Chapter 20: Ill-timed Disaster! The Island of Cold and Healing!

I was almost certain Nami wasn't alright. Not responding to my usual bullshit as strongly as before was one thing, but she'd also seemed so… tired in general. Lacking in energy, but acting like nothing was wrong.

She was hiding something. Hence why I was very intent on having words with her. When I approached her she was standing by the bow of the ship, taking a measure of our course. Nami was a symbol of dedication when money or her work came into play. And that might be the entire problem.

"Hey," I greet the navigator airily, joining her in just staring out at the horizon. "So, me and Usopp were planning to test some stuff by blowing shit up. Just thought I'd inform you in advance, for once."

"Mhm," Nami hums back, not even looking my way.

…

"Yeah, so, you know. Don't lose your shit over loud noises," I add on. "We'll try not to sink the ship if we can help it. But you never know~."

"Okay," she drones back, now clearly not paying attention to what I was saying.

Alright, enough of this," I drop the act and grab her by the shoulder and force her to look at me. "What the hell is going… on…"

"I'm fine," Nami insists, pulling herself out of my loose grasp. Too little too late though.

"…You're hot," I state, blinking in shock.

"What?!" Nami yelled out, taking a step back from me. "Where the hell did that-"

"No, stupid girl, not what I meant," I shut that line of thinking down, ASAP. I stepped up and placed the back of my hand on her forehead. "…That is not a normal body temperature."

She slaps my hand away, glaring dangerously at me. Or trying, at least. I'm starting to notice how flushed in the face she looks, and not of embarrassment. "I'm. Fine."

"Nami," I say with a slight hint of condescension. "Please, respect my intelligence."

She has the decency to look at least a bit ashamed, nervously grabbing her arm. "…It's nothing. Really."

"Yeah, calling bullshit right now."

"I said-"

"Nami, enough!" I snap. "Are you, or are you not, feeling well? And don't you even dare consider lying to an expert!"

"Why do you even care?" Nami bites back in a harsh tone. "You're not my… damn… fath-…"

All of a sudden her voice loses strength and she tips forward, practically falling into my arms as I dived to catch her. "Alright, that settles it." It takes almost no effort at all to scoop Nami into a bridal carry. She protests weakly, but that means little in her apparent condition.

"I'm… fine…"

"Nami, can the bullshit already," I say with utmost seriousness. I then start making my way across the deck to head inside. "Everyone, make way!"

Practically everyone is on deck, and able to hear and see me coming. Indora even moves its tail so I can move past it easily.

"Abel?" Vivi asks, eyeing Nami in my arms. "What's wrong?"

"Nami's sick. And being really stupid about it," I tell it like it is. "Come help me, if you want."

"Nami's sick?!" Luffy, Usopp, and Sanji yell out in shock. Atalanta jumps down from the crow's nest, landing softly nearby like some freaky cat. Seriously, this girl does not obey conventional physics…

"I'll do what I can to help, friend Abel!"

"Thanks, I guess." I give her the briefest of nods and am well on my way inside.

In almost no time at all Vivi and I get Nami into a bed and begin taking stock of her situation. Unfortunately, neither of us are doctors in the least, so I enlist the help of the two with at least minimal knowledge of medical matters.

"Oh my god," Mikita says, just from feeling Nami's forehead. "This has got to be the strongest fever I've ever come across. Her skin is incredibly clammy from cold sweat too."

"Her breathing is labored and her heartbeat is slightly irregular," Marianne notes dispassionately after taking Nami's pulse and listening to her chest. "Everything points to an infection, and a very potent one at that. I would wager a guess that she contracted this infection at Little Garden, though I cannot be certain."

"…Shit," I curse, biting the nail of my thumb.

"Is it really that bad?" Luffy asks. "Can't she just eat meat and feel better?"

"I mean, meat is protein, which helps keeps the body healthy…" Sanji notes uncertainly. "My meals are always balanced to offer proper nutritional value, especially what I give Nami."

"Unfortunately, that would only be a preventative measure, not something that helps right now," I remark. "Damnit!" I start pacing. Trying to think. How did this come to be? Obviously something at Little Garden. But what, specifically?

"40 degrees Celsius!" Mikita exclaims, having checked the thermometer. "That's way too much!"

Then all sorts of racket starts, to which I only focus enough on to learn that… somehow, Luffy, Usopp, and Sanji have never been sick, and therefore have trouble relating to what Nami is going through.

… I mean, neither have I. Been sick, I mean, now that I think about it. But I get why this is bad. So where is the excuse?

I eventually have to excuse myself to go back outside, to think more clearly.

As I passed by, I checked the Eternal Pose resting beside Zoro, who was assigned to make sure our course didn't change. Needless to say, I was not happy at what I observed.

"Zoro?" I ask, annoyed. "Were you keeping track of our course?"

"Of course," Zoro says like I'm the idiot. "I was keeping track by following that cloud over ther-EUGH!"

*Slam*

I had kicked his ass off the railing he was sat on, violently. My back hurt from straining myself, but kicking Zoro felt much better in comparison, so I happily ignored it.

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

"You are a disgrace to direction blind people everywhere," I remark with zero sympathy, checking the Eternal Pose in my hand. "Whoever put you up to this duty was an idiot."

Problem. I am not good enough at this to correct our course. Darn.

…

Nami is damn important, I realize a bit belatedly. God, that makes this situation all the worse!

"Give me that!" The Eternal Pose is snatched from my hand by an irate someone who most assuredly isn't supposed to be up here.

"Why are you not in bed?" I glare at the sickly Nami, who looks almost dead on her feet.

"Shut up… please," Nami almost pleads and then starts calling out orders to correct our course. Due to how necessary this is, I let her, but I was not moving from her side the whole time. Not when it looked like she could collapse any second.

"So, you look particularly severe, Vivi. Any reason?" I ask the other person not taking part in ship-work.

"…The situation in my country has… changed," she answers, frowning. "The civil war Alabasta is in the middle of has grown worse. I'm running out of time…"

"Civil war?" First I've heard of it.

"It is something Mr.0… Crocodile is making use of. To weaken the country so he can take over," Vivi explains.

"Makes sense," I reply. "Unfortunately it's not like we can miraculously speed the ship up."

Just then Nami stumbles and I'm there to catch her in an instant. She just keeps looking at the Eternal Pose even while mostly leaning into me, with half-closed eyes that seem to barely be able to focus.

"The course is… corrected now," she says, breathing heavily.

"Don't exert yourself, idiot," I chide her, but not harshly. I let out a sigh. "This is a really bad situation, huh?"

All of a sudden the wind picks up and a massive typhoon just appears in the direction we had been heading towards not moments prior. I can only stare, blank-faced, at how instantaneous it was.

"Holy shit," I whisper out.

"W-we barely missed it," Vivi mumbled in horror, eyeing Nami, who had more or less passed out in my arms. "Did she somehow realize it would be there?"

"Well, it missed us. That's enough for now," I say. "Make sure everyone works to maintain the course. You seem competent enough. I'll make sure Nami gets the rest she needs."

I felt a chill in the air, ever so faint, as I carried Nami back inside. An imminent cold front.

Just great…

-o~O-O~o-

I stayed inside almost constantly, just making sure Nami actually spent time resting and not worrying about every little thing.

I'd taken up a change of clothes, and I am incredibly glad of Nami's foresight to buy winter clothes. I'd gone back to black, with an incredibly good looking long skirt and jacket combo made of thick cotton, with a white fur trimming on the jacket collar and the skirt hem. Also included was a matching shawl with red satin lining for additional warmth. To complete it, black velvet gloves. Warmth to the max!

Which was incredible, because I was freezing my ass off. Insultingly, no one else seemed to share my pain.

For a wig, I went with simple long straight black hair that went to my lower back. So not only was I freezing, I was a winter vampire Santa. If I am to be a shivering mess, I will look good doing it, damnit!

"Are you sure you're not exaggerating a little?"

"Vivi," I growl while hugging myself. "I am not in the mood."

"You're decked out for a blizzard while indoors," Mikita notes, just a bit snidely. "I'd call that an overreaction."

"It is just a tiny bit chilly," Atalanta notes, still wearing her white tunic, now clean and fixed of the wear and tear it had accumulated. And aside from her hide bracers and leg guards, not much else. "But it's nothing to be worried about, I think."

"Aren't you supposed to be on lookout duty?" I growl.

"Oh, that. Friend Zoro filled in for me. Said I should take a break."

"No offense, Atalanta," Vivi said, eyeing the huntress with slight concern "but you've been up there almost constantly."

"Yeah. I am the Lookout. That is what I do. So?"

"Atalanta, we normal people have these things called breaks," I explain in Vivi's stead. "You don't even come down to eat."

"Well, no," Atalanta admits. "But that's why Sanji brings me food!"

"My pleasure, Atalanta-chan!" The cook croons.

"Of course he does," Vivi groans. "Just, maybe take some breaks every now and then. Make friends. Socialize."

"Hmm," the huntress mumbles with a thoughtful frown before giving a smile and looking determined. "If you think I should, I will certainly try!"

I shake my head and focus on trying to think of how to handle our current situation. Unfortunately, there's not much I can do. I'm a crafter, a chemist, a schemer, an actor. Nothing I've got suits our dilemma… well, except maybe if… no. No that won't work. Not as things are now…

I can't get further before the ship tilts sharply backward, forcing everyone to struggle to not fall over.

"What the hell?" Sanji curses, heading up to check what happened.

"What was that?" Mikita asks, not in as much of a hurry to move.

"Seemed like something rose from the water, pushing the ship out of the way," Marianne posits. As she finished, Vivi rushed after Sanji.

"One thing after another," I growl, rising to check for myself. Out of precaution I slip into Faint and raise the trap door leading to the main cabin. What I spy is most distressing, yet humorous. A bunch of people boarding the deck and getting their shit kicked in by a wrecking crew of Luffy, Zoro, Arlong, and Sanji. All the way in the back I saw Indora throttling a poor sap in their jaws while slamming a group with their tail, before tossing the sap in their jaws at another guy aiming a gun at them.

Quite certain that I wasn't needed in that mess, I gracefully ducked back down.

"What's going on?" Mikita asked.

"Oh, we're getting boarded," I answer blithely. "There's a fight going on on deck."

"These is?!" Atalanta exclaims and rushes up the ladder to join in.

Yeah, whoever those guys are, they've made the biggest mistake of their lives.

-o~O-O~o-

At night time I find it impossible for me to sleep soundly, and not because my back hurts. So I just went outside to have a breather in the cruelly chill air. God, this cold is the worst. On the way, because it just hit me, I went to grab some spare blankets. See, Indora was stuck out on the deck, at all times, and while I'd confirmed that the big lug was warm-blooded, it couldn't be comfortable in this cold. So… blankets!

When I made my way over, it struck me that it had been lightly snowing. A cold breeze licked my bare face, so that sucked. God, I wish I had a hat that fit the ensemble I was going for. I fought against the shivers as I spied Indora, shaking some snow off of itself. They looked very grumpy.

"Hey, big fella," I greet the dinosaur, causing them to look my way. I lift my gifts. "Thought you might be cold."

Indora stares at me a while, but then snorts and gives me a nod. I give them a faint grin, and start placing blankets to cover as much of the dinosaur's large body mass as I can. Immediately after I'm done, the Indoraptor looks much more comfortable.

"You know what's better than a bunch of blankets?" I and Indora both turn to see Sanji walk over with a covered platter. He comes close and lifts it, revealing a cartoonishly large chunk of cooked and seasoned meat with a bone sticking out of it. "A warm late-night snack."

Indora eyes the meat hungrily, its smell probably extra savory to them. It reaches for it with a hand, hesitates slightly, before grabbing onto it with its claws. When the dinosaur takes a bite of it, their entire body freezes in shock. Then they shiver lightly and tears of delight start to fall from their eyes.

I let out a smile. "Guess it's good, huh?"

Indora nods once, and then takes a small bite out of the meat, seeming to suppress an animalistic desire to tear into the meat to savor the experience. Deciding to leave it to enjoy the warm meal, Sanji and I walk off to the opposite end of the ship.

"Late to be out delivering meals," I remark in jest. I then alter my voice to a more feminine one. "Should I be worried, Sanji-kun~? Are you seeing other girls?"

"Cut that out, will ya!" He snaps back at me, with only a slight blush and I let the matter drop with a chuckle. Without saying a word, we both lean against the wall to the main cabin, side by side.

I turn a bit more serious. "For real, why up so late?"

"Offered to be a lookout for the night, so Atalanta-chan can get some rest."

"How chivalrous of you," I noted dryly. "Got a smoke?"

He pulls out his pack and flicks me a cigarette, also taking one for himself. He lights a match, which both of us use to light our smokes. We both take drags of our respective cancer sticks in silence.

"Didn't know you smoked," Sanji remarks conversationally.

"I never made it a habit," I answer the non-question. "Was very peculiar about that. Alcohol was bad enough, didn't need another type of substance abuse to fuck my life over."

He gives me an affirmative grunt, though I can sense the unasked question underneath it. I choose to ignore it.

"And you. What are you doing out here this late?" he turns my initial question around on me. And it takes me a bit of consideration to answer the question.

"Just, frustrated, I guess," I take a shot in the dark, taking another drag of my cigarette.

"About Nami-san?"

I frown. Damnit, it really was, wasn't it? "… Are you aware that medicine is basically just advanced chemistry?" Sanji's weird swirly-brow raises at that. "I'm a chemist, that's what I excel at. Hell, I know what could help in this situation, at least a little. But I just don't have the raw knowledge or materials to work with."

Making antibiotics from scratch was a god damn hat-trick of ingenuity.

I push myself off the wall and start pacing, feeling a rant coming. "I tried to narrow down where this illness came from. Obviously, it had to come from Little Garden, so I started throwing stuff at a wall to see what stuck. A disease from unprepared or diseased food or contaminated drink? No, you'd never allow it to happen, and Nami is smarter than that. An infection from the ground or dirt through contact with an open wound? No, she wasn't injured, and I would be a much more likely candidate for that."

I off-handedly gesture at my back to make the point, while puffing out a stream of smoke.

"Then it hit me like a sack of bricks. Little Garden was a closed-in ecosystem. A place of prehistoric lifeforms. So, of course, why wouldn't that include prehistoric bacteria?" I went on, growing more frustrated as I went. "It was so obvious! And then I recalled that that also meant a lot of insects to carry those prehistoric bacteria to whatever they decided to munch on. And, let's be honest, her attire left plenty of areas bare, ready to be feasted upon!"

"… And you're upset because?"

"BECAUSE WHY IS SHE LIKE THIS AND NOT ME!" I grab onto his lapel and scream in his face… honestly as shocked as he is at how damn angry I am. I pull back a step and take a deep breath, rubbing the bridge of my nose. "I just… I was at so much more risk of infection from something, anything! I had an open wound for a while, I rolled in the dirt with said open wound, I was absolutely assailed by insects that just wouldn't leave me alone! So… so why am I okay when she's like this?! It makes no sense!"

Sanji gives me a wide-eyed look, then his eyes soften to something resembling… understanding. "Nami-san really means a lot to you, huh?"

… I sigh out a grumbling, "I guess…" I then walk to gaze out at the ocean, leaning on the railing while flicking my spent cigarette butt into the ocean. "I'm just frustrated that I can't be of much help. The least I could do would to be the one taking in something like this, in her stead."

"And then what?" Sanji asks. "Then you'd just be in as bad of a shape, you realize?"

I turn to give him a hollow look. "Better me than someone who matters."

I almost blackout, and the next thing I know I'm off-balance held up by a very irate looking cook holding me by my coat's collar. My wig had fallen off at some point. And the side of my face smarts like a motherfucker.

I can only blink in utter bafflement. "…Did you just…" Did Sanji just slap the lights out of me?

"Look, you cross-dressing bastard," Sanji hisses in my face, furious. "You just might be the most infuriating person I've ever met, but don't you dare imply that your life and health don't matter!"

"Uh…" I reply, like an intelligent person. I'm kind of drawing a blank.

"I don't know what the hell your damage is. Damaging yourself despite knowing your limits. Rushing into headfirst into danger."

Oh, that I will not let fly past me! "Okay, now hold on-"

"It's like you don't care if you get hurt! Like you don't care for your life!"

"WELL MAYBE I DON'T!" I slap his hand away and stand on my own feet. I meet his glare with my own. "Quite frankly, I don't give a damn what you think of me, or how I live my life. But don't you dare lecture me, kid!"

"How would you think Nami would feel if she heard you talk like that?" Sanji asks, sincere in his question beneath his burning glare.

And to my immense frustration, I can't answer the question. So instead I pivot with a growl and punch the wall of the ship, strongly. My fist and knuckles hurt, a lot, but at the moment I can't even start to care.

"… I don't know, okay?" I seethe from behind gritted teeth. Getting no further response, I let myself fall forward so that my forehead rests on the cold, wooden surface. I punch the wall a couple more times to vent, and if I wasn't wearing gloves I might have bloodied a knuckle or two.

Sanji doesn't say a damn thing while I was throwing a fit.

Finally, resting my forehead on the cool surface- cooling my head so to speak -I let out a deep sigh, letting the frustrations out. All of it. And man is that a lot, I realize.

"I hate myself, okay?" I admit, sounding about as disdainful as I feel. "Like, a whole damn lot."

"…" I don't know what kind of way Sanji must be looking at me. I don't care. "And that's your excuse?"

…

"Don't make me punch you, brat," I deadpan, straightening my posture while taking a deep breath. I turn, wearing an amused grin. "That's the first time you've landed a hit of any sort on me!"

Sanji blinks at my statement. "… Huh, I guess it is." I pat him on the shoulder as I walk past him to grab my fallen wig and head back inside.

"Hey, I probably deserved it for all the shit I give you all the time," I say in passing.

"Wait," Sanji calls out behind me, and I stop at the door frame, but not turning to face him. "Stop trying to distract me just so you can run away and act as if nothing happened!"

I slowly turn my face his way, watching him recoil slightly, as I give him that empty smile.

"How do you think I live my life?" I ask. Then I blink the expression away. "Good night~!" I wink at him and blow him a kiss, leaving without another word or seeing his reaction.

Well, that was… something. I hope it never happens again. Ever.

Although I did feel… just a tiny bit lighter.

-o~O-O~o-

Next morning came, it was snowing proper, and I was going to die from this cold before Nami's fever got to her.

"I h-h-hate th-the w-winter times!" I snarl from up at the crow's nest, where I was accompanying Atalanta, who was STILL wearing what she usually does!

"It's not that cold, I think?" She has the gall to say with a straight face.

"I d-d-don't care i-if your goddess h-has blessed you or s-some crap, your i-ignorance of t-the elements is bullshit!" I growl, trying to keep the spyglass in my gloved hands steady with all the shivering my body is doing.

As a particularly cold brush of wind slashes my cheeks and neck, I fold the spyglass and jump to the ropes. "Nope! I-I can't deal w-with this!" I start climbing down in a hurry, still maintaining a grip on the spyglass. I was not breaking that, no matter how jittery I was.

"I'll keep an eye out!" Atalanta calls out back to me, but I am down at the deck already, still shivering my ass off.

"G-Grand L-Line weather is bullshit!" I snap at nothing.

"Deal with it," a familiar voice growls at me, and I am not in the mood.

"Oh, you can j-just fuck off!" I point at Arlong, who's wearing warm clothing and an ushanka hat, sure, but still dressing fairly lightly. "How the f-fuck are you so alright w-with this cold?!"

"I'm a fishman," he explains with a mocking smile. "We are used to cold temperatures of the sea depths."

"… I f-fucking hate you and y-your underwater bull crap," I snarl, without much real heat. Mainly because I can't generate any in this COLD!

"You're just complaining," Zoro states, who at least has the sense to dress in a truly ugly cyan coat.

"You c-can go die too!"

"Seriously, Abel, it's not that cold," Vivi chimes in with her bullshit opinions.

"Well s-sorry if I d-d-don't handle f-freezing t-to death well!" I snap at them all. "S-screw this! I'm g-g-going inside!" I start angrily stomping my way to the slightly warmer confines of the Merry.

"There!" Atalanta yells out. "I see land!"

I stop, enough to sneak a look at where Atalanta is pointing, before pulling out my spyglass to confirm. "…Well, about damn t-time." I fold the spyglass into my bag. "J-just d-deal with this, okay? I'll l-look after N-Nami t-till we h-hit land."

So without another word, I escape the cold grasp of death, and just downgrade to feeling like frostbite is in my immediate future. I hide out in the room Nami's resting in, as it's the warmest place right now. Not that that label is worth anything on this boat.

I fucking hate winter. This cold is making my back injury ache all the more. Seriously, fuck Jack Frost and his shenanigans!

Then I see the suffering expression Nami's wearing in her restless slumber, and that makes me feel like a dick. I'm damn cold, not almost literally cooking myself to death. So I pull a chair to just keep watch over her as she sleeps. It's called being vigilant, not a creep.

"Well," I speak softly, at the air, "a-at least y-you lot ain't i-invincible." Because I was seriously starting to feel inadequate with everyone being so many levels above me. Makes them more human, I guess, to know even these people from this insane world aren't immune to something as small as illness.

I just sit there. In silence. Watching a sick teenager while she sleeps.

…

Okay, wow, this is awkward. And kinda creepy, when viewed out of context. A grown-ass man who likes dressing in women's clothing, watching a sick teenage girl while she's asleep. Yup, that is an image alright!

Idly, without thinking about it, I take the glove on my left hand and lightly touch the back of it to Nami's forehead. In contrast to my frigid body temperature… the difference is frightening. I frown heavily as it starts sinking on just how bad this is. If we aren't fast enough, Nami could…

…

I let my hand leave her forehead, look around the room, confirming that I'm actually alone, with no one to see a damn thing. I kneel next to the bed, lightly brushing my uncovered left hand on her hair, stroking it in a manner that I hoped was soothing.

"It's going to be okay," I speak, quietly and gently, allowing my expression to show some of the concern I have towards this foolish girl. "Just hang in there. You overcame eight years of hardships for those you cared for. You're strong enough to not be beaten by a measly illness."

…

"Stronger than I have ever been," I admit somberly. "…Your mother may not have lived to see you now, but I have no doubts that she'd be proud of you. Because that's what mothers do. Love their kids." I look at Nami's turmoiled face, gaze back at the room in an almost paranoid fashion, before taking a deep breath.

"I know this next one might not mean crap to you," I continue in a near whisper, "but I am glad to have met this crew. Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, Sanji. Even Arlong. Atalanta and Indora were a neat surprise, too. But mostly, I'm glad I met you. Got to help you fix your mess of a life, even if by a little."

I make my eyes a bit downcast. I don't know why I bother. "I told you, back at your home, that I wasn't a hero. I still stand by that. I'm just a selfish jerk who fights for me, no one or nothing else. But after I'd given you my hand in aid, well, literally," I chuckle at me breaking my arm like an idiot, "I allowed myself for one fleeting moment think I was doing something good. Something right."

I look back up at her face, and maybe I'm imagining it, but her expression looks more peaceful. Less pained. "And then I felt that I'd helped you face some old demons, heal some old scars, even if just a little. And once more, you made me feel like I was doing something decent with my worthless life."

Why… am I saying all this? I don't know…

"Being with you all, it gave me just a slight hope that you lot could do it," I admit to a desire I hadn't quite realized was still there, somewhere. "That maybe you could fill that dark pit within me, make me think I can feel emotions again without all these masks… But I suppose I'm just too much of a pessimist to hold onto my hopes, like you all seem to do so readily."

I continue gently brushing her hair. For her benefit or my own, I don't know. "Still, while I may be an empty husk of a man, know that despite all my shortcomings, all my failings, and what I've done to become this way," I lean in to land a quick, chaste kiss on her hairline, "know that, just like your mother would be, I too am proud of who you are. Because you inspire me to hope, that one day I too can be fixed from my broken state."

I let my words rest in the silence, closing my eyes. I feel a… lightness. A lessening of great weight. Like last night, with Sanji after I vented, but more concrete. To finally let so much of me, the real me, out in a single sitting. Even if no one was around to hear it, it was still freeing to speak the words I'd kept locked up, deep inside for so long.

I'd dare to say that, if I could, I'd feel at peace with myself. Even if for just a passing moment. At least one of my masks can pretend, which will have to do.

"Hehe…" I instantly freeze and my hand on Nami's hair halts. Unblinking, I veeeery slowly open my eyes and as slowly look down to the bed. One of Nami's eyes is open and looking right at me. She's smiling.

I can only blink dumbly. Then I slowly remove my hand and move back to sit on the chair as if I always had, arms crossed and straight-faced.

"Nothing happened," I say.

Nami's smile just stays where it is. "Proud of me… huh?"

"Nothing. Happened," I insist.

The sick girl has the gall to laugh, albeit weakly. "… Thank you, Abel."

…I let my mouth crook to a lopsided smile. You just had to sound so damn sincere… "You're welcome, kid."

"…You're not like that," she says, her expression turning a bit sadder. "I know you're not."

"Nami," I say, firmly but not unkindly, "there is much about me you, none of you know… some things even I might not know, either." I think back to what happened with Marianne at Little Garden. What I'd almost done while… something had happened to me.

"…Still," Nami says, as resolute in her words as she can in her state. "I… believe in you."

…

God damn this girl.

"Kehehe." A short laugh escapes me. "Well… a part of me hopes you keep believing."

And for a while, there are no words. Just an exchanging of looks. Of something resembling mutual understanding. At least… I thought it was.

Eventually, Nami fell back asleep, as I assumed just that little interaction with me had left her drained. Good, the girl needs her rest.

So, in the calm after that… whatever that was, I waited.

Then the cold registered again, and I hated life, but what was new?

As if not wanting me to have too much of a good time, I heard a gunshot from above deck. I was only able to muster a simple reply.

"G-god damnit. Here w-we go a-again."

I peek out of the trap door, and spot Marianne and Mikita, hiding in the main Cabin, while everyone else seems to be on the deck.

"Okay, w-what's up h-here?" I ask the two.

"We're surrounded by armed forces," Marianne answers concisely.

"One of them just shot the princess!" Mikita hisses.

"Wow, r-rude," I remarked dryly.

"It was just a scratch," Marianne corrected. "Nefertari Vivi seems intent on trying the diplomatic route."

Just then a bright flash of light shone brightly in the area outside, as a strong voice yelled out, seemingly empowered and with a slight echo.

"THAT'S ENOUGH! EVERYONE, LOWER YOUR ARMS!"

-o~O-O~o-

Vivi was desperate. This island was Nami's only chance of being cured of whatever ailed her. But the level of hostility facing them was… overpowering. Behind every single firearm aimed their way was a person scared out of their wits. To them, they were simply pirates, scourges of the seas.

Her arm stung, the grazing wound proof of the intense paranoia of these people. And surrounded like this, not many of the crew of the Going Merry could get out of a full volley unharmed. Especially the Indoraptor, being such a large target, who had many guns trained on it simply due to how unusual and intimidating it looked.

All she could do was stop Luffy from going on a warpath, all for her sake. Well-meaning and touching as it was, the situation was fragile, and any reckless move could break it. It was… just like the situation back at Alabasta. Which is why Vivi had to do this, peacefully. If she couldn't… then what hope had she to save her homeland from collapse?

"Please," Vivi pleaded, getting on her knees and bowing her head until it touched the cold wood of Merry's deck, "our friend needs help. We don't wish to cause trouble. So please… help us!"

This was all she could do. Her weapons would not work, so her words and actions had to. She had to reach the hearts of these people, to prove their intentions pure and peaceful.

Off to her side, she heard movement and looked in wonder to see Luffy, who by experience wasn't that bright, joining her in bowing.

"Please, call a doctor! Our friend needs you!"

Vivi was glad and pleasantly surprised. At least when necessary, Luffy took his position as captain seriously, listening to her when she said fighting would not help save Nami's life.

The tension was high, so close to a breaking point. All Vivi could do was hope for a miracle.

And in a flash of light from the skies above, one arrived.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" A woman's echoing voice cut right through the tension like a scalpel. They were words of authority. "EVERYONE, LOWER YOUR ARMS!"

Vivi and Luffy both stood and looked around, seeing the surprised and shocked expressions of their crewmates. And then they too stared into the air above their vessel, and Vivi's jaw dropped.

A figure of a woman dressed in winter clothing, radiating a soft bright light that quickly dissipated, revealing a youthful woman with long straight silvery-white hair. She was dressed in a white winter coat which acted far more like a dress with how long it was, with a red military-style jacket over her upper torso, and pristine white gloves over her hands. But most remarkable were two white wings beating to keep the woman aloft.

'Like an angel, straight out of the stories mother used to tell…' Vivi could only reminisce in absolute wonder and awe.

"I understand that the strife of these past months has left you frightful and weary, but be not afraid!" The woman continued speaking, voice amplified by some unknown means. "Your doubts and fears serve you well, but let it not blind your hearts! While these people may be pirates, does such a distinction truly make them guilty, when they have done naught but ask for help? I implore you to pay heed to their actions, and I am certain you will see their sincerity."

The… angel was speaking up, in their favor. Her voice was so strong, so resolute… that was what Vivi wanted to be. The voice that cuts through discord and disorder to reach the hearts and minds of the masses.

"People of this island, to ease your minds, I will take full responsibility of these people! So do not turn your backs to another in their time of need! That is not the kind of people we aspire to be!"

The effect on the people was evident and almost immediate. Many were already lowering their firearms, but a few of the more paranoid still looking conflicted. Then the apparent leader of the militia spoke up.

"You heard the lady. Everyone stand down!" The man shouted. And with that, every single man stood down, some in relief while others looked more reluctant.

"My thanks," the woman spoke, lowering to the deck of the ship, amidst all the Straw Hats, seeming entirely unafraid and showcasing no hesitation. As her feet found purchase, the wings on her back seemed to fold into her back in a flash of light. She then spoke in a normal, unaltered voice. "You have someone who is sick, yes?"

"Y-yeah!" Luffy said first. "Help Nami, she's going to die!"

The woman smiled, though it seemed a bit… darker than Vivi would have imagined an angel's smile to be. "You are both unlucky, and incredibly fortunate. This island has no doctors, save for one who is hard to reach."

"What?!" Vivi and quite a few others screamed out. "B-but how can that be?!"

"Our circumstances are not important for this moment, not yet," the woman said. "Show me this friend of yours. I will see what I can do to."

"W-wait, so, you're a doctor?" Usopp asked.

"S-s-such a fair maiden! An angel straight from the heavens!" Sanji swooned.

"I'm afraid I am not," the woman said with a sad smile. "I am merely a dedicated nurse."

"Please," Luffy exclaimed, once more bowing deeply to this woman. "If you can, save Nami!"

"Then show them to me," the woman asked with patience, "and I, Nightingale Florence, will do all I can to help!"

"YOU'RE WHO?!"

Everyone turned to see the form of the crossdresser in the door frame, staring at the silver-haired woman with wide eyes and a gaping jaw.

The woman simply smiled that soft burdened smile at the new arrival.

-o~O-O~o-

The woman took Nami's pulse and did a thorough examination of her physical condition. Meanwhile, everyone looked on in worry as the woman worked in silence, but with obvious practiced ease.

"So," Zoro was the first to ask. "Who is she?"

"Someone you know, again?" Vivi asked her question, everyone's attention turning to the crossdresser, who was still processing.

"That woman is Florence Nightingale," Abel said, almost in awe. "She's from my world, about two hundred years ago. A woman who practically founded the practice of nursing, and who was renowned for her dedication to aiding the injured and sick at the darkest of times in my world's history. A legendary figure in the history of medicine."

"I wondered if you were an Outsider, like myself," Florence spoke, seemingly not breaking concentration from her patient. "You recognizing my name was a big giveaway."

"Yeah, though from a later point in time," Abel said. "Onboard with us is also Atalanta."

"Hello," the huntress said with some pep in her tone.

"Ah, the Greek heroine herself," Florence noted with her grim smile. "I already suspected there were more than just us in this world. This just confirms it."

"Us?" Abel asks.

"Another is on this island, with me," Florence answered, ceasing her activity, and standing up. "I am done with my examination."

"So, can you help her?" Luffy asked, serious as the grave.

The woman smiled grimly, but not unkindly. "In medicine, lying is a cardinal sin. We men and women of medicine must always be truthful to our colleagues, patients, and their loved ones." Her strikingly red eyes were neutral but were like steel in their intensity. "Your friend's life hangs on a very thin line. Her brain is inflamed and swelling, and her heart muscles are weakening and slowly deteriorating. Without proper care, she will not last much longer than a day and a half, if that. And, much to my regret, I do not possess the means to cure her of this infection plaguing her. It is simply outside of my capabilities as a nurse."

"…No," Vivi whispered out, about as devastated at the severe prognosis as everyone else. Sanji looked close to bursting in tears.

"Do not despair yet," Florence continued, gaining their attention. "While I cannot save her from this disease, there is one on this island with the knowledge and means to do so."

"Y-you really mean it?" Luffy asked, his hopes high.

"S-so Nami-chan isn't going to die?" Sanji asked, his worry apparent.

"Not if you are truly so intent on saving her," Florence said, turning back to the sickly, suffering girl. "Go to Dalton, the man in charge of the men outside. Tell him I will need to have the patient moved to the town. I will make sure your friend survives the journey." She extended her hands over Nami's prone form. "Heaven's Grace!"

Golden wisps of light spread from her hands all across Nami's form like a shroud, shimmering a soft, pleasant light. While it lingered and washed over the navigator, her pained expression softened and her breathing became less burdened.

"I-I'll go tell them, right away!" Atalanta exclaimed, practically tripping over her own feet while trying to be as fast as possible.

Vivi could only gape at what she saw. "Are you… are you an angel?"

"Well, I was once called the Angel of Mercy," the woman gave a hollow chuckle. "But no, what you see is naught more than abilities of a mere woman who ate a nasty fruit."

"You ate a Devil Fruit?" Sanji asked.

"I did." The light faded and the nurse stood up once more to face the people watching her intently. "I have reinvigorated her body, so she should feel a bit better, for a time. Now, I should introduce myself properly." She placed her hand over her heart. "My name is Nightingale Florence. I am a mere nurse who ate the Angel-Angel Fruit, as ironic as that sounds."

"… So, the Angel of Crimea is a real angel now," Abel notes with a chuckle, before snapping into grim seriousness. "Just so we're clear, that light of yours can't heal her?"

"I'm afraid not. My abilities can reinvigorate and strengthen the body to fight under its own power, but not destroy the root cause. I can help heal wounds and mend injuries, but not destroy outside influences within the body," Florence said with a shake of her head, utterly unfazed by the crossdresser's mood shift. "Now, help me move this young woman. We'll take her to our village, and we'll explain to you the details of what needs to be done next. I will warn you though, this may not be a simple matter."

"That's okay," Luffy says resolutely. "We'll do anything to help Nami get better!"

"That's damn right!" Sanji says, just as resolved. "Like hell, we'll let Nami-chan suffer like this if we can help it!" He was then promptly knocked on the head with a knuckle. Hard.

"Language," Florence chided with a hard look. "I understand you are pirates, but please, try to feign some bedside manner."

"R-right," Sanji immediately bowed down. "Sorry, ma'am."

"I'd help, but I suffered a really bad injury to my back a few days ago," Abel stated grimly as Florence shot him sidelong, measuring look.

"I'll carry her."

It wasn't just Abel giving Arlong a curious look. He'd been fairly quiet for a while now, so his sudden words were notable.

"Ah, you must be a fishman," Florence said, giving Arlong a small bow. "Your strength would be appreciated. If someone could help me get her bundled up, so she won't freeze outside. We don't want to worsen her condition further than it already is."

-o~O-O~o-

"F-f-f-fuck t-t-this p-place!" Abel growled or rather stuttered as he shivered while hugging himself for warmth.

"The cold does not seem to agree with your okama friend there," Dalton notes.

"He loves to complain," Arlong stated, carrying Nami's bundled form in his arms with effortless ease due to his large size and natural strength.

Almost all of the Straw Hat Crew, plus Arlong, Mikita, and Marianne were accompanying Florence and Dalton to their hometown. Zoro and Indora were left on the ship as guards, as was Carue. Zoro by choice, so he could train in peace, and Indora because the snowy cold climate didn't suit them. The dinosaurs had been very adamant about not leaving from its small mound of blankets, same as Carue.

"T-there it i-is again! W-what the f-fuck is that w-w-word?"

"Please mind your language, Mr. Biblical Reference," Florence chides with a faint playful smile. "I highly doubt you are named after a murderer and his victim brother. No parent is that cruel or deep into fanaticism."

"D-don't q-question my p-preferences!" Abel snapped back, almost offended.

"You do make a lot of references to the bible," Marianne remarked.

"Oh g-god damnit, you h-have t-t-that book t-too?" the crossdresser grumbled. "I-it has amazing r-reference m-material! T-that's the only g-good thing I h-have to say about t-that trashy relic!"

"So you're not religious, I take it?" Vivi asked.

"Atheist for life," Abel stated with stoic conviction.

Vivi shook her head in amusement. "So, Mr. Dalton…"

"Yes?" The large man asked.

"I'm curious. What's this island called?"

"… Well, to be entirely honest," Dalton says slowly, "this island does not have a name yet."

"That is… very unusual," Vivi notes. "Is there a reason for that?"

"What Dalton means," Florence speaks up to correct the man, "is that this island, as it is now, has no name. Its original name was discarded some time ago." She turned back to the lot following them, wearing that usual smile that lacked something hard to place. "This is involved in why this island no longer has but a single doctor, and a mere nurse, to treat the injured and sick."

"What the heck could have happened here?" Sanji asked. "Sounds pretty bad from the way you speak of it."

"Dalton?" Florence regards the taller man, probing for permission. After some deliberation, he answers her with a nod, which she returns. "This place used to be called Drum Kingdom, and this is Drum Island."

Idly, Arlong alone noticed that Vivi jolted slightly at the mention of the name, but made no move to reveal whatever it was that caused it. He promptly ignored it.

"A few months back, this island was assailed by a single pirate crew, and their captain, who goes by 'Blackbeard'," Florence explained as if teaching a class. She disregarded Abel scoffing at the name and muttering something-or-other. "They brought great havoc with them, and would surely have threatened the lives of the people who lived here. However, this island was spared the worst, when two individuals managed to scare them off."

"And those people were?" Usopp asked, always ready to appreciate a good story.

"My friend and I," Florence stated with surprising humility. "It was a lucky thing, but with the help of my friend, who is a talented sniper, we managed to pin them down, and I managed to intimidate them enough using my powers for them to consider this island not worth the effort." She looked dead-ahead with that almost constant steely look in her eyes, holding out a hand and creating a brightly shining orb of light the size of a baseball. "Lucky thing, because I am a mere nurse, not a fighter by any means. I can fight if need be, but I prefer not to. That is not what my talents are meant for."

"So, those pirates are why this place has no doctors?" Mikita asked. "Were they killed in the middle of the pirate raid?"

"Not quite, though the matter is related," Florence said. "Do you want to take this one, Dalton? It shouldn't be the place of an outsider like me to talk about this particular matter."

"Nonsense. You are just as much a part of this place as I am," Dalton says to the woman with a kind smile. Then his expression turned stern. "The former king, Wapol, was a tyrant who ruled over this island with an unforgiving grip. He hoarded all this land's doctors and kept them from the people, and when the pirates first attacked, Wapol took his army and the doctors and abandoned this island to its fate without even attempting to fight back." He placed a hand on Florence's shoulder. "If it weren't for our two heroes, I fear what might have happened to us."

"Sounds like a big cowardly jerk," Luffy noted, seemingly having trouble to register the cold and about as warmly clothed as Atalanta. That is to say, not at all.

"A king like that is a disgrace amongst men," the huntress said, a rare fury burning in her eyes. "I've met kings in my life, and most of them were noble and courageous, as their station demanded. That man is naught but a charlatan!"

"Wait…" Usopp says, brow furrowed in thought. "Wapol… that sounds familiar…"

"Wasn't that the name of that bastard that attacked us yesterday?" Sanji noted.

"O-oh, s-so that's what h-happened," Abel said in realization.

"Where were you, by the way?" the cook asked the crossdresser.

"S-seemed like y-you lot had it h-handled. So I j-just didn't bother, y-you know?"

"So hiding then," Sanji remarked dryly.

"B-bite me!" Abel snarls, unable to conjure a proper comeback whilst dying of frostbite.

"Yesterday?!" Dalton exclaimed, tone and expression shocked at the news. "Are you sure you heard correctly?"

"He was very full of himself," Arlong said, shooting a glance at Nami, whose breathing was starting to grow heavier again, whatever Florence did to her on the ship starting to slowly wane. It came as a small surprise to the fishman that he didn't like the suffering expression Nami was wearing right now. He was honestly worried about her.

"That is troubling," Florence said, maintaining a calm demeanor. "If Wapol is that close-by, he could find his way back to this island, even without a Log Pose or Eternal Pose to guide him. I suppose all we can do is hope he won't."

"Wapol was the scum of the earth," Dalton stated, in no unclear terms. "The pirate attack, despite the danger it posed, was a blessing in disguise because it finally allowed us to be free of his tyranny. But if he returns…"

His pause said enough.

And while others participated in some small talk, Arlong could only flick his gaze at the navigator whose life he quite literally held in his hands, once again. He reflected when he'd been the 'tyrant' of his island, and couldn't help drawing parallels between him and this Wapol character. And that infuriated him. Because he was very different in one regard.

Arlong the Saw would never flee from a fight. And he could prove it, his 'fight' with the then Vice Admiral Borsalino, more properly known now as Admiral Kizaru, one of the Marines strongest assets. He knew he was outmatched, so much so that calling what happened a fight would be a massive misnomer, but his pride as a fishman would not allow him to run and abandon his crew, the remnants of the splintered Sun Pirates.

The fishman shook his head. Now was not the time for this sort of reminiscing. With one last look at the navigator, Arlong focused on the task at hand.

-o~O-O~o-

We reached the town and stopped at Dalton's house to discuss the next step of the plan. To be more specific, that meant listening to whatever Florence had to say. I have to give her credit, the woman knew how to take control of a tough situation. That, and her patience and helpful nature explained why the townspeople seemed to almost revere the nurse. She might have been as respected around these parts as Dalton, who seemed to be the de-facto leader of these people.

Still, no matter what emotion she wore on her face, a certain dark edge never left her expression. Just knowing what I did of the history of Florence Nightingale, I could wager a guess as to the source of that darkness beneath the surface.

But that was not the point for now.

It was a bit cramped, but everyone made themselves as comfortable as they could(after Luffy and Usopp got done with being childish outside, building snowmen), and it was time to get to business.

Me? I was just happy there was a fireplace, which I'd glue myself to in an instant if I was fireproof and the fire didn't hurt like a bitch. Just huddling up close to it would have to do.

"Now, what you need to know is that the single doctor who still resides on this island is difficult to reach," Florence said, having been seated and currently bathing Nami in her rejuvenating light.

"That doctor is a witch," Dalton continues. "She comes and goes as she pleases, and never does things for free. I expect you'll need some form of payment to get her services." He gazed out the window, at one of the towering, oddly-shaped mountains. "You see the largest of the mountains, the Drum Rockies? She resides at the top, in an abandoned castle built there."

"Reaching it is another hurdle," Florence stated. "If I were able, I'd simply fly your friend there to be treated. But simply put, the condition of your friend is too critical for such measures." She then frowned and made an almost uncharacteristically sour face. "Plus, that crone and I don't see eye to eye."

Yeah, that just reeks of a massive gap in personal philosophies. "Altruism versus profit?" I ask with a crooked smile.

It surprises me when Florence growls in clear spite. "Medicine is about helping others with their injuries and ails. About bettering the health of your fellow man, saving lives. To deny this basic courtesy of the medical profession for something as petty as money is disgraceful!" Her expression then cools considerably, though unhappiness still comes through. "… But even so, that hag is many times my superior in this field, and my opinions and grievances won't change that fact."

"So we have to climb the mountain?" Luffy asks.

"Of course not, idiot!" Usopp exclaims, whacking the boy on the head. "That sounds way too dangerous!"

"Your friend is not wrong. The trip would be perilous indeed," Florence said, Usopp nodding at the sense being made. Her light dwindling into nothing as the last of it was absorbed into the resting navigator, she then turned to the rest of us. "But, it may be the only way." Usopp did his best silent pantomime of Edvard Munch's The Scream in reaction. "This particular doctor moves irregularly, so the only place you'll be guaranteed to catch her at is her homestead."

"Right, so we'll just take Nami there!" Luffy stated, full of determination.

"Okay, do I need to be the voice of reason here?" Mikita cut in with an annoyed frown. "You can't just go traipsing out there in the snow and cold while carrying someone who is in critical condition!"

"Mikita-chan is right, you know," Sanji says, but clearly isn't that happy with the information. "Even a single mistake and Nami could die out there."

"It's… okay." My eyes immediately shift to the now awake Nami, and I immediately ignore the possibility of the cold creeping into my soul and leave the warm radiance of the fireplace to stand by her bedside. I don't mince words or dance around the issue. She seems to be coherent of mind, all things considered. A simple question is enough.

"Are you sure about this?" I ask, dead serious.

Nami gives me, all of us, a tired smile. "I… won't be a burden to you guys."

I grin and give her messy hair an affectionate ruffle. "That's the spirit!"

"I'll volunteer!" Everyone turns to Atalanta, standing tall and proud, with a serious expression. "You've taken me as part of your crew, and now it is time I show you my worth. I volunteer to carry Nami through this perilous journey!"

"Are you sure, Atalanta-chan?" Sanji asks. "I mean, I don't want to be rude but, you're not, err, dressed for the weather."

"That doesn't matter to me," Atalanta. "I can handle the elements. Besides, with my blessing, this cold will mean nothing!"

"Blessing?" Luffy asked quizzically.

Atalanta smiled with fierce pride. "Come outside, and let me show you."

Everyone went to move outside to follow Atalanta. Only Mikita turned back to call to the two who lacked behind. "You coming?"

"Nah, we're good," Marianne and I stated in unison, kneeling on one of her picnic blankets, having hot tea in front of the fireplace. Seemed neither of us cared much for the theatrics. That and, you know. Cold.

"Wow, at least pretend to care," Mikita remarks sarcastically and huffs as she leaves.

I shake my head at the fools who do not fear the cold.

"So, wanna bet that Atalanta-"

"No," the young painter interrupts. "I've observed not to take you on when it comes to wagers."

"Kehehe," I chuckle and sip the surprisingly good green tea. "Had to try"

-o~O-O~o-

Outside, everyone watched Atalanta intently, still as lightly dressed as ever, and seemingly still no worse for wear. She stood with her fists on her hips and a bright smile on her face. "Finally! I have been waiting to use this properly."

"So, what is this about?" Dalton asked.

"Come on, Atalanta, tell us!" Luffy cheered enthusiastically.

Flashing a grin, Atalanta schooled her features, bending her legs and widening her stance, arms slightly splayed out. "I have trained to harness this blessing while on Little Garden, but I saw little use for it if I could manage on my own. But now, finally a chance to utilize my all!" And then, her form slowly started to shift.

Those observing gaped in surprised awe(and maybe just a sliver of fear, *couch*Usopp) as Atalanta's form grew taller and wider in size, her teeth crew sharp and predatory, while her hands shifted into clawed paws. All the while her face lengthened and reconstructed into a mammalian snout and muzzle, and thick white hair grew all over her form. When she was done, Atalanta had transformed into a large white-furred bear, her tunic having transformed to fit her larger form, and still wearing her Calydonian Hide Guards on all four of her legs.

Standing on two legs, showcasing her increased size, the white bear showcased a fanged grin. "Yeehahaha! Witness, a blessing from Artemis herself!"

"Woah," Sanji uttered, wide-eyed.

"B-b-b-bear! It's a b-bear!" Usopp shrieked, split between awe and instinctual terror.

"SO COOL!" Luffy shouted, eyes shining like stars.

"That is…" Florence gasped into her palm.

"A Zoan Devil Fruit," Dalton noted, far more composed, but still surprised. "My guess is the Bear-Bear Fruit, Model: Polar Bear."

"Hm? Devil Fruit?" Atalanta asked, prodding her chin with a paw. "What is that?"

Almost everyone face faulted into the snow, while Dalton and Florence just sweatdropped. Luffy was the only one that didn't seem affected at all.

"You don't know how you got that power?!" Mikita recovered first, utterly baffled at such lack of knowledge.

"Well, obviously it's a blessing from Artemis," Atalanta stated in an 'are-you-stupid' manner. "I awakened to this ability one day on Little Garden. It was a bit hard to control at first. The bestial instincts were really strong, but nothing I couldn't handle."

"Did you by chance eat a strange looking fruit before you discovered this?" Dalton asked.

"Hmm…" Atalanta prodded the side of her bear head with a paw, eyes closed. "Think, think, think…"

"It probably tasted absolutely revolting," Florence offered her help.

"OH! Yes, I believe I did!" Atalanta exclaims, slamming one paw(akin to a fist) onto the other. "One day I was harvesting fruit, and one did look a bit strange, but it didn't look or smell spoiled, so I saw no harm. It was really bad though."

"That is a Devil Fruit, Ms. Atalanta," Florence explained. "They are fruits that give those that eat them extraordinary and unusual powers." She stepped away from the group and the white wings sprouted from her back. "Our abilities are similar. My Angel-Angel Fruit and your Bear-Bear Fruit are both of the Zoan type of Devil Fruit, meaning we can shift between three forms: Human, Hybrid, and Full Transformation."

She pointed at her wings and gave them a flex. "I am currently in my Hybrid Form, while you are fully transformed into a polar bear."

Atalanta had sat down to take in the impromptu lesson. "Ah, I think I get it. But, Captain Luffy has abilities also, but I don't think they work like you said…"

Florence looked over to the Straw Hat, who did his usual thing and stretched his cheeks. "Ah, I see. To answer your question, your friend is of a different type of Devil Fruit, called Paramecia. They are harder to characterize, due to how vastly their abilities vary. But commonly, Paramecia types change the bodies of their users in unique ways or allow them to interact uniquely with their surroundings.

"And, since I am on the topic, the last category of Devil Fruits is the Logia type, which allows their eaters to turn their entire bodies into a specific element, such as fire or ice, and are notable for their ability to become almost immune to conventional forms of harm. They are by far the rarest, while Zoan is only uncommon, with Paramecia being the most common type out there," the nurse finished her miniature lecture with a dainty bow, her wings flashing back into her back.

Everyone clapped.

"Wow, that was amazingly put, Florence-san," Sanji said, honestly impressed. "You seem pretty knowledgeable."

"It's like you were a teacher for a second there," Usopp remarked in wonder at how easy to understand the small lesson had been.

"O-oh, no. I am not teaching material," Florence slowly waved her hands in front of her chest in protest, seeming a bit flustered despite her expression changing very little. "I am just a mere nurse, who read the Devil Fruit encyclopedia one time out of interest in the subject."

"Come now Florence, don't be so modest," Dalton said reassuringly, with a warm smile. "You are more than your profession, and a brilliant woman."

The steely-eyed woman frowned briefly before it mellowed and she cracked a small melancholic smile. "Ah, I apologize. I'm simply having one of those days, I suppose."

Dalton nodded in understanding, and for a moment the two seemed to be a bit lost in each other's eyes. The outsiders to the island decided to let them be for now and go over their plans.

"Anyway, you can strap Nami onto my back," Atalanta said, moving to stand on all fours. "While moving like this, my stride is very stable, and my fur and body heat should keep the cold from getting to her too bad."

"But it'll leave you defenseless, more or less," Mikita noted. "While carrying her, you can't exactly fight back…"

"I'm going with," Luffy stated firmly. "I'll protect both of you!"

"You can count on me to watch your back," Sanji said, lighting up a cigarette. "I'll pummel anything trying to get their cruddy paws on you two ladies!"

Without saying a thing, Arlong stepped up, earning him a few strange looks. But the most overt reaction came from Sanji, who glared at the fishman.

"Why are you so eager?" the cook asked, not even trying to mask his suspicion. Arlong, in response, glanced back into the house, where Abel and Marianne conversed over tea, but more importantly the patient within.

"… I have payments to make," Arlong grunted, not going to offer more of an explanation.

Sanji scoffed. "The hell is that supposed to-"

"Okay," Luffy cut him off, giving the tall fishman a serious nod.

Sanji bit back his words, and just backed down. Arlong gave a very hard to identify grunt in response.

"The more the better, I think," Atalanta chimed, somewhat blind to the tensions in the air. "We'll be more efficient, like a wolf pack! But…" Atalanta's eyes examined the fishman. "You don't have your sword?"

"Tch," Arlong scoffed. "I can easily make do without it."

"Well, if you say so, I'll just have to believe you!" Atalanta responded cheerfully.

With the plan made, Vivi and Mikita helped secure Nami on the back of Atalanta's bear form, and with a final warning from Dalton about a species of dangerous feral rabbits, Lapahns, in their direction, the foursome of Atalanta, Luffy, Sanji, and Arlong went off on their difficult escort mission, as the rest saw them off until they disappeared into the distance.

"I sincerely hope they make it there safely," Florence said, hands clasped in a clear prayer.

"Those four are strong. I just hope they don't freeze on the way," Vivi says, her tone more certain. "It is a bit frigid out here."

Immediately after she said that both Dalton and Florence seemed to recoil.

"Oh dear…" the nurse gasped.

"Damnit, we forgot about that thing!" Dalton cursed.

"W-what?" Vivi asked, now growing worried at their reactions. "What are you talking about?"

Florence gathered herself first, expression steeled and controlled once more. "The Lapahns are an issue, but mostly just highly territorial. No, what we forgot to mention is something much more malicious."

"It is a beast that everyone on this island considers a legend of sorts. But I assure you, it is very real, though only a few have seen it clearly over the recent years and lived to tell the tale," Dalton continued, gravely. "Its bite is said to cause instant frostbite, and it is said to have claws made of icicles."

That did sound incredibly worrying. And scary.

"The name the people of this island gave this creature," Florence stated with an air of grimness. "Is Frigid of the Frost."

-o~O-O~o-

Well, this chapter sure was something.

Abel showing actual emotional honesty is a big step from his usual shenanigans. The man is improving, given at a snail's pace. Even if at one point he thought no one was looking. Nami and Abel are just the cutest, GAH!

Drum Island introduces us to a new Outsider: Florence Nightingale, a hell of a badass nurse with an impressive resume, who ate the Angel-Angel Fruit, a Legendary Zoan. It gives her the power of flight and the ability to manipulate and create light to a degree. She can use her light to reinvigorate and strengthen the vitality of others. It is NOT healing, but it can help boost the body's natural healing properties. Unlike most Zoan-types, it is not really combat-oriented.

Look, I just like the irony of a thing called a DEVIL Fruit granting Angel powers. So don't come at me about how 'angel isn't a type of animal'! Well, so isn't a giant metal Buddha, so I am allowed some creative liberty!

Now, who might Florence's Outsider friend be? Guess we'll have to wait on that.

Atalanta's 'blessing' that was briefly alluded to in Little Garden(her battle with Indora specifically) is revealed! The Bear-Bear Fruit, Model: Polar Bear, a Carnivorous Zoan! A natural fit for the woman who was literally raised by a bear the first years of her life.

And Drum Island has its own cryptid, "Frigid of the Frost"? No way' this will come to bite anyone, no sir!

Next Chapter: Return of the Tyrant! Rise Up, Selfless Guardian Angel!

-Resists Cold Damage, C-Hablerie