Sunny pulls into port in mid-morning. Karmen throws on a blue cloak and places her carefully folded red dress in her bag. She keeps her head low as they make their way into the harbor town, looking for Pierce in all the suspect locations on the way. The crew keeps her in the middle protectively until they reach the shopping district. After she says it's alright for them to enjoy themselves, the crew divides into groups and go into shops, keeping their eyes open as they browse.
Something familiar wafts its way up a side street. Karmen's head turns towards the sound and a wide grin spreads across her face. "I'll be back. Nothing Pierce related." She changes course to go down an ally.
"Karmen!" Usopp calls after her. "Well, she didn't leave a note this time. That's an improvement."
Zoro sighs. "I'll cut down whatever she's after this time and bring her back." He follows her into an enclosed plaza where a small crowd circles in pairs. Music pours out from a nearby building. She stands there with her fingers entwined in front of her mouth and her eyes sparkling. Zoro gets a sly grin on his face and extends an upward palm to Karmen. "Would you like to dance?" He'd spent hours dodging her insomnia and constant activity to practice in secret. Now is a perfect opportunity to show her that he'd picked up a thing or two. Karmen is surprised but elated at the offer. She gracefully accepts his hand and allows herself to be pulled into the sea of people. After a while she can't help but to stifle giggles. "What? Do I have something on my face?"
"Zoro, dear, might I ask who it is that taught you to dance?"
"Twirly brow. Why?" She swings him to the edge of the square and stops dancing.
Karmen bites a knuckle. "Maybe you should have asked Robin. I'm afraid he taught you the woman's steps." She bursts out laughing while Zoro yells curses to a distant cook, alarming several couples nearby. He glares at them and they quickly turn their attention back to their partners. Somewhere in a spice shop Sanji sneezes.
When she can breathe again, Karmen leads him to a quiet corner of the square. "I'll teach you." She repositions his hands and steps backwards so that he is leading. "Forward, back, step left, that was my toe, a gentle push on my hand, turn here, there you go." Before long he is dancing beautifully.
"It's strange," he says. "The steps kind of remind me of swordplay."
"A dancer and a swordsman both have to be light on their feet," she says, deciding to let him have the moment and ignore his large steps. "Have you watched me while I fight?" He nods, thinking back to Enies Lobby and all the hours she'd spent in the sandbags course. "I'm dancing." He lifts an eyebrow at her. "I avoid getting hit by taking a dance step and use the flow of that step to strike or inflict poison."
"I thought you moved pretty well." Karmen just smiles and prompts him to spin her. "By the way, you teach a lot better than he does."
She gives a short laugh. "Maybe if you didn't fight so much he would have taught you better. If you'd like, I can teach you how to tango or waltz when we're back on the ship."
He leads her into a turn. "That doesn't sound half bad."
Karmen nods at his improvement. "Not bad at all." The song ends and they make their way to the ally. Karmen squeezes his hand before letting go. "I missed dancing like this. Thank you, Zoro. That was lovely."
Zoro smiles and follows her back to the main shopping district. Maybe he'll only maim the cook.
They rejoin the rest of the crew as they come out of a shop. Karmen, in a good mood, swings her arms and grins widely at Usopp's jokes. The sun is high in the sky, the crew is alive and together, shadows included, she's one step closer to finding Pierce, and there's plenty of treasure to shop with. She almost forgets her original apprehension. That is, until she sees the group of people further up the street. She stops so suddenly that Robin runs into her. "Karmen?" She spins around Robin to run, but stops short as she sees another party coming up the street. She runs down the alley and hides behind the corner, resting her arms and forehead against the building as a steady stream of curses pours from her mouth. The crew follows, watching for any sign of danger and not sure what to do.
"What's going on, Karmen?" Usopp asks, laying a hand on her shoulder. She startles at his touch and her hand waivers above a quill before she realizes who it is. She's broken out into a cold sweat and looks pale.
"It's him." Her mind is racing a thousand leagues per second as she peeks at the second party of nobles making their way past where the crew had been standing a minute before. When they are out of sight, she sneaks up the side of the shop and watches them enter the gates of a manor up the hill. There are obvious party preparations and she estimates there will be a ball or banquet that would be taking place later that night.
"Him?" Luffy asks.
"Pierce him or a different him?" Sanji asks.
"Maybe," she says, finally giving them her attention. "I need your help. I have to search that building. If he's here, he'll be with that man."
"Do you have a plan?" Zoro asks.
"I think I do."
Making sure the streets are clear of nobles, she slips her signet ring on her finger and leads them into a tailor's shop. When they emerge, the sun is sinking in the sky. The men all have new silk suits and polished shoes. They've folded their new handkerchiefs and are using them as pocket squares. Franky's undone his bow tie and the first two buttons of his shirt, letting his gold necklace show. Nami wears a dark blue cocktail dress and Robin is in purple. Both have large gems hanging from their necks and ears. Karmen has had her red dress cleaned and pressed. Jewels have been sewn into the outfit and loose ruffles are added to the skirt. She wears new heels and has her hair piled on top of her head, pinned with diamond clips that match her jewelry. Her sash hangs loosely from her elbows and trails behind her elegantly. Chopper is in his reindeer form with their bags and Zoro's swords strapped to his back.
"I didn't know tailors had all that," Usopp comments.
"Not all of them do, but these guys serve high end customers and have to be prepared for any demand," Karmen says. "Godwin's uncle was the same." She turns up the street and looks at the building looming over the district. "Let's get this over with."
She leads the group up the street. Sanji is paired with Nami and Luffy is with Robin. Zoro walks between the two couples. Franky, Brook, and Usopp walk behind them with Chopper. The page at the gate stiffens at their approach. "M-Miss Gallowcomb. We weren't expecting you tonight, but you and your party are most welcome."
"Oh? Did father not come then?" she asks, seeming to not care for his answer.
"No, ma'am."
"He must have gotten tied down with his business meetings again. Are there any other Gallowcomb representatives here?"
"No ma'am."
"Then it's a good thing I brought a gift."
"Shall I announce your presence, Miss Gallowcomb?"
"I brought my own announcer, thank you."
"Very well, ma'am."
The page bows and opens the gate for them. Usopp leads Chopper away from the group, following a servant to the stables. As they step inside the manor, she motions to Sanji and he hands a flat necklace box to one of the servants. "A gift for the lady of the house," he says smoothly. The servant thanks Karmen and goes to deliver the present. Several people whisper as they are led up the grand staircase into the banquet hall where the dancing has already begun. There is a large buffet and several tables against the walls and a balcony on the far side of the room. Karmen gives a dismissive wave of her hand and the crew disperses to their own tasks and devices.
Karmen takes a glass of champagne off the first tray that passes and sips it as she observes the faces in the room, paying close attention to the servants. Several people come and greet her, careful not to ask about her prolonged absence. Those that do are given a brief excuse and eventually wander off mostly satisfied. After dancing a few songs with Nami, Sanji approaches her. "Any sign of him?"
"Not in here," she says. She hands her empty glass off to an attendant. She lets him pull her into a foxtrot and dances a stiff waltz with Brook. New servants pour in and out of the banquet hall, bringing new food and attending to the guests, but none of them are Pierce. After an hour, Usopp steps into the hall and rips the written description she'd provided him in half. Pierce is not amongst the servants in the building.
She picks up another fluke of champagne and makes her way to the window and watches for Chopper. Sanji dances with Robin, Nami, and any willing woman he finds and Luffy doesn't move from the buffet. She's thankful that she had made him promise not to scoff his food like he usually does beforehand. Zoro is a few tables away drinking and observing the security for signs of trouble. Usopp has moved to keep Brook from asking inappropriate things of the women and Franky leans against the wall drinking cola, looking slightly out of place. The doctor shows up in the yard below a while later. He changes from his reindeer form into his raccoon dog form and back again. Pierce is not on the grounds. Her heart drops, but she nods her acknowledgement and he moves to wait near the gate.
Karmen is about to give the order to clear out when she hears a female servant yelp. Drinks splash and glass breaks. A familiar voice yells angrily. Cursing under her breath, she drains her third glass and places it on the table next to Zoro. "Restrain Sanji please," she says right before the servant is struck and sent flying into a buffet table that collapses with the impact. Sanji can be heard growling as Zoro disappears from his chair. She turns to the commotion and finds him holding the cook's arms as requested.
Karmen saunters over, plucking a grape off a nearby tray that a startled servant is holding and swallows it whole. She sneers with practiced callous at the mess of a servant as the woman tries to dig herself out of appetizers. "Itluk Baldwin. If you behave like this everywhere you go, then it's no wonder father called off the wedding." The whole crew stiffens at the name. She glances coldly in Sanji's direction. "If you can't behave yourself either then get out. I only brought you because you're a decent dancer." Sanji calms himself and Zoro lets him go.
"Karmen? Your father said you disappeared. I've hear rumors you've been traveling with pirates." Baldwin and Karmen stare at each other for a moment. His thin lips have a blue hue to them and there's spittle collecting in the corners of his mouth. His wrinkled face looks like he's never smiled in his life and his receding hairline shows liver spots. Despite his age, his body still retains a large amount of muscle and he stands with an air of authority. She assesses that his dirty-money bought suit is worth more than the extravagant party itself. His soulless eyes follow her as she walks around him to get a fresh glass of champagne. She takes a sip and puts her free hand on her hip.
She laughs softly. "How naïve are you? Perhaps naïve is too kind. You're pathetic, really. Isn't it obvious, Baldwin? Father told you that to toy with you. He called off the wedding because you've displeased him. The only reason that you're still alive is because he still finds some use in you." She revels internally at the cold sweat that begins to break out across his forehead. "Father made me a business partner in your stead." She had kept careful watch on the DavenGallow Company and had noted that no alliances had been struck with Baldwin in her absence. Mr. 6 in Alabasta had updated her on what had happened and the black market broker in Water 7 had confirmed it, amongst other things.
His hands ball into fists. "I find your story hard to believe. After all, you left your favorite servants in a bloody heap."
Karmen exhales softly and forces a better-than-thou smile. She hears Luffy's knuckles crack behind her but the crew follows her example and doesn't move, despite the rise in tension. "Father decided that they had outlived their usefulness." She takes a long drink before pulling Brook to her by the elbow. "And if I had fallen out of father's favor in any way, why would he have bought me this talking skeleton? They don't come cheap, you know."
Brook tips his hat uncertainly. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance, I'm sure."
"As for the rumor that I'm traveling with pirates, it's partially true. These waters are dangerous. There are too many accidents," she lets the word roll off her tongue in a secret threat. "I hired pirates as bodyguards." She snaps her fingers and the crew falls in line behind her. The observing crowd gives them a wide berth. "They're much more reliable and interesting than the weaklings the government likes to provide."
"Bodyguards?" He eyes the crew uncomfortably.
Deciding she can't pass up the opportunity to provoke him, Karmen puts a hand on Zoro's shoulder. "I've been sending little stories home to father with my business reports to keep him from thinking I'm ready for too many boring responsibilities. The latest one is that I'm having a fling with the first mate." She lets her hand trail down Zoro's chest as she steps away from him. "What should I tell him next?" She rubs a hand down Brook's ascot. "That I'm picking bones with the skeleton?" She twirls one of Usopp's curls around her finger. "That I stole the sniper away from a wealthy patron?" She strokes Sanji's beard gently. "That I'm cooking up a scandal with the chef?" She tugs Franky close by his open collar. "That I'm turning the gears of the famous shipwright?" She steps up to Luffy and pulls on his cheek. "Or maybe I'll find out just how far the captain can stretch."
As she speaks, Baldwin's face becomes a furious shade of maroon. "If you and your father mean to humiliate me with this display, then you can expect grave business losses."
"That temper of yours really is your worst quality, Baldwin. If you don't be careful it could get you into trouble." Her eyes narrow with a malice that hasn't been seen since Usopp's encounter with the Franky family. "Remember your place, politician. Nobles don't breathe down anyone's neck for long." She sips her champagne and frowns distastefully. "You've come to bore me and your presence here has soured my alcohol. If you've nothing else to say, I think I'll get some fresh air." She snaps her fingers and points to the balcony. The crew falls into step behind her.
As soon as the curtained doors shut behind them, Karmen begins vomiting over the corner of the railing. "You were like a completely different person," Nami says, holding Karmen's bangs. "He looked ready to kill you."
"If I ever see that guy again I'm going to kick his butt," Luffy says.
"You handled the situation marvelously," Robin says. "Your redirection was flawless."
"You mean you made him mad at you on purpose?" Franky asks.
"You saved the servant by giving his anger a new target. He can't raise a hand to you so long as he thinks he'll anger your family," Sanji says, lighting a cigarette. "The lady was able to get away relatively unscathed thanks to your quick actions."
"Status helps. I've had a lot of practice." Karmen retches again. "Thank you all for putting up with that."
Usopp blinks at the doors and stares open mouthed at Karmen. "You mean to tell me that you did stuff like that for eighteen years?"
"More like fourteen," she admits.
"Are you going to be ok?" Zoro asks.
"I'm fine," she says before dry heaving. "I was just really hoping I'd be able to avoid him. The grape was a mistake. Even whole they taste horrible."
"Your friend wasn't here, was he?" Luffy says. Sanji gives her his handkerchief so she can wipe her mouth.
She shakes her head, finally trusting her stomach to let her stand up straight. She tucks the square into her sleeve to wash later. "I thought that if father had passed Pierce off to anyone, it would be Baldwin. By that crack he made earlier, I think it's safe to say he hasn't seen Pierce since the night I left. This means he's either in the house on the other side of the Red Line or…" She bites her lip softly as she reminds herself that Kuma said he was alive.
"We'll find him," Usopp assures her.
"Definitely." She smiles at them. "What do you say we blow this joint? Figuratively, Franky." The cyborg puts his Weapons Left away.
Karmen, Nami, and Robin walk back through the banquet hall. Franky and Luffy walk in front, clearing a path. Zoro and Sanji walk on either side. Usopp and Brook bring up the rear. She sees Luffy stuffing his face as they pass the buffet. Karmen blows a kiss and waves her goodbye to the hostess as they sweep out of building. Chopper joins them as they leave the grounds, giving back everyone's supplies and weapons. He grows into his man-beast form and sets Karmen on his shoulder. "You look exhausted."
"Yeah, but I got a little payback." She grins. "We'd better leave the island before Baldwin starts fact checking with father."