Silk and Sails (Shanks x OC)

Duty Calls, Coins Follow

A few days later, I found myself mid-kick, trying to wrestle the coffee machine back to life. "We're definitely replacing you soon," I muttered through clenched teeth, just as someone ran past the shop shouting, "The Red-Hair Pirates are here!" Their voice rang out with pure excitement.

In all my 36 years, I never would've imagined a day where an entire town would celebrate the arrival of a pirate crew.

Without turning around, I knew the look Mina was giving me-eyes gleaming, barely containing her excitement. I stayed focused on the coffee machine, pretending not to notice. "Fine, go on. I'll mind the shop."

Mina scoffed, crossing her arms. "I was going to suggest we both go. It's not every day a pirate crew like this shows up! Besides, didn't you say this island could use a bit of chaos to spice things up?"

"I did. But while everyone else might be out there celebrating, there'll still be folks coming here for their orders. I can't just shut the place down, for all my faults, I do stick to my responsibilities." I gave her a serious look, which she met with a blank stare, knowing full well that I didn't always stick to my responsibilities.

I blinked, rolling my eyes at her silent judgment. "Alright, maybe I don't. But the coffee machine is on strike, and I can't function without it, so just go!"

Mina burst out laughing at my defeated tone, giving me a pat on the shoulder before rushing out to see the commotion.

"Just when-" I gave the coffee machine a solid kick, "-something-" another kick, "-fun happens!" A final kick, and miraculously, the machine spluttered to life as soon as she left. I let out a triumphant sigh. "YOU STUBBORN TRAITOR!" I yelled at it.

The door jingled, and I turned to see a customer raising an eyebrow, waiting for her order. I quickly switched from a murderous glare to a friendly smile, pretending nothing had happened.

About an hour later, Mina strolled in and, with an almost bored tone, let me know that the Red Hair Pirates had indeed taken care of yesterday's troublemakers-the ones foolish enough to burn their flag and hoist another in its place. Poor guy, his ship had been blown to bits, splintered into the sea while he was still on board.

But he didn't run, true to his bold nature, he lingered, accepting his fate after provoking a Yonko's crew. And of course, with the Red-Hair Pirates' arrival, they'd be sticking around for a while, taking time to restock, indulge, and make merry-the usual pirate rituals.

I shrugged at Mina's news, unimpressed. I'd hoped for more uproar, more chaos. But no. It seemed tonight would pass without so much as a spark. I returned to my work, leaving the shop as Mina began shutting it down for the night, retreating to her little futon in the back room.

Soon enough, I found myself at my favorite bar. It was nearly deserted, as always. The stools by the counter sat in quiet rows, waiting. Most people didn't even know about this place. It wasn't the bustling bar at the island's entrance, where rowdy pirates and boisterous crowds spent their coin. Orian, the bar owner, probably wished this place had more life, that it filled up so he'd make a little more money. But I preferred the emptiness, the calm that draped over the dimly lit space like a soft fog.

I settled onto a stool with a sigh, feeling the weight of the day lift slightly. "The usual," I called out to Orian. Then, laying my head down on the counter, I let the bar's peaceful silence wash over me.

The peaceful ambiance fractured as a rowdy group of pirates burst into the bar, filling the room with booming laughter and voices raised in animated conversation. Something about... blowing up a ship? Wait-the Red-Hair Pirates?

I glanced over, just catching the unmistakable faces from their wanted posters, down to the scars and wild grins. You've got to be kidding me, I groaned, turning to Orian. The barkeep, a stout, gruff man with a purple bandana stretched over his balding head, looked absolutely stunned. I couldn't tell if he was excited about the surge of customers or completely starstruck by the legendary Yonko crew. Either way, he didn't even hear my complaint as he scrambled forward to welcome them, practically tripping over himself in the process.

With a roll of my eyes, I sank deeper into my seat. This was supposed to be my quiet escape after a long day, working nearly single-handedly to keep up with the flood of customers. But apparently, fate had other plans.

The Red-Hair Pirates quickly took over the bar, claiming tables like royalty, and it wasn't long before other patrons began clearing out, either out of respect, intimidation, or sheer awe. Shanks himself was here, laughing with his crew, his presence effortlessly commanding the room. Those who lingered around made themselves scarce without a word from him, leaving empty seats in their wake. Soon, the crew was in full swing, and Orian could barely keep up with their booming requests for more-a lot more-booze. They were practically draining the bar dry, bottle by bottle.

I sighed. As much as I appreciated their reputation and the protection they offered the island, I wanted my drink too. But in this crowd? Not likely.

Within minutes, only a handful of locals remained, and then only me, the last woman seated at the bar. Surrounded by the infamous Yonko crew, I felt a strange mix of irritation and discomfort. The lively, overwhelming energy felt entirely out of place in my usual hideaway. With a resigned sigh, I tossed a few coins onto the counter to pay for my drink and slipped off the stool, intent on leaving. "Why couldn't they just go to the local bar?" I muttered under my breath, annoyed. My eyes drifted to the enormous table they'd claimed, where they were reveling to their hearts' content, the air thick with laughter and the clink of tankards.

But as I walked past them, I couldn't help but pause. For all my irritation, a thrill ran through me at seeing a Yonko crew up close, in the flesh. I hated to admit it, but there was something exhilarating about watching these legends in their element. Against my better judgment, I felt my gaze linger, catching fleeting glimpses of their camaraderie, their boisterous laughter echoing in the bar's dim light, before I finally turned away and slipped out the door.

But before I could slip out the door, Orian's voice cut through the noise, rough and desperate. "Reina! Please, give me a hand!"

I froze, feeling a familiar irritation flare up. My eye twitched as I turned back to face him, forcing a sweet smile. Orian's trademark purple bandana was now slightly askew from all the bustling. We'd known each other long enough that his pleas for help had become a routine part of our friendship. But tonight? No way. I'd already survived a never-ending day of work, and now the entire Red-Hair Pirates crew, with their boundless appetites and their boisterous drinking, was demanding round after round. I was not about to spend another hour serving a Yonko's crew on a wild night. Absolutely not.

I was just about to shake my head, ready to turn him down without an ounce of guilt, when he called out again, the urgency in his voice almost pleading.

"I'll pay you!"

The words stopped me in my tracks. My irritation vanished in an instant, replaced by a calculating glint. "Of course, I'll help! Anytime!" I replied, my tone suddenly all enthusiasm and brightness. Extra coin was always welcome, and I already had plans brewing in my head. With a little more money, I could finally expand the shop and make a real room for Mina. She didn't know it, but I'd been saving to give her a proper bed-a real bed, not that stiff, cramped futon. She'd been complaining about her back for weeks, and I wanted her to wake up in comfort, rested and ready.

With a sigh, I gave Orian one last resigned look before rolling up my sleeves, bracing myself to face the Red-Hair Pirates head-on.