As time went by there wasn't an incident that the other marines couldn't handle. A child nearly falling off the ramp but merely caught by another soldier standing near. An elderly woman having back issues but simply didn't have to lift a finger to carry her luggage. Simple tasks that helped move things along smoothly. The only hold ups were those who didn't have their paper work in order or important documents missing and there seemed to be quite a few. Some took it with good stride while others not so well but the commanding officer, well the captain to be precise, in charge was the famous White Hunter Smoker. He seemed to be temporarily reassigned from Loguetown to help fill in on the shortage of staff to usher the new and old residents in over the course of the next few months. From what Katie could hear at her distance, he wasn't too pleased about the situation either.
Despite his stern disposition, the man was thorough. After over an hour and a half of waiting, he voice came in barking wondering why the ship wasn't fully dispatched yet. His gruff manner of doing things had the marines under his care fearing him and they began working nearly double time to carry out his orders.
Many of the passengers who were used to getting by on the the bare minimum requirements were sent to another station to sort their papers and to come back at a later time. He had a no nonsense policy no matter who the person was or who they were related too. Even the young brunette woman cringed every time she heard, "do you know who my husband is", or "if you would just let me go like you people have done in the past." There was even the occasional, "I out rank you", bit which lead for Zephyr to bluster outward reminding everyone he was still there. If he was alright with Smoker doing his duty then there was no room for argument.
The White Hunter's methods did cause a stir but it was proficient. People began asking the marines proper questions and not the typical spoiled ones like before. Yes the island was protected better than any other island in the world and yes, many of the privileged resided there. After all, an officer's pay wasn't something to merely brush off but it was based off hard work. Many spouses and children seemed to purposely miss that particular fact and even dare look down on the precious marines who were not yet ranked themselves.
With Smoker finally making it to the scene, things began to really move. This was much to the relief of a certain vice-admiral who could practically feel his wife in his arms. He missed her so much. This down time was long over due after his summons to a notorious pirate's hideout; unfortunately just happened to be an entire island on top of other things. The trip was long and exhausting.
Zephyr gave a heavy sigh. His bones cracked and popped as he stretched before puffing on his cigar. The man's darker grey eyes shifted to see a young woman adjusting her sandals she had taken off earlier. Her slim body was a result of hard work. He could see every inch of muscle despite it not being defined. The brunette must have been naturally strong, he concluded. To top off her beautiful angular features and sharp chin, the young woman had curves in all the right places. As a man he could admire a rare treasure such as herself but as a husband, he wasn't going to cross any lines. He loved Mary more than she'd ever know.
Feeling a bit facetious, the vice-admiral couldn't resist asking a few personal questions. Zephyr smiled almost devilishly before taking out his cigar to speak. "Katie... Can I ask about your personal hobbies", he started off with something simple. Something to set her up for later. The line was half way down the ramp, they still had quite a bit of time to kill.
Brilliant blue hues gazed up and blinked. "Sure thing", the brunette answered. "I'm into drawing, fishing, reading, building... I even built mom's house with the help of Grandpa Garp. Whenever he'd get time off, he'd make a straight line to see us", she added with a prideful smile neglecting the fact he had other family on the island but she had been asked to keep it all a secret. One that the vice-admiral utterly trusted her with.
"I'd also go swimming far off our coast as well. Many times I've landed myself on a marine ship patrolling the area. One time...", Katie paused as she began to snicker. She was desperately trying not to fall apart in a fit of laughter. "I got so mad at grandpa for leaving early... I swam after his coffer to give him a good yelling. I was six at the time... Of course I couldn't keep up so I did what any kid would do... Follow anyways. I lost course, his ship, everything. Four days later I was found by a marine vessel. On it was my other grandpa. Boy... that didn't turn out well for neither Grandpa Garp or me but that's just how it goes most of the time. Grandpa Garp is a laid back man who will always be there to help me up when I scrape my knees and elbows. He'll be the first to teach me how to do things to not get hurt again but my other grandpa... He'll step in before I get into trouble. Often grandpa will yell at grandpa Garp for allowing me to do reckless things and then turn around and pull my ear until I listen to him about how to be more careful. Especially when he found out it was just me and my mom before grandpa Garp came into the picture."
Katie blinked and nearly appeared devastated. "I'm sorry! I took up too much explaining that! You simply asked about hobbies...", the female groaned with a worried expression. She was truly bothered by the fact that the subject had become side tracked and worse, one sided.
Zephyr bellowed out into another fit of laughter. He merely waved off her fears. "It's quite alright. It confirms my suspicions as to who your second grandfather is. You have made mention of him more than once without saying his name but it's easy to deduct. I do have to admit that's a lot on your shoulders. Your very presence represents two of the most powerful heroes in this world. I'm quite relieved you take your station quite seriously." The vice-admiral would have continued but he hesitated as he watched the color leave the young woman's cheeks. She seemed almost completely ill all of a sudden. "Are you ok", he inquired with worry in his volume as it dropped to softer tones.
The instructor had to give the young woman credit. She tried to smile but it seemed her expression was about to crack. It appeared that Katie was nervous with good reason. She was already at the top and bottom of other people's opinions when Garp made his entrance and exit. She probably didn't know where he stood with all the information but he trained with them, fought with them, and even commanded over Garp at one point. He wasn't afraid to box an ear or two, concerning either hero.
"I'm fine", she attempted to assure but seemed to be failing miserably. "I... How... I mean...", the female stammered before clearing her throat and trying again. "H...How did you know", a squeak formed into a soft spoken question.
Zephyr didn't take offense nor did he look down on her for bashful nature as many would simply because they would expect more from her. He could see she really didn't want others knowing who she was related to with sound reason. Many questions would form and thus Garp's granddaughter would have to relive this conversation over and over again. Not to mention as a quick previous thought, she seemed humbled and didn't wish to exploit her position as both the fleet-admiral's and a vice-admiral's granddaughter. Too many people, for the wrong reasons, would seek her out and many would simply challenge the validity of the claim. But the vice-admiral knew both would become volatile if anyone questioned it out of malice. Especially since Garp publicly made a point to apologize for not being there for her arrival. Sengoku was a bit more level headed but Zephyr personally knew exactly how protective that man can get and quickly he would use his overwhelming strength to see his will done.
"Can we not talk about their names please", Katie uttered softly under her breath. "I don't want people to get the wrong idea nor do I want anything I do to reflect poorly on grandpa Sengoku. I know grandpa Garp can handle himself easily by brushing off anyone who would confront him but grandpa Sengoku isn't like that. Nor is he in a position to allow him to have such freedom. I'm already nervous that I'm going to say or do something outrageous to earn his ire."
The violet haired vice-admiral couldn't help but smile and nod. There wasn't much she could do to tarnish his reputation but there was a lot of stigma and rumor that come back to bite her if she didn't appear proper in the eyes of the marines and public. He honestly didn't come to realize any of that until he married. Mary revealed after one break down a few years ago, just how detrimental appearances were. Women and sometimes the men, were judged and it reflected the soldier they were related too by any means. Children couldn't escape the chains placed by society either. It was good to hear that Katie already knew the importance of it and had arrived somewhat prepared.
"So... To lighten the mood how about I ask another question", the instructor moved on with a jovial tone. Unknowingly that she was being set up, the young woman accepted. Her smile of relief was quite pleasant to gaze at. Damn... She's quite the looker. Sengoku, Garp..., you bastards better be prepared for this. A beauty walking around a city filled with young, hot headed, marines. It was just begging for trouble, he confirmed in his own thoughts.
"Tell me... What do you think about being put on an island full of strong marines and since I can see that you traveled alone", the instructor asked in a very sly tone. A got-cha grin graced his lips as his eyes shifted forward in amusement.
Katie's reaction wasn't short of entertaining either. Her cheeks rushed with color and ears nearly lit up. After a long moment of silence and shock, the brunette regained her composure. "You're just like grandpa...", she adamantly responded with a rather nonthreatening scowl forming in her expression.
"Grandpa Garp asked me the same question with that same grin he always wears while my other grandpa answered it for me in a rather annoyed and loud manner. In his words, I would be too busy for anyone. There was no need to be bring that nonsense up... Right before he stole grandpa Garp's rice cakes and ate them himself. I could see the idea clearly irked him", she spoke in a ginger fashion. It was rather soothing and sound. It was so pleasant to the ears when she expressed herself in such a way. Zephyr could listen to her all day and he knew several marines that would as well.
"I assured grandpa not to worry about things like that. I was told grandpa Garp had found the perfect place for me to stay and build my dreams. I'll be utterly distracted by that for now but once I'm settled, I'll be to busy like grandpa said. Plus...", Katie sighed. "I doubt any marine worth his salt would like to get to know a boring person such as myself from a small and rather almost forgetful place like Foosha Village."
My god, the officer thought. If he wasn't married he'd be trying to garner her attention. She was very level headed for someone her age. The young woman was patient and so far her biggest, and possibly most appealing trait of her personality, was she was humble. Garp and Sengoku could have easily spoiled her but they didn't; it was obvious in her mentality and her physical form. She wasn't degrading herself or looking down on her own personality, as her happy expression revealed. The woman was simply ignorant of how much she was worth in the eyes of a soldier like him. He could see exactly why his name among others were on a list to assist her. It wasn't just to literally help her out but in other means as well. Foosha Village was rumored to be relatively small and that created a slew of problems for her in a much larger, what one might call, a city.
Zephyr pinched the bridge of his nose, sucking in air through his nostrils. His thin wire rimmed glasses pushed up onto his fingers as a muffled whimper of frustration escaped him. The older man's eyes were squeezed shut and a flurry of thoughts echoed in his thoughts. At that moment, the officer realized how lucky he was to have boys instead of girls. He could already tell having Katie in Marineford wasn't going to be boring.