Chapter 25: Consequences
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Behind the scenes, Emi waited for her turn, a surprising calm settling over her usually tense nerves. It wasn't anxiety that dominated her, but rather a sharp focus. She mentally rehearsed each movement of the choreography she had decided to perform—an improvisation that required both technical precision and spontaneous emotion.
She wore a long, flowing gown in deep midnight blue, having found it in a small, tucked-away shop just before the contest. It was embroidered with subtle golden patterns that caught the light whenever she moved. The dress, gently cinched at the waist, flared out towards the bottom, offering plenty of freedom of movement for her performance.
She also wore a delicate and transparent veil that covered the lower part of her face. The veil, matching her gown, was made of a light, translucent fabric, hinting at the shape of her lips without fully revealing them. A small headpiece, embroidered with pearls, held the veil in place, also covering part of her silver hair, while the rest was carefully tied back so as not to hinder her movements.
Around her, the usual backstage buzz—the murmurs of other participants, the calls of technicians, the occasional slamming of doors—seemed to fade into a mere whisper in the background. The music, though clear and loud for the audience, reached her as if muffled, allowing her own thoughts to stay at the forefront.
Suddenly, the announcer called her number and the alias she had registered with.
"Number twelve, Blanche!"
His voice, clear and resonant, cut through the ambient noise, bringing Emi back to the present moment.
Taking a deep breath, she adjusted her outfit and then strode confidently towards the stage.
The stage where the dance competition was being held was outdoors, and the soft twilight cast an almost magical ambiance over the event. String lights hung from the trees, twinkling above the crowd, while paper lanterns floated in the sky, bathing the festival in a gentle golden glow.
The spectators had gathered in large numbers in front of the stage, and seeing a new participant step forward, they reacted with a mix of cheers and curiosity. Some applauded in encouragement, while others whispered among themselves, intrigued to see an unfamiliar face competing against the local talent. The spotlight seemed incredibly bright as she walked towards the center of the stage.
To her great annoyance, Emi easily spotted Penguin and Sachi, who had managed to sneak their way to the front row. Instead of the discretion she had hoped for, the two were shouting her real name at the top of their lungs, completely ignoring the alias she had registered under.
"Emi! Go, Emi!"
Their voices carried far, drawing the attention of those nearby, who shot them disapproving looks. Emi felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration rising within her, but she managed to force a smile in thanks, all while widening her eyes at them to signal them to calm down quickly.
Penguin, suddenly realizing the mistake they had just made, turned to Sachi with a reproachful look already on his face. Without hesitation, he gave him a smack on the head.
"Idiot, stop calling her by her real name!" he growled.
Sachi, surprised by Penguin's action, frowned and, without thinking, retaliated with a smack of his own.
"And what about you?! You did the same thing!" he retorted in a defensive tone, only making the situation worse.
The two started bickering quietly, exchanging light smacks while trying not to attract too much attention from the rest of the audience, who were now watching them with renewed interest. Emi sighed, trying to keep her composure and not let their little spectacle affect her.
Just then, the background music changed, signaling the start of her performance. The first notes of her chosen song filled the air, a captivating melody that was both vibrant and complex, giving Emi the opportunity to explore and blend different dance styles, reflecting her own experience and artistic vision.
As the music enveloped the space, Emi began to dance. Each movement was precise and filled with emotion, her fluid dance steps conveying a deep passion for the art she was presenting. The spectators, captivated, followed her every move with growing interest, their initial curiosity turning into admiration as they witnessed the expressive power of this foreign dancer.
For Emi, the outside world had shrunk to just the music and her own dance, each beat, each note guiding her movements. She danced not only for the competition but for herself. And in that moment, she was exactly where she needed to be, turning her earlier uncertainty into a performance that might very well leave an indelible mark on all who watched her.
The crowd seemed to respond positively to her movements, with some even clapping along to the rhythm of the song. Emi smiled inwardly, growing more confident as the dance progressed. She might not have been a professional, but she knew how to captivate an audience.
Law watched Emi dance, leaning against a tree not far from the stage. Though he stayed in the background, his gaze was fixed on her, following her every move with silent attention. Law had never been one to care about shows or artistic performances, but every graceful spin seemed to hold his full focus.
He straightened slightly, crossing his arms and leaning more firmly against the tree, as if to refocus himself. Law forced himself to rein in the unexpected thoughts that threatened to cloud his usually sharp mind. He wasn't the type to get distracted, especially not now, with so much at stake.
As the music neared its end, Emi executed a final graceful spin, then froze in a finishing pose, breathing heavily but with a determined look in her eyes. A brief silence followed, then the audience erupted in applause, their admiration for her performance evident in the ovation she received. Emi, out of breath but her face lit up with a broad smile, bowed politely before leaving the stage, making way for the other competitors.
As the other dancers took their turns, each bringing their own style and interpretation of the theme, the atmosphere was charged with tension and excitement. The judges took notes, occasionally discussing briefly among themselves, their expressions serious and focused. The audience, meanwhile, chatted about the performances, making predictions and voicing their favorites.
Finally, after a last deliberation by the judges, the time for the results arrived. The presenter stepped onto the stage, microphone in hand, and a hush gradually fell over the spectators, all holding their breath in anticipation of the announcements.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the presenter began, his voice amplified by the speakers, "we have witnessed extraordinary performances tonight. But there can only be one winner. Let's start by announcing the third prize."
A pause for dramatic effect, then he named the third-place winner, who stepped onto the stage to the sound of applause.
"And now, the second prize," he continued, and at that moment, he called the name of the arrogant competitor that Emi immediately recognized. She walked onto the stage, her face showing a mix of pride and obvious frustration. She forced a smile, but her eyes were flashing with anger, clearly enraged that she hadn't won first place.
The suspense heightened as the presenter took one last pause before announcing the grand winner.
"And finally, the first prize, for a performance that captured the essence of our theme 'Rhythms of the Sun' with grace, passion, and outstanding stage presence...
"...Blanche!"
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience, and Emi, utterly stunned, took a moment to realize that she had won. Her heart was pounding as she walked back onto the stage, her legs barely able to carry her. The cheers and shouts of encouragement from Penguin and Sachi, visibly thrilled, helped her regain her composure. She accepted the trophy with emotional gratitude, looking around and seeing the smiling faces.
On Law's usually impassive face, a subtle but undeniable smirk appeared. This smile held a hint of satisfaction, as if he had just won a bet he had made with himself about Emi's victory.
Amid the excitement of Emi's win and the celebrations that followed, few people noticed the ominous presence of a man in a black hat, standing apart from the crowd. His cold eyes followed Emi with a chilling intensity, a sly grin spreading across his lips as he whispered to his accomplice, "She'll be perfect for the slave market."
Eager to join Sachi and Penguin to continue enjoying the festivities and celebrate her victory, Emi headed to the dressing room before anyone else to grab her belongings and change. The room was empty, the other dancers still on stage, enjoying the excitement of the event.
She quickly started undressing to slip into something more comfortable. As she peeled off the layers of her costume, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, her face flushed with excitement and disbelief. With a deep breath, she reached for her more relaxed clothes, slipping into them with a sense of relief.
As she gathered her last belongings, two figures suddenly appeared in front of her. Before she could react, one of them pressed a cloth soaked in chemicals against her mouth. The initial surprise quickly gave way to fierce panic. Her eyes widened as she inhaled the fumes, feeling her thoughts blur and her strength ebb away.
Emi desperately tried to fight back, her hands flailing in an attempt to push away her attackers. She managed to land a kick on one of them, but he quickly responded by driving his knee into her stomach.
"Stay still, or it'll get worse for you," he growled, his voice icy as he tightened his grip on her.
The blow made her stagger, and the chemicals in the cloth continued to take effect, blurring her vision and weakening her movements. Her attempts to scream or defend herself grew weaker, the last echoes of the celebration, distant laughter, and music seemed to dissolve into a thick fog.
The two men wasted no time: they quickly lifted her and stuffed her into a large bag, zipping it up to prevent her from screaming or escaping. Trapped in the darkness of the bag, just before losing consciousness, a thought drifted through her muddled mind: "Why? Who are they?" Then, complete darkness enveloped her, leaving behind the sounds of the music and the crowd.
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Nearby, Penguin and Sachi were still discussing Emi's performance when the competitor who had won second place approached them, her disdain barely concealed.
"Your friend may have won," she sneered, "but it's only because she's exotic and different. It has nothing to do with actual technique or talent. The jury just likes novelty."
Penguin, usually cheerful and playful around women, stiffened at her words, while Sachi tried to keep his irritation in check.
"Listen, sweetheart, it's not about being exotic," Sachi retorted firmly. "You should learn to recognize other people's talent instead of hiding behind excuses."
The dancer shrugged dismissively before walking away, leaving Penguin and Sachi frustrated but determined to ignore her negative comments.
As time passed and Emi's absence grew longer, a shadow of concern began to creep over their good mood. They had assumed she was simply taking some time for herself, maybe to freshen up after her dazzling performance. But as the minutes stretched into a prolonged wait, their conversation lost its rhythm.
"She should have been out by now, right?" Sachi murmured, glancing repeatedly toward the dressing rooms.
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Meanwhile, Law was on his way back to the Polar Tang, feeling he had already spent more time at the festival than necessary. He had had his fill of the commotion and preferred to return to the calm of his submarine. As he made his way through the crowd, he passed a man wearing a black hat, engaged in a discreet conversation with another individual. What initially seemed like a simple exchange suddenly caught Law's attention, piquing his interest despite himself. He tensed up upon hearing a few snippets of their conversation, words that pierced through the din of the festivities.
"...will sell for a lot, that dancer," murmured one of them, his voice barely audible in the surrounding noise. The man in the black hat, a sinister smile on his lips, responded with satisfaction, "We're going to make a fortune with this."
Law's eyebrows immediately furrowed, and he turned around, his instincts telling him to verify his suspicions.
Already on alert after intercepting the conversation between the men with the black hat, Law quickened his pace toward Sachi and Penguin. As soon as he approached them, Sachi spoke to him, his voice tinged with concern,
"Captain! Emi isn't with you? She still hasn't come out of the dressing room..."
This information immediately confirmed Law's suspicions. Without responding, he headed straight for the dressing room, where the dancers, still changing after their performances, were immediately shocked by the presence of a man in a women's dressing room. Their eyes widened in astonishment, and some were still in their underwear, their faces displaying a mix of confusion and anger. The cries quickly escalated:
"Kyaaa! Who is this?!"
"What is he doing here?!"
The dancers rushed to cover themselves with whatever they could find, towels and clothes scattered around the dressing room. Furious glares were directed at Law, who advanced determinedly despite the chaos surrounding him. His eyes, however, remained focused, scanning the room for the journalist, ignoring the angry stares and the scolding voices around him. His gaze swept across the room, lingering on every corner, every object, until he recognized Emi's bag lying abandoned on the floor.
Grabbing the bag, Law quickly exited the dressing room, his face marked by cold determination. Returning to Sachi and Penguin, he showed them the bag.
"Emi has been kidnapped," he said, his voice sharp with urgency. Despite the gravity of the situation, Law couldn't help but feel a twinge of irritation mixed with concern, thinking that Emi seemed irredeemably drawn to trouble.
The revelation had the effect of a shock on Sachi and Penguin, and a sudden wave of guilt washed over them, blaming themselves for not noticing earlier that something was wrong.
"You should have checked the dressing room when she took so long to come out!" accused Penguin, waving his arms to emphasize his words.
"Me? Why not you? You were the closest to the door at that moment!" retorted Sachi, his tone rising despite himself.
"And you, you just kept talking with that other girl! If we had been more attentive..." Penguin began, but his sentence trailed off under the weight of his own guilt.
"Wait, wait... you're blaming me for talking when you were there, laughing at her stupid jokes?" Sachi rolled his eyes, arms crossed.
Law, observing them for a moment, finally intervened with a sigh. "Enough. Now's not the time for a blame game."
Penguin and Sachi looked at each other, an embarrassed smile forming on their faces. They nodded, the shame of their childish behavior calming them instantly.
"Sorry, Captain! We can't abandon Emi! We have to find her !" the two pirates exclaimed, their voices firm despite the palpable concern.
Law felt his irritation deepen. He had explicitly told Emi to steer clear of trouble, and now, not only had she ignored his warning, but she had also dragged them all into this mess. Despite everything, Law knew he couldn't just leave her to deal with the consequences on her own, as he had initially said he would. As much as it irked him to admit it, he couldn't abandon her, not when her life was on the line.
Law, quickly taking command of the situation, ordered, "Penguin, Sachi, you two, check the immediate surroundings and notify Bepo. We'll meet back here in fifteen minutes. If you find anything before, contact me immediately."
Sachi and Penguin nodded and dispersed, searching every corner of the festival area, questioning anyone who might have seen something suspicious. Meanwhile, Law, holding Emi's bag tightly, set off on the trail of the suspicious men, his sharp mind analyzing every possibility.
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Thank you for reading this chapter !
Can Law and his crew reach Emi in time, or is she doomed to face the consequences alone?
Find out in the next chapter!