Everyday Life with the Straw Hats

Mariejois Arc: part 12: Eating out with Friends part 2

The gang walked inside the restaurant and they could already smell all the delicious food. A waitress quickly walked up to them in order to greet them.

"Hello there! Welcome to Home Style Buffet, how may I help you this fine afternoon?" she greeted with a smile.

Nami quickly walked up to the front of the group to talk to the waitress. "Yes, we would like an extra-long table for my friends and I." Nami passed a 50 berrie bill and whispered "And make it snappy."

"50...berries?" the waitress asked with a dumbfounded look. "You can't be serious, for this tiny amount of money?"

Nami put on her best bargaining face. "Yeah, we are pretty hungry, and our captain definitely doesn't want to wait any longer for his food. When he gets hungry, he gets very hungry. Perhaps you've heard of him? 'straw hat' Luffy is his name"

The waitress looked surprise, she's heard the stories of the pirates from the worst generation. And she by no means wanted to upset them. She nodded her head to Nami, took the money, quickly guiding them to their table. They took their seats and made their orders, and the waitress went to go get them their food and drinks. "I will be right back with your things." She said as she left.

"So….." Zoro started, looking at Cerea, "What is your hometown like? Where is it located?" Zoro asked.

Cerea smiled at the question, she was obviously happy to tell her master about her life and culture. "My home is within the kingdom of Camelot, it's a prestigious kingdom where only the finest of warriors reside." She said with a strong sense of pride upon her face. "As for where it's located, it's on the other side of the Red Line, the sea that is commonly known as The New World."

That caught Luffy's attention. "The New World?! You came from the New World! Someday we are going to travel there and explore it to its fullest!" Luffy declared in excitement.

Cerea smiled at him, and then looked at Zoro warmly, "I would be honored if you all come visit my home someday, I would especially like to show you my family, if you wouldn't mind it…master." Cerea said, trying to hide her blush.

"Perhaps, but I gotta ask, why do you keep calling me 'Master' all the time?" Zoro asked, with a confused look on his face.

"Yes, um…you see," Cerea had an embarrassed look on her face, trying to find the right words to express what she meant. "It's common within my culture for a centaur to pick a master, someone who they stand by through life and death, an eternal partner who they will fight side by side with."

"Oh yeah, I kinda remember you describing something similar to me before when we met, that's why I wasn't allowed to ride you, wasn't it?" Zoro asked casually.

"Yes, that is why." replied Cerea, "but now things are different, I see you now as someone worthy of being my master!" Cerea hastily stated with a blush, but also a look pride upon her face.

Zoro's face went from one of confusion to one of pride, and he gave her a reassuring grin. "Well, if that's the case, Cerea, then you chosen the right person to be your master." Zoro said boldly, "Because I'm going to be the world's greatest swordsmen!"

"Really? Wow, that's quite the goal, and I will do whatever I can to help you achieve it!" Cerea declared.

"Yeah, all I have to do is beat Mihawk in one-on-one combat!" Zoro proclaimed ambitiously.

"Oh, is that who you have to defeat in order to achieve your goal? Sir Dracule?" Cerea asked.

"Wait…you know him?!" Zoro responded, shell shocked.

"Yes" Cerea replied. "In fact, the kingdom of Camelot has a treaty with Sir Dracule Mihawk. He helps protect our kingdom, and in exchange, we pay him some of our treasury each month."

"Well" Zoro began, a competitive grin growing on his face, "I guess I will be visiting your homeland no matter what, sooner or later."

The waitress returned with their meals and drinks. "Here you go, I hope your meals are all to your liking, enjoy!" and with that, the waitress left.

Luffy began stuffing his face with the platter of various meats he ordered. "This is so good! I love meat!" Luffy cried with tears of joy pouring from his eyes."

Miia was eating the scrambled eggs she ordered, "It's been awhile since I've had scrambled eggs, these taste really good!"

Zoro was chugging back his booze next to Centorea, while she was eating a salad.

Sanji, on the other hand was barely touching his food, he had a bitter expression on his face.

"What's the matter Sanji? Why aren't you eating?" Luffy asked between bites.

"Its…" Sanji started, with a distraught tone in his voice. "Its just….why do you and moss head have girlfriends and I don't. it's not fair! I've been trying to be on my best behavior and not let it get to me, but its really hard when I see you two with girls who love you and I got nothing." Sanji laid his face in his hands, saying "Its not fair" over and over.

Zoro, being the eternal rival to Sanji, took this golden opportunity to explain why Sanji didn't have a girlfriend.

"It's because you're a creepy pervert." Zoro stated in a deadpan matter-of-fact tone.

Sanji's sorrow quickly turned to anger at Zoro's words, refusing to let Zoro have the last say. "That is not true! My heart is pure! If I had a girlfriend I could prove it to you. I was hoping I would meet a nice liminal girl who would share my feelings, but so far, it's been you and Luffy who has been having all the luck."

Chopper patted Sanji's back, "There there," he said, "When we go to Fishman island, there will be plenty of nice mermaids who may be attracted to you."

"Ha! The day Sanji gets a mermaid for a girlfriend, is the day I say his food is delicious!" Zoro laughed.

Sanji stood up from his seat, with anger in his eyes, which was being aimed solely at Zoro.

"I don't have to take your harassment, enjoy your lunch everyone, because I'm heading back to the house. Good day." And with that, Sanji walked out of the restaurant.

Next Chapter: Mero Arrives…