The captain's eyes drifted back to the amber liquid as a Cheer from the man next to him caught his attention "Man! This beer's great! It actually doesn't taste like piss!" He slammed the glass into wooden counter
Leroy shifted looks between the man before raising the glass to his lips and taking a swig of the liquid, he quickly retracted and slammed the glass on the counter, hacking up, Leroy was no stranger to beer but this was vile! "Ack! It tastes like piss!"
The Captains grimace caused the man next to him to give an Offended look before going back to his drink.
The Captain turning to Lantis and speaking "So! Tell me about this adventuring stuff!"
Lantis was Taken aback. The Captain had Ordered only himself a drink, and here Lantis sat empty handed, feeling almost forgot, and yet the Leroys attention seemed fully on him now. "Oh- uh yes right. I was an explorer many years back. I'll say…50 years back? Quiet prolific as well if I do say so myself…" He said, giving a small snicker. He seemed to end the conversation there.
But Leroy had his eyes on the man. Wanting to hear more. "And then what? What Made you stop?"
The Man blinked a few times. Confused as to who would want to hear some old mans glory days. A small noise came from his throat as he continued. "Well-"
"Ever since I was a boy. My dream was to explore every island in the world! Record each contents in a journal and have that knowledge be spread all throughout the world! But then…One day, after decades of travel, going from island to island in the Grand Line. Visiting even those not Magnetically locked into a Route…My Dear wife Priscilla…She contracted something on the Island of Fung…"
His eyes seemed to become steamy as he wiped under his bifocals "And…Then she passed not a week later." He became incredibly silent after that. But Leroy looked to the man no less. Giving him time to grieve "I know it's been so long. And I've moved on. But she was my everything. She was smarter than me in more ways than one…"
"But! There was one thing we'd never been able to accomplish. And that was to see a Sky Island…" Lantis seemed to get this look about him. Staring off into space.
Leroy Leaned forward. A look of wonder on his face as he questioned Further "A Sky Island?!"
"I see you're new with the Concept. Am I correct?" Lantis inquired "Well…I had heard of the Idea but…Nothing more!" Leroy Responded
"Well. They are Very real. It's why I came here. It's said theres a Jet Stream somewhere around here. And I've heard stories of those that whisper of an Island in the Clouds here…"
"But…Most Sky Islands that are Common Knowledge aren't sought after" He said waving his hand dismissively. "'Why go there? You've got everything you need here! Sky Islanders are a bunch of Savages…Primitive…They think they're better than us! Living up there!' Thats what they said. Every Time."
"And once I came here. I asked around if the rumors were true. But all I got was mocking and jeers at even the notion of having a dream. 'The Era of Dreams is at an End' One of them said before throwing me to the Street…" Lantis again seemed to become disappointed. A look of concern coming over his face when the Smell of Steamed Dumplings filled the air
"Steamed Dumplings. Order Up." The Bar Tender said setting the plates onto the Bar.
"Why don't you eat and I'll collect my thoughts…" Lantis said as he clasped his hands together
"Hey take your time!" Leroy said, swiveling in his chair to begin Scarfing down the Dumplings with his bare hands. The Savory, Moist, and Flavorful pork filled his palette. A grin coming over his face as he reveled in the flavor! "Mmm! These are So-"
"Disgusting!" The Man next to him said as he spat out a part of the dumpling. The Man Raising to his feet and pointing to the Bartender with a inquisitive question "The Fuck you put in this!"
Leroys expression changed. A Frown etching into his brow. He stood to his feet as well. The difference in height between the two was immense. This guy had to be at least 2 heads taller than Leroy "Hey it ain't his fault you got some shot Taste Buds! Leave 'em alone!" Leroy Accused only for the Man Next to him to turn and face him
"Yeah? And what're you gonna do to make me huh?" The Man said Leaning into his the Black Haired captains face "You wanna take this outside and find out?"
Leroy said, tilting his head to the side. An offer of testing the man to even try it.
"Heh…What's your bounty anyway?" The Man said sizing up the Captain. Behind Lantis, Kále began to stir from his nap to watch the scene unfold
"215…Million." Leroy said, giving a pause for Dramatic effect to the Sizeable bounty. This caused the man to Smile a toothy smile. His teeth were pristine. But had a stench to his breath. "Really? That big for a pipsqueak like you…" He said eyeing him up and down "Your Haki matches up though…"
"Lucky you though. I'm in a good mood today." He said slamming payment of a handful of Berry coins into the counter, the jingling of the metal reverberating as he did. "And I couldn't help but overhear." He spoke, walking across the bar. Despite how noisy it once was, it was now dead quiet "All these pirates saying that the Era of Dreams is at an End? Yeah Right!"*He Suddenly shouted
The Man Reached the end of the bar, the light seeming to illuminate around him as he spoke. Leroy and Kále both at their feet as he spoke "A Person's Dream will never Die!" His words were confident. So firm and seemed unshakeable.
And yet, like that. The man was gone. The Captain and First mate left staring at the entrance. Despite the mans wide smile as he spoke, they could feel that there was something off about that man. The words he spoke, the energy he carried. He confused the two. Quickly the bar seemed to regain chatter. All laughing at just what the man was talking about. Mutters of 'What was he on?' and 'Did'ya hear that guy?'