Whee my tenth chapter!
They got back in the city, even if it felt like it took forever. Lagahn contacted the higher ups and told them what Sufu had ordered.
"Well then. I'll offer you a meal on my ship if you'll rest like you were told to", Aika tried to make the deal sound good. Ugh, she didn't want to babysit a grown up man.
"I can't sleep somewhere when the people here need me!" Lagahn snapped at her.
"Well you aren't much of a help when you're half dead. Besides you should take it easily if there's an old injury still bothering you. It may recur if it doesn't heal well!" She tried to put some sense on him.
"I can still fight, thank you very much", Lagahn sped his pace angered.
"Yeah sure, just like a kitten with it's paws tied behind it's back", Aika retorted. Why was he so angry, it was no means her fault he was hurt!
"Oh yeah, like you can do much better!? Besides you were the one to turn down help this morning!" He stopped walking and faced her furiously. She suddenly remembered that she didn't know the man all that well.
"You can barely lift your sword with those skinny arms. Are you attempting a suicide by traveling alone on Grand Line!" He lost it. His ego had had too many blows this day – bested by a rookie girl from nowhere in a fight. If it wasn't for his back he'd had that Stocke dead in few minutes, but no, it just hadn't healed properly yet.
"What the hell are you angry for!? I'm just trying to help you here! Or are you going to live all your life handicapped! It can go worse if you don't let it heal with it's own pace!" She shouted at his face.
"Things like these just take the time they take!" Aika added.
"Do you think that I don't know?! I'm an outlaw so I just don't have the time to rest for another year!" They glared at each other enraged.
"Well now's your great chance to rest since there's plenty of others to do your job too!"
"You don't get it. I've got the highest bounty and I'm the toughest one here. I'm responsible for beating the hell out of those government dogs!"
"Well you aren't the toughest until your back heals", Aika said. She calmed down already, fighting with him was stupid, since he was... well, stupid and stubborn. Words seemed not to work on him, so she'd had to rely on something else.
"Well, you're going to need to eat, so I'll offer you a meal anyway", she said. She had to be sneaky. Thought of food calmed the man too.
'Simple men with simple brains', Aika chuckled after their feelings had calmed down.
The pair got on her tiny ship and she made a simple dinner of rice and chicken with hot sauce. To make one heal it's crucial to open their airways and fasten their metabolism. She made it easy for the doctors. Perhaps she'd even donate Dr. Kurehas database of spine problems. She wasn't so interested in medicines anyway. She rarely had problems with her health, since her insticts usually told her what to do. If she felt like sleeping, she did if possible, and if she felt like eating something, she ate it if she had any of it. Her senses weren't stirred up because she knew how to take care of them.
They ate in silence, since Lagahn was still in bad mood. It did not fit his angelic look. Perhaps his innocent look was what drove her to help him – even though he didn't want any help, he still looked helpless. His motives were likable though he had a bad way to approach his goals.
After he was done, she was ready for stage B. To prove there's simpler ways to improve his health.
"So, I have this liniment you could try..." Aika started, but Lagahn's face just darkened more. She tried to be careful with her words.
"You know, you could just put some on when after you shower or something. But the most helpful would be if...", she breathed out.
She should give him a massage, or THE massage as her mother used to say. It troubled the painter though, she didn't want to massage him. She barely knew him, and she couldn't really use the other hand so it was going to take twice as long, but she wanted to help so be it.
'I need to take it as a challenge. But how the get a man on my bed without a shirt?', she sighed and hoped that Lagahn didn't notice her blushing.
"You know what, I think your back muscles must be in a need of a massage", Aika restarted as naturally as she could.
"What the hell." Was all she'd get out of him. Perhaps it didn't sound as natural as she thought? Well she had never been socially fluent.
"Well, you know, if you have some problems with your backbone, your muscles must be stiff too. So if you take care of the muscles as best as you can, they will support you backbone easier and with no muscle aches. I bet that would help you. A massage could be a fast help for now, until the situation here becomes steady and you get to rest with nothing to do", she explained still blushing.
"You know what, that doesn't sound half as bad. Do you know anyone who can massage?"
"Uh... Well, perhaps we should ask the doctors first..."
"Perhaps. Have you ever studied physics?"
"Nope, not really... You should really ask the doctors..."
Eventually, he found a local granny with actual skill for the art of massaging. She gave Lagahn the liniment with precise instructions how to us it – these things had to be dealt with care, otherwise they wouldn't work as well. It was good things turned out that way. She didn't want a weird-ass bonding time with Lagahn. He was cool, that's right, but she somehow felt that if she got to know someone too well it would slow down her journey.
The bloodstopper Aika helped out in the harbor with stuff for the next day. She gladly let her left hand heal in peace, not to mention the rainbow colored bruise on her side. It was like a piece of art, how the yellow and purple was blended together. Even the slightest touch hurt like hell. It also gave her time to paint a bit and earn some free money by stealing the bankers' leftovers. They left behind such treasures it was hard to believe that they actually took anything at all. She heard from someone that they only took the most precious things and a bit of money as they left. It was unbelievable for someone to own even more luxurious things than the finely crafted furniture or the fireplaces embellished with gold. Their homes were absolutely magnificent – but the beauty had it's price.
The blonde sneakily stole a small painting of unknown island and a knife which she was going to keep and jewelries she'd probably sell to get money. She also found five interesting books she took to her ship. She needed some wage for risking her life, too.
Her day off the battles and the revolutionary business also gave her time just to watch the people building their own, new country. They'd have a long way to go, and many battles to face and who knew if they'll end up just like they've been, but this was a good start. Even if they'd have struggle to build their home, Aika believed and hoped it was worth it.
She stood on the Liberty square with her enormous canvas. The square was full of people. There was a man on the stage, talking to the megaphone. He informed them that they'd be serving free food right now. Hungry workers stomped over and formed a line in front of the huge stew. At the same time a sculptor was working with the statue of a marine captain. He was making a simple cube out of it. They'd write the very first articles of the new constitution law on it. Eighteen brisk men and women were repairing the town hall, since some of the marines working in the city tried to resist the takeover. A carriage lead by the famous dapples carried wounded towards the hospital, which was also located next to the square. Supplies were carried with the help of those dappled friends to the city from anywhere around the round island. Some were gathering together to leave the town in means of defending their Island.
All this traffic she painted on her canvas. The sun was shining brightly and the people had became lively and spirited for this voluntary work. They had lots of motivation to change this country for the better. That spirit they held was now painted into the detailed painting she finished. She hadn't even noticed that she was hungry like hell and her shoulders had burned badly. The skin would probably come off in few days. It was good she was smart enough to carry a bottle of water with her, otherwise she would've fainted already. She felt accomplished as she signed the painting. It was ready, her masterpiece was ready.
Too bad it was too big to fit on her wall, so the bloodpainter wondered should she donate it to the town. It felt like a good idea, but she was so proud of it it'd be hard to give it away. Perhaps she'd paint another, but smaller one for herself later so she'd give this to the town.
She went to the man who had been on the stage whole day informing people about everything. He had a long range den den mushi with him, so it was possible that he was the official reporter of all kinds.
"I want to give this painting to the city. You probably know what to do with it, right?" She said, blood rushing to her face since many heads were turned towards her.
"Ah sure! We appreciate the gift", he said and started talking to the megaphone.
"Friends of all kind! This painter wants to say something!" He then gave the thing to Aika, who took it with shaky hands.
"Um... Hello, Aika here", she waved her hand unsurely. Why'd she have to ask the megaphone man? He could've just told where to leave that damn painting.
"I want to give this painting to the city to remind you of this great spirit and to wish you the success you're longing for", she ended her speech fast and showed the painting everyone around the round stage. People clapped their hands, so she bowed and thanked them before slipping out of the stage and going home with flustered face. Damn those people for looking.
The day after she gave the painting to the city Cesil came for visit. She rushed to put some clothes on, since she just woke up even though it was already midday. The painter had spent the night reading books and making notes about them.
"Lec Aika?" Cesil called from outside.
"Wait a moment!" She shouted annoyed. What's with these people waking up her all the time? When she got a light dress on she welcomed the woman inside.
"Good day, Aika", she greeted the painter.
"I assume you just woke up?" The skinny woman had a look at her messy hair.
"Yeah, I sure did. Would you like to have a cup of tea or cocoa? I don't have any coffee since I don't like it", she changed the topic.
"Sure, any tea will do", Cesil agreed. Aika waited for the water to boil and then poured some for them both.
"Thank you very much", Cesil thanked her formally.
"I heard you donated a huge painting for the city. I thank you for it, for this country needs any support it gets. I actually got a look at it, I think it represents well the situation here", she gave Aika some well liked feedback.
"That's good, it seems I have somewhat succeeded", the happy painter smiled.
"Congratulations, then. However, my point in coming here was not to give you critic of any kind. I came here to inform you." She paused to drink tea.
"The marines have retreated for two days, but the fight is in no means over. We have heard from reliable sources that after three days they'll have reinforcements and we're expecting an admiral or at least a vice admiral to show up. Of course we contacted the head of the revolutionaries, and we'll have reinforcements just as strong. What all this has to do with you, it's up to you to decide."
"What do you mean?" The blonde was puzzled.
"The fight starts in three days and who knows how long it's going to take. Perhaps a few days, perhaps a week or even months or years? At that time we'll be constantly surrounded by marine war ships. If you stay here, you're stuck in here for the time marines will keep on fighting with us", she said, eyes cold, measuring if she was a woman enough to stay.
"I'll have to think about it", she breathed out.
"Very well, we'll see what you have decided to do when the fight begins", she said and drank the rest of the tea.
"Tell Pancho I said hello", Aika said before Cesil left.
Lec Aika was very confused, so confused she didn't even know what to think about, but it seemed impossible to concentrate on anything else. So she took a canvas and started painting mindlessly something abstract, thinking about the subject at the same time.
'Haven't I wanted to be a real revolutionary for a long time? Why the hell does staying on the island sound so unpleasant then? It must be because I promised myself to travel alone. But I wanted to travel on Grand Line partly just to meet revolutionaries. I have now met some of them, perhaps that made one of my goals accomplished. I could tell proudly who I had met and fought with.
Would it be pathetic to sail away now, like a coward? I guess it would for some people. But I'm not exceptionally strong nor did I have any special skills useful in a battle. No one expects me to beat admirals. I'd be just like any other warrior here. Perhaps that's the problem with me, I guess I don't want to be just like any other people. No, that can't be me, I don't want to be a spoiled child like that.
What do I want?' The painting was colored foggy blue with tints of purple.
'I want them to succeed, which means I should stay. But I don't want to stay here for a year, I want to meet Aslak as soon as possible. I also want to continue painting the islands. I can't wait even for a month to get on the next one, it's too much fun to see new islands. I want to paint an adventure on the Grand Line, save all the weird quirks of the odd cultures, the archeological treasures, beautiful scenes, interesting people I come across.
But I really want to help these people and I want them to be free. In cases like these I should probably decide to stay for two weeks at maximum and help them as much I have the time before I leave. Yeah, it's decided, that's what I'll do in cases like these.' The painting got some lime green strikes here and there before it was left to dry as its painter rushed out to find out if there was something she could help with.
She couldn't stay for long, she just couldn't. She feared the moment she would start to think of the place as a home. If that were to happen she would be stuck between her homes, like in a limbo where one could never decide where to stay. She didn't want to get too attached to the people either, they might have made her stay for too long.
She ran to the Liberty Square. The same man from yesterday was on the stage again. He greeted her by nodding.
"Hi there. I want to work, is there anything I can do?" Aika said, filled with enthusiasm.
"Sure, miss! You know how to treat wounded?" He asked, crouching down to be on the same level as her.
"Not much, I'd rather not do that if there's something else", she declined smoothly.
"Well, you can go work on the mines, they need people to get rid of the pollution. And we're digging embankments and trenches around, you can join them. Just follow those guys", he pointed in a direction where there was a group of civilians.
"Okay, got it. Thanks!" Aika did as she was told and joined the group. They welcomed her by giving her a heavy shovel, which she could barely lift. When they got to their working place, she was almost swimming in her sweat already.
"Girlie, you sure you can handle this work?" One man of the group asked her, humored of her.
"Yeah, I'm just fine", she said, starting to shovel the sand with shaky hands. Tough work, but it's a tough world. She had to be tough too.
She worked hard for those three days, getting calluses and all. She didn't meet Cesil, Lagahn or any other person she fought with, but the workers were plenty of company for the time she spent with them. The third evening she left, without saying goodbye to anyone. Not that she liked goodbyes, but it felt kind of empty like this, after all she had helped them. Not a lot, but all she could at the time being. But of course they were all really busy, so she wasn't disappointed at the lack of waving hands in the harbor as she left.
"So long, Apple Island!" She waved to no one and then checked where the log pose pointed at. She seriously had no idea, where the pose would take her to, but she already felt a slightest bit of excitement. The painter started slowly to change into an adventurer from the momma's girl she used to be.
She rushed naked to catch the bird who brought her newspaper. Damn those things, always coming so early in the morning she didn't get to meet them. The white bird shrieked and started peck her hand fiercely.
"Calm down, please! I just wanna get something delivered!" She explained though she doubted the bird could understand a human. The bird stopped, so perhaps it did. It gave her a list of the shipping fees.
"This much? You can't be serious!" She gasped. It would really take the rest her money. She was lucky to have the stuff she stole from the nobility back in the Apple Island. She could sell them on the next island to get food.
"Fine, but this better be a damn safe delivery", she angrily muttered, and the big bird nodded like it understood.
"Wait for a while, I'm going to get the thing I want to get delivered... And of course, the rest of my money." It felt really weird to talk to an animal, but oh well, it was the only way to get the sword to the Whitebeard pirates. It seemed very risky, too, but the she had read that the delivery by the newspaper birds was ultimately the safest way.
The blonde checked that the sword was tightly packed, before she gave it to the bird. The bird had already called some friends to carry the heavy sword.
"Here's the money. It has to be delivered to the Whitebeard pirates. You have to make sure it's received", the birds looked at her and nodded. One of them took the money, and the other two lifted the sword easily. She looked at their flight worried. Who knows how far the Moby Dick was? Well, if the birds didn't deliver the sword, she would hunt them down. A precious sword like that shouldn't get into hands of the navy. Besides, the gift had an important role the receivers suspicion of her. It'd make them realize she had nothing against them so she couldn't possibly have murdered Thatch. They were probably smart enough to realize it was impossible for her, but better safe than sorry when they'd skin her alive just for a misunderstanding.
What a special way to start a morning, she though, yawning. Luckily there was no one to see her butt naked in the middle of the blue seas. She stood in the sun for a while, before it came too cold. So she went inside to get some clothes on and to read the newspaper. Nothing really interesting had happened, but there was a lot from the Apple Island. The usual propaganda from the marines and stuff, but as she turned the pages she came across new wanted posters. The Surgeon of Death had increased his bounty, which could mean... She gulped loudly and turned yet another page.
"Oh shit!" She just had to get a bounty, and the picture was horrible! Now the whole world would see her as a stupid bimbo blonde, since she had a smug smile on her face in the picture. She looked like a duck with hair. Someone had to take the picture when the marines were retreating from the Apple island. She glanced quickly at the bounty, 10 000 belis. Damn too much. The painter threw the paper away, she was in a bad mood now. Painting Pancho would help.