BeyondDandy
Dandy Connoisseur
CHAPTER ONE: IHEO
The festival of trades; a yearly occurrence since the creation of Central City in Cozia, was first started to improve the economy of the new city. It then over the years became a way to increase the city’s population and establish relations with neighboring islands - a diplomatic move to ensure the city’s growth. Founded by King Bambo and Queen Horvath, the festival has gone beyond their wildest dreams - even after their departure from the throne it continues to triumph. Now overseen by young Queen Horvath the Second, the festival kicks off for its fortieth year anniversary.
Central City has grown to house over three thousand people in the last four decades. The housing architecture is very unique, buildings lay atop each other and reach heights beyond imagination. This allows for multiple living quarters and still gives room for the population to grow over time. On the northern side of the city is the Queen’s palace, an enormous estate built against the dormant volcano Iheo. The palace overshadows any other building and nothing compares. It is a compelling sight for anyone entering city limits for the first time. All the buildings have one thing in common however despite the discrepancies of size, they appear to be an extension of Iheo. The volcano sits silently behind the palace and watches over the city as if it were its child.
Surrounded by a shielded wall and guarded day and night by the city’s military force, Central City’s security goes unmatched. Led by none other than Queen Horvath’s own brother Ragnor, the city has seen a positive shift in crime rate over his watch - meaning it’s gone down. He is a man that holds no room for nonsense and goes above and beyond to keep his people safe. With the festival starting and the influx of people, security runs sparse. The population doubles during the festival but Ragnor and his men do their diligence to protect.
A single entrance allows passage into the walls of Central City. Two guards check all those who enter, traders, citizens and pirates. Traders from all around the East Blue arrive at the gates to gain access to Central Square where most traders set shop and sell their goods - a small designated space in the middle of the city with the most civilian traffic. Traders not fortunate enough to pay for a spot in Central Square will set up shop down the five mile passage into Central City - which is free but outside the city walls. There is five miles of green terrain from the docks of the island to city limits so their shops and goods can be noticed by all of those who arrive.
The docks are full of ships, an array of beautiful machines. Small-time traders typically arrive in long boats from nearby islands while big traders arrive in their large sea cutters, gorgeous vessels crafted by the best shipwrights in the world. Their luxury ships are however minimal in comparison to the ships of pirates, who come to the festival to enjoy drinks, purchase weapons, jewelry and clothes and catch a breather from naval pursuit. The death of Gol D. Roger kickstarted the golden age of pirates years ago and since pirates have received both good and bad publicity. Central City forces everyone attending the festival to parlay, primarily pirates - having them turn their weapons in if they hope to enter the city. This helps prevent and enforce a safe environment for everybody and improves the festival of trades experience.
Surrounding the city walls and Iheo itself is a seemingly endless forest. Central City residents and guests are warned to not enter the forest for the dangers that lay inside are of legend. It is said that carnivorous natives live in the trees and hunt any and all that cross into their territory. Many believe the natives were created by the fires of Iheo when it first erupted. They are said to have eyes of fire and steel teeth. Their limbs are that of spiders and they have horns like the devil. No one has ever laid eyes on them for when one does, they die. All legends derive from the same place, Iheo.
—-
The clicking of heels echoed through the chambers of the quiet palace. Queen Horvath hurried through the halls towards the dining hall in search of her brother. She paced quickly, eyes shifting left and right down every runway. “Brother! Ragnor!” She’d call out, reaching the kitchen with a disappointed look when he wasn’t there. One of the servers turned to face the Queen.
“Queen Horvath, good morning. We are preparing your breakfast,” he explained, a smile on his little face. Behind him were three other servants cooking and prepping for the Queen to start her day.
“Lupe! Have you seen my brother?” The Queen asked, eyes scanning the room to make sure she had not missed him. Lupe responded and informed her of her brother’s whereabouts - the armory. Without hesitation, the Queen took towards him, making her way down the spiral stairs to his location.
—-
Two guards stood at attention at the front gate - the only entrance into the city. Sun reflected off their metal armor, keeping them cool in the heat of summer. They checked everybody that came in for weapons, following all safety protocols so they wouldn’t be punished by the boss. Down the five mile green road traders had already set up shop and were hitting off their sales pitch - trying to get people that came down the path to buy their goods. They were relentless, their livelihood sometimes depending on this day.
At the gate, the two guards tagged weapons and threw them into a wheeled cart that would be transported to the Palace Armory bya crew of three or four more guards. There the weapons would be stored until the end of the day where they would be returned back to its rightful owner. This rule was to force pirates into parlay and gave them the option of leaving their weapons in their ship or turning them over to Central City Security. Either way the weapons would be kept away from the festival which would ensure safety.
Four decades later and the rule still stirred drama. “What do you mean I have to give you my pistol?! How the hell am I supposed to protect myself from these…these savages?!” A rather rotund, brown bearded pirate exclaimed, pointing to other pirates who waited patiently behind him to enter Central City. “This is absurd!!!” He yelled out at the top of his lungs, his forehead sweating and his breathing staggered from the effort he put into that yell. The two guards looked at each other like “this mothafu-“
“How about you just give him that pistol…” a deep voice suggested behind the burly man. The pirate turned red, his eyes grew almost triple in size with rage. He started to twitch, clearly not amused. Turning with aggression he prepared for battle. “Who the hell do you think you ar- ugh….” Those triple-sized eyes grew even more which seemed impossible. His aggression quickly turned to fear as he eyed the scared man before him. His hands started to shake, but his body lay frozen in place - sweating profusely from the magnitude of his mess up. Even the two guards gulped at the sight of the newcomer and every other person around took three steps back from the situation.
“Marine Officer Jon Rosehill!” people shouted in shock. Pirates around acted quickly and reached for their weapons but no one drew. “Relax guys,” Rosehill insisted. “I’m on vacation, there’s no need for violence.” The devil fruit marine turned in circles smiling at everyone, gesturing them to put their hands down and refrain from an unnecessary battle. “I’m just here to check out the shops,” he added.
United gulps could be heard in the silence that brewed. Pirates weren’t sure of Rosehill, he was known for notoriously catching pirates - low or high bounties. He prided himself in it and has gained scars on his face to prove it. Rosehill turned back to Pistol Pirate Brow who failed to head instruction from the fellow guards. “So what do you say? Can we have a nice afternoon or do we need to handle this in a different way?”
All of a sudden the weapons cart was full of tagged weapons.
—-
In the armory Ragnor began stocking weapons where they belonged. Weapon carts from the gate were brought to him to inspect and put away until the end of the festival. Having been doing the task for so long, his system was flawless and very direct. As he continued his work he could hear the taps of heel ends coming down the spiral steps. Immediately he knew who it was.
“You’re awake. It’s almost time for your speech. The festival has already started, they won’t wait for too long sister,” Ragnor commented as he continued to go through cart after cart of guns, swords, axes and all kinds of different weapons.
“I don’t want to do it anymore! Why does it have to be me? Can’t you do it this year?!” Her voice cracked a couple of times as she pleaded with her brother. The speech was a simple rehearsed paragraph that made way to a great and memorable festival. It was an opportunity for the Queen of Central City to address her people and lead them into the new year.
“It cannot be me. I was not chosen by mother to lead, you know that.” A tone of resentment lingering after every word.
“But you are the right choice Ragnor. I am not strong enough to lead these people. You do it all anyway! What if I resign and give you the throne? Don’t you want that?”
A silence grew between the siblings as Ragnor stopped his work. His back remained to his sister as he bit his bottom lip in thought. “I was not chosen. I am a spitting image of father and his doings have brought a stigma to our family. Having me lead will just bring everyone bad memories. You were the correct choice.” His response was very dry but it allowed him to concentrate back on his work.
“Father wanted One Piece and it stained his old heart, but mother always loved you. You know she would have chosen you if she…never mind.”
“But she didn’t. She chose you so now it’s your responsibility to go out there and give the people hope. You have the power to inspire the next generation of our people, don’t let them down, because this isn’t about you Amia, it’s about them.”