#and growing up with iceburg and tom…

[fluffyartbl0g]

UWAHHHHHHH @flimflamfranky’s KLABAUTERMANN!FRANKY AU IS MAKING ME FEEL SO MANY THINGS!!!! HERE’S THE AO3 FIC ABOUT IT!!! GO READ IT!!!!

Imagine if the crew somehow found a beat up an abandoned cutty flam ship years later and Franky got to repair it with his new shipwright skills,,, something something revisiting childhood trauma with new adult experiences and healing,,,

[metaphysical-fisticuffs]

Franky only agreed to go on a supply run with Iceburg if they could go in ~~~ style~~~~

[skygemspeaks]

Wasn't Franky also raised by a fishman? Possible SUPER bonding material for Franky and Luffy!

luffy would have been 5 when tom died, and i mentioned in an earlier post that jinbei would’ve taken him and his brothers in when he was 4. luffy never would’ve met tom, but i like to think he might have heard stories about him growing up. because he built roger’s ship, because he was a fishman, because of how he saved water 7.

so when luffy finds out their next destination is water 7, he gets excited, because he’ll finally get to see the puffing tom!

when they reach the sea train station, kokoro sees the sun on luffy’s chest, because the boy in front of her is definitely human, so why does he have the mark of the sun pirates? luffy explains, and it ends up being a bonding point for him and kokoro, who is delighted to hear about how jinbei and get to know his son.

i don’t think iceburg and franky would know about the sun pirates, since it doesn’t have much to do with them, but after everything is over with, and luffy finds out that franky was tom’s apprentice, he tells franky about growing up on fishman island, and like you said, they bond over both being humans with dads who are fishmen!

franky tells luffy all about what a great man tom was, and of how the two of them along with iceburg built the puffing tom. and luffy tells franky about how he came to be adopted by a fishman. they talk about fishman culture, and franky tells luffy about all the foods that kokoro and tom used to cook when he used to live with them, and how much he misses them. luffy agrees wholeheartedly, and promises to steal some recipes when they stop at fishman island when they cross the red line, so that sanji can cook them.

[strawbewwysamurai]

Hello! I saw your ask box was open and fell in love with your Iceburg HCs! Iceburg is one of my favorite characters. So much so that my personal OC is his daughter. So I am hoping you might be able to do some Head Cannons about Iceburg with a daughter 💜 thank you much! - Aurelia

That is so fricking sweet, and seeing as he's a father figure to my self insert, I already have a ton of thoughts on dad-burg that you might like! :D

Writing requests OPEN Rules and Guidelines

Iceburg with a daughter

Goofy dad to the extreme.

He may be reserved typically, unless he's more relaxed around town or the Galley-La docks, but whenever his daughter is around that is not a problem in the slightest.

It doesn't matter how old she is- little wobbly toddler causing trouble without even realizing it, or older teenager who keeps playing pranks on him when he’s not looking. Whatever her age, he’d rather be off with her goofing off than doing any sort of work.

It's even harder to get him to do his duties around town that don't pertain to the immediate wellness of the civilians. He'd much rather clear his entire schedule every single day so he can drop in on his daughter and see what shes doing, spend some quality time with her outside playing, or teaching her some safe carpentry projects so she can be like him.

Every morning that she's awake when he is, he'll let her do his makeup and lipstick, letting her choose from a variety of colors he has for him to wear for the day. Sometimes, she'll choose more than one color to use in stripes or to fade together, and he always lets her do whatever she pleases.

Later when he's at work or meeting with important people around town, he always smiles when someone comments on his lip color [or colors] of the day, and relays the compliments back to his daughter later that evening when he gets to see her again after work, hoping the compliments will put a smile on her face upon hearing them.

As long as shes little or wants him to, he makes time to tell her bedtime stories until she gets sleepy and tired. He doesn't read from books though. He tells her stories of him growing up with her uncle Franky, and the chaotic adventures they'd have together when they were testing out ships they had built, or building the Puffing Tom together over the decade of construction it took to create the one they knew today.

If she ever doesn't feel like a story, or grows out of them in general, he still comes into her room every night to 'bother' her-- flop on her bed and complain about any little thing that happened in his day; from having to deal with government workers, rude citizens, to just people he didn’t like for no particular reason.

He always ends his goofy complaining with a comment about how, despite all the dumb things he didn’t like about that day, he still got to have one good thing every day. Should she ask what that thing is- which she does every single time without fail-, he’ll reply to her, grinning with all the sunshine possible poured into his smile.

“The best thing possible- getting to see and love you.”

It never fails to bring a smile to her face, whether she covers it up with a groan or soft object thrown at him, it always makes her genuinely happy to hear. No matter how cheesy, and no matter how many times.

[onepiecesmosthated]

Biggest Coal Getters At Christmas In One Piece

As you know from this blog, I rag on the most hated characters in One Piece. At at this merry Christmas time, I want to show you all the biggest coal getters in this series.

12.  Stelly

With being such an arrogant, self-important, entitled, and asshole brat, Sabo’s adoptive brother, Stelly, makes the first on the list on our naughty list. One has to feel sorry for the Gao kingdom for being ruled over such a spoiled king, who even thinks he can order Garp around because he’s originally from there.

11.  Wapol

 Another king on this list, but one who also is the president of his own toy company is Wapol. Like Stelly he was quite a horrible ruler when he was ruling Drum Kingdom, especially when he left the island to fend for itself when Blackbeard invaded and horded all the doctors so he could force people to pay high prices for them. Though he is currently living high now with his new kingdom gifted by the World Nobles, Santa still is going to leave a nice lump that fits his dark heart.

10. Judge

Just like with the earlier two entries, we have another asshole ruler and this one is the father of Strawhat member, Sanji. The ruler of the Germa 66, a seafaring kingdom that is notorious for conquering islands and being paid assassins, he is a social darwanist, who caused great abuse to Sanji throughout his childhood because he turned out normal. The only reason why he wanted Sanji back into his life was to cement an alliance with Big Mom by offering him as a groom for her daughter, Pudding, which turned out to be a trap because the Yonko planned to kill him and the other Vinsmokes off to get their technology. And at the wedding when the Big Mom Pirates’ true colors are showed, all that previous super macho bravado is melted away to reveal a sniveling coward who cries when someone puts him into the situation that he put others under. And for that the Germa clones will shoveling a lot of coal for a while.

9. Spandam

This guy is the poster child on why we should have anti-neoptism laws. A snively cowardly shit Spandam when he was head of the CP9 tortured Robin all the while she was under his captivity, while arrogantly believing his CP agents were untouchable. He also has little regard for human life when he accidentally triggered the buster call and didn’t care that his subordinates could die. He even called them needed sacrifices. He was also the reason why Tom, Iceburg and Franky’s mentor, was killed due to a frame up job he did in order to obtain the Pluton from him. It’s a bit karmic seeing him be forced to take orders from his former subordinate, Lucci, but even then the clumsy klutz should trip on his black pile of gifts he will get.

8. Hody Jones

Think Arlong, but with none of his few redeeming qualities. Although Hody can be said to be a product of his environment, he’s still a nasty racist shit, who should rot in the jail cell he was put in at the end of his starring arc. With his New Fishman Pirates, they planned on taking over the kingdom and go to Reverie where they planned to massarce everyone there. However, the worst thing he’s done is assassinate Queen Otohime, because she dared to try to aim to bring peace between humans and seafolk. If you think there can be a reason for his racism, then he would answer it himself: “nothing”. Nothing happened to him to make him hate humans personally he just grew up with the toxic belief that hating humans was justified. And for that Hody spends Christmas in a jail cell, while sharing it with the number of coals that can keep him and the other withered New Fishman Pirates company.

7. Mother Carmel

To the world (and to this day, Big Mom), Mother Carmel was a saintly figure who fostered peace between humans and giants plus opened up an orphanage for children of all races. However, underneath that facade lied a wicked slaver, who pretended to be a grandmotherly figure in order to sell children to the highest dollar. Her famed action of stopping the Elbaf crew from being executed was a staged event in order to gain the trust of the giants. Her most notable so-called prized asset was Charlotte Linlin (who would later become Big Mom), who to this day doesn’t know her foster mother never truly loved her and saw her as merchandise to be sold. Even though she’s a deceased character, she certainly deserves to have her stockings filled to the brim with stone, cold coal.

6. Blackbeard

Although he’s more of a love to hate example, we all know that Blackbeard deserves to be on this list. For one thing, if you want to know why the post-timeskip is chaotic as it is it’s thanks to this guy. He for years pretended to be a loyal member of Whitebeard’s crew and acted like one of the family knit setting. However, it’s all an at to get at the Yami Yami No Mi/Dark Dark Fruit. He killed one of his own brothers/crewmates, then went off to form his own crew where he fought Ace and got him handed over to the Marines, so that he could become a Warlord and get into Impel Down. There during the breakout he recruited level six members to his crew, then used them to kill his former captain and father figure Blackbeard. And postimeskip he has been shown to now be hunting down devil fruit users for his fellow crew. There is a reason why people say he’s the anti-Luffy and what a real non-romanticized pirate is like. So, I have a feeling Santa will be stopping by on Hive Island with some hefty packages that could fit his namesake.

5. Ceasar Clown

Although he’s shown as a butt monkey after his first appearance, the record of his misdeeds cannot be forgotten. On his island he kept children captive after a mole in the marines lied to their parents about them dying at sea, which he then proceeded to experiment on them with drugged candy which made them grow giant sized and shorten their live spans. All the while pretending he was actually curing them when he couldn’t give a shit. He also is notorious for making chemical weapons of mass destruction which is used by amoral individuals like the Beast Pirates. In other words, Santa strap this asshole to a big lump of coal and drown him.

4. Doflamingo

One of the most popular villians in the series is Donquixote Doflamingo, former Warlord, top broker, and King Of Dressrosa. Man, you could have a long list of all the shit he’s pulled throughout his career and life. On the outside he might look like a gaudy Elton John rip off, but on the inside bleeds one of the scariest and ruthless characters in the series. No wonder because he was born of the World Nobles, who are a sociopathic and psychotic bunch. From his take over to Dressrosa to funding Ceasar Clown’s research, he certainly can make you scared of the color pink. And that is why we have to heep this birds feathers with a black sheen.

3. Orochi

While Doffy is pretty to look at and is flamboyantly fun, Orochi just embodies “hate sink” stereotypes. He’s just made to be obvious that this guy is not going to be a good person. Spoilers ahead: I know he was influenced into becoming an asshole but he is still an asshole who sold out his country for his own benefit. Not to mention currently it was shown he was heavily implied to be the one who killed Suriyaki and lied to everyone about being named a successor with the help of that strange woman. His 20 years of terror have caused nothing but hurt to everyone under his rule as he causes a famine due to the occupying forces of the Beast Pirates. All of his because he believed he was entitled like his grandfather to be Shogun. He also wastes food, as his country is starving and feeds a whole village of hungry people failed “Smiles” so that they can quit crying about their dead loved ones. I know Santa would know of a way to get into this closed off country, so that he can deliver this shistain a coal that is as big as a mountain.

2. Kaido

Here is the man of thousand beasts and leader of the Beast pirates. Even though Blackbeard himself is no saint, he doesn’t seem to want to destroy the world like Kaido does. An unstoppable juggernaut, he sees suicide as a way to kill boredom and is often on his ass drunk. He’s ruled over Wano through Orochi for 2 decades, as he has decimated it into a famine wide place except the capitol where the rich and his toadie lives. He uses the land to function his own war effort and has caused many of the Wano people to go through great periods of grief. Like with Blackbeard, he’s an unromanticed version of what a pirate is really like. So, Kaido be prepared for Onigashima to reign coal like it’s no tomorrow.

1. World Nobles (Celestial Dragons)

By default, you know these shitty bastards would top the list. The biggest reason because of the fact that they are above the law and are allowed to do anything they like because they are so-called “gods”. They treat the general population like crap, while blatantly owning slaves when it was supposed to have been illegalized 2 centuries ago. They are also supported by a thing called heavenly tribute which country of the world government has to give continuously, lest they get kicked out and have no way of defending themselves from pirates or slave traffickers. So I can say the biggest coal getters go to these fat pigs in their towers. Better yet they should coal statues made in (dis)honor of them.

[guilty-lights]

Straw-Hat Pirates Death Headcanons

So someone on one my fics took up on my enthusiastic invitation in my end-author notes to ask me about my death headcanons for the Straw-Hat Pirates. (Shoutout to Jeanne-Crab on ao3 for that comment!) I was typing out my answer to that question and realised that I had Way More To Say About It Than I Thought, so I thought i might as well put it up as a post on my tumblr! 

I’ll split this into two parts; my headcanons for SHP’s deaths as I think it could happen in canon, and then specifically in how it would happen in the universe as set in my fic, like the seas, you live on (in me). (Shameless plug here: If you like zosan, and also appreciate angst and hurt/comfort, read my fic? It’s zosan-but-kind-of-not-but-also-kinda-is, it’s complicated, but it’s 30k and I worked Super Hard on it and I personally think it’s pretty good so if please give it a shot! Do Read The Tags Before Reading It, Though, because I would never want to cause people unnecessarily extreme distress. And read my other fics too if you want WHOOP)  Anyway, without ado, here’s my headcanons for Straw-Hat Pirates’ deaths. This is a very very Very Long post, so buckle up: 

AS PER CANON

First off: Everybody, by the time of their death, has achieved their life’s dreams, because of course they have. (I won’t hear of anything otherwise, go away!!) 

Luffy: Luffy dies in the war on Raftel, or wherever the final battle for being Pirate King happens. He definitely becomes Pirate King, don't get me wrong, but he dies very soon after because of his injuries and because of the amount of his lifespan he has traded in using his Gears. This is the one headcanon I think (FEAR) will happen - Oda's constant allusion to Luffy's lifespan in his use of Gears and things like that just feels so suspect to me in this regard...

Luffy is buried near where Ace is, because that's what he would've wanted and so that's what the Straw-Hat Pirates did. Not right next to Ace (because that would mean Luffy’s also buried right next to Whitebeard and that doesn't feel right to me for some reason), but somewhere close by, either on the other side of the same island or on an island very, very close by. His emblematic pirate flag is erected on his grave, and its symbol flaps ceaselessly in the wind, always in the direction of where the sea is closest to. (And next to a village called Foosha, however, deep in the heart of a mountain called Mt. Colubo, a monument to a boy is erected posthumously by the mountain bandits and villagers who live there, at the base of a tree where a dilapidated treehouse still stands despite all the years.)

Luffy is the only one to die so young; the rest don't die until years later. By that time, though, they've long stopped sailing together as the Straw-Hat Pirates. Think of it like how Gol D. Roger's pirates split themselves off after the death of their captain; they're still friends for sure, and they hold each other as very precious, but there is no point or need to sail together as pirates anymore after the death of their captain, whom they have rallied themselves with.

For the rest, I'm not sure who will die first, because within the One Piece canon literally So Many Things can happen, but here’s their burial arrangements:  

Brook: Brook was interesting to figure out, because he's technically already died once before. I was trying to work out what the implications of his devil fruit is (is he immortal? But given the reverence given to Law's Immortality Surgery, that doesn't seem likely), and I decided that users of Brook's devil fruit will go once they decide it's time to just...go. So that's what Brook did. He lived until Laboon finally passes on, to make sure Laboon is never left behind again, and then he gathers the rest of the Straw-Hat Pirates in one place, says his goodbyes, and simply...leaves. His bones collapse on the ground with no spirit to hold them up, and per his request his bones are scattered over West Blue. His violin and sword cane are erected as part of a monument next to Luffy’s grave. 

Robin: I’m not precisely sure HOW Robin would die, but probably for her she would die quite peacefully, of old age. Frankly speaking, after all she’s been put through from childhood to adulthood, she deserves a little peace at least at the end of her life. Robin’s monument next to Luffy’s grave is a simple pair of crossed arms made of pale marble (one of the hands holds a book). Her body isn’t buried there, however; in the West Blue, on a barren stretch of scorched land that people say used to be called Ohara, a singular grave can be found in the centre of it.

Franky: His monument next to Luffy’s grave is of his blue metal forearms (one of which is holding a little hammer). Franky's grave of his human parts, however, are buried on Water 7, at the spot where him and Iceburg and Tom used to work on trains together. A mini replica of Sunny shaped out of metal is on top of it, to tell everyone that the shipwright that built the second pirate ship that ever sailed to Raftel lies here. 

Usopp: Unlike everybody else, Usopp asks to have his burial place split into two places. To make this easier, he’s cremated. One half of his ashes is buried in Syrup Village, next to his mother’s grave, and the other half of him is buried under a monument next to Luffy’s. On his monument are the words, “The Bravest Warrior of the Sea, Sniper Usopp, A Giant Among Men” (or words to that effect). His crewmates chose those words for him. His Sogeking mask is hung on his monument. His grave in Syrup Village, however, is much simpler; his original green slingshot is fastened to it (and will slowly wear down, over the years, to an unrecognisable sun-bleached stump), and on it are the words “The greatest liar of Syrup Village that has ever lived”. 

Nami: Nami also gets a monument next to Luffy’s grave. (Okay right at this point just assume that every Straw-Hat Pirate has a monument next to Luffy’s grave!!) However, like Robin and Franky, her monument doesn’t have her body. Nami is buried at Cocoyashi, at the cliff overlooking the sea where her mother Belle-mere was (and where her sister is/was buried too, depending whether Nami dies before or after Nojiko does). With her in the grave is the original copy of the world map she has made, her greatest triumph.

Zoro: Zoro probably dies the most second most violent death after Luffy, what with being the world’s greatest swordsman and all. Probably he is killed/ mortally wounded by someone who comes to take his title, as he probably did to Mihawk before him. He’s cremated, and his ashes are buried next to Luffy’s as Luffy’s first mate and right-hand man (Zoro is first mate even if it was never officially stated!!!). His swords, however, are a different story; Wado Ichimonji I believe Zoro requests to be brought back to Shimotsuki, and put next to Kuina’s grave. As for the other two swords, I don’t know HOW precisely it will happen but it’s left out in the wide world for whoever is worthy to wield them again, because I think Zoro wouldn’t believe in keeping the blades for himself post-mortem. 

Sanji: He also gets a monument next to Luffy. His body, however, is not there; when Sanji dies he is cremated and his ashes are scattered throughout All-Blue, where a floating restaurant called the Baratie now stays; the most famous restaurant there is in the entire world, and it’s unique in that no matter who you are, if you are hungry and come through the door, you get to eat. 

Chopper: He’s probably the last one to die, I think. Not only because he’s the youngest but also because he’s a doctor, I’m sure he knows how to heal himself up whenever he gets sick. His body is buried next to Luffy’s grave, but on Drum Island, there is a monument with a distinctive hat design erected underneath the base of a sakura tree; the tree, despite the wintry climate of the island, blooms pink and full all year round. (Chopper worked with Usopp on genetically developing a sakura horticulture that could do that, before their deaths). 

Jinbe: Jinbe buried underneath the sea, but close to where sunlight will always shine bright because that has always been the fishmen’s dream. His underwater grave bears his past as a Sun Pirate and all the contributions and sacrifices he has made for his people, but his monument on land, he is noted (like all the others), as a most dearly and beloved member of the Straw-Hat Pirates, one whose loyalty never wavered, up until the end. 

Monuments of Going Merry and Thousand Sunny are erected, because ships are crewmates too.  

AS PER MY FIC’S UNIVERSE

In terms of burial arrangements, everything I said about all the Straw-Hats above are applicable here (unless stated otherwise below), PLUS what I will say here below: 

Robin and Franky: I think in my fic, Robin and Franky would be the first to die, because they're the oldest (save for Brook). In my fic’s universe it is Never Mentioned but Franky and Robin are as good as married, and had spent their whole lives together (I'm sorry but Frobin is Real to me and you can pry it out of my cold dead hands). Their monuments are side-by-side next to Luffy's. On top of their monuments holding their respective items, their monuments' hands hold each other's. 

Chopper: Chopper has yet to die at the time of my fic, but when he does, whatever I described above will apply. At the point of the fic he has already worked out the horticulture of the ever-blooming sakura tree and it has already been planted in Drum Island, and has been growing steadily for years. 

Zoro and Sanji: Zoro and Sanji have yet to die at the time of my fic. Their burial arrangements would be the same, however. As for HOW they might die, I recommend you read my fic to find out! (I can’t give away all my cards, obviously.)

That’s all! This has become an awfully long post, and I commend you if you managed to reach this far to the end. Let me know what you think of this: do you agree? Disagree? I would love to discuss this with people, it would be very fascinating, no matter how thoroughly sad. In the meantime, if you’d like to read any one piece fanfiction, feel free to check out my ao3 :)

[pingo1387]

20COP, 1930s part 1

First few sections of the AU I’ve written. So far I’ve only completed parts to do with Franky and Brook, since I was trying to write the AU in chronological order and they’re the oldest. 

February, 1931

The Bronx, New York

The boy’s father—a tall man with an aura of kindness—held his son’s hand tightly as they approached the door of a nondescript apartment building. He absentmindedly hummed Binks’ Brew to himself as they walked.

“Where we goin’, Pop?” the child asked, shivering. His clothes had never quite been adequate for the colder times of the year, and hung loosely from his thin, copper frame, color so like his father’s. Of course, he was far shorter than his giant of a father, but if he had inherited any of his father’s genes, he would grow to be just as tall as him one day.

The man scooped up his tiny son and held him close, trying to keep him warm. “We’re going to see Mr. Crocus.”

“Mr. Crocus?”

“He’s my friend,” his father said with the patient air one adopts when talking to a toddler. “Be nice and remember your manners, Brook . . .” He hesitated before smiling. “Guess I don’t gotta tell you that, huh?”

He went up the stoop, pushed open the squeaky door, and entered. Another door and a flight of stairs greeted him. He went straight up the creaking stairs. When they got to the landing, he opened the door and headed down the hall.

When he reached apartment 2C, he stopped, hesitated, and knocked once, twice, three times.

The door opened a moment later. A man, somewhat younger than Brook’s father, stood on the other side looking at them through the gap about as wide as him. He was of stocky build, with an oddly large lower lip above his square jaw and goatee, and dark hair which fanned out behind him like a flower and stood out against his pale skin.

“Well, now,” the man said, opening the door a bit wider and leaning against the door jamb. “T’what do I owe this s’rprise, Sam?”

Brook’s father—Sam—bit his lip. “Crocus, I need to ask a favor.”

Crocus stepped aside. “C’mon in.”

Sam entered and Crocus shut the door. They went past the open door to the tiny kitchen on the left and headed directly into the living room, which seemed to take up most of the cheap apartment. A cushy armchair and sofa sat perpendicular to each other, and a window on the far wall displayed bleak weather.

Sam, still holding Brook, sat on the armchair while Crocus sat on the perpendicular couch. An oak coffee table was between the two, displaying an open newspaper, a wooden tabletop radio (turned off), and a still-smoldering cigar in an ashtray.

“This mus’ be Brook,” Crocus said, his face softening slightly as he looked down. “Hello, Brook. Haven’t seen y’ for a while.”

“Hello, Mr. Crocus,” Brook said, staring at him shyly. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Crocus smiled. “P’lite one here, Sam.”

Sam smiled in turn. “Takes after his mother.”

“Aye,” Crocus murmured. “Poor thing . . . so young.” He leaned forward. “So, what’s this fav’r?”

“Please let us stay with you,” Sam blurted out.

“’Scuse me?” Crocus said.

“I’ve got no job,” Sam explained, bowing his head, “and I can’t raise Brook on my own. Please, will you let us stay with you for a while? It’s just until I can get work.”

Crocus leaned back and took another cigar out of his pocket, lighting it up. A moment passed as he inhaled and exhaled a cloud of smoke.

“Ah, alright,” he grumbled, scratching his head. “I’ve only got th’ one bed, so you’re sleepin’ on the couch, y’hear?”

Sam smiled. “God bless you, Crocus. Thank you, thank you so much.”

“Don’ mention it,” Crocus muttered.

“Brook,” Sam said, holding him on his knee, “we’re going to live with Mr. Crocus for a while.” 

January, 1932

The Bronx, New York

Brook lay in bed, shivering and slipping in and out of consciousness while hand after hand felt his forehead and brushed hair from his face. An awful taste rose from his throat and he nearly choked on his own empty vomit as he trembled, too weak to rise or even lift a finger. Someone made him sit up and pressed a glass of water to his lips, but his throat was so sore he couldn’t even swallow without bursting into tears. The nightmare lasted forever, before it ended. 

May, 1938

A certain part of Oahu, Hawaii

“I see!”

The rotund man laughed as the boy before him scowled. The man had salt-and-pepper hair around his ears, wore an open T-shirt and shorts, and donned sandals on his feet. The Hawaiian boy’s hair was spiky and dark, and he wore goggles on his forehead, a Speedo, and an open aloha shirt. His feet were bare and his chin, oddly enough, was double-cleft.

“I see,” the man repeated, still laughing. “Your parents kicked you out for being too rowdy, huh?”

“It ain’t funny!” the boy snapped, kicking up some hot sand at the man.

The man’s laughter died down as he walked over to the shoddy rowboat. “You built this yourself, kid?”

“Yeah!” The boy puffed out his chest. “It’s the Super Franky Boat 5!”

“So this is the fifth one?”

“You know it!” the boy said proudly.

“It’s a pile of junk!” the man exclaimed, throwing back his head with booming laughter.

“What was that?!”

“And yet, you sailed here all the way from Molokai on this heap?”

“What about it?”

The man eyed the boy thoughtfully with a big grin. “Kid, how about living with me?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve got real talent,” the man said, ruffling his hair. The boy made a face. “You need practice—a helluva lotta practice—but you’ve got talent. I’m a shipwright for the Navy, see, I live with a nice lady and another kid, about as old as you. You come live with me, kid, and you can learn the basics with Iceburg. How’s about it?”

The boy brightened. “That sounds like fun! I mean, I got nowhere else to go, anyway.”

“Good, good,” the man said. “Come on, let’s go to my place. What’s your name, son?”

“I’m Franky!”

“I’m Tom,” Tom said with a grin. “Let’s go meet the gang.”

He turned and set off down the beach towards a street. Franky watched him for a moment before running after him.