socalfunplaces Page 101
Page 101
Ironically, it was the work of Betty's favorite liberal poet.
She walked to the window. The garden, which had been damaged just a few days ago, was now full of flowers, and dewdrops glistened on the petals like tears.
Betty looked up at the horizon, then down at her palm.
The marks left by years of exercise are still clearly visible.
In the distance, perhaps there are still people fighting for that seemingly unattainable ideal.
And she has now become a trapped beast in a gilded cage.
In the restaurant, Stella placed warm honey milk in front of everyone.
Her gentle gaze swept over the increasing number of seats, a smile on her face:
"Today's orange sauce is a new product, everyone should try it."
Blake took a bite and nodded:
"The taste is not bad. Remember to send some to Mandy and Kella."
"Your Highness, rest assured, I have made all the arrangements."
Blake patted the back of her hand; Stella always did things thoroughly.
At that moment, Hancock gracefully arrived carrying a gilded tray, her peacock-blue skirt sweeping past Kalifa, who was sitting beside Black, preparing to serve him his meal.
"Get out of my way right now!"
Hancock spoke in an unfriendly tone, glaring down at the other person.
Sixteen-year-old Hancock, thanks to ample nutrition and early training, has already approached the physique described in the original story.
Facing Kalifa, who was sitting in a chair, his aura was completely oppressive.
Kalifa adjusted her glasses without moving, glancing at Hancock who was glaring at her.
"You are sexually harassing His Highness!"
"What did you say?!"
Hancock was furious and was about to fight Kalifa when Black stopped her.
"Alright, alright, let's not argue so early in the morning."
Blake was somewhat helpless.
These two seemed to be incompatible, as they would start arguing after only a few words.
Upon hearing Blake's words, Hancock immediately became obedient.
When she turned her head, a sweet smile was already on her face:
“Lord Black Saint, these are almond cookies that I personally supervised in baking!”
She placed the tray in front of Blake, as if expecting praise.
Black didn't disappoint her either, raising his hand to pinch Hancock's chin:
"Little Hancock is getting better and better."
"This concubine...this concubine..."
Hancock covered her face and hurriedly ran to sit down next to Marigold.
Marigold was speechless, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
"My older sister is so disappointing."
Tengetsu is helping Rami and Hiyori divide the food.
She looked at the two of them with doting affection, as if she were raising two children, and could no longer see the despondent look she had shown before.
"The golden ratio of sugar to honey is 0.618."
Kalifa calmly spread a precise amount of sauce on Blake's bread.
Suddenly, her hand paused:
"But Perona just hid the candy."
Although Blake was somewhat exasperated by Kalifa's obsessive-compulsive behavior, he still glanced sideways at Perona, who was pretending to be indifferent.
He grabbed her by the back of the neck:
"Oh, you little rascal, you're being naughty again, aren't you?"
"It wasn't me! I didn't do it!"
Perona twisted her body in Blake's hands, adopting a posture of utterly denying everything.
"Rough physical punishment can hinder children's intellectual development."
Robin sipped his black tea, his fingertips gently tracing the rim of the cup, and softly offered a reminder.
However, his tone sounded more like he was stirring up trouble.
Blake forced a cruel smile:
"It's alright, there shouldn't be much room for her intelligence to decline any further."
As he spoke, he pressed Perona onto his lap.
Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!
A crisp slapping sound rang out along with exaggerated wails, and another hopeful day began.
Chapter 133 Fishman Island, Fishman Street
The excruciating pain is the first spark that ignites the return of consciousness, shrieking at the nerve endings.
Christopher's eyelashes trembled slightly from the burning pain, and each breath pulled at the large bandages on his chest.
The salty air seeped into my nostrils, not the smell of gunpowder and scorched earth from my memory, but with a peculiar dampness.
He suddenly opened his eyes:
The movement aggravated the wound, and a suppressed groan escaped his throat.
It took several seconds for my eyes to focus.
A soft, hazy light streamed down from the dome, filtering through a semi-transparent coral material and enveloping the room in a dreamy blue ripple.
The walls are naturally formed porous reefs, and they feel cold to the touch.
This is not a place he is familiar with.
It was neither the Mary Geoise palace nor the sea of fire that engulfed him.
Christopher struggled to sit up, but had to stop because of the excruciating pain all over his body.
He tried moving his fingers to confirm control of his body.
Stiff and slow.
The stinging pain that spread throughout my limbs and bones protested incessantly, but my body eventually responded.
He moved his eyes extremely slowly and imperceptibly, scanning the environment with minimal movement.
After a long while, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.
His last memory was of Garin's sword light, which was as bright as the sun descending, before he completely lost consciousness.
It now appears that Tiger has successfully led him to safety.
Just then, a steady footstep sound came from outside the door, getting closer and closer.
Christopher thought for a moment, but still didn't close his eyes.
Since Tiger left him here, this place should be safe.
He simply turned his head quietly, his gaze falling on the door made from a giant seashell.
Soon, the door was pushed open.
In the warm indoor light, Christopher's eyes fell upon a burly, blue fishman.
Her sapphire-like skin appeared exceptionally smooth and warm in the soft light.
"you're awake!"
Jinbe's face, so unlike any human's, immediately lit up with genuine joy. He quickly approached, his eyes filled with concern.
"Don't move around, your injuries are very serious."
"How are you feeling? Is the wound still very painful?"
"He... won't die."
Christopher mustered his stiff facial muscles and responded with an extremely weak but trying-to-express grateful smile.
This tiny movement immediately aggravated the wounds on his lips and cheeks, making his smile appear somewhat distorted.
He paused, then asked softly, in a clearer tone and with a sense of confirmation:
"who are you?"
"where is this place?"
"Was it Tiger... who brought me here?"
Jinbe nodded firmly and sat down on a naturally formed low rock, his hands habitually resting on his knees:
"This is Fishman Street on Fishman Island. I am Jinbe, an officer of the Sun Pirates."
"Don't worry, you and Brother Tiger are both safe here."
He had already learned from Fisher Tiger that the man before him was a fighter dedicated to freeing slaves and promoting racial equality.
Although Jinbe felt somewhat uncomfortable about the other party's past status as a Celestial Dragon, he still respected this warrior who was willing to fight for his ideals.
Upon hearing the title "Big Brother Tiger," Christopher's expression softened.
"Fishman Island, huh..."
He sighed, then a barely perceptible hint of anxiety crept into his voice:
"Tiger...how is he?"
"His injuries are less severe than yours, and he's awake now."
Jinbe answered truthfully.
His tone was calm, attempting to convey some comfort:
"But it will take time to recover, and he cannot get out of bed and walk around for the time being."
Christopher felt somewhat relieved to learn that Tiger was unharmed.
Then, he took a deep breath.
His gaze was fixed on Jinbe, filled with a steadfast pursuit of the truth, yet also revealing a premonition and fear of the devastating news.
Finally, he asked the question he had to face:
"Then, please tell me... what's the situation outside?"
The joy on Jinbe's face vanished, replaced by a solemn expression.
He slowly pulled a newspaper from his pocket, his voice clear and direct:
"Only you and Tiger managed to escape..."
"Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, has been killed in battle."
Christopher's breath hitched slightly.
Although he had a premonition, he still felt a sense of unreality when he actually confirmed the news.
That man with boundless energy, who proposed astonishing ideas, and who, together with him, attempted to change the world…
He just perished like that?
Even though their camaraderie lasted only one night, Christopher was still heartbroken.
Jinbe continued to announce the final outcome: