Fruit Salad [mission]

[ANABELL]

How long had it been since the snow had started falling? Better yet, how long had it been since the sun had filled the bleak skies of Micqueot with even a glimpse of its fleeting rays?

She stood still within her quaint, isolated home near the outskirts of the town that now seemed more like a ruin than a bustling populace. The open window provided no amusement for her any longer, where she would once peer out into the world to find even the most mundane of things to look towards, there was now nothing but stark white as far as the eye could see. It had been this way for nearly a month now, though the area was known for its colder climate, a blizzard of this caliber was unheard of around this time of year, when the sun's rays should have been in full force, giving the town its only glimpse of summer. Yet regardless of how bleak and miserable it had become, Anabell simply let her mind wander away, to a more interesting world where curious fascinations stumbled about like novelties in a children's toy store; the insanity was slowly consuming her.

"I told you I would cure them, didn't I?! DIDN'T I?!??!"

Memories from the past that had only just resurfaced began to swallow her whole. Tragic tales that riddled her adolescense began to swim freely about her mind, her grieving expression twisted like a knot at each of the grave stones that had been carved by her very hand. If it wasn't for me... those kids..they would have.. An empty strike lashed out against a nearby lamp, hurling it to the ground with a curdling smash; the vicious noise had snapped her back to reality, for the time being. Immediately, she returned to the empty living room, where, on a giant oak table, dozens of notes and books lie open for the world to see. Ideas on medicine, poisons, rare illnesses, it seemed like she was trying to find something in all of it, a deeper meaning, or a hidden message of some sorts.

"I could have been a model, right? I was such a fool back then, such a goddamn fool.."

She mused over the notes once more before collecting herself before a long mirror that draped itself beside a wall that expanded over the living room's entirety. Her usual black dress had been replaced with more appropriate wear, a long fur coat that hid whatever layers she was sporting beneath, though her sharp boots peered out from underneath the fur's warm interior, hinting at her usual choice in garb after all. Though before her posterior could land safely on the lone wooden chair at the end of the table, a loud, almost banging noise ripped through the silence of her home and immediately causing her to rush the door as if some monstrous creature had arrived to have its way with her. A villager? But I haven't even completed this month's orders yet, then wh-

"Excuse me, hello? hello? Please, h-h-hel- ...plea- ..."

A child?! Without hesitation she ripped the door open, nearly off its hinges, to find a small group of rag-tag children sitting almost in uniform at her doorstep. Each one of them looked emaciated and nearly dead, it was obvious that they were orphans or unwanted for whatever reason, though why, why would they come to her, of all people? Didn't they know about what she had done, or who she was? Though, it made sense in a way that on their death bed they come to her for aid, it was almost ironic, like a sick joke.

"Don't just sit there like morons, get in here before I shut the door on one of your noses!"

[ANABELL]

The frigid wind bit away at her nose as she peered down before the group of children that had now inhabited the small space underneath her living room table. There were five of them total, three girls, two boys, and it seemed like only one of them had the tenacity to stare at her from the distance that they had placed from her. His eyes were fierce and unrelenting, it was obvious that he was the eldest of them, the others didn't even look old enough to talk, let alone survive in such harsh conditions for god know's how long. There was a fighting spirit about the kid, and Anabell couldn't help but be drawn in by it, like a moth to a flame. She stared at the sickly bunch for a few minutes, not even bothering to move from the front door which she had just narrowly closed on one of them earlier.

"You! With the green coat, I know you can at least talk, how dare you come into my home so rudely and without welcome! Who the hell said I'd let you in, eh?"

She glared at them, her eyes met each and every one of them several times, and they all jumped back a little bit each time, it was a gaze that could turn them to stone if they weren't careful, and they were treading on unfamiliar waters at this point. Still, the boy who seemed like their 'leader' didn't budge, he remained at the forefront of the group that huddled beneath the table in a frenzy, though his eyes never left hers, though they occassionally wandered down to her peeking breasts, which sent a warm glow over his frostbit face. At last, he seemed to motion himself bit by bit, hesitantly, as if trying to avoid motion detectors, until he stood tall in front of the table, only a few feet from Anabell.

"Big boob granny, please save them! They have no home, no parents, they'll die! Kill me instead, if you must!"

Time wasn't necessary, not even an expression, but the sound was astronomical to say the least. Before any of them knew it, the eldest boy had seemingly been flung across the room and now lay nearly unconscious on the kitchen's floor, several broken glasses and plates lay beside his dizzy expression. Granny?!?! Big boob granny?! Damn kids, to hell with this mess! She glided from the living room into the kitchen, staring bleakly at the young mut that lay before her, her fists clenched with fuming rage, it seemed that she had been hurled into a most unfavorable situation, one that she had no escape routes away from. For whatever reason, these children had seen her home as a beacon of life, and to throw them out now would be an action she would never be able to repent, not after what happened before.

"Fine, but if I ever hear any of you call me anything like that ever again, it's the boot for ya, got it? Also, you, tell me your name at once!"

She peered back down towards the boy who had now re-positioned himself back to a level headed stance with arms crossed and expression poised. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction to her acceptance of his proposal, though when she asked his name, he seemed rather perplexed, as if he was confused as to why she would even want to know something mundane like that. Still, his grin zipped across his face, from ear to ear, as a chuckle started to elevate deep within his diaphragm. Each of the children from beneath the table now encircled Anabell, their eyes filled with hope and admiration for their new found savior.

"The name's Tucker! Nice to make your acquaintance, big boo-.. I mean, wait, what's YOUR name, huh?"

[ANABELL]

It had been a few days since the rather tenacious group of orphans had begun to occupy her once peaceful abode. The smell of burnt bread and oregano filled the home as Anabell rushed about the kitchen like a madman, her hair pulled up in a ponytail, and a long tomato-stained apron covered her usual black dress. Though she absolutely hated children, there was no way she would have let them back into the cold, so she eventually decided to let them stay, she wouldn't have anymore blood on her hands, not after what happened before. Though as she continuously made the rounds in the kitchen, bringing food back and forth to the children that sat patiently at the now clean wooden table, she noticed it. There's only enough food for a few more days at most, and it's been snowing like this for as long as I can remember. The children smiled and giggled to one another, their hearts were content and their stomachs were full, there was a tranquility in the home that Anabell couldn't help but admire.

"Now, I'm no cook, but this'll have to do, ok?"

She stared them all down, her eyes intent on knowing whether her venture into cooking was successful or not. There was something about the children that brought out a more docile side of her's, it was as if she had become a completely different person in the course of several days. As each of them tore through what she had so painstakingly prepared, she couldn't help but feel relieved. Though the same worry from earlier was beginning to rush back into her mind, what would they do for food? She knew that the market wouldn't be open for at least another week at the most, and these children hadn't been properly fed in quite sometime, who knew what would happen if they were forced to hold out any longer.

[ANABELL]

"You know it's only a matter of time, right?"

"Tch, you don't think I know that? But.. what should I do?"

"You're a smart girl, ya know, I'm sure you'll think of something."

"That's easy for you to say, as an onlooker, these kids.. What did I get myself into?"

Several days had passed, and the food rations that Anabell had stored away for emergencies had now been completely depleted. The children lay before a crackling fireplace in the middle of the home as Anabell stood firmly against the kitchen table, a small den den mushi lay within her palm and a glass of bourbon in the other. Her expression was stiff and rigid with pain, she couldn't help but stay up and wonder what would happen if she was unsuccessful in finding a way to save these poor orphans. The voice from the den den mushi was that of a man who sounded like he was in his mid forties, with a raspy yet confident sound. She grasped her alcohol tightly now as she took a rather large swig and then placed the glass gently against the oak table that she was leaning on.

"There's a rumor about a fruit that grows a little ways north of here.. Mother always told me abou-"

"Are you crazy?! In this kind of weather?! You'll never be able to make it! Maybe if you were more prepared, but it's too sudden!"

"Don't underestimate me, old man, I am a doctor after all!"

With that, the connection on the other end tuned out, most likely out of anger against Anabell's rather unwise decision to venture out in the worsening conditions. Though all she could remember was a story that her mother once told her long ago, of a fruit that grew and ripened only when the temperature grew too cold for anyone to find it, that's what made it so elusive; it was rare that anyone could find it because of how difficult it was to journey in the conditions that made it possible for the fruit to grow. Her mother had once eaten such a fruit, and she told Anabell as a child that it was one of the most delicious things she had ever eaten. What a fitting meal, I'll harvest these fruit, and it'll be the most goddamn delicious thing these kids have ever eaten!

[ANABELL]

"Granny, please don't go!"

"Don't go Ana-chan!"

The children all sat about the home, blocking the front door. Anabell had packed one large backpack full of supplies, and was dressed in her warmest fur ensemble that consisted of a long coat, hat, and a muff. She looked down towards the children with a rather sympathetic grin, though she couldn't help but feel sorry for them; they were like animals, helpless and needy, though she had to provide for them, no one else would be able to handle such a difficult endeavor. As she gathered the rest of her belongings and double checked the fire place to ensure that there would be enough wood for them for at least several days, she slowly made her way to the front door. Each of the children began to congregate around her legs, pulling and tugging at her fur as their tears drenched her legs and rolled down onto the wooden floor below. They weren't scared that they would die if she was lost in the storm, but were scared for her. Over the last few weeks, they had grown attached to their temporary foster mother, more so than Anabell could have imagined, even she couldn't deny the overwhelming amount of grief that she had been feeling ever since dawn, when the snow began to weaken.

Standing directly before the door frame, Tucker, the eldest of the orphans, stared down at his feet with a luck of rejection on his face. It was obvious that he too felt the same grief that the others were experiencing, though he tried his best to hold his emotions over. Brushing the others aside after saying her farewells to each and every one of them, she immediately glided towards him. Locking eyes once more, similar to their first, rather unorthodox encounter after they had forced their way into her home, she couldn't help but kneel down before him, placing her left palm against his weak shoulder. She grinned at him and then immediately flicked him on the nose, sending him falling to the ground with surprise.

"What the heck did ya do that for, granny?!?!"

"Shut up ya brat! Make sure they all manage to stay safe, or else I swear to god I'll kill ya! Got it?!?!"

"Tch.. yea. But, if you die out there... I'll never forgive ya either!!"

With that last goodbye, Anabell immediately glided past Tucker, swinging the door wide open against the dimly lit sun that barely managed to peak out against the stark white contrast of the landscape. The blizzard had died down for now, but who knew when it would pick up again, this was the perfect time to set out, when visibility wasn't impossible. With one look over her shoulder, she immediately shut the door on the house that was now filled to the brim with sobbing children. It had been an interesting experience, having to deal with those orphans after what her past had entailed, though this was her moment of redemption, and there was no time to falter now, when the stakes were running so high.

[ANABELL]

It hadn't even been a few hours now, but as the snowfall seemed to grow in density with every passing moment, visibility swiftly began to fall. It wasn't long before all Anabell could make out were the flakes that fell before her eyes, blinding her in an array of stark white as far as the eyes could see; even her home seemed to vanish in the distance, though she could still make out the long trail of smoke that radiated from the chimney within, the weather had already began to play games with her. Her feet were like anchors against the icy terrain, each of her legs grew weary against the heavy steps she had to take in order to avoid losing her bearing in the fluffy space between her and the ground below. I never imagined it would be this deep, how long can it keep snowing like this? She sighed, her long black lochs had blown about and grew damp with each snowflake that fell against her porcelain expression.

"I doubt I'll make it there by nightfall, shit!"

She muttered to herself, taking in a deep breath of cold air that nearly chapped her lungs. She couldn't help but wince from pain, even she, who had been born and raised in these frigid storms, couldn't believe how hellish this storm had become. She wouldn't be surprised if this latest snowfall had set a record for the storm system, she could barely remember now how long it had been since the sun had illuminated the once lively town and its people. Days, months? This is getting ridiculous.. At this rate, will this even matter? She shook her head, such thoughts were pointless, all that mattered was getting as many provisions as she could, the children would have been eating the very last of the rations by morning, which gave her time before their hunger set in once more.

If worst came to worst, she would kill them herself before letting them starve to death, though the very idea of going through with such a thing sent shivers down her spine. She knew it was wrong, but the pain of starvation was a truly cruel mistress, having been in such a predicament before, death seemed like a heavenly release for her back then. Though as her path laid in wait, she returned her attention to her more important goal at this point; staying alive in this treacherous weather, and finding food for those orphans who she promised to save. The odds seemed against her at this point, though she was never one to accept defeat and just walk away so easily, she would bite back against this storm, she was stronger than it was, and this was her time to prove it.

[ANABELL]

Nightfall was nearly setting in, and the blizzard had finally started to die down once more. Anabell had made it a little ways up the mountain north from the village, but she was still rather far from her goal that was rumored to grow at the very top of the mountain, where the temperatures were the coldest and most uninhabitable. She winced in pain as her legs had nearly given out from how long and irritating her path had been, snow that had frozen over into ice was nearly impossible to keep a balance in, and she managed to fall several times up the mountain, her fur was moist in some places, and the cold was truly beginning to set in. This area, against the climbing steep of the mountainside would be her base camp for the night, climbing without light was a tragedy waiting to happen, and she wasn't a fool quite yet.

After pulling out a makeshift tent and some supplies from her large bag, she had setup a rather large looking post. The inside of the tent was big enough for several people, and a small lanturn sat in the middle of it, while her sleeping bag lay near the entrance. Outside, she began to setup pieces of wood and paper to make a fire as she slowly began to peel off the layers of damp fur that encased her figure, throwing them in her tent so that they might be able to dry quicker. It took me this long to reach the base of this behemoth, I have to pick up my pace tomorrow, god knows how long they'll hold out before they might do something reckless. She shivered as the moon hovered aimlessly behind the mountain, casting a devious glare around her campsite, though she couldn't help but remember that horrible feeling of desperation that starvation would eventually create in even the most honorable of men.

Though she gave Tucker strict instructions to not let any of the others venture outside for any reason, she couldn't help but second guess the boy's strength, knowing how vulnerable a child might be to such an affliction, though she had to keep her thoughts away from such a gruesome outcome, there was no way they would come to cannibalism, that was too horrid to even imagine at this point. As the fire raged on before her, and the moon's dim shadow grew stronger in the ensuing darkness, she eventually retired within her tent; the night air was still and ominous, it was as if the sky had fallen to sleep as well, tired from the constant barrage of snow that it had cast against Anabell's journey.

[ANABELL]

The crack of dawn had swiftly come about, the sun had made its presence known, though it was surely enough tucked away once more against a plethora of snow that fell infinitely from the stark sky above. The fireplace that Anabell had painstakingly made only eight hours ago was now completely buried, though she had long since deserted the site, her presence faded as each snowflake buried any trace that she had left behind. Never one to wait around, Anabell had long since reignited her journey up the mountain, her stride had become much more vigorous in light of last night' revelations, though she still took into account the fact that pushing herself too hard would only cause more harm in the long run. At this point, reaching the top shouldn't take much longer, though I might have to camp out again..Shit, it's so freakin cold!

Visibility had once more been reduced to almost nothing, even the space in front of her was hard to see against the freezing winds that blew against her soft cheeks, leaving burns in their place. The only reason she had maintained navigation was the steep incline that made this particular mountain rather notorious to the townsfolk below, it was as if she was climbing vertically by how slow she was moving, and her legs cried out with each drawn out step that she took. Though as her eyes struggled to look onward, she noticed a rather curious sight in the distance, she couldn't tell at first if it was her mind playing tricks on her, or if she was truly seeing something in the vast sea of white that she had now become so accustomed to.

"Is this really...?!"

Within a few more steps, she bent over with an expression wrapped in joy, her eyes wide open regardless of the winds that blew harder than ever now. Before her, a small, wilted plant blew about in the wind, though there was something rather off about it that made it seem a bit out of place. It was as if the plant was still alive, it was obvious that it was just a sapling, though its leaves were an odd roundish space, and its stem was thick and covered in thorns. Anabell had never seen such a plant before in all her life, she couldn't help but wonder with excitement that she may have finally gotten close enough to the top of the mountain, was this a seedling that had wandered astray and rooted too low, her grin was so wide that even its brilliance managed to shine in this sea of white.

[ANABELL]

With each step she took forward, her eyes seemed to grow wider with anticipation, there was very little that could hold her back from reaching the top now, which remained only a pebble's throw from her location. Though as she stumbled to an area on the mountain's slope where suddenly the steepness seemed to vanish, she knew that could have only meant one thing. The top? Really? Her mouth flung open in awe as she scrambled upwards until her eyes met a small gathering of color in the distance, it was as if she could make out a few large shadows from her position, though the continuous snowfall still made it hard to decipher exactly what lay before her.

"Tch, almost there!"

Her eyes winced in pain, and her visage had grown rosy against the ongoing burn of the winds, it was a good thing she was able to reach the top so quickly, otherwise she might not have made it at all. As the shadows slowly began to unveil themselves as she closed the distance, she quickly made out the shape of two extremely large trees standing side by side near the mountain's plateau. Running towards them with glee, she made out dozens of large fruit that grew from the tree on the left, they glimmered a bright orange and gave off a familiar scent, it reminded her of her mother. This smell.. mom.. With a single swing, of her arm against the narrow trunk of the tree, each of the fruit swiftly fell into the snow around her, leaving large circular imprints upon the snow.

Taking but a single bite, she rejoiced and threw the half eaten fruit back onto the ground beside her. It was sweet, and delicious beyond anything she had ever tasted before, it was also extremely juicy and had a very rich aroma that was exactly what her mother used to smell like so many years ago. Throwing all of her belongings out of the giant sack that she had carried up the mountain, she filled it to the brim with each of the fruit that she had found, leaving no space for anything else, this would mean she would have to find a way to return down the mountain before nightfall, though that was an issue she would worry about when the time came.

Something mysterious though caught her eye, while she had taken all of the fruit that the tree on the left had, she completely neglected the smaller, more withered looking tree on the right. There was something rather odd about this tree, its branches looked worn and tired, and its leaves lay limp and blew violently against the wind. Though, at the very top of the tree, a rather odd looking fruit lay calmly in a nestled vine. Curiosity of course took over, and with a single kick against the meager trunk, the tree came hurdling down to earth. Its shape was irregular and it had no scent whatsoever.

"What the hell kinda fruit is this?!"

[ANABELL]

Since Anabell's departure, the home had grown cold and dreary, it had been awhile since the last few logs had been burned, and the rations had been out since her leave several days ago. The children had gathered together in their original position underneath the kitchen table, though Tucker stood nervously in the kitchen. Each one of the drawers and pantries had been opened and rummaged through, they had even gone so far as to look through the garbage container which now encompassed most of the tile flooring near the sink. His eyes were wide and beady, and a look of exhaustion plagued his once noble expression. He couldn't help but wonder what would happen to them all if Anabell had failed and gotten lost in the ensuing blizzard, there would most likely be no hope for the orphans if that scenario had come alive.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The children screamed and Tucker looked up anxiously, his eyes came back to life as a look of terror swallowed his face. He knew that Anabell had business in town, and wondered what a stranger would think if they saw a group of children in her home. He gulped nervously and made his way to the door. With each step he took, the others cried out and pleaded him not to answer in fear of what could lie in wait, looters and pirates were common in these parts, and a group of orphans was hardly an opponent. With eyes closed tightly, he swung the door open slightly and peered out into the vast sea of white where his eyes immediately met the same wicked expression he came to know less than a month ago.

"BIG BOOB GRANNY!!!"

"I told you... DONT CALL ME THAT!"

She swung furiously in his direction, knocking him back against the coarse rug near the main entrance, she glided inside carefully, her overpacked bag just narrowly avoiding the door frame. The children all gathered around her with joy, though Tucker sat there, where her blow had sent him, with eyes wide with wonder and admiration. She grinned at them all and quickly revealed the treasure that lay within her pack, dozens and dozens of large fruit, filled to the brim. Cheering with new found hope, they all chanted about, though as Anabell peered towards the lives that she had saved, her eyes wandered to the bottom of her bag where a large, oddly shaped fruit lie in wake. Just what the hell kinda fruit.. are you?

[DAEMON]

Congratulations. Plunging your teeth into the fruit, the bitter taste overpowers your taste buds. You feel a strange sensation overcome your body, and realize you have been bestowed with a new power. Or maybe it's a curse.

DOA DOA NO MI - The Doa Doa no Mi is a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows the user to create doors through anything they touch, making the user a Door Human. The doors they create can be created from any part of their body, from the palm of their hands to their whole body itself, and usually take the shape and form of the body part creating it. The doors remain as passageways anyone can pass through until closed completely. "Doa" comes from the Japanese pronunciation of "door".
Look here for reference.