Things have more or less returned to normal since leaving Whiskey Peak. While Vivi continues to stare daggers at Robin the two at least having had any more arguments, or at least if they have they haven't done so within ear shot of anyone else. Run lounges in a deck chair at the bow of the Merry, stretching out in the sun with a soft grunt. Warm days like this are meant for two things and that drinking or napping. While it's never been too early for him to enjoy a bottle or four, the red head feels more content just to enjoy the sunlight.
"Aah!" sighs Run, threading his fingers together behind his head and slowly closing his eyes. "Feel that wind." The red head sighs again enjoying the warm sun and soft breeze.
"Enjoying yourself, I see," says a familiar voice, causing Run to slightly tilt his head in its direction.
"Very much so. Calm seas and a warm sun...ya just can't beat it, Robin." Someone cold very suddenly touches his cheek and his eyes snap open. Robin stands before him, a blue-green drink in either hand and one held out in offer to the red head. "Aah, and deck side service? This cruise has everything." He takes the drink held out in offer and sips from it. "Oh. That's tasty."
"I'll be sure to pass your compliments on to Sanji."
"We really did hit the jackpot; a chef, a mixologist and a regular casanova all rolled into one." Run sips from the drink again before setting it on the deck beside his chair while Robin walks around and leans against the railing of the Merry.
"I'll be sure to pass along your compliments."
"I get the feeling he doesn't particularly care if I enjoy it or not," Run mutters. "Anyway...how are things between you and Vivi? The way she looks at you...whew, that's a look you'd shoot your enemy." Robin sighs softly as she stirs her drink with her straw, the soft 'clink' of ice accompanying the motion.
"She hasn't attempted to fight me, if that's what you mean. As it stands, it seems that she's content with simply glaring from a distance. Given everything that's happened, it's understandable."
"Well, if there's anything-"
"Oooh! Robin! Run! You gotta see this! This duck can really drink!" calls a voice familiar to the two. The two chuckle a bit in response as they stand from their seats and follow the sound of Luffy's voice. The two find almost everyone gathered around a huge tray of blue-green drinks on the deck below. The duck, who's name they had been informed was Karoo, is being serves what seems like an endless number of the drinks courtesy of Sanji while the others cheer him on. Run briefly considers the safety of serving alcohol to the large duck but since he seems to be absolutely knocking them back without a pause, and Vivi doesn't seem to be interfering...it should be fine, right? The two descend the stairs to the deck with the others, quickly attracting Luffy's attention. "Look, look! He can drink as well as you, Run!"
"Aah, it seems like it." They watch Karoo suck down drink after drink for several moments before it seems that he's finally reached his limit. He squawks loudly and then falls onto his back, his legs sticking straight up into the air. "Dahahaha~! Well, maybe not!"
"Oh, Robin!" calls Sanji suddenly. "Tell me what you think of the drink! I poured my heart and soul into making it just for you!"
"I must admit, it certainly is good," Robin tells him, offering him a smile. She notices Vivi standing on the deck above them with drink in hand as well. "What do you think, Vivi?" The woman snorts in response, and simply walks away. Robin glances at the red head who has a single crimson brow arched. While it's not ideal...better the cold shoulder than a fight.
"Oi! Look! It's a dolphin!" calls Usopp, earning everyone's attention. Off the starboard side of the ship, and heading in their direction is, just as he had said, a dolphin. The creature breeches the surface of the water, and splashes down seconds later...only to breech again, this time leaping up and over the ship, and revealing itself to be absolutely huge. "Oh, that's not good..."
"It's huge!" exclaims Luffy, grinning broadly as it splashes down off the port side, churning out a huge wave as it does so. "Let's go!" The deck is a blur of motion, everyone is running around, setting the sail, manning the rudder, and attempting to make use of the wave generated for them by the dolphin's playing. "Unfurl the sail! Let's ride this all the way to Little Garden...!"
----
Honestly, they had thought it would take them more than a few days to reach Little Garden. Though, that may be in large part to them riding the wave created by that playing dolphin for as long as possible. They sail along the coast of the large island. It's so thick with jungle and under growth that it's impossible to see more than just a few feet into it from the outside. It's hard for them to imagine that anyone might actually live in a place that seems so inhospitable.
"So, this is Little Garden!" exclaims Luffy, staring at the jungle.
"Where is the little part, exactly?" Zoro mumbles, staring at the island. There's a dull buzzing and Run suddenly slaps the side of his neck, the sound so crisp and sudden that all heads turn in his direction.
"Aah, not the bugs, I'll tell you that!" laughs Run, staring at his palm. "Little sucker tried to drink me dry! Look it!" He scrubs his palms together and turns his attention back to the jungle with the rest of the crew. "Hm? Oi, there's a river ahead. We could sail inland there."
"Alright! Let's sail in!" Luffy chirps quickly, grinning from ear to ear. At the captain's orders, they maneuver the ship into the small inlet, and sail up the river into Little Garden. Thick jungle surrounds them on all sides now. A multitude of bird calls, and insects chirping create a cacophony of noise that sets the crew on edge.
"We need to be careful," Robin tells them all. "You should know, that even Baroque Works regards this place as dangerous." Usopp immediately begins sweating bullets.
"H-H-How dangerous, e-exactly?" Usopp stutters out in question.
"Hmm, well, I've never personally visited this place but I do know that it's considered to be uninhabitable. The island is completely lost in time." As if to illustrate this point an absolutely huge bird comes sailing out of the jungle, and over the deck of the Going Merry, nearly taking an enraged Sanji with it before disappearing. It is the oddest looking bird that any of them have seen. Almost...repilian in look, really. "Dinosaurs still roam this place, as a result. The plants, the animals- everything really is the same as it was long ago."
"Really?" Run questions her. "How does something like that happen?"
"Well, the difficulty of travel between islands on the Grand Line has resulted in each one finding it's own way. Some islands possess an incredibly advanced culture while others, for instance Little Garden, have remained lost in time. This is made possible due to the unique climate of the Grand Line itself. From what I know Little Garden is somewhat of an ancient island. I'd wager that not a single thing on this entire island has changed since the days of the dinosaurs."
"Oooh! Dinosaurs!" cheers Luffy, practically bouncing off the walls with excitement. "Let's go! Let's go! I've gotta see some, Robin!" A loud roar of the starboard side, attracts their attention to the jungle. Moments later, a tiger nearly as long as the Going Merry staggers out into what little bit of open area there is before dropping dead at the bank of the river, blood seeping from several large wounds on it's flanks.
"That's not normal!" panics Nami. "That's definitely not normal! How does a tiger, king of the jungle, just drop dead like that?!"
"A-Ah! It's decided!" exclaims Usopp. "We're not going ashore! We're just going to wait here safely until the Log Pose has reset!"
"R-Right!" agrees Nami. "After all, we need to get to Alabasta quickly!" Of course, no sooner have they said that, they Zoro and Run have tossed the anchor over-board and halted the ship close to the bank of the river. Luffy rushes over to the railing, laughing to himself as he does.
"Sanji! Prepare a lunch!" Luffy tells him. "One with lots of meat and no veggies! Something to restore energy! I can smell adventure in the air!"
"O-Oi! Where are you planning to go?!"
"Adventuring! I'm going to go adventuring! Wanna come along?"
"May I come, too?" Vivi suddenly asks him.
"Huh? Yeah, sure!"
"Aah, not you too!" complains Nami.
"Yes," Vivi tells her. "If I remain on the ship I feel as if I'll just continue to dwell on all sorts of things." She briefly glances at Robin who only responds with a smile. "But if I go out for a bit I may have a chance to clear my head while the Log Pose resets. Besides, I'll be just fine if I have Karoo with me."
"I don't think he's as thrilled for an excursion as you are," Run tells her, gently patting the duck. "It's alright, ducky. You'll be alright." Regardless, Sanji heads into the kitchen to whip up a 'lunch of love' for Vivi and even a drink for Karoo at her request. As soon has he's finished preparing lunch for Vivi, Luffy and a drink for Karoo the three take off, disappearing into the jungle quickly despite Nami's protests.
"Well...since it doesn't seem like we're be leaving for a while, I guess I'm gonna go for a little walk," Zoro suddenly tells everyone, approaching the railing and jumping over.
"Aah, that actually doesn't sound like a bad idea," Run agrees, leaping over the railing. "I'm gonna go stretch my legs. Let's meet back here at sunset." Robin suddenly drops down beside the red head.
"Think I'll join you," Robin tells him. "It sounds much better than just sitting around waiting. Besides, who knows what we might find?"
"Oi, since you all are heading out, could you try to find something to eat?" Sanji asks them. "We're running a little low on food since we never got a chance to stock up after Whiskey Peak." Zoro looks up at their cook for a moment before actually snorting.
"Just like a chef to send someone else to do his work for him," Zoro taunts him. "Fine, fine. We'll do all the hard work and catch something you never could. Wouldn't want want you to strain yourself with a little hard labor, now would we?" This provokes an immediate response from Sanji, who leaps the railing of the Merry and lands beside their swordsman.
"You bastard, I can't let a remark like that go unchallenged," Sanji growls at him. "A hunting match. We'll compete over how many pounds of meat that we can gather. The winner is the man who brings back the largest amount of meat...!"
----
"Aah, this heat is unreal," complains Run. The jungle is absolutely suffocating as it presses in on them from all sides, and humidity is unbearable. The red head is soaked in sweat, his shirt clinging to him like a second skin. The smallest of breezes sweeps through the otherwise still undergrowth and brings with it a brief respite from the heat and humidity...although, it's over far too quickly for his tastes. "So, is this place really crawling with dinosaurs or is that just the rumor?"
"I would say that it's not an impossibility," Robin tells him, briefly fanning herself with her cowboy hat. "Certainly there are many things on the Grand Line that might seem impossible else where but are rather common place here." Other than the occasional growl from the jungle surrounding them, and the feeling of being followed they having actually seen any dinosaurs since leaving the Going Merry. "What worries me more is that we haven't actually happened across one. Oh, maybe we're actually being hunted?" The red head chuckles a bit, and offers a shrug of his shoulders. There's a soft rustle from the jungle behind them, and a low growl follows as the two turn in the direction.
"Well, looks like we might have our answer." A pair of eyes peer out of them from the underbrush, and seconds later, a huge saber cat slowly stalks out. "Spoke too soon, I suppose." It's easily the size of the tiger they'd passed on the river into Little Garden, and its movements are almost completely silent as it slowly circles the two, green eyes never leaving them. It's tawny coat is beautiful, and mottled with the occasional stripe of a light cream color leading down towards it's belly. "Still...that's a nice coat you've got, kitty cat."
"Mm, it certainly looks soft."
"Thankfully we need the meat. I'm not a trophy hunter, after all." The red head suddenly bends slightly at the waist, slapping his thighs with a grin on his face. "C'mere, kitty cat. Show me what you've got." No sooner has he finished his taunting than the tiger launches itself at the two, pouncing towards Run, who slides a leg back. "Sea King's Lash!" His kick smashes into it's shoulder, sending it crashing to the ground several meters away. Unprepared for the hit, it struggles to it's feet too little too late as the red head charges it. "Sea King's Rush!" It's a bone jarring impact to the tiger's that sends it smashing head first into a large tree before falling into a crumpled heap at it's base.
"Well done," Robin says, approaching to get a closer look at the saber cat. It's not breathing, blood wells from it nostrils and it's skull is flattened from the impact...it's definitely dead. The red head approaches happily and slings it over one shoulder as if it is completely weightless...that said, it's nose, and gigantic paws actually drag the ground as they begin walking it back in the direction they've come from. "Think it'll be the winner?"
"Wasn't planning to compete but who knows? I might just have picked us a winner." Robin stares at the large cat as they walk before finally reaching up and stroking her fingers the fur.
"Oh. It is rather soft, isn't it? What are you planning to do with it?"
"I haven't quite decided...but I bet it would make a hell of a coat lining. Might just have to stop off at a tailor next time we make port."
"A saber tooth tiger coat? That would certainly be fashionable, wouldn't it...?"
----
Despite being surrounded on all sides by jungle, it isn't all that difficult for them to find their way back to the meeting point...due in large part to Robin's exceptional sense of direction, and Run's ability to simply muscle through whatever stands in their way. All Robin has to do is point him in a direction, and then stay behind him as he blazes their trail. The closer they get the meeting point the more they become aware of a pair of heated voices arguing back and forth. It can only be Zoro and Sanji. They must have arrived before them.
"Obviously you lost!" declares Zoro. "I mean, look at that thing! Mine is bulkier!"
"Bulkier?" echos Sanji. "That doesn't mean it's got more meat! Look at those horns and those plates! Those are giving it it's weight! I bet there isn't even five kilo's of usable meat on that thing!"
"Oh, and yours has more? That thing is all sinew! There's no way that the meat is any good! Face it, cook, you lost!" They finally leave the dense jungle for a small clearing, and immediately earn the attention of the two arguing crew mates. He tosses the dead saber cat down on the ground in front of the men. While by no means the biggest of their catch, it does appear to have the most meat on it.
"Found us some lunch," Run tells the two of them. "Just do me a favor and try not to damage the pelt too much. I'd like to use it for something." Robin steps up beside the red head looking at the three entries into the 'competition' between them.
"Well," begins Robin. "If we're judging based solely off of usable meat, then it would have to be the tiger. It isn't covered in scales or plates, after all."
"What?" Zoro asks. "Yours should only count as half. The two of you worked together to catch it."
"I'm not competing," Run tells him. "It jumped us and I-"
"Oi, don't talk to Robin like that, she's an angel!" Sanji shouts quickly. Robin watches as the three men launch into an argument over the rightful winner of the contest. Several long minutes pass, and it seems that the argument is going to go on without end, at least until they are interrupted by the loud eruption of one of the many volcano's on the island. "Alright, I have a way to decide the winner! Whoever can capture the next animal and bring it back here before the eruption of the that volcano will be the winner. Do we all agree?"
"I keep telling you I'm not- and they're gone." Run sighs heavily as he watches the two men disappear into the jungle. "Aah, gimme a break. Let's go after 'em. Before they end up roasted by the volcano." Robin and Run head off into the jungle quickly, following in the direction after the two men. In the distance, loud crashing sounds again and again, enough to shake the ground under them. "Volcano eruptions and now earth-quakes. This place is pretty lively."
"Hm? Do you hear that?" Robin asks, coming to a halt. The two slowly scan the jungle surrounding them. They can't SEE anything but they can certainly HEAR something running at full speed in their direction. It draws closer, and closer, and closer still until at last a yellow blur comes streaking out of the jungle, nearly bowling over them in the process.
"Whao! What was that?"
"I think that was...Karoo?"
"Well, then, where's Vivi?" The two glance in the direction it's come from for a few moments before looking back in the direction he's running. "Suddenly, I've got a bad feeling about this." Robin nods in agreement. Karoo most definitely doesn't seem like the kind of pet to just run off without his rider...especially in such a dangerous place. "Come on. Let's follow him..."
----
They follow Karoo's tracks through the dense jungle, which proves to be far easier than either of them thought it would. The violent crashing and shaking continues as they walk, scattering the birds from the trees, and silencing the insects entirely.
"This island is a bit more than just lively, isn't it?" Robin remarks slowly scanning their surroundings. "It wouldn't be wise for us to linger."
"Aah, yeah," Run says, focusing on the tracks they're following. "It's a good thing Karoo was in such a rush. I'm sure you know but I'm not much a tracker." Pushing onward through the dense underbrush of the jungle, the violent shaking and crashing persists in the distance. The tracks suddenly come to a stop, surrounded by what seems to be two pairs of foot prints which head off in another direction. "What happened here? Looks like Karoo was carried off." A series of explosions echo loudly through the jungle, and a plume of black smoke floats skyward. "That's not good. Come on."
They plow through the jungle brush moving quickly with Run blazing the trail again. A string of explosions sound, much closer this time and just ahead it light streams in through the brush. It's a clearing! Finally break from the brush surrounding them. They draw closer, voices beginning to filter in.
"I'd recognize that voice anywhere," Robin tells him. "That's Mr. 5." Seconds later they break free of the jungle and come rushing out into the clearing. Pinned under what is absolutely the largest mountain...skull...bone thing that Robin and Run have ever seen is their Captain, and beside him, Usopp. Scorch marks surround the both of them.
"Luffy!" Run calls, approaching his pinned friend. "Robin, check Usopp!" Run kneels in front of Luffy, and reaches down towards his neck. Before he's even made contact a firm hand grasps his wrist and Luffy lifts his head quickly to stare at him. "Whew...you had me worried for a second, Luffy."
"A-Ah, I'm fine, Run," Luffy assures him. "Did you...see Vivi?"
"No, she was gone when we got here."
"How's Usopp?"
"He's still alive," Robin tell him, kneeling beside their sniper. "He seems to be unconscious, though." Robin hears a soft squawk and it's only then that either of them notice Karoo. The duck looks as if he's really been put through the wringer. Feathers ruffled, and bill bruised, he still struggles to get on his feet again...succeeding only with the help of Robin. While the bird still seems to be slightly scared of her he accepts her help none-the-less. Usopp groans in pain earning their attention.
"Usopp, you awake?"
"B-Barely," complains Usopp.
"We can't...I can't...stand letting something like this...happen!" Luffy tells them. "I won't let them get away with it!" Karoo staggers over to Luffy and Run, and when he's beside them he begins jabbing his bill into the earth in front of him, again and again. "You can't stand it either, Karoo?" A loud squawk is his response, and it wins a grin from him. "Alright! Then, let's all of us go beat them down! Run! You go on ahead!"
"You sure?" Run questions him.
"I'll help Luffy get free," Robin assure him. "Go rescue Vivi. Luffy gave her his word, after all." The red head nods firmly in understanding.
"Alright! Try not to take too long..."
----
"Yes, yes!" exclaims Mr. 3. "The sorrow, the struggle! All of it is beautiful! You're going to make a marvelous work of art!" The man drones on and on about art! Art this and art that! Honestly, who really cares about his twisted idea of what art is?
"My arm is beginning to stiffen up!" Nami yells.
"My body won't move!" adds Vivi. "What do we do?!"
"Zoro! Do something!"
"Oi, old man," Zoro says, attracting the attention of Broggy. "You can still move, right? Well, so can I. How about we crush these guys?" He slowly draws two of his swords. "If it means escaping so I can kill you all...I'll cut off my own legs."
"Are you insane?!" complains Nami. "You can't cut off your legs! How do you plan to fight without them?!"
"I'll figure it out." He raises his swords, angling them down towards his legs only to pause suddenly, staring past the group gathered before them. Soon Vivi and Nami follow his line of sight, eventually attracting the attention of Mr. 3, Mr. 5, Miss Valentine and Miss Golden Week who slowly turn to find a red haired man standing several feet away.
"Hey there," Run calls, actually smiling at them. "Looks like you guys are in a bad way, huh?"
"Jeez, what took you so long!" Nami screams at him. "Any longer and we'd have been goners for sure!"
"Relax! Relax! You know it's not gonna-"
"So you're 'Red' Run," calls Mr. 3. "The man with the second highest bounty in the West Blue...the standards there must be slipping!" Run looks pointedly at the man, cocking his head slightly as he stares at the flaming '3' he's shaped his hair into.
"Break the pillar!" shouts Nami. "We're going to turn into wax figures!"
"Oi, you're bleedin', Zoro," Run says, motioning to the swordsman. "What in the hell were you doing?"
"Nothing that didn't need done," Zoro tells him simply. "For now, just hurry up and spring us, would you?" The red head reaches up to scratch the stubble along his jaw and nods in understanding, slowly approaching the group in front of him. Mr. 3 stretches out a hand by his side, and Run comes to a stop as a strange liquid begins to slowly flow from his palm.
"What in the hell is that stuff?"
"Run! Look out!" Nami shouts. "He can control-"
"Candle Lock!" shouts Mr. 3, flinging his hand and the substance in Run's direction quickly. The red head leaps up, avoiding it just in time to watch it form into a single solid piece where his feet were moments ago. "You won't avoid it a second time, red hair! Candle Lock!" Run quickly holds an arm up to shield himself. To his great surprise, however, a second set of arms suddenly sprouts from his body, inky black palms reaching out and intercepting the wax before it makes contact with his body. It forms a solid piece instantly, and the arms disappear just as he lands, the hardened wax striking the ground with a dull 'thud' directly in front of him. "Wh...What was that?"
"Aah...not that I'm complaining," Run begins, smiling from ear to ear as he stares past the group. "But I thought you were going to help Luffy?" Their heads turn quickly, surprise appearing on their faces as they find Robin standing in front of Mr. 3's giant wax stature.
"He assured me that Usopp and Karoo could free him shortly after you left," Robin explains, slowly uncrossing her inky black arms. "So, I thought I might come offer my assistance."
"Miss All Sunday...so the Unluckies weren't mistaken," Mr. 3 says. "You really have turned on Baroque Works."
"Turned? My, who would have thought that Baroque Works had put that much faith in my 'loyalty'. I never considered myself to be allies with Baroque Works from the beginning. Truthfully, it was nothing more than a simple business arrangement...one that I have decided to end. Now, let's begin, shall we, Run?"
"Ready when you are, Robin..."