An Encounter With The King

Me And My Big Mouth

The four of us wandered around, looking for something to do. We'd come to an island during a festival and the guys had immediately split. This left Nami, Robin, Fluffy and me to wander by ourselves. "Why do you think the guys ran off like that?" Fluffy pondered.
"Probably afraid we'd drag them into couple-like things and the idea scared them off," I commented with a huff. I wasn't a fan of the romance scene either, but they didn't have to bolt like we had the plague.
"Jewel, you really think Law is afraid of this stuff?" Nami asked.
I sent her a look. "You kidding? Aside from Luffy and his excitement, Law was the first to run," I explained. We continued to wander for a bit and I started grumbling to myself.
"Jewel, what are you huffing about?" Robin asked me.
"Probably griping about the guys again," Fluffy answered.
"I was simply saying that they ought to be ashamed of themselves," I clarified.
"Why's that?" Nami asked.
"Think of it this way; Trafalgar Law, badass surgeon of death, Portgas D. Ace, second division commander of theWhitebeard pirates and the great pirate hunterRoronoa Zoro running away from a festival like little boys from a girl with cooties."
"It is the festival of love, Jewel," Fluffy pointed out.
"Don't stick up for them, Fluff-ball."
"I'm not. Just saying that maybe they want to avoid it because they're not used to such lovy-dovy attention, you know since they've never had that kind of attention before."
I opened my mouth to retort only to realise she had a valid point. With a growl, I closed my mouth and turned away from her. 
"Excuse me, ladies," a male voice called out, catching all of our attention. Looking around, we spotted a short brunette guy wearing a pink shirt with red and black checked pants.What the crap is he wearing? I wondered as he approached us. "I'm glad I found four such beautiful women because I need a little assistance," he began. 
Instantly, my guard was up. Beautiful women, love festival, needs assistance. What was he up to? Ok,maybe I was a little paranoid, but so what.
"How can we help you?" Robin asked.
"Ah, you see, one of our booths is in need of someone to run it because the girl who was supposed to run it got sick. I was hoping I could ask one of you to help out," he explained.
"What do we get out of it?" Nami asked.
"Ah, well since we only need one of you, the volunteer would get to keep all the money they earn and the uniform we ask you to wear."
"I'm in," I proclaimed before Nami could open her mouth again. Everyone looked at me in surprise to which I only shrugged. "Hey, free money and all I have to do is stand behind a booth and attract customers," I defended.
"Actually, you get to sit," the guy corrected.
"Even better! Let's go, dude."
"It's Evan."
"Ok, Evan, let's go to this booth of yours." I followed him around the festival, waving to the other girls as we left. Upon reaching said both, I sent it a scowl so cold Akoiji would've been proud. "A kissingbooth," I hissed. "Are you kidding me?"
"Well, it is a love festival and you did volunteer ma'am," Evan replied.
My scowl only darkened in response. 
"Please, miss. You volunteered and this is our most popular booth. To have it not run would be a devastating blow to our tradition," he pleaded.
I sighed. "Alright. What's the uniform and where can I change into it?" I conceded.
Evan held up the uniform and I blanched. It was pink. I hated pink. Especially that bright. "There's a dressing room at the back of the booth. Your shift will end at seven and you get an hour for lunch. Any questions?"
Yeah. Where's the nearest ship away from this damn island? I thought but only said, "No."
"Alright. Have fun then!" He handed me the uniform and walked off. I scowled at the uniform a bit longer then went into the booth to change. Once the uniform was actually on, my mood, which was already dark, became pitch black. I thought it was bad when I only saw the pink, but it was muchworse. 
The tank top, which was actually black, was low cut and showed off my stomach. The bright pink skirt was tight and went down to just above my knees. The whole thing was spattered with pink hearts and glitter. "Me and my big mouth," I grumbled as I walked to the front end of the both where I was allowed to sit. For the first half hour, my dark mood and heated glare scared off any potential customers. It wasn't my intention to scare the locals/visotors, but I wasnot happy about my current predicament.
After the tenth potential customer backed away from my vicious snarl, I sighed in resignation. I was stuck in this situation since I volunteered myself so I had to calm down.
After a few moments of calming myself, I put on a cheerier expression and began business the way it should've been. It took a while for any customers to approach my booth due to my previous attitude, but once they did, things ran smoothly.
Once about two hours had passed, I felt like I needed a nap. I wasn't tired exactly, just needed a break from all the perves. So, putting up the sign that read 'gone to freshen up, back in five, sexy' (insert eyeroll here) and went to find a shop. Finding a clothing shop,I walked in and began searching for a way to improve my outfit. I found what I needed, bought it, and put it on. 
Sitting back at my booth, I couldn't help but grin at my new outfit. I now wore a red tank top under the excuse for a shirt, black shorts under the skirt that went just below my knees and a leopard print hat like Law's only mine was yellow instead of white. I felt a lot less ridiculous this way.
Tilting the hat over my eyes, I kicked my feet up and leaned back to relax. After some time, my moment of peace was interrupted by footsteps approaching the booth causing me to frown. Apparently, the illusion of sleep didn't deter everyone. "Uh, Law? What the hell are you wearing?" I heard causing my frown to deepen. "While I'm flattered by the comparison compliment, I don't think Law looks that feminine," I said.
"Eh? Law, what's with your voice? And your hat is different colored too."
Rolling my eyes, I used my thumb to tip my hat back enough to see my face. "And here I thought you were smart enough to recognise your best friend by voice alone." I stated.
Fluffy's eyes about popped out of her head. "JEWEL?!?!" she exclaimed.
"Last time I checked, thatwas my name."
"What are you doing at a kissing booth?"
"It's what I volunteered for."
"Seriously?"
"Sadly, yes. Now, since you're here, you want a kiss?"
At my question, Fluffy's face went crimson and she began stuttering like crazy.
I busted out laughing. "I'm teasing Fluffy. I don't like girls that way, you're safe," I told her. 
She calmed down at that.
"At least until I get off at seven," I added with a teasing grin.
She fainted, face redder than any shade I'd ever seen before. I couldn't help but laugh. Poor girl. I probably went too far with that. Still chuckling, I walked around to her helped her up and sat her in my chair while I stood next to her.
After about twenty minutes, and fifteen more customers, I heard another familiar voice. "Fluffy, there you are!" Looking over, I saw the friendly freckled brunette with the flame-flame fruit. "Hi Ace!" I greeted with a wave. 
Noticing me, Ace grinned widely. "Jewel, hi! How's it going?" he asked as he approached.
"Oh, you know. Could be better."
"Kissing booth, huh?"
"Yeah, if I hadn't opened my big mouth I'd be having more fun. But, what're you gonna do?"
Ace nodded in understanding before looking at Fluffy who was now napping in my chair. "What happened to her?" he asked.
I shrugged sheepishly. "I kinda teased her into unconsciousness and now she's taking a nap," I explained.
He cracked up at that. "You're a trip, Jewel. Want me to take her off your hands?" he commented.
"Please? I'm sick of all the creepy stares I'm getting. At least when I sit, they're not so bad," I agreed.
Nodding, Ace picked Fluffy up and carried her off. "See you around, Jewel!" he called.
"Bye Ace!" After that, things weren't very eventful. At two, I decided to take my lunch break. Walking around, I began to understand why Law vacated the premises so quickly. Being a surgeon/doctor, he needed healthy foods and things that would give him energy and whatnot. 
Festivals tended to have foods that were really unhealthy and that probably annoyed him. Thankfully, I was able to find a few fruit vendors and bought a variety for my lunch. Just for the hell of it, I also bought a caramel apple.
As I went to take a bite out of said apple, an old saying popped into my head. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.Frowning, I looked down at the light brown covered goodness. if I eat this, does that mean Law will avoid me for the rest of the day? I wondered.
I thought about that for a bit longer before shrugging it off and chomping on the apple.No doctor friend of mine is going to keep me away from the tastiness of caramel apples! 
Wandering a love festival as a lone female made me feel awkward. There were so many couples and mushy things that I almost lost my appetite. Ignoring the romantic atmosphere, I finished my lunch and went back to work. Sitting down, the sleepiness of a full stomach hit me full force.
I did my best to stay awake but ended up falling asleep anyway. But not before I made a sign that said 'wake sleeping beauty with a kiss for fifteen berry'.
I was aroused sometime later by a hand shaking my shoulder. "Nngh, read the sign, buddy," I grumbled sleepily. The feeling of something papery being slipped under my hand awakened me further. Lifting my head, I peered down at the paper. 'Thought you'd want to be sure you weren't ripped off.' it read.
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion at that. There was only one person that I knew of that wrote notes in the One Piece universe. 
Slowly looking up, I was met with the view of a tall blonde with red lipstick that covered his lips then trailed in a thin line to the back of his jaw in a Jokeresk fashion, purplish-blue triangles under his right eye, a reddish hat, a black feathery coat, a pink shirt with hearts all over it, white pants and a cigarette in his mouth.
I opened my mouth to yelp in surprise, but the tall blonde covered it with his hand (effectively covering half my face) and held a finger to his lips. Nodding to signal I'd stay quiet, I watched as he wrote another note and slid it over to me.
'Please don't scream. I'm not here to hurt you or anybody. I just want to talk.' 
"Corazon, I thought you were dead," I said.
He quickly looked around before speaking. "How do you know who I am?" he questioned, causing my cheeks to redden. 
I hadn't expected such a sexy voice! It took me a moment to form a coherent sentence. "Y-you uh, L-Law talks a-about you a-all the time," I stammered.
"Law?" he repeated.
"Yes. Trafalgar Law; captain of the Heart Pirates."
"Pirate captain is he? Good for him. Does he really talk about me?"
"Ah, well, more he does it in his sleep. I don't think he's aware he's doing it."
"I see. Know of a more private place we can talk?"
"In the middle of a festival? Not really. There is a changing room in the back we can try though."
Corazon gave me a funny look. "You mean in the back of your both?" he questioned.
I nodded. "It's a lot bigger than you think, though with your size, it may be a little cramped;" I explained.
"I suppose that'll work."
"Great! Just go around back and I'll let you in." He headed for the back and I went to the dressing room to let him in. Hearing a rather loud THUD against the back door, I opened it carefully. Looking around, I noticed Corazon on the ground. "Meant to warn you about the cables you can trip over, sorry," I apologised.
"I'm used to it, even in the afterlife," he assured. Standing up, he went to walk in but I stopped him with a hand to his chest. "Wait." Reaching up, I plucked the cigarette from his mouth, put it out and tossed it. "Don't want the stand accidentally catching fire," I answered his confused look.
He nodded entered the stand. We talked for a while and then Corazon started to get this odd glow around him. "Uh, Cora, you're glowing," I pointed out.
He looked down at himself and sighed. "It means it's time for me to go. You need to wake up soon anyway," he explained.
"Ah, I see. Well, have fun and be careful."
"I'll try. Take care of yourself and him, Jewel."
"I will. Bye Corazon!" 
I slowly woke up as someone cleared their throat. I sat up, yawned, stretched and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. "Sorry about that ladies and gentlemen. I must've fallen asleep after lunch," I apologised. Looking up at the first person in line, I jumped to my feet. "Law! What are you doing here?" I inquired.
"You're an idiot," he stated.
"Huh?"
"You're an idiot. You volunteered for a kissing booth and you look like a slut."
My jaw almost hit the floor at that and my self esteem hit a low so far down, not even Luffy could lift it.
"When is your shift over?" he demanded.
"Seven," I weakly got out.
"When it's over, I want your ass back on that ship, pronto. Do you understand?"
"But-"
"No, buts. Ass. Ship. Thesecond your shift is over. Do you. Understand?"
I slumped into my seat, head bowed enough to almost touch the table. "Yes, sir," I mumbled.
He huffed and walked off. It was only six, but I wasn't in a festive mood anymore. I closed up shop, grabbed my jar of berries earned and headed to the Thousand Sunny. Once on board, I took off the outer layer of my uniform, burned it, pulled my new hat over my eyes and sulked at the stern of the ship.