Chapter 14
Parma Melon

Every night after the liberation was a night for celebration, and even after three nights of intense partying the villagers' joy didn't seem to lessen. However, Eli was a bit tired of drinking and eating and dancing until she would faint. Therefore, this night, the chronicler was sitting in a quiet alley with Zoro and Sanji.

Relaxed, the three pirates watched the festivities from afar. The swordsman was drinking silently, while the cook and the chronicler mocked their captain; the teen was running all around like a hyperactive child. Relentlessly, he stuffed his rubbery mouth with food and more food, the volume of his belly growing extensionally each time he passed by.

It was nice, enjoying the joyous atmosphere in company of her new crewmates.

After some time, however, Eli started to feel hunger striking again her stomach.

"I'll go get some more of this Parma melon delicacy !" Eli stood up, and dusted her shorts. "Want anything guys ?"

"Booze," Zoro said.

"No thank you Elisabeth," Sanji said before lighting a cigarette. "I'm completely full."

"Okay, be right back."

Walking up the street toward the Parma melon booth, Eli chuckled lightly as she spotted Usopp on a tower-like stack of tables. The sniper was singing one of his fantastic tales in front of a thrilled audience.

"And now Captain will sing you how he defeated the mighty mermen !"

Upon arriving to the Parma melon's booth, Eli was warmly welcomed by the waitress who beamed at the girl quite brightly. She was cute, around 16 years old. She had long wavy blond hair, was fairly small and wore an apron over her fluffy yellow dress.

"I'm glad you came back," Her voice was sweet and, somehow, unsure. "You want some Parma melon right ?" she asked, pulling at the hem of her apron nervously.

"Yes please." Eli nodded and couldn't help the smile on her face before the waitress utter cuteness.

As the girl gazed at Eli a bright blush made its way to her cheeks, and rapidly, she turned around to serve a plate.

Oh god... She thinks I'm a guy, isn't she ? Eli slapped her forehead.

The chronicler could have been mad, but everyone was celebrating and in the midst of this joyous prevailing mood the boyish girl managed to stay serene, almost amused. Not to mention that said girl had the power over the Parma melon, and no one messes with Parma melon. Therefore Eli decided not to contradict her while hoping that this infatuation would turn in her advantage.

More Parma melon for me, Eli turned her head to her side to hide the smirk that had involuntary made its way to her lips.

"Here you go." The waitress handed clumsily a large plate, her face turning crimson when her fingers brushed Eli's.

Must be because of Sanji's vest, it has to be ! Eli thought while inspecting her outfit.

The night was fresh and so the pirate girl was wearing Sanji's vest on top of her usual outfit. It was too large for her small shoulders, and a bit too short for her long body, but at least it was warm.

Maybe I should wear pink, pink means girl right ? But I hate pink... I could try high socks that would definitely be more feminine. Must be a bother when you run, though. Eli looked at the red giggling waitress, noticing that she was wearing a headband. Oh, a headband, that's nice, she thought and as she was lost in her cogitation the boyish girl noticed that the waitress' lips were moving which, obviously, meant that she was talking.

"Ah sorry, I was lost in my thoughts and I didn't quite hear what you said..." she trailed off with a sheepish laugh, scratching the back of her head.

"Oh !" the waitress squeaked, briskly straightening up as she did. "Don't be sorry. I wanted to know if you'd like to try our melon juice." She looked at Eli with a beaming smile.

"I would love to !"

Despite of her slightly shaking hands the waitress managed to pour the orange liquid in a glass, she handed it shyly to Eli.

"Thanks !" Eli grinned before walking away to find booze for Zoro.

"WAIT !" the waitress called out running toward Eli.

The pirate girl spun on her heels and looked questioningly and the waitress as she placed a hand over her chest while she stared her tiny feet.

"I...hum... Could you... tell me your... name ?" she stammered timidly.

At that moment Eli felt a sting of guilt on her heart. She obviously should have told the poor girl that she wasn't a boy, but somehow, the pirate didn't have the courage to break the waitress' heart. After all she would soon leave the island and the girl would obviously forget her sudden infatuation with ease.

"I'm Eli," she said, giving the waitress a gentle smile. "Thanks for the melon it's delicious."

As she walked away, the pirate girl waved the cute waitress goodbye before disappearing in the crowd.

"COME BACK ANYTIME !" the girl cried out.

Eli released her frustration in the form of a sigh. It was not as if she had ever made any kind of effort to be more feminine, but still, being mistaken for a boy, even if it was a really good looking boy, was obviously depressing.

The girl shook her head rapidly. Why did it even matter ? It wasn't as if she wanted to charm anyone... was she ?

"Is that melon ?"

"Luffy !" Eli squealed, startled by the boy's sudden apparition. On the spot she caught his hungry stare at her plate. "Yup- Oi !" She kicked him in the stomach before he could touch her precious dish. "It's mine !"

"I want some..." Luffy whined. Sometime Eli wondered if he had really grown up. "Where did you find it ?"

Eli showed him the direction of the Parma melon booth with her chin and, before she could add anything, the boy started running away.

"Oi !" she shouted before he disappeared in the crowd. "Tell the waitress you're a friend of Eli's."

On her way back to the alley, the chronicler looked for Zoro's booze. Since her two hands were already taken, Eli opted for a barrel of some random alcohol, grog probably, that she pushed with her foot toward the little alley.

Walking with difficulty through the crowd, she came across a group of giggling teenage girls.

"Oh, my, god... It's really him !"

The squeaking voice caught Eli's attention. Stealthily, she joined the group and, following their stares, her eyes fell on a familiar orange cowboy hat. A large smirk on her face, the pirate girl listened to their conversation with delight. They were talking about his hair, his muscles, and his feats so amorously that Eli had the hardest time concealing her laughter. After some time, her growing convulsions didn't go unnoticed by the group and as her restraints torn loose; the girl's laughing fit earned her some interrogating looks from the groupies.

Reluctantly, she withdrew, wiping the tears in the corner of her eyes with her forearm. Eli was aware that Ace was good looking but she had never thought she would ever witness something like that, and so, she wondered what have happened while he was traveling alone. During those three years the occasions probably didn't go amiss.

At that thought, a hint of discomfort tightened on her insides; while she was mistaken for a boy, her old friend aroused desire of a dozen of cute girls and he didn't even have to look at them.

Unfair...

As she finally came back to the alley, Zoro welcomed the girl with a large grin, or was it the barrel of alcohol she was bringing with her ?

"Where is Sanji ?" Eli sat down on the wooden box previously occupied by the cook.

"He left to 'get some girls'," Zoro replied nonchalantly, while pouring himself a pint of grog.

Eli rolled her eyes out of annoyance. "Is it mating season or something ?"

"How should I know."

Eli chuckled lightly, At least Zoro would probably be the only one not affected by those superficial considerations. It had only been a few weeks since she had met the green-haired man but she had already understood that he only had eyes and heart for one thing; his swords. Somehow it was comforting, and the chronicler inwardly scolded herself for her previous frivolous state of mind.

Light-heartedly, the hungry girl dug in her plate of Parma melon. The saltiness of the Parma fitting the fresh sweetness of the melon to perfection. The juice was absolutely delicious as well and, inwardly, Eli thanked the cute waitress.

"Yo !" Ace greeted crouching before his two mates. "I found something for you Twig."

"Really ?" The girl clapped her hands excitedly like a child before Christmas. "What is it ?"

"Tadaaaa !" Ace held up proudly a bottle of litchi liqueur.

"LITCHI !" she cried out clasping her hands her hands together.

The girl licked her lips with delectation as she watched the young man pouring the colorless liquid in a small glass. Ace handed her the pony before serving his and Eli took a deep intake of air, filling her nostrils with the delicious sent. As her jade eyes glimmered with sensuous delight, the chronicler reckoned that it had been long since she hadn't had the chance to taste the sweet nectar. Much too long... Voraciously, she swallowed its content in one gulp; it was smooth and refreshing, with a silky texture that ravished her palate.

On the spot, the delighted girl held out her empty glass for a refill.

"Where is your fan-club by the way ?" Eli asked before gulping her second shot.

Ace raised a questioning brow. "Fan-club ?"

"You know the..." Eli hit her chest with her fist and cleared her throat. "OH MY GOD... It's Fire Fist Ace ! NOOOO ? Oh my god you're right, it's really him ! Fire Fist Portgas D. Ace ! Aaaaaaah ! Huhuhuhu ! Hihihihihi !"

Zoro burst in laughter, which made the girl highly proud, Ace, however, didn't seem too pleased as he frowned at her harshly. "Ok, no more litchi for you !"

"Oh please, please, please, I'll behave !" She clasped her hands together pleadingly and gave him a puppy face.

To her delight, the young man sighed in retreat and gave her an other drink.

"Litchi is my favorite favorite, favorite drink in the whole wide world !" she said tipsily while inhaling the sweet and fruity fragrance.

Eli drank silently a few more glasses before starting to feel really happy. Her face had turned red and her vision was now, somehow, fuzzy. Staring at the flame user's hat-less head, she remembered some other things the girls had said and chewed on her bottom lip to refrain herself from laughing.

"What ?" Ace asked frowning at her mocking face.

"Nothing," she muttered, her eyes focusing on her drink.

"Tell me Twig..." he said in a low and dangerous tone of voice.

Now looking at him, Eli couldn't hold it anymore, and after all he asked for it.

"Oh my GOD ! I want to touch his hair... I can't believe he's so hot ! I'll ask him out ! NO I'LL ask him out ! NO ME !" she sputtered using an annoyingly high pitched voice.

"Ok that's it ! I'm leaving !" He stood up under Eli and Zoro's loud laughs. "Don't let her drink anymore !"

Zoro cocked a brow at the flame user's request. "I'm not her mom..."

"I like you Zoro !" The girl raised her glass toward the swordsman. "Your my favorite, favorite, favorite guy in the whole wide world !"

Ace let out a deep sigh as he put his hat back on his head. "Everyone is your favorite right now..." he said in an exasperated tone.

"Ohh don't be jealous Freckles, you know you're my favorite, favorite, favorite, favorite, favori-"

"He's gone Eli."

"Oh..." Eli looked at the empty spot previously occupied by her friend and shrugged her guilt away. Groggily, she slipped down the box and reached out for the bottle, thanking Ace inwardly for leaving it behind.

"Let's have a drinking contest Roronoa Zoro !" she said while pouring herself a glass.

A few minutes, and four glasses later, Eli ran to the nearest bush to throw up... So much for a contest.

After emptying her stomach, the girl rolled wearily on her back and inhaled deeply some fresh air. She gazed dreamily at the night sky, wondering if she could walk back to the small alley or if she should just rest here until she regained some strength.

Hearing footsteps, Eli raised her head and peered curiously in the direction of the faint footfalls.

"It had to be you right ?" she sighed and let her dizzy head fall on the grass.

A smile on his face, Ace crouched to her side. "Are you alright ?"

"I kinda feel like shit if you really want to know." Eli ran her fingers through her sweaty fringe. "It's all your fault though... I should punish you with my deadly vomit breath..."

Ace laughed softly looking at her pitiful state, and got up offering her a hand to help her stand up. However, the girl's legs didn't seem very cooperative and Eli almost fell back on the ground, barely catching his hand at the last moment.

"Want me to carry you ?"

Crawling painfully or getting a pity ride ? the girl pondered. Seeing she couldn't even stand up without his help, Eli nodded timidly.

"You're actually not asking for a 'bridal style'," Ace jested before turning around to give his crewmate his large back for her to climb on.

Clumsily, Eli secured her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist. "I'm not a kid anymore Freckles..." she mumbled in his broad shoulder.

Ace chuckled and started walking smoothly toward the alley. His faint and regular footsteps on the grass filling her ears, Eli's body easily got comfortable. Somehow his warmth made her feel nostalgic and, soaking gradually in its tenderness, the pirate girls began to feel drowsy. The chronicler closed her eyes, a deep, relaxing sigh escaping her chapped lips as she let her mind float in the darkness.

"You're right, your breath is really deadly," Ace teased.

"Shut up..."

The morning of the departure the crew was on the Merry waiting for Nami. The villagers had gathered on the docks to say goodbye to their saviors. Johnny and Yosaku were also here to take their leave. Their voices filled with emotion they thanked the pirates, wishing them good luck for their adventures.

"She hasn't arrived yet." Usopp was looking at the distance shielding his eyes with his hand. "Maybe she's not coming."

"What ?" Sanji started to panic, frantically looking around in distress. "My lovely Nami is not coming with us ?"

"She's our friend. She'll come." Luffy didn't seem to worry. "Oh, Eli, the melon girl gave me that for you." He pulled out a slightly crumpled pink envelope from his pocket and handed it to the girl.

Oh god... Eli looked at the envelope with embarrassment. It was addressed to 'Eli from the Straw Hat Pirates'. The handwriting was as girlie as she would expect it to be, the letters being curvy and swirly, and the point on the i of 'Eli' was a small circle.

Releasing a deep sigh, the chronicler wondered if she should open it or not. Nothing could be considered good coming from a pink letter, from which emanated a flowery scent. But after all, it would be rude to ignore it, and so, Eli walked to a quieter part of the ship while glaring at the envelope.

"What is it ?"

"AH !" Eli spun on her heel while hiding the letter behind her back. "Usopp ! You sneaky bastard ! You scared me !"

The girl went stiff as the long-nosed teenager tilted his head on the side, trying to see what she was hiding, and so, a curious little dance began between the two pirates.

To the right. "What-" "Don't !"

To the left. ''Let me-" "NO !"

And so on and so forth...

"Oh.. my... god..." Eli faltered, a panicking look on her face. "Don't look back... There's a giant octopus behind you..."

Despite her warning the teen turned slowly his head over his shoulder, his face bleached with horror.

"Hehe." Eli smirked and disappeared in a flash.

A split second later, the paramecia locked herself the bathroom, sat on the floor. With a deep intake of air, she opened the envelope and pulled the letter with care.

Dear Eli,

I don't know how it happened, but meeting you has turned my world upside down. When I set my eyes on you, it just hit me; there is something really special about you.

I know you're gone for a long journey and I'd never dare to keep you away from your dream. Just know that I'll be thinking of you, praying for your good fortune.

Love,

Hiyoko.

'Something special' heh... Eli thought wryly and ran her fingers through her messy bangs. And you have no idea cute Hiyoko.

to be continued

You can go read 'Twig' chapter three :)