Hi everyone!
Just wanted to start out by apologizing for the possible errors as I am posting this chapter from my phone since I'm in Paris for vacation.
I'm chilling and enjoying the awesome food,in preparation for getting surgery to fix my ACL next week (not looking forward to that).
Neko Neko no Mi: I'm really glad that you like my story! I hope the upcoming Nami arc lives up to your expectations. Thank you so much for taking your time for writing a review it really means a lot to me.
Queen Mo-Freakin: thank you for your pairing choices, I'mdefinitely goingto think about a pairing between one of them and Fae. Good job finding the meaning of Zoro's nicknamefor Fae, I thought it was pretty sly of me to put that in there.
havarti2: lol nice video game reference
PortgasDTatze: Thank you so much for your support and I'm really glad you like Fae and her weapon choice (I'm thinking of giving her another one).
Thank you to everyone who liked and reviewed my story, it really means a lot to me.
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece
"Alright let's do this," I clapped my hands together in determination and turned to survey the strewed out contents of my backpack.
Nami was on deck supervising the whole navigation of the ship and after I ended up tangling the lines and totally disengaging the sail she had sent me back inside to prevent further damage.
I took the free time and used it to set up my side of the room. In the women's quarters we lacked basic decorations which I'm sure Nami would add later, but currently we only had two twin sized beds, and basic looking nightstands.
Sitting on the bed, I had claimed my own, I was now taking inventory of everything I had from my world and what Sylvie from Cloud town had given me. Seeing how I'd been coming from school, I had a very strange assortment of things. I had three binders, one for History, Math, and Science, I also had a folder filled with chinese lessons and worksheets, my writing notebook, a swell water bottle, a pencil case with two mechanical pencils, an eraser, white out, and a couple pens, 1000 Beri, a small first aid kit (partially used), headphones, and my phone.
I had played around with my phone for a while and discovered that I did have internet, but only for select things. I could play my spotify songs, google basic ship terminology, watch youtube videos on how to use tessen fans, but I couldn't contact messaging, phone calls, email, facebook, snapchat, instagram, all forms of social media and contact to the other world had somehow been shut off.
On one hand it was freeing not to worry about sending snapchat streaks every night and morning (those were annoying), and on the other it meant my friends and family still had no idea where I was, and I had no idea what was happening to them. I shook my head violently back and forth. Nope, Nope not going to think about that now, they're fine you're still fine everything is going to be fine.
I picked up the phone again and stared intently at the glowing screen. Everything looked the same on the device, I had my anime wallpaper, all my game apps accounted for, and even the contacts for all my friends were intact, but there was something strange now about the device. I squinted, in the top right hand corner where the battery bar was located instead of being green and displaying the battery percent, the bar was filled with a glowing iridescent rainbow color and the number beside the bar was gone.
That was strange.
Well I try not to think about the deep and vast weirdness of the universe, I had a half functional phone with an unlimited battery, it was better than nothing and I was happy with that.
I looked back down at the stuff on my bed. The binders full of homework and useless worksheets were probably things I could toss, but somehow I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
Grabbing the school materials I stood up and walked over to pull out the drawer of my nightstand. It was made of a light colored wood and had two decent sized drawers to store things in.
The top drawer was already filled with my clothes from back home, but the bottom had remained empty. With a gentle scraping sound I pulled out the bottom drawer, and placed the binders safely away.
I stood up and packed the rest of the stuff back into my backpack so I could take it with me wherever I went. I had just finished putting away the first aid kit when the door burst open.
Nami marched in an irritated frown on her face. I tracked her motions around the room nervously as she muttered darkly under her breath.
"Everything alright?" I asked tensed up to avoid a possible explosion from the navigator.
"Oh nothing!" Her chipper tone and overly cheerful face was even more terrifying than her blatant yelling. "Nothings wrong I've just discovered I'm on a boat with a bunch of idiots who don't even know how to cook a fucking meal!"
I cowered in the corner as each of her words got louder and louder.
"And now after making sure these idiots don't have us chasing the sun because warm means south, I have to cook food and I'm not even going to be paid for it!" She threw her hands up in the air full out yelling at this point.
"Oh." I said weakly.
"Yes oh." Her eyes glinted dangerously, she continued grumbling and made her way towards the door.
Quickly I stood up, "I'm sorry." I bowed low to Nami.
"I'm not very good with navigation or ships. And I'm sorry you had to deal with that." I kept my head low and bit my lip. Poor Nami, I felt bad, sure sometimes the Straw Hats antics were fun,but sometimes they were a little much and my little knowledge of seafaring was a huge burden on the crew.
I heard a sigh over my head. "It's fine Fae I was just a little tired." I looked back up at Nami who was wearing a softer smile. My heart went out to her, Nami really was such a good person who'd gotten a horrible lot in life. I should be making the burden she carries easier to shoulder not heap on my own weight.
"Then stay here and rest." I stood up fully and pushed Nami gently away from the door to the beds.
"Huh?" She looked a little flustered by the motion and I sent her a smile.
"I'll take care of dinner and I'll call you when it's done."
She looked at me with an odd expression before giving me a relieved smile. "Alright." She sat down on her own bed and I turned around and left.
-o-
"Okay, where do I start?" I spoke aloud glancing over the range of ingredients in front of me.
Basic cooking skills were something I'd learned from my father. My dad had always enjoyed eating and making good food, a love I inherited from him. Years of helping him in the kitchen and observing his preparation had left me with slightly above average cooking abilities. I'd always been proud of my ability that topped even Minerva's lexicon of perfectness, and I was glad that I wouldn't be completely useless on this ship until I learned how to operate it.
I set my mind on making pasta with a side dish of broccoli, Asian style. It was the first dish I'd ever made by myself, and seeing how I had all the ingredients it would be easy to do.
I set up the kitchen washing and rinsing and onions and a carrots for the sauce while setting a large pot to a boil, I paused and decided to set up two more boiling pots, knowing Luffy one would definitely not be enough.
The hours faded by fast as I made several batches of broccoli and three pots of Spaghetti.
I wiped a hand across my brow collecting sweat. Taking a deep breath I inhaled the smell of spices and oil. I set the table before stepping outside of the little kitchen, waking Nami first before calling in the boys.
"You made all this." Nami gasped staring at the food laid out.
"Yeah." I smiled, "It's not anything super fancy, but it's edible."
"Food!" Luffy rocketed forward reaching for spaghetti.
The rest of us quickly joined eating at a frantic pace and fending off rubbery limbs to keep up with Luffy's horrifying appetite.
"Fae.. mrmph what are you.. Talking abnout this ish delishus." Usopp spoke inbetween mouthfuls of pasta and attempting to fend off Luffy's grabbing hands.
"Yeah it's not half bad Miko." Zoro grunted eating his own serving.
"Maybe you can be the chef, if you can cook like this." Nami smiled over a piece of broccoli.
I shifted in my seat embarassedly, "No way I don't' know anything about proper nutrition beyond basics, and I'd never be able to plan out meals." I crossed my arms into an X to emphasize my point.
"Relax, relax I was kidding." Nami waved a hand dismissively, "I was just complimenting your cooking."
"Yeah Fae this is super good." Luffy smiled, "But don't worry you're not the cook, you have a different role."
"I get a position?"
"What you just thought you were henchman number one." Zoro snorted.
Weell kind of, I didn't say that out loud though choosing to remain silent.
"No way!" Luffy stood up shaking the small table and shouted, "Fae isn't a henchman, she's our Storyteller."
The table fell silent.
"A storyteller?" I breathed out in disbelief
"Yeah, you're great at telling them!" Luffy grinned brightly "I really liked your story about that Perry Johnson guy."
I giggled laughing at the irony.
"Well sure captain, didn't realise storyteller was a necessary pirate position, thought I was just going to be designated psychic."
"Sure it is," surprisingly it was Usopp who answered, "It's an important job to keep spirits up and entertain the crew. I myself was a great storyteller." He puffed out his chest.
I smiled, "I don't doubt it."
"You're not just a storyteller though." Nami added, "I've seen all the notebooks you carry, I'm making sure you take care of the log book from now on. You're not just a storyteller, you're a story writer"
"And you're still a psychic, but you're also the storyteller." Luffy nodded seriously to emphasize his logic.
I felt a warm bubbly feeling in my chest and my eyes started to water, I rubbed at them with the back of my hand.
"Oi, Miko you're not crying are you?" Zoro looked very uncomfortable with the sight of a crying girl.
"Of course I am," I blubbered, "You guys are just so…"
"Shishishi, Don't worry about it Fae, eat your food." Luffy shot me one of his famous grins and dug back into the food prompting the rest of the crew to join in Nami sent me a small genuine smile before turning back to her meal and I wiped away furiously at my tears.
"Aye aye captain." I said grinning digging back into the food.
-o-
I shifted under the covers, restlessly. After the dinner and my official assignment on the crew, I'd told them all a story as we sat out on deck eating fruit I'd sliced up for desert. This time going for one of my own original stories about a girl born with magical eyes, it had ended with a yawn from Luffy who looked tired out of his mind. We'd all retired for the night after that, but for some reason I just couldn't fall asleep.
Buzz, Buzz.
I jolted upright and scrambled out of my bed, I'd know that sound anywhere. Searching around blindly in the dark, quietly as to not wake Nami, I found the source of the noise.
Pulling my phone out I squinted at the glowing screen
Unrecognized Number: Meet me on deck
I stared blinking at the message, standing up I stumbled in the dark heading for the exit. Normally I would never do something that came out of a horror movie like this, but I had a sneaking suspicion who the sender was. Just in case though, I grabbed my Tessen from the nightstand before leaving.
The wooden planks creaked under my feet as I walked on deck. The ocean surrounding me was a deep midnight blue lit up in a patch that reflected the moon. A silhouette stood behind Merry's figurehead.
"What are you doing here?" I sighed loosening my grip on my weapon.
The figure turned, the handsome bishounen features, white hair, and red eyes illuminated by the pale moonlight,
"Aww, can't a guy just visit the girl he's interested in." Zale smirked
I flushed, "interested?" I squeaked out.
He snickered and I flushed harder this time in anger "Relax, relax not like that." He motioned me forward with an arm.
"I'm here to fulfill that promise I made you at Orange town."
"What?" I racked my brain trying to remember the details of our past conversation.
"Don't tell me you forgot already?"
"Uhhh" I smiled sheepishly rubbing the back of my head as I walked towards him.
"I'm going to teach you how to use that." He pointed at the fan in my hand
The conversation came back to me, "really?!" I started to grow excited there was only so much one could learn from YouTube and I'd always been more of a doer learner than a visual or auditory learner. I wasn't weirded out by the fact he was going to teach me either, as I said earlier I didn't hate him for bringing him here. Perhaps talking to him I could find out why he'd done that in the first place, and maybe he could send me home.
"What you think I just made that up to confuse you?"
I scowled as he smirked in a way that made him look inhumanly attractive.
"Okay to start in going to run you through some basic forms and then.."
I bowed low cutting him off mid speech.
"What are you doing?"
"Thank you for teaching me how to do this." I ignored his question head still bowed.
It was silent in front of me for a few seconds and I glanced up to see if Zale was okay. His face was twisted into an odd expression I couldn't identify.
"Don't think anything of it." He waved dismissively the odd look still on his face.
"I'm serious," I stood straight up this time, "I'm stuck in this really dangerous world and I need to know how to protect myself not only for me, but so I don't end up hindering my crew." I smiled, seems like ages ago I'd last thoughtof my crewas
anime characters.
I'd lived with them in a tight space and they'd become treasured friends to me, bonds I'd always wanted to have but never knew I was missing. I couldn't risk changing their happy ending for my weaknesses. Oh god I sound like a cheesy fictional character.
"You really are something."
"Huh?" I asked unable to make out the words Zale had muttered, distracted by my minor existential crisis.
"Nothing, nothing just warning you I'm a tough teacher think you're up for the task." He chuckled darkly red eyes glinting in the dim light.
I held up my fan and got into a simple stance as an answer.
"Yes Sensei!"
-o-
I rolled out of bed groaning in pain. I felt my muscles tense and clench as familiar soreness set in. I felt completely wiped out even bough I'd just woken up. Zale had not been kidding about being a harsh teacher and had drilled me over and over again in one kata (which I'd thought was only a Naruto term) until I'd been able to perform it with few mistakes. He promised that next time I would have to actually fight him. After glancing over his muscular figure and blushing every shade of red possible
I'd realized how much pain was in store for the future. Oh Joy…
I yawned and walked out on deck entering the kitchen to make some breakfast, I made a couple plates of eggs and bacon with great difficulty due to my arms refusal to raise over my head. I walked out the finished meal to my crewmates scattered around the ship. Reaching Luffy last I leaned over his shoulder to see what the captain was working on.
"It's Done!" Luffy jumped up clutching the black cloth he'd been painting on.
Even in my tired exhausted and dazed state I had enough energy to smile in preparation for another iconic scene.
"Really?" I played along setting down the plate of food on a barrel nearby. "What is it?"
"It's our pirate flag." Luffy spread his arms out displaying the crude jolly roger painted on the flag, "With Usopp on our crew we now have five people, so we need our own mark."
I looked around and grinned at Zoro's face
"That's our mark?" He asked in disbelief.
"Nice right? What you think?" Luffy wore a large toothy smile.
"Well a pirate mark is supposed to strike terror," Zoro said contemplatively.
"I feel terror, but more terror of your talent." Nami chimed in with a straight face.
I gave Luffy a thumbs up, "Nice try captain, it's better than I could do."
That earned a few disbelieving looks.
I walked back into the kitchen as Usopp professed his talent at graffiti, I dug through storage and made sure that lemons were easily accessible placing a box of them on the kitchen table before returning outside.
"Eh it's not bad." I heard Nami say, as I walked down the stairs.
I walked over to where the crew was gathered peering over Zoro's shoulder. I smiled widely and let out a little squeak of joy darting over to give Usopp a hug.
"This is awesome," I squealed releasing my grip on Usopp who looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Sorry, I like hugs." I apologized sheepishly, feeling a little embarrassed, I missed all the cuddling I got back home from my little brother.
"It's fine." Usopp said grinning awkwardly, "I just wasn't ready for it."
"Well you deserve it this is wonderful." I motioned at the flag making Usopp break out into another tall tale about his painting masterpieces.
I grinned and watched as Usopp was ordered to paint the mark on the sail, getting ready mentally for the storm that was brewing up ahead.