Welcome back again viewers. Once again I begin with a blank canvas, every keystroke splattered paint, until eventually I've created art. So let's start.
"It's true what they say, isn't it, about you being the culprit who ended a corrupt reign?" The cheerful girl, with blonde curls; whose name May did not know implies. Despite being the first to arrive the table was already set, as if everyone were seated. May's chaperone unloops their arms and picks a spot to sit. She stares at May expecting, hands on her hips, "So you're just going to stand there, what are you waiting for, an official invitation? Pull out my chair." May lets out a deep exhale, doing as he's requested so as not to offend his host.
May's nurse comes in carrying a steaming pot of, boiled, winter crab legs and roasted turkey, glazed with pineapples and honey. The lineup was absolutely mouthwatering. She is surprised to see him walking, so surprised in fact, the nurse nearly drops everything she held. Regardless of her best efforts May is scalded, accidentally, with the contents of the pot soaking his bandages, "You shouldn't be moving around so soon, you should be in bed; resting." She tells him rushing to alleviate his pain.
Whilst having ointment applied to his injuries and his soggy bandages changed, Tina enters the room caring the last of the food for the feast: fried chicken and fish, pork dumplings, pork chops, and grilled ham. It all looked so very delicious, he could hardly wait to savor the flavors. Tina sighs, heavily, looking at the arrangement with a satisfied smirk on her face: she unties the apron from her waist and slings it on the back of a chair, before placing her bottom on it.
Like hounds attracted by the scent of the hunt, from down the hallway, the two drunk men can be heard coming long before they wobble into the room, "Gwa-haha: hic-hiccup. You must show me-" The rest of his words are slurred and incoherent, however, B-Man bursts into laughter anyway; as they enter the dining room Rita enters in last. Sneaking in almost undetected had the stern-faced man not noticed her, announcing her presence for all to hear, "Gwa-haha, and here she comes now. I swear to you, this child of mine stole the face of my beloved." The large man's eyes being to water but no tears fall.
"The spitting image, you're right." B-Man says as he pretends to inspect her features for the first time.
"The replica of an angel. With the hair of a ruby."Rita mocks, before the big man can be drawn in by his sentiment. Rita turns her attention to May, "Allow me to introduce you to my family. These are my two sisters, Ashley-Maria, she's the one who nursed you to health; you already met my big-mouthed little sister, Cassandra-Chelsey, and the big softy is my father."
"Name's Goar, Goar Pineweed." He states needing no further introduction, extending a broad palm, May should've known better then to accept a handshake but being a good guest compelled him otherwise. The moment May extends his hand, Goar grabs him by the wrist and pulls him into a big hearty hug. The unpleasantness of the moment grew with each passing second, with the air being squeezed out of him, the overpowering odor of booze, and the stench of the large man's sweat. It takes, what seems like, forever for him to release May from his powerful embrace. After realizing May was on the verge of passing out, being crushed in his arms.
With everyone gathered, the feasting is able to commence and no one was more pleased than May. After sleeping for a week straight he felt he could eat for a week straight, May never felt so starved. With a fistful of drumsticks in one hand and a hunk of ham in the other, multiple crab legs in his mouth, and already reaching for the hamburgers: May stuffs his mouth full consuming anything he could get his hands on in merely a few bites.
"Wow, he eats like a wildebeest; so unrefined." C.C. remarks.
I've never seen someone scarf down so much food in so little bites. Do you ever chew?" Tina says, surprised too. Not to be outdone B-man and Goar quickly finish their portions before grabbing another helping, eating faster, and both failing to keep pace with a ravished May; falling behind forced to throw in the napkin. In Goar's case, the large man was slumped back in his chair, asleep, still gnawing on a piece of turkey.
"He has an insatiable appetite, and is a glutton for pain." Ashley-Maria states bewildered. All the while May continues to devour and pile plates. Until at last he places his utensils down, belches, and drains his mug. Delighted, May reclines back full to the brim; rubs his belly satisfied while using a fishbone to pick his teeth.
"Yum-my! Talk about a feeding frenzy. Oh boy, I can't remember a time I ate this well; I feel like I could run the length of the entire grand line." May jokes, feeling a surge of energy after all the food had disappeared.
Meanwhile, a passed out Goar was being ushered to his bedroom by C.C. and Ashley-Maria, to sleep off a food-hangover and nurse the other. At the same time, Tina starts collecting the plates and clearing the table as Rita washed dishes in the kitchen, "You're going to have to tell me this story." May says referring to their engagement, "I still can't wrap my head around anything that's happening, I feel out of place; distorted."
B-Man pulls out a cigar and ignites it, taking several long puffs before exhaling a cloud of smoke, "A lot has transpired since that day, at the warehouse, and so much has changed: so quickly. I don't think anyone's had time to properly adapt, and I assure you no one is going to be the same; least of all you." B-Man gives May a look full of remorse. May can't help but think about his, precious, younger sister and all the other children. Caught between fire and flames: trapped inside the blaze of the inferno, suffocated and burned alive. A fate undeserving rendered upon unfortunate young souls.
B-Man can see the uncertainty behind May's eyes, "After I was shot and you rescued me from the burning warehouse, when I came to, I woke up in a restaurant."
"Why are you telling me that?"
B-Man takes another deep pull of his cigar, "I don't know. All I'm saying is, after everything we've been through all we can do is find comfort in those who are with us now." B-Man lets his words linger on. As May sits lost in thought, considering what B-Man said, the ladies return from the kitchen bringing strawberry and lime pie with a smoothie for dessert.
"What are you two in here gossiping about?" Tina inquires, wiping damp hands on her pants-leg.
"I was just telling May here, how we got engaged." B-Man says shyly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Did you also mention that you collaborated his rescue from the gallows, or did you leave that part out too?" Tina says sitting on her fiancees lap with an alluring smile. "I've never seen a man more determined."
B-Man scratches his neck, "True, I had a small part in it but, honestly, the real mastermind here." He gestures toward Rita, "She more resourceful than I initially gave her credit for. It was thanks to her we were able to find you, at Koin's, when we did. She even convinced her father to harbor you here." He ashes his cigar in the ashtray trading it for his smoothie.
May stares at Rita in a way he never knew he could, seeing her in an entirely new light, when it finally dawns upon him, "Wait, what do you mean harbor!? Hold on-one second." The alarm in his voice was equally tempered by his outrage.
Before he can be upset by the bad news, Rita informs May about the recent developments on the island, "You're a fugitive; wanted by the local navy base, although everyone thinks you're dead, and rightfully so. In your condition anyone would've long kicked the bucket." She trails of momentarily trying to choose better words, ones that didn't sound so foolish, "Although, the navy insists if that is the truth then a body should be produced. They're very persistent trying to establish a relationship and fester cooperation with the people now. Ugh-they make me sick." She wears a disgusted expression, solidifying her statement.
May becomes silent before smiling and feigning acceptance, "Well that's alright this whole thing will blow over, and before you know it things'll be back to the way they were; but better with Koin out of the picture." Pleased with his statement he reads everyone's expression making certain they were convinced, even though he was the one most in need of convincing.
"You're right." Rita agrees, hopefully, "And I can have my sister, Cassandra-Chelsey, make you some new clothes, she can sew practically anything."
"I did have a particular style, if I could make a request." May says looking at his wrappings.
The adventure continues. . . I know this is last weeks update and while I won't appologize for this delay, I would like you all to know I work an extremely hard doing what I do: sometimes extensive thought is required. Rather than uploading something I feel is incomplete and mediocre. You deserve my best and that's what I strive for, every-time.