FindersKeepers (Dracule Mihawk x OC)

Treasure

|The Stone Patio Evening Hours|

Leaning against the cliff wall on the stone patio, Mihawk ignites a substantial fire and settles beside it. Gently, he touches his wound, drawing a deep breath to ease the discomfort. In his hands, he turns a white feathered plume over, his gaze shifting between it and the battered remains of his hat, a sigh of disappointment escaping him. He ponders his predicament; without a town, the task of repairing his boat and setting sail from this island seems difficult. A conplex puzzle he must solve in the days ahead.

His thoughts drift to his unintended companion on this hidden island, a woman who has carved out an existence here for thirty years without once attempting to leave. This thought swirls in his mind, leading him to question whether her stay is by choice or a lack of options. He wonders, if she were aware of what the world beyond offered, would she even want to be a part of it?

Mihawk's is pulled from his mind as the very subject of his thoughts appears before him. Emerging from the jungle soaking wet, she is a vision. Her dress is now a sheer veil that clings to her form, outlining the contours of her athletic physique. Over one shoulder, she carries a hefty net brimming with an assortment of fish, while atop her head sits a basket filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.

She spares him a fleeting glance before depositing her haul near the fire and placing the basket beside it. Then, without a single word, she strides past him, vanishing back into the jungle's embrace. Mihawk remains silent, observing her movements with keen interest. In her wake, the jungle stirs back to life, its inhabitants drawn to the stone patio. A bear, a cat, several bunnies, and a monkey all converge around the campfire, each settling into a cozy spot.

Astera reemerges, skillfully balancing an array of dishware and utensils in her arms, a testament to the many gifts bestowed upon her by the storms over the years. She carefully places these items near the food, adopting her characteristic squat that mirrors the posture of an ape. With a measured approach, she extends her hand towards the fire, gauging its warmth before swiftly retracting it. Then, with a deft movement, she selects a small, fiery log from the heart of the blaze, setting it aside. She crumbles additional sticks and tinder to nourish the fledgling flame and positions a metal stand over it, preparing to cook.

Mihawk observes her with a softness in his gaze, once more a silent witness to her routine. He finds tranquility in this passive role, not compelled to interact yet feeling subtly woven into the fabric of her day. He watches attentively as she unravels her damp braid, loosening the tie at its end. With a swift shake, she frees her wet tresses, casting them back in a fluid motion that sends them cascading to the ground, where they settle in graceful coils. In response to this gesture, the little monkey springs into action, scampering up her cascading locks as if they were vines, to find a perch atop her head. From this vantage point, he keenly surveys her every move.

Astera sets two large bowls of clean water beside her, plunging her hands into one to rinse away any dirt and grime. As she reaches for a fish, Jinx moves to sit beside Astera, resting her head on her front paws, eyeing the fish with a mix of curiosity and longing. With the precision of a skilled chef, Astera uses her sharp claws to deftly decapitate and tail the fish, discarding these parts into a separate bowl. In a seamless motion, she strips away the scaly hide, adding it to the discard pile. She meticulously separates the fillets from the more substantial part of the fish, relegating the innards to the waste bowl. She repeats this meticulous process for ten fish, each movement fluid and practiced.

As Astera rises, her partially dried hair adds an untamed beauty to her feral nature, strands poking out at various angles. She lifts the bowl, along with the net of remaining fish. She sets the bowl down for an eagerly waiting Jinx, then empties the net in front of Jamba. The bear begins to noisily consume the fish one after another, while Jinx buries her face in the scraps. Astera allows the residual fish oils to drip into an iron skillet before placing it over the flames to warm. She then swiftly dices an assortment of vegetables, discarding the scraps to the watching bunnies. Despite Astera's insistence on the absence of a town on the island, Mihawk can't help but feel that this lively communal gathering serves as the island's unconventional town square.