Into the Kitchen

There was still more she could gain from these small fry. Not just information, but supplies as well if she played this right.

Nami's feet skid across the wooden floor as she about faced, ready to challenge the three men before her. The hall was narrow, and charging in all at once they tangled over each other like a herd of clumsy bulls.

She ducked into the kitchen, quickly grabbing a pan from the nearby shelf. Just as the first man made it to the door — CLANG — He fell to the floor, dazed from his face meeting cold iron.

The second came, paused at the sight of his fallen comrade, and with another impact of metal joined him on the floor. And then went the third. All idiots.

Nami sighed, looking down at the pitiful mess before her.

It was easy enough to find some rope nearby, and before long the three stooges were tied back to back on the living room floor.

"Right," she nodded, satisfied with her work. "Now then..."

She crouched down so that her eyes were level with the man who had tricked her inside.

"Hey," she said, flicking his forehead with surprising ****. "Hedro, was it?"

The oaf snapped out of his daze, his head darting side to side confused as he tried to figure out what had just happened.

"No no no no no no!" he screamed, flailing in his bondage.

"Calm down," Nami commanded, snapping her finger between his eyes once more. "Tell me about this place. Everything you know."

Tears streaked down Hedro's face. "You don't understand, if they find out we let a sacrifice go—They'll—They'll—!"

"Wiwiwiwiwi..." An odd cackle cut off his incoherent sobs.

Nami froze, recognizing the shrill voice behind her.

"I was looking forward to ruining that pretty face of yours, but who knew I'd run across you here?"

Nami slowly turned, her eyes widening at the sight of what stared back at her from the mirror across the room. Instead of her reflection, was the face of a grey-skinned witch, her smile stretched grossly across her bony lips. Charlotte Brulee, a daughter and leader of the Big Mom Pirates.

"Lady Brulee!" Hedro cried, his voice half with fear and half with joy. "Please forgive us!"

Long arms stretched out from the mirror, their claw-like nails pulling at the frame as the slender woman slowly emerged. "Now then... let's enjoy this my little cat."

Approaching was an enemy Nami wasn't sure she was ready to face.