I had fun writing this part!

SHIN: Uh huh.

(glares at Shin) What wrong with you? (turns to the readers) Hiya, folks. Welcome to the Chapter five of the Twin Thieves.

SHIN: And the first installment of 'IDENTITY ARC'. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the first arc, 'BITTER ARC' was done yesterday.

(nods) Yes, that's right. A review! (reads) Thank you, Atsuko Uehara-san for the review and don't worry, I'll continue this….

SHIN: Because she's having fun writing the scenes of this story… Especially the burglary part...

Shut. Up!

DISCLAIMER:

We all know that I don't, so why ask?

SHIN: Maybe you'll steal it?

As if!




CHAPTER FIVE: PROLIFIC


Today…

I am ready

To face facts and challenges

Mountains and barriers

Even though they were young, the eighteen-year-old Mortice and seventeen-year-old Tenon were well known. Mortice, by her wits and beauty, and Tenon, by his charms and smiles, are parts of the upper society, thanks to their father. The said father is the famous seller of jewelries and gems to society; may it be the lower, the middle or the upper part, and, of course, the black market. And all because of him, Mortice and Tenon learned to judge, as shrewdly as a master jeweler, the cut, clarity and color of a jewel and gem.

Here in upper part of society, jewels and gems were some sort of status for them. What would jewelries and gems worth if they're always hidden? Thus, they decided to show them to the whole world! On galas and parties. Gold and silver, diamonds and pearls, ruby and sapphire. Here and there. It was always their father who got invited in such happenings and the two of them were just tagging along. And that tagging became their road to the upper class without the help of their father. Their father, at the meantime, was in Frics doing a business trip and selling his collections of magnificent jewelries and gems.

"Eon, come on! We're going to be late!" Mortice yelled outside of Tenon's door. An invitation for a private party was given to their father to be the guest honor because he sold a thirty-carat diamond with a silver lining to the host, the Blades. 'He was just doing his job!' Mortice articulated in her mind. However, their father was away and the Blades practically requested them to honor their father at the party. 'Or rather became the substitutes.' Mortice grumbled through her mind. Mortice, dress in a smooth and soft teal coat-like dress made from cotton silk and a black silk ribbon at her waist tied at the side, her hair twirled into a single bun behind her head and strapped high heels, knocked again. "TENON!"

The door opened revealing the young Tenon Mortice was yelling to. Bearing a black polo shirt of cotton silk with whit pin-strips, black cotton slacks and a shining leather shoes, he frowned, "Ticia, what's the rush?"

"What's the rush? We're going to be late!" she sighed, resignedly. She slaps his arm and grabs it, dragging him down the staircase towards the front door to the waiting car.

"Late, the both of you." The man, who was waiting inside the car, looked amused at their behavior rather than annoyed because of waiting.

"Sorry, Ben. Eon's so slow!" the defense came.

"No, I'm not! We're just so early!" came the other.

"We need to be early." she clarified, going inside the car with Tenon on tow and Ben in the front to drive. "We're the honored guest."

"No, we're not. Shanks is."

She hit him on the head. "I KNOW THAT!" And the bickering continued inside and on the way to the party.

Whatever happens, the two of them are still Nami and Luffy.


After all this years of struggling

I've never had someone who really cares.

"Good evening." One of the welcoming guests greeted them on the front door. "The invitation, please?" he asked, palm up. Nami, with Luffy beside her, gave the guard a charming smile and handed him the invitation. The turned to his clipboard at hand and checked their names. "Welcome, young lady. Welcome young lord." he bowed and let them in. they descended upon the circular-shaped stairs to the hall. Many were already here, sporting garments of signature names.

"Young Tenon, young Mortice." A man of thirty welcomed them once they fully descended the stairs. Blond hair in locks, this man has an astounding ability with guns.

"Lord Yasopp." Nami greeted.

"Where's Usopp?" Luffy accosted which earned him an elbow on the side, courtesy of Nami.

Yasopp laughed. "Nothing's change, then." He turned to Luffy. "He's there." Nodding at the direction of the balcony. They smiled and said their thanks and strolled at the direction pointed by him. They found a boy scanning the horizon.

"USOPP!" Luffy called. Too loud. Upon hearing his name, Usopp looked at the pair and waved.

"Luffy." Usopp smiled. Too soft.

"Usopp, how many times do I've to tell you, never call us by those names in public?" Nami hissed, brow at each other.

"But this is a private party." he defended himself.

"You know what I mean!"

"Why change your name? I don't understand." he shook his head.

Nami glared. After Shanks decided to adopt them, they both settled at changing everything. They started from their names. For everyone's protection. And they pursued the path of prolific. Being born from mediocre status, it was difficult for them but with sheer determination and pure will (with Nami's deadly punch), they have live.

"Ok, then." Usopp sighed. Usopp just like his father is excellent at shooting, he also likes to invent. And he's one of the six persons in their inner circle who knew who and what they really are.


Tomorrow…

I'll be there

Again with you

Still feeling strong and inspired

The party went well. Well, for the other guest, perhaps, but not for the two of them. It was boring and dull. Very much. The hosts went and go from here to there, welcoming everyone in a politely bored gesture. However, when the Blades spotted them, they went from politely bored to ecstatic joy. Seeing the children of the world's renowned jewelry-seller and gemstone collector, the Blades practically glided to their side and welcomed them enthusiastically. Luffy and Nami alerted themselves. 'Beware of people who want to be your friend because of what you are now.' Shanks and Ben's voices flew at the head. The Blades introduced them to everyone and they both felt like prized trophy on the next line. But they must endure this, for the reputation of the Red-Haired name.

And for those beautiful, impressive stones.

Some of the people who were introduced were either interested to their father and his collection of gemstone or his jewelries. Some were interested to his children, much to their discomfort. Or some were testing there aptitude to judge what kind of jewelry they wear of what should be the kind they're supposed to wear. Like the one who kept on bothering Nami now. Nami, her patience nearing critical level, pirouetted to her. Hands on her hips, "Madame, I already told you."

"Young Lady Mortice, that's not all, is it not?"

Critical level. Her patience is now there. "Look~"

Fortunately, the woman savior upon Nami's wrath came. "Ticia, let's go home." Luffy appeared.

Nami turned away from the woman and answered him, "Let's go, Eon."

"Wait, please." The woman pleaded.

Nami sighed and whispered at Luffy. Luffy nodded. 'For going back home.' Luffy asked the jewelries in questioned.

"Hmmm…" he examined the stones. The necklace first, "A grade D Russian sapphire. Very large and its color were pretty, valuable cornflower blue. The center drop's flawless as expected." The woman grinned. He turned to the earring and heard Nami sighed, tiredly. Being so brutally honest, he continued, "The earrings are ugly." The woman's grin vanished in an instant. Luffy consoled, "You can trade it at our place in the presence of my father for a beautiful one, if you want." 'And we'll turn it into a fabulous ruby for the black market. '

Nami's eyebrow arched up at him and she turned to the woman. "We'll be going now, Madame. And I'm sorry for not telling you." She apologized. The woman just smiled. And the both of them walked away.


In spite of the hindrances

With you

I'll soon be great

And this,

I owe it all to you.


MUSIC: One Piece BGM: Underground Bar, Big Hole!


SHIN: Where the hell did you get the names, Mortice and Tenon?

Oh, the names are parts of hull-and-plank of a ship. Just like Shanks as a part of an anchor. 

SHIN: I heard that you're already at Shadow and Silhouette's first appearance in the story?

Yup! Let us introduce first the identities of every people needed to go to that certain arc. (grins)

SHIN: Tomorrow's the next one! R&R!!!!!!!!!!

(waves)