Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Okay, you're good to go. Number ninety-nine! NEXT!"

Yai sighed, standing at the a**-end of the world's longest line. What was the line for, you ask? Simple. Customs check for getting into the Seven Star Isles, of course.

With the sheer number of objects in his bag, he'd no doubt be here a while. Especially since it wasn't even his turn yet.

Sighing again, Yai took a look at his number on the piece of paper they had given him. One hundred and eight. He was close, but still a way's away.

See, the only place on the Seven Star Isles newcomers were allowed to dock their small boats was the port at Clock Town on Meadow Island. Everyone had to take a number, and that determined the order their belongings were checked.

So far, it didn't seem like anything was considered 'contraband,' per se. So this made the belongings checks merely a formality.

So, then... Why were they taking so long?!!!

And... then again... Why was he waiting in line when he'd get called when his number came up?

So, walking over to a nearby stack of crates, Yai sat down, setting his bag down on the ground and holding his wooden pole out.

"Tanuko, acoustic guitar." he told his pole.

On that command, Yai's pole was enveloped in a poof of white smoke. When the smoke cleared, he was holding an acoustic guitar, which he held over his lap, plucking a few test strings.

What should he play, though? Binks' Sake was always a good one. So, playing the first few chords, Yai began to sing. He took a cup out of his bag and set it on the ground, in case anyone liked the show enough to toss him a few Beli.

"Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,"

As Yai's singing and guitar strumming began, the people closest nearby turned to look.

"Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
Umikaze kimakase namimakase
Shio no mukou de, yuuhi mo sawagu
Sora nya wa wo kaku, tori no uta"

Their talking and arguing died down as they turned to listen to the song.

"Sayonara minato, Tsumugi no sato yo
DON to icchou utao, funade no uta
Kinpa-ginpa mo shibuki ni kaete
Oretacha yuku zo, umi no kagiri"

Slowly, the silence began spreading outward from where Yai sat, as more turned to listen to the song.

"Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
Warera kaizoku, umi watteku
Nami wo makura ni, negura wa fune yo
Ho ni hata ni ketateru wa dokuro"

And slowly, everyone started to relax.

"Arashi ga kita zo, senri no sora ni
Nami ga odoru yo, DORAMU narase
Okubyoukaze ni fukarerya saigo
Asu no asahi ga nai ja nashi"

Before, everyone was tense and bored.

"Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,"

But as the music spread, everyone's spirits began to lift.

"Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
Kyou ka asu ka to yoi no yume
Te wo furu kage ni, mou aenai yo
Nani wo kuyokuyo, asu mo tsukuyo"

Soon, all that could be heard aside from the song was the Inspectors calling the next person.

"Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
DON to icchou utao, unaba no uta
Douse dare demo itsuka wa hone yo
Hatenashi, atenashi, waraibanashi"

Some people even began singing along.

"Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho."

Yai's dexterous fingers danced upon the strings of his guitar. Doctors needed flexible and agile fingers, which was useful for both surgery and compounding medicine. Having such fingers and manual dexterity, playing the guitar was one of Yai's only other talents and hobbies aside from his medical studies. It was useful when he needed some quick cash while on the road, and it even kept him from getting thrown overboard when he stowed away on pirate ships and they discovered him. Music was usually a pirate's only entertainment on long voyages, unless they owned a parrot.

"Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,"

Though Yai's eyes were closed during his performance so he could focus, his Observation Haki detected someone step just a little closer than the others. He looked up to see a woman step forward and pull out a Tone Dial to record his song. He decided to sing it one more time, just so she could record it in its entirety.

"Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
Umikaze kimakase namimakase
Shio no mukou de, yuuhi mo sawagu
Sora nya wa wo kaku, tori no uta"

Juding from the vestigial wings on her back, she was one of the three sky races. Most couldn't tell the difference between them since their wing designs only differed marginally. But Yai, having learned the anatomy of many different races for his medical studies, could tell she was a Shandian.

"Sayonara minato, Tsumugi no sato yo
DON to icchou utao, funade no uta
Kinpa-ginpa mo shibuki ni kaete
Oretacha yuku zo, umi no kagiri"

Though, the tribal markings and dark skin helped in that deduction as well. Bilkans even had long, goat-like ears to differentiate them from Skypieans and Shandians, so the differences weren't in the wings only.

"Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
Warera kaizoku, umi watteku
Nami wo makura ni, negura wa fune yo
Ho ni hata ni ketateru wa dokuro"

Shandians placed a high cultural value on combat, so it was highly possible she was a well-trained Shandian warrior.

"Arashi ga kita zo, senri no sora ni
Nami ga odoru yo, DORAMU narase
Okubyoukaze ni fukarerya saigo
Asu no asahi ga nai ja nashi"

Of course, Yai had learned never to give in to stereotypes, so it was just as possible she was a midwife or medicine woman.

"Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,"

But judging from her toned physique, she likely was a warrior.

"Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
Kyou ka asu ka to yoi no yume
Te wo furu kage ni, mou aenai yo
Nani wo kuyokuyo, asu mo tsukuyo"

But what was she doing here, on the 'Blue Sea,' as the sky races called it?

"Binkusu no sake wo, todoke ni yuku yo
DON to icchou utao, unaba no uta
Douse dare demo itsuka wa hone yo
Hatenashi, atenashi, waraibanashi"

Sky races rarely left their homes on the petrified clouds of the White Sea. Could she have been on an errand for her tribe, to procure something only found on the Blue Sea? Was she exiled, or perhaps on a pilgrimage to help her reconnect with the roots of her people?

Hm... Then again, the best way to find out about someone was to ask them.

"Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho."

Yai's song concluded, the crowds that had stopped to listen turning and going back to their business, though some tossed a few Beli his way.

Yai, however, set his guitar down against the crate he sat on, scooting over and patting the spot next to him, gesturing for the Shandian woman to join him.

"Hope you enjoyed the show." he told her in a low, mellow voice.

The smallest of smiles was on his face, his one visible eye displaying a lighthearted curiosity, despite his highly laid-back speech.

"Just curious what a Shandian is doing down here on the Blue Sea."

He made sure to try and use terms she'd recognize, like 'Blue Sea.' To be honest, the sky islands was one of the few places in the world his parents hadn't taken him to visit on their tours to commoner countries. Naturally, Yai had a deep curiousity for them as a result. He'd never met a Skypiean, Bilkan, or even a Shandian before. And he intended to take this opportunity to welcome her to the Blue Sea, considering she looked a bit unfamiliar with her surroundings.

Ah, she was witty, too. Yai liked that.

The former World Noble leaned back on the crate, resting on the balls of his palms as he thrust his legs out, stretching them. He looked out into the distance as he spoke.

"Binks' Sake. Very old pirate song, dating back over eighty years. Meant to uplift the spirits of those who hear it. Unique song, both lighthearted and sad at the same time. Can be played on a number of instruments, too. Piano in major key makes it a good party song for sing-a-longs. Violin in minor key makes it a good ballad, requiem, or farewell song. Prefer the guitar, myself. Only instrument I can play. Best song I know, first one I learned. Don't need a very good voice to sing it well."

Yai turned to give her a sideways glance, a small grin on his face. "Course, sure you have better songs where you come from. Never been to the White Sea. What's it like? Heard you can swim in the clouds."

To be honest, Yai knew all about Dials. Some that found their way to the Blue Sea ended up being given as tribute for his family. He didn't take any along with him when he left Mariejoa, though. He had purchased a Tone Dial with Soul King Brook's 'Bone to be Wild' on it, but it was second-hand and abruptly stopped working a few months later.

However, anything else about the sky islands was only something he'd heard rumored stories about. He desperately wanted to go there... Hell, Montblanc Noland's memoires mentioned they were highly susceptible to disease, so maybe he could even put his medical studies to use up there. Granted, Noland was called a liar, but Yai was a fan of the story. Considering recent evidence, maybe the people he claimed to have met on Jaya really were Shandians.

Yai nodded, listening.

Living on clouds... to the sky dwellers, dirt, or as they called it, 'vearth,' was the most precious thing to them. But to Blue Sea dwellers, the thought of walking barefoot on fluffy clouds seemed like a dream in heaven... It must have been a mundane daily activity to the sky dwellers.

"Number one hundred and seven! NEXT!"

Yai abruptly stood up, hoisting his bag back over his shoulder and grabbing his guitar.

"Mine's up next. Could probably go together if we say we're a single group."

He turned to look at his guitar, giving it a little toss.

"Tanuko, wooden pole." he commanded.

The guitar exploded into a poof of harmless white smoke mid-air, and when it fell back to earth, Yai snatched a wooden pole out of the air. He turned and began to walk toward the security lane, using the pole as a walking staff.

"C'mon. I'm a bounty hunter. Can just show them my license and tell them you're my partner." he explained.



((Short. Sorry.))

Yai turned to face her, a small grin on his face.

"Oh, you're a hunter, too? Makes it even more believable we're partners. Hunters sometimes work in pairs or teams."

As they reached the check point, a member of the Militia stopped them.

"May I search your bag, sir?"

Yai set his duffle bag on the large table between them, the Militaman sorting through it.

"What's with all these medical supplies?" he scrutinized.

"Doctor."

Technically, he didn't like being called a doctor. But it was a briefer way to explain the medical tools, medicines, salves, balms, and creams he carried.

"And what is this? A key? Is this real gold?"

"Nah. Polished bronze. Just an antique key. Don't even know what its for."

Both lies. It was very real gold, and it opened any lock. An heirloom of his family, gifted to them generations ago by a poor country hoping to pay tribute to World Nobles.

"And this coin? 'Lucky' with a four leaf clover? Is this real gold, too?"

"Yeah. Just my lucky charm. Not worth much, considering its not a historical treasure, nor legal tender."

No use lying about that one. It really was just a lucky charm. It was one of many gifts to his family by the poor countries they visited, but unlike his key, he was actually alive when a country gave it to his family.

Yai was a firm believer in luck. Sure, you made your own luck, yeah. But occasionally you needed something to help you make your own luck.

"And what's this seashell?"

"Tone Dial."

"What's recorded on it? Nothing illicit, I hope?"

"Broken. Was originally a song by Brook, the Soul King."

"Ah. Music fan, I see. And what's this ring?"

"Dunno. Just something I found. Had it appraised. Just a cheap mock-up of an ancient treasure. Not worth much. Just think it might be lucky."

Another lie. But he couldn't have anyone knowing he was once a World Noble.

"And what's this? Lollipops?"

"Doctor."

"Right. And are these... dog biscuits?"

Yai shrugged. "I like dogs."

They were for Tanuko, of course. But Yai wasn't sure whether foreign animals were allowed on the Seven Star Isles.

"Let's see, I think that's about it. Now... Are you a pirate, marine, revolutionary, hunter, or tourist?"

Yai merely reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out his wallet, showing his hunter's license. The Militiaman took it, examining it.

"Ah. The Adept Rogue, Xanadu Yai. C-Rank, Gold License. I've heard of you, actually. Big time rookie bounty hunter. You've been asked to work directly for the government several times, but always declined. May I ask why?"

Yai shrugged again. "Not my style.

Yai was well aware that the government knew he was a World Noble. But as a World Noble, they couldn't just arrest him and take him back to Mariejoa. He knew their frequent requests to work for them as an S-Rank with a Platinum License was just a ploy to keep a better eye on him, and maybe convince him to return to Mariejoa. So he'd have none of it.

"Okay... Hm... We'll need to check your weapon."

Yai looked at his wooden pole. "Not a weapon. Just a walking staff."

"Still, I'd like to see it."

"Sure." Yai tossed it to him.

The Militiaman lifted it in one hand, testing it, even tapped its end on the ground.

"It doesn't seem to be hollow, so no hidden comparments. But it's a little heavy for a walking staff."

"Dense wood. Useful for heavy terrain. Won't break."

Tanuko, of course, was a shapeshifting animal called a sea tanuki. No matter what weapon or form she took, she maintained a constant weight of five pounds. Weilding heavy-looking weapons often gave Yai the illusion of super strength because of this.

"If you say so. Anyway, that'll be all." he handed Yai back his pole and bag. "Number one hundred and nine! NEXT!"

"Hang on. What about her?" Yai asked, pointing to Alex.

"What's her number?" the Militiaman asked.

"We're together. She's my partner."

"Funny. I didn't hear anything about the Adept Rogue having a partner."

"Recent deal. Not much word out yet."

"Very well. Miss, if you'll kindly present me with your bag, weapons, and hunter's license."



((The Militiaman is an NPC. You can control him in your next post.))

Hm... Interesting story. He wondered how much of it was the truth and how much of it was just to get past the guard with minimal fuss. Only half Shandian? That raised some questions...

Shrugging that thought away, Yai followed after Alex, a small smile on his face.

"Well... Welcome to Clock Town." he told her, gazing around at the buildings.

The town was made up of cobblestone buildings with wooden support beams like you would find in most small towns, but most were two story buildings, some even three. Clock Town primarily followed a single main road, with the port leading into the middle of it. This main road, or 'Main Street,' was the center of the Southern District, dedicated to restaurants and most businesses. It was probably the most bustling part of Clock Town, which also made it the most dangerous, so the Seven Star Isles Militia often posted most of their Patrolmen on this street.

Sure, Yai had never been here before. Odd, considering his parents would've loved a nice vacation at a resort to get away from all their... yeah...

But he had read the travel brochure before he came. And it was highly detailed. That nugget of info came from a section detailing how safe the Seven Star Isles were.

Of course, what he hadn't planned on before coming here, was having a lovely Shandian traveling companion. He got her in here, so... maybe they should stick together. For now, at least.

Actually... He was deeply curious if anything she had said to that Inspector were true... But she'd share if she wanted.

Hell, he was well aware that she was curious about Tanuko. But as per his policy, he'd share if she asked. Which... she hadn't.

Aw, hell. He could make an exception to that policy.

"So... what you told that guard... Any of it true?" he asked, quirking an eyebrow at her.

Tanuko would probably need to revert back to her true form soon, anyway, so she'd find out eventually. It was time to feed her. But he didn't want to do it so close to the port. For all he knew, his suspicions were right and foreign pets weren't allowed passage onto the Seven Star Isles. Travel brochure didn't say anything about it one way or the other. Probably didn't want to make it seem like the resort archipelago had too many rules.

He'd take Tanuko to an alley... but he didn't want Alex to get the wrong idea.

Yai listened intently, smiling slightly when she was done.

Either she was the open sort... or she trusted him, if only a little.

"Thanks, Alex. Didn't have to to tell me, but... did. Appreciate that."

Ah, his walking stick. He knew she was curious about that. Most people were.

"No. No Devil Fruit. Tanuko, be yourself."

Yai's walking staff was enveloped in a poof of harmless white smoke. When it cleared, the staff was gone, and instead there was a little furry creature on the former World Noble's shoulder. It had brown fur and looked a little like a raccoon, but it had gills, webbed feet, and a long tail with a blue fin on the end.

"This is Tanuko. Say hi, Tanuko." he told the animal, a small smile on his face.

"Nuki!" it squeaked, seeming to be very happy and energetic.

"She's a sea tanuki. They're aquatic animals capable of transformation. Found her caught in a trap as a newborn, her parents killed by hunters. She's actually the one who gave me this scar on my cheek."

He pointed to the three claw mark-like scars on his left cheek.

"Didn't trust me at first. But I took care of her and we became inseparable. Can turn into almost any object I ask her to, Right, Tanuko?"

Yai rubbed her chin with his index finger, the sea tanuki murring softly.

"Nuki!"



((Don't worry about it. She's fine. XD ))