Yo~! Sorry I took so long! I injured my finger so now it won't bend...It'll be fixed in two days at least. So that's why it took so long...Sorry D:
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Please R+R and enjoy~!
(Eve's P.O.V.)
"Whoa! What a huge fish!"
"Wow!"
"It's so funky!"
"AHAHAHAHAHA THAT'S THE GOOFIEST SHIP I'VE EVER SEEN!" The Baratie looked goofy in the anime, but seeing it floating there a few meters away just seemed to be the icing on the hilarious cake. Tears streamed from my eyes and I gripped my sides as I rolled across the deck, laughing until it hurt.
Zoro nudged me in the ribs with his foot, jolting me out of my hysterics. "Oi, quit it. The Marines are here."
I sat up, wiping tears of mirth from the edges of my eyes with the back of a hand, still chuckling softly to myself. It must've struck a chord or something, because those fish eyes were HUGE! Ahahahaha…!
I watched as Fullbody came out and taunted Johnny and Yosaku for being "captured" by pirates. After taking the bait and getting pounded into the ground, Fullbody proceeded to "warn" us that the next time we'd meet, our lives would be forfeit. I only smiled creepily at him through half-lidded eyes as he turned around to order his cannons to fire on us.
Usopp started freaking out and shouting loudly. I tuned him out and I got to my feet, yawning with half-lidded eyes as I walked over to Luffy where he was preparing to rebound the cannonball. I watched with an amused smirk on my face as Luffy slipped and the cannonball exploded on the Baratie. I whistled appreciatively at the shock and/or stunned expressions on their faces while I admired the smoke curling off the building. "Nice aim Captain, give it a few more centuries and you might be half as good as Usopp!" Luffy fell backwards off the railing in shock while everyone else choked on air.
I sighed softly, chuckling under my breath as I saw the rowboat paddle furiously over from the Baratie to claim our Captain. I picked him up onto his feet and dusted off his shoulders as I said, "Don't worry Luf, I'm sure you'll only have to work here a month or two." I felt him stiffen in despair.
"A-a month! But we need to get a chef and go to the Grand Line nooooowww~!" Luffy continued to spout several obnoxious protests as we loyally gave him up to Patty and Carne. I chuckled at his expression and slouched against the mast, filling my lungs with the fresh and beautiful ocean air as I started to doze.
Someone inside Fullbody's Ship…
The man casually strolled through the hallways as if he owned the ship, a certain prisoner's cell key clinking cheerfully on his left hand's index finger as he spun it in circles carelessly. He was whistling a cheery tune that echoed off the thin walls of the ship as he headed to the brig.
Look ahead, look-astern,
Look the weather in the lee!~
His feet walked with the rhythm of the song, passing by empty cells as he headed towards the end of the hall.
Blow high! Blow low! And so sailed we.
I see a wreck to windward~ And a lofty ship to lee!
A-sailing down along,
The coast of High Barbary~.
His feet smoothly stopped and silence ensued as he looked into the last cell with a grin on his face that did not reach his eyes. Two eyes opened in an untrusting glare trying to pierce the stranger who merely continued whistling the tune softly as he unlocked the cell.
We'll back up our topsails
And heave vessel to.~
Blow high! Blow low! And so sailed we.~
For we have got some letters,
To be carried home by you.~
A-sailing down along,
The coast of High Barbary~.
(Eve's P.O.V.)
After a short, five minute nap and a few minutes of waiting, I sighed and got to my feet, stretching my arms above my head as I walked into the women's quarters. I gained a few questioning looks but I ignored them with practiced ease as I packed up everything I had into my backpack and took two bottles of water from the kitchen. I walked out and nudged Zoro's knee with a foot, jabbing a thumb over my shoulder towards the Baratie.
"Yo, I'mma go in there a bit early, wait a bit and then come in when you'd like. I've got some stuff I wanna scout out."
He opened an eye and looked at me questioningly, before grunting what I took to be his assent. I stepped onto the wooden boards of the Baratie's front deck just as Gin disappeared inside the doors. I winced when I heard the gunshot ring out and I silently mouthed a prayer for the dead marines as I skirted his body.
When I walked in, everyone's attention was on Gin and Patty as they argued, and only Zeff seemed to notice me for half a second before reverting his attention back to Gin as he pointed a gun at Patty's head. I slowly started making my way around the room, skirting the edges of the customers as they cheered Patty on after he slammed Gin into the table, breaking it in the process.
Patty crossed his arms in satisfaction. "If you can't pay the bill, then you ain't no customer!"
Gin was on the floor, trying to shakily get up as his stomach screamed with hunger rather painfully.
Patty grinned down at Gin's beaten-up form and said tauntingly, "Oh? Is that your stomach rumbling?"
Gin just grinned spitefully up at him, a glare evident in his eyes as blood dripping from the sides of his mouth. "That was just...me farting you moron...So hurry up...and bring me some food."
Patty snapped and yelled, "If you're not a paying customer, then get the heck out of here!" His foot sped towards Gin's ribs as I finally rushed forward and blocked it with my own, "tsking" in annoyance.
"Hey, hey, keep your feet to yourself, we was jus' leavin' aight?" I said, giving myself a slightly deeper voice and a corny Brooklyn accent. But they wouldn't know Brooklyn, because I am amazing! HAHA! Aah...Man I wish Puuya wasn't sleeping right now.
Your wish is my comma-
GO BACK TO SLEEP! I NEED TO FOCUS!
...Meanie…
"Wh-what do you think you're doing?!" Patty spluttered, shocked I had intervened. I ignored him as I pulled one of Gin's arms over my shoulders, walking out the back and giving Sanji a pointed look. I felt hot, labored breath on my left ear as Gin hissed something to me.
"What the heck do you think you're doing?!"
I grinned as I kicked the door shut behind us and we hobbled over to the railing where I kneeled and let him slide off my shoulders. His back fell against the wooden railing with a coarse "thump".
I slid my backpack off and it hit the wooden planks before I unzipped the largest pocket. "Here, drink up." I said, tossing him one of the water bottles from my backpack. He hesitated, looking at the water with an untrusting glare. I chuckled quietly, pulling the other bottle from my backpack, opening it and taking a sip before rolling it across the deck to him. "It's safe, go a'ead, I can see you drooling from over 'ere."
No sooner had the words left my mouth than Gin had scooped up the bottle, starting to guzzle it. I sat on some crates a few feet away as the back door opened and Sanji came out, the crates behind the door and obscuring me from his sight momentarily. Sanji turned his head left to right, looking confused for a moment before shutting the door and walking over to Gin who had already finished one bottle and was reaching for the other.
"Eat." He said simply, setting the plate down next to Gin as he sat a little ways away. Gin dove for it like a hungry animal. Which he was. Tears started cascading down his face once the heavenly taste hit him.
"I don't know what to say…! I-I've never had such delicious food...in my entire life! I'm so grateful…! I thought..I thought I was going to die…! I thought it was all over for me..!" He choked out between bites.
Sanji smirked, his cigarette in his mouth as he said, "It's darn good right?"
I still sat there, unnoticed in the shadow of the roof as I peeked up at Luffy who grinned down at Sanji and Gin. I inwardly smiled to myself, resting my chin on my hands as I watched the proceedings.
"Lucky! You got some food!" Luffy called, his jaw-breaking grin amazing me yet again. Sanji and Gin looked up, noticing him for the first time. "You were almost about to die before too! Hahaha!" He laughed, before continuing. "Hey cook! Join my crew will ya?! Be the cook for my pirate ship!"
…
"Huh?!" Gin and Sanji both said in sync.
I tuned out their conversation for a while, until Gin told Luffy to give up on going to the Grand Line, that got my attention as I sat a little straighter.
"You're still young, no need to rush recklessly into things. Besides, the Grand Line is just one part of all the oceans in this world. If you want to be a pirate, there's plenty of other seas for you to roam out there."
Luffy was sitting on the railing a little bit behind Gin as he said, "Oh...Do you happen to know something about the Grand Line?"
Gin held his head in his hands despairingly, sweating bullets as he remembered his living nightmare. "No..! I don't...I don't know anything...That's why it's so terrifying..!"
Sanji released a stream of smoke from his lips. "For a member of the Krieg pirates, you sure are acting like a scaredy cat."
I inwardly snorted, he has no idea what Gin's been through. Or what he's about to go through.
I realized I had zoned out for a moment, lost in my thoughts until I saw Gin on the little boat Sanji gave him.
"And Sanji, thank you so much for the food. You're my saviour, that meal was really the best I've ever had. Though I wonder where that guy who helped me went...Is it okay if I come here to eat again?" He smiled, genuinely smiled.
I smiled behind my hands, disguise success!
Sanji smiled down at him behind his cigarette. "Sure, anytime."
"HEY! ERRAND-BOY! SO THAT'S WHERE YOU ARE!" Zeff had found us, and he saw the empty dishes Gin had eaten off of.
I watched as Sanji told Gin to go before throwing the dishes off the railing and into the ocean, disposing the evidence. He'd make a terrible detective. Haha~!
"How can I be scolded, if there's no evidence?" He mused, watching as Gin bowed to Sanji in gratefulness. "Don't you get caught again Gin!"
I chuckled softly, slipping away unnoticed into the back door. I walked into the main room just as the rest of the crew showed up and sat themselves down at a table. "Yo! Minna!" I called, raising a hand in greeting as I sat on Usopp's lap...Which I was promptly shoved off and onto the chair next to him.
"The heck have you been?" Grunted Zoro.
I shrugged, hands in the pockets of my hoodie. "Around, here and there. Looks like Luffy has to be an errand boy for a year." I laughed along with them. Even Nami was giggling. "Speak of the devil," I said, pointing to Luffy who was walking over to take our order. Usopp was grinning along with the rest of us.
"Ack! It's you guys!"
"Hey errand boy!" Nami called, smiling and waving him over.
Usopp sneered at him, a wide smile on his face as he choked down his earlier laughter. "Heard you have to work here for a year."
Zoro took up the baton, "Would it be alright to redraw the ship's flag?"
I snorted, leaning back in my chair with my arms crossed over my chest, watching them with a smile. I cringed and looked away when Zoro forced Luffy to eat the booger-water. I shivered inwardly, gagging. Ew…
"O'Blessed are for bringing me this fine day! O'Love! Laugh if you will, at my poor self who cannot endure his tortuous passions!" Sanji exploded into hearts and I visibly cringed, no longer able to hold it back. Are you kidding me?! He continued his love-rant as he noodle-danced around Nami, arms spread wide in declaration.
"As long as I can be with you, I'm prepared to walk across any path, be it the paths of a pirate or a devil!" His eyes...were hearts.
I deadpanned, suddenly very thankful of my foresight. Dear Kami what has Oda done…
"But alas! 'Tis tragic there is such a great obstacle standing between the two of us!"
"By obstacle, do you mean me Sanji?" Zeff had come up behind Sanji and was leaning against a chair. But I didn't care as I zoned out, lost in my thoughts as I prepared for what I knew was to come. I didn't get very far before I was jarred from my thoughts when Usopp started fighting with Sanji.
"I already gave you some tea! You could at least say a word of thanks for that, punk!"
"Thank you." I cut in, to no effect for it went unnoticed. I shrugged to Zoro, who was enjoying his own tea.
"Wha'?! You wanna start something is that it?! I ain't gonna go easy on you! Get'im Zoro!-"
"Get him yourself!" Zoro sweatdropped, ignoring Usopp as Nami enjoyed her fruit Macedonia that Sanji had given her.
Usopp took it in stride, pointing at his almost-empty plate. "You haven't even cleared our plates yet!"
"But you still have mushrooms left! Finish it!" He shot back smoothly, still smoking.
Usopp got in Sanji's face, his nose bending. "I left them on purpose because I hate mushrooms. I was poisoned by one when I was a kid."
Sanji wasn't intimidated. "Well this one ain't poisoned so eat up long-nose!"
I sighed, resisting the urge to rub my forehead because of the bandages. Their grammar is killing me...I think I'm wilting..Urgh…
Zoro noticed and tuned the others out as he poked me in the ribs with a finger. "Hey, you alright?"
I nodded, chewing my bottom lip habitually. "Yeah...I'm fine. Something's been nagging me though."
Zoro waited for me to elaborate, I looked down into my almost empty tea glass, swishing the last gulp around in the cup.
"Well," I said, lowering my voice so only Zoro could hear. "If I don't want to be treated like that," I discreetly pointed to Sanji fawning over Nami again, ignoring Zoro's muttering of "witch". "Then what am I gonna do when that cook joins and finds out about...me?"
Zoro raised an eyebrow, before sighing. "That cook's joining huh? Geez that explains your new fashion sense.. I don't know the answer yet, Eve. This isn't something easily taken care of." I wilted even more. "But," he continued, grinning from behind his cup. "Just remember that you're not alone. I won't let him do anything to you, alright Eve?" I smiled slightly at that, straightening to look him in the eyes.
"Alright." I nodded, before something suddenly occurred to me as Sanji dragged Luffy away to work. "Oh, I guess my name should be Evan now, hmm?"
Zoro chuckled, before shrugging. "If you're really going through with this crazy and desperate plan of yours, then yes."
I chuckled as well, downing the last of my tea.
On the Merry-Go, Eve-I mean, Evan's P.O.V.
I sat in the women's quarters, savoring every moment I could steal in there as I realized I would have to bunk with the men in order to hold up my front. I shivered, severely re-thinking my decision before shaking my head in determination. No! You need to stop giving up right now! Besides, it's not like I have to change in front of them! I just have to sleep in the same room is all. It'll be fine, Zoro said he'll help so..so I can make this work! I will! I CAN DO THIS!
Yay Boss! Pep-talk! Pep-talk! Peppppppp!
Oh. You're awake. What's it like when you sleep?
When I sle- Oh! Yeah that. Well first I go to sleep..and then I dream...and then I recharge my energy~!
Oh. That's..boring. I'm going to go think of fun things now, so stay out of my head.
But Boss~ We're connected! I cannnnnn't~
Please STOP WHINING! If you really can't leave my head then you should already know how much I hate it when people whine or grovel.
Yes Boss.
..Sorry I'm just sort of stressed out right now. I didn't mean to be so short, your voice just makes my head ring sometimes. It's distracting.
Do you want me to be quiet?
No, no it's okay. Actually, I was wondering if you could tell me the more specific details of my blades? And how many Upgrade Points I have?
Sure thing~! So, you "bought" a pair of hidden blades level one that can appear whenever you will them to, so long as you're not touching kairoseki etc.
I know all of this already, Puuya.
Right, well. Currently their durability is that of poor quality cheap iron that any old joe could buy. So...They'll break soon if you don't upgrade.
How many points do I have right now?
Well in your last battle you collected 25 UP from beating Jango, 5 UP for all the damage you did to him, 10 UP for taking out a lot of the underlings, and 10 special willpower UP.
Willpower?
Yeah! Your willpower skills leveled up!
Wait, skills? You mean like in a video game? Are you kidding me right now? I have a skill-box that I didn't know about?!
I..Um, forgot to mention it..?
Guarr…..ggh! Fine..whatever. Let me see it on my glove-screen.
Right away Boss!
I materialized my gloves and looked at my right hand above the wrist. The screen flickered on and the screen started moving itself until the right app was on the screen. I tapped it, sliding down the wall to sit on the ground by my old hammock.
Physical Stats:
VIT- 50
STR- 5
AGL- 5
SPD- 5
INT- 5
DXT- 5
I...have...NOOB STATS ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! QUICKLY! SHOW ME THE POINTS I CAN SPEND!
W-Well these points would be PSP's so you have...Oh! Quite a lot! Let's see...You have 50 PSP's!~
I quickly divided the points as best I could, sighing in relief when I felt a lot less nooby. That was close...I think I almost lost it for a second there.
Physical Stats:
VIT- 60
STR- 15
AGL- 15
SPD- 15
INT- 14 (I'm already slightly narcissistic I don't think I need to worry too much about how smart I am.)
DXT- 15
I stretched my arms for a second, feeling refreshed from the upgrade, new techniques for my blades in mind.
Wow! That felt..good! Thanks Puuya!~
You have the emotional stability of a yo-yo!
I know right?! I'm amazing.~
And a lost cause!~
And Sanji thinks I'm a boy!
I chuckled quietly to myself, the others just now getting back on the boat after eating. I looked at my gloved hands, turning them this way and that as I smiled.
Another day in the neighborhood with Sanji~ I'm gonna play with his mind to-day~
Awkward ending, yes, I know...BLEGH! But I have a bad finger so blehehehehehe to you!
Anyways~ Shout-out to my new followers/favorites!
FallTigerKisa, Magic126, Rina Dragonfly, Skipper917 (thanks for your review, here's an extra cookie!), Waltzing Shadow (Love your name, it made me JELLY), Asuka27852, XxHeartMenderxX, and kage kitsune 14!
Thank you all :D I love you~ You people are like... 60-75% of my motivation, right there. :D
I don't have a schedule yet, but I'll try to work on it.
Anyways, have a good week and here's chapter 8! :3 Ciaossu~