Chapter 21: Back in the game
"Words are easy, like the wind; faithful friends are hard to find."
-William Shakespeare
...
"Ayame?" Sanji questioned, looking at her with bulging eyes. She had a long blonde wig on: he completely did not recognize her had she not called out to him. "Oh ma cherie! I thought you were lost! I was worried about you!" He hugged her small form like a delicate doll. But when Kit jumped up and began peering at Sanji's eye, it licked him viciously until the man himself backed away.
The girl smiled when the man backed off. "What's the plan?" She looked around. The Master of Coin was most likely here, she glanced at the casino. It would seem like he invested with Crocodile after he learned Valarius, or what he usually goes by, Silvé Fox was MIA, said one of his little 'birds.'
Sanji filled her in. He was going to make a distraction by grabbing one of the billions and force him to say a location different to where they are now. It would seem like the others were trapped in that casino. Then Chopper will be Sanji's decoy after Crocodile comes out-
Chopper screeched at the thought.
Ayame had not bonded with the reindeer as much, because he had tried to do a check up on her like he did with the rest of the crew. So she decided to try to reach out to him. If he and Sanji were to leave her alone then this was her chance to have a little chat with the Coin Master. "Chopper, you don't need to worry. I will come find you, all right?"
He nodded, still a bit hesitant. "And if anything goes wrong...?" Chopper whimpered.
"I'll come and save you." Ayame coaxed him, patting his small shoulder as she squat down.
Sanji cooed. "Oh don't say that, my dear. Sanji will do the saving~!"
...
When the three separated, Ayame wandered in the casino to find the Coin Master. And he wasn't all that hard to find. A big yet short man with receding brown hair had a flock of dancers surrounding him as he played the slot machines.
"And I win again!" He burst out laughing. Ayame shut her eyes in annoyance. Being sexy was something she wasn't accustomed to, but this was the only way to reach to him. Then so be it.
Ayame sauntered towards him, making absolute sure her long hair fluttered and her rear swaying in tune to her slender body. She almost screamed mentally when her feet nearly gave out on her had she not caught herself.
All this to grab his attention?
Oh but it did, along with the tinkling of the coins on her new outfit. Teal blue and gold to bring out her eyes. "Aren't you a lucky fellow?" She started small talk as he gave her his full attention. His eyes roamed appreciatingly down to her hips, a stir in his loins nearly made her roll her eyes.
"I'd be even luckier if I could show you around." With a flick of a wrist, his hussies dispersed with frowns on their faces. Good. There was no need to cause needless bloodshed. "What is your name, love?" He glided her by the waist, his hot breath breathing down her throat. The alcohol in his breath nearly made her wobble.
"You'll just have to find out." Ayame smiled, following him to a room. It was fancy and full of colourful drapes. He sat on the luxurious velvet red couch and relaxed, while Ayame looked around.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" He said, opening a bottle of red. "It's very secluded."
Ayame touched the familiar antiques on the shelves. The vase had intricate elven design, dusted in platinum and rare blood diamonds. She turned around with a smile, and said, "I like secluded."
The Master of Coin chuckled, his eyes wandering lewdly. "Don't you now, love? Hm, how old are you?" He fixed the position of his growing bulge and gently stroked himself. "Dance for me." He silently demanded.
Ayame walked over to him, hips squared but swaying, and she smiled pleasantly before him. Lifting an arm, she swayed as gentle as the ocean breeze in a windless day. She was a sail, waiting for the wind to make her next move.
"Just like that, love. Sway your hips more - slowly, and come closer."
On his chair, Ayame placed her leg on the arm rest and rounded her hips seductively. It was a show, but it was not free, and he was going to pay her with all of his funds. Or it will be his head.
Before he could lay a hand on her welcoming thigh in his sight, she pulling out a dagger and raised it up to his throat. "I'm too young for you, Bhelin." She dug the steel deep as she glowered. He looked back at her with fear in his eyes.
"B-billions!" Bhelin let out a strangled cry, but no one came. "Look, I don't know who you are looking for but I'm not Bhelin! I don't know a Bhelin! I'm just Hadwall!"
Ayame stared him with humour dancing in her eyes. "Don't put that bullshit on me. I remember what you look like, Coin Master."
Bhelin cursed, his eyes darkening. "You must be Silvé's runt." He frowned, fearing that she knew all about the details. "Look, that man has been missing and I needed new money - and Crocodile appeared. So, I-"
"Cut off your deals with Crocodile. Take out all his money, and transfer the funds to the Black Brotherhood."
Bhelin looked at her as if she was insane. "And what proposition do you have in mind? You have nothing to offer me. And the Brotherhood? I'd understand if you'd want it but the Brotherhood?"
"Well, I do plan on restoring my Master's position. I heard a lot of money is involved. And you happen to be a very wanted man, Bhelin. What is there to stop me from handing you in to the Brotherhood? They say you are a deserter. They want more than just your head - and I'm not entirely sure what that is yet." She looked at him up and down with unfazed eyes. Maybe they will cut off his parts or his tongue or his limbs, the list goes on.
"That's a hard bargain. You will be brought down with me, foolish girl!"
"Bhelin," she tsk. "I don't exist. Who will find who? Besides, you are known. Crocodile knows you. And a friendly reminder, you won't get any money. At all. Remember Valarius made you sign those papers, 'if anything should happen to Bhelin, I will have full custody over his work. And should anything happen to me, my fortune goes to Ayame.' Those were exact words. And documented in the Black Market - which Valarius co-owns with 3 others. But that's irrelevant. There is nothing for you. But I am giving you a chance, for us, to make more money than his mediocre way. I want more, and so do they."
"And what do you propose? What makes you important?"
"I'm the one with extraordinary memory. I can map out many places at a glance; I can get passwords or codes; I can remember any face. For what I propose, or rather, what the Brotherhood purposes? Drugs. Rain dance powder. To start out." She offered. "All illegal works. And you are good at smuggling."
Bhelin thought it over. "It's risky." He said.
"They demand it." She showed him a note which Keas had given her before she entered in their home. It said:
"Find Bhelin. Switch line of work to smuggling drugs and rain dance powder."
Bhelin cursed again, but only because he saw a black hand imprinted on the back of the note. "So the assassins took over the Underworld again. Hm, fine. But only because more money is coming in now we've got the assassins. Those damn thieves finally couldn't handle real business." He muttered and walked over to a large chest. Grabbing a piece of paper, he filled in the blanks and wrote. "How much?"
"I want to play it safe."
"Is 20k, good? It's all you have in your account?" He said, looking in a technical device. A device made from her homeland. On his ring finger she spotted a artistic owl tattoo. It was small and in black ink.
"Half of that." Ayame said, switching her eyes back up, and he handed her a cheque. "And a few grand in cash." To save myself from tight situations... and Nami's debt...
Bhelin stretched, handing her borrowed money. She would need to hand it back in full after a year from today. Their system was futuristic and very secretive. "Will I be getting new guards and not these crappy ones?"
"You'll have to talk to Silver. But only him. I don't trust the others." Ayame spoke lightly, her eyes glancing at every aspect in the room. Paranoia. Claustrophobia. This was still Crocodile's lair. "Assuming that you already know that he is working with us now."
"He's one of the Vultures, last I heard. Now beat it, brat, I need to start my new job. And my escape plan from that warlord." He muttered, stumbling over his feet. Then he paused.
"Wait."
...
Kit trailed for Chopper as it wagged its tail to and fro. This time, she stole a cloak and put on the clothes Sanji bought her. This was to prevent any confusion.
Chopper spotted her and bolted. "Ayamehhh!" He sniffled, jumping up at her and held her. "I was so scared!" He cried.
Startled by his sudden embrace, Ayame froze. Placing her arm around him, she patted his back. "Um... There, there." She said. "Why don't we find Eyelashes? If you'd just...let...go!" Ayame pulled him off her.
Chopper whimpered as Kit jump to his arms and curled it's tail around his neck. "O-okay..." He tilted his head up and sniffed the air, and then he point to the direction the camel went off to.
Ayame opened up the umbrella and provided shade for the three of them. A few minutes later, they crossed a small food court. She paused at one vendor when Chopper looked at the sweets. Seeing the glazed donuts covered in chocolate, she could not help herself. And besides, Chopper had done some good work. "Want anything?"
Chopper smiled. "Yes please!" And she crouched down to hear him whisper what he'd like.
"3 dozen of donuts-mostly chocolate, 4 cotton candies, and 3 cans of tuna. Oh and some crackers." She demanded with no trace of shame.
The vendor looked her over and smiled. "Oh a party, I supposed? Well, that'd be 100 beli, ma'am!... Thank you!" He hand her a bag filled with cans and she handed the cotton candies to Chopper.
...
"There's Eyelashes!" Chopper sprinted with a big smile. And he brought a friend... Ayame added, looking at the shady crab. It had a lewd grin that sent chills to her spine. She sighed. "And that's his friend - he said he will give us a ride!" The reindeer tugged on her dress pants with a childish grin. Shutting her eyes, she walked towards the happy crab. At least he's giving us a ride.
The crab helped her up and she gave Eyelashes a little rub on his chin, making him lay his head on her lap with hearts in his eyes. "Chopper, want some?" She showed the chocolate.
"Yes please!" His eyes glittered at the sweet.
"Just don't tell anyone I shared." She said, eating her chocolate donuts in bliss as the reindeer giggled.
"Pew!" Kit scratched on the can, angrily, and glaring at Ayame. Its tail flicked back and forth.
"Sorry, Kit. Here." She opened the can and it attacked the food. "Here, Eyelashes." She handed him a plain donut. "What about you, Mr. Crabs?"
It wasn't that she liked sharing, but it helped set her heart at ease when her thoughts of her brother's words echoed in her hollow body. She wanted a distraction to her memories. A quick getaway. And she knew she was running away again.
A/N
Thank you for everything!
Sadleh, PeyPeyPeyton22, PortgasDTatze, beautifulgreek523, Tinkrr, JackThRabbit, vixbee, InsanityPushedMeOffTheEdge, VariegatedMosiac, Faeyne Dreamwalker, VesperPhoenix, NamiKawaiiNeko, Boredoom, KEEler21, ChinaDang, Bubixjiggly, bobbig216, Wynterfox89, Azrael9296, hesmus, Stuff2Eat, Milkzinha, nikkichu112, Roseon16, aliennepton, Purple Dragon Ranger, XfreakXninjaX, TDI-Ryro-Eclares, belladu57, mulunk90, Professor Random, 1Onyxcat, Shiki Sha, K9Train, LunarBolt, 707cloud, smileysparklea, Starawesomeness2, hinata95, Mistgirl1423, FROSTDRAGON4875, Kihala Sisters, Angelheat, vampireprincessofempire, Magic126, beautiful sun, EmilyWolf808 !