As Shachi and Penguin walked the town, they heard frequent whispers between the townspeople about a 'mysterious seer with strange abilities.' They would only glance at each other and grin. It seemed their plan of making him known worked.
"I swear! Yesterday we went to the forest and the hen was right where he said it would be. He even propheciezed the net that held the bird in. It was amazing." A man told a woman in a heated conversation to their left.
"His name was Almondseed. Such a strange name though I'm sure the island of seers names their children strange things." A housewife nearby commented.
"I got to talk to the seer." A little boy said to a group of children. "He told me that he's slain eight dragons!" They all stared open-mouthed at the boy as he nodded smugly.
The two engineers quickly walked back towards the sub to report their progress.
"Captain, the plan worked. Albert is now known by the whole town as a seer!" Penguin said, watching Law take a long drink from his coffee. Setting it back on the table, he nodded.
"Good. Now, do not make contact with him again. I want to see where he takes it from here." They nodded their understanding and went to inspect the engine room. It was about time for their safety check.
Law watched them go, finishing off the last of his hot drink and bringing the mug to the kitchen. Inside, Casper gave him a nod in greeting and Law placed the mug in the sink.
"I've been holding off on sayin' this but…" Casper started, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I might need a new kitchen assistant." Law looked up in surprise.
"Summer-ya is your assistant." The cook sighed.
"I know. Trust me when I say I don't want a replacement, but ever since she started helping me in the kitchen I've realized that I do need help." He placed the knife in his hand on the cutting board and leaned against the counter. "Since she's been gone it's becoming increasingly more difficult to get these meals finished."
"..." Law looked away, trying to ignore the pang of guilt and sorrow at the word 'replacement.' He had to keep reminding himself that he would rescue her, that she would return.
That she would come home.
"It would only be temporary." Casper promised, lowering his eyes in shame.
"I'll have someone assigned." Law said quietly, turning and leaving the kitchen quickly. Casper didn't blame him. The very thought of giving Summer's job to someone else was like admitting that she wouldn't be returning, that they were admitting defeat. They couldn't just do that…
"Hmm…" Albert furrowed his brows, holding the hand of a young woman who had come to him. "I see…" He traced the lines on her palm, slowly focusing on nothing in particular to give his eyes a faraway look. "I see great love in your future, but only after you go through trials and hardships."
The woman looked down, but still gave a little smile afterwards at the sound of her fortune. "Do you see anything else?"
He pondered a moment, as if still searching through the 'void' to see her future. "No, the way is cloudy. I see no more of your future."
The woman retracted her hand and she tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Her hands clasped in front of her in a shy gesture. Albert watched as she looked up into his own eyes with unshed tears. "Thank you. A thousand times, thank you."
"It is no burden, my dear. Now go live the rest of your life!" He gave her shoulder a small pat and sent her on her way. "Now, I'll take the next in line!"
The woman left the purple tent Albert had set up in the market and smiled at the next occupant. "Welcome, please sit and tell me what it is you'd like me to do for you."
It was...one of the Heart Pirates, recognizable by the strange white jumpsuits that was their uniform. He had dirty blonde hair, and vibrant green eyes. Catching the light just briefly, a tiny hoop earring was pierced in his ear. He looked angry, but his gaze wasn't directed at Albert. It was as if...he was mad at himself? He lowered himself into the chair across the table.
"I know you're a fraud. I know what you do isn't real, but I guess I'm just some hopeful idiot because I still want to hear what you say."
"Umm...ok?" Albert questioned. "What exactly do you want me to tell you?" The man took out a necklace from his pocket. It was a bird, made from black stone and violet eyes. It was pretty small, tiny enough to fit in the man's hand and be concealed easily.
"What-" He coughed a few times, out of the need to or nervousness Albert couldn't tell. "What does...my love life...look like in the future?" His question came in parts, as if he wasn't entirely certain he wanted to ask it. He stared at the pendant, and Albert shook his head.
"Give me your hand." He said, and the man surrendered his hand, still holding the necklace in the other. Staring intently into the lines on his palm, stalling for time to make it seem like he was actually concentrating on the 'void.'
"I see a romance in your future." He said, glancing up at the man. He didn't react. "But, a major event ends the relationship and it won't be able to be fixed." He made up, wondering why the pirate had even come in the first place. "That's all I see."
"Thanks." The man said, digging in his pocket for a coin and placed it on the table. Standing up suddenly, he exited the tent and left Albert to wonder what all that was even about.
He wasn't able to ponder it for long as in the next second, the loud proclamation of fanfare trumpeted through the market and people outside began to mutter and talk amongst themselves.
'The King?' Albert thought with wide eyes. 'Why is the King coming to the town?'
"People of Ortygia, make way for His Highness, The King." People were shuffling outside and the heavy thud of boots came closer and closer to his tent.
He schooled his features just in time to watch the King pull the flap of his tent aside and enter. The King himself was a hard man, sporting a grey beard and mustache and a large nose. It was previously broken, probably from some age-old war or battle. His deep brown eyes were stern, as if the entire world was not to his liking. The King flourished a crimson cape behind him and sat with grace upon the chair opposite Albert. Behind him, an advisor stood in front of the flap, there to advise the King on whatever information he wanted and to prevent anyone from listening in on their conversation from outside.
"It has come to my ears that you are a self-proclaimed seer." The man's deep voice said. Albert nodded mutely, not sure exactly why he was receiving this visit. "I'm not normally one to believe in such things, but I do have a request."
"W-what is it that I can help His Highness with?" Albert responded, placing a hand on his magic book on the table.
With a tired sigh, the King allowed himself to relax a little in the chair, leaning back and placing his arms on the armrests. "As you know, my wife is due to give birth to our first child any day." He brushed a hand through his hair. "We told the physicians and doctors that we wanted to keep the sex of the child unknown until they were born but," He started, glancing around. "I'm dying to know what it will be."
"Y-you...want me to tell you the gender of your unborn child?" Albert clarified, and the King nodded.
"If I ask the doctors or physicians of the castle, then my wife will know that I went back on my promise that I would remain in the dark on the matter with her. I can't have an angry wife, but my curiosity is burning."
"I see." Albert said, opening the book to a random page. It had pictures of fire and dark holes. Deciding that this probably would've made the King nervous, he flipped the page. This one had a picture of a woman.
'Perfect.' He thought. Placing the book in the center of the table, he placed his fingertips on the edge of the page.
"Your Highness, will you please place your hand on the center of this page?" The King complied, looking doubtful and somewhat excited at the same time. "Now, close your eyes and help me concentrate on what it is you want to know."
Closing his own eyes, Albert hummed lowly to allow him a peaceful environment to think. Inwardly, he was panicking.
'What am I supposed to do? If I tell him the wrong one, he'll spread the word that I'm a fraud! I only have a 50 percent chance of getting this right, but I need better odds! What to do…"
"Boy, girl. Boy, girl. Boy, girl." He muttered, acting as if the answer was still unclear. "Boy...girl...boy...girl…"
"Do you have an answer?" The King asked hesitantly, not wanting to break his conversation.
"Boy, girl...boy,girl…" Albert continued, covering up his panic with muttered gibberish. Maybe if he just continued spewing boy and girl together, he would get fed up and leave. Then, technically, he wouldn't be wrong at all.
"Boy, girl…" He muttered, and he could feel the King shifting.
"Unless you have an answer, I will take my leave." Came his gruff, and obviously annoyed, response.
"Boy, girl. Boy, girl." With a sigh, the King rose from the table and left the tent. Albert continued to spew these mutterings until he was sure the King wouldn't come back. Hearing the sound of the distant footsteps and the mutterings of the people once more, he called out to the next in line.
Arriving in: 23 days988Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwBeyGlXGZ
