I'm Here For Rev

[boxobeans]

Starter for @tessofbaterilla

You know, when one joined a pirate crew, you don't often expect to find babysitting on your list of duties. But it seemed this was an exception.

Mihawk was off doing something dangerous, no doubt. And Crocodile had little to no interest in caring for the little stray. And Buggy... well. He was Buggy, and really shouldn't be trusted with the wellbeing of any small creature that couldn't yet reach the top of a stove.

Which left Tess as the most reasonable option to be found. At least Melon was well behaved, coloring away while sitting on the ground beside the adult she'd been briefly entrusted to. Melon dragged her blue crayon against the paper that her adoptive father had provided her with, all along the bottom with spikes here and there to make 'waves'. Then the blue was dropped back into the pile of colors, a emerald sort of green being plucked up and used in turn to make a sort of buffer stick figure. Her tongue was sticking out, ever so slightly, pinched between her teeth as she concentrated hard on filling in all except the face.

One tap against the paper, then two. Then Melon at last turned her face up to look at Tess- whom she'd yet to say more than a few short words to.

"How heavy do you think the mean scar face man is?"

[drculeeyed]

Fingers continued to work into the muscles as he felt Shanks practically melt against his handiwork. His only response at first was a slow, steady hum as he finished up before retreating to position the other so he might further lay on his lap. The compliment only drew a snort from Mihawk, though the swordsman leaned over so that only Shanks might see the smile that crept up his features.

"I am a master swordsman, deft in all sort of matters that require my hands, Captain." He said teasingly before he let said hands sneak up to rest on both of Shanks' cheeks. "Don't act so surprised."

[boxobeans]

To have the worries and stresses worked out of his muscles with such gentle care, to have himself moved as to once again lay on the other's lap. To be graced with such a joyful sight as a smile from Dracule Mihawk of all people.

All this could easily have him thinking that he had died and gone off to heaven… Not that Shanks thought that he’d end up at the pearly gates. No, no he certainly wasn’t bound for whatever paradise existed- if any.

“If I could look at this all day, for the rest of my life…” He whispered to his companion, eyes closing again at the warm touch of palms to his cheeks. Opening again as to gaze up at Mihawk. To take in as much of this moment as he possibly could. “I would live and die a happy man.”

[drculeeyed]

@boxobeans sent: "Sooo~" Mango hummed, giving a slight huff as she sat down across from the sharp-eyed swordsman that her captain fancied so. She lifted one arm, placing an unopened bottle of some fancy red wine onto the table between them. Off to the side, Shanks was trying to endear himself to the young Melon. It wasn't going too well. He seemed too loud for her... but he would adjust soon enough. He was good with kids... most of the time. "You picked up a little Sea Devil daughter, I see. Any questions? I'd be happy to try and make things a little bit easier on you. We aren't the easiest to raise, I assure you of that..."

When it came to his constant companion, Mihawk always kept some manner of Concentration on her. No matter where Melon ran off to, Mihawk was aware of it, unless all of his attention needed to be diverted away from her. That was why, for the moment, he was well assured that she was in good hands while Shanks. For the moment, he might let his constant guard down at least for a second. Enough to engage with Mango.

His hand reached out to grip the neck of the bottle of wine, pulling it back so that he might look at the label. A vintage from Mary Geoise. He did wonder what Celestial Dragon home Shanks had raided in order to get it. The thought alone caused the faintest hint of a smirk to grace Mihawk's lips before he settled to look back at Mango, then to Melon, then back to Mango.

"She is...a conundrum to me, sometimes. I am even truly unsure of what she is or what she could be capable of. I do not know the right way to protect her sometimes, though I have done what I can to keep her safe."

[boxobeans]

One arm lifted, elbow on the table, her cheek sitting comfortably in her hand. Tired red eyes were set solidly on Mihawk, as Mango did what she did best. She read him. Thoughts laid out before her eyes like lines in a book, laying things bare. Though she didn't delve too deep. She never did with those she valued.

Just those surface thoughts, those that would tell her if this man spoke truth or lies. And it seemed... truth. There was care in there. The seed of care that had been planted, and was tended to each day by Melon's presence in his life.

Mango closed her eyes, smiling a wide grin- though she bared no teeth. "Well, from an outsider's view... you're doing good."

She sat back in that chair, turning to look again at Melon and Shanks. He seemed to be telling her some dramatic story, and though Melon was still nervous, she was listening intently. "Let's see... basics first I suppose. We're essentially like devil fruit users. We each have a power, we can sink in water if not careful, and we need food and water like any other person. Uhhh..." Eyes turned up, trying to think of anything that might seem obvious to her, but wouldn't be to outsiders. "Oh! We pass memories along through our lives. You'll need to take her to the graveyard so she can find her old life's bones. Pack food and water, it takes a few days and the island is pretty barren. I'll get you a map for that."

[drculeeyed]

That response drew a snort from Mihawk, but they both knew the answer. The swordsman enjoyed Shanks' company, though be it far from him to admit it. Shanks also knew how just to press his buttons in a way to make sure he didn't snap back. A sigh escaped him as he fully pulled up his hat from his face and sat up so as to lean over the captain. He tilted his head, intense gaze locked down as he saw the other cracking his bones.

"I came along because we are going to the same location and I saw no need for my ship to face the waves if it is unneeded. That being said, yes. Though you truly will no good for your men in a stupor. Come here."

Long fingers snaked down to press up against the back of Red-Hair's shoulders, finding the knots that had begun to lodge there. A steady kneading of his fingertips in an attempt to ease the tension.

[boxobeans]

There was certainly truth in those words. A captain worn out wasn't much help to his crew, should they encounter an enemy ship upon these open seas. That being said, he had confidence in his crew. As well as his reputation. Any that were foolish enough to attack them might well find an exhausted Shanks far less forgiving than a well rested one. He had been more than content to doze there on Mihawk's lap. Letting the gentle rock of the waves and the warmth of his companion lull him to unconsciousness. But then, fingers pressed securely into tight flesh. Pressure built from working away through the long and stormy night. The strong hands of the swordsman were something he hadn't expected- but it was more than welcome right now. "Nng... that's nice..." His voice was a low groan, feeling as the tension points stood no chance against the other. And dear god, it felt good. "Where'd you get so good at massages, huh? You've got magic in those hands, Hawk-eye."

[drculeeyed]

@boxobeans

When the blood finished dripping from the end of his blade, the area around him was splattered in red. Those who had tried in their own vanity to escape had found themselves unable to get far, as the black blade had cleaved them in two as clean as a surgeons knife. All the while, the man on the other end had remained calm, as this had only been business.

A pity on them that they had been on the opposing end of said business.

It hadn't been personal, at first, but when he had noticed the cage where a young child had sat, it had certainly become so. So, foolish would-be traffickers had found themselves cleaved by a force of nature, their contracts long since severed as clean as their heads from the World Government.

The former Warlord cleaned his blade upon the cloth of some fallen minions soiled pants, then he glanced to the cage. Quick work on the lock sent it shattered to the ground, and once again he felt himself complete as the weight of Yoru once more rested upon his shoulders. He looked down at the child within, unable to guess her age, but enough to know that she had no place there.

"You are free." He stated, tone matter-of-fact, before he turned on his heel to go. "Best be gone before more of them come searching for you."

[boxobeans]

It had been a sad sort of acceptance that had gripped Melon’s heart. To find herself waking under the boughs of a grand plum tree- with no memories to call her own. Then to be quickly grabbed up by those loud, rough men. Grabbed and thrown into a cage. Sitting on the cold metal as the criminals spoke of selling her off to the highest bidder. Hours were spent like that, boiling under the heat whilst they worked.

Then, like a blessed cold wind, a pure force of nature approached. Spreading death with the slightest movement of his massive weapon. Cleaving them any which way, whilst they simply… fell. Dropping into pools of their own violent red.

With the men dead, the walking disaster in the form of a human approached her in turn. And with a motion, the lock was split, and the door swung open. Freedom.

But what was freedom? Melon had just awoken here in this place. She had no family, no home, no life to go back to- at least as far as her limited memories told her. Steadily, Melon pulled herself to her feet, staring up at the darkly dressed man. He turned to go, and she followed without a second thought. Bare feet padding after him, staying only a few feet back at most.

Freedom was fine. But better to stick to the one who graced her with it.

[drculeeyed]

Mihawk didn't move from his position, even as Shanks adjusted himself so as to get more comfortable. He felt the other settle against him like a dog basking in sunlight, but he made no complaints. He simply let the other get comfortable again.

"How many times are you going to use that exuse?" He hummed, finally tilting his hat upwards so as a singular rounded yellow pupil could lock down on the redhead. Though it wasn't present on his features, the smirk was evident in his tone to one who knew how best to listen.

[boxobeans]

"How many times are you gonna accept that excuse?" Shanks hums out, stretching his neck from one side to the other. There's a few pops from the tense muscles that had been without proper rest. It made him feel old. One eye opened up, catching with Mihawk's gorgeous golden ones. A slight grin flashed his way, even as tired as his features were. "All things considered, you seem quite content to have me sprawled here too. Or are you gonna tell me you aren't enjoying this too?"

[drculeeyed]

@boxobeans for Shanks

-----------

"Did you even sleep last night?" mumbled an annoyed tone from the swordsman from beneath his hat. "You run yourself ragged sometimes."

[boxobeans]

There's a yawn as Shanks stretched his arm upward, leaning back until he fell the rest of the way, laying comfortably prone in the other's lap.

"How was I supposed to get any rest? Knowing that I'd get to lay my tired head in your lap the next day~" In truth, there had been a rough patch of storm. And while his crew would have been able to handle the ship without him, he was never the sort to sit idle in such a situation. So he'd been up there with them, securing the ropes and keeping their course.

[horroreverent]

At first glance, there was no one there. No response for Ethan's arrival save for the cold wind that blew in through the corridors like a living thing. The whole castle seemed to breathe as the darkness seemingly pulled the man and his child closer into the depths of the castle, down into the courtyard. The place looked like it hadn't been lived in in years, with doors half off the hinges and swinging in the wind. However, the building ahead of them had a warm glow coming from within, indicating a fire. At it's entrance stood a man, tall and powerful in stature. Though his face was eskewed by the darkness, it was apparent a piercing gaze was pushing towards Ethan.

"You have traveled far to become so lost within the confines of my lands." rumbled a voice that seemingly inhabited the whole of the courtyard, like a living thing all of its own. The man took a step to the side, hands spread out as though to invite Ethan to enter further. Without waiting for a response, the man turned and disappeared into the confines of the castle, expecting the other to follow him.

"Come."

[boxobeans]

Ethan was taking steps almost without realizing, being drawn in by a force beyond him.  Guided by the promise of warmth, and the piercing eyes that fixed upon his body.  The rough voice shook him for a moment, as though something had reached out and gripped his ribs in clawed hands.  And rattled them suddenly.  He was frightened.  He was lured.  All from a presence that was well beyond him.

Then Rose made a sound.  A soft little cough noise, as she adjusted in the little blanket burrito she was wrapped up in.  It was a switch flipped in his brain, the snap of a magician to draw you from your trance.  He held her close to his chest, letting her take what warmth he had to give as he, with no doubts to be had in his head, followed behind the stranger.  Into the building that promised shelter from the storm.

“Thank you.”  He stated simply, getting them inside and to the warmth that the two both craved.  The fear that had gripped his heart was simply gone, pushed out by the far stronger need to keep his daughter alive.  He would not have her freeze to death after everything they'd gone through.  “We were on a trail but I lost it in the storm.  Between the cold and the weather we'd probably have frozen to death out there.”  They wouldn't have.  The mold wouldn't let them.  But he didn't need to get into all that with a stranger.  Speaking of which, he turned about, looking for that mysterious figure.

[boxobeans]

@horroreverent

He knew there was a stranger in his territory before Ethan had even had first contact with the wolves. They had descended upon the traveling man and the child as readily as any creature could, driving him from the paths to make their way to the location he wanted him to go--the castle before him. The dogs had done their duty, tearing at his heels and herding him to their Lord's home until he was within the confines of Orlok's clutches.

Before Ethan could even knock on the doors, they began to swing open, the dogs immediately retreating back away to stand guard near the far end of the bridge. Ears perked, glinting in the dark, making sure to keep track until the only direction that Ethan could go would be within. Within the courtyard, no one waited, though the shuffling of bodies indicated someone, or something, was nearby. As soon as Ethan took a step inside, there was little chance for retreat, for the doors immediately swung close, baring themselves shut from escape. No where else for him to go but in.

The door opened before him, and the wolves retreated to the end of the bridge.  Yet, no person in sight.  Distracted by the situation, he didn't give much thought as he took a few steps into the grand courtyard.  Wanting out from the watching wolves gaze, and safety for his child.  It was only when doors swung shut and bared that he at last gave pause.

Ethan stared back at the door, his face falling.  “Fuuuu….”  He shook his head, turning himself forward once again.  He could handle himself, he knew he could.  The only worry he had was for his little, crying girl.  A few more steps, bouncing Rose in hopes of helping her relax.

“Hello?”  He called out.  “Anyone there?”  Rose was clutched closer to him, where her little fists held his jacket as best she could.  “The, uh… door wasn’t locked and… very sorry to just come in.  It’s storming really badly and some wild dogs were biting at me so…”  Ethan turned about, trying to see anyone, anything.  A sign of life in this place so he could mayhaps put the thundering paranoia in the back of his mind to rest.  “Could my daughter and I stay?  At least until the storm passes by?”