"Dreams will always die before your very eyes," said Teach's mother, crossing her arms. "Do not chase them, they will never come true."
There it was. Ringing across the room. His parents' constant mantra. It was quite the far cry from the enthusiastic encouragement his peers had gotten from their parents. His mother was a failed opera singer, and his father a flunked engineer student. They'd met in their misery, and by some chance found each other pleasant enough to marry. Pressure from their parents had led to Teach's birth, which had not been terribly appealing to either of them in the first place. Neither of his parents doted on him, which was alright with Teach since he was pretty independant anyways.
They lived in a cold, dark house on the edge of a cliff, near the water. Some might have made the most of it, and indulged in the beautiful scenery and comforting quiet of the village below. Teach's parents on the other hand were quite determined to make Teach share in their anguish.
His parents had decided that Teach would be mundane from the moment he was born. They'd even named him 'Teacher' so he'd have no other choice in profession. They believed it was a good, ordinary, easily-attained job. Something with a respectable amount of income to keep him happy for the majority of his life.
They gave him plain clothes. Beige shirts, and green pants, nothing more. Ironically, their attempt to render their child into the background utterly failed. Teach was picked on at school for wearing the exact same thing every single day. Teach resented them for it. He'd sworn that one day, when he was older, he would rename himself something so ridiculous that the world would scream at the sound of it. He'd wear clothes so gold and ornamented they'd blind anyone who dared to look at him. He would stand out. In a good way.
But for now, he was stuck. Stuck on this little cliff in this little village that became even smaller when compared to the vast ocean that bordered it.
Inazuma had never seen anything like it before. A true paradise in the depths of hell-on-earth. Level 5.5. Newkama Land, the "Prisoners' Secret Flower Garden". For the life of him he could not understand why it was called such. The place resembled a discothèque, with not a living organism in sight but the mass of bodies gyrating on the dance floor and the stragglers wandering on the outer walls. Everyone there wore outlandish clothing (although Inazuma wasn't quite one to talk). It was surreal.
"This is what you've been working on for the past few years?" Inazuma asked Ivankov, as someone poured him a glass of wine.
"Yes!" Ivankov exclaimed, "You like?"
Inazuma wasn't quite sure how to respond. It was fantastic. But it was also terrifying. If the guards discovered this place…
"Oh don't be such a worry-wart!" Ivankov said, patting his comrade on the head. "Have some fun! I can't believe you've gotten this uptight after only a few years in hell!"
Inazuma sighed. He had endured Level 5 as a result of his membership with the Revoloutionary Army. It wasn't pleasant, but he could have gotten worse than the Freezing Hell... He couldn't help but wonder if that was indeed the case. They say prison changes you. Inazuma was curious as to if Ivankov had any noticeable changes as well. Ivankov seemed even more flamboyant if that was possible. Perhaps his time away from the strict Dragon had allowed the Okama Queen to loosen up. In any case, Inazuma far preferred him this way.
"Ivankov," Inazuma began.
"Yes, Candy Boy?" Ivankov beckoned him, taking a sip of his wine.
"Dragon…" Inazuma stated, hoping the okama would take his cue.
"Ah yes. Dragon has decided we're to stay here until he needs us. We're a very valuable asset to the Revoloutionary Army at the moment. This Secret Flower Garden isn't just a prisoner's paradise, you know."
Inazuma had no doubt. Knowing Ivankov, this place probably transformed into a communications base when he needed it to. But Dragon's actions were rather curious to Inazuma. What use could the most wanted man in the world have for a base in the most treacherous prison in the world? There was no one here who had been unjustly incarcerated. A prison break made no sense, and would've happened by now if it were the case.
"I honestly don't know what he's planning," Ivankov admitted. "That man is as slippery as a pair of brand new flip flops. He's all over the place. I can only hope someone's keeping him on a straight path without me. Probably Sa-boy. He's always had a right head, that one."
A.N: I find double birthdays so remarkable. Especially with characters who will most likely never interact. Usually when I write doubles, I write a situational, and a pondering to ensure there's no confusion for my readers. I started Blackbeard's bit as a situational, but he soon became my pondering. And I know it is because he is a fascinating character. My mind, which loves to fill in the blanks, couldn't resist propping up this man on some either very mundane, or very interesting details. How did you guys interpret it? Inazuma's piece was definitely harder to write. I had to achieve somewhat of a balance with my pieces, but both of these characters are so desperately in need of extra detailing. I struggled quite a bit, I'll admit. But I think he came out just fine in the end. Reviews, Favourites, Subscriptions, Birthdates, and Requests are welcomed and much appreciated! I'll see you on the 5th for Gaimon!