what_we_dream (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
what_we_dream) wrote2010-08-05 09:29 pm
what_we_dream) wrote2010-08-05 09:29 pm
Entry tags:
One Piece: Drabble
One Piece Drabble
Rating: G
Pairing: None
The afternoon sun blazing in through a wide arched window paints the flagstones a bright matte gold. On either side of that shining strip stand the conspirators, staring out over the lush palace gardens. Lush at a time when crops are failing and wells are bottomed by dry sand.
“I wish you would reconsider, your highness.” Igaram turns from the view, honest face lined with worry.
“You don’t think this is important?” Vivi doesn’t turn, continues to watch the roses dancing gently in the desert breeze. Roses planted by a mother she never knew.
“I don’t think you need to be involved in it,” clarifies her father’s advisor. The man who raised her nearly as much as the king he advises.
“You think I should send someone else instead?”
“Your highness shouldn’t risk her life in this manner.”
“Who better to risk her life for her country?” She turns now, hair a bright river behind her. Her eyes shine with the fierceness that defines her, that she pours into all her interests like liquid fire. “No, Igaram. I’m going. With or without you.”
“I will accompany you wherever you go, your highness!” the large man declares immediately, just slightly affronted. Vivi smiles gently, just a crook of the lips.
“Then it’s decided.”
“I understand the need for secrecy, your highness, but it might be prudent to take a guard or two along. I could easily pick a couple of loyal men with tight tongues.”
“No. We will endanger no more lives.” She trails off, eyes losing focus, and turns to regard the garden again. She stares into the bright sky, now the pale periwinkle blue of high afternoon. Her brows knit against the sun. “The only others I would consider taking would be Chaka or Pell.” Her reliance on them is a reflex, a habit formed by long use. There has never been a time they have not been there for her, and their strength and loyalty is above question.
“No.” The sharp denial cuts through the room’s cozy warmth like a sword of ice, Igaram’s usual deference momentarily forgotten. Vivi turns to him, eyes wide, looking her age for the first time in the conversation.
“You cannot ask that of them, Vivi-sama. Their place is here, in Alabasta. They know that; their duty runs in their blood. They cannot leave the country at a time like this. They would not leave it. Not for anyone or anything, except perhaps you. To ask them would be to force them to choose between their duty and their love for you, and whichever way they chose it would tear them apart.” Igaram stands tall now, for a moment Commander of the Royal Guard, military leader of Alabasta, rather than a princess’ escort.
“Igaram…”
“Whatever you do, you cannot tell them of this. At all costs.” Igaram holds her eye for a minute, retaining the position of superior, as he hardly ever does anymore these days.
Vivi nods. “I understand.” The moment passes like a desert storm, and Igaram’s face clears. “Then it’ll be just the two of us.”
“Yes, Vivi-sama.” He falls back into the role of advisor, leaving no trace of the Commander.
“I’ll be sure to have them thank you, when we get back.”
Igaram smiles wanly. “That’ll be something to look forward to, your highness.”
Rating: G
Pairing: None
The afternoon sun blazing in through a wide arched window paints the flagstones a bright matte gold. On either side of that shining strip stand the conspirators, staring out over the lush palace gardens. Lush at a time when crops are failing and wells are bottomed by dry sand.
“I wish you would reconsider, your highness.” Igaram turns from the view, honest face lined with worry.
“You don’t think this is important?” Vivi doesn’t turn, continues to watch the roses dancing gently in the desert breeze. Roses planted by a mother she never knew.
“I don’t think you need to be involved in it,” clarifies her father’s advisor. The man who raised her nearly as much as the king he advises.
“You think I should send someone else instead?”
“Your highness shouldn’t risk her life in this manner.”
“Who better to risk her life for her country?” She turns now, hair a bright river behind her. Her eyes shine with the fierceness that defines her, that she pours into all her interests like liquid fire. “No, Igaram. I’m going. With or without you.”
“I will accompany you wherever you go, your highness!” the large man declares immediately, just slightly affronted. Vivi smiles gently, just a crook of the lips.
“Then it’s decided.”
“I understand the need for secrecy, your highness, but it might be prudent to take a guard or two along. I could easily pick a couple of loyal men with tight tongues.”
“No. We will endanger no more lives.” She trails off, eyes losing focus, and turns to regard the garden again. She stares into the bright sky, now the pale periwinkle blue of high afternoon. Her brows knit against the sun. “The only others I would consider taking would be Chaka or Pell.” Her reliance on them is a reflex, a habit formed by long use. There has never been a time they have not been there for her, and their strength and loyalty is above question.
“No.” The sharp denial cuts through the room’s cozy warmth like a sword of ice, Igaram’s usual deference momentarily forgotten. Vivi turns to him, eyes wide, looking her age for the first time in the conversation.
“You cannot ask that of them, Vivi-sama. Their place is here, in Alabasta. They know that; their duty runs in their blood. They cannot leave the country at a time like this. They would not leave it. Not for anyone or anything, except perhaps you. To ask them would be to force them to choose between their duty and their love for you, and whichever way they chose it would tear them apart.” Igaram stands tall now, for a moment Commander of the Royal Guard, military leader of Alabasta, rather than a princess’ escort.
“Igaram…”
“Whatever you do, you cannot tell them of this. At all costs.” Igaram holds her eye for a minute, retaining the position of superior, as he hardly ever does anymore these days.
Vivi nods. “I understand.” The moment passes like a desert storm, and Igaram’s face clears. “Then it’ll be just the two of us.”
“Yes, Vivi-sama.” He falls back into the role of advisor, leaving no trace of the Commander.
“I’ll be sure to have them thank you, when we get back.”
Igaram smiles wanly. “That’ll be something to look forward to, your highness.”