Bepo sighed from his spot on the floor, waiting for the mechanic to return and guarding the ship. He had sent away everyone else as she had requested, but he didn't understand why she didn't want anyone around. He was lonely.
Captain would never allow the ship to remain completely unattended in a stranger's hands, and she hadn't requested that he leave. So he had stayed. His fellows were celebrating back in town with women, booze, and each other, while he volunteered for guard duty.
He missed his friends. He supposed there probably weren't any female bears on this island or he would have found them by now, but still, he could use a beer.
Plus, she had made him wait for hours in the empty warehouse with nothing to do. It was well passed dark now, but he supposed the darkness was fairly comforting for him. Besides, he could see better in the dark than his fellows, and the breaks in the roof allowed for the limited amount of light from the distant city and the moon to trickle through.
Truthfully, Bepo was getting sleepy. He shook his head, gently slapping himself as he stood up slowly. At least this was a Fall island — nice and cold. He supposed a Winter island would have been too cold on the metal, but Fall was better than Spring or Summer. He took a seat again.
In the background was the gentle lap of the waves, and they lulled Bepo into a meditative state. He allowed his thoughts to pull him in whatever direction they chose, and he wiped a tear from his eye as he thought of the kind Krill. He sighed. If only Captain had stayed, they could have shared a glass of whiskey for the feisty mechanic.
"Something on your mind, Mink?"
Bepo jumped and let out a very undignified scream. She… she snuck up on him?
Seriously, who was this woman?
There was the sound of a striking match, and a lantern was lit.
Bepo flailed as he spoke. "Th-th-that's not fair! You snuck up on me!"
She coughed for a moment, shaking her head. "Yeah, luckily it was just me."
Bepo paled under his fur. Captain would have killed him if he died from an enemy attack because he was distracted. The young mechanic was crouched in front of him, her forehead wrinkled by her natural scowl. "Seriously though, you look tired. Go rest somewhere."
Bepo shook his head. "Captain would be very upset if I left the ship in the hands of a stranger, and you sent everyone else away."
She blinked for a moment before the scowl returned full force. "That ass. Here, take the lantern."
He took the lantern from her as she tossed off her hat onto the deck and tied up her hair in a bun. She shook off her boots and took few steps forward before she hopped onto the railing and promptly dived into the water.
Bepo jumped to his feet, almost dropping the oil lantern as he half stumbled and half ran to the railing. He held the lantern up as he searched the water for her, shouting, "Miss! Miss mechanic, are you okay?"
There was no response, but a very thick chain jiggled. Looking up, the chain was attached to the structure of the warehouse by a set up pulleys — a massive boat launch. Bepo blinked. Normally Captain just used his powers to get the Polar Tang into position. The last time that they had it strapped up was when the thing was being built, and it took the whole crew and then some to pull it up. Could the structure of this building even hold up the Tang?
What was this woman going to show him next?
He heard a splash on the other side of the deck, and ran back over. She had surfaced, breathing hard as she clambered up the rampart with the strap until she reached the chain pulley system. As soon as it was secure, she did another swan dive into the water. Bepo took look down the line — there were another four straps to go.
He continued to walk back and forth as the straps went into place. Then she pulled herself out of the water, heading to a corner with another large mechanical contraption. Unlike the other, this one was much larger.
Bepo called from his spot on the deck. "How are you going to pull this thing up? Should I call back the crew?"
She glanced at him, and then smirked. Bepo smiled — he knew that smirk. That was the same look that his Captain got on his face when he was performing surgery. It was rather comforting, he supposed.
She pulled hard on a chain, and a great whirling sound began again. This one was a much louder whirling sound, probably due to the fact that this mechanical contraption was so much larger. There was a stench in the air as black smoke billowed out from the top of the machine.
The chains began to move, and the ship rocked a little. Bepo held onto the railing at the front of the ship, terrified and worried as the straps closed in on his home. Slowly the Polar Tang began to rise from the water. His voice cracked a little as he shouted at the tiny woman, "You sure that our ship will be safe with straps, right?"
She shook her head, turning around and walking away. Bepo couldn't help the few tears falling from his face. He trusted her, sure — but this was still his home. It was all he had left from Krill besides a couple of birthday presents. He shook the tears away, willing himself to be stronger than this. He stood on the railing before jumping down to the docks to follow her. He took a glance behind him quickly to see the yellow ship slowly rising up out of the water. The mechanic appeared at his side again.
"Relax. I'll be gentle with her." Her voice was gruff, but another tear threatened to spill. Bepo sniffed, nodding.
"I-I know. It's just… my home…"
He sniffed, wiping tears away as he apologizing. She glanced at him before looking back at the slowly rising ship, shifting the tools on her belt. "Your guys put the materials I need out, I assume?"
Bepo sniffed again before leading her to the pile of steel plates and bolts that matched the rest of the ship materials. She inspected them over the roar of the engine and splash of water. After a while, she walked back towards the large engine and pulled a lever. The whirling died down and the ship stopped rising. It now sat comfortably in it's straps a few feet above the water. Bepo still fretted over the condition of the ship as the mechanic wandered towards the back end of the ship where the hull had been breached. She whistled appreciatively. "You were right. That's a nasty gash. Patch job is good."
A bit of fleeting pride stopped his tears finally — he had helped with the patch job. "Really?"
She glanced back at him, her gruff voice and scowl still in place. She looked back at the ship as she said, "Yeah. Good thing you brought it here though — the Grand Line would've sunk you if you'd let it go much longer."
Bepo held back tears again and nodded. He glanced at his toes, the lantern lowering slightly in his shame. If only he had been quicker to save Krill…
"…Well… I could use a hand."
Bepo glanced up shyly. "Really? I'm sorry…"
"Stop fucking apologizing!"
"I'm sorry…"
She groaned, smacking her forehead. As she rubbed her temples, she growled out, "Look, I know, it's your home. I'll fix it. I'll make her good as new. Just… stop crying, okay?"
Bepo burst into tears again, unable to stop them.
"Goddamnit, you fucking bear, quit crying!" She looked angry, but Bepo couldn't help it — she was so nice, and he had been through a lot over the last few days, and he was hungry, and he missed his friends —
She sat him down, muttering about inconsolable crybabies, and got him another glass of hot water to drink while she inspected the ship. She took the lantern away, climbing the rafters and using a line with a pulley to lower herself to the side of the ship to examine it closely.
Bepo didn't know when the thin and rather ragged looking blanket was placed around his shoulders. He blinked again, eyes unfocused as she bent the red hot metal around the hull of the ship. It seemed that last glance to know both ship and mechanic were all right were all he needed, as he soon fell into a deep sleep.
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Law pushed the young, busty brunette against the wall as he ravaged her neck. He'd managed to find himself a woman who enjoyed it rough, which he had always considered to be a special treat. She moaned loudly as he continued his ministrations on her neck, working his fingers in intricate patterns around her breasts as she ground against him.
They were in his room at the inn. He had her pushed up against the wall as he finally sated his carnal desires. It had been too long since he had gotten to fuck anyone. Unlike some of the men on his ship, he simply wasn't interested in trading "favors" back and forth.
But this? God, she was sexy. All curves in a moaning mess as she quietly whispered his name. He grinned against her flesh, bending down to pick her up and slam her into the door while she wrapped her legs around his hips. That earned a particularly loud moan from her as her skirt bunched around her waist, giving Law easy access to tease and torment her.
As he continued to work on her body, a part of his mind detached to watch his surroundings. He had been a bit concerned about the deal he had struck with the young mechanic earlier that day — even though Bepo had volunteered to remain behind as she had sent everyone else away, Law was taking no chances. The rest of his crew was taking turns in shifts to watch the warehouse for any suspicious behavior.
Still, his transponder snail had made no noises, so he focused back on his task at hand.
Ah, there it was. He had been fingering her while nipping at her neck, and he found her g-spot. He slowed his pace, teasing it so she knew he found it without fully exploring it. Instead, he focused on the rest of her body, switching to a slower pace as he left a trail of bruises down her chest and breasts. He smirked again as she began begging him, rolling her hips to try desperately to get more of that glorious friction that she so desired. "As you wish," he breathed huskily into her ear, and he sped up his ministrations and hitting her pleasure spots with precision.
That mechanic was certainly one to watch — Law had taken a look at the dump she called home. He was half convinced that all of the "inventions" were things she had stolen, or knock-offs someone else had thrown out. What kind of mechanic couldn't even fix a tin roof? How would she be capable of welding his ship perfectly if she couldn't even manage her own place?
Law stopped his ministrations, pulling his hand out suddenly and dropping the woman to her shaky legs. She let out a whine, begging him to continue. He grinned, pointing to the bed. She walked over shakily as he dropped his pants. He had purposely ended her fun before she managed to cum.
What was that, by the window? For a moment, he focused his observation haki on that spot — but it was just another amorous couple heading to their own location.
She sat on the bed, beginning to spread her legs. But Law grabbed her, grinned, and flipped her over onto her knees instead. He took moment to put a condom on while he played with her clit before positioning himself.
He had damn good aim, and he was going to hit her g-spot on the first try, he just knew it.
By this point she was already begging again, rolling her hips and positioning pillows comfortably underneath her front.
He supposed he should stop worrying about it. He'd drop by the warehouse tomorrow and check in on Bepo with Shachi and Penguin. If the two young mechanics weren't pleased with her work, he'd just kill her.
It was with that thought that he slammed into the woman before him, eliciting a scream of pleasure. He was glad he had turned her around, because surely the grin on his lips would have terrified the woman. His thoughts narrowed again as he dismissed his worries, focusing only on his surroundings and the screaming woman in front of him. He had been attacked while in the throes of passion before, including once from the woman he was bedding, but he had always managed to kill any attacker before they managed to hurt him. This time would be no exception.
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Law had woken up both mechanics for some early morning training, and took some particular joy in their suffering. Neither had the skills to do full, high quality work needed for the grand line, but their skills in more deadly arts more than made up for it. Law was particularly enjoying teaching them to control observation haki as it gave him a chance to hit them both. Either man was mischievous by himself, but both men together was a recipe for wicked pranks that Law often had to punish.
And what better way to punish them than to wake them up early and hit them repeatedly until they threw up?
Plus, the two men against Law gave him a chance to practice his own combat. Bepo was a much stronger opponent, but he had not returned last night and the mink had enough on his plate trying to guard their ship.
After a few hours of beating Shachi and Penguin in the early morning light, they separated to get cleaned up and then met in the lobby to go inspect the ship. Law picked up some pork buns for Bepo while the other two took their sweet time showering. After a moment to gather themselves and for Law to adjust his hat and nodachi, they were off.
The sun was actually shining today. It seemed that the rain the day before had rid the island of it's usual gloom. The air still had a chill to it, as fall islands often did. Law breathed in the fresh air for a moment as he was distinctly reminded of home in the North Blue. As they approached the warehouse, Shachi ran up and knocked on the door. It was a moment before Bepo answered the door.
The door groaned with rust and age, and Bepo poked his head out. "Hello, Captain," he said. Immediately, Law was put on edge. He gripped his nodachi tightly as his body tensed. Bepo sleepily rubbed his eyes, a blanket in his arms. He yawned, but then caught Law's eye. For a moment, Captain and Navigator stared at each other. His navigator began to sweat profusely.
"I-I'm sorry, Captain!"
Law didn't hesitate, pushing passed Bepo in his rush to check on his beloved ship as he entered the warehouse.
There she was, his home — she was strapped in a large boat launch, seemingly in one piece, at least from this angle. Law sighed. Honestly, he should have known better than to leave Bepo by himself to guard the ship. Bepo had been exhausted from their trip, and he'd been working tirelessly to find a mechanic. Law put his hand in his back pocket as he thought.
Besides… Krill had always had a special place in Bepo's heart.
Speaking of his navigator, he seemed like he was crying behind Law.
"Bepo, take a rest. Shachi's got food for you. I got you seal buns."
Law grinned a little as he heard a little gasp. He knew the mink too well to need to look over his shoulder and see the mink's shining eyes. There was the distinct sound of plastic moving and Bepo chowing down on the buns while Law looked around for this mysterious mechanic.
There was a clatter in the distance, and Law caught the mechanic's gaze. She glared at him, before suspiciously eyeing Shachi and Penguin. Law heard the two behind him begin bickering, and he held a hand to his temple. For a moment, he could feel the beginnings of a headache.
"Bepo, you've been holding out on us —"
"Who knew our new mechanic would be so cute—"
"What's her name, Bepo—"
"Hey, I spotted her first dimwit—"
"Who are you calling dimwit, asswipe—"
"I believe that's what your mom called you growing up—"
"Fuck off, I—"
Law tuned out their bickering, watching the mechanic's reactions with curiosity. She remained frozen in place, her eyes switching between the three of them. He couldn't tell at this distance what she was thinking, but again he got the feeling that she was about to flee.
"Shachi, Penguin," he ordered quietly. "Go inspect her work while I talk to her. Bepo, you check the inside."
"Rodger!" they all shouted simultaneously. Law never took his eyes off her as the completely unaware duo happily approached the ship, winking at her and continuing to bicker at each other. Bepo looked depressed, apologized again, and followed closely behind, still munching on his breakfast. Both mechanics would inspect the inside and outside of the ship in terms of structural integrity and signs of sabotage, while Bepo would check to make sure nothing major was missing. She backed away from the group as they walked towards her, crossing to the other side of the warehouse without flinching her gaze.
He still got the impression that she was ready to run. He approached her, hand in his back pocket as he touched the scalpel that he always had handy. He wasn't known as the "Surgeon of Death" for nothing, after all.
As the other three disappeared into the ship, she switched her focus back to him as he approached. He got within ten yards before she started stepping back. He stopped, addressing her evenly. "So. Bepo fell asleep."
She nodded.
"He was supposed to be guarding you. And the ship."
She shrugged. "I didn't tell no one it was here. Did you?"
Law's mouth twitched. This tough girl act was starting to annoy him. It was clear that she hiding something. Law grinned lazily at her.
"I don't care what you're hiding, mechanic, so long as it means that my ship and my people are safe. But—" He leaned in slightly. "If you harm one hair on Bepo's head—"
She practically snarled at him, "I'd never, you pompous asshat. Go fuck yourself with a rusted pipe — I don't give a damn about your bullshit threats."
For a moment, the pair glared at each other as Law wrestled with his anger and searched her eyes. There was a strength behind them as coal eyes had turned obsidian in her rage. Satisfied, he straightened. "Good. I'm glad we're on the same page." He was done losing crew members. He didn't know what he'd do if he lost Bepo.
"Captain!"
Speak of the devil. The mink man landed besides Bepo on the dock, and smiled. "Nothing taken, Captain."
He smiled at Bepo. "Well, mechanic, it seems like you haven't stolen from us tonight—"
"Captain!" This time it was both Shachi and Penguin. They also leaped and landed next to Law on the dock. There was the sound of gentle lapping of water as they smiled.
"Captain, you should see it —"
"It's amazing what she's done—"
"Has she really been working by herself —"
"Krill would've approved—"
At this point, the excitable men turned to the mechanic in question, and began barraging her instead.
"Did you really do it by yourself—"
"What's your name, cutie—"
"Who was your teacher—"
"Can you teach us—"
"Do you have a boyfriend—"
"Why are you grabbing that machine—"
The eccentric heart pirates had unknowingly backed the mechanic into a corner, and she had grabbed on of the many piece-of-junk machines around her. Bepo was the first to move, pulling back the other two and hitting them hard on their heads. They turned to yell, and he immediately apologized. The clearly bewildered mechanic lowered the arm, and Law released the room he had begun to summon.
His eyes narrowed. Bepo pulled the two assistant mechanics away, and began lecturing them on manners while apologizing every other word. The young woman watched them, slowly relaxing and stepping away from the machine. She caught Law's gaze, and he smiled at her. "You'll have to excuse my crew members. They mean no harm, they're easily excited. It seems that you'll be worth the price I'm paying to get that high of praise from them."
She nodded stiffly. "I… I have to go now. I'll be back tonight."
Law nodded, and she turned, one eye watching the other heart pirates and one on the Captain as she slinked away.
Interesting.
He took a walk around the dock to observe the damaged hull as he thought about this latest encounter with this new mechanic. This behavior clarified a lot of things about her. He had been wrong to assume that she was scared of him because of his reputation — she was just as scared of beavis and butthead as she was of Law himself. The way that she had grabbed that machine seemed like she was preparing to defend herself against inevitable attack, even though it was clear that neither Shachi nor Penguin had the face or intention of an attacker.
And there was the other thing… She didn't tell anyone that she had the ship. A ship in an abandon warehouse, at the edge of town. A valuable ship. He examined the tail of his ship from the dock. It was clear she had a ways to go — but what she had accomplished he could only tell due to the difference in paint color. Somehow she had begun seamlessly fixing the hull. He glanced back up at the roof. The broken roof. Clearly, she had the skill to fix it.
There was more, too. All of these piles of junk were exactly that — junk. Junk that she had collected and made into working, functioning machines that were clearly incredibly powerful, but upon first glance still looked like piles of junk.
Bepo was right. She was at least as skilled as Krill, but she worked faster. All of this work in one night.
He frowned again. She would be back that night. She had worked the night before. The crew members who had warehouse watching duty last night had claimed that there weren't even lights visible from the warehouse. Initially he had assumed that she had left because of their presence, or to get some sleep. Was he wrong?
She was clearly afraid of something. The question was, what?