Ohayo~ thanks for joining me. Not too bad yah? It is just the beginning and I have quite a few ideas planned out. If you get confused on anything please let me know.
Eiichiro Oda owns all of One Piece. I just own my OC.
Entry 2: The Search for Something
"We need two rooms."
"Two rooms hm? Alright done. Please write your name on here." Kane pushed the inn log towards the orange haired girl with a feather pen. "Seven people in total so that would be 3500 times seven minus 7000 making the final price be 17500 Berries."
"How'd you come up with that?"
"We charge per person rather than by how many rooms or by how many nights. And since you have over five people but under ten, we take a little extra off. I'm pretty sure you won't be staying more than a week. Because if you do, you'll have to pay 17500 again."
"How long does it take for the log to set here?"
"No more than four days."
"Four days 17500 in total." The girl paused for a moment, thinking. The rest of the people were looking around and goofing off. Except for the dark haired girl and swordsman and the blond guy who was getting all heart eyed at Kane.
"Compared to the resort, it's not a bad deal."
It took a few more moments before she said something. Asked to be precise. "What's the resort?"
"Homfre Island is relatively small compared to others, yet quite a few ships come through here monthly from all different directions. When you walk out of this inn and head right, you'll eventually find a gate that leads into the valley where the Resort Area is. You're in the Market Area now. Once you pay a slight fee, you'll have access to the entire resort," Kane explained, her smile looking a bit more...dark. "But everything there is quite expensive. We have the same attractions as the resort. Not entirely the best, but it's cheaper. Now will you be staying here?"
The redhead heaved a slight breath, but payed Kane the 17500 Berries. She counted the paper notes carefully before placing it in a small safe behind her hidden in a bookcase. Then she opened the middle drawer that had half of the room keys, taking two and handing them over to the orange haired pirate girl. She got the attention of all the boys, ordering them to go to the rooms.
"Before you go. A word of warning."
The group of seven stopped and all looked at Kane with her ominous grin.
"The resort is open to anyone. And when I say anyone I mean anyone. It doesn't matter if you're a pirate, Marine, Noble, bounty hunter or just a traveler. Even those in the non-human department are welcomed. But please don't cause any trouble. We get more Marines here than pirates. There is a just one rule." She held up her hand with only her index finger raised. "The rule is 'All that wish to enjoy this resort will not cause a ruckus. Those that do will be forced out regardless of what you are.' Simple as that."
She could see slight changes in some of the crew. Mostly the deer, orange hair and the long nose. Kane wiggled her fingers at them as they left up the stairs.
"Those are a couple of hot chicks they have."
Still with a smiley face, Kane speared Hason's side with her hand. "Oh it's just you. When and how'd you get back?"
"J-just now through the back. Fuck that really hurt."
"That's what you get for being a dumbass. My would you look at that. It's dark now. That was fast."
"Which means I'm going to bed now. Done with all the stupid chores."
"What a grump you are. Fine fine, I'll be waking you when it's your shift."
Hason grumbled a "whatever" and left through the door behind them. The bar and inn is open 24/7 for those travelers that show up at all hours. Teag and Hason did the shifts before Kane arrived three years ago. Now she handles the late night/early morning crowds. There have been a few fights, but with Kane around the brawls barely last a couple minutes. The usual costumers always warn the newcomers not to cause trouble in the bar. Or they will get their ass kicked. They listen. Usually.
Again, being in the quiet was relaxing for Kane. She could hear the pirates moving around up stairs with a few random shouts of nonsense. She figured it wasn't going to be long now until the usual costumers start showing up for the late night drinks. Though it would be nice if she had someone to talk to other than Hason. It's rare for him to stay a few minutes when it's her shift. She glanced over when two elderly men walked in, fishermen finished with their days work. The taller one always ask for rum and the shorter one switches between red or white wine, depending on his mood. They sat themselves at the usual table, a small one next to the window while Kane got their drinks.
"White wine for me tonight."
"Sure thing."
"Say we noticed a group come in here earlier this evening. Been awhile since you've gotten pirates."
"Yeah that's right." With drinks at hand, Kane lightly stepped towards them and set their orders down. "They won't be here long though. Just the usual until the log sets type."
"Young'uns this days. Always out looking for adventure, going to new island, causing trouble."
For some reason, that statement made Kane's heart ache a little.
The room was dead quiet except for the snores and Zoro was wide awake, sitting on the edge of the large window staring outside. The moon and the stars shone brightly in the clear sky. A slight breeze rustled the dark leaves of the trees below the window. The waves softly crashed against the rocks and beach close to the harbor were the Merry Go was. Such a dead, quiet night.
Zoro began thinking about all that things that have happened. Him being tied up in the yard of a Marine based seemed like such a distant memory. Things are so different now since they've got an actual crew in the works. But everything that he's been through, all of the fights have been getting him closer and closer to becoming the greatest. And he'll accomplish what Kuina wish she could have done.
He stood from the window with his blades by his side and walked towards the room door, stepping over the bodies of Chopper and Usopp sprawled on the floor. The fire from the wall lanterns flickered slightly when the swordsman passed them and headed downstairs towards the bar. As he got closer, he heard the soft clinking of glasses. There wasn't anyone at the tables, but the black haired, magenta banged girl was at the counter cleaning. She said nothing, didn't even acknowledge he was there as he sat on the second stool from the far end. She stepped towards her silently, setting the clean glass before him with a smile that made him a bit uneasy. Her icy eyes looked feral.
"What's your poison for tonight?" The tone of her voice sounded soft, but sharp like a knife and taunting.
"Anything is fine."
"Anything it is then."
She walked along the back counter where bottles of rum, beer, sake, wine and others were lined along the wall, her finger running along the bottles until she stopped before one and took it down from the shelf. The bottle was clear and Zoro saw dark amber liquid inside. She carefully pulled the cork and set the entire glass container next to him, scooting down a little and resting her head on her hands. He poured half of the contents into the mug, the spicy sweet scent of the liquor tingling his nose.
"Careful there Swordsman-san. That's some very strong stuff."
She glanced over at her smiling face, saying nothing. He took a sip, the liquor slightly burning his tongue, but it was sweet and bitter at the same time. He's never had something like this before yet he found it to be quite good. And it was very strong indeed. An average person would have been on their ass after a few sips. It make his skin crawl from the flavor.
"That's spiced ale you're drinking. Diaboli Cruor it's called. My favorite and not a very easy drink to find. I though you'd might like it Swordsman-san," she said, straightening her posture.
"It's not bad."
"Not at all. And interesting mixture of chili, spice, molasses and with the right amount of bitterness. Would you like something to eat?"
"I'll pass."
The icy eyed girl let out a hum, pursing her lips in a rather playful manner. Zoro watched her while she made herself a bowl of something. It looked like short white noodles with black little eyeballs. Tiny fish to be precise. And a full bowl of it. Her presence is like that of a calm, serene ocean, exactly like the lull before the storm. He has a feeling she's the type to anger quickly. She seems so out of place here too. Like a shark among minnows. A wolf hidden with the sheep.
"So Cabbage Head tell me something."
He choked a little on the ale and glared over at her. "Did you seriously just call me Cabbage Head?"
"Well I don't know your name. And Swordsman-san is too original. So Cabbage Head because you're hair is green."
"Don't be calling people names because of their looks dumbass brat."
"You just did though..."
"Zoro."
"Hmm?"
"My name is Zoro."
"Zoro huh? Nice to meet you. I'm Kane."
She set the bowl of shirasu down and held out her hand towards him. He looked up at her with her big smile then down at her hand which he shook. Her hand was small and her fingers were slender, but her grip was surprisingly strong. When he left go he noticed something. He looked a bit closer and saw that her teeth weren't...normal. They were all sharp, serrated row of teeth. Just like that of a sharks.
"As I was saying," she spoke between mouthfuls. "You really don't strike me as the type to be a pirate or work with others. You're more like a lone wolf. So what's your story?"
"I didn't really have a choice. Wandered around for awhile looking for the strongest to fight. I became a pirate so I can accomplish my ambition."
"Ambition hmm? And what's that?"
"I will become the worlds greatest swordsman."
"Ohhhh I see I see interesting. That's quite the high risk goal you've got."
"So what? I promised someone that I'll do it."
Her expression changed slightly to a more respectful look, but Zoro noticed. "How interesting indeed. I've always envied though with big dreams."
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"You aren't the type of person to stick around a place like this. You don't belong here do you?"
Again her expression changed and for an instant Zoro though he was looking into the eyes of a bloodthirsty killer. Her eyes burned and that smile went dark. She had a dangerous presence around her. Any normal person simply would have thought she's just smiling.
"Curiosity killed the cat yes? Sometimes it's best we don't dwell on the past Swordsman-san. Especially if it's someone else's."
A threat? No a warning. Something about the girl made Zoro tense a little. Her eyes closed and back came the innocent foxy smile. She washed her bowl clean and corked the Diaboli Cruor which she then placed back on the shelf. It wasn't anger in her eyes that he saw. That definitely was a warning, but he was right about something. She doesn't belong here.
In fact if he knew any better, he thinks she's running away from something.
It would have done sooner but life became mean...but I finished it nonetheless. Side note Diaboli Cruor is Latin for Devil's Blood. Fitting name for a drink yah?
This one has a bit more dialogue that was actually kind of hard to write. I deeply apologize if anyone seems out of character. I'll probably add a bit of OC info in the next chapter.
Please tell me what you think. Ryumi outo!