Valentine's Personal Log, Day 26:
Pierce has recovered enough to stand and move around on his own without almost passing out. I was finally able to trim his hair too. He asked me to cut it just past his shoulders like he used to have it. I suppose he's a creature of habit. He still keeps it in a low ponytail at the base of his neck, tied with a black ribbon. I'm glad he's starting to feel like his old self again, even if it does mean he's guarded around everyone who comes in contact with us here on the sub.
It almost makes me sad that it's time to go home. Not for me, of course. This submarine is a little suffocating. But Pierce will have to leave his source of momentary vision. Law switched our souls less often after Pierce was able to leave the bed. I think he's trying to wean Pierce away from soul swapping for his own mental health once we leave the good surgeon's care. Pierce got to see Parvati through the porthole window and Kudra circling just behind her. He commented on how she'd grown by ten feet since the last time he saw her, saying maybe she'd be as big as Kudra one day. From Pierce's body I could hear him going to the mirror a lot. His pain got better every time we switched. With the medicines working and the infections clearing his health has been improving by the hour. Even his sallow face is beginning to fill some now that he's able to eat on his own. His appetite reminds me of certain members of the crew. He'll fit in just fine two years down the line. Poor Sanji will be struggling to keep up.
I noticed something strange while switched. The sea prism dart had been removed for the first time in a few days and I could feel the pull of his powers. They're unusual in the sense that his body wants to transform naturally, without any prompting from will or command. It actually takes more effort to stay in human form than it does otherwise. I know Pierce has noticed it too. This isn't the case with a regular Zoan and we all know it. The moment I realized it I wanted to set Doflamingo on fire. I may have to go back to Little Garden and find some Plucharon just for him.
I can't imagine what Pierce has been through and I'm patient enough to wait until he's ready to discuss it. He struggled with being bound to the bed. Despite knowing that he could not move and live, his trauma made him long to be free of any restraints. When he couldn't stand it anymore Law would switch us. I don't mind, but I hate that Pierce was so frightened all the time. He has nightmares like I used to. He'd break into a cold sweat and scream. I hold his hand and sing until he stops. He seems to be ok as long as there's some form of contact. It got better when he was healthy enough to remove the straps. He still had to sleep with the sea prism dart strapped to him with Usopp's Rubber Band of Doom for a while, but the past few nights he's been fine without it. He has trouble with water. He asks me to sit outside the bathroom while he takes a shower, leaving the door cracked a few millimeters so he can hear me for the five minutes it takes him to do a speed wash. Law suggested moving further down the hallway each time and eventually closed the door all together. I still tapped little rhythms with my feet so Pierce could hear that I was still there, but he looked shaken when he came out.
I'm just glad that I can take him home today. Law has been flexible, but Pierce needs to stretch his legs somewhere other than a metal can. I packed all our things, or my things, not that I brought much more than what would fit into my satchel. Next stop, Batoidea Island.
"Are you sure you don't want us to drop you off anywhere?" Law asks. He, Bepo, Karmen, and Pierce are standing on top of the yellow submarine in the middle of the Calm Belt with no land in sight. Well, the men are standing on the submarine. Karmen is sitting on Bepo's shoulders rubbing the top of his head one last time before their departure. Karmen and Pierce have been given a set of the same jumpsuits that Law's crew is so known for wearing. It scratches against Pierce's still bandaged body uncomfortably, but he doesn't have anything else to wear. He'd unzipped the top and rolled it down to the waist, leaving his injuries exposed. They still itch. Karmen found the clothes much more pleasant. She likes the warmth of full coverage. She prefers this jumpsuit to evening gowns and likes storing her poisons in the sleeves. Though, when she raises her arms all the poisons slide down to her waistband and eventually her ankles.
"You don't want to get close to the island," Karmen says. "It took two months for Kudra to let me leave when I first got here and I had an inside ray. I don't think she'd be happy about a sub being around the pups. You've got too much work to do to be stuck on an island for six months."
"Yeah, I guess not," he says. "You've got the transponder snail. Let me know if you hear anything."
"Same to you, Dr. Spots," she says. Law sighs but doesn't demand to be called by his name after the three weeks they've spent together. Parvati surfaces, fully harnessed. Karmen gives Bepo one last snuggle before sliding off his back. "I'll miss you, B." Bepo gives her one last hug before she steps back over to Pierce's side.
"And you're sure your plan will work, Mistress?" Pierce asks uncertainly.
"Do you trust me as your eyes and your guide or are you going to stay on the sub?" Karmen asks. "You won't be the first power user I've taken through water and you won't be the last. Besides. What will Winston and Saaresto say if I show up without you? Do you know how long they've been waiting to see you walking and talking? I've barely been able to keep up with their responses through ray mail." The stingrays had been ferrying letters in airtight bottles back and forth between the sub and Batoidea Island. Each time they would come tap a bottle against the windows of the sub Law would surface. He said it was because Pierce needed fresh air to heal properly. She knew deep down he was just a stone-cold softie and silently appreciated his patient care.
"I will, but only if you reinstate me," he says. Karmen gives a small laugh. She'd tried every way, form, and bribe to make him consider other options but he kept returning to her with the same answer. Deep down she knows the real reason. Pierce is the son of Revolutionaries who died in battle. Kuma took him off the streets and raised him to be a soldier. He'd been by her side since he was eight and had been isolated from anyone he might have made friends with. Pierce knows nothing but his service to her, and now that he is blind he is afraid of being on his own so soon after getting back on his feet. He doesn't say it, and she doesn't say she knows it. She feels responsible, but she doesn't feel capable of throwing him out into the world like this. Other than the Straw Hats and Gekko Island, she doesn't know anything either. She'd barely begun to figure anything out and doesn't want to be alone.
Karmen leads Pierce onto Parvati's back and faces him. "Then kneel." He complies, dropping smoothly to one knee. His abdomen is beginning to heal well, she comments in her head. Law really is the best surgeon in the world. "Pierce, I hereby reinstate you as my bodyguard, partner in crime, and all around disposer of people who annoy me, for as long as you wish." She says this in a formal manner, but there is the hint of a smile in the corners of their mouths. She even taps his shoulders with her plain quill with an embellished flourish.
Pierce responds in kind. "I humbly accept and request to add 'pain in your side' to the list, M'Lady."
"Hereby granted."
Law sets his sword against his shoulder and closes his eyes. "If you two aren't going to leave, then at least kiss and get it over with."
Karmen gives him an exasperated glare. "Don't make me stab you."
He opens one eye and smiles. "You could always try." He opens his other eye. "Don't keep him underwater for too long. Hypothermia won't do him any favors."
Pierce stands and faces him. "Sir Trafalgar, let me know if there's any way I can make things even between us. I'd like to repay you someday."
Law closes his eyes again and rests his sword across his shoulders. "Don't be ridiculous. The Secretary-ya paid for your treatment in full. If you really want to repay me, just make sure you find some reliable info on Doflamingo. Oh, and try not to die. I'd hate to see nearly a month of work go to waste."
Pierce nods and Karmen extends her hand towards the captain. They clasp forearms. "I'm not sure if I'm going to miss you or if I'm going to be happy to finally get away from your inquiries," she says. "I'm definitely going to miss some of your crew."
"Feel free to take Bepo along. He's been useless because of you," he replies as he releases her.
Bepo gasps. "Captain! Please be serious!"
Karmen giggles and gives the bear a smile. "We'll see each other soon. We're working towards the same goal, after all."
"I'll expect your call," she tells Law. He turns away silently and returns to the interior of the submarine. Karmen closes her eyes, choosing to see only with her Haki.
There are twenty other stingray around them. Mother Kudra circles impatiently below while they watch the sub's hatch sealing and the submersion process, gently rocking the waves beneath them. Some of the crew wave at them from the windows even though they know they cannot see, and the rays perform coordinated dances through the water in farewell. They dive until they are out of sight. Karmen picks up the reigns and Parvati swims slowly away until Karmen cannot feel the presence of the Heart pirates. Pierce holds her waist gently.
"Are we really traveling underwater to the island like you told Law?" Pierce asks hesitantly as the water spray reaches their knees.
"In your condition? Of course not," she scoffs. "Though we will be using that method later, so mentally prepare yourself and be ready."
"You don't trust him with the location of the island," Pierce observes.
She shakes her head before remembering that he can't see it. "No. Law is hell-bent on revenge. He'd trade us out in a heartbeat if he felt it would get him a chance to kill Doffy," she says. "He's a powerful ally though. He should prove useful."
"I hope you didn't tell him everything. We need some leverage if he decides we aren't."
"I thought the same," Karmen says. "I don't think he knows Doffy was a Dragon. Do you remember the argument between Willow and Ikaika when he decided he wanted Doflamingo as a business partner? I thought she was going to shoot them both. I may not like the guy, but Doffy's childhood couldn't have been easy."
"Don't you think that should have been one of the first things you told Law? He still has the influence of a Dragon."
"I'll tell him before we infiltrate Dressrosa," she says. "I need something to ensure our safety."
He chuckles softly. "You always were thinking five steps ahead."
She snorts. "You wouldn't say that if you had seen me over the past two years. I was making things up on the fly. Having a captain like Monkey D. Luffy will do that to you."
"Speaking of making things up, how much were you not able to tell me?" he asks. "That man never left you alone. I'm pretty sure he ordered the bear to let you cuddle him to see if he could get any more information. And why did you let him in on our relationship with Kuma?"
"Law is a smart man, and more importantly he's from the North Blue. He knows who runs the territory. If he hadn't already figured it out when he found out who I was, he would have eventually. Nico Robin did. I think it's important for him to know that we have at least one powerful ally and he should be careful about where he sticks his sword."
"God I missed you."
Kudra races ahead of them as they approach Batoidea Island. The waters surrounding them are teaming with rays that flood around her, churning the calm waters in greeting. Hearing the commotion in the water, two figures appear on the overseeing cliffs.
Pierce sniffs the air, sensing their presence. "Is that who I think it is?"
Karmen waves at them. "Winston! Saaresto!"
Dr. Saaresto stands slightly stooped with well-trimmed gray hair and one cloudy eye set inside his half-scarred face. He wears a brown three piece suit and carries a medical bag over his shoulder. His good blue eye sparkles at their approach. "Pierce! It's good to see you alive," he calls. "I'm sorry I was unable to assist you any further."
"Karmen explained everything to me," Pierce calls back. "You did what you could."
"What in Kudra's name are you wearing?" Winston steps to the edge of the cliff to examine them closer. His voice is smooth and deep with an exotic purr at the base of his throat. He too is wearing a three piece suit and Sea King leather shoes. He has dark hair with gray streaks that is parted to one side in a well-tailored style. He carries a straight black cane with a large diamond for the handle. Karmen recognizes it as the one his nephew Godwin carried before he was shot and killed two years ago. She had caught sight of it briefly when they had evacuated Valcour, but the sight of it now still makes her throat catch slightly.
She buries the emotion and smiles. "Uh-oh. He's caught sight of you now. It'll be best to play dead until he's through." Winston is notorious for trapping people in a fitting room for hours on end and sending them home with entire wardrobes. Karmen fears for her own safety as much as she does Pierce's.
"So he hasn't changed a bit." Pierce groans back with a smile on his face. "Be gentle with me. I may be standing but I'm still recovering from a near death experience."
Winston chuckles. "I'll only make you three new outfits to start. Something that won't aggravate your wounds."
Winston had been the best tailor on Valcour. Maybe even in the North Blue. Now that he had been liberated from servicing Celestial Dragons he seems to have no plans to give up the craft or his strives to make full outfits of the highest quality at top speeds. Not only could he make clothing, but he could make the shoes and jewelry to go with it. When you could get him to focus on just clothes he could make five outfits a day by hand. "There's no way you have your workshop set up already," Karmen says accusingly. "It's only been three weeks."
"Don't doubt art, darling." Karmen groans inwardly. If he already has his workshop then he's been using it. He'd have a whole closet set up just waiting for her to try on. And Winston doesn't often take no for an answer. He turns back to Pierce. "So they weren't lying about the horns. I guess the rumors of you being a Zoan now aren't that far off either. What kind of transformations do you make? Will I need to make special modifications?"
Pierce grits his teeth slightly and Karmen grabs his wrist. "He's not allowed to transform right now. He's still too sick."
"We have other matters to discuss," Saaresto says. "We'll meet you in the caves."
The best thing about Batoidea is that it has a massive cave system that leaves most of the island hollow. Part of the cave bears a natural spring that provides constant fresh water and helps maintain the natural cool ambiance and grows several fungi that Karmen finds useful to her immunities training. Most passages are naturally lit by bioluminescent plants. Other areas are open to the surface, allowing rainwater and sunlight to enter. Karmen had begun a garden in these areas when she had been trapped by Mother Kudra. She may not be able to cook, but raw vegetables and poisonous plants could keep a girl fed. Unfortunately she hadn't been around long enough to see any of them grow enough to become edible and had to forage for food. It was also a good thing she didn't mind raw fish. Parvati made sure she was well supplied.
They reach the shore and Karmen leads Pierce to one of the concealed entrances in the overgrown cliffside. There are three on the surface and one that can be accessed underwater. Karmen prefers the latter, but she doesn't want to put Pierce through more than she has to. And Law said to keep him dry. That will be hard enough in a damp cave.
Saaresto meets them there and clasps them both to him, using a gentler pull on Pierce who still seems so fragile. He leads them into one of the gardens and motions into the natural room. Karmen looks past him. Inside, sitting in a beam of sunlight, is a woman in at least three layers of clothing and a cloak. She is kneeling down, tending to the plants. She stills as they approach and turns in their direction, staying low to the ground but prepared to run. "I couldn't get her to speak. I've found no sign of injury, not that she would let me get close, so I assume that it must be psychological trauma," Saaresto says. "She wrote that her name is Camilla. She had escaped from one of Gallowcomb's business associate and was hiding among the Valcour slaves when you liberated them. She refuses to leave. And the part that I find interesting, she claims she was able to see you."
"Could she now?" Karmen steps into the room and gives Camilla a nod. "My name is Valentine W. Karmen. I'd like to officially welcome to Batoidea. Do you mind if I test your ability? You don't have to do anything, just watch me for as long as you can." Camilla looks at her for a long time and finally nods. Karmen performs a partial fade and begins walking around the room. Camilla watches her as if she hadn't done a thing. She puts in a bit more effort and changes direction. Still she watches. Karmen fades past the point that she had on Valcour and is impressed to see that she is still able to follow. It is only when she increases her fade to the point that had allowed her to sneak onto Kudra's back that she seem to have trouble finding her. Karmen reappears behind her. "I admit, I'm impressed." She turns around, saying nothing. "You're talented, I'll give you that. What is it about this place that makes you want to stay?"
"Not this place," she says in a soft but clear voice. It chimes like that of a singer's. "You."
"So she can speak," Saaresto says, throwing up his hands in frustration.
"Hush and let her," Karmen says. "What makes me so interesting?" she asks.
"You did what I couldn't." She doesn't seem to think any other explanation is necessary.
Karmen looks at her unblinking. Her dark face is smeared with dirt and her dark eyes have an animalistic quality to them. She's pretty, young, scared, and filled with regret. "Saaresto, Winston, give us a few minutes, won't you?" They leave them alone and Pierce leans against the cool wall to give the illusion of privacy. "Who was it? Who did you lose?"
"My sister." The words are barely audible.
"How old?"
"Thirteen."
"And you?"
"Seventeen."
"They used her."
"Yes."
Karmen looks at how Camilla still glances at Pierce every few seconds. The multiple layers of clothing. The defensive crouch. It's all there. "They got upset over something, killed her, then you killed him." Shakky had provided her a report over the incident that had arrived a few days before she rescued Pierce. The dots line up and point to this girl.
"Yes," she confirms.
"I'm sorry for what they made you do to protect your sister. I'm sorry it didn't work. I know killing him will never be enough for you."
Camilla grabs a fistful of damp cave dirt. "Is that why he's still alive? After everything he tried to take from you?" she asks, meaning Ikaika. Her voice shakes as she tries to understand the actions Karmen took. She feels that Camilla might not want to understand.
"Once a dam breaks there is only so much you can do to stop the flood."
"I already know I'm beyond help." She stands and turns to leave. "I just wanted to meet you."
Karmen puts a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I'm saying there's only so much pressure a person can take. Sometimes a little destruction facilitates growth." She wonders if Camilla can feel her hand through all that fabric.
"Then why do I feel like the one that's falling apart?"
"Because you're the one still standing. Sometimes that is the hardest position to hold."
Camilla looks at Pierce. "And what about you? You're still standing. Is it worth it? You can't even bear to leave her side for a few minutes. You don't trust anyone around her. You'd even attack me if I made one wrong move. Doesn't being wound that tight all the time exhaust you? You're falling apart at the seams. You want him dead. I can see it in your empty eyes. You'd kill him the first chance you get."
"Don't project your ideology on my reality because you've been hurt," Pierce says.
"Would you?" Karmen asks.
"Probably," he admits. He turns his face away. "She has a point. Why didn't you?"
"Because then I really would be his daughter." Karmen turns Camilla back around. "You never did answer my question. Why are you here?"
"Because you saved them both." She gives Karmen a hard look. "Teach me how to be like you."
Karmen raises an eyebrow. "That's a life-altering course, dearie."
"My life could use some altering right about now." Karmen nods and steps back. Camilla looks back towards the plants. "Tell those other two that I don't plan on talking to them. I don't like men."
"So why talk to me?" Pierce asks.
"Because you're the reason I was able to meet her." Camilla turns back to Karmen and moves her hands in a few surprising motions.
-Do you sign?-
-Ancient Elbafian?- Karmen signs back. –That's a rare language, even speaking.-
-The king I was forced to dance for was only able to buy an elderly giant. He taught me. You?-
-A warlord.-
-So you'll train me?-
-I've barely been able to teach myself, to be honest. I don't mind if you choose to stay here. You can stay for as long as you like. What you pick up is up to you. This is my island. Everything goes through me and I decide what stays secret. Any notes in bottles that the rays bring come directly to me. I do hope you don't plan to cause trouble. We have big fish to fry.-
-Your rules sound fair. If I cause you trouble, do what you see fit.-
Karmen looks around at the plants. They'd been well tended. –You're good with plants?-
-My sister was.-
-Then let's see what grows.-
"If you two keep waving at each other my ears are going to explode," Pierce says. "I'm a little rusty on my ancient languages."
"You could tell what we were saying?" she asks.
"Most of it," Pierce says. "All movement changes the air pressure. The thick clothing helps too. It rustles."
"Come on. Let's go get some lunch," Karmen says. "Saaresto! Tell me we have bread!" She calls down the tunnel. "We haven't had any in three weeks. I think Law choked on some as a child or something."
"You're the one who chose where to put the store room," Saaresto's voice echoes back up the chamber. "Surely a month and a half hasn't made you forget where you put it."
"I was sure Winston would take it for his workroom," she says. They go down to the kitchen-in-progress and Karmen stayed clear of the wood-burning stoves, heading straight for the pantry instead.
Saaresto and Winston follow her inside and Pierce offers Camilla a chair at the freshly carved table. "What's the story?" Winston asks, keeping his voice low. Karmen ignores him for a few seconds to find a basket of rolls.
"A month ago a king in the North Blue threw a party and met an unfortunate demise. What you didn't find in the newspapers is that a young slave was found dead in a storage room, clothes badly torn and body mutilated. The king was found half-dressed on his bedroom floor with a knife in his back. The girl was Camilla's little sister."
"So a couple guys get drunk, maybe even the king himself, and kill the kid. He then demands the services of a slave girl and ends up dead."
"That about sums it up."
"How do you know this?"
Karmen looks at Saaresto while munching on her roll. "There was a story about it in the newspaper below the story about me attacking Gallowcomb. Ikaika stopped for the funeral before arriving back at Valcour. Our information network is proving its weight in gold." She pauses for more bread. "If we're going to keep ex-slaves on the island we need some major therapy going. I mean like twelve step programs, exposure, and rooms where people can smash things. Martial arts training would help."
"Leave it to us," Winston says. "Just make sure this ends." He glances back out at her and sighs. "I suppose I can forgive her for stealing those outfits from the closet I'd set aside for you."
She looks past him at Camilla, silently thanking her for saving her from three rounds of dress-up. "I think she can help, with a little work." She swallows the bread in her mouth. "Camilla, how do you feel about experimental therapy?" She throws the girl a roll.
Camilla catches it and shrugs. "I never was one for meditation."
