Chapter 4. Mama's Bliss
Chapter 4. Mama's Bliss
Big Mom held me tightly against her bosom. My body pressed into the softness of her dress, my face reddening from lack of sufficient air. Her hug was meant to be loving, but her grip was almost suffocating, making me feel like I was being held by a giant.
"My precious keki," she said blissfully. Whether she was talking about me or the cake Streusen was baking for her remained a mystery, quickly solved when a large drop of saliva splashed on the pink strands of my hair.
If not for the giant drool, I would have spoken and told her to stop cuddling me so roughly, but I was helpless in her grip, afraid of how she would react. Thus, I stayed in place, hoping for some timely intervention.
A door creaked open, and I felt a rush of relief. From Mama's increased heartbeat, I could tell who it was without even looking.
"Linlin, the birthday cake is ready," Streusen's voice felt like a knight's coming to rescue a damsel in distress.
Her reaction to the good news was to loosen her hold just enough for me to draw a deep breath, my lungs grateful for the relief.
"Oh, is it?" Another drop of saliva drenched my hair as Big Mom inquired, eagerly. Her stomach grumbled eagerly for the meal she had been waiting for, for the longest time.
"Keki, did you hear that?" Big Mom said, looking at me with her enormous eyes. Still somewhat in her enormous grasp, I nodded slightly.
"The cake is ready." She said, her mood lifting like an angel rising to the sky, and she gently set me down, her eyes sparkling with excitement and anticipation.
I wanted to think, 'finally, I'm free,' but Big Mom's mood lightened the room so much that it became suffocating once again. Her blissfulness incited the Homies to sing while adorning Big Mom as the lead singer.
The room quickly transformed into a grand musical theater, Big Mom's powerful voice filling the space with an enchanting melody. Her talent was undeniable, each note perfect and harmonious. The Homies harmonized beautifully, their voices blending with the tunes of mysterious musical instruments that appeared to support Mama's singing.
Big Mom sang of the joys of motherhood, her voice soaring as she described having a child so strong, beautiful, and handsome. She sang about how I had grown into a lovely boy, standing at 1.8 meters, a height above most. My pink hair, a reflection of her love. My handsome face was unmatched, my developing muscles a show of my strength, and my skin as smooth as when she swallows a cake whole.
Her song created a blissful atmosphere in the room that was suffocating, yet beautiful and joyful. I could do nothing but watch and listen, aware that her mood was as fragile as a dream. Speaking or acting out of turn could turn her into a rampaging monster, and I much preferred her in this joyful, musical state.
---🎵🎶🎼🎤🎧🎷🎸🎹🥁🎺🎻🎙️🎚️🎛️🎟️🎬🪕📻📀💿---
Haahahahaa, Maamamamama
Isn't it wonderful, my precious child?
Your beauty and strength make me wild!
At one point eight, you stand above the rest,
In this world of Charlottes, you're the best!
Oh, the joy of having a child so fine,
Strong and tall, at a height divine,
With hair so pink, a love's true sign,
A handsome face, unmatched in line.
Muscles developing, strength on display,
Skin smooth as cake, in every way,
A child so perfect, night and day,
In the world of Charlottes, you'll forever stay.
My heart sings for you, my precious son,
Every day with you is full of fun,
Two years have passed, oh how you've grown,
In the world of Charlottes, you've found your throne.
The cake is ready, let's celebrate,
With love and joy, we'll seal your fate,
In our land of dreams, so sweet and grand,
Where every wish is my command.
You're my pride, my joy, my treasure,
A life with you, filled with pleasure,
Together we'll sing, our hearts as one,
In Totto Land, where dreams are spun.
Now let's celebrate your second year,
Homies, how should we dress him, dear?
To fit his grace, his charm, his might,
In garments splendid, pure delight!
So let the music fill the air,
With love and joy beyond compare,
For you, my child, my shining star,
In this world of Charlottes, you'll go far.
---🎵🎶🎼🎤🎧🎷🎸🎹🥁🎺🎻🎙️🎚️🎛️🎟️🎬🪕📻📀💿---
It had indeed been two years since I was born among the Charlottes of One Piece, a show I had religiously watched back in my own world. Never did I imagine I would find myself born into it, let alone as part of the antagonist's family.
Initially, especially on the day I was born, I was filled with fear that something terrible might happen to me. Big Mom's infamous hunger pangs shook the entire Whole Cake Chateau as she searched for the birthday cake she had just eaten. Normally, she would wreak havoc until her craving was satisfied. However, on my birthday, something unexpected happened.
Her love for me seemed to subside her hunger pangs, transforming her into a loving mother. From that moment, whenever her hunger pangs arose, simply being by her side helped to stabilize her. Whether this attachment stemmed from that incident or not, I was relieved to never experience such terror from her hunger pangs again.
Since that pivotal day, things changed dramatically for me. Big Mom showered me with love and attention, treating me as her favorite child. She spoiled me endlessly with sweets of all kinds - cakes, candies, and chocolates from the world's best confectioneries, always eager to share them with me.
Luxuries became commonplace; I had access to exquisite toys, perfectly tailored clothes, and a personal guardian ensuring my safety whenever Big Mom was not around. Mama personally organized tours and activities around Sweet City, showing me its wonders and introducing me to its inhabitants, both living and specialized Homies. She spoke of a future where all this would one day be mine, even though I was still just an infant when she first expressed these ambitions.
While in Sweet City, we celebrated my first birthday together. To my surprise, when I uttered my first word - "mama" - Big Mom was overwhelmed with pride and joy. She was so moved that she declared my birthday a public holiday in Totto Land.
Her happiness was immense, but tragically, it led to her experiencing a miscarriage at eight months. Despite the sorrow, Big Mom's spirits remained undaunted, and she continued to exude her usual lively demeanor - keeping me by her side all the time.
Being around Big Mom for so long profoundly shifted my perception of her. Beyond the tales of her conquests in the treacherous New World, where she commanded fear as one of the powerful Yonko (Emperor of the Sea), she shared with me her grand vision of a perfect world. To her, this vision was not merely a whim but a fervent belief that acquiring the One Piece would grant her the power to reshape the world into a utopia. She spoke of Mother Carmel with a mix of reverence and sorrow, often showing me the portrait that evoked tears, reminiscing about a time when she was happiest.
As she recounted these stories, her vulnerability became apparent. I began to see Big Mom not solely as a ruthless pirate but as someone shaped by profound desires and deep-seated emotional wounds. Her ferocity and ruthlessness, traits magnified in tales of her wrath, were not just manifestations of power but responses to a world that had repeatedly challenged her ambitions. Like Luffy, who sought freedom from the constraints of the world, Big Mom envisioned herself at the pinnacle of a new order, where her ideals of security and harmony would reign supreme.
The day before my second birthday, Big Mom tucked me into bed as she always did, her massive form dominating the room around us. Her anticipation for my upcoming birthday cake was palpable, her eyes filled with a mix of excitement and motherly affection.
"It's going to be wonderful," she said blissfully, her voice carrying an eerie undertone. "So many had to die for it to be baked!"
I blinked up at her, wide-eyed and shocked. How could she say something so sinister, so casually?
Noticing my expression, she attempted to justify her words, her tone almost soothing, as if singing a disturbing lullaby. She recounted how her subordinates from different islands had procured the ingredients for the cake by violent means, taking lives in the process. She explained why it was necessary, her rationale painting a grim necessity in her mind.
"Mama, I... I don't want to eat my birthday cake," I blurted out naively, unable to comprehend the gravity of her actions.
Her gaze hardened, and for a moment, I feared her wrath. But just as quickly, her expression softened.
"You must be sleepy," she said gently, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Wait till you see the cake. I know you won't disappoint me, again."
As she dressed me on the morning of my birthday, her words lingered in the air, a blend of maternal affection and the stark realities of her world. Yet, despite her reassurances, I couldn't bring myself to desire to eat the birthday cake, not after learning its disturbing origins. It felt as though I would be consuming more than just a dessert - every bite would taste of the lives sacrificed to bake it, leaving a bitter aftertaste in my mind.
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As Mama had proclaimed in her song, at just two years old, I stood tall at one hundred and eighty centimeters - taller than most adults. Surprisingly, the height didn't feel drastically different when I was alone, but it became strikingly apparent when surrounded by others, observing how short they appeared in comparison.
True to my expectations, I had surpassed even Streusen in height. It was evident as we made our way from my room towards the festive scene. Despite this, there was little to be gained from giving him a smack on the head, tempting as it was for his past suggestion of offering me as a cake during one of Mama's hunger pangs. Provoking him would only anger Mama, leading to an entirely different problem. Thus, once again, I rescheduled my revenge for another day.
The plan was to celebrate my birthday throughout the Whole Cake Chateau, with all of Totto Land joining in their own ways, streaming the festivities via video Den Den Mushi (transponder snails).
As we approached the celebration area, Streusen first, then Mama, and finally me, I could hear joyous melodies echoing from afar. Yet, despite the lively tunes, my attention was drawn to what Mama had chosen for me to wear - an ensemble befitting a prince of Totto Land.
The attire bestowed upon me by Big Mom for my second birthday celebration resonated with regal splendor, blending elements of grandeur and eccentricity typical of the Big Mom Pirates. Adorned in a long, flowing coat made from the finest fabrics, its deep crimson hue matched the intensity of my pink hair. The coat bore intricate golden embroidery along its edges, depicting scenes of mythical creatures and swirling patterns reminiscent of the sea.
Underneath, I wore a tailored vest in a contrasting shade of royal blue, fastened with large golden buttons embossed with the crest of the Charlotte family. The vest accentuated my slender frame, enhancing the stature that already set me apart at 1.8 meters tall. Beneath the vest, a crisp white shirt peeked through, its collar adorned with a small ruffle, a nod to traditional aristocratic fashion.
For trousers, I sported fitted black pants tucked neatly into knee-high leather boots. The boots were crafted from supple leather, adorned with golden buckles and intricate designs that mirrored the embroidery on my coat. Each step I took vibrated with authority, echoing the confidence instilled by such attire.
To complete the ensemble, a wide-brimmed hat sat atop my head, its brim adorned with feathers of vibrant hues matching the coat's embroidery. The hat added an air of mystique, casting a shadow over my eyes that, despite my child-like appearance, spoke of wisdom and resilience.
The distant strains of music grew louder as we approached the celebration grounds, heralding a festivity that embraced the whimsical and extravagant spirit of Totto land.
The celebration grounds finally burst into view, an explosion of color, sound, and activity that overwhelmed the senses. Streamers and balloons in every imaginable hue decorated the area, fluttering in the gentle breeze. Tables laden with the finest confections from Totto Land's famed patisseries lined the paths, their sugary aromas mingling with the scent of fresh flowers that adorned every corner.
In the center of it all stood a towering cake, a confectionery marvel crafted by the best pastry chefs in the land. It was a multi-tiered masterpiece, each layer more intricate than the last, adorned with sugar sculptures depicting scenes from beloved childhood tales. Around the cake, children played games, their laughter filling the air. There were clowns and magicians, bringing wonder and delight to the little ones, while a carousel spun slowly, its brightly painted horses a blur of motion.
However, despite the childlike atmosphere, I knew that this was no ordinary birthday party. It was a political statement, a showcase of Big Mom's power and influence, evidenced by the guest list. It read like a who's who of the New World, with underworld emperors, powerful pirate captains, and influential politicians all in attendance. They mingled cautiously, aware that today's festivities were a stage for Big Mom to unveil something that could shift the balance of power in the world.
My siblings were all here, a rare gathering that included even the lesser-known members of the Charlotte Family. Among them was Pudding, older than me, but this was her first time officially being back on Whole Cake Island since her birth. There was an unspoken tension in the air; many of my siblings had spent their lives away from Mama's side, while I had been here from the very beginning, always at her side, her most trusted.
Before blowing out the candles, the celebration would commence with Big Mom delivering a short speech in which she would introduce me to the world and announce something special about her future.
A sense of awe filled the air as Big Mom herself appeared, towering over the assembly with a presence that commanded attention. Her booming laughter echoed through the grounds as she welcomed each guest personally, ensuring they knew the significance of this gathering - a birthday celebration, akin to one of her legendary tea parties. Everyone understood that even the demons of Hell would come when called to Mama's celebrations, and none dared to challenge that statement.
The attendance was perfect - a guest list marked to the letter - and they were all eager to hear what she was about to say in her short, concise speech.
She began with, "Haahahahaa, Maamamamama..."
A murmur rippled through the crowd as everyone strained to catch her next words.
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