Every journey leaves a ghost behind

• You fight like someone who has nothing left to lose. • I didn't free you from that place so you could throw your life away. • The king wants you dead. I'm supposed to be the one to do it. • You're not a prisoner anymore, so why do you still act like one? • I've killed for less than what you just said to me. • You think these pretty clothes make me forget what I am? • I saw you training at dawn. Who taught you to move like that? • The competition starts tomorrow. Try not to die in the first trial. • You're one of the king's assassins. I'm supposed to fear you, not— • I know what you did to earn your freedom. Was it worth it? • You can't save everyone in this castle. Stop trying. • I found blood on your balcony. Whose was it? • The Prince wants to see you. And no, you can't say no. • You've got three kills to my one. Should I be impressed or concerned? • I didn't expect the world's most feared assassin to like books. • You're hiding something. I can always tell when you're lying. • The king's guards are asking questions. What did you do? • I heard you screaming last night. Nightmares again? • You bow to no one, do you? That's going to get you killed. • I'm not your enemy. Though I understand why you'd think otherwise. • You could run. Right now. I'd let you. • You're good with a blade, but you fight angry. That's a weakness. • The princess trusts you. I'm not sure that's wise. • I saw the scars. How long were you there? • You're different than the others. I can't figure out if that's dangerous. • The king's champion shouldn't be afraid of anything. So why do you flinch when he enters the room? • The court thinks you're just a pretty ornament. They have no idea. • I found the letters you've been hiding. Who are you writing to? • You saved my life in that trial. I won't forget it. • The rebellion needs someone like you. Someone ruthless. • You're the first person I've met who isn't afraid of what I can do. • You've been free for months now. When are you going to start acting like it? • I know the king's secret. And now so do you. • You could have anyone in this kingdom. Why do you keep choosing solitude? • The foreign dignitaries are here. Try not to kill any of them. • You're playing a dangerous game with the court. Do you even have a plan? • The captain of the guard is in love with you. You know that, right? • I didn't survive this long by trusting people. But I'm trying to trust you. • You fight like you're still in chains. You're not anymore. • The magical wards around the castle are failing. Something's coming. • You told me you were done killing. So whose body is that?

• You're bleeding through your shirt. Don't tell me you're fine. • How long have you been walking around like this? • I'm not going to hurt you. I just need to see how bad it is. • You should have told me the moment it happened. • Hold still. I mean it. Hold still. • This is going to sting. Bite down on something if you need to. • You've been hiding this for days, haven't you. • Who did this to you? I need you to tell me who did this. • Stop being brave for five minutes and let me help you. • I've seen worse. I've also seen men die from worse, so let me look at it. • I found the bandages in the trash. You want to explain that? • Don't you dare apologize for bleeding on me. • Your hands are cold. That's not a good sign. • I'm not angry. I'm terrified. There's a difference. • Come into the light. Let me see your face. • You should have stitches. I know you won't go. So sit down and let me do what I can. • You're white as a sheet and still trying to stand up straight. • I could hear you in the night. I didn't say anything. I'm saying something now. • Don't look at it if it makes it worse. Just look at me. • It's not weak to let someone see you hurt. • You came to me. Of all the places you could have gone, you came here.  • Lay back. You're not getting up until the color comes back to your face. • I'm not going to ask what happened. Not yet. First let me fix what I can. • You've been holding your left side since you walked in. Think I didn't notice? • This is going to leave a mark. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. • I've patched up a lot of people in my time. None of them scared me like you do right now. • You could have died out there. You could have died and I would have been the last person to know. • Sleep. I'll be right here when you wake up. I'm not going anywhere. • You're allowed to make a sound. Nobody's watching. • I need you to stay awake for me. Just a little longer. Talk to me. • You're lucky the cut wasn't deeper.  • Stop apologizing for needing help. Stop it right now. • I've seen what it looks like when someone's used to this. That's what scares me most about you. • Tell me your name. Tell me what day it is. Stay with me. • You're going to be alright. I promise you.  • You went back out there after this? With this? • Nobody takes care of you, do they? That ends tonight. • I've been gentle with you. I need you to be honest with me in return. • You're safe now. You're here, you're safe, and I've got you. Just breathe.

We made it. Look around. We actually made it here, together, and we're okay.

• I've been raising hell just to get your attention. • You're the only thing I've ever worshipped, and look where it got me. • I can feel it in my bones — something's coming, something big. • Every demon wants his pound of flesh, and I think I'm ready to pay. • Tell me, what does it feel like to be loved gently? • I would've followed you into the dark. I did follow you into the dark. • The saints can't help me now; I've already made my choice. • I've got too much blood on my hands to hold yours. • You keep asking me to be softer, but I was born with a storm in my chest. • I don't pray anymore, except when I'm thinking of you. • What kind of goddess would accept a sacrifice like me? • The violence inside me has a name now — it's yours. • You say you want honesty? I'm a holy fool and a shipwreck all at once. • I can't tell if this is love or just another way to destroy myself. • The birds are circling. That's never a good sign. • I danced with the devil and he gave me your name. • I've been digging my own grave since the day we met. • There's a drumming in my chest, and it's not my heartbeat. • How much of my soul did I sell to have this one night with you? • The water's rising and I'm not sure I want to swim anymore. • You can't save me. I don't even think I want you to try. • I've been screaming your name into the void. Did you hear me? • They say love is patient, but mine has teeth. • I was born in a thunderstorm, and I'll die in one too. • You touched me and I swear I saw god for a second. • I'm not afraid of the fall. I'm afraid of how much I want it. • The hunger in me doesn't have a cure, does it? • Every chain I break just wraps around my throat in a different way. • I would burn the whole world down if it meant keeping you warm. • You say my name like it's a prayer. I say yours like it's a curse. • I'm shaking the bells and calling the hounds — are you coming or not? • There's something ritualistic about the way we ruin each other. • I've been baptized in regret so many times I've lost count. • The violence of the divine — that's what this feels like. • I can't tell where I end and you begin anymore. • You wanted a lover, but I came armed for war. • I've been howling at the moon, hoping you'd hear me from wherever you are. • The ghosts of everyone I used to be are watching us right now. • I need you to understand: I am not delicate. I am not soft. • The reckoning is coming. I can taste it in the air. • You look at me like I'm salvation. I look at you like you're the end. • There's a ceremony in this chaos — can you feel it?

"I don't want it anymore."

"That's not what I meant and you know it. What kind of plot are you planning, you devil?"

"...one day I might convince you to join us for a little voyage. After all. A bartender is an essential part of the crew. And I could use the help!"

"Seems pretty open to me, Piper. You're still going by that, aren't you? Didn't even bother to change your name this time around. Almost seems disrespectful." The man who speaks, his long dark hair falling carelessly over his shoulders, continues his path forward. He pauses only to glance at Sanji, one eye milky white. "You should get out of here, boy. This one isn't worth your effort, trust me."

"You talking to me?" Sanji asked, his curly brow frowning into a smaller circle. "Now...I can't really believe what you say, can I?" He stood up to come face to face with the half blind man. "Judging from your clothes and the charming smell in your breath, you must be a pirate...and one can't just trust a pirate, right?" A small smile played on his face. "I know because I am a pirate too. So when I say that you are perfectly safe here and nobody's gonna hurt you...you should take that with a grain of salt"

"For starters, I'd like to thank you for deciding to speak to me. I know this hasn't been the easiest decision, Ashley..."