For Freedom We Fly

chapter 26

Fate Whispered to the warrior 'You cannot withstand the storm' and the warrior whispers back 'I am the storm'

Holding the bag full of Beli, Dawnya ventured back onto the streets head turning as she searched for the ravenette. Eyes zoning in on the women stepping out of a bookstore. She moved like the wind passing softly though reeds, dancing though the crowds of people to step beside the slightly smiling women. The older lady always seemed to have that small smile on her lips.

Internally the swordswomen wondered if the smile was fake or not.

"Finished your business?"

"Yes, and gained some Beli"

"Well, I heard that a bar two doors down have some information. After that there's a tattoo palor over the other side of town"

Dawnya considered the plan for a moment, "sounds good" she had no other plans, and it didn't feel right with her ordering anyone about. Nor did she have qualms in waiting longer, she been waiting a few years what more where a couple minutes.

"Excellent," robins smile grew. "Have you been part of the crew for long?"

Dawnya step faltered, "not technically part of the crew" she admitted. "I haven't been asked to join..."

"Really?" robin seemed surprised at the notion, "I would have thought you were one of them"

"They rescued me from the sea, I helped them in Alabasta as thanks and..." her voiced drifted off, unsure how-to word – that if she didn't ask, they couldn't say no and tell her to leave. She'd grown a soft spot for the straw-hat pirates.

"I think you'll be surprised. To them you are already part of the crew" robin turned towards the younger swordswomen, gracing her a small smile as the light sparkled in the smaller women's hues. With a quick push the pirates opened the doors to the quite bar, there was a low mumble of chatter around the darken room. No one paying much attention on the pair – eyes focusing on what seemed to be a friendly game of cards. Poker. If Dawnya remembers the name correctly. Having seen many... master... of her play the game, gambling money and sometimes... people.

Robin made her way towards the bar, Dawnya following quietly behind her – though the girl was distracted by the card game in play.

She stood silently beside the women, watching the game progress, intrigued by the passing of cards, of blanks faces concealing secrets. "You interested girl?" a guff voiced came from her right.

Dawnya glanced towards the long dark dreadlocked haired male. Sky coloured hues spying the messy but long mop of hair black with grey stands, but the clear blue-greys hues got her attention. The male was tall, though he looked weak and unintending she felt that the male had the air of a warrior of him. Like his drunkard appearance allured too. "I don't know how to play" she admitted.

"it's easy, once you know the rules." the man shrugged, taking a large gup from his mug. "com' here lov, I'll show you" he flashed her a pack of cards. She took a step towards the old man as he spread the cards on the bar. Watching as the man craned his neck looking down, she caught sight of the ink behind the strands of hair.

The symbol though hidden, she could make out the familiar design of the helm, the spears in the background and olives reefs she was used too. Blue hues flickered to the grey ones. The male spared at her a crooked smirk on his face. As she took his features, a nosed that had been broken one too many times. The small scars littering his hands from hours apron hours of training.

She could trust this warrior of spartaous.

"How do we play?"

The smirk turned into a wild grin. "Listen close young un!"

-x-x-x-

"Come on, we should go, the others may be wondering where we are" robin patted the swordswomen's bare shoulder – earning the pairs attention. Dawnya glanced towards the women nodded, as the warrior – whom name had not been given watched the pair with interest.

"I thank you, for teaching me, it's been enlightening" the young swordswomen spoke softly. Though the older man heard over the chatter of the quite bar.

"it's good to pass of new skills to the young" the man grinned, "next time we shall do more than talk cards"

"I shall look forward to the next met" dawnya felt the corner of her eyes crinkle as a small smile formed under her mask.

"Wait!" the old called, hands tidying up the cards into a pile. "Here, have this old set" he gestured her to take the set.

"there's no need" the muttered, noting the worn cards – cards that looked well loved.

"I insist, you remind me of someone young'un"

She hesitated just a moment, before taking the cards of the man's hands. She looked down at the set of worn cards in her hands, before turning back to robin who once again called her.

"I'm surprised you gave those away" another bar dweller to the grey hue's male. "wasn't that the only thing that reminded you of her..."

"Got to help the young warriors fight the storm"

"Don't need to give me a reason, Eos"

-x-x-

"You seemed to get along with him. What did he give you?" robin asked as the pair left the dark dusty bar, the pair blinky for their eyes to readjust to the sudden onslaught of sunshine.

"An old deck of cards" Dawnya glanced towards the worn deck in her hands. She knew, she would have to properly flick though the cards at a later date. To truly appreciate the cards – maybe even start a game night on the ship with the others...

She let out a breath, turning towards the older female. She was really, she could feel it in her bones that now was the time. "Where was that tattooist again?"

-x-x-

Dawnya stepped into the quiet parlour. Artwork hung on the walls – decorating the wall with protentional ideas. As she was staring particular of flying birds, a skinny male with black dyed hair and pale skin covered in tattoos stepped out from a background a bored look on his face.

"Welcome, wanna tattoo or just browsing?" the bored male asked, looking like he'd rather be anywhere other than there.

"Do you do cover ups?" Dawnya questioned, bodied slightly turned towards the male.

"What type? botched tatts or scars?" the bored male asked, something flickering in his black Beedy eyes.

"How about brands?"

Silent...

The male was quiet, a flicker of interest having overtaken his features, at her request – though he seem to mull over the idea for a moment "...I can do those."

"Can you do it now?"

"What and where? I will tell you the pricing after I see the brand and got all the details"

To be continued...

and another chapter done and edited! me thinks...

another skippy filter chapter. probs gonna be another filter til the knockup stream which is wear the real fun begins!

what do you lot think?

let us know! :)

lov ya all!

happy sailing