#melan writes

[melancholitas]

Day 3 of @heart-pirates-week is testing the loyalty of a certain penguin:

A Poker Round With The Alliance

Nami: Alright Penguin! You lost, now pay up!

Penguin:... I'm broke though.

Nami: Hmm. That's a shame. I'm not doing loans outside the crew, so you'll have to pay your dues in another way then. How about this! Either fess up some dirty little secret of your Captain or eat 3 Greenstone Reapers!

*pulls out some chilis from Usopps bag*

Usopp: Oi, that's dangerous! These are the deadliest ones I've grown so far---

Ikkaku: Girl, that's evil. I'm getting the cameko snail---

Shachi: Oh dang, I better grab some bread and that giant milk jug with a funnel---

Nami: but he didn't even agr-

Penguin: Gimme that.

Usopp:.. Are you sure? You might die if you eat all of them at once ----

Bepo: You'll never get him to sell out Captain just for something like this.

Penguin: Exactly. Also, how bad can it be?

Clione: 2000 berries he'll regret these words.

Uni: Deal. I think he can handle it. Another 2000 if he can manage to hide it from our captain.

Clione: Deal.

Nami: Damn... You're worse than me...

Penguin: I can hear you, you know...?

5 minutes later

*Penguin silently dies on the table*

Shachi: *patting his friend* There, there, take another sip, you dork.

Penguin: *unintelligible noises*

Usopp:... Sometimes I'm really scared of you, Nami... *shudders*

Nami: What! Don't look at me like that, I gave him a choice and he picked his poison!

Bepo: *teary* will he make it? I don't want to tell captain we lost him *close to wailing*

Franky: *starts sobbing* OUH, that loyalty is SUPER heart warming! Rest in peace little fella!

Shachi: Oi, he's not actually dying, dude! Have some faith!

Penguin: I'm not so sure about that *wipes his running face on Shachi's boiler suit*

Shachi: Sssh, it'll be over in a second, hang in ther-- EW, YOU HEATHEN! USE A GOD DAMN TISSUE!

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9

[melancholitas]

Finally, it's @heart-pirates-week, so here's a little silly something to jump right into it!

Day 1: Jean-Bart & cursed

Bepo: *knocks* Hey, uhm. I'm sorry! But can I come in?

*some heavy sighing and rustling*

Jean-Bart:... Fine. What do you want?

Bepo: *slips in and sits by the bed* So... Peng and Shachi said they'd take over your shift today.. Are you alright? I have to protocol this otherwise. Sorry!

Jean-Bart: *rolls into a ginormous blanket ball* Nothing to worry about. But it's better I stay here today. Sleep it off or something.

Bepo: Why? What's wrong? Should I call the captain?

Jean-Bart: No, don't worry. Listen. Today is simply just not... It.

Bepo: That bad?

Jean-Bart: Worse. First thing this morning, I stubbed my toe and fell into the doorframe. I'll fix that tomorrow. Then, I did my morning routine and accidentally stepped on the soap that slipped out of my hands. Nearly squashed Clione.

Bepo: Oh dear...Sure you don't need to be checked? Glad Clione is still with us, though.

Jean-Bart: Aye. After that I just wanted a nice cup of tea. My favorite mug broke off the handle mid sip and soaked my breakfast. So getting frustrated, I just grabbed my tools and started to clean the outer hull. One of my tools broke and nearly stabbed me in the eye, then another is lost to the sea, and if this wasn't enough, the security rope just snapped and sent me down as well.

Bepo: so that's where the puddle trail comes from?

Jean-Bart: Aye. Penguin, Shachi and Uni helped me back up, but Uni nearly got strangled with the broken rope as the railing splintered under my weight. That's why I just called it quits for today. This day is cursed.

Bepo: Aw.. I understand. Take that day off, then.

Jean-Bart: *turns around to look at Bepo* Thank y--

*loud crashing noise as the bed breaks down*

Jean-Bart: *sobs*...... CURSED, I tell you!!!

Bepo: Shhhhh. *puts a paw on the other's arm* Just sleep.

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9

[melancholitas]

On the Polar Tang, a random morning:

Penguin: *dutifully doing some chores on deck*

Bepo: Oh, there you are, Pengin! Captain wants to discuss somethi--- Wait, is that Shachi over there!?

Penguin: Yes. Just ignore him.

Bepo: But... Why is he hanging on the washing line...?

Penguin: *sighs* That oaf woke up still wasted this morning, but insisted on helping with duty. Instead, he nearly fell over the railing and dirtied the clothes I was just about to air out.

Bepo: I see....But if he didn't fall, why is he dripping wet, then?

Penguin: Well. As I need to wash the clothes again, I thought I'd just skip to mopping for now. But Shachi had the glorious idea to try and use two mops at the same time.'I'll be double helpful that way'...

Bepo: How is that even supposed to work?

Penguin: Beats me...Anyways. Naturally, he tripped over the water bucket and knocked himself out in the process. And I wasn't going to haul his drunk ass to the quarters.

Bepo: So... You just hung him up there?

Penguin: Yup. Figured if I already strung up the line, that idiot can dry there until he sobers up. That way he's not killing himself on accident and I can do my work in peace.

Bepo: Thats.. Actually kinda efficient.

Law: Bepo, didn't I tell you to fetch--- *deadpans as he takes in the situation* ....You know what, I don't even want to ask. Come find me later, then.

[melancholitas]

The dangers of cooking, pt. 1

for @heart-pirates-week day 5, Clione & Food

Ikkaku: Ooh Clione and Uni have cooking duty today, can't wait for dinner~!

Bepo: This will be a feast, I hope they're making that hot pot again! *stomache grumbling noises* I'm sorry--

Jean-Bart: Ahahaha! Don't worry, I get it. I'm also getting hungry just thinking about their food. They're really gifted cooks, I'm glad I get to enjoy this now.

Shachi: *snickers* so you only joined the crew to feast? Can't blame you, though.

*a shriek and banging pots in the distance*

Penguin:.. What was that?

*Uni speeds around the corner and hides behind the group*

Ikkaku: Yo, you alright? What happened, is it dinner time already?

Uni: Negative.. Clione threw me out of the kitchen.

Penguin: How did you manage that? I thought you're a heart and soul when it comes to cooking?

Uni:... I used cilantro and Clione lost it. Even threw pots after me because I 'defiled the whole dish with soap'. But it's a very nutritional herb and blends really well with the flavors....

Shachi: That's .... I don't even know what to say.

Ikkaku: So Clione is one of those, huh... But I also do find that stuff a bit soapy. Guess you either hate it or love it.

Uni: Well. Seems like he absolutely hates it.

Penguin: Don't sweat it, dude. He'll come around again. Let's just wait it out for now, Clione can manage on his own this time.

Uni: *sighs* Got no other choice it seems. Damn, his accuracy with throwing kitchen utensils really is something... *rubs his shoulder*

Jean-Bart: Quick reminder then to never anger the cook, especially Clione. The smaller the man, the closer to hell and the greater the wrath, or so I've heard.

Uni: Don't let him hear that, or you'll be next! *dodges a spatula hurling in their direction*

Clione: *from a distance* I HEARD THAT!

Jean-Bart: *rubs his elbow*.. Ouch, right to the nerve... I see what you mean now.

*barely contained snorting*

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9

[melancholitas]

Cooking by heart

Cora-san: *fumbling in the kitchen*

Law: If you want to make rice you should wash it first *passes by the door*

Cora-san: Oh! Right. Will do, I got this!

Law: *heads to the living room*

10 minutes later

Law: *startles* why does it smell burnt in here...

Cora-san: *yelps* AHH NONONO

Law: *sprints to the kitchen* What happened?!!

Cora-san: FIRE!

Law: *throws the stuff in the sink and gets everything under control*

Cora-san: whew, that was close... Thank you, Law!

Law: Don't sweat it... I shouldn't have left you alone in the kitchen in the first place... How did you even manage to set a colander on fire?!

Cora-san: I don't knoooow, I just washed some rice and the next second BOOM

Law:.... You did not wash the rice in a fucking colander!?

Cora-san: you told me to wash it, what else was I supposed to do..?

Law: *doesn't even want to process any of this* You're officially banned from the kitchen, I swear to the four blues.....

[melancholitas]

Little yellow riding hood

When Shachi first spoke about a small figure in a yellow rain coat he sometimes sees on deck at night, the crew doesn't take him seriously. Even Bepo, Penguin and Law look at him sceptical, knowing the dork and his shenanigans. So as they don't surface that often, even Shachi banned that mystery to the back of his mind.

Still, he knows what he saw. And sure thing, the next time they decide to refill the air supply at night, Shachi finds himself alone, sulking on deck. The sky is clear, the air just perfect to indulge in the beautiful view. So under the light of uncountable twinkling stars he shares his troubles to the sound of gentle waves caressing the hull.

Although, after a while he can't shake the feeling he's being watched. And sure enough, after shifting his head a tad, he can see the elusive figure. Sitting calmly just mere feet away from him and listening to his worries. "you..?" Shachi is taken aback, the hooded phantom just nods, smiling. Shuffling nearer, it places a cool, tiny hand on the redhead's knee, almost soothingly. The other is offering something to him. It's a smooth, yellow pebble, similar to the ones they often found at the shore of Swallow Island. It's a touching gesture, a wave of nostalgia washing over him. "For me..?" The figure nods again, pointing at its own bright smile, just like for Shachi to mimic. A wobbly grin spreads over his features as he gives his thanks, and with a bell like laugh the yellow figure disappears in front of his eyes. It's right then it clicks. Who else would know about this and care enough? It has to be. The Polar Tang is a precious crew member too, after all.

And he'll treasure it. The sub, the pebble, his whole family.

After everything they've been through, Shachi is honored and so so grateful he got to see the spirit that day. He engraved that encounter into his soul. The pebble, he made into a necklace. So even after losing it all, the memory of the Polar Tang will never be forgotten. And as long as it does, the Klabautermann will keep on living as well. Even if Shachi is the only one aware, he continues to keep his family close with a smile. And sometimes, he swears he can hear that clear crisp laugh, waving over from far out the sea.

[melancholitas]

It's been a hot minute or two, but I finally managed to edit a little something from my ongoing series. Albeit it's just a very small shard of a moment I stumbled upon in my wip folder, it's still a piece I wanted to implement into the series. So while I'm still stuck in the midst of writing the main part, I couldn't just not spread some rare pair love in between.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/62275171

Of course, I couldn't stop myself to at least mention some PenShachi dumbassery, either. These two are still occupying my mind. Can't wait to finish their part in the story (and the other wips rotting in my folder.)

[melancholitas]

The dangers of cooking, pt. 2 (also on AO3)

for @heart-pirates-week day 6, Uni & aftermath

Uni blearily wakes up to a strange, herbal smell surrounding his cot. Not yet fully awake, his hands move up to wipe at the sleep crusting his eyes. He's never been a morning person, but something feels...off. Ruffling his locks, the man sits up startled; his drowsiness gone in an instant as his fingertips brush over foreign leaves in the process. The dim morning light flitered in through the fans is enough to take in the extent of his current situation. But the deep sigh that escapes the tall curly-head isn't enough to reign in an exasperated chuckle bubbling up his chest. "Now he's really done it... Could've guessed he wouldn't let me off the hook so fast." And truly, Clione seems really adamant of making his point from the night before, as he takes in the enormous amount of cilantro he has been bedded on while he slept. "For someone so keen on hating the taste, how did he even manage to get so much of this stuff...." With amused annoyance, Uni flicks most of his coverage to the side, only to send more greens onto the bedding as he softly shakes his unruly head in disbelief. The dinner yesterday turned out somewhat enjoyable, despite the initial rage he'd been confronted with. Just for using some of the very herbs he now thrones on in a dish. But he's aware now he has to step up his game to truly calm the waves of the aftermath. That small gremlin can be tenacious, after all. And Uni would rather enjoy tranquil times in the kitchen again, alongside his blond crew mate. So finding his resolution, the lanky man turns over the cover and steps into his his slippers. Only to retract his feet with a scrunch. Bending down to shake out his foot wear, he's greeted with even more leafy gifts. "You utter menace" the gentle giant mumbles, and swears he can hear a muffled giggle from the hall way.

He doesn't know how he managed to survive that chaotic morning, or what he should do with the sheer amount of cilantro he had collected until he finally made it to the kitchen. Accompanied with howls and jests from the rest of his crew, the raven had to pull out even more of the stuff out of his clothes, his brush, and even needed to sweep the small bathroom he shares with a handful of the crew. It's been quite an eventful hour, effectively crushing his usual morning routine. Despite his fondness towards the herb, even Uni wonders how long the smell that seeped through most of his belongings will haunt his nostrils... But the content, cheeky grin on his small companion tugs his scarf-covered frown into a tiny smile as he places a steaming hot breakfast soup in front of Clione. "Point taken, here, 'soap' free. We good now?" Digging in with a blissful sigh, the troublemaker replies. "Good. As long as you get it, I am inclined to bury the hatchet." That elicits a small chuckle from the raven. "Glad to hear that. Truce?" "Truce. Never do that again." Crossing his toes, Uni agrees. "Promise."

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9