"So why don't you tell us about yourself?" Shanks slung an arm around her shoulders pulling her into his side.
"Now, why would I want to do that?" Naia plucked his arm from her shoulders.
"Nothing interesting has happened in this village since we started coming here." Shanks grinned at her. "So, congratulations, you are now the most interesting thing." Naia narrowed her eyes at him.
"Captain, I don't think that was the best way to put it," Makino tried, throwing a quick glance at Naia. 'Why is she? Oooh.' Naia felt her eyes widened. They didn't know each other very well but Naia was known to have the temperament of the ocean. Wild and raging. Ever-changing depending on the situation. If Naia was still 18 she probably would've gone off on the man and in fact, Naia was sure she had the first time around.
"I hardly think I'm that interesting," Naia denied.
"Come now, don't be modest," Shanks said leaning into her personal space. "Luffy said you worked with merchants?"
"Yes, I worked as a translator for most crews and a third party for some," Naia answered, "Nothing truly interesting there."
"A translator?" Shanks' eyebrows rose. "That is interesting. Not a very common job."
"No I suppose not, but there really is nothing more boring than a couple of merchants trying to swindle each other. After your first few times, they all say the same thing." Naia shrugged.
"How did Garp come by you?" Been crossed his arms, his questioning gaze piercing through her.
"I'm a translator and sometimes the marines call for one. Garp was on some sort of mission and just pulled me out when the locals started shouting." Naia smiled at the memory. "There's nothing quite like a well-decorated Navy officer losing his cool as a bunch of villagers shout at him in a language he can't understand."
"I bet that was a sight for sore eyes!" Shanks laughed.
"Garp does have a flair for the dramatics," Makino chimed in. Naia nodded along as she guided the conversation away from her and onto the pirates with their escapades. The lively atmosphere was something she would no doubt miss. Hopefully, this time around it comes back. Naia shook her head. It will come back! Her eyes swept across the bar taking in the crew as they interacted with Makino and the golden rays of the sunset as it streamed in from the now permanently open saloon doors.
"I should probably go pull him out of the forest before he gets eaten again," Naia said as she grabbed her coat to head out, "It was a pleasure meeting you all. Hopefully, we can meet again." Naia waved back at them as they called out various goodbyes to her.
"Captain! You going to do anything about those pirates loitering about Makino's bar?" Woop Slap's question filtered from behind her.
"Mayor, I would need a warship and an Admiral before I can even think about taking on those men," Naia laughed, "It would do this village no good to make it a battleground." She continued to laugh as she made her way toward the forest. Naia easily made her way through to a clearing Luffy and she used to use for playing all those years ago. It would be a good training spot now.
"Naia!" Luffy shouted as he jumped into her arms, "I found them!"
"How did it go?" Naia asked, setting him back down.
"It went as well as can be suspected but I think Sabo might remember a little bit!" Luffy exclaimed, "He said I looked familiar but I pulled the line about being lonely which made Ace open a little more!"
"Good to hear. Garp will be bringing Ace next week so it seems you will be able to befriend them a little easier and in the comfort of the village," Naia said, tossing her coat off to the side, "Now, no time like the present. Let's start with observational Haki." Luffy nodded in agreement, his enthusiasm increasing with the knowledge Ace will be living with them. Naia made a makeshift blindfold out of the bottom of her pants and they were off. The sun had long since set by the time she had deemed them done for the day. She had only hit him about two-thirds of the time which wasn't bad given how old he was but his vast knowledge on the subject gave him a head start for sure. Naia carried the boy as she made her way back to the village.
"You were in there for a while. We almost thought you had gotten lost." Naia jumped as Shanks stepped out of the shadows, strutting up to her.
"Luffy here decided to take on the Tiger Lord," Naia lied, the statement falling easily from her lips, "Walked into a mess and left with a rather large catch. Want to help me bring it in?"
"Dahahahaha, why not?" Shanks grinned at her as she held out a rope for him to pull. Naia took great satisfaction as the pirate captain's eyes grew wide as the body of a huge tiger cleared the forest behind them. "Holy shit! It really is the size of a house."
"Not something you would expect in the East Blue," Naia said with a wink, "I think he'll forgive you for not believing him."
"Were you planning on dragging this back all by yourself?"
"It's not that difficult but trying to do this and hold Luffy wasn't making it easy." Naia smiled down at the slumbering boy in her arms. Thankfully, his arms were still wrapped tightly around her neck keeping him pressed up against her chest.
"He really tuckered himself out." Shanks gazed fondly at the boy before turning his attention to the woman he was attached to. "How did you come by taking care of him."
"You could say it was love at first sight," Naia hummed, "Garp brought him over to one of the merchant ships I was helping for whatever reason and I was completely taken with him. The babe would laugh and smile at anything that was put in front of him."
"He hasn't changed much then has he," Shanks deduced. Naia nodded.
"I hope he never loses that part of him." A silence fell over them as the two made their way through the village. Some of the villagers that were still out greeted the pair and the kids came running out to watch in wonder as the tiger was dragged onward.
"Thank you for your help." Naia bowed as they came to a stop in front of the small cabin.
"Don't mention it." Shanks waved her off, "You can repay me by letting me try some of that meat."
"You have yourself a deal, Captain," Naia concurred, "It'll be ready for cooking by tomorrow. Bring the whole crew, there will be more than enough."
"Are you sure?" Shanks asked, "We are not a small crew."
"And that is not a small tiger," Naia pointed out.
"Agreed but still processing," Shanks shook his head as he looked at the beast they had just dragged. The sun had set and the chill of the night had settled over them.
"I best be getting this one to bed." Naia shifted Luffy in her arms, trying to get him in a more comfortable position. "Goodnight, Shanks."
"Goodnight, Naia." Shanks reached for her hand, giving it another light kiss to her knuckles before turning away. Naia flushed as she watched him retreating back toward his ship. This was no good. Her heart fluttered as she thought of what could be. No good at all.
The dinner party went off without a hitch. Luffy was thrilled to be having a full barbeque with the pirate crew and Naia was happy for the company in what was typically a very lonely cabin. Luffy insisted on decorating the small yard behind the cabin with paper lanterns and various lighting, giving the look of a small festival rather than just dinner. A large fire was present in the center to combat the slight chill that came at night and a grill posed off to the side with the different cuts of Tiger ready to be cooked on a table adjacent to it. The crew was lively and loud as always and Naia couldn't help but feel a rush of nostalgia wash over her in remembrance of all the parties she has partaken in aboard their ship. Naia grinned as the sound of laughter reached her ears as she brought out another round of drinks, courtesy of Makino. Apparently, if she was going to be hosting such an event she should also provide drinks; although, if Naia thought about it she should've asked the pirates to bring the drinks.
"Naia! This is amazing! If I knew you were hiding in the East Blue, I would've sailed here sooner!" Shanks swayed as he made his way toward her.
"It's not that great, Red. Just a dinner but lively guests always make it more fun," Naia giggled at his slightly slurred speech.
"Red?" Shanks questioned, his brows furrowing. Naia flushed.
"Sorry, it kind of just slipped out," she stammered, trying to look anywhere but the man in front of her.
"You know you could call me captain," Shanks suggested, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
"In your dreams, Red!" Naia jeered, sticking her tongue out at him.
"Then I'll take the nickname!" A large grin crossed his face. "And this party! Both of them are fantastic!"
"It really isn't anything special," Naia grumbled.
"Take credit where credit is due, Naia," Benn said, taking the drink from her hands with a soft smile. "It's not easy to throw a party for a pirate crew and you seem to have it down to a science."
"I traveled with a group of merchants who only partied," Naia explained taking a seat next to the first mate as Shanks staggered off to find Luffy. "It was their way of selling their products. Throw a party, show off their products and inebriated customers are more likely to pay more so I had plenty of practice setting up for parties and handling those who attended."
"Sounds like something the captain would love to experience."
"I can see them getting along swimmingly." The two let silence fall over them, both content with observing those around them. Naia smiled as Luffy laughed at Shanks who had tipped over after the boy shot an appendage out toward him. As the night progressed, the pirate crew grew louder and louder with the more alcohol they consumed and Naia was content with letting them take the reins. The moon was high in the sky by the time the party started to dwindle and Luffy had fallen asleep in her lap, not wanting to leave but too tired to stay up.
"It's so weird to see him so silent," Shanks hummed as he crouched before her, gently prodding the boy's cheek.
"Careful," Naia said, swatting the man's hand away, "You're going to wake him!"
"Right, sorry," Shanks said, sheepishly.
"I best put him to bed," Naia hummed as she stood up, cradling Luffy to her chest, "You all are free to linger however long you wish."
"Wait!" Shanks' hand shot out, landing heavily on her shoulder, "Benn, do you mind?" The captain's first mate smirked but proceeded to pull Luffy from her arms and into his.
"Of course not, Cap'n," Benn replied.
"Hey, wait a minute!" Naia tried to reach for the boy but Shanks' hand kept her in place.
"Don't worry, Naia. I'll put him in his room and you enjoy your night." Benn winked back at her and Naia could feel her cheeks flush at the implications. Shanks slid his hand down her arm, wrapping her hand in his. The rough pads of his fingers gently scratched against her skin sent goosebumps up her arm as his thumb caressed the top of her hand.
"Join me by the fire?" Naia looked back at the retreating form of Benn and Luffy before giving a slight nod and following the captain back to the firepit.