Chapter 3
"hello,...Drophy?". "How have you been keeping?". Hitti asked, as he talked on the phone. "Well, it seems like". I replied. "Baroque Works has been keeping well, although I miss being a part of the old crew". "It was stimulating".
"I see you're friends with someone now….young Zelda, the future queen of Hyrule, hmm?". Hitti said, as he talked, with his scandalous, secretive tone. "Yes, I've been acquainted with her for a while now". I said. "Hmm, we could use her for a sacrifice, or for a fellow demon if she's willing to be shocked, and electrically convulsed". Hitti said. "Her power on our end would be immense for our business, and our old proprietorship". "How was she, today?". "Was she happy, or sad?".
I held the bottom speaker of the phone as I talked. "She was a bit depressed, and devoid of energy when we spoke". I whispered, scandalously, as I held a new glass of Sake. "she is very advanced for a child, however". "Her philosophies could change the world, and make her historical, as the smartest being on record".
"We could use her to gain potential". "We'd just have to medicate her heavily, electrocute her, and eventually train her to become a demon, we'll possess her as well". I whispered. "She'd be alright with it, she seems to have my trust, our trust". "She's willing to do it".
"Well, this we can follow through with, you will follow through with, if you are to stay with us". "Or I will expose you for not being a citizen of Japan, and Hyrule". Hitti said, in his usual harsh nature. A nature that was typical for a male. "Yes, I think that is a thorough plan, and I will devise to follow through with it". I replied. "Perchance it would make sense to devise a profit based from it". "I have 50%, and you have 50%".
"That would make sense, actually". Hitti said. "The plan is thorough enough". "It could be mind-bending what we would be able to do with our finances". "I can agree with it". "Enough in that sense".
Yes, I agree so, as well". I replied. "So, we're in a binding stipulation, we will split the profits equally".
"Indeed, we will". Hitti said. "It will be the easiest thing we could do".
"Hmm, fascinating". I replied, nodding. "That is a measure of alignment, it's nice to put our fares back in the same position when we meet again".
"It is, and just like the olden days, you'll do what I say". Hitti said, scoffing as part of his statement. "Yes, of course". I replied. I glanced around, noticing that Hitti was making a fair point. "Well, I should be in bed". "I'm not as young as I used to be". I said, chuckling. "Very well then". Hitti said. "Good night now". I said, hanging up the telephone. "Good night". Hitti said, as we both hung up. Hitti, with his daggers, his electric whip that could deliver 340 volts of shock, and his screeching when he was being harsh with the victims, would be a good trainer for Zelda. I just had to win the trust of her family as well.
Putting the phone back on the rack, I went to my cabin, laying down in bed. My cabin had silk bed sheets, some candles, and a lighter in my bed, as well as a cigarette box. There were times I smoked in bed. I could smoke anywhere. Even so, I loved smoking, and drinking Sake. One of my hobbies was to fill up the room, or the salty sea air with ashen cigarette smoke. It was a vice I loved indulging in. Even so, I cared to do it often. It was something freeing at best. Hmm, well then.
Sanji remained out on the ship deck of the "Going Merry", smoking his cigarette. He sat, kissing Dimella. A pink haired, simple-minded girl. "You look fruity, tooti". Dimella said, as she kissed Sanji. "No, you look Fruity, baby girl". Sanji said, as he kissed his new wife. "I'm in awe of you, you make every day a Summer's day". Sanji said, gently. "You do as well". Dimella said, as she kissed her husband. Look at how naive they are. A married couple with no realistic sensibility about them. Dimella has pipe dreams when it comes to having a man, or a relationship. She has no idea how much Sanji would take from her, and drain from her.
"Well, hey, I'm going to bed now". "I'll see you tomorrow at best". Dimella said. "Meet you in there".
"Same with me as well". "Love you, coochi". Sanji replied. Sanji waved goodbye to Dimella, smoking his cigarette. "I don't wish to be alone, where is my baby?". Sanji said, gently, as he chuckled. He took the plastic, candy big lips he and the boys had been goofing with earlier, putting them on his lips. "I sit here waiting by the phone, where is my lady?". "Where is she, I need her". Sanji wore the glowing lips, as he laughed. "Where is my baby Malon". Sanji chuckled. He was having fun with his gay old self. He may as well been homosexual the way he acted. Sanji kept the stupid candy lips on his mouth as he chuckled. Malon, (she was from her father's ranch) came outside, holding her Oat Milk as well. Malon laughed as she saw Sanji. "Oh, I guess you've been waiting for a phone call?". Malon asked. She and Sanji laughed. "Well, hey now, it would've been one awkward phone call". Sanji said. Sanji finally took the candy out of his mouth. "So, how have you been, sweetie?". "You getting ready for bed?". Sanji asked, gently. "Kind of". "It's almost time to go in…I have to do my evening prayers, and lay down". Malon said. "Hey, that's not a bad itinerary". "That's actually quite good". Sanji said, gently. "I have to go in and lay down as well". "My wife is waiting for me, in there". "It'd be nice if I could be down for a bit". "Today was a busy day, huh?".
"Kind of". Malon said. Sanji smoked his cigarette. "So, do you like vacationing with us when you don't have any school?". Sanji asked, kindly. "School can be a bore sometimes, huh?".
"It can". Malon said. "I like being here, though". "Everyone is really nice". "That, and I got to swim a lot, which was nice".
'You're a fish, I'll tell you". Sanji said, gently. "You were swimming all over the place this afternoon". "We have to get you a pool for your ranch back home, baby".
"Good thing we have some time to ourselves this evening, baby". Sanji said, gently. "You and I while everyone is asleep". "We can talk all we need to".
"I guess". Malon said. "I'm really happy we can". She and Sanji glanced up at one another, happy to be copesthetic. That's enough of their story, now. Imbecile optimists.
As Zelda slept, she seemed troubled, plagued by a nightmare. In her mind's eye; a storm, a woman, with a heavenly young face held her baby close to her before lightning crashed, and the woman turned to dust. As the dust swirled about, a new cloud appeared, taking on the form of a wolf that growled, roaring as he revealed his fangs. He proceeded to bite the baby, as Zelda woke up, breathing heavily. She glanced around her, as sweat rolled down her cheek. Zelda sniffled as she glanced upwards. "Oh….oh my". "Oh my". Zelda said, as she sniffled, glancing upwards. She began clutching her pillow, as her body shook with fear. Little shakes.
As any emotionally troubled child would, she began crying. She cried, softly as she sniffled, crying into her pillow. She just cried, crying with a tremor as tears streamed down her cheek. My darling girl had a nightmare. A soft kitten, a Norwegian Forest cat of orange and white came up on her bed, walking towards her. The kitten, Mina, meowed, as she nuzzled Zelda. "I'm ok….really, I'm ok". "Please don't come near me". Zelda said, as she cried. Her Autism made her emotional threshold higher. Zelda sniffled, crying some more. Zelda glanced upwards, sniffling while tears stained her cheeks.
Zelda got out of her bed, out of her cabin, coming out onto the ship's deck. She glanced up at the starry sky, sniffling as she did. She smelled smoke as she did, hearing me talk, as I smoked. Zelda came over to where I was sitting, seeing the orange glow of a cigarette. Another woman was with me, as we sat, smoking, talking, as the woman glanced above her. "Hello, darling". I said, gently with kindness. "You look kind of distressed, why is that?". "You sound a bit anxious as well". My purple lips glowed in the moonlight. They moved along with my words. "Tell me what's troubling you, Jadore". I said, gently, in a kind, whisper that was as gentle as a spring rain, and as smooth, and comforting as silk.
"I had a nightmare". Zelda said, sniffling as she wiped her eyes. "Nightmares can be troubling, can't they?". I whispered, kindly. "I know it's been a hard week for you, my Zelda". "I wish I could alleviate some of your stress".
"I know sometimes, you have moments of sadness, that you can't foresee, trouble that often stays with you". "Sometimes, the worst moments are the moments you can't predict". I whispered, kindly. "I know it's been tumultuous, love". "I'm here beside you, in every aspect".
"Come let mommy give you a kiss". I whispered, kindly. "Love heals all wounds". I opened my arms to allow Zelda some comfort and a hug. Zelda knew I was wearing Silk. Silk helped her calm down, and come back to fruition after something traumatic occurred. Zelda came over, to my warm hug, as I planted a kiss on her cheek. I stroked Zelda's cheeks gently, massaging them, in only a way a mother could. "You've always liked spending time with your father, with a nurturing man, perchance it's time you spend time with your mother". "A woman". I said, gently. "I love you like a best friend, my Zelda". "You're the daughter I've always wished for". I massaged Zelda's cheeks, gently.
"Thank you". Zelda said. "I have loved you since the day you came to me, since the day you rescued me, and gave my life meaning". I said, gently. "Thanks". Zelda said. "You've changed my life, and given me everything". "I need you, darling". "Just as much as you need me". I whispered, kindly, as I massaged Zelda's cheeks. Zelda nodded, as she sniffled, removing the nightmare from her mind's eye. "I need you, too". Zelda said. "I will always love you, my darling Jadore". I whispered, gently. "I love you, more than anyone I've known". I stroked her cheeks, massaging her cheeks, as I blew in her face, providing some nurturing stimulation, and comfort. It has been proven by some adoptive mothers, that blowing in an infant's face, stroking their face, massages, and gentle kisses, as well as song, comforts the troubled infant in a time of distress. Mood stabilizers do justice as well, although Zelda and I still needed to build trust in order to reconstruct that.
I did build trust with her in that moment, and she didn't mind me smelling of cigarettes. Zelda sniffled, as I massaged her face, gently. "Shh, shh, you're alright now, love". "I'm here, I'm always beside you, my love". I whispered, gently. "Don't be afraid, be comforted, and confident, in knowing I'm always beside you". "I will protect you, as your guardian angel". "I love you, Zelda". Zelda sniffled as she blinked back tears, being strong. "Thank you". Zelda said. "What was your nightmare about?". I asked, in a gentle whisper. "Nothing". Zelda said, sniffling in sadness, and anxiety. "Tell me". I whispered, gently. "It will remain confidential, between us women".
"Nothing will hurt you, I promise". I whispered, gently. "ok…well…I guess…I guess in my nightmare, there was a woman, my birth mother, who was holding me close to her, trying to feed me, from a bottle, and there was a strike of lightning, and I remember my mom turning into dust, while I was eaten by a demonic dog". Zelda said, sniffling. Her body shook a little bit.
"Well, your birth mother loved you, dearly". "I know she meant well for you…maybe now you felt more trauma because we discussed it". I whispered, gently. "Does her death bother you, sometimes?". "Do you feel sad because you experienced it?".
"Yes". Zelda said. "I just…I kind of think my birth mom…I kind of think my birth mom….my life would be better if I had her….or my other mom…alive". "I need someone, and I don't have them".
"I know sometimes losing the touch, the nurturing, and the love we receive from birth parents is traumatic". "I promise you, what you and I have is special". "I will give you everything you need, and make your wishes come true". "If you trust me, and if we have truth, and love in our relationship, we can do anything". "You've given the world so much, you've given your friends, your mother, your father, your family so much". "Most of all, you've given me so much more than I could've imagined". "You are a beacon of hope in my life". "I will always appreciate you". "Know that you're doing well now, and what we need is to focus on making you, a person everyone can rely on". "You need me, Zelda". "Let me comfort you, darling". "I love you, deeply". "You are my guiding light". I whispered, gently. "You are my way to freedom". "I'll be your way to freedom, because I'm the Genie who will grant our wish to be wealthy".
"I know". Zelda said. I stroked Zelda's cheek, gently. Zelda smiled as she felt me nuzzle her cheek. She felt me tickle her cheek. Even so, she felt me massage her, stroke her cheeks, as I blew in her face once more. "I love you, Zelda". "I will always love you, honey". I whispered, gently. Zelda nodded, as she closed her eyes, feeling my strokes. Zelda loved me, Zelda trusted me, and it was then that later on, the plan could be executed.
Luffy, dear Lord, we're mentioning imbeciles again, (oh well), sat on the deck of his ship, smoking his cigarette. It was an electronic cigarette, as he glanced upwards. He coughed a bit, as the smoke surrounded him. A boy, a Russian orphaned boy known as Ivanov, who had been traumatized by death and loss of his adoptive parents, his birth parents in Russia, and crippled by a developmental disability, came outside to the deck in his pajamas. His car pajamas. He sniffled, as he held his Oat Milk. "Hey, kiddo". Luffy said, gently with kindness behind his voice. "How are you?". "Did you go night night?". Luffy's voice was deep, and raspy. "Yes". Ivanov said. "I knew you would". "You haven't had a hard time sleeping in a while". "I was surprised you got up this late". "Everything ok?". Luffy asked, gently. "Kind of". Ivanov said.
"What happened, bud?". "You have a bad dream about something you ate?". "I have that sometimes". Luffy said, gently. He chuckled a bit. "I can't sleep". Ivanov said. "Why can't you sleep, little dude?". Luffy asked, gently. "I have a night-mare". Ivanov said, sniffling as tears remained welled up in his eyes.
"oh…I understand". Luffy said, gently with softness. "Were they bad?". Luffy took Ivanov's hands in his. "Kind of". Ivanov said. "I understand, bud". "Well, I promise you, things aren't so bad if we keep being hopeful, and praying that we're in a good place". "You are in a good place". "You have a grandma and grandpa that love you so much, you have your cousins who need you, and…you have a best friend who thinks the world of you, and loves you to forever". Luffy said, gently with kindness. "You're my best friend, and my favorite crew member". "I will always love us". Luffy smiled a gentle smile, as he nuzzled Ivanov. Ivanov laughed and played, haplessly. "I wish the best for us, and I know that somewhere in a few regions, there will be treasure waiting for you and I both, with our names on it". "We'll have a big old mansion, with a waterslide, and a tunnel between both our rooms so we can see each other, and a pool filled with soda instead of water". Luffy said, gently. "We can do anything because we're best friends".
"I know". Ivanov said. "Live in the moment, keep your eyes forward, and plan for tomorrow". "Life will give us what we need". Luffy said, gently. "Be optimistic and hopeful". "Tomorrow is a new day, and it will give us everything we need". "For now, you're my best friend, my brother, and my favorite". "I love you, deeply".
"Thank you". Ivanov said. Luffy nuzzled Ivanov, gently giving him a kiss on the nose. "What was your nightmare about…y'know, out of curiosity?". Luffy asked, gently. "My 'dopt-ive mom-my and dad-dy". Ivanov said. "I understand". Luffy said, gently and softly. "I know it was hard…wasn't it?". There was a moment of nurturing quiet between them. "Yes". Ivanov said. "Well, hey, I think you triumphed over it, better than anything else". "I think you did well, better than anyone I have ever met". "You are the strongest man I've ever met, the strongest person I've ever met". Luffy said, gently. "There is a reason you're the inspiration for men and boys around the world". "You have inspired them with your strength, and with your fortitude, just as you've inspired me". "I need you, more than anyone". "I need us, and our amazing friendship". "Because you are so great, and majestic".
"I know it might seem like I'm bossier and more energetic sometimes with us, but that's only because I know you're accepting of it". "You're someone who's doing his best to make things better for our crew". "I love you, you're my best friend, and I'm always willing to make things better for us". "Better for you, too". Luffy said, gently. "Thank you, too". Ivanov said. "I love you, Ivy". Luffy said, gently. "I love you, too". Ivanov said. Luffy smiled a gentle smile. "I'll bet you're happy that there's some Oat Milk left in the kitchen". "I bought some especially for us". Luffy said, gently. "Thank you". Ivanov said. "I knew my best friend would like some". "He's a connoisseur for Oat Milk, and Oat Ice Cream, and lemon Gelato". Luffy said, gently as he chuckled. "That's our favorite, isn't it?". "Lemon Gelato with some strawberries".
"Yes". Ivanov said. "I haven't had a good strawberry in a while". Luffy said, gently. "I usually have them with powdered sugar, and chocolate, but there hasn't been any in a while". "It's strange".
"Me too". Ivanov said. "Strawberries are rare around here". "The only good ones I've found are in the local market, and it's several hours away". "Weird happenings, right?". Luffy said, gently. "I guess". Ivanov said. "Well, hey, I guess that constitutes us being on our next mission; finding strawberries". Luffy said, gently. "Ok". Ivanov said. "It'll be fun, I'll bet it will be". Luffy said, kindly. He and Ivanov laughed. "That, and we'll get you some lemonade, and some chocolate candies, in case you get hungry". Luffy said, kindly. "I know you like chocolate every once in a while".
"I do". Ivanov said. "We'll be on the search". Luffy said, gently. He and Ivanov chuckled. Ivanov yawned as he glanced around. "It is time for you to go to bed, my man". "We have to wake up early tomorrow, to get your medicine, and get you ready for the dinner party". Luffy said, gently. "Boa and I have some sleep to get as well". "That's nice, at least".
"Ok". Ivanov said. "Can I have a kiss goodnight, and a nuzzle to put away in your heart?". Luffy asked, kindly. "Ok". Ivanov said. Ivanov came to Luffy, as Luffy kissed Ivanov's cheek, gently. He hugged him as well. It was time for Ivanov to go into bed, as Ivanov went to his cabin. He peeked into Luffy and Boa's cabin, as Luffy and Boa snuggled in. "man, you sound different". Boa remarked. "It's all of the cigarettes I smoke, I'm sure". Luffy muttered, as they snuggled in. "Goodnight, Ivanov". "See you in the morning". Luffy said, gently. Luffy blew out the candle. "Goodnight". Ivanov said. Ivanov went to his cabin, getting into bed. As Ivanov laid down, he felt much better. Knowing he was in a good place. Alright now, enough of that.