No Mercy 1 - Arrival at Sea Port Yofa

''The sun was quickly setting and the men of the dock were heading back to their homes for warm meals, happy families, and peaceful evenings. The nighttime air had been getting cooler as winter approached making for chilled bodies and numbed fingers, but the men of Yafo learned to work through the discomfort. The prospect of going home melted their hearts and restored warmth to their bones. It was hard work, but good work. One of the stevedores lingered at the dock to watch the sun disappear behind the horizon. His name was George. George was a younger man who lived alone and counted it as a blessing. No one would worry if he stayed behind to draw a long breath through his nostrils and smell the fresh air of the sea. No one would worry if stayed behind to dip his toes into the water. No one would worry.''

''The sun had all but vanished when George stood up to take his leave. As he turned toward town he heard a distant sound.''

Spafford: "Ooooooooooooiiiiiii!"

George: "Eh? What was that just now?"

''He returned his gaze to the gently ebbing waves and spotted a man on a skiff in the distance. It bore a red sail emblazened with a golden cross.''

George: "My word! I'm not hearing things. [shouting] Ahoy there! Are you in need of assistance?"

Spafford: [shouting back with a grin] "Always lad! Always!"

''The small vessel lazily hovered into port. George aided the man out of his boat and helped him steady the craft so that he could tie it down. After it had been firmly secured, the newly docked stranger struck up a conversation.''

Spafford: "Lovely weather on the sea this evening, wouldn't you agree?"

George: "Yes it is," [his eyes dreamily explored the waters before he remembered a question he had for the man] "Say, friend, did you get dropped off by a ship passing by? The nearest island to here is a 3-day journey, and that's riding aboard an average merchant ship."

Spafford: "I was not. It's just been the ship and I."

George: [with a mounting sense of concern and bewilderment] "You traveled alone?" [pointing to the skiff] "On that?"

Spafford: [raising his eyebrow] "Hmm? Indeed! I've most certainly been traveling alone. There's not much space on the Little Jonah for stowaways, or even extra passengers for that matter. If anyone were along for the ride I'd know about it. Hummhummhumm! (his laughter style; a snicker; like hahaha except with the mouth closed)"

George: [shocked] "Th-th-that's a 5-day journey across the Grand Line from the port in the Wheat Country!"

Spafford: "Wheat Country? Oh no, no. You must be mistaken."

George: "Isn't that where your Log Pose readjusted to this island? Or do you have an eternal pose?"

Spafford: [raising his eyebrow again] "I travel without a Log Pose."

George: [jaw dropped and eyes popping out] "EEEEEEHHHHH!?"

Spafford: "Oh my. I seem to have put you out of sorts. [leaning forward with his right hand gesturing towards George, open-palmed] Perhaps we can continue this conversation somewhere protected from the eleme--"

The man's stomach growled loudly.

George: [breaking from his previous comedic expression; pointing at the man] "Oi oi. You're just want me to feed you."

Spafford: [slightly embarassed with a placid grin and scratching the back of his head] "Well, if you're offering... Hummhummhumm!"

George: "I suppose it can't be helped. Yosh, come with me, uh--"

Spafford: "The name's Gregory Spafford. Pleased to meet you."

More to come!