Ship's Log 9: Loguetown
We arrived in Loguetown shortly after mid-day. Zoro went to buy swords, Nami went to look at clothes, and Sanji went to restock the pantry. Luffy ran off saying he was going to go see the platform where Gol D. Roger was executed. I joined Usopp as he went to get some equipment and made him promise to take me to a book store as well. He had more shopping to do afterwards, so I went to make sure everything was delivered unbroken. Hired hands can be careless sometimes. On the way I stopped by a doctor's office to stock up on syringes and medical supplies. Lord knows we'll need them. Nami and Usopp showed up a little later. She said there was a storm coming and we needed to prep the ship.
Luffy, meanwhile, got a little closer to the execution platform than he intended. Apparently a pirate named Buggy the Clown wanted revenge for a fight that happened when Nami first joined. A really pretty woman was helping him. I'm told her name is Alvida. They were about to chop Luffy's head off when lightning strikes the platform and he got away. Navy Captain Smoker and Sargent Tashigi were close behind. Our beloved captain never seems to run out of sheer dumb luck, even in the worst situations. Maybe he had some sort of guardian angel watching over his shoulder.
The storm really picked up then. I had already gone to tend the sails and hid when one of Buggy's men showed up. He tried to set the ship on fire but the rain stopped him. I would have poured scalding tea on his head but the navy was close behind. Maybe I could turn that into an attack. Burning Earl? Scalding Jasmine? I'll think about it.
Nami and Usopp made it on board fine. They pulled up the anchor and I dropped the sails. Usopp went to help Sanji. A wind pushed the ship away from the shore and soon Luffy was flying through the air with everyone. I may never know how we got away from the island so cleanly.
We saw the lighthouse marking the entrance to the Grand Line in only a few minutes. We had a launching ceremony by breaking a barrel of booze over the deck. Everyone said their dream as they put their foot on the lid. When it got to me I simply said, "Let's break this thing already." And we did.
Valentine's Personal Log 11: The Outfit and Supplies
I knew we were approaching Loguetown, so I made sure to make my outfit wearable before we docked. I had a small square of fabric left over that was just big enough to use as a veil and cover my face. Everyone gave me a funny look when I walked out in it as we were docking. I said that I had an ex-boyfriend in this town that I didn't want to recognize me, adding, "I made it myself. It doesn't look bad, does it?" I pulled the hood over my head.
Sanji was instantly dancing around me, complimenting how the cut of the dress complimented my hips. He said the hood doubling as a sash that crossed at my neck and flowed off my shoulders was genius. Nami admitted that she was surprised I wanted to wear such a fancy outfit in a town like this. Luffy commented on the hours I spent working on it. Zoro picked up one of the sashes trailing from my shoulder and asked "Why does it have to be so flowy?" Sanji kicked his mossy head and said it was because it made me more beautiful. I guess I can appreciate some of his attention every now and then.
Usopp asked why I didn't start a dressmaking shop back in Syrup Village, saying Kaya would have loved to wear something like this. I found myself blushing, so I pinned the veil to the sides of the hood. Zoro watched me closely for a minute before turning back towards the harbor. Back home this dress would be considered extremely plain. I hadn't even sewn the sleeves on it yet. I'm just happy that I can go into town with the crew now without having any navy men recognize me.
Usopp and I went to look at chemistry equipment. I found what I needed to derive plant extracts and oils and storage materials. I bought books on herbs and toxins. Most of it was sent to the ship, but I walked around reading one of the books I bought. Usopp said he wanted to stop at a bobble shop. I told him not to let himself be suckered and went on ahead. I heard a lot of people saying Captain Smoker was in charge of this town, so I figured the best place for me was back on the ship.
When I got there, Navy men were searching Merry for crewmembers. I was glad I decided to go shopping. I flipped another page in my book and kept walking. One of them stopped me and asked if I had seen any pirates. "Pirates?" I responded. "What would I know about pirates? I'm just a secretary." He let me go on my way. After noting that our crates had made it to the ship, I settled myself into a diner a few streets away and drank white tea with my lunch, making sure I sat facing to a corner so I could drop my veil without anyone seeing my face. I really like this outfit.
I'll have to talk to Luffy about having someone watch the ship next time. Good thing we don't have any treasure. I found myself grinning like an idiot around my cup. This kind of life isn't half bad. I wanted to go around fooling more navy men, but I decided I shouldn't press my luck with childish fancies.
When the Navy had finally left the ship, I went aboard and hid in the crow's nest. With law enforcement looking for Luffy, things were sure to go to Hell in a handbasket pretty quickly. The sky got cloudy and then it started raining. I was glad I put my books inside before I climbed up.
Nami and Usopp came running up saying the storm was about to get really bad. The navy saw them and started shooting. I signaled that I was ready to drop the sails and they jumped aboard and raised the anchor. Everyone eventually made it on board and we got away, thanks to the weather.
In all our adventures so far, I never even considered that we could lose a crewmember, especially in a town like this. We're not even in the Grand Line yet. I need to work hard and start my training as soon as possible so that I can help to keep everyone alive. I want to make it through the West Blue, but not at the expense of someone's life. I don't want to feel that way ever again.
When we saw the lighthouse marking the entrance to the Grand Line, we broke a barrel of alcohol to celebrate and start our new adventure. Everyone said their dreams aloud. I could only say mine in my heart as my foot came down on the lid. I've become rather fond of this crew. I cannot let them get mixed up with my problems. Not when they have such wonderful dreams of their own. My dream isn't really a dream at all. It's just a promise I have to keep. The only one left to keep me accountable is me, so I'll keep it, even if it kills me.
Ship's Log 10: Reverse Mountain and Laboon
We have the best navigator in the world. There's no less that I can say about her skill getting us past Reverse Mountain. Who would think that a ship could sail a current up a mountain and be deposited in the Grand Line? The rudder broke, but Luffy was able to straighten our course.
There happened to be a giant whale at the bottom of the exit canal. Merry's ram's head snapped off in the collision, but we made it out by ending up in the whale's stomach. His name is Laboon. He has a doctor living inside him who also runs the lighthouse on this side of the mountain. The poor whale's nose is all scarred up because he's been trying to bash down the Red Line's rocks and make it to friends he hasn't seen in 50 years. For the longest time, the doctor sedated the whale, but Luffy challenged it to a rivalry and actually kept it from killing itself until we return. Our captain is an oddity that I have yet to fully understand. I swear the universe rearranges itself to make things work for this kid. We even got a Log Pose out of the deal, since compasses are useless here.
Oh, and Luffy kept two people from hunting Laboon and offered those same people a ride home. Their names are Miss Wednesday and Mr. 9. This doesn't sit well with me, or half the crew, if I'm being honest.
Valentine's Personal Log 12: Luck
A doctor. A doctor! Maybe I have some of the Captain's great luck after all. And on top of that, this crew was able to bring me to the West Blue. If we can get to the second half of the Grand Line I might actually be able to pull this off. If you can hold out for just a little longer, I'll be there to fulfill my promise.
I'll talk to the doctor once everything quiets down. This might kill me, but it could come in handy. I want to learn as much as I can from Crocus while we make repairs.