AN: sorry for the really long wait. I pretty much had a dead muse art and writing wise for the past 6 months. Hopefully I can get back to writing and get further into this story! The next chapter is half way written so things look like I have recovered my my writers block!

I awoke with a hangover to a person shaking my shoulder and speaking far too loudly.

"Merrrggghhhh…leave me alooone." I moaned as I curled up tighter in a ball and tried to stop suffering. It felt like everywhere was coated in a layer of itchy scratching sand, inside and out, and my insides needed to be gouged out with a spoon.

"Miss, some marines are here to gather up the pirate crews and need to clarify that you are indeed Jasmine so they can award you your bounties." The loud voice vibrated through my head and I whimpered in pain.

"'M Jasmine... and I'm suffering…."

"She does match the description so we can let her be. We'll deposit the money into her account with the Oceanic Bank." An amused voice said, his shriller voice sending a lance of pain through my sensitive head.

"Sshhh." I hissed and burrowed back into my blankets and oblivion.

I woke up later feeling much better and in dire need of a bath and water. My head no longer felt like a dwarf was inside trying to mine his way out and the scratchy sandy feeling was mostly gone.

Oceanic Bank Funds increased. New total: 16,930,000

Bounties collected:15,980,000

Aozora 'Gentleman Sadist' Sado Captain of the Raging Penguin. Bounty of 4,670,000 Beri

Ogura 'Bloody Wall' Koji of the Tuxedo Pirates. Bounty of 5,010,000 Beri

Loran Swan Captain of the Emerald Swan. Bounty of 6,300,000 Beri

The flashing notifications drew my eye and I couldn't help but frown as it awarded me Loran Swan's bounty. Phil had taken her out not me! On the other hand: Woooo! I was rich! Enough to get a ship maybe?

Find water, food, Phil, and… then finish leveling up! I staggered up the stairs and flinched as the bright lights hurt my eyes. Why did I drink that much again? I entered the cafeteria and headed to the buffet immediately. I saw Shank's and Boulra in a corner and headed there after I grabbed my food.

"Sleeping Beauty finally awakes." Boulra smirked for a second as he took in my appearance. "Hung over?"

"Uhhggg… Why did I let you all convince me to drink again? Where's Phil?"

"He's sleeping in as well. Said something about his old bones aching…" They both grinned at my first question and Boulra answered the second. "You missed the Marines showing up."

"I distinctly recall being woken up, feeling terrible and hearing voices. When'd they get here?"

"Around noon. It's late afternoon right now." Boulra answered my unspoken question. "Phil told me to let you know you need to not move around a lot and he's willing to make you drink yourself into oblivion again if that's what will keep you stationary and let you heal."

"We should call him grandpa with how he fusses over people." Shanks laughed loudly as he stole some of my food. "How much of a bounty did you get? That sniper guy I took out gave me 3 million and Boulra here got five million for the first mate!"

"Almost 16 million though I need to give about 6 mill of it to Phil since he took out the Swan chick not me."

"…How do you know you got that much?" Phil gave me a sharp glance. And I realized that I'd messed up slightly; I'd admitted to sleeping through the visit and yet somehow knew exactly how much I'd gotten without spending time to count it all.

"It's in my bank. They also left a note." The lie came easily though I felt bad for doing so.

"Nice! I could buy a whole ship full of booze for that." Shank's eyes were glowing and I laughed.

"I intend to buy an actual ship with it. How much do you think I need for that?"

"How big you thinking of going?"

"Well… Eventually I want to build a floating tavern but till then… a small ship? Crew of maybe five people?" I hadn't actually thought of how large a crew I would need if I sailed on my own or if I was going to join a crew rather than gain my own. "How large of a crew do I need if I do try and buy a ship?"

"Tavern would be expensive! Think several hundred million. A brig with a crew of fifteen would cost you minimum of 80 million. Sloop for five or ten might cost you 50 to 80 million. Depends on the wood types, how good you are at haggling or getting discounts, and any special things you want done. If they have a premade ship you can probably drop 10 mill off the price tag but it'll still cost you quite a bit. Crew wise depends on what you're thinking of doing. Most of the smaller ships need at least fifteen or twenty people to sail it but there's a handful of schooner and sloop styles that can be handled with less." Boulra sounded rather informed about the topic so I grilled him some more on it while Shank's listened in eagerly. I had an idea that he was also thinking of his future and a ship.

It appeared that for my ship I would probably need 50 million if I wanted to make sure it was built the way I wanted it with enough space for me to put in a small brewery. I had pretty much 40 million sitting in both of my banks right now, including the money I needed to give Phil for his bounty though why he didn't claim it himself I didn't know.

"Where did you learn all this?" Shanks asked curiously after we finished eating and they headed to my room, apparently to finish looking at their loot. I looked around, feeling much more alive and awake than I had before thanks to the food and water, and saw that the Casanova was fixed and cleaned for the most part. You could definitely tell where Phil was fighting though; I smirked as I saw the deep gouges into the mast and deck where he or the swordsman had hit.

"Worked on the docks as a kid. You learn a lot of things if you're smart and keep an ear and eye open." Boulra answered vaguely. I got the feeling there was more to it than that but I didn't pry. "Always fancied going out to sea but didn't have the chance till Phil offered to take me along with him. Met him at the dojo where he trained when he was younger. It's where he returned to teach after he journeyed the Grandline." He answered Shank's question before the teenager could voice it.

"Phil did promise us some stories…" I trailed off as they just entered my room causally and Phil was already there. "Sheesh- you guys have no shame!"

"Sit lass. Let me check the stiches and then you stay sitting for the rest of the day." Phil ordered, his eyes glinting with amusement at my complaint.

"The bounty for the swan captain should be yours Phil. Why'd you give it to me?" I obeyed with a roll of my eyes.

"I didn't feel like getting known for bounty hunting." I twisted around to look at him suspiciously. That sounded like a fake answer and from the large ass smirk on his face he knew it too.

"Not that I'm complaining about the money but couldn't you come up with a better excuse?"

"Too much effort." He looked at the stiches and hummed under his breath. "You're healing up rather fast. However for the rest of the trip to Shattered Heart you need to be quiet and not spar. Or run. Or climb things."

"Or do anything except drink and sing." Boulra added in.

"Yes dad." I grumbled under my breath, making them all laugh. "So did anyone actually count how much we ended up getting in treasure? I know we split it up but I certainly didn't count it all."

"If I sold everything at the usual market price we'd each get about 30,000 beri each." Boulra answered. "Though some of the jewelry might go for more and your carvings could be sold a lot higher if you got the right buyer. And whatever your fancy bell sword would go for. It's a meito-named or famous blade;" He saw my confused look and quickly clarified, "so it'll be worth a lot. I don't think it's a Wazamono… What do you think Shank's?"

"The name rings a bell actually." I groaned at his pun and he grinned. "I think it is a regular Wazamono and not one of the higher grade blades."

"Sword nerds! What's a wazamono and why should it matter?" I smiled in amusement at Boulra and Shank's huffs of indignation.

"Wazamono is a meito that's sharper and stronger than any regular blade, meito or otherwise. It takes a skilled smith to make it. There's different grades. The 12 Saijo O Wazamono, the 21 O Wazamono, and the 50 Ryo Wazamono. A plain old Wazamono is the lowest grade a sword of note can be of; a regular sword would lose against a plain Wazamono. If a meito isn't a Wazamono then it's just a decent sword associated with a famous person or place and not strong in its own right. There's a book listing them all out there but I don't have it." Boulra answered me and Shanks examined the sword closer now that we were all awake and not exhausted from a fight.

"Hey… this sword's got some funny shell in its hilt!" Shank's exclaimed and Phil took it from him to examine it closer.

"Is that a sound dial?"

"Sound Dial? Like the sky island dails?" I perked up at hearing that and quickly rummaged through my bag to find my large Dial. "Is it like this?" I showed it to Phil who shook his head.

"That's a different dial. I don't recognize it. A sound dial stores sound in it and yes it's from the sky islands. It's probably how it kept making those bell tones."

"Could you change it to a different sound?" Boulra asked curiously. "Or even silence? Like every time you hit something dead silence falls or something?"

We all looked at him and he shrugged with embarrassment. "What? It'd be cool!"

"You probably could but I don't know how. I know of dials but never actually used them before." Phil answered with an indulgent smile.

"Sky islands?" Shanks mused out loud, his eyes alight with excitement. "The crew I joined had been to one before I joined but I've never gone up there… Most people think they're just myths."

While they talked about swords, mentioning ones that they each had either seen or heard of or wanted, I went and sat on my hammock, grabbing a my recipe book and the event chest. The chest itself was probably worth a nice amount. It was made of sleek black wood with bronze edgings with wave designed carved into them. Inside I found 3 black pearls, a strange rod, and 5 silver bars. Portable loot! And pretty too! I think I'll start a collection of the really pretty gems I find.

"Since you're all here, any of you know anything about this?" I took out the strange stone rod. It was a blue grey color with one tip heavier and darker than the rest. They all looked at it and shook their heads. Ah well, it was worth a try! I'd go to the bank of Jones to get it identified and see if they'd figured out what my dial was.

I noticed they were about to break open another cask and kicked them out.

"I'm going back to sleep! You silly drunkards can take that with you and drink elsewhere!" I also needed to level up! Shanks boo-ed at me as they left, probably to go to the deck and back to their card games. Then I sat down and copied over the Gladstone rum recipe into my own recipe book before leaning back to examine my character sheet, book conveniently sitting in my hands in case someone walked in.

Stats were up first; I had two points to put in! I really wanted observational haki and since I was traveling with someone who knew of it I could perhaps unlock it… except I needed 6 points to get there! Bugger… That meant at least 4 more levels or I needed more events to occur. I'll put both in the mind just so I can get one stat where it needs to be. I could also use a stronger and faster body but ah well: one goal at a time!

For my feats I wavered between Loot Senses Tingling and Second Wind. One would let me recover in combat without a level gain but the other would lead me to treasure. Of the feats that my higher Mind stat had unlocked only one really caught my eye for right now:

Weather Witch: +2 Luck. You can sense the changing weather patterns and predict where that change is leading to.

That one was also tempting! But I think I wanted more loot. I had a feeling I'd be traveling with Shanks, Phil and Boulra for a while as we were all headed to Logue Town so I wouldn't be fighting all alone anymore, so I shouldn't run out of stamina as fast. Plus I needed more funds if I was to get a ship!

Loot Senses Tingling it was!

Loot Senses Tingling: Your ability to sniff out loot and find it is impressive: you can practically hear the gold calling you! +1 Luck

-Synergy bonus: Ear of the Critic allows you to hear the voices of treasure rather than sense them.

I immediately noticed the change. Where once there'd been nothing but the creaking of the ship and the distant sounds of the crew and sea seeping through the walls, I could now hear the soft sounds of the treasure all around me. The metals all rang out brazenly while the gemstones hummed softly. That's… going to be hard to sleep through. I thought with a frown as I looked around and heard the various 'voices' of the treasure, trying to pinpoint which item matched the sound. Booze also had a sound to it, far softer and deeper but it was there. Wooden items sounded like wind through the trees and forged items clanked. I wonder if I could turn it off… It took some effort but I was able to tune them out slightly, now it whispered at the back of my mind instead of sang out.

As I looked at my sheet I realized I hadn't actually investigated that feat I'd been awarded by the event.

Ear of the Critic: You are adept at understanding sounds, melodies, and locating them as well as judging them. Debuffs or statuses caused by sound based attacks are easier to resist. Because of your well trained ear, off tune sounds are doubly offensive.

It was nice that I could hear the sound of treasure, but how effective would that be in a loud area? As for the off tune sounds being doubly offensive… how bad would it be? Like instead of a cringe I have to run away? That I would need to test out!

And, before I tried going to sleep, the last point to be allocated: skills. I could level up a skill but I was honestly doing rather well (if you ignored the archeology) so perhaps a new skill. I checked out the fighting styles Boulra and Phil had taught me.

Stone Monkey Style (martial artist path- unarmed and bo staff) Level: 1 (limit 7) Prerequisites: Simple Monkey Level 10, Body 18. Consumes 10 stamina per minute, deals 10 bludgeoning damage per strike and take 10% less damage.

Silent Serpent Style (Martial artist path- unarmed only. Swordsman path- blades and unarmed): Level: 1 (limit 7) Consumes 10 stamina per minute, deals 1 piercing damage.

Well, I couldn't learn Stone till my body was a lot stronger! And Silent serpent did piercing rather than bludgeoning? Interesting… Well, it's always good to have different ways of fighting and if I ever lost my staff I could use Silent Serpent with my fists and still survive.

With that finally done, I settled down to try and sleep, hoping the whispers of all the loot around me didn't keep me up.

Three days later we finally docked at Shattered heart. The island itself was interesting: shaped like a heart it had a cliff bisecting it down the center. On top of the cliff was a lush grass land with some light woodlands. Below where we docked was dry grass lands and sandy dunes. The people were likewise divided; the nobles and King of the Onchu kingdom resided on the elevated half, while the poorer, criminal elements lived in the desert half. Frankly I liked the desert part: it had a sense of rebellion about it and the whisper of the sand as it moved in the wind was rather pretty. But what really caught my eye were the symbols carved into the cliff side: I couldn't see them too well from where we were but it looked familiar somehow. There was also a sound on the wind from that direction; it sounded like the creaking of wood, but different. It took me a second to realize it was my feat giving me a sound: treasure that wasn't metal, gems, or booze lay that way. Since we had a two day lay over so the Casanova could get any of the damage completely fixed as well as restock, I might as well check it out right? Then I could go looking at ships to see what their costs were.

"Careful of getting too close to the cliff side, lass." A granny said as I headed out of the port village towards there. "Things are always falling off the cliff and ye don't want to be hit." Her pause when she said 'things' made me wonder just what was falling. People?

I thanked her for the warning and continued on, enjoying the feeling of earth beneath my feet. The housing got less and less until there was nothing but sand dunes and strange wind worn rocks all around me. I took a moment to look up at the cliff and I frowned as I realized it was in the lost language of the ancients. Worn away for the most part there were only three pictograms left behind.

…..b—ob-….

….was…..….

….…..here…

The carvings left had the strangest of messages; bob was here? So either the ancients had a sense of humor or the actual message had been worn away leaving only that remaining. Or some Oharian had carved it as a joke.

+20 exp for finding remnants of the Lost Century.

So I got experience for finding lost history? Or not so lost history considering other Oharians had passed by here. Maybe first time for me then? And did any words would do? Even a joke message?

"You look a little puzzled… The ancient's message confusing you, Jasmine?"

The soft voice behind me caused me to flinch and I most certainly did not squeak in surprise. If anyone says otherwise they are lying.

I whirled around, my bo staff brought up defensively. There was an old man with faded green hair leaning on a cane sitting behind me and chuckling. Wait- he'd said my name.

"Do I know you?" I asked, willing my startled heart to slow down to a more normal pace.

"Not personally no. But your old teacher Inolan sent word to me that you'd be passing by." My brewing teacher! I felt rather guilty knowing I was known by someone I hadn't met. Or had met but not in my memories as me… or.. whatever. Moving on.

"Ah... Is he doing well? And um- how exactly do you know him?"

The elder chuckled and began shuffling off. "Come along and I'll tell you over some tea. The wind is nice now but there's a cold front moving in from the north and it'll get pretty bad out here soon enough."

I didn't have anything too important to do yet so I followed; it'd be rude otherwise! He led me to a small house on the beach where a lovely small ship was moored nearby. The sound of creaking wood with that odd bell tone to it was coming from the ship.

"That's the Lady Lark, the ship I sailed on for many years." He saw my appraising gaze and smiled. "Sit down, I'll be out shortly." I took one of the chairs on the porch he'd motioned to and leaned back, eyeing the ship. It was in good condition and looked to be meant for a small crew. Observation and my own eyes told me she was 64 foot schooner with fore and aft triangular sails and a medium sized keel. So not a costal shallows ship but she could get closer to shore than a true deep sea ship. Larger than a single person ship so it'd need a small crew but not so large that I needed more than 5 people.

"Thank you." I accepted the tea he brought and eyed him wondering what exactly Inolan had asked of him.

"I am Olzii Berke and I am an old friend of Inolan's. We trained under the same master on Sake Summit." Sake Summit? Now that sounded like a fun island! "I was from Ohara while he was from some island in the grand line, I forget which… He settled at my homeland while I settled here with my wife." The look in the old man's eyes told me I might just be in for a long story. And… yup. I hid a sigh and listened patiently as he waxed eloquent upon their childhood and adventures.

"But as fun as reminiscing is—" He paused and finished his tea. I'd gone through five cups already trying to stay awake. "It's not why he asked me to keep an eye out for you. You see… it's been years since I truly sailed on my lovely Lady Lark and I no longer have grandchildren to help me sail it. They've all got disgusting jobs at the gambling dens." He scowled angrily at this before slumping. "My Lady was built in the Grandline and meant for it. This sea is far too passive for her and I'd like her to sail on more adventures rather than rot in this bay with me."

Listening to his story had been worth it! It was exactly what I was looking for! Now I just had to hope I had enough beri for her…

"If you take her, she'll sail you safely to where the archeologists are so you can join your fellows and they'll have a good ship to escape on should the government try and stop them."

"Um… I'm not going to be an archeologist." I interrupted, my tone confused. Why did he assume I was going to be an archeologist? Sure I could read the words but it wasn't my dream.. or not the main one at least. "I'm heading to grand line to try and see the world a bit, earn enough cash to build my floating tavern, and collect enough brewing recipes so when I open my floating tavern I can serve drinks from all over the world."

"Oh come now lass… every Oharian wants to dig up old research and show it off to the world! To find what secrets the government is hiding." Methinks he is trying to get me in trouble…

"Not really no. I've got a different dream. Not all who live on Ohara are archeologists. You yourself said you trained on Sake Summit with Inolan so you must be a brewer."

"Well yes. But I also dig on the side." He winked cheekily at me. "Well… if you are going to be traveling elsewhere perhaps you'll find something of interest that the government doesn't want found anyways." He is trying to get me in trouble! "I'll still extend the offer though, as a favor to Inolan."

"You haven't actually stated what the offer is… Other than it involves your lovely Lark." I pointed out.

"I haven't? Hmmm thought I had… I'll sell her to you at half price, since you've got an interesting dream. And she needs a good Captain, which Inolan's stories make me feel you'll be worthy of her." He chuckled and grinned. "45 million beri. She's built for the Grand line out of Elder wood. It's nowhere near as good as Adams wood but it's still strong. Coral woodwax coating that'll keep her sea tight for years to come and fire resistant too. The sails will eventually need replacing as the seledon cloth is wearing out. There's also;" his eyes twinkled here; "a brewery on board. Tis simple enough and you'll want to improve upon it but it'll get you started."

I want. I want it badly.

"I've got about 40 million on hand right now… Might need to go grab another bounty though… how long is the offer up?" And this was half price? Dear lord! But was it actually half price? I took a moment to think on it and decided I would need help. Boulra seemed very informed about ships and costs of things while I was more the type to know how to sail a ship; best I go get a second opinion before I bought something I would regret later down the line. A ship was not something to suddenly buy without looking it over or getting an experts opinion.

"Hmm well to get a bounty you'll need a ship as it is… so I'll take the 40 now and 5 in say… two weeks time? We can deal through the Oceanic bank that way you can wire the money as soon as you get it."

"May I go get my friends," they were friends right? I liked em at least; "and bring them to see it? They happen to know ships better than me." I think he was being honest but this was really out of left field and maybe he was a con artist.

"Of course, of course"

"Thank you very much." I said as I got up and bowed. Ship! I was going to have a ship! A cute lovely lil ship!

Now time to find Boulra! All thoughts of the strange-not-really-a-message on the cliff were forgotten as I hightailed it back to town and went looking for Boulra.

I found him alone in the market, talking softly to some shady looking character that left as I approached.

"Ship!" I gasped out, a bit winded from my run.

"Ship?" He gave me a confused look.

"I got a ship! Or will after I get an additional 5 million! I need you to look her over though and tell me what you think."

He looked over at the docks behind him. "I didn't see any small ships in town that would fit your idea of a small ship Jasmine."

"Wasn't in town. Was an older guy that knew my brewing teacher." I finally caught my breath back and grinned. "I need to find the Bank of Jones first and get them to transfer 13 million to my ocean account."

"Let me see the ship first. You seem like someone easy to con."

"Am not!"

"Did you walk the ship at all?"

"No... I wanted to see what you thought of it since you know ship costs better'n me." I grumbled with a pout.

"Well at least you have some sense. Did you ask what the ship was made of and where it was built?"

"Berke said it was made of Elderwood with a coral woodwax coating." I stuck my tongue out at Boulra who rolled his eyes.

"Do you know what that even means?"

"… No?"

"My point exactly. If he's telling the truth then it'll be a good ship. Coral woodwax is a good coating though you have to be careful since it attracts barnacles more than usual. Elderwood's also a good choice. It'll be a bit pricey though. How much?"

"He said half off at 45 million."

Boulra stopped and looked at me in shock. "And you have 40 mill already?"

"Yeah. Bounties stack up really quickly."

"Well... if what he said is true then you are getting a deal. What's the size of the ship?"

"64 foot schooner with fore and aft sails. Triangular sails. It's got a jib, stay sail, fisherman, fore sail, gaff top sail and main sail. No square sails at all though it looks like I can add one on the main mast. Keels moderately deep; so no shallows at all but it can sail the deep sea safely." Here I was a bit more confident since I knew my ship sails from my sailor profession skill.

"Hmmm if it's that big then it's a really good price."

We walked in silence till the ship where Berke waved from his porch and got up to meet us.

"Here to make sure I'm not scamming Jasmine?" He asked with a laugh. Boulra simply nodded.

"Mind if we walk the ship?"

"I'll show you about." Berke agreed and hobbled off. I scampered after them eagerly. I liked the Lark, it had a cute beautifully carved 4 foot tall lark as its figurehead where the bowsprit connected with the ship. It even held a sprig of jasmine flowers in one claw!

The ship had a flat main deck with the aft part holding a stern castle where the kitchen, commons room, and captains quarters were. The captains quarters was made of two rooms; one that held a table and I could turn it into a map room or common room for people to relax in and my held some simple worn furniture right now; I would have to go shopping and replace most of it with things I liked.

Below was where the storage, engine room, brewery, and crews quarters were. Beneath the lower deck was the bilge; it held nothing in it but could conceivable be used to store things you wanted to hide or didn't mind getting wet. The entire back third was filled with machines and the like to fuel the simple paddle that could be used to move the ship if there wasn't a favorable wind, boil water for the bath and kitchen, purify water for drinking use, and power the simplistic brewery. The right side of the ship was filled with chests, shelves, and hammocks for eight people while the left was filled with empty storage containers. The very small room at the bow was a tiny room I decided to turn into a medical bay where sick or wounded people could sleep in safety. The brewery was in a room between the small stall for the toilet and separate room with a small bath in it and engine room.

As Berke gave me the rundown of the ship and was mentioning I'd need to purchase coal or a similar fuel to power the engines Boulra was wandering about humming to himself, checking out the hull, the mast, and the shelving that was in place and eyeing the machinery.

I went and checked out the brewery; he hadn't been lying when he said it was basic; it was missing quite a few things that Inolan's note mentioned I should have but didn't need right now. But it held enough space and empty barrels that I could conceivably brew down here. It was cramped in the way all ships are, but it held enough space I wasn't feeling claustrophobic.

"You could add in a few more hammocks if you really need to. Bring it up to twenty instead of eight." Boulra said and I shook my head.

"I think that would be very tight and uncomfortable if I don't need to hire that many crewI'd rather have more space for the crew to relax in frankly. Unless I need more than eight?"

"You can sail it just fine with two people. One on the sails, one on the steering but it'll be difficult on the grandline. I'd recommend you have at least 4 people before you enter there. We actually had a crew of twenty two! But then we had enough to man the ship day and night." Berke answered for Boulra, his voice fond as he recalled his sailing days. "The bow is reinforced with steel to balance out the weight as well as to help with ramming. For some reason the captain also turned it into a treasure storage area." He pulled himself out of his memories to tell Boulra as he investigated the room I'd decided to turn into a medbay.

"Well?" I asked Boulra impatiently as Berke headed back up the ladders.

"It's a good deal at 45 million. It's not half off though: I'd price it more at 65 million then the 90 he's claiming. I'll pay the last 5 million since I did get that bounty." He answered before heading up as well. "I'll take you to the banks to get everything set up. Berke, you got an account number or are we meeting you in person?"

"In person so I can get it legally handed over. It's best if us Oharians don't act too suspiciously. The government dislikes us as is." Berke climbed up as Boulra looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"The archeologists from Ohara are allowed to study the lost century and the forbidden language but the government apparently doesn't like it. You sure you want to help my pay this off? I can always go bounty hunting…" I asked curiously.

"Eh. I'll help pay. You need a crew right?"

"I do! Are you offering?"

"If I let you out alone into the ocean you'll get scammed and be left marooned on some island in the middle of nowhere."

"Would not!"

"Besides," He continued on as if I hadn't said anything. "Phil said you should sail with people you can trust. The seas are tricky enough without watching your back or worrying about your stuff. I know you wouldn't stab me in the back."

"Ah… thanks?" I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or him telling me I was too naive.

Later that day I was the proud owner of Lady Lark and 40 million poorer. Boulra had also managed to convince me to pull out 200,000 beri from my Jones bank to help pay for the refurbishing. What followed was an interesting shopping trip: I thought girls were supposed to be masters of shopping but Boulra could put any woman to shame. He could haggle with the best of them and knew how to string along the salesperson.

"Quartermaster." I said as we left yet another furniture shop with more furniture I thought possible to purchase that cheap.

"Hmm?"

"That's what your position shall be. You'll be in charge of the treasure and purchasing of all things until we get a chef then they can buy food stuffs." I handed off the now thinner purse with the money I'd pulled out and grinned at his surprised expression. "I'm good at singing, sailing, and fighting. I know next to nothing about appraising, haggling, or finding things. Since you are now crew you can handle the money."

His checks got slightly flushed and he rubbed his neck in embarrassment. "This is what I mean about easy to con and trustworthy."

"Then you'll just have to keep me from being conned!" I laughed and we headed off to finish gathering food and then find Phil and Shanks.

"Alright. We got your purchase for way too expensive carpets from some lady in Kellbar, placed an order for paintings of all things, furniture to replace the used stuff, sold the old furniture, supplies to last two weeks, turned in your portable treasure for cash at the bank, got our stuff transferred from the Casanova to the Lady Lark… anything else we need to do?" Boulra was a bit irritated by the purchases I'd made over a denden mushi in Kellbar. I wanted those beautiful carpets and paintings I'd seen in the tavern!

"I think that's it. Now to find Phil and Shanks."

"They'll be at the Wench's Rest once Phil finishes his duel."

"Duel?"

"Some kid with really piercing eyes challenged him. Shanks wanted to fight him but that Mihawk guy only had eyes for Phil."

"Some brawler out to prove himself?"

"Nah, some hot shot swordsman who's been going around the blue seas challenging anyone with a bounty or rumors of being strong."

"Ahhhh… think he has a chance?"

"Against Phil? I dunno. Phil doesn't go for the kill and this guy looks like he fights with everything he has so Phil's kindness might cost him the fight. But Phil's strong so I think he'll win."

As we walked I noticed the area getting seedier and seedier and the people more suspicious looking.

"This isn't some nice clean bar we're meeting at is it?" I asked with a sigh.

"Nah. But you'll be fine. You can fight off the thugs here just fine."

"Well obviously, but I doubt Phil will accept that as an excuse to why I'm not taking it easy."

When we got to the tavern I watched as someone got thrown through the window and heard the raucous laughter coming from within. "This is going to be filthy isn't it? They couldn't have picked some place that got cleaned once in a blue moon?"

Boulra just laughed at my disgusted tone and stepped over the unconscious body and headed in. I followed muttering under my breath. I noticed the eyes on us were hostile once I entered and mutters started up. That didn't sound good; and why'd it pop up? I wasn't that threatening looking right? So I ignored it though and followed Boulra over to where Shanks and Phil where lounging in a corner.

"We do happen to have alcohol back on the ship. Couldn't we drink that stuff instead?" I asked Phil as we approached, eyeing the bandages on him and the other occupant of the table. Huh… Boulra was right, he does have piercing eyes! Vivid gold with a black band around the pupil made him look like he could stare a hole through a wall.

"What's someone like you hanging around a bounty hunter?" The teenager spoke up in a surprisingly soft voice. Deep but soft. He ignored me to address Shanks and Phil who both twitched guiltily. Wait… what?

"Jasmine's not really a bounty hunter." Shanks tried to say with a nervous grin. I scowled and folded my arms.

"Is there something wrong with me hanging around them? Even if I was a full time bounty hunter it's not like they have bounties. Shanks is far too young." I guess I was a part time bounty hunter? I mean, I didn't go looking for them! So far the bounties had come to me!

"Pfft…" I looked over to see Boulra looking away and trying to smother his laughter. Phil did not succeed at all. Shanks merely looked offended.

Those vivid eyes turned back to me then flickered over to the laughing Boulra. "I take it you do not even know who you are with?"

"Doesn't matter. They're good people and I don't go hunting people for bounties." I admit to being curious though. Phil tossed me a thick folder containing a bunch of papers inside. I scanned through it; they were all bounties.

"Here lass." He said with a large grin, his chuckles finally under control. "She's not a true bounty hunter. More like an adventurer who does some hunting on the side." I noticed the hostility lessened slightly and the eyes that had been glaring from around the room stopped. I guess they didn't like bounty hunters and thought I was one? But how would they have known?

"More like I get attacked by people with bounties so I turn them in." I corrected as I found two bounties with familiar faces on them. "Oh hey look Boulra… Shanks' got a lame name. 'Red haired Shanks!'" I snickered at it and noticed he had 10.3 million bounty. If he wasn't a friend I'd be tempted! Wonder how it got that high? Phil's on the other hand was some serious cash.

"Holy shit. 69 million for Staff Master Phil? Wow… I'm impressed!" I put them back and tried to give back the bounties but Phil waved it off.

"My epitaph is not lame!" Shanks scowled at me and Boulra answered for both of us as I sat down next to Phil.

"It's like they just took the first thing they saw and labeled you with that. Could be worse… could be Straw Hat Shanks. Phil's is much more impressive."

"Only reason I got that is cause I punched out a noble a few years back. Otherwise I managed to make it so they couldn't tack any crimes onto me. I almost got through the first part of the Grandline without a bounty. Pity." Phil sighed and fluffed my hair again. I felt like he saw me as a pet or something small and fluffy…

"You were trying to make it through without a bounty?" I asked him curiously, trying to ignore the piercing eyes that would not stop staring. Did the guy never blink?

"Mhmm. I wanted to see if they could catch me in action. I think they have an idea I was responsible for certain things but they don't know for sure. It'd be higher otherwise."

"So you're the kid that challenged Phil?" I finally turned to address the eyes- I mean person.

"Indeed. I am still lacking in experience and strength."

"I've been through Grandline and lived… you ought to head that way as well lad. You've out grown most of the Blue seas as is." Phil chimed in.

Boulra chuckled as he found what he was looking for and tossed me another bounty. "Dracule 'Hawkeyes' Mihawk. Why can't you have something that cool Shanks?"

"I like my red hair!" The bounty was double Shanks', which probably explained the pouty face that wouldn't go away.

"I take it he lost?" I asked Phil since addressing Mihawk was like talking to a sword.

"I had to get serious though. Kid doesn't know how to hold back! In a few years he'll outstrip me by a long shot." Phil sounded rather eager at that.

"Apparently you've also fought Phil. Any good?" Mihawk asked, he appeared to have a one track mind: fights.

"She's decent. Though no fighting till her back and thigh are healed!" He growled at me.

"I've been good!" I grinned cheekily. "Guess what I did today!"

"Misbehaved and climbed the cliff?" Shanks teased as he finished off his sake and called for some more. This den of filth apparently didn't care about his youth and served anyone who could pay; I guess that was the way of pirates? The Casanova captain was probably a man who thought teenagers shouldn't be drinking... of which I was beginning to agree as Shanks appeared to be addicted.

"Fun idea but no. I bought a nice ship. It's cute."

"Ship's aren't cute." Boulra rolled his eyes. "But the Lady Lark is a good ship."

"Oh?" Shank's eyes lit up. "What's it like?"

"You all can come and check it out later. Boulra got it refurbished and stuff."

"Isn't it your ship?" Mihawk asked dryly.

"Eh. Boulra is master at haggling. I'd be broke if he wasn't so good at shopping." I noticed Phil and Shanks exchanging a look. "What are you two plotting?"

"We heard an interesting story." Phil began before Shank's could. "A graveyard of ships off the Red line, where part of the mountain chain recedes into the ocean. Ships usually try to avoid it but there's a current that will drag you straight to it. Or storms blow you towards it. Dangerous place to sail with hidden rocks and treacherous current and now something strange has been happening."

"They say singing's been heard, fishing boats further out say they hear snippets of it on the wind, and it only happens when a ship goes missing." Shanks leaned in and grinned conspiratorially, "One of those missing ships had a fishfolk on it. He says he heard the voice and knew it to be a siren. He dove off board and swam away. Said he wasn't messing with a siren that's made it all the way out here."

"He said that while humans may have forgotten about sirens, his people haven't. They live in the deeper parts of the oceans and usually don't come to the surface. Apparently they're extremely dangerous and the legends are pretty accurate on their voices and eating habits." Phil took the story telling back. "He also said they have a tendency to hoard treasure to decorate their nests. And sirens that are eating a lot tend to be in heat so they go after ships with more treasure on it to decorate themselves and their nests with to attract a mate."

I exchanged a look with Boulra. "So treasure, potential legendary monster, a song that might just be the legendary siren's said to be so beautiful it can control you, and adventure? Sounds like something I want to go see!"

"How true is the story you think? Fishman telling the truth or pulling a human's leg?" Boulra asked, practical as ever.

"I had a feeling he's not lying. He was strong but looked spooked and really did not want to talk about it." Phil responded. "He was here on vacation apparently and on his way back to the Grandline and home. I think if a fishfolk says a siren exists and is there, it's a siren."

"It's three days southeast of here, right along the red line. We weren't going to go… but you say you have a ship… we can make it there and still make it to Logue town in time." Shanks piped up. "Can we Jasmine? Please?" Shanks could pull off innocent puppy dog eyes really well.

"Obviously! I told you I wanted adventure that involved lost treasure, mythical creatures and exotic locations! And if this siren's dangerous then it'll be safer to go with others."

"You're forgetting the hot men part." Boulra said with a smirk. "Or is that already met by us?"

"May I join?" We looked over and saw Mihawk looked interested. "Fishfolk are said to be vastly stronger than a normal human… if it would rather run away than fight a siren I bet it's dangerous. And I never turn away from a good fight."

"We've got enough supplies for an extra person." Boulra told me. "I just need to go purchase a good camera now. Can I borrow some more funds Jasmine? The one I want is a bit on the … pricy side."

"Sure." I handed him what was left of the money I had on me and he left with a grin. "And I don't have a problem with you joining." I answered Mihawk; I guess I was the Captain of the ship now so I got the final say? That would take some getting used to.

"Camera?" Shanks looked confused.

"For evidence obviously! No one's going to believe us if we don't take pictures! We set out tomorrow afternoon?" I looked at them and they nodded in agreement. "Cool. Also, we moved all of our stuff to the ship already! Lark's at dock 6 right now. Boulra's already claimed a hammock but there's plenty of space."

Let's see: adventure, mythical beasts to see, treasure to find, and attractive men to sail my ship? Looks like I got my wish!

[[Jasmine Bio 1]]

[[Boulra Bio 2]]

AN: Shank's and Mihawk are not staying with her for her entire journey, just for a lil bit. It's just for this adventure. Boulra's the only person officially joining her crew from this group. As such I have put up his basic character sheet! Jasmine does not yet know of it but I thought you might like to see :3