(for serio)

[ For a person as used to the rock of the ocean as she is, the way the carriage she wakes up in bumps along on land is disconcerting, enough so that Nami ignores the persistent sun-induced ache in her head in favor of slowly cracking her eyes open. She casts a discrete look around through her eyelashes, not yet wishing to appear alert if it was better off not to. The weight of her rucksack’s strap on her shoulder is comforting, considering there’s almost nothing else familiar around at first glance until her eyes land on a shock of green hair. Not a straw hat, but it's a start. Filled with relief and somewhat more at ease about moving after spotting a few conscious captives standing around in their rolling cage, Nami tucks her bag under her arm and moves closer.

He’s unconscious, but he’s alive - she’ll take it. After settling beside Zoro on the wagon’s floor, she wastes no time and spares no delicacy in the way she starts poking his arm, repeating his name quietly. It’s probably only slightly less abrasive than being woken up by Luffy, but, who cares? Thus far she hasn’t spotted their other three crew members, and unless she’s mistaken (and she rarely is about things like this) they’re in some serious trouble. ]

Wake up. [ She pokes him again, long and hard, like his shoulder’s a doorbell, and she’s not leaving without an answer. ]

[ A rough and tumble tavern full of shady criminals with pockets full of secrets?

They might as well have rolled out the red carpet. It’s a dangerous, dimly lit bar, but she’s situated herself in hundreds of those, being in a new world is pretty bad, but it’s nothing compared to the places she’s had to insert herself into while hustling berry. Nami will survive, it's what she does best.

Right now Nami’s surviving while posted up at the bar, half a drink idly hanging in her grasp as she surveys the room, her attention lingering on the tables where cards are being dealt and dice are being rolled. The sharp smell of wine and pickle juice as a glass for the person beside her is slid across the bar makes her turn her head sideways, regarding them passively. ]

I wouldn’t if I were you. [ Her gaze flits from the pin Karsa’s told them to look out for, which denotes someone else from the group to the stranger’s face, tipping her chin towards the glass. ] Unless you like vinegar. [ Yes she’d been offered one already, and yes she’s tried it. She’s not going to talk about the experience, just try not to look too disgusted as she does her good deed for the day and attempts to put the other off experiencing the local fare for themselves. ]

[ Nami discards the fortune into her rucksack without taking her eyes off the golden mouse as it whizzes past where she’s seated to bring treats to the other onlookers. The show really isn’t her speed - brutal bouts of might and violence are things she endures when she has to. She won’t hesitate to fight, but that doesn’t mean she wants to pull up a chair and spend hours watching others do it, but the lure of gold is evergreen, and here in a world where her berry’s no good (the secret stash she’s always got in her sock, wrapped around hidden lockpick one of four proven useless), it’s tempting to just follow the mouse and see where it goes.

Gold is good everywhere, and, maybe it’s got friends.

There’s a cover story already assembling itself in her mind as she picks her way after the mouse, moving behind the rows of seats while she works out where in town she can get it melted down into currency, and if she should smack it against something to try and stop it moving before she shoves it in her bag.

It’s just as she reaches a spot where she’s sure her hand can dart out mostly undetected and close around the mouse that Nami realizes she’s positioned herself a little too close to another person. Her hand pulls back and the mouse zips past, leaving her scowling and rolling her eyes before she looks at them without so much as a wisp of sheepishness in her expression. ]

Do you work here? [ She hopes not, that’s a big part of the tale she’s gearing up to spin if she gets questioned about her actions. ]

[ dm for questions or if you'd like to work out something else, otherwise feel free to seize the day and toss a start my way, i'm good to roll with any of the above prompts. will mark spoilers, but shoot me a message if you'd prefer to avoid them entirely. ]