Hello People! I have had this oc in my head for the longest time without writing it down. I started writing it down one day when I was bored and my sister begged me to write more. Ando so write more I did. I finally decied to post it and now here it is. Oh ship! : A one piece adventure!
Ships. In this great pirate era, with many searching for the One Piece, there is nothing more important than those beautiful creations of men. These majestic vessels hold the key to travel and trade, harnessing the wind and seas to speed through the water, and passing through straits with dire accuracy. Under a watchful eye, a steady hand, and a trained crew, a ship is as much as a deadly weapon as a gun, or sword.
Ships have fascinated me all my life. As a child, I would always run my hand over the craftsmanship observing it from every angle. Growing up in Seagia, the trading capital of the Grand Line, with a merchant father, you see many ships in your lifetime. More accurate would be to say my dad was the head of a trading empire. I have lived in comfort all my life, and I enjoy it, the food, the home, the servants, and an education that many dream about. Even as a girl, I was instructed in many topics necessary for a merchant: mathematics, science (water, wind, and other natural topics), planning, writing/logging, astronomy, and other subjects that would forward my career as a merchant. However, there was only one profession I wanted to take on, and that wasn't being a merchant: it was to be a shipwright. I had asked my father many times, but each time he refused. After five tries, it was never brought up again, but the desire grew over the years.
I tiptoed into my parent's room, and then face-palmed as I realized I didn't have to do so, they were away on business. I resumed a normal stride as I walked up to the portrait above their bed, pulling it away to reveal a small grey safe with a combination lock. I reached into my pocket to retrieve the spare copy of the code that I had pilfered off my father's desk. I spun in the numbers quickly and it opened with a click. I peered inside the surprisingly long safe to see gold, jewels, and bills, you name it, it was there. I reached inside and took a good amount. I would need it for lodgings, clothes, and food. I could get a job later on, but I couldn't start with nothing, so I filled a small bag with the gems, gold, and money and laid it on the floor next to my bag with a few sets of clothes. If I didn't get the apprenticeship, I would only need a few sets of clothes anyway, as I would come back. I went back into my room and changed into comfortable traveling clothes, I did have a few lying around. I grabbed my two bags, the smaller of the two, the one filled with money, was slung over my shoulder like a shoulder bag or purse, while the larger one, with my clothes and more like a duffel bag, was carried in my hand. I walked out the door, then paused and took one last look back at my home, the home that had been my family's home for generations. The one I had grown up in, the one my father had grown up in, and the home I would not see for a while (assuming I get an apprenticeship). I had grown up richer then most, not o sound conceited, and I lived a privileged life of servants and tutors and a company to be inherited by me, and just like any sane person would, I liked it. But I was not free to pursue my dream, and so I had to leave the lap of luxury in order to stand on my own two feet and become a shipwright. Goodbye. I thought as I turned on my heels and picked up my bags. Like in as they say in Seagia, the sea may carry me as it wills, but we will always find a way back home.
I arrived at the sea-train station ten minutes before the train came. I paid for my ticket to Fume Island, a measly 500 berries, and I boarded the train as it came. The ride to fume island was uneventful and I marveled at the engineering of the sea train, the water did not slow it down. It was a very short ride however, and soon I found myself on the platform of Fume Island, waiting for the train to come.
I went to sit down on one of the benches on the platform, coughing from the smoke and fumes that emanated out of the factories, and thought about a plan of action to set in motion once I reached the shipwrighting capital of the grand line, Water 7. The big question was, what happens if I don't get the apprenticeship? Should I come back? Should I stay and get a different job? I know that my knowledge, the knowledge I gained after grueling hours of tutoring, and my merchant experience would be helpful in getting a job as a merchant in Water 7, but I didn't know whether I should come back or not if I did not get the apprenticeship. I was snapped out of my thoughts as the sea train slowed to a stop, wheels screeching as it halted.
The train doors opened and conductors stood at the doors accepting tickets. People began to line up to get on, and the sound of holes being punched and tickets taken could be heard. I had gotten up as soon as the sea train rolled in, and so I was one of the first on the train, and I was able to choose a nice seat for myself. I lifted my duffel bag above my head and put it in the overhead compartment, closing it and sitting back down. The seats were very comfortable, so I relaxed into the aisle seat and wondered if someone was going to sit next to me. I was not really against sitting with people that I didn't know, but I hated when the people were rude, pushy, or just silent and creepy. The best ones were the ones you could strike up a conversation with, but did not feel obligated to speak with.
As the train started to move, a voice could be heard outside to stop the train. I looked out of the window and I saw a gut running alongside the train, trying to find a compartment that had not been closed off. He had dark brown hair with chocolate undertones, and black eyes. "Stop the train!" He yelled, and the conductor moved to the door, opening it. The train was not moving very fast, so he jumped on without much trouble. And then tripped over the rug. Rubbing at the back of his head embarrassedly, he rose and gave the conductor his ticket. "Sorry about that. I was running late because I overslept. " The conductor let him pass and the young man began walking down the aisle, his head turning as he searched the car for a seat. He noticed I did not have a seat partner and so he practically bounded over to me. "Is this seat taken?" He asked me with a smile on his face. I sighed and scooted over to the window seat. He plopped down onto the aisle seat, his face showing the relief he felt about getting on in time. He looked at me and breathed out loudly. "You know, I thought I wasn't going to make it for a second." I smiled.
"Well you did. And you put on a rather impressive display while you were at it." He laughed, and leaned forward and turned to me.
"I'm glad someone enjoyed it." He raised his fist to the air and shook it. "Man when I get back, those guys are going to hear it.
"Who?" I asked and then realized I was being rude. I was asking a person I did not know the name of about himself. He didn't seem to mind, as he just smiled and looked up at the ceiling, stretching his arms out in front of him, his fingers interlaced.
"The guys back at the restaurant I work at." He faintly smiled as he reminisced. "I started out working there part-time waiting tables and cleaning. Even though they were full-time chefs, they found time to say hi and hang out. Later on, when I became a chef, they welcomed me into the group."
"Why'd you become a chef, anyway?" I asked him. He turned to me.
"I grew up poor. I had little brothers who needed me to take care of them while my parents were both working. To earn some extra money, I worked part-time and read books on the side instead of going to school. That was a privilege for the rich on my island."
"Your island?" I asked, curious.
"Yeah, Fume Island, the one we. It's a pretty big island, but there's not much work besides the factories. My Mom didn't want me exposed the gasses so I went to find work elsewhere. I was lucky to get a job at the restaurant. One day I was behind cleaning up and one of the chefs was there creating a new dish. I was watching from around the corner and when he noticed me, he invited me to try it after he was finished. I sat down and he continued cooking, and I couldn't take my eyes off of him. The way he was creating a delicious meal from the mediocre ingredients was just amazing."
"You must have really admired him."
"I did. He was like a father to me, almost the same age too, and he treated me like his son." He turned back to me. "Now be quiet while I finish the story." He said playfully and I laughed, making him playfully pout, and made me laugh harder. "He saw me starting and then told me to take his knife and cook the meal. I was surprised, but I took the knife and did as he said. He led me step by step through the process and I loved it. He told me I had natural talent and began training me to be a chef. I became a chef when one of the other chefs quit because of the pay. He had been there for a while and wanted a raise, but the restaurant could not afford it. So since then I have been a chef at the Flambeau bistro and restaurant. " He turned to me. "Now what's your story?"
"Me?" I asked. "Well I grew up pretty normally…." I was nervous and I was not sure of my making things up on the spot skill.
"Come on, that can't be it."
"Well… my dad worked for a merchant, and so I was always around ships as a kid. I loved them, and they I was always in awe of them. I loved how two shipwrights could build completely different ships with the same materials. And how ships were always evolving, and technology was always moving forward. They are vital to this era and they can even evade Sea Kings in the calm belts. They are amazing." I started to ramble. (a/n excuse the ship rambling…. It's kind of her personality)." I looked over at him and realized he was giving me a look that said, you can stop now. "And so I got my parents permission to go to water 7 and become a shipwright." I looked back over to him. "Where are you headed?"
He grinned like a fool. "Well since my master got me a spot in the prestigious cooking academy in Seagia, I am heading there."
"Really?" I asked, surprised. "I know that place! I walk past it all the time."
"Really?!" He asked excitedly, "What is it like? How is it?! Is it nice there?!"
"I said I walk past it, not in it." I said, and he deflated. "W-well it looks like it is really nice, though." I said hurriedly. He brightened up almost immediately.
"Well now that we have spilled our guts to each other, can I ask for your name."
"Althea." I said, trying to think of a last name. I couldn't use Affari, because he might recognize the name. I went through the last names of my dad's workers. Meyer? No. Lestrade? No way in hell. Ross…. Yes, that could work. "I'm Althea Ross."
"Elias Brighton." He held out his hand. "Nice to meet you, Althea."
"Nice to meet you, too, Elias." I replied and shook his hand.
"So what do you like to do in your free time, when you aren't fingering over ships, that is." He said teasingly, trying to strike up conversation. We did have another hour and a half, of course.
"That's rich coming from the fanboy chef." I replied, taunting him.
"I am not a fanboy." He said, looking insulted. I was about to half apologize, he did call me a ship fangirl, which I mean I am sort of, but you don't need to point it out, when he suddenly burst out saying, "I am a fanMAN!" I just stared at him and sweatdropped as the entire train looked at us. He scratched at the back of his head sheepishly, turned his head, and apologized to everyone.
"Well what is your favorite food, Mr. fanman chef?" I said and we lapsed into conversation. We talked for the rest of the hour and a half, and when it came time to get off we were surprised. Time had just flown. I said goodbye to Elias and got off the train. I walked out of the very large Blue Station to see many people on Bulls riding around, the elevators bringing people up to higher levels, the colorful buildings, and the shipyards. I was finally here. It was time to start my adventure!
I hope you guys liked this. I will try to write and post the next one as soon as I can. School can be a bitch sometimes. Reviews are appreciated(I could use all the constructive criticism I can get) and follows would be amazing.
Also, This is not called Oh Ship for nothing. My fellow fans, I may be adding pairings later on. I will do some funny situations but I do not want to dislike this fic because I have some guy x guy pairings(no explicit stuff) but I will be asking for your guy's consent later on. Also, keep an eye out for our Chef, he will show up again. I will ask you guys about every few chapters. So here's a question to you all? Do you mind guy x guys ships? Review if possible.