Valentine's Personal Log 15: Mr. 2 and Fathers
We met a swanlike drag queen named Mr. 2 Bon Clay today. The guys were fishing since Luffy ate all the food and they managed to catch him instead. He ate the clone-clone fruit and could copy any face he had touched. I was up in the crow's nest, so he didn't touch mine. I'd been trying to distance myself a little since the events of the other day and did not feel up to greeting our guest. He was entertaining the crew by showing them the faces he had collected. Vivi and I recognized her father's face right away. Nefertari Cobra, the benevolent king of Alabasta.
Later when I had the chance, and Bon Clay was gone, I asked Vivi about her father. I had heard great things about him, but I had never seen him speak. She talked about how much he cared for his people and for her. How he was rarely angry and always saw into the hearts of the people. I found myself asking, "And you have a good relationship with him, even though he has a whole kingdom on his plate?" She smiled and said that her father always found time for her and made sure she was taken care of and happy. When I tried to think of someone like that I thought of Godwin and... maybe it's best if I don't write his name.
Zoro came up with the brilliant idea to put matching marks on our left forearms and called me down. I had never put ink on people before, but if we can tell who the enemy is, we can stay together. I was halfway through tattooing myself before he clarified that we were only supposed to draw them on. I finished the tattoo, a little embarrassed. As I was putting the final details into my own arm I stared looked at it for a long time, thinking, this makes it official. I, Valentine W. Karmen, am a Straw Hat pirate aboard the Going Merry. I was filled with pride and fear. Father will definitely be angry if he ever sees it. I'm afraid it may also be a sign that I will bring trouble on the crew. Luffy called it a sign of our friendship. I found myself looking at Vivi's arm while I bandaged my own. No matter what happens in the next few days or what happens when I uphold my promise, I will have a friend in Alabasta.
We hid Merry in a small cove and I quickly changed into the red outfit. I spent last night sewing sleeves on it and Usopp helped me make a wrist harness that holds bottles. The sleeve hides it really well. I took the deadbolt and the sunblade extracts and their antidotes. I haven't been able to bring myself back to the Plucharon, so it doesn't have one. I made sure there were several extra bottles of reversing agents in my bag before tucking quills into my belt. At this point I hadn't had a chance to make the perfume that I promised, so I told Vivi that I would finish it before we got to the next town.
Zoro asked if I had an ex-boyfriend here too. I told him that Bon Clay hadn't seen my face and it might come in handy if he doesn't. He still doesn't know I'm part of the crew. I stuffed the logs and extra ink in my bag. We agreed that I should walk a ways behind the main group so that I could see and poison anyone who was following us. Usopp asked me if I was ready to use my newfound skills in a test battle, if not a real one. I guess we'll find out.
Staying a ways away I noticed that Sanji bought Nami and Vivi dancer's outfits… to cross a desert in… I'm glad I dressed myself. It seems Captain Smoker and his Sergeant are here so I ducked into a crowd outside a restaurant. I tried to wave down the crew, but they were distracted. I overheard people talking about the desert strawberry, a poisonous fruit shaped spider that kill people instantly without any symptoms beforehand. I didn't see the apparent victim, but the story intrigued.
The Navy started chasing Luffy and the crew soon after. I gave Nami a little wave, indicating I'd catch up by a different route. We set sail to avoid detection and Fire-Fist Portgaz D. Ace, Luffy's elder brother and 2nd division leader of the Whitebeard pirates showed up. He thanked us all for taking care of the captain for him. The guy's pretty cool. He took out five Baroque Works ships with a single punch of his Flame-Flame devil fruit powers. He gave Luffy a vivre card and went on his way. I haven't seen one of those papers in two years. I wish I had one from home, but I have to remind myself that those things work in reverse as well. I can't have people tracking me or I won't be able to keep my promise. We should get to the New World eventually. Maybe I should start saving fingernail clippings.
I kind of wish I had dropped my veil while Ace was with us, thinking that being able to recognize all the crew members could be handy in the future. Considering that I should be able to trust the captain's brother, and being the captain's brother he probably wouldn't have cared who I was anyway, so it was a small gamble to avoid. In the end, however, I figured the fewer people who see my face the better.
While we were traveling, Vivi tried to discourage me from looking for these desert strawberry spiders, but poisoner's instincts have taken root in me and I wanted that arachnid. Zoro laughed at my ambition, saying that if I didn't kill myself first I was going to become a dangerous woman. Usopp laughed with him and said that I already was. I smiled and twirled a pen but decided that the ship had enough splinters in the walls. Instead I asked Luffy if the sunblade root would work on Ace, since he was on fire already. Usopp chastised me for even considering testing poisons on the captain's brother.
I had Chopper help me finish the perfume. We made the scent subtle so he wouldn't be bothered by the smell. Sanji said this made it more sensual and intimate. Both Nami and Vivi loved it. Vivi later asked me for some paper so that she could send her father a message through Karoo. Apparently he's the fastest duck in the kingdom. I found myself wishing I could ride on his back at least once when he could show his true skill. Watching him leave, I knew it wouldn't be long before I needed to write my father as well.
Ship's Log 15: The Desert
Vivi told us how Crocodile framed King Cobra by planting dance powder, which summons rain, in the palace. The powder robs neighboring areas of much needed rain and the country has had a three year drought. There are also savage sandstorms that hit various towns on a daily basis. These weather patterns are out of the ordinary, even in the Grand Line. Knowing that Crocodile can control sand, I don't know how no one in this kingdom suspected him before. Maybe they eliminated anyone who raised questions. After a few discussions and a few punches, Luffy decided we should go straight for Crocodile and we ended up heading North to his Rainbase casino. Sanji decided to go by the codename Prince to avoid detection. I simply requested to be called Secretary. Smoker was in town when we got there. That guy is persistent. The Navy started chasing the crew and I hid in a watching crowd to see if I could be useful later.
Valentine's Personal Log 16: The Battle Rising
The captain's gone and drawn the enemy's attention again, which in this case was convenient for me. I trust they can handle themselves. I gave a nod to Sanji and Chopper, saying I'm nearby if needed. This may be the perfect time to try out the deadbolt and sunblade root. I was concerned for Vivi, but I saw Pell, a member of the royal guard who ate the Bird-Bird Zoan-type devil fruit, fly overhead in falcon form. She'll be safe with her own people. I seem to have my own problems.
Out of all the people to come across in this kingdom I saw someone who might actually recognize me. I signaled Sanji to go on without me and snuck inside to assess the situation. From what I could tell, despite the number 6 plastered all over him, the person was just there to gamble. My earlier thoughts were brought to the forefront of my mind. There could be covert agents in Baroque Works that work for the people I'm trying to avoid. This man is definitely one of them. The question is, is he here because of me or is he just another of Crocodile's flunkies? The smell of wine in the room nauseated me so I made my way casually to the door. Luckily he was distracted by Crocodile showing up and I slipped outside before either got a good look at me. Sanji signaled that he had things covered, so I stayed put at the edge of the lake and let the combined distractions unfold and simply observed. I should have watched Crocodile's movements or tried to find a way to help Sanji, but I couldn't take my eyes off that man. On a side note, I've gotten really good at writing standing up, on land at least.
Vivi was in the casino. I guess Pell was defeated. I kept watching for my target through the window while the others went downstairs to retrieve the crew. More than anything I wanted to find out what he knows. After all the explosions and the unconscious banana gators, the crew came back all together. When they told me that Mr. 3 had shown up and they had forced him to unlock a sea prism cage I nearly lost it. That man made me lose some expensive shoes in Little Garden and I've been keeping my eye out for sea prism. If we weren't in such a rush I would have swum down and got both.
Unfortunately they brought Smoker back with them. I was so worked up over the shoes that I didn't notice him until I could be clearly associated with the crew. He still hasn't seen my face, but he knows I'm here. I gave him a polite bow and asked if he would like some tea. He got up and started arguing with Zoro over the captain's order to save his life. I guess it's a good thing he didn't say yes. All I have on me is my dosed thermos. I should get better about being able to make tea on demand. I asked him if he had any sea prism I could have and he just stared at Luffy.
The Navy showed up so we ran. I lost sight of that person with the 6's, but maybe it's for the best. I'm not the run up and demand-answers-with-punches type like Luffy and any interrogation I were to perform now would leave me answering a few questions myself. Besides, we have a civil war to stop. I just hope the news of another Straw Hat doesn't spread too quickly via the smokey grapevine. It would be better for the crew if the Navy associated me with Vivi instead. I tried to think back to the many stories I told my father through the letters. I had to include a little truth sometimes or he would get suspicious, but I never mentioned the crew. I always said "My few friends." Hopefully he hasn't found a believable thread and is pulling to see if it unravels.
Chopper found a crab for us to ride, and Luffy stayed behind to fight Crocodile, so I decided to stop and write while I had the chance. It was also a perfect time to get my daily dose in. Though I dropped my veil, I made sure to always have my cup in front of my face. With a sighting like that I can't take chances on being recognized, especially when we need to focus on saving Alabasta. I won't let my personal problems ruin a country. Especially not Vivi's.
I may have to write much later. We're headed for a river and Vivi says these crabs hate water. I really need to get some plastic to put the log books in or a waterproof bag.