Prologue
What Happened at the Tavern

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The cause of events is ever in the great; men are but actors, generous or mean, according as the scene is set for them.
William Shakespeare, 'The Conspiracy of Byron'


Aurora stepped onto the pier as her dinghy floated close to the harbor, the small vessel sinking into the sea as the water weighed it down to the ocean floor. The group of fishermen that were on the dock stared at her in befuddlement, taken aback by the spectacle, especially so early in the morning.

The young woman gave them a disarmingly polite smile and approached the nearest fisherman. "Can you point me to the nearest inn?" She asked, adjusting the knapsack more comfortably on her shoulder.

The man blinked at her, still in shock over the event that had just happened. She waited, patiently, for him to regain his bearings. He shook himself from his stupor. "You can try Seafoam Tavern. Coralie should have some rooms available," he finally said, pointing in the direction of said inn. "Just go down Main Street there and you'll eventually see a big green sign on your left."

She nodded a thanks and gave the rest of the fishermen a wave over her shoulder. Aurora did as the fisherman had said, walking leisurely down Main Street, ignoring the strange stares of the early morning passersby. She kept her shoulders lax and a calm, friendly smile on her face, so she didn't look so unfriendly to the townspeople. She might have had a bounty on her head, but she wasn't going to look like she had a bounty on her head.

Aurora came upon a green sign on her left and entered the Seafoam Tavern, the bell above jingling. There was an older man behind a counter who looked up from his stocking to see who had just come through the door.

"Good mornin'," Aurora crooned, approaching the man. "I was wonderin' if you had any vacancies?"

The man set all of his attention on her as he answered, "Yes, we have five rooms open. Two singles, and three doubles."

"A single will do—how much?"

"One hundred and fifty beri a night."

Cheap. Aurora didn't hesitate as she pulled out her money pouch, counted her beri, and passed it to the man. He gave her a key in return and pointed to the stairs leading to the second floor where the rooms were located. He advised her not to go any further; it only led to the roof and guests were not allowed on the roof.

She did as she was told and went to her room, locking the door behind her. The redhead walked over to the single twin bed, setting her knapsack and claymore down onto the mattress. She raised her arms above her head, stretching, pulling at the muscles in her shoulders and back. They popped and she dropped her arms, her body falling into the mattress below.

The mattress was firmer than she would have liked a mattress to be, but it was better than sleeping cramped in a dinghy.

Aurora closed her eyes, the movement of the ocean still in her bones—even on land the rhythm of the waves never ceased. She let herself relax against the puffy comforter. It wasn't long before she drifted off to sleep.


When she awoke, a shower was the first thing on her to-do list. She scrubbed at her tanned skin harshly, cleaning a week's worth of grime and odor from her body. That was the thing about sailing in only a dinghy—there wasn't a shower. There was also the problem of no traditional way to relieve herself either, but Aurora made do with what she had. Lucky for her, this island had appeared in the distance early that morning, right before the sun peeked above the horizon.

The redhead remembered the relief she had felt in that moment, especially when a leak had sprung hours before. It was good fortune how it all seemed to fall into place, and she couldn't help the grateful praise that she sent to her deities. Truly, Aurora would have found herself lost a long time ago if it hadn't been for their grace.

She shut the hot water off, standing motionlessly and enjoying the way the water rolled off her body. She was still tired, and her neck was stiff, but it would fade in time. Aurora planned to root there for a while; she was running low on funds, she now needed a new sailboat, new clothes, and a place to rest while not having to worry about the weather or the turbulence of the sea during a particularly bad storm.

Though the East Blue was the tamest of its sisters, the storms weren't always easy to endure, especially when in such a small boat.

Aurora wrung the water out of her long red hair, giving extra attention to the braids. She used one of the obligatory towels to dry her body, wrapping the towel around her torso as she stepped out of the tub. She brushed her teeth at the sink, checking her gums and teeth for any signs of decay.

She walked out of the bathroom after, throwing the towel on the floor. She put on the dirty clothes she had on before, not having anything else. She only hoped her clothes didn't smell as bad as her body had—it was embarrassing having to walk around, smelling like body odor and blood. She counted the rest of her beri, mentally noting the total before putting it away and leaving her room.

She heard voices and peeked around the corner, recording all the occupants in the inn, eating and drinking. Aurora sneaked in between the shadows, slipping out the door, unnoticed. She looked down the street in both directions, not really knowing where to begin. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. She followed the direction her nodding head landed and started down the avenue.

The redhead surveyed the buildings, reading the signs and peeping into windows. She came across a clothing shop not too far from the Seafoam Tavern. There was a bell above this door as well, jingling as she entered, alerting the shopkeepers of her presence. She gave the older woman behind the desk a smile and waved at the younger one organizing the clothes on the rack.

"Let us know if you need any help," the older woman said, eyeing the redhead warily.

"Yeah," Aurora said, brushing off the woman's gaze. She riffled through the clothes, picking a few shirts and pants to try on. As predicted, they fit her and she took them, along with a few articles of underwear, to the counter. The old woman rang her up. "By the way, what's the name of this town, grandma?"

The old woman's brow twitched at the disrespectful label, wrinkled lips pursing. "So, you're a traveler, huh? You're in Orange Town, girl. That'll be four hundred beri."

Aurora smirked at the old woman's irritation, passing the cash to her. "Just keep the change, grandma, thanks." The redhead left, bag in hand. Orange Town, huh? Alright, gotta get changed and start looking for a job.


Leaving her claymore and karambits behind was an odd… sensation, to say the least.

No matter how many times she had been in this circumstance, the feelings were always the same. The familiar weight around her hips and on her back was a missing piece to a puzzle, one she found no relief from.

She spat the sunflower seed shell on the ground, pausing in her stride to adjust the load of two-by-fours on her shoulder.

"She's strong…" she heard one of the carpenters mutter, incredulous.

Aurora didn't react to his words, instead continuing towards her mark. She set the load down, cutting the ropes that held them together. She grabbed a board and started building onto the structure along with the other carpenters. She was by no means a woodworker, but she knew her way around hammer and nails pretty well and she had the muscles to do the heavy lifting.

Feeling eyes on her, Aurora looked up from her work, her gaze connecting with that of a young man, just a couple of years older than her. His short brown hair was messy, some strands plastered to his sweaty forehead, his matching brown eyes widening, clearly surprised at being caught. She looked away in disinterest, choosing to focus on the wood grain.

The day went by in a blur and before long, the foreman yelled for the men and her to stop and go home to rest up for tomorrow. They had made a lot of progress, Aurora thought in passing as she jumped from the roof. She nodded to the men who were on her team, giving them a wave over her shoulder. She raised her arms over her head, stretching the tight muscles in her neck and shoulders.

"Excuse me, miss?" She didn't want to stop—she just wanted to get back to the inn, eat dinner, perhaps mix a radler, and go to sleep. Aurora did not want to stick around and strike up a conversation with someone who she wouldn't ever see again in a couple of weeks.

She stopped and turned regardless. It was the young man who had been staring at her earlier. He approached her confidently, a handsome smile on his face. Mentally, Aurora rolled her eyes and sighed heavily.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but notice you earlier and I just wanted to introduce myself and see if you wanted to get—"

The redhead interrupted him by raising her palm between them. "I'm not interested," she said blankly. Then, she walked away, back to the Seafoam Tavern, her stomach twisted in knots and an uncomfortable, embarrassing heat pooling in her stomach.

Aurora was going to need something stronger to forget this interaction. I wonder if that bartender had any korn?


It was two weeks before the building (a new store) was completed (or at least, the carpenters and Aurora had done all that they were supposed to) and Aurora was paid for all the work she had done, and she didn't have to see that young man's face anymore. In the days after his rejection, he had made it clear that he wasn't willing to give up on his attempts to worm his way into her life (or pants). Either way, Aurora was clearly not in the mood, especially for today.

"I've never seen hair as red as yours," he commented, adoration in his voice. Aurora picked up her pace, hands stuffed in the pockets of her pants. "And I wanted to ask, what do those engravings mean on those cuffs in your braids?"

Her orange eyes shot to his, glaring at him hatefully. Enough was enough already. He stopped walking when she did, mesmerized by the fire burning in those depths.

"Listen, creep, I've tried being nice to ya, but you just don't quit, do ya?" She jammed her pointer finger into his chest, expelling a small amount of haki to make him step back. His face lost the smile, brows furrowing as he stared at her finger in surprise. "How many times do I have to say 'I'm not interested'?" Another sharp haki poke, another step back. "How many times do I have to ignore ya?" Poke, step back. "Now, if you wanna keep what's between your legs, I suggest you give up this endeavor with me, understand?"

Instead of poking him, she slammed her palm into his chest, sending a stronger wave of haki through her hand. He stumbled and fell to his ass, looking up, a hint of fear in those brown eyes. Aurora gave him one more intimidating glare, cracking her knuckles threateningly.

She spun on her heel and left him, stomping towards the tavern. She was going to need a steak and a couple drinks of korn. Aurora had the money now, and she had been such a good girl, she deserved a steak dammit.

"It was that kid again, wasn't it?" Coralie asked when Aurora barged into the crowded tavern, ignoring the glances the other occupants sent her way. She strode up the stairs and returned after a while, clothes changed and weapons equipped. That was the strange thing about her, Coralie had noted a while back. That girl couldn't stand to not have that big sword and small daggers on her person. The redhead didn't say anything as she plopped herself in front of the bartender, forehead resting in her palm. Coralie snorted and grabbed the young girl's favorite drink.

"Thanks." Aurora slammed her drink back, tapping her glass as a silent demand for more. Coralie obliged. "I think he got the message this time. Besides, today was the last day of the job," she muttered, shrugging her shoulders. This time, she took a conservative sip of her korn. "I want a steak, Coralie, medium, with steamed broccoli and potatoes."

Coralie chuckled and left, relaying the order to the kitchen. "You know, it probably wouldn't hurt to go out and have fun, kid," the tavern owner said when he reappeared, filling the redhead's glass again. "Maybe not go out with Kota—" he amended quickly at her glare, "—but go meet people your own age. You've holed yourself up in this tavern since you arrived. Stop being a grumpy old lady and go be young!"

Aurora scowled. "Shut up, geezer. What's the point? I won't be here much longer."

Coralie raised a brow. "Didn't I tell you to mind your manners, young'n?"

The teen waved dismissively at the man's words. "Yeah, so?"

Coralie smacked the back of her head. Though it didn't hurt, it stung her pride. The action reminded her a little too much of the old hag and made her feel like a petulant child being scolded once more. Stupid old people, they were all alike in the end. She rolled her eyes when Coralie turned to retrieve her food from the kitchen.

She glanced over her shoulder at the sound of the door opening, a hush falling upon the lively tavern.

Aurora looked away, uninterested in the colorfully clad crowd. The bartender returned once again with her food, and she started in on her steak as Coralie greeted the newcomers. Someone sat beside her, but she didn't spare them a glance, concentrating on her plate instead.

"What can I do for you all?"

"Your best rum for me and my crew will do," came the scratchy voice of the newcomer.

Blue hair and a bright, round red nose was what Aurora saw out of the corner of her eye, but still, she continued to eat. She could feel and hear the rest of his crew entering the tavern, making themselves comfortable in remaining seats and recently emptied seats, as customers that had been enjoying their dinner fled as soon as they could when they saw sight of the strangers.

The tavern owner did as asked and went towards the back to complete the pirate's order.

The blue-haired man set his dark eyes on her now, gaze harsh as he regarded her. "That hair…" he muttered sneeringly, "reminds me of someone I know."

She raised a brow at his statement as she swallowed her food. She knew red was a rare color, especially out in these parts, but surely she wasn't the only one this pirate had come across with this same red hair. She washed down the food with her beverage.

The pirate continued to stare at her, taking in the claymore strapped to her back and the knives around her waist. Aurora took in more of his appearance as well, eyes roving over the crossbones on his face, painted red lips, and garish clothes. He leaned closer to her face, and she let him.

"What's your name, girl?"

"Look, mom, his nose is like a clown horn! Honk honk!"

The tavern fell into a deadly silence as the clown-clad pirate slowly turned to glare at the young boy, who was now clutched tightly in his mother's arms.

"What did you say about my nose, boy?"

Insecure. Aurora finished her potatoes and broccoli quickly.

The clown rose from his seat and approached the mother and son duo, eyes trained on the boy.

The mother stuttered out an apology on her son's behalf. "I-I'm s-so sorry, s-sir. He's only f-five, h-he doesn't unders-stand—"

"He's old enough to learn!"

Aurora stood in front of the clown now, blocking the fist aimed for the boy and his mother. "Pick on someone your own size," she said coolly, shoving the man in the chest and sending him back into the bar. She glanced over her shoulder at the mother and son and told them, "I suggest you leave, lady."

The redhead unsheathed her karambits, twirling them in her grasp as the mother fled from the tavern, her son tucked against her chest. The other pirates that had been loitering around stood in shock at the display, unbelieving that Aurora had just attacked their captain.

The man in question straightened and glowered at the redhead. Aurora continued to twirl her karambits in response.

"You're gonna regret that, girl."

The clown lunged forward with a sword of his own, much larger than her own curved blades, but she blocked him. Aurora held against his blade with her own, crisscrossed to relieve the weight bearing down. She aimed a quick kick to his chest, sending him skidding into the wall adjacent to them. She wasted no time in running out of the tavern and into the streets. She turned in time just as the clown swiped at her head.

She ducked under his arm and sliced through his torso, karambits sharp and steady as he fell apart in two. Aurora stood straight, tilting her head — popopopopopop went her neck. The clown's crew had migrated outside to view the fight, and now they were littering the streets, surrounding her and their captain, who now lay in pieces.

The redhead thought their wide, amusing grins unconventional.

Pain electrocuted her side as something sharp rushed into her skin, just under her ribs. She yelped, caught off guard, and stepped away, sword pulling out of her side. The redhead pressed the back of her hand to the gushing wound, gritting her teeth as she found the source of her injury.

Her eyes widened. The clown she had just previously cut in two was alive and well. His top and bottom halves were still disconnected, where she had cut him, but his legs stood, and his torso floated before her eyes.

She ground her teeth together in realization. Devil Fruit.

He laughed maniacally, as if he had just heard the best joke in the world. "Gotcha, girl! Now, you die!"

His upper half flew straight at her, sword covered in her blood, at the ready. She somersaulted to the left, barely missing the singing of his blade as it cut through the air where her head had been only moments ago. She continued to evade his attacks, looking for an opening. Her sharp blades were useless in a fight like this, where her opponent could take himself apart and put himself back together again. She used her karambits to parry the clown's own blade, keeping him at arm's length.

The pirate scowled, though he also couldn't help but be impressed by the girl's resilience. Despite the wound in her side, despite the blood pouring profusely, she still fought as if it wasn't. She didn't even show that she was in pain on her face—the same cool expression she had given him in the tavern still in place. This girl is strong, he couldn't help himself from thinking as he disconnected his other hand, aiming for her thigh in a sneak attack.

She groaned at the impact, hissing between clenched teeth. Instead of stepping away, she bowed down to her knee, flinching. The clown ripped the blade out of her skin, and there was a tense moment where no one moved, no one spoke.

Finally, the pirate captain, as he stared haughtily down at her, demanded, "Tell me your name, girl."

Still, she didn't. Rather, she swiped at him once more, karambit slicing through his head. He narrowed his eyes and slammed the butt of his sword against the back of her head hard. She blinked against the blackness and stabbed into his chest. He hit her again, this time harder.

She went down, face planting the hard cobblestone. Aurora tried to fight against the shadows growing at the edges of her vision. She breathed in a deep breath and swung her arm out, not hitting the clown.

But the clown was pushed into the building next to them nonetheless, leaving an impression behind as he fell to the ground. The redhead smirked victoriously before she fell unconscious.


The next time Aurora woke, she was surprised. The last thing that she had expected was to be alive. As she sat up, she noticed the cold metal surface below her and the iron bars around her. She clenched her jaw at the sound of laughter, turning and glaring hatefully at the band of circus freaks. The captain was in the front, grin wide and stretching across his face, smug at her predicament.

"Finally, you're awake!" He started, walking closer to the cage, circling the iron prison. "No, I didn't kill you, that much is obvious. I have a proposition for you, girl." He stopped in her line of sight, bending to be on eye level with her. "Join my crew!"

She raised a brow and gave him a sarcastic look. At her expression, his eyes narrowed. Aurora stayed silent, waiting.

The clown faltered in the wake of her silence, but just barely. He stood to his full height again and spoke once more. "I don't know how you did that earlier, but you would be a flashy addition to my ranks! Just think, girl, you could be a part of the Buggy Pirates and take over the East Blue with me!"

Buggy? Is that his name? Aurora stared over his shoulder, at the three men standing just behind Buggy. One's head was shaved on one side, streaks of lime green in his dark green hair. He was wiry, but muscles defined his torso and thin arms. He wore a long blue and white checkered scarf, purple cloak, white pants, and boots. A light blue sash kept his white pants in place.

The second man had a rectangular head, covered in stark white hair, round ears on top. His human ears stuck out from the sides of his head. He… wore? a white vest of fur over his chest, leaving his midriff exposed. A black sash (what's with the sashes?) held his blue pants in place, and white fur shoes covered his feet.

The third man was also wiry, but much taller than the other two—even taller than Buggy himself. His hair had been cropped short and gelled into spikes, a shade of a very shocking neon pink. His skin was blindingly white with two blue triangles painted under his eyes and red lips. He had worn an orange polka-dotted buttoned shirt, which he had left unbuttoned, leaving his torso exposed. His legs were covered in green striped pants, his feet in red oversized shoes.

Just behind them were more colorfully clothed weirdos.

There isn't enough beri in the world to make me join up with this freakshow, she thought, eyes slowly moving upwards to the blue, blue sky. She prayed for salvation, for lightning to come down and strike Buggy, for fire to rain down from the heavens—anything would have done, really. Yet, nothing came. She had been forsaken for now.

How the hell do I get myself into these situations?


A long time ago (starting of 2012), I started this story (I was like a freshman(?) in high school) and I only uploaded on , then as time went on, I lost interest. Now, I'm a college graduate, I've been through some shit, and I've found my love for One Piece again, as well as my OC. If you remember this story from , then welcome again! Aurora isn't the same as you once knew her, but hopefully you'll love her all the same.

9/2/24: I'm going through all the chapters and converting them all into past tense instead. I'm not sure a lot people like present tense and its getting annoying trying to keep up with it.