The tavern was small but cozy, entirely made of dark wood. Whispers were rising in the richly scented air.
"What happened?"
"I don't know, he just fainted..."
"Should we call a doctor?"
"Is he even breathing?"
The guests and the waiters kept looking from one another to the boy with his head on the counter next to a plate of meat and rice.
"What is going on here?"
Everyone turned to the door. Standing there, a girl with flowing red hair was looking at everyone with bright green eyes. Her skin was pale but her nose was marred with freckles. Wearing an elegant green dress that reached just behind her knee, a pair of black stilettos and a pendant that represented a flower made of gold and emeralds, she stood out and looked out of place.
"Little Lady!" Greeted her the owner, making her smile. "This boy here fainted." She looked taken aback for an instant before hurrying besides the sleeping teen and start checking him all over.
"Mhh...I can't sense any anomaly on his skull..." She opened one eye and looked with a light she took out from a little bag. "Nope, all right here, then..." She started to feel along the boy's spine when he suddenly opened his eyes and sat up straight. The girl took a step back.
"Are you alrigh?"
"I...I think so? What happened?"
"You fainted, boy" Said the owner.
"I...did?"
"I couldn't find anything wrong with your head, but I think we should do some exams...Oh, sorry, I'm Tion, nice to meet you." She extender her hand.
"I'm Ace" he shook her hand.
"Well Ace, let me take you to my teacher. He will surely know what is wrong with you."
"Thank you but I don't have money to pay him."
Chuckles and laughs sounded all over the tavern.
"Do not worry, I will pay for you."
"I can't-"
"Don't worry" She smiled a little sadly, taking his hand and making him stand up. "I have money to burn." And took him out.
Matthew's office was clean and white, like his owner. Mattew was an old man with white hair and white beard that made him look like a strange sorcerer. He smiled warmly at him and asked a million of questions, running test after test. Tion sometimes helped him and followed him with curious eyes, but she kept Ace company for the most part.
He learned that she was a noble, but hated being one, just like Sabo.
"I can't possibly run away...yeah, they think I'm an idiot since I'm a girl, but my life's better than most and, besides, I can use the money my parents give to me to help others. It's really satisfying."
She smiled, and Ace told him about his long lost brother. She hugged him then, holding him with surprisingly strong harms.
"I think I know what you have, boy." Interrupted Mattew. "I think it's Narcolepsy."
"What?"
"It's a situation where you will fall asleep without control over it. It's actually pretty dangerous since you are a pirate...you may fall asleep in the middle of a fight or in a dangerous situation..." Tion explained, looking worried.
"You may manifest cataplexy, where you loose all your muscle ability, or paralisy before or after an attack...as well as hallucinations."
"Hallucinations?!" Tion placed a placating hand on his arm.
"There's a possibility that you won't have anything of these simptoms besides the actual attack. Are you tired?"
"No."
"That's good. Now, can you think of something that would make you feel a strong emotion, please?"
Ace closed his eyes, remembering the times when he asked about Roger's son, about the anger and the hate...and then, he was King.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
Tion jumped back, scared.
"He already suffered enough! Stop trying to hurt him, you bastards."
Tion and Matthew shared a look.
"Who...are you?" Asked the doctor.
"I am King. You are a doctor, are you not? You should know about the DID."
"I know what a DID is, I just never saw it."
"You have the DID?" Tion eyes sparkled. "This is so fascinating!" She started to jump on the spot. "How many of you there are? Age? Sex? Can I meet them? Please? Please!" King just observed her with eyes as big as plates. "Oh, I'm sorry, I'm overwhelming you, am I not?"
"I..." He stopped, looking perplexed. "...think you should speak to Spades." He said, and like that his confused expression turned into a little smile and curious eyes. "Hi"
Tion brightened. "Oh God. This is the first time meeting someone with DID! Hi! How are you?"
Spades chuckled. "I'm fine thanks. And you?"
"I'm fine! Thank you!" She said, smile as large as her face.
"My my, Tion, stop harassing our patient." Matthew interrupted, a hand on the girl's head. "Now, how about we talk about what you can do to help with your narcolepsy?" The old man smiled kindly.
"Ok..."
"Don't be so sad Tion, you can ask your question later."
"Can I?" She asked, making Spades laugh.
"Of course you can."
Matthew then made them sit on his sofa, explaining what could help reduce the attacks: little naps here and there and a little variation to what he ate. Then, Tion started bombarding Spades with question after question, wanting to know everything she could. It was already getting dark when Matthew finally spoke again.
"Tion, why don't you get a look out of the window?"
"Out of the window? What – OH MY DEAR GODDESS AND EVERYTHING THAT'S HOLY AND UNHOLY! It's this late already?! Oh Goddess, now Mother is going to kill me!" She got up so fast her knee violently hit the table, making her cup of tea wobble dangerously before spilling its content all over her dress. She took a doubled over, one hand on his knee and the other on the wet hot stain.
"Are you alright little miss?" Asked Matthew, laugher in his voice.
"Yes. Why shouldn't I be?" She asked, voice lowered in pain. Then she took a deep breath. "Ok, need to go. It was nice to meet you Spades" She said, kissing his cheek. "See you Gamps!" And then she was out and running, stumbling over her own feet, laugher following her.
Upon a hill, in the center of the little town, next to the castle, stood a huge mansion. Painted in a rich violet and surrounded by the most exotics flowers, it was a jewel of incomparable beauty. However, Tion found the mansion lonely with all the space and too pompous for her liking. With practised ease she slipped past the guards and into her rooms, changing clothes. The corridors were silent besides the little noise her shoes made while she walked. Stopping in front of an enormous door, she sighed before stepping into the far too big dining room.
"Father, Mother, I'm sorry for my tardiness."
"Tsk. Where were you you reckless daughter?" Lord Reginald, Tion's father, was a man in his late 60s. He had grey hair and green eyes like her. His, however, were shining with malice.
"I was helping Matthew with his-"
"Enough. Sit down, we have things to talk about." Lady Lilith was a cold woman even if her hair were burning bright red. Her eyes were black; she was beautiful and young, a woman barely 30 years old.
"Yes Mother."
"Tion, me and your mother came to a very important decision." Lord Reginald started, making Tion's heart go wild with worry.
"As you know, Lord Edwin stipulated a contract with your father, and since he is a close friend to us, we decided that it was a good chance to make you marry him, to ensure that he won't betray us." Tion's heart stuttered as she gasped. What was she hearing? What was happening?
"Besides, it's almost time you get to merry."
"B-but – Father! Lord Edwin is 45! I-I'm just 17 years old! I- I!" A hand flew to her head. It hurt to absorb the informations she was receiving.
"17 is the right age! Now you are young and untouched and pure! You would be able to make lots of heirs." His father said cheery. "Oh, but don't worry about us, we will provide to conceive another baby."
"You- you will make another baby to- to be my substitute?" She asked incredulously.
"I'm still young. And hopefully it will be a male."
"But- but- I don't want to get married!" A slap from her father made her fall from her chair.
"I won't be disobeyed! You will marry Lord Edwin, do you hear me?! You're just a woman, you are to be used to create new ties and reinforce the old ones! You are nothing without a man by your side. Now return to your chambers!"
She couldn't really tell how she got back in her rooms, but she was suddenly on her bed, completely in shock. She couldn't quite process what happened. She didn't really know for how long she laid there on her bed, but then there was an incredible pain in her chest. She felt like dying, her breath was short as tears started to prickle to her eyes. Sobs wrecked her shoulders as she rode wave after wave of intense pain. Her eyes felt sore by the time the wave stopped smoothing her with their violence and she was so exhausted she fell asleep.
Rain was pouring down from the heavy clouds above as thunders roared in the sky. Ace looked out of Matthew's window, bored. The rain had started early the morning and continuing during the afternoon, cooping him inside with the old doctor. Oh joy. He was really considering hitting his head on the wall just to pass the time when he noticed someone walking in the downpour.
"Matthew! Someone's out there!" He called over his shoulder to the man that was reading a book.
"Someone?"
"Yeah, over-" He turned and jumped, the person was now standing in front of him, on the other side of the glass. It was a girl, hair plastered over her face and eyes so green it bore into his soul.
"It's Tion!" Matthew exclaimed, rushing to the door, opening it and dragging her in. She was wearing a white dress with embroided black flowers, with no jewels on and without shoes.
"Tion? What happened?" Matthew asked, but she stood there, ere eyes fixed in front of her, before turning towards Ace.
"Are you strong?"
"I am"
"Can you teach me?"
"Of course."
She nodded. "I want to join your crew. If I'm not useful you may as well leave me at the first island we find."
"I don't need you to be useful. I will give you a place to stay regardless of what you can do."
"Would you?" She asked, a shaky smile on her lips.
"Of course." A tear ran on her cheek, mixing with the rain on her face.
"Tion, why don't you change and then tell us what happened to you in front of a cup of tea?" Matthew asked, putting a towel on her shoulders.
"Ok. Thanks."
Fifteen minutes later, Tion was wrapped into a fluffy blanket as she explained how her parents decided to marry her off.
"They think of me like an object that could be used to ensure loyalty from others."
"I'm sorry Tion..." Matthew patted her shoulder. "I am in favour of you leaving with this young man." He said before turning to Ace. "No funny business you!"
"No worries" Spades smiled. "Ace is gay."
That was totally unnecessary! Ace roared in their mind.
It was, they would feel better this way.
...I hate you.
I love you too brother dear.
"When will we leave."
"The day of my wedding. I want to declare to the world how they forced me to do this. In the meantime, I will train to became stronger while robbing some money from my beloved" She spit the word, dripping venom. "Parents."
"Ok, we can train you."
"Well then. May I ask you to do a little shopping for me? Obviously it will be all financiated by my parents."
"No problem. Just tell me what you need."
"I have learnt how to cure illness with flowers and plants. I will need them on our ship." Spades nodded. "Tomorrow we will start the journey towards freedom."