FindersKeepers (Dracule Mihawk x OC)

Pirates

As night falls, Mihawk secures lodging for them at a tavern on the town's outskirts. Upon entering their room, Astera surveys the cozy space, her gaze landing on the large bed. A sizable dresser stands at the bed's foot, flanked by nightstands on either side. A flicker of curiosity ignites Astera's eyes, prompting her to eagerly inspect the room. She opens every drawer, peers under the bed, and investigates the closet, exploring every nook and cranny.

Jinx immediately begins to investigate the room, her nose to the ground as she sniffs out the myriad scents left by previous visitors. Meanwhile, Mihawk makes his way to the adjoining bathroom, where he leans over a substantial tub, adjusting the hot and cold taps to achieve the perfect water temperature. Satisfied, he sets the plug, letting the tub fill before returning to the main room. There, he finds Astera seated cross-legged in the center of the large bed, surrounded by an assortment of items she's found while exploring. She examines each one with keen interest and treasures left behind by former guests. Mihawk pauses to observe her, appreciating her innate curiosity and the unique way she assigns value, unaffected by the world's conventional standards. The worth of objects determined by the world is irrelevant to her. Fine wines and money have no meaning to her.

"I drew you a bath." Mihawk speaks, hesitant to interrupt her.

Astera's attention snaps to him, her expression one of curiosity. She makes a quick, serpentine gesture with her hand.

'The tavern has an indoor river?'

"No. But they do have a bath."

Astera, still puzzled, gets up to follow Mihawk into the bathroom. There, she encounters a counter with a sink embedded in it, noticing a drain at the bottom sealed by a brass fitting. A brass faucet extends over the sink, directed towards its center, flanked by levers on either side. Above the counter, a mirror is mounted on the wall. Adjacent to this setup is a toilet, its shape and function even more baffling to Astera than the sink.

She glances at Mihawk, her eyebrow arched inquisitively, but he remains silent, merely observing her wonder as she encounters indoor plumbing for the first time. Her attention is then captured by the bathtub, taking up a significant portion of the room. She's fascinated by the warm water flowing from a tap similar to the one over the sink. Mihawk demonstrates how to manipulate the levers, halting the water's flow, teaching Astera its operation. Her curiosity piqued, and she gave Mihawk an impressed smile, marveling at his ability to control the flow of water a will.

Mihawk stands, placing a towel on the counter for Astera before exiting the bathroom and softly closing the door behind him. Alone, Astera swirls her hand in the bathtub's warm water, mesmerized by the ripples she creates. She then stands, shedding her clothes and unraveling her braid, letting her untamed waves cascade freely around her. Approaching the mirror, she examines her scar in full for the very first time, tracing the four long gashes that stretch from below her ear across to her opposite shoulder. Recalling the women she encountered in town, with their delicate and unmarred appearances, she feels a stark contrast. Standing there, in her true form, she touches the area just below her eye with her blackened hand, then extends her split tongue, realizing no one else shared these features.

Despite the crowds in town, she's engulfed by a profound sense of isolation, her unique attributes setting her apart even more starkly than her solitude on the island had. Her appearance, marked by the wild and untamed, seems out of place amidst the civility of society. In a moment of self-consciousness, she lets her wild hair fall like a veil over her scar, a temporary shield from her own scrutiny. With a deep breath, she steps into the bath, the still water welcoming her tentatively.

While Astera is bathing, Mihawk reclines on the bed, his head nestled into a pillow with Yoru propped against the wall nearby. His hands are clasped behind his head, legs crossed at the ankles, and his hat tipped forward to shade his eyes. A sense of unease about Astera permeates the room, prompting Mihawk to crack open an eye towards the closed bathroom door. The shadows of her feet, visible beneath the door, betray her pacing, evidence of a troubled mind. Jinx, resting on the floor, lets out a soft whine, her gaze shifting between the door and Mihawk, her concern for Astera clear. Jinx had always been apprehensive about Astera leaving her island. Now, witnessing Astera's restlessness, Mihawk begins to harbor doubts about their departure for the first time, wondering if the feline was correct.