@whitebeards-16th-commander continued from here
The pretty man was certainly far more polite than anyone on Joras, even the rich families that lived in the fancy old mansions further inland. Ikkaku wondered if his kimono was warm enough for the island’s damp weather, too, or if the shiny fabric would be ruined by the cold, damp mist. Beautiful things never seemed to last long on Joras. Not unless they were tough and ready to fight back.
That’s why her grandfather had been training her. He didn’t want her to be claimed by the gloom that engulfed the island. Some day, she’d set out to sea and break free of Joras’ clutches.
For now, though, Ikkaku merely nodded at the visitor, suspicions regarding his identity confirmed. “Yeah, that’s my Gramps. And good; your father’d better not be looking for a fight. If Whitebeard accidentally breaks the lighthouse with his powers, the Great Dreamer will rise up to destroy the island and we’ll all be screwed,” she said matter-of-factly.
But even the risk of an eldritch being awakened couldn’t dampen her excitement at being invited to visit Whitebeard’s ship, dark eyes lighting up with glee. Her sailing experience had been limited to the occasional trip on the lobster boat, so already he had her attention.
Uncrossing her arms, Ikkaku beckoned the stranger inside the cottage attached to the lighthouse. “C’mon in. If the invite’s for Gramps, you should talk to him. I’m guessing Whitebeard didn’t come himself because he couldn’t fit through the door, huh? Is he really twenty feet tall, or is that just an exaggeration?” she asked, curious and eager to learn how many of her grandfather’s stories had been embellished.
Almost as an afterthought, she stuck out her hand boldly. “I’m Ikkaku, by the way.”
Izo listened to her speak with a small smile, nodding a bit to her words and serious tone. “Of course, pops would never wish for destruction to befall your island. Though you wouldn’t have to worry, my brother Marco would have scolded him before he even got the chance.”
Her excitement was quite evident to Izo, the mention of visiting the Moby Dick must have been enough to dampen her suspicions at least a little. Following her inside, he looked around the cottage with interest, even years after leaving his home it was always a pleasure to see different islands.
Laughing softly at her curiosity, Izo gave her a short nod. “Oh no its quite true. He is a rather tall and large man, sending one of his children was the easier option. I gather that your grandfather has spoken of him before?” Izo had no doubt that the young girl would be shocked at the sight of his pops when she arrived on the ship. Whitebeard was a giant man after all, and to anyone it would undoubtedly be a shock.
When the young girl paused and stuck out her hand in greeting, Izo did the same. With a firm shake of her hand, he offered a smile. “Its wonderful to meet you Ikkaku. My name is Izo, and I am very excited to have you and your grandfather come visit if he is alright with that.”
Dark eyes widened in wonderment when Izo confirmed that, indeed, Whitebeard was as tall as Gramps claimed. There had been a few nights when she was little when the old sailor had scolded her for staying up too late, saying that if she didn’t go to bed on time, Whitebeard would peer through the window and steal her away.
Once she’d gotten older she’d stopped believing those stories, but now she wondered if they were based on a grain of truth.
“Yeah, Gramps tells me stuff. Like how your old man nearly killed him a few times,” she replied bluntly. Her tone softened a bit as she added, “And how he’s the one who brought Gramps home.”
Ikkaku could vaguely remember it. She was maybe a few days away from turning four when a great whale with sails had appeared in the bay. A few hours later, an old man had swept her up into his arms, practically sobbing with happiness and promising he’d never leave again.
She really hoped Gramps would let her go to the ship. She needed to thank Whitebeard for that.
She stopped by the fireplace to add another log to the blaze, pausing to pet the enormous dog who’d been roused from his nap by the visitor but didn’t see any reason to move from his bed unless he dared threaten the girl. At the top of the stairs sat a black cat who watched the proceedings haughtily before skulking off to catch rats.
The fire now blazing to keep the damp chill of the island out of the cottage, Ikkaku climbed onto the kitchen counter to fetch some cups and a kettle from the high cupboard. They didn’t have guests often, so she wasn’t used to showing hospitality. Didn’t mean she wouldn’t try, though. She could make a decent enough cup of coffee at least. Well, Gramps said it was decent enough. “He should be back soon. Had to go into town to pick up some new tools. Is there anything we’re supposed to bring to dinner? I think Gramps has moonshine, or I could maybe whip up a blueberry pie.” For as few guests as the lighthouse got, Tomasu and Ikkaku were invited over to other homes even less, so she wasn’t really familiar on social protocol.
Izo followed after the girl, looking around just a bit before they fully stepped inside. As she spoke he smiled, giving a small shake of his head at the mention of bringing anything. "No no, it's not required or expected. If you wish to of course we will happily accept, but only your company is needed. Our chef, Thatch, will be happy to have more guests to try his food." At the mention of the man his smile softened. "He may be a bit overzealous with his questions though, please feel free to tell him to shut up."
Looking around the room they were in, he turned back to face the young girl. "You have a lovely home Ms. Ikkaku, I do thank you once more for allowing me inside." Accepting the offered coffee, Izo gave her a little nod of thanks and a smile.
"Do you have any interest in the sea young lady? Don't worry we would never take you away from your grandfather." He was quick to add the last part. Izo was unsure of how much the girl knew, and was aware that Pop's... reputation with occasionally snagging his children was well known. "But I noticed you seem to have an interest in ships, have you ever been on one? The Moby is quite a looker of I must say, though of course I am rather biased."
Taking a sip of the coffee he pulled over what to say before perking up. "Have you ever shot a gun?" Maybe it was not the most appropriate conversation for a child but he himself had dealt with weaponry from quite a young age after all. "My sister had a gun when she was about your age? Perhaps a bit younger. Perhaps a sword would be better...Ah- I apologize, weapons are a personal favorite of mine I get lost rather easily."
