#rcmancedawn

This was the island his younger twin was so seemingly fond of? It didn't look like much, but according to his intel this was where Monkey D Luffy hailed from and his twin had spend some significant time here. Even now he seemed to return now and then.

But what pulled him to this backwater place? It looked like nothing. A small port, an even smaller village, not connected to the main city of Goa Kingdom.

The suspicious looks of the villagers aren't surprising. He had pulled a hood over his head, covering his red hair. If these people were familiar with Shanks it would only cause annoying questions he wasn't willing on answering.

His steps carry him towards the only bar of this place. He had learned quickly that bars and taverns were the best spot to gather any kind of information when down in the lower world.

He steps throw the swinging doors, noticing how empty the place was. Well, empty besides the barmaid behind the counter and...was that a baby sleeping peacefully in a crib? A baby with very family red hair.

How interesting.

Shamrocks seats himself at one of tables in a corner near the bar, one where he had a good view on the entrance and bar itself. The hood is something he keeps on.

starter for { @rcmancedawn }

The ocean ebbed and flowed in a matter that some would call peaceful, but he would call it an ass.

It was almost mocking the young boy, his red hair sopping against his forehead. His clothes were sticking to his skin, the soaked threads icing in the wind - forcing his body temperature lower. The winter island was beautiful with its icicles shimmering like precious jewels, light reflected off snow-covered ground sparkling as though it were covered in rhinestones.

Despite said beauty, many less beautiful words were going through his mind as his frozen fingers struck flint against rock. His little firepit was as sad as it was pathetic: it had been hard finding anything that was dry enough to burn. But without a fire, he only had minutes until hypothermia set in. Then it would be over.

But it couldn't be over, not yet. He had just gotten a crew - a good one at that. Benn had sworn his loyalty. So did Yasopp. So did Lucky. They had been having so much fun together, the four of them, with partying and some treasure hunting and a lot of laughter. It almost made him completely forget about the hell that had been just a few years prior, the crushing sadness and fear that came after the Captain had been executed.

He had never been more alone in his entire life those first few days after the Captain died and Buggy yelled at him and he yelled at Buggy and they parted.

Now he was alone again, but he wasn't lonely. He had people he needed to get back to. All he needed to do was make sure he didn't die first.

"On one hand, I totally believe that Mihawk doesn't have any biological kids because unlike most men at sea, he's capable of keeping it in his pants. Plus, it is pretty hard to imagine him with a baby."

Incorrect Quotes Accepting @rcmancedawn

Baccarat, answering the phone: Hello? Shanks: It’s Shanks. Baccarat: What did he do this time? Shanks: No, it’s me, Shanks. It’s actually me. Baccarat: What did you do this time?

Shanks: Go big or go home! Baccarat:Please, for once in your life just go home. I'm begging you. Go. Home. Shanks: I'm going big!

Shanks: We’re playing Scrabble. It’s a nightmare. Baccarat: Scrabble? Scrabble’s great. Shanks: Not when you’re playing with Shamrock, it’s not. He puts words like “ephemeral” and I put “dog.”

Baccarat: Shanks, I am questioning your sanity... Shamrock: I never questioned it, I knew his sanity was missing from the start.

Baccarat: You’re a horrible person! Shamrock: Maybe. But I’m rich and I’m pretty, so it doesn’t really matter.

The port was one of those with a reputation. Well, two reputations. There was the one that seemed to be the general narrative of this place: it was great for tourists, it was great for travelers, and there was plenty of fun to be had down the rows of shops and restaurants and bars.

Then there was the reputation he had heard under the flashiness and welcoming facade the port portrayed. The reputation that those with a bit more ill will knew. This was a place great for tourists - people who weren't expecting to run into trouble. Who weren't watching their pockets as easily. Who would be walking home drunk at the end of the night. Who might be out with more money than one could imagine.

For Shanks, there was a third reason for being here. And he was coming from it, with a bag full of his winnings from some good ol' fashioned mahjong. They were people he had met along the way, a bit seedy but also good for a few games. As long as one left while winning and still a bit sober. But now with his gains and clear mind, it was about time to join the rest of his crew at the bar.

It had started so normal. Just a typical errand - deliver a letter to another pirate captain who was friends with his captain and then return with a letter. He had done this so many times. And this wasn't even to someone difficult. The captain receiving the letter didn't tear it apart. Didn't insult him or his captain. Gave him a verbal message to return with.

The message was kept safe in his mind and he was taking an evening on a nice summer island. Boss always sent him off with more than enough berry to cover his overnight stay, his food, and any shopping he might want to do while out and about. That was just who the Boss was though, a guy wanting to make sure his guys were taken care of. Your pride isn't worth your life. That's what he said. Maybe Rockstar was a sentimental fool, but that sort of shit hit.

But this island didn't seem to be as keen on him as it first seemed. Perhaps they had a thing against fishmen, that wouldn't be weird. Maybe they knew he was a pirate, odd for them to single him out seeing as how there were a number of other pirates around. But he didn't pay too mind until the moon was high and he felt his arms grabbed and he was pulled into a dark area of the docks.

Before he knew it, he was fighting for his life. There were a number of the enemies and they had the jump on him. But once he got his bearings he was able to distract them long enough to escape into the water. He surfaced farther down the docks, getting out of the water and leaning on the wall of a building before he realized both his money was gone and he was bleeding. Pretty profusely, actually.

Makino was behind the counter, as always, her dark hair tied back in a loose bun, sleeves rolled up as she wiped down a glass with practiced ease. She didn’t look up right away, but Shanks wasn't deterred in the slightest. The bar wasn’t packed tonight, just a few regulars nursing their mugs, which gave him ample room to lean against the counter, one arm resting casually on the polished wood as he pushed the brim of his straw hat upwards to finally reveal amused dark eyes.