Festival | Sanami week 2020
The log-pose clearly had Namiâs ideal in mind when it decided to guide them to that island. Or at least, it looked like it had. Maybe it wasnât the island of her dreams, but it checked many of the boxes. It was like the perfect man, found in reality. It doesnât have all the characteristics one expects, yet it doesnât really matter. It isnât about crossing things out of a list, but the feeling of certainty that came along with him.
At least, thatâs what Nami thought. Not that she knew much about it, anyway.
However, that island had the perfect climate (sun, but with a light breeze), the perfect altitude (there was a beach, and also a mountain), the perfect shape (mapping it would be an easy job)⊠It even had a castle, which was not a priority but it was very welcome. In her fantasy island, there would always be a castle âbecause deep down, she was still fond of fairytales, maybe.
So when she saw a poster than announced a renaissance fair, she gasped. She actually, really gasped. Chopper did, too, which made her feel less lonely; but no less childish. Luffy took the poster from her hands, and decided they had a plan. She took it back with a frown, but she was smiling inside. The tension from the last few weeks (maybe months, maybe years) seemed to lift from her shoulders momentarily. The wind was blowing softly, messing up her hair, and she took a deep breath before starting her path to the village.
 The village was just what she had pictured in her mind: tiny, made up of wooden and stone houses, and sprinkled on all sides by flowers. There was a fresh aroma in the air that seemed to welcome them, as the real habitants did so. Nami was taken aback by their generosity and their invitation to join the festival, especially after Luffy mentioned that they were pirates. The hesitation from the mayor only lasted a few seconds, and Nami felt a sudden burst of excitement inside as they mentioned the competitions.
She arranged everyone in a few seconds: Zoro, Usopp and Franky could take the carpentry contest; Brook, Chopper and Luffy could do their best job as bards and Sanji would master whatever dish they were making in the cooking competition. She trusted Robin enough to let her go as she pleased, and as for herself, gambling was always a safe bet. There was no way they were going back to the Sunny empty-handed.
They all got dressed up for the occasion, with the many costumes they were renting. Nami chose a white and blue dress with bateau neckline that she later accompanied with a fresh-made flower crown that Robin had arranged in a second âChopper asked for one, too. She felt like a princess, and she would have been repulsed by her own lame thoughts if she hadnât been so happy about it. She kept twirling the dress and spinning around, with no apparent reason.
Sanji, however, was sure it had to be on purpose; it had to be destiny to be alive in that same moment as to see an unearthly creature move so gracefully in the sunlight. It was both a blessing and a torture. Slow, painful torture; not being able to hold her in his arms. He would have been her knight, he would be his knight anytime. His first instinct had been to offer his services, swearing all kinds of loyalty to his mistress to anyone who could listen, but it only took a second more of admiring her to throw his usual behavior pattern away. There, as she danced and twirled and kept winning money by the second (she was great at multitasking, as well as with everything else), he realized that he never wanted to be the one to interrupt her happiness.
But her mere presence was costing him the competition, and she was going to kill him for that. The dramatic irony was really shining that day, he thought. She was also glowing, like he had never seen her before. He wouldnât know what it felt like for Robin to discover a new phonegliph, but he figured it had to be something of that kind.
The turkey legs were burning, and he had put out the fire. He hoped no one would notice, especially after all the condiments and side dishes, but he knew Zeff would have made him re-do the dish. His cook pride was a bit shattered by that realization, but one glance from her made it all worth it. He would do it all again if all his life choices led to that moment.
As he served the judges a taste of his dish, he couldnât help but smile when he imagined her response to a comment like that. She would roll her eyes, or smack him down for saying nonsense. Except he felt like it made perfect sense. He was probably the most sane person in the crew, if anything. There was nothing irrational in giving it all for her, because she was the most extraordinary event that happened to him. He wouldnât be there, in that festival, if it werenât for her. He wouldnât be the man he is, if his path hadnât crossed hers.
Before they announced the prize, he already considered himself a winner. Although when Nami ran to his side and hugged him tight, thatâs when he really won. Part of him knew that part of her was driven by her fierce ambition, but another part of him knew the other part of her. When their eyes met, he felt she was proud of him; and it was enough.
âWhat a beautiful couple!â the oldest judge said, applauding. âAre you running for queen and king of the festival?â
Sanji was about to tell him no when Nami hushed him with her index finger, and asked the old lady to explain further. At the end of the day, people voted for the king and queen of the fair, and theyâd get crowns and share a dance in the main hall of the castle. The idea of wearing a crown (a real, golden one, not the one made from flowers she was wearing) sounded very appealing to her; and the idea of sharing a dance with Nami sounded very appealing to him. They didnât even have to speak to reach a conclusion, their silent agreement.
Arm in arm (Nami said to keep appearances, and Sanji was not going to complain about it), they signed their names in the voting booth; and went on with the festivities. Once in a while, their paths would meet, coincidentally when there was a crowd nearby, and they would share public affection that only hurt a little to Sanji when he remembered they were doing it for the show. It was a small price to pay.
At noon, the mayor gathered all the contestants in two lines, separating them both. Nami held his hand until the very moment they had to pull apart, and Sanji felt the ghost of her hand still on his throughout the whole ceremony. He could see the man talking, but he wasnât really paying attention. The other girls looked beautiful, but Nami glowed like no one else. She was looking at him, and although her smile was confident, he could feel her pulling strength out of him. He straightened his spine, and let out a deep breath that she imitated. She smirked when he did, and Sanji kept the impression game by winking at her. He couldnât believe it when she winked back over her shoulder. He was so struck that he couldnât think of anything else, not even his name.
The crowd cheered and it wasnât until that moment that he really processed that it wasnât his own mind but an outside voice who pronounced his name. Precisely, the man who was walking with a crown. He stood tall as they put the crown in his head, and proceeded to gesture wildly at Nami. She let out an inaudible laugh, that somehow got to his ears right before they announced her name.
For a moment, Nami thought about throwing away the flower crown just like a bouquet and seeing who would catch it. But she couldnât do that to Robin, who put all her effort in it, and gave it to the gorgeous girl that she had next to her. The golden crown that was placed in her head was made out of plastic, which came out as a disappointment; but the winning was the finishing touch of the day. The crown jewel of the festival.
The music started playing almost immediately, and both parties pushed Nami and Sanji close together. Nami, who until that moment found pleasure in being the protagonist of the tale, began to feel nervous and agitated. Shy, even. The touch with Sanjiâs hand made her more comfortable, and she remembered why she wanted him to share the spotlight with her.
âThank you.â She told him, only loud enough for him to hear.
Sanji kept swaying, knowing that the moment would soon be over, and he would have to return to reality; knowing that all good things come to an end.
âYou needed a partner.â He said, stating the obvious. âIâm always at your service, milady.â
âActually I didnât need one. Queen and king are two separate categories.â She told him, which confused him even more. âI kind of⊠wanted you here.â
Sanji froze, and Nami had to guide the dance as well as the conversation.
âI feel safer when youâre around. I guess that whole knight thing has gotten into me in the end.â She laughed, quietly. âPlus, I like fooling people. But I didnât want to fool you.â
Sanji opened his mouth to talk, but the firework show started and everyone lifted their heads up, including her. He stood there, watching her pointing at the sky with the biggest smile; and a greatest sense of tenderness overflowed his heart. Because she liked fooling people, but not him. Because she wanted him there. Because they could be, even if it was only for one night, the king and queen of the fair.
Authorâs note: Iâm so sorry this came in so late, but I guess itâs better late than ever. I hadnât really had much time lately, but I couldnât miss Sanami week! Itâs been a blast, as always. Iâm going to miss waking up to a new prompt.
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