The Fox and the Murderer

A year has passed since his disappearance. The famous Ramsay Escoffier, legendary hotelier who built and ran numerous lavish properties in Paradise. He also owned one of the most renown hotels in the New World. His pieces were art. Built by master architects capable of bringing to life his wildest dreams. And even though they were covered from floor to ceiling with luxury, his hotels were meant to serve both the commoner and the king who served them. His dream to inspire those at the bottom to strive for the lifestyle they dreamed. And to remind those at the top of their blessings. A unique paradox in a world obsessed with ranking. Filled with well paid workers who were refined and taught the art of Hospitality.

His pieces were so legendary that an unspoken law was willed into existence. Under the first two sacred laws of Xenia, the land that was blessed by his pieces were neutral grounds to the great powers. Pirates. Marines. Kings. Farmers. If they could afford to stay there, they would be protected. His workers all skilled fighters assured that his patrons could unwind and truly embrace elegance.

However, contrary to most successful businessmen, he lived at a small Inn with Misses Ramsay and his adopted teenager. Chateau constantly questioned his father's purpose of such a humble lifestyle for someone who had kings and nobles begging to host their galas and balls at his hotel. After all, coming from slavery, Chateau had the chance to embrace the heavens! But Escoffier would just scoff and laugh. "Wealth is spiritual," he'd say. "Money comes and go. Status is only meaningful as long as they want something from the person. A truly wealthy person is one whose spirit exist to serve others. All the materials will vanish with time. Only the memories one implants in others will exist."

Chateau sat on his rowboat, staring at the distant moon with a plain visage. His golden eyes reflecting the radiant heavens behind lowered eyelids. He wore his usual black dress pants and white dress shirt, laying his favored black blazer besides him. On top of it was his favorite weapon. A silver kanabō that resembled a baseball bat with spikes at the ending was rested on his other side.

A year ago. Mr. Escoffier signed over all of his lavish properties to the mysterious Emperor Over. A controversial move that caused him to fall out of favor with the world. Chateau visited his property in Alabasta and almost threw up everywhere. Cheap gimmicks. Service based on status. A focus on profit. Disgracing. Escoffier's vanishing seemed like abandonment. Make a fortune and throw away the makeshift family he gathered under his roof. But unlike the rest of the world, Chateau knew something was up. Escoffier gave away his vast fortune to various islands on a regular basis. He wouldn't sellout his legacy regardless of the offered amount. Something that he couldn't prove just yet. All he had to go on was the mysterious being known as Emperor Over.

Was Mr. Ramsay even alive? Misses Ramsay told her adopted child that she could still feel his spirit. And Chateau promised to bring him back. He remembered her final moments. His hands grasped on her frail hand. Without the money, her sickness came back with a vengeance and ravished her spirit. But she never lost her smile. His last words were a promise.

I'll find him and bring him back.

Chateau turned away. The approaching island, covered in churches and chapels approached. Whitechapel Island. The second island on the third line of Paradise. Rumor had it that Escoffier visited here as a child where he stayed at the famous Mary Ann Inn. It was there that he met its owner, Ms. Mary Ann who taught him the ways of hospitality. The most plausible place to start his investigation.

The Leather Apron
A dying flame flickered. Sending shadows dancing across the stone walls of the windowless room. If not for the set of candles on the wall, the darkness of the single passageway would envelop his workshop. But he needed to see what he was doing. The sound of water dripping against the floor interrupted the silence in irregular beats.

The stench of the blood which covered the mysterious man's leather apron was amplified by the damp room. Filling it with a normally stomach quenching stench. But to him, death was the perfume that she chose to wear for the consummation. He stroked her flushed cheeks, gently moving her hair so that it framed her face. He gently caressing her blue flesh followed by a loving kiss. He started to work. His free hand grabbed a surgical razor which he used to cut into her cheek. Followed by digging deep into her stomach. The blood had been mostly drained from her corpse, allowing for a cleaner ceremony. Minutes turned into hours. Until the bell struck ten. It was time.

The man, cloaked in a black shroud picked up the corpse and began to dress her into a beautiful night gown. White. It complimented her pale face which had been sewn back together. Her cheeks slimmer. Eyes wider. He applied enough makeup to stimulate what little life she had earlier this evening. His hands caressed the scars that covered her abdomen.

He lifted her up in his arms, adjusting it so that her arms wrapped around his neck and brought her into the dark passageway. But rather than head up the stairs, he went down a second corridor. Leading to a master bedroom. He rested her body against the bed before closing the door behind him. The sound of rumbles as the marriage was officiated by a night of one-sided passion.

Next Morning Whitechapel Island was exactly as he remembered it from his brief visit several years ago. He hoisted the rowboat he used to travel to the dock and started towards his destination. A hotel off the coast of the island. To the average seafarer, it would appear as a normal inn without the slightest ounce of worth. But the Blackwall Inn was one of the first Inns of Paradise. It was the only building built externally using wood from Whitechapel's famous Ebony Forest. Giving the Blackwall Inn its distinctive appearance.

Chateau opened the giant wooden doors and was met with a familiar scent of nostalgia. The scent of honey over roasted cashews. Each step he took towards the front desk creaked lightly. While the walls had outside had a gothic appearance, the interior was decorated with different shades of red. Which complimented the fiery brown wooden floor. He could hear distant chattering of other patrons nearby, and could feel the sense of warmth although the fireplace's fire was across the lobby. He approached a woman about his height but several years older. "Still as beautiful as ever."

"Long time no see, Chateau." She said with a pleasant smile. Chateau knew she struggled with this greeting. After all that had happened. "It was only a matter of time." Ann Marie moved several keys to their designated pieces. "I don't have any job openings."

"I'm not looking for a job." Chateau chuckled. "Is your mother here?"

"Where else would she be?"

"Where else would she be" Chateau mocked. "I need to see her. She might know something."

"About Mr. Ramsay?" Ann Marie sipped her cup of tea. "Didn't he fly the coop? Why're you bothering my mom about his?"

"Because she's the only person who could possibly know where he went."

Ann Marie sighed. "I'm not going to let you bother her about this, Chateau." She rubbed her temples before continuing. "I've read your letters. Trust me, even if my mom knew anything about Mr. Ramsay, I doubt she'd say anything."

"You know reading my letters is illegal, right?" Chateau joked.

"Not when you're in control of your mother's estate. She doesn't have much time left Chateau, I don't want you stressing her out with this. You think you feel bad about it, how do you think she feels?"

"That's why I need to know." Chateau leaned on the counter. His dark, purple hair hanging loosely off the sides. "If I could find out what happened, it would provide closure to so many people."

"Or do you want to provide closure to just yourself?" Her words hung in the following silence. "Ms Ramsay passed away. The world knows what happened. Years upon years of working to build up this massive business. To achieve success that kings and queens would be jealous of. He got tired of it and chose to enjoy his wealth. The sooner you accept it, the easier it'll be."

"But that's not what happened. That's what whoever is behind this wants you to think I have proof-"

"You have a hardhead!" Ann Marie barked. The distant chattering stopped as people wanted to make sure everything was alright. But Ann Marie's brilliant smile convinced the onlookers to move onward with their conversation. "Don't mind them," She waved off with a deep breath. "There's been a series of murders here. People are on edge..."

"Murders?" Chateau repeated. But he didn't care for that. Surely the marines would come and take care of everything. Not that he believed in them. After all, he'd seen the type of work they do and the horrific actions they allow to take place. Hell, one trader told a story of vice admirals protecting Celestial Dragon's while they bartered over a mermaid. It sickened him.

They wouldn't even listen to him when he reported Mr. Ramsay's disappearance...No matter how much he pleaded and begged. Regardless who he showed the obviously forged contract to, no one would believe him. A former slave who was nothing more than a servant to Mr. Ramsay. Only Misses Ramsay believed his heart. The marines were useless.

"Chateau," Her voice brought his attention back to the present. A sisterly strength that possessed a hint of softness "Listen, you were given a chance that very few obtain. He passed onto you his knowledge. Take that. Open your own legacy and move forward. I don't need any competition here, but I know some investors on the next few islands looking for someone to manage some of their inns"

Chateau looked away for a brief second before meeting her gaze. He could feel warmth from her heart. A deep sadness which she covered by a thick veil of courage. She had to be strong. So many things were going on in her life, Chateau felt the light in her chest fighting the darkness.

"Take a room tonight and think about it. You're looking more burdened than usual. Food. Board and Safety. I'll have some contacts in the morning. Anyone would hire a student of Mr. Ramsay."

Chateau couldn't turn down her kindness. And pushing any further would be rude to his host. So he simply smiled and accepted the key.

Chateau laid in the large bed, staring into the darkness of his room. The fire from the nearby candle twirled into a ring above his open palm. He tried to forget about the conversation from earlier but her words run deep within his spirit. Maybe it was time to move onward? Mr. Ramsay had saved him from a life of slavery so that he could choose his own path. His eyes began to lower as he drifted away into a deeper thought.

''Knock. Knock.''

"Shit!" Chateau spat as the sudden knocking and presence threw off his focus, causing the fire to fall into his hand. He quickly flicked it away and jumped to his feet. He slowly opened the door, revealing an older women dressed in a night gown. "Misses Ann!" Chateau explained in an excited whisper. He quickly embraced her.

"Oh Chateau, how've you grown over the past few years." Her voice still held onto the youthful strength she was famous for. Chateau helped her with the plate in her hand which was revealed to be salted buttered bread once he lit several more candles.

"Ann Marie will kill me if she founds out if you're here." He whispered.

"Oh don't worry about her. I gave her the night off. She's out with her husband. She told me you were here chasing dreams."

"Crazy, right?"

"Well sometimes its the dreams that become the foundation for reality. Everything in this world started as a dream at one point."

Chateau turned around and smiled. He sat on the bed and placed his head in his hands. "I...Know this is crazy. But...maybe I just can't let it go-"

"Then don't." She interrupted. "Listen, my granddaughter has been under a lot of stress. With the sudden murder spree going on here, we've been getting less traffic. On top of that, she's really worried about you. Mr. Ramsay's disappearance shook us just as much. It's just you're a bit more stubborn than we are."

"I know, I know." Chateau chuckled. "Just wish other people would believe me. But no matter who I show this letter to and compare it to the letter which was released last year, they just laugh and call me crazy."

"Can I see this letter, Chateau?"

Chateau nodded. His bag levitated into his grasp.

"You've gotten better with it." Ms Ann noted. "I remember when you brought down the entire first floor!"

Chateau blushed while retrieving a white paper. "I'm still sorry about that." He handed it over to the old women who took several minutes to read it. "I've marked the important pieces. Took me a month but everything's there. All my proof and evidence." Silence filled the room. But after an extensive amount of squinting and mumbling, her face lit up the room.

"Escoffier. Escoffier. Escoffier. I knew it. How could I be so stupid" She repeated. "I shouldn't have doubted your choice." Ms Ann rubbed her eyes with her sleeve, wiping tears from her face. She looked to Chateau with a loving smile. "I know what happened to him. I knew it when it first happened. You think he would just go off without telling me?!" Her eyes lowered. "But he made me promise not to tell you or his poor wife. And that's a promise I cannot break under Xenia. He knew you'd care for her and carry on his legacy. And you've done just that."

Chateau's golden eyes widened as much as he could. His heart raced with such a vigorous intensity, he thought he was going to faint from blood loss.

"Oh stupid me. All this time..." Ms. Ann took a deep breath. "I remember when that brat first came to this island. A rambunctious, brash little shit from the blues. His head so far up his ass you could see his eyes every time he laughed. But he took everything I taught him and proved why he deserved his stubbornness. Then he comes here, a little slave with a heart of gold and a tongue of silver behind him. Another sensitive little arrogant shit and proclaims him his protege...That makes you my successor's successor."

"As your predecessor," She said with a smile. "As your grandmother, I will give you a gift. But first, share this with me." Her frail arms grabbed a piece of bread from the plate and ripped it in half. To which, she gave the other half to Chateau. "This adventure will take you into the New World where all your answers lie. It is there you'll find Emperor Over."

"Emperor Over?" Chateau repeated as he started to consume the makeshift snack. He'd heard rumors of the New World. The other half of the Red Line that was so vicious that those who escaped with their lives were praised as heroes in Paradise. Was this where his destiny would take him? To confront some Emperor named Over?

"Yes. But that's all I'm going to give you." She consumed her half with a smile. "Not only due to the promise I made in this very same room one year ago, but also because I trust in you. I trust you to carry our legacies. Anymore help and it'd take away from all that we've passed down."

Chateau finished his bread and snickered. "Zushishishishishi. Don't worry, I won't accept defeat. No matter what."

"I'm feeling much more lively and hopeful than I have in the past year. You've proven that that shit made the right choice. But you won't make it to the New World if you can only crawl through Paradise. You must move with a fortress."

Chateau grinned. This blessing instilled within him something he'd been missing for the past few months. Hope. No matter how dangerous the New World, Chateau knew he'd need to just become stronger in order to find the truth. But those last few words...

"Remember the third rule of Theoxenia." The old woman said after opening the door. He could hear her smile. "The greatest power is the bonds we create." And with a crazed chuckle, the old woman disappeared behind a door. Leaving Chateau to sit on his bed and ponder about everything that just occurred.

I fucking knew it...

He woke up extremely early. He hadn't a gift to complete the fourth rule of Theoxenia, but instead left behind the letter which brought so much hope to Ms. Ann. Although the most important item needed to prove Escoffier's framing, it meant more for Ms. Ann than it did to him. He realized that the greatest piece of evidence one could have was the conviction in their heart. Even if he'd have to break down the Red Line with the Kanabō that rested on his back, tied by a string, he would get to the New World and find out the truth. But first, Chateau needed to refuel. He hated to ask others for supplies. Especially now that the traffic to the island slowed due to the murders, he couldn't burden Mary Ann and Ann Marie with the second rule of Xenia. No. He snuck out so that the rules would be completed.

Chateau wore navy pants and white dress shirt, covered with a dark blue blazer. On top was the beige coat that belonged to Escoffier, perhaps one of his most treasured items. The ensemble came together with a red scarf which he received by Misses Ramsay. His golden eyes hidden by lower lids, he made sure to keep a low profile. Albeit he did dress like he belonged on the other side of the island. His bag hung on his shoulder not too far from his spiked bat.

He made a left into a alleyway. A shortcut to the market where he would be able to buy some supplies for his trip to the next island.