Sirens on the Menu-A Sanji fic
We are steamrolling with these chapters gang! Again, If you want to be tagged in updates, please let me know! I will also have a spotify playlist on the way! Also, if you're reading this and see any typo's or mistakes, please let me know! Click here for the Previous Chapter Enjoy!
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Chapter Two: Whatever It Takes
The table was quiet and the smiles faded. But in place came a new emotion; determination. Luffy wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “Why not?” Rhaella took a mouthful of her drink. “Because I have my life set up here. I have the band and my family, I can’t just up and leave them on a whim. Besides, my brother wouldn’t be happy if I left.” “But your brother doesn’t own you.” Nami countered. “I know that and so does he. But I made a promise to him that I would help out here, aside from his wife’s family, it’s been just us two for a long time…” “If it makes you feel any better, a lot of us have left people special to us.” Usopp leant in. But Rhaella wasn’t paying attention, she looked over to the hooded figure in the corner of the booth and raised an eyebrow. “And what do you have to say?” Her mental walls came up in an instant. There was a familiar air about this mysterious person which made Rhaella’s hair on the back of her neck stand on end. She watched as the figure leant in to whisper something in Sanji’s ear. Sanji had seemed to understand because he slid out of the booth, allowing this other person to move and stand in front of Rhaella. Rae stood up as well, she was noticeably shorter than the hooded figure so she did have to look up a little. But slowly, hands moved to remove the hood that covered the person’s face. She figured that no one was paying attention too hard to them all and that the patrons were too drunk to care, but Vivi smiled at Rhaella. “I think you should do it.” Rhaella’s mouth hung open in a half shock, half smile. “Vivi!” She latched onto the princess tightly. Laughing, Vivi returned the hug. When they pulled back, Rhaella held onto Vivi’s shoulders. “I thought you went missing a while back!” “I did. But this isn’t the place to explain things. I agree with Luffy and the others in that you should go with them. I know it’s easier said than done, but I can help you talk to Roscoe.” “Wait.” Nami pointed at Vivi and Rhaella. “You know each other?” “Rae is one of my closest friends!” Vivi grinned. “Thats why I was so adamant that you come here.” “Well that makes a lot of sense that you knew where to go.” Luffy held more meat in his hand. “I heard that Rhaella has performed in Alabasta a few times.” “That’s right. Vivi and I became friends as children when it was just me, Roscoe and our mum doing the touring. I’ve performed for the Royal Family more times than I can count on my hands. We even share a birthday!” Rae turned back to Vivi. “Roscoe might listen to you if you come with me. But he’s been really busy tonight. Maybe we can talk when we’re closing up.” Vivi put her hood back on and switched seats with Sanji so that she could sit next to Rhaella. Rae finished her drink and wiped the back of her mouth. “I made a promise to Roscoe that when the time came, I would talk to him about leaving for the seas. If he says no, then I won’t go. He’s my only family here as I have said.”
“So what you’re saying is that you do want to go?” Luffy questioned.
Rhaella nodded. “Sailing the seas isn’t just my dream. I’ve been in a slump with my songwriting and I know that seeing new places and meeting new people will break me out of this block. I want to be one of the best songwriters in the world.”
“That's a great dream to have! Can you fight?”
“I can hold my own…in a bar fight that is.”
“And your grandpa mentioned that you’re a Devil Fruit user.” Nami swirled the straw in her empty cup. “Is that true?”
Rae looked down. “Yeah. I ate the Sing-Sing fruit by accident a few years back. I became like a Siren, hence the name of the band. I can use my powers to change the emotions of people, as well as create images and illusions to help tell my stories as I sing. I guess in a combat situation, they’re a good diversion tactic. But I try not to use my powers for that purpose. I’ve managed to control the sing-sing powers for entertainment only.”
“Can’t help but feel that there’s more to this devil fruit. Is that all you can do with it?” Zoro wasn’t taking any chances. Rhaella tensed up almost immediately as did Vivi, who looked at her hands.
Sanji frowned. “Ease up, Mosshead. You’re upsetting Rhaella.”
“I’m just getting information.”
“Yeah well your information sounds more like an interrogation.”
“If she’s gonna be on the ship with us, we deserve to know-“
“I appreciate you coming to my defence,” Rae finally spoke up, looking at Sanji before turning her head to Zoro. “But I don’t know if I'm coming with you guys just yet. So please stop asking me questions as if I’m a criminal. Now if you’ll excuse me-“ she pushed up off the chair and regained her composure with a smile. “I need to get back to work. Please enjoy the rest of your night, Straw Hats.”
Rhaella bounced away back to the bar to get one more drink before heading back to the stage, her fans cheering as she got back to the microphone. “Thank you! Thank you! I hope ya didn’t miss me too much while I took a little break!” She beamed at the crowd as if nothing had ever bothered her beforehand. “Since we have so many new faces in the Cave tonight, I’d like to take you all on a very special journey.” She took a guitar from the stand as the other band members prepared. “This is a song that I wrote when I was backpacking around the island for some inspiration.” As she strummed the guitar, the straw hats could have sworn that magic glistened in her hands.
“This is called ‘Under the Painted Stars.”
I remember the stories you told me As I drifted off to sleep I sit alone by the river and feel All the love you had to give Under the painted stars I see your eyes so kind and free Under the painted stars I know I'll never stop believing.
“This is my favourite song of hers.” Vivi whispered to Sanji, who again was frozen in place by the beauty of Rhaella’s voice. But as if that wasn’t enough, a swirl of purple, black and navy blue appeared above the band. The cheers grew louder. It was a visual creation of the song; a story of Rhaella’s travels around Whistle Island accompanied by what could only be described as an angel floating behind her.
It was the perfect song. Upbeat in melody but still held a somber air around it. The patrons of the tavern (straw hats and Vivi included) couldn’t take their eyes off of Rhaella as she played and sang. Roscoe smiled warmly from what Nami could see out of the corner of her eye. This song looked and sounded like it held a special significance to the family.
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The Tavern had closed rather late due to the amount of people that had come to watch the Walking Sirens. Rhaella and Roscoe were left with cleaning the bar while Isla had taken her daughter home to sleep. The Straw Hats were settled in their rooms while Vivi waited patiently in a room with Nami. Or at least, that’s what everyone thought. The girls decided to try and listen in on the conversation as much as possible. Rhaella wiped down some tables when Roscoe stopped what he was doing. “So what did they want to tell you?” The cave had become cooler with the lack of people in it, so Rae hoisted a jacket over her shoulders and sat down at one of the tables. “It seems like Granddad remembered my dream. Apparently, he's still looking after Laboon and is going to do so, but only if they take me with them.” There was a heavy silence that settled among the siblings. “I thought so. What did you tell them?” “I told them…That as much as I want to, I can’t leave you behind. But this is something that I really want to do. Things have changed-” “Have you forgotten what’s happening right now? Alabasta is nearly at war with itself and the amount of dangerous pirates and god knows who or what is out there-” Rhaella cut him off. “You don’t need to remind me of the dangers of the sea. I am well aware. But Roscoe, these straw hats are…different. I can’t explain why but there’s…something. You know that I’m capable of looking after myself.” “That’s not the point. The point is, you have your family here, Your life.” “But I have dreams too!” Rae shot up off the chair, letting it scrape along the ground. “I don’t like leaving you guys as much as you don’t, But remember what mum said to us-” Roscoe pointed at his sister, a scowl on his face. “Don’t bring her into this!” “Why? Cause she’s dead?” Another silence fell between them, both shaking with anger. “If you’re not going to listen to me, you’ll listen to someone else.” With that, Rae walked off, heading upstairs. Upon hearing the footsteps, Vivi and Nami made their way back to their room before Rhaella could knock on the door. Nami had opened up to let Rhaella step in. Acting oblivious, Nami looked concerned. “Are you okay?” “Yeah, fine. Listen, I'm sorry to disturb you, but I need Vivi to come with me. Roscoe isn’t listening to me, but I know he’ll listen to her. If Roscoe still says no, then my hands are tied.” Nami nodded, looking sad. But Vivi stepped forward and placed a hand on Rae’s shoulder. “He’s just scared. I know you’d feel the same if it were him that’s wanting to leave.” Rae agreed with a single nod. Her friend was right, if the tables had turned, it would be her that would try to stop him. But anyone that knew Rae, knew that she was stubborn. The girls walked out of the room and down the stairs, but Rae entered the bar area first.
Roscoe was still behind the bar itself, stocking up on drinks. He had heard the footsteps but didn’t turn around. Rae sat on a stool. “Have ya calmed down yet?” “Not entirely…” “Good enough.” She turned her head to the stairs. “Come on out.” Vivi took tentative steps towards the siblings and sat next to Rhaella. No one else was in the room so it was safe for her to be exposed.
Upon hearing the third person take their seat, Roscoe turned around. He was stunned in his spot at the sight of the princess. “...Holy shit. Princess?!” Vivi smiled. “Hello Roscoe. Long time, no see.”
The smile on his face was instant, but short term. He turned to Rhaella. “This is a low tactic, even for you.” “Hey mate, I didn’t know she was here until tonight. She’s sailing with the straw hats. For what reason, I don’t know.” She reached behind the bar for some glasses and a bottle of alcohol. She poured the liquid into 3 glasses, handing them to Vivi and Roscoe. “I know this is a family issue, but I can’t help but to weigh in on what’s being asked of Rhaella.” Vivi started. “It was Luffy and his crew that saved me from the whale and helped me in Whisky Peak. I told Rhaella that she should take this opportunity. She will be well protected by Luffy. That I am certain.”
Roscoe held the glass to his lips, taking a small sip. He sighed. This was far from easy for the man. He had promised to protect Rhaella, whatever it took, no matter the cost. “What about Allira? She’s gonna miss her aunt.” Rhella scoffed, sipping her own drink. “Talk about low tactics Ross. Allira knows about my dreams. She’s old enough to understand. Everyone knows the time would come eventually and now…the universe has given me the sign that I needed. It’s not like I’ll be gone forever.” Her voice softened. Something shifted inside Roscoe. He was fighting with his own mind. On one hand, he wanted Rhaella to chase her ultimate dream, but he didn’t want to lose part of his family. Sure, he had his wife, daughter and brothers in law, but Rhaella had been there from day one. Despite being younger than him, he had always sworn to protect her. And he knew that there would come a time where she didn’t need that protection anymore. There was no winning this argument with his sister, especially if Princess Vivi was on her side. He set the glass down, still holding it. “Fine. If this is what you truly want to do, then do it. But you can’t leave yet. At least talk to the family in the morning and put on one last show for the cave.”
A smile spread across Rhaella’s face. She reached across the bar and collected Roscoe in a tight hug around the neck. “Thank you! I promise I'll tell them everything in the morning! We can plan one last concert. I’m sure that Luffy and his crew will be happy to wait another night or two.”
