A Pirate's Life for Me

Fruit Hunting!

The ship grew dreary over the following days. Sailing the grand line was no easy task. Logic defied even the best navigators and the waters stretched for weeks at a time. Unprepared for the harsh voyages many pirate crews would fall victim to the grand blue oceans, but not us. Sitting on the deck, my eyes shut only to focus on the sounds of lapping waves and grumbling stomachs that sounded near a symphony throughout the crew. This melody would only occasionally be accompanied by the whines of our captain as his body seemed to near melt over the ram's head fronting the ship I now knew as the Going Merry. As it seemed I'd slowly meet the same drooping fate the silence was broken abruptly by the navigator, bouncing to their feet in glorious excitement. "An island!"

This sent the once disintegrating crew into full motion. Her voice beckoned and willed bodies to shuffle across the deck, ropes tied and untied, many moving cogs in the team shifting to course towards the new destination. I myself felt a little dumbfounded. I had never sailed a ship before- well at least not from the outside of a barrel or storage cub. I stood in the blinding sun, neck breaking as I bounced my gaze from member to member, unsure what role to play myself. A thin hand found its way on my shoulder. Its touch was so gentle and smooth I may have not even noted if not for my heightened senses. "Don't worry. They have it under control." The woman assured me. All I could make out was her silky black hair and wide blue eyes. It was almost as if staring out into the sea. It was lulling in a way and I found the coil of anxiety churning my stomach soothe as she towered beside me.

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

The ship was skillfully docked alongside the island as we all disembarked to catch a glimpse at our surroundings. Trees cluttered the land as far as I could see, growing meters tall. I wandered over to the nearest one and let my fingers run alongside the bark. The texture was rough and seemed almost layered. "A palm of some sort..." I mumbled, as I could feel the gaze of someone trailing close behind, observing my actions curiously. I suppose I never really had moment to explain in our short time my hindering eyesight. Thanks to my superhuman abilities, my sight was robbed in expense. I often relied on my other senses to get me along and explore the world around me. It was a big part of why I traveled; to experience all the smells, feels and sounds that this world could offer. Before the crew member could inch closer and say a word our bodies flinched at a quick swiping figure. It was the golden cook, swiftly launching himself to the tree. It became apparent the crew member approaching me was the swordsman as this left him in an irritated grumble.

Sanji, as he was introduced, coiled strong legs around the high base of the tree and picked something from its branches. "It's fruit ! I bet I could make you a meal fit for your beauty my mellorines !" His voice swayed with adoration, as it often did when referring to any of the ladies amongst the crew. It always brought something of a giggle to my lips when he spoke this way. It didn't amuse Zoro one bit as I could feel his grumbling brew a little louder.

"WAAAAA" Luffy cried out, his mouth clearly watering as his arm stretched out and plucked another fruit from the same tree, almost knocking the cook clean off in its return. He took a large bite, almost chunking half the fruit into his jaws. I wondered if he too was part shark. With a full mouth he found the need to muster a "itsh dewishoush!" Juices trickling from the corners of his overfilled cheeks.

"We'll draw sticks! The four shortest will spend the afternoon collecting fruit for meal time! Longest will stay and guard the ship!" Nami confidently declared, rounding the rowdy bunch to refocus their efforts. Sanji obviously did not argue and quickly slid back down, as Zoro finally parted lips in his usual grumpy grunts. "Who are you to give orders!?" He barked, Nami quickly snapping back. "Someone has to ! Do you expect it to be our captain?" Almost as if scripted Luffy chimed in, arm outstretched to show a handful of sticks. "These are all short!" The crew watched in disbelief. There was no argument there. I scratched the back of my head in secondhand embarrassment as Nami delivered a blow to the captain's head.