Thankful for his status as captain, Buggy the Star Clown slept in. It was difficult giving orders especially when the task the World Government had given him had taken longer than expected. Alvida did mention that if he had helped it might have gone faster. Phooey! I should kill her flashily for such comments. Buggy grimaced as a breeze blew the curtains of his porthole to reveal the sun. No use sleeping now.
He arose, sluggishly getting ready for the day, but taking extra care for reapplying his makeup. His hat he left in the cabin, deciding to wear a bandanna on his head while his long hair was tied up in a ponytail . Upon shutting and locking the door, he jumped to pieces as two fast moving objects almost collided with his person.
"Good morning Captain Buggy!" Two teenage boys chorused.
"What the hell you shitheads!" Buggy growled. "Is this any way to treat your captain?!"
The boys laughed and gave him apologetic looks. They were twins that they had picked up recently. Having some acrobatic experience and knowledge of sailing, Buggy had decided to take them on as apprentices. It hadn't hurt that they said it was their dream to be on his crew.
"Sorry captain," piped up the one Buggy thought was called Dennis," We were thinking that after yesterday the crew needs a vacation of sorts."
"Did you now?" Buggy raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah!" the other one, maybe Daniel, exclaimed," we are actually near an island that has a nice hotel that caters to pirates!"
"Hmph, cheeky of both of you to think your opinion matters to me...continue."
Daniel nudged Dennis who raised a finger before he continued.
"Point being we, er, uh the crew needs to rest and well the owner, well she's rich." A glint of interest appeared in the clown captain's eyes.
"We could rob her after we have rested and staked the place out and be all the richer than if we had only been going after Captain John's treasure." Daniel nudged Dennis again who saluted and both said "Captain Buggy Sir."
They both smiled ear to ear, which made Buggy softly smile thinking of how many things he and Shanks, using similar smiles, as apprentices, had gotten away with. It had seemed not so long ago and meeting Shanks again, during the war at Marineford, as if nothing had happened between them…. Damn Shanks for knowing him so well. He should have known that the promise of a map was fake. Buggy burst out laughing and shook his head. Roger would have laughed too.
"An interesting plan boys, I will think about it." Buggy turned and began walking away.
"Captain! We already told the navigator to make a new course for that heading on your orders!" Daniel cried.
Ah so that's how it is, ask forgiveness, not permission eh? Slowly the chop chop man separated his upper and lower body. His legs turned around first and walked forward while his upper body floated towards the boys.
"YOU INSOLENT LITTLE SHITS! START RUNNING!
And thus began a full out chase around the ship, making the whole crew aware of the much needed vacation plan.
After retrieving his hat and fixing his hair up into it, Buggy gazed up at the sea birds flying around, they were getting close to the island that the boys had called Cambianueva. What kind of owner would this woman be, the type that would be frightened and overwhelmed? Buggy hoped it would be that simple. The title of warlord had come as a shock and while he did have to do some "work" it was to his benefit. People were intimidated by the title and that suited Buggy just fine. It had been awhile since he had used intimidation tactics, perhaps that alone would get him richer.
As they neared the coast, Buggy admired the lightly colored cliff faces and the green patches of trees and bushes perched atop and on the faces themselves. Further down the coast, battlements emerged with canons jutting out like the noses of guard dogs ready to strike. There were men walking atop carrying rifles over their shoulders, not marines, interestingly enough. One man pointed at the ship and another ran and descended what probably was stairs. For a short second Buggy felt a twinge of fear, for being welcoming to pirates, this part of the island was definitely prepared to be unwelcoming.
He heard footsteps approach him and felt someone lean beside him on the deck railing. Galindo, the wax, wax fruit man took a deep breath in and out.
"So why are we going here for our recuperation from a job you took no part in?"
Buggy gave a bark of laughter while Galindo rolled his eyes. " That what Alvida told you?"
"That's what I saw."
"C'mon I gave the orders and made the decisions. Strategizing requires effort my intelligent friend." Buggy clapped Galindo on the back and got closer. "There may be the possibility of enriching ourselves here."
"Ah, do tell."
"The proprietress of the hotel where will be staying is very rich or so I understand and—"
"We may have the opportunity to relieve her of her riches?"
"Oh yes." Buggy grinned wide with a malignant gleam in his eye. "Keep it to yourself though, need to get the lay of things first."
"Ahoy!" cried a voice from below. A small motor boat pulled itself along Buggy's ship, the Big Top. Five men with guns were aboard, but one was holding a speaker transponder snail.
"Ahoy yourself!" yelled Buggy.
"What is your business here at Cambianueva?"
"Our own." Buggy replied.
"Fair enough sailor, however please note we are armed and should you or your crew disturb the peace of our island there will be consequences."
"Oh cut the crap Pritchard! We're here to go to Miss Maddy's place, The Gold Coin!" Daniel bellowed, surprising Buggy by his sudden closeness.
Pritchard was taken aback and almost forgot to use the transponder snail as he said back.
"Danny! Is that you?!" he smiled. "And is Denny with you?"
"Present and accounted for," Dennis popped up beside Daniel. "This is our captain, Buggy the Clown, he's a warlord of the sea." Buggy straightened himself at that pronouncement.
"Oh sorry sir. We're just being careful."
"Fair enough." Buggy said, giving Pritchard a withering glance. Pritchard was suddenly more interested in the workings of the snail transponder.
"C-carry on then. There is a large dock in the Blue harbor which is a short distance from Miss Maddy's hotel. The boys will direct you."
"Thank you." Buggy said in a sarcastic tone as he smiled and bowed to Prichard. The clown turned around sharply and said "Boys, a word." He began walking to the helmsman, nodding to his first mate Mohji who was feeding his lion, Richie, as he passed.
"In addition to your deep cleaning of the ship due to your antics this morning, an explanation will be in order."
"Of what? Oh go straight on, Bellisario, and then as soon as you see that statue of the mermaid make a slight turn to port." Daniel directed the helmsman.
"How do you know this place? Am I being set up?"
Daniel stifled a laugh. "You know we wouldn't do that to you, captain"
Buggy misheard and thought he said "nose" and exclaimed "Are you laughing at my nose?"
Dennis slapped the back of his brother's head and said placatingly, "Captain, this town is where we learned a lot of our skills and the hotel is where we stayed. We just wanted to get on your good side with an easy take, that's all."
"Yeah we'll even stay aboard ship while we're here and watch over her so she'll be safe." Daniel socked Dennis in the arm.
"Very well. I'm putting my trust in you boys…don't disappoint me." Blades flashed before the boys' faces. Buggy's hands were holding four blades in between each finger and they began floating around the boy's necks.
"Yes Captain Buggy!" They said in unison.
"Good, continue helping Bellisario." Buggy's hands reattached and the blades disappeared seemingly out of thin air. "Buggy pirates!" Buggy yelled. Screams of "Captain Buggy, we love you" and chants of "Buggy!" could be heard before Buggy motioned for them to calm down. "Men, we'll be staying here for the foreseeable future. I and my officers will go ashore first to see about lodgings, one of us will come back and report to you. You will all attend to your docking duties and get your belongings ready to go ashore to rest and most importantly— celebrate a job well done!" This pronouncement was met with even louder joyful screams, which Buggy joined in by laughing.
It was late afternoon when Buggy and his officers had gotten their sea bags packed and seen to their tasks. Buggy had, before his imprisonment at Impel Down, acquired a peculiarly large pigeon named Hachi who he had later trained to home back to his island base in the New World of Kari Bari. It was native to the Grand Line known as the Opo pigeon. He instructed the boys of the bird's care and then heard an argument between his chief of staff, Cabaji the unicyclist, swordsman and his first mate Mohji.
"That damn lion is going to stay on the boat." blustered Cabaji.
"Ritchie won't hurt anyone! Won't you Ritchie?"
"He's been useless ever since he thought he should be in charge—"
"Enough!" Buggy pushed the two away from another. "Sorry Mohji but Ritchie will need to stay on the ship. We, for now, don't want the locals to be unnecessarily afraid of us. The twins will see to his welfare. Right boys?
"Yes captain!" They chorused.
"Ah captain! There's something you need to be aware of!" Dennis ran up to Buggy before he, Alivida, Galindo, Mohji, and Cabaji went ashore. Buggy motioned for him to continue.
" It's going to be checkout time soon at the Gold Coin and there's a tradition. You see, while this is a pirate friendly town, marines are also welcome. While staying at the Gold Coin it is considered a neutral territory to both parties, as soon as both check out well there's a bit of a race to see who can escape or capture the other first."
"But we are on the side of the marines, what do we have to worry about?"
"Nothing, just watch your step, the whole town of Spey participates."
With the advice in mind Buggy and his subordinates finally walked ashore. It was a buzz of activity: dock workers were trying to get to a point in their work where they could leave to view the "race", further inland there was a man taking bets from two little old ladies, and kids were arguing over if the pirates would "win" this time or the marines. Getting onto the main street, from what a kind older gentleman told them when asked by Alvida, would take them directly to the hotel, the group had found it lined with people on both sides.
"How bored do these people have to be to find this high entertainment. Ugh, there's so much noise!" Alvida exclaimed.
"I suppose the unrefined would." Galindo mused.
"It's not so bad, just crowded." Buggy pushed though and came face to face with a baby looking over its mothers shoulder. Generally children had two reactions to Buggy, to stare or to cry. This one seemed to be in the stare category, but then gave him a gummy smile. Not so bad at all.
A shout rang out from up the street and there was a group of what seemed to be pirates running from a detachment of marines. Cheers mixed with boos as one of the pirates were caught. "Get away for my sake boys!" The captured man had shouted and proceeded to attack the rest of the marines, tripping those who had tried to get to the rest of his crew. Such sacrifice reminded Buggy of Bon Clay back at Impel Down. He wondered if he had survived going up against Magellan. Taking care of something that suddenly caught in his eye, he and his group proceeded up the street.
There were less people up at the hotel itself, an old seadog was smoking a corncob pipe sitting on a chair underneath the porch of the main entrance which seemed like it was squished into what had once been a separate house with extensions added on. The interior was softly lit with dark wood and gold embellishments, the carpet was plush and a deep red. To the right was a door that said office above it. Next to it a hallway and stairs that went to the second story. To the left another hallway and in the middle a desk that had two women talking animatedly
"You'll see Maddy. Since we have a minute, did you get that cake recipe that you wanted to have the orphans try for tomorrow?" One of the women said as she smiled at the younger, shorter woman.
"I don't see how it's that important. Yes and thank you I'm excited to bake it. I really am needed backstage though, I was just preparing…oh." The shorter woman quieted as Buggy strove up to the desk.
"Greetings ladies, my name is Captain Buggy, warlord of the sea, and I need accommodation for myself and my large crew. Do you have rooms available?" He leered down at them menacingly, making use of his full height.
There was a beat of silence and then the shorter woman cleared her throat.
"Hello, yes, my name is Madelyn Juvat, the proprietress of this hotel. You are most welcome. My friend Deb here can help you find rooms to suit your needs. I should mention that some rooms are off from the main hotel as we have had to expand due to need. And—-"
"Maddy, you're on stage in 25!" a voice came from the left.
" And I have to go. I'm performing at our on-site theater you're welcome to come, there'll be performers other than just me." She gave a shy smile. "But back to what I was saying, Deb will take care of you." She was starting to leave when she turned back, looking straight into Buggy's eyes, smiling brightly "It really was wonderful meeting you, captain." She gave a short bow and dashed off to the left, her long skirts swishing in her wake.
The clown, though gratified with the genuine tone and smile she gave at meeting him, was uncertain about how he should go about swindling the woman out of her money. He couldn't gauge how naive she was, but the fact she was running this hotel led him to believe she couldn't be tricked easily. Further investigation must be conducted. Detailed, personal, investigation.
The woman, Deb, had been talking to Galindo and Alvida about their individual rooms while Cabaji and Mohji waited their turns, but when she noticed Buggy looking at her, she beamed and said:
" Ah yes I saved you one of the best rooms in the house captain," She handed him a key. "happens to be close by, right up those stairs in fact."
"What are the prices? I can't have you gouging us—"
"Tut, tut, captain, you and your crew will receive a deal that we give to big groups that I think you will find favorable." She showed him a piece of paper.
"Ah that's… upside down."
"Oh do forgive me." Deb turned it correctly and then pointed to the price and what other members of the crew were expected to pay.
"It will do. I will pay for myself," Buggy placed the berry on the counter. "and let these four figure it out. At those prices how do you manage to make a profit?"
"Well while we have many things for free, some of our services are not. Those are not overpriced either, as we want our guests to spend money, no? " she chuckled.
"No." Buggy said darkly and snatched the key from Deb's hand making her lose a little of her good cheer.
"Up these stairs?"
"Yes and the room number is on the key."
"And the theater?"
"Left, go down the hall and you can't miss it." Buggy tipped his hat to her and then turned around to face Cabaji.
"Once you're checked in, arrange for the men to have a rotation of two of them staying on the Big Top, Dennis and Daniel have elected to stay on and clean the ship throughout our stay, but I do want someone on there with them. Also let the men know of the discount prices here if they choose to stay at this establishment." Cabaji nodded and Buggy left for the room upstairs to put his seabag in the room, once accomplished he made his way to the theater.
The theater was large, having a stage and then specific theater seating at the front while in back where Buggy entered tables and chairs with a bar along the right wall. People were starting to come in and fill the seats. He sat at a table and waved away a waitress. The beginning act was a magician who started by pulling scarves out of his sleeves. The clown wondered when Miss Juvat's performance would be. You could tell a lot about a person based on what kind of art they did. There was a cymbal crash and the magician had disappeared from the stage. A voice announced a singing act to be performed by Madelyn Juvat with the members of the theater's chorus.
The woman he had met at the front desk had been comely, but the woman on stage was incandescent under the spotlight wearing a gold dress, looking like a pile of golden berry. Flashy! She smiled that same genuine smile she had given him earlier and maybe he was imagining it but her gaze seemed to land on him for a moment. Probably not possible though. Spotlights and floodlights made it difficult to see people in the audience. Yes he clearly was imagining it. Behind her on the stage was a carousel horse which she placed her hand on. The music started up from the pit and then she began to sing:
Listen to me, I have beautiful dreams I can spin you
Dreams to linger within you
Close your eyes and we'll ride my carousel
I'll sing you stories of lovers whose love used to fill me…(see note*)
Her voice was of a lower register and smoothly flitted around the room. The emotion she placed in the words she sang gave Buggy the impression of the possible truth they could mean to this Miss Madelyn Juvat. This was the way to get her money. A woman lonely and wanting real love. I'm more than happy to play your prince to get your money. The song ended and Buggy clapped along with the rest of the audience. The lights dimmed somewhat as she exited and then the next act made it to the stage, plate balancing and spinning . Buggy decided he'd head to the bar to do some drinking with possibly some thinking of his next move.
"A nice little artiste our proprietress turned out to be. A pity, really, I do like her voice. She will make an excellent waxwork statue."
"Gah! Galindo! So you saw her too?" Buggy had started to drink his beer when Galindo started talking to him, he looked around to make sure the barkeep was down the bar from them serving someone else.
"Yes, so how do you want to play it?"
"First don't be so hasty, and second—"
"How does our supply look Jim? Any new orders I need to make?" said Miss Juvat to the barkeep.
"Not at the moment Maddy. You sang great."
"Thank you. Do let me know though or at least let Miss Glinka know."
Jim nodded and then saw Buggy looking in his direction and asked if Buggy would like some more beer, which he didn't hear at first due to Miss Juvat approaching him.
"Hello again, captain, I hope the beer tastes good, it comes from our local brewery."
"Yes. Good. And—"
"Might I just say you sang very beautifully my dear Miss Juvat." Galindo interrupted.
"Oh thank you, you're in Captain Buggy's crew, correct? I didn't get your name though."
"Galindo, at your service."
Buggy motioned for more beer and drank a big gulp. He grit his teeth. How dare you interrupt me, you wax bastard! After some back and forth Miss Juvat excused herself giving a nod and smile to Buggy as she left.
"Do you think she heard?" Galindo whispered.
" I don't know, but I blame you." Buggy grumbled into his glass. In a louder voice he continued, "Leave the plan to me, I'll tell you when you can play a part." Buggy then paid the barkeep and took his glass back to a table and watched the rest of the performances.
The dinner he had ordered from room service was flavorful and hearty and the room and bed comfortable. The trouble of sleeping in a new place always made Buggy get up earlier than needed. He decided a walk would help him get back to sleep and he languidly put clothes and shoes back on and combed his hair into a neater ponytail than it had been. He looked at the clock, and gave a grunt of annoyance at the early hour. He picked up his key and made his way down the stairs. The lights in the front were still flickering softly and a young man was sleeping at the desk. From the office there was a sound of a door opening and someone walked quietly to the front door. Buggy recognized that it was Miss Juvat dressed in a robe, her hair in a messy bun and carrying a bag. He waited a few moments and then began to follow her; she took several twists and turns through town. Though it was light, the sun had yet to rise, and some people were beginning to stir in their homes. Buggy could smell bacon cooking, making his stomach growl.
He decided it would be better to fly so he separated from his feet and held them in his arms as he swooped along silently in her wake. Suddenly they were out of the town and going down a wooded path that was led down to a secluded beach between two cliff faces. Buggy held back by a convenient rock to watch and determine if he was going to approach her.
The woman placed her bag down on the lightly colored sand, fidgeted with a small object and placed it back in the bag, and then took off her robe revealing a one piece swimsuit underneath. She walked determinedly into the surf and began to swim. He could hear the lady curse with the word "cold" as she came up for air.
He had liked swimming and was good at it. It was a great way to get to sunken treasure, but all that had changed thanks to Shanks making him eat that devil fruit. What was that Red Haired idiot up to now, he mused as he watched the sun begin to rise over the water. Madelyn paused in her laps and looked at the sunrise herself, seemingly thrilled with such a sight she fell backwards and began doing a backstroke. They continued thus, her swimming and he watching the sun rise, until a piercing sound came from the beach. The woman swam fiercely back to shore, turned off the source and retrieved a towel from the bag and began to dry off.
"A beautiful sight."
Madelyn paused in her drying and looked up to see Captain Buggy.
"The sunrise over the water," he continued walking closer to her.
"Yes, I do enjoy it. What are you doing up so early, captain?"
"Couldn't sleep, thought a walk would help, I was told of these trails yesterday and thought I'd try are you doing up so early Miss Juvat?"
"Swimming, it helps me start my day."
"I did like swimming when I could."
"Oh yes, you have a devil fruit power, don't you?"
"That's right, baby." Buggy's hands separated, one grabbing the robe from the bag and holding it out to Madelyn and the other holding the bag. Her eyes widened, delighted by the display.
"That's amazing!" She took the robe after putting her towel up in the bag.
Then she did something that Buggy did not expect, she reached up and touched his nose. "Thank you, oh it is real." He grabbed her wrist with his free hand and got straight in her face.
"Didn't you learn any manners, Miss Juvat?"
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me, what can I do to make it up to you?"
After a second of deliberation Buggy smiled and said, "Dinner, you owe me dinner tonight."
"I actually have, well you could come if you like but–"
"Done." he said, releasing her wrist. "Forgive me, I'm just touchy about my well…"
"I would imagine that would be difficult. Again I'm very sorry." she reached and touched his arm. "As for tonight I would love for you to come with me to dinner although it would probably be something you're not used to. I go to our local orphanage and spend time with the children on Monday nights." She noticed Buggy's look on his face and said quickly "But I could have dinner with you tomorrow night if that's better?"
"No, no, I already agreed baby, so I'll come with you tonight, but you owe me dinner tomorrow."
"Very well, thank you," she laughed. "I really must go now, meet you by the front desk at 6 tonight." She grabbed the bag from him and ran off.
Buggy still felt the weight of her hand on his arm, but he brushed it off. It had been awhile since he'd been called amazing with such sincerity, he would thank her for that at least, when this con was over.
Note: this song is called Storybook from the musical The Scarlet Pimpernel with music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics by Nan Knighton. I thought it fit Madelyn's current dreams perfectly. I didn't want to have to copy the whole song for the sake of story pace. I encourage you to listen or read the lyrics though and if possible see the musical. Till the next chapter and thank you for reading.