Porcelain Waters

Frenzy

Law's POV

"While I get these plans, you should both stay out of the way." Law said heading for the door. He swiveled back to address the two scrambling after him. "Wouldn't want you getting in the way."

"You shouldn't worry about us. We can take care of ourselves." Clione said and Uni nodded.

"I'm not worried. I just don't wanna have to look out for anyone else."

"Sounds like a stubborn way of saying you don't want us getting hurt." There was a chuckle added to this after the two boys glanced at one another, bright eyes turned back to Law with their accusations.

The young surgeon's footsteps paused, black shoe hovering just above his next print to be left behind in the snow. How obnoxious they were, making claims on him when they had no idea who he was or what he really cared about. Why would they say something like that to a stranger? Why would they say something so-

'Accurate.' The bells chimed.

Law turned on his heel, shooting them a sharp glare that did little to hide the red of his cheeks speaking volumes of his true feelings. "I'm only doing this for the Polar Tang! After this is over, you'll repair her and we'll leave, so just stay out of the way! I don't wanna have to save either of you idiots!"

'I can't believe I got roped up into this after all.' Law thought with a sigh. 'Whatever, it'll be over soon.'

"Captain!" Edeth called no sooner did Law step foot on the Tang, knocking him from his thoughts. "Penguin said we have to wait here, but the side plating is still busted. What gives; you said I could explore the town."

"Must you always complain?" Law huffed but there was a defined smirk pressed to his lips and Edeth only responded with a full return of his energy. He hated to admit it, but her presence had grown on him rapidly; he could no longer imagine his crew without her being a part of it. "There's been a change in plans."

"Because the town is full of dickheads?" Edeth crossed her arms and Law quirked an eyebrow at her. "What?"

"She's gotten quite the sailor's mouth lately. Wonder who's to blame for that?" He murmured and golden eyes flicked over to Shachi who gave him a knowing guilty shrug and coy toothy grin. "The town is filled with people afraid of being attacked; better not to give them reason to think their fears are warranted."

Edeth grumbled, but she did seem to agree begrudgingly regardless. There wasn't much choice, Law's next steps needed to be handled with care. The town was afraid of pirates, but from what Clione explained, they also feared the bandits. A violent band that made their home on the other side of the island, against the cliff sides where the icy waters crashed against the rocks and shoals. He'd thought about how he would manage getting hold of those papers during his trek back to the sub and aside from simply stealthily navigating his way through, nothing worthy of writing home about had come to mind.

"We're not even bad people!" Edeth was still insisting. She'd understood the orders given to her, but she was clearly, and quite loudly, still at odds over it.

"Well, we are pirates." Shachi said and sniffed once. This wasn't the first time they'd landed on an island where they were hardly welcome to dock, much less stay and purchase goods.

A loud groan escaped Edeth just as Penguin rounded the corner to stand by Shachi. "But we're not bad pirates. We haven't done anything for people to hate us."

"That's...hardly how that works." Penguin frowned and Shachi snickered at her logic. "Pirates are pirates. We're criminals, right? We chose this life cause we didn't want to follow any rules or laws so now we have to pay the price for that."