Maelstrom

Chapter 23

Unknown POV

A poster of a young woman, pure white hair streaked with blood, dirt, a couple twigs and dried leaves tangled in, stared back up at you from a wanted poster. You frown, she looked so familiar. Her golden eyes glimmered with rage, her lips twisted in snarl barely visible through a leather muzzle covering her lower jaw. She looked bloodthirsty and full of vengeance. So why did she remind you much of your daughter? Your beloved daughter that had been whisked away by the sea, never seen or heard from again, seemingly disappearing altogether, like she never even existed. You had searched for months, years even, trying to find her, but to no avail. You cursed softly, hands searching through the rest of the papers on your desk. You still believed she was out there, and with this doppelganger, suddenly rising to fame, slowly but surely, and looking so much like your child, you were perplexed. She was a bit more mature looking, hints of womanly curves and an air of feminine charm to her, but similar nonetheless. With a small smile you shuffle the poster among the pages on your desk, you knew that you'd have to pay her a visit, sometime soon. But first, you needed to lay out the groundwork.

Ruse D. Argenti huh?

Roughly translated to Silver, in the Latin language.

Even her name shared a similarity to you. Although you never got the chance to name your child yourself, having been ripped from your arms before you could form a bond with her, you thought this was too much of a coincidence. The name was befitting of a child of yours, and with her fierce glare and confidence you had a nagging feeling that this woman was someone important. Even more so, she shared the initial 'D.' What an interesting young woman.

You hadn't wanted to get your hopes up, but maybe, just maybe, this white haired and golden eyed young woman shared more with you than you thought. You would pay her a visit soon, but you had to deal with other matters first.

As you rise from your desk, you grab a bottle from the table, already planning your next moves.

You would find your daughter, if it was the last thing you ever did, you would find her once again.

If you had to you would move both the heavens and the domains of hell to see her once more.

--

Ruse's POV

Makino eagerly greeted you and the rest of the crew -having docked late in the afternoon- giving you a warm and gentle smile as she began to cook for everyone.

God bless this woman.

She was practically a saint, dealing with all of you unruly pirates. Always mothering you as she replaced your regular booze with refreshing water. You chose to not comment, not wanting the rest of the crew to start teasing you for not being able to hold your liquor, which hey! You had been able to hold your own for a bit, your tolerance wasn't that bad. You remember that you were rather smug about your drinking habits before Yassop had easily drunk you under the table in five minutes flat, leaving you with one of the worst hangovers you had in your godforsaken life.

You shiver slightly, not wanting to relive that tsunami of disaster.

"Oi kid! Have you ever heard about the urban legend 'round here?" Shanks askes you, sliding in beside your usual spot at the counter.

His arm is already slung around your shoulders, a mug filled to the brim in hand. You perk up in interest, eager to hear what he was hinting towards.

"Oya? And what's the Red?" You reply, leaning your hands under your chin, not bothering to remove his arm from your shoulder.

It wasn't worth the effort since he was likely to just sneak it back on later. Damn touchy bastard.

"Well kid, we got ourselves a Cave o' Wonders here. Said to have a huge sum of jewels, and if you manage to find it, it's said to grant someone a wish on a full moon." You tilt your head questionably, unsure if he was yanking your chain or if he was actually serious about this modern day miracle.

"Uh-huh Red. And you've never been to this mysterious cave before? I'd reckon you would've the first you heard of it." You tease before the rest of the crew chimes in.

"Haha, Cap tried to but he couldn't find the damned thing. He spent nearly a week on there in the forest scrounging around for the treasure cove, but had to turn back when he found nothin." Lucky Roo quips in, a grin on his face, one hand holding a drumstick from his plate, crumbs on his mouth.

You smirk back at said captain, cooing at him playfully.

"Aww- did the big bad captain come back empty handed? How sad." You tease, seeing Shanks scowl as he continues to tell everyone about how the elusive cave really did exist.

He swore it wasn't his fault for not bringing enough rope to climb down the cliffside. Someone probably already raided the damn thing, it's no use trying to find it again- blah, blah, blah. Those sorts of swears and excuses were the usual sorts of things one would expect to hear from their redhead captain.

You listen in to the rambling before an idea pops into your head. With a bright grin you turn to look at the crew, golden eyes twinkling with mischievous intent.

"Betcha I could do it." Four heads whirl around, looking at you with surprise.

You shrug, before standing up from your usual spot at the bar.

"I'll bet ya fifty beli that I can find this elusive 'Cave Of Wonders' and bring back some evidence."

Shanks scoffs, clearly not liking the idea, but the rest of the rambunctious pirates all hoot and holler, saying that they'd take you up on it.

You shoot the redhead next to you a grin, patting his back as you walk by. "Don't worry Red, I'll come back alive. And with some proof too."

You snicker as he pouts dramatically.

"Tch, not like I care what ya do kid...but I really doubt you'll find the damned thing. Want me to tag along?" He replies, his eyes hopeful.

"And have you claiming my reward? Absolutely not Red. Better luck next time." You smirk at him.

With a wave to the rest of your companions you sling a knapsack over your shoulder and make your way to your next destination.

Cave of Wonders- get ready to meet your match.

--