[img]https://i.imgur.com/oTcp24q.png[/img]
[b]Location - Alabasta - Saloon[/b]
[@King Cosmos]-[@ladyonyx04]

The saloon was... Not what Nikko had meant. He had imagined a nicer restaurant. Maybe stretched out with a fancy goblet, and spending a little cash to soak in all the splendors of Alabasta. But, it made sense that if one was going to enjoy the highs of a land, they should start with the squalor and the lows. So, stepping into the bar, with several other pirates from his crew, he found a large enough table for all of them, with a few moving to their own table. 

Following Shigeuchi's lead, Nikko placed several Beli on the bar. [color=f7976a]"I shall take lemonade."[/color] He said. The bartender looked surprised, and then nodded. After all, there was nothing wrong with choosing to be a designated driver, or simply having no interest in alcohol. Though it was more likely that the bartender didn't care. The cup of lemonade slammed down onto the table was... Well it was certainly lemonade. That was about all that could be said in its favor. 

[quote]“How far are you going to take this? Not just here, but the whole journey. Luffy did some amazing things, if you’re planning on recreating all of his actions every step of the way, you may not get a chance to publish this book you write.”[/quote]

[color=f7976a]"Shigeuchi, can you list out for me the number of books banned by the World Government?"[/color] Nikko asked, before taking a long sip of his drink. Waiting to see if his first mate could list even one. [color=f7976a]"And do you know what I realized when I managed to get my hands on those forbidden tomes? Bad books don't get banned. Nobody cares if the story is badly told, or that the spelling is that of a child. Books are banned because they are ideas. Important ones. Ones that challenge what we see as obstacles. Why, in the story 'The King's Fears' which is about a king's paranoia killing the citizens of his kingdom. And the world government watched. Even when they had the means to interfere, or get involved, they didn't. Many died, suffered, and cried as the king's abuse killed their loved ones. Do you know what made the world government get involved at the end? Money. The king wanted to change the exchange rate."[/color] There was a pause for dramatic effect. [color=f7976a]"The government was furious to be portrayed as heartless, and as such the book was banned. And yet, the meaning in those pages stuck with me far longer than anything related to... Whatever drivel wasn't banned at the time."[/color]

[color=f7976a]"I would rather have a banned book, than a book that is safe in the Government's eyes. A book that raises concerns and questions, and pushes people to react. Besides... I have you to protect me. You'll make sure I finish my biography. Well, you and my editor."[/color] As he finished, he took another drink of his lemon flavored pig swell, and slammed the glass down. [color=f7976a]"It's funny... I shall never feel quenched. It's such a shame."[/color]

Ending the conversation, there was a tap on the table, turning Nikko's attention to one of the pirates by his side. A turban'd man from one of the Grandline's many islands, and one of the best archers in the Red Lion Crew. [b]"Captain, we were followed. I spotted a girl with white hair and another following us earlier. I suspect they're hoping to try and claim your bounty."[/b]
[color=f7976a]"Ah, that's a shame. Well, they're free to try. Though I suspect we'll only run into weaker foes this early on. Alabasta is a lovely country, but it's not exactly the New World now is it?"[/color] Nikko's eyes drifted to the doors, waiting for Caitlyn and Lexi to come barging in.
[color=f7976a]"So, Shigeuchi, how much do you bet they'll start by trying to deliver a speech about how they're going to bring me to justice? I wager you the usual, one beli."[/color]