Oh no... -Xander-

[Eri Tokito]

Eri didn't know what to do. It was dark out as the moon shone bright overhead as she walked the empty streets, her eyes constantly glancing back over her shoulder to make sure no one was following her. She didn't mean to stay out so late at the local pub, but she had to go to the smallest and crappiest one in town because being on Ilusia turf meant that there were pretty much Marines everywhere she went. Although she was hardly known at all, Eri would have much rather first start her adventure before being arrested before she could even set sail for Grand Line.

Quickly turning down a side alley way to avoid the main part of town where there were countless marine soldiers standing guard around the palace, Eri wasn't expecting a voice to call out to her. Oh no... she thought as she paused in her walk, her breath coming out in puffs of air in the chilly night.

Turning, she saw a old man stumble into the alley behind her, obviously drunk as he held a near empty bottle of wine in his hand loosley. She couldn't attack him as it would probably cause noise and awake the probably sleeping residents in the buildings and bring the marines running so Eri decided to back away slowly before trying to make a run for it.

What she wasn't expecting though was when she reached the exit of the alley way to run into a tall man as she lightly rebounded off his chest and landed with a thump on the ground. Quickly looking back across her shoulder she could see the drunk man still walking towards them, probably unaware of the man she had bumped into as she quickly latched onto his pant leg from the ground, whispering out, "please...he's following me...make him go away..."

[Xander Touchstone Abernathy]

Xander sighed a bit, looking around in the dark of the night. His long, striped knit scarf billowed in the passing breeze as he walked along the back-ways of the town, looking for inebriated creeps who are bothering the innocent people. His velcro strapped sandals clunked as he walked, occasionally brushing his hair out of his face. The young marine was also on the hunt for the occasional pirate to arrest, unless they where not so bad, then he would look away and walk on.

Most of his boss's looked down on him for being so young, and not as strong as they had wished. But not anymore. Ever since he ate that devil fruit, he had become so much more powerful. One day, one day he would be a Commodore, then a Lieutenant, and then one day, he might even be the boss. His head swam with the thoughts, but he quickly pushed them aside when he felt another person run into him. It didn't hurt him much, but it did knock the other person over. Bending down to help her up, Xander took her hand and lifted her back onto her feet politely, bowing a bit and sweeping off his large, white newsboy's cap with the blue marine insignia on it.

"Oh my apologies madam, pardon my lack of chivalry..." He listened to the girl's plea, fitting his cap back onto his head, trying to adjust his wild mane of thick, jet black curls that stood out in comparison to his starch white cap, even at night. Xander's face turned fierce as he turned to the old man that staggered over to the girl. She looked to be about the same age as Xander himself, what a coincidence. He looked at the man again, smiling a bit as he said, "Excuse me sir, are you going somewhere? Because this young woman is afraid you are following her, I am merely trying to belay her fears..." He spoke with a gentle accent of the Briss kingdom, and a glint shone off of his hazel eyes and the light flecks of gold they appeared to have in them.

[Eri Tokito]

When she glanced up at the man who had helped her back to her feet, she didn't fail to notice just how tall he was and how young we was. He seemed to be around her age and from his uniform could tell he was a marine, although maybe in the lower ranks from his age. She had to be careful then not to let anything slip, or she may find herself in trouble...which was not something she was really wanting at such a late hour in the night.

Eri turned slightly, hiding behind the much taller man as she peeked out from beside his arm at the drunk man. She was glad to see that the man outright told the man off as he eventually stumbled off grumbling about marines or something along those lines. When he was finally gone from sight, Eri stepped away from the young man, cranning her neck slightly to look up at him.

"Uh...thanks alot," Eri said shyly, not knowing how to act around the man, "I really didn't know what to do and I was just hoping someone would turn up, and you did...coincidents huh?"

[Xander Touchstone Abernathy]

"It's a p-pleasure to be of service to y-you..." He said, the young marine's face soon became festooned with the sanguine of awkwardness. He didn't know how to really talk anymore around this girl, which was odd for him. He was usually a guy of incredible grace and decorum. But now it seemed that all that was thrown out of the window. He pulled up his scarf a bit, in an attempt to hide his embarrassed blush, but it ultimately failed. Casing one final glance at the man as he stumbled off, "That is quite..t-the umm....Uhhh...Coincidence!" Xander stuttered out, inwardly scolding himself for his speech.

Scratching the back of his head, he asked, "So, Umm..a-are you...umm, alright? I hope that man didn't hurt you.." He was a bit worried about the girl, knowing it was his duty to protect the people, except pirates, but then it hit him. He didn't even know her name. Straightening up, he swept off his hat again, bowing a bit to her as he said, "Ohh, forgive my rudeness, I haven't introduced m-myself. I am Xander, Seaman Recruit around here." He paused fro a second, standing back up straight, "And who are you?"

[Eri Tokito]

Eri saw the man stutter and wondered what on earth had happened to the well composed man as she cocked her head to the side slightly, a confused look on her face as she stared up at the tall man. Shaking off the thought she cheekily smiled, replying happily, thankful to the man, "I'm Eri, nice to meet you Mr. Xander. And thank you again, truely."

Eri gave him a small smile, biting her lip slightly as she quickly looked around the alley way. Nobody had to know she was a pirate, not even the lovely Xander who she had just met either. She could talk to him right? It wasn't like she was famous or anything...well, yet anyway, but she liked the marine despite...well, being a marine. Quickly walking past Xander back into the open street which was illuminated by the soft lights of the street lamps, Eri looked back over her shoulder to the man still standing behind her.

Calling back with a chuckle she said with a grin, "well? You coming or not?" Holding out a hand she rose a single brow, as if daring the man to take her smaller hand as she tapped her foot on the cobble stone pavement, waiting.

[Xander Touchstone Abernathy]

Xander's blush grew deeper and a bit more visible when Eri dared him with her tone and body language, to come out and follow her. Gulping a bit, the young marine scurried after her, stumbling a bit as his right foot caught the end of his scarf, but he regained his center of gravity before he fell, face first, onto the ground. "Nice t-to meet you Ms. Eri..." He said, his Briss accent shaking a bit.

With a bit of effort, he forced the pressing shyness back a bit, straightening up and regaining his slightly serious, mostly impish nature again, and took Eri's hand into his, a bit bigger, yet still a bit soft, hand. He took a few steps, smiling happily at her as he asked, his voice still a bit nervous and choppy, "S-so...Where would y-you like to um...go?" he asked sweetly, using his free hand to materialize a flower for her. It was the standard flower his vines would grow: Purple with five petals and orange speckles close to the center. Holding it out to her, Xander let out a small gasp when he realized that the flower was still attached to his, now green and viney, hand. Not wanting to weird her out, the young marine recoiled his hand and put it behind his back, expertly plucking it from the mother vine, before handing it to her again.

[Eri Tokito]

Eri laughed lightly, her laugh sounding like bubbles as she saw the young man near but land on his face as he tripped over his long scarf which he wore around his neck. Shaking her head she merely said with a chuckle, "isn't it just a bit too long, no?"

She smiled brightly when he took her hand, not really expecting it but happy none the less. Most men thought of her as a young child...maybe Xander did too, but maybe, just maybe she hoped that his blush was for other reasons rather than just embaressment for nearly tripping over in front of her. She saw that he regained his composure, letting him take the lead as she walked beside the taller man, wondering what on earth someone would think if they woke up and looked out their window that very minute.

Shrugging slightly she replied, "I don't know...I'm happy with just walking." It was partly true. Mostly it was just that she didn't want to say that she wasn't a local and was actually visiting as a pirate who had pulled into port. If she said that she didn't know the area, Xander would know she was a visitor but hardly no one ever came by the Island as it was mostly marine outports and even pirates tended to avoid that area. But Eri had been desperate when she realised that she was fast running out of fresh water and would need to stop in if she didn't want to die of dehydration out in the open oceans. Too bad that the closest island had to be the Ilusia Kingdom.

But maybe it was a good thing, it meant that she meet Xander. When said man made a flower materialize before her she knew he also must be a devil fruit user, much like herself although it seemed it was a different type. Not wanting to say anything as she noticed his hand, she let him quickly cover it and took the flower with utmost delicacy, looking up through her lashes at the taller man, a soft smile on her lips. "Thank you Xander...it's beautiful."

[Xander Touchstone Abernathy]

Xander's crimson blush that festooned his featured grew darker, and bigger, when he heard Eri giggle at him almost trip over the scarf he wore. Casting a small, nervous glance when she asked if it was too long, the marine replied, "I-Isn't...it a little too...umm...perfect?" Trying to think of something witty to say, but utterly failing. Then, after hearing the woman's gratitude towards him at the gift of the flower, Xander let out another giggle, bowing slightly as they walked.

"I am glad you liked it..." He said, looking about nervously. If anyone was to see him about with a woman, it would begin rumors about him that would probably spread around the other marines. And what's worse, he could get fired if he was caught shirking. But then again, he wasn't really shirking his duties as a marine. He was helping the public by escorting Eri to wherever she was going. Come to think of it, where WAS she going?

Turning to glance at her, Xander cocked his head to the side, asking, "Are you sure there is no where you need to be?" he really didn't want her to leave, but then again, he couldn't just stop his life and role to spend time with this woman that he didn't even know. But, at the same time, he wanted to. Sighing a bit, he sat down on a bench and patted the side next to him. "Umm...I was wondering..I-if I could umm..you know..uhh, know a bit about you?" the young marine blushed at his bashfulness, looking down at his feet, wiggling his toes through his sandals.

[Eri Tokito]

Eri laughed at the man when he said that his scarf was just perfect. Pausing she turned in their stride, reaching up and righting the scarf so it lay straight as she replied with a small smile, "yep, just perfect. Although I must say, if I even attempted to wear a scarf that long it would be dirty in no time."

"No...no place specific really," Eri said in reply to his question, his larger hands warming hers ever so slightly in the cool weather. It was a comforting thought, the presence beside her making her feel just that bit more safe...well, as safe as a pirate can get anyway.

When Xander sat down on the seat and guestured her to follow she complied, sitting down close as she rubbed her clother arms, the wind that blew chilling her slightly as she suppressed a shiver. Pausing slightly when he posed a question for her, not knowing how to phrase her background without him finding out anything she decided to take it slow. "well, I mean, what is there to know? I'm 18 now and I left my home back in South Blue about a year and a bit ago, I am often mistaken for a child and treated as such much to my own annoyance. What else..." Eri trailed off, turning suddenly as she looked up at the older man, re-directing the conversation to him to avoid anymore prying for information, "so Xander? What about you my handsome stranger? I hardly know anything about you?"

[Xander Touchstone Abernathy]

The chilling wind met with Xander's hot, flushed cheeks as his blush faded softly, regaining his composure. He let out a happy sigh, listening to Eri's story, noticing she left out a few things, but he decided to answer her first before he asked any more questions. Noticing her coldness and remembering his strong sense of courtesy, he pulled the scarf so that the back end was twice as long, and he wrapped the longest end around her neck, hoping it would help. And after all that, the second end that he shortened was still very low hanging. "Well, lets see.." He muttered, conjuring up a summary of his live while his blush starting up anew when Eri called him handsome, "I am 18 as well, I left home about a year ago to become a marine like my mother...I am from the Briss Kingdom. I-I-I...I ha-have always just...umm...dreamed for a life on the open sea, but not as a pirate, that would be crazy..." He had more to say, but he thought that this particular piece of information should be told at a later date.

He turned his head, as if he was hiding something, but he wasn't. He didn't know what to say anymore, the scarf wrapping was a bit bold on his part, but for some reason, he found being bold around this woman, very hard. But, he still enjoyed her willingness to listen and be around him, placing his, slightly larger hand on top of hers as the wind's chill penetrated his bare skin. It wasn't like Xander had not been use to such weather, but it was always nice to brace it with another person. Looking up at the sky, he realized how late it was already getting. Trying to stifle a small yawn, Xander turned back to Eri, smiling a bit sleepily.

[Eri Tokito]

Eri was thankful when he wrapped the end of his scarf around her neck and gave him a small grin, burying her face slightly into the warm material, her breath hearing up her face as it was absorbed into the woollen material. Eri was slightly happy to know that she could make the man blush as she listened to his short summary.

"Same age as me huh? 18...goodness, I thought you might have been older than that," Eri said softly before she whispered out more to herself, "a life on the seas huh...that's the way to live..."

She could tell, much like herself that he was withholding information but she wasn't about to pry, that would just be rude and very hypercritical. When he placed a hand onto of hers she felt her heart jump in her chest, the warmth foreign on her hand as she shuffled closer to the taller man so that she was near but pressed up against his side. It was so much warmer that way as she appreciated the warmth which the other man radiated.

Yawning slightly she rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes heavy as she fought to keep them open, but she was happy that she had Xander there to be with her. His precense was a comforting thought as she sat in the silent dark. Whispering out tonXander she said, "I'm glad I met you Xander...I really am..."

When he turned and gave her a sleepy smile, Eri realized that it must have been getting late but she really didn't want to go. She just wanted to sit by Xander and...well, she didn't really know what they'd do but she liked talking with him.

[Xander Touchstone Abernathy]

Xander offered Eri another kindly, yet sleepy, smile as they sat together on the bench. He didn't want his time with her to end, for he felt some sort of odd warmth inside him when she was around, and he didn't want that to stop. Maybe she would be back tomorrow, he mused worriedly. A nice young lady like this only comes around once in a lifetime, and Xander was determined to make sure he didn't loose her companionship. But then, a small pang hit him. What if she was already taken?

"I had no doubt that you where of that age...your beauty shows it..." the marine stated softly, blushing a bit at his boldness, his head drooping down a bit, only to snap it back up, maintaining some form of consciousness in the presence of his new friend. But it was becoming more and more difficult. Sighing, he thought up a good way to end this meeting, in hopes of picking it up tomorrow. The gusts of wind picked up a bit, causing a stream of goosebumps to appear all over his exposed flesh.

He brushed a few leaves off of his broad shoulders, turning to Eri and giving her a sweet, kind smile, "Miss Eri, I have enjoyed meeting you this wonderful night...but I fear that my comrades might be wondering where I am. Will you be around this area tomorrow?" He asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice. What if she said no, and this was the last time he would see her. It would break his fragile little heart into a fine powder, and he didn't want that.

[Eri Tokito]

Eri wished with all her heart that she could stay here with Xander, the feeling of safeness and warmth comforting her on her lone journey. Eri had yet to meet anyone to join her on her adventure, but she was hoping to meet someone soon, preferably someone whom she could have as a first mate.

Sighing as she snuggled into Xander's side, she felt weariness settle in as the night seemed to become all that more colder. It was late and she was beginning to become tired, but when she heard Xander speak she tried to keep her eyes open, struggling to do so though.

Blushing at his complement she hid her face into his side so that he couldn't see her pink cheeks. When a chilly wind blew she shivered uncontrolably, her teeth chattering slightly. She cursed herself for not thinking to wear more layers of clothing, suddenly all the more grateful that Xander had given her part of his scarf. "Thanks Xander...most people don't really say anything at all...I guess my height is a bit of a restriction no?"

When he turned to her and gave her a sweet smile she returned it with one of her own, letting him speak as she bit her lip in nervousness at his words. She really did want to stay just so she would be able to meet him again...but as much as she wished she couldn't, it was far to dangerous on her part, especially if she was found out.

With a sad sigh she unwound the scarf from around her neck, standing up from the bench as she stepped sideways until she stood between Xander's legs, a small, sad smile gracing her face. Replying she said, "I'm afraid that I must leave tommorow...as much as I wish I could stay so that we could spend tommorow together again...I would have liked that very much..." Taking a deep breath she continued, "I'm so glad to have met you Xander, really I am and I do hope that I can meet you again some time...I'd like that alot..."

She bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before she leant forward and pressed her probably cool lips against Xander's cheek, lingering there for a moment before pulling away, her eyes showing only sadness. Stepping back from the man who was still seated she turned on her heel, whispering out, "Bye Xander..."

Walking away she quickly turned down a side way which ajoined the main street, taking the short cut way back to her motel where she was staying, not wanting Xander to know where to find her. She even forgot about the fact that the drunk man could still be lingering around these alleyways, but her mind was plauged with the fresh memory of the kind, sweet Xander whom she wished with all her heart to meet again..."