Fandom 𝕾𝖆𝖎𝖑 𝕱𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖍 - 𝕿𝖔 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕲𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕷𝖎𝖓𝖊! (𝘬𝘪𝘳𝘢 𝘹 𝘨𝘰𝘶𝘭)

[kiramyeon]

Credit — Ambiloquous

𝕾𝖆𝖎𝖑 𝕱𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖍 - 𝕿𝖔 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕲𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕷𝖎𝖓𝖊 — ᴀɴ ᴏᴘʟᴀ ᴏɴᴇxᴏɴᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴋɪʀᴀᴍʏᴇᴏɴ, ɢᴏᴜʟ-ᴢᴏɴᴇ

“

Power isn’t determined by your size, but the size of your heart and dreams! - Monkey D. Luffy

”

Nakano D. Maeve l Buggy l Val Destyne l Roronoa Zoro

 

[Goul-zone]

✧༺✦✮✦༻∞ To Play the Fool. ∞༺✦✮✦༻✧​

When the ship first appeared on the horizon, Val was perched at the edge of the docks, her pants rolled up, and her feet gently swaying in the cool waters. An apple was in her hand, and she savored each bite under the warm sun. The sight of the approaching vessel caught her attention, causing her to squint with mild curiosity. Ships passed by Tide Town often, but seldom did they approach so directly.

With the final bite of her apple, Val tossed the core into the ocean, where it was swiftly claimed by hungry fish. She retrieved her feet from the water, patting them dry before sliding back into her boots and rising to her feet. One last lingering look at the advancing ship piqued her interest. This didn’t seem like an ordinary arrival.

A resonating bell tolled through the town, its sound originating from the nearby watchtower. Val glanced at it questioningly before turning her gaze back to the water. Pirates. The realization hit her with a rush of both anxiety and excitement. It had been years since pirates had graced Tide Town with their presence. The uncertainty of their arrival surged through her.

As the townsfolk began to gather, some choosing instead to flee for their homes, the rest stood alongside her at the docks, Val couldn't help but be drawn to the spectacle. Pirates were as dangerous as they were captivating, and standing out in the open as they approached seemed unwise.

With the ship rapidly closing in, Val decided to leave the docks, briskly making her way back into town. Her plan was to secure her valuables and hide them somewhere safer than their current location. However, she didn't get far. A peculiar scent in the air made her nose twitch, and as she looked up at the sky, a strange red mist seemed to be descending upon the town. Panic set in as she realized the mist was emanating from the approaching vessel, being shot from its canons in explosions of light.

Val attempted to flee the mist, her heart racing, but a sudden dizziness overcame her. Her vision blurred, the world twisted and turned, and before she could comprehend what was happening, her body collapsed onto the ground, unconscious to what would happen next.


—-----------------------------------


The loud, repetitive music jarred Val awake, her face contorting with discomfort. Her mind struggled to shake off the fog that enveloped it.

Slowly, she blinked her eyes open, trying to focus her vision. She found herself seated, her neck sore from being propped upright.

Startled by finding herself in such an odd position, Val glanced around and realized she was surrounded by familiar faces from her town, all seated in some sort of arena. Panic threatened to surge within her as she attempted to stand, but heavy shackles anchored her to the seat. She had to stay calm; this wasn't her first time in a situation like this. Others, however, were not as familiar with the circumstances they were in, and the crowd weren't handling the crisis nearly as well. Fear and confusion were spreading quickly.

As everyone regained consciousness, the lights in the strange arena abruptly dimmed, silencing the nervous murmurs. The cacophonous music grew louder, and then the lights returned, focusing on performers who had seemingly appeared during the blackout. They were dressed in colorful attire, swinging from ropes, juggling, and executing a dazzling array of acrobatics.

Val frowned, her confusion deepening. This was not what she had expected. It felt surreal, as though she had stumbled into a bizarre joke. She couldn't quite believe it, but as she scanned the faces of the townsfolk imprisoned alongside her, she knew this was no joke. It was the pirate crew, putting on a performance that seemed to mock the townspeople and their predicament.

✧༺✦✮✦༻∞ Title. ∞༺✦✮✦༻✧
​

The Going Mary glided gracefully through the calm, azure waters, soft waves gently caressing the sides of the ship. The sun bathed the deck in its warm, inviting light, casting a soothing ambiance. Zoro relished the tranquility of the moment, choosing to sit on the deck and let the peacefulness wash over him.

In the cabin, Luffy and Nami were engrossed in studying the map to the Grand Line, their navigator meticulously plotting their course while their captain nodded along, though Zoro suspected Luffy's comprehension was dubious at best. Usopp had taken up his post in the crow's nest, reveling in the pleasant weather, while Sanji was conspicuously absent, probably lost in culinary musings. It was a near-perfect late afternoon, and Zoro intended to savor every moment of this rare respite.

Since joining the Straw Hat Pirates, his life had been a whirlwind of adventure and danger, which he didn't entirely mind despite his stoic demeanor. However, the opportunity for a peaceful interlude was a welcome relief. The dull ache of the wound across his chest served as a reminder of their recent skirmish, and his body welcomed the time to heal.

Zoro closed his eyes, drawing in a deep breath of air, filling his lungs, and then released it in a heavy, contented sigh.

Suddenly, the tranquil serenity was shattered by Usopp's frantic cry. Zoro opened his eyes, and he turned his gaze toward the crow's nest, squinting as he tried to discern what had caused the commotion. Usopp was leaning over the edge, his gaze locked on something in the expansive sea. He was shouting something, but the wind carried away his words.

The crew emerged from the cabin, drawn by the unexpected commotion. Nami looked to Zoro for answers, as if he had a clue. Zoro merely shrugged, appearing unfazed, and cast a questioning glance at Luffy, silently urging their captain to investigate.

Luffy wasted no time. He dashed to the edge of the ship, looking out at the vast expanse of water. Surprisingly, he confirmed Usopp's claim. "Hey, Usopp's right, there is something!" Luffy shouted back, signaling Nami to steer the ship in the direction Usopp had been frantically pointing.

Nami, skepticism still evident in her expression, was about to give Usopp a piece of her mind when she too witnessed the undeniable truth. Even Zoro couldn't suppress his curiosity as he followed Luffy to the ship's edge, peering out to see what had captured their attention. Floating amidst the gentle waves was what appeared to be driftwood. Upon closer examination, they spotted a person sprawled over it, seemingly unconscious.

The ship altered its course, prompting Zoro to clutch the railing to maintain his balance. Sanji was already preparing ropes and equipment to effect a rescue, while Luffy hurried to assist. Zoro remained where he stood, casting a watchful eye on the unknown individual as the Going Mary closed the distance.

With a resigned sigh and a shake of his head, he realized that his peaceful day had been wholly disrupted.

 

[kiramyeon]

BUGGY
​

There were few things in life that ever seemed to go Buggy’s way–his pirate career was certainly one of them. For a brief moment, he was on top of the world after successfully occupying the humble village that was Orange Town. He had curated a magnificent circus, inhabited by all of his favorite freaks and the town’s residents as his unwilling audience.

For a brief moment, Buggy truly felt as though he was a man fit to be the King of the Pirates! That was… until the damn Straw Hat crew had single-handedly ruined it. All within the span of a day. As if it wasn’t enough for his body parts to have been tucked away in various boxes, the damn Straw Hat kid had gone as far as to make him tiny and bazooka launch him out of the tent. Who does that?

Then came Arlong, who had kept his head hostage in a bag full of sand, with his body on display for all to see at Arlong Park. Even more than that, he had ended up in the hands of the Straw Hats, only to be ridiculed and dropped on his nose at the bottom of a barrel!

Buggy fumed silently, draped over the chair in his private quarters aboard the Buggy Pirates’ ship as he recalled the week’s events. He had gone from the top of the world, to the bottom. Not only did he have to coddle his bruised ego, but he also had to rebuild his crew after that damned moss-headed pirate hunter took out a majority of his freaks.

It was truly a travesty, how quickly his luck turned to shit.

“Captain Buggy! There’s land ahead; it looks like we’ll be docking in Tide Town. No sign of Marine activity, sir.”

Well, perhaps things weren’t all bad…

“What the hell are you waiting for? Launch the Buggy balls, idiot!”

—-----------------------------------

It was a glorious sight, the sounds of circus music blaring throughout the tent while his freaks–what was left of them–engaged in their acts, swinging from ropes, riding unicycles and juggling…it was truly a spectacle.
“He-llo?! Why have we not gotten the spotlight down yet? I mean, really. Is it that hard?” Buggy complained, walking toward the center of the tent flailing his arms about him as he gestured toward himself. After a moment of hesitation and a loud creak, the spotlight quickly landed on Buggy. He sighed lowly, shoulders dropping for a moment before clearing his throat and regaining his composure. “Enough of the theatrics!” The clown hissed, causing his crew of freaks to come to a sudden halt as Buggy took a few steps forward to get a good look at the residents of the village they had chosen to occupy.

“Residents of Tide Town, You have been bestowed the honor of being a part of my grand freak show!” He bellowed, arms thrown wide at his sides to emphasize the grandeur of the “honor” being bestowed upon them. He looked expectantly at Mohji, who held the sign saying “applause,” then back at the fearful faces before him.

“Can you idiots not read? When it says applause, then you applaud!” Buggy hissed, once again waving his arms as his circus freaks threatened the crowd with their weapons; prompting hesitant, scattered applause that was enough to appease the egotistical clown.

“We’ll work on it.” He said, waving off the matter before pacing back and forth, almost as if contemplating his next move. “Now, due to unforeseen circumstances, I am recruiting freaks for my show. Think of this as the highest honor–to become part of the East Blue’s most notorious pirate crew.”

His eyes scanned the crowd, indulging in the looks of fear and disgust directed toward him. Oh, how he loved the spotlight; to be the center of attention when all else failed to outshine him.

“Now, I can understand the apprehension of joining my crew. I get it. Pirates, they’re dirty, violent… cruel. But I’m a generous man, Buggy the Genius Jester!” His voice boomed in the spacious tent, arms still flailing dramatically to emphasize his points. “So I’ll offer you a deal. If five of you join my liege of freaks, I’ll leave Tide Town as is. No destruction, no murder, and just a smidge of looting. That sounds like a fair deal to me.” He chuckled.

MAEVE ​

Truth be told, Maeve couldn’t recall the full events leading to her ship being wrecked, let alone how she had ended up aboard a pirate ship. She supposed that was just the consequence of being hit directly with a cannon–that much she could remember. How had the Marines even managed to track her down? Did they intercept a snail transmission? No, she had used a white transponder snail to block out any possible interference. It was standard protocol.

That left one possibility: a rat in the Revolutionary ranks. At an awful time, no less.

Maeve stirred awake as her body hit the warm deck of the ship; a nice reprieve from the cold sea that actively sapped the energy from her body as a result of her Devil Fruit. She opened her eyes slowly, lids thick with fatigue. The Revolutionary had spent enough time on the sea to instantly recognize she was aboard a ship–a pirate ship no less based on the massive jolly roger displayed on the sails.

She let out a low groan, unsure if it was luck or misfortune that had led her to this moment. Pirates were at least better than Marines; they were as wanted as she was.

Sitting up slowly, Maeve coughed profusely, seawater being released from her lungs as she did so. Though she wasn’t feeling particularly better, it was at least a relief to get it out of her system. It felt as though there was an anchor in her lungs.

“I s’pose I should thank you for not leaving me drifting in the sea.” She finally managed, her voice raspy but still holding the same bubby tone she always maintained. “Thanks for the save. Marines are fucking ruthless.” Maeve sighed, pushing back thick tendrils of wet hair away from her face.

The Revolutionary looked around at her saviors. Though some of them seemed less than pleased to have a stranger on board, the rest of them seemed strangely enthusiastic; namely the blonde man whose hair draped over his right eye. Perhaps too enthusiastic. She cast the man a strange look before her chocolate orbs landed on the ship’s jolly roger again, then to a curly-haired boy wearing a Straw Hat to match.

Recognition lit up in the young woman’s eyes, having heard of the Straw Hats’ feat against the Arlong Pirates–a nasty bunch who went about ending the cycle of oppression in all the wrong ways. “Wait… I know you. You’re the Straw Hat crew.” She grinned. “I’ve heard… mostly good things.” she mused.

Finally feeling the strength returning to her damp body, Maeve rose to her feet, growing increasingly aware and embarrassed by the ridiculous state she was in. “I’m Maeve, nice to meet ya.”

 

[Goul-zone]

Val. ​

Val turned her gaze toward the newcomer amidst the motley crew of pirates. The man sauntered forward with an air of confidence, despite his flamboyant appearance. Val found herself strangely drawn to him, watching with keen interest as he addressed the captive townsfolk. Despite his peculiar clown-like attire, he exuded a charisma that was impossible to ignore. Watching him, she felt sure he was the Captain of the performers..

The members of his crew listened attentively to his words, obediently carrying out his instructions. Val observed the reactions of the townspeople seated around her, noticing a mixture of disbelief and reluctance in their faces as they grappled with the offer presented by this enigmatic pirate.

A man beside Val expressed his incredulity at the audacity of anyone considering joining these invaders. Val's brow furrowed as she pondered the unexpected proposition. For years, she had harbored a deep longing for the open sea, yearning to escape the confines of Tide Town and pursue a life of adventure once again. She had scraped together meager savings, but the dream of owning her own ship remained frustratingly out of reach.

This could be her chance, a golden opportunity to break free from the shackles of a mundane life, even if it meant aligning herself with pirates she had no reason to trust. However, this time, she vowed not to be a captive or a pawn. Perhaps she could find in this new crew what she had lost so many years ago —an intrepid captain, loyal comrades, and boundless possibilities on the high seas.

Val's hand twitched in her lap as her desires and uncertainties waged an internal battle. Was she destined to remain in this small town forever, hesitant to seize the opportunity that called to her? No, that was not her fate. She was determined to overcome her doubts and take that leap into the unknown.

Ignoring the concerned glances of those around her, Val raised her hand, capturing the attention of the crowd and fixing her gaze firmly on the clown-like figure before her, whom she now recognized as Buggy the Clown. His name was etched in her memory from wanted posters she had seen before.

"I'll take that deal," Val declared, her tone deliberately measured, betraying none of the eagerness that surged within her. She was determined to keep her guard up and make this captain earn her respect. The path to the sea and the adventures it promised were finally within reach, and Val was ready to take the chance.

She looked around at her fellow townsfolk, hoping another four would follow her lead. No one seemed to be willing, all averting their gaze in an attempt to avoid her attention. Val pursed her lip, brows furrowing. “Come on, are you all so content with such boring lives? This is a chance at more than Tide Town could ever offer.” She encouraged, panic settling in as she realized Buggy might not take her if his demands weren’t met. She grew irritated by the crowd suddenly, knowing it was unfair to put such expectations on them, but she was desperate.

“You’d really be so cowardly to turn down an opportunity like this? If not for yourself, do it for Tide Town.” She continued, hoping at least a few people would be loyal enough to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the town.

Val was correct in this assumption. Slowly, four more hands were raised, although none looked as enthusiastic as Val had. Three men and a woman, all looking uncertain. Val breathed out a sigh of relief, looking expectantly back at Buggy, waiting to see what he’d do now his demands were met.

Zoro. ​

The moment the stranger recognized them, Zoro couldn't help but predict Luffy's reaction. Their captain beamed with delight, thrusting his chest forward in a proud yet humble manner. "Glad to hear you've heard of us!" Luffy exclaimed, his enthusiasm as contagious as ever. He shot a playful glance at Zoro, who couldn't help but feel a touch of exasperation at just how predictable Luffy could be. "We're glad to have you aboard, Maeve!"

Taking advantage of their captain being done talking, Sanji took the opportunity to surge forward and took Maeve's hand delicately. His voice oozed with charm as he spoke, "Yes, we are so glad to have found you. Floating alone at sea is no place for a lady so lovely." He cooed.

Zoro couldn't resist rolling his eyes at Sanji's theatrics.

Before Zoro could intervene, Nami smoothly moved in to create some distance between Sanji and Maeve. She recognized the inappropriateness of having a man showering attention on a woman who had just been pulled from the ocean. "This is Sanji. Ignore him," Nami introduced, her tone carrying a hint of scolding as she glanced pointedly at Sanji. "I'm Nami, and this is Zoro," she continued, maintaining the manners of the crew.

Meanwhile, Usopp was still cautiously making his way down from the watchtower, taking each step with the utmost care to avoid falling, as was typical of him. He called out his own introduction, clearly not wanting to miss out despite his focus being elsewhere.

Zoro observed Maeve more closely in the interim, trying to discern any clues about her origins from her appearance. Nothing immediately gave away her place of origin, but he couldn't deny that she possessed attractive features. As soon as the thought surfaced however, he chastised himself; it was something that the flirtatious waiter would do, and Zoro was determined not to mimic any of his undesirable behaviors.

Instead, he focused on the more pressing questions at hand. "How did you end up out here, anyway?" Zoro inquired, his curiosity piqued. "We're pretty far from any islands." He made the assumption based on their recent travels, as they hadn't spotted any land for quite some time.

 

[kiramyeon]

B U G G Y​

There was something… empowering about looking down at the faces of innocents and seeing nothing but helplessness and disbelief. Buggy, despite his silly appearances and need for grand theatrics, was a man who understood the power behind hope, and what it meant to have it all taken away in one fell swoop. Without hope, people were much quicker to bend the knee and accept the fate laid out before them. It was the same thing that had happened at Orange Town, and he was certain it would be the same here in little ol’ Tide Town. Well–it would have been if not for those damned Straw Hats.

Just as quickly as they came, Buggy ejected the young pirates from his mind. He couldn’t let a group of kids continuously get the best of him. Once was more than enough. Twice was an insufferable kind of humiliation. But a third time? No. There would be no further opportunities presented. Once he built his crew back up, Buggy would be back on the seas, sailing as far away from the Straw Hats as possible to venture forth and obtain the One Piece for himself.

The blue-haired pirate’s attention returned to the masses before him, the corner of his lips pulling upward into a smug grin as a man began to voice his opposition. “Why the hell would anyone agree to this? Who knows what this freak is going to make you do?”

Suddenly, as if the man’s words had triggered something violent in him, the grin on Buggy’s face dropped. “Nose?!” Buggy roared, causing members of his crew to gasp and exchange wide-eyed glances. Anybody who knew anything about Buggy the Clown knew well to not mention his nose…even if it wasn’t intentional. “What about my nose?” He seethed, stomping forward to take hold of the man’s collar and yanking him out of his seat, moments from pummeling the poor man until the woman sitting beside him raised her hand.

“I’ll take that deal.”

“Oh?” Buggy looked over at the woman with interest, a satisfied grin growing on his red-stained lips once more. “Is that so, pretty face?” He mused, giving the man a hard shove back into his seat to further observe her. He squinted his eyes, almost as if trying to get a better look at the woman; taking in her features. From the way her eyebrows curved to the mole that dotted the skin next to her nose to the absolute determination in her mahogany eyes.

The way she carried herself and spoke was a stark contrast to the townsfolk around her. Unlike them, she did not show fear but rather…anticipation. Almost as if she had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Well, who was Buggy to deny her of that?

She had potential to be a star, one that would outshine what little remained of his current crew–but not enough to cast himself into the dark. He continued to watch with interest as the woman attempted to rally the rest of the townsfolk, almost like a desperate plea to grab hold of this opportunity.

Finally, four more reluctant hands were raised and Buggy released a string of loud, bellowing laughter. Clearly finding amusement in the disdain of others. However, despite all of the grandeur and his threats, there was only one person from little Tide Town he saw worthy of his crew. He slowly applauded the woman’s performance, his hands quickening with every clap until finally, he stopped. “Excellent. You’ve all made a smart choice today. But rather than have you unenthusiastic losers mope around my ship, I’ll just take the one with the pretty face,” Buggy announced.

“And some supplies for the rough seas ahead.” He winked, the grin spreading across his features as he made an aggressive gesture toward a few members of his crew to go and gather supplies from the town. After all, he’d promised only a bit of looting.

Buggy snapped his gloved fingers and pointed to the woman’s shackles around her feet, immediately ushering one of his circus freaks to unlock them. He met Val’s eyes, a mischievous glint reflecting in his ocean-colored orbs. “Bring her to the ship.”

—
Just as quickly as the Buggy Pirates had come, they were just as quick in their preparations to leave. Though the clown normally enjoyed taking his time, looting townsfolk and destroying property, he had an annoying little feeling that those stupid little Straw Hats were well on their way toward the Grand Line. He couldn’t let the little shits get too far ahead of him; not when he had been anticipating the One Piece since he was a wee apprentice on Gold Roger’s ship himself.

Back in his private quarters, Buggy sprawled himself out comfortably on his seat that he deemed his throne, looking intently at Val who stood before him. “Sit,” he said, gesturing to a seat before him. “You’re not like the other shitty townsfolk who were afraid to even breathe the same air as us. Why is that?” He questioned.

“You seem like someone who's been yearning for something for a long time… let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?” Buggy mused, shifting his position in the chair to sit up. Leaning forward on his knees, the clown observed the woman, waiting patiently for answers. “Wait wait, so rude of me. I haven’t even asked your name. Which is…?”

M A E V E​

Through the grapevines of the East Blue, Maeve had heard many embellished stories and rumors surrounding the up-and-coming Straw Hat Pirates. From raiding Axe-Hand Morgan’s Marine command and stealing a map of the Grandline, to humbling Buggy the Clown and his circus of freaks, to a bold stand-off against a Warlord of the sea to their takedown of Arlong Park… Maeve couldn’t help but to be in disbelief at the rather shoddy group spread out before her eyes.

Of course, she knew better than anyone else how looks could be deceiving. After all, Maeve herself didn’t look like much. But behind those pretty brown eyes was a ferocious fighter and talented survivalist (on land, not so much water for obvious reasons) that became an Officer in the Revolutionary Army. While she could have been a commander in one of the five armies located in various parts of the world, Maeve vehemently rejected the position due to the lack of freedom. She liked doing as she pleased, mostly on her own terms.

The young woman let out a small breath of relief when the boy in the Straw Hat practically welcomed her with open arms, his chest puffed out proudly and his voice full of enthusiasm. Letting out a half-hearted chuckle, Maeve offered the captain a relieved smile. Though she had no idea where she was or where the Straw Hats were headed (though she assumed the Grand Line considering they had gone through the trouble of stealing a map), Maeve was at least glad there would be no need to fight. After soaking up sea water for… who knows how long, she was beat.

The brunette nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden intrusion from the blonde man, her eyes wide with surprise for a moment before quickly being replaced by genuine amusement. It wasn’t often you ran into a proper gentleman on the seas. “Thanks…?” she mused, unsure how to respond to a man’s advances after spending so much time with unruly men and women alike in the Revolutionary Army–most of which she’d never even dream of engaging romantically with.

Still, she found the man just as endearing as the rest of the crew. Though they were a bit of a rag-tag bunch, it was obvious they got along well enough.

More relief filled Maeve as soon as the orange-haired beauty shooed Sanji away and made the rest of the introductions, aside from the exception apprehensively making his way down from the Crow’s nest. “Nami,” she repeated the name, liking the way it rolled off her tongue.

At the mention of Zoro, Maeve’s eyes immediately landed on the green-haired man who maintained a rather serious air about him. His eyes seemed to be prodding her in the same way hers were to him; each attempting to get a read on the other. But one would get less answers than the other. Unlike Zoro, Maeve didn’t have as big of a reputation as the “Demon Pirate Hunter,” despite having a World Government bounty on her head. People on this side of the world paid more attention to pirate bounties than they did of Revolutionaries. So, just like that, she had the moss-haired man read. Reputation, skill set and perhaps even motivation established.

She offered the man an almost sly smile, as if saying “I can see right through you,” followed by a subtle wink. Though she wasn’t necessarily the flirty type like their blonde companion, Maeve did enjoy playing with people’s heads. “Nice to meet you all. Thank you again for the save. Any longer and I probably would have been a goner.”

The woman’s smile seemed to waver a bit when Zoro questioned her. She was quite certain everyone was wondering the same thing considering they were in the middle of a vast ocean, and as far as the eye could see, Maeve was the only living soul around. Hell, there wasn’t even a shipwreck to be found. It was likely at the bottom of the ocean already. She let out a small sigh, the fog in her mind clearing as she thought back to the day’s earlier events.

“Well, I was on my way back toward the Grand Line on a cargo ship…” she began, her voice trailing a bit as images began to flash in her mind. Smiling faces and enthusiastic conversations about the potential that lay beyond the Grand Line. Laughter and booze. All innocent civilians, all of which would have gone on just fine had one Revolutionary officer sought passage elsewhere. “Everything was all fine and dandy until we were attacked by… I don’t know. It could have been a pirate or navy ship, there wasn’t enough time to tell before they started firing cannons.”

Maeve released a sigh, guilt building in her chest for the loss of lives, once again at the hands of the World Government. Though, she wasn’t sure if she could share such information with strangers, even as friendly as they were. “Not sure how long I was drifting for before you guys picked me up. Not sure if there were any other survivors, either.” She frowned deeply, conflicted by her feelings of anger toward supposed agents of justice and guilt from the deception her role often entailed.

If there was one thing to be glad about, it was the warmth of the sun on her skin. Though it wasn’t particularly hot, she could at least feel her hair and clothes beginning to dry–slowly, but surely. “Any chance you know where we are?” She asked, looking between the present members of the crew.

 

[Goul-zone]

Val. ​

Genuine surprise washed over Val when Buggy announced that he had no need for the other, less-than-willing volunteers. It stirred a glimmer of hope within her that this pirate captain wasn't interested in mere captives but was genuinely seeking new crew members. She shot a brief but grateful glance at the pirate who had been instructed to release her, and he wasted no time complying with his captain's orders. Turning her attention back to Buggy, she met his gaze as he gave his next order.

"Bring her to the ship," Buggy declared, and Val couldn't help but grin at the man, baring her teeth in wicked glee.

The pirate who had unshackled her gestured for Val to stand, and she did so willingly, breaking her eye contact with Buggy and instead following her new comrade without resistance. As she passed through the crowd, she encountered a mix of expressions from the townsfolk. Some regarded her with gratitude, seeing her choice as a sacrifice made for the town's safety, while others wore more stern and disapproving faces, clearly wary of her apparent enthusiasm. She understood their skepticism; after all, she was a pirate at heart, destined for the sea. The ring on her finger, a silver band with a small pale sapphire, was a constant reminder of her true nature. It had belonged to her mother and was the only possession she had from her old life, before that fateful storm. A pirate's loot, worn now with pride.

Curiosity got the better of her as she walked toward the awaiting ship, which was larger and more impressive than she had anticipated. She admired the ship's jolly roger, the emblem of her new crew. Wanting to learn more about her new captain, she turned to the pirate accompanying her.

"What's he like? Buggy, I mean," Val asked, her curiosity evident in her voice. The pirate glanced at her but offered only a noncommittal shrug. Clearly, he wasn't one to engage in much conversation. Val took his response as a good sign though; at least he didn't seem worried.

"Wait, can I get my things?" she asked suddenly, coming to a halt. "I mean, we won't be back anytime soon, right?"
After a reluctant sigh, the pirate agreed, and Val collected a few valuable possessions, including clothes, a journal, some books, and the berry she had been saving for years. She packed them all into a large sack, which she slung over her shoulder before heading back to the ship.

Upon boarding, she was given an unofficial tour that ended with her shared quarters. A crewmate pointed out an empty hammock, indicating that it would be hers. Val stowed her belongings there and took a moment to soak in the bittersweet atmosphere on deck as the crew loaded the last of their loot. It was a loss for the town, but they would rebuild. As far as pirate crews went, she considered this act relatively benign.

"S’cuse me, miss," a tall and rugged-looking crewmate interrupted her thoughts. Val turned to the woman, who informed her that the captain wished to see her. Val wasn't entirely surprised, so she followed the crewmate to a large door and, with a push, entered Buggy's private quarters.

Inside, Buggy lounged casually in a chair, legs thrown over the armrest, and head resting in his hand. He exuded an air of casual confidence that made the edge of Val's mouth twitch. The man was undeniably charismatic.

She accepted Buggy's unspoken demand to sit and responded to his question about her name with a straightforward, "Val," tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I obviously don't need to ask for your name," she continued, studying him more keenly now, eyes sharp. "You've got quite the reputation."

Val hoped to shift some of the attention off herself and onto Buggy. She had indeed yearned for the sea, but she wasn't eager to lay her heart bare to this man just yet. Instead, she simply eyed his appearance in earnest. Despite his odd aesthetic, the man was still remarkably attractive, which made another faint smile tug at the edges of her mouth.

Zoro. ​

Maeve's flirty smile and wink, directed squarely at Zoro, caught him off guard, much to his own surprise. He glanced around to the rest of the crew, who were all engrossed in conversation with Maeve or with one another, completely oblivious to the gesture. A warm flush crept up his cheeks, and he couldn't help but feel that the woman had managed to get under his skin quite quickly. Zoro couldn't decide whether she had astutely pegged him or was simply naturally flirtatious. It was a conundrum he decided to leave unresolved for now as Maeve began to explain the circumstances that had left her adrift at sea.

It was indeed an unfortunate tale, but not an uncommon one for those who traversed the seas. They all lived with the reality that the ocean could be unforgiving, and although Zoro was curious for more details, he refrained from pressing for them at this moment. Maeve appeared tired despite her confident demeanor, and he sensed that there would be ample opportunities to delve deeper into her story later.

The mood among the crew sobered at the story, even Luffy, who was often more socially astute than one would expect from him. However, their ever-optimistic captain was quick to lift their spirits again. "I do have some good news for you in that case," he announced, his enthusiasm returning. "We're on our way to the Grand Line ourselves! We'd be happy for you to travel with us." Luffy extended the invitation without hesitation.

Nami chimed in at that, always the more practical one of the group. "Of course, but we're also happy to drop you off somewhere if that's more convenient for you," she offered, recognizing that Maeve might not be comfortable traveling with a group of strangers.

Sanji, always one to seize an opportunity to be chivalrous, began to argue against dropping Maeve off, clearly eager for her to stay on board. However, Nami quickly put an end to his protests.
Usopp, having finally made his way down from the crow's nest, took the opportunity to introduce himself, adding to the bustling conversation.

Amidst the growing chatter, Zoro could feel himself becoming overwhelmed. The cacophony of voices, a stark contrast to his usual solitude, often made him feel like he was drowning. It was a lot to process all at once, and when he wasn't drowning his thoughts with alcohol, it could be quite a lot to process.

"All right, why don't we give Maeve some space to breathe?" Zoro suggested, more for his own sake than for hers. The crew had a tendency to get carried away with themselves. "How about we get you something to drink, and our cook can prepare you a meal. Then you can decide what you'd like to do," he proposed, offering a moment of respite.

As expected, Sanji perked up at the suggestion, launching into some poetic spiel about how his food could heal wounds and nourish the soul. Zoro thought it was a load of crap, but at least it kept the cook occupied as he disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Maeve and Zoro with a brief reprieve from the crew's exuberance.