The Not-So-Great Escape!

[risaka]

The boat was barely holding, the water's been spitting through the wooden frame ever since that brutal storm it went through! The only passanger onboard, a female with a bucket in her hands desperately scooped a bunch after another, hour after hour she continued this insanity while the wind was strong. However the fear was actually not getting eaten by whatever kind of creatures rested below the surface, it was the fact she had gained an abnormal sudden fear of simply the ocean. She truly did not want herself submerging into the blue abyss, and when every bit of hope was on the verge of loss she saw a new light, in the far distance was land! Oh so beautiful sight it was, when she thought she lost all strength to continue scooping she bursted with an adrenaline!

''C'mon now! C'mon! Just a bit further! You can withstand that long you crappy boat!''

She could see a town on the way far left side of the island, naturally one would sail directly to it, but Risa went straight forward into the uninhabited coast. She was now only a mere five meters away from the sand soil, jumping right off she could hear the cracking of the boat behind her. The desctruction of the inevitable took the boat down into the water. Now she was left with crawling up up the shore, coughing and sighing, falling on her back to rest and let the sun dry her wet lowerbody.

She never felt so weak and numb, maybe leaving Gecko Island was a mistake or two, although it wasn't like there was much to stay for at that island. She still got the stuff she got the day she arrived to Gecko Island. Her usual attire, her worn down loose coat and her trusty Black Thorn, an elegant straight saber with some weight to it.

''....nhh, my life has truly come to this? I am barely managing damn it, I need a proper ship or something, to be able to sail without a problem... but then I'll need a crew.''

She personally did not like that idea all because she used to be in one years ago, memories she wished was the present. But no matter, right at that moment she just kinda dozed off, closing her eyes and letting the waves hitting the beach, the seagulls hovering about, and the subtle breeze to fill the atmosphere with sound. Resting in peace she felt the numbness fade away and giving the fiber in her body life, but as much she wanted to sleep away a frisky crab crawled close, close enough to give her cheek a mean pinch!

''GYAH!''

Jolting up she flails with her arms and knocks the darn craw away, a slight tear falling from her left eye with her hand rubbing her cheek, grunting and staring at the crab as if it was about to turn into crab soup.

''I'll oblitirate you if you don't run away this instant..!''

Perhaps the crab took the hint, in any case, it dashed off somewhere into the white beach. Risa lets out an annoyed sigh as she rose up from the ground, dusting off sand particles from her coat and checks up on her blade, still in perfect condition, as it should be. Standing silently she looked around, then towards the ocean. The boat really was gone, somewhere in the ocean and rotting away. Well there was no way back out to the ocean for now, so this new island is her new temporary base. She recalled the harbor city down west from she stood. Now she just had to walk, the beginning her very long and boring walk that is.

[theone]

"Shhhooooo. Hhuuuahhhh."

The salty ocean breeze blew onto the island shore, a lone figure was moving slowly on that beach, his feet buried deeply into the sand as his chest swelled with air. Again, he released the breath, and a majority of his body's tension went with it. "Shhhoooooo." Relaxing, he trudged up to the more leafy, green portion of the beach, retrieving his shirt. Wiping at the sweat on his body, he sighed aloud, thinking over the events that had brought him to Shell Island.

This definitely wasn't the top destination on his list after departing from Loguetown. It had been revealed to him that the Marine base on Shell Island was in need of his skills as a shipwright. It had been noted in his time at Basic Training that he was exceptional at building ships; his background as a blacksmith proving to be invaluable. Only now, his true destination, which had been to join the 22nd Division in Tequila Wolf, he was marooned here. 

Shaking his head free of the negativity of those thoughts, Komodo realized that his free time was coming to an end. Placing his plain brown shirt back on, he deftly placed his corded locks into a ponytail and picked up his satchel. He swung it over his shoulder and in the other hand, he was making quick work of some tasty teriyaki beef jerky in the other, a flask of water hanging off of his hip. 

So preoccupied with his own troubles was the teen, that he hadn't noticed the woman who washed up on the beach only moments before. Strangely, his gait fell in line with her stride, only meters away, as he began to make his move towards the town proper, resigned to work on boats for the rest of his long day. 

Clear, blue eyes slowly creeped to his left as he finally noticed the other. Pleasantly surprised, he jumped slightly, but hid it well as he put on his most friendly smile. "Well, hello there."

[risaka]

Feeling clampy in her worn down coat she furiously took it off and swung it over her right shoulder, letting the breeze cool her down, which was very much needed. Her body conducted way too much heat from the sun, and when she was overheated she could quickly get grumpy and pricky about stuff. With her thoughts occupied on just how unpleasent it was to move along the beach it was hard for her to pay real attention to her surroundings, which of course leads up to her meeting with another individual on the very same beach, who was few mere meters away from her tired stature.

Risaka glimpsed to the side at the man, taking a second to gather in the realization that someone was close to her all this time, was he some kind of ninja? Once absorbing in this thought she jumped upaswell, maybe because of his own initial reaction, or her current state of annoyance, either way, she almost fell back and got into a defensive pose.

''HYAH! W-who are you?!''

Instead of a friendly introduction she went straight to the point, was he after her bounty?! In her mind, she always chose to believe the worst case scenario in the very first second, however, his friendly behaviour proved otherwise. Risa lowered her shoulders and got more relaxed, but keeping her stare at him with a doubting glare. 

''Err, hello..? How long have you been here? No wait, I shouldn't ask that.''

It was now or never, she knew that if she wanted to keep low that last thing she wanted was to trade identities with strangers, specially the kind with a way bigger build, this guy looked somewhat menacing! Though she had to admit he got pretty blue eyes, but thats beside the point!

''Actually I wonder where I am, kinda got my boat drifting and ended up on this beach.. I saw a harbor earlier but I guess I missed my mark, are you from around here?''

Risa asked with her coat hanging from her right hand, tugging it close and keeping her sword out of sight, her bounty might be rather small, but if he was a bounty hunter oh boy does she get cautious, never has she heard of a hunter who doesn't know their marks!

[theone]

The friendly smile that had pulled at the young Marine's lips grew slightly wider, more genuine as he saw the damp, sand riddled woman's nervous reaction to him. Her mannerisms were endearing, and he couldn't help but think that he had stumbled upon an interesting person. Remaining as relaxed as he could muster, he aimed to relieve the woman's apprehension; far too often had he made the mistake in assuming that just a smile from someone almost two feet taller than you was enough to assure you of their intentions. 

Ever since leaving his home country of Kano, which was rife with interesting individuals of it's own, Komodo had been meeting people of all different walks of life. From a white tiger and black turtle in a toy shop, to the Marine Captain Lizard, there was no shortage intriguing folk in the East Blue. The bumbling woman in front of him was no different. She, understandably, was trying to get a hold of her bearings, it seemed that she had been marooned here and had been through quite an ordeal, and it wasn't even lunch time yet.

"Well firstly, I'm Komodo, and no I'm not from here, quite the opposite really. Like you, I'm a visitor, I've only just reached here yesterday." 

Breaking his words for just a minute, the burly teen carefully gazed at the woman, it had only just occurred to him to really take a look at her. Perhaps it would help him get a better understanding of her, at least it would help in conversation to gather a few clues about her. Her attire told him that she was experienced, no random civilian who'd never sailed would be dressed like she was. The thick, heavily soaked coat draped over her shoulder seemed to be catching on something on her hip. He couldn't tell what it was, but he wouldn't be pushing for an answer.

"But yeah, town is less than a click in that direction." Thick fingers stretched out as he pointed in the general direction that they'd already been walking. Continuing his stride in that way, he offered what little he had. "You must be starving from such a crazy morning, it's not much, a little tough, but its packed with flavor." His outstretched hand held a small bag that was still pretty hefty with the jerky pieces. "If not, at least have some water." He retrieved his animal skin flask, presenting it.

Still moving forward, he did peer back to where he assumed she had been walking from, there was only one problem. "You said you arrived here, adrift on a boat. Yet.....I don't see any boat, nor a trace that one had been there." The teen raised one eyebrow, a puzzled look on his face.

[risaka]

Drifting her attention a tiny bit from below to the top, left to right, she couldn't really keep a proper eyecontact with the guy, but she was listening. 'Komodo'? She hoped she'd be able to to recognize his name, but for now he was still just like any stranger. She got relieved once hearing he had just arrived to this island, that meant he isn't a marine right? Why would a marine be on this side of the island anyways? Though he could potentially still be a bounty hunter, in which she of course held back to respond with her name and isntead go onwards to the next topic.

''The town is that close? Sounds like I better get going..''

A small chat with him wasn't a big deal, however, she felt the longer she stayed on this darn island the worse it could get for her. Her thoughts quickly pointed towards the offer of food of all things. Did this guy just offer a stranger his won food? He is either very charitable or bobbytrapped the jerky to knock her unconscious. But her tummy betrayed her cautious mindset by letting out a small growl, she has indeed not eaten for quite some time, and the sun had turned her quite dry.

''I'm not hungry... however, I'll accept a swig of water.''

Taking the waterskin she poured down, cooling herself down and hydrating her body. A drop of water runs down her cheek and she gasps out. It was refreshing, much needed, and it certainly silenced the growling from her stomach. Handing back the waterskin she wipes her mouth and slips her hand into the hip pocket.

''So uh, thanks I suppose, the sun's been killing me, it is unusually warm today..''

While it was a bright day, it was -that- hot, it was just exceptionally hotter for her due to her conducting body, not that she cared to talk about it, nor what she could do. She was just about to stroll away further down the beach, but his question quickly put her in the spotlight. Oh god was this the start of the interrogation? Was the waterskin also a trap?! She gulped silently and tried her best to stay calm in her exterior appearance. Her best shot was to fabricate believable story!

''Oh uh, my boat kinda went down, on my way through the sea I encountered ruthless pirates! They shot my boat beyond repair, so my boat sank and I had to swim to the nearest island.''

Was that believable? Who knows, it certainly give her an innocent image, playing the victim card usually was her way of covering her pirate status. But with her swift explanation she quickly got into a running pose.

''Sorry mister, but I'm gonna have to skidaddle, thanks for the water though.''

And just like that she dashed away across the beach, a cloud of sand left behind her feet. Her exceeding speed proved to be inhuman once she got momentum, disappearing out of sight of Komodo before he could ask any more questions. Right now her goal was to reach the harbor and snag a ship, and maybe resupply, a hard task considering she got no resources nor money.

[theone]

A weak, nervous chuckle groaned out of Komodo as he listened to the woman. She was peculiar. He wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but if he didn't know any better, it would seem like she was trying to hide something. That suspicion quickly dissolved away, though, as he fell hook, line and sinker for her tall tale.

"No." He said as she mentioned pirates.

Then he gasped. "Huahh?" When she mentioned being sunk by their efforts.

He felt sorry for the lass. She was obviously marooned on the island at the hands of pirate scum, and she was probably so jittery because of her tough ordeal. "Pirates. Despicable blots on the sea. One day I'll-." Before he could utter another word, she was gone, high tailing it along the golden beach, unperturbed by the heavy sand at her feet.

A high, shrill, sound escaped the teen's pursed lips as he whistled in awe of the woman's abilities. She was faster than him, by a good measure too, he reckoned.

So there he stood, the burly teenager statuesque on the sandy shore of Shell Island, completely alone, the call of seagulls above head being his only company. "Well then, I guess I'd better get back to town as well. I KNOW Captain Lizard wants me back on the dock, working on that new frigate he'd just been rewarded."

Alone, he began a brisk pace back towards the Marine base to gather his tools. Chuckling to himself, he spoke through a mouth full of jerky, "What a weird girl." 

[risaka]

How long has she sprinted by now? It felt quite the long distance, but it was really only a matter of a few minutes until she got the sights of the harbor city. It looked fresh white and peaceful, surely they don't expect a lot of unlawfull mischiefs right? She already had cracked a plan in her head, truly, she just needs to find a suitable ship that can be managed by one and got supplies ready. Maybe it was bit of a stretch, that'd be like being given the opportunity in a silver plater, and she knew she wouldn't be that lucky.

''Now just to get into town without looking too foreign, gonna have to keep my sword extra out of sight away from the locals.''

Approaching from the coast end she found a way to climb up the docks unnoticed, only mere fishermen and merchants walked around. She gets up and walking, starting to get calm and very much looking like a just your regular everyday citizen. She did not try to gain eyecontact, keeping her distance she idly looked at the buildings in the street up forward into the town. She eyed at small shops, bars, and the usual mundane crap, however, she then met the eyecontact of a marine, just standing there infront of here, the marine was with two others and the three of them were talking to eachother before the unfortunate encounter.

''....Uh...''

''..Yes? Are you in need for anything ma'am?''

So he did not catch her face, his question extinguished the anxiety flaring up inside of her and brought back up her calm composure, surely she could take advantage of their lack of awareness.

''Ah, no no, I am just walking, although I was wondering.. when was last time supplies came in?''

If there was one thing she knew beforehand it is the fact marines usually were the people to deliver goods to islands under the protection of the Marine. If her luck was on her side the ship could be coming today!

''It came yesterday, did you not notice?''

'Daaaaaamn it!' Was all she could think of. This left her with the only hopes of finding a ship that just so happens to be in the ready.

''Ah I'm sorry, I kinda slept through the day, kinda why I asked! Ahaha..''

Being done with the awkward laugh she was on her way again, no reason to stay around near marines and get caught by someone more keen eyed. She walked into a tight alley between two tall white buildings, leaning against the wall and brainstorming new plans with the information on her disposal. 

''If I'm not getting off from this island any time soon I might aswell settle down a bit, do a bit of... dirty work...aaaand I see my first victim.''

She walked back out, her eyes aimed at the hip of a lone standing man, probably waiting for someone from the bakery he's outside of. Risa clutches her hand into an arching pose, from her pointing finger pure Jet emerges to form a rough yet sharp knife. Using this improvised sharp tool she just needed to pass right by him, on the same motion of grabbing the carelessly hanging pouch she cuts the strap with her finger. And from there was an easy breeze of a walk.

''Well that was easy, and a fair amount too.. hum, I am fairly hungry, so a meal should do, and perhaps a drink with taste..''

After deciding her next act she joined in the nearest lively food bar she saw, and having herself an ordinary steak meal with the bit of Beri she stole.