The smell of damp smoke, the sound of dice and billiard balls clanked in the background. The usual mundane routine played out to wit's end. Many say you should becareful of what you wish for, but whats the fun in that? "Hey, you finally wise up and fold? Or is your age catchin up with you?"
"Yea, yea. What did you pla-," the distracted middle aged man spit out his drink after seeing the table. It was a Full House, his mix match of cards couldnt overcome such a marvelous hand. "I-I need to check your sleeves next time, Celer! Aint no way you pulled that outta nowhere!"
"Wouldnt be so surprised if you were payin attention... or are your pockets so dry you cant even do that?"
"Oh ha, take my Berries already. Im done for the day, gotta keep a budget, ya know," the middle aged man slammed his cards and a few Berries on the table. He stood up and grabbed his coat from the back of the chair, tossing it over his shoulder before flaggin down the barkeep. "Tell me, Cel. Is HE still at the usual spot? I didnt miss him, did I?"
Celer swept his pile of winnings into his hand and stuffed his pocket, "nah, he's still there. But a word of advice, Simon. Try not to bite off more than you can chew"
The barkeep shook her head and wrote down a few additions to an ever growing tab and handed it to Simon. He let out a sigh and waved Celer away, "I'll keep that in mind..." Simon made way for the door, the barkeep eyeing him as he left. "And don't worry, Sara, I'll have plenty of Berries to pay off that tab and take you out on a fancy date! Say- Sabaody? I hear is bussling around this time of year!"
Sara wiped down the table Siman and Celer were sitting at and let out a scoff," right, I thing that needs a date is the close out on your tab." Celer laughed and chugged his booze while Simon stomped out in embarassment- the doors swinging slowly as he left. "I don't get you, Celer. Why stick with a guy like him?"
Celer stopped mid drink, staring at the door. Something, a memory maybe, played in the back of his mind. He wiped his lip and set the glass down, "we all have our vices, Sara. Only way to really judge a man, is to hold his feet to the fire 'n see how he responds." A wind blew in thru the now silent bar, the moment dragging on for what seemed like forever. Celer picked his glass back up, chugging his booze with a smile on his face, thinking," somethings on the wind... something... no... he wouldnt be that dumb."
The sky was beginning to darken, clouds from all sides slowly closing in. The small island of Palm Shores has never been a notable place. There was a big storm a long time ago that knocked over a trash bale, but nothing to write home about. Its a place where the mundane is born, and the mediocre die. Simon sighed and kicked a rock that was in his way. He stopped for a moment when he felt something rub against his leg. He reached down and pulled out 2 Aces- both colors of an Ace of Spades. "Shoot, I forgot I planted these to beat Celer... too late now, I already lost. No point in being-" Simon glanced up ahead, he saw a man sitting on a bench facing the ocean. "Hey, you must be Salt."
The slender man leaded forward and lowered his sunglasses. After a moment he leaned back and patted the open spot next to him," c'mere young man. We've got a lot to discuss." Simon sat beside the ivory man, noting how strangely he was dressed. "You must be Simon? What do you think of this weather? Strange for a small place like this to not be washed away at the sight of a high tide."
"Got me beat there, pal. Never been one for how the world works, only how it can affect me."
"Hopefully for the better, I hope?"
"Depends on how Lady Luck feels, I suppose," Simon sighed. He placed his head in his hand. A cool breeze blew up the hill and rustled Simon's dirty blonde lockes. "I doubt you came for small talk. Once that rain hits, we'll be the ones swept away. Nothing to stop the wind, you see?" Simon gestured at the lack of mountains around them.
"But," the man adjusted his glasses and tapped his pipe on the edge of the bench. "There is a dense forest on the outskirts of town, correct?" The man lit his pipe and reached into his coat pocket, almost effortlessly pulling out a wod of Berries. Simon's eyes lit up, but held back his excitement. "I want to know a few things before I give you what you want, Simon. Tell me, what do you know about that forest."
Simon was taken aback by the man's curiousity. He thought really hard about that place, but couldnt think of anything remarkable about it. It was, and always will be a mundane and unexciting place. Even the animals are bored by its lack of spontaneous event. "Well, its spans about half the island, breaks up the 3 major towns- one to the north, one the southwest, and of course here in the southeast." The waves picked up in pace, the wind died down, but the smell of rain was smothering the area. "Well, there is one thing. Something that never really made sense to me." The man turned his head to Simon, whom turned around to the center of the island. "See that biiiiiiiiig divot in the center? Its hard to miss." The man turned and nodded. "One time, I got a part time job cutting wood. I was young back then, and didn't pay attention to the signs. Got myself lost, but I swear..." Simon looked expectantly at the dense cluster of trees at the center of the island. "I swear I saw a boat in there... no ordinary boat either."
"It was a pirate ship, was it not?"
Simon nodded, "yea, had to be... but I dont remember seeing a Jolly Roger on it. Dont pirates take pride in their flag? Why wouldn't a ship have one, especially for pirates?"
"Thats what I want you to find out, Simon." The man shoved the Berries into Simon's chest. "I want you to search that boat, every nook and cranny. There is something I want on that boat. Something... splendid." Thunder began to echo in the distance, rain peppering the dirt roads. Parents could be heard shouting for their children to return home, and animals grew silent as they waiting in anticipation for the storm. "Find me the one thing on that boat, and you'll be set for life, Simon! Any debt, any ailment, any leisure! You name it, and its taken care of! If you can find IT!"
Simon smirked sheepishly,"well... uh... what IS it... exactly?"
The man stood up, lightning flashed across the sky. "An ivory fruit, the size of your fist, and as light as a feather. Find it," he outstretched his hand to Simon. "And you're a made man, Simon." Simon stood up, dusted off his hands on his tattered pants and gave a moment to think about what he was getting himself into. It didnt see like such a bad deal. He knows nothing truly dangerous lives on the island. The paths get pretty close to where the ship is, and its not like its illegal to go here. Everyone on the island knows its there, but what is this 'fruit' he wants... Simon eyed the man's hand, and gave it a solid shake, thinking nothing of it. Lightning flashed again, Simon's eye traced up the man's arm to his face. In that instant, maybe a trick of the mind, but it appeared that the tall stoic man had a devilish smile. "Im a patient man, Simon, but a busy one. I will give you a week to find this treasure. Plenty of time, no?"
"Y-yea, I'll have it for you... Mister-"
"Please, no need for that. Just call me, Salt. I look forward to your return, Simon. Meet me at the docks in town when you have the fruit. Around noon, yes yes noon is a perfect time." Salt pulled out his pocket watch, quickly read the time and placed it back into his pocket. "I'll be seeing you, Simon." The man walked away, his long legs making him seem as tho he was speed walking but to him, it was a leisurely pace.
The rain began to pickup, Simon cupped his hand over his eyes to stop the rain from getting into them. "What a strange guy...," he remarked as he turned to the ocean one last time before scurring back to the bar.
"Sorry, try not to run the floors are wet- oh its you," Sara groaned as she eyed who came drenched into her humble abode. "Try not to track it all over the place, you barbarian."
"Oh, come on! I would never!" Simon boasted as he pulled out his stashed Berries from under his coat. "I came to pay off my tab, and start off fresh! See? I told ya I was on the up and up!"
Sara took the Berries and counted them out twice in disbelief. This was over 10 thousand Berries, coming from a guy who had to count out change to get a meal. "W-where did you get this, Simon...?"
Simon hung up his coat on the back of his lucky chair, "does it matter? All that matters is, my debt is paid and-" he waved the almost halved wod of cash under his nose. "This here smells like the bubbly oasis named Sabaody!" He let out a cheer and a small dance to celebrate his turn of fate. "Who knew something this great to come to the lowly Palm Shores, huh? From here on out, Im on the straight and narrow!"
Sara now had a look of concern on her face, Celer finishing his meal took notice and shook his head. Sara bit her lip and turned to put the cash away in the safe. "That idiot, what has he done now...?"
Celer waved Simon over using his half eaten piece of meat. "So, who did you sell your soul to now?"
"You made it sound like a common occurance!"
"I can count the grey hairs that sprouted because of you, Simon."
Simon scoffed, "no you can't your bald 'Old Man'. Besides its not as bad as it sounds, I didnt do anything stupid."
"So what DID you do then?"
Simon smirked and took one of Celer's bbq drenched ribs, "simple." He took a big bite and wolved it down," I *cough cough* just gotta search for a fruit on that old riggidy ship in the forest!"
The wind blew the doors open and the rain pattered against the floor. Celer's eyes widened and his mouth hung open. Simon smirking ear to ear was none the wiser. Celer lowered the meal from his face and clenched his glass in his other hand. "Y-you mean... THAT ship... don't you?" The air grew so thick, it could have been cut with a knife. "Simon... I told you... I warned you..."
Simon finally caught a whiff of what was stirring. His laughter started to sour, "oh come on old man, you're exaggerating! That old ship aint nothing to write home about, everyone knows that!"
Celer, looking away from Simon, shamefully with a wordless expression. Simon finally sobered up and let out a huff of frustration. "Whatever, Imma be fine. Just you watch," he tossed his 2 aces onto the table and walked out into the storm. His silouehette disappeared into the distance.
Sara came back to the front looking for Simon. Celer told her that she just missed him, while leaning back into his chair. He stared at the ceiling, thinking of what was to come. A grimmace growing more and more by the second. "That idiot..."
Simon walked the path to the center to the island. It took about 2 hours due to the heavy rain and dirt roads. This wasn't anything new, storms come thru frequently all of varying strength. But something about seemed off about this time. Simon brushed it off, his embarassment and frustration getting the best of his judgment. As he walked he thought to himself, recollecting his past actions to get back to the ship safely. While there werent any mountains on the island, the divot had several cliffs and a flowing rivers that pooled at various places on the island. To get to the ship, Simon would have to descend the divot and cross a small river to get to the place the ship is tucked away. Suddenly, Simon heard something behind him. He looked suspectingly for animal tracks but didnt see anything. "Must be the rain playing tricks on me," Simon let out a sigh of relief and turned back ahead. Just as he straightened his posture, his eyes met the eyes of a stout man. One who stood menacingly in front of Simon. "W-who are you? I've never seen you on this island before!"
"Oh? So, you must be after my bounty?"
"H-huh?" Simon took a step back, "what bounty? Who are you?"
"You don't know?" The stout man laughed mockingly and pulled the pistol from his shorts and used it to tip his hat back, revealing his eyes. Several footsteps rounded Simon on all sides, he glanced around him and saw a myriad of characters, 4 in total and a small raccon dog. "We are the Straw Hat pirates!"
Shock overwhelmed Simon, he couldn't belive his eyes. The Straw Hat pirates, here on Palm Shores? According to the News, the Straw Hats disappeared years ago. The last one sighted was Luffy himself at the Paramount War... How could someone like Simon handle a guy like that. He's got killing intent, thats for sure. Simon has had his fair share of brawls in his day but Luffy was a man known on take on fleets at a time. He wouldn't stand a chance, he had to think fast. "S-so, what do you want? Guys like you, on a small time island like this? I don't get it, there's nothing here!"
Luffy laughed, "that so? Well, I heard there was a ship here. Noone's using it, so we're going to take it!" The others laughed with him. "And what's better, a loving donation for us to spare your life!"
"H-huh?" Simon locked eyes on Luffy, who was now pointing his gun at Simon. "Y-you want money? Name your price, I-I got it!"
The gang looked at each other, agreeing that they had an easy catch. "You can't put a price on a human's soul..." Luffy smirked and lowered his guard. A bead of sweat rolled down Simon's head. The rain was mostly stopped from the trees overhead but Simon was drenched in a mixture of sweat and rain. Simon, straightened up and reached into his back pocket. It was hard trying to hide this many Berries without his coat, which he impatiently left at the bar. He tossed it to Luffy, who swiftly grabbed it and thumbed thru it to count with his free hand. Simon kept his eye on Luffy's gun and glanced at the nearby cliffside about 20 feet off the path. If he timed it just right, he could dash to it and hop down, the cliffs this high up aren't far enough to cause an injury, but in this rain... he had to think fast. He had a few more seconds for an opening, and if anyone knew how to find an opening- it was Simon. "So, 30 thousand Berry? Thats no chump change pal, whats a guy like you doing with cash like this?"
"You know the saying, every dog has its day? Today was that day for me, ya know?" Simon tried to laugh off his nervousness.
The green haired man behind Simon scratched his head, the Blonde was trying and failing to light his cigarette, and the raccoon dog was biting at flees. They were highly trained, dangerous criminals. They wouldn't be so easy to fool... but, their captain has the keenest eye of them all. "Oh yea," he stopped thumbing thru the cash and looked at Simon. "You must be a good thief then, aye pal?"
Simon froze, his face darkened. Something didnt quite sit right with him. He spread out his stance once more,"why do you say that, friend?"
"Ain't that how you got this stash? This is fresh money! Right off the mint!" Luffy waved the cash in front of him. He definitely knows what to look for, thats not good. "See this? Someone's already been in this band! So..." He pointed his gun back at Simon. "You either holdin out on me... or..."
Simon raised his head a bit, his hair only showing one eye. He smirked, slowly reaching for his back pocket one more time. He had something, one thing perfect for the occassion. "You can't trust me friend? Just when I thought we had a thing goin'!" Simon's hand swiftly pulled out his most dangerous weapon of all- a comb. He launched it at Luffy's face, throwing him off balance and causing him to miss fire his gun. This was it, his only chance to make a break for it. Simon pivoted on his heel and dashed for the cliffside. His thoughts were racing, he planned out his net 20 steps ready for the perfect getaway. However, he forgot one small detail. The raccon dog that was biting its flees rolled into his way, catching his foot and tripping him over the edge of the cliff. Luffy reloaded his gun as Simon rolled, aiming one more time and taking the shot. Simon fell over the edge to the see of trees below. A loud thud resonated thru the divot, almost as loud as the roaring thunder from above.
Luffy and his gang of pirates looked down the cliffside. "You think he still kickin?" The green haired man remarked. The blonde haired man stammered over to pick up the comb and examined it before stuffing it into his soaked jacket.
Luffy laughed and looked at the wod of Berries, "whatssit matter? We got us plenty of cash. If we can hide out til the storm lifts, we can head straight to that place and begin recruiting." He spit down the cliff, "leave 'em. Ain't got nothing we want anyway."
The blonde haired man and the green haired man looked at each other with concern before the group left for their hideout somewhere in the forest.