One Piece: Sorrow's Cold Embrace (SSW Backstory)

Chapter 17

3rd person POV

It was a day before new years, and like always, we celebrate it. We are the only residents of Dung town who celebrate anything. Granny Lilo was working extra hard to hopefully earn a bit extra belli, but we all know that infuriating doctor isn't going to be so kind. We made it work either way. With the things we steal, we make enough every year to make sure we can celebrate the new year.

Angie was using her new pan, that we stole for her, to bake a small cake. The pan was easier to find than the incredients needed to make the cake. Mikey, Winifred and Silver were making decorations out of newspapers and things we found in the forest, like sticks, rocks and wild flowers. Leo and Donny were making a small banner out of old clothing. Ralph, Charlie and I was left with the cleaning. Which we complained about the whole day as we worked.

"Would you two shut up!" Ralph snapped at the two whining duo that was sweeping the floors. Charlie and Saphira ignored him as they continued with their whining. Ralph was getting pissed with their lazy asses. Saphira was sweeping the floor slowly and sluggishly. Charlie was on his knees with a bucket of water and an old rag, scrubbing the floors behind her. "Leave them be, Ralph. You know it's useless shouting at them." Angie was done with the batter and put the pan in the small brick oven.

The brick oven was handmade, so it was crooked and really small, but Angie made it work. Winifred excitedly presented to everyone her bouquet of sticks and wild flowers. "Look, look! I made it with blu' flowers. Granny likes blu'." Angie and Leo immidiately praised her for her lovely work. Silver patted her on the head as her type of praise. Winifred smiled happily at the praises she recieved.

And like always, she turned her attention to Ralph. Ralph frowned and groaned, knowing what's coming next. "Dung, praise me!" Charlie and Saphira can't help but snicker. Ralph gave us the stink eye before crouching in front of Winifred. "Good job." He ruffled her hair, "And stop calling me Dung, it's Ralph." Winifred smiled happily for finally receiving his praise. "Thanks Dung!" She giggled before returning to the table.

Ralph grit his teeth as he deflates in defeat. It's been two years and she was still calling him Dung. He couldn't be mad at her for he knew who gave her the nickname idea. He turned his frowning eyes at the two snickering idiots that are still cleaning the floor. He was about to go over and kick both their asses when the front door opened with a loud squeek. Granny Lilo came in with her briefcase in hand.

She smiled at her hardworking children. "I see you've all already started with the preparations. I hope you left something for me to do." Granny took off her coat and hung it up by the door. She walked to the kitchen and placed her briefcase under the table. She observed the decorations the young group was making. "Oh, blue flowers! They are so pretty!" Winifred's smile widend as her cheeks became red with a blush.

No one could top a praise from Granny Lilo, it seems. Granny Lilo moved to help Angie with the rest of the baking goods. It was nice seeing everyone working hard together, except for two, as they all can't seem to wait for the day of celebration to come. When we all finished with everything that had to be done, we started getting ready for dinner.

Saphira, unwillingly, helped Angie set up the table as everyone else lined up at the bathroom to wash their hands. Granny Lilo had strick rules, but it wasn't something that bothered any of us. The rules imply that everyone gets a turn to do a chore, also that we must keep the house clean. We are to always make our beds and fold our clothes. No one leaves the house after dark, a rule that the group of thieves breakes every now and then.

Most chores given are of cleaning the house, washing the dishes and laundry. Also, who makes food and who sets up the table. Usually, Saphira and Angie make the food, sometimes Granny Lilo does too but because she works late we do it most of the time.