Chapter Text
“Come on, Nami,” She could hear the rustle of the bedsheets on the other side of the line, “it could be literally just. Anything, saving some animals maybe? That’s an easy job!”
Nami truly wanted to say yes. To bend to Vivi’s pleas and have at least a small adventure. To finally feel that rush of adrenaline that comes with being near her, that holding her hand and feeling pure raw magic seep through her body does. To, most importantly, be near her again after what seemed like an eternity.
“Vivi…” She sighed, and Nami could almost feel the frown on the blue haired girl behind the light static, “I’m pretty sure that we’ll have something bigger soon and–”
“Exactly! And what if we do not have our same bond as always? What if–”
“Vivi you know that is literally impossible–”
“I know!” Vivi almost screamed, but then hushed her voice, it was way too late over in her country to be up and talking, “But that’s why we need to be together again. To practice and become stronger, better. To help those that need it, you know that’s what we’re supposed to do…”
“And we do.” Nami knew that time was ticking, there was no way that Igaram didn’t hear her. “But right now, it’s more efficient if we each help from where we stand, and wait for something that truly needs us to come together. I miss you too, Vivi, more than anything, and I hate this distance, but we need to be strategic with the small cases that keep appearing.”
Another sigh on the other end of the line. Silence. Nami knew she was in the right, and she also was certain that she had voiced what Vivi didn’t: that they missed each other way too much to even admit it. But now there it was, in the open, and the charm on Vivi’s phone made a clack when she turned her head too quickly.
There was also that other… unusual issue. She found herself saving villages from tiny, pathetic, (and mostly theatric, if they were being honest) villains, who usually did not appear this often. And they definitely did not copy some of the details they’ve been parroting for the past few weeks in their lame speeches. Nami knew about her bond with Vivi, and even with as little words as they’ve said, Nami knew the Princess also knew something was up.
“Crap, I gotta go–”
“Igaram? Say hi to her from me. Miss you Vivs.”
“Miss you too, Nami.”
Another clack sounded as her own charm hit her phone while closing it. Perhaps it will be soon. She liked this life, the lighting faces of girls, that just like her, were once owing a life to some evil bastard, to be truly free. She liked the hefty commissions of money and food she received as a thank you, and she definitely loved sailing and tracing the vast ocean welcoming her with open arms.
But, the disappearances, the theatrical speeches, the augment on what seemed like strategic islands and families…
Something was coming, and soon at that. She could physically feel it.
Nami could only look up to the expanse of sky, kilometers of sea and land separating her and Vivi, at least for the moment.
—-
Was it fair that her cellphone was to be given to Igaram every night? No. Did she bring this upon herself? Perhaps.
Vivi was allowed as much time as she wanted during the day to talk to Nami. Queen Cobra knew of the importance of communication between Magical Girls and their bonds. It could only be found in the deepest and most precious of connections, so she was never truly cut short. Still, the time zones were different, and she’d always felt like she couldn’t say as much as she wanted in broad daylight. Staying in that castle always felt like a curse of walls talking following her everywhere.
She was a Princess, so she was to be protected. Which was obviously ridiculous and disgusting.
Protected? With how powerful she was, with how she had demonstrated time and time again that she was more than capable of defending those she cared about?
And yet.
Some of the castle’s maids were basically glued to her all day, making sure that both her studies and the practical work for Alabasta were done in proper time and quality. Of course, they had nothing to worry; as much as she loved fighting alongside Nami, she loved her country, which is what got her stuck in here in the first place.
The sun shone beautiful hues of orange after dinner, just as she was finally dealt some privacy, the ground’s well-kept garden inviting her for a walk. Just as she was about to venture into her favorite spot, she got a glimpse of her mother’s office, still glowing with light, as if she was still up working. Weird.
The country was in much better condition, and so the Queen’s health has been recently prioritized, which meant that light shouldn’t be on. Which of course meant, that using her royal upbringing (and a little bit of stealth magic), she walked as fast and quiet as she could to spy on her mom.
With the majority of staff already gone for the night, it left probably only royal advisors inside her mother’s office, and so, enhancing her hearing, she could make out what was happening on the other side of the door.
“I understand what you’re saying, I truly do,” a pause, there was concern on Cobra’s voice, but also a weight Vivi hadn’t heard in years, “but you know very well I can’t do it, she is too young, and even if she has had some experience, there is not enough– I know, I know.”
A long pause. Whoever the other person was on the line, Vivi knew they needed her, otherwise Cobra wouldn’t be here at such an hour.
“Look, she is not like anything we’ve dealt with before. We live in calmer seas, and I don’t think she’d dare to come– I know… I understand, but Princess Vivi is under careful supervision, so whoever even thinks to threaten this land or this family, will be met with dire consequences.”
What was going on? This time the pause didn’t give her space to think though.
“Look, I’ll send over as much help as possible, food, money. But my daughter is not taking part in such a… it is not even a war yet. We still do not even know what Big Mom is fully capable of. Until then, we’ll wait to make a strategic and informed move, understood?”
Big Mom? War?! Just what lengths was her mother willing to go in order to completely shield her from the world and her true calling?
“Look, all right, the possibility is on the table, but all in due time. Keep me informed on the developments of it all and send security to unaffected surrounding islands, we need to keep the World’s Magic as intact as possible.” A short pause, “Yes, there is no discussion, if Vivi, and that’s a big if, ever has to help out, it will be alongside Nami, their power is much more powerful when together, the girls need each other.”
A long string of mhm, okay, yes, were heard, and just when she heard the beginning of the mysterious person’s goodbyes, did she leave just as swiftly as she had appeared there.
–
Breakfast was just as busy as always. Cobra talking to different counselors, Vivi being directed on pressing issues of the country, trusting her knowledge with the lives and direction of her beloved people.
And yet, she could not be trusted with her own magic, her own destiny. She knew, deep down, that she was thinking like a rebellious teenager, but there was just something much more physical than she’d ever done. A need to run, to run towards. A need to be near Nami, to use her magic to protect people like she’s done before.
“... Vivi?”
She snapped back to reality, “Yes, mother?” She hadn’t slept, and she thanked the maid while she poured her a second cup of coffee.
“I was asking what you think of the implementation of the new port security.”
“Oh!” Right, she has been thinking about that all night… albeit for other selfish reasons, “Yes, I do believe that it will be successful, I revised it yesterday with the fishermen and divers, they just need a little more time to get their families on the loop about the increased security.”
It wasn’t a lie. But it also obscured the complete truth. She was used to walking that line anyway.
“Oh, yes we expected that,” Vivi internally sighed, “very well, then implementation will follow schedule, thanks Vivi, for the input.”
“Of course, anything for our people.”
And she wasn’t lying. Vivi also saw the increment of security that was to be deployed, clearly an overnight decision from the conversation she listened to. Her people were in danger, and as little as she understood, it could be because of her being here, at her own home.
“Mother, I shall be talking to Nami for a while as I see that all issues are being taken care of, is that okay?”
Cobra just nodded, a smile that reached her eyes as she sipped from her coffee, clearly also wanting to be alone to take care of the same issue Vivi was set to resolve.
—
Nami had some exclusive insights on “Big News Morgans” from some help she had previously delivered. She’d heard the rumours, she had read them, and now that a threat was officially made, she was expecting the call that woke her up.
“Nami, does the name Big Mom ring any bells?”
“Well, good morning to you too, Vivi.”
“Oh my! So sorry! Were you sleeping? I’m very–”
Nami chuckled, her whole chest filling with a warm feeling as she rolled around in her bunk, “It’s okay sweetheart. Yes, I’ve been following the news. How did you get word of it though?” It was weird for Vivi to get the kind of news Nami knew Cobra kept from her. “Were you perhaps using your powers to sneak on your mom?”
She could almost see the red on Vivi’s cheeks, “... Maybe…”
She couldn’t help but laugh again, “I know. I felt it, quite strong magic just not to get caught, Princess, have I been that bad of an influence on you?”
“As much as I would love to humour you, Cat Burglar,” Nami actually let out a huge cackle, “I’m tight on alone time as you know.”
“Right. Okay, I will tell you everything I know so pay attention okay, it seems to be a long story so–”
“Wait. Just in case I can’t talk by then, I just wanted you to know that if this is something that needs me to be with you, I already have a set ship towards where your Vivre Card is showing.”
“Vivi…”
“It’s not up to discussion. I’ll decide when you’re done giving me the details.” Vivi lowered her voice, “I would be sailing tonight.”
That statement actually made Nami sit up, her legs dangling off her bunk. As much as she loved the idea of being together with her Princess again, Nami knew that this was extremely dangerous. But she also knew well enough that it would be soon she’d be seeing Vivi from what she was about to say.
“Big Mom.” Now she lowered her voice, scared of someone hearing in, “She has made the news pretty recently. You know those cases that seem more and more common? Of regular magic girls that went missing–?”
“Yes, of different backgrounds…”
“Exactly, apparently Big Mom wants to start some sort of collection? Zoo? I don’t even know what she wants to do with the girls, but apparently she keeps them as some sort of trophy, and she won’t stop until she’s done.” Nami sighed, the ship rocked quietly on the night, and yet a cold chill ran through her, “She apparently wants to experiment on what happens with each magic, of course to her advantage.
I– This is pretty recent news, she’s apparently hunting down a duo next,” she heard Vivi groan on the other side of the line: so that’s what she heard her mom talking about, “It’s believed that she wants to see what happens when you separate a duo for long enough. Or something. I’m not sure. But the girls who have been missing… Vivi we’re not finding them. They seem to be surprise attacks now too, so… it’s weird. We might get some leads soon but…”
“Nami, I’m pretty sure that you understand about the port, right?” Viva spoke in an easy to understand code, Nami sighed running a hand through her face.
“I do. Vivi, you need to be careful, if you get intercepted…”
“You could be targeted this exact second and you wouldn’t know.”
Well, there went her argument.
“Nami, I think we both understand. This is the moment we have been waiting for. Before the day ends. I won’t allow this to happen.”
And Nami knew from the moment she met Vivi the full and heavy heart that she carried. She knew how she’ll be seeing Vivi soon, how there was no way to stop or even try to tell her to think more about her decision. She was sailing tonight, no questions.
“Vivi?”
“Yes, Nami?” Her voice was stern, full of determination. That fit of the ruler of a nation.
“Take care. I’ll text over the things that you may encounter on your way here as well as the safest quickest routes. I–” a heavy feeling sat in her stomach, “I need you by my side in order to fight this.”
“Of course, dear.”
“And Vivi?”
“Yes?”
“Bring some pretty and big jewels with you.”
Vivi’s laughter made her smile, looking at the moon and longing to hear it just beside her again.