It's 'great' to be young

Day One: Afternoon to Night

Arriving at the library, Robin couldn't suppress an impressed "Oh!". Several shelves were filled with books of all kinds. Most of them were books on archaeology and medicine. A lot were also about navigation and meteorology. A few books about cooking, shipbuilding and a few songbooks. The rest were novels and anthologies of fairy tales and legends.
A desk stood towards the stern, and neatly lined up were paper, ink, pens and navigational equipment. And right beside it, also lined up next to each other, the logs.
Robin wasn't sure if there were many or few, but she took the first one and started to read.

A long time later she closed the fifth book. This crew had been on the road for less than a year and what Robin had read so far made her doubt her mind.
The navigator of this ship had neatly written down all the adventures. No one else but Nami, the little orange-haired girl? Apparently Luffy, the captain, had tried to write himself in the beginning but quickly lost interest. One after another, more people joined the crew. Luffy and Zoro the Pirate Hunter, Nami the Thief as Navigator, Usopp as a sniper and liar. Sanji, the chef, Vivi Princess of Alabasta, who they were going to help to free her land from Baroque works.

Robin had been shocked at this whole scenario. Not only did these young people oppose an organization that slowly made a name of itself, but they had maybe met her? Miss Bloody Sunday, a woman with long black hair, a piercing gaze and a straight nose bridge. It did sound like her...

She had opened the next book and read on how the crew encountered giants and how Nami got sick. The log was then continued by Princess Vivi. Eventually they met the ship's doctor, Tony Tony Chopper. A reindeer that had eaten the human-human fruit and helped Nami to recover.
Here Robin had stumbled another time. They hadn't met any animals on the ship so far, but the logic would suggest that he should be here too.
Then she went on to read, about Alabasta and how Baroque Works was smashed, how Sir Crocodile, one of the seven samurai of the seas, was captured, how Vivi stayed behind in her country and finally...

Newest crew member: Nico Robin (Miss Bloody Sunday); archaeologist & assassin; Has eaten the Flora-Flora fruit. She was the right hand of Crocodile. Luffy saved her life, that's why we have to take care of her. Luffy is an idiot, but she brought us the jewels of Crocodile, so I think we can trust her.
Tonight the captain ordered a party!
Nami navigator of the Straw Hat Pirates"

And another false date.
Robin slammed the book close and leaned back. She felt sick again. How could that be? For a long time she sat there and tried to find a solution. She didn't even notice how the daylight faded and artificial light buzzed on.
Anxiously she looked at the book again and again and still couldn't bring herself to open it once more. Eventually Robin woke up from her trance and suddenly she felt the exhaustion from the day. Maybe the fridge was open by now and she could get something to eat.
Still in thoughts she went outside into the cold air of the night.
She hadn't noticed it during the day, but now she realized that they had a good weather all day long. Lucky for them, if everything she had heard about the Grand Line was correct. They were probably near an island.
Somewhere on the ship, there was a Lock Port. Nami had written a detailed entry about it.
Before she went down, through the hatch, Robin walked to the railing. She saw the cabins opposite, the steering wheel at the bow, the crow's nest above her and the ship as a whole. It was a really nice ship. Everything was calm and peaceful.

That moment she saw a movement right below her. It was down at the deck, behind one of the trees. Attentive she watched the spot. There it was again! Four legs. Carefully she climbed over the railing and descended down quietly with the help of her powers. She stood directly in front of the kitchen door and watched the shadow. The being entered the light of the night. There was a reindeer fawn.
‚It must be the doctor!'
Robin didn't let the animal out of her sight. It was a bit sad how the young animal trotted around on the deck, alone in the dark and plucked a few grasses here and there.
Suddenly the door to the galley opened
"What are you doing..."
"Hush!"
She held the man who had stepped up behind her back, with her hand, but it was already too late. The animal hushed back into the shadows and was gone. At least it seemed to have found a place where it felt comfortable. Nevertheless, the young woman gave a disapproving 'hm'-sound before she turned around and found herself right in front of Franky's chest.
She stepped back the few centimeters to the railing. He was still too close.
"What was that?"
She wanted to answer the question honestly, no matter how uncomfortable she felt, so Robin once more looked back into the corner where the animal had disappeared.
"A reindeer fawn. Maybe we should give him some oats."
"Fresh meat?"
"What?" What did he mean?
"When the food runs out, we could..."
"HE' S THE DOCTOR OF THIS CREW!"
Immediately Robin bit her lip and cursed herself for this lack of self-control. Uncertain she looked down and clung to the balustrade behind her. She wanted to run but was afraid to shove him away.
"What...?" he sounded very confused.
"I'll try to explain, but maybe inside. And could you please...?"
Franky looked down at her, flinched and immediately stepped back. He hadn't even noticed that he had trapped Robin.
"Sorry!"
As soon as there was enough space, she literally fled inside. The fridge was still closed. To occupy herself with anything, she started to heat up water for coffee. Franky walked into the galley a few moments later.
"What did the kids eat?", Robin pointed briefly to the closed refrigerator.
„Noodles with fresh tomatoes and dried meat," the man watched her skeptically. "There's a plate for you. The blond boy insisted we leave one ration for you."
Robin stared at the plate. Her stomach growled but she could not make herself to go to the plate and eat immediately. It would make this kindness all too real.
„It's probably cold now, but it will still taste good and it fills the stomach," Franky had continued to watch the woman in her rigidity.
"Ah... yes...", the kettle used this moment to show that the water was boiling. Thankfully Robin turned around and had her back to the man. Not perfect but at least she did not have to look at him.
"Are the kids in bed yet?"
"Brook's gonna tell them a super pirate story."
"Coffee?"
"I'm more of a cola savorer but yes, please."
Robin kept working in the kitchen while Franky turned to the fridge. It became quiet and only the water that was dripping as coffee into the pot could be heard.
Franky concentrated on the lock. Although he actually wanted to exercise caution in the presence of this woman, he did not find the silence unpleasant. Surprisingly her presence didn't bother him that much. So far she was just a girl who hadn't made a very dangerous impression. Cold and arrogant but not dangerous... but maybe that was the danger about her?
Suddenly the smell of coffee rose into his nose. He looked up and saw Robin standing next to him with a cup of coffee in one hand and the sugar bowl in the other.
"Thank you."

Robin stepped aside again and grabbed her own cup. She hesitated briefly before she took the plate and sat down at the table. Eventually she began to eat. Franky watched her from the corner of his eye. He also hesitated before drinking the hot coffee. The possibility that it might be poisoned shot him briefly through the head but what purpose would that have?
After all, the fridge was not open yet and only he was able to open it even if it took way too long!
The silence continued, only interrupted by the rattling of cutlery and tools.
Eventually, when Robin had finished her meal and drank her coffee, she went back to Franky and stood next to him. She had made a decision.
"How's it coming?"
"... Fuper!" Franky had a screwdriver between his teeth while pulling on a pair of pliers with all his might.
"Shall I tell you what I found out or is it too distracting?"
"Tell me."
Robin summarized what she had read. Finally, she explained her theory that all those present on this ship are a eight or maybe more years younger version of the crew of this pirate ship. Whether they had traveled from the past into the future or what else or who could be behind it, however, was not clear to her.

What followed was a long silence. The blue-haired man had stopped working.
Robin considered that it had been pretty stupid not to read on to know what Franky and Brook were all about. How they had joined...
"That sounds pretty unbelievable."
Franky was still sitting cross-legged on the ground, leaning on his hand, his eyebrows pulled together.
"That's right," Robin hoped he'd still believe her.
"Why should I believe you?"
Robin felt the cold sweat of panic on her back again. Franky's voice suddenly had something very skeptical and threatening.
"What do you mean?" Her voice became cautious.
"Well, Nico Robin, you're a wanted pirate."
Franky got up. Robin instinctively withdrew, trying her best to not lose composure.
"And if that's the case? What's that got to do with anything?"
"Pirates lie and cheat to get what they want! This whole story is a sailors yarn! I don't know what you're planning, but I'm not gonna fall for it! I'm not giving you any information! I know you're dangerous!"
"What... I... I'm not planning anything! I have no reason to!" Franky continued to walk towards her, while she cautiously retreated further back.
"Why would a bunch of kids take one of the world's most dangerous women aboard?"
"I don't know!" Robin kept moving back to the ladder. She wanted to get out of this room, away from this man.
"What about Brook and me?! We're not in your little story!"
"I... I haven't read all the logs yet," she got more and more scared. Just a few more steps to the ladder.
"Suuuper excuse! I want to know how you got us all here!"
Eventually Robin felt the ladder at her back, but it wasn't a real escape route. Franky rose above her and glanced angrily at her. If she had tried to turn and flee upstairs, he could easily grab her.
"It wasn't me!"
"Who else?!"
"I don't know!!", the young woman sank down a bit more. With all her strength she tried not to cry.
Don't show any weakness. Never show any weakness. She had survived worse situations. She had to clear her escape route. A plan formed in her head.
What Robin didn't realize in her panic was that Franky hasn't had pushed on any further, had even given a little way.
For a brief moment he has had eye contact and what he had seen startled him. This had not been the eyes of a cold and calculating demon, but a young woman who was afraid for her life. And it was his fault that she was scared to death. Who was he to make such accusations?
"Um... Robin... I... Woah!"
At that moment, Robin started her plan. Behind Franky, arms had built a bridge at calf height and Robin pushed him with all her strength, making him stumble and fall to the ground.

She turned around and climbed up as fast as possible.
On her run she did not care to throw the hatch shut but hurried into the library and closed the door behind her. Out of breath from the adrenaline and the sprint, she locked it. Finally she sank to the ground. Her heart raced but she fought the upcoming tears back down again.
She looked around and forced herself to smile. Books. She had to stick to books. Not to people. Books provide comfort, impart knowledge and do not threaten you. Here she would be safe for the time being. Tired, she dragged herself to the desk, put her head on the table and dozed off.

Meanwhile Franky sat on the floor where he had fallen down and looked up where Robin had vanished seconds before.
He scolded himself an idiot. So far, Nico Robin had done nothing to arouse his suspicion. But he just threw accusations at her head. No wonder she got scared. After all, he was an impressive person. Now he was sitting here wondering if he should or shouldn't go after her.
Better not.
Women need their rest when they're upset. At least, he thought so.
After a few more minutes he finally got up, sighed and continued his work on the refrigerator.