A/N- Obligatory exposition time.
At completion of their cursory glance over Root Town's offerings, the crew were free to do as they pleased when not rostered on the look-out. Most daily excursions ended with an agreed meet up at Whiskey Cream, the establishment quickly becoming their bar of choice thanks to the rotating staff of working girls and the pleasant atmosphere of the open floor. Most of them ventured out to various locales in twos or threes, Beau often acting as the third for whoever's plan she fancied more that day. It was good to see her branch out a little, removing herself from Kid's shadow for a few hours despite her obvious preference, and gaining trust towards her other crew-members as they continued to treat her appropriately despite Kid's absence.
Returning once more to Whiskey Cream after another day of assorted recreation, the rowdy crowd of men went about their usual hormonal squabble, fussing over the day's available escorts before knocking back whatever drink they'd purchased and ascending their so-called stairway to heaven, Killer being first in line as the only one with enough foresight to simply ask for a second pamphlet to flip through. Left behind as the usual pair of non-participants, Beau and Wire engaged in idle chatter over the contents of their separate days, the smaller of them chipper as she showed her friend the colored pencils acquired from one of the ever changing market stalls. Feline eyes stared with palpable intensity, Wire eventually shooting a cursory glance their way in silent recognition of their presence.
"Captain, may I mingle for a while?" The cat Mink asked, leaning towards his Captain so lowered voice could reach.
"Fraternize however you wish" Came the disinterested reply, present predictions holding more importance than his crew's recreational affairs.
With permission granted, Faust rose to his full height, gracefully closing the distance between himself and the remainder of Kid's crew.
"Pardon such rudeness, but, would you be willing to indulge me for a moment?" He asked, addressing the pair without taking uninvited seat.
"She doesn't work here." Wire replied, hard stare set on the stranger before them. It wasn't the first time someone had assumed the single woman among them was an employee.
"No, I don't mean to infer such a thing- I was wondering if you would be so kind as to answer a couple of questions? Truly, I mean neither of you any harm"
The taller man gestured for him to sit between them, smaller companion quickly clearing away her day's purchase so as to not clutter the counter.
"I believe it is only polite to introduce myself first. My name is Faust, I serve as Captain Hawkins' personal magician," He explained, earning a squint from Wire at the admission, "To put it simply, I'd like to know what your standing is with this crew, if you don't mind me asking"
"Are you trying to recruit someone out from under our Captain's nose?" Wire asked, voice lowered though his tone tickled Faust's spine like nails on a chalkboard.
"Huh?- But she belongs to the Captain!" Beau stressed, immediately displeased with the idea that the dark furred stranger would try to take her.
"I'm sorry, did you say belongs to?" Came bristled reply, Wire's accusation all but forgotten in the face of heinous admission.
"Mhm, he said that even if she's a person, she can still belong to him in a way- So please don't try to steal her, Captain promised to kill anyone that tried" She informed him, unaware of how heartless such a thing might sound without further context, sipping at half drunk juice through a colorful straw.
"Verily, then. I would like to see him try" Faust half yeowled in response, lip curled at the thought of slavery as he assessed the threat her current companion might pose.
Beau shrunk into herself at the display, eyes darting between Wire and the seemingly enraged stranger as both men sized each other up from their seats. A sigh announced the return of fellow crew-mate behind her, Heat placing a series of soft pats atop her head for reassurance before clearing his throat.
"Do I need to go get the Boss?" He asked Wire, muted tone denoting a reluctance to do so despite willing offer.
"Mm, he hates being interrupted, I wouldn't be surprised if he ignores the knock" He pointed out. Heat turned to trod back up the stares while offering back-
"I'll bring Killer instead"
Tensions were high as the trio waited, Faust's eyes focused to slits on the innocent counter before them, the rival crew were bringing their first mate to deal with his apparent insolence. He wouldn't involve his own Captain unless he absolutely had to- This was a personal matter, and Hawkins always opposed participation as he found them rather distasteful. Five grueling minutes later, Killer jogged down the stairs as he re-buttoned crumpled shirt, Heat lumbering along behind him.
"Alright, I have to ask- Why exactly are you trying to pick a fight with us?" He demanded, slightly breathless and very obviously flustered at untimely interruption.
"I'm sorry, but I simply can't accept that you keep Flambeau as a slave. It's despicable" Spat the Mink.
An awkward pause accompanied his statement, before he nervously turned his eyes to the girl in question.
"It... Is you, isn't it? I'm certain I'd recognize your father's scent"
"Beau doesn't know who you're talking about, she's really sorry, but, she's not the person you're looking for"
Another awkward silence followed, Faust furrowing furred brows in confusion as he sniffed at the air.
"No, you're definitely a relative of Wembly's. May I ask bout your parentage?"
"Ah, she doesn't know them, o-or their names, Beau grew up on her old Master's island" She explained.
As the pair exchanged their quick back and forth, it dawned on Killer that the name Hawkins' subordinate used was still similar to the name they knew her by, and that she may simply be unaware of her original name.
"What was that name again? The one you called her a moment ago?"
"Flambeau, I do believe her Mother chose it"
"Flambeau" Killer enunciated, realization widening the stranger's eyes.
"Truly, they took everything from you? Even your own name?" He asked, hand clasped at the front of his ruffled collar.
"I think you're misunderstanding her situation-" Killer tried to clarify, Faust cutting him off with sharply hissed words.
"Oh I think I understand it well enough, Massacre Soldier. I will not allow you to put her through any more of this- This utter misery" He spat, standing from his stool to face the masked man before him.
The stomp of heavy boots hitting wooden floor demanded their attention, Kid finishing his descent down carpeted stairs, visible sneer worn as he strode towards the cat Mink with murder in his eyes.
"And what the fuck do you think you're doing." He growled out, fingers flexing as they ached to form fists.
"Rescuing my kin from your clutches, cur"
"Faust." Came aggravated call, stalling the Mink as yellow eyes shot to his Captain.
As the scene unfolded before him, Hawkins knew it was his initial prediction finally coming to pass. Captain Kid's reappearance was enough of a risk for him to willingly intervene, aware that if he simply left things as they were it would bring disaster upon his crew as the cards had so kindly foretold. Approaching his rival with almost silent steps, he turned emotionless eyes towards the taller man.
"I apologize for his behavior. Faust, explain." He commanded, seeing the Massacre Soldier move a hand over his own Captain's shoulder for the sake of restraint.
"Captain, this young woman is the daughter of my Father's dearest friend, I'm sure of it. She must have simply been too young to remember her family at their separation. Now these brutes are keeping her as a slave, she says that their Captain owns her and threatens to kill anyone who interferes" He explained, slit pupils glaring fury at Kid near monologue's end.
"And is that the truth? Or are you simply inferring it from the short exchanged I watched you have with them?"
"I-" Faust faltered. He hadn't spoken to them for long, quickly riled up by the notion of Wembly's daughter remaining a slave after the rest of them had been freed, "I do not know the whole truth, Captain. You are correct, I'm sorry." He sighed, forcefully relaxing his posture though fur remained bristled.
Beau cautiously slipped from her own stool, squeezing her way past Killer to hide at Kid's side. With fingers tightly digging into his leather vest, she peeked out from behind to say-
"B-Beau didn't say she was a slave, she only said she belongs to the Captain- He told her she wasn't a slave anymore"
"Then how can you say you belong to him? Flambeau, are you kept as their prisoner?"
"That's not Beau's name!" She squeaked, agitated by the repeated use of a name she didn't recognize despite the familiarity with which he spoke it.
Kid's hand upon her head settled slightest tremble, though his eyes remained on it's source, both sets of yellow clashing dangerously to convey mutual distrust.
"The Runt's our doctor. You got a problem with that?" He asked, working his fingers into her hair both for his own benefit as well as Beau's.
"Is that what you meant by 'belonging' to him? As a member of his crew?" Faust asked, face softening at Beau's nod, "Oh dear... I really do apologize. It seems I've made a blunder of things... Captain? May I stay to explain shared history?"
Hawkins took a moment to pull various cards from his deck, all three of them hovering before him for a moment as he scrutinized their message, returning them to their brethren once satisfied and turning to slink away.
"My involvement with this is over, finish this as you see fit."
The cat Mink stepped back from the small group, winding an arm in front of himself as he offered a deep, humbled bow.
"My sincerest apologies, Sirs and Madam. I am Faust, son of Ramses, hailing from the North Blue alongside my Captain. Please, allow me to purchase you a round of drinks as recompense while I divulge what I know"
With everyone seated at the nearest empty table, Faust watched in fascination as Flambeau shot Eustass a meek look, the Captain gazing down at her with a stern, almost awkward stare before hooking an arm around her middle to lift the little woman onto his lap, allowing her to settle against him in apparent comfort as muscled arm remained tucked at her belly. Drinks were ordered as Sunnie and Rocco returned, visibly confused by everyone's focus on the cat-like stranger as their Captain gestured with a nod for them to sit.
"Alright fur-face, spit it out already" Kid grumbled into his free drink, brash as always despite Faust's attempt at peace.
"Have any of you heard of a man named 'Fisher Tiger'?" Their feline companion asked, earning raised brows of confusion and a few shaken heads.
"Vaguely, he waged war on the Celestial Dragons' homeland in order to free their slaves- Or so I heard" Killer replied, once again proving his almost eerie level of knowledge on world events.
"Correct, thirteen years ago he rampaged through Mariejoise, freeing a large number of slaves in the process. My Father and I were fortunate enough to be among them, as was Father's most cherished companion, Wembly. The three of us spent much time together in the North Blue after our rescue, a family of our own I suppose" He mused, distant look in his eyes as they searched for fondest memory, "Wembly is a Civet Mink, while my Father is the same as myself. They initially bonded over the loss of their Significant others, and though I never met my Mother, Wembly and Father spoke of them both often enough to form intimate familiarity. He spoke of you too, of course- Of how you were simply discarded when our old Master died and left us all to his son, though I suppose you may not remember that"
"Beau's old Master said th-that she'd been sold to punish her parents" Came confused correction, light frown on round face.
"Mm, I don't see how he could have known that. Perhaps it was a lie he concocted? Slave owners dislike being seen as flawed by those beneath them, and an inability to answer such a question may have been a sore spot for him," Faust theorized, taking a moment to scratch at furred chin, "Regardless, I know for a fact that our new Master simply threw all half blooded children to the trash- Finicky man, he was. Had some very archaic ideas about the mixing of races. It wouldn't surprise me if those carrying out the order simply sold you instead of tossing you out, particularly for children force fed with fruits of the devil. Ability users are guaranteed to sell well, though such amounts are still trivial to the world's richest"
Rather than respond straight away, Beau wrapped her arms atop Kid's own, as if bidding him to squeeze. He did, feeling shaky fingers grip at the arm that held her steady as ears and shoulders drooped.
"So... Beau is only supposed to be r-rubbish" She stated, obviously wounded by the thought that being raised a slave was somehow more than what she'd actually deserved.
"Absolutely not," Faust was quick to object, before any of her own crew-mates could voice their disagreement, "Every year I watched your Father grieve the loss of both you and your Mother, and every year he would tell us the same story, how you were Delphine's greatest gift as you shared her birthday, and that she'd chosen your name because having you brought light into their lives despite crueler circumstances. 'Flambeau', their beacon in the dark, a torch to light the way. He would sit down at our little table once heavily drunk and say 'I have a gorgeous Wife and such a cheeky little daughter, come have a drink and I'll tell you about them', and so we'd sit with him and listen"
Kid felt hot tears splat against occupied arm, a sniff confirming suspicions that Beau had begun to cry quietly at the Mink's story. Squashing down the urge to intervene and make it stop whichever way proved most effective, he simply brought his free arm into the equation, resting it across her lap and completing the hug as Faust continued.
"I understand that to you, I am naught but a stranger, and our relationship may never grow beyond that, however... Please do not think for a moment that your parents did not love you. You were born from their own forbidden adoration for each other, and they cherished you more than anything, doing their best to protect and care for you despite our harsh lives as slaves. You are and always will be a product of genuine love, and it would be a crime to treat you with anything less than an abundance of it," He paused for a moment, mulling over whether or not it was appropriate to continue as intended, "I can see that you place great trust in the men around you, are they truly good to you?" He asked, earning hard looks from several of the crew around him, including their Captain.
"Th-they're more than g-good to Beau!" She babbled out over sobs, quick to defend the people that protected her, "The C-Captain killed Beau's o-old Master because he h-hurt everyone on the i-island a-and then he killed others that t-t-tried to hurt Beau on the ship, and the r-rest of the crew agreed and helped. W-Wire teaches Beau how to make b-better drawings, and Killer l-lets her try sweet things that he makes, a-and teaches her how to make them too, and th-they all treat Beau like a p-person, a-always, Beau loves them v-very very much!"
Up until this point, the crew hadn't thought much about how Beau might see them. They mostly assumed she respected them out of fear, polite through years of conditioning and meek out of necessity. Yet here she was, babbling through tears about how well they treated her and the things they all did for her, that they were good to her, that she loved them. She wasn't just tolerant of them, or mildly fond of them for lack of abuse- She claimed love. It was their first indication that she was actually, genuinely happy to be along for the Victoria Punk's wild ride.
The furred man across from her relaxed his posture entirely, running clawed fingers through plush blackness atop his head as he sighed and sunk lightly into wooden seat. With a much less serious face, he offered Beau a smile and nodded in acknowledgement of her found family.
"I do not know if Wembly still lives, I joined my Captain's crew shortly after my own Father passed away, and have not had contact with anyone in the North Blue for several years now. However, I'm sure he would love nothing more than for you to learn what it means to be part of the Mink tribe- If that's something you'd allow me to teach, of course," He offered, moving his gaze to the man who shielded her from unspoken dangers, "Captain Kid, may I ask that we exchange numbers?"
With the swapping of both crew's personal den den mushi codes, Faust finally said his goodbye for the evening with a promise to call once he'd informed his Captain how he would be spending his spare time. Both crew's arrivals were conveniently close to one another, and the Mink was sure Hawkins wouldn't mind him sparing the time to fraternize with someone from a rival crew under such personal circumstances. So long as his predictions didn't warn him otherwise, the crew were free to do as they pleased.
Unexpected encounter finally over, Kid released the tension he'd subconsciously held, leaning to the side to assess Beau's expression as she remained in his lap.
"You good, Shrimp?"
"Beau isn't really sure..." She admitted, eyelids heavy as her brain raced to absorb everything. She'd never given much thought to her family history, accepting prior Master's story at face value and too exhausted to ever really question it.
"Wanna head back?"
A single nod was the only response he received, and the only one he needed. Hooking one arm under her legs as he stood, the little woman mover her arms around steady shoulders, resting tired head under Kid's chin as he sauntered back to their home. The crew were free to stay, but the mood for gadabouting was gone, opting instead to drink the night away on board their much beloved ship.
After Faust excused himself from the Captain's presence, Hawkins sighed through angular nose. So this was the burden his cards spoke of... The 'positive' outcome seen in his prediction. All things considered it wasn't a bad thing, his only worry being the reputation surrounding the other Supernova's crew- Not to mention Eustass Kid himself. His cards were quick to dispel any worries, promising peace until their departure from Lago Dedalera and allowing the man to return focus where it was actually needed. No problems would arise from Faust's self appointed tutoring. However...
"An eight percent chance of disaster to come from Eustass obtaining our contact information... How bothersome."