insatiable [in-sey-shuh-buhl]
1. not satiable; incapable of being satisfied or appeased
Keenly, Law watched the young woman, Lavender, walk off with the older woman. The two women laughed as they walked off. They seemed very close. As the duo vanished from his line of view, the Heart Pirates' Captain turned around and headed back to town. From what he had heard, there were various roads that lead to town, and then a larger road that led to the docks (which he had seen himself). Arriving at a hill, Law halted. His gaze wandered to the vast sea before him. A sudden gust of wind blew from behind him, ruffling his yellow and black hoodie. A tattooed hand reached up to hold onto his furry and spotty hat.
Five letters had been permanently scribed to each finger of his left hand, spelling the word 'DEATH'. Of course, there were more tattoos on both of his arms, but few knew of their purpose. Several of the tattoos resembled the World Government symbol, but it wasn't quite the same...
He stood tall and proud, and despite his lanky appearance, he had managed to capture the attention of the Marines and raised Hell during his journey to the Grand Line. This would be his last stop until he would reach his current desired location, and stressed to his crew to make sure that they would have everything that they would need. Who knows when the next time they would dock and be able to replenish their supplies...
His gray eyes shifted from the horizon to the town and docks below. He could faintly see people walking through town, entering and leaving the various boutiques. Despite having such a good view, he still had a long walk. Law continued his trek down the steep hill.
Once he reached the base, a faint scream caused him to halt. Curiously, he turned to face the hill and looked up. Something appeared at the top, and came down with startling speed. Although, gravity wasn't being fair, and the individual stumbled several times. Law's gaze met with theirs, and for a moment, it was all good. Until reality crashed down upon both of them.
Law had been thrown back to the ground on his back as who ever had rammed right into him, landing on top of him. The white furry hat had been knocked off his head, revealing his a nest of black hair. His nodachi, which had been knocked out of his hands, now lay several feet away from them.
The pirate had been stirred out of his stupor, when he felt a pair of small hands on his chest and the weight on his vanishing. His eyes turned to the side, allowing him to carefully observe the other being. He was surprised to see a woman. She was young, with short red hair that formed curls. She held her face, which had collided with Law's firm chest. Sitting up, Law rubbed the back of his head before twisting around in search of his hat.
"Are you alright?" he inquired with a chuckle as the woman hastily gathered her things that had fallen out of her bag.
Upon hearing his question, her head jerked to his direction. Her bright green eyes widened, and her cheeks reddened as the pirate loomed over her. Her lip quivered, then opened before closing. Immediately, she shot up to her feet, holding her bag tightly to her chest. She bowed from her waist.
"I'm sorry!" she cried out, earning another chuckle as the tanned man fetched his sword.
Law noted her flinch, widening his almost ever present half-smirk half-smile. Bending down, he plucked a small leather bound notebook off the dirt road. He held the book out to the timid woman took the book and thanked him quietly.
"You never answered my question."
The woman flinched again, for she had been far too busy staring. Tan skin, dark hair, side burns, a goatee... Though, she seemed to avoid his gaze. She stuttered for a moment, before managing to reply:
"O-oh... I'm sorry! I... I'm alright."
She fell quiet. Law shrugged turned around and continued his walk. There was a gasp from the woman, which caused him to stop once more as the redhead ran past him, cursing her alarm clock and muttering something about work. Law only sneered. What a peculiar town...
Unlike the woman, Law took his time, seeing that he was in no hurry. Once he reached the lively town, he took his time to browse through the display windows, stopped by the pharmacy and a rather old looking book store that could need some cleaning and organizing.
Towers constructed out of book greeted him, and loomed over his. Law eyed them cautiously, as if the piles of books would topple over anytime. But alas, the store did reward him for being brave enough to venture in. Law found himself walking out with several old tomes that would certainly help him with his studies.
Upon passing a rather pleasant looking cafe, the doctor noticed rapid movement from the corner of his eye. He told himself to ignore it, but found himself halting and turning to the display window. Brightly colored and well decorated cakes sat there. Alluring and inviting... Though, it was not the cakes that caused his eyes to linger on the large window longer than they should have, but rather someone. He grinned.
A familiar mass of strawberry blonde hair and face smiled back at him.
Now that Lavender had Law's attention, she stopped waving and beckoned him in. From his expression, she could tell that he was chuckling, and moved to hold the door open for him as the average height man stepped into the small bakery. The two individuals stood there, staring, until Missus Tubbs walked in, drying her hands on her apron. Behind her glasses, she observed the two young people watch her as she came out of the kitchen.
"A customer?" she mused.
"No," Law allowed his signature smile-smirk hybrid to grow, "just visiting Miss Lavender."
The statement earned the pirate a satisfying reaction, for the woman blushed. Her hands moved up to feel her warm face. Law only chuckled. Seeing this, Missus Tubbs blinked before chuckling.
"I reckon' you're not from around here," the old woman observed, moving closer, "you don' seem familiar to me, sir."
Law shook his head, readjusting his nodachi.
"I come from North Blue," he replied, "I'm heading for the Grand Line."
The older woman didn't seem surprised, unlike Lavender, whose eyebrows hit her hairline. He was sailing to the Grand Line? A pang of jealousy hit the strawberry blonde's heart. He was free to sail... He was free to go anywhere and everywhere he wanted to. He could see the world, while she was confined to this little island. Though, she pushed the thoughts aside. To be envious was to sin. Lavender didn't want to succumb to sin.
She only smiled.
"Really?" she wondered out loud, then paused, but before she could continue, a loud crash could be heard from the kitchen that seemed to startle everyone. Missus Tubbs was the first one to react, for the old woman ran to the back as fast as she could. There was a sharp yelp, which caused Lavender to flinch and run after Missus Tubbs.
Moments later, Lavender emerged from the kitchen with a weeping Harriet. She soothed the woman softly before seating her on one of the chairs. Neither paid any attention to Law, who raised both eyebrows. He recognized the sobbing woman. It was the one who had ran into his earlier. He frowned upon seeing red droplets on the woman's apron. When he took a step forward, Lavender noticed too.
"Oh! Harriet!" the strawberry blond cried out, "you're bleeding!"
With that said, Lavender took Harriet's hand gently into hers. Making sure that she was not probing the wound, she carefully examined it. She must have cut herself by accident when she dropped all those plates, she mused with a frown. The cut seemed deep, and when applied pressure, more dark, crimson liquid oozed out. Without hesitation, Law stepped forward to take a closer look at the cut on the crying woman's hand. He reached out boldly for her wrist, startling both Lavender and her. Taking a tentative step back, Lavender could only hope that Law knew what he was doing and would not hurt her friend. She would have to trust him, and oddly, she did.
Harriet on the other hand, seemed to grow wide eyed as she recognized the man now eyeing her the cut on her palm. She had stopped crying, despite the tears that journeyed down her cheeks to her chin. It was the man he had ran over on her way to work! Immediately, her cheeks flushed to the point where the redness rivaled her hair. Her mouth opened and closed- trying her best to say something- anything!
"Y-you!" she managed to stutter out.
Without looking up, Law smirked. He could imagine the red head gawking at him in surprised.
"Me," he replied, but then turned to Lavender, "the cut doesn't require stitches, but it needs to be bandaged up. Do you have antiseptics and bandages that I could use?"
The strawberry blond placed a finger on her chin and looked at the ceiling thoughtfully, before running off into the kitchen.
"Bring some water and a clean towel!"
There she saw Missus Tubbs cleaning up the pieces of porcelain and pottery off the floor and into her apron. Hurrying past the older woman, Lavender almost tossed the door to the back office, though prevented the handle from embedding itself into the wall by grabbing the handle (this had happened before when Harriet had slammed the door open a bit too hard, resulting a hole on the wall). Rummaging through the small medicine cabinet located next to some filing cabinets, she pulled out various bottles and boxes, eyeing at the labels quickly, before shoving them back in. Her hands shakily reached out for a small tube of antibiotic ointment. Reading the name several times to herself to be sure that she was right, she took the tattered box of bandages, before running back to the front of the store.
To her surprise, she saw Law cleaning the cut by dabbing it gently with a small hand towel. There was a bowl of water on the table by where Harriet sat. In her confusion, Lavender tilted her head and pursed her lips, but figured that Missus Tubbs must have brought it out. Moving so that she stood next to Law, she held out the tube and box.
"Here, Mister Law," she said.
When the said man turned and took the objects from her, she took a step back and watched as the pirate tend to her work mate and friend. Her dark brown eyes were fixated on his form. She blinked when the bell by the door jingled, startling her. A customer! She smiled politely as a disheveled brunet walked in. He was dressed in brown trousers, wore a white button up shirt, suspenders, some boots and clutched his hat in his hands. He blushed as the strawberry blond approached him.
"Ah, hello Mister Anthony," Lavender greeted politely, "how may I help you?"
Anthony's blue gaze shifted between her and Law and Harriet. His nervous gaze turned back to Lavender.
"Wha's goin' on?" he began, speaking too quickly. It was a habit that he had adopted, "Is Miss 'Arriet alright? Who's 'e? I 'ave ne'er seen 'im before. Is 'e safe? I mean, I- I-"
"Mister Anthony!" Lavender gasped, piecing together the few words that she had understood.
Everyone had trouble understanding him. She stared at him wide eyed, which reminded him that he was being impolite.
"A-ah… I'm sorry," he murmured and looked at the floor. A hand was placed gently on his shoulder. This caused him to get even redder.
"It's alright," the young woman soothed, and proceeded to explain to him what had happened.
A little flushed that he had made such a big deal of something that small, Anthony nodded and then quickly looked up at Lavender.
"Ah! I- I came to buy some stawberreh eclairs! The usual," he announced, remembering his purpose for being there, "gran'mama loves 'em strawberreh eclairs."
Lavender smiled, excused herself and ran to the back to was her hands. When she returned, she ducked behind the counter. Pulling out a white box, Lavender began to fill it with the delicious treats. Once twelve had been placed into the box, she closed it and tied some twine around it. Anthony stepped forward to pay. Thanking the woman, he took the box, turned to Harriet, smiled and nodded and headed for the door. Lavender waved good bye and watched him run off with a smile.
That's when Missus Tubbs emerged from the back. The woman was drying her hands with her apron and allowed her eyes to follow Anthony's form as the young man ran off with the box of pastries. She shook her head.
"What a troublesome boy," she scowled, "never really liked him."
Both Harriet and Lavender looked at the woman with questioning looks. Law, who had finished tending to Harriet, stood up and took a step back.
"What do you mean, Missus Tubbs?" Harriet asked, managing to keep her voice level, "Anthony is such a pleasant man!"
"His family is strange, just like the rest of the backwoods people," Missus Tubbs declared indignantly.
"But Ma'am," Lavender cut in hesitantly, "we don't discriminate here..."
The older woman snorted and waved at the door. Taking a hint, Lavender walked around the counter and locked the door and turned the 'open' sign around so that it said 'closed'. Missus Tubbs then beckoned the three other beings to follow her. Harriet stood up and followed after her boss, while Lavender stayed behind and urged Law to come as well.
"Missus Tubbs is what some town's folk would call a radical," Lavender explained almost quietly, as if someone else were listening, "she has-… very strong opinions."
Law quirked an eyebrow. Strong opinions? A radical? The corner of his lip twitch upwards. What's this? Perhaps there was more to this town than the town's people were letting on…
Law trotted after Lavender mutely.
They all entered Missus Tubbs cramped and messy office. Piles of papers, books, and boxes loomed over them domineeringly, threatening to come toppling down any moment. But the office had been like that for years, and so far, there had been no accidents in the private room. Lavender locked the door behind them. Law found this very strange but not unexpected.
Missus Tubbs took a seat on her cushioned office chair and beckoned the younger generation around her. Harriet sat at the corner of the table, while Law and Lavender were forced to sit on the small, old and red love seat. Suddenly, the room seemed darker to Lavender. She knew that Missus Tubbs knew things she wasn't supposed to, and she was aware of the consequences for knowing something that classified.
Everyone knew. And for that, Lavender tried to avoid this… It was not the first time she had been in this situation, nor was it Harriet's first time either, for it had happened several times in the past. Law shifted to a much more comfortable position, whereas the other two were tense. Missus Tubbs seemed grim.
"Anthony and his family," she began, leaning back and narrowing her eyes, "they're an odd bunch. Very religious, country bumpkins."
Lavender gasped and scolded the old woman for saying such things. Though she was disregarded. While Missus Tubbs was a nice and respectable member of the community, and that her pastries were legendary all over the island, she was not without a flaw, of so the older town's folk say. Many advised the children to disregard Missus Tubbs' and her tales and theories, that they were nothing but hogwash. Though, a whisper in the wind claims that there are handful who share her grim and devious ideals.
"Elroy down by the Bucking Horse says that they're involved with the Occult," the woman continued, "I wouldn't be surprised if they were."
As soon as she had said that, Law had noticed a sudden change in the atmosphere. It became chilled and the woman sitting next to him shifted awkwardly. Even Harriet, who at first did not seem to mind, stiffened. His eyes narrowed with curiosity.
"I don't mean to interrupt, but what exactly is the 'Occult'?" he inquired smoothly.
Eyes turned to him. Harriet then looked away, and Lavender dropped her gaze to her lap. Only Missus Tubbs kept her eyes on him.
"The Occult is an organization that was said to rule this island-"
"But isn't it the mayor who makes the decisions around here?"
"No, but some of the old timers here believe that he just serves the Occult," Harriet cut in sharply, glancing at Missus Tubbs, who snorted.
"Now excuse me!" Missus Tubbs snarked and swatted at the young woman on her desk with a thin stack of paper, "who are you calling an old timer?"
Lavender looked at Law from the corner of her eye. He seemed to be enjoying this a lot.
"People have known to disappear for going against the Occult or the rules that they have set down for us," Lavender began timidly, gaining everyones scrutiny, "they say that they send their dogs to collect the opposer in the middle of the night when everyone is sleeping… Some have said to see large cloaked figures in the fields and vanish into the woods at night. Even though it's a rumor, it's still frightening."
Harriet snorted and then picked at her fingernail.
"I think there's been enough occasions that prove that they're not just rumors," Missus Tubbs began, "Benny from Apple Orchard hill vanished three months ago and Leroy, Elroy's brother vanished about four weeks ag-"
"Don't forget Beneatha!" Harriet piped up, "even though she was nothing but a walking pile of skin and bones, she was insane and kept on blabbering about men wearing pointy hoods, carrying sickles and dancing around a large bonfire."
Missus Tubbs nodded agreement.
"I reckon she vanished as well, correct?" Law inquired, interested. So, this island does have it's dirty secrets, he thought to himself, so well hidden, too.
Before anyone could respond, there was loud pounding from the front of the building. Harriet and Lavender jumped and Missus Tubbs got to her feet. She motioned the younger ones to stay in the room before she unlocked the door and went out. Softly she closed the door, and called out to who ever was busy banging at the glass door violently.
Back in the dark office, Lavender fidgeted in her seat while Harriet shivered and twitched occasionally. The mood was heavy. None dared to say a word. They could hear muffled speech through the door. There was a sense of urgency in their tone. Harriet began to move off the table, until Lavender whipped her gaze to the red head. The look on her face was enough to cause Harriet to think twice. Looking at the door, Lavender got up and gingerly tip toed to the door. Both Harriet and Law observed her carefully as she pressed the side of her head against the wooden surface.
God forbid if Harriet had been the one to do the eavesdropping… With the luck that she's been having all day, the chances of them being discovered could get them in trouble in some way. Focusing on the voices, she listened…
Whoever had barged in, sounded angry. Their tones were hushed, and harsh. She could pick up some words, and the more she focused, the more she heard. Her eyebrows furrowed, and her mouth was slightly open at what she heard. Harriet clenched her teeth, waving her arms. Lavender looked back at the two other people in the room and raised a finger, causing Harriet to stop as she continued to listen. Suddenly, she turned pale. Very, very pale…
That's when the red flag went up. Harriet got off the table and Law stood up. Law being closer, moved to catch Lavender as she stumbled back in shock. Harriet cringed. Hopefully no one out front heard that… Her thoughts returned to Lavender, who was held by the dark haired, hat wearing male. She was oddly still. She was… Frightened. Quietly, Harriet crept across the room over to Law and the strawberry blond. She reached out to touch Lavender's shoulder and whispered:
"What did you hear, Lav? What did you hear…?"
Lavender raised her eyes to stare at Harriet. Her mouth closed and opened, but no sound came out. There was this primitive look in her eyes. The voices escalated to alarming heights. Things had become heated out there. A familiar voice reached Harriet's ears. Is… Isn't that Benny's father?
"Fucking Christ, Mallory! My son's head was found floating in the river and you want me to take it easy!"
