A/N- Hey so-Warning, I'm not that experienced in making characters act the way they are canonically, so please bear with me, and the inevitable ooc-ness. With that aside, please enjoy, and happy reading! – Diwata.
Reviews are highly appreciated! So please leave one if you'd like.
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"Speaking"
"Thoughts"
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece nor its characters, Eichiro Oda does.
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The waves rocked hard against the keel of one of the marine vessels.
After the successful launch of the buster call, the soldiers that had participated in the bombing of Ohara were currently returning back to navy headquarters, in Marineford.
The tension in unit six was so thick that it could be cut with a knife.
The blatant stripping of their ex-marine captain's rank put a toll on their morale and inflicted an internal conflict on their own sense of justice.
They have been thinking long and hard about the events that had transpired and was laid out in front of them.
The man who had done so much for them was mutinied, by the very people he had trusted.
Ex-marine captain Alexander was a happy-go-lucky, but he was also an incredibly dependable and respectable leader to whomever was working under him.
He was truly a righteous man, he had the characteristics of an ideal marine, the charisma of leader figure, and had the personality that allowed him to befriend anyone, despite their rank.
Some had been envious of the man, yet they couldn't despise him either, but somehow, all of these previous thoughts and regards for the ex-marine captain has been thrown out of the window the moment he stood up for what he knew, no, what everyone knew was right.
The mighty unit six has been reduced to a couple of cowards.
Their guilt was collectively crawling through every fiber of their being.
It was a suffocating feeling, they concluded, their consciousness getting the best of them.
They were under the direct orders of a Vice Admiral, they couldn't defy a person of his rank. They tried to reason out, justifying their actions like they were stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Although deep within them, they knew, that they were just fishing for excuses. They had complete control of their will, there was no gun positioned at their heads and threaten them to do it, no.
But still, there was nothing they could do.
They couldn't sacrifice disobedience that could potentially cost them their occupation. They all had families to provide for, they couldn't afford to throw away their source of income.
Their ex-marine captain proved their point. The second Vice Admiral Akainu suspended the man, their decision not do anything was sealed.
But despite all of that, all their seemingly justifiable reasons, why was there remnants of regret leaving a nasty itch at the back of their consciousness?
No one spoke their minds about the matter, either they were ashamed, or apathetic.
It was up to each other's judgment.
It was anyone's guess.
Lieutenant Judas has been ordered to take care of a certain disobedient ex-marine captain, and unwillingly, he had taken him into one of the solitary cells below deck.
Dark, and desolate of any other human being.
The fire that once ignited inside the jailed man has been extinguished, brutally.
After the extreme pumps of adrenaline, and active resistance, he had failed.
He was imprisoned, uncertain of what to do next. Only God knows what would happen to him now.
"Mel…Brie…."
The man could only think of his loved ones, maybe he could never see them again.
Maybe he'll be thrown into hell, in Impel Down itself for his stupid act of defiance.
Now he really f***** up.
"ARGHHHH! IDIOT! IDIOT! IDIOT! Great job doofus! Now there's a chance you'll never see them again! Because you couldn't keep your big mouth shut!"
Alexander yanked his hair in frustration as he slid down the side of the cold metal walls and sat on the dirty floor.
His head was spinning with negative thoughts he never thought he would have.
Grunting in pain tried to compose himself.
Waiting in the dark, with only suspense and anxiety as his only companions, he waited.
He waited for what the hands of the people undeserving of their power had in stall for him.
It was about 1:00 in the afternoon, he hadn't eaten anything at that point, and his stomach began to make himself known to the man as it gurgled in hunger.
"Heh, I guess they don't even feed their prisoners, talk about a truly humane justice system. What a joke."
Alexander smiled bitterly, he was left with the rocking of the sea, and the caws of the birds passing by.
An hour had passed, but the ex-marine captain couldn't tell, there was no means to determine what time it was.
The placement of the sun on the horizon only gave him a tiny bit of information to make a rough guess.
Then he heard, a set of footsteps descending from above.
A man had come to visit the 'unhinged' ex-marine captain.
He was not in the mood to have a confrontation with any of his former colleagues.
Not after what they did.
He was a stubborn man, but only when he sees fit. The footsteps slowed down, just a few feet away from where he sat.
"C-Captain…."
A distant voice called out to him.
It was Lieutenant Judas', his right hand man, or more appropriately, was his right hand man.
The lieutenant cautiously approached the man, carrying a tray filled with a loaf of bread, placed neatly on a plate, with a bowl of now-cold soup, supposedly meant for him.
"C-Captain…..I-I'm sorry. For what happened I-"
"Don't call me that. I am no longer your captain anymore."
He was taken aback by his Alexander's dismissive behavior, but it was understandable. He had betrayed his captain, along with the entire unit.
He was in no right to complain or even be surprised at his actions. But this wasn't about him, it was about the consequences resulting from his misdeed.
"But-"
"Save it. Judas. I don't want to hear any excuses. I had seen enough. I don't need insincere apologies."
"Please….just hear me out…Al."
The ex-marine captain's ears perked up at the unique nickname he never expected to hear again.
Not from the other man, like he was once referred him to, oh so many years ago.
"We should come up with nicknames Alex!"
"Hah? That sounds…girly, why do you want to?"
"Well, we're brothers aren't we?"
"Yeah, so?"
"So? What do you mean, 'so'? Why not? Common Alex! Don't be a spoil sport."
"Fine, fine, if that makes you happy."
"Yosh! I'll call you….Al! It's a lot shorter than 'Alex' and, it's just one syllable, pretty cool huh? I thought hard about that!"
"Yeah yeah, hahahaha alright. I like it, for you though…how about Das? Or maybe…. Ju?"
"Al, please tell me you've got something better than that."
"I'm joking! I'm joking! Jeez! I'll call you Jude."
"Hmmmm it's pretty unique! I like it! Thanks Al."
"Of course it is, and you're welcome, Jude."
Back when they were still in training, the two of them had become so close that they were nearly inseparable.
They were always training together, studying together, and it was like they had become blood brothers during their time there.
Their friendship was admired by those around them. The trust that they held for each other was unquestionable.
May it be training on grounds, doing side recovery missions, and leisure time, they were always near or with each other.
Only when Alexander was promoted, when something put a strain in their once unbreakable friendship.
That promotion separated Alexander from Judas, it became different all of a sudden, all in a blink of an eye.
He was no longer assigned with him for marine duties, as he was in a lower rank than him. He also had a lot more work cut out for him, which made their time to spend together halved, quartered, until there was no more time left.
As time went on, their distance just, lengthened both literally and figuratively.
Somewhere in between, Alexander forgot about Judas.
Swallowed up by work, meeting Melody, and later on eventually courting her, and now, he had a daughter, a family to take care of.
Judas was gradually erased from his top priorities and was almost forgotten, until one day, he was also promoted.
He was promoted to a lieutenant, he had not heard from him in years, frankly because he was separated from his first marine base as well.
But this time, he did not look nor feel like the same person.
His once frolic friend was reduced to a cold and calculating individual.
Ever so professional and distant to those around him. He had put up an iron wall around him, preventing anyone from ever getting close and personal with him.
He had matured, and he was so different from who he was before that Alexander failed to recognize the man had he not introduced himself again, as a lieutenant.
"I am Lieutenant Judas, I will be working for you starting today, Captain Alexander."
"Wait, Judas? Is that really you? It's been too long! How have you been?"
"I am….doing alright. If there is anything that needs assistance, please don't hesitate to call me."
"Don't be so formal man! It's been ages! How 'bout we go for a drink later? Like old times?"
"That won't be necessary captain. I still have paperwork to attend to afterwards. Still, I thank you for the offer…is that all?"
"Oh, uh, yes, Lieutenant. You are dismissed…"
He treated him like a complete stranger. Not in a hostile or uncivilized way, but, in a way that felt so….different, so far away.
So uncharacteristically different. Just what had caused this drastic change?
Has the Judas he came to know erased from existence?
During their new time together as a working team, he felt like he never knew him, like all the time they spent together meant absolutely nothing to the man.
He didn't talk nor entertain the man unless absolutely necessary or because of work.
All his invitations to reconnect, and to hang out like it was years ago were shot down immediately, saying he had better things to do.
Sure it hurt, but soon he understood.
Only then had he realized his shortcomings.
That, for almost a little over half a decade, he had not contacted the man.
He never wrote, never saw, and never interacted with his friend.
He realized how selfish it was to act all chummy like he had done nothing wrong, especially with a person that was once the closest to him.
Not after he'd simply forgotten about him.
He then promised to himself that he would make it up to him. He would do anything to bring back what was lost and rekindle their old friendship.
Alexander was persistent, but Judas never budged at first, but as the months rolled by, he could feel his stoic mask chip away by his presence alone.
It was a success, he thought, he had hope, that the man he once knew was still there, somehow.
Under the heavy masking of professionalism and distant personality.
Even if he wasn't completely like he was before, Alexander was satisfied, because he knew he had gained even the littlest of his trust back.
And then the events of Ohara happened, and the situation was rockier than ever before. After his 'betrayal' he just couldn't find the will to reconnect again.
The stubborn man had finally given up.
Or so he thought.
Alexander released a large sigh, and slowly faced the lieutenant.
"What do you want, Jude?"
The said man's eyes widened, completely surprised by the name he thought he had forgotten, but recovered in an instant.
"I-I want to apologize. I knew it was wrong, but I didn't take your side. I…I was scared, Al. I am powerless against that man."
Judas stated in a low voice, trailing softly as he walked forward, nearing the ex-captain until he was face to face with the man.
He sat down, and opened a latch to give the man his much needed luncheon.
"Here, I know it's already past lunch time, but I couldn't sneak some until the others left the cafeteria. It's not much, but please eat. You're hungry, and don't you dare deny it. I know you, Al."
Alexander did not reply as he let the lieutenant speak his thoughts, he was grateful for the meal, and began eating the loaf of bread and left over soup given to him.
Judas didn't leave. He sat there, opposite of him, watching him eat. Seemingly deep in thought. Shakily, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a shiny silver key.
He fumbled with the lock as he tried to slowly pry it open.
"O-Oi Jude! What are you doing?!"
"Doing what's right. You don't deserve to be imprisoned here. I'll help you escape. In a few minutes, we'll dock near Toroa. That's your hometown, right?"
"What?! No! I am NOT letting you free me!" Alexander shouted.
"Are you crazy?! You'll get in major trouble if you do that! Heck, they'll even terminate you! Have you gone nuts?!"
Alexander huffed in protest, at what he thought was the stupidest thing the man in front of him attempted to do.
Judas could only stare at him, his decision unwavering.
"I've made up my mind Al. You didn't do anything wrong. I on the other hand…well I couldn't say the same thing. I think I've lost my humanity. I guess you can call this repaying my debt to you."
"Huh? What debt? I don't recall doing anything to make you think you owe me."
"Cut the crap Al, I know I've ignored you and treated you like a stranger, but still, you haven't given up on befriending me again. I am a horrible friend."
"No! Don't! Don't you dare say that! I was the one at fault! I left you there, without a word, nor a goodbye, I've basically forgotten about you! Yet, you still put up with me despite that…"
The two exchanged their unspoken words they kept under the rug for years. It reopened some old wounds, but the closure helped sealed it shut.
Tears rolled down the men's eyes, both letting out their bottled up feelings after so long.
Sniffing loudly at his runny nose, Lieutenant Judas faced his old friend.
"Hah, you never change, Al."
"Heh, unlike someone I know."
"Oh shut up."
The two exchanged a good laugh, feeling content at their reconciliation.
"Anyway, you can't just bust out of here, marines are practically littered everywhere, but I know their stations and when they'll leave after they unpack. Use that time to escape via a cargo of rations. It's usually unguarded, well, except for the cooks."
"Thank you, Jude. You even planned everything, as expected of you hahaha"
"Of course I would, now-"
*RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING* *RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING* *RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING*
The loud sirens rang loud once again indicating they were nearing the port.
"We don't have much time left."
Judas said, quickly unlocking the remaining locks, soon, the large metal bars were open, and Alexander cautiously left the cell.
Throwing him a coat he stole from some soldier, he led the way out.
Alexander put on the coat handed to him and followed Judas, to the second level of the warship, where most of the cargo was located.
After avoiding a few patrolling marines, they finally managed to sneak into one of their planned escape-cargo.
Shuffling under the cover of the wooden structure, Alexander made himself comfortable, as comfortable as he possibly could atop barrels of fruit and other goods, before peeking out to check if Judas was still there.
"Hey, don't peek! Do you wanna get caught or something?"
"The same goes for you!"
"Ugh Al! We've talked about this. I'll be fine. Just stay put and I'll guard you here. Now stay quiet, I can hear them coming."
True to his word, Alexander could feel the heavy footsteps as it vibrated even in his hiding spot.
He could hear the faint conversation of what he assumed to be the cooks that Judas was talking about, before it eventually died down and he heard Judas' voice one last time.
"This is it Al, I can't help you any further than here. I convinced them to load the rations earlier, and away from most of the others. Make sure you escape, got that, Al?!"
Alexander couldn't stop himself from tearing up again.
"You know I will, Jude, and…I can't thank you enough, for everything." Alexander replied, his voice unsteady.
"Be safe and…goodbye, Al."
Lieutenant Judas walked off, wiping the tears forming in his eyes.
This is it.
Alexander thought, he could feel Judas leaving, and just as he promised, he was transported somewhere distinctively away from the other loads.
Carefully, he made his escape, and fled the scene without anyone noticing.
He ran fast, faster than the wind, and after a while, he arrived at the doorstep he so longed to be on, and quickly knocked on the door.
He waited patiently, his excitement bubbling from his insides made him giddy and nervous in anticipation.
Surely, light footsteps neared him, and the door opened, his wife staring at him in surprise, disbelief and happiness all together.
"A-Alex?"
"Hi honey, I've missed you."
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At the western side of the island, a particular little girl was frozen in her tracks at the revelation slapped onto her face.
God really knew how to mess with her.
"Dere-shishishi! Is my name that surprising Brielle-san?"
The older girl, who called herself Robin, had asked the bubbly girl before her. She was quite amused by her antics, but found her personality endearing.
"Ah? Ahahahahaha! I-I was just surprised! Your name sounds so cool! And-and I don't know anyone here named Robin, so that means you really aren't from here, that's all, ahahahahaha…."
Brielle replied at record speed, waving her hands franticly, trying her hardest to justify her sudden outburst.
"Calm down Brie, Calm down…..BRIE YOU IDIOT! YOU KNEW SOMETHING WAS UP WITH THAT LAUGH! YOU CALLED IT! WHY DIDN'T YOU REALIZE IT SOONER? SHE WAS ALL ALONE, HAD BLACK HAIR, LOOKED AROUND THE SAME AGE AS HER IN CANON, THERE WAS A BOAT JUST LYING THERE AND THERE WAS A FREAKING ICE PATH. AN ICE PATH ON THE OCEAN."
For a moment there, it looked like the girl had stopped functioning for a second.
"LIKE THERE WAS NOTHING ODD ABOUT THAT FOR PETE'S SAKE! UGHHHHASDFGHJKL"
Her mind was currently in chaos at the unexpected encounter.
"What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?"
What was she supposed to do? She was not prepared AT ALL. She was almost panicking, but it wasn't evident by her facial expression. It was blank at most.
Thankfully, her mind went on autopilot as she tried her best to act as if there was nothing surprising of her name.
"Ah—Robin-nee, can I call you that? Are you hungry? Cause I am! Ahahaha….."
"Oh wow, such smoothness Brie. Great job. Totally unsuspicious and un-nervous at all."
The girl silently mocked herself for how she acted, she just prayed to God she wouldn't ruin her chances at befriending one of her favorite characters.
"No, they aren't mere characters anymore. She's a real person. I need to stop thinking of them as characters anymore. I shouldn't be putting them on a pedestal. I should just act as if I didn't know her complete backstory and what hell she'll go through and what she would become under the strawhats. Yup. No problem at all."
Notice the hint of sarcasm.
"Of course you can, why not? um hello? Earth to Brielle-san? You okay?" Robin's brows knitted together, waving a hand in front of the younger girl's eyes.
This apparently did the trick, she was pulled out from whatever trance she was in, pulling her back to reality.
"I'm fine, sorry 'bout that ahahaha, I'm probably really hungry if I was spacing out like that! Common! I have some sandwiches we can eat."
"Oh okay then."
Brielle led her by the hand, they climbed up and onto the clearing. She pulled out the snacks her mother prepared for her, and gave one to Robin, shyly accepting her offer.
She handed her a cheese sandwich wrapped in a piece of table napkin. Robin carefully unwrapped the napkin and took a small bite.
"Woah! This tastes really good Brielle-san!" The girl proclaimed, now taking larger bites.
Brielle, took a bite for herself, indulging the sweet and tangy taste.
"Uh-huh! It's because my mommy made these! She cooks really yummy food!"
"Ah, I see. That's nice…"
"Shoot! Good going Brie! You just reminded her of her dead mother! Wow, just wow. Can you get any worse?"
Brielle winced as she mentally slapped herself for making such a mistake.
"Gotta avoid that topic, quick!"
"S-Say, Brielle-san…."
"Huh? What is it? Robin-nee?"
"Can…..can I be, your friend?"
"But aren't you already my friend?"
"No-I mean…..how can you say that?…..You…..you don't even know me at all!"
"You dummy! Friends don't immediately know everything about them! Friends tell each other about themselves once they feel like they can trust them. So, if you don't trust me yet, I understand."
"Oh….I guess I didn't really thought about that…." Robin pondered.
"That's really kind of you to say Brielle-san…but, I am…a monster."
"Wha?"
"I'm not….normal."
"What do you mean, Robin-nee?"
Brielle asked despite already knowing the answer.
"I…I ate a devil fruit." Robin replied, turning her head away, eyes looking distant.
"A whaaa?" The younger of the two questioned.
"I gotta play dumb. I am literally a five year old. There is no way I would know something as bizarre as a devil fruit at this age, and in this small town no less."
"Oh…you probably don't know about that yet, but, to put it simply, it makes those that eat it, much less human. It grants them powers…but that doesn't matter! It made me a monster!"
"Woooaaaahhhhh! Really? Then, do you have those powers?! Let me see! Let me see!"
Brielle eagerly replied, completely disregarding her claims of being a 'monster'.
She wanted to look less threatening towards the other girl. She knew of her past, trauma. People from Ohara ostracized her, just because she became something special.
And if that wasn't enough, it was up to her own judgment whether or not she was a monster, which clearly, she wasn't.
"She's probably testing me, whether I judge her or not. If I get freaked out by her hana-hana powers….. Well, as much as I've seen it in anime. I don't really know what to imagine, having limbs grow out like flowers. Guess I'll find out then."
"Didn't you hear what I just said?"
Her voice croaked, her hurtful memories resurfacing.
"I did, but that's for me to decide, not you! Now common! I wanna see your powers!"
Robin didn't know how to react to that statement, but it gave her hope.
"Maybe…."
"A-Are you sure? You might…...think I'm weird."
"Whaaaaat? But I haven't even seen it yet! I know it's something cool! Common! I won't freak out, I promise!"
"I-If you say so…"
Robin looked like she was in internal conflict with herself. She lowered her head, her bangs fell and framed her youthful face, covering her eyes.
Slowly, a set of hands started to sprout from her forearm. It glowed white as it emerged from nowhere.
There were now three arms present on the right side of her body.
Now, little Brielle knew what to expect already, but it looked waaaaaay different from what she imagined.
Definitely realistic, she thought, but she wasn't scared, she was more inclined and interested by how her powers worked.
"If she can sprout any limb from nothing, then does that mean she can regenerate any part of her body? Does she have an unlimited amount of bone and tissue to sprout limbs out of practically anything? For infinity and beyond? Does she feel everything that her 'clone' limbs feel? If so, then wouldn't that be a major drawback?"
Because the girl was thinking so hard about her unanswered questions, Robin thought the worst possible scenario in her head. She thought she scared her so much that she was unable to move.
"I-I'm sorry! My powers scared you! I'm a monster I knew it was weird! I-I'll go now!"
The olive skinned girl pulled back from Brielle, the extra arms disappeared, leaving a trail of petals. She backed away, in an attempt to flee, away from her.
"Wait! No! I'm not scared!"
"Liar! You're so scared that you couldn't move! I've seen enough to know what the faces of those scared of me looks like!"
Robin turned around, ready to sprint any second. She needed to get away, but Brielle's words stopped her in her tracks.
"No! I am not scared! You got it all wrong!"
Brielle shouted, to clear the obvious misunderstanding.
"Please listen! I was AMAZED! I HAVE NEVER SEEN SOMETHING SO COOL IN MY LIFE!"
The taller of the two jolted at her declaration. Never in her life had someone compliment her powers, not even one, but this girl, she wasn't even scared one bit!
She turned around to face Brielle looking at her, eyes pleading her not to leave.
The little girl screamed at the top of her lungs. Sure, she might come off as too enthusiastic about it, but darn was she not getting this chance to befriend her slip away. Not on her watch. Not in a million years.
"What? No way-You" Robin stuttered, in denial of what she had just heard.
"How did you do that?! That was so cool! Your arms! They multiplied! Can you teach me how to do that? I can do so many things with that many hands! Imagine that!"
Brielle kept rambling on about how cool her powers was, and how useful it was. Claiming to want having such a power like hers.
She couldn't believe her ears. There was actually someone that judged her because of her powers? No name calling, no calling her a weirdo, a freak, a devil?
She was different, Robin concluded.
She judged her wrongly, just like those that hated her without even knowing her.
This made her tear up. There were people like her that exists?
"Robin-nee! Hey…Are you crying? Was it something I said? I'm sorry! I-I was just!"
"W-why are you apologizing, Brielle-san?"
Robin chuckled, even though tears slid off her eyes, as she knelt down, at the younger girl's level, patting her head.
"I-I thought, you might think I'm too much…"
"No no, I'm sorry, I judged you too quickly, but, thank you….."
"Hah? Why are you thanking me, silly?"
"Fufufu, never mind that, hey, can you tell me more about yourself, Brielle-san?"
"Oh…..okay!" Brielle replied, happy that she somehow convinced her that she was not afraid of her.
She stood up, her hands on her hips, and wearing a large smile, she reintroduced herself again.
"My name is Brielle! Five years old! I can sing and play the ukulele! And! And! I wanna go and explore the world someday! Now, its your turn, Robin-nee!"
The girl laughed, as she held her hands as to pull the other girl up from where she sat.
"Ah! But only if you want to." Brielle added.
Robin smiled, and took her hand. She dusted the dirt from her dress and returned the same smile.
"My name is Robin, I'm eight years old, and I'm an archeologist! I want to learn about the true history someday."
"An archeologist?" Brielle asked, she titled her head, and scratched it in confusion.
As much as she already knew of her, she had to play dumb.
She didn't like deceiving her, but there was no other option. She couldn't just go off and proclaim that she already knew her.
It just wouldn't make any sense, and she didn't want her to get suspicious of her.
She had already planned so much, and she isn't going to let go of the clueless façade, because frankly, she was supposed to be clueless.
"It's a person that studies the history of the world."
"Woaaahhhh then, you must be really smart!"
"Oh, fufufufu thank you, Brielle-san, I'm flattered."
The two continued to talk until it was almost sundown. By that time, Robin had already told the girl what happened to her hometown, and all the tragedies that had occured.
Robin didn't know why she was telling someone she met only by a few hours everything, but even though it was very unlike her, a part of her knew she could trust the girl, and somehow felt that she was much more mature than she let on.
Yet, she viewed her as someone innocent, one that has not been tainted by the cruel world around her. She was free from judgment and had a free spirit.
She could tell that she was a warm hearted person that reminded her of her late friend, Saul, that sacrificed himself for her.
She was happy, that she found someone, someone that accepted her.
"Hey, Robin-nee….you should stay at our house!" Brielle suggested, looking awfully excited at the idea of her staying over her house.
"Huh? But I don't want to be a bother." Robin replied, rubbing her arm in a nervous manner.
"Nu-uh! I've decided! You have nowhere to go! I can't leave you here!"
Brielle humped in defiance. She insisted that she take her offer.
"Well, I do have nowhere to go….but, if it's okay, then, I accept."
"Yay!"
Brielle shouted in glee, earning a small smile from Robin.
She packed her things, and she led the way back to their house. Robin was trailing after her, with her hand placed securely in the little girl's smaller hand.
By the time the two arrived, Brielle was ecstatic to introduce her to her mother. She knocked on the door and called out,
"Mommy! I'm home! I also brought-"
"Brie? Is that you?"
A familiar voice called out, accompanied by fast approaching footsteps. The door opened, and she saw her father, grinning happily at her.
"Daddy? DADDY!"
Brielle threw herself at her father, happy and surprised to see him after so long.
"Hi Brie! I've missed you so muuuch!" Alexander stated, showering his little girl with kisses.
Melody peeked out from the kitchen, also smiling, and slowly approached the two.
"Welcome back Brie, oh? Who's your friend here, sweetie?"
The mother neared the three, curious as to who her daughter brought home with her from her play time.
"Oh! Um, Mommy, Daddy, this is Robin-nee, Robin-nee, these are my Mommy and Daddy!"
Brielle smiled, introducing the older girl to her parents. She was a bit shy at first, as she stood behind her, cautious, but then she walked forward and bowed.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Merlin." She spoke in a formal voice.
"No need to be so formal dear, just call me Melody, of Mel for short, if you'd like."
"Same here, just call me Alex! Nice to meet you too."
The two welcomed their daughter's new friend instantly, and learned over dinner that she had nowhere to go at the moment, and so they generously offered to let her stay with them for the time being.
To say that Robin blended in pretty smoothly was a huge understatement. Both Melody and Alexander were eager to know more about the new friend their daughter had befriended, much to Brie's embarrassment. They could be too much sometimes, but it was endearing.
They settled that she could sleep in Brielle's room, as they had a spare futon hidden somewhere and the two slept soundly.
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The next day felt like any other day. Melody woke up early to prepare a hearty breakfast for her family and their special guest, Robin.
She rummaged through the cupboard to find the ingredients to make miso soup. There was nothing better than waking up with a warm bowl of miso soup!
The mother busied herself in the kitchen, she pulled out a large pot and started boiling water for the soup, she also started making some side dishes as well, such as scrambled eggs and onigiri.
Everything was going great. Her husband had returned much earlier than expected, and that was a good thing, right?
She hummed as she finished up making breakfast. She went outside to pick up the daily news delivered by the news coo.
As expected, the papers were already there, placed on their doorstep. She bent down to pick it up, and curiously flipped through the pages.
A news article caught her eyes. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she skimmed through the contents of the writings.
The last page struck her.
"W-What?"
She didn't know what to think. She couldn't process what she just read. A shaky hand came up to her mouth in shock.
The newspaper slipped through her fingertips, and it fell on the ground. Its content lay flat and visible.
"Merlin Alexander- Ex-marine Captain/ WANTED: 100,000,000 million belli"
"Nico Robin – Devil Child/ WANTED: 79,000,000 million belli"
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.
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"Puru puru puru…..puru puru puru…kacha!"
"How was the mission? Did you do it as I asked?"
"Naturally, I never disappoint."
"Heh, you'll be receiving your reward soon. Good job, and thank you for your work."
"Likewise, I'll also be expecting a promotion soon, no?"
"Of course, of course! It is only fitting of your service."
"Thank you."
"No problem, Captain."
"Kacha!"
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Word Count: 5,564
Date of Publication: April 7, 2020