The crew docked against the side of Kilika Island, a tropical island with wooden buildings and friendly citizens. Leila continued to wear Law's oversized hoodie. It shielded her face well and disguised her as a regular part of The Heart Pirates. The crew didn't really think much of it and Law couldn't help but feel pleased to see her walking around in his clothes, with his jolly roger displayed on her clothes. He didn't quite understand it, but it made him feel reassured that she was walking around town clearly belonging to him and his crew.
"How long are we here for?" Leila asked him, holding up the hood to cover her face well. Law noted that she was being overly cautious, but he didn't question her. He had decided to respect her past, like they had discussed, and ignored the curiousity that was eating him from the inside.
"A week tops. I've got meet with an old client" Law talked briefly, his mind buried in his work. Leila nodded and followed him into the town. The buildings were constructed with wood and tropical vines – to the naked eye it would seem behind in technology but the town was bustling, with roads and busy citizens. They didn't seem behind at all, just practical.
"I like it here…it's pretty" Leila couldn't help but smile to which Bepo nodded in agreement.
"You guys can enjoy your time here as much as you'd like, just don't cause trouble" Law sighed, thinking about the previous times the crew had to leave towns due to drunken fights. Law headed off into his own direction to deal with his own business, leaving his crew in the middle of the tropical town.
"Something smells amazing…I can't wait to try some of the food" Shachi licked his lips, seemingly becoming more comfortable around Leila once more. Leila grinned at her friend as the two had a similar idea and they began to run towards the market with street stalls filled with varied seafood and vegetables. Shachi bounded up to a market stand selling fried octopus and couldn't help but salivate. A pretty young woman who stood behind the counter offered him a stick.
"Here, try some!" She grinned at him with enthusiasm. Leila stood next to Shachi and watched him taste the octopus. His eyes widened and he held it out to Leila so she could take a bite.
"Wow...this tastes amazing" Leila couldn't help but say, feeling her mouth burst with the flavors.
The young woman smiled sweetly, feeling happy due to the praise. Her blonde hair was short and settled on her shoulders and she had bright sparkly blue eyes. "Thank you! We fish everything ourselves here at Kilika – would you like to buy some?"
Shachi can't help himself nodding profusely, making Leila smirk at him in amusement.
Meanwhile…
Law paced up the steps to Kilika's castle. It was not the traditional castle, it was wooden like the rest of the town and was not tall like other castles Law had visited. It was humble but welcoming, with some friendly guards at the gate playing cards.
"Hey gentleman, where's Silver?" Law asked them to which they opened the door and gestured to go up the stairs. Law made his way through the quaint building, with warm rugs settled at the entrance and traditional oil paintings being hung upon the walls. He came to a large intricate door with wooden carvings of wooden branches and leaves. Law knocked twice firmly.
"Come in" A voice called, not particularly deep but still sounding authoritve. Law entered the hall and was faced with an old man with a receding hairline but soft eyes.
"Law! You made it" The older man smiled at Law warmly, opening his arms in welcome. Law nodded at the man in affirmation, coming closer towards the seat at which he sat.
"Nice to see you again Silver. How are your daughters?" Law asked professionally
"Most of them are good! Apart from Eloise…but you already know that" The old man smiled weakly, stroking the back of his neck as he felt the burden of the world on his shoulders.
"I see - have you been using the medicines I gave you?" Law questioned, setting his weapons down on the table, fully comfortable in the old kings presence.
"We have but they started to lose their effectiveness soon after you left. That's why I called you out here again – she has a wish" Silver told Law, fidgeting in his seat.
"A wish?" Law raised an eyebrow. "Her wish should be to get better…
"I know…but a dad can only try and make his little girl happy" Silver laughed "What an old fool I've become, huh Law?"
"Nonsense sir" Law smiled at the man "So, what is Eloise's wish?"
"My brothers holding a ball – he's an old fashioned type. He's trying to set up the girls with princes and so on, the girls are all looking forward to it. Obviously, I'd never let my little girls marry off to some no-good kingdom" Silver huffed, his unhappiness clearly etched into his face. "But alas, it's a bit of fun for them all. Eloise wants to go with her sisters. Despite the amount of times I've told her that she's too weak, she's too sick…she wants to go"
"And when is this ball?" Law asked tentatively, not liking the idea of such a frail girl being put on a ship and waltzed around by some young man.
"3 weeks…It's soon I know. I didn't realise how long it would take you to get my letter" Silver sighed defeated.
"I'm not a miracle worker, I can't make her better in 3 weeks" Law said clearly, not wanting to hurt the king's feelings but he was there to carry out his job.
"But you are a miracle worker Law" The king grinned at him, signs of his youth still in his personality. "You saved this town not too long ago – that was a miracle, nothing else"
Law massaged the back of his neck as he felt uncomfortable due to the praise. "Let me see her first"
Law knocked on the door to Eloise's room to which she opened the door tentatively. "Oh, Law!" A teenage girl opened the door, her platinum long her loosely falling down her back as she grinned up at Law.
"Hey, what are you doing up?" Law asked with a smirk, knowing the young girl's feisty personality. "You can't be that sick"
"Exactly, I'm not" She stuck her tongue out at him but walked over to her bed slowly, concentrating wholeheartedly on not falling over as her balance proved to be non-functioning. Law grabbed ahold of her arm to steady her and guided her to sit on the edge of the bed. Eloise sighed in frustration as she found herself needed assistance to walk.
"I heard the medicines I gave you aren't working anymore"
"Sorry…"
"Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault your immune system is confused" Law patted her shoulder before moving to sit in front of her and performed his routine checkup on her joints and chest. "How has your breathing been?"
"Fine, I haven't had any tightness in a long time" She sighed, her violet eyes showing the hidden fatigue that she tries to play off. She was a pretty girl but she had been in bed for most of her life with poor balance, stiff muscles and difficulty walking.
"Yeah, your lungs look okay for now. What's been troubling you then?" Law asked her seriously. "I heard from your dad that you've gotten worse"
"…I collapsed a couple of weeks ago. My legs aren't…t-they can't hold me anymore" She said sadly. "I must be the only 16 year old with an old lady's body"
"You'd be surprised" Law replied, trying to improve her mood. "Listen Eloise, If your body is telling you that it's struggling – you need to listen to it. It's telling you for a reason, not just to ruin your fun"
Eloise looked Law in the eye and nodded, knowing she had been putting too much pressure on herself. She felt tears well up in her eyes and she tried to clear her throat unsuccessfully.
"I-I just really want to go…" She said softly, tears beginning to roll down her flushed cheeks. "My older sister Abby – she's getting married next year. If I can't go to a dumb ball now, how am I meant to cross seas to attend her wedding?"
"You can if you rest enough" Law tried to encourage her. "A year is a long time to improve"
"Bullshit Law…" She sniffed "I've rested my whole life. I've been cooped up in the castle for years; I want to experience my life!"
Law swallowed as he found himself slightly moved by her compassion. He could understand her desperation; she wished to attend events with her sisters – like normal.
"Is that really so much to ask?" She mumbled, her hair covering her face.
"I won't promise anything, but I'll try to get you healthy enough to travel in 3 weeks. I'll try" Law sighed, wiping his forehead. He was especially weak to Eloise; she had a fight in her like no other. Eloise gripped onto Law's hand as she met his gaze with a fire in her own, trying to communicate her thanks.