"Dezzi!" Kirk yelled as he struggled to his feet, the warmth of the sun coming back over the three, Jeanne attempted to stop the koi fishman, but the Navigator slipped from her grasp, stumbling over to Dezzi! Falling to his knees as he cupped them in his hand
Kirks eyes suddenly widened, eyes glistening with tears as he saw the Emblem. "Oh my…god…"
The two weren't able to see it in the dark, merely looking like a scar. But now, in the light. The two looked in utter shock at the mark.
"J-Jeanne…Do you know- What that is?" Kirk could barely keep himself together.
"I-I Think…"
"The Claw of The Dragons…" Kirk began to explain, he had seen it on some of the Fishman that were apart of Barnums gang. When he was young, they explained it as nothing more than a scar. But when he was older-
They said that it was a Mark of a Slave. Branded when they were captives of the Celestial Dragons.
When you're branded with it, for the Rest of Your life. You are marked as Less than Human. And as a Fishman with it, you'd be no better than a talking bag of meat that's gone bad.
"I always knew it as a Brand of Criminals…Only the worst of the worst were branded. Forced to serve the Celestial Dragons as Penance…I- Always had my doubts but- I never knew what it really meant…"
The Celestial Dragons, the Gods of the World. It was a common known fact that they had servants that were often branded. But many believe, and are told that this is because the servants are heinous in the eyes of gods.
"Oh Dezzi…" Kirk whimpered, tears beginning to fall as he cupped the doctor's limp head in his chest. "I'm so sorry…"
Jeanne fell to her own knees as she rested her hands on the doctor. Gently caressing them to soothe them.
They both knew it, Dezzi was awake. And could hear every word. Tears beginning to fall from the their own tired and exhausted eyes.
As the three sat there, Dezzi could only think about how at every turn they kept realizing and being reminded that this truly was the best decision they could've ever made…Even with their own fear and disdain of their mark. Seeing them not treat themself like a monster, or like an eyesore…
As they thought, almost on instinct, their furred hands came up Jeanne and Kirks. And gripped them. Letting the two know they were okay.
But a few moments later, Dezzi's grip released, falling back into unconsciousness, this time out of comfort to be at ease, than forced exhaustion
The two moved fast to get their doctor bag that had fallen from them a few moments before.
"Damn! This is kinda heavy?!" Jeanne said as she lifted the bag.
"I thought they only kept immediate emergency medical supplies in there?" Kirk questioned.
Putting the bag down, she unclasped the bag and peaked in. Its contents seemed far deeper than what was on the outside, everything as well was organized incredibly, pouches, boxes, vials, and rolls of bandages.
"The Hell Dez…Never told me you had a magic bag…" Jeanne jest as she pulled out the things she needed.
Magic was the right word. Though It could've been a bag infused with devil sap. But the purpose was still the same. This meager 12 x 8 on the outside was just that, and on the inside it was near triple that. This was what allowed for Dezzi to carry an entire IV stand and Surgery set up at any given moment
As the two got to quick work bandaging both Dezzi and themselves, the Sleeping doctors' slumber had taken a turn…
For so long, the Doctor had buried it.
Those sounds of screaming. The Sounds of Laughter. Not of Joy, but of vile, visceral contempt.
They hid behind that mask to hide who they were. Hide away themselves. Even behind a veil of fog, not understanding what had happened. They knew that it'd keep them from being hurt anymore.
But now, within the grasp of those they love. That fog was lifted. And all those fragments came falling back into place. Showing, for the first time, the full picture.
Born to two minks. Kanin Dezzi was born 18 years ago.
To Mother Jezica and To Father Bex.
For the First few years. The three lived decent lives. Father Bez was a Trader on an Island far to the end of the Grand Line. Dezzi remembered the tall trees, and the grass that was a pleasant turquoise green.
Dezzi would run through the forest. Their mother watched them as they did from their cabin.
"This years harvest is even worse than the last…" Bez spoke, slinging off a bag from his shoulder, small potatoes rolling across the table with other produce that looked far from edible.
"And, not to mention those laborers at the docks on 5 are getting to be a real pain in my ass…"
Jezica stood and ran her hands over her partners shoulders
"Hey it's okay! I'm sure it's just a dry season this time. And you know how it is with those guys are. As long as you can keep us afloat it's alright."
She gave him a few pats.