In To Worlds

Erin's mind raced, her pulse pounding in her ears as Luffy's casual declaration rang out, clear and confident: "She's joining our crew!"

The words hung in the air, surreal and electric. Did this mean she was now part of their story? A living, breathing character in the saga that had captivated her for years? The thought sent a shiver down her spine, an intoxicating mix of disbelief and exhilaration.

But as the initial shock ebbed away, something new took its place—a spark of determination. A grin slowly crept across her face, her heart hammering with excitement. Did it really matter if she was "supposed" to be here? No. What mattered was that she was here, standing among them, the straw-hatted pirate crew she had adored for so long.

In fact, this was better than anything she could have dreamed. She was in the early days of their journey, before the tides of fate swept them into even greater dangers and adventures. If she played her cards right, she could actually make a difference.

Her thoughts tumbled over themselves like waves in a storm. I could warn them about Arlong, maybe steer them away from some dangers—or at least help them prepare. I could help Nami before things get too bad, or support them when they face Loguetown. And… the adventures! I'll get to live through every single one of them.

Her cheeks flushed with giddy excitement, and her steps felt lighter than air as she trailed behind Luffy, the sound of his sandals slapping against the wooden deck grounding her. Her gaze darted around, taking in every detail: the vibrant flags fluttering in the breeze, the scent of grilled fish and salty sea air, and the hum of life on the floating restaurant.

Ahead of them, Zoro leaned back in his chair, his swords resting against the edge of the table. Usopp sat across from him, gesturing animatedly with his fork mid-bite. The pair turned their heads as Luffy approached, Erin in tow.

"Who's this?" Zoro asked, his voice rough but curious. His sharp gaze swept over Erin, assessing her like a predator sizing up prey.

Usopp, on the other hand, tilted his head, his expression more curious than cautious. "Luffy, did you pick up another stray?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She's joining us!" Luffy declared again, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. He dropped into his seat with the same carefree energy as always, snagging a hunk of meat from the nearest platter.

"She's joining the crew," Nami clarified, though her tone carried a note of exasperation. She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "But only because she might be useful. And because Luffy's impossible to argue with." She cast Erin a sharp glance. "That doesn't mean we trust you yet."

Erin winced but nodded quickly. "I understand. I don't want to be a burden."

"She's not a burden!" Luffy protested through a mouthful of food. "She can fly! I saw her earlier, up in the sky!"

"Fly?" Zoro's brow arched, skepticism flickering in his dark eyes. "What are you talking about, Luffy?"

Luffy swallowed and leaned forward, his grin as wide as ever. "When I climbed the mast earlier to check for islands, I saw her. At first, I thought it was a bird, but then I noticed her dress. She was just floating up there, above the clouds. It was so cool!"

Erin froze, her cheeks burning as every head turned toward her.

"You... saw me?" she murmured, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

Usopp's eyes widened, and he leaned across the table. "Wait, wait, wait. You're telling me she can just—what? Fly? Like, no wings, no ropes—just... whoosh?" He mimicked a dramatic soaring motion with his hands, his face alight with amazement.

"Yes!" Luffy exclaimed, slapping his hands on the table for emphasis. "She can fly, and I bet she can do other cool stuff too!"

"I—" Erin hesitated, her gaze darting between their expectant faces. Finally, she sighed, resigning herself to at least part of the truth. "It's true. I can fly. And… a few other things."

"And you just happened to 'fly' onto a floating restaurant in the middle of nowhere?" Nami's tone dripped with disbelief as she fixed Erin with a piercing stare. "That's a little too convenient, don't you think?"

Erin winced. "I didn't mean to intrude," she said softly. "It wasn't planned. I just… ended up here by accident."

"By accident?" zoro repeated, his tone questioning.

"It's... complicated," Erin admitted, her voice faltering under the weight of their scrutiny.

Zoro leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table, his expression unreadable. "Complicated or not, if you've got powers like that, we need to know one thing, are you a threat?"

Erin shook her head emphatically, her hands raised as if to show she meant no harm. "No! I'd never hurt anyone! I just—" She hesitated, searching for the right words. "I've heard stories about this crew, about all of you. And I wanted to see it for myself."

The table fell silent, the crew exchanging glances. Erin's pulse quickened, her heart hammering as she waited for their verdict.

Finally, Zoro leaned back with a shrug. "She doesn't seem dangerous," he said, his tone casual but firm. "But if she tries anything, I'll deal with it."

Erin swallowed hard and nodded.

Nami sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "She's already been warned. But you're not officially part of the crew, and you're definitely not getting a free ride. If you're sticking around, you pull your weight. Got it?"

"Got it," Erin replied, relief washing over her like a wave.

The tension at the table eased, and the lively banter resumed as though nothing had happened,while Usopp grilled Erin about her powers, peppering her with questions about what else she could do.

Erin answered as vaguely as she could, her heart pounding with a mixture of relief and exhilaration. The sound clinking of glasses, the laughter, the way Luffy attacked his food with reckless abandon—it felt surreal.

Across the table, Luffy caught her eye and flashed a wide grin. "You'll fit right in," he said with absolute certainty.

Erin smiled back, warmth blooming in her chest.