Adaline took in a long drag of the diminishing cigarette. Inhaling with ruby red lips pursed and exhaling with a drop of her shoulders. Lightly she leaned her left hand over the wooden railing of a docked ship and tapped the filter, watching as the ashes dispersed among the slow wake of the waves.
She felt the cool nights breeze dance along her bare shoulders as a silent tear trailed down her cheek and nuzzling itself along her pushed up bust. The low cut of the lingerie she wore leaving almost nothing to the imagination. She looked up towards the night sky seeing the stars clouded by thick grey clouds.
Signaling a storm was brewing over head.
She felt a sudden harsh arm snake around her waist and grab her roughly. On a normal occasion she would tense and slap away the hand threatening the owner with death and harsh words. Yet she bit back her tongue for her mission. A long oval head rested itself against her shoulders biting roughly.
She let out a girlish gasp and leaned back against it as the man murmured. "You're a smoker? Who knew." His rough and hellish voice hummed. Adaline waved him off with her sharp red tipped nails. "There's much you don't know about me." She cooed turning around dropping the cigarette over the edge and wrapping her arms around the large man regretting the smile she gave him.
In truth a moment like this would be welcomed if she was with someone she wanted. However this man before her was a mere cog in the machine. He was a target. His long black hair and how it ruffled outwards was nothing but a mop on his head. His large bushy eyebrows were nothing more then untrimmed hedges. And the rest of him was grotesque at best.
In reality, he meant nothing. He was nothing. He would never hold a candle to the man she really wanted. And who was that? Huh. It couldn't be Thatch. In his happy nature and that oh so irresistible scar. It couldn't be the men she has loved before. But it had to be someone who wasn't this man holding her now.
Still she made herself melt in this brutish mans arms draping herself lightly over his neck. "And there's oh so much I Need from you." She whispered tilting her head and letting her silky red hair fall down caressing her skin as she did so.
The man nodded eagerly as she leaned in towards him closing the gap between her model figure and his brutish thicker body. He had muscles sure, any man who was worth her time would have them. Yet they weren't the subtle type that Thatch reveled to her.
The large man with black eyes melted at her touch. She smiled against his lips as she heard the man murmur "Anything,"
She pulled back blinking innocently and motioning to tip off the rest of her gown. "Anything?" She cooed once more. The man took in a deep breath his eyes filled with a different kind of need. She took a second to internally smile moving her hand up his body letting her fingers dance around him. The man nodded.
"Yes." He whispered. His body edger.
"Good." She stated then smiled and Quickly pulled back from him snapping her hand behind his neck and grabbing the soft skin mixed in with hair and forced his head down on the railing. The actions quick leaving the man with no time to process himself before he was once again slammed against the wood. Feeling of pain and burning jump starting his senses.
Quickly she moved to straddle his turned over body and quickly pulled his holstered pistol free cocking it with one hand and placing it against his head in a rough motion. "Now tell me, What I need okay?" She stated in her authoritative voice.
"Fuck off you Whore!" The man struggled and began to buck to get her off however she quickly placed the gun to his shoulder and let out a ringing shot to the mans surprise.
"I am a lady of the law. I am no common whore." She repeated shaking her head and getting off the man as he now cowered against the railing his vision blurry and his shoulder throbbing in pain. The realization of the thunder above, had covered the ringing sound of the gun shot freighted him.
"What do you want!?" He shouted trying to gain someone's attention. Yet the crew above deck would be gone all enjoying the woman and men of the bars on the island. No one would hear his cries.
Adaline smiled glancing at him before taking a step back and spinning the barrel of his pistol counting to see how many bullets he had.
Only four. Which means she had a good amount to work with. "I need, names, places, dates. In that order." She stated pulling back the hammer and smiling once more with a serious face. She was not like Domino. Who would take in every sobering feeling of the scene and let that fuel her powers. Adaline thought of this nothing more then her job and saw no reason to take joy in it.
It was a necessary evil per-say. The man named as Morgen, (A notorious maker of rum in the New World) cowered before her, then timidly looked over the railing debating on how likely he would be to live if he jumped ship.
To him it was a high chance of survival. But she knew better. If he jumped he would be choosing a different kind of torment.
Her baby blue eyes watched with a blank stare as he began to push himself back up. His breathing labored and the pain from his broken nose and bleeding shoulder evident in his actions. "I'd rather die!" His pain filled voice cried, before pushing himself over the ledge in a quick motion.
Adaline didn't move. She just stood there silently disappointed as a large green vine pierced through the very same shoulder that already had a hole. Stopping the man mid flight. The protruding green vine wrapping around him and holding him tighter as his large body struggled against the sharp thorns that now sliced his pale skin.
She shook her head sadly, as Domino's honey brown eyes and wide smirk appeared over the rail. Her marine jacket clasped tightly around her body and flaring outwards with the wind.
As soon as her booted feet hit the deck she knelt down and ran her fingers through her pulled back hair.
"That was a pretty good save huh?" She asked looking up as Adaline took in a deep breath the man had now begun to scream curses only for a sharp green vine gagging his mouth and holding him tightly. The edges of said vine made sure to draw blood but only by thin slivers. Leaving his ability to speak clearly. If he chose to play nice that is.
Ada rolled her eyes. "You weren't supposed to jump in girl, I had it covered." She stated looking up at the guy who was now being pulled towards the two woman kicking and screaming.
Domino quickly unbuttoned her jacket and draped it over Adaline, who moved to put it on in an unfazed fashion.
Content that Adaline was covered in her warm, and very large jacket, Domino nodded. She waved her hand in the air and headed towards the glistening bucket of ice perched elegantly on a bedside table, with none other then a fresh sparkling bottle calling her name.
"Now I have you covered." She smiled as the vines placed the man down lightly, now embedding themselves through the wood and tying him down to the balcony rails.
Adaline rubbed her temples sending Domino a light glance watching as the taller woman wrapped her fingers happily around a long dark green bottle and holding it out to pop it away from her.
"I assume everything else I gave you, has been taking care of correct?" Adaline called as the man looked between the two shaking in the vines that held him.
Who was he dealing with? Were these the men Raphael threatened him with? If so Morgen would rather have the marines then face That man's fearsome crimson eyes.
Domino shrugged her answer to Adaline's question. Tilting her body back in an exaggerated motion. "God damn, it feels so smooth." She murmured before looking back at Adaline. "Yeah. Your information was good. He's a weapons dealer alright..." She called a smile on her face before she walked back out letting the now roaring wind welcome her back.
"Seems so far so good." She smiled feeling an unease about herself. "I still have this shitty feeling though." Domino started before looking down at how her wrist's shook.
She sighed at her own actions and quieted down holding out a pair of shiny blue cuffs "I'll leave these with you. Bring him above deck when you're done. Our ships, just about to be here. I'ma go look around." She murmured before holding out the bottle to the squirming man.
"Thanks for the high quality! Means a lot you know?" She smirked before leaving the scene. Once she closed the doors and dispersed her green vines she heard Adaline clip the cuffs around the man and nod. "Alright now, Who are you working with?" Her voice asked lightly.
Domino began to move towards the deck with a smile. Now that was all to be done was wait for Adaline to finish asking nicely.
Meanwhile the storm clouds grew overhead their thunderous warning going unnoticed by both women.
Around the same time. An island in the New World.
Marco sat relaxed and crossed legged as he watched the large but polite, whale shark Fishman smile and claim a large glass of saki before sitting down in his own crossed legged fashion. His large teeth revealing themselves in a happy and generous smile clashing with the serious dark red colors of his kimono.
Marco nodded along as Jinbe said his hellos in which they responded with their own chorus of greetings.
It was only right that he did, he loved visiting with Jinbe, Really, he loved socializing in general. Yet right now he was finding it hard to focus on the large Fishmen. Or anything important for that matter.
His mind still wondered to a certain woman who, has refused to give any info on her whereabouts for months now. Sure he could always ask Thatch the ever so looming question on if Adaline mentioned their position in one of her 'secret letters'. Or even if he so wished he could just fly off and find her himself. Forgoing any imposed rules of engagement, as the norm for pirates.
But that would break his unspoken agreement. He wasn't going to seek her out. Why would he do that? It wasn't this weird burning in his chest that would drive him to finally rush towards her. No, that was just indigestion. He was going to wait for Domino to make the first move. And eventually he would be the one to win.
And the prize? Well... he didn't know and maybe that was the problem. NO matter what the real problem was he needed to make sure his brothers didn't catch on to his internal conflict. Or else he was sure he would get the relentless teasing as Thatch did. Which had only grew to a constant topic as the time apart increased.
So here he sat listening absently as Pops asked Jinbe about his most recent world changing decision to become a Warlord of the sea.
"So you went ahead and took up the governments proposition?" Whitebeard asked as he took a drink from his own large glass. Marco leaned back and crossed his arms thinking to himself.
He had to admit they were surprised when given the news of Jinbe's decision. But knew whatever the reason, it would have no effect on Fishman islands protection.
Pop's was more than willing to lend the Fishmen his name and mark. And Marco was proud to be by his side while doing so.
Jinbe smiled as Thatch waved his hand over the grill shooing away the pluming white smoke from clouding around his face.
"Yeah? What's up with that? You switching sides on us?" He called with a light smile and a raise of an eyebrow. Jinbe gave a light nod once more eyeing Thatch take a step back as more white delicious smelling smoke wafted around the light green field, they sat in.
The light of the afternoon sun spreading it's warmth through the pirates cookout. It was yet another relaxing day for the pirates and it was moments like these they always took for granted. They could stretch out and take deep breaths escaping the worlds crusade for at least a few hours. Hidden safely from the worlds watchful eyes.
Still Marco shifted quietly between himself, not able to think about a warming sun without Domino's wide smile flashing through his field of vision. He was really losing his touch. He knew she wouldn't be doing the same. If anything, she would be knocking around some pour unfortunate pirate who dared to cross her. Not once thinking of him. So why was he so brought down at her absence?
"I am afraid so Thatch, It was only a matter of time you see." Jinbe stated honestly before frowning. "I believe it was necessary for peace." He commented as Thatch shrugged putting one arm behind his head while the other held the spatula.
"Ah Jinbe I was just joking!" He smiled while Izo rolled his eyes moving to hand Thatch a drink before walking over to join the small group now growing. His flowing hair moved by the wind. Today was one of the rare days he did not have his hair up and in its proper position. That wasn't by his own choice of course. This would be due to someone on the ship stealing his hair gel. Most likely a practical joker.
And whoever it was would be punished in the most laughable way ever.
"Please you are the joke!" He snapped as Thatch raised an eyebrow. "No food for you!" He stated nonchalantly as Izo smiled "Thanks saved me from food poisoning."
Jinbe rubbed the back of his head. "Ah, my apologizes!" He called.
Izo frowned, "You have nothing to apologize for Jinbe! I believe it's noble doing that so your men can retire." He added sipping a glass of wine. It was a red glass and sophisticated.
Unlike Thatch who held a mug happily chugging while cooking, he snorted "You were just as shocked as we were Izo."
Izo began to snap back his comments before the two were at it once again teeth snarling and insults flying. This had become a common occurrence apparently. Mainly streaming from irritation at Izo's attempts to explain that the red headed marine was using the poor pompadoured fool.
"It was really nothing!" Jinbe started waving his arms watching as others leaned away from the two. The beginning of a battle brewing.
"You're just jealous because I have better hair!" Thatch called crossing his arms.
Izo scoffed trying to regain composer and even putting a loose hair back in place. "Please, Haven't you heard less is better?"
"The both of you have no respect!" Vistas voice called out his tone of seniority bringing both of their sharp eyes and comments back towards the mustached man. Preferably about his choice in tight clothing.
To which Vistas response tethered along the lines of "Real men have no reason to be modest, unlike Thatch who should be ashamed. Because well. He's Thatch."
"Really? No food for you either!" Thatch called shaking his head disappointed.
"What did I do?" Haruata jumped up (His hair now styled in to a mohawk for some reason) at Thatch's spatula which was miss-pointed. Thatch rolled his eyes "Not you!" He reasserted his spatula at Vista who sat directly beside the younger commander. "YOU!"
Jinbe shook his head vigorously and waved his arms. "No, please...It's..." He took in a deep breath and let it out as another commander joined in and placed lighthearted jabs at the others. Something along the lines of Thatch being the root of all problems.
Jinbe watched on in horror as now Whitebeard had grown irritated and was leaning into the group throwing in his own insults and jabs. And with that, went the idea of Whitebeard being a calm wise old man.
Somehow before it could be stopped a large fight had erupted from somewhere around the grill tossing up dirt and all manors of things into the air and rolling around the ground in a twister of chaos.
Only to have Marco who was watching with amusement finally, ending it all with quick motions, and an unfazed smile. And in a blink of an eye three men sat grumpily rubbing the growing red hills on their heads. Thatch and Whitebeard among them.
Jinbe smiled at the scene before him. Just another day with the Whitebeards it seems. However his eyes landed on Marco one more time, he seemed as if he was distracted as he walked back to settle down once more besides Whitebeard.
"Is something wrong Marco?" Jinbe asked the distracted blonde. Marco blinked for a second before giving a smile holding up his drink in a cheers manor.
"No-yoi. Why do you ask?" He made sure to try extra hard to convince his brothers. Of course this failed.
Thatch noticed Marco's long face and waved his hand in the air getting everyone's attention. "So Now that you're a Marine dog what yeah gonna do, Help us get with the marine ladies?" He asked moving to sit in front of the large barrel grill, absently smacking Whitebeards thieving hand away once more. "Your connections open up a whole new avenue you know." He continued to tease.
Jinbe looked down thoughtfully. "Hmm, I don't know about that. I do know, however, that I have an obligation to go wherever I am called." He started before looking up.
"Though I suppose I don't have to if I don't want to. As explained by a rear admiral that is." He added before nodding once again looking at Marco who sighed and placed a hand on his cheek looking down at the ground.
"That's not what I care about!" Thatch called then leaned in. "Have you gotten to meet any cute Marines, maybe a Commodore or a captain or something like that?" He asked with wiggly eyebrows as Jinbe looked up thoughtfully. He was trying to lead Jinbe to talk about the famous Angel. The most graceful sniper to ever graze his heart.
It didn't matter if there are thousands of navy soldiers in all the world. There was no way you could miss the Angel.
"I do not believe so no." Jinbe stated bringing Thatch's rambling brain to an instant stand still.
He expected Jinbe to mention his angel. He would have to mention the Angel. Yet Jinbe did not believe she was cute. Which was a lie she was the best thing to happen in the history of the marines!. Nay the history of Woman and their voluptuous curves.
He jumped up outraged at this slander.
"How dare you! My angel is the most beautiful creature in the world!" He shouted as Izo rolled his eyes. "His idea of beauty may be different." He mumbled through a sigh.
Thatch crossed his arms and sat with a huff. "There is no definition for the Angels beauty! She is beyond definition!" He exclaimed in an overly dramatic fashion.
Marco picked up his head lightly at the sound of Thatch's boisterous cry then looked up at Whitebeard who now had three more bottles lifted to his mouth in succession. He narrowed his eyes and looked down to his left noticing there was a missing bottle he himself was just drinking. Pop's gave a slight guilty side glance at Marco's annoyance.
"I will not let her be slandered, Say she's cute!" Thatch called out pointing at Jinbe while Marco groaned.
"That was mine-yoi?" He crossed his arms a sad smile on his face.
Whitebeard chuckled. "You were to busy moping around to notice!" He yelled as Marco gave him an animated look breaking his brooding persona.
"I am not moping around-yoi." He crossed his arms before looking away defeated. He was. He was in fact moping around. But who could blame him? Domino had practically disappeared from the face of this world. Not a single mention of her since his call so long ago.
At least other times he had something of hers, newspaper, books, everything. But this was a complete madding silence. The more he thought about it the more absurd it got.
Jinbe looked on concerned. "Wait, Why would he be depressed? Has something happened?" He asked looking around as Izo shook his head.
"Nothing you need to worry about Jinbe, his hearts been stolen you see." Izo explained unsure if he should let on Marco's full predicament.
How was he to say that the first division commander was being strung along by a suicidal, lush, sadistic marine? While Thatch was being hopelessly used for entertainment by an evil temptress.
Jinbe crossed his arms and nodded in an 'o' motion. Before looking over to Thatch, creasing his eyebrows as Izo's words registered. "I seem to be missing something, You said your angel? She is in the marines?" He asked as Thatch straightened up.
"No, no she is the Marines! The most wonderful woman to ever grace my heart!" He chimed as Izo rolled his eyes. "You only screwed her twice! Get over it! SHE IS USING YOU!" he exclaimed as Thatch crossed his arms and looked away.
"You shall not slander my sweet Adaline!" He stated before opening his eyes as black smoke plumed from the grill. He shot up frantically lifting open the lid to instantly be covered in a large looming ball of smoke. Staining his white clothes.
Izo slapped the saddening smell away as Thatch silently sobbed at his disgusting display. "Look you've gone and burned your meat!" He mumbled as Thatch held his spatula at the ready.
It was now an instrument of war.
"I will hurt you." He warned.
Whitebeard shook his head. "One son depressed, the other with charred meat." He crossed his arms sadly as the others chuckled.
Jinbe looked up once more. "Adaline?" He hummed then looked at Thatch who looked on eagerly.
"She wouldn't be a red head with um.." He quickly swallowed a lump in his throat his cheeks growing red as he made of motion of his chest being robust and outwards. "Endowed?" He asked shyly.
The crew smiled or at least tried to hide how he remembered the woman.
Marco did not hide his smile. Seeing the large blue man turn very red was funny.
Thatch crossed his arms eyeing Jinbe's face. "Well...Yeah. But..Wait? How do you know her?" He asked his tone very dangerously low and eyes narrowing.
Izo waved his hand. "Maybe the same way you know her?" He murmured taking a sip of wine. Thatch glared.
Jinbe dropped his hands and then smiled. "I would not say I am acquainted with her per-say, however her superior I am." He explained as Marco felt his heart nearly leap from his chest as a feint mention of Domino.
Her and Adaline had been nearly inseparable since she left Garp's side. At least that was what Domino's diary had entailed so if Adaline was anywhere Domino would be as well.
"Her superior-yoi?" He asked his interest now fully peaked. Jinbe tilted his head taking a new sip of his cup.
"Ah yes, her Rear Admiral. A very formidable foe indeed." He started only stopping to see Marco to sit straight his blue eyes looking up thoughtfully. Jinbe cocked his head. "What is that look am I missing something?" He asked as Haruata smiled and jumped in with a shake of his head.
"No Marco, also has a Marine but she isn't anything that fancy. She's a commodore or something. And also a drunk. And for sure a pervert. Also gets hurt a lot... Just she's a lot." He beamed a proud smile.
Marco sent him a sharp look snatching his bottle from Pop's mid-swig.
"Careful Haruata-yoi." He warned between sips as Jinbe laughed. "Oh no! This doesn't seem like a good turn of events at all!" Jinbe stated.
Whitebeard just rolled his eyes in response. "My son's are allowed to follow their hearts wherever that may lead." he waived off not mentioning that it was bothersome how they were affected.
He then smiled eyeing Thatch's slumped over stature. While his sons were upset he could still make fun of their foolish hearts. Plus this would be fun. He leaned in with a wide grin.
"Though, I would prefer the red head lead to my arms." He teased with wiggling eyebrows while Thatch narrowed his eyes.
"You're to old." He huffed as Whitebeard raised an eyebrow.
"From what I hear she likes older men!" He called reminding Thatch of the amusing story being told of Adaline's reason for joining the marines.
Thatch took in a sharp breath holding out his hand. "Hey wait Pops. Let's talk this out..." He started before Jinbe laughed to himself.
"If I may interject." Jinbe held up his hand in a polite manor. The crew stopped and Whitebeard nodded. "I want to clarify, Thatch's claim to love is Commodore Adaline? The Femme Fatale?" He asked with a raise of his large bushy eyebrow.
Thatch paled and put his hands to his hair. "That's what she's called?!" He asked himself as Izo rolled his eyes "What else would you expect!" He laughed as Thatch sighed then shrugged clearly animated.
"Maybe the angel of the marines? Or a sniper something?" He murmured his head hung low. "Not some, man stealing..money grabbing ." He rushed his hands in the air. "Thing!" He finished with yet another huff.
Jinbe shook his head with a smile. "I'm sorry to break the news to you my friend. However, that is what she is referred to as. She has quite the record of using whatever means necessary to capture pirates." He rubbed his neck thoughtfully.
As Thatch let out a defeated sigh and covered his eyes. "First I lose my hair gel, then I burn the food, and to top it off my Angel Is... I can't even say such things.." He whispered and shook his head. A depressed aura engulfing everyone around him.
Izo calmly leaned away from the growing blue net of sadness. His good time was not to be tainted with this hopeless oofs depression. Which would be waived off the moment another woman walked by.
"I just can't catch a break." Thatch whispered to himself absolutely distraught with his life. However, Haurata appeared before him a smile on his face and a (previously mentioned) styled mohawk glistening in the light with an excessive amount of gel holding it firmly in place.
"It's okay, your meat may ruin marine's but we'll at least find the Gel thief and make your day better." He cheered as snickers began to grow around them. Thatch looked up and nodded lightly before morphing into an angry realization.
"ThankâHEY!" He shouted as everyone laughed at Thatch's change in demeanor.
Jinbe looked away from the growing cheerful snickers looking at Marco who was once again lost in thought. "I'm sorry I can't help you more Marco! However, I could easily get you some information if you would like." He smiled happily.
Marco waved him off smiling to himself. "No, that's okay-yoi, But I would like to know who this other person is. Not many marines should be able to intimidate you." He asked leaning in intrigued in yet another strong fighter.
Jinbe frowned thinking of the terrifying Marine standing on the bow of her ship. Her blue and white feathered shirt open and blowing in the wind. Revealing white bandages that covered her chest and wrapped around her long torso. All of which exposed.
Those bandages were due to some injury she had received in a fight just months pervious to his visit. One of which she never mentioned. But was later reveled to him to be due to Shanks return to the new world.
He thought of how her black slacks rustled in the wind as she smirked at his crew. A noticeable shiver ran down his spin as he remembered her green and twisted vines wrapping around his men before they had time to even reveal themselves.
Then her cold voice stating something he would never forget. "Selling your soul is a dangerous game, I don't recommend it."
Marco and the other pirates sat straighter seeing Jinbe's lost expression. He rubbed the back of his neck as the image of her vicious smile still burned in his memory forever.
"I believe her name is Jane Domino," He explained as Marco beamed a smile and almost gave a childish giggle.
"That's the marine-yoi." He then took another drink looking up and then letting out a 'tck' to himself as the Whitebeards all shared knowing glances at how wide he smiled.
Jinbe went wide eyed at Marco's words. It was clicking in his head how that shirt had seemed so familiar. It was Marcos. He remembered seeing him wear it at least once. But there was no way That woman could have been the one he was after.
. "You have a very interesting taste in woman Marco..." He trailed off.
Visions of Domino's cold smirk with arms crossed while leaning over the back of her turned around chair. Played in his mind. How her hair fell dirt covered and frizzy as she demanded Jinbe's requests be met with vulgar words but labored breaths.
Marco shrugged. "So i've been told-yoi." He answered with a smile before looking up at Jinbe who seemed still lost in thought. "But what could her weeds have done to you-yoi?" He asked questioning Domino's strength.
He was the only one allowed to after all. He was sure it would bug her if she found out. And that made him feel a bit happier.
Jinbe Shook his head. "What you call weed's nearly destroyed my ship, my crew with it." He explained then paused waiting for an interruption but saw as everyone watched at the new story time.
He continued. "When we first met she promptly boarded my ship, My men became encased in these large bushes of sharp thorns that snapped even our swords." He stated.
He remembered how calmly she walked among the tied-up crew as if nothing phased her. Then how she stood proud and tall as she faced him as an equal fire and disgust in her eyes.
"It had happened so quick not even Haki helped, It was truly terrifying." He commented lost in thought at How her wrists twisted as the vines grew tighter around his men. "At first she refused our surrender, In fact I believe it made her even angrier that we did so."
Marco took in a deep breath thinking of how that made sense. She had made a similar deal with the world government. As told by a drunk Adaline so long ago.
So it must have infuriated her to watch someone else do the same.
Marco nodded. As Jinbe continued thinking of how he had yet to land a blow before she held up her hand and shook her head stopping him from making a move. Like a secret deal. Her voice playing in his head. "You surrender and I'll take your men as payment."
"However, after showing the letter I received and declared my loyalty she promptly slapped me. Declaring me yet another Marine Dog." He smiled as the group went wide-eyed. Marco however didn't flinch. He was surprised that was the least she had done.
"And you let her?" Vista asked almost dumbfounded.
Jinbe looked down and crossed his arms. Thinking of her words later that night while they shared a drink, captain to captain. "You know your captain, almost escaped the same way I did. Just almost..."
He nodded then smiled. "I was shocked to say the least, yet after that she ordered her crew to stay behind and 'escort ours' while we negotiated my terms. In fact I believe if it was not for the Rear Admiral, I wouldn't get all of the privileges I have now." He smiled keeping their conversation secret. As the Whitebeards murmured there own comments at his story.
Marco watched Jinbe's face change. There was more to the story he would have to press for later. Jinbe however was lost in her confessions.
"You know, I was kinda jealous when I saw y'alls marks. I wish I had thought about that before I threw myself to the marines. It would of been a whole'lotta easier." She laughed leaning against the large fish mans back both of them watching the stars above drinks in their hands. Though he was sure hers was orange juice.
"Fisher Tiger was a great man. Even after he freed himself he went back to save the others." Jinbe nodded as Domino pulled her head between her knees leaning away from Jinbe who looked down worried. Had he done something to sadden her. He was aware that she was sharing guarded information with him. Yet she explained it as a reason for her actions earlier.
"I..My brothers and I couldn't. I mean we could of, I believe that but.. we were so preoccupied with the idea of revenge we forgot about the rest. So many good people and we just..." She murmured pulling herself tighter her wrists twisting as Jinbe leaned into her to give her comfort. But something seemed as if it wasn't his place. She seemed like she belonged with someone else and was waiting for them to comfort her. Instead he offered the only thing he could.
His advice.
"Though Fisher was a proud man, I have seen him extend his mark to others like him." Jinbe offered lightly knowing she would refuse. She seemed to proud to ever take him on this offer.
She tilted her head. "Nah, that's not my mark to bare. I'm kinda hoping for a birdy to give me another one but gotta wait some more." She smiled running her hand through her hair and looking up at Jinbe. Her wide honey eyes staring through him.
"You do understand exactly what all of this means, don't you?" She asked him looking on as he raised an eyebrow. "What?"
She sighed and tipping her drink back she then shook her head. "While you can get out of most things by being cleaver, there will always be one thing you can't escape. No matter how much you try and spin it." She started taking a deep breath. "You'll always have to obey in the end." She stated before moving to stand up. Gingerly placing a hand on his shoulder as he stayed silent and thoughtful while she took in deep breaths and held her chest lightly. The sudden motion proving to be quite the challenge.
"But, know this," She sent him a crazy and genuine smile. "At least you'll have me to back you up." She winked. "One Dog to another." Before she waved him off as she headed below the deck of her ship. Though she was docked on land she preferred her ship. Another interesting fact about her.
Jinbe looked on in awe as Marco nodded. "I would imagine Domino had more to say then you're letting on-yoi." He asked cheerfully.
Jinbe smiled. "Of course she did! But It seems to me you already know what it was about." He called as Marco let out a proud smile. "I do-yoi."
But Did he?
The heavy footsteps splashing in the mud echoed through her ears while the cries of battle drowned out the thunder above.
Domino took in a deep burning breath and kneeled. Digging her fingertips deep in the mud feeling the earth pulsing through her body. She felt the raindrops splashing across her bare tattooed shoulder and crashing towards the the puddles that then rippled as the ground beneath them began to bow outwards giving way to snake like vines that creeped through the dirt.
Domino took in deep breaths as Adaline quickly loaded and unloaded her gun. "Any day now Dom," She growled putting the scoop to her eye then pulling the trigger and quickly reloading. It turns out, Morgen had more men then the marines had thought.
Even after months of Adaline's careful planning and seduction work. It still meant nothing compared to the sheer amount of men that tried to over power the now docked marine ship.
However the keyword was tried.
Domino smirked and tilted her head as she motioned with her left arm for her men to stand their ground. "Not yet." She murmured before feeling her body tug and pull with the vines that now pierced through unprepared pirates trapping them down in surprise. However more still pushed forward.
Adaline scoffed, quickly pulling the trigger again not missing a single mark. Leaving bodies of free men scattered among the pathways.
Domino looked and ran her free hand through her hair twisting her wrist in the mud with a grimace as she felt the earth reverberate through her vines.
"Adaline, call the order," She stated calmly as the petite woman nodded and threw the gun around her shoulder, turning from the roaring fight while waving her arms.
"Fall back!" She called shielding her eyes from the stinging rain and looking at the cheering pirates that now sprinted towards the retreating marines.
Adaline watched on as Domino stayed still and calm, as if a predator waiting for its foolish pray. She gave a light tap to the focused woman's shoulder and got a nod in response. Adaline looked on straight faced as the rushing line got closer.
Domino glanced back her sharp and crooked teeth showing in her menacing smile as lightning cracked across the sky, giving her a wicked glint. "Ada, you're staring." Her cold voice almost growled.
The red head, draped in Dominos long overcoat, nodded then quickly turned her back to the fight. As she did so she heard the sound of stones cracking and men screaming in pain and hollering.
She then slowly turned back again to see Domino moving to stand tall above the whimpering men that were now tied down to the ground by remarkable yellow rose vines..
Domino nodded towards her men, wiping the mud on her pants.
"Lock em up." She stated coldly turning away from the battle that had now ceased.
Adaline shook her head in distaste "I wish you wouldn't give us the order to run when you just turn around and take care of it?" She sighed looking up as lightning cracked across the sky.
The light flashing in front of an unfazed Domino. She did not get scared by foreboding storms. She'll challenge them too if she had too.
"How else would I get them to come forward? Ask nicely?" The soaking wet, Domino scoffed before throwing her arm over the smaller and very dry Adaline. Marines ran past them with guns and cuffs at the ready.
Adaline rolled her eyes. "I won't include the retreat order in the report." She hummed as Domino looked over smiling. "Yeah that sounds bout right." She let out a light giggle before growing quiet.
Noticing how Adaline held her arms crossed digging her perfectly done nails in to the sleeves of the justice jacket crumpling up the fabric and causing a small stain of red to begin to form.
Domino looked towards the rustling sea. She couldn't get the hollow sound of Adaline's voice out of her head. "Hey, um you good?" She asked Ada weakly. Both woman still standing beneath the now downpour.
Adaline flinched for a second before rolling her eyes and lifting up her arms, Domino's sleeves hung from her hands by a few extra inches. "Of course I am." She stated. It was absurd that she would be anything but.
Domino frowned before looking up and closing her eyes accepting the warm sting of the rain before nodding. "You need to go get dried up and changed. I'm sure you wanna get out of those clothes." She now smiled and leaned in to a crossed armed Adaline.
Dom was trying to help her.
Key word. Trying.
Adaline however just gave a heavy and nod forced herself to leave the deck. Domino sighed and ran her hand through her hair.
What was she going to do besides yell at Kuzan for sending them in the first place. This mission was stupid and useless. Much like she felt right now.
What happened to being easy? As it was the bottle she had drank had her feeling sick, and her body was sore and burning. Of course she wouldn't show it. But she actually was in pain as she stood slumped over and worried debating how to make Adaline smile again.
Sure Domino was hurt, and sure she was positive it was from her body being so worn down from running the ship without Adaline's help. The constant burn of being sober and locking herself in her cabin to save her men from the wicked smile was constantly tiring.
But none of that mattered compared to how broken Adaline's baby blue eyes seemed with just those few questions.