He sat legs open and mouth closed. His dark red eyes piercing the man before him. It was disgusting what the whimpering man before him was doing.
What was this miserable bug doing? He was begging for his life in an attempt to ease the debt he had yet to pay. As if it meant anything to the red eyed man.
In reality it meant at least something. It was time lost that the red eyed man would never get back. Still seeing the whining cretin before him did lightly amuse him. So the red eyed man waved his hand his throat clearing as well. "Y.. ...can stop. I've He...heard enough." He stammered.
Then closed his eyes in disappointment. He hated speaking in-front of these lesser men. His voice was deep and heavy as it should be when one was in his position. Yet he never got over his childhood stutter. He remembered his sister and brother trying hard to make sure he would learn with confidence yet it never quite stuck due to the whips lashings struck him harder then their words. So instead he let his actions do the talking.
Quickly he stood up reveling his tall and muscular form. His tan skin barely reflected the flames from the pyre behind him as he moved to grab his long sword. As he did so an apparent blue spotted pattern ran along his arm discoloring his skin around his arm to a light blue that contrasted with the red tie he wore around his neck and the black leather pants that clung to his tall legs.
The red eyed man gave a blood curdling smile as he swung the sword and with one fell swoop the sniffling bug beneath him was now two. He tilted his head before leaning down at the mangled man and sighed. "Fo..forgiven." He stated with a cold chill in his voice.
He then looked back up towards the on-looking crowd that shivered but bowed before him. He gave them a light nod before standing up slowly and turning to move back in to his throne. As he did so the crowd was forced to stare at the mark on his back. They looked on in fear and wonderment as he waved his hand slightly for a glass of red wine to appear.
He nodded towards the bleeding pool before him. "C..Clean th...that Up. I h..hate it." He stated trying once again to speak concisely. He looked on as a figure with long blue and green stripped hair appeared before him. His round body looking as if he was an inflated beach ball and his chin doubled the size of his round head so it seemed like a blob of skin and otherwise repulsive things. The red eyed man hated this. This man was disgusting like the others yet. This man was also accounted among one of his friends so his disgusting sight was in the least allowed.
"My lord," The beach ball started. The red eyed man nodded "Y..yes. Le." He sighed. He wanted to say the beach ball's real name yet his stutter was beginning to make him feel watched once again. He felt the thousands of eyes on him and began to feel tight chested. Something he could only over come by loosening and undoing his red tie over and over again.
Le looked up one eye green the other blue to match his look. "We received news of a Marine Commodore by the name of Jane Domino seizing up our subordinates ships cho!" He cheered.
The red eyed man rolled his eyes at Le's way of speech. That too annoyed him. Everything annoyed him yet he wanted this. He hated and loved the eyes that watched him as he sat on his throne. And despite his anxiety coursing through his veins causing his chest to burn and body to feel cold he let out a often rare genuine smile. His prefect and straight teeth reveling themselves. "Th...that's go..good." He stated with a light nod.
Le turned his head in confusion. "Sir? how so cho?" the beach ball asked.
The red eyed man sighed frowning at the disgusting worm before him. But then thought fondly of his big sister standing tall among the bugs. "Sh...She's a go..good Ma.. ." he stated once more matter of fact. Then frowned. She was a good marine. A really good one. So much so she may actually pose a real threat to his men. Which exited him, if he sent them after her then she would return them as bodies and like ashes they would scatter. As must all bugs.
"Sir, should we dispatch the 8th and 9th Marine counter divisions? We have reports she will be within our waters to stock up on supplies-cho." Le asked snapping the red eyes from his thoughtful delight at his sister once more being the killer he grew up with. "Um..n..no." He started thinking of his other business ventures that would be at stake by encouraging his sisters wrath.
Le looked on in amazement never before had he seen his lord have such a thoughtful smile. However he watched in horror as it morphed in to a scowl. "Ho..how go..go..goes our we..wea..we.." The red eyes stopped and he growled tightening his tie once more "Su..supplies how.. are..our supplies." He growled at his own incompetence before the calming feeling of his hands on the silk tie relaxed him again.
Le nodded taking up on the hints of when his lord was in a mood. "We may be ready to mobilize within the next two years. We are waiting on the payment of Joker. sir-cho." He stated matter of fact then wobbling back and forth as the red eyed man stood up grabbing his sword and walking towards the crowd that watched him.
"In..increase pro..du..duction. I want a prototype so..soo..soon." He stated as he held his sword tight a wicked glint in his eyes as the people before him now screamed and hollered.
His Toasty Topaz eyes graced over the news paper with a frown and infectious laughter. So much so the other men in his bath house now laughed along with him. They were his cohorts and whatever he wished to call them but no matter what they all sat in the relaxing bath house beside him.
He slouched over the rough stone of his own pool and read over Domino's name once more. Once again he began to laugh. How could she be so noisy? How dare she sail the sea's with that flag! Yet she did. And she did so with the utmost un-careing for their shared past. It made him boil with anger but his rumbling laughter only ensue. This caused him to sink further in to his hot pool a frown still on his face as he laughed.
"Russel what is so funny?" some random man asked. This man was a speck among the others that soaked in the waters with him.
Quickly his laughter stopped as his eyes shot towards the man who dare speak so informally towards him. "The fact that you think you can talk to me." He stated his frown breaking into inconsolable laughter once more.
He was a constant switch between the two. He only frowned or laughed there was no in-between. The random man looked on in horror as Russel began to stand and stretch as he did so his long body snaked out of the draining sea water and he moved his bare broad shoulders back causing his bones to pop and creak. The only thing that he wore on his body was a tattered and worn blue scarf tide snug around his neck.
He slowly waded through the large open pool and leaned over the man. He too was tall like his siblings. However he towered above them all.
His frowned curled and he tapped his fingers together above the man who no longer smiled but instead was trembling in the water. "I'm sorry I didn't know I just wanted to-" The mans voice was silence as a large hand clasped around his neck.
Russel's frown deepened as he shook his head. "You continue to speak to me!" He stated before tightening his hand around the man who writhed in pain as his throat was being forced in.
The man grasped at Russel's bejeweled fingers before a soft hand pulled the towering pale skinned man away. Suddenly the grip around the mans neck was softened as Russel began to pull away and turned around to see a small woman in a maids costume.
"Russel, may I remind you that there will be no killing in the baths as per your own law?" the woman's stern voice ringing through Russel's smaller ears and a small nod from the frowning man. Quickly however his laughter began to echo through the glassed building. The sound could be described as a tigers low chuffing. "Of course my love Of course!" He bellowed with a frown.
Before looking away from the woman to look back at the man gasping for air before picking him up once again by the neck and holding the man above his head and then tossing him through the glass ceiling to the mans scream.
Russel looked back towards the maid with a frown who tapped her long blue nails on her folded arms and shook her head. "You need punishment." She stated sternly as Russel frowned. "He was out of the baths!" He called his higher voice breaking from its frown into a laughter once more.
The woman only raised an eyebrow un-amused at his laughter. Russel rolled his eyes and picked the woman up off the rocky edge and in one fell swoop plopped her in the sea water beside him as his crew settled in once more. No one acknowledged the hole in the large glass dome around the hot springs. Or the fact that the mans body would have to be found at some point across the island.
"Russel!" She screamed as he dunked her underwater once more and pulled her back up with laughter. The woman began to speak back to her lover before she stopped and watched with fear at the unfamiliar look on his stern and oval face. She knew that even if Russel couldn't quite show his emotions properly he was somewhat playful however this before her was something she had never seen. And hoped she would never see again.
Russel fanned out his fingers and tapped them together as the woman moved over to him slowly her dress fanning out from the water. "Have I ever told you about my sister Domino, love?" He asked her with wide eyes. And for the first time to everyone's frozen stance a light smile grew on his face.
Marco eyed the scene before him cautiously. It was near a life or death situation and any wrong move could spell disaster for the commanders. However stressful the situation seemed to be he still maintained his calm and relaxed composure. They had been at this relentless battle all night and as the stars above began to fade away to the morning light he was not about to fail.
Quickly he eyed the other men all circled around the large pot in the middle. The gold and green money glimmered and shinned calling to the six men who sat in the circle all with cards held high.
Thatch who was now red cheeked and very drunk groaned. "Hurry up pineapple! I've got a hand to win!" He called as the others all grumbled and called for him to hurry. He rolled his eyes looking at his meager hand and thought to himself. He was a calm and composed man, and he could out bluff anyone, however he would need a new trick to win this pot.
He smiled waving his hand at the dealer who wore a comically clear hat. "No cards-yoi." He then grabbed his last bag of money and plopped it in the middle. "I raise." He stated quickly. The bag letting out a large thump as it hit the wood of the deck and slid down the already large pile. He watched as Jozu held his cards high to his face eyeing the smiling Thatch next to him. Then at Thatch who scratched his head and looked up mesmerized by one of the nurses playing bar maid for the night. He quickly put down his cards and raced off after her. "I fold." He called while he was already away from the pile.
Then there was Haruta he was younger and one of the more wild cards. Yet while he tried to hide his smile he failed and shook his head folding. Marco lazily watched as Whitebeard leaned in towards him the two having a silent standoff. If anyone knew Marco's bluffs it was this man. He knew everything about Marco from his past to his hopes for the future. But if Marco was to win he would have to outsmart even the thieving Whitebeard.
"You're bluffing." He stated watching as Marco shrugged "Maybe-yoi." He responded coolly before leaning in taking a page from the marines book and letting out a wicked and curled smile. "But can you afford to call me on it pops-yoi?" He asked him with his cheeks stretched in the smile. His face not matching the smile he mimicked.
The crowd looked on in fear at Marcos attempt and success to bluff them. Vista who was once again twirling his beard blinked and placed his cards down. "Fold," He stated as the others did as well.
Whitebeard watched Marco who still stared at him then looked down at his own cards. He had a high enough hand to beat anyone, but Marco never did this. He must of have a better hand. So he shook his head and threw down his hand.
"You win." He mumbled unwilling to say it so loud. The group watched as Marcos face went back to normal, a light smile on his face as he shook his head dropping his cards to show the worst hand possible.
"YOU HAD NOTHING?!" They asked as Marco nodded bring the money towards him "yes but now I have all of your money-yoi." He stated before Jozu slammed his hands down. Jarring the deck and the money as he did so.
Marco gave him a casual side glance. "I knew it was a bluff! You had fucking twos! My 3's could have beat that!" He shouted to his own anger as the others nodded before Whitebeard shook his head laughing reveling his cards.
"I would have beat all of you!" He shouted as the crew all nodded and looked towards Marco. "How did we let him do this to us?" Vista groaned throwing a hand towards the air. The others nodded as Marco shrugged "I'm first, for a reason-yoi." He stated with confidence before a drunk Thatch stumbled over the money to Marco's groan.
"He used Domino's smile!" He called before picking up his head from the ground realizing that was who he was addressing before looking up at the group of 5 all spinning around in the air and leaned back trying to focus on just one of the floating figures.
Haurauta looked up towards the dizzy Thatch then back to the group around him. "Domino? Is that Marco's marine that keeps showing up?" He asked as Jozu nodded and turned his large body to look towards the others, "I've heard Thatch talk about that one's smile is that what you did?" He asked as Marco rolled his eyes.
"Why would I need to mimic a Marine-yoi?" He asked trying to hide the annoyance in his voice. Even drunk Thatch had a knack for being astute when it came to things involving woman. Thatch who now had a nurse on his lap nodded vigorously with a smile ignoring how he jostled the poor woman as he spoke.
"You, did! I've seen her do it back to that guy on the beach. It's scary." He stated then looked away from the nurse who seemed fed up with his antics but stayed anyway. "But not the angel, she's graceful. She can do no wrong!" He smiled wide as Izo shouted across the deck.
"SHE USED YOU FOR A SHOWER!"
Suddenly The other eye's were on him as they hollered with laughter knowing that would be something to happen to their commander flirt.
Marco took a relaxed breath grateful that Thatch derailed his own scheme before Whitebeard shook his head reaching for the money to no ones knowledge. "You're a little young to be settling down, However." He started as Marco sent him a questioning look. "Settling down-yoi?" As Whitebeard moved once again pocketing the money as Marcos attention was pulled towards a now drunken brawl that had sprung out on the deck.
"Yes." He started pulling a bag towards him with a giddy smile. "If you were to settle down, I'd think she'd keep you on your toes!" He laughed hiding the hefty bag behind his back. He had successfully stolen back all of his money. Which was stolen before that as well.
Marco noticed his smiling father before purposefully looking away acting amused with the brawl that continued. "Why would I do that-yoi?" He asked looking at the others who all shrugged Haruata held out a cup as he began to speak.
"Well, I haven't seen the marine like you have but Izo said she beat you." He stated his younger and lighter voice present. Marco narrowed his eyes at the top knot in the distance and then looked back towards the red head smiling goon.
"She did not beat me-yoi." He started when Izo shouted throwing his arm in the air "Yes she did!"
Marco sighed as the others began to smile and laugh "So wait, let me get this straight?" A now confused Jozu asked "The same tiny Marine that was on the beach, turned around and beat you?" He shook his head confused. He couldn't believe it even if he had heard the rumors he waited for Marco to admit it himself yet he never did. But now seeing the slight annoyance that crossed Marcos face he was beginning to think this was true.
Marco rolled his eyes and looked towards Thatch who was now dancing between groups popping in and out with a quick remark and laughter. "The small one goes to Thatch-yoi." He stated honestly as Jozu nodded "Right, right so then the taller scarier looking one goes to you?" He asked concerned at how thoughtful Marco looked before he smiled.
"She's not scary-yoi." He stated looking down at his drunk before smiling to himself and getting lost in her melodic voice. "A little cold, but not scary-yoi." He hummed taking a drink to the group's wide eyes. He looked at them with a confused look before sighing. He must have been more obvious with his feelings then he thought. How annoying.
Thatch who had at this point disappeared from the groups sight now appeared again a smile and lipstick all around his face. "She's scary, but..But like Marco's version of scary." He nodded before closing his eyes.
"Man, I wonder when we'll see them again?" He asked as Marco thought to himself before shaking his head and looked out towards the horizon the late night moon dancing along the calm waves.
"I don't know-yoi." He mumbled. This however was the very thing that gave way to big smiles. And the ultimate chanting.
"Marco's in love~"