ONE PIECE: Dawn of a New Era

"Sorry for.. keeping that from you, Jeanne. I don't like people knowing what I am. If you can, please keep it a secret." To make light of the situation, Kirk barked out a laugh suddenly. "

Those guys were absolute losers though! Imagine being so racist that even when you're drunker than a slug, you still make it a point to cuss out the Fishman! Ugh, I smell like an alcoholic now though... whatever, no one will notice here! Let's keep looking around." While trying to brush off what had happened-

The Captain spoke up.

"Not what..Who you are. Its who you are, there's nothing that can change that. but its certainly not something to be ashamed of who your are. All that matters is the type of person you are."

For once it seemed like Leroy was entirely and utterly serious. This sense of true empathy and emotional intelligence that one may not have been able to recognize as being there the whole time to those that hadn't been around him for very long.

He was essentially telling Kirk. To not hide who he was. He was A Pirate. And his crew mate, his friend. And He wouldn't let any one hurt them

Kirk gazed at him as he spoke, silent. Wow, how could a man who acted like an annoying toddler half of the time manage to actually say something... meaningful? Something that actually affected Kirk? It pleasantly took him by surprise though, though making him jerk his head back and put a hand up to the back of his neck as he rubbed it up and down nervously, having a sheepish smile spread across his face now.

"Well... guess you really aren't wrong about that, huh?"

There was a small pang in his chest that he made sure to force down right away though. He certainly knew he was already a terrible person. It was unfortunate that Leroy's somehow magical and utterly confusing abilities to search out new crew members hadn't warned him that Kirk was a bad choice.

"So keep your head up. You're with me now. Both of you are."

"Aye aye, Captain." Kirk tilted his head up some now, taking it as an order, and his sheepishness started to turn into a bit of pride. How he went from hating every single pirate that crossed his path to having some exceptions beside him? Even he had no idea.

A few minutes passed. And the Red Sash Pirate would find themselves in side of a casino. It was loud, boisterous. Like the Bar but more so. Currently Leroy was seated at a poker table Seemingly having the most atrocious Poker face. A warped look of disgust and grimace on his face at his hand Despite the fact that he held in his hand. Two aces, Two Eights, and a Jack.

"I'll raise." Said leroy. Pushing a stack of chips worth about 55,000 berries into the center.

 "I'll raise," the man seated next to him then pushed in triple what Leroy had.

Matching the Raise. Two of the 3 remaining men folded at the table. The Last one Matched the Bet before setting his cards down Revealing that he help a three 4's and two Jacks. Leroy watched as the next Placed down a king a queen and three 7's Thats when Leroy.

As he was bound to do, Smiled.

"Read 'em and weap fellas!" Setting down his card he revealed that he had not only Ace High. But, the highest numbers of the other two. Revealing the other cards. The other 3 revealed they had much better hands. But had psyched themselves out

"And with that. I'm out!" He said pulling his chips. And buying out. Being handed a Quite handsome some of money on a stub

Kirk had followed Leroy to the table he was gambling at before running off a bit on his own, just wanting to make sure he would know where to return to make sure his captain didn't disappear.

Having gone around and acted all snuggly and intoxicated to some of the blinged-out patrons of this money-covered establishment, it was easy to slip off a fancy watch or snatch a few rings before storing them in his pockets.

Half of them were too wasted to even realize what he was doing, and those who weren't were just too focused on their gambling. It was like picking off sitting ducks for it, easy and fun! Kirk started to come back over to Leroy later on though, immediately concerned watching him raise. Rushing over to watch over his shoulder, he became absolutely delighted once he won and was given that fat stack of berry

"Leroy!! Oh my God!! Eahahahahaaa!! I didn't know you were good at this! Oh my god, that's so much- C'mon, c'mon! No time to waste! You gotta do more of that!" He was nearly hopping up and down in excitement at the money, grabbing onto his captain's shoulder while googling at the new goodies they just got.

He was certainly in a better mood than before, his mind finally off of the situation from before and now entirely focused on the fact they were just getting richer by the moment.

"Alright Alright Alright" He said in a joking almost Mocking voice as he stood up and walked over to one of the slots. Out of the corner of his eye. He saw a Blue Haired woman walking up and Acting immediately almost Destressed to a few of the patrons.

But she seemed almost drunk. Part of Leroy...Truthfully Felt concerned immediately but a part of him felt in a place like this it was just a drunken woman He was then distracted as he Went up to the Craps Table. Bought in and Then THREW the Dice. Not knowing what he was doing

Honestly, he had no idea what was happening either, not having played Craps either, but he got the basic idea. It was just wagering on certain people or against the 'bank' on rolls. Not his favorite gambling game, Kirk thought, since it was nearly entirely luck based.. though most gambling was almost COMPLETELY luck as well but still.

There was some games that required skill, like Poker. Purely the art of acting plus relying heavily on your own luck and logic. Kirk didn't pay any mind to blue haired lady, almost completely focusing on the craps table in front of him while also glancing at a few of the other people at the table, now eyeing a lady on the other side of the table that had a beautiful necklace.

"Oooo, I wonder how much that would go for.." He Cooed