012

— lust at first bite —

THE DOCK WAS BUSTLING WITH LIFE, SAILORS SHARING STORIES OF THE SEAS, GIVING HER GLIMPSES INTO THEIR LIVES. Like the others Visenya changed her clothes, even taking a moment to dress herself up, black silk shirt and pants, long black jacket with a barbed wired style belt and necklaces. Oaklyn did the same, wearing a light lavender silk dress with gold jewels and a long gold coat to shield her from the wind. It felt refreshing, part of Visenya would never forget where or who she was but felt nice to pretend she was in some sort of story.

As they walked into the fish restaurant Visenya pulled the top of her hair into a small bun, something that made Nami raise her eyebrow. "Different," she muttered. Visenya stammered for a moment but Nami quickly cut her off, "It's nice." Visenya smiled and thanked her.

Nami chuckled softly, her curled hair bouncing even at the headband trying to hold it in place. She looked ahead, watching Oaklyn laugh with Usopp and Luffy about nothing in particular. "You should tell Oaklyn she looks nice," Visenya said without warning, making Nami jump and laugh nervously.

The crew walked to the top of the stairs and without sparring a second Luffy rushed to the railing, looking over the crowded bustling restaurant. Visenya was soon at his side, looking over the grand space; black and white tiling, levels of tables filled with happy chatting patrons, eating their meals that made a smell that alone made Visenya's mouth water.

"Welcome to Baratie. How can I help you?" Visenya turned back to the host, a man with a face almost resembling a goldfish.

"Hi!" Luffy grinned. "Where do we eat?"

"Do you have a reservation, sir?" The host asked, turning to Luffy.

"Do we need one?"

"We're very full today," The host said sadly. "I could put you on the waiting list. . . It's three weeks out."

Luffy glanced at the others and Usopp took the opportunity to step up, glancing at the reservation book on teh small podium. "Maybe you want to check your book again. You wouldn't want to turn away the future King of the Pirates, would you?" he questioned quickly, leaning his elbows on the podium.

"And who is that, sir?" the fish asked.

"Monkey D. Luffy," Usopp said plainly. "Perhaps you've heard of him?"

"Well, in that case, we'll find a table," The host said softly through a deep breath, hiding the sarcasm in his voice.

"Yeah! I knew it," Luffy cheered, he and Usopp already rushing for the stairs.

". . .In three weeks."

Nami sighed softly, watching Usopp and Luffy walk off cluelessly. "You'll have to excuse them," Nami said slyly, walking over to the host. He took the Berri Nami offered but still waited patiently. Nami nodded at Visenya and the white haired girl walked to her side making Nami smile, "They're idiots." Visenya slid a stack of Berri into his hand making him smile.

"Of course," He said with a nod. "Right this way, ma'am." Nami looked back at Oaklyn flashing her bright grin that made her chuckle softly.

They quickly followed the fish man down the stairs to an empty booth table that had just been newly cleaned. Luffy crawled into his seat, Usopp, Oaklyn and Nami following him quickly. Zoro went to sit on the end of the booth but his swords caught in the rivents of the walls dividing the booths.

"I'd be happy to check your swords for you, sir," the host spoke up as Zoro ripped the swords free.

"I got this," Zoro huffed. He looked up at Visenya sitting on the other end of the table and quickly nodded for them to swap places. Visenya stood moving to sit beside Luffy as Zoro sat beside Nami, his swords resting comfortably outside the wall.

"Here are your menus," the host motioned to the rolled pieces of paper, clipped with a gold ring to hold them shut. "Your waiter will be with you shortly." He nodded at the crew before walking away, finding his way to his place at the top of the stairs.

"I wonder what kind of food they have here," Usopp thought aloud, stretching his arms over the back of the chair.

Oaklyn had already grabbed a menu and unrolled it, whistling through her teeth. "Looks like everything," she said with a smile.

Luffy grabbed one of the menus, nearly tearing it open and throwing the gold ring away carelessly. His eyes lit up as he read the dishes, even if he didn't know what half of the meals were, and he was quick to lean over to Usopp sharing his excitement. Zoro had also taken a menu but he barely even glanced over it before sliding it down to Visenya in a single throw.

She unrolled the menu properly and she could feel her stomach rumbling as she read the dishes. They were simple, large, filling dishes for passing pirates, chicken, steak and pork with barely any seasonings but the promise of well cooked food excited just as much as Luffy. Maybe. All she knew, she wanted this waiter to hurry up.

But of course in the distance, the sound of shouting pirates would of course stop their meal. Waiters and busboys stopped and stared at the pirates shouting at each other, unsure of what to do. "I am saying, this here is my table!" One shouted, his voice rumbling and warning. "Close to the kitchen so I can smell the beef."

"Maybe you ought to try a table outside," The second said, clearly not willing to budge. "Right now, the only thing I smell is you." The first man threw the places and cutlery off the table causing a terrible racket. The second man jumped to his feet, but a voice cut through the tension.

"Now, now, gentlemen." Visenya looked up, trying to find the man, but there were too many people in the way so she listened for his smooth, velvety voice. "You know the rules here. We don't waste food, and there is no fighting at Baratie." The man stepped out of the crowd and Visenya finally saw him, a tall, blonde man in a perfectly tailored suit and charming smile. At least it looked charming from where she sat.

"No." Visenya's eyes quickly moved back to the pirates, almost forgetting they were about to fight over a table. "This ain't gonna be a fight. I'm just going to kill him."

"Like to see you try," the second man hissed.

"And I'd like to pour you each a glass of Ithürzburger Stein," The blonde man said quickly, trying to defuse the situation. "On the house."

"Okay, I'll have that drink," the first man said, but his hand was resting dangerously on his gun. "After he apologises for his bad manners!"

The second man scoffed at him and reached for his gun, "Over my dead body." However he barely had time to raise his weapon before it was quickly kicked from his hands and was tossed aside. The man didn't seem to lose any energy as kicked the second man down, not even losing the tray of bread in his hand. And in a single fluid movement, the man placed the bread down, spun over the table and kicked the second man out cold.

Visenya stared at the scene with wide eyes, unable to look away until Luffy knocked her shoulder. "Good fighter," he said with a grin, moving his attention between Visenya and Usopp.

The man took the bread from the table and smiled politely at the woman who had to sit through it all. "No cause for alarm, folks. Please enjoy your meals," he called out, his voice reaching the people sitting on the floor above. He walked over towards their table and Visenya felt her heart rate spike, and she didn't even understand why. But she was surely glad that most people looked over her quiet existence as the man set the bread on the table without even glancing at her.

It let her stare.

Even from where he stood, a few feet from Zoro she could see his blonde tousled hair and crystal blue eyes. His sharp facial features—high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and piercing eyes— she couldn't tear her eyes from his. Visenya could see the frustration in his and adrenaline from the fight, but there was something in his eyes that made them shine. Something else entirely.

"Hi, welcome to our shitty restaurant where the only thing worse than the ambience is the food," His voice was quick and deep, but it didn't startle her from her thoughts, only making them worse. "My name is Sanji. What can I get for you?"

"One of everything, please!"

Okay, that snapped her from her thoughts. Visenya looked at Luffy, who tried talking through a mouthful of bread, but that wasn't what made her freeze. The thought of how expensive, and she had just used the majority of Berri to bribe their way in there instantly flashed through her mind.

"Any drinks?" Sanji's voice made her turn to him again, but she still couldn't shake the thoughts of payment from her mind. "One of our signature cocktails to help you choke down your meal?"

Visenya nearly scoffed as she listened to him with a clear head, all she could think of was how rude he sounded. "If the wines are as bitter as, we'll pass," Visenya said, her voice holding the same snarky weight as his.

Sanji's eyes were on her in a second, surprised he had missed her. But then his face lost all its frustration as he smiled at her. Sanji had seen beautiful women, but she sat there, quiet, with bright blue eyes and ghostly white hair that made her look like an angel. Visenya stared at him as he took a small step closer toward her, but even as he noticed her staring he dared to take another step.

Visenya met his eyes and his smile grew, "Apologies, madam, I didn't see you there. Would you care for an apéritif to start? We have several rare Micqueot vintages in stock." Visenya couldn't tear her eyes away, even as she felt Zoro, Nami and Oaklyn staring at her, faces turned in confusion. "Or perhaps you'd like a glass of Umeshu? You know, something sweet for someone sweet."

He winked at Visenya and even as she felt butterflies in her, she raised her head and kept her voice steady, "Are you this forward to all your guests?"

"Just the gorgeous ones," he said with no hesitation.

Visenya could feel her cheeks burning and she was thankful when Zoro cleared his throat and caught Sanji's attention. "Waiter, can I get a beer and something for my friends?" Zoro asked, nodding at the others.

"Two beers," Usopp said, glancing at Zoro. "I usually have three, but—"

"And a milk!" Luffy called over Usopp.

"A jug of water," Oaklyn requested glancing at Sanji.

"Three beers, a jug of water and a milk," Sanji listed quickly, trying to run through their orders quickly. "And, uh, for madam?" Sanji asked, turning his eyes to Visenya.

"Do you have tea?" She asked.

"Rose, cinnamon, orange, Mariage Frères, Thé du Hammam?" His voice was smooth, natural as he let the syllables roll off his tongue.

Visenya took a deep breath, "Thé du Hammam, and a glass of whisky. Ice."

He smiled and nodded, "Right away." Sanji kept her eyes on Visenya as long as he could before he had to turn and walk away. Visenya felt herself release a soft breath, her brain still cloudy with confusion.

"Ooh!"

Visenya's eyes snapped up to Usopp as he stared at her with a wide grin, and as she glanced around she noticed Zoro and Oaklyn still staring. "What?" she asked, and she almost cursed at how shaky her voice almost was.

"Nothing," Zoro looked away, shaking his head and Visenya turned her head. "Madam." Visenya stared at him and Zoro smiled at her, trying to keep himself from looking too cocky. "Forgive my rude behaviour, madam. Would madam prefer her tea in a crystal glass, or would a golden bowl be more madam's style?"

Visenya could feel her heart racing and her cheeks burning as Zoro continued to tease her, but all she could do was curse at herself for not knowing why she was feeling. And Oaklyn began to laugh, those feelings only grew.

"Visenya's got a boyfriend." Oaklyn teased in a sing-song voice that made them all laugh in amusement.

Visenya's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "A what?"

◈

Visenya sipped quietly on her third whiskey, a fourth tea resting beside her half full plate. She had eaten enough, but not nearly as much as Luffy and Usopp— nearly six plates each, she was surprised they were still moving. Oaklyn and Nami were laughing softly as Zoro struggled to finish his third plate, but with food this good they didn't really say anything, Nami was also on her third plate and Oaklyn on her forth.

"I can't eat another bite," Usopp nearly cried, staring at his fork loaded with food. "But it's so good."

Zoro popped open another bottle of beer, his grin growing, "Oh man, you said it."

"I'm not gonna be hungry for a week," Nami huffed, her head rolling back against the booth.

"Should we order dessert?" Luffy asked, his eyes darting around.

Oaklyn suddenly threw her cutlery down and pushed her plate. "Oh, yes!" She said with a grin. "Don't let me eat anything else, I saw they have this caramel dessert—" Oaklyn cut herself off with a groan, already imagining the gooey sugar.

"I already got mine," Zoro said, raising his beer slightly.

"Mmm. That reminds me." Luffy cleared his throat and dropped the lamb leg on the plate. "We should do a toast. Come on. Grab your glasses." Oaklyn and Usopp reached for their glasses, and with Visenya and Zoro already theirs, they gave Luffy the courtesy of waiting to take their next sip. "To the best crew sailing on the sea and to our victory! Yeah!"

Luffy cheered, clinking his glass with Oaklyn and Usopp. Zoro smiled softly, shaking his head softly as he sipped on his drink. Visenya smiled at Luffy as she drank, but Nami quickly cut their celebration short. "No, I'm sorry. What victory exactly?" She scoffed, narrowing her eyes at Luffy.

"Against the Marines," Luffy said, still keeping his smile. "Our very first battle and we crushed them."

Nami sighed "I don't know how many naval battles you guys have been part of—"

"Two dozen, at least,"Usopp said quickly, but all it did was make Oaklyn shake her head.

"—But that was a disaster." Nami's words made Luffy freeze but Visenya hummed in agreement. "We were unprepared, uncoordinated. By all rights, we should be at the bottom of the sea." Nami's voice was quick as she argued but Usopp just shook his head.

"We're not though. Luffy saved us," Usopp defended, teething on the edge of tipsy as he downed his beers, and cheered Luffy on.

Nami took a deep breath, trying her hardest not to shake her head in anger. "Are we really going to ignore the elephant in the room right now?" Nami questioned and Luffy tilted his head in confusion, his smile still there. "You didn't think to mention your grandfather was a Marine? And not just any Marine, a vice-admiral!" Visenya watched Luffy's smile slowly fall but as much as she felt bad for Luffy, Nami had a right to be angry. "Don't know about you but I didn't sign up for that."

"You raided a Marine base," Zoro spoke up. "Of course that'll make you a target."

"If I stole the map, no one would've known I was there," Nami hissed, "as opposed to wrecking a base commander's office."

"Your bill, sir." Sanji swept in so quietly Visenya almost didn't notice him, almost.

Sanji placed the bill in a silver tray on the table in front of Luffy, taking a step back but kept his eyes on Visenya, that same charming smile gracing his face. "Ah—" Luffy quickly grabbed the tray and pen, quickly scribbling something on the check Visenya couldn't exactly read. Not a second later Luffy slammed the pen in the tray and held it out to Sanji. "Thank you, my good man," Luffy said with a smile.

Sanji held the tray up, reading over whatever Luffy had written and grinned, genuine excitement sparking in his eyes. "No, sir. Thank you," Sanji smiled at Luffy and spun, quickly making his way back to the kitchen through the swinging doors.

"I'm not saying it's good that the Marines are on our tail," Luffy said, quickly continuing the earlier conversation, "but we showed them that they can't just roll over us." Luffy smiled and it instantly made Usopp and Oaklyn smile too. "This crew, our crew, can handle anything."

"Who the hell is Monkey D. Luffy? A deep gruff voice cut across the restaurant.

Luffy pressed his hand to the table and leant over Visenya raising his hand. "Here!" Luffy dropped back into his seat, completely oblivious to the others moods sours at the sudden shouting. And it didn't make it any better when Sanji raced back to their table.

Sanji held his hand out and smiled at Visenya. "I advise you to stand quickly madam," Sanji said, trying to keep his voice charming but it was clear he was trying to stop himself rushing over his words. After a beat of hesitation Visenya took his hand and he pulled her to her feet and away from the table. And she was glad he did when a gruff looking chef with a tall hat, long moustache and a wooden peg leg stomped over.

"You seem to be confused about the rules of the house," he called, his voice filled with that same gruff anger even if he wasn't yelling across the restaurant, "but Baratie doesn't offer credit. You eat, you pay."

"I think you're confused," Luffy said, gesturing with his hands as he grinned. But all it did was make Visenya drop her head into her hand groaning softly. "The meal has already been paid for. I just haven't given you the money yet."

The chef looked entirely stunned, "Yeah, and how's that?"

"You can add it to my treasure tab," Luffy said with confidence.

"And what, pray tell, is that?"

"I may not look like a big deal yet, but you're talking with the future King of the Pirates." Sanji pulled a strange face at Luffy somewhere between confused and amused but he didn't say anything. "And as soon as I find the One Piece, I'm gonna come back, pay this bill in full, and with interest."

The chef chuckled softly and shook his head, "I got a better idea." He grabbed Luffy by the front of his overalls and pulled him from his seat, dragging him to the kitchen. Sanji quickly apologised to Visenya before following the chef.

Oaklyn hummed softly, "That went well."

Nami dropped her head back and sighed. "I need a drink," she sighed.

Zoro grinned, chuckling softly, "Yeah. Now you're talking."

— lethal lust —