E.D99: XD
starelight: Thank you very much! And yes, he can. Sort of. He can *see*, but he still doesn't know what it *is*.
Anime no Akuma: Thank you very much. And yes, she *has* been planning it for some time.
gamelover41592: Thank you. ^_^
Theburper: Ah. Sorry for misunderstanding.
Awareness Bringer: Eheh... Sorry... And thanks.
Draco Oblivion: Thank you very much! And congratulations on guessing right! Jones doesn't look the *youngest*— she's clearly older than Lisa, Chopper, and Toma— but she *does* look about eight or nine years younger than she actually is. But hey— she'll appreciate that when she's in her 50s and 60s!
Akashic Records: Wow... *is buried under mountain of facts* Thank you very much! I'm sure some of these will be very helpful!
Keiolsha: Thank you very much. And Mihawk... I never saw him truly as an enemy. He doesn't actively dislike the Straw Hats or want them dead— in TRL at least, he finds them amusing and kind of cute, in a slightly aggravating way. He's just obligated to fight them if theycome too close to important government stuff because of his position as a Warlord.
NightmareKnight1: Yeah, you're not the only one to suggest that Dressrosa is more Spanish than Roman. Now moving towards "Spanish with some Roman influence" in my mind, which I think I can get away with since the Romans once owned large areas of Spain. As for Toma... You're on the right track, but not quite. Thank you very much!
Bombadilo Baby: Thank you very much. And don't worry— they have a little more time before getting to Jaya to practice. You're right— The Pie alone won't cut it.
Lightsbane1905: Thank you very much. And I agree, under most circumstances, Sanji wouldn't allow it. But it's possible that if need was dire enough, in the exact right circumstances...
Tactition101: Thanks. And... Not exactly.
Wowza48: Thank you very much. *bows*
Antiguo: Thanks for the offer, but I don't have Dropbox. And I have a lot of roleplaying books on fantasized versions of different cultures already, if you think those are good places to get information. I'd probably verify anything in them before using it, though.
Unca Bob: Thanks. Yeah, I need a bit of silliness every once in a while. And yes, Jones *could* use her powers to do that. It wouldn't be easy, and it'd require some good, waterproof boots, but it's possible.
Dragondancer81: Thank you very much. ^_^
Azurai Wolf: *laughs* Thanks. And I'll probably write that snippet someday— but I won't say when.
WhiteDogwood: *grins* Yes. Someday I will be having *lots* of fun with Dials.
Gerbilfriend: Thanks. Sometimes, everyone needs a little craziness, I think.
Lalang: Hmmm... Maybe. But Aztec works better with the whole thing with a city of gold and giant snakes worshipped as gods, I think.
Avisian: Thanks! As far as culture... I was thinking of using highland culture, which I know a *little* bit about already.
Ligergeo: Thanks for the suggestions. And yes, Greek culture would probably work for Amazon Lily— they had legends of Amazons, and I can fill in any gaps with Spartan culture, I think.
FairyGirl960: Thank you very much.
MajorCartooniac: Thanks for the offer. I will at some point, if I haven't already.
Leikiz: Thank you.
Sage McGavin: Bing bing bing! We have a winner! Yep, that's at least part of what Toma's seeing.
The Pyro Jawsome: I decided to make Robin Russian because that's her canon real world ethnicity— word of Goda. It's in one of the SBS questions. Sorry...
CV12Hornet: *makes note to wait longer after next cliffhanger so Senpai actually has to wait for revelation*
AnerianJames: 1) If you didn't expect that, it means I did it right. Thanks! 2) And what do you think the Australian spoiler is, praytell?
The Keeper of Worlds: Thanks. And I'll be writing a snippet about that someday-not sure when, though. As far as cultures... I'll probably message people more as I get to the points of using certain cultures, so everything's fresher in my mind. Thanks for the offer, and the advice!
Sideshowmail: Thank you very much! And I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait a bit longer— Jaya is taking longer than anticipated. Sorry...
chi akume: Thank you very much!
Outcast001: Thank you very much! And Jones' mindset has always been a balance between "make sure my friends are safe," "actively screw certain aspects of the plot," and "keep certain major events similar so I still know what's going on." Although the last becomes less important to her after Jaya.
Briereader: / Thank you very much! *bows*
MABalas: Thanks. Afraid you'll still be waiting a while, though. Sorry...
dinno: I'll write it someday, never fear. *add Mihawk to the list of people Jones has been shipped with, sighing and chuckling ruefully*
sdkop21: Thank you very much. I'm doing my best.
Artful Lounger: Answered in a PM because you don't intend to read anymore. Bye.
Tiana price 184: Working on it. Sadly, Jaya is taking a while. But it'll be *good* once it's done, hopefully. *bows* I ask for your patience a while longer.
Kmbrun: *sheepish expression* Sorry. I know it was silly— not everyone's cup of tea.
rosewillow narusasufangirl: Hmmm... Not sure yet where I might be able to use those cultures. Except England. I've always found Law to be a bit English— although that might just be due to his method of transport...
Maximusace89: Not *exactly*, but close. Very close. I hope I can live up to your expectations of awesomeness.
Adser: Answered in a PM because you don't intend to read any more. Bye.
tanithlipsky: Thanks.
kimchi759: *buried under pile of massive reviews* Thank you very much! I hope you'll excuse me if I only manage to address a few things— you've brought up quite a few points, and if I go over them all, this reply might be longer than this chapter. I'm not shying away from making Jones good— she's me, and I'm well aware that when I'm not having trouble with my anxiety, I am awesome. The Mary Sue thing was just supposed to be an opener for her Medium Awareness, nothing more. Sorry about Ghin's name, the occasional corniness, and the romanized Japanese. That last one, though... Because of the way I was trained at karate and ninjutsu, the romanized Japanese is accurate to how I think (for internal narration purposes), and I'm working it into other aspects of the story as part of my worldbuilding thing. Sorry. I dislike my version of Vivi too— I was trying to do something with her, but it just wasn't working, and the end result was her becoming a brat with a bit of a narrow mind. I'm scared to try and fix it, though— I think I might just make it worse. Jones acted as a doormat for her because she knew Vivi was plot-important, and being a doormat is the only way Jones knows of keeping the peace. And your concerns about the way Luffy acts in regards to Jones' anxiety— I admit that some of those situations are definitely cringy. I was unsure how to make him act, and that uncertainty probably comes across clearly. To the hug specifically— that's how my real-world friends have tried to help with *my* anxiety, so I was just writing what I know. Not everyone Jones meets is going to be/has been antagonistic, and those who are sometimes have good reason, even if I only imply it rather than stating it. Ace, for example, thought Jones had kidnapped his brother and was working with Blackbeard. As far as what you've said about misogyny— you seem to be reading my story through a very feminist perspective. While you're certainly free to do so, I'm afraid you'll find more cringy moments that way. I don't think about a character's gender when writing what they do or say, unless doing so is either funny, or would be important for a physical reason (like if a female character was feeling poorly because they were having a period, for example). And Jones is stereotypically anti-femme because *I* am, in a lot of ways. That said, I do agree that sometimes the way I write Luffy can come off as jackass-ish, depending on interpretation. Keep in mind, though, in canon he was none too gentle or polite about recruiting some members— downright blackmailed Zoro. In short— I*am* sorry for at least some of the things that bother you, and I'm glad that despite them, you've found enough enjoyable in my story to keep reading. Thank you.
Isafish: Thanks. And you're right— Robin's techniques are named in a mix of French and Spanish. But Oda-sensei has canonically said her real-world nationality would be Russian, so I'm giving her and Ohara in general a bit of Russian culture too. Or trying to, at least.
vbarriol: Sorry. You're not the only one to say something like that. Luckily, I've also been told Rome once owned large parts of Spain, so I have ways to remedy my initial issue while still keeping the flavour I like for the coliseum. Sorry if this bothers people.
Vikingr A/N: So, as you may or may not know, Twelve Red Lines is also posted on Spacebattles. A few friends on that site have written omakes for the story, and since Jaya is taking so long for me to finish, I got permission from said friends to repost the omakes here to give you something to tide you over a bit while I continue to work on it. *bows* Sorry, dear readers, for taking so long to move on with the plot. I hope you find these stories as amusing— and in some cases, adorable— as I did.
SpokenSoftly omake: A Spectacularly Circumstantial Idea
It is, under almost all circumstances, a terrible idea to use the most potent of her abilities. It would, after all, be a suicide attack that wasn'tquiteassured to kill anyone important enough to use it on. But for wide-area devastation, which was precisely what this situation called for? Perfect.
"Hello, Mariejois," she said, her voice and face broadcast to every corner of the world as her executioners wound back their blades. She touched her hand to her forehead in a mocking salute. "Goodbye, Mariejois."
And she negated her body's Nuclear Force.
1Coltsguy omake: Meanwhile at Water 7— HMS Johnny/Yosaku
Me: Sir I have an urgent report for you.
Iceburg: An urgent report? You've never given me a report that you've deemed urgent.
Me: Well, we have a confirmation.
Iceburg: *narrows his eyes* Report. Now.
Me: Yes sir.
Iceburg: ...So... We have a confirmation... In a new setting no less.
Me: Indeed we do. Well, new for you. I've been keeping an eye out and had started the one on my own. You know... Project 47-B?
Iceburg: I had wondered about that. So, is it complete?
Me: Almost. I need to have a few touches put on it that will take about half a day if I get some dedicated manpower on it since I'm still working on the ships for Perona over in Cross' area.
Iceburg: Take who you need. YosakuxJohnny will be setting sail immediately. Anything else to report?
Me: Well, given the fact that Jones can have different preferences at any time, and the point that was made by Ghin in reference section alpha, it's quite possible that she may have been ogling and not even realized it herself.
Iceburg: *suddenly covering his nose* I see. So she's-
Me: Actually, her mindset is quite fluid in that regard. As such, she could potentially find love with anyone be they male, female, or whatever Charlotte Lin Lin's body turns out to be.
Iceburg: Are you saying-
Me: No! No I'm not saying that she could end up with Lin Lin. Just that Lin Lin might be some amalgamation of different species and genders that came to resemble a human. Nothing else.
Iceburg: And you think Jones could fall in love with someone like that?
Me: *takes out his note that Jones already has a boyfriend outside of One Piece for a moment and puts it back in his pocket* I think it's possible. a true shipper has to follow those rules in order to thrive after all and we're about to let a male on male ship sail so why not something even more different? Hell, I'm not even getting into Ivankov.
Iceburg: As you shouldn't. That person is too complicated to have a discussion over without using alcohol and lawyers to talk about their rights. Just get the personnel you need to finish the ship and get back to work.
Me: Yes sir.
1Coltsguy Omake: Meanwhile at Water 7— The Girls
Me: Sir a report for you.
Iceburg: ...More girl on girl shenanigans eh?
Me: Like I told you before: fluid mind there and open minds here. It's always within the realm of possibility and there is no indication that Robin wouldn't be interested.
Iceburg: It's all about the mentality at play. It could flow into either scenario at any time.
Me: Plus the line Nami gave off seemed to imply that if enough money came her way she could loosen her stances. Though I think it would have to be quite the sum.
Iceburg: I doubt it but I won't stop you from dreaming.
Me: Glad to hear it sir.
Iceburg: Now then... unless there is anything else?
Me: Not particularly.
Iceburg: Then head back to the dock and continue the modifications.
Me: Yes sir. *mumbling* I wonder how much it would take?
tearlessNevermore Omake: 'Twas the Dragon of Christmas
The Grand Line was a mercurial and brutal place. As its mood shifted, the various denizens who skittered along its surface scrambled to survive as nature twisted in defiance of all natural laws.
Everyone who knew anything of the Grand Line could tell tales of the warped magnetic field that foiled any efforts at navigation, of the tumultuous weather that could turn from hail to drought to thunder in minutes.
Those who were more versed in the Grand Line's storied lore and the scarce logs of the hardy souls who had strayed from the beaten track could tell of other, more eerie tales.
Of flying islands and colossal monsters that faded into mist. Of places where time and space came apart in a manner inexplicable by any Devil Fruit. The fabled Rainbow Mists were as much a cause for study as alarm, with their curious chronology-warping presence.
But in the aeons that had passed since the wonders of the Void Century had been consigned to oblivion, only a scant few souls had learned of one of the more dramatic and awesome phenomena.
Ruatha cracked one eye open.
The ship was quiet, unnaturally so. There was no creaking of timbers or ship-rocking snores. All was still.
Many a child would have been unnerved to wake and find their family so locked in stasis. But Ruatha wasn't really a child. They were young and infantile, for sure, but they were also ancient and experienced on a level none other than a fellow Millennial Dragon, or possibly Zunisha, could comprehend.
Ruatha stole away from his mother until he was beneath the sky. There, they stopped and watched for a long moment. No matter how many times they lived, there were some sights that remained equally as awesome each time.
Whatever plans the Grand Line had had in store for the night, it had placed them to one side in favour of a glimmering display of aurorae that the dragon knew were visible everywhere on the planet.
Ruatha's wings were still immature and ill-suited for flight, especially for any length of time. But on that particular night... certain rules were bent.
Directing a silent apology towards his family, even though he knew no harm would come to them, Ruatha took to the skies.
His brethren were there also, occasionally calling out in greeting to those they passed. As times and bodies changed, those calls were the sole reliable means of identifying each other, of finding old friends, old mates... and old foes. On that night, thankfully, all rivalries were on hold. They had a job to do.
It took many long flights to gather what he needed, but Ruatha was patient and had all the time in the world.
The dragons never saw the people who laid bundles of wrapped gifts outside their houses, or knew how they knew what was needed. Every year, without fail, there were packages of books, of toys, of food and other odds and ends carefully prepared and left waiting for collection. Across the four Blues and throughout the length of the Grand Line, untold millions of them.
In past lives, Ruatha could have carried aloft entire troves of gifts, their weight and bulk insignificant next to their might. Now, he struggled aloft with just a parcel or two at a time. But he managed.
One by one, he conveyed the parcels to their destinations. It was harder than they could remember ever finding it before, but also far more rewarding. Now they knew the people behind the sleeping faces. Knew how they laughed and cried and fought. Knew what the precious cargo would mean to them.
And then, at last, he landed on the deck one last time. Even while the rest of the world slept, Ruatha thought that Merry could tell what had happened. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking. The fact remained that the freshly-painted figurehead seemed to be smiling wider than before.
Ruatha slunk back under cover and curled up in a ball. Outside, the sky's glow was fading, as he knew it would, and with it went the last of his energy.
The sky went dark and he slept.
"Ruatha seems very tired this morning," Jones said, frowning slightly as she poked the slumbering dragon. "What were you doing? Staying up all night trying to fly?"
"Couldn't have been, big sis," Johnny said, popping his head around the doorframe. "I was on watch with Yosaku last night. Even if we did get a bit... distracted at one point, we would have noticed if anything had happened. Ruatha isn't the quietest around."
"I suppose that's true. Sesehihihihihi! Sleep in a bit then, Ruatha. I'm sure you'll be soaring about soon enough. I know I'm looking forward to it."
With a smile and a wave at the little dragon still curled up, Jones made her way onto the deck, where she was to discover that the Grand Line appeared to boast Santa Claus as one of its many mysteries.
The door swinging shut, Ruatha cracked an eye open and let out a short huff before dozing off again.
"Hei lost niid zaak. Loraan Yuul svaangein."
Vikingr A/N: I'm sorry if people are bothered by the short burst of omakes. I, personally, love them, and want to say how honoured and grateful I am. And also to apologize to all you lovely readers for how long Jaya is taking. I'm not dead, and I'm not dropping this fic, I promise. This next arc is just taking longer than I thought. Well... That, and I'm going back and making some changes that have been suggested in a couple previous chapters. Hopefully it'll be worth it when I'm done. I thank you for your patience.