Dolffie frowned, his face darkening as he contemplated.
Eastern Dead Forest.
Angels.
His Treasure.
It was all becoming such a hustle, maybe it always was and he was now just realizing it, the sheer absurdity of his mission. After all, even if he did manage to break in- which he surely would, somehow- there was no guarantee his target would accept what he had to offer, let alone come with him- follow him to the very end. But... force was always an option in his arsenal.
If his treasure had other plans, then by all means, he would use any and every duress to make him obey.
Dolffie sighed as he stuffed the folded map back into the hidden pocket along his calf and slumped to the ground. He crossed his legs and leaned his head against the wall, then looked up at the shifting sky, a dazed expression veiling his features. It was high noon now. The sun was blazing, standing habitually mighty, right in the centre of this accursed world.
Yes, the Sun, he will become the Sun. He will stand above all else and burn any and all obstructing his rightful path. As such, he will not just become the next Crown Godfather, but transcend him. He will conquer and grasp all the Sovereign couldn't, become what he failed to: the God to their complete Godless world.
His face was marred in shadow as he gazed upon his raised arm and beheld his crimson marks, his sins. For a brief moment, his eyes once again lost their hue, fading to a lifeless grey as an emptiness befell his features. He stared at the marks; they were prominent and red, like fresh, burning blood coating his skin forever, like shining, crimson beams telling the world and reminding him... of what he had done- his sins... They hurt. They always burned.
'So, what's more going to change?' he lamented inwardly.
...He needed a drink. Now.
His mind was wondering into unpleasant places he didn't particularly wish to visit at a time like this- or ever really. He dropped his hand and shook his head in a poor attempt to clear his mind then got up to leave.
He sucked in a quick breath and exhaled before repeating the notion.
"Come on, come on. You're a river- or stream- gentle and calm. Flowing-calm and sweet. Ya. I'm calm and sweet."
"Hm-hm..."
His therapy session quickly ended when he was interrupted by someone clearing their throat behind him.
Dolffie's cheeks flushed in horror as he screamed internally, 'Someone heard that!'
"Sorry! You can pass." He sheepishly moved aside but refused to confront the stranger and instead opted for facing the wall in utter mortification.
'Damn it! Why aren't you leaving?!' He could feel the person just... standing there.
The stranger let out the most elegant and sensuous laugh Dolffie had ever heard before requesting, "May I have a word, Dolly B. Dolffie?"
Dolffie's sense of embarrassment quickly faded to caution. He took note of every stone, debris and rubble at his feet in case the situation got... delicate, and thanked himself for remaining close to the alley exist. He was luckily just a few meters away from the bright market. He pondered the identity of person: thief? thug? before turning around...
Dolffie was fairly certain every ear in the market herd the echo of his jaw slamming hard on the littered ground as he beheld... the most beautiful being he had ever seen. To say he was overshadowed and outdone would be an understatement.
Eyes of such piercing, deep and rich crimson they appeared razer-crystal-like. Skin so fair and smooth it looked to be made of the finest glazed porcelain. Short, wavy hair so pale and silky it seemed to have been crafted from threats of wispy snow. And his voice, so soft and sensuous, like a sweet and gentle melody to the soul.
The person, adorned in fine scarlet, looked like a rose.
Dolffie wasn't internally ashamed to admit if he had such beauty, the world would never hear the end of it... or see him dressed. But, he supposed that was the main difference between them: unlike him, whose beauty shone through his loud, flamboyant and ostentatious nature in regard to every one of his assets, the stranger's beautifully instead lied in their aura and demeanour; so quiet, yet possessing a noticeable confidence and elegance that did not need them to speak or be pretentious to be conveyed or understood. The walking definition of perfection... He was truly envious.
"Mr Dolffie?"
Dolffie's jaw swiftly shut into place as he snapped from his thoughts that will never be voiced. To him, the audible admission that another is more beautiful than himself is equivalent to acceding defeat and burning alive in the pit of failure- unacceptable.
...He suddenly released...
"How do you know my name? I don't believe you and I have ever met before."
'Of course we have never met! I will carry a vision of that face to my death.' He agonised inwardly, though outwardly, he maintained a cool and nonchalant demeanour and posture that also made his suspicion and distrust transparent. He lost the battle of looks but not swagger- redemption was possible.
The stranger made a face before looking him up and down, sighing and pulling out a folded piece of paper from their pocket.
The unknown associate merely tossed the paper at him before resting their hand on their hip, looking more bored than impressed or amused.
Dolffie caught the paper- a wanted poster- and superficially frowned in dissatisfaction at the attitude, though internally he admired the stranger's coolness- he had once again been defeated, in a battle of prance no less.
He read the poster:
[ALIVE]
[Criminal: Goes by Dolly B. Dolffie]
[Crime: Impersonation of Government Official. Destruction, misuse and theft of Military gear.]
[Description: Female, roughly 5ft and 7 inches. Absurdly long black braid, about ankle length. Ashy pale skin (caution: suspected illness). Forest green eyes. Crimson tattoo that covers entire forearms.]
[Reward: 500,000 Tokens]
'...Did... they just say I look sick... and ashy?'
There was a brief moment of silence as Dolffie looked at the paper and made a careful mental note to find whoever wrote this thing and have their arms as payment.
He grumbled and pouted then faced the stranger and flatly asked, "You Gov or just a Skipper?"
(Note: Skipper refers to a Skip Tracer, a person who hunts and captures fugitives for a cash (Token) reward)
"Neither." The person curtly replied before clarifying, "I merely wish to have a word with you."
"Regarding?" Dolffie inquired.
"Regarding your next course of action."
"Meaning?" Dolffie narrowed his gaze.
The stranger merely scoffed before advancing toward him till their faces were mere inches apart.
"I can get you into Heaven," they declared.
Dolffie couldn't help showing his surprise as his eyes widened. The stranger just smirked and added, "I know what you want, Dolly B. Dolffie."
Dolffie quickly schooled his face into an indifferent expression, then said darkly, "No one knows what I want."
He looked closer at the stranger, deeper into those crimson eyes. Was it their uniqueness that for some reason reminded him of his own absurd marks? Were they the same cursed crimson? Was it even possible for Sin Markers to brand eyes?
"Alright," the person refused to back down, "I don't know what you want-"
"No one does." Dolffie flatly interrupted. He couldn't help subtly smiling when the stranger's eyes twitched in what looked to be annoyance. He was slowly redeeming himself in their one-sided battle of perfection and nonchalance. No one will ever outdo him, especially in charm and sashay.
"Ha! Alright, no one knows what you want..." They put a hand to their chest and did not just stare at Dolffie, but delve into his gaze and declared with such confidence, "But I can help you get it. I don't need to know it. I can get you anything."
There was silence, a piercing quiet as Dolffie waited for the punch line, but it never came; this person was serious. Not just serious, but determined, certain...
Dolffie was impressed.
He couldn't help grinning with approval as he asked, "How?" He inched his face closer, "How will you give me Heaven and its treasure?"
Dolffie noted the stranger's eyes briefly widening in surprise. Were they not expecting that response? Interesting. But, he had to admitted: they were good; not only could they school their expressions quickly and hide their intentions so effortlessly... they knew the right words to get him going- knew exactly which bone to dangle and get him hungry.
The stranger smirked, a sensuous, covetous smile that could easily get many on their knees, then responded, "My Gift, Over Heaven, it ..."
The more the stranger explained, the wider Dolffie's menacing grin grew. Over Heaven. Perfect, it was so very perfect, exactly what he needed. How lucky he was-
Lucky? Was it coincidence, fate or chance that he met this person?
No. Because there was no such thing as luck, only a person who saw an opportunity... and devoured it.
Dolffie's smile slowly dropped as he interrupted, "Why?"
He needn't provide further clarification to question as the stranger simply paused and looked at him with an undecipherable expression before answering "In due time, I will need you to help me find something- within reason of course."
"How do you know I will find it?"
"You found Heaven, did you not?" They rested their hands on their hips, their gaze not once straying from his.
"What do you want me to find?" Dolffie questioned.
"Help. You will help me find it. And again, I will tell you in due time."
"Why not now?" Dolffie tested
"Why not then?" his associate countered.
"I need to know what I'm signing up for." he challenged.
"I'll tell you now that it's not as crazy as breaking into Heaven," the person smirked- that cheeky, cunning grin.
Dolffie liked this new... development. Its origin, he didn't particularly care. It was useful and that was all that mattered at the moment. If things turned... sour, what are new stains to his arms but more lovely colour to his beautiful body?
"What's your name?" he inquired, smiling.
"Whatever you like," the stranger- man, Dolffie finally determined- crossed his arms and looked at him expectantly.
"Mysterious." Dolffie tittered, "How 'bout..." He took a dramatic step back and fully beheld the man.
They appeared to be around the same height with Dolffie only being a head taller than the young man, whose accent, clothing, and mannerisms indicated he too was foreign to Fish Island. On the subject of clothing, his new comrade seemed to have a fondness for… carrots… Though the patterns were subtle -almost invisible even, unless one were to purposefully look for them- all over the young man's loose black pants and scarlet button-tailored suit vest, which was tightly sinched at the waist over a plain white, long sleeve shirt, and coupled with dark grey, ankle-high boots, were carrots.
Dolffie couldn't help holding back a laugh as he beheld the unique design: carrots of varying sizes and shapes subtly covering every inch of the young man's clothing.
"Carrot Dolly Snow. How 'bout that?"
The young man seemed taken aback and a little embarrassed by the name, but merely arched a brow, "Snow?"
"Your hair. It reminds me of a place where there's a lot of snow." Dolffie answered as he turned to leave the alley, stuffing the wanted poster into his pocket.
"Hmm? I've mainly been told it looks silver." Carrot said as he followed.
Dolffie peered at the market. No signs of any Pickpockets or hagglers ready to swipe the unsuspecting foreigners.
"You see any Skippers?" He asked Carrot, who carefully scanned the mass from below him before confirming, "No. All clear."
Dolffie breathed a sigh of relief before the two oddly dressed men nonchalantly walked into the market.
"By the way, who told you your hair looked silver?" Dolffie casually asked as they made their way through the crowd.
"People." Carrot answered, trailing close behind.
"Well, people lie." Dolffie said absent-mindedly as he tried not curse at the belligerent, shoving horde. When did all these people get here?!
"Do you?" Carrot queried. He wasn't having much trouble squeezing through the mob and looked more like he was taking a lovely stroll than shoving his way through a smelly, audacious horde of seamen.
"We're not... people... if we don't." Dolffie kneaded his way between two particularly large fellows. He let out a yelp when someone behind stepped on his braid, then angrily turned to smack the fisherman before hurriedly getting away as the enraged fisher yelled for a proper fight.
Carrot calmly wormed his way through the commotion, inquiring "What are they then? Those who don't lie?"
"The biggest liars. The ones who don't lie, always lie the most." Dolffie responded as he secured his hair into a thick, braided bun with the small, relatively hand-sided dagger attached to its end.
"And those who lie always? Are they the most honest to you?" Carrot questioned as they finally made it through the horde and calmly walked out of the market along the dirt road.
"No." Dolffie serenely answered as he looked up, "Those who lie always... are the saddest to me." The sky was quickly darkening... a storm really was coming.
Behind him, Carrot's face, for a split moment, darkened at the response before he clenched his fist and forced a smile.
"Ya, they are. And we better get started. A storm is coming."
And with that, the odd and unlikely pair set for East- each after a different treasure... but both well aware.
***
Back at the Inner Market, Skippers, Hunters, Pirates, Collectors and Thieves gathered and gleamed with a sensuous greed at an official bounty that was just put up. But it was no ordinary bounty...
[ALIVE]
[Criminal: *****]
[Crime: Murder and Arson]
[Description: Male, roughly 5ft and 5 inches. Wavy, shoulder-length, silver-coloured hair. Pale skin. Lean, but relatively small build. Blue or crimson eyes.]
[Reward: 10,000,000 Tokens]
-Issued by the Dolly Lord Family
***
[Dolly B. Dolffie Monarch Court ]
[Member: Dolly B. Dolffie]
[Rank: Majesty]
[Clan: Dolly]
[Virtue: Monarch-level Sovereign]
[Gift: Alabasta]
________________
[Dolly B. Dolffie Monarch Court]
[Temporary Member: Carrot D. Snow]
[Rank: Chief Advisor]
[Clan: Dolly]
[Virtue: Monarch-level Sovereign]
[Gift: Over Heaven]