A week from the news article being posted.
"Pull!" Domino grunted as her and other marines lifted the last wall frame from the ground and held in it place as other carpenters worked furiously to get the nails and walls secure. The crew they had gathered up held the rope taut until one of the carpenters gave them a big thumbs up with a smile. They all dropped the ropes and nodded to each other at a job well done.
Domino smiled to herself and shielded her eyes from the sun as she watched the workers move around the framework trying to clean up the area before the next shift came in. She then nodded and wiped the sweat away from her face and turned around to see the crowd of disgruntled citizens watching curiously as they worked. Her smile dropped and she shook her head grabbing a water bottle and drinking it quickly as others did the same.
"Good job captain." One of her men commented patting her back as she nodded and wiped her mouth "How many more houses do we got?" She asked gathering her breath. The man looked at her wide eyed. He couldn't believe it she actually responded to the likes of him. He was from the former Marine crew who's captain ruled over with an iron fist. He knew of her reason's of sparing him from the stockade but was shocked to her ask a question so simply.
"Um.." he responded. She gave a light smile and shrugged then looked past him to another man who was carrying planks of wood. "Avery! Why are you carrying wood? Isn't there sick people you should be looking over?" She asked and then looked back to the man in front of her and patted his shoulder.
"Take a break sir Your reaction times a little slow you may be dehydrated or something." She stated and gave him a light smile before jogging over to the darker man carrying the planks on his shoulder who was audibly complaining about her grabbing the planks and pointing towards the crowd.
Domino watched as a thin and bald Avery dragged his feet over to the crowd. She had tasked all medics on the island to look over any of the more malnourished workers. Which was not something they could be doing if they where carrying supplies to build more houses for the homeless. She smiled and turned away eyeing the next empty slot where the boards needed to go and paused slightly, taking a second to glance at the eyes that watched her from the alley ways. Before heading towards her destination.
The eyes from the ally ways where the former partners of the previous Captain of this base who unfortunately was no longer among the inhabitants of this island.
However, those eyes that watched her didn't know that. They only knew what they wanted to believe. They wanted to believe that this man was still alive and would somehow undermine Domino from the depths of the Marines and bring back what they had. An overworked population of slaves that hated the previous captain for ruling them and hated her for being there.
She didn't care that they hated her in fact it made her happy, they now had the choice and if they chose to hate her then she still succeeds, however the eyes that watched her. They only wanted the money, the people, and her obedience.
She wasn't stupid, to her wealthy people were wealthy because they where smart so they would find a way to make money. And for that she held some respect. But they would never get her obedience. She just hoped she could help the people break free of the hold these eyes had on them. Yet the large groups of workers watching her with distaste as her crew worked and yelled taunts made her feel as if the marines had a long way to go.
She dropped the boards on a pile and stretched her arms watching the crowds move and part as Marines walked through mending the base and the town that until recently was bustling with plenty of travelers. But now that there was a new Marine presence that too died off.
Which let her know that this island wasn't a big tourist place it was more of a place to do business at which was a notable difference. It had a few hotels, a bustling shopping district, but more bars and gambling halls then anything else.
Domino finished pulling her arms above her head before walking back over towards the crowd.
This island was a summer island for sure, it was constantly hot and the sun was always shinning. This island would be a good climate for wild Moon-flowers. But she never had enough time to search for such things so instead she stayed with the glowing looks of the crowd to cheer her on.
She watched their faces morph in disgust as she walked to grab her water bottle and tilt her head back. She felt all the urges to hold up her hand and wave slightly when a little kid who looked no more then 4 pushed himself from the crowd.
He was skinny, barefoot and his tanned skin was mostly covered in dirt and while he didn't smile Domino could tell he was missing a few teeth. She put her drink down and watched as some of the group tried to pull him back when he kept walking his eyes locked on her.
She let out a light smile and knelt down. Her baggy marine pants fanned outwards and her muscle shirt barely moved as she leaned over to him.
"Ms. Marine..." He asked her softly his little fist at his side.
"Yes sir?" She asked him. Expecting a cute remark when he closed his eyes and yelled "Will you please kill yourself!" He shouted at the top of his lungs.
This stopped the crew from their work and the crowd who had stayed mostly quiet now rose in cheers and hollers. She looked at the little kid. A dagger going through her heart as she swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded.
"Sure when do you want me too? Now or after I build you and you're friends a new home to live in." She stated with a smile and stood up walking to the crowd and holding out her arms "I can kill myself like you asked if that's what you really want, but then you'd go back to the way you were." She stated as someone called out her marines now following her lead and standing close behind her.
"Yeah peace and money!" Someone yelled. Domino narrowed her eyes and watched as the yes from the alley ways appeared brighter. They were still controlling the people. And as she watched the people turn on her and yell she shook her head. Twisting her wrists as she spoke.
"Peace? Is that why you raised your weapons together in the first place? Because you were living in peace." She asked them. She was careful not to move to much as she still twisted her wrist feeling her vines slither around the alleys. Not as an attack but a warning to those eyes in the alleys.
She looked around at both groups and scoffed "If that was peace then I hope I never know it." She watched the crowd as they murmured. "You guys did the right thing. You were pushed by someone who wasn't supposed to be pushing and you fought back. That is a good thing. I promise you. We are not here to pick up where he left off. We are here to help provide something he never should of taken from you." She stated watching as their eyes collectively began to shift. She nodded "A peace of mind." She stated before she shook her head as another spoke.
"But with you lousy Marines we won't get any customers." He stated angering the people once more. Yet she saw in some of their eyes that what they where yelling wasn't what they meant. She sighed she was unwilling to give up but the anxiety in her grew and she knew she lost. Because this was all true and she constantly thought about it. The marines being there would cause a lot of problems for these people.
She nodded and began to speak when someone came yelling down the streets "Pirates! Pirates!" They called.
She looked back at her crew who all looked at each other nervously putting down their supplies and the crowd that looked somewhat hopeful.
She held out her hand to her crew and turned around as the Crowd watched her in awe Domino shrugged her bare shoulder reveling battle scares that glistened in the light as the Marine Ensign sat on her back. "There's your money. By all means go get it." She stated "Just remember we are here if you need us." She nodded and looked back to her crew.
"Com'on those houses aren't gonna build themselves we still got daylight left." She called out. She listened as her crew gave her looks before another marine called out "Yeah! Lets build these houses!" she smiled as her crew cheered at each other. She watched as Adaline trotted down from the path that lead to the base to her.
"Domino.." She stated with her chest heaving. "Hmm." Domino responded walking over to a table with blue prints and looking at them.
"There's pirates in the harbors," Domino nodded "Yeap." She stated Adaline just went wide eyed and lowered her head covering the blue prints. "Well? What do you want us to do?" She asked. Domino looked up and smiled "What Marines do. Wait until the most obvious time then yell attack." She giggled.
Adaline rolled her eyes "Domino really. This could be bad for us our defenses are not ready. You have most of the crew working on houses and care, we barely have enough to protect ourselves as it is." Domino held up her hand and placed it at Adalines shoulder.
"You're right." She stated with a smile. Adaline looked taken back. "I know that." She scoffed. "But how do you know that?" She asked concerned at how interested Domino looked at the blue prints. She leaned in when Domino tapped the blueprint.
"Don't make a scene about it. People are watching us." Domino whispered. Adaline wanted to not look around but the first thing she did was scan the area for anyone who may hear them. Adaline would hate if she had to write in her own reports that they failed to catch all the criminals.
Domino sighed "Or look for them. That works too." She then giggled to herself and looked up "listen, calm down. I know we are all frazzled from all this but these people need money so we'll let the pirates spend their money. I want a pair patrolling the shopping district every hour or so but of course mix up when you visit each place for surprised faces that are o so fun to look at. Then I want some Marines drinking and having a good time in a few of the more flashier bars. I want you to frequent some of the bars as well. Just kinda have a presence that's there but not overbearing. " She whispered to Adaline.
She nodded "Right... right sounds good. Some men were talking about going to some bar tonight I'll join Gator and them." She convinced herself and then saw Domino's eyes looking around and a smile spread from cheek to cheek.
"Well hey you know what I think I just might join you." She stated reaching for a rubber band to roll the blueprints when she sighed and couldn't find it.
Adaline tilted her head. "Are you sure girl you haven't slept very well again lately. Maybe you should use tonight to sleep?" She asked now concerned for Domino who furrowed her eyebrows and leaned her head under the table looking for the band.
"Yeah, no, even if I tried to now with pirates on the island, I don't think I could." She frowned and ran her hand through her pulled up hair and then stopped when she felt her hair. It was pulled up with a hair tie. Which is the same thing as a rubber band. Adaline looked at her friend with concern and nodded as Domino pulled down her hair. For a second Adaline saw glimmers of auburn hair before Domino shook out her hair and wrapped the map up.
"Even then... Hey Dom, I think you may need to get a touch up." She stated pointing to her roots. Domino sighed and ran her fingers through her black hair and made a face. "I think I'll need to let it grow out more before I do. Or maybe I'll just buy wigs?" She asked shrugging.
Adaline rolled her eyes and then looked towards the bustling city streets of now un-docking pirates. "I'll spread the word then?" She asked.
Domino looked up in shook "I didn't say I was going to buy wigs!" She whispered yelled. It was Adalines turn to roll her eyes and giggled "No, what you said earlier about drinks?" She asked out loud.
Suddenly it was as if the almost plot of dirt that they stood on was full of eager Marines. "Did you guys say drinks?" They asked crowding around Domino and Adaline.
"Yeah I heard drinks." Another chimed putting down a hammer and walking towards the crowd.
Domino and Adaline looked on speechless.
"Hey guys Commander and Captain are gonna buy us drinks!" Another one shouted much to the cheers of everyone in the crowd of Marines.
Domino ran her hand through her hair and giggled covering her face as Adaline straightened up "Sailor it is rude to listen in on conversations. How dare you spread false information!" She shouted then softened up "It is only Captain who will be buying drinks. I will be supervising." She stated to cheers of marines.
Domino went wide-eyed and looked towards Adaline and the crowd of her faithful crew. "Fine just, let me take a shower. And grab my wallet." She sighed and walked away with heavy shoulders. Domino couldn't help but kick the dirt as she did so. It wasn't that far from the marine base maybe about 30 minuets if she walked really slow. Then maybe 2,3 more hours before she would be able to muster the strength to get some drinks.
But maybe instead she would skip out on drinks and fill out some more paperwork or get an ETA on when the next Captain would come along. No matter what she didn't feel like going out as much. She really had no more drive and it bothered her. It was like she was missing something.
Marco and Thatch walked side by side inspecting the businesses that now flung their doors open and called for them to come in. Marco watched as the locals swarmed the others in front practically pulling the pirates into different shops.
Thatch watched with amusement looking around at the crowded together stores. "You know, they said it was a tourist site, but. Where the tourists?" He asked as Marco nodded looking around. "I guess that's us-yoi." He wrapped his arm around Thatch with a smile.
Thatch smiled as a blue building with stripes began to light up and a large man with wide shoulders and a yellow muscle shirt nodded towards them. "Hey, come grab a drink over here! We got the best booze and Girls!" He called out with a wide smile.
Thatch raised an eyebrow and looked over the place. It seemed bar style enough it had wide open doors with a giant sign saying "Girls, Girls, Booze." In that order. He smirked and tapped Marcos chest "Girl, girls?" He asked with a knowing smile.
Marco rolled his eyes giving a slight nod to the man as they turned "And booze-yoi." He stated as they walked in only to see that the bar was already chalk full of Marines.
Thatch froze "Oops. Marines." He stated turning around when a voice shouted, "Where do you think you're going Pirates!?" Marco sighed taking his hands out of his pockets and preparing for a fight, he had thought for a brief second that maybe he would run in to Domino from the beginning. But as he watched the marines it reminded him why that was the wrong thing to wish.
For the months it had been what 'if in' his head. But now as he looked at the men some in uniform some with-out he knew why he was so down in the first place. It wasn't because she left. It was because he was upset that he even thought that she wouldn't.
"Leaving-yoi" He stated trying to turn around before someone stood up "Not without a drink you're not! It's bad manners!" Someone yelled before rounds of laughter grew between the men.
Someone even went as far as to try and put their arms around Marco who gave a lazy look and quickly removed his hand. Then he felt the same action on his right shoulder and looked over to see Thatch smiling his eyes drawn on one thing only. A red head who sat at the bar her fingers in a martini.
Marco nodded as they kept walking. Just because he had already had his one night with a marine doesn't mean Thatch couldn't. Who knows' maybe it would be his turn to tease Thatch after his marine sneaks out a window.
Marco watched as Thatch tried to keep his cool but quickly rushed to the empty seat of the red head only for her to hold up her hand as Marco sat next to Thatch tapping on the bar to order.
"Look, don't get any ideas we're only allowing you here because these people need your money. So buy me a drink and support them." She stated throwing hers back and placing it in front of him.
Marco rolled his eyes "You aren't allowing us to do any-" Thatch held up his hand and gave a slight bow "Of course my angel." And quickly asked for two drinks. Marco just rolled his eyes and downed his drink asking for another and pointing to the infatuated Thatch.
"Put it on his tab-yoi." He stated looking down at the bar and listening as Thatch gave a smile. "You know you must be pretty heavenly to allow us on this island. You have my thanks." Thatch stated.
Marco gave a lazy look and even mocked him as he spoke. Adaline sighed and then smiled. "It's not angelic it's orders. I really want nothing to do with any of this." She then smiled as her next drink appeared "But, I do suppose I should say thank you for a couple months ago." She sighed looking at the bottles taking a sip. "I really didn't see it coming." She spoke softly.
Thatch nodded as Marco eyed him. Thatch took a second thinking of what to say he wanted to say 'she could see him coming' but that would be to boorish so instead he shrugged.
"I was distracted too. So it's my pleasure." He stated taking a sip nervously sweating as she tilted her head "Really? Distracted you guys had the whole situation under control." She cooed.
Marco raised his eyebrows and looked over. This woman sounded softer than before, was she really drunk? If so she really was a light weight. Then again with that stature it would be very easy for her to get drunk. She was to small for his taste.
Thatch leaned in "I was distracted by your beauty." He stated. Adaline held her drink up separating them and gave a slight smile and a lite shake.
Thatch nodded "Of course my angel." And ordered another Marco now tried to hide the smile growing on his face with his hand. This red head was taking Thatch for his money. And he was such a love-struck puppy that he fell for it.
Now a decent person would stop Thatch from his tendencies, and a brother would surely step in. But while he was a brother, he was not decent enough to stop this. Plus he enjoyed watching Thatch trying so hard.
"You know you really need to stop with that Angel stuff. I'm a Marine not an angel." She chirpily stated. She then gave Thatch a side eye "But you can call me other things." She stated. Thatch smiled "Let me begin." He stated before giving a speech of how she was beautiful breathing taking and stunning all at once.
Marco nodded as Thatch finished his list and then choked on his drink when Adaline leaned in and gave Thatch a kiss on the cheek.
"That was cute." She chirped holding up her drink again. Thatch who was now flushed red eagerly asked for another drink and looked back at Marco with a goofy smile that stretched his across his face as his nose began to bleed.
Marco gave a light nod and held his drink up with a smile laughing to himself. This poor fool. To think Marines were actually capable of doing anything but using people for their own needs.
Though Adalines heart was in the right place trying to get money for the town they destroyed. But while Adalines intentions are in the right place, Domino just wanted fun, which was fine by him. But what wasn't was why it bothered him so damn much. Why did her leaving affect him like this? Why did he care? It was just one night. It would be different if it was months of this but just one night stuck on repeat in his head.
However, as he thought to himself it was like a sensor went off in his brain. He knew she was near and when she walked through those doors his eyes where already on her. He watched carefully as her light blue tank top with the word Marines looked stained and her shoulders where glistening. But as he tried to inspect her, he watched her place her hand on her head and wince. Her eyes were locked on one person only and as her tall muscular but feminine body swayed towards Adaline. He couldn't help but feel heat spread. As if he had swallowed boiling water and it was spreading to every part of his body.
He watched as she leaned down her left hand still on her head and the right on Adalines shoulder jarring her away from Thatch.
"Hey Ada, where's the medic?" She asked softly her voice cold. Marco straightened up and watched her closer.
Adaline looked away from Thatch her cheeks a slight blush of red when her smile faded seeing a line of blood flow from where Domino held her head.
"What. Oh.. why. Um I don't know sit down." She spoke standing up and reaching for Domino, who only shook her head "Nah I'll stand." She stated not noticing who watched her. Adaline looked around frantically and waved at Domino who was at least a head taller. "What happened?" She asked looking around "I don't see any of them, I think they're still at those stupid clinics you set up." She groaned and leaned over the Bar and flagged the bar tender.
Thatch looked over at Marco who was tapping his fingers debating on what to do. She hadn't noticed him yet and he could leave. But the doctor in him knew he would never leave an injured person behind. Yet he was hesitating. Why?
"Ahh, I see Captain. I rather see you die." He spoke before walking off. Marco and Thatch gave each other looks before Adaline wrapped her arms around Domino who winced again. "Figured as much. I'll just go back to base then." She spoke before trying to turn around when before she could Marco stood up and walked over to her.
"And miss all the fun Marine-yoi?" He asked holding on to her and motioning her to sit down.
He watched as her body palled and her eyes stared at him. Her vision going blurry for a second before she blinked and saw his blues looking at her. "Already had enough fun." She spoke before moving her hand to reveal her blood covered finger tips.
Marco nodded and moved his hands to push her out of the way "I can see that." He stated before growling "And you didn't invite me-yoi. I'm hurt." He teased.
She scoffed "Join the club birdy boy." She smiled. Marco shook his head feeling a large cut run along the back of her head. "I can't see." He mumbled before he leaned over the bar tender "Hey, you got a room I can use or something-yoi?" He asked the bar tender.
The large man with the wide shoulders and the tiny legs that had beckoned them in gave them a look and motioned "To help the Captain no." He spoke sternly. Thatch looked at Marcos shocked face and hit the bar "Damn it man a ladies hurt! Have a heart!" He shouted getting the bars attention.
He then stood up and raise his arms "Com on guys this place sucks." He yelled waving as 30 other crew members stood up mumbling about the poor quality of beer anyway. The bar tender quickly waved his arms smiling and bowing "Of course I have a room. Please follow me." He stated and moved to the opening in the bar and lifted the counter so they could walk through.
Thatch looked back at the trio with a confident smile "Eh?" He asked. Adaline smiled back and wrapped her arm around Domino to realize that she couldn't hold her up properly. Marco stepped in and instinctively put his hand around Domino's waist and held her as they walked. Domino gave him a light smile but then covered her eyes as the bright light hit her.
Marco looked down and asked her "Hate to be in the light marine?" with a smile. He was asking because light sensitivity could be serious sign, but he felt as if him being concerned would just irritate her so he kept it light.
Domino gave him a slight smile "I'd prefer to stay in the shadows yeah." Marco nodded as they entered what looked like the kitchen. There was a long metal shelf in the middle and a sink along the wall giving it a tight walk way from the back door on the other side and where they stood.
Marco motioned for Domino to sit as Adaline crossed her hands and paced. Thatch looked at the kitchen is disgust. It wasn't clean or proper and it was infuriating. "Is this all you have?" He asked looking at the sausages hanging along a rack seem to have mold growing on it. The man crossed his arms and nodded "All they deserve." And walked off.
Marco looked at Domino who just smiled "I think he likes you-yoi." He spoke moving to look at the open wound that ran from the top of her head to the side. "I know, we're practically on first name basis." She joked back.
Thatch nodded and looked at Adaline "Man I thought we got treated coldly." He stated Adaline rolled her eyes "That was civil compared to what we get normally."
Domino pointed to her head that Marco tried to look at. "This is what we normally get." She stated and winced as Marco poked a sore spot. Marco nodded and looked at Thatch "Can you get me some rags-yoi? I can't see much with all this blood-yoi."
Adaline went wide eyed "Blood? Dominos blood." She asked. Domino scoffed "No Pinocchio's." She sighed.
Adaline looked at her with an irritated "hmph." Then she rolled her eyes "Okay granted that was a dumb question but here's a better one. What the hell Girl!" She yelled as Thatch tossed Marco towels and hovered over his work.
"Do you need anything else like maybe your bag?" He asked. Marco shook his head "Nah I think I can just heal it-yoi."
"What little brat?" Adaline asked as Domino scowled at Marco applying pressure to her head. "That kid, you know the one that told me to kill myself? He said hey Marine I'll do it for you. Then bam." She stated with small frown. "I didn't dodge thinking it was some dirt or something. It fricken fucking wasn't." She mumbled.
Marco stopped and looked down at Domino as Adaline rolled her eyes "Ugh we'll never get through to these people! And we can't just let them do this!" She stated.
"Wait, wait. I Thought you marines were the good guys." Thatch asked holding out his hand as Marco spoke to Domino. "I can heal your wound-yoi." He whispered.
Domino tried to look up at him but instead squeezed his vest "Please." She stated softly. He nodded.
"We are, or maybe we were I don't know." Adaline stated rolling her eyes. "This normally doesn't happen." She stated looking at the floors. "There's no real protocol on this." She stated tapping her chin and looking up as Blue flames flared around Domino's head. She watched in amazement as the flames flickered around.
"Wow that's amazing." Adaline whispered. Domino looked around trying to see what he was doing only to be held down by Marco "Stay still-yoi." He stated. Domino wrinkled her nose as Thatch frowned "I can do something better then that!" Thatch bolstered holding out his chest.
Adaline looked from a mildly bothered Domino to a smiling Thatch "Really?" She asked. Thatch nodded as Marco pulled away "Yeah really-yoi?" He asked him.
Thatch looked between the two and a confused Domino who tried to touch her head but quickly swatted away by Marco. "Yes really." He stated pointing his thumb at himself.
Adaline gave a genuine curios smile "What?" Thatch then stood frozen looking at Marco who unknowingly held Domino against his chest.
"Lets see?" He mumbled then snapped "I can heal your heart." He stated smiling at Adaline. Adaline let out a breath of air through her nose and then smiled "I don't need that. Can you fix the civi's though?" She asked.
Marco looked down at Domino who also leaned against Marcos chest as she sat closer to the edge to lean more on him. "Civilians." She murmured before she went wide eyed and they both pulled away from each other.
Domino moved further towards the edge and put both hands on the edge of the counter as Marco moved to the left side of the room leaning against the sink as Thatch tried desperately to inch closer to Adaline.
"Adaline, I already told you, we just need to give them time." She stated focusing on the red head who rolled her eyes "Time? We've given them nearly a month yet they get more hostile every day. I mean this isn't the first time you have been targeted. If these people revolt again Vice Admiral Akanu's liable to call a god damn buster call." She stated pacing.
Domino nodded and held out her hands and placed them on the shorter ones shoulders "Adaline," She stated calmly. Marco and Thatch watched quickly as the two spoke. Thatch however was nodding towards Domino and nudging Marco as she spoke.
"I don't get it girl. I mean we try and build them home's, they burn them, we take out the corrupt and replace them with the true but." She shook her head "Yet they still attack us. And worst yet now the kids are holding on to this hate." She softly yelled pulling away and pacing again. Domino let out a soft yawn.
"Adaline, we're not here to be liked. We're here to help. I'm not building the houses for the sole purpose of them to live there. Its more than that. Every time they burn them down, we build them back. It's more of a symbol. I think, I can't explain it." Domino stated looking up at Marco and then shaking her head and looking back to Adaline.
"These people were slaves Ada, They were controlled by their "bosses" who worked them to the bone and barely gave them anything, They lived on scraps as they served people who had more then them and knew it." She stated. "And's what worse is the people they had to look to for help were the ones that caused all of this." She pointed towards the door trying to stand up only to wobble a bit and lean back. Marco moved over to her and tried to steady her when Adaline kept pacing.
"But isn't that why they would be happy that we stopped all of that?" Adaline asked shaking her head "We aren't the bad guys. Those, those are the bad guys." She pointed to Thatch and Marco who took a step back but knew very well what she meant.
Marco stepped back from Domino realizing exactly where he stood. Domino shrugged and then ran her hand through her hair trying to stop where the cut used to be before Marco gave an absent minded slap of the hand.
"Adaline, they were slaves." She stated softly looking down "Most people think when slaves are freed their instantly gratified. Like it's the best god damn thing in the world. But really." She stopped giving her shoulder a squeeze before looking up at Adaline who was now covering her mouth realizing what she started.
Marco watched as Domino's eyebrows furrowed as if she was lost in thought. "It's..It's not like that at all. Once you're first enslaved and then freed yeah within a few days you're grateful but, after weeks, months, and years of constantly being told what to do, where to do it and who to do it to, you get mixed up in the head. You no longer think of it as a burden you kinda welcome it. The chains. And you.. you don't know that you do, but it's a comfort to you because after years and years of torment that was the one constant thing. And then suddenly when those chains break. You'd think you'd be grateful but really, its terrifying because suddenly you've lost years and years of what you grew to know as comfort and you're thrown in to this world where you can do anything and everything and the fear of not knowing what to do or what will happen is so overwhelming that you wish you where back in those chains." She took a second as Adaline shielded her eyes.
She let out a small laugh "You actually want those chains back because those, those you know very well. But this, this freedom is something you've barely had in a long time." Then she looked up realizing that she got sidetracked and blinked "But after a while, of finding your stride, a lot of bar fights and anger you get used to it, this new feeling. Right now, these people are still scared, they still want their chains back because they don't see the Marines as heroes, they see these outsiders who've come and destroyed everything they've known. We destroyed their reputations, their houses, hell these guys are the first real people to visit the island in weeks. Not only that those chain holders are still out there trying whatever they can to bring the people back to them and if we act like real marines and try to police them we'll just drive the people away and everyone who died would have died for nothing." Domino stated her voice staying its normal heavy tone but her smile seemed forced.
Adaline looked down and closed her fist "I'm sorry Domino, I forgot." She mumbled Domino shrugged "Nah it was a lifetime ago." She smiled when the door burst open.
Marco was so lost in Domino's eyes that he jumped when the door opened causing Thatch to also jump. They both watched as the Woman stayed calm and eyed the big burly bar tender from before.
"If that's how you feel then why did you attack us?" The man asked his eyes watery.
Domino shrugged staring at him holding her hand up to Adaline who looked ready to snap back. "Simple. We didn't know." She spoke softly.
The bar tender tightened his fist "How did you not know! My son died in that fight how did you not know." The man stated walking towards her Marco moved to intervene when Domino stood up easily matching the mans height and even stood above him by an inch.
"The report we got was a massive pirate attack. No backup just my crew and I. We acted only on those reports. We only fought for 5 minutes enough time for us to realize we weren't facing pirates but civilians with pitchforks." She stated coldly. Marco was mesmerized by how quickly her tone changed. One minute she was pulling his heart with every pain filled sound and then the next it was as if she never cared.
But what she was saying, Marines killing innocent people. He couldn't think of her doing that. In fact as he watched her it was becoming near unbelievable.
The bar tender now moved to grab her by the collar of her tank top "3 days! We fought for 3 days. We were almost free! Then you come along, and everything was over. You talk about life was wasted then why can't you leave." He stated. Marco furrowed his eyebrows as the man softened up.
"What you said. It's not true, we had it good." He spoke looking down. Adaline took a step when the three in the room saw Domino hold up her hand slightly giving them a stay sign. Marco watched mesmerized and hurting as this proud man stood before Domino his head down.
Domino let out a breath "Did you really?" She asked him knowing the answer as the man held her tighter. "I know." She stated putting her hand on his back. "Take in what your feeling." She stated her voice melting back to the soothing lullaby tone Marco heard as she explained to Adaline.
The man tried to hied his tears by holding her tighter. "Because, those are your own feelings. You have the ability to like or dislike us on your own. And no one can say otherwise." She spoke softly looking straight ahead. She moved her eyes to catch a bewildered Marco staring at her. "Marine or Pirate." She finished before the mans big burly shoulders began to shake as the man cried falling to his knees. Pulling Domino with him. Marco watched as her surprised face was soon replaced by a grimace as she tried to close her eyes and bite her lip to keep from crying.
Adaline however had lost and began to cover her eyes and leaned in to an understanding Thatch who held her tightly. Marco watched Domino blinked once or twice and the tears went away. Something was tugging at Marco.
He understood what was being said but why couldn't the Marines just leave? Then it hit him and once again he felt himself mentally laughing.
"If you want us to leave," She spoke to the man. The man shook his head "No! Please no! Don't leave I think, I think you guys can do some good. That we've been needed for a long time." He stated wiping his smile.
Domino gave a wide-eyed blink "Oh. No sir. I meant if you want us to leave your kitchen, we'll get out." She stated but the smiled "We weren't leaving the island anyway that would get me into much paperwork." She stated with a smile closing her eyes. The man nodded wiping out his smile letting out a soft laugh "Oh. Oh! Right right!" He stated as Domino gave him an uneasy smile and stood up.
She held her hand out to the man who looked at it before grabbing her arm and letting her lift him up seamlessly.
"How about some drinks on me?" The man asked everyone. They all nodded as the man walked out and Adaline and Thatch followed. Domino however stayed moving to sit on the silver counter her eyes on the relaxed Marco leaning against the door frame.
The night just beginning.