Author's Note: And, we arrive in Baltigo. And a canon character makes a cameo, yay!
Disclaimer: Again, I had to make up some stuff about the Revolutionaries (i.e. where Baltigo is) because Oda hasn't said much about them.
"Hey. Carmen, wake up."
The next morning, I awake to Ramona standing over me. I don't remember much after I met Ramona.
"What time is it?" I ask.
"Almost six in the morning. The ship to Baltigo leaves soon," Ramona explains.
"When will we get there?" I ask.
"Hmm… Baltigo is located south of Whiskey Peak, so, hopefully, no more than three hours," Ramona answers. "Don't bother grabbing breakfast here, since there's plenty of food in Baltigo."
Exactly three hours later, we arrive on the island of Baltigo. I heard the island was a desert of white sands, but we're docked at a fairly urban area.
"Where's the Revolutionary Army's headquarters?" I ask. Ramona simply grabs my hand and leads me through the streets of Baltigo.
"We'll be there in a few minutes," Ramona answers. "This whole city is just a front for us. We're located on the outskirts of town."
Eventually, the city gives way to a desert of white sands. It takes me less than a minute to spot the headquarters, as they are several, multi-storied buildings sticking out of the middle of some white sand and scrub brush.
"This is it?" I ask.
"Yep! Welcome to Baltigo!" Ramona yells, throwing the front doors to the headquarters open. When we step in, a large lobby with couches, chairs, tables, and bookshelves scattered about await us. In one corner is a DenDen Mushi television screen, and there are three elevators located next to the front desk in front of me. Over a PA system, a youthful-sounding woman is speaking.
"…This has been another sermon of the Foursquare Church of the Revolutionary Army. This is Sister Semple signing off. May God bless you."
"Well, I guess that means that breakfast is starting now," Ramona comments.
"It is?" I ask.
"Yep. The morning starts with a brief sermon for some of the religious members of the Revolutionaries from Sister Semple. She joined the Revolutionary Army after she received a vision in a dream one night," Ramona explains.
"There are religious members here?" I ask.
"Some are, some aren't, and some don't believe in any God. There are different sermon sessions throughout the week for people who observe other religions," Ramona explains. "Today just happens to be when Sister Semple does her sermon."
Eventually, we arrive at a set of double doors with a sign that says "cafeteria" above them. I can already smell the food from here.
"Well, you have two choices. Eat breakfast now, or meet with Sabo to confirm that you're joining," Ramona says to me.
"Ramona, back so soon from the West Blue?"
An older man with graying, blonde hair and a scarred face approaches us.
"Good morning, Sabo. There was nothing of note in the West Blue, except that a new recruit wanted to join," Ramona says, motioning to me.
"Hi… My name's Carmen. Carmen Soong. I just joined this morning, so… Yeah," I answer. Sabo answers by shaking my hand.
"Nice to have you join our ranks, Carmen. Normally, new recruits would have to go through a physical, interrogation, and all of those things, but since we've been flooded with new recruits lately, it makes more sense logistically to skip the orientation for new recruits," Sabo explains. "I hope you spend your time with the Revolutionary Army wisely."
Without another word, Sabo walks away. That was easier and shorter than I thought.
"So… I'm in?" I ask.
"Of course!" Ramona answers. "Now, it's time to meet your fellow Revolutionaries!"
Ramona flings open the doors, and we enter a large dining room where many Revolutionaries are seated at various tables around the room. As we walk in, I notice that there is are kitchens and a long, buffet station to my left.
As look around the room in awe, I grab a plate and make my way down the buffet line. As breakfast just started, there's barely anyone in the line, save for people going back for seconds.
"Hi, Ramona! Looks like you brought a new recruit back!"
I turn my attention to the source of the voice – A boy with dirty-blonde hair standing behind the fruit and vegetable section of the buffet.
"Yep!" Ramona answers. "Carmen, this is Hal. Or, should I say, Carmilla, this is Halibut."
"Halibut?" I ask.
"Carmilla?" Hal asks back.
"What the hell kind of name is that?!" We both ask ourselves at the same time.
"At least my name isn't a type of fish," I point out.
"At least my name doesn't make me sound like a prostitute," Hal retorts, placing a cup of mixed fruits onto my plate.
"At least I'm not a prostitute," I sass back. Ramona laughs loudly in response.
"Hal, do you want an ice pack for that burn?!" Ramona asks. Hal smiles, the corners of his mouth trembling from trying not to laugh.
"You certainly picked a great recruit, Mona. Hope I can work with Carmilla the prostitute sometime," Hal points out. I reach over and give Hal a playful slap.
"If only you cook me some halibut in the future," I argue. Hal responds by spooning a handful of spinach onto my plate.
"I will, but eat your vegetables first," Hal argues before Ramona and I walk away.
"Does Hal work in the kitchens?" I ask.
"Yep. He wants to open a bunch of food boats one day," Ramona answers as we make our way through the buffet, grabbing appetizing-looking breakfast items and putting them onto our plates.
"Food boats?" I ask.
"They're these boats that sail to different islands and sell food to people. Hal wants a whole fleet of them to sail the world," Ramona explains as we sit down. Oh, man, what do I start eating first?! The blueberry turnover? The eggs? The cinnamon toast?
Before I dig in, someone drops a plate to the ground. Everyone in the room turns back to the source of the noise – Two girls. While one has short, black hair and wears a smart-looking, black dress with lace trim and black flats, the other girl has bobbed, blue hair and wears a white-and-grey, striped, shirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers.
"Laurentia, how many times do I have to tell you that I am allergic to pepper?" The black-haired girl asks the blue-haired girl.
"I-I'm sorry, Leone. It won't happen again. I'll tell Hal to fix you up a new omelet," Laurentia stutters.
"Who are they?" I ask Ramona.
"The girl in the dress is Leone Sandberg. She's the leader of a faction of the Revolutionary Army known as the Interests," Ramona explains. "All you need to know about the Interests is that all of them are wealthy and can buy their way into the Shichibukai's circles for spying purposes."
"You're allowed to do that?" I ask.
"There's no rule stating that you can't cozy up to the Shichibukai for spying purposes. However, it is frowned upon," Ramona answers as we continue to watch Leone's verbal assault on Laurentia.
"You're useless and pathetic! Your family didn't even get rich the right way! What does your dad do again?!" Leone asks Laurentia.
"H-He's a musician," Laurentia stutters. I've had enough. I'm going to go stop this.
"Carmen, what are you doing?!" Ramona asks as I get up and walk over to Leone and Laurentia.
"Leave her alone," I tell Leone.
"Who the hell are you?!" Leone shouts.
"Carmen Soong. I joined this morning," I introduce myself. Leone smirks in response.
"So, you're the sister of Vivian and Valentine Soong. If you joined us just to look for your sisters, then I regret to inform you that they passed away this week," Leone coos, using a tone of voice that sounds like she is talking to a baby.
"Yes, I – What?! They died?!" I yell. "Is this a sick joke?!"
"I'm afraid it isn't. They were both killed while on assignment. They haven't caught the guy who did it," Leone answers. "As for you, this is no place for Vivian and Valentine's black sheep of a sister. You will never live up to Vivian and Valentine Soong."
"Screw you! I don't have to live up to anybody!" I shout. Instantly, the entire cafeteria grows silent. Murmurs rise up around us.
"Woah. She's tearing Leone down."
"Finally someone is calling Leone Sandberg out on her shit!"
I smile to myself as the chatter continues. Not a bad impression on the first day.
"You win this round, Black Sheep," Leone says with a glare. "Next time we cross paths, I will shear your wool off and try to figure you out, Black Sheep."
With a huff, Leone storms off. Laurentia then gives me a big grin.
"That was incredible! How did you get the guts to stand up to a member of the Interests?!" Laurentia asks me.
"It's easy. After coming out to my family as a lesbian and have them basically shun me and sell me off to some rich fuck, I became 100% done with peoples' bull," I explain.
"What's going on in here?!"