Porcelain Waters

Spark

Law's POV

"You're free to explore the town while I talk to the shipwrights." Law said firmly, the words hardly leaving his mouth before Edeth darted ahead; straight off the Tang and making a beeline for the town. "Stay out of trouble!"

"Don't worry, Captain! I'll look after her!" Shachi called, hopping into a backstep once or twice with a wide smile before swiveling on his heel and chasing after her.

Law sighed, warm air colliding with the brisk chill to form small clouds before his already red tipped nose. It was even colder here than it had been on Swallow Island; the snowflakes drifted lazy through the air and settled in his white fur hat and few strands of raven hair that peeked under its brim.

"Must be winter here." He considered and slipped his free hand into a warm hoodie pocket, the other holding Kikoku against his shoulder. "I'm tired of the snow..."

"It coats the world in silence- something you enjoy more than you care to admit, Law." The chiming laughter of bells filled his head. "Ruby pearls upon the snow paints the land in crimson beauty. You would deny me such pleasure?"

Thin eyebrows twitched and Law chose instead to ignore the impish titters from the blade he carried. Kikoku was, as he'd quickly learned, a unique blade he never could have predicted behavior from. She was quiet most times, hardly saying a word aside from the little giggles of mischief that would dance in his mind here and there, but he knew she was always watching and taking note of her new master's behaviors and opinions. In a small sense, it bothered him. Her claim that he enjoyed the quiet of the snow was not unfounded. He did enjoy it, but it was also a double edged blade that hurt him with its silence- a silence that reminded him of the man with a wide smile, surrounded by hearts and a hushing ability that both soothed and wounded his memories.

The deep snow bathed in scarlet struck far too close to fragile memories best left alone.

"Tha e dona fuar..." Penguin muttered, rubbing his hands together next to Law.

Golden gems turned to the expression half shrouded in shadow, curious and questioning. Ever since Law had met these two, Penguin and Shachi portrayed little quirks to them that, even now, he was still adjusting to. Feathers, teeth, hidden eyes, strange language Law couldn't seem to find written in any book- all very minor things and yet they stood stark on the surface. A package deal, two halves of a whole with a unique twist to each. Four years together had given Law much time to learn, but still he wondered if he would ever understand the strange mysteries that surrounded his two friends.

"Come again?" Law frowned, head tilted in question.

Penguin turned and Law could imagine how his brows would rise a little in surprise. "Hm? I didn't think you could hear that. I barely even whispered."

"Oh. I'm still getting used to my hearing being so sensitive."

"Right. Your Devil Fruit mutations. Weird that it hasn't fully settled in you yet, what with it being years." The corner of Penguin's mouth curled up into a little half grin while he pulled black leather gloves over red tipped fingers. "I don't know much about Devil Fruits anyway though so who knows."

Law smirked back at him. "You and I, both. Mysteries of the world." They walked through the shipwright's yard, sounds of wood sawed and metal hammered rattling within their ears. "That language. What is it? What did you say?"

A pensive thought descended upon the other man's half face as he hummed. "Didn't say anything crazy, just that it's damn cold. Even Shachi and I have our limits." He adjusted the collar of his suit, warm puffs of breath forming like little clouds of cotton candy. "My mom taught it to me before I even learned the common northern tongue. She called it the Old Word; said it was almost all but forgotten now. I don't...really know that much about it."