Chapter 79
Rayleigh and the rest of the Roger Pirates have found themselves at a island called Dawn Island and they end up in a little town called Foosha Village in a small bar named ‘Partys Bar‘. Just relaxing, ordering drinks and food and listening and watching the bar’s band play their music.
The mayor of the town, Woop Slap, had all but pleaded, demanded, one in particular person sitting at the dar to sing.
And Rayleigh was currently snapping his fingers in front of his captain’s face. He had snapped his fingers in front of his captain’s face for the third time in a row, trying to get his attention away from the bar's singer. But Roger was lost in his own little world. His eyes were wide, his mouth was agape, his cheeks and ears were flushed a deep crimson, and he practically had hearts in his eyes.
"Cap'n!" Snap, snap, snap. "Cap'n!"
Roger's gaze didn't waver from the figure on stage. The singer's name was Garp, and she had the whole tavern entranced with her voice. The Roger Pirates had been traveling the Ocean, and this little detour to Dawn Island's Foosha Village had turned into a night to remember. Garp's long jet-black hair swung with the rhythm of her song, as she dance with Woop Slap, that’s the only way he could convince her to sing for the bar patrons.
The song she was singing was a mix of traditional pop, easy listening, jazz, and swing. The band was playing music as she sung, a mix of piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, synthesizer, saxophone, flute, clarinet, alto, tenor sax, and other string instruments.
“When marimba rhythms start to play. Dance with me, make me sway~. Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore. Hold me close, sway me more~.” Garp’s velvety voice filled the air as she danced with Mayor Woop Slap, her movements as smooth and mesmerizing as the tune. “Like a flower bending in the breeze. Bend with me, sway with ease~. When we dance, you have a way with me~. Stay with me, sway with me~.”
“Other dancers may be on the floor. Dear, but my eyes will see only you. Only you have that magic technique. When we sway, I go weak!”
“I can hear the sounds of violins. Long before it begins. Make me thrill as only you know how. Sway me smooth, sway me now.”
“Other dancers may be on the floor. Dear, but my eyes will see only you. Only you have that magic technique. When we sway, I go weak!” Garp’s voice grew softer, more intimate, and the crowd at Partys Bar leaned in closer, as if trying to capture every note in a bottle to take home. Roger’s heart thudded in his chest, and he couldn’t help but feel like the song was speaking directly to him.
Woop Slap spun Garp around before pulling her close again. “I can hear the sounds of violins. Long before it begins. Make me thrill as only you know how. Sway me smooth, sway me now.”
“When marimba rhythms start to play. Dance with me, make me sway. Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore. Hold me close, sway me more.”
“Like a flower bending in the breeze. Bend with me, sway with ease. When we dance you have a way with me. Stay with me, sway with me.”
“When marimbas start to play. Hold me close, make me sway. Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore. Hold me close, sway me more.”
“Like a flower bending in the breeze. Bend with me, sway with ease. When we dance, you have a way with me. Stay with me, sway with me!” Garp belted out the final notes of the chorus, her eyes shining with passion and joy. The crowd erupted in applause.
Roger took a deep breath. He couldn’t believe what he had just seen—or rather, heard.
“CAP’N!” Rayleigh clapped his hands together sharply right beside Roger’s ear, finally breaking his trance.
Roger blinked, his gaze snapping back to reality. He looked at Rayleigh with a dumbfounded expression, as if just waking from a vivid dream. “What? What is it, Ray?”
Rayleigh grinned, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You’re getting the meanest stink eye I’ve ever seen right now, Cap’n.” He pointed over to the bar were a little boy, no older than 4-years-old sat on the counter. And currently that four-year-old was giving Roger the meanest, nastiest, most hateful look a toddler could manage.
Roger followed the line of Rayleigh's finger and met the glower of the child. “What’s that little scamp’s problem?” he murmured, still not fully tearing his eyes away from Garp.
“I don’t know, but he’s not too happy with you, Cap’n,” Rayleigh said, chuckling under his breath. “Might wanna do something about it before he starts crying or something.”
The kid stuck his tongue out at Roger as soon as the pirate turned his head to look at him again. And, Yeah, that’s happening, Roger just got flipped off by a toddle. A toddler just gave Roger the middle finger with both hands.
Roger splattered as Rayleigh choked on his drink and started choke-laughing. "What the...?" He coughed, trying to keep his composure. "That little...!" He couldn't even finish his sentence.
Roger look actually, wholeheartedly offended by this display. He was a pirate and he was being given the bird by a child.
But before he could say anything the kid stopped giving him the bird as Garp walked back over to the bar, and the kids entire demeanor shifted from angry to ecstatic and loving. “Mommy!” The kid said, making grabby hands at Garp. Garp picked up the kid and set him on her hip with a soft laugh, smoothing his hair down. “What’s wrong, Dragon?”
Dragon’s eyes never left Roger’s, his tiny hand wrapped around Garp’s neck, resting his chin on her shoulder. “That man’s looking at you all funny, mommy.” he said, pointing right at Roger.
Garp looked over to where Dragon was pointing, her eyes met with Roger’s. She raised an eyebrow before her lips quirked into a smirk, “Ah, that’s just a pirate. He’s harmless, just a bit... starstruck.” She winked at Roger, who felt his cheeks heat up even more. Garp turned her attention back to the bar and took a seat, ordering a drink and talking to the bartender.
The rest of the Roger Pirates looked over, snickering at their captain's expense. Crocus wiped a tear from his eye, trying to hold in his laughter. "Well, I guess that’s why the kid was giving you that look, Cap’n. You were looking at his mommy like she’s the last piece of meat on the island."
Roger's blush deepened, his hand unconsciously moving to the back of his neck. "H-hey, I was just admiring the... uh, the performance!" He stammered, trying to recover his cool demeanor.
The toddler, Dragon, squinted at Roger, his tiny face scrunching up in thought before he just ended up sticking his tongue back out at him. The Roger Pirates chuckled among themselves, finding the whole situation incredibly entertaining.
Roger tried his best to ignore the toddler's antics, his eyes darting back and forth between Garp and Dragon. He had never felt so... unsettled in the presence of a child before. The rest of the Roger Pirates took notice of the captain's discomfort, and their snickers grew into full-blown laughter.