Hello people again. It has been a while since I uploaded, at least two weeks, but I have been sick, and then I was busy, and I did not have much time. Since a few of you wanted it, a side story for Elias will be coming out, but you may have to wait a bit. I want to release it after I tell what he had been doing for the time before he comes back, and I have the basis, but they aren't quite flesh out yet. Also, these chapters take a bit to write. Thanks to the people who followed, faved and reviewed, it means a lot. Well then, I hope you enjoy this chapter of Oh ship!: A One Piece adventure.


Chapter 3: Galley- La de dah part 1

I knocked once on the door I was standing in front of, and a short blond woman opened the door. She was a delicate, middle-aged woman, with a floral print dress and a flower clip, and a few papers in her hand, and looked certainly out of place in the middle of the Galley-La shipyard. She smiled as she saw me.

"How can I help you?" she asked politely.

"This is the Galley-La lodging, right?" I asked, not wanting to ask her about a room if this was not the right place.

"Yes," she replied. I sighed in relief; I had not wanted to embarrass myself before my first day even began.

"I am one of the new apprentices and I think I am supposed to get a room here, or something," I said, unsure about these lodgings.

" Ah yes," she said. "We have 2 rooms for the new apprentices. Now," she looked down at one of the papers in her hands, "I have 2 rooms for an Althea Ross, and an Alex Weich. I'm guessing you're Althea?" She asked looking up at me.

"Yes." I replied.

"Nice to meet you, " she said, "My name is Ms. Direttore, the caretaker for the lodging. Your room is number 35, on the 3th floor or girls, floor. Here is the key." she handed me the key. "Oh, that seems heavy," she remarked, noticing that I was shifting my bag from hand to hand.

"No, I'm fine." I said, as I had only been shifting my bag from hand to hand because I did not like to stand still and I was prone to fidgeting.

"Nonsense," she said, waving her hand as if to indicate I was being silly, "A lady should never have to carry heavy loads. KAKU!" she turned her head and yelled, and in doing so affectively surprising me. I had not expected that out of such a nice, polite, and petite woman. Than again, I mused, she is the caretaker for a bunch of men. As I thought of this, I heard footsteps and I looked up to see a skinny man with a long square nose wearing a baseball cap with the words Galley-La embroidered on it.

"What can I do for you, Ms. Direttore?" Kaku said after he descended the stairs.

"Thank you Kaku." she pointed to me than him. "Kaku this is Althea. Althea this is Kaku. He is one of the senior shipwrights here." She turned back to Kaku. "I want you to bring this lady's bags up to her room. Room 35." He nodded and went to take the bag from my hand.

"I am fine." I protested and proceeded to sling my bag over my shoulder with little difficulty. "If you could just point me in the direction of my roo-"

"Kaku will carry your bags and show you to your room," she interrupted, and her voice told me that would be the end of that. And so, I handed my bag to Kaku and he led me up to the third floor and to the right. He stopped in front of a room that read 35, and he put the bag in front of the door.

"Well, this is your room. I hope to see you around the shipyard." He began his walk back before stopping and turning his head. "Before I forget to tell you, breakfast is at 7:00, lunch is at 13:00, and dinner is at 18:30. (A/n I am using 24-hour time just because I think a company like that would. To translate, 7:00 am, 1:00 pm, 6:30 pm) There will be a bell sounding ten minutes before each meal." With that, he turned and walked off to his side, leaving me to take a look at my room. I put the key in the lock and turned, making sure to put it in my pocket and to remember to get a key ring as to not lose it. I pulled the door open and looked around my decently sized room, not too big, but big enough for a single shipwright to use. It had a small bed with white sheets and a navy comforter, probably left over from the last person here, a small closet and some shelves, and a desk that looked to be for drawing plans and making blueprints. I checked the desk drawer and there was even some paper already and a few pencils. I checked my watch, and it said 15:57. Dinner was not until over half an hour. I had some time to unpack my new clothes that I bought, put my notebook that I took with me on the desk, and hid my bag in the very back of my closet, and so I did just that.

With nothing else to do after putting everything away, I sat on my bed, thinking about how my life had so radically changed in the course of only three days. I had run away from home, from a life of luxury and wealth. A life where I was destined to inherit the family business, a position I was trained my entire life to succeed. I ran away from comfort and left to travel to an unfamiliar city, a place I knew hardly anything about, to take the test to become a shipwright, a job I had wanted since I was a little girl, on the off chance I might make it even though I had never picked up a tool before. Now, I had an apprenticeship at the most prestigious shipwrighting company on the grand line. I lay back on my bed sighing. What was I going to tell my parents, that I stole money and ran away to become a shipwright? Should I lie and tell them I was kidnapped? I don't even know anymore. I lay down on my bed, and before I knew it, I was asleep.


I must have slept for a few hours because the next thing I knew, a bell was ringing, signaling dinner, if I remember correctly. I got up and made myself presentable by putting on a pair of white skinny pants and a navy long sleeve shirt, and brushing my hair. I opened my door slightly, and saw the other three girls on the floor exiting their rooms, two of them talking to each other and who were wearing skimpy, revealing outfits consisting of short shorts and a tank top with an open jacket covering their arms. I was just surprised that they were not cold. It was much colder then it was yesterday. Walking in front of them was a blonde lady wearing a black miniskirt and an orange collared long sleeve shirt, and holding a clipboard. I looked down at the outfit I was wearing. Was I the only girl not wearing a skimpy outfit?

I followed them down the three flights of stairs until we reached the bottom floor. To the right was a giant dining room for all of the Galley-La shipwrights in dock one, and to the left was a sort of common area for all of the shipwrights to hang out after dinner, that is if they did not go out. I did what everyone else was doing, and I followed them into the dining area. The dining area consisted of a salad bar, a cold food station, and a hot food station. I got some roasted fish and some salad with fruit and cheese in it; it looked actually really good, not what I was expecting. Next I looked around for a place to sit; groups talking animatedly filled most of the small circular tables. I saw one table with only one person sitting at it, though. It was scarf boy; the friend of the guy that believed that dock 4 was really good. He was the other new apprentice, and by the way he was acting, he was just as uncomfortable and unfamiliar here as I was. I went over to him and sat next to him at the table. He looked up from his food in surprise, and I smiled at him.

"You looked kind of uncomfortable here by yourself." I explained to him. He nodded in understanding and went back to picking at his food silently. I ate a bit of my chicken, and tried to strike up a conversation. "Are you the other new apprentice here?" I asked and he nodded, but he didn't reply. Wow, this guy was not talkative at all. It was like I had to force him to talk or something. Trying again, I asked him another question. "What is your name?" At least he had to answer that question.

"Alex Weich." he said, lifting his head up and answering me. "And yours?" he asked me.

"Althea Ross." I said and resumed eating my food. We were silent for a few minutes after that, but then everyone went silent. I looked up to see what was happening, and saw Iceburg in the front of the hall. He stood on top of a chair that that blond woman from my floor had pulled out. He stood commanding, with his dress shirt and grey slacks and his normal slicked back hairdo. (A/n yes I know this is different than what it is in the story, but this takes place 2 years before the story so deal with it) He cleared his throat for emphasis and began talking.

"So once again, we made it past the most stressful days of the year: Apprentice Weekend. I thank all of you at dock one for your help, I don't think I could have done it without you guys." The crowd cheered. "We have done many demos, taken many names, written many descriptions, and all in all, done a ton of work. We have seen some decent apprentices, some terrible ones, some so bad that it made you want to cringe," I saw Alex wince out of the corner of my eye. I gave him a look that asked what was wrong.

"My friend was that person." He whispered, and I realized that was the guy who I heard bragging. I chucked to myself. Serves him right for underestimating shipwrighting.

"-And we have seen some candidates that were excellent enough to make it as an apprentice here. Five were chosen, as always, " Iceburg paused. "But this time a record two apprentices out of the five new ones are to work here in dock one!" there was another roar from the crowd. I could tell I would like all these people, they seemed pretty easy to get along with and fun. "So, I would like for you to all to welcome our two newest members of Galley-La Company Dock One," He pointed at us. "Althea Ross and Alex Weich." He gestured for us to stand up, so we did, albeit nervously though. Continuing on, he finished his speech by saying, "The other three apprentices are Franklin Gibbs at Dock 3, Marcus DeLatorre at Dock 4, and Martin Dodge at Dock 2. Now the primary 'masters' for these new apprentices will be Lulu," The burly man with tattoos and no shirt stood up, "-for Alex and Paulie for Althea." Paulie stood up, and then a few seconds later his eyes bulged out. Iceburg continued, apparently not seeing or caring about Paulie's expression. "Now like always, let us welcome our new apprentices with-"

"WHATT!" Paulie interrupted the last part of the speech. "Are you saying that I'M SUPPOSED TO BE NOT-SHAMELESS GIRL'S MASTER?!" he yelled and pointed to me.

"HEY!" I yelled at him. "That's not very nice you know! And neither was throwing me face first into the wall!" And that's how he remembered me?!

"Sorry, and I already apologized" He said turning his head to look at me and then turning to face Iceburg, putting his arm around Iceburg's shoulders and pulling him aside. I still heard the conversation though. Paulie doesn't exactly have an indoor voice, you know. "Look, you know I can't do this." He told Iceburg.

"And why not?" Iceburg asked. He had a small smirk on his face.

"Because you know that I haven't had an apprentice yet, I'm not ready for one."

"I'm sure you will be fine." He moved Paulie's arm off of himself, turned and started to walk away. "It will be a good experience for you both; you've never had an apprentice before and she's a first time shipwright." He opened the door and walked out, muttering something that sounded like "Now to tell that speech again six more times." Leaving Paulie and I to stare at the door closing behind him in shock.

I was the first to regain my senses and turned to Paulie. "Well, I guess I'll be learning a lot form you, I hope."

"Is that a challenge, Miss first time shipwright?" He replied, smirking.

"Oh it is so on." I said, and we shook hands.


I woke up to a bell similar to the one I remember signaling dinner, but ten times louder. I groaned, I was not exactly a morning person, but I got up anyway, knowing this was my first day as an apprentice at dock one. I still wanted more sleep though. I opened my closet and pulled out a green shirt and grey cargo shorts. Although it was freezing yesterday, it was back to sun today. Does the temperature always fluctuate like this? I picked up the clothes and exited my room, looking for the shared bathroom on the third floor for the girls. I found no one was there and I quickly got into the shower. I showered and got dressed, heading back to my room after that. I wrote in my journal, I know, kind of girly, but I had been taught to always keep a log of what happens just in case. The bell rang, I ate breakfast, and I showed up at the shipyard at exactly 8:00.

Paulie came a few minutes late, running from some people. He took his ropes out, swung them at the top of the door's arc and swung like a monkey on his ropes. He dropped in, running, and the gatekeeper guy closed the doors behind him. He stopped in front of me, and doubled over breathing heavily. I raised an eyebrow and he said three words. "Debt collectors, fangirls." I winced; those fangirls must be hard to deal with. He recovered and stood up straight, regaining his composure. "So, since you are a newbie at this, today will be all about learning about the tools and different types of wood. We will not be using them today, but beginning tomorrow, I will show you how to use all off them." And so, first Paulie pulled out his ropes, typical, and began explaining things.

Four hours later, and Paulie finally shut up for the day, finishing with a note of how that was the most he had ever talked in one sitting. I got up from sitting; we had both sat down after like ten minutes of this explaining, and stretched, my body aching from sitting in the same spot for so long. Even though it was only 12:00, we were both tired, and so we decided to call it a day after lunch. I was about to head back to the dorms for lunch, when suddenly, Kaku jumped down from who knows where and landed in front of me. I jumped backwards, surprised, and he laughed.

"Iceburg wanted you to meet him in his office after lunch, Althea." He said, and I nodded. He tipped his Galley-La hat at me and jumped off, leaving me in the dust again. I just accepted it and moved on, I would get used to it, though I need to get him to teach me that trick.

I started walking back to headquarters, and after grabbing lunch quickly, I sat down and ate lunch with Alex.

"So what's the hurry, he asked me, as I practically shoveled the food into my mouth at breakneck speed. I swallowed so I could answer.

"Iceburg wants me in his office after lunch. I have no idea why though." I said and shrugged. I couldn't have gotten in trouble this quickly, could I? I mean, I didn't do anything wrong today, did I? "I'm really confused as to why though."

He shrugged again, I mean he was not the most talkative person ever, but at least he said something. I knew he would warm up to me eventually though. At least I hoped.

I finished eating quickly and got up, putting my plate with all the other dirty dishes and heading upstairs to the fourth floor. The fourth floor was where Iceburg's private quarters were and where he had his office. Apparently it was so he could monitor the workers from his desk, but judging how his presence at the shipyard was not surprising to people, there was not much deskwork going on. I knocked on the double doors to his office and a voice from the inside said to come in. I grabbed the handle of the doors a bit nervously, and opened them slowly. Inside were two people, Kalifa, the blond lady on my floor that I learned the name to this morning, and Iceburg, sitting at his desk. I walked in the door, and stood, waiting for Iceburg to say something.

A few seconds passed before he waved at Kalifa dismissively saying, "Kalifa, please leave the room." Surprised, she nodded and walked out, but before she could get far, he stopped her and said, "And no eavesdropping this time." Without batting an eyelash at the accusation, or was it truth, she walked out of the room very dignified, and Iceburg motioned for me to sit down in one of the chairs.

"Lets cut to the chase he said, Althea Ross." He said, crossing his fingers. "Or should I say, Althea Afarri. I gasped and then shut my mouth, trying not to give my secret away any more than necessary.

"T-t-that's not, u-um, what I mean is-" I stuttered nervously, trying to think of something to say, but unfortunately my brain had just decided to leave and my diplomacy skills at this point were out the window. I wasn't sure how, or fi I was ever going to get out of this.

"You can't fool me, I mean you were here with your father not that long ago. I mean you were very good at talking with others, and your posture was impeccable." I blushed, I didn't know those teachings were so ingrained in me. I then realized what that this situation initialed.

"Please, you can't send me home, I've wanted this forever, and I am finally becoming a shipwright. You can't send me back there. You just can't." I was practically begging him. I would do anything to stay.

"Well, I know your father is a good customer here," He started and I sank back into the chair; he was going to send me back. "But…" I snapped my head up, surprised at his words, "It would be a waste of good talent to let one of the most promising apprentices I've seen here in a while go," I was barely containing my excitement "So, I am going to let you stay as an apprentice here at Dock One." I jumped out of my chair and hugged him. He was surprised but he smiled.

"Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!" I told him, and then I let go of him after I realized I was practically chocking him. I sat back in my chair embarrassed, but he just chuckled.

"I will notify you when your father arrives here, as he is one of our frequent customers, and you should stay out of the way when that happens. If he finds you it is your fault, though, okay?" He added. I nodded and then got up.

"Thank you again." I said.

"You are most welcome. And tell Paulie that just because he talked for a few hours, does not get him the right to not teach his apprentice for the rest of the day. " He said and I walked out, ready to tell Paulie that we had more training to do.


So, that's the chapter, review if you can, the comments are always appreciated. This chapter covered the first day of apprenticeship, and the next will be a few weeks into it when the other shipwrights help pitching in. That will be a shorter chapter probably, and will basically be me just having fun with the other shipwrights, but it may change a little bit.