Author's Notes: Goodness! 0_o So, you do like the political chapters then? XD Okay. Wow. Well, I'll add another political clip next time. For now, as a gift to our new supporters, hiokathio, The_Shogun_Shadow, and salah17moh, I want to share... I think I'll do the winter ball chapter. So, for context, "Nee-san's Panties" was part of a winter episode. Because the privateers have beast powers/DNA in this, I figured a majority of them would probably hibernate or be less active during the winters. While the Spades probably wouldn't be bothered by winter because of Ace's natural/devil fruit heat, Nesi and Baragon wouldn't do as well. In the actual Godzilla series, Baragon was asleep in that ice cliff from what I remember. As a subterranean monster, I think Baragon would survive in winter just fine because he has magma power and could easily melt or burrow through ice, but Nesi hadn't learned how to use those abilities just yet. Hence why Baragon was trying to get her to sleep. For the winter ball, Nesi was with Shanks at the tail end of the year during a war she was part of, so she's about to enter hibernation and leave his crew and the war. I hadn't quite worked out how they meet again after that. Eventually, he kicks her out of his crew and doesn't see her again for roughly a year, not counting the time skip. After this chapter, I think I'm about done with Shanks' appearances because the rest are politically involved, so Ace'll be back fully next go round.
~... The Dispatch Councilmen's Ball ...~
Shanks was idly poking the fire at his base, having found a cave for temporary use against a snowstorm. He wasn't angry at his prudish privateer for suddenly disappearing after a summons letter was given to her on his ship, but he did start to wonder. Llandala was awfully young to be on warfronts the way she had been. While he was impressed by her constant rebellion against authorities like Redbeard and Carpenter, he couldn't ignore her affinity as a strategist or her growing power as a combatant either. She had more potential than he realized, and she was building up her own reputation within her group. Amaro Pargo, if he remembered the name correctly, was a northern trooper and not easily persuaded by another's actions or words. While also young, he was older than Nesi by a few years, and even he looked forward to the coming days when he would be able to work with Nesi because she could idolize Ulogon Hawkins and challenge him in the same breath. That was something unheard of among the privateers from what he understood. Redbeard was Hawkins' top guy. Fighting him was rough... but Nesi did it.
Shanks supposed that he and Nesi had something in common beyond caring for the well-being of others. They both were wary of their arch-nemeses. Redbeard is to Nesi what Blackbeard is to Shanks: a threat. The sheer number of ships and men fighting under Redbeard's command was enough to upset him. There was no need for such a grand loss of life or a show of power. Why couldn't the country leaders simply turn away from each other and live the way they want? Men should be able to disagree agreeably. It was foolish! And, for so many men to just blindly follow such a madman...! No wonder Nesi was pacing from the mountaintops and ordering the men to fall back. As much as Shanks was willing to lend his power to that moment to stop the war, Nesi told him not to. His interference - any interference from a devil fruit user - was an automatic forfeit. Forfeiture caused more damage and costed more money.
Hearing a squawk, Shanks was disturbed from his thoughts by Baragon. This creature, or rather all of the creatures that Nesi had befriended, was interesting. He had used his Haoshoku against Baragon to stop him from guarding Nesi after she received life-threatening injuries from her duel with Redbeard. Believing intimidation would work against the pink lizard, he was thoroughly surprised when Baragon replied to his telepathic warnings with a human voice. It was an odd encounter to say the least.
"Listen up, pest," Shanks threatened. "I won't pretend to understand why you're not letting the men bring this girl to a doctor, but I have no problems making you leave."
"... Then, you wish for her to die."
"Y-you...! You understand me?" Shanks questioned.
"Hmph! I understand many languages. As a beast that has lived for many years, I and others like me have watched you, humans, grow and develop all manner of speech. The same can be said for other races of living creatures. I may not be as ancient as some others, but I know many variations of the same words you tend to use. I do not appreciate being called a pest."
"Why are you refusing to let us help the girl?" Shanks asked.
"Only we can heal this one," Baragon answered, lifting his tail for Mothra to perch on it. "Your medicines will hurt her further. Her flesh is like our flesh. Who better to heal her than one who is like her?"
"... Tell me something. Why does that Sea King bring her ducks? The one that you growled at?" Shanks asked.
"Actually, their relationship interests me. I thought he was going to attack her as well, but he sensed you and your first mate as the threats. It knew her. That's why I didn't attack and simply watched. Apparently, Gogerat - the Sea King you're referring to - has known Nesi since she was a child. He lives near her homelands. He would not disclose all of the details, but he had taken an injury somehow and washed ashore on the pebble stone beach. She found him and tried to take care of him. She gave him ducks to cheer him up. Whenever he crosses paths with her, they merely exchange ducks as a show of peace."
"... hmph!" Shanks scoffed with a soft smile. "Of course, they do. If you're capable of proper speech, why are you acting like a pet?"
"I like being spoiled, obviously," Baragon answered, pointing his nose up to show haughtiness.
"She can't spoil you anymore if you let her stay on the ground with open wounds. Let us help her."
"My apologies, but I cannot let you do that. When we are done, you may help her clean up," Baragon said, turning to look at Nesi who was fully unconscious. "She has impressed me. I did not expect her to last so long in battle. She is not ready to face an enemy like the one called Redbeard yet, but... she has proven that she will be able to with time. That is good!"
"None of you think she's too young for the line of combat?" Shanks asked.
"Your parental instincts are strong," Baragon replied, breathing fire onto Nesi's body. He watched over this process for a minute before scrunching up his nose and tilting his head cutely, "If not a bit late. You probably shouldn't confuse everyone with your jokes. They'll find you strange. Your inquiry is odd. Why do you believe she can handle a life of piracy but not a life of war?"
"War changes people. Pirates accept people no matter what walk of life they're in."
"Why is death on the battlefield worse than death by a pirate? It is still death, and it still can change a person. Are you afraid that she'll change?"
"How did you feel about her burying her friend? You don't think that hurt her?"
"She did not bury him. She cremated him. She doesn't believe in burials. I enjoyed her funeral service for the lost friend, personally. It is a pity that you didn't see it. Her rival always wanted to have dinner with her, so she made him a feast in his honor. She's keeping the ashes until she can bring them to his brother. Grave robbers will just take his necklace. She decided to keep it. Her friend didn't die from war, however, Captain Shanks. He was in mourning and lost his will to live. She decided to respect his wishes. I didn't hear what he said to her before his execution, but I did hear her promise to honor him. Are you afraid she'll lose her will to live or something?"
"She doesn't need to be so familiar or comfortable around death!"
"You have much to learn about what makes this one happy then," Baragon replied, turning to the captain. "She is ready for you to take her. The flames won't burn."
Shanks and Baragon merely stared at each other before a hooded figure came into the cave. The person removed the fur hood and revealed the girl in question on that day. Nesi Llandala was dressed quite nicely and was wearing makeup.
"Eh? You look cute, brat!" one of the men complimented, walking up to her to inspect.
"Why are you in this cold cave, uncle?" Nesi asked. "This snowstorm is supposed to get bad this evening."
"Meh, we're men! We can handle a little cold wind!" the crewmate cheered.
"Oh? I guess you won't be needing a warm giggle or two then," Nesi said, turning to nod at a group of hooded figures.
Giggles and a group of beautiful women came trailing or hopping inside of the cave to wave. They were quite excited and flushed from the cold. The men immediately stood at attention and started blushing at the beauties trailing in... including Benn.
"Well, I mean we don't have to stay in here, right?" Benn questioned, stealing a glance at Shanks.
"As gratitude for docking at Poseidon's Wharf and returning me to the privateers, I humbly invite you to one of Hawkins' lodges for these next few days," Nesi said, spitting on Shanks's fire and putting it out. She pointed up at the ceiling and waved her finger around to then say, "Get your ass out of this miserable place, uncle. It's terrible!"
"Where are you going dressed like that, young lady?" Shanks asked, narrowing his eyes at Nesi but keeping his smile.
"Come, Snookums!" Nesi called, catching Baragon in her arms. He was wearing a furry coat himself. Little bastard was milking the girl's attention! She then replied, "I'm off to the winter ball. Lord Hawkins and Lord van der Does are calling the men back. We're preparing for hibernation. These ladies are here to entertain you. There's food and drink for you at the lodge I had reserved. Hope you like it!"
"I won't. You won't be there with us," Shanks replied. "And you need protection. What are you wearing under that cloak?"
"A very nice and very warm dress!" Nesi replied with a big, bright smile. "Her ladyship picked it out for me!"
"Little girl, if that dress shows skin, you are not going," Shanks threatened.
"It's too cold for skin. Anyway, there's no need to worry, uncle. I have work to turn in before I can enjoy the dinner. I'll be back in my suit by tomorrow evening. Now get out of this cave! The ladies will freeze!" Nesi said with stomp and puffing of her cheeks.
"Oh no. That's terrible manners. Why don't I offer my coat?" Benn asked, cuddling up to one pretty woman who simply laughed at his antics.
Nesi took that as her cue and led the Reds to the lodge. It wasn't far. Once they had gotten close enough, the ladies took the men the rest of the way there. Nesi was quickly running over to what must've been her personal lodging since she had a key. She turned on some lights on the first floor and started gathering paperwork and leather tubes. She left the door unlocked for guests most likely... which was the perfect excuse to use stealth and merely supervise what kind of guests came in and out. About one or two people came in to take documents from her. After that, he heard her moving things for her war strategy maps. She must have been updating her findings. Welp, now would be the time to... pounce!
"Boo."
"EEEEKKKK!" Nesi shrieked. "What're you doing in here, you creeper!?"
"Well, it's cuddle season," Shanks said with a shrug, removing his hood.
"That's what the ladies were for!" Nesi argued, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I don't have time for you."
"Apprentice Llandala, your report from the West Blue station," a privateer captain requested from the door.
"Yes, sir!" Nesi replied with a hustle. When the man left, she asked, "Are you gonna be here the whole time?"
"... If the dress you're wearing is too revealing, you're not going to the party and that's final," Shanks lectured.
"BUT! Uncle!"