?"

I, much calmer now, said simply "oh, you know, sail out in your ship to look for an island that no one has ever proven exists. And that no one has ever returned from."

Nic turned to face me slowly, a grin on her face, and said- "no."

"so glad you excepted- wait, what? You didn't except, you rejected! Why?"

She raised an eyebrow and replied "oh gee, I don't know, maybe it has something to do with your amazing speech about how no one has returned from looking for the imaginary island. Or maybe the fact that I'm assuming you want me to do this for free. What do you think?"

I lined my fingers up together before saying carefully "while most, if not all of that is true, just imagine the discovery!"

Nic did not look amused.

"the adventure!"

Now she looked bored.

"the fact that I will do anything you want for this only!"

Now, she was interested. Nic leaned forward. "anything?"

She asked in a honeyed tone.

I gulped, said a silent prayer to God that she wouldn't ask to kneelhaul me, and agreed. "anything."

A mischievous, and slightly malicious, smile appeared on Nic's face. And I swear, I will sell everything in my possession down to my remaining leg, before I repeat the mistake of putting myself at her mercy again.

Nic put her hands around my ear to block out the noise, and told me her request.

I blanched, horrified by the idea of it, but nodded my head as consent. It was the only way to convince her to help me look for the island.