#saraptor talks

[saraptor-art]

Saraptor, what was it that drew you to the fishman community? I see you as an advocate for their rights,Sometimes, even like a mother to them.💪🏽🦖

Apparently I had A LOT of things to say to answer you question!

I’ll add that I’m honestly surprised Arlong had so little fans and fanart especially before the live action! I don’t understand too well why Crocodile and Doffy have such a fan base, is it just because we haven’t seen Arlong in a while?

I know there is a case to be made for Doffy and his relationship with his crew/family but they all have a bit more of a cult vibes to be actually wholesome I believe. And that he is also a product of his world, not as simple of a villain as I say ;) And yes, Arlong does threaten those who want to leave his side.

Edit : I wrote Neptune in that last panel, but obviously was talking about Pluton ! I'll edit the image soon

[saraptor-art]

Arlong Pirates only celebrate one pride! The Fishman Pride! Shahahaha! (Edit : I've added the og question because it didn't work!)

Seriously, I don't think they celebrate Pride but because I don't like transposing "our world" celebrations to the One Piece world. Same as I don't think they celebrate Christmas. I love to imaging other types of celebrations they'd have (like I did for Liberation Day to celebrate Fisher Tiger's raid on Marie Joie). Arlong would be the type to have a Pride week about all the variety of Seafolk and how cool and better they are. Better at loving, gating, transing, bi-ing, makes no sense, he doesn't care.

Also call me crazy but because of how Seafolk treat their own diversity, I think they are cooler regarding orientation and expression!

(they explain that kids can get their genetic from a very large, parents, grand parents, great grand parents so they are a lot less concerned with kids appearances. The dislike/racism extend to humans only)

[saraptor-art]

I just had an hilarious thought.

You know how people peel and open coconuts with these special spike things right? That but using Arlong's nose 🤣🤣🤣🤣

So I’ve kept this nice and worm for six month and now

Apparently I head canon him as liking fruit. This is the second comic I do about it 🥥🍈

With some extra Shioyaki and Biri because I love their flawed friendship. And some half up half down bun for Arlong because it’s my favourite!

[saraptor-art]

Can we learn a little more about the crew's Doctor? Please ⚕️🩺

HERE WE GO!! A proper reference sheet for my grumpy old man!

The doctor was very happy to follow Fisher Tiger and would have followed him to the end of the world. When Jimbe took over, he stayed because of the good relation he has with Aladin. But when the deal with the government was struck, he knew he had to leave. Although he had intended to go back to the island, he followed Arlong, wanting to make sure no fishmen would ever be left in pain. After years in captivity, he can't deny he likes seeing humans grovel under fishmen. He wouldn't hurt them though... not too much.

Nami and Biri have a bit of a special place for him, with Nami being just a kid and Biri actively saving him some very disagreeable trips to get medical supplies.

(posting that second one again because it's just too funny) (I've said it already but a part of his vibe was solidified by @fanaticsnail 's Hey Doc series!)

[saraptor-art]

Hi! So of course I'm a big fan of your work and the way you understand and interpret the Arlong Pirates. Your story is truly amazing!

So it probably won't come as a surprise that I ask this, but what do you think would be Arlongs view on the fact his child was nothing like him in the terms of character and priorities? What if they didn't want to be a pirate or weren't violent?

Thank you <3 Always love seeing your messages :D

It's quite interesting for Arlong... I think there is some part of him that is just so sure of himself (from his upbringing and then all the trauma with Fisher Tiger and Impel Down) that he rarely second-guesses himself. His point of view is the only one he entertains... for the most part. When it comes to his kin, to his crew, to his family, I feel like he's more flexible than he lets on.

So for a child of his... Hmm... I think he could give a bit of "Garp energy". He wouldn't take their ambitions very seriously if he doesn't consider them interesting or aligned with what he thinks is valuable. However, he would actually be there to raise the kid and not just come around once a month to beat them up.

"Oh really? That's what you want to do? Yeah, great now get back to learning about how a boat works, Sha ha ha!"

But to add a little water to his wine (don't, he'll be pissed), in the context of Arlong Park, there are so many different things going on, there are lots of things that kiddo could be doing or people they could be attaching themselves to. I think Arlong could be a good dad. We know he raised his sister for a while and she has nothing bad to say about that. While the kid would be small, I can see him being quite protective and suddenly, they hit 6 years old and it's "yes little shark, go play in the sea and eat rocks! It will make your teeth stronger"

The thing Arlong would not accept in my opinion is them not being a good fighter (cause fishmen strength) and showing sympathy to humans (outside of Nami). But they probably would be able to swim or sail out of his territory and befriends people outside.

Careful though, Arlong doesn't like treaturous behaviour ;)

[saraptor-art]

When you say that fishmen can get a "cold" in their gills (Thanks Toma), does that mean they can't breathe well in the water and can drown?

Because if they try to breathe through their mouths the water would go directly into their lungs, right?

Okay so! You force me to think about it when I just throw stuff out like that xD but I love it!

I suppose it's like when a human gets a bad cold, it's hard to breath and do any effort. They wouldn't drown per say, but everything is going to sting!

The doctor recommends lots of rest, a hot bath (imagine like an inhalation?) and some warm herbal compress. If the other lungs are also afflicted... May the seas be with you! You're up for a very hard week!

(Here is Kuroshio being sick and the Doc supervising him because he's being a big baby about it!)

[saraptor-art]

I clearly am ready to post fic because I can't shut up about Biri these days...

I want to blab a bit about my girl.

This is a bit exaggerated surely but I love writting characters with pliable morals, morals which are not build on hard soil but sand.

Biri is not a good person, she does good things sometimes but only when there is very little risks for her.

She has never had anything or anyone she actually wanted to protect (she believes her family able to protect themselves)

Until now. And it's is only because the Arlong Pirates value her, trust her and make her feel like she belongs. She *likes* belonging with powerful people. It feels good when she brings back informations on a marine base and they reward her for it. She looks aways from the damage that is going to cause.

A part of her is loyal because they make her feel better than the rest. After all, if she could find a way to survive and serve and be valued, why are the others not doing it? Why would they fight when this is easier? Nami understands it too, doesn't she? Her belief in the Sea gods do not help, gods that help only those who can read the tides.

Of course, there are reason she's like this. Her family's emphasis on strength has always clashed with the way her body couldn't follow.

If Biri doesn't take care of Biri, who will? She's lived a solitary and selfish life for almost ten years. Things have always been transactional. She has been used but she has used people just as much. So Take's words about friendship and help are wonderous. Arlong's promises of proving herself are alluring. It is all too easy to continu to run from other humans when she is now safe behind the line.

Aah. She'll have to face those consequences some day.

I like writting her. She's not always constant and I'm sorry (but hey, she's human, it can get messy). I like writting people who's will power is not very good, who would never have great powers, have observation haki at best and use it for shit, who submit, who kneel. It's fun.

I know I paint her a little bad here. Biri does try to do what she can sometimes. But like... Kuro is so much better than her.

[saraptor-art]

I still can't get over the fact that no one stood up for Biri when she went for a walk alone for the first time in Cocoyashi, Drea had to say something! Arlong wouldn't have been as hard on him as he was on Biri. they left it alone!

(Sorry for the intensity, but I had to let it out.) 😅

(from all the way back in chapter 17)

Hey! Super old question from literally last November

I know, I know, it broke my heart to write it (no not really it was actually fun)

It is unjust, it is. She couldn't know but yet... It was a bit of a strange moment for Biri. To her, she’s done her share of the contract and should have gained their trust. For a big part of the crew… she hasn’t done anything that proves her loyalty yet. Not totally. She hasn’t been through something where she has to choose them over something. Let’s not forget that they really hate and/or distrust humans. If she gets hurt because she’s done something they didn’t want her to do, they don’t care. Yeah she’s nice and polite but in the end, humans are humans. (And I love Drea and all, but dude really hates humans and he still thinks she could think the same)

HOWEVER, it was also just after that that she was given the big test when she did the doctor's order. The fact that not running or ringing an alarm doesn’t even cross her mind seals the deal. That was when she truly earned their trust. That's why I wrote a bit of that chapter in Drea's pov :D 

As for Take… Well he explained pretty well why he was mad at her. I’m obviously not saying he was right but he couldn’t believe she wasn’t being careful. For all the care he had for her, if she stepped out of line, he couldn’t defend her. His crew and friend would always trump her. (Well maybe, sort of. He still almost fought Arlong short after that. And it was a long time ago now)

After that, this sort of scene shouldn’t happen again. They now know she wouldn’t do anything against the crew. (she'd have to do something real bad… like fuck with the paiement system ..?)