Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece, but I do own plot and OCs.
Chapter 7: Scandalous
The heat vanished as night approached; a coldness surfacing from the island's core that made the locals evolve. The abrupt climate change caused them to bundled up for the evening. The sun slowly faded behind the horizon, casting a dark shadow over the city and its narrow streets, and only a small sliver of crimson illuminated the cobblestone, the glare making the buildings seem on fire.
Gabriella stepped into the scarlet spotlight, the tiny paper bag in her grasp sliding into the crook of her arm when she gently tugged down on her cowl to shield her eyes from the concentrated light. The bag thumped against her side, the azure paper wrinkling to make the bold brown print that said Ranchie Knick-Knacks crinkle into a new unintelligible word.
The summoner mage glanced around, scanning the thinning crowds for the stone devil. Bedros had been rather disturbed by the porcelain dolls with lifeless glass eyes sitting in the store's window display and he said that the toys' emotionless smiles could even steal a devil's soul. Therefore, he prompted to wait outside rather than take any unnecessary risks. She had thought it was just an excuse to avoid tagging along, but the summoner mage could have sworn she saw a few dolls' heads turn to stare at her…
She cast aside the troubling thought with a shake of her head and continued to look for her devilish friend, and she was surprised to see that the stone devil was conversing with the lookout. Though, Bedros didn't look pleased to be speaking with Scotty, considering it was the lookout who tattled the other day. Curious, the summoner mage waltzed over to see what their chat was about.
"—thought you would've known since you've been here awhile," was what the lookout said when she walked into range.
"I haven't." Bedros scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "I got here 'round the same time ya'll did."
"Really…?" Scotty pursed his lips. Then the lookout cocked his head to the side in thought before continuing: "So you don't know anything 'bout Sprite's Den? Y'know…" he trailed off, motioning a hand towards the stone devil like he would know what the lookout meant.
Bedros leaned away, his eyes wide in shock. "Uh," he looked taken back by the question. "I…I do know about that…"
Scotty's features brightened, his eyes glimmering with hope as a giddy smile appeared on his lips. "You do!? Why didn't you say so sooner?!" and then he playfully punched the stone devil in the arm. "Hook us up, dude! I heard that's thee best place in town."
Bedros rubbed the spot on his arm where the lookout had hit him and then he shifted back and forth uncomfortably on his heels. "It's closed."
"W—what?!" Scotty's eyebrows shot up to his emerald hairline. "Why?!"
"…Reasons." Bedros stressed the word, the emphases warning the lookout.
Scotty didn't pick up the hint and continued to press the stone devil. "How do you know then?"
"I'm…" Bedros paused, wringing his hands together anxiously. "I'm familiar with the owner."
"T—then you can get us in, right?" Scotty asked, the hopeful look returning to his eyes
"I never said I was friends with the owner." Bedros was blunt.
"Tch." Scotty scoffed, looking away from the stone devil and folded his arms over his chest. "You're no help at all then, and here I thought you'd be a cool guy."
Bedros rolled his eyes at the petty insult.
Gabriella stood beside Bedros, looking between the scowling stone devil and lookout before asking: "What're you two talking about?"
"You don't wanna know, Gabbie." Bedros sighed.
"Haven't ya heard the crew talk 'bout date night?" Scotty questioned curiously.
Gabriella's inquired gaze turned wary. "I've heard it mentioned, yes…" She slowly replied. "But no one said what it is exactly."
"We gonna rent out a brothel: date night." Scotty answered nonchalantly.
Gabriella's expression warped to a look of repugnance. "Unbelievable."
~…~
Gabriella inched closer to the stone devil, her shoulder brushing against his when the table beside them burst into boisterous laughter. Her brows knitted together warily as she lifted her feet off the floor to avoid a wave of foam that spilled against the grimy tiles. She watched as a pitcher's worth of beer cascade over the table's edge, and the large group of men bellowed with drunken cackles while one hiccuped weak sobs.
The little restaurant was rowdy, yet calmer than most of the portside bars; the patrons were lively, full of joyous laughs and playful taunts. There was only one fight, a mild one between two men that bickered over the same pretty waitress. However, the stocky bartender was quick to break it up by throwing buckets of soapy water on the quarreling pair.
Gabriella was cautious when they entered the establishment and sat down because everyone stared at them. They were an unsightly duo and she didn't like the attention, especially when the stone devil reminded her of proper table etiquette and pulled down her hood. Her ears were revealed and she could have sworn she heard the curious whispers from everyone. But, no man acted when they saw the stone devil remove his hat and his ivory horns glistened in the dim light cast from the candle in the middle of their table. Bedros's appearance could give off a dangerous aura despite his personality, nonetheless, the summoner mage appreciated it for the moment.
The stone devil ignored the wary look the waitress sent him as she set down their drinks and he continued to scratch the side of his cheek in thought. His fingertips grazed the ebony sideburns along his jaw. "I heard this place has good barbecue." Bedros spoke up. "The ribs were recommended by an, uh," he cleared his throat. "Acquaintance."
Gabriella hummed, glancing at the stone devil from the corner of her eyes before scanning the menu once more. Then with a click of her tongue, she came to her decision. "I think I'll have a salad."
The waitress merely nodded, writing down their orders silently then she took their menus, tucking it under her arm with the round tray and then she scampered off to the kitchen.
"Tch," Bedros rolled his eyes at the summoner mage. "You're no fun. Then again, you've always been a picky eater."
"Picky?" She glared, slightly offended. "There's nothing wrong with having a salad over steak."
"Must be an elf thing." Bedros teased with a growing smirk and he playful pulled on the lobe of her ear. "Vegans that eat rabbit food with their rabbit friends, eh?"
A dark shadow crossed the summoner mage's golden eyes. Then a low growl rumbled from the pits of her throat as she yanked on the pointed tip of the stone devil's ear.
"H—owowow—hey!" Bedros jerked his head away from her grip. "I was kidding! Geez…" He grumbled as he picked up his pint of beer and brought the foamy glass to his lips. "You've been in a foul mood since those guys put operation date night into action."
Gabriella refused to respond. She had her opinions on that matter and she had wanted no part in it. Yet, it always seemed to come back to the surface of her mind. It made her…uncomfortable. Uncomfortable that she was mulling over that idea when she was against something like it. She didn't have the desire to stop the men from doing their…traditions, however she did have a sudden desire for something.
Gabriella fidgeted in her seat and she leaned in close to the stone devil, whispering: "Does it make me a whore to want to have sex?"
Bedros nearly choked on his booze. The potent liquid trickled down his chin and he wiped the back of his hand across the damp skin. "…uh." He stared at her, bewildered and silent for a moment. "I know we've known each other awhile, Gabbie…" he slowly drew out and inched away. "But you know you ain't my type."
Gabriella scowled at him, her cheeks flushed in annoyance. "I didn't mean you, moron," and she punched him in the arm. "I meant in general."
"Okay," Bedros held up his hands. "Back up a sec. What brought this up, anyway? The date night thing? Seriously?"
"Ceh." Gabriella scoffed and folded her arms over her chest. "I haven't had sex in a long time. It just never registered, y'know? I don't have sex with strangers."
Bedros eyed her warily. "Why do I feel like this is comin' back around to having sex with me?"
"It is not." She snapped, her tone hushed when she felt the piercing stare from the table behind them. "And keep your voice down, will ya? I just want you to answer my question."
Bedros sighed and leaned back in his seat. "Lust." He stated simply and then he explained just as easily: "It's only a natural desire to fulfill, like if you're hungry, you eat."
Gabriella blinked. "…you cannot compare needing food to wanting sex."
"Seems normal to me either way." Bedros shrugged, indifferent on the matter.
"Having sex with a stranger isn't normal," Gabriella huffed, puffing out her pink cheeks as she did so. "Especially when you're paying them."
"Seriously." Bedros's tone was dull as he asked for a third time: "Are you tryin' to make a move on me?"
"No!" Gabriella yelped, her face swelling with heat.
"Then what do you want me to do, huh?" Bedros groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You ain't havin' sex with me n' you won't have sex with a stranger. Go make a friend, Gabbie. You're a pretty little thing that won't have to worry about needing to pay a man 'cause a man would pay to have sex with you."
Gabriella's cheeks bloomed a shade of embarrassed crimson. "A—absolutely not!" She stuttered and sharply turned away. "I w—was just expressing a concern I had about a situation. I never, ever, said I was going to act upon it; never would I ever. Never. Ever."
Later that evening…
"Welcome to Charlotte's Parlor!"
Two pretty girls welcomed the stone devil as he walked into the grand foyer of the large building. The women wore a heavy layer of makeup of their faces, the colorful paint enhancing the giddy expressions on their features as they sashayed over to where he stood between a set of crimson curtains that framed the shadowed entrance. They bunched up the ample violet fabric of their dresses as they walked, their ebony painted toenails peeking out from the lacy black hems. The two hostesses then clung to the stone devil's arms, pressing their exposed cleavage to his biceps for skin to skin contact.
"What can Loa do for a handsome sir like yourself?" The first woman purred the inquiry in a seductive tone and then she nuzzled her cheeks to his lean muscles. "Loa will make sure you are well taken care of."
"Or do you have a special request for Lotta, handsome sir?" The second women added, her long black nail tracing small circles over the stone devil's chest.
"Yes…but not for me." Bedros replied, a slight look of uneasiness in his crimson eyes and he broke away from the two women's grasp.
When free, the troubled expression morphed to confidence as he tipped his hat towards the two women pouting in disappointment. Then he turned to the crimson curtain beside the entrance of the establishment and he reached into the velvet folds to pull the summoner mage from the shadows. Her face was redder than a chili pepper on fire and she stubbornly refused to move, but with a push from behind, he forced her into the open.
"My friend here is in a pinch." He continued, a smirk on his lips as he placed his hands on the summoner mage's shoulders. "She needs a bit of attention from the male variety, but she's sorta new to this way of gettin' it and needs, uh, guidance."
Loa's thin brow rose and there was a curious sparkle in her emerald eyes. "Loa thinks that is a funny way of putting it." She stated bluntly, but there was a smile on her lips. "But Lotta and Loa can help, Madam has told Lotta and Loa to be kind and thoughtful when a woman needs assistance."
"A women is fragile, unlike a man," Lotta closed her eyes, her words being drawn from a memory. "Therefore she should not be treated as a customer like a man would, but as a guest. That is what Madam always says to Loa, Lotta and others."
Loa nodded in agreement. "Please follow Lotta and Loa and tell Lotta and Loa about your type so Lotta and Loa can help."
The two women grabbed her hands, but Gabriella was reluctant, digging her heels to the floors. Though, with a push and a tug, the two women pulled her further into the building filled with nightly transactions. Girls wearing the same style and colored dresses acted as the hostesses and strolled the marble floors and stairs, escorting traveling merchants and young sailors into dark hallways that processed deeper into the establishment.
Gabriella looked over her shoulder to the stone devil, her golden eyes wide and pleading like a child being dragged off to her first day of school. But, Bedros just smiled and waved before turning on his heel to disappear into the darkness of night outside.
~…~
Date night, as his bastards labeled it, was stress relief. The crew didn't have the funds to do this every island because Matt hoarded the loot, saving it for the necessary upgrades and restocking. Only a bit of the wealth was shared with the crew, enough that there weren't any mutinies on his ship.
So among the many, they pitched in and saved for the rainy day, and after the past two days, even he would admit that they needed to kick back and relax.
Kidd wasn't used to the stealthy side of stealing, but Chamberlain and Killer recommended using the plans. It would be a waste, they said, but the redhead was the type to charge in head first. However, he was beginning to appreciate that sneaky plan because the garrisons on the island were as armed to the tooth as a heavily fortified marine's base would be.
Building tension between his crew and the garrison was more…difficult than he had expected. It was a fine line between doing nothing and going full out because the garrisons were unpredictable when it came to their reaction. There was no in between. He honestly didn't know how he managed to do it, but he caused as little collateral damage as possible before he really needed to.
It was painful not going full out and it put a toll on his body. The unfulfilled tension created a taut built up in his shoulders, making his muscles ache from the sores.
The drunken hollers, laughs and singing of his coarse crew wasn't making the situation any better. They danced with the collection of petite women in emerald dresses, the bastards trying to impress the pretty ladies to get a private session upstairs. It was a competition that had fistfights accruing more often as the night carried on. Yet, the redhead did nothing to stop it.
One of the many girls that had been paid to entertain his crew for the night offered to give him a massage. She told him she could see the knots in his back from the moment she walked through the door.
Her slender fingers kneaded the bare skin of his back and shoulders, her hands gliding over every exposed muscle. She was basically copping a feel, but her fingers worked magic against the kinks building up in his neck and the knots nestled between his shoulder blades.
She's good, he thought and he closed his eyes, enjoying the moment. The roaring background became such a tiny throb in his ears that all he could hear was the humming of the woman behind him.
Then she tenderly wrapped her arms around his neck, a small giggle ringing in his ear. The woman leaned forward and he felt the pressure of her chest rubbing against his back along with the rise and fall of her breasts with each breath she took. She whispered something to him, but his trance couldn't alter the reality that the room was still loud. Though, when she kissed his cheek, he had a good idea what she had offered.
She's real good, he smirked. She pushed all the right buttons in all the right places; it was good enough that he almost asked the girl to join his crew. Almost. He still had difficulties with one woman on his ship, and at least that one could fend for herself.
A night is all I need, he sighed and reopened his eyes to look at the woman, but the door to the tavern caught his attention.
His brows furrowed, and the sudden appearance created a new tension in his shoulders, which made the woman move away from the embrace. "Oi." He ignored the small hands that tried to fix all the undone work and the redhead continued to holler over the noise created by his rowdy crew. "Target practice."
Bedros froze mid-step as he tried tip-toeing discreetly to the staircase at the back of the tavern. There was an antagonistic expression on his features, but the stone devil stood at attention and acknowledged that he was spoken to.
Kidd felt it wasn't a coincidence that he was just thinking about her when he asked: "Where's Roland?"
Bedros pursed his lips together and his brows knotted. "Well…" He drew out slowly, like he was trying to tip-toe carefully around a jar filled with beans. Yet, the stone devil had no grace and spilled the beans with a blunt kick. "Sometimes a girl wants to be ploughed, too."
~…~
Large hands held her shoulders and pushed her down onto the bed, the silken pillows cradling her head and her long hair fanned out against the ivory cover. Then slender fingers ran through her ginger locks, tucking the loose strands behind her pointed ear.
Gabriella's heart pounded against her chest; it felt like her ribs would break. She felt exposed, her cloak had been taken off by a stranger and foreign hands roamed her bare skin. She wasn't even out of her clothing and boots and her face was already on fire. Her cheeks were scarlet, the shade almost blending in with the color of her hair and the summoner mage found it difficult to look at the man that loomed over her.
He was gorgeous.
Loa and Lotta weren't exaggerating when they said they could find a man that matched her type exactly.
It was like he was hand-sculpted by the gods. His skin was a beautiful shade of caramel that blessed ever hard line of his toned muscles, his abdomen rippling with each breath he took. Inwardly, she gasped when she realized she was ogling and quickly turned away.
His hand embraced her cheek, turning her gaze back and she looked up at him with golden eyes filled with reticence. There was a tender look in his azure eyes and he leaned in close, whispering into her ear: "Relax…" Then his lips brushed against her neck.
Weakly, Gabriella wrapped her arms around his neck and her fingers clung to the short blonde hair at the nape of his neck as his arms snaked around her form. The middle finger of his right hand traced circles on the skin of her hip and the palm of his left hand pressed against her back. Her spine arched from the pressure, her bosom forced against the muscles of his exposed chest.
She felt nervous butterflies in her stomach and subconsciously bit her lip as she closed her eyes when he continued to leave a trail of kisses on her skin.
Then she gasped when she felt teeth sink into her flesh and his hand tug on the knot of her halter-top. "W—wait…" She stuttered and pushed him away.
A look of concern crossed his handsome features and he opened his mouth to say words of comfort, but she placed a hand over it.
The anxious butterflies in her stomach were violent and they hurt. They felt like leeches eating away at her from the inside. It was fake. This, what she was doing, was all fake. Sex, it was something she wanted. She wouldn't lie about that, but how she got it from was important. She considered herself a romantic at heart. This wasn't romance, this was just pleasure that would turn into regret.
This isn't what she wanted; it wasn't worth it.
She sat up, hugging her arms tightly, a frown pulling at the corners of her lips and a look of shame crossed her eyes.
The man sat on his heels before her, silently watching her. Then he pursed his lips and held out his hand, his fingertips brushing against her pale cheek. He opened his mouth once more to speak, but he was silenced by panicked screams outside the room. The man twisted around and stared at the rattling wooden door behind them with wide eyes.
The girls and visiting men shrieked in shock and terror as something charged down the hallway. The muffled footsteps on hard marbles quickly got louder and louder until they stopped right outside the room. Then the heavy door was kicked open; the wood cracked and splintered under the immense force.
"ROLAND!" The redhead made a surprising appearance, fury burning in his amber eyes. In a flash, he whipped out his revolver and bang went the bullet.
Red splattered against her cheek and a screech of pain followed. Her eyes were wide as she watched the man before her clutch his bleeding shoulder with a white stained hand.
Her ears twitched when she heard the rotation of the revolver's cylinder. "K—Kidd!" She yelped, trying to scurry to her feet off the bed, but she stopped dead in her tracks when she was held at gunpoint.
"What. The fuck. Are you doing?!" Kidd's tone was icy, the chill cold enough to leave a burn. "You aren't allowed to have sex, you stupid fuckin' idiot!"
Gabriella's eyes opened wide in shock, taken back by his words. She felt a sour taste in her mouth, vile words billowing forth. Then her eyes narrowed and she sent him a dangerous scowl.
"Don't even try!" He cut her off before she could utter a peep. "You're hella different from those bastards: you are a girl and they are men."
Gabriella's blood began to boil and she uncoiled from her timid posture. She rested on her knees with shaking fists at her sides and her glare challenged him.
"Don't you dare say it!" Kidd stopped her from speaking a second time. "Think, damnit! You can get pregnant, they can't! You know how illogical it is? Think straight! I know you're smarter than this. Don't think with your pussy like a man thinks with his dick."
Gabriella's swelling anger was dispelled instantly. She sat back on her heels and looked down at her lap, her lips pursed in a thin line. It was uncouth, tactless and rude, but his words wrung true.
There was nothing else to be said; she nodded slowly and shuffled across the bed. Gathering her cloak along the way, she folded it over her arm and then went to his side.
Kidd sent her one last hard glare before his attention turned to the shaking man sitting in a pool of red. "And you…" Kidd hissed venomously and pointed the revolver at the man again.
Gabriella's eyes opened wide and, like many times before, she jumped in front of the redhead and his weapon of choice. "I—it was my fault!" She squeaked, placing a hand onto the revolver's barrel so the redhead couldn't adjust his aim. "You don't need to kill him over this!"
Kidd's stance didn't waver, his gaze growing more irritated and impatient with each second that ticked by.
She pursed her lips. "He's not worth it." Her voice was calm as she spoke and both her hands traveled to the grip of the revolver, but when she tried to pry his hand away, it instantly locked into place. His grasp tightened and for a split second she thought he would pull the trigger. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath in and out. "D—don't waste a bullet on him…" She felt a crack rise in her throat, but she continued. "I was wrong, you were right. Let's just leave and move on, alright?"
She looked up at him, staring directly into his eyes. The wrath in those amber eyes sent chills down her spine, but she stood her ground. Her fingers rubbed against the back of his hand, and slowly she felt the tendons in his fingers relax. She was able to peel his hand from the revolver and then carefully, she placed it back in its holster.
With her hands pressed against his chest, she stared up at him. It was the first time she saw Kidd's expression void of emotion. It made her shift uncomfortably on her heels when she realized just how tall he was; it felt like the darkness of his shadow consumed her short form.
Then the moment was shattered when the summoner mage heard the familiar shouts of the two hostesses coming from the hallway. Loa's and Lotta's voices got louder, the two guiding someone to the room: the madam.
The two hostesses were bathed in blood, but it did not seem to be their own. They wore terrified expressions on their faces as they pointed into the room and then a mass of purple fabric engulfed the open doorway. The madam was large, three times taller and wider than the redhead. She had ghastly wrinkles along every inch of her pale skin, and no amount of makeup would hide the old age of the stocky woman.
There was a threatening click and the stocky madame pointed a double barrel shotgun at the redhead and summoner mage.
Gabriella gasped and subconsciously wrapped her arms around the redhead tightly. That piece or artillery was the size of two cannons welded together.
The lifeless expression on the redhead's face flickered to annoyance. "I dare you to shoot."
The stocky madam's large eyes bulged from her wrinkled face. She accepted the challenge without a second thought and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The two shells flew through the air, but the magnetic streams of the redhead's devil fruits power sparked against his form. The shotgun shells came to a grinding halt and Kidd uttered a single word.
"Repel."
The shells zoomed back into the respective barrel they came from, and the explosion sent the stocky madam flying off her feet. The shotgun was in ruins, the metal barrels warped and covered in ash. The collision wasn't enough to kill her, but it left her in a daze, her dizzy expression covered in soot.
The scene left the redhead in stitches. Kidd howled with laughter, highly amused at the almost cartoonish sight and the rumble of his abdomen pulsed against the summoner mage's cheek. Then he draped an arm across her shoulders. "Let's go, Roland." He chuckled, pulling her along with his long strides.
Gabriella held her tongue as they walked away from the chaos's aftermath. However, she couldn't help but gasp when she heard one of the hostesses mutter to the other: no wonder she came to us.
~…~
The walk back to the tavern was a silent one save for the curses the redhead muttered under his breath. His long strides were swift, keeping him three paces ahead of her at all times. As soon as they left Charlotte's Parlor, he pushed her away as if her touch was fire under his skin.
The humorous scene wasn't enough to truly sooth his rage.
Gabriella fiddled with the hem of her cloak's sleeve, feeling…guilty of her actions. It was an instance of her life she would rather forget, and also hoped her father would never catch wind of. It would give the poor man a heart attack.
Though, it seemed it wouldn't be something she couldn't easily sweep under the rug.
As they approached the bar, her heels ground to a sudden halt when she heard the crew. All the windows were open, revealing every word of crude gossip said by the drunken men.
She shifted to and fro on her heels, frowning. She knew she shouldn't take what drunk men said—and wouldn't remember—to heart, but in the moment, it felt like salt in her wounds.
Kidd noticed she was no longer following and scowled at her, but then he noticed the jokes filtering out from the bar. Sighing, the redhead made his way over to her and grabbed her wrist. "This way," he grumbled and he led her into the alleyway beside the tavern.
Only a circular light illuminated the dark alley and the redhead made a beeline for it; a single window that belonged to the bar's kitchen. The aroma of lingering spices filled her senses as soon as the redhead pushed open the heavy metal door, the remnants of the dinner still present despite the staff scrubbing the industrial room with soapy sponges. The timid men ignored the pair that cut through, but the summoner mage could see their shoulders flinch when the dense fur of the redhead's coat brushed against their backs.
Then the redhead pushed open the swinging wooden door on the other side of the kitchen, revealing the dark hallway that held the rickety set of stairs leading to the second floor. The bellows of laughter made the summoner mage glance down the hallway and she saw the crew eagerly staring at the front door.
Kidd then let go of her wrist and placed the palm of his hand to the small of her back. "Go upstairs," and he nudged her to the staircase. "Target practice is waiting for you. Has something to talk to you about tomorrow's plan."
Gabriella nodded and scurried up the staircase. Though, she found herself stopping as she watched his crimson hair move away. "Wait." She leaned over the exposed banister before the redhead could pass by.
Kidd paused mid-step and turned towards her, his brow arched. "What?"
Gabriella paused, thinking of the best way to put her words. The redhead may not have needed to come get her from making a mistake at the parlor, but she appreciated that he didn't add insult to injury. She found it difficult to express it since she was still embarrassed by the ordeal, so she kept it simple.
"Thanks." She gently smiled, and before she even realized what she was doing, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
There was a moment of silence as the redhead's expression dropped, his face shattering like broken glass falling to the floor. The summoner mage could practically see sparks flying from his head as he tried to compute the action. Then suddenly, his expression morphed to white fury and he trembled violently.
Gabriella squeaked and booked it, taking that moment to dash up the steps. All the while, she heard his heavy footsteps storm into the dining hall and the confused shouts of his crew.
Kidd ignored it all and roared: "Women! Why are women so fuckin' unpredictable!?"
~…~
