video; un: KINGOFTHEPIRATES

[bigsmile]

So I've been seeing a lot of talk around here where people don't seem to know what a pirate is. Do your worlds not have oceans or...?

( Luffy pauses before shrugging, his enthusiasm never dimming. )

Anyway I thought as future king of the pirates it's my duty to let everyone know what a pirate is, saves any confusion down the line and kind of breaks up things that are happening. So! Here goes! Are you ready? Here's some stuff that makes a pirate a pirate!


One! Being a pirate is about being free. No-one can tell you what to do or what you should be. You choose where to go and how to do it, feeling the wind at your back and enjoying the ride. For some reason the marines don't like this bit, not sure why. Something about some laws, I dunno.

Two! Having a ship is very important. ( Luffy nods at this one as he folds his arms. ) Can't sail without one but not only that, a ship is part of the family. We live on the ship and she takes us to where we need to be. We look after her and she looks after us. Also it's very important your ship has the best name. Mine is called the Going Merry in someone's honour.

Three! Speaking of family, gotta have a good crew at your side and I'm not biased when I say mine's the best and I could never imagine a better group of people. My crew are the Straw Hat pirates and I have a navigator, a swordsman, a sharpshooter and a chef. Pirates can sail solo but they tend to be lonely over it. I mean who would they even share their treasure with when they find it?

C. Er, four! Treasure. Every pirates wants to find treasure. Personally I think treasure can be anything, from gold and riches to memories, thoughts and the people around us. Everyone has their own treasure worth chasing! Though I have since found out from experience that thoughts and memories don't pay restaurant bills. Or promises to come back and pay it once I find some gold and riches. Not sure why though. At least the dishes got done....mostly.

(Does Luffy ever run out of breath or get tired of his own voice? Apparently not.)

Five! A jolly roger. Every pirate crew has one and most have their own brand too. That way we can all tell whose ship we're looking at without having to get too close. Mine has a straw hat on it, and soon everyone will know it.

Six! Bounties. Every pirate aspires to have a bounty on their head from the marines. You get this really cool poster with your picture and they put them on walls around the world. I just got mine, I don't even remember them taking my picture but it's definitely mine. It's the best, I've always wanted one.

I think that's a good start but ask questions, I'll answer them. Thought I'd keep this one short you know? Being a pirate is the best feeling in the world and once I have a ship here anyone is welcome to come onboard and see for themselves!

Comments

[bigsmile]

It gives the ship emotion, a sense of being. Ships are part of the family when you're a pirate, so a good name makes a good ship.

Everyone will spot a jolly roger but that's the point. No point hiding if you're gonna be a pirate.

[wifedup]

Yes, that makes sense.

( A ship is a place, or that's what he thinks Luffy means. It's no different from a Valley or a Manor. )

So it's for an antagonising purpose?

[bigsmile]

Well. I suppose so! I've never really thought about it that much, it's just always been a thing.

If it helps, marines have their own flags too. And the world government.

[wifedup]

Some sects do too, and those are absolutely for hostility's sake.

( Bitter resentment, thy name is Wen Kexing. )

Why do pirates have bounties out on them? It all sounds fairly pleasant otherwise.

[bigsmile]

Why are they hostile?

( Yup, Luffy is going to go there, if only because he's curious and not picking up on any cues across the network. )

Cause they think we're breaking the rules. We're not doing what the World Government says to do, so that makes us the ones with bounties on our heads. There are bad pirates too though.

[wifedup]

Anything to keep the rest of the Jianghu down, I suppose? The image of power is just as useful as having real power, especially if you can scare people into thinking you have it outright. They're less likely to challenge you.

( A hum. )

Oh, so you're a good pirate?

[bigsmile]

Jianghu? And I think I can follow what you're saying. Like kicking up a lot of dust so enemies don't come near. Personally I'd prefer the fight, but I can understand that others wouldn't want to.

Yeah! I think so. It's weird to make the distinction, but I always wonder why people think pirates have to be bad. We rescued some people from a pirate once, and they were confused we weren't taking them prisoner. Very weird, but I get it.

[wifedup]

The world in which martial artists exist.

( He hums, then gives a short little laugh. )

Ha. Well at least I'm not the only one surprised by it. But that sounds admirable. Being good when everyone expects otherwise.