Sebastian stepped off the gangplank of the merchant ship he had been utilizing for his travels. His back and underarms were decorated with various bags full of his many musical instruments and minimal personal belongings.
Sebastian had grown in the many years since the last time he had seen his brother. His face had taken on a diamond shape and his hair had a classic fade that was slicked to the side. He wore brightly colored flamboyant colors, the kinds that tended to draw the eye. He was tall now, well over six feet and then some.
The island of Sisonyia was the main trade port of the Illionia Archipelago and it reflected that in the wide variety of people traveling around. Cultures were mixed here like a pot of food, with a keen eye you could spot each difference, but at a glance it looked like a mess of color. Red tiled roofs stood out to Sebastian, tan white walls holding them up.
The port was busy with people trying to sell their wares to any who passed, trying to offer the smallest of deals. Sebastian loved those types of people, the ones who could change a mind with just their voice. The con was clever, spot a person who looked to have no money and throw out a large price, then once someone who looked like they had money came up offer them a lower price to make them think it was a deal. The whole while, the lower price is actually the normal price. Of course, locals knew better and so those conmen didn't even try to trick them, instead offering them lower prices behind the backs of actual customers.
“You sure you wont stay on?” A voice called out from behind Sebastian. He turned back to spot the Merchant captain leaning against a railing as his men began to unload. “Lads love ya songs, we'll be heading to Mediogashima next according to the navigator, your welcome aboard. I'll pay ya and give ya food and board.”
Sebastian smiled at the captain with closed lips. “Thank you Captain, but the rhythms told me this is where I need to be.”
“Right, that thing you were talking about on board, well I hope you find what you looking for. If you change your mind you know where to find us.”
“Of course, thank you captain.” Sebastian said as he turned to leave. The Rhythms, it was the way the world flowed. The rhythms filled everything, the wind, the sea, the land he stood on. If one listened, they could find anything they wanted too. The guiding Rhythm Sebastian had called the Rhythm of Destiny. He could not replicate it like some of the others he had as it moved in strange ways that were impossible to replicate, yet he tried.
He had spent two months at the Sabaody archipelago before he found the rhythm again. It took the form of a breeze that had sent a coin he had tossed in the air falling towards the captain of this trade ship. He knew then this was where he was supposed to go, and so he joined.
Sebastian walked down the main thoroughfare of the port, eyes darting from person to person. He was getting a feel for the type of people here in Illionia. Many Marines dotted every few steps. Some were off duty and out of uniform, yet couldn't break the authority that held in their posture. Most marines here wielded guns and swords, but Sebastian had spotted many wielding spears. This was a traditional weapon here in Illionia, becoming much more respected after Admiral Aoiroba came to power and used the weapon himself for sometime.
Those that weren't Marines looked at them with fondness, pride even. Some women gave looks to the men in uniform as they passed, some even did a wave with a cloth, or lifted their long skirts to reveal the ankle below. This sent some of the men into a frenzy of cat calling. Merchants would offer some patrolling men a sample of their wears, while tavern owners would call out offering drinks when their shifts concluded.
Sebastian felt the tug at his Beri purse, and adjusted to prevent the pickpocket the easy grab. The pickpocket was a younger boy and wore a bandanna on his shoulder that displayed a jolly roger. The roger had a profile view of the Corinthian helmet with a skull for a face, a crossbones behind it with a spear that was pointed downward through the center of the image.
The symbol of the Pantheon pirates from what Sebastian knew. The news had spread about the Pantheon Pirates and the Undead Pirates breaking a Marine blockade, sending another wave of rebellion through the people of this country who felt cheated by the marines. This boy probably looked at the Pantheon as some sort of hero. Sebastian respected it, and pulled out a Beri note and handed it to the boy.
He looked wide eyed at Sebastian as the money was presented to him. A thousand Beri’s could buy a lot for someone of his status, which is why Sebastian was fine giving it. He was sure he would earn it back anyways.
The boy took it, teary eyed and fearful of it being taken away from him. Sebastian nodded and began to walk onward. Everyone was apart of the rhythms, the marines that strode proudly thru the streets, the women who tried to get their claws into the men, even in the low urchins of the streets, all of them made the rhythm of Sisonyia. It was a rhythm of order, with a hint of rebellion.
Sebastian had found his mark after a good while of walking the streets, sometimes purposely going in circles to try and get a better view of the people of the island. Once he was certain of what he was to do, he found the inn. A sign blew in the wind, which always served as a good sign for Sebastian, it bore a lion’s head with a bloody spear resting on it. The words on the sign read “The Golden Fleece”, a fine name.
Striding in Sebastian took in the people in the main tavern hall. It was a slower time of the day, so the only ones that were currently filling the seats were the true drunks that threw all their hard earned Beri’s into drink. A man wiped off a table with a rag that he threw over his shoulder as Sebastian entered. When he rose Sebastian took note of the limp in his right leg, probably an injury from battle. The man was large and burly with a square jaw and deep black eyes.
“Welcome.” The man said, looking over Sebastian. It made sense, he was very brightly colored and carrying all his musical instruments. “Rooms are a hundred Beri’s a night.”
Sebastian strode over to the table the man was as, gracefully keeping his bags from knocking anything over. “Actually, I was hoping to get some work if that is possible?”
The man looked Sebastian up and down again. “You a bard?” His voice was gruff and scratchy, yet didn't seem mean, his tone was that of a friendly bartender that would get serious if he needed to. He would be the type people would gravitate to as they could trust he would protect him. Most likely this bar would be a big draw of women for that reason, which then would bring in men.
“Of a kind.” Sebastian said, setting his bags on an empty table and doing a feathery bow. “I am Sebastian, teller of many tales, plucker of strings, crafter of words, and all that jazz.” He rose and smiled.
The man looked Sebastian over again, he then offered a large beefy hand out. “Names Kadmos.”
Sebastian took the hand, he should have figured people of this island would be more into the harder forms of communication. These were the types of people who didn't trust a man who couldn't look them in the eye and shake their hand. Sebastian met the gaze with a wide eyed smile.
“My rates are fair. A meal and a bed, I can play for you every night while I am here.” Sebastian stated.
“And how long you plan to stay?” Kadmos asked.
“Until the winds tell me otherwise.” Sebastian laughed. “I would give you warning, I just wait for my ship to come into port.”
Kadmos nodded. “You think you can draw a large enough crowd?”
“I am versed in songs all over the seas. I can draw a crowd.” Sebastian said. “In fact, I already have. Plenty of people saw me entering this fine establishment, I am sure people are already spreading word about the bard who entered the Golden Fleece.”
Kadmos smiled. “Fine, you can have drink when you need, and food three hours after you begin.”
Sebastian got close to Kadmos and lowered his voice so only Kadmos would hear him. “My drink choice is a Rustic Blue, split it with the serving girl too okay?”
Kadmos nodded. This was an old performer's trick. You told the bartender a specific drink, and whenever a customer wanted to buy you a drink you told them that drink. The bar maiden would bring you something of the same color but it would be non alcoholic, pretty much water, and they would take the coin from the drinks and split it later. Alot of Sebastians tips often came from this method rather than leaving a place to toss Beri’s into.
Once night had fallen the crowd began to pour in, as expected the women brought the men, most seemed to be of the marine variety. He had started simply, ‘The Falcon and the King’, ‘The Fall of Iroshi’, ‘Ixtli and the Lagoon Bandits’. They were all heroic Marine tales that got the people cheering. They words were well known and the tavern would begin to sing along. The drinks began to pour and Sebastian could already feel his pockets getting bigger.
“Tell the tale of Godvalley!” One marine yelled out.
Sebastian paused. He had planned to tell it, just not yet. He took a breath and corrected himself. It was a hesitation that lasted a fraction of a second, one that anyone would miss.
“Where I come from we call it the battle of Bird and Tiger.” Sebastian said with a smile.
“Play it!” The words began to echo through the tavern.
Sebastian raised a hand to hush them, pulling free the violin from its case. He had been shifting between instruments wildly through the night, sometimes playing multiple at once. He looked over the glossy red finish of his instrument and smiled. Sebastian raised the bow and let it glide against the strings, letting out a somber tone.
The tavern calmed in an instant.
“Let me spin you the tale.” Sebastian sang in a slow tone. “Of a battle between two would be kings.” He felt his eyes begin to drift as they tended to when he sang this song. But he made sure his face was correct, he wore this showman mask well. Suddenly, he sprang to life, the tones going wild and frantic.
“Roark the Free Bird rode the seas and claimed many lands, but his home was that of Godvalley!” He sang quickly, tapping his foot rapidly to keep the rhythm. “He held the land, the Pirate nation, and held it even after the King of the Pirates' head rolled. But, then came Baihian the White Tiger, and with him his crew of ferocious pirates.” The people began to be drawn into the song, sitting on the edges of their seat.
Sebastian did not disappoint, his music becoming a flurry of sounds to symbolize the battle that took place. He was not there, yet as he played each note he could feel the battle, the pirates who died, the ones had no chance. He felt how the earth shook as the two titan pirates collided. Roark and Baihan, the battle that lasted three days and nights. Roark, the rival of Gold Roger, and Baihan, the upstart that led to Rogers capture. He sang the battle. Talking about the larger fights, Ylva Flower Queen versus Christoff ‘Opulent’ Lanky, and Edouart The Silver Versus Erlang the third eye.
“Finaly.” Sebastian said, his tone calming to a climax. “The tiger stood, his claws over the throat of the bird, sinking deeper and deeper.” This was the part where Sebastians story differed from others. He told the true part of the story. “As the blood began to seep from his throat, the bird smiled and declared ‘I truly was free’ as the tiger ended his life.” the tone of the bar shifted, he could get them back, but he had to speak the truth here.
“With their leader defeated the crew split, and from them came two more powerful crews. Ylva and the Sakura pirates were formed from most of the Roark pirates, joined by Ylva’s brother Daiki. The second, the Silver Pirates, formed by Edouart The Silver. The tale of Roark may have ended on that day, yet the story of his crew continues to this day.” Sebastian changed tones, bringing the song to a positive climax, about how the marines would bring an end to the age of pirates and such.
Sebastian continued playing, bringing the crowd back to its rowdy state. Once he was finished, Sebastian simply left to his room to sleep. He thought about his brother again. He was a Yonko now, he was powerful, and he had formed his own family. He pulled out his violin again, playing the second verse of the Rhythm of Life.
“Second Verse, The First Step One Takes.” With that, he played the highs and lows. The world around him seemed to shift slightly as it always seemed to when he played the Rhythm of Life. The sounds had a power to them, a power he had learned to harness. It was as if the sound was causing the world to bubble in a way. It felt like the walls of his room were made of water, and he felt the waves crashing, as was the inspiration of this verse. The waves that drew one to adventure, the sea that called to all. This was the Verse of the start of a journey, an Adventure that needed to be told, the journey of life.
