"Don't look at me like that!"
Nami folded her arms.
"You don't have to, you know," Usopp clarified. "I just thought it'd be nice—"
"I've not been out for a long time," Nami muttered. "I did not plan on changing that unless that law is abolished."
"Exactly," Usopp said. "You haven't been out for a long time. Look, when that law does get removed, you'll have to—I mean, sooner or later, you'll have to go out eventually. So why not today?"
"There are people outside!"
"No one wants to hurt you! I'd guess most people nowadays don't think witches are real—um, sorry—"
"Thanks for reminding me my existence is debated," Nami said dryly.
Usopp glanced away. "I'm gonna go meet Franky and Chopper in ten minutes," he said. "So . . . do what you want."
He stood after a moment and left to get ready. Nami looked out the kitchen window, where dew dripped down the pane.
When Usopp came to the front door, he found Nami waiting for him.
"I am ready," she said, voice shaking.
Usopp grinned. "Great!"
"My wand's in my stocking," she added as he hopped on one foot, wriggling his other into a boot.
"Why?"
"For protection."
"Who needs that when you have the strongest man in the world to protect you?"
She gave him a look.
"But the wand's a good back-up," he conceded.
He got his boots on and opened the door. Nami clung to his arm as they took a few slow steps outside, and Usopp shut the door behind them. They began walking down the road, Nami's eyes darting around.
"The future is so different," she whispered.
"Future—? Oh. I guess it must be."
She stared into shop windows with wonder as they walked by and almost stopped a few times to look at the displays. She asked Usopp about some of the things she saw, and he patiently explained, to her fascination.
"Knock-knock!" Usopp called when they reached the shop.
Franky and Chopper looked up and around.
"Hey, bro!" Franky exclaimed, lifting his welding mask and setting his tools aside. He spotted Nami and raised an eyebrow. "Oh, would this be your elusive housemate?"
"Yeah, this is Nami—Nami, Franky and Chopper, they run this place!"
"Pleasure," Nami said. She eyed Franky's prosthetics in puzzlement.
"Showing her around today," Usopp explained, bringing her to sit with him on a table.
"What do you like to do?" Chopper asked, staring at her with shining eyes as he trotted up.
She gave him a nervous smile. "Cleaning, counting . . . cartography."
"Wait, what?" Usopp said in surprise.
"I never told you that?" Nami said in equal surprise. "I used to draw up maps back then."
"Hey, that's rad," Franky said with a grin.
"Why do you have limbs of metal?" she asked him bluntly.
"Huh, you've never seen something like this?" Franky said. He came over to them and showed her his arms and legs.
"Oh, she's from a different place, they didn't have this kind of thing there," Usopp said hastily. Nami nodded.
"They're prosthetics," Franky explained. "I lost my original limbs in a train accident—"
"Train?"
Franky eyed her curiously.
"Um," Usopp said. "It's like, um, a really big and long metal thing, goes pretty fast and goes on for miles—I'll show you a picture later."
"Anyway," Franky said, shrugging this off, "I lost my hands and feet, and Chopper helped me make these new ones." He flexed his metal fingers with a proud grin. "Kid's pretty smart!"
"I am not!" Chopper exclaimed indignantly, though he smiled. "You're so rude! Geez!"
Even Nami recognized his true meaning and smiled at his antics.
"That's so fascinating," she added to Franky, tracing the metalwork with her own fingers. "To think technology has come so far . . ."
"It's pretty great, and so am I," Franky said proudly.
"Oh! Usopp, are you gonna continue your story today?" Chopper said in excitement. "About King Sanji and Sogeking!"
Nami turned to Usopp with an incredulous look. "Pardon?"
"Not . . . today," Usopp said. "Maybe tomorrow?"
"Aw. Okay."
"But I could tell you a tale of a fox, a grape-bunch, and a crow!" Usopp said hastily. Refusing to meet Nami's stare, he cleared his throat. "Once upon a time . . ."
"Care to explain?" Nami said once they had left the shop. "What's this about a story about Sogeking and King Sanji?"
"It's . . . a stunning tale, based on true events," Usopp mumbled.
"Is it?"
"Leave me alone!"
They passed by someone and Nami unconsciously clutched his arm tighter.
"How're you doing?" he added.
"Better than I had thought," she murmured. "I always did feel safer with a companion."
"Good." They now stood outside the tavern. "There's gonna be a lot of people in here, there usually is this time of day."
He looked over and found Nami attempting to wear her blouse over her face.
"You can go home if you want!"
She sheepishly lowered her shirt again. "I'll be fine."
Despite this, Usopp felt the circulation being cut off in his arm as he pushed open the tavern door. He greeted the patrons with grins as he approached the counter.
"Hey," he said cheerfully. "Um, this is Nami—my housemate. Hope it's okay, but can she sit with me today?"
"Hi," Koala said with a kind smile to Nami, noticing her nervous grip on Usopp's arm. "Yes, of course. Nice to finally meet you."
Nami gave her a small smile and nod. Usopp waved to Zoro, who grinned in greeting and then eyed Nami curiously. She frowned at his hair before Usopp led her to the back room, where he picked up his supplies.
"It's crowded," she whispered as they sat together.
"Ah, yeah," Usopp murmured. "How are you?"
"What if someone . . ." She shook her head. "I am being silly."
"If anything happens, you have the strongest man in the world to protect you, remember?"
Nami cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Okay, but for real, Koala is probably the strongest woman in the world, so she can take care of anyone who starts getting in your face."
"Alright," Nami said in relief. She sat back and watched as he started to paint.
As customers came and went throughout the day, Nami stayed close to Usopp. Several times her hand twitched towards her wand, only for her to clench her fingers and withdraw. She was far more relaxed when the time came that the bar was empty save for Zoro, Koala, herself, and Usopp.
"So you're Usopp's wife, huh?" Zoro said at that time.
Nami glared at Usopp. "What have you been saying?!"
"Nothing! Zoro, come on, I told you we're not together!"
Zoro grinned, and Nami gave him a glare that actually made him flinch.
"Hey!"
Everyone looked to the doors to see Franky and Chopper entering.
"Been some time, huh?" Franky said, sitting at the bar with Chopper. "Juice and cola, please."
"Long time no see," Zoro said, lifting his mug in greeting.
"Hi, Zoro," Chopper exclaimed as Koala set his juice in front of him. Franky gave her the money and she passed him a bottle of cola.
"How's the shop?"
"Usual, you know how it is," Franky said. "God, people need to be more careful, we get broken wheels every week—hey, bro!" he added, spotting Usopp in the corner. "And sis!"
Nami frowned at her new moniker but said nothing.
"I love your paintings," Chopper said happily, looking around at the walls.
"Of course you do!" Usopp exclaimed. "I'm only the best painter in the world!"
"Sure, sure," Franky said, raising his bottle as if toasting.
When the doors opened again, everyone looked up to see a hooded figure enter. They sat at the bar and said, face shadowed, "I'm here to meet someone."
"Who would that be?" Koala asked, trying to peer under the hood.
"A young woman . . . oh, I can't remember her name . . ." A grin was heard in their voice now. "Kit . . . Katrina . . . what was it?"
"Could it perhaps . . . be something like Koala?" she suggested with a smile.
"Hm . . . yes, I think so . . ." The person threw back their hood, revealing blond hair half-combed over a large scar and a big smile. "Yes, that was it!"
Koala laughed in delight and leaned across the counter to hug him. "Sabo, it's been too long!"
"Sorry!" Sabo exclaimed, adjusting his coat. "I haven't really had the chance to come, since King Sanji stopped visiting—" Here he looked to the corner. "Speaking of which—hello, Usopp, it's been a while!"
Usopp peeked over the canvas and waved nervously.
"You'd be one of the royal guards?" Franky asked.
"Aye," Sabo said, putting some money on the counter for a drink. "Name's Sabo. You?"
"Franky, and this is Chopper."
"And this is Nami," Usopp said bravely. He gently pushed her so she peeked out from the side of the easel. "My housemate."
"Pleasure," Sabo said with a nod. He turned back to Koala. "I had to sneak out—I think it'll be fine, Ace is guarding the doors tonight and King Sanji said our guest wouldn't likely visit tonight."
"Guest?" Koala asked with interest.
"Oh, yes, he's visited every night since the ball—remember that man with the mask who danced with King Sanji and ran out?" Sabo said. "It's him. He calls himself Sogeking."
Franky and Chopper spat out their drinks. Usopp hid himself behind the canvas as the others gave them odd looks.
"He's a pretty nice guy, kinda weird, but King Sanji seems to like him," Sabo continued as Nami glared at Usopp (both hid behind the canvas now). "I wonder why he wouldn't visit tonight?"
"What's he look like under that mask?" Koala asked with great interest. Zoro leaned in to listen.
"That's the thing," Sabo said. "He never takes off his mask. He said something about a curse . . ."
"Uh, sorry to interrupt," Franky said, eyeing Usopp's corner, "and this might be a weird question—but by any chance, was there an alleged murder in the castle during the past few nights?"
"A murder?" Sabo said, startled. "The only thing I can think of is that board game we played, that one with the cards and the players like Ms. Scarlet and Col. Mustard. Why in the world do you ask?"
"No reason," Franky said quickly. He frowned over at the corner, but Usopp refused to come up.
"What have you been doing?" Nami hissed.
"I didn't think this would happen," Usopp whispered. "Franky and Chopper don't visit here often—"
"Do you ever think before you do things?!"
"Usopp, why are you hiding over there?" Koala asked, craning her neck in an attempt to peer over the canvas.
"I'm not," Usopp lied, peeking over and avoiding looking at Franky and Chopper. "There's just a bit of . . . detail work . . . I'm doing . . ."
"Mm-hm." Koala turned back to Sabo and they continued chatting. Franky was silent this time, pensively drinking his soda as Zoro looked at him curiously. Nami rolled her eyes and sat back, watching Usopp paint.
Several minutes passed before the door opened again, and someone else entered.
"Hey," Ace said, scratching his head sleepily. "Sabo, King Sanji asked me to come get you. I tried telling him . . . it was a bad idea, but . . . he didn't listen."
"What?" Sabo said, looking around as Ace sat next to him.
"Hi, everyone," Ace said to the party. He glanced at Franky and Chopper and they introduced themselves, and Usopp quietly introduced Nami.
"Another guard," she whispered.
"Yeah," Usopp murmured.
"The escort mission'll have to wait," Ace said with a yawn, and he buried his head in his arms, falling asleep on the counter.
"Oh, that's what he meant," Sabo murmured. "He's got narcolepsy," he added for Franky's and Chopper's benefit. "Oh, well, guess we'll have to wait till he's awake to go back, huh?"
"Should I bring out a pillow?" Koala asked.
"If you want."
Perhaps only five minutes had passed when the door opened again and someone bounced in.
"Hey, guys," Luffy exclaimed. "King Sanji realized Ace was probably gonna fall asleep, so he sent me—" He spotted Usopp and Nami. "Hi, Usopp! And . . . ?"
"Nami," Nami said quietly. "I'm his housemate."
"Oh, okay! Long time no see, Usopp, Koala—hi, Zoro! Who're you guys?" he added, sitting next to Franky.
While Luffy, Franky, Chopper, and Zoro chatted, and Ace snored, Sabo turned back to Koala and they continued to talk.
"What kind of guards . . . ?" Nami whispered.
Usopp shrugged. "They're always like this."
Ace had just woken up when the door opened yet again.
"Do I have to do everything myself?" Sanji said in irritation, throwing back his hood and grabbing Sabo's and Luffy's ears. "What kind of King has to fetch his guards like this?"
"Sorry," Sabo and Luffy said together.
"Let go, that hurts," Luffy whined. "Why aren't you grabbing Ace, too?"
"I only have two hands, and it's not his fault he fell asleep!" Sanji sent an awkward smile Koala's way. "Hello, madame, sorry about this."
"Good to see you again, Sire," Koala said warmly.
"You're King Sanji!" Chopper exclaimed.
Sanji looked between him and Franky. "Oh, you two were at the ball, weren't you? Yes, I am, it's nice to see you." He sent a scowl Zoro's way. "And you."
"Whatever," Zoro said with a shrug.
"Aren't you going to say hello to Usopp?" Koala asked with a wink sent to the corner.
Sanji paused. Ace, Sabo, and Luffy stood, shifting and shooting looks over to the corner as well. Sabo and Luffy rubbed their hurt ears.
Finally, Usopp peeked over the canvas, and Sanji looked his way.
"Evening," he said with a rather sad smile. "It's been a while."
"Y—" Usopp gulped. "Yes, Sire."
Nami glared at him behind the canvas.
"And you are?" Sanji added, spotting her.
She slowly peeked around. "Hello," she murmured. "I live with Usopp. My name is Nami."
"A pleasure," Sanji said, though he seemed distracted. "Housemate . . . I see. Well . . . farewell."
He and the three guards set off to the door, but while the guards went outside, Sanji paused. He looked at Usopp again with a small frown, scrutinizing his face and body.
"Sire?" Usopp said tentatively.
"Pardon me," Sanji said after a moment, and he left at last.
"How nice of all of them to visit again," Koala said with a meaningful look at Usopp.
"Um, yeah," Usopp mumbled.
Franky stood and stretched. "Thanks for the drinks," he said to Koala. "Chopper, you wanna get going?"
"Sure," Chopper said, hopping off his stool. "Bye! Thanks!"
They left the tavern.
"You're both stupid," Nami said.
"What?" Usopp said.
"You and the King," Nami clarified. She suddenly looked horrified and glanced around guiltily. "Oh no, don't tell King Sanji I said that—"
"Why not?" Koala said in surprise. "It's not like we would, but . . . ?"
Nami frowned. "Where I am from, it's forbidden to criticize the monarchy."
"What an awful place," Koala said sympathetically. "Don't worry, criticism is acceptable, and it's not like King Sanji's got thin skin."
Nami relaxed. "I see."
"You're right, anyway," Zoro said. "They're idiots."
"You're all my enemies," Usopp said dramatically. "I'm going home!"
"Alright," Koala said. "See you tomorrow!"
Usopp and Nami stood and put away the paint supplies, leaving the tavern afterwards. She kept a grip on his arm again as they walked back, her eyes flickering around the darkened streets.
"It can't be . . ."
"Sire?"
Sanji had stopped dead in his tracks, a haunted look upon his face. Robin and the girl had been silently observing him pace up and down the hallway for several minutes.
"But he doesn't . . . but she . . ." Sanji twirled his hair between his fingers, staring into space.
"Robin," he said at last. "You've said you can detect when magic is in the air?"
"Yes."
"You weren't telling stories?"
"I wasn't."
"Did you ever . . . detect it about Sogeking?"
Robin and the girl glanced at each other.
"I did," she said at last. "Every time he was here. But why do you ask?"
Sanji ignored this. "Can you fetch those three?"
"Of course." She stood and left, leaving the girl behind.
"What's wrong?" the girl asked.
"I . . . I think I've figured out . . ." Sanji hesitated. "What's going on with our guest Sogeking. Could you go wait in the study, please?"
She hesitantly obeyed, standing and leaving just as Robin returned with Ace, Sabo, and Luffy, who fidgeted impatiently in front of Sanji.
"What's up, Sire?" Ace asked.
"Go into town," Sanji ordered, "find Usopp and Ms. Nami, his housemate, and bring them here."
"Huh?" Luffy exclaimed. "How come? Did they break the law?"
"Don't ask how come, just do it!" Sanji exclaimed, running his hand through his hair in agitation. "But don't use force! Get them to come quietly—don't hurt them. And watch out for Ms. Nami's abilities."
The guards looked between each other, hesitating.
"Very well," Sabo said at last. "Um, where do they live?"
"I don't know. Find out."
The three turned and left the room.
"Sire?" Robin said at last. "What does this have to with Mr. Sogeking?"
"We'll see when they get here," Sanji muttered. "I almost hope I'm wrong . . ."
Robin frowned in worry.
"Is there anything else I should do?" she asked at last.
Sanji took a deep breath. "Could you find some rope . . . and wait in the study with Vivi?"