Two Hearts

Project Beloved and Slimy Toads

Law stared down at the receiver, feeling nothing. Crush it. She didn't think she could be saved. She would rather be dead. Crush it. The certainty had rang through her slurred words. He stood in silence in the communications room.

He had been there since Aisuru's heart had started beating erratically. First he tried sitting in the singular white chair in the room, but he couldn't sit still. So he had been pacing until the snail rang. He knew it would be her.

Maybe I should just keep her, and give her to Doffy as a welcome home present?

The words had too many implications to process.

"Captain?" Bepo tightened his grip Kikoku.

"Let's go, Bepo-ya. It seems I'm needed to perform an operation." Law lead the way into town. He didn't find any interest in the people or their dogs. He was going to that theatre, and he was going to take Sam apart, piece by piece.

So intent was he on his goal that he didn't see the old woman sweeping. He ran straight into her, almost sending them both to the ground. Fortunately, Bepo managed to keep Law upright, and Law was able to keep the grey old woman on her feet. She grabbed the front of his jacket as she lost her balance.

"Sorry," he muttered, stepping around her.

"Kids these days," she lamented, putting her hand into the deep pocket of her blue suit, "Have no manners!"

Bepo bowed awkwardly mumbling apologies until he was forced to run in order to catch up with the captain. "Captain! Captain, she put something in her pocket."

"I doubt it was anything important." Law shoved the heavy glass doors open.

The entry room was a large circular building with concessions at the back, and restrooms to the right. Standing in line was a disgruntled Marine with pink hair and blue glasses. He smirked, stalking up behind him. He put an arm around the marine's shoulders. "Yo. Coby-ya."

"EEHHHHEHH!?" Coby's head jerked around. His face was white, mouth open in outright terror. "T-tr-t-tra-"

"Shhhh," Law put a finger to his own lips, "I'm looking for someone very important, and I think you may have seen her come through here."

"Ah-ah...." Coby looked as though he might faint. "I-I haven't seen anybody..."

Laws free hand turned over, displaying a wide circle of air. "I'm not sure you're telling me the truth, Coby-ya. Do you remember what happens to people who lie to me?"

He stuttered some incoherent syllables for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. Finally he reached a conclusion. "I- uh- i mean.. Yes, but I'm not... Oh, oh no..." His already terror stricken face seemed to register something even more awful as he turned faintly green. "But she's probably... Oh boy, I could so get fired for this..."

Law's patience was wearing thin. "Room." the circle of power enveloped his hand. It would be just enough to accomplish his task. "I'm looking for a woman about a meter and a half tall, thin, with short copper hair. You have five seconds to tell me, and then I'm going to remove your heart. Understand?"

"Y-y-ye-ye-yes." Coby gulped, "Project Beloved was here. She took my transponder snail to the bathroom, and then her partner carried her away..."

Law kept his face neutral. He couldn't afford to scare Coby too badly. He even moved them forward in line as the people progressed. Still, he didn't like the way the Marine referred to his crew. "Tell me a bit about Aisuru-ya. What was the project? Who was her 'partner'?"