Party Week Hell
There is no bravery,
Not in love.
It is either Beauty and Opportunity,
Lust and Longing,
Or
Insanity and Desperation.
Beware all bravery in the latter most of all,
For its charms are poison,
Its desires selfish,
And It's thirst endless.
~Monday~
Four days till party
"-I assure you, we have always danced on the ice."
Nami's heart fluttered. Though she didn't show it, instead putting on a confidant, nay, smug grin. "I called it."
"What was that Nami dear?" Sanji poked his head up from his monitor.
"Just called it, about the author adding a line."
"Ah that's our team lead." He raised his cup of tea in salute.
"Was it one you said on your not-date?" Zoro asked over the edge of his loose glasses.
"Go to hell and buy me a cold beer." She bit, smirking as Perona and Sanji giggled.
"You both know that means i'm right, right?"
"Yes, very impressive. Honestly, any pattern recognition from plant life is impressive." Sanji said. Zoro glared, Nami rolled her eyes. They had shaken off last week's tension over the weekend. Which Nami was grateful for. Her christmas wish list consisted of two things, a peaceful week and kickass party. She tuned the boys out as they started arguing, and turned off her impulse alarm as it rang out, inking her pen.
"Nami, good, I caught you before you started. Make sure you Invite Vivi to the party." Robin was wrapping a scarf around her neck.
"Invite her?" Nami sat straight, "But, she's new, isn't it-"
"You're well into draft two now. It's time to get her mingling with the other authors." Nami frowned. That was fair. Vivi never talked about going out much, and she found the time to handwrite a lot of notes. Half pound letter kind of notes. Definitely introverted behaviour. If she didn't properly socialize Vivi with other authors she wouldn't build a community support network.
But the Christmas Party was a depraved-author attended, fetish filled, free-bar warzone. Nami was already getting her pre-week nightmares.
"She's too young." Too pure.
"She's thirty one." Robin replied, an amused smile in place.
"This is her first book. It's too soon to expose her." Nami wouldn't beg, but she could get close. But of course Robin knew her too well, she huffed on her nails, rubbing them on her coat.
"Thank you Nami. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. though it's curious…"
Nami frowned, realizing that Robin was still her boss, and could give her orders, for now.
"What's so curious?" she looked back and her blank letter, crestfallen. The party… Next year she might be suffering pre-month nightmares.
"That you've evaded it thus far."
"Evaded what?" She turned back, Robin was well off down the hall, waving over her shoulder.
"Wait, you still don't know?" Zoro looked up with an amused and confused grin.
"No, tell me?"
"No!" Perona was standing. "I won't allow it! If you tell her she is going to implode and ruin it!"
"Bullshit, now tell me!"
Zoro, for his part, seemed to consider it. Then shrugged. "Per-snickety is right on this one."
"You're kidding… i can just find out on my own." Nami set the pen aside and pulled forward her keyboard.
"I'd agree with Robin on this… there is a reason you haven't looked it up this far." Sanji said.
"You too huh?" Nami leaned back, staring at the apologetic looking Sanji.
"It's out of love." Sanji offered, and Nami sighed.
"Fine… I won't look. But i swear if anything happens at the party to scar this innocent sweet woman, i will kill whoever is responsible.
"Just how much of a maiden are you expecting?" Zoro grinned when she met his eyes. She didn't retaliate, and picked up her pen again.
By Monday evening Nami was reading Vivi's reply to her invitation. Vivi was declining. Nami should be stressing about the requirement of getting Authors to attend. Not about the sinking feeling in her chest. She had assumed that Vivi would be thrilled to go. Out of the long process that was editing, this was one of the few things that could be considered adventure-ish. Why?
"Oh?" Nami jumped, turning to face Luffy who was leaning over her shoulder… "Vivi doesn't want to come?" Nami felt the table look at her. Damn Luffy just had to announce it. "Did you make it sound boring?"
Nami frowned. "Hell no. i don't know why-" She met Zoro's eyes. Everyone craved a bit of anonymity. "She'd come if it was a masquerade."
"No." Kalifa appeared. "Absolutely not, the night would no doubt end early due to the debauchery, not to mention there is less than a week. There is no time to update the guests, and even-"
"Then it will be." Luffy beamed.
"I swear I'll quit." Kaflia called at the laughing Luffy, and then stared at Nami with loathing. She'd made another enemy. Oh well. Not like her pay could go down.
"It'll work out. Make sure to make it sound fun this time! I'm sure she'll have a blast!" Luffy clapped her shoulder, and walked off. "I'm gonna go pick out my mask!"
"As a Editor, more so one who envies the chief position so badly, you think you would be more considerate with your words."
"That's a matter of perspective." Robin called from her doorway, arms crossed. "Wouldn't you agree Nami?"
"Perspective." Kalifa's voice was a hammer of disdain. "Money is being eaten through at an unbelievable pace, so shortly after my concerns went unanswered, and now loose mouthed editors are prodding Mr. Monkey's imagination. I'd say let the girl stay home, save the company some money."
"That's where you're rotten…. So uncute." Perona chided, and Kalifa gave her venomous side eye. "We make investments in people most of all."
"Do i even have to mention your numbers, your volume alone is-"
"-She's in the green profit wise." Zoro bit. "She's made the Sunny more money than you have."
Kalifa clicked her tongue. "What a cute nest." she bit, clacking her heels as she went. Nami sighed. It wasn't looking good for the peaceful week.
"I suppose i should let Kuina know the dress code has changed." Sanji pushed back from the desk, "How much are masks this time of year?" he asked, putting the phone to his ear, and typing into his computer.
That was a good question. And one that she should have considered prior to telling Luffy. No doubt that Kalifa wouldn't let Him make it a work expense, even if Nami really thought it should be.
By Tuesday morning She had sent Chopper with another letter. She wondered while she waited, if it was impatient of her to include what exactly Luffy's Masquerade would be. Full costume, masks. And to ensure it, she had added on the idea of using a Pen Name for the party, as well as assuring her she was allowed a plus one. After all there was no better time to choose one, than before the first book. Pen names that was. Nami face palmed.
She shook it off, and went about her work. She would know soon enough if Vivi would be attending, and by consequence, if she had just wasted Luffy's money or not.
…
~Tuesday Night~
Three days until the party
"The what?" Perona asked, holding the cultist's shoulders, and Usopp stepped back, looking at the blood soaked floor, bodies strewn about. Usopp had long since claimed the ritual daggers, putting them far away from the apparent cult leader.
"From the nether world, the old, the forgotten, they come!" the woman was rambling, hands in her hair, her eyes intense and wild. "Run from the sun, it is his prey. Prey we are, prey we are, prey we are!"
Perona shrieked, and shrank back from the woman, colliding with Usopp. He grunted as he hit the wall, the woman stalked forward, staring at them both and Usopp was nearly screaming, until her eyes diverted, suddenly fixated on something in the darkest corner of the red lit room. Usopp rubbed Peronas back until she quieted down, and looked at the candle, burning down to their doom. It wouldn't be long now. Usopp started to shake, wondering how it'd gotten like this.
"I can't get her to go back. She's completely gone. What are we going to do?" she had fisted her hands into his coat. He scanned the bodies and blood, the cult leader mumbling to herself in the darkest corner. The door was still barred by the last heavy chain, and the key to its lock was in a code box. The candle, with its light waning and flickering from its table center of the room, slowly burning out, counting down their time left alive. Then last to the table behind him, filled with the knives, and the cryptics scrolls with foriegn, eldritch characters etched into them. Somewhere in that mess was the code.
Funny, now that the light was leaving,they almost seemed to…
"Run from the sun!" He shouted, snatching the papers and crouching. "Stand here." He tugged on her frilly dress, blocking the candle. He flicked his phone's flashlight on, holding it over the papers, and then flicked it off. Four of the five papers had numbers. Two on each. Perona grabbed the code box and pulled it down to his level while the ramblings from the cult leader began to ramp up, only now more guttural, sloppy. The poison no doubt kicking in. Usopp was punching in combo after combo, but with eight numbers and only needing four, each one was denied. Perona grabbed the papers, and rearranged them on the floor.
"Like this!" she shouted, and looked to the candle, nearly out. The left numbers ran one through four. The room was so dark that she had to illuminate the code box. Usopp wiped the sweat from his brow, typing in the code.
He sighed as it beeped open, snatching the key and running for the door, he fumbled with the key, Perona shouted behind him to hurry. He heard the thud of the cult leader, and twisted the key.
The chain dropped with a deep horrid clang. Usopp pushed out, falling over as Perona attempted to push past him. He lost his balance and grabbed her, bringing them both to the ground.
"Ow." she moaned, pushing up, still fully on top of him. Usopp opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the timer on the outside of the room. They'd beaten the room. With a second left. He was panting, sweaty, and terrified.
"We won!" he sighed. That perked her up, he knew by the way her weight came back.
"We did it! How much time did we- Oh my gods!" she pulled him up so he was sitting, and nearly tackled him back down in a hug. "I was so scared! It was so realistic!"
"I told you I knew a place." he said.
"But the blood was so accurate! And the smell, oh the horrid immersive, nightmarish smell, and the textures!"
"Yeah," he cocked his head. "I don't know why you had to touch the elder meat."
"Oh i'm glad it wasn't really real. But also, I totally clutched up on the code breaking." She said, sliding off of him, and standing. Usopp stood as well, noting the eyes on them from the waiting players. No wonder they had charged him a premium for the two player round, everyone in line were grouped in packs of eight.
"True you did. And the second chain." he slipped his hand around hers, and she pulled him close, taking a selfie, low, catching the timer in the photo. Kissed her cheek right before she snapped the picture, and snatched the phone before she saw the photo.
"Hey, wait! Don't look, I don't know if I look good in it! Seriously!" she cried and he cackled and moved towards the door, looking at the picture, holding it up out of her reach.
The picture was… he didn't have words for it. She looked how his chest felt right then. The light of the place made her eyes pop, shiny, and her lips were parted, her peace sign faltering, and her cheeks red as he kissed her. He stopped right outside the venue, sending the picture to himself before handing the phone back.
"You brat! You know I have terrible photogenic luck, and you've already sent it! What if i look ug-"
"You look beautiful." Usopp grabbed her hand, kissing its back, and pulled her in, zipping up her coat while she stared at him, picture forgotten. He smirked as he topped out the zipper, using the tassel to pull her in. He wouldn't lie, there was some evil joy in leaning down into the kiss. Today she was a foot shorter, with low heels instead of platforms. She pushed back into the kiss, taking breaths, and turning her head to get a better angle, introducing tongue, before batting his chest with her free hand lightly.
"Jerk, you're distracting me!" she looked back to her phone. He waited and watched with joy as her scowl melted into a small smile.
Perona didnt smile alot. Scowls, frowns, glares, she could say it all with a look. But her smiles were like tiny moments of… perfection. And he couldn't help but want to see more of them.
"You really are you know." he wrapped an arm over her shoulders, looking down at the picture with her.
"I'm glad you think so. It's hard work after all." they stared walking the wonderland city, cold as it was pretty. They were only a few blocks from her place, he noted as such as they turned onto her road. Halted construction on half the street, tearing up the once pristine double row of trees. And on their left, townhouses until the light, then a corner store, and the start of the apartment cluster.
Hard work. Usopp knew it was, even if he didnt know how much. And she was always passing. He knew Perona passed at work, and on all their dates. Most likely for the little stuff to. He couldn't help but wonder if she did it at home too. He wanted to find out. Wanted to see if she rushed to the bathroom first thing in the morning to fix her bed-head, even when he wasn't there. No, she probably did it at the make-up desk she had.
"What are you thinking so hard about?" she was closer, pressing herself to him, looking up while he gently guided them down the sidewalk. He could be honest. Wanted to be because he knew she would blush. And he really liked her blushes as well.
"I wanna see you with bed-head."
"What? Why would you want to see that?"
He shrugged, smile in place because he was right. "I think it'd be cute." she sighed into his arm, still heated.
"It… looks terrible." she muttered.
"You've seen mine."
"That doesn't count!" she hit the crosswalk button. "The afro just smushes and bounces back. But mine gets knots and nests. Totally uncute." there was more she wasn't saying. She had that same look she'd had at the tattoo shop. The crosswalk beeped.
"How about early morning you? Pre-coffee, rubbing at your eyes, and still warm from bed."
"You're fixated on my morning looks… you're not still mad i kicked you out are you?" she looked up, and he met her eyes, bringing them to a stop. He bent down, kissing her head.
"Not at all." A hand rubbed her cheek, and his heart jumped with how she leaned in, relaxed.
"Good." she sighed. But he could tell she was still troubled as they moved again. Biting her lip and looking anywhere but at him.
"You're anxious." he rubbed her shoulder with the arm over her shoulders. They were approaching her house now. By this time on their other dates they had been spinning down the sidewalk, bumping into trees and mailboxes, and the small brick building fronts, kissing, blind to their surroundings until Perona had gotten the key into her building and whisked him off to her lair.
"Its nothing." she smiled, stopping them in front of her building. She looked at it behind her, and then to him, only now the worry was taken over by want. Her hands snuck under his coat. "I had a lot of fun tonight."
"I'm glad." Usopp said, his hands slipping to her waist, bringing her in until there was no space at all. He snuck a steadying breath, recalling his reddit insomnia, and the promise he had made to himself to do this right. He could already tell her intentions. If he didnt take control of the situation, he'd lose control fast. So he made the first move, diving for a kiss, but placed it on her cheek, and withdrew to a confused goth. Then he pulled back, putting just a step of space in between them, still holding her.
"You don't want to come up?"
"Trust me I do." he started. "But i just… feel like i need to prove that i wanted to spend time with you. That i wasn't doing this just for that." her eyes widened, and he saw the start of tears in them. His chest went hollow and he moved in, catching the first one before it fell. "Whoa, i-" but he was silenced by her lips smashing against his. She advanced on him, pushing until he was backed against a tree, and still she tried to get closer, breaking for air only when his lungs were on the end of their endurance. Even then he managed to get little air before she was on him again, wet drops pelting his coat.
"Say it again." She was tugging at him, keys out and he wondered what he had missed, he could still taste her chapstick and before he knew it he was up the stairs, and through the door, pressed against the elevator.
"That I wanted to spend time with you?" he tried, and she hummed into the kiss. The elevator dinged open and they spun in, as they had rehearsed recent nights.
"Again." she begged, breaking away only to smash a hand against her floor button.
"You." he said, grabbing her arm, control long gone.
"Me." She looked drunk, but fierce. "I'm not all waxed bikini lines and soft legs."
"That's fine." he said, looking her in the eye, before biting down on her neck. It drew a moan and he relished how she tensed and shuddered.
"I'm not always all dresses and make up." she said as if to warn him. He pressed her against the wall, his hands pushing her frilly dress up by the handful, grabbing her bottom, feeling the lace silk and losing his mind.
"Less is more." he whispered next to her ear, hefting her into his arms. Her breath caught and he seized the moment, taking her lips again. The elevator dinged again and he carried her to her door. Holding her against it, not releasing her lips for even a second as she fumbled blindly with the lock.
Her house was dark, but he knew the path. Her bedroom door lay open, and she broke the kiss as they passed the threshold.
"Stop."
he did, instantly, setting her down carefully. She was panting, and even in the dark he could see the hunger radiating off her. And his pants hid nothing. She had a finger against his questioning lips, and looked behind her. "Just...One minute." she said, and pulled away, disappearing to her bathroom.
He heard the water running, a zipper being undone. He removed his coat, unlacing his shoes immediately after, and then took off his shirt, the entire time watching the door. When his pants and socks and underwear had gone as well, he moved to the bed, waiting.
Another minute and the door opened, there, awash in the golden glow of the light behind her, Perona, nervous, and naked aside from her knee socks. Her make up was gone, the color and shine replaced by smooth skin. She had never done that around him, exposed her real jawline, and the placement of her cheek bones.
"I… have aggressive facial hair. And back hair and its not always easy to pay for waxing… i'm not smooth skin, and soft curves under it all, my morning after, my weekends, i'm not the woman you see on the street, i really am-"
"-you." Usopp said. She bit her lip and he moved forward, losing the privacy of a well placed pillow and held out a hand. "You." he said again. This time not the end of a sentence, but a choice. She moved closer, shaking, but braved a hand out.
"...Are you sure?" Her voice was tiny, "In the world of women there are better options, ones that don't grow beards, and have tits, and-" He pulled her in, placing her center of the bed, in a nest of pillows and kissed her. Kissed her cheeks, her jaw, down her neck and chest. Before hovering over her, looking int her eyes, and brushed away the last tear, and let his palm cup her cheek, angling her just right.
"You."
…
'Your just a heartless prick.'
'Is that what I am tonight?' the cigarette was ashed, his shadows projecting onto the wall for Zoro to see.
'Fuck Sanji…' Zoro shook his head. 'You just really don't care anymore. I don't even have to ask. You're out of love with me.'
'There you go again.' the shadow danced and fresh smoke filled the room. 'Jumping to conclusions.'
'You know what!' Zoro roared, grabbing a bag
'Let me guess-'
Zoro's alarm sounded. He slapped it silent, and shivered. His blanket was too thin, and he had a cold sweat. He threw the drenched blanket aside and rubbed his eyes as he sat up. Humpday was living up to its name right from the start today. He grumbled and made for the shower.
And from that point Zoro found himself unable to get warm. Kuina had used all the hot water, leaving Zoro the ice in the middle of winter, which was fine, because she had also made breakfast. Though she was up at four, and he was up at half past seven, so it was cold on the table.
He had managed to donate Sanji coat, but hadnt yet gotten a new one, and the uber to work was little time to warm from the chill. But what was he, if he couldn't at least trudge on. Bitter and mean about all of it right back at nature who hurled her fury. What had Kuina written, beauty is nothing on a bitch? Something like that.
To top it off, he was later than usual. Cheaper ride and all. The guy had seemed pleasant, little to conversative. But he was here now, in the promised warmth of Sunny, and damn Kalifa, the thermostat was at sixty-eight. Half the staff were islanders! Itd take him hours to thaw. He set his folder down at his desk, nodding to Nami. He kept his scarf as he went for the breakroom. It was worth its weight in gold right now for his heat economy.
Sanji and Gin sat at a table, both looking miserably hungover. Zoro quirked a brow. It was Wednesday. Though Nami didnt look hungover. Maybe he had overlooked it. Zoro ignored them, looking for his mug. It wasn't there, nor the sink, he looked at the table.
Gin.
Zoro rolled his eyes, it wouldn't be worth it. He grabbed one of the chipped, basic gray mugs. As he figured, old, and cold. That was disappointing. Not only his last haven from the chill for the day. But he had also hoped that by some chance this would have been the second pot. Sanji's nine O-clock brew. But no, this was still Robin's sixty-thirty. At least it was strong. He didn't have the extroversion to handle making a pot of coffee in the same room with what was maybe the aftermath of…
That aside he dipped his head at the miserable fools and went to double check before he assumed anything today.
But Nami was fine. Healthy color. But she was tired… nothing new. He cast a glance at Perona. Exhausted, but bright… a new normal. But today it was just too bright. Hell if he was hungover he'd be hiding from her in the breakroom too. But not even the other new guy was in there.
So then, that meant…
That it was none of his business. He cracked his neck, and focused his mind on the objects on his desk. Folder, purpose, computer, timelines… but Kuina's manuscript was locked. The five-percenters were doing their magic with the rest now. As for his other Authors… he groaned. He'd been here eleven years. Back then the crew was so small one editor had been able to cross manage if they had the skill set. He had authors on deadlines for releases from February to August, Romance, Ero, Adventure, hell he' had a Sci-fi war saga in the mix now for seven years. Its popularity was growing, but by single digits. Money sinks most of them.
Every year felt like college. Relearning half the genre each time, and just as he mastered it, the book was locked, and the fine, needle sharp specialty he had just built was useless on the next deadline. He believed in no god, but Hell was very real…
Not that reminding himself of all this helped him in any way. His leg still bounced, his foot stubbornly pointing to the breakroom. He still wondered and still wanted to ask questions…
Funny, this time last year had been the last of his luxury, sending off Kuina's first book, finger crossed, loving boyfriend at his side. Hope beating out worry as the holiday cheer tried its best to lift his heart from worry.
This year his miracle had come. His sister was home. He'd lost the boyfriend. Now nothing would be able to distract him from the yearly grind except his wild, unwelcome thoughts.
For instance, his mind had pointed out that the last time Sanji had done hungover hump day two weeks in a row, had been when Zoro had been trying for his attention.
Or how good Sanji was at pool.
How drunk and honest he got after a beer or two.
Or how cold he still was.
Today was not going to be a good day. He was jumping to no conclusions there.
"You want a ride home today?" Nami asked. She was looking at the screen, what she did when she didn't want to show her concern.
"Could i talk you into taking me to a good coat store?"
"There's one at the mall. You could buy me dinner." That was some classic Nami. it actually made Zoro smile a little.
"Kuina has been insistent on cooking every meal. How about you join us?" Nami actually met his eyes then. Her concern melted, and she looked… proud. Happy.
"I'd like that."
Maybe the day was gone, but the night would be good.
"I warn you, she likes to have sake with dinner and she is a lightweight. Last night it ended in a vicious game of battleship."
…
~Thursday~
One day until Party
Six-thirty was far too early for many to be at work. But unlike the CEO, she was punctual. So she opened the building in the mornings. She made the coffee first, and while it brewed she turned the heat on. The first being the one actually effective, and the second would be as good as gone whenever Kalifa showed... After coffee it was email work. Replying to midnight crisis questions. Some authors would be up, others would be taking long, needed naps, and would reply around noon. Her only distraction from the mundane was the coin flip. Romance-one was a problematic table as far as worker relations went. And for all the layers of stories between them, as well as the variable of Perona, she could still foresee what the day had in store, by seeing who got in first.
Zoro first meant a smooth day. Steady, good flow. Generally three cups of coffee.
Nami, the most common, meant productive. Four cups, ferried by interns.
Sanji arrived with thunder clouds if he was first. One cup of tea, a masterfully crafted silver lining to his turmoil. And lunch out on her.
And Perona meant an unproductive day. Five bored cups of coffee, and time for her own wandering mind. Which had been becoming more common. It seemed Perona was lazy when she was happy. A vexing position for a boss and friend.
And today the door opened at Seven-o-six. With a surprise. Marco was the first in. She didn't know what to think about that. Aside from one time when Luffy had gotten in before her, or Kalifa's inventory days, no one beside Romance-one had ever shown up second.
She wondered what kind of day he would bring. She needed a refill then anyways.
"Good Morning Chief." He said, well awake. No, not with those bags. Chipper despite exhaustion. He really was putting his best face forward.
"Are you sure you don't mean goodnight?"
"That obvious?" he offered the pot, and she leaned her cup out.
"I'm afraid to ask if you got any at all." She admitted.
"I did not." Marco nodded, and smiled. "Happy surprise, but," He shrugged "Gin took his time telling me about it ya know?" Perona came to Robin's mind.
"I do." Surprises. There were two now today. Still only coincidence. But it was looking likely that this was Marco's, for lack of a more clever word, theme. "You're meeting your author again today right, at two?"
He nodded.
"There's an air mattress in the supply closet, take the second breakroom, rest at least, sleep if you can."
"Would that really be okay?"
"The authors deserve a well rested editor's work. So if it helps, you can consider it a job requirement." she smiled. He cracked a grin, his eyes droopy as he considered his coffee. "Really Marco. You need rest, and you're new enough most of the work is submission reading, or work your table mates pawned off on you still."
"Well, I won't put up a fight against mandated napping." He poured his cup out in the sink.
"Theres a sign in there to be hung on the door window. Sunny is quite used to employee naps. I promise you won't be bothered."
"And i promise not to make a habit of this." He bowed his head as he passed her. Smile in place. A happy surprise, a neutral surprise. So if it was a pattern then she'd see an unhappy surprise next. Her coffee filled and employee taken care of, she went back to her office. Refreshing her emails. Noting that she still hadn't gotten a response from Brook's manager. She had thought she had done a good job. She'd even okay'd three different invitations, one to the party, one for a private visit, in case he want to avoid detection, and the third, a visit to him with a small professional crew that'd represent Sunny. Luffy had been generous enough to offer to pay for it too.
By now she could count the party out entirely for Brook. And the more she thought about it, the more she realized that he might not want to remember the city. Might not want to come back at all. She had left the third offer open for any date. Three more weeks, and then she'd assume the email had been ignored, or he wasnt interested. Three more weeks before she'd think about retiring, and digging out the old manuscripts.
She'd had that exit plan in place for years now. Retire on her savings, and become a writer. Nami was aggressive, and trying to push her into retirement early. Robin saw another twenty years. Nami saw two. But that alone was the eagerness of youth. Something Nami had stubbornly held onto for the last ten years. Indeed Nami was the next in. Forecast was set; Productive, be on the lookout for surprises.
Seven-thirty brought nothing.
Eight brought Zoro
By eight-thirty Table one was filled.
And nine brought the surprise. A phone call. She knew it. This would be the printers for sure. Or one of her authors panicking and trying to rewrite the novel... or bailing on the party. She let it ring again, taking a deep breath.
"Hello?"
"Good morning, by any chance have i reached Ms. Nico?" a light voice. She looked out her office blinds, seeing Gin coming in, talking to Marco about something, and then Sanji and the rest of Table one. Perona rose and went to the window.
"This is her. Can i ask who this is?"
"Oh forgive me! My Name is Brook, i was calling in regards to your lovely idea. And well I got a bit carried away. To summarize, i was wondering if you would give me a tour of the building?"
This was it. It was actually happening. She bit her lip and looked at the toy car.
"Of course! When would you like to visit?" she pulled up her calendar app, looking at what she had already planned.
"Forgive me again, but i'm already here. I was coming for the Masquerade and couldn't contain my excitement to meet you all."
That was… great, shocking, surprising, but great.
"You're already here? As in, the city?"
"The parking lot, i'm afraid." She looked back up, seeing more people crowded around the window.
"I'll be right down then!" she said with a calm, chipper voice, while she panicked out of her seat and moved for the door. He was here in the parking lot, at nine sharp.
"Mister Monkey, surely that's too much." Robin started, watching as Luffy poured two snifters. She didn't even realize he kept whisky in the building. But she should have guessed.
"Please Ms. Nico, Robin…" Brook took the offered whisky. "Feel no need to join us. But this is rather perfect." Brook said with a large smile. Luffy laughed lightly and reclined in his chair, looking at one of the many pictures on his desk.
"Well, then…" she paused. Proper procedure here was what? When in Rome? Luffy met her eyes, and she nodded. What the hell. Not like she would have the chance to drink at the party. She lifted her own snifter. Wine was more her style, but there had been an age where she had learned alot about higher end whisky. This was a Makino 20-year. Retailed for ten-thousand a bottle. She had tasted it once before, delightful. But He'd spit it out. She swallowed, resisted the urge to shake her to clear her mind. Luffy was making his whisky face, and she was glad he didnt drink often. Brook however passed his sip with minimal controting.
"I must say I didn't expect to be drinking whisky with the CEO. On such short notice. Surely I'm disrupting something?"
"I assure you, you are not. To be honest I have it too good here. I find myself looking for things to do at my own company."
Brook laughed, and wiped a tear from his eye, Luffy laughing as well.
"All thanks to Robin i'm sure."
"Mostly." Luffy said. "In all honesty I owe it to every member of my staff." He was looking at the pictures again, and a fond smile on his lips. "Dedication, passion, and effort in the face of everything. That's why I don't have to worry about bottom lines, or profits. Because in all their many forms, my team doesn't quit. they don't let eachother quit."
"You become acquainted with a certain level of shit-shining in my job. Alot of people telling me wonderful lies. Never have I ever believed it until I saw it. But today i saw it for myself. I can see, and feel the truth of your words. Tell me Luffy, would this change if your Sunny grew?"
"You mean if it became profitable?" Brook dipped his head. "There would be a different CEO, if she'd accept it." Luffy passed her a glance. Did he mean-? "But she has a heart as big as mine at least."
"And what would you do?" Robin asked. She had assumed she'd retire. But suddenly she was thinking that maybe she was too young still, sitting next to Brook, who was approaching ninety and still working, for pleasure, rather than money it seemed.
"I'd find another adventure to go on. Maybe I'd start a movie company, and start making movies out of these books already."
"You are impatient like that." Robin said, taking another sip of her glass.
"Something of a Sunny Media group?" Brook asked.
"Exactly like that, after all movies have always been one of our goals."
Robin saw it. Right there in her mind, for just a split second. Nami was stomping around, script in hand, yelling into a headset. Perona was finishing the actors makeup, a movie set.
"We should just do it." the words slipped out. She flushed. Most of her wines were below twenty-five percent. Makino whisky was a one hundred-twenty proof. Sixty percent. Her glass was the lowest. But still she couldn't attribute this to the drink. Nor did she have time to root out the trigger as the men's eyes came to her, expectantly waiting for more.
The metaphorical cards were on the table now. And mine she hated betting, but it was her idea. She had to own it.
"I have my own small fortune saved up. And it's possible we could pull some talent from our team already. Naturally we would need time to establish the company, get equipment and fill out our talent." She was rambling now, confidant rambling, but still. "I only have ten million of my own." she finsihed. Luffy's brows rose. But he didnt question it. Instead he looked to Brook, brow still up.
"Ten in all around?" Brook asked, raising his glass.
Where was his hesitation, this was just a stupid, off the cuff-
"Thirty million isn't a bad budget." Luffy had his own glass up, and both sets of eyes came back to her. Eleven fifteen on a thursday. What a origin story.
"To sunny media then." she raised her own glass, and clinked it to theirs.
Now what the hell was she going to do?