Desire

two

Most people have become all too familiar with the storm we call Aqua Laguna. When it happens once a year, you have to become familiar with it. Every year feels worse than the last. But we continue to build and thrive. Water 7 used to be a lot more than just a giant fountain. We've had to build on top of the buildings of the old city just to survive. One of these years, Aqua Laguna is going to take us out. Until then, we live. We build on buildings, we evacuate and close up shop for a few days out of the year, and then we pretend nothing was ever wrong in the first place. It's exhausting this time of year. Everyone feels loud in my head with me having to touch them. I hate it. Desperation reeks from every corner and maybe this year it will be kind to us. Grief from years past soil my thoughts, grief that isn't even mine. It sucks. I can't wait for it all to end.

Typically, I'd be with Franky and the family in an old workshop for Tom's Workers, but after recent events, I can't be around them and their stupidity. It would just make it all worse. I decided to opt out for an empty rooftop. I was able to set up a tent high above the ground. I hoped it would be enough. Worse comes to worse, I know where I'm welcome.

So, Iceberg was shot. I wonder what's going on with that. Maybe the government is finally making its move on him. I've talked to Iceberg quite a bit. He and Franky were childhood friends, and Iceberg views me as the reasonable one, his words not mine. I know things I probably shouldn't considering he is the mayor and he confides in me sometimes. I wonder if he'll be okay. I could go check on him. He'd probably let me stay at Galley-La tonight through the storm. I might consider it.

"Hey! Straw Hat!" I heard a voice yell from below. I got out of my tent, looking down at the ground below me. It was a long drop, but I wasn't high enough to escape anyone like I thought I was. I got a semi-good look at the man and recognized him almost immediately. He was one of the shipwrights at Galley-La. He wore blue pants, a blue jacket, along with a yellow T-shirt underneath. It was very fitting against his white skin and blonde hair. Against the jacket he had cigars attached as backups for when he finishes the first one. He also wore orange goggles over his slicked-back hair. He is one of the best craftsmen that Iceberg has under him. His name is Paulie. He's a weird guy. I walked by the dock once and he shouted about how my clothes were improper and I needed to cover up. Iceberg assured me he meant no harm, but I don't know.

"Hey!" I shouted from above, grabbing his attention along with some of the other men with him. He blushed upon seeing me, making me roll my eyes at him before regaining my composure. "What did Straw Hat do?"

"Haven't you heard?" Paulie shouted back. I shook my head no, resting my arms on the ledge of the rooftop. "He busted into Galley-La."

I laughed a little. "Only here a few days at most and he's stirring up more trouble than we've seen in years."

"Shouldn't you be in a shelter? The storm is coming soon, miss," one of the guys with Paulie spoke up.

"Think I could stay at Galley-La tonight?" I asked Paulie. He shrugged, looking away from me. I smiled, taking that as a yes. "Wait for me! I'll help you look for Straw Hat before we go."

I rushed off the rooftop, leaving my tent in a hurry. I ran down the stairs of the tall building, meeting Paulie and his men on the concrete sidewalk. Paulie looks me up and down, covering his eyes inefficiently. "When will you learn how to dress properly, Ravenna?"

"This is proper. We live on a water island. You're the one wearing like three layers during a tropical storm."

"I'm wearing a t-shirt and a jacket, that's not three," he said, taking a drag from his cigar.

"Close enough."

"Can one of you take her to Dock One with all the other civilians?"

"No, I don't want to go to Dock One, I want to look for Straw Hat. I still have to apologize for those idiots."