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[Smoker's not sure how much he believes any of this, it all could be an elaborate plot by one of the pirate emperors on one of their islands further on the Grand Line, though, he very much doubts any of them would be foolhardy enough to kidnap him, and still leave him a pair of seastone cuffs and his jitte. And if it was Kaidou, there's no way X Drake would leave Smoker running free and unhindered. But any of the Emperors usually felt most secure on their own islands, surrounded by their own people, so it could just be arrogance to sell the illusion. Still, whether fake or not, best to play along for now until he could prove otherwise.]

[And the best way to get information? Was to ask as bluntly as Smoker ever did. You'd be amazed at what pirates would give away if you just asked.]

Three things. [He holds up 3 fingers.] One, where can I get an endless supply of good cigars? [And he means good. And endless. He's smoking two at a time, they'll go quickly.] Secondly, what's the nearest bar? And thirdly, what is there for law enforcement or bounty hunting opportunities around here? [Because if he was kidnapped to play toy hunter for someone....]

[Might as well see what or who they wanted him to hunt, really.]

[And the idea that he might just be announcing to all the criminals that he was coming? Yeah, he knows, he prefers it that way.]

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There are bars within all of the five cities, but I do not frequent them so I could not tell you where the others are specifically. My name is Adela, and you may use that as well Smoker.

[ She nods, taking a moment to think over just how to answer his question. ]

So far as I can tell, no. They exist to help the people who arrive here to get settled while they stay, as right now there is no known way to leave - though many people still search for one.

If there were those who I would say are 'in charge' it would be the Guardians over each of the cities. They are elected officials though, so it is possible for Guardianship over a city to change at least once every six months, I believe.

[Lazily salutes.] Adela. [Another nod.]

[And the rest....]

[Well, even for playing along, that's a bit much. He shoves his hands in his pockets, and leans a foot on a fence.]

I can't be gone that long, G-5 is probably already setting the barracks on fire as we speak. [His brow twitches slightly in consternation.]

... I have been told that time may as well stand still in our homes when compared to this place, and though I could not say for certain too many have claimed its truth to simply dismiss it as nothing.

[ Adela sighs to herself then, rubbing the back of her head as she's starting to feel a little awkward. ]

I... Apologize, for not being able to give you more than hearsay. I wish there was more tangible evidence to this to give you.

[Awww. Don't look like Tashigi and use her words, he gets all flustered mentally! And he waves a hand.]

All right. I'm sure my second in command can keep them from doing anything too stupid in the meanwhile. [... Sort of.]

How long have you been here then?

Four months, now - since early Spring.

[ It's not like she knows she's causing him to fluster! Mentally, anyway.

... It actually has been that long, hasn't it? Huh... ]

[A grunt.]

And no one knows why people are being brought here?

Unfortunately, that is accurate.

That's.... bizarre.

[Shakes a hand through his head.]

[It does lend to the idea that they're in a another world...]

[But.... he needs more proof.]

What was your home like? If you don't mind my asking.

[ Huh... It's the second time recently that someone's asked her that. It's still a strange question, and she takes a few moments before starting to answer. ]

I knew not much of the land outside of where I lived, but the part of the country I was in was peaceful, warm, green, and lush. 'tis beautiful there - I lived with my uncle, outside of the castle town by the sea.

[ ... Great, now she's starting to feel homesick again. Adela tries to not let it bother her, instead looking to the feed once more. ]

And what of your home, Smoker? What is it like there?

There's a few islands like that in the East Blue.

I'm from Loguetown. It's a shitty stop over for pirates heading to the Grand Line. I've still got family there, but it's been years since I was there. I spent the last two stationed at G-5 in the New World, waiting for someone. The same reason I left Loguetown, actually.

[Runs a hand through his hair.] Loguetown's historical. The town of the beginnings and the ends. Gol D. Roger was born there and executed there. [There's a weird tug emotionally about that. The way things ended with Portgas, causing the new era perhaps.] A lot of street punks wanted to make their name there. They're not too bad though, the pirates are the worst, but they're more concentrated in the New World. The East Blue is considered the most peaceful of the four blues, so I couldn't wait to get out.

[He half wants to mention Kuzan, just to see if any of this triggers some recognition, but that's too dangerous, so all that is just enough.]

Hold on, just who is Gol D. Roger?

[ Her expression is somewhere between baffled and intrigued, and suddenly this conversation is definitely a lot more interesting. ]

I mean, you would not have mentioned him if he had no impact on Loguetown, right? And the way you speak of pirates... Do you fight against them, then?

[....]

[Well, most people were curious about Roger, although few pretended not to know who he was.]

[He can't get a solid read on it yet.]

Gold Roger was the Pirate King. The first and only. He circumnavigated the globe, and had all the world's treasure, everything anyone could want. And left it in One Piece. [Two years and then some, but he can still remember Whitebeard announcing that One Piece was real, and the way Sengoku freaked out over it. Just what is One Piece??]

I'm a marine, Vice Admiral. I was Captain at Loguetown.

Roger didn't just impact Loguetown, he changed the whole world. He ushered in the grand era of pirates. He was the only person to hold his own against Edward Newgate, Whitebeard, and survive.

... It sounds like quite the romantic tale.

[ She shifts a little before re-adjusting the communicator, setting it so that it's on a table and still. There, easier to talk to him now... ]

I have never heard of a pirate king, though with such a grand name I can see why so many would wish to claim his fame and treasure - even with such an unsavoury career.

[That's... she's either a really good actress or something. Damn.]

[But Big Ma'am's daughters were like that, weren't they?]

[Troublesome...]

[Although she still reminds him of Tashigi. It's hard to say.]

Mm. Most of the truly strong pirates seek to be the next pirate King, or enable their crew thusly. But the world is full of weak pirates who mostly use it as an excuse for anarchy and bullying. It's pathetic.

... That is no different than the pirates I have heard, at least - those who cause anarchy and victimize those who cannot fight back.

[ And that is sickening to her, though it goes unsaid. ]

That there are those not like that though... Gold Roger, and you mentioned a man by the name Edward Newgate? Neither of them is like that?

Roger and Newgate caused anarchy in their own rights, but Whitebeard less than most, I suppose.

He was...

[VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY GRUDGINGLY] a different kind of pirate in a world where that meant the worst of the worst.

[Sigh.] He was the strongest man in the world. Whitebeard, Edward Newgate, was. He had the power to break the world, but not the power to bind it. [Perhaps no one can. Perhaps that is the one impossible thing. Smoker doesn't know.] I fought his army in the War of the Best two years ago. It wasn't pleasant.

Roger was also a different kind of pirate. He still caused anarchy, like I said, but he wasn't interested in slavery or the petty under-dealings many of them take up these days. And Whitebeard outright banned slavery under his watch. [Justice, might, pirates, who was wrong, what was right? Circumstances had to be looked at individually.]

But don't mistake me for thinking I condone any of their actions. Even monsters can be noble sometimes. [Like Smoker himself...]

It sounds confusing.

[ Way to simplify it, but she really doesn't know how else to put it. That they were still pirates, but they did not do monsterous things to people, and yet Smoker still refers to them as such... ]

I cannot say many here are like any of the pirates you have described...

...

Well, maybe one. A friend of mine. Even he is not so bad as all that, though.

You're friends with a pirate?

[He's not judging, just cautious.]

Not that I know of? Just that, from what you have said, he seems to act a lot like the... "lighter" side of the pirates you have spoken of.

Oh?

[Shanks, perhaps? Well, it might not even be a pirate from his world. IF that worlds thing was true.]

[Either way he needs to keep her talking to get more details to sort it out.]

He stole food on his first day here - though, after a sparring match he went with me to pay back what he owed for it. I am not certain if he knew whether or not the red bills he received on the first day was money. He keeps insisting that he will manage with hunting and fishing.

He keeps evading whether or not he has found a place for himself to live or not whenever I ask as well...

[ Frowny face... She'll insist that she isn't, but she might be worrying about him. ]

He seems more interested in having fun here than anything else, last I checked.

I see.

[No, no he doesn't. He has no idea who that could be. Much less if they're a pirate, or from his world, or just some random Huckleberry Finn kind of guy.]

[Also because "Portgas, grandson of Garp, grew up in the wild" is two years crossed out by death so, not even in the list of possibilities.]

Are hunting and fishing legal here?

In the wilds of Fayren it is, I cannot say about elsewhere.

... It has been some time since I have spoken with him or seen him, so there is no guarantee that he is even still here.

[Shrugs and lights a fresh pair of cigars.]

Well pirates aren't exactly known for even that level of honest means of obtaining food. Usually they'd steal it. Or use extortion. So maybe your friend isn't a pirate after all. What makes you think he's like Whitebeard or Roger?

I am not sure, now. He has joked about stealing things for the sake of burning them before, but... Now that you put it like that, I do not know if he even is like that or not.

I suppose... Maybe it is that he seems adventurous and reckless to me. That could be it.