A majestic mixture of vibrant royal purple, burnt orange and deep red began to swirl and encase the sky as the sun drifted lower behind cotton like clouds, meeting the serene blue green calm of the ocean.
It was solemn and serene as the humid heat of, what seemed to be the hottest and longest summer day, began to slowly give way to the cool breeze rising up off the ocean. Suddenly, long, sun kissed arms scarred from years of battle, stretched out over the golden gleam of the Sunnys' rails.
The green mossy hair of a man in his late thirties, rustled gently as the salty sea breeze wafted across the lush, grassy deck. The man, bearing three swords strapped at his side, tilted his head back and breathed in the scent of the ocean. His facial features were sharp and well defined. Accented by gruff lines and sun-worn skin, the affects of life on the ocean had started to become very apparent. A large scar over his left eye reaching from his top brow, stretching halfway down his cheek. His rugged face was framed by a slight five o'clock shadow, coming to a clean cut at his chiseled jaw line. Aligning his left ear donned three lengthy gold earrings, gleaming against the setting sun. He arched his back, in an effort to stretch his broad shoulders, bearing his equally toned chest that boasted a remarkably long scar. It spanned from atop his left shoulder, over his chest, down across his abs, finally disappearing under the right side of a green haramaki cinched around his torso. Its' green color was almost akin to that of the mans scruffy hair.
His clothes were slightly historic, almost resembling that of a yukata. This was held in place by his haramaki snuggly banded against him, which seemed almost engulfed in the folds of the flowy material, as the bottom draped down to the middle of his thighs. The fabric of his shirt showcased a deep forest green with the bottom 12 inches riddled with intricate scenery lit with pastel greens and whites. Under this, was a pair of jet black, soft knit pants rolled halfway up his muscular calf which lead down to equally black sandals.
Suddenly, a strong, salty gust drew over the Sunnys deck, his hand instantly shot out to grab a tattered straw hat adorned with a red ribbon, which had threatened to be blown out to sea. He instantly regretted how immense his reaction was, grasping the straw hat and pulling it down to his chest, knowing full well that its string was securely around his own neck. As he looked down at his calloused hands bending the poor ragged hat, he noticed they had begun to shake.
Trying to steady himself, he leaned over the sunny, propping up an elbow and eventually giving way to allow his body weight to rest on the railing entirely. He began breathing in slowly, trying to focus on calming his mind through meditation, but the salt filled air that invaded his airways only made his mind cloud further. He opened his eye, frustrated with his seemingly derailed thoughts, his vision began to blur and wet droplets began to form on his face and hands.
"Ah damn" he growled as he brought his hand up to touch his cheek
He looked to his right and shouted in the direction of the cabin
"OI! OI! NAMI!
Suddenly a woman with fair skin and bright orange hair, donned in a pastel pink bikini top and jean shorts, peaks over the top of the cabin.
~hmph
you wouldn't believe she's only a year my junior, she keeps herself as well as Robin~
"Hai! What do you need?!
Nami yells out as she leaned over the top railing, raising her oversized sunglasses, sending the mossy haired swordsman a mocking sneer
"Don't tell me you already ran out of booze you DRUNKARD!"
~Tch~
Damned nagging navigator
He pushed the thought aside, ignoring her chiding tone and asked as if pressed for time
"DAMNED WOMAN!" He scowled up as she gave him a satisfied smirk
" I just need to know, does it look like....rain" He trailed off, barely choking out the last word before he began to chuckle at what a fool he would seem.
One look around and it's obvious it's not rain... as he murmured to himself, taking in the sight of his surrounding crew members.
He turned his back to Nami, waving his hand signaling her away. The fiery haired navigator fumed and stuck out her tongue before returning to the wheel.
Grasping at his swords, Zoro slowly began pacing the deck, analyzing his surroundings intensely, possibly imagining he had missed some detail. Perhaps engraving it deep into his mind, as if it all would suddenly disappear.
Robin, who was already forty five but could easily pass for twenty something, with dark honey colored skin and beautiful deep black hair. Was laying out in a bathing suit and over skirt, intently busying herself with studies of the new research material she had acquired.
Chopper, whose fur had become quite unruly with age, was sitting on the railing fishing, pole in hand. As carefree as a gull, laughing, then crying in shock, then laughing again at his companion leaning over next to him.
He was a broad shouldered man with equally unruly hair, his wild stray charcoal curls blowing with the breeze. Usopp, even after all these years, still managed to create the most unfathomable stories for anyone willing to listen. Usually the only ones to ever actually believe them were Chopper and Brook, who were always left gaping from shock.
~ahh someone else comes to mind~
Just before he could finish his thought he was interrupted by a loud shriek coming from the small deer. They laughed together as they worked as one to tug on the fishing pole, trying to reel in what the swordsman assumed to be a seaking.
He peered across the deck, craning his neck to check the sails and crows nest. ~Hmm seems our #2 pervert isn't around~ While he was a sight to behold, his mannerisms and sensitive nature threw his whole giant cyborg persona out of whack. Knowing Franky, he is usually checking the levels and ammo inventory for the sunny. This was practically his baby after all, and all his years past were shown through this vessel. The swordsman always valued the cyborgs' endearment to the ship and his quick thinking has saved us more than few times.
"Well, I should invite him up to the crows nest for drinks more often as thanks" he said aloud feeling somewhat guilty
Wait...will he only drink cola...
Continuing his scan he let out a sigh of relief
Sanji was MIA, but that just usually meant he was busy in the kitchen preparing for dinner, or blindly following the requests of the women aboard. Always flailing and twirling around in those damned suits and his obnoxiously blonde hair. Basically prostrating himself before any woman. The swordsman gritted his teeth, imagining the insults that would fly from that pervert cooks mouth. Even after all these years, they never seemed to agree. While saying they were enemies was far from truth, anyone not a member of this crew would ever believe otherwise.
Suddenly a slow, sweet, melancholic sound interrupted the swordsmans' irritated thoughts. The pleasant, sorrowful tune was emanating from beneath the towering, lush, tangerine trees, where there a skeleton was seated. He sat amongst the shade at a small garden table, eloquently playing his ballad for all to hear. Of course Brook was dead and had been for more than fifty years prior to them meeting.
~Man the only things that ever change about him are his clothes ~He thought as a soft smile spread across his face.
He slowly approached the bone man, head hung low and seated him self on the ground next to the musician. As an artist, he took note of the emotions of others around him and played what he felt in their hearts. He strummed his guitar softly, while the swordsman crossed his legs and listened to the sad melody of his heart with his head hung low.
Brook took note of the man sitting next to him
"I can play something a little less painful, if it will help"
"No"
His deep voice reverberating and trailing to a low husky whisper
"Things wouldn't be worth remembering"
he paused, falling onto his back into the soft warm grass
"if they weren't painful"
taking the straw hat from his chest, he placed it gently over his face allowing the song of his broken heart seep into his very soul
"Hmm that is very true,...and very wise"
still gently strumming the guitar, he looks down smiling and pauses for a moment
"Even for someone so...directionally challenged"
The swordsman smiled wide under the hat, and brings his hands up into the air.
Without removing the hat, he holds out one hand and fumbles with the other one; Clumsily tugging at some invisible line
"Well it's great" he bellowed
"When you've got a red string to follow"
"Oh ho ho!"
"Right you are Captain"
"Ugh Call me ZORO!" the mossy haired man yelled as he threw his hands back onto the grassy deck.
~I never asked for this kind of promotion~
he thought as the tragic lullaby sent him into a deep sleep