Moderating Manners // One Piece Various x Female Oc

Teary Tantrums

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Keys:-

"Talking"

'Thinking'

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Flashback -- if it is more than two words.

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Teary Tantrums

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It was only when Vivi's figure completely disappeared behind the double doors that Hiriko faced the group. With a sheepish grin, she approached them.

"I —" she started, an apology most likely prepared. She was interrupted though, rather brutally too. When she was just close enough to the cage, perhaps a few inches less than a foot, a hand reached out from the bars and latched onto her arm. Before she could even express her shock, Hiriko was pulled forward, the strength of the pull slamming her against the metal bars. A groan of pain was forcefully pushed down as the sea tones dug into her battered skin. She looked up, her eyes shining with confusion. Her bright eyes met a pair of large teary brown eyes.

Before her, Nami trembled in her spot, her hands clutching Hiriko's forearms and her nails digging into her tan skin. Hiriko's gaze softened as she watched the orange haired female struggle with her words, far too emotional to come up with anything coherent. The pain and concern painted on her expression spoke volume of her attachment to the brunette, yet Hiriko was too busy gently rubbing away Nami's tears to think too deeply about them. Or so she'd tell herself.

'She's just overwhelmed with fear,' Hiriko would try to convince herself, afraid of getting over her head. Yet, deep inside, a part of her thrummed and hummed happily at the thought of having someone be so worried for her.

"Why would you do that?!" Nami finally spoke, letting go of Hiriko's left hand as she finally seemed to take note of her unnecessarily tight grip. Tenderly, she brought up her hand up to Hiriko's bruised cheek instead. "You're all beaten up...I shouldn't have brought you with us..." the last part was mumbled at a tone too low for the brunette to pick up.

'Damn it! I just stopped!' The navigator angrily thought but wasn't able to force her hands off Hiriko long enough to rub her tears away. Hiriko seemed to have it covered though, gently sweeping her thumb under Nami's eyes. Her expression was so kind and welcoming that Nami found herself slipping away from reality and into a false sense of security as she gazed into orbs of pure gold.

"I am fine, Nami-san." Hiriko insisted, "Please, preserve for a little while longer. I will find a way to open the cage." hoping that would be enough to encourage the navigator to hold on for just a bit longer, Hiriko forced her gaze away from Nami. She let her eyes meet those of everyone in the cage, trying to convey her determination.

Her determined gaze only faltered momentarily when she met the eyes of Smoker. She observed him for a minute, seemingly shocked to see him there. Soon though, a smile bloomed onto her lips.

Completely detaching herself from Nami, Hiriko bowed to the marine. "Hello! My name is Hiriko! I hope you can pardon my late introduction, I was momentarily occupied. Nevertheless, it's truly a pleasure to meet you, Captain Smoker-san."