"They said the ship took too much of a beating," Moscow announced. "It won't make it anyplace else from here."

I ground my teeth. And what a place to be stuck, too! Mock Town, they called it. Drunken, violent, stupid pirated at every corner. Normally my type of people, of course. But, I wasn't in the mood for this kind of party so long as my crew - or, what was left of it, I remembered sadly - was shipless, moneyless, and homeless.

I sighed and dropped down to the ground right then and there, holding my head in my hands.

"Just our luck, eh? The only time we look for someone normal and we get these thugs."

I laughed a little.

"We'll get out of this," Moscow assured me, sitting down as well.

"Yeah, we always do," Seoul agreed, taking the spot on the other side of me.

I smiled.

"What a lovely little crew I have. You always know just what to say."

I ruffled their hair, a gesture which was appreciated by Seoul but regarded with annoyance by Moscow. Fully aware of this, I ruffled their hair for even longer. It was a good thing I was doing something so productive and looking akin to a drowned rat with my ragtag little crew, for it was then that the most gorgeous woman I'd ever seen approached. Curiosity sparkled in her bright blue eyes, and a small yet seemingly all-knowing smile spread gently over her smooth caramel-colored face.

"You three look like you had a rough night," the woman of my dreams remarked as her eyes drifted across our sea-soaked faces, ultimately resting on Seoul's.

As I was too awestruck by her very presence to answer, Moscow stepped in for me.

"Our ship wrecked," he stated plainly. "Our crew was slaughtered."

Again the woman looked at Seoul.

"And this little girl? She's one of you?"

Seoul nodded and straightened her posture, puffing her tiny chest out with pride.

"I'm a pirate!"

The woman chuckled, a sound as melodic as it was calming.

"Well, my name is Nico Robin," she stated, "and I was just returning to my crew myself. If you'd like, I could bring you three along. Perhaps our captain will bring you to a more agreeable island."