Igaram insisted on leaving to act as a decoy, so as to facilitate their escape with Vivi – just because the Unluckies were out of the picture didn't mean word of Miss Wednesday's escape wouldn't spread. Brynlee decided against saying anything – she didn't know how Igaram made it out the first time around, and she didn't want to tamper with his chances of survival.

Still, there was a mild twinge of guilt when his ship went up in flames and pieces, and Vivi's scream pierced the air. As she collapsed to her knees, Brynlee squeezed her shoulder in a show of support.

"Don't worry. He's fine."

"Igaram just—"

"He's fine. He will find you again in Alabasta."

Nami let out a breath of relief. "Come on, Vivi. Just trust Brynlee on this—"

That seemed to be the wrong thing to say, for Vivi pulled away from them both and turned ot face them, tears streaming down her face and anger twisting her regal features. "Trust!? I wouldn't trust that- that monster if my life depended on it!"

Brynlee paused, barely even registering the words that were spat in her face. Zoro and Sanji immediately stiffened.

Usopp spluttered. "What—watch what you say!"

Nami clenched her fists, now getting angry. "Don't talk to her that way!"

"Bryn's not a monster!" immediately jumped in Luffy. "Take it back!"

Tempers were rising quickly and, while Brynlee was flattered they seemed so eager to defend her, she knew it wouldn't do anyone any good if their relationship took such a rocky start. So, she quickly stepped in and gestured for the others to calm down.

"Enough." She then glanced toward Vivi, who was trembling. "Princess, care to clarify that statement? I swear, none of us will hurt you, so just be honest."

After hesitating, she broke. "You- you're a horrible person! You possess the power and might of an entire army, as well as knowledge of things you really shouldn't know. It feels- it feels like you read people like books and act as you see fit to make them dance to your tune, and then expect them to be thankful for it! You- you killed the Unluckies without a moment of hesitation! You killed my partner in cold blood, and now one of my dearest friends is gone as well and you tell me not to grieve, and that I should somehow trust the word of someone who clearly doesn't care about people other than her own!?"

That's… not entirely inaccurate, I suppose.

Another silence followed as everyone digested the accusations, mostly waiting to see what Brynlee would say or do in answer – they'd never seen her truly angry before, and now wondered if this altercation might trigger something.

"Your partner… Do you mean that Mister 9 guy?" suddenly asked Zoro.

"Yes!"

"I'm the one who beat him up. Came running into the fight screaming something about you getting kidnapped, and how he was gonna save you…?" He shrugged, not really remembering. "Didn't make any sense – beat him in two seconds flat."

Vivi's anger immediately faltered. "But- but she told me she took care of him…"

Realization dawned on Brynlee. "I feel like we may have had a misunderstanding. I didn't kill your partner back then – I just knocked him out."

"But- but you said you'd been cruel!"

"I mean, I probably knocked a couple of teeth out – I definitely punched him harder than what was truly necessary to take him down."

"That's…"

"I apologize for that one: clearly, what I said was vague and led you to believe the worse, and I'm sorry to have scared you like this," admitted Brynlee. "And I can't yet tell you how I know what I know, or why I do what I do. But whether you trust me or not, you asked our crew to help you, and we've already agreed to it. That means we will do what we must to get you home, and you don't have much choice but to believe in us from here on out."

For only answer, Vivi lowered her head, her exhaustion clearly getting to her. Nami sighed, stepping up and silently guiding her back inside so she could lay down and get some rest.

A voice called out to them before they could get inside, though.

I feel like Brynlee's personality might be a bit jarring to people who don't know her well or who have only just met her. And with Vivi on the brink of a mental breakdown, I figured it was only natural that they might clash a bit xD