Post by John Sharkbane on Apr 8, 2023 20:22:06 GMT -5
Memories of the bathhouse continued to haunt the up-and-coming pirate even long after he had left Fluffy the Island Turtle and the Calm Belt behind. But, more dear to him was his first-ever crewmate, Sedna, who he had parted ways with. It was a parting of the ways which kept a storm of sorrow hanging over him. Yet John did his best to push on. The Mermaid Sedna would forever have a special place in the man’s heart.
“When you return one day.” he recalled saying to the large Mermaid, “there will always be a spot on my crew for you. Whether it takes ten or one-hundred years. There will be no regrets, no tears, nor anxieties. Just go forward in all your beliefs, and prove to me that I can have faith in mine.”
The young adult found himself once again in the East Blue. John decided to himself that this would be the best place officially to begin his journey. The Calm Belt was no place for a greenhorn, after all. No. It was better to grow his strength and develop a name for himself before he ever attempted to tackle the Grand Line. His priority above all else would be to find a vessel that was worthy. He would need to pilfer one. Preferably with the aid of a crew.
A resounding groan thundered from John's abdomen. A painful reminder that he had not eaten in some time. While the human body could survive without food for a time, the pirate could not bear to experience such hardship.
The silver clouds ahead parted to reveal a lush, bustling island down below. And so John and his companion would dive downward and make their landing at the port of the city. It would be upon landing when a uniformed individual spotted the pair, to which he approached post haste. He produced a pen and notepad.
"Are you new arrivals to this island?" he asked pensively.
"That's right," John replied.
"Uh-huh," the man murmured, jotting some notes down. "New in town tax, that's three hundred beri. Exotic pet tax, five hundred beri. Where's your ship? Are you here for business or pleasure?"
John's mind reeled for a moment. "Uh…Don't have a ship. And pleasure, I guess?"
"Tourism tax, mandatory docking tax…Let's see. All together that's…" the man trailer off while counting in the air with his pen. "One thousand, five hundred beri to our Lord."
The pirate crossed his arms as Icarus shot an unamused gaze toward the uniformed person.
"And who is this Lord?" John inquired.
"Is that in the nature of a question?" he replied. "There's a one hundred beri question tax."
John rolled his eyes. "Forget it. Hang on."
The pirate hopeful fished out his money pouch. He begrudgingly put the funds together before handing it to the man.
"Our Lord thanks you," he said with a tip of his hat. "Please enjoy your stay."
Apprehension hooked its claws into John as he peered into his money pouch. He exuded a groan from how much lighter it felt.
“Looks like we can’t afford a big meal,” he sighed. “Come on. Let’s see if we can find a cheap place to eat and maybe earn some cash while we’re here.”
“Did he seriously call me a pet?” Icarus grumbled.
John Davis | #007ba2
Icarus | #c4d0cf
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