welcome to my story, readers! this is my first time posting a one piece fanfic so yell at me if there's any mistake and/or inconsistency. happy reading!
chapter summary: basically just the summary in detailed form.
(Chapter is edited but there might be some mistakes still.)
Chapter 0:
"It's a promotion."
A smile with feelings was considered genuine. A person who smiled without ingenuity was considered shallow. A smile being used for entertainment was considered acceptable in this society of unfairness.
This was the description of her job. A job being used as a temporary replacement for lonely people who wanted to release their stress or occasionally being used as fleeting affections that starts in the night and ends in the day.
In a way, as one of the named 'Hostess', her 'smile' was something she used in her occupation. A job she was forcibly entangled as a stray woman who caught the eye of a Celestial Dragon, the World Noble during her journeys.
With the name of Green Hostess, she was a slave covered in fine clothes and make-up. She may not be forced to kneel for the nobles as their seats, nor tied in chains to show their dominance of property in the visible public—no, her 'master' was not that type of person. Sly words covering the manipulation of their intentions, they prefer clean environment for their 'employees', giving them 'jobs' fit for their appearance or skills—utilizing their talents to the fullest adding the layer of them being generous.
White lies covering the malicious intentions, it was a skill she was aware being used from certain people. Manipulators of higher-ups to obtain higher goals was something that was not unfamiliar to her. In her observation during her journeys, she was used seeing this type of behavior from the people who doesn't know the struggle of poor folks, as they continued to look at them as tools of ambitions.
But in her situation, in a twisted way, she was thankful of the 'job' that was given to her by her 'master'. Under this 'job', she was given privilege having a sense of freedom and independence—not revolving around the idea by always obeying the clients for their wishes. She had the right to say no and making her own choices fit for herself. It's entirely up to her whether if she wants to mingle with the costumer or not.
Well... in actuality, this was a rule given by her 'master'. According to 'them', self-preservation is the most important rule in their 'household'. And if they are failed to do so, they will be punished for it.
Another layer of white lies.
Always smile, was her everyday motto. Before she was taken under the Celestial Dragon, she always had a sense of adventure that always make her excited, the idea of learning something new that thrills her and always searching for curious things. Careless, stubborn, kind-hearted—these were the words she was used to hear from other people.
Caged for three years under this job, she always wondered if she's still same person who left her home to satiate her thirst for adventure. Riding the wild ocean, reckless and hard-headed, ready to face the obstacles that comes in her way. But being in the 'chain' as Hostess, she can barely go out from her designated 'spot'.
She laughed bitterly. Since when did she become this subservient?
She had no idea. But right now, all she can do is smile.
The reason he dragged his feet into this establishment was because of a single order. An order that he can't deny because his 'job' was tied to it. The unspoken agreement of the promised obedience.
Opening the door, he entered the flamboyant building, his eyes taking the sight of colorful designs. Curtains of gold, statues of steel and furniture of bronze—the intended use of this building was already evident once the moment he saw what was inside.
He lightly touched his nose, involuntarily smelled unnecessary scent that lingered in the building. To think this was his next mission… at the very least, this establishment was better compared to the pleasure houses he had been into.
One of the women noticed him entered and approached him. "Sir! Welcome to—"
"Green Hostess. VIP."
The woman didn't questioned him and bowed her head. "As you wish. If you'd like to, I'll lead you to your room."
He let her lead him to the destination, his face in constant indifference while quietly observing the surroundings. As they walked, he noticed the difference of the hallway they're currently in compared to the entrance. Instead of bright lights, warmer colors dominated the room and brown painted walls that reminds him the homes of his usual victims. It sets up a comfortable greeting intended for costumers.
"This will be your room for tonight, sir."
The woman who led him had already opened the door in front of him, which he assumed to be one of the VIP rooms. Without a word, he entered inside and made himself comfortable on one of the sofa and crossed his legs, resting his arms at the back of it.
"Green Hostess will be here for a while. Please enjoy your stay."
He didn't say a word as she left the room and closed the door. Taking the solace and isolation he got in the room, he relaxed his body while taking a deep breath as he leaned his head back.
Suffocating. He observed, glancing around the room. It was large and spacious yet lacking the colorful designs from the outside that felt empty. But considering the purpose of this establishment, designs was already unnecessary. A normal customer would take no notice around their surroundings, instead they would get distracted and give their attentions to the service that this establishment has to offer.
There was a knock in the door. "Coming in."
Speaking of the devil.
The beauty closed the door behind her and smiled at him. "Did I make you wait? I'm sorry for the delay since it has been a while someone requested me for VIP."
Looking over her, he was mildly surprised at her appearance. Instead of looking at a vain woman, he found himself looking at a lively face with a bright smile, as if nothing had inconvenienced her ever since.
"Ah! Did I seriously made you wait that it made you speechless? Don't worry, sir! In order to break the silence, allow me to introduce myself!"
The hostess walked towards him while taking beside his sofa, bouncing on it. Bouncing, he thought as he blinked at the manners of the woman.
"I am widely known here as Green Hostess. As for the reason why I'm named like that…well, you can already see it."
Her physical appearance spoke well for her name. Black hair with green highlights that was tied into a tight updo while her remaining bangs covered her left eye, only showing the right brilliant green eye. She wore a dark green blazer and pencil skirt that fit her tall figure. And also… His eyes lingered at the left side of her face. A golden streak ran over her fair skin that seemed to extend her neck and under her clothes.
"This?" She insinuated, pointing at her face as if noticing his stare. "I already had this since I was born. This thing was something I didn't particularly liked while growing up… but didn't exactly hate either."
He stared at her, arching an eyebrow at her unfiltered honesty. "I see."
"You're welcome." He gave her a subtle look at her unexpected response. "Now the cold ice has finally melted, what wine would like to drink?"
Following his eyes to her, she moved at the table to grab a glass and a bottle wines for him to drink. As she lined up at the bottles in front of him, she looked at him expectedly for his choice.
His mission has finally begun.
"Whatever is fine." He responded, looking at her for her reaction.
She nodded. "Whatever... Okay, whatever! Going by the great taste of me, I choose this one for you." She grabbed the bottle in the middle of the line which he noticed she was purposely trying to catch his attention. She dragged the glass to her side, pouring the wine in it before she pushed it in to him. "Here it is, sir… ah, that reminds me, what should I call you?"
He brought the wine glass to his mouth, savoring its taste. "Whatever is fine."
She blinked, giving him a concerned look. "Whatever…? You don't have a name?"
He stayed silent. Having no intention to disclose his identity to the woman, he gave her no satisfaction in response.
"Hmm… well then, I'll just call you sir by the courtesy of it."
He just continued drinking his wine, all whilst glancing at his companion beside him who arranged the table as she put the rest of the bottles back in its place, leaving only the one she chose in the table. Using this little opportunity, he decided advance his objective of the mission, parting the glass of wine from his lips. Staring at the woman in green, he slowly loosen his hold.
With a gasp, she swiftly caught it with her hands, preventing its fate as a broken glass. "Be careful, sir. You'll never know if shards will hurt you from this."
First objective, achieved.
"But that's strange." She contemplated, her hands under her chin. "That wine doesn't have much alcohol in it so it shouldn't be…" She stared at him for moment before she moved closer to him, waving her hands in front of him. "Are you already drunk, sir?"
He gave her a stare.
She held up her hands. "Okay, okay. I'm just making sure if you are." She laughed nervously before she shifted his attention to his hands. "But is there something wrong with your hands?" She wondered as she reached his hands.
The moment her hands came to his view, he realized her right hand was gloved. When she touched his gloved hands with the same hand, he noticed something odd.
"Hmm…" She hummed, grasping his hands. "Nothing's wrong with it though."
He pulled his hands away from her. While her attention was still in his hands, he carefully removed the glove of his right hand and offered his bare hand. "A trade off."
She blinked up to him. "Eh?"
"An equal trade off."
"Equal… trade off… Ah! I see, an equal trade off!" Realizing his intention, she reached to her right hand but stopped at the last second. Looking up to her face, he saw a hesitant look before it was replaced with a determined one and removed the glove, connecting their hands together.
He looked down in their hands, the silver cold steel imitation of her hand touching his skin, feeling a pull of weakness before he loosen his grasp. Noticing this, she pulled her hand away from him with an uneasy look before she grabbed the bottle and pour him a glass of wine. He gladly accepted the curtsy.
"…are you curious what happened to my hand?"
He glanced at her while drinking his wine and he put it at the table. "If you want me to."
She fidgeted, her actions screamed to him that she doesn't want to. Despite that, she still did.
"A pirate did this to me… when I was young."
He arched an eyebrow, unsurprised.
"I was in a marine ship when they did this to me. I had no idea who they are but they attacked the ship and I was in my room. And when the pirates found me, they…" She made a chopping motion to her right elbow before she shrugged. "Well, even though this happened to me, I don't really harbor that much anger towards them. Spending your life in everlasting revenge seems… incredibly exhausting."
How despicable. Despite the sob story she provided, it was an interesting information… yet an incredibly useless knowledge. But information is information. He will include it in his report when he is done with all the roleplaying. That was part of his job, after all.
"What about you, sir? What's your story?"
He looked up to her, meeting his frown to her bright smile.
"It's an equal trade off."
He clicked his tongue in realization. To think he would fall into his own trap.
"I…" He started, gathering his thoughts. "…have nothing to talk about."
"Huh? But aren't you an adult? Adults supposed to have a childhood to grow, right?"
Even though he had, he can't remember. If he force himself to remember, unpleasant ones resurfaced.
"I…see. I'm sorry for forcing you into it. It must have worse compared to mine if you don't to talk about it."
He just glanced at her direction, blinking when she changed her mind. Well, he's glad that she put that off from him.
…he's glad? The wine must have gotten him loosen up.
Making a motion to grab his glass, she realized that she still haven't poured him one as she grabbed the bottle of wine in the table.
He's already dragging his stay too long, it's time for his next objective.
"Here." He offered the glass of wine she just poured to her.
She pointed to herself. "Me?"
He gave her a look. Who else is in this room?
"…oh, right! Ahahaha! I forgot I'm in VIP so hostess are allowed to drink here too!" She gasped, covering her mouth when she realized that she started talking to herself. She gingerly accepted the glass from him and raised it to him. "Thank you, sir." She drank the glass in one go, huge gulps echoing in the room as she made a look when she finished it. "Gah…! It's been a while since I drank this much in one go."
"You don't drink that much?"
"I don't. Well, those who are frequently requested for VIPs probably drink that much since I'm usually behind the bar stool." She said while fanning herself, already red in the face. "I'm sorry, sir. I have a bit low tolerance to wine and if I drink alcohol even if its just a single glass, I would get knocked out."
The wine was evidently effective since she started babbling unnecessary words to him, carelessly feeding him information. Although, since at the start, she was already carelessly feeding him information about herself.
He subtly neared himself to her. "You're not well-known in here?"
"Not really." She started rocking back and forth in her seat, unaware of his close proximity. "I'm not popular compared to my peers so I'm actually surprised that you requested me in your presence."
He remembered her first few words she uttered to him. "You said that it has been a while since someone requested for you."
"Ah, that. It wasn't actually a customer, it was my mast—I mean, the owner of this building disguising himself as a customer."
Her slip-up was not unnoticed to him, but he decided to let her continue.
She looked up, as if trying to recall her experience. "I was… surprised. To think that the owner requested me, trying my best to please them since it was first time being called to VIP and then they revealed themself to me at the end like…" She gave him a wide-eyed look. "Can you imagine my shock?"
He rolled his eyes. Who doesn't?
"So it was my first time I saw the owner's face."
He put his right arm behind her back in the sofa. "Is that a big deal?"
"It is! No one in my peers actually doesn't his face at all!"
He stiffed his fingers behind her, raising his hand while she sat unaware. "You got lucky."
"Really, I am. I feel like luckiest woman alive when I realized it."
"I see." He coldly said, as he swung his hand behind her neck.
"Huh? Is it just me or—"
Brilliant green eye met his vision. He wasn't able to connect his hand to her neck; there was a tight grip stopping it's descend to touch her. The reason behind its lack of impact to its destination was because—
—the dark-haired woman in front of him caught it in a split second.
Second objective, achieved.
She looked at his face for a moment then looked at his hand behind her before returned hher attention to him as she loosen her grip from his wrist. "…that reminds me, why did you choose me from all woman here?" She asked, her voice suddenly losing its cheerfulness.
He pulled back his arm from her grip. "Because you're Green Hostess."
"Why?"
"Not interested." …to disclose the information to her.
"I see." She gathered her hands to her lap, looking down before she looked up. "How was my services, sir?"
He gave her a blank stare at the change of topic. "Leaves a lot to be desired."
"Is that so?" She nervously laughed. "I'm not used to this type of thing so I guess that's expected."
More nervously laughs came from the woman beside him as it echoed inside the room. One thing he noticed compared to the first meeting is that she seemed to be more relaxed as if she was being relieved from something. Was his attack earlier has something to do it? Impossible. No matter what his intentions to her, it doesn't change the fact that he tried to attack her.
"Green Woman." He coldly called, catching her attention. "Aren't you suspicious?"
"…isn't the owner forced you to call me for my services?"
He raised his eyebrows, impressed at her assumption because she got it half-right. But sadly, she was still ultimately wrong.
"If it was, would you still continue this farce?"
"Farce?" She contemplated, before she hesitantly gave him a look. "…do you want me to? There's still time before my shift ends and that's what the owner wants, right?"
He frowned. "What are you implying?"
She fidgeted. "I-I mean, the s-s-se—"
"Ah." She definitely misunderstood the whole situation. "It wasn't like that."
"…really? Oh, thank god. W-wait, not thank god because—"
There's definitely something amusing that someone who misunderstood his intention is now trying not to misunderstand her words to him.
"Quit your babbling, woman. Your so-called great taste wine is almost empty."
She looked at him in surprise, glancing at the bottle of wine which was clearly still half-full in front of him.
"…okay. Then I'll grab a bottle at the bar."
It's time for the final objective.
When she stood up from her seat beside him, he followed after her and took a step forward—
—as he blocked the fist that was targeted to his face. He glared at the woman.
She gave him a small smile before she pulled back. "Now, we're fair."
He blinked in surprise as he looked over her when she opened the door.
"It's been an honor to give my utmost services to you, sir," She bend her body ninety degrees, bowing to him before straighten her back. What he saw in her face was probably the most genuine look he had seen from her. "Rob Lucci-san."
He widened his eyes in a fraction as she closed the door in front of him. He stared at the door in silent awe, standing at his spot before he went back to his seat, pouring himself a glass of wine.
Without his initiative, the final objective was achieved in a breeze.
He lifted the glass of wine to his nose as he took in the pleasant scent, staring at the green bottle of wine in front of him.
For the first time of the night, a smile came to his face.
She never expected Rob Lucci being her second VIP customer from the other night to be so… stress relieving.
The reason behind it was probably because she finally saw a familiar person from the outside. Stuck in her designated spot, the faces she saw as a customer were pirates, common people, marines and at times, nobles. But for the first time in three years, the very familiar individual suddenly came, asked for her in VIP rooms and was shocked when she realized his identity. At first, she thought he was just an uptight black suited customer who just called her in coincidence. But when she caught on his weird behavior, it came to her that she was serving the most dangerous assassin and she was pouring a glass of wine for him.
She recalled the other night when she caught his glass from falling, remembering being confused why he was deliberately doing it but didn't question him. When she caught his attack behind her neck—that was the moment she recognized him. But one thing she was confused about his attack was his lack of malice behind it. Surely, as a named assassin, he must have been sent to kill her, right?
And of course, the embarrassment she felt that follows after it.
Connecting the dots why she chosen as his hostess, she assumed he was sent by her 'master' for her… intimate services. But when he clarified but he wasn't interested, she was glad that it wasn't the case and profusely apologize to not misunderstand her relief.
The continuation of her services for the rest of the night was rather short. Now knowing his identity, she kept her mouth shut when he asked her, repeated dodging his questions as answers. When he realized she was no longer divulging any information, he left without a word while leaving a tip at the table.
It may sound weird coming from her, but she's really, really glad he requested her in his presence. Even though their talk was short, that was probably relieving experience she felt even since she was taken by the Celestial Dragon. Her talks to the customer prior to the arrival of the assassin, was very, very boring and a stifling practice.
Her shift is nearly ending for the night. She wiped the tables until it was shining clean. Already at the last table, she brought the empty glasses to the kitchen until someone called for her.
"Green, someone called for you in VIP room 4."
She put the glass at the counter. "Huh? Isn't the customers already gone?"
"They said it was a surprise." Her fellow hostess shrugged before she went on to do her business.
That was the same room as Rob Lucci-san… She mused while cleaning the glasses and wiped her hands before she went to her destination.
"Coming in." She knocked at the door and she opened it, revealing the waiting person at the sofa—
"Well, if it isn't my favorite hostess."
She gaped in surprise. "Mast—!"
"Close the door first." The person in front of her simply said as she silently obeyed.
"What's the occasion for your visit, master?" She walked beside them.
"Sit down and don't call me 'master'. I'm your customer for tonight."
She gave him a wry smile. "You came at the right time. We're about to close."
They loudly laughed. "Sarcasm truly does suits you best! Keep up the good work!"
She let out a groan and sighed. She was already tired to put up with her master.
"Well, don't worry. I won't stay long so my business here will be brief."
She perked up at those words as her master stood up and walked around her.
"Stay there." She stiffened at her spot when she was about to turn around. She hears a clinking sound behind before she felt a warm body from her back. Hands came to her peripheral vision with something in-between as it touched her neck with a tight grasp. She brought her hands to her neck, feeling an arrowhead pendant hanging. A double choker?
"This is my second gift for your success."
Her second gift… She looked down, trying to look at her choker even she can't see it. Her first gift from them was the steel prosthetic that was currently attached to her right arm, the day after they revealed himself as her 'master', given to her in the same manner as of now. But what success are they talking about? She didn't do anything to satisfy them—
Ah. Don't tell me…
"That's right." They responded, as if reading her mind. "You managed to satisfy Rob Lucci of all people."
"But…" She remembered his 'leaves to be desired' words. "I didn't…?"
"Sure, you didn't. But the mission was successful."
The… what? "How is that related…?"
"Poor Lucci. I even have to temporarily pull him out from his current mission for your evaluation. But you, Green Hostess, managed to please him. That would wash away his problems after your services, even though it's only temporarily."
She gave them a blank stare. Wah… as expected from her master. As a Celestial Dragon, their authority was undeniably absolute.
Oh. Speaking of Celestial Dragon…
"That reminds me, master. Why is it that you don't have that…um…"She made an arc over her head. "The bubble thing?"
"Oh? Where did the thought came from?"
She blinked, pondering. That did came out of nowhere. "A train of thought…?"
They chuckled at her answer. "I don't need it in the first place."
Really? She tilted her head, scratching her head. As far as she can remember, the Celestial Dragon who caught her has it…
"That's not the only purpose why I gave you that." Her master started, shifting the topic. "There are other two things that came with it." They lifted a finger. "First, consider the gift… as an exchange."
"An exchange?" She blinked in confusion.
"That's the story for another day. Second, the gift... is a form of congratulatory."
"…isn't that the same as success?"
"No, no, no. That's not what I meant." They put their hand on her shoulders. "It's a promotion."
"Huh?" She looked up to them, stunned.
"You will be no longer be named as Green Hostess. From now on, you have officially been promoted as CONSORT."
"What…?"
The master gave her a smile. "You are finally free, dear CONSORT. In the outside world, you will be making a name for yourself in the ambitious ocean and race into the history."
She stood, speechless. Gazing at her master in shock, the revelation was something she didn't expect to hear. But also, at the same time…
She had no idea what her future entails is gonna be from now on.
a/n: originally, this was supposed to be a one-shot OC/ReaderxRob Lucci but then something like this happened:
my brain, holding me at gunpoint: make this a multi-chaptered story and expand this shit.
me, an exhausted author who already got multiple wips: o-o-okay.
Then, this happened. Not LITERALLY what happened, it's actually my fault for having so much ideas that I just cant help but write. For clarifications, my girl (the OC in this story) is based on the OC from my older work, which is a (unpublished) one piece fanfic. But the difference between them is the age. OC here is an adult while the other one is a kid. kid!OC doesn't have a prosthetic arm yet and OC here already had one. In other words, what I had originally planned from the older one piece fanfic will be applied to this story.
When is chapter 2(or 1) is gonna be posted? It depends what response this story is gonna get, since I'm already busy on the other ones. If you want a faster update from this story, you can give a review what you think of the story.
But IF you want to make a review in this story, then here's the topic that I'm actually curious to hear: do you think she (OC) was genuine the whole time when she served Lucci in the VIP room?
I hope you enjoyed reading the story and if you want to reach me out, I have a tumblr (shameless pluuuuuggg) named optimistic-royal.
See ya next chapter!