Stock and Starved, The Journey begins!

Kramp noticed the sudden excitement, and also noticed what Serena had in her hand. He almost wanted to stop them, but seeing the girls so excited and happy as opposed to the snide or cocky pirates he had faced who taken advantage of others and claimed stolen goods as their own while enjoying the act; this was more akin to finding a actual piece of treasure in the middle of nowhere. He decided to stay quiet. They'd need all the help they could get with Operation Whitewater coming up, and the sooner they could get away from what was coming, the better. He really didn't hate people who were forced to be pirates. He just knew how the World Government worked, and he had dedicated himself to protecting those who couldn't fight back. These girls had been like that, but found strength on their own with each other.

He looked back at that moment, before Kramp down the shot with a raised toast. Seeing the minx nearly choke on his whiskey he couldn't help but laugh. "You already jinxed that captain. For my health after all!" He chuckled, and soon his crew while bitter did seem a bit more relaxed with his laugh. "I hope we never meet again, but if we do.... if you can beat me, I'll give you another bottle as a victory gift. Better keep a bottle on the side for me in that case as well." Kramp stated, before turning around and raising the empty shot glass. "Alright men! Get to patching whatever we can up. Scrap the Mast if we have to." He ordered in a far more calm nature that before.

Moxie shifted the lever, reversing the Platform teeth and pulling them back into an inactive state. The Windchasers were slowly tugging off as smoke trails began chugging along. Before long, they were a blip on the horizon for the Quillon Crew as they watched and left a marine crew a bit better than it was when they first encountered them. Tyco was silent, before quickly disappearing before anyone could track him. He had the potential to sabotage everything, but considering that he was a DFU him and sinking ships weren't a good thing. Still, Yanagi's comment did catch Moxie's attention span, as she quickly asked, "Sooo.... What was that about a kiss of some kind?" She smiled somewhat interested.

Yanagi nodded, not exactly knowing how it worked but knowing exactly what this meant for the crew. It meant they could venture forward into the Grand Line! She at least was aware of the grand Line and how it was a dangerous place. If they had this, she could eventually return to Wano. But right now? It made Serena happy which in turn made Yanagi beam with the brightest smile and pumped both fists into the air. "Oho! I see now why you placed an angelic kiss on my cheek! This means alot! It is like a ticket to the Grand Line!"

She crossed her arms and nodded twice. "I see, I see! It seems like we're soon to embark on a grand romantic adventure just like in the stories told to me as a child! I will celebrate as well!" She withdrew her sake gourd and offered it to Serena when she had a chance to notice in between her cooking. The liquid inside made a thick gurgle as its contents swished within. Yanagi popped it open first and took a generous swig with a bit of the aromatic sake dribbling just a bit from her lips. She exhaled heavily and wiped her mouth. "You've given me food, carried me...it's only proper I return the favor by offering a drink from my homeland to you!"

Serena had actually been about to accept the drink before Moxie swooped in... and immediately got drunk off a single swig... Serena marveled at how such a big woman could be so strongly affected by so little booze... but her comment about the indirect kiss was more immediately concerning... she'd almost fallen for that. Sneaky Yanagi was taking cues from the ninja it seemed

"Well now that Moxie went and tipped me off to your little scheme, I'll have to decline the gourd" Serena chuckled, a slight smile showing she wasn't too upset about Yanagi trying to sneak one by her "I WILL however accept knowledge on how to make that drink if you have it. I like to collect recipes when I can... plus then I can make more for both you and Ayane... on that note the stuff already in the bottle should go to her honestly. It's her homeland too and I bet she misses it. Booze is booze to me, I won't appreciate it the same way she will."

For all of Serena's utter obliviousness to Ayane's not at all secret crush on her, she did always seem to be looking out for the girl even more than the rest of the crew at times. In Serena's mind she didn't see it as anything more than platonic familial love though, having been around Ayane so long all the connotations and implications of things went right over her head.

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Ayane glanced down at her little hitchhiker "Oh wow, you're quite good, for me to not notice a difference in weight on my toolbelt or you climbing me, consider me impressed" she said with a smile, she'd lean forward a bit to give Tyco an easier incline to climb up to her shoulder with, then would find a seat and give him the platter of food

"Here you go, just be sure to finish it, our chef gets mad if you waste food, not usually a problem though since she's quite good at cooking." Ayane said "so a Dwarf huh? I heard stories about your people back before being exiled from home, as a little kid I'd spend hours searching all over to try and meet the mythical tiny folk"

Ayane trailed off, memories drifting up she'd thought long forgotten

"Ayane! You're covered in mud! Where have you been young lady?"
"Was looking for the tiny folk! In the forest! The stories say they grow plants like magic!"
"Ayane dear, you know those are just stories"
"No! They're not! I know they're not! It wasn't a fairy tale book, it was one of papa's ol"
"YOU WERE READING THOSE AGAIN?"
"Uh oh..."


Ayane shook her head, casting away the memories and wiping her eyes a bit, she hadn't shed any tears, but she could feel the wetness building up. So the "tiny folk" were real after all huh? She'd known it, papa was a genius after all, he wouldn't write things that were wrong in his journals!

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you Tyco, my name is Ayane, I don't think I introduced myself properly earlier." Ayane said, trying to take her mind off her memories. Nothing good could come off dwelling on those too long

Tyco appreciated and thanked Ayane for settling down, before eating the food. He enjoyed it fairly well, but kept quiet as he listened to Ayane. "I don't know if there are any dwarves in wano, but we're kinda all over the place sometimes. I wouldn't doubt it, but captain would have had to arrest them all the same.... something about some Uchi-something..." Ayane would know immediately who was being spoken of. Uchisaiga. "Though I've been told we grow plants really well, but I've never seen it." He said, before swallowing his food. "And you did mention it. Is there really anything else you need to explain? You're a good pirate. Bit weird, but I suppose that's possible. Especially if Kramp believes ya'll enough to entrust me to you guys. I don't want to talk about much, but if you see that scary looking woman, can you tell her thank you for me?" He said, before standing up. "I kinda want to eat alone for a bit... but I'll talk later for sure. With that said," Tyco stated, before disappearing on her shoulder, a splatter of sauce only visible on his face as he forgot to use his fruit on it. "Just shout for me and I'll hear you. Ciao for now." Tyco stated, before the sauce stain hopped down and quickly made his way down the hall and into the room that Ayane had found him before. Apparently he had decided that was his safe space.

Yanagi would run off, and immediately Isabella would step in herself, sidestepping the newest member, before grabbing her collar. "Nice hussle girl, but chill out. Let's all eat, celebrate, and introduce ourselves before we get into reminiscing sad things. It's fine to be homesick, but let's save that for after we have food in our bellies." She complimented, before looking at Serena. "Considering the smell, I figure food's ready. I'll call everyone in." She said, before disappearing after rotating Yanagi back towards the mess hall's table. It was not only an impressive feat, but the sheer power behind the leopard minx's grip, and her finesse in manipulating her body indicated she was possibly as skilled as, if not more skilled than her grandfather. Soon enough, a bell would ring, indicating that food was fully ready to be eaten, and for everyone to assemble.

---

At this point, everyone quickly began to gather in the mess hall, preparing for their meals as they talked with one another, exchanging several gloats and such about the recent fight. Isabella would sit down, last, with everyone except Tyco now sitting at the table. Ayane would be able to notice the food stain that floated above on one of the cooling pipes, seemingly choosing to stay invisible as he likely wanted to watch how the crew interacted as they sat down. Onaka would be the final one to arrive, still a bit damp from her shower. When everyone settle down and their plates were about to be passed, Isabella gave Onaka a look and waved the newspaper from before. If there was any time to mention the need to head to the grand line, it was now. Serena wouldn't like it, as the Log Pose while a very vital part of navigating the grand line was necessary, it was only one piece. They needed to have ample supplies for the trip, repair panels, maps of reverse mountain, and so much more if Serena was as meticulous as she was rumored to be.

If there was a need for any plans to be made, now was the time.

It took all her willpower to avoid eating right away. It was always tradition for her to wait eating in groups like these until everyone was present. It would have been disrespectful if she went ahead. Thus she began thinking of what had happened today. Starving and adrift on a rowboat. Rescued and fed by a blazing headed goddess whom she upped and dubbed a wife without consulting her. A secret she would keep til the end of her days. Quiet reflection. Then a brief but memorable skirmish with realizations abound. More happiness and now this. Food together with the ones that picked her up.

Life was good.

There was zero hesitation as she saw everyone else digging in. Food was shoveled into her mouth with abandon and each bite savored. Exotic flavors danced on her palette and it put a smile on her face. Her heart sang. She looked to Serena with her carefree grin while stuffing a set of skewered meat into her lips. Her chewed, pointing at the leftover stick insistently.

"More of these! Lots more! So very good! Umai! Umai!"

Serena paled a bit at the prospect of sparring Isabelle while she wasn't holding back... she knew better than most of the crew that the old Mink was a lot stronger than she let on most of the time. Still what was so wrong about becoming strong without relying on her devil fruit? Her devil fruit was a useful tool, but it was just a tool. She trained to improve her control over said tool but she also needed to train to master use of other things in her toolkit. Her devil fruit lost a lot of effectiveness against various kinds of enemy, she had to be ready for everything.

There was no arguing with Isabelle when she got serious though, the old mink was as stubborn as she was, and they were going to be stuck on a boat together. This training was happening, there was no escape. Her muscles ached in anticipation of the coming punishment.

So she focused on the feast at hand, making a note of Yanagi's preference for the meat skewers and whatever else she noticed Yanagi enjoying in particular... she was focusing a lot on this newcomer today. But it was purely platonic! No way did that declaration of intent to marry her have anything to do with it!

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Onaka mulled over what Isabelle said... her decisions would choose the fate of the crew huh... that line looped in her head over and over. She was the carefree one seeking thrills and adventure, Serena was the voice of reason who reined her in. It was better that way... someone had to rein her in or the crew would end up like... her decisions couldn't be trusted. She was the worst one to put this burden on... but Isabelle was right, she was the captain. It was her burden to carry, and the fact she kept shunting it onto Serena was unfair.

Whatever her anxieties... and past mistakes. She was going to have to toughen up and swallow those doubts. Push them down and remain the confident carefree captain everyone knew and loved.

For now though, this train of thought was stressing her out, so she focused on Yanagi "Hey a fellow meat lover, try this on for size then!" she said as she doused a meat skewer in some meat sauce "recreation of a family recipe, me and Serena haven't quiiiiite figured out the secret ingredient my folks would use, but even incomplete this stuff is good! You gotta try it." she said

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Ayane also took the words Isabelle said to heart and quietly mulled them over. Improve herself as much as the ship? But she already did that, heck her latest experiment with the electrified spear had been a big success... for the amount of time it was functioning anyway. The battery had run out of charge so quick... but that was fine. She could just... keep making replacements. She just had to keep inventing new clever gadgets and improving the ship and everything would be fine.

She knew that was false though, today she'd been sloppy. She'd forgotten the specifics of her cannons in the heat of battle and needed to reference her blueprints despite having used her devil fruit on that countless times. And then her briefcase had been snatched up and she'd had to abandon the fight to go chase it. Sloppy, she should have her go-to weapons and gadgets memorized by heart by now, not have to reference them mid-fight! She couldn't just abandon the crew in battle like that, not when the battles were closer and more dangerous like they would be going forward.

She needed to be more effective in battle too, her new spear had been deadly when standing on a metal surface where she could electrify everyone facing her. But she knew her spear skills weren't up to snuff. She needed a go-to weapon she was more familiar with. One she could rely on, understand to a degree that even if it broke she could recreate it instantly without error. Something she could upgrade as time went on, and one she could master the usage of.

It was time to get back to work on a certain project of hers... she'd abandoned it once in the past years ago, not being able to overcome some of its issues at the time. But she was more experienced and knowledgeable now... she could do it. She just needed to...

Ayane was so lost in thought she stopped eating entirely after a bit, eventually picking up a plate of food and wandering off to go put some of her ideas into practice. She had a prototype to finish at long last.