An Adventure Begins
Part One
The sky was blue and spotted with fluffy white clouds that lazily floated along. The sun was bright and warm. The wind blew gently across the calm sea. It was nothing more than an ordinary day. Or so it would seem to all of the citizens of Pax Island. They all were busy bustling about the town. Some where performing their jobs, some mothers were home with their children, and some were talking about Eri Azure's eighteenth birthday party that was happening later tonight.
"I heard Mrs. Azure is having a live orchestra for Miss Azure's party tonight," a man said. He guzzled back some of his beer then added, "Mr. Azure had them shipped in from an island about three days from here. They arrived yesterday."
"That would be nice," a second man said. "Miss Azure surely does love her music."
"It's nice for those of us who can walk," a third man said, slamming his mug down on the table. He waved his hand to the black haired waitress, demanding his mug be refilled. The waitress nodded in understanding. She picked up a pitch and rushed over to him. After refilling his mug, she hurried away.
"Don't say things like that. Miss Azure is a very nice young woman," the first man said.
"Of course she is," the third man said. "But it really is a shame that she can't walk anymore. I know she would have made such a wonderful dancer. Her mother was a professional dance once before. So was her grandmother. She used to dance as a child, you know? She would have become a dancer herself. It's in her blood."
"Yeah, dancing," the second guy said. He gave his friend a cheeky grin. "That's really what you have in mind when you think of her."
"It is at the moment," the third man chuckled. He brought his mug to his lips. Chugging down a large gulp before exhaling. "That's good stuff. But she is very attractive."
"Then date her," the first one said.
"What? No way. I don't want to be saddled with a cripple," the third man said.
"Right. You just want to take her purity away from her and leave what's left behind for her family to pick up," the second one said.
"You two are sick," the first one said with a frown. He picked up his beer mug and walked away from the table.
"It's not like you want to date her either! Everyone on the island knows she's going to die all alone with only her family and bodyguards around her!" the third man yelled out over the rest of the chatter in the tavern. Some of the other customers stopped drinking to look over at the men. More chatter spread out in the room about Eri Azure's disability and how it was such a shame that she was in a wheelchair, but no one actually came to her defense about anything. They just felt sorry for her and wanted to talk about her.
Yes, just another ordinary day on Pax Island.
But for four strangers that were sitting in the corner of that very tavern, today was anything but normal. Today was going to be a big event for them. Even bigger than Eri Azure's eighteenth birthday party that everyone on the island seemed to be talking about.
"I'm telling you this isn't a good idea," one of them said. He carefully scanned his black eyes over everyone in the tavern. They all were too busy talking about Eri Azure's party and her disability to even notice that they were new to the town and island. That worked in their favor so they didn't mind.
"Chill out, Pratt," another one said. "There's nothing to this at all. Haven't you been listening to the talk around this town? She's in a wheelchair. She can't fight back."
"I know, I know," Pratt said. He ran his hands through his dark blonde hair. "I'm just nervous that's all, Jaq. They have like a hundred bodyguards that guard that place. I've even heard that the Emperor Red Haired Shanks personally picked a few to be her personal bodyguards."
"Dude, that's just rumors," a third one said.
"Mitch is right," Jaq said. "Those are just rumors."
"But we're in Red Haired Shanks' territory," Pratt said. He looked around again to see if anyone was listening to them. No one was. He relaxed a little bit, but still kept looking around and picking at his mug with nervous ticks. "And he's been known to stop here on several occasions. I think he has a personal relationship with the Azure family."
"It doesn't matter if he does or if he doesn't," Mitch said. "He's not here right now. And even if he does hear about this there won't be anything he can do about finding her. We all have it set up. We kidnap the girl and take her to our hideout."
"I still don't like it," Pratt said.
"Man, when did you turn into such a coward?" Jaq asked. He slipped his arm over the back of his chair and gave his friend a taunting smirk.
"I'm not a coward!" Pratt hissed in a low tone so he wouldn't draw attention to them.
"Sure you're not," Mitch said, adding to Jaq's taunting. "I'm telling you this isn't a good idea. Red Haired is a friend of the family. Red Haired personally picked out her bodyguards. We're in Red Haired's territory. Blah, blah, blah."
"Look, this is going to be an easy job," Jaq said. "We're not even going to have to fight her bodyguards. They'll easily be knocked out with the gas we acquired. I'm telling you this is going to be an easy job. We take her, force her to lead us to our goal, and then we kill her, and live it up on all the riches while living like kings. We're so going to rule this world. Literally!"
Pratt frowned at them before looking down at his distorted reflection in his beer.
"Pratt, there really isn't anything to worry about," Mitch said. He placed his hand on Pratt's shoulder. "We've been partners for years. And no one has stopped us yet. After we pull this job off we're literally going to rule the world."
"I still don't know about this," Pratt said. "It just doesn't feel right."
"Geez, man! You real are a coward!" Jaq said. He threw his hands up in the air in frustration.
"Shut up, Jaq," Pratt said in a warning tone. "I'm not a coward."
"You are too," Jaq spat back. "If not, then prove it. Fight me right now."
"I'm not going to fight you," Pratt said.
"Of course you're not," Jaq said with a smirk. "And that's because you're nothing but a yellow belly co-"
"Enough," the fourth man said. The three men turned and looked at him. He lifted his head up. Peering out from underneath his hat, he glared at them with his one good eye. "I will hear no more arguing on this. We're pulling this job off tonight just like we've planned."
"Yes, boss," the three men chorused.
"Are you sure she's the one?" Pratt asked.
"Yes," the boss man replied. He pulled out a little black book from his breast pocket and opened it. He smiled down at the content inside, careful not to let anyone else see it. He closed the book and shoved it back into his pocket. "It still points to her. I checked it out when we arrived here earlier today."
"You checked it out?" Mitch asked in disbelief. He placed his hands on the table and leaned closer to his boss. "Like, you went to her house?"
"I had to be sure," the boss said. He crossed his arms and legs while peering right at Pratt. "I don't want any mistakes to happen while we're pulling this job off. Are you going to be all right now?"
"Yes, sir," Pratt said with a nod. "I'm only nervous. We've never done a job like this before. And it has such a huge pay off if the island is actually real."
"The island is real," the boss said. "I assure you of it. If it wasn't, we wouldn't have been lead right to the girl."
"That's right," Jaq said. He lifted his mug to their boss in a salute. "Our boss knows what he's doing."
"Right on!" Mitch lifted his own mug. "Here's to our leader! He never steers us wrong!"
"Relax now, Pratt," Jaq said.
"Just be thankful we're going after this girl instead of Red Haired Shanks' goddaughter," Mitch said.
"If we were going after his goddaughter, I'd just kill myself to save him and her husband the trouble," Pratt said. A shiver ran down his spine. "I don't want to be anywhere near her or her crew."
"Oh, come on. The Heart Pirates aren't that bad," Mitch said. "Their captain and the Straw Hats just got lucky in taking down Doflamingo. Besides they and the Straw Hats are far away from here. It would take them days to come here. Not that they would. They have no connection to Eri Azure at all."
"I'm glad for that," Pratt said. "It's already bad enough she has a connection to the Emperor."
"Let's not start that again," Jaq said with a sigh. He then waved his hand to one of the dancer girls. "You're going to relax right now."
"What can I do you for, honey?" the girl asked. She brushed her long black hair over her bare shoulder before sitting down on his lap. She crossed her long legs, revealing her scandalous tights to him through a slit in her black and red dress.
Jaq ran his hand down her leg while he eyed her plentiful cleavage that stuck halfway out of her dress. He said, "Sorry, dear, but it's not for me. My friend here needs to relax. Could you help him out?"
"Oh, well, sure thing," she said. Disappointment shone in her eyes for a split second before she hopped off his lap. She walked around him to get to Pratt. She cupped her cheek over the young man's face then took his hand. "Come on. Let's go somewhere a little more private."
"But I don't-" Pratt started. He got cut off when the woman jerked him out of his chair.
"Woohoo! Go Pratt!" Mitch cheered.
"Relax!" Jaq added.
"You two are going to pay for this!" Pratt called back to him before the woman pulled him through a door at the back of the tavern.
The boss just smiled. He let his hat drop back over his eyes before looking out the window. There in the distance was the large five story mansion. The mansion that held their current target. All they had to do was wait. With the intelligence he gathered from all the talk about the town, he knew the party started at five o'clock tonight and ended at nine o'clock. And it was currently two thirty in the afternoon. In about seven hours his life long dream would be on the right track for coming true. He would have the girl. And he would be on his way to finally finding the island, the island that literally would change the world. Nothing was ever going to be the same again after tonight.
…
Eri sat quietly by the window in the study of their large home, or mansion as many called it. Personally, she called it her prison. She wasn't literally a prisoner behind these pale walls. She could still go outside and into the town. But she felt like she might as well have been a prisoner here. She wasn't allowed to go anywhere without her bodyguards, or her escorts as her family calls them. She knew that was just a nicer way of saying bodyguards. They were just bodyguards dressed in nothing but black. Black jackets, black ties, black shoes, black sunglasses, the only things that weren't black where their shirts and socks and, for some, their skin and hair. If it wasn't for their different skin and hair color she would have thought her family just cloned someone. They all looked the same to her anymore. Their outfits that hide their bulky muscles, their stiff always polite to her attitudes, she was actually surprised that they weren't clones. They might as well have been with the way they always moved in unison when marching or walking along side her. They were just very drab. She got so sick of seeing the color black all the time.
She glanced over at the door to the study. Two of her bodyguards were standing on each side of the door, guarding it like always, while two other guards of the mansion marched passed the window on the outside. When she heard their footsteps, she turned back to the window. The two guards stopped when she looked at them. They dipped their heads to her in a greeting and said in unison, "Good morning, Lady Eri."
"How are you feeling today?" one of them asked.
"Good morning, gentlemen," Eri replied back. "I'm feeling just fine. Thank you."
"That is very good to hear," he said.
Sure it is. I'm always fine, but none of you notice. I'm just in a wheelchair. I'm not a sick little girl who needs to be pampered, Eri thought. She forced a smile onto her lips and said, "How are you two this morning? Is everything well at your homes?"
Their homes, not a prison, no bodyguards that followed them around, just home where their families were. A home where they had fun and small everyday adventures. Something she didn't have.
"Everything is fine, Lady Eri," the first one said.
"Everything is fine at my house as well, Lady Eri," the second one said. "My wife is sending over those cookies you love so much. She's also sending a birthday present. I'm afraid she won't be able to attend your party tonight. One of our children is sick."
"That is very sweet of her to send the cookies," Eri said. I really hate those health cookies. They taste like grass. "And a gift is not necessary. And I am sorry to hear about your child. I wish they get well soon."
"Thank you, Lady Eri. I will pass on your wishes. Of course it's necessary," the second one said with polite smile. "You only turned eighteen once. And you only get presented to society once in your life as well. There's no way anyone would miss such an occasion. You must celebrate with a smile."
"Indeed. You are correct, sir," Eri said with a forced smile. I hate my birthday parties. And I hate those silly coming out parties. Everyone already knows who I am here on this island. Besides, I know people are only coming here out of politeness. I know what they say about me when they think I'm not listening or I'm not there. I don't have any real friends. Well, I've only one. And he's currently sailing the seas. I'll most likely never actually get to meet him.
"Well, we must be on our way," the second guard said.
Eri eyed him closely. She didn't know him. Not really anyway. She didn't really know any of the guards that roamed her parents' estate. They weren't allowed to actually have a decent conversation with her. They were only allowed basic small talk before moving on with their duties. Not even her own personal bodyguards were allowed to have a serious conversation with her. They just stood there like statues. Statues that had reflexes like cats. And she knew this because if anyone entered into a room where she was without being announced first, they would instantly pounce on them. This happened before with one of her brother's friends. He forgot to announce himself before entering into the study. He got one of her bodyguard's arms in his neck like a clothesline, several bruises, and a couple cracked ribs before her brother came running into the room to stop them. She tired to stop them, of course, but she was their fragile little charge. When they think she's in danger, their power, that her parents gave them, override her own control over them.
And her bodyguards were never the same four guys in a row. They were always swapped out for new bodyguards everyday. She had a total of ten personal bodyguards. When they weren't guarding her, they were training. When they weren't training, they were guarding her. It became tiring to always have someone following her around. Not that she really had anywhere to go. Their island wasn't the biggest island in the world but it wasn't the smallest either. It was somewhere in the middle. Everyone knew everyone else. And everyone knew her family. Their house was the largest on the island and could be seen from almost any point on the island.
With her hands placed in her lap and a soft sigh on her lips, she turned her eyes back out the window and started to lightly sway her head to the soft music emanating from the phonograph on the table beside her. It was a classical piece performed by the late, Ramsey Rothschild, a man born and raised in the North Blue. Anymore she has come to think of music and the musicians who preformed them as friends. She often wondered who these men and women really were. Books could only tell you so much about a person and could easily be altered. She wondered if what she read about them was true. Or if they were lies told by the musician themselves or by whoever wrote the book about them. That's when her adventurous mind would take over. She would start imaging these musicians having crazy adventures while writing or preforming their songs. And she's come up with some rather silly situations to put them in. Once she imagined a group of classical preforms battling it out with swords like pirates only they were using instruments as their swords instead of actual swords.
With another soft sigh, she stared out blankly at the ocean through the double window. Their home was on top of a hill so she got a perfect view of the ocean no matter what room she was in, even on the bottom floor where she currently was. One thing she was grateful for about this mansion was it had an elevator in it. She didn't have to remain on the ground floor. It ran on both electricity and by a hand held contraption that she's never seen only been told about several times by the maids or butlers who wanted to, unnecessarily, assure her that she was safe to go to the upper floors. She would always mentally roll her eyes at them despite saying something along the lines of, "Well, that is a comfort to know. I'm glad I'm in such capable hands then."
She wasn't afraid of getting stuck on any of the upper floors or even on the bottom floor. She had enough bodyguards that would come to her rescue. What she was afraid of was always being a prisoner here, always being followed around by bodyguards, and always being treated like a fragile glass doll. She wanted to be out having adventures like Luffy. Sailing the seas, going to new island after new island, getting to meet all sorts of people and animals, getting to try new foods, and even getting into fights. Not that she could ever fight anyone.
Prisoner. Bodyguards. Glass doll.
She sighed once more at the thought of the young man and at the salt filled breeze that always flowed up from the water to their windows. The wind teased the shorter threads of her blonde hair that came loose from her braided that trailed down her back to her hips. She really loved the wind. She love how the wind always smelled like salt. It reminded her of Luffy's letters. And his letters filled her mind of adventures on the high seas. He wrote to her about all of his adventures. Since they were little kids, he's been telling her about every single adventure he's had. It made her crave for adventure more. Adventures she would never have.
Prisoner. Bodyguards. Glass doll.
Still, she couldn't stop her mind from inserting herself on Luffy's adventures. She often wondered what her part in his crew would be if he asked her to join them. She didn't really have any kind of talents. The only thing she could do was play thirty five instruments and write silly little stories that were inspired by the Straw Hat captain. His crew already had a musician. Brook, she recalled. A real living skeleton thanks to the Devil Fruit he ate a long time ago. She knew all about him. She knew all about Luffy's crew from his letters. She even knew quite a lot about their current allies, the Heart Pirates. And the Heart Pirates seemed just as exciting as the Straw Hats. Once more she wished she could join them. But she knew she never would be able to.
Prisoner. Bodyguards. Glass doll.
She would just have to be content with Luffy's letters and letting her imagination carry her away. And thinking about his letters…she looked over to the coral desk that the phonograph was sitting on. It's been a while since she's received a letter from him. She tried not to let it bother her. She knew he was busy right now, especially after they took down the Warlord, Doflamingo. She figured it would be a couple more weeks before everything from that settled down. He would surely write her then. He never went for every long before sending her a letter. He was always excited to tell her of his adventures. Or she assumed he was excited about it. That's how she read his letters. She really didn't know him except for what he let her know through them. And judging from the wanted poster and newspaper clippings she had of him in her room, he really was just as adventurous as his letters implied. She so badly wanted to send him a letter. A letter that would ask him to come and free her from her prison. But she never did. She always lacked courage when it came to telling people how she really felt. No one ever listened when she did tell them how miserable she was. They would always just brush her off and tell her how lucky she was to live in such a mansion and have such a good family who took such great care of her. So she gave up trying. The people here never really saw her anyway. If they did, they would know how miserable she was.
"Announcing, Young Master Azure," a butler's voice said.
Eri sighed. Even the maids and butlers wore black, traditional outfits. Very dull and boring. She turned her eyes away from the window just as her brother walked into the study. She put a smile on her lips when he smiled at her. His eyes were sparkling at her, just like they always do when he was going to dote on her. His blue eyes that were the same light shade as her own. His hair was also light blonde like hers. Those were two traits that seemed to run wild in their family. The majority of them had the same exact hair and eye color. If someone in her family didn't have blonde hair and blue eyes they often got teased about not belonging in the family. "Good afternoon, brother. How was your riding lesson today, Skylar?"
"Same as always," Skylar said. He sat down on the couch with a sigh. "Be lucky you don't have to go on such boring lessons. I wish they'd just let me run loose on that horse. Riding along at a slow pace is always such a drag."
At least you get to go riding. I'm not allowed to. It's too dangerous for a fragile flower like me, Eri thought. Her smile faded as she let her eyes wonder over her brother. She couldn't help but noticed his hair and clothes were slightly in a mess and there was a touch of pink lipstick on the white collar of his riding suit. He clearly had company on his riding lesson today. And they clearly did more than just ride around the grounds. She wondered which of his many admirers he had with him. She really couldn't blame him. She always heard about how good looking her brother was from several people. She knew he was good looking. With all the girls she's seen flutter their eyelashes at him, looking extra cute when they knew he was going to be around, and flipping their hair in the flirty way that they do, it was hard for her not to notice. So far she hasn't liked a single girl that he's showed interest in. She knew he wasn't serious about any of them. He probably never would be serious about a woman. She wasn't really sure though. He could change in a few years. Right now, he was only twenty six years old. He was still young. He had also filled more out from his lanky teenage years. He's put on some muscle. And he was tall, just under six foot. Yes, he was good looking.
"So are you ready for your party, Dreamer?" Skylar asked. He put his arms over the back of the couch and crossed his legs. A poor posture that he wouldn't be doing if their parents were in the room.
"I guess so," Eri said. A small smile reappeared on her lips from the nickname he used on her. Dreamer really suited her. Of course a lot of the time he called her that he was only teasing. He knew of her dreams of adventure, but also thought she was crazy for having them.
"You guess so?" Skylar asked with a small laugh. "Are you kidding? You're finally turning eighteen. You're being officially shown to society. You'll get to join mother on her many banquets and events. You've always wanted to be a part of them."
"Indeed. It really is an exciting day," Eri said with forced enthusiasm. I've never wanted to be apart of those boring events. I hate the dresses they always wear. The way you have to sit perfectly, drink perfectly, eat perfectly…it's painfully boring to just watch them. "Do you believe it is possible for the Emperor to arrive today?"
"Probably not," Skylar said. "You know he's very busy. Some of those rookie crews are after him."
"Yes, I have read the newspapers about that as well," Eri said. "I do hope he takes care."
"It doesn't really matter," Skylar said. "It's only a matter of time before he gets knocked off his throne."
"That is not a very nice thing to say," Eri said with a frown.
"Don't give me that look, little sister," Skylar said. "You know it's true. No one stays on top forever. Just take your pirate, Straw Hat, for an example."
"You better not say one ill word against him," Eri said in a warning tone.
"He's just all hype. He's only gotten lucky," Skylar said, ignoring Eri's warning. "He'll get knocked down one of these days. He couldn't save his brother after all."
"You take that back!" Eri snapped. Tears pressed to the back of her eyes. She would not stand for anyone talking about Luffy in such a way. "Luffy's strong! It's sad that he couldn't save his brother! He was up against so many strong opponents! He's lucky he had so many friends that helped him get away from there!"
"Hey, hey. Take it easy, Eri," Skylar said. He jumped up from the couch and rushed over to her. He grabbed her shoulders. "You know you're not suppose to get upset like this."
"Stop treating me like I'm a breakable doll!" Eri said. She pushed his hands off her shoulders, but he put them right back. "Let go of me!"
"Calm down," Skylar said. He ran his worried eyes over her face. "Do I need to get the doctor? He can give you a sedative."
Eri flinched at his words. She forced herself to calm down. One thing she didn't want was a sedative. It was such a waste of good medicine that could have been used on someone who really needed it. She took in slow deep breaths then said, "No. Do not summon the doctor. I am calm. I apologize for getting upset."
"It's all right. Just be glad mom and dad weren't hear to witness your outburst," Skylar said. He released her shoulders and stood up straight. "Mom would have immediately canceled your party. Dad wouldn't be pleased with you either. He's already paid the orchestra."
"Please do not tell them about this," Eri said. Please, do tell them about this. I don't want to go to this stupid party anyway. She rested her hands on her lap and looked up at her brother.
"Don't worry, little sister," Skylar said. He leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead. "This is just between you and me."
Eri glanced over at her bodyguards. And those two. But she didn't order them not to tell her parents about this. Usually they didn't when she acted like this. And that was only because of her brother. They left it up to Skylar to tell their parents about this or not. It was always like that. She sighed. The one time she wished her bodyguards would speak up and rat on her to her parents and they remain obediently silent. Morons.
"Announcing, Maid Marie," the butler said before stepping back out of the room.
"Lady Eri," Maid Marie said as she rushed into the room.
Eri looked at the woman. Instantly noticing the woman's deep brown eyes were full of frustration. She forced herself not to smile. She was supposed to be in her room ten minutes ago to get prepared for her party. She was late on purpose.
"What is going on here? You were suppose to be in your room ten minutes ago," Maid Marie said. "We need to get you ready for your party. The event starts in less than three hours."
"Forgive me, Marie," Skylar said. He turned to the maid, his nature grace taking over as he shifted from his relaxed posture to his formal one. He put his hands behind his back and properly addressed her. "It was all my fault. I was having a pleasant conversation with my sister and was not watching the time. Please, do not blame her for her tardiness."
"Oh, very well," Maid Marie said, crossing her arms over her chest. "I will not inform your parents of this. But let us hurry. We can skip your bath this time."
"That is very kind of you," Eri said, another fake and forced smile pulled across her lips. "I am ready to get dressed for the party. Let us proceed to my room."
"Very well, Lady Eri," Maid Marie said. She let her arms drop to her sides before walking over to Eri.
Eri sat patiently in her chair while Maid Marie took a hold of the handlebars on the back of her wheelchair and pushed her out of her room, the two bodyguards following closely behind. She remained quiet as she was pushed through the pale colored halls and into the main entrance where the elevator was located next to the grand staircase. The elevator a simple, clear glass box decorated in silvers and gold. It blended in rather well with the rest of the mansion. If you were new to this place it could actually easily be missed. But all of those who came here, they weren't new. They knew it was there.
They entered into the glass box. A coffin, Eri thought. A coffin that moves me from floor to floor of my prison.
She watched the room lift up as they ascended to the next level. Her bodyguards then opened the glass door. They stood on each side, allowing the maid to push her wheelchair from the small room. They resumed following as the maid pushed her down the halls to her bedroom. Again, they opened the doors, let them enter, then closed the door sto guard outside. It was rare for the guards to actually enter into her room. They only did when they believed something was wrong. The rest of the time they remained outside her door and outside on the ground to make sure no one tried to climb up to her balcony.
"Here we are, Lady Eri," Maid Marie said.
"Good afternoon, Lady Eri," three other maids said as they bowed to her.
"Good afternoon, ladies," Eri said.
"Shall we begin?" Maid Marie asked.
"Yes, let us proceed with the preparations," Eri said. She continued to sit patiently in her wheelchair as the maid started moving around the large room. A sea of black dresses swayed around her in a practice dance that has been going on for years. She let her mind take over to prevent herself from becoming bored. She pretended that the maids were pirates. Dancing pirates, moving around the deck of a ship with her dress in their hands, or a hairbrush, or a ribbon that would be laced through her hair in one way or another. One held a paintbrush in her hand, making gentle strokes over Eri's pale skin, giving her more life and beauty.
A young lady must always look her best when greeting her guest, Eri heard her mother's voice say in her head. Her mother was all about appearance. It got annoying a lot of the time. But she couldn't blame her mother for it. Her mother, after all, was a dancer. Her mother was fairly famous too. Her mother was use to putting on make up and being graceful. It was in her blood just as it was in Eri's blood. Only Eri couldn't dance. Or even walk. No one noticed Eri's gracefulness because she couldn't show it.
"There you go, Young Mistress," Maid Marie said, pulling Eri from her pirate ballet. "You look absolutely beautiful."
Eri looked up at the mirror. She had been pushed over to her vanity. Staring back at her was her own reflection. Yet she felt like someone else was staring back at her. The only thing she could notice as herself was her light blue earrings. They were about half the size of pears and never left her ears. She couldn't remember where she had gotten them. She's just always had them. Other than those, she looked like a complete stranger. Her face and lips were painted up with just the right amount of makeup. You should only use just enough makeup to highlight you already existing beauty, her mother's voice said in her head. Too much and you will look like a clown desperately seeking attention. And we must not look like a clown. We must look like a proper young lady.
Her hair had been unbraided and braided again. The two braids twisted around each other in a circle on top of her head. Small blue and white flowers were stuck into the braids. And her dress was a light blue silk that her mother had a seamstress make special for this particular event. The bodice hugged her chest as the skirt flowed down to cover her matching blue slippers. The skirt and bodice had a V split in them, revealing an under white skirt that was also made of silk. She knew this dress would have been very lovely on the dance floor. The dance floor she never set foot on. The dance floor she was going to see later tonight.
"If you are ready, Lady Eri," Maid Marie said. "Your guests will be arriving soon."
"Yes, I am ready," Eri said. "Please, take me to greet them."
"As you wish, Lady Eri," Maid Marie said. Once again she took a hold of Eri's wheelchair. And once again Eri sat perfectly quiet as she was pushed through the mansion, her prison that she was never going to escape from.
Prisoner. Bodyguards. Glass doll.
…
Eri sat with a practiced expression of enjoyment on her face as she sat at the long rectangular table that was placed at the head of the room for her and her family. It was perfectly placed so she could over look her guests and see the orchestra that was placed in the balcony above the room and be protected by her bodyguards that stood behind her. Inside, she was extremely bored out of her mind. All the guests she expected to be here was. Over a hundred guests were scattered about the room. Some were dancing while others were sitting at the many tables and chairs that had been sat down. They had also eaten in this room. The dinning room, though it was big itself, couldn't fit this many people. So the maids and butlers bustled about for days in preparing this room for her birthday party. They pulled out several round tables and decorated them with silk white tablecloths, crystal vases that held beautifully grown white and yellow roses from her mother's flower gardens.
Occasionally, someone would come up to her and make a comment on how beautiful she looked in her dress or wish her a happy birthday then would quickly rush off to enjoy the festivities of dancing and dinning, leaving her behind with her boredom and the food that was spread out before her. No one every stayed long enough to have a real conversation with her. Even her own parents and brother weren't with her. They were out on the dance floor. Her father was dancing with other ladies, while her mother was dancing with other men. They did this often. It kept them "in the know" as her parents put it. She called it being nosy and gossiping. That's why they always danced with a lot of other people. They just wanted to know what all was going on behind closed doors and stuff.
Eri lifted her eyes to the back of the room just in time to see her brother sneaking off with a tall, long brown haired girl wearing a yellow, low cut, form fitting dress. She saw him dancing with her a lot. It was Pearl Vanderguard. It was also the girl that her brother had been with earlier that day. She knew because she was the only girl wearing the shade of lipstick that was on her brother's collar. She also knew they were sneaking off to enjoy a repeat of their secret dance they did this afternoon.
She forced her eyes off her brother before he could disappear from her view. If she was asked if she knew where he was she could honestly say she doesn't know where he went. She looked around the room again. The tapestries hanging on the walls were decorated in elaborate patterns that really didn't fit a birthday party. They have been here for years. There use to be different tapestries hanging on the walls. But her mother had them removed years ago. For a while the walls were bare, but her mother thought it made the room look too big and empty. So her mother went out and bought new ones to put in here.
She didn't like these at all. She liked the old ones. Or she liked what she could remember of them. She couldn't remember exactly what was on them. All she could remember was there was some kind of island on them. Before she had obtained her disability, she would sneak down here late at night. She would open up the large windows and curtains. The moonlight would shine into the room, lighting up the tapestries. She then would spend hours in here dancing and talking to the tapestries like they were real and could understand her. She never really understood why she did that. She just remembered doing it.
"You're in danger."
"Huh?" Eri blinked and looked around the room for the voice that had spoken to her. But she didn't find anyone close enough to her. She sighed. "I guess I'm just so bored I'm hearing things now. At least the party is almost over."
"Hello, Eri," a voice said.
Eri looked up to see a young man, Bradley Hastings, son to an investor and dealer of many trades, some possibly illegal and on the black market if the rumors were true. She believed they were when she once saw his dad talking secretly to some pirates down an alley in town. But she never said a word to anyone about it. She didn't like to gossip. And she didn't really know what went on in that alley. She focused her attention on him instead. His black hair was cut perfectly just above his thin eyebrows. His bright green eyes ran over her dress, or technically her chest. She knew he was the type of guy who was more interested in a girl's chest than anything else. Still she was polite to him. She said, "Good evening, Bradley. Are you enjoying the party?"
"Yes, very much," Bradley said, his eyes still locked onto her chest.
"That's nice to hear," Eri said, wondering what he found so fascinating about her chest. It was just like many other girls. She wasn't overly big or too small. She was in the middle, she guessed. Get your eyes off my chest, pervert. "Was there something you needed?"
"Yes, I do have a question for you," Bradley said. He finally lifted his eyes to hers. A smile appeared on his lips, but it wasn't a real one. It was a fake one, a fake one that she has seen many times. "I would like to invite you to a little gathering that I'm planning next week. Some friends of mine are getting together to go sailing. It is going to be a lot of fun. And I would absolutely love it if you would join us."
Sailing, on the water, a fake invitation, and a lie.
"Thank you very much for the invitation, Bradley. I would love to join you. But I must speak with my parents about this first." Eri smiled. Sure you want me to come. You're only asking because your parents want to stay on my parents' good side.
"Yes, of course," Bradley said. His eyes relaxed at her words. His smile became real. He knew her parents would never let her go out on the sea. They never did. "Well, I hope you have had a happy birthday. If you will excuse me, I must go find my mother now."
"Yes, of course. Thank you. I have had a wonderful birthday," Eri said. I hate it here. You got the answer you were seeking. Just go away already.
"Enjoy your cake. It is extremely good this year," Bradley said before walking off.
Eri let her eyes drop down to the small piece of cake that was still lying on her plate. She knew she should eat it. Birthdays were the only time she really got sweets. She just didn't feel like it. She didn't feel like sweets, she didn't feel like partying, and she really didn't feel like being here. She just really, really wanted this party to be over with. They had presented her to their guests each time they had arrived. They then had a formal presentation to officially welcome her into society before sitting down to eat their dinner. After that she spent about two hours opening gifts from people. Then they had cake and everyone started dancing.
But now, it was finally over. The orchestra had finished their final song of the night. After the final note had died down and the people had finished clapping, her dad clapped his hands in a way to gather everyone's attention. Eri turned her eyes to him as well. He stood beside the table she was at. She wondered when he got there. Dressed in his black tuxedo, he addressed the people with grace and elegance that had been breed and forced into him since he was a child. He said, "Honored guest, I would like to thank you all for coming here this evening. It has been a pleasure to have you all here on our daughter's eighteenth birthday and her official introduction to society." He paused when the crowd erupted into applause. He gave them a moment before holding up his hand to silence them. "I believe my daughter would like to express her gratitude to you all now. Eri?"
"Yes, Father," Eri said when her dad gestured to her. She smiled at him then at her guest. I hate having to address everyone like this. I was completely bored at this dumb party. You all came here for the food and dancing not to spend time with me. Just leave already. Get out. "Thank you all for coming this evening. I had such a wonderful time meeting with you all. It is such an honor to have finally be presented into society. And I thank you all for the wonderful gifts you have given me. I will cherish them and all of the memories I have made here tonight. Thank you all."
The room erupted into another round of thunderous applause before the people slowly began to make their way over to say their goodbyes to her before making their way out of the dance hall then out of the mansion.
"Well that was exciting," Eri's mother said as she walked over to her. Her deep purple gown swayed as she walked.
Eri watched her mother closely. She wondered if she were still able to walk if she would ever be as graceful as her mother was. Her mother was such a wonderful dancer. She was gifted in many forms of dancing, but ballet was her specialty. "Yes, Mother, it was."
"How are you feeling, dear?" Mrs. Azure asked, eyeing her daughter. "You look a bit pale and exhausted."
"I suppose I am," Eri said. I'm just fine. I'm only bored out of my mind. "I think I would like to retire to bed now."
"Of course, my dear. It has been such a lone and exciting night for you," Mrs. Azure said. She gestured for Maid Marie with an elegant wave of her hand. "Maid Marie, please escort my daughter to her room. And immediately put her to bed after changing her clothes."
"Yes, Madam," Maid Marie said with a curtsy. "Right away. Are you ready, Lady Eri?"
"Yes, let us go," Eri said. She leaned back in her wheelchair, hands resting in her lap as she was wheeled out of the room with her bodyguard shadows closely in tow behind her and Marie. Once on the second floor, she glanced at her brother's bedroom door when they passed by it on her way to her own room. She could hear small groans and moans coming from inside of it. I figured they would have gone elsewhere. But I guess it doesn't matter since mom and dad's room is one the third floor. She shifted her eyes back in front of her. She wasn't worried about tipping off the maid or her bodyguards. She was fairly sure they knew of her brother's little escapades. It was hard for them to not know with how they're everywhere on the grounds. They just never said anything about it because it was none of their business. She did wonder if her parents actually knew or not. Sometimes it was so obvious what her brother was up to. She figured if they did know they were just in denial about it. After all why would their precious, properly raised son be out sleeping around with young women?
Eri pushed it out of her mind. She didn't want to think about what all her brother was doing to the girl he was with at the moment. She had little to no interest in that kind of thing. After all, who would bother to do something like that with a girl like her? She really didn't care. She didn't have a romantic interest in any guys on this island. Those who showed minor interest in her were only interested in her for personal gain. And that typically lead back to her parents money. She could easily spot a liar. She was very good at observing people and listening to conversations that other people often missed because they were too busy talking themselves to notice.
Now in her own room, she sat still while the maids undressed her and removed the makeup from her face. Once dressed in her cotton nightshirt and pants, they helped her get into bed and pulled the thick blanket over her legs. The rest of the maids left the room while Maid Marie stayed behind for another minute.
"Have a pleasant evening, Lady Eri," Maid Marie's voice said, pulling Eri from her thoughts like they did before. "Sleep well."
Eri looked up from her blanket. She smiled at the maid. "Thank you, Marie. You have a pleasant evening as well."
With a curtsy, the maid was gone. The guards closed the double doors, and stood like statues out in the hall just like they were doing below her balcony.
Eri sighed. She looked over at the closed doors of her balcony. They were always closed at night, even when she wanted them open. She loved smelling the salt from the sea while she slept. But her parents didn't like it. They were worried she would catch a cold and get sick again. And they just couldn't let their precious little glass doll get sick again. But it was far too late for that. She was already sick. She was sick and tired of her life. Her empty, boring, lifeless life that was forced upon her day after day. She wanted to escape. She needed to escape.
She flipped her blanket off of her. Lifting her legs up, she placed them on the feet rest of her wheelchair then pivoted her body into the seat. There was no way she was going to be able to sleep right now. So she rolled herself over to the balcony. Opening the doors as quietly as she could, she went out on it. A cool breeze washed up against her warm face as the song of the crickets met her ears. The salt from the sea gathered in her nose. She loved it. She closed her eyes and imagined herself sailing on the water. She imagined herself flying over the water. Her imagination took her far away from this place, this prison. It took her to a happier place, a place where she got to meet Luffy and sail with him and his crew. They went on several grand adventures in her mind.
A loud thump broke her imagination. Her eyes shot to her bedroom doors when she heard someone shuffling out in the hall. It wasn't normal for her bodyguards to move around much. She glanced back at the moon. It was just after midnight. She had been daydreaming for a little over three hours. She turned her eyes back to the doors and watched as shadows moved across her floor from the light that peaked in from underneath the doors. Her heart strummed against her chest when voices whispered among themselves in the hall. Her bodyguards never spoke by her door. They didn't want to take the chance of waking her from her much needed rest. Something wasn't right. She just knew something wasn't right.
"You're in danger! You must get out of there!"
Eri opened her mouth to reply to the voice she heard. She wanted to ask who it was. But she couldn't. She couldn't find her voice as her bedroom door slowly started to open. Then it was completely open. Opened to reveal four men wearing gasmasks over their faces and black clothes. She wanted to scream. She wanted to call out for help, but she couldn't. She still couldn't find her voice. And she knew calling for help wouldn't do her any good. She could see her bodyguards lying on the floor out in the hall. She knew they were unconscious. She quickly put that together from the masks the four men were wearing and from her own vision going blurry and her head becoming light. If it wasn't for the cool breeze coming up from the sea, she knew she would have already been fast asleep with whatever gas they had used to subdue the guards of the mansion. Her heart struck hard in her chest as she gathered what little courage she could. She addressed them. "Who are you? What do you want?"
"We want you," one of them said. His voice was muffled from his mask, but she could easily tell from the way the other three men were standing around him that he was their leader.
"For what?" Eri asked. "Money? You can have it. Just take it and go."
"I'm sorry, Lil' Miss," the man said. "We don't want your parents money. We want you."
Eri's mouth fell open. What could they possibly want with her? She didn't understand any of this. Surely these men were after her parents' money not her. They had to be. They couldn't really be after her. She didn't have anything anyone would want. She was just a helpless girl in a wheelchair.
"You're coming with us," he said moving farther into the room.
"S-stay away!" Eri shouted. She grabbed her wheelchair. She started to move away, but she had nowhere to go. She was trapped and she couldn't fight back. She had no choice but to watch helplessly as this man approached her. She had no choice but to let him place his hand on the back of her head while placing a white cloth over her mouth. Of course she tried to pull his hands off of her, but she was too weak. And she was becoming weaker with each passing second. There was something on the cloth. Something that was making her go to sleep.
"That's a good little girl. You just go right to sleep now," the man said while the other three, or maybe just two, chuckled at her predicament. Their voices got farther and farther away from her as her eyelids fell over her eyes. "And when you wake up, we're going to have a nice little talk about you taking us to Anemone Island. The island hidden in the winds."