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It started out as a conversation. Nothing note worthy or substantial. An avreage everyday life. Almost as though talking about the weather. Boring, routine and utterly normal. Thinking of pirates you might not think of them having such normal conversations. Ace and Otama certainly didn't. They watched the people around them talking and getting along. Letting the ship sway as they did. Eating away at their plate. Ace eating twice as fast as Otama. Still both finishing their plates quickly.
While everyone was eating Thatch and Marco would have a catch up. Just a little back on forth about what the ship and crew might need at the next island. Any issues Thatch was coming up against for their food. On a crew as large as theirs they had to be more careful about their food waste. Sometimes though it would break down into just normal day things. If Marco had any plans later and wanted to play poker. Or if Thatch had enough to make Marco's favorite dinner. Today Thatch and Marco chatting at the breakfast table as usual. "Its both nice to not have leftovers anymore and worrying. I'm always worried well run out."
Marco hummed. "That's why you've been asking for more budget then?" He asked through he already understood what the other meant. It happened whenever they got more siblings. Some eat more then other and Thatch always wanted to make sure they were all full. Which is hard to do on the open sea. Worst case they could catch a sea king, but that was dangerous and often lead to people getting hurt. Meaning Marco and Thatch would feel guilty and left to work though it. Though Thatch would stress bake while Marco helped in the medical ward.
"Whats leftovers?" Ace asked, cutting into their conversation. He had been listening for a while. Trying to figure out if Marco was going to request a specific dinner he could look forward to later. Or if there was a change to see the two try to play poker. For some reason Ace seemed to think they were all bad at it. Then again he only knew how to play by cheating.
The two turned to their newest sibling. Ace looking at them completely serious. With little Otama next to him looking the same. She looked between Ace and them for a moment before pulling the same confused face.
Thatch partially wanted to laugh and tell Ace to stop joking. "Leftovers you know food that you haven't finished." He said, figuring they called it something else. It happened now and again where there was culture differences that popped up.
However, the idea of left over food only confused and angered the two. Who would leave food around? Even if it made you sick you should eat. Or so the two thought. "What?" Ace asked, voice not quite angry.
His voice caught the attention of Deuce sitting not too far. "Whats happening?" He asked. It little to inform him of their conversation. "Ooohh, yeah. Neither of these two know the meaning of that."
"What do you mean? I know Ace has a huge appetite but even he gets full." Thatch said. It was true of course, everyone could only eat so much.
Deuce opened the closed his mouth for a moment. Turning to the two still confused. "Otama if your tummy full but theres still food on the plate, what do you do?"
"Finish the plate!" Otama said. Ace nodding like she was the smartest person in the area. Though their words only worried and scared the Whitebeards.
Deuce gave Thatch and Marco a deadpan look. It didn't take much to understand he had not only tried to fix that idea but had no luck. "What if you save it for later?" He asked. This time his eyes didn't leave Marco and Thatch.
"Why? Someone might steal it." The both answered. Their cheeks getting pink with annoyance. Ace's skin having a slight glow to it.
Deuce sighed, while the other Spades shook their heads. There was no changing that idea with these two.
"We wouldn't steal your food!" Thatch said, trying to descularé their anger.
Ace and Otama didn't take that as well as he hoped. As both their faces twisted a little more. Their lips puckering a bit with a frown. And brows furrowing. They didn't believe him.
"Are we sure they aren't blood?" Harutas voice muttered to the left of Marco. Though the other didn't want to react to that just yet. In case they turned the whole conversation away from them.
"We really wouldn't take from you, Yoi. When was the last time you two just got to eat without food being stolen?" He asked, hoping it would tell them just how ling this was going on.
"I don't get it, what do you mean?" Otama asked as Ace spoke too. "Like anyone can take my food without getting stabbed." Both making it hard to hear the other.
Marco held up a hand. "Okay let's try that again. Otama did someone seat your food or try recently?"
Otama thought back. The Spades and Whitebeards were super nice to her. They had given her so much. She tried to remember a time they tried to take her food. But couldn't remember a thing. Shaking her head a sigh echoed in the room.
"Ace, when was the last time you had to keep your food safe?" Marco asked.
Ace didn't have to think long about it. "I always keep my food safe. You never know where an attack will come from." he slammed his fork on the table a little too hard.
Now that ace said it they realized he always had his fork in a stabbing position. Ready to stab anyone that put their hand too close to the food. It was something they had laughed at while Ace was asleep. A strange thing he would do no matter how awake he was. Now with the understanding Ace was constantly worried someone would take his food from him. Not once letting his guard down.