005

— sweet innocence —

THE SMELL OF SALT AND THE FRESH BREEZE WHIPPED THROUGH THE AIR MAKING HER SMILE. Visenya stood at the very front of the boat, the ripple of the water dancing and reflecting off her white hair. It was peaceful, almost draining her of any worry. Then she heard footsteps, and her smile quickly dropped.

Nami was walking towards Visenya, dumping her things on a nearby barrel. "You've travelled, right?" Nami questioned, her eyes darting between Visenya and her items on the barrel.

Visenya stood turning to Nami, looking over the map. "I thought you were the navigator," Visenya said, looking over the mess of Nami's things. When Visenya looked up at her she was met with a displeased face. "Sorry. Yes, I have travelled."

"Have you ever seen this before?" Nami asked, pointing to the map, but before Visenya could take a look, Luffy was running toward them, calling for their attention. 

He slid to a stop in front of them, grinning and fumbling to hold the fabric in his hands. "Hey, Nami, Visenya!" Nami sighed as she looked at Visenya, but she turned to Luffy, urging him to speak. Luffy struggled to grab the black fabric, but his hands grabbed the corners and spread wide, displaying the flag with a skull in a straw hat. "It's ready!" he announced with a smile.

Visenya raised an eyebrow and looked up at Nami. "And what is it?" Nami questioned, her tone flat.

"Our Jolly Roger," Luffy said with a smile, dropping the flag just below his chin. "Every pirate crew has to have one. And now we do!" Visenya's head tilted as she studied the flag closer; it was a thin black fabric, barely holding itself together, especially with the amount of paint Luffy had layered on it. But by the way he was smiling it was his greatest creation.

"We're not a crew, and you are not hanging that on my boat," Nami said sternly, turning back to her map as if Luffy had never been standing there.

Luffy turned to Visenya and shook the flag, "Visenya?"

Visenya studied the flag before meeting Luffy's gaze. "You're very creative Luffy," Visenya said with a polite tone.

The door behind him creaked open and Luffy spun to Zoro, his slightly disappointed smile growing quickly again. "Zoro! Zoro, check it out," Luffy rambled, holding the flag up to the boy with green hair.

Zoro stared at the flag for a few moments before meeting Luffy's eyes. "That's unique." Zoro walked out of the doorway and sat against the side of the boat, steadying himself by grabbing a rope. "Nami, I think the toilet's busted," Zoro spoke, not even bothering to look at her.

Nami furrowed her eyebrows, "We don't have a toilet."

"Oh," Zoro muttered, stilling quickly. He turned to her, "Well, then something back there's leaking."

"What?!" Nami scrambled to her feet, shoving the map in Visenya's hands. She rushed to the door slamming it closed behind her without a second thought. Visenya took a deep breath and laid the map on the barrel once again, smoothing it out and folding it to slot inside Nami's book. A few moments later Nami stepped from the door, storming over to Zoro. "We're taking in water. What did you do?" She snapped.

"I didn't do anything," Zoro said, shaking his head.

She scoffed and shook her head. "The way you're clanging those swords around, you must've broken something," Nami snapped.

"Maybe you should've stolen a better boat."

"Guys. Guys. Guys," Luffy called, stopping their argument for a moment. "Okay, crew meeting."

"We're not a crew!"

"Not a crew."

Visenya shook her head softly as Nami and Zoro's words mixed, but still found it slightly amusing. She reached up and took the Jolly Roger from Luffy, folding it and placing it on top of a crate. "We're gonna need a better ship to make it to the Grand Line," Luffy reasoned. "A real pirate ship worthy of the Straw Hat Crew."

While Luffy seemed to think it was a fabulous idea, Nami quickly shut him down. "Wait. Straw Hat Crew? Really?" That seemed to make Zoro and Nami agree, for once, their faces sharing the same look of confusion at his statement.

"Yeah, I thought it had a nice ring to it," Luffy said with a shrug.

"Demon has a nice ring to it," Zoro corrected. "Headgear? Not scary."

"Who says pirates have to be scary?" Luffy argued, almost offended at Zoro's words. "The point is we need a new ship. So where do we get one?" Luffy shrugged softly, turning to Nami for a plan 

"The Gecko Islands are close," Visenya spoke up and they turned towards her. "Syrup Village has one of the largest shipyards this side of the Posteria Isles. If we stay on the east wind, we should reach it before midday." Luffy turned to the others and smiled, making Nami sigh again. "I can fix the boat enough to hold us over until we get there," Visenya added.

Nami reached for a book of maps, quickly reading through her work before nodding. "Alright," Nami agreed. Luffy turned to Visenya and gave her a thumbs up and she nodded softly. Luffy grabbed the Jolly Roger, but Nami quickly snatched it from his hands. "You're still not hanging that on my boat."

At Visenya's advice, the East wind carried the boat to Syrup village. The shipyard was definitely the largest she had seen, but they had settled on entering a smaller doc to sell the pathetic excuse of a boat as Nami called it. The three ventured into town as Visenya stayed to tear apart the failing boat and sell the working parts. Most people had simply passed her and just as she was about to give up a girl walked towards her.

"You'll make no money trying to sell down here," She called, her hands gripping the strap of her bag. 

Visenya looked up at the girl, she was dressed in purple and gold, her hair loose around her shoulders, her curls bouncing in the wind, but her eyes focussed on the golden scarab around her neck. "They wouldn't buy boat parts on the docks?" Visenya questioned the girl.

"Not down here," she clarified quickly. "Everyone down here buys from Toka, he owns that house there." The girl motioned to a house built out to sit in the water, clearly showing he had money. At least more than the others in town. "Stay here a moment."

The girl turned and Visenya watched her walk away. She quickly knocked on the door to Toka's house and spoke for a few moments to the man in the doorway before rushing back to Visenya. She held out a few notes and Visenya cautiously took them. "Someone will come by to pick up the pieces later," The girl said with a shrug. "Toka owed me a favour, so. . . simple deal."

"Clever," Visenya said with a nod.

"I'm Oaklyn," the girl said, holding out her hand.

Visenya pocketed the Berri notes and cautiously shook Oaklyn's hand. "Visenya."

"I'm guessing you're headed to the shipyard now. You're not just going to dive into the sea and hope for the best," Oaklyn said with a chuckle.

Visenya shook her head. "I'm hoping my friends have found a ship by now," Visenya said.

"I'll walk you. I'm meeting someone there so it's not out of my way," Oaklyn said quickly, turning on her heel and walking through the crowds of people. Visenya nodded and caught up to her, walking beside her to the shipyard. Oaklyn led Visenya to the shipyard and through the sea of people she spotted Nami's bright hair moving through the crowd. "I hope you find—" Oaklyn turned to Visenya but she was gone by the time she turned her head. "What?"

Visenya slipped through without a trace and caught up to and trailed behind Nami and the others. She followed them for a few moments before finally stepping up to Luffy. "I hoped you find a ship by now," Visenya said, making the three jump.

Luffy was the quietest to catch his breath, but his eyes were still wide in shock. "How do you do that?" Luffy questioned but Visenya didn't give him an answer. 

They dodged past workers and villagers, all consumed with the grand boats around them. "Did you sell the sorry excuse for a boat?" Nami questioned and Visenya turned back to look at Nami and Zoro, nodding softly.

Luffy rushed ahead, marvelling at the woodworkers shaving the pieces for a new ship. "Look at 'em all," Luffy mused, spinning around as he walked.

Zoro looked around, staring up at the completed ships. "How much do these cost?"

"If you have to ask, you can't afford it," Nami said quickly.

"Okay, so we need to get one with a very, very impressive figurehead," Luffy started, waving his arms wildly. As he looked around, more and more ideas popped into his head, which he had to express to them all, with a grin. "At least two. . . No, no, three masts! And a really high crow's nest."

Visenya stared at him for a moment, stuck between wanting to commend him for his optimism or slap him for his stupidity. "The four of us cannot sail a ship of that size," Visenya spoke up, walking turning her head to him.

"Ah! Four of us right now," Luffy corrected, pointing a finger at her.

"Well, unless you can find another pair of weird, desperate souls to help us," Nami joked, glancing at Zoro.

"Speak for yourself," Zoro snapped.

She rolled her eyes at Zoro and shook her head as Luffy glanced at Nami. "Listen," Nami snapped, her voice filled with seriousness. "We are going to need something a little less flashy if we want to sneak out of here," Nami said, keeping her voice low.

"You want to steal a ship?" Luffy questioned, coming to a sudden halt.

Nami scoffed softly, and turned towards him, "How else did you expect us to get one?"

Luffy stammered, looking at the others for help but Visenya had no argument. "I don't know. But we can't steal one," Luffy insisted.

Nami crossed her arms as she looked up at Luffy. "What kind of pirate are you?"

Luffy stared at Nami for a moment, almost like he wanted to argue but he stopped himself. "A ship is not just a ship," Luffy defended, keeping his voice kind. "It's a part of our crew. We need to find the perfect one. And we're gonna get it the right way."

"Okay, pitch that to the salesman," Nami joked through a tired huff, her patience growing thin.  "I'm sure that'll win him over."

Luffy grinned and looked at Visenya and Zoro, the gears turning in his mind. A small smile grew on his face and Visenya quickly realised, he was Nami's words seriously. "Exactly," Luffy exclaimed before running off.

Nami sighed and shook her head, clearly not wanting this outcome. "So. . ." Zoro turned to Nami and Visenya, sharing the same shocked look. "What are we actually gonna do?" Zoro questioned.

Nami took a deep breath, losing Luffy's hat in the swarm of workers. "Find a ship and see how lax the security is around here," Nami explained, turning her attention back to Zoro.

"Got it," Zoro said, nodding.

"I'll go watch him," Visenya said, turning on her heel and chasing after Luffy.

She cut through the crowds of people, following the most obvious path through the crowd until she saw it. It was the largest ship she had ever seen, with beautiful dark oak wooden structure with a bright blue paint running along the wood. But what caught her attention was the most perfectly sculpted sheep mantle on the front of the boat. 

Luffy was stood as the bottom of a long wooden staircase, staring up at the gorgeous ship in utter awe. Visenya walked to his side, clearing her throat to let him know she was there. Luffy turned to her and smiled. "Ready to see me win over a salesman?" Luffy said with a wide grin, not a single doubt in his mind.

Visenya glanced between him at the boat, shaking her head softly. "You do it successfully and I'll give you all the Berri I have," Visenya countered.

Luffy briefly paused for a moment, his eyes running over the sheep mantle of the large boat, his smile growing with every second. "Come on," Luffy encouraged, grabbing Visenya's hand and pulling her up the stairs. They reached the top of the stairs and Visenya took her hand back quickly, the action going unnoticed by Luffy.

Luffy quickly climbed the final steps and reached out to the sheep's head, touching the bottom of its jaw with the tips of his fingers. "Real beauty, huh?" A boy called.

Luffy's eyes widened, "You can talk?"

"Over there," Visenya corrected, motioning to the dark-skinned boy in a red bandana leaning over the edge of the ship. Luffy looked at him and rushed down the stairs, stepping closer and following Visenya.

"This ship is amazing," Luffy mused, and the boy muttered in agreement. "What can you tell me about her?"

The boy grinned at the and slipped the tool he was using into the pocket of his brown overalls. "Caravel class, top-of-the-line. Ninety-six feet of pure luxury. Whipstaff rudder, full galley. Cannon decks fore and aft," The boy listed off, patting the banister.

"Is she fast?"

"The fastest," The boy said, nodding in excitement. "Not a ship in the East Blue can keep up with this baby."

Luffy turned to Visenya, and she quickly shook her head. "Luffy we can't sail this ship," Visenya reminded.

Luffy sighed before spinning back to the boy with a smile, "She's perfect!" Visenya huffed and pinched her nose in annoyance.

"You can say that again," The boy agreed. He suddenly perked up, his smile growing. "Oaklyn! Hi!"

Visenya turned, watching the girl in gold walk up the opposite steps and towards the ship. "Hello Usopp," she called with a smile, looking up at the boy in a bandana. She walked to Visenya's side and smiled sweetly at her. "Hello to you too. I thought you must have dived in the water."

Visenya turned to the girl shaking her head in amusement. "Had to stop this one from trying to buy every ship here," Visenya said, making Oaklyn laugh. 

"I have to keep this one under control, so I understand the feeling," Oaklyn said smiling. Usopp head Oaklyn's comment and pulled a face at her, but they were quickly interrupted by the others finding Luffy and Visenya again. 

"There you are!" Nami called, walking towards the ship but stopping by the stairs, staying on the main dock. She and Zoro stared up at the ship; even if they couldn't afford it, they could marvel at its impressive design. Visenya wouldn't lie, she did picture herself sitting high in the crow's nest to watch the water.

"Guys!" Luffy shouted. "I found it. I found our ship," Luffy started to race down the stairs, nearly tripping over his feet. "And this guy will sell it to us."

Oaklyn's eyes snapped up to Usopp, staring at him in utter astonishment. "You said what?" Oaklyn shouted, racing down the stairs after Usopp, Visenya following Luffy.

"Yeah! The ship, we'll take it," Luffy shouted.

"You can't. She's not for sale, and he's not a salesman," Oaklyn said, grabbing Usopp's arm and slapping the back of his head.

Nami stared at the boy and crossed her arms. "Do you even work here?" Nami questioned.

"Of course I do," Usopp said quickly, his voice nervous even if he tried his best to hide it. "I'm Chief Technician in charge of encrustation removal and aviary waste eradication."

Luffy stammered as he tried to repeat what Usopp said. "He scrubs barnacles and cleans bird shit," Zoro clarified, stopping Luffy's attempts.

"He can't help us," Nami added, turning to walk away.

"Wait! Wait! Wait! I can help you," Usopp said quickly, taking his arm from Oaklyn's grip. "The owner of this ship just happens to be one of my closest friends in the world."

"Usopp—"

"Your friend owns this ship?" Nami questioned, cutting off Oaklyn's sentence.

"Not just this one," Usopp continued, unaware he was revealing very sensitive information to a thief and pickpocket. "She owns the whole shipyard." Nami's eyebrows raised in surprise and. . . mischief. Visenya could see the gears turning in her head and Usopp only made those thoughts grow when he said, "She's rich, rich. I'm sure you could strike a deal with her."

"Usopp are you crazy?" Oaklyn questioned, stepping closer to him again.

"Well, I guess it couldn't hurt to say hello," Nami said with a shrug, glancing at Visenya. Usopp cheered, throwing his rag away and starting to lead the others through the shipyard.

Oaklyn sighed and followed them, Visenya walking beside her. "How badly is this going to go?" Visenya questioned making Oaklyn sigh.

Oaklyn paused, hesitating to answer her but at Visenya's patience she huffed. "She is a good friend of his, it's her butler that's going to embarrass him," Oaklyn explained, fixing her satchel on her shoulder. "She might sell you the ship. . . but I wouldn't hold your breath."

◈

USOPP WALKED AHEAD OF THE OTHERS, HIS SMILE GROWING AS THEY GREW CLOSER TO MANSION. The hedges and coloured flower bushes stretched over the estate, the large trees concealing the large mansion hidden just beyond the hedges. "I've never seen a house this big before," Luffy exclaimed, rushing ahead and jumping onto the stone well.

"Impressive, right?" Usopp said, rushing to catch up to Luffy. "Kaya's given me an open invitation to drop by anytime I want."

Oaklyn sighed under her breath and Visenya glanced at her. "I'm guessing that's not entirely true," Visenya said, keeping her low. Oaklyn sighed again and reluctantly nodded.

"All of this just for one person?"

Usopp shrugged softly at Luffy's question, "Well, she lives here with her butler and a few other staff." Luffy looked down the well, whistling and creating a long echo. Oaklyn ran ahead, pulling Luffy back as he nearly tipped himself over the edge.

"Money really shows you who people truly are," Nami muttered.

Visenya shrugged softly, her eyes scanning the house. "Not all the time, some people hide in their misfortunes."

Nami looked back at Visenya and huffed, "Most people only care about themselves and what's theirs."

"Sounds like someone I know," Zoro mumbled.

Nami fully turned her attention to the pair, a small smile pulling at her lips, mischief on her face again. "And a small staff makes for easy pickings."

"Why? Gonna rob the place blind?" Zoro questioned her. Usopp and Oaklyn turned, leading them toward the house completely unaware of the conversation happening behind them.

Nami tilted her head, "At least a little blurry."

Visenya shook her head. "Aren't you just caring about yourself now?" Visenya asked, looking at Nami. "Using your own misfortunes and sharing them with another?"

Nami furrowed her eyebrows, "Do you always speak in riddles?"

Visenya rolled her eyes, "I'm calling you a hypocrite." Visenya gripped her sword on her belt and walked faster, catching up to Luffy and Oaklyn.

"So, if you have an invitation, why are we going around the back way?" Luffy questioned, his eyes bouncing around.

"I never use the front entrance," Usopp said, shrugging off his lie. "This is more of a VIP entrance reserved for special guests." Visenya glanced at Oaklyn, and she shook her head. Visenya turned her eyes forward, sighing.

Oaklyn spotted the staff, a blue haired girl and a larger man, before Usopp did and she stopped, motioning for Visenya to do the same. Usopp finally noticed the pair and jumped, spinning back to Luffy, laughing nervously. "Oops. You know, there's actually a more exclusive entrance this way." Usopp tried to turn Luffy away, but a knife cut through the air and a blade buried itself in the lily pad under Usopp's feet.

That made everyone freeze,

"The hell are you doing here, Usopp?" The big man shouted; his hair spun into something almost resembling cat ears.

Usopp chuckled nervously, "Buchi, buddy, uh, Kaya's expecting me."

"Another one of your lies." Buchi stomped over to Usopp and grabbed Usopp by the cuffs of his jacket, snarling in his face. "You ain't welcome here and you know it."

"I know nothing of the sort," Usopp said quickly, keeping his voice calm. "I'm here to give Kaya an extra-special gift.

"Usopp!" A sweet voice called. They turned their eyes to the blonde woman in pink walking down the stairs, her arms wrapped around a butler in white gloves. She then spotted Oaklyn and her smile grew wider. "Oaklyn! What a wonderful surprise."

Oaklyn shared the same smile and rushed ahead, jumping across the lily pads and rushing to the girl who slipped off the butler's arm to hug her tightly. Usopp smiled and smacked Buchi's hands off, rushing over to his friends. "Kaya!" Usopp called, a large smile on his face. "Happy birthday."

"You remembered," Kaya cooed, her smile growing.

Oaklyn shook her head softly, "Of course we did."

The butler cleared his throat, and he pushed his glasses up with the heel of hand. "Oaklyn. Usopp." At the call of their names, they paused and turned to the butler who looked then than impressed. "We've had this discussion. You mustn't show up unannounced."

"Nonsense, Klahadore," Kaya insisted, moving to hang from his arm again. She turned back to her friends, her smile growing again. "Have you come to tell me another story? I do love hearing about your adventures."

"I'll do you one better," Usopp said proudly. "I brought some of my crew." Usopp turned back, motioned to Luffy and the others who stood together.

"Is he talking about us?" Luffy asked, turning to Visenya, keeping his voice quiet.

"It's so nice to meet you," Kaya said with a smile. "You all must stay for dinner."

"Miss Kaya, it is a bit last minute," Klahadore pointed out and Usopp's smile dropped. "I'm afraid the kitchen hasn't prepared for any extra guests."

"Please, Klahadore. It's my birthday," Kaya pleaded. "Can't be too much trouble, can it?"

Klahadore smiled softly, "Of course, Miss Kaya. Anything for you."

"All right! When do we eat?" Luffy shouted, clapping his hands.

"Luffy," Visenya hissed, hushing the boy quickly. Klahadore turned to her, somehow missing her when he walked down the stairs. He stared at Visenya and tightened his grip on Kaya's arm. "Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Kaya," Visenya said politely.

"Of course," Kaya said with a smile.

"But before you do, you will bathe and change," Klahadore said sternly. "Sham," The shorter blue haired girl stepped up, "kindly show Usopp and his friends to the guest suites."

"A bath does sound nice," Nami said, her smile growing and Visenya nodded in agreement. Sham nodded and they all followed her up the stairs and through the large, old money styled mansion to a section entirely dedicated to the guests.

Luffy, Zoro, Nami and Visenya turned their attention to the closest as large as the room. "Holy shit," Nami mumbled.

Oaklyn laughed at them, shaking her head. "Choose whatever you like, I'm sure Kaya will have something for you." She nodded before walking to a guest room.

Zoro wandered further down the hall as the other three stepped into the closet of colour and clothes. Luffy flopped onto a sofa bench, staring at the coloured lights above him. Nami immediately riffled through a stack of clothes, pulling out a sequin set and slipping behind a room divider even more clothes were tossed on.

Visenya walked around the space, her hand tracing the fabrics. "Why would anyone even need this many clothes?" Luffy questioned, sitting up straight.

"It's not about need," Visenya said, stopping to look over a blue dress. "It's about want."

"What are we even supposed to wear?"

"Anything you want," Nami called out, her voice slightly muffled. "When are you ever going to get the opportunity to wear things this nice?" Nami walked out from the diver, adorned in a dark blue dress with mesh sleeves. "Well? What do you think?"

"You look like Nami," Luffy said, shrugging.

Nami sighed. "It looks like a school dress, and it does not match your hair," Visenya said, turning back to the racks of clothes. Nami turned, stepping behind the divider.

"Hey, Zoro!" Luffy shouted, catching the boy's attention. Zoro stopped and turned into the room, his eyes scanning over the colourful room. He must have done a loop through the halls but the confused look on his face as he stared into the closet. "What you gonna wear?"

Zoro paused, "Something black."

"How edgy," Nami shouted.

"Hey, does that butler seem familiar to you guys?" Zoro asked, walking over to a chair to sit down, setting his swords beside him.

"Yeah, I think he was at the last dinner party I attended," Nami snarked, popping her head out from the divider.

"I swear I've seen him somewhere," Zoro mumbled. 

Nami stepped out, a very brightly sequined jacket on her shoulders. "How's this?" Nami asked, presenting herself with her hands on her hips.

Luffy and Zoro stared for a moment, but Luffy spoke up first, "Still Nami," Luffy shrugged.

"You do not need the jacket," Visenya advised as she analysed Nami. Nami shrugged the sequin jacket off, revealing the silk black dress underneath. She turned in a circle, presenting the outfit to Visenya.

"I said I'm wearing black," Zoro said and Nami sighed. Visenya's hands paused on the rack as her hands brushed the soft silk dress. She took the red dress from the rack, her fingers trailing the dark red flower stitching. Visenya tossed Nami the dress, the red fabric falling into her hands. Nami looked down at the dress, humming softly. Nami slipped behind the divider once gain and Visenya continued to search.

"I feel kind of bad for Kaya," Luffy said, pushing himself to his feet. He paced around the room, his eyes darting over all the expensive fabric. "All this stuff. All this space. It's gotta make a person feel lonely."

"Rich people don't have the same emotions we do," Nami shouted in defiance. "This stuff doesn't make her feel lonely. It makes her feel important."

Luffy paused for a moment, thinking over Nam's words before shrugging. "Well, Usopp likes her," Luffy said, smiling again. "And she invited us to dinner. I'm sure we can work out a way to get that ship."

"I don't mean to be mean but," Visenya grabbed a gold suit from the rack and tossed it at Zoro. He raised his hand and caught it with ease, Luffy's eyes dancing between them. "The rich don't stay rich if they give things away."

"You want to bet?" Luffy said, turning to her. Visenya didn't answer him, simply turning away and continued to look through the clothes.

"I will," Nami said, stepping out, the silk red dress fitting her perfectly. "What are the terms?"

Luffy stepped closer to Nami, smiling, "I bet I can convince Kaya to give us that ship."

"And when you can't?"

Luffy hesitated for aa moment before nodding, "We go with your plan. Steal one and move on."

Nami smiled, holding her hand out for Luffy to shake. "You're on." Nami turned back, grabbing a black and white dress and tossing it at Visenya. "You. Wear that."

There was a knocking at the door frame, Oaklyn leaning against the wall. "You have fifteen minutes," She advised. Her eyes ran over Nami, taking in the style of the red dress and how it sat so well on Nami. Oaklyn tilted her head, smiling at he, "You look nice, Nami."

Nami smiled, the red rising to her cheeks hidden by the coloured lights but Visenya caught her nervous smile. "Very nice," Visenya teased and got a very snippy shut the fuck up in return. 

— lethal lust —