Hunger

Chapter 10

Columbina wasn’t sure if she was willing to divulge too many personal details about herself to Buggy. She had a myriad number of questions for him as well, but was too tired to entertain too many of them.

It wouldn’t matter anyway. Their unlikely time together would hopefully be up not too long after the sun peeked over the horizon and any time she spent alone in a room with a strange man she’d historically had to keep conversation brief. Why bother pouring your soul out to someone who was going to be gone in the morning anyway?

That, and if she brought up the subject of Orange Town while around him her tiredness had helped her cross the line from fury to depression and she wasn’t about to start sobbing in front of a decapitated clown head at nearly one in the morning. She’d had enough weird experiences to last her for awhile.

“What’s waiting for you in Havenblight?” Buggy asked as he sipped his rum through a straw that she’d been kind enough to bring with her from the kitchen. “Kind of a seedy place, Pink. Filled with Fishmen who aren’t allied to Arlong. He don’t like that too much.” Buggy thought back to the handful of times his crew had made port at the island. It was a pirate town in name but from his understanding there was some kind of agreement between the marines and the captain of a pirate crew known as the Charleston Pirates who had the majority of businesses on the island fronting for them. It mostly operated as an adult entertainment and red-light district but was also a convenient spot for pirates down on their luck to stop and have a respite, stock up on supplies. Buy a whore or two for the evening, which was Cabaji and Mohji’s favorite reason for going there, Buggy himself indulging on occasion if the mood hit him.

“I’ve got business there,” Columbina said. “I came from Indigo Town and unfortunately there’s not much income to be made there these days if you’re not a fisherman or the son of one.”

Buggy’s eyes fell on Columbina’s left hand, prompting his next question. He’d noticed there wasn’t a ring on her left finger. “Business, huh?” From what he knew of the reasons why a woman her age would go unaccompanied to Havenblight his interest was piqued. “Any kind of beau or someone waitin’ for ya?” A client or two, if my wager is correct...

“Maybe.”

“Boyfriend? Girlfriend?”

“Both, perhaps.”

Her answer caused Buggy to turn all of his attention towards her, his eyes alive with intrigue. Columbina noticed the way his eyes crinkled at the edges as he smiled, the lines emphasizing their shape and drawing attention to the fact that they were very, very blue. He laughed, the sound a raspy giggle that suddenly had her skin tingling for reasons she couldn’t discern.

“So she’s not the boring person she’s trying to convince me she is.”

“Maybe I am,” Columbina said, “And maybe I’m not.”

“So you gonna keep me guessing or are you gonna elaborate for me? She cooks, she fights,” She’s got a smart mouth and great set of tits, “She travels, right now to the biggest pleasure district in the East Blue. That’s interesting enough for me. Makes me wonder what’s so great about these paramours she’s just mentioned.”

“Oh?” Columbina nursed her rum, swirling it around in its glass. A sly smile played along her lips. “And pray tell, why would the great Captain Buggy of all people be interested in some rando’s love life?” He smiled as she emphasized the word great, his beautiful eyes gleaming at her.

Beautiful ? Why in the East Blue Hell had that thought just entered her brain? Okay, so, thoughts were just thoughts, right? They didn’t particularly mean anything, right? Okay, Bina, so you’re alone with a dude and your Hunger is making you ache everywhere right now. Yep, that’s gotta be it. Nothing that great about him; you’re just desperate. Shut it off, shut it off, shut it off. Severed clown pirate head is not a kink we’re willing to explore right now!