piratejournal | 001 | [Voice/Action aboard the Shepherd]

[So it's been a bit of time since she and Robin have been rescued by the good people aboard the Shepherd. She had jumped overboard to save Robin, who had been knocked away by a massive storm.

That she directed the ship into.

Oops.

It's something that's been digging into her ever since it happened. Navigating wasn't exactly her expertise, but she should at least have been able to recognize that a storm was coming. Right? She's done her best to keep a brave face, especially in front of Robin. Still, the young mermaid works hard to show the crew of the Shepherd her gratitude, from making snacks to cleaning. It might take the crew a little while to get used to the sight of a green-haired mermaid floating around the ship on a giant bubble, though.

Still, when she's alone, the guilt of the storm continues to eat at her. She knows she can't allow something like that to happen again. Everyone made it out unharmed, but she might not be so lucky next time. If someone was seriously hurt because of her incompetence, she would never be able to forgive herself.]

Is there... someone out there who's really good at navigating? Could they, maybe, give some lessons to someone who really wants to learn?

[ (Backdated to before the crew arrives at Empieza) ]

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O-oh!

[She does her best to shift her position in response to Maribelle's suggestions. The resulting position looks nothing short of statuesque, and very, very uncomfortable.]

H-how's... this?

No, no! Spine straight and certainly not at an angle when you do have it straight. Chin should be up, but not to the point where you're looking up at the ceiling. Remember to keep your neck straight, and keep your shoulders... here.

[Maribelle adjusted Keimi a bit physically to try to help her get the position a bit more properly]

Now, look at me? See a perfect example for yourself? Now, let's try again from the top.

W-well... this does feel comfier than what I was trying to do...

[But it still feels awfully... rigid. She does her best to keep her head straight, but her back is beginning to ache from maintaining such posture. When you spend the majority of your life sitting on a bubble, your posture tends to slip.]

...How does this help me find a husband, again?

Bup-bup-bup! That comes much later! We're starting on the basics, and you cannot be taken seriously if your posture is that of a limp noodle.

[Maribelle takes a sip of her cup of tea, her pinkie noticeably raised as she drinks.]

That is much better, but it will take you some time to master it. Once you do though, you'll find that it is much more comfortable, and less straining on your back.

But what about my back hurting now?

[She lowers her head, if almost barely, to take another sip of her tea. She dares not to move, and ruin her posture. However, she remains oblivious to the significance of Maribelle's pinkie.]

There is an old saying among humans, and I believe it goes something along the lines of... no pain, no gain? Simply put you must focus your attention away from your pain in the here and now and think of the future that I shall offer you. Much like a warrior training their body, you too must train yourself to become a proper woman.

Like a warrior, huh...

[She takes another sip.]

O-okay. I believe in you, Maribelle-chin.

[Well... that wasn't something she heard every day. Even though she was a captain in this world, it wasn't that long ago where she had very few people who would believe in her like Keimi did right now, never mind call her a friend.]

Welll I... thank you Keimi.

[There's the slightest hint of pink in Maribelle's cheeks, to compliment a positively glowing smile.]

[Her smile grows in response to Maribelle's.]

So should I be doing something? To, um... distract myself from my aching back?

Well you see, that's the tricky part. If we do something too enjoyable or distracting, you'll simply lose your focus and your stance, but if we don't do something to distract you enough you'll still feel the pain.

Hmhmm~! So let's talk about your love life!

[Yup, something still on topic, and something that will keep her on her toes.]

[And suddenly her posture becomes rigid.]

Th-there really isn't anything to say.

Oh come, come, come! There must be something to be said about it. Haven't you ever had the slightest bit of attraction to another person romantically? Perhaps a young mer-boy from home, or perhaps even a member of your crew? What about that chef with the strange curly eyebrow? He seemed rather concerned for your well being when we went to come rescue you and Miss Robin. Though, I think you can probably do better.

Sanji-chin? I-I never thought about him that way. He's one of the nicest human people I've ever met, though...

Well he does have his certain... charm to him, although it could certainly use a bit of polish. Still, as far as prospects go he seems like he would be a bit fickle.

Really? How so?

Well his eyes seem to shine for nearly every woman he meets if you catch my meaning. The minute he found out I was a woman it seemed as though he was trying to woo me, which is a trait I've witnessed quite a few times before in men. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it does tend to lead to the assumption that his head might turn whenever he sees another fleeting fancy.

There are many different types of men in the world to choose from, and each of them have their own weaknesses that can be exploited.

[... Except for Luffy because... god only knows what goes on in that man's head.]

[Pretty much meat and punching things.]

Really? I thought he was just being nice. He told me he had never met a mermaid before.

001 | [Voice/Action aboard the Shepherd]

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