𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕠𝕤 𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕤 • One Piece

Just A Memory

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𝕆𝕦𝕣 𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕨𝕤 𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕨 𝕦𝕡 𝕥𝕠𝕠

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𝕃iliana stares at the blank paper in front of her, listlessly rolling the watercolour pencil on the table. The inspiration to draw something not exactly hitting her like it usually does on this dreary foggy day. Liliana sighs, leaning her head against her hand to stare out the window to see if she can spot the Marine ships in the fog but having no such luck. Earlier, they were met with a unit of Marine ships who had stayed stationary because of the fog. As they were quietly sailing by them, they rescued a probationary chef named Tajiro who had no luck in making the famous curry after he accidentally spilled. After declaring his dream to find the All Blue, Sanji's interest was piqued. Now Luffy and Sanji have snuck on board the ship to help Tajiro.

This leads Liliana to the present of her lacking any ideas for her next piece, having drawn enough landscapes to fill a roof. I guess it was just too peaceful these days, Liliana thinks before her eyes drift towards the other occupants of the kitchen. In front of her, peacefully reading her book was Nico Robin. Behind her was Chopper, currently grinding down some more medicine as Zoro casually naps in the corner. Outside, Nami and Usopp were keeping watch on the fog and the Marine ships.

"Is there something wrong, Miss Artist?" Nico Robin asks. From the corner of her eyes, she can see Zoro shift slightly, indicating that he had woken briefly, to Nico Robin's amusement.

Liliana's eyes flicker towards Nico Robin, hesitating slightly before speaking. "I've hit a block. It's been too peaceful lately. Don't get me wrong I love the peace and quiet, but it's gotten too quiet."

Nico Robin chuckles, flicking over another page in her back. "I guess your pirate crew is used to more action. Am I right?"

Liliana nods, sighing once more. "I wonder when Sanji and Luffy will be back."

"I hope the dart-brow cook won't come back," Zoro grumbles out.

"They shouldn't take too long to come back," Chopper chirps happily as Liliana sighs again. Then Chopper gets an idea, "I know! Why don't you just let her mind wander? Don't even think about it."

Liliana laughs slightly, "Thanks for the advice Chopper. I'll try that."

Once again, Liliana looks down at her blank paper once more before blindly reaching for a pink pencil to begin to draw anything that comes to mind. Even if the art isn't great, at least I get to experiment with the new mediums, Liliana thinks in her head as she starts to construct something out of nothing. Slowly, the pink nondescript shapes turned into pink cherry blossoms rustling in the wind as a young boy's back faced away from the viewer with a familiar sword in his hands as Liliana's mind started to wonder.

⊱•⊰

A gentle breeze rustles through the cherry blossom trees as a sixten-year-old Alexander trains with his longsword. Making practised swings in the air as he twisted and turned like an ancient dance that told legends of an epic battle. Swinging his leg back, Alexander advanced his sword in one final attack against his imaginary enemy, panting heavily from the exertion.

"Hooray!" Liliana cheered, clapping her hands excitedly, "Alexander won against the evil man!"

Alexander chuckled, wiping the sweat from his face with his shirt. Looking up, Alexander saw his little sister with a bright smile on her face a nice reprieve from the usual. Sheathing his sword, Alexander walked towards Liliana, "What are you doing here Lil? Aren't you supposed to be packing for the trip?"

Liliana pouted, rocking on her heels as she clutched a bundle of flowers in her hands, "Boo. I thought you would be happy to see me."

Alexander's shoulders shook from laughter before swiftly picking up his little sister and twirling her around in the air as Liliana's giggles ring through the breeze. "Of course I'm happy to see you. Especially when I'm out training to become a great Marine like mother and father." Alexander then places Liliana on his hip, before walking back towards the village, "However I know that you have a very important appointment with Granduncle Garp in the coming week. You need to prepare."

Liliana hums, tucking a flower into Alexander's hair. "I got bored, so I came here. Besides I got curious about something." Alexander hums in response, prompting Liliana to continue. "Why does Mummy carry that pipe thingy? I was going to ask Mummy but she was busy so I didn't want to disturb her."

Alexander frowned slightly as Liliana kept chattering about the pipe as she continued to tuck more flowers into his hair. Children are usually demanding attention, even the quietest child want attention from their parents.

But Liliana?

Liliana would stew on herself. At times it would be like Liliana would switch off and it was starting to seriously concern him. Deciding to tell his parents of his concern later, Alexander smiled lightheartedly at his sister. "Well, that pipe that mother treasures was gifted to her some very generous and talented people who made it for her. It was a thank you for helping them."

"Do you think when I become a talented Marine, people will gift me things?" Liliana asked, her bright violet eyes blinking into Alexander's deep blue ones.

Alexander chuckled, nodding his head in agreement. "Yes, I'm sure that will happen. Only if you do good things. If you do bad things then an evil cave monster will and eat you." Liliana paled, before frantically nodding as Alexander laughed again.

"I want a great bronze statue made then for when I do good things," Liliana stated with a big smile. Alexander's brows shot up in surprise before he burst into laughter, stuttering his agreements as Liliana tilted her head in confusion which made Alexander laugh even harder.

"What on earth are you two doing?" The stern voice of Song Elle called out to them, her infamous kiseru pipe held between her lips as she raises a brow at them.

Alexander sobered up slightly, "Nothing mother. Just that Lil wants a bronze statue made."

⊱•⊰

"Hey Lily," Chopper called out, bring Liliana back to the present, "Who's the boy in the drawing?"

Liliana looked down to see her memory drawn right on paper. A gentle smile appeared on Liliana's face as she swiftly tucked the paper into a folder. "Just a distant memory."