They explored the city while Corazon restocked, the man not giving them a choice in helping or not. Law would have had fun if he weren't spending most of the time dodging grabby hands trying to pet him or grab his tail.
They were on flower hill to get away from the grabby people when Law heard a voice call, "Lawland! Lawland!"
Turning, he was surprised by a light purple-haired Dwarf jumping into his arms. He recognized the white hat. "Cotton-ya?"
The Dwarf was crying uncontrollably, babbling about witnessing the battle at the execution and how they had watched him die via the Visual Den Den Mushi. How she gave her life avenging his death.
"Why would you do that? You are one of Mugiwara-ya's."
"When we were almost decimated by Blackbeard's subordinates, it was Lawland that came to our rescue!" She shouted. "Luffyland couldn't come but while we understand, if not for Lawland we would be dead!"
"So you repay me by dying anyway?" He chided as he nuzzled the Dwarf affectionately.
"When did you save her people, Sencho?" Penguin asked curiously.
"Not long before Mugiwara-ya was scheduled to be executed." He replied before asking, "Cotton-ya, do the others remember too?"
She shook her head quickly. "No! But I've told them everything! The Tontatta Tribe are your willing allies, Lawland!" She leapt out of his arms and began pushing at his legs. "Come on! You must all meet the Tonta-chief!"
"We can't go too far; our father will become worried." Killer told the girl.
Cotton's hands flew to her mouth as she looked at the trio. "Lawland's Cora-san is here?!" Then she began waving her arms excitedly. "AH! You're Lawland's brothers?!"
"I'm his Ace of Hearts, Penguin." Penguin corrected with a smile.
That was too much for her little heart to take and Law caught her as she fainted.
He was smiling in amusement. "Such wonderful little people. Always so enthusiastic."
"But why'd she faint at Penguin's name?" Kid asked in confusion. "Your crew was badass, but not that level."
"Cotton-chan has told us many tales of the great Heart Pirates."
"Goncho-ya. Everyone." Law greeted the gathered Dwarves.
"Lawland-sama." The chief greeted back.
"Ah—wait, -san is good. Or just Law." He told them with a frown. "What stories has she been telling you? I haven't been a Lord for a long time. Don't—"
"Cotton was right! He's so modest!" One of the Dwarves cried and Law was tackled by the little creatures, protests falling on deaf ears. Cotton woke up and began eagerly regaling the curious trio about 'The Great Lawland-sama'.
He had never been so embarrassed in his life as the trio returned them with their own stories of his latest exploits.
-f-f-f-f-
"You were a lord?" Killer asked as they returned to the ship, Cotton sleeping under Law's hat. She'd insisted on tagging along.
Corazon popped up at the railing of the upper deck and Law went red, ears pressing flat to his head. "What? Law-chan was a lord?"
God… "Yes." He reluctantly said.
"When?" Penguin asked, baffled.
"In Flevance." He sighed. "Being the child of the best doctors in the North Blue had its perks."
"No wonder you act like you've got a stick up your ass." Kid scoffed.
"Kid." Corazon chided immediately.
Law glared at the boy before turning away and ignoring him as he headed into the ship.
"It was a joke!" Kid shouted after him, huffing when he didn't get an answer. "Such a bitch, man."
Corazon sighed as Penguin ran after his captain. "Are you all ready to leave?"
"Yeah." Kid replied as he went to go join him and Killer went for the crow's nest. "Law brought a Dwarf with him."
"A Dwarf?" Corazon asked in surprise. "One of the Tontatta Tribe?"
"You know them?"
The man grimaced. "They probably wouldn't be too happy if they find out I'm a Donquixote."
"Why?" He asked curiously. "Somethin' special about your family?"
The man rubbed his neck. "I—uh, never told you, did I? I used to be a Celestial Dragon."
Kid gaped at him. "But you're a good guy!"
"We got kicked out when I was eight because my dad wanted to live with the commoners." The man replied with a blush.
Kid stared at him unblinkingly for an uncomfortably long moment. "What's that gotta do with the Dwarves?"
"Dressrosa was our kingdom. 500 years ago, the Dwarves came to Green Bit and my ancestors enslaved them. I'm so glad the new Monarchy is taking care of them all." He looked over at the retreating docks a bit wistfully.
"You used to live here?"
The man nodded. "I nearly died here. It's where we were nearly stoned to death for being Celestial Dragons."
"Jesus Christ and you just waltz back in?" Kid demanded, horrified. "No wonder Trafalgar's batshit crazy! He learned it from you!"
Corazon laughed. "Oh no, he was crazy before he even met me! Have you heard how he joined my brother's crew?"
"Ooh, blackmail!" Kid giggled eagerly and he hopped up next to the steering wheel. "Tell me, tell me!"
Smiling, the man did.
-f-f-f-f-
Cotton didn't seem concerned when she heard Corazon's name. she was too busy fangirling about 'Lawland's Cora-san'. They got along very well as the man told story after story of Law's youth.
If Law refused to pull any punches during training, well, it was their own damn faults for laughing at him. Despite their guest though, nothing much changed during their voyage back to the Red Line.
"You knew he was a Celestial Dragon?" Kid demanded as they worked on dinner.
"Yeah." He replied.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Wait, let me guess. Slipped your mind?" Killer asked dryly.
Law ignored them, doing his damnedest not to give away how sore that subject was. He resorted to one of the prayers for patience.
"—I mean, bein' one of those self-entitled shitheads from the upper-class like you is bad enough, but he's from like, the ultimate shithead family! Not that it really changes anything. You're still an overgrown kitten and he's a giant klutz-puppy, but it would've been nice to know!" Kid continued to babble and Law wanted to punch him so hard.
He began saying the prayer out loud, forcing his mind to focus on the words and not his brother's voice.
"Hey, I'm trying to talk to you, Trafalgar! What language is that?!"
When Law continued to ignore him, Corazon replied, "It's the language of the Ancient Tribes. You won't believe how much the World Government wants it to be an extinct language." He pet Law's head and made him stumble over one of the verses. "Was this language common in Flevance, Law-chan?"
Law gave up. "We were forbidden from speaking it outside of the church, but yeah. We all knew it."
"Why were you forbidden?" Killer asked curiously.
"It's a holy language to us. A privilege that would lose its power if everyone knew it." He sighed. "Maybe one of our ancestors knew it would bring the government down on our heads. I don't know. History wasn't considered something important in our religion. As long as you are kind and good, what does your past matter?"
"How did your people fare against pirates?" Kid asked incredulously.
Law blinked and thought back. "Well, actually. We were a neutral town without a Marine base, so as long as they were on their best behaviors, they let them stay in the port town. My mom and dad took me with them on slow days to treat anyone that was hurt."
"Really?" Killer asked in interest.
"Hey, tell us about your family." Kid said.
Law turned off the stove. "First, go get Penguin. It's done."
"I'll get him!" Killer said before he ran from the room at a speed that told Law he was as eager to hear the stories as the others.
They started setting the table with food and drink and over dinner, Law told them about his family. The others did the same and it was a nice bonding session as they got to know each other a little better.
