Chapter 7: "Smooth Operator"
The atmosphere in the library at nighttime was absolutely exquisite. With the scent of fresh coffee and old books in the air, Nico Robin's researches could go on into the wee hours of morning, undisturbed and flowing. And she was looking forward to those quality hours to arrive that day, as well, rest assured. But first, she had to see to the important duty she had been called in earlier in the afternoon to check upon.
Leaving her lavender raincoat in the lobby, Robin punched her entry card by the wall. She found the old entry system rather charming, in fact.
Supposedly, an influential owner of a prized scroll collection was waiting to meet her in the auditorium. The person, however, defined her own collection as, she quoted, 'the bestest in the world, waina!', so Robin would be lying if she wasn't suspicious about it. And also a tad bit curious…
She could see light streaming through the crack below the audience hall's big double door. Robin almost gave in to the urge to peek through the keyhole to see who or what was lying in wait for her inside. Oh my... How silly. She was making herself chuckle. After all, she had already befriended most of the 'ghosts' in the library.
Slowly, Nico Robin pushed one wing of the double door open. And as soon as she set foot inside, the drums emitted a low, prickling beat, and the suit-clad saxophone and trumpet players started on a soft, vibrating melody, harmonizing with the tempo of the steps she took towards the stage. There were at least ten of them. And Franky was there, in the middle, wearing his most outrageous attire yet - a robot suit, with a tuxedo over it…! Ah, she just couldn't hold back a tiny little laugh.
"There she is!" Franky announced when she had approached the stage closely enough. "The star of tonight's show! OW!"
"Dear me. I hope this does not mean you have tied my collector up and put him between the horror and the mystery shelves..."
"T-that's so creepy…!" she heard some of the Franky Family whisper behind their… 'main bro', was it?
"Naw, nothing like that!" Franky assured, raising his hands up in a pacifying manner. "We uh... " He cleared his throat. "We asked you to come here today 'cause we wanna show you somethin', Nico Robin. It's, um… We've written you a song. Your song. The one you were singing at Luffy bro's party for us, at the truth or dare game? Y-yeah, that one."
"Big bro is so nervous…!"
"Shush, Mozu, waina..!"
"Oh my," Robin smiled at the ragtag, but all the more endearing little band, then moved to seat herself in the closest first row seat. "Please, show it to me. I'm very curious."
"O-okay then! Ladies, gents, let 'er rip!"
At Franky's signal, the beat of the drums and the buzz of the wind instruments was picking up again, still slow and sweet like a lullaby. A jazzy piano tune joined in shortly, making Robin sway slightly with the rhythm. Ah, and there was a conga drummer, too! Oh, it fit so lovely…! But the melody was crying out for a vocal...
Robin stepped onto the stage, like she had done a million times before as the master of ceremonies. But this time, her debut was shared with all who had come to listen in…
"Please give a warm welcome toooo… Nico Rrrrobiiiin!"
Franky did the announcing this time, then courteously offered his spot to her in the middle of the ensemble. Just then, a focus light beamed down on her, and more of Franky's 'bros' and 'sissies' appeared in the last three or so back row seats, applauding. Oh, they had really come prepared.
The pianist gestured for Robin's cue, and she took a deep breath, and began singing her own lyrics to the song composed especially for her. It was vastly different, singing on stage compared to humming in abandoned reading rooms. But it shone through that the Franky Band was a tightly-knit group, perfectly keeping each other's paces and improvising at will. So Nico Robin, surprising even her own self, found herself carried by the melody very easily. And when she held out the last note of the song, what awaited her were cheers and applause, even tears; not laughter and rude remarks… It had been more than worth leaving home early on a rainy July afternoon for. More than worth bowing down to.
"Ah, Nico Robin…!" Franky stepped up next to her. His textile kerchief was moist with tears. Such a sweet man. "That was… That was super beautiful! Uh… Did you like the song…?"
"Why, yes. It was wonderfully made. Thank you, all of you," Robin curtsied. Her legs were a little shaky. Oh my…!
"OW, I'm so glad!"
"Say, Franky-san," Robin smiled over at him.
"Yes?" Franky straightened his bowtie. Oh, it suited him so strangely, but it was nevertheless charming. "Yes, Nico Robin..?"
"Does your band happen to have electric guitars?"
"Whaaaaaat?!"
Nico Robin would have never believed she would drive the Franky Family's tow truck during her lifetime. She was not unused to staying up all during the night, so playing with the Franky Band until late, and until early, didn't faze her too much. Her accompaniments of the evening, night and morning had been exhausted, however. She couldn't blame them. None of them could have guessed that her secret passion was symphonic metal. Ah, it had been heavenly to sing in that style on stage…! Most of the Family was fast asleep on the back of the truck. Robin hoped none of them would fall off accidentally…
The rain had subsided, the streets glowed alive with the light of the sunrise and the new engine of the truck was humming low and sweet. Like a lullaby.
"Thanks for driving us home, Robin," Franky said, flicking his sunglasses up onto the top of his head and extending his hand to help her out of the truck.
"Oh no, I am the one owing you thanks," Robin took the helping hand delicately in hers, then ascended slowly, carefully from the high seat. "Tonight was wonderful, truly. Thank you ever so much, Franky-san. How could I ever repay you?"
"Ah, no, don't mention it…! I'm just, uh, just glad you had fun. Your chance to shine, yo!" Franky smiled, delightfully lively, as always.
Robin reached out to touch his smiling face, but was met with a pair of startled, shy eyes. Leaning just a little closer, she pressed her lips lightly to Franky's cheek. The face he was making as a reaction drew a chuckle out of her. Silly, sweet Franky-san. Robin could count on him to make her smile.
"Good night, Franky-san."
"Uh… G-go-good night…!" Franky picked his hand up in a motoric wave.
Laughing quietly some more, Robin straightened out her raincoat over herself and began her stroll towards home. It would take some minutes to get to her apartment, that was true. But maybe that lovely little flower shop was already open…
Oh my. In front of the flower shop, Robin recognized a familiar figure. His unmistakable green hair and everlasting frown betrayed Zoro despite the slight, heated summer fog. He looked so deep in thought that he didn't seem to notice Robin approaching him, however, even though she had chosen to wear heels that day. Could he have been thinking of buying…? Oh yes, he had set his eyes on something; on the vase of cut red roses on one part, and perhaps that adorable little pot of gloxinia on the other…
"I would recommend the violet gloxinia."
"Ah!" Zoro jumped heavily from her words. "It's you, Robin..." he breathed out. "Told you to stop scaring me like that."
"Ah, pardon me," Robin apologized. "But, I don't think the roses would be much of a success..."
Yes, that would have been perfect. Requiring moderate care and bringing lavish blossoms, gloxinia was a beautiful plant indeed. It was also favourable in numerology, as a strong, leading kind of plant, a symbol of the sun. But also one of love at first sight. And its petals were slightly fuzzy…
"How do you know I even wanna buy something?" Zoro raised a curious eyebrow.
"Don't you?"
"Well..." He glanced over to the laid-out flowers and plants once again. "No. I don't," he concluded. "Take care going home," Zoro added curtly, then dashed past her in the direction she had come from.
"Zoro!" Robin called after him with cheer.
"What?"
"I believe you live in the other direction!"