"But why?! Why not just join me? Join us? I've honestly been wanting to have a musician since the beginning…" Leroy said with a pondering look "And who better than the creator of metal himself!"
"Haha!" Eddie chuckled. "While I truly appreciate the offer. I do not feel I am fit for this new world. I have been gone for far too long. I'm sure so much has changed that I'd be nothing more than a burden to you and your crew. Like carrying a geriatric old man that's also a 12 foot immortal skeleton…"
"Whatever!" Leroy dismissed not wanting to hear it. "Your mind will get changed soon enough." He swatted his hand with closed eyes before asking "Anyway, where's your ship anyway?"
"I could never forget. I was in that same spot for so long I could lead you there with my eyes gone. If I had them. It should be due west here about a few hours. I've been moving slowly back for quite a while." He said turning west almost like a human compass.
"So– Why didn't you go back to your ship in all the time you were gone?" Jeanne asked. "I had no reason to. And now, if I have a way back I might as well take it."
"So all you want to do is waste away? Doing nothing with your life? If you're immortal like you said, why not use it?" Leroy pried
"I have no reason to." Eddie said as he stood to his feet "Everyone I ever loved is dead. And I'd rather not ever have to go through that again."
"This curse of mine is for me to live out the rest of the world, and I will do just that…"
Leroy stayed quiet after that. Watching as Eddie walked out of the Galley.
It was another Few Minutes until Leroy Decided to exit the galley after the others already had. He saw that most people had gone to other parts of the Ship, Leaving Eddie alone on the Deck, sitting on the railing with long legs stretched out on the deck as he was turned and looking off to where is ship is over the horizon somewhere.
"Hey." Leroy said as he hopped up onto the railing, feet dangling over the edge of the sea. "Yes?" Eddie asked, looking to the Captain
"Back there. You said that you had no reason to live. Or that– You just wanted to sulk and live out the rest of your–'Afterlife'. And, I get that. But why? If that's what you wanted to do, why get on the ship? Why just appear here and then ask to go to your ship if eventually you could've just gone back yourself?" Leroy tilted his head. Genuine curiosity apparent in his words
"Hah-" Eddie looked up and let out a sigh. "Honestly. I don't know. I've seen dozens of ships in this Stretch over the Years. After just floating around. You tend to know what's going on throughout it all."
"Then I saw your ship floating. And, I don't know. Maybe I felt something when seeing all of you that I may have acted on instinct. Like walking across a street when you see food on the other side, or seeing a friend."
"So you thought we were friends?" Leroy asked with a grin "Perhaps. You lot are certainly pleasant. But I think I steeled myself and realized that it does not change my life. Or my fate." He stated bluntly
"And thus I wish to return." The Skeleton finally looked at Leroy with Shining icy eyes. "Hm. I guess I get it. I really do think you could fit on the Crew. Hell you are literally the guy that invented one of my favorite types of music!"
"And that feeling of duty, or what you feel to be your penance for a sin tell me that you've got a heart still in your soul. Empathy, ya know?" Leroy gestured with his head
"Perhaps." The Skeleton finished. "I really am interested in hearing your story if you are willing to tell it. Maybe if you can explain it, We'll be able to better understand you!"
A small girl in the form of the lines of teeth curling up slightly spread across the Undead man's face "I really do appreciate it–" Eddie stopped himself, having not been told any of their names. Very par for the course for a crew like them to be so forward without even having proper introductions.
"Leroy! Falcon D. Leroy. The Man who'll be King of The Pirates!" He said, extending his hand. "D. huh? Well, I think the most interesting people I've seen in my life have that Initial. Seems like you fit that well, Leroy" Eddie expanded his own hand, large and boney, and took Leroys and gave it a small shake.
"Oh! By the way! Why are you a skeleton? If you don't mind me asking." Leroy perked up as he spun around on the Railing.
"I don't mind answering that. It's pretty simple. I died. And then I came back. Found out after I came back that I had eaten a Devil Fruit. Though I don't know It's name, it allowed me to return from the Dead and inhabit my body again."
"Oh wow! Thats awesome!" Leroy's eyes lit up. "I gotta say you being a skeleton is pretty awesome! I never thought I'd see a living Skeleton, Like I know they say anything is possible in the Grand Line, but Talking skeletons back from the dead are stuff of legends!"
"Hnhn…" Eddie gave a small chuckle. "You're quite energetic."
After roughly an Hour, and Leroy telling Eddie the Names of the Crew as they Passed around the Deck, Kirk shouted to the deck. "I think I see the Ship coming up!"