"You'll have to settle for being the night guard until Roronoa comes back." 

She had thought she'd be happy when Mihawk returned but naturally, the man brings unfortunate news as well as a certain pinkette home with him, he will not discuss the relationship he has with the mystery woman which only irritates his daughter further.

But on top of that, it would seem Zoro got lost while on vacation with Luffy and the others so until he finds his way back, she'll have to cover his night guard duties. 

"What was your name again?" The redhead's voice essentially a hiss as she watches the pink-haired girl pour herself a cup of tea. 

"Perona." Her voice is cheerful but she's overly confident, something that rubs Kyo the wrong way, especially considering she's a guest in this home yet she's quite content on making herself comfortable. 

People do not simply come into this castle and make themselves at home, not without a catch.

Is she some kind of floozy? 

The idea is enough to make her grimace, her eyes slowly morphing into more of a glare while her fingers instinctively fiddle with the ring decorating her index finger. She has a habit of toying with her fingers when she's thoughtful or anxious so, she decided on getting a couple of rings, a silver band to be worn on each index finger so that she can maul them whenever she's troubled. 

Mihawk already picking up on her mental state, his golden orbs watching her twist the band as he brings his wine to his lips, taking a small sip and silently forming an opinion on the drink before sipping it once again. 

The alcoholic beverage was a gift from an archaeologist that was working alongside him during the expedition, Jinbe, his name was. 

"You seem stressed." Her father observes simply as he places the glass back down to the dining table, his comment causing the redhead's brow to twitch as she straightens herself up, she isn't about to get sassy with this man. She knows better than to do that. 

But one cannot deny that if she was to snap, this would be the moment. 

"Stressed..." She echoes as her eyes fall closed, taking herself a subtle breath and holding it for a second before letting it go, exhaling her feelings along with it. "Yes, it has been a stressful time. While you we're away making friends and getting fancy wine gifted to you, I was studying for an exam and trying to run the museum by myself--"

"Which you signed up for, did you not?" The male interrupting her before she even truly begins, his tone cold and crisp as his brows furrow and his eyes burn into her own, Perona staring at the two and finally showing signs of discomfort. 

"...Yes, pa." Possibly the biggest lie Kyo has ever told, it was established that she was not a curator nor assistant curator until she had passed her exams, technically it was not yet her responsibility to take care of these things in his absence. 

Of course, she always will out of respect. 

But she did not sign up for it.

"But now that I've passed, I'll be able to accompany you next time. Won't I?" Her question only makes the man laugh, although she knows him well enough to know that it isn't a cheerful laughter, something about her inquiry must sound ridiculous since that chortle is riddled with mockery. 

"Absolutely not." He finally rumbles once his amusement subsides, his eyes harbouring a slight look of disappointment as he idly trifles with the wine glass sat before him. "You're qualified to take care of the museum whilst I'm away, how are you supposed to do that if you come with me?"

Well, he certainly has a point, she can't argue with that.

Although his answer still feels like a punch to the gut.

The redhead falling completely silent as his words slowly sink in, the only sound in the room being the pouring of tea, it's only now that Perona realizes that while she was distracted by this pair, she hadn't stopped pouring her drink which has lead to it spilling over onto the table. 

The pinkette immediately setting the teapot down and beginning to mop away the liquid with a tea towel, her large eyes still flickering between the two though, she could surely cut the tension with a knife. It doesn't help that they're both starers so neither of them will break eye contact. 

"I understand." Kyo finally answers, her voice void of emotion but her eyes seem to speak for her, she's quite pissed. Sure, Mihawk never told her that he'd take her with him on expeditions, but he never said he wouldn't either. 

"D-Did you...say you wanted tea?" Perona reluctantly asks the redhead, clearly only trying to be nice but naturally, she just earns herself a glare instead. 

"No." Kyo's answer is short but not at all sweet as she turns on her heel, grabbing her handbag and beginning to head for the door, though she's stopped in her tracks by her father's voice. 

"And where might you be going?"

"I'm going to visit Ace before my shift starts." Her brown orbs trailing toward the grandfather clock on the far side of the dining room, she has about two hours before the graveyard shift begins so she at least gets to see her friend for an hour or so beforehand, she might not say it aloud too often but she does quite enjoy his company.

Much to her father's dismay apparently; the hawk-eyed male huffing to himself as he finishes off the last of his wine. "I don't like you lingering around boys such as him, I thought I've made this clear." 

Yes, he has. Several times. 

He - like most father's - does not appreciate a young, charismatic, carefree, mostly-shirtless boy hanging around with his daughter.

He has expressed this to the redhead many times now and no matter how often she reassures him that Ace is just a friend and that he isn't even attracted to her, Mihawk's opinion never seems to change.  

But she does well to remind herself to be respectful of the man at least; after all he's a single parent, she was adopted so he certainly didn't have to care for her, he wasn't obligated to give her a home and future.

No, she owes him respect, at the very least. 

"I won't be there long. Bye, pa."

As it would; her dismissive response causes the man's frown to deepen as he watches her go, reaching for the wine bottle and immediately pouring himself another glass while he sighs. 

"What a troublesome child."