Gosh Im Finally Done W/ This (hopefully This Hasnt Been Done Already??)

gosh I’m finally done w/ this (hopefully this hasn’t been done already??)

an anon requested some frobin so I thought ‘hey why not make a mini comic of them? and this idea was born because this ship makes me happy u//u//u

whenever you get a chance please post the timeline 🙏🏽

the taste of ale

author's note♡— ANON, I LOVE U SO!! thank you for giving me an excuse to share this!! this basically became a behind the scenes take on 'the promised knight' in mihawk's perspective. please enjoy!

content notes♡— spoilers for my zoro fic, ooc mihawk is a heartbroken softie, not really proofread as this is basically my notes made flowery, I didn't use the queen's name for this to count as a reader insert, no use of y/n

Contains spoilers for 'The Promised Knight'! You have been warned!

The Beginning…

Under the cover of night, the queen sneaks out of the palace in common clothes. She meets a mysterious swordsman in the outskirts of town.

“If you think you're fooling anyone with that ridiculous get up, you're sorely mistaken, Your Majesty.” “Says you, who sticks out like a sore thumb, Dracule Mihawk.” “I have no need to hide. Never have. You, on the other hand…”  “I’m flattered you find me eye-catching even in this attire.”

Mihawk usually comes and goes like the wind, but something about the queen makes him stay in the kingdom longer than he intended to. He returns to that street corner by the tavern more than once just to see her.

“If I didn't know better, Dracule, I would think that you were waiting for me.” “...Your kingdom produces good ale, is all.”

Something happens. Something makes the air shift. Something in the way the hood of her cloak is blown away makes him want to pull it back up for her. So he does.

He realizes that something is different when she captivates him by simply breathing.

“The meadow is beautiful at this hour, when the sun sets.” “Let us go then.” “No.” “Why not?” “Children play there. You’ll scare them away.” “And you consider that as a bad thing?”

Just as a sapling grows into a great oak, their love blooms into something rare and grand.

“This doesn't look anything like me. Do you even know how to draw?” “What do you mean? I caught that signature frown of yours, and those little spikes on your beard!” “In any case, I do not look that angry.” “Darling, please. Be honest with yourself.”

“You must love me a great deal.” “Hm? And here I thought I was being subtle about it.” “You’re letting me put flowers in your hair. Subtle my arse.” “And you must love me a great deal.” “Hah! What gave me away?” “You curse like a sailor only when you're with me. Oh, if the people knew—” “Shut up, Dracule.”

Though, just like a tree, their paths must break and twist into different branches; the ends of which are fated to never meet again. 

Mihawk declines becoming Captain of the Royal Guard, choosing to keep his freedom. The queen declines a life of adventure, putting her people first.

But, a love lost is not any less love. She tells him that.

“I cannot give you a normal love.” “No. You gave me an extraordinary one.”

Mihawk leaves, though the memory of a cloaked woman under a warm lantern light haunts him whenever a glass of ale finds his lips.

The queen keeps the sketch she made of him in a golden locket that can only be opened by a blade. A fitting key for the swordsman who stole her heart.

The Middle…

The queen never told Mihawk that she was with child.

The princess is born, growing up fascinated with swords. She befriends two squires and plays with them in the meadow.

“Mother! I’ll be off to play with the knights, now!”  … “Oh Dracule… I found one child who would not be scared of you at all.”

The two squires (Zoro and Kuina) vow to train and become the world's greatest swordsmen. They also promise to protect the princess together. (Zoro also begins to harbor feelings for the princess.)

Kuina dies due to mysterious circumstances. Zoro abandons his training for knighthood, becoming a wandering swordsman. (Similar to his hero, Mihawk.)

The queen realizes that she was the true target of the arrow that killed Kuina. Remorseful, she secretly provides for Kuina’s family.

While investigating Kuina's accident, the queen is slowly poisoned by her handmaid. After the queen passed, her death was falsely announced to be sickness-induced.

By the time Mihawk can bring himself to return, the queen is already gone. His feet take him back to that street corner and that lantern, but no one is ever there anymore. He visits her grave, and asks her a question:

“Was it truly extraordinary, if you keep going to places I cannot follow?”

In the queen’s place is a heartbroken princess coping with the loss of her mother and dearest friends. He instantly knew that she was his child.

He considered taking her away. They could go on grand adventures and make up for lost time. But a life on the road, with dangers lurking in every turn, is not the life he wants for his daughter. The princess deserves a place to call home. 

He decides to become commander like his love had asked of him all those years ago. He vows to watch over his daughter until she takes the throne.

“Who are you?” “I’m here to protect you from now on.” “...I wish you got here sooner.” Those words pierced his heart much deeper than any sword could.

Suspiciously, there's an influx of new staff in the palace. Exactly a year after the queen's death, a new queen regent (Cassiopeia) is appointed.

Mihawk figures out that the new staff are underlings of the new regent. He pretends to be loyal to her as well, in order to keep his position and protect his daughter.

Mihawk serves as a double agent for many years, helping the princess survive.

“What’s she planning this time?” “You wound me. Can’t I visit my favorite princess without news about attempts at her life?” “...” “...Don’t eat any of the dessert at the banquet tonight.”

The Conclusion…

The princess, now an adult, struggles to earn the trust of her people due to Cassiopeia's nefarious tactics.

The regent forces the princess to select a personal knight during a special ceremony. This is a trap, as almost all the knights are her supporters.

The princess asks Mihawk to hire someone trustworthy and strong to pose as a knight. Cassiopeia will not be able to interfere if the actor is included at the last minute.

Mihawk recruits Zoro, convincing him to take the job and make amends with the princess. 

“It’s not too late to change things. Something tells me you’ll regret it if you don’t.” “What do you know about regret?” He knows that he’s haunted whenever a street lamp flickers. He knows that ale hasn’t tasted the same in decades. “...I know far too much, I’m afraid.”

The princess and Zoro reunite after years apart. Despite the time, despite how much has changed, they give each other strength and survive dangers together.

They investigate Cassiopeia’s wrongdoings and defeat her once and for all.

Mihawk visits the queen’s grave for the first time in ages.

“It seems it runs in your blood to be attracted to swordsmen with a tendency to leave. Are you pleased with how things ended, darling?”

Mihawk hears people approaching the burial grounds. He hides in the treeline and watches his daughter and Zoro pay their respects. Zoro notices him lurking.

“Try even thinking about leaving and I’ll return to make sure it’s your last thought." “Didn't you just hear the oath I made to the love of your life?” Zoro turns to the previous queen’s tombstone. “Your Majesty, back me up here.” “She would have approved of you." Mihawk sighs. "…Take care of her, Zoro.” “Of course. I promise.”

And perhaps that’s the difference between him and Zoro: Mihawk never made any promises. After all, you can predict where the wind will go, but not force it to turn.

Seeing his daughter happy and in her rightful place as queen, Mihawk retires. He appoints Zoro as the new commander before leaving. He’s ready to find himself again.

The first thing Mihawk does is head to the tavern. The ale tastes wonderful once more.

Because a love lost is not any less love. He knows that now.

© togenabi 2023 | see here to be added to my taglist ♡

tags: @songsofadelaide-archive @sweetexistentialism @murnsondock @starszns @mellozhi @msmisasoup @writingmysanity @hotchocolattee @dimplewonie @hearts4zoro @kenkenmaaa @appalost @commanderfreethatdust @onebatch--twobatch @rebeccawinters @redpool @zoromyluv @onebatch--twobatch @justsomerandomwe31rdo @gunslxtz @akakaze @lownna

don’t call me kid, don’t call me baby

Zoro: Hey, look at this girl tryna fight two guys.

Sanji: Uh, that's your girl.

Zoro: Fuck *pulls swords out*

The symbolism of flowers

Flowers have a long history of symbolism that you can incorporate into your writing to give subtext.

Symbolism varies between cultures and customs, and these particular examples come from Victorian Era Britain. You'll find examples of this symbolism in many well-known novels of the era!

Amaryllis: Pride

Black-eyed Susan: Justice

Bluebell: Humility

Calla Lily: Beauty

Pink Camellia: Longing

Carnations: Female love

Yellow Carnation: Rejection

Clematis: Mental beauty

Columbine: Foolishness

Cyclamen: Resignation

Daffodil: Unrivalled love

Daisy: Innocence, loyalty

Forget-me-not: True love

Gardenia: Secret love

Geranium: Folly, stupidity

Gladiolus: Integrity, strength

Hibiscus: Delicate beauty

Honeysuckle: Bonds of love

Blue Hyacinth: Constancy

Hydrangea: Frigid, heartless

Iris: Faith, trust, wisdom

White Jasmine: Amiability

Lavender: Distrust

Lilac: Joy of youth

White Lily: Purity

Orange Lily: Hatred

Tiger Lily: Wealth, pride

Lily-of-the-valley: Sweetness, humility

Lotus: Enlightenment, rebirth

Magnolia: Nobility

Marigold: Grief, jealousy

Morning Glory: Affection

Nasturtium: Patriotism, conquest

Pansy: Thoughtfulness

Peony: Bashfulness, shame

Poppy: Consolation

Red Rose: Love

Yellow Rose: Jealously, infidelity

Snapdragon: Deception, grace

Sunflower: Adoration

Sweet Willian: Gallantry

Red Tulip: Passion

Violet: Watchfulness, modesty

Yarrow: Everlasting love

Zinnia: Absent, affection

Writer's Guide: Writing about Alcoholic Drinks and Cocktails

Or how to write believable bar and nightclub scenes. I often find myself helping friends with their WIPs and often it as a bartender, I find myself having to correct them on bar and mixology terminology. So here's my quick guide to keeping your lingo on the straight and narrow.

Terminology

DASH/SPLASH: a drop of a mixer such as juice or flavouring.

MIXER: non alcholic beveraged served with the measure of alcohol in the same glass.

NEAT: Plain, without any addition of ice or a mixture. Just the alcohol.

ON THE ROCKS: Served over Ice.

STRAIGHT UP: The cocktail is chilled with ice and strained into a glass with no ice

DIRTY – if somebody asks for a dirty martini, you add olive juice, the more juice the dirtier it is

DRY- A dry martini includes a drop of vermouth and an extra dry martini contains a drop of scotch swirled in the glass and drained before adding the gin

BACK – a ‘back’ is a drink that accompanies an alcholic beverage such as water or Coke, but isn't mixed.

GARNISH – something added to a drink such as a lime or lemon or orange.

TWIST - a twist is literally a twist of fruit skin in the drink.

BITTERS – a herbal alcoholic blend added to cocktails.

RIMMED - the glass is coated in salt or sugar to enhance the taste.

VIRGIN- non alcoholic

MOCKTAIL- a virgin cocktail

DOUBLE - Two measures of the same alcohol in the same glass. A bartender can only legally serve a double in the same glass. They cannot serve you a triple.

Equipment

COCKTAIL SHAKER - it is a metal cup that fits into a glass, used to shake the components of your drink together with ice to chill it.

STRAINER- used to seperate ice in the shaker from the liquid within as you pour it into the glass.

MEASURES- these are little metal cylinders meant to measure out the pours of the alcohol. You pour the alcohol from the bottle into the measure and then put it into the glass. It's imperative that the right measure goes into the glass or the drink will taste of shit.

BAR SPOON – a long spoon meant to mix the drink.

OPTIC- it is a mechanism that attaches a bottle to an automatic pourer. The bartender usually fits the glass under the spout and pushes up to release the amount which cuts off at the single measure.

SHOT GLASS- a shot glass is a small glass to contain one measure

PINT GLASS- a glass used for serving pints of lager or ale

HALF PINT GLASS - a tulip shaped glass half the measure of a pint glass

SPEEDWELL/TAPS/DRAFT: are the taps used to pour beer from kegs stored under the bar floor.

SLIM JIM/HIGH BALL GLASS- It is a tall straight holding 8 to 12 ounces and used for cocktails served on the rocks such as a Gin and Tonic.

ROCKS GLASS - or an old fashioned glass, it is short and round. These glasses are used for drinks such as Old Fashioneds or Sazerac

COUPE GLASS- Are broad round stemmed glasses used for cocktails that are chill and served without ice such as a Manhattan, Boulevardier or a Gimlet

MARTINI GLASS - a martini glass is that classic stemmed "v" shaped glass, used to serve drinks without mixers such as Martini and Cosmopolitans

MARGARITA GLASS - is a large, round bowl like glass with a broad and a tall stem used for Margaritas and Daiquiris

HURRICANE GLASS- a tall tulip-like shaped glass with a flared rim and short stem. It holds 20 ounces which means it is the perfect glass to serve iced cocktails in such as Pina Colada, Singapore Sling, Hurricane

Alcoholic Drinks

Vodka- Vodka is made from potatoes or fermented cereal grains. It has a strong taste and scent. It is usually consumed neat with a mixer such as Coke or Orange juice or cranberry juice or in cocktails like Martini, Bloody Mary and Cosmopolitan.

Whisky/Whiskey- Whiskey is a distilled alcoholic beverage, made from fermented grain mash such as barley, corn, rye, and wheat. It gets its flavour form being fermented in casks for long period of time. When serving a whiskey, one asks whether they want ice or a mixer. Everyone has their own preference. I prefer mine like myself, strong and Irish. Scotch is Scottish Brewed whisky.

Rum- Rum is made by fermenting and distilling sugarcane molasses/juice. It is aged in oak barrels. It has a sweet taste.

Beer: is made out of cereal grains and served chilled in bottles or pulled from taps/speedwells.

Ale: Ale in the middle ages referred to beer brewed without hops (a kind of flowering plant that gives beer its bitter taste). It is sweeter and would typically have a fruity aftertaste.

Stout- is a darker beer sometimes brewed from roasted malt, coming in a sweet version and dry version, the most famous stout being Guinness.

Poitín- (pronounced as pot-cheen) is made from cereals, grain, whey, sugar beet, molasses and potatoes. It is a Dangerous Drink (honestly i still don't know how I ended up in that field with a traffic cone and a Shetland pony) and technically illegal. Country folk in Ireland used to brew it in secrets in stills hidden on their land.

Vermouth: Is made from infused with roots, barks, flowers, seeds, herbs, spices, brandy but vermouth is classed aromatized wine. It comes sweet or dry

Gin- is made from juniper, coriander, citrus peel, cinnamon, almond or liquorice and grain alcohol. Gin has a strong scent and taste and is usually served in a martini or a tonic water.

Schnapps- refers to any strong, clear alcoholic beverage. It is considered one of the best types of spirits because of its pure and delicate aroma. Lesson: never drink peach schnapps.

Cocktails and Drinks

Irish Coffee: an Irish coffee is adding whiskey to coffee and sugar and topping it with cream. As a bartender, I would honestly rather cut my arm off than make one of these.

Baby Guinness: Is a shot made by pouting Tia Maria or Kaluah into a shot glass and spreading Baileys on the top so it looks like a small pint of Guinness.

Silver Bullet: a shot of mixed tequila and sambuca.

Long Island Iced Tea:  The Long Island contains vodka, gin, tequila, light rum, lemon juice, triple sec and cola. It has a real kick.

Mai Tai: is made with light and dark rum, lime juice, orange curacao, orgeat syrup and rock candy syrup and served with a mint garnish.

Manhattan: The Manhattan is made with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters.

Margarita: The margarita is made with tequila, cointreau and lime juice.

Mojito: a mojito is made with muddled mint, white rum, lime juice, simple syrup and soda.

Martini: a martini is made of gin, dry vermouth and garnished with a lemon twist or olives.

Mimosa: a mimosa is a made with sparkling wine and orange juice.

Mint Julep: Made with Kentucky bourbon, simple syrup, mint leaves and crushed ice

Pina Colada: is made with white rum, dark rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream

Screwdriver: Vodka and Orange juice

Tequila Sunrise: tequila, orange juice and grenadine

Tom Collins: made with spiked lemonade, sparkling water, lemon juice, simple syrup and gin

Whiskey Sour: is made with powdered sugar, seltzer, lemon juice and whiskey.

White Russian: made with vodka, coffee liqueur and cream.

Black Russian: made with two parts coffee liqueur and five parts vodka.

Gin and Tonic: gin served with tonic water

Bloody Mary: made with vodka and tomato juice mixed with lemon juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, fresh herbs, brown sugar and cracked black pepper.

Brandy Alexander: served straight up and made with brandy, cognac, creme de cacao and cream

Cosmopolitan: Made with citrus vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice and fresh lime juice

Daiquiri: made with rum, lime juice and sugar.

Gimlet: gin and lime juice

My Top 10 Bartending Rules and Responsibilities

Overpouring is never an option. You can seriously hurt somebody by overpouring, not to mention spoil the drink and ruin your sales. You only serve people what they ask and never more.

When somebody has had enough, you stop serving them. After a while, you know when to cut somebody off.

Never leave bottles on the counter or in reach of customers. Your expensive spirits should never be in reach of anybody but you.

If you tell somebody your selling them premium and top shelf alcohol, you cannot substitute with cheaper licqor. It's illegal.

As a bartender, your eyes always have to be scanning a crowd. You can't leave people hanging.

The golden rule - if you see somebody messing with someone's drink, you chuck it if you can or warn the person. And you get that son of a bitch out of your pub.

50% of the job is cleaning. You have to clean your tools constantly. You cannot reuse measures and spouts, you have to wash everything. Beer traps are clean out every night, rubber mats are washed and anything you have used has to be clean.

You have to hand dry your glasses. You never polish a pint glass as it fucks up the pint. You polish your cocktail glasses, shot glasses and straight glasses.

If someone seems down or on their own, you try make conversation. Often you'll hear some disturbing stuff but always try lend an ear or make everyone feel included.

If you break a glass in the ice bucket, you got to get rid of the ice.