Marauders in Mirstone

[Lady Warlock]

Abigail Livingston and Yumi Tahiro

NPC Notes

Location: Outside the shop

Age: Late teens / early 20s

Gender: Female​

NPC Notes

Location: In the shop

Age: 12

Gender: Female​

The shopkeeper’s eyes widened as the girl refused to get out from behind the countertop. He reached down and grabbed the back of her shirt, picking her up slightly before he tried to throw her over the counter and back onto the other side, something he clearly did not actually have the strength to do. As such, rather than be thrown over the counter, Abigail was only lifted up high enough for her waist to smash into the edge of the counter drawing a grimace from the girl.


Her eyes hardened on the shopkeeper as she growled, “I’m not a thief!”


“I don’t care what you are, girl! Get outta my shop! I’ve lost enough already this day!” The shopkeeper’s retort was sharp as his glare turned not just to the girl, but to everyone currently in his shop. Declaring loudly, he yelled, “Alright! Alright! All ‘o ya! Out!” The man clearly had had enough and as pessimism seeped through his core, he feared losing more to the waves of crashing pirates who had taken over Mirstone.


His eyes glancing once at Ichiro, he answered, “You’re all thieves! The lot of ya! OUT!”


As the girl was released, she scrambled up and over the counter running away from the man who was too angry to contemplate anything clearly and she seemed to be doing anything and everything she could to avoid the door. Just barely hearing Quintan’s question, she glanced at him. “Mhm,” she nodded briefly. “Please don’t make me go back out there! I’m sorry I ran into you but she’s… she’s scary!”


Despite her visible fear of the situation, the shopkeeper emerged from behind the counter and he started shooing people out of his establishment. “OUT!”


Meanwhile, just beyond the shop’s entrance, a girl turned and leaned against the building as she listened to the chaos ensuing inside. Humming to herself, she twirled the blade she carried within her hands and seemed to dance with it though her feet didn’t move. “Out is fine with me,” she said to no one in particular, simply waiting because no one could hide forever.


@Bunny @clarinetti

Scarlet Johanna Indigrid

Brown hair flared out behind her as Scarlet offered a friendly hand to Harleen before her attention was stolen by a newcomer’s voice. Shooing Cletus and Jasper away, Scarlet’s attention was drawn to the girl as she smiled briefly. ‘Of course it’s cute! It’s me!’ was the immediate reply she had formed in her head at the compliment of her ribbon, but she never quite got to say it as the woman’s next words very greatly distracted her.


Very much taken aback, Scarlet stood straight and firm. “Not if you’re going to talk to me like that, I don’t,” she stated. “I’m Captain Scarlet Johanna Indigrid and I will be Queen of the Pirates, but if you can’t hold a little liquor, you really don’t belong on the sea…” It was entirely obvious, even to Scarlet, that the woman was drunk and because of that, Scarlet had no interest.


She remembered what Spades had been like when he was drunk and frankly, the memory made him seem to be entirely repulsive. Scarlet didn’t want to have to put up with that again and quite frankly, she didn’t know if she could believe anything the woman was saying in her current apparent state. The wobbly gait meant she would be no use in hunting a thief and beyond that, Scarlet had nothing else to put someone to work doing.


“Though if you happened to find that map to the One Piece that everyone else is talking about…” she let her voice trail off for a moment, “then that might be different. If we have a map, a navigator would definitely come in handy.” Scarlet’s smile only grew from there as she walked towards the girl and offered her a hand. “You find the map, you can navigate on Charybdis. Deal?”


@vergil

Who Might This Be?

NPC Notes


[-Redacted-]
​

Wandering through the alley deep in the center of Mirstone’s business district was a man. Hooded and cloaked in a dark gray robe, he was nearly completely concealed as he seemed to be pacing back and forth. Of course, he couldn’t stay there forever and he couldn’t really risk too much action either. All he could do was wait.

Finally he felt it. It was what he’d been waiting for and he nearly jumped as he’d been unprepared for it. Listening close, he nodded his head though it was unclear exactly what he was hearing. There was no sound anywhere around him so it seemed impossible for it to be anything beyond his own thoughts. Was it, though?


Smiling slightly as white hair billowed over his eyes, the man closed the cloak over his abdomen concealing his striped shirt and his weapons as he walked into a nearby crowd, lowering his hood only when he had made it to the center of walking people as only then could a legitimate blend into their ensemble be assured.

 

[Red Thunder]

Mal


New Beginnings
​

"You wanna be a pirate?! Awesome!" Grinning, Mal slapped Finch on the arm good naturedly. "I've heard stories about them growing up. You kinda can't help it, living in a city like Mirstone. The things they see, the places they go, the people they meet, sailing the ocean. Man, that just has to be the life."


If only he could find a pirate ship to sail on! Not that he had any skills worth anything on a boat; stealing, sneaking around at night through dark alleyways, a quick sleight of hand, nothing he knew would do anyone any good for getting a boat around. But maybe someone could use a...cabin boy? Was that the term? Probably. His brow furrowed. Holding a hand in front of him, the young man willed his fire to life. With a red flash, it sparked to life, dancing merrily in his palm as he examined it. Surely he could put this ability to use, right? And if someone found him useful, maybe they'd take him. That was the way of the world, after all. Treyvon had taught him that much, even if the old drunk had abused the blonde teen. He glanced over at him. To get anywhere in the world, someone had to find you usefu-


Treyvon Maelstrom was gone, the impact point he'd left in the brick wall a testament to the strength of Finch's Zoan abilities. Mal narrowed his eyes: the old man had abandoned him to these newcomers. That got him thinking: would they abandon him if the situation called for it? If someone stronger came along, would they save their own skins, leaving him to the adversary's mercy? Who could say. His gaze shifted to Finch, flitting between him and the white-hair. Finch at least didn't seem the type, though the hag had certainly gone straight to name-calling.


At any rate, there were pirate captains to ask about it. Or maybe...an idea came to mind, and Mal grinned evilly. No one could say 'no' if he was already on board when they discovered him, away from the island... Clearing his throat, he adopted an innocent look.


"So, uh, do ya know where these people's ships are docked at?" He directed the question to Finch, ignoring the scythe wielding maniac. "I'm wondering what kinda boats they came in."





@Elision of Ecritures @BlacklegSanji

 

[vergil]

'Way to make that first impression Rena!' She internally chided herself. The captain's forthcoming word had sobered her up a tad however and she took a breath.


"A map....leading to the greatest treasure of our generation...and you expect me to find it here? Is this based on anything or....you know..." she put her hand in the pirate's and shook it firmly. "If I can't find it, I'll get enough information for you to get started."


Female captains. She didn't know whether or not they were a good thing or not, but regardless it was a great angle for a story. Her first impression was a mixed one, but she had known what to say to get Rena to get senses within one sentence of them meeting; that accounted for something.


Without another word, she spun on her heels and walked away, though not before continuing her poor first impression and vomiting on the ground. At least now the alcohol was out of her system and she could think much more clearly. She didn't do herself the embarrassment of looking back but instead walked with her head held high, as if nothing had happened.


So, how does one start to find the most sought after treasure ever. All the obvious places would have been hit up, of course that was under the assumption that they were able to read between the lines. She took out a little notepad. Still crisp and clean, despite how much it had been used, and started making a list of places to research. First would be newcomers to the island; with new people comes new information. Next would be whatever worked as a library here, oftentimes people were assholes and wrote in poetic cryptic code and so the answer would be overlooked. Finally she would ask around the residents; she reserved this for when all else failed as it drew too much attention to the inquisitors.


"Yeesh talk about jumping through hoops-this one is 100ft high and on fire." Rena walked towards the docks and quietly 'admired' the ships. She was looking for a ship that had been through the wars. Patchwork, tattered, disheveled - those kinds of beat up. Looking around, there wasn't an obvious sign of such a ship. All of them seemed fairly well maintained, except one, which was in absolutely pristine condition. Brand spanking new.


'Well that's got my curiosity piqued.' Rena thought and bookmarked it for investigation at night. There were a couple of other ships that looked like they may have a few gems in them too.night was still a few hours away so she decided to head to a library....if she could ever find it. After a while she came across a dilapidated building, that apparently functioned as a library in these parts. Rena sighed at the lack of respect for books. The door opened with what sounded like a scream and gently shut behind her with a long exasperated sigh. The room was huge but darkening quickly. Rena moved to the oil lamps which had not felt a hand in a while and switched them on. A warm glow filled the place and she started to get to work. Unsurprisingly she had read many of the books on offer, but there were still quite a few that she hadn't. She sat Dow. With a stack of books, a pen and a pad of paper and started reading.


Right now, in this moment, she was in heaven.

 

[Sunbather]

Scarlet Johanna Indigrid and Harleen Van Sant

Harleen wordlessly stood by as the strange woman and Scarlet talked. Their attitudes couldn’t be more different, and for a moment, Harleen caught herself thinking unappreciative thoughts of the stranger’s apparent inebriation. However, she quickly scolded herself mentally and yanked herself back into her hunched position, now watching, as Rena scurried away, seemingly not too happy with her task. ”I can go look for the map, if you’d like.”, she offered quietly, ”She does not seem very fond of her task.” Her eyes grew wide for a second, and she quickly turned away. ”But, of course… you know better than me, I apologize.”


Scarlet smiled softly as she walked back towards her crewmate, hearing Harleen’s question. “No, no, no. You’re staying with me. Do you know how long its been since I’ve had another girl to talk to!?” She said it in an entirely dramatic fashion, making it seem as though it was the most important thing in the world. Waving her hand back towards the girl who she had sent off to find the map, Scarlet added, “And if she can’t even walk, I doubt she can walk and talk. You can do that, right?” Though the question was intended to be rhetorical, there was still a pause in Scarlet’s voice as though she expected an answer.


”Wa… Walk and talk?” Harleen repeated sheepishly. ”I can do that...” she confirmed after a short pause, her voice muffled as if she was confessing, almost. With little steps she walked towards Scarlet, daring to read into her body language. ”I’m not sure what to say...” she finally admitted.


“Well, we can talk about girl things, right?” This time, Scarlet’s voice did not pause for an answer. Instead, Scarlet simply started walking alongside Harleen. “The other girl said my ribbon was cute.” Her hand playfully twirled around the ribbon in her hair. “Do you think so?”


It was apparent that the term girl terms was met with no association and Harleen looked like a deer in the headlights. Her pace adjusted to Scarlet’s, and slowly the impression of someone being home returned, albeit in Harleen’s faint, weird version. Her eyes followed her captain’s hand movement and scanned the ribbon. It took her a moment, but she nodded eventually, her chains rattling. ”It’s very cute, ma’am.” she answered, giving a faint smile that seemed painted on.


“Isn’t it!?” Smiling, a jubilant joy seemed to leap into the pirate captain as she walked. “You don’t have to call me ma’am, though,” she added. “Jasper already does enough. Did you hear him earlier? He calls me Lady Scarlet!” Pausing for a moment, Scarlet let her excitement die down for a moment before she turned to glance at Harleen, walking backwards in front of the girl so they could continue talking. “I suppose I am a lady though, so I guess I can’t object. What do you think?”


Harleen slumped after Scarlet, her head raised from her deflated posture to politely look at her captain, though it was tilted like a curious or confused animal. ”What I… think?” It appeared Harleen was unable to compute the sentence and she instead grimaced, her tiny mouth disappearing in what must’ve been the most subservient frown known to mankind. ”I… uh… I...” she attempted to answer, but stumbled, clearly stumped. ”Shall I refer to you as Lady, instead of ma’am? I’m sorry, so sorry” she assured, almost begging.


Hearing Harleen stumbling over her words, Scarlet stepped back with one more foot and stopped after that. Unfortunately for her, that last step back slammed her heel into a rock and arms flailed as Scarlet fell flat on her rump, hair flowing up and cascading over her face as she cursed, “Dammit!” A hand brushed brown tangles from her eyes and she looked up to Harleen.


“You don’t have to be sorry, you know,” Scarlet commented as she stood up and brushed off her pants, now covered in sand. “I’m no better than anyone else though. I mean… look at me! I just fell on my ass and got sand all over! Now… when I become Queen of the Pirates, that’ll be a different story, but…” Scarlet seemed to shrug it off as though it meant little to nothing before she turned around and ran her fingers through her hair again. “I don’t have anything in my hair, do I?”


Harleen gasped and her eyes widened as the captain tripped, her tall frame shooting forwards, scurrying to help Scarlet. ”I’m so sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” she said so fast it became unintelligible. She almost teared up seeing how she was too late to aid Scarlet, instead taking a step back and looking ready to be left right then and there. ”N-no, of course not, your hair is quite immaculate, Ma’a… Lady Scarlet.” she assured, then added yet another apology for her improper choice of words.


Scarlet turned around, eyes widening drastically as she beamed at Harleen. “Immaculate!? Really!?” Brushing her hair back behind her shoulders, Scarlet turned around and started walking alongside Harleen once again, being extra careful to step over the rock in the way this time. “Maybe I could teach you how to do your hair like mine,” she suggested.


Harleen was still shaken up. ”M-m-my hair?” she parroted once again, glancing back at her white mane, tips dragging through the dirt behind her. A war raged in her head, between accepting the words of her ‘mistress’ and struggling to be serviced by a superior. ”Whatever you wish. My hair is in bad shape, I believe, it won’t be as pretty as yours, of course.” The sweet words seemed the only acceptable compromise that didn’t force her to involve her opinion, and so she once again gave Scarlet a smile that was as wide as it was empty.


“Of course it’ll never be as pretty as mine! I’m going to be Queen of the Pirates, remember?” Scarlet chuckled a bit at the thought. “A girl should be pretty, though. It’s fun being pretty, believe me!”


Glancing around, Scarlet realized that she no longer recognized where they were and she supposed that was a good thing because the thief hadn’t been in a place that she did know. Her expression turning serious, she started walking up the street, glancing into the stores for a girl with orange hair because that was what the shopkeeper had described. “Well, back to looking for a thief,” she sighed. “Where would you go if you were a thief?”


With a confused glare, Harley turned to stare at the shops, too. ”If I was a thief, I would return what I’ve stolen and...”, she seemed to try and genuinely think out the scenario in her head, ”ask how many days my food is cut. Or...” Suddenly, she appeared unsure of her response. ”Or is that too soft? I’ve never heard any of the thieves ask how many fingers they should cut off. It did-...”


An intense gaze from Scarlet met with Harleen’s eyes as her mouth swiveled in disgust. “Fingers cut off?! What?! I don’t think thieves plan on getting fingers cut off or losing food…” After peeking into another shop, she glanced back to Harleen and added, “You know, I don’t think you would make a very good thief. It’s a good thing we’re trying to find a different one for the crew.” A single nod of affirmation, and then Scarlet started walking further up the streets, still scanning for a woman with orange hair.


(@DaughterofAthena)

 

[Jaibless]

​

"This price is inflated." Mae's voice was flat and unhappy. The book seller had a goofy smirk on his face, annoying her but not enough for Kira to appear. She had learned over the years where the levels were with her emotions and what levels not to pass if she could help it. This was one of the things she could help. The book in her hand was a fine book: Hardcover, and it was nicely taken care of but it was old. Almost 30 years after it was published and it was about a folktale of Mirstone. Almost considered a childrens book and he was trying to sell it for 45 beli.


The seller pierced his lip. "I could drop the price... but you have to do something for me..." His voice dropped an octave and the flirting was painfully obvious. He was a scumbag, as far as the eye can see. Mae found the opportunity and took it.


Her eyes drooped, and she leaned forward to show a little cleavage. "Drop the price to 10, and when you close tonight you might be opening somewhere else..." Seducing wasn't hard to do, especially seducing with a lie. Mae would never lay with someone so sleazy and disgusting but in the end she got what she wanted. She hated greedy men like him. Carrying the book out, she disappeared into the busy crowd of the business district.


@DaughterofAthena

 

[BlueUnicorn]

Narivena Veulence



​

" Do you want anything else, miss?"


The low, high-pitched voice drew Narivena out of her concentration and for a moment, she seemed to have forgotten where she was. Dropping her pen and concealing the work-in-progress in front of her with her palm she turned to the young girl who she had briefly spoken with earlier, and empty smile on her lips. Next to her was the empty plate where the cheesecake once had been, and her glass empty. " Well.. Um.." she stuttered, her mind clouded with angles, degrees, heights, lengths, distances and other forms for measurements she used in cartography. After a moment of awkward silence, she finally managed to make sense: " Whatever special you have today, please."


The girl nodded with a kind yet insecure smile. Turning her head towards something else, her smile suddenly vanished and she took a step back. Narivena followed where her attention had left to, her hand playing with the pencil next to her papers. The companions of the man she had assaulted earlier kept peeking over towards her, obviously planning to do something about the humiliation she had brought upon them. Once they noticed Narivena staring at them, the three of them turned and slowly started making their way towards her. "Damnit.." Gritting her teeth, Narivena pushed her pencil and equipment into the bag without taking her eyes off of them.


She started packing her things, not wanting her work to be ruined from whatever would come next. Narivena looked over at the girl who still stood next to her table. Knowing she would be in the middle of it, Narivena gently placed her hand on the girl's, getting her attention. "Go get the owner." Nodding hurriedly, the girl scurried to find her boss.


" Well, well.. Still here, are ya?" one of the men asked, crossing his thick arms over his chest. The other two stood behind him, but they all had an angry expression. This would not be pretty.


" You think? Thanks Capt' Obvious." Narivena leaned back in her chair and observed the men in front of her. They all had physical advantage - their bodies twice or three times as big as hers and packed with muscle and fat. One of them carried a shotgun while the other two had blades. She clicked her tongue, thinking deeply about what their next actions would be. "How can I be of serv --"


She didn't get to finish her sentence before one of the men had slammed his fist into the table, making the wood creak from the impact. Within a second, Narivena was on her feet, one dagger drawn and slammed into the table inches from his hand. "It's rude to interrupt a woman. Didn't your mother teach you manners..?" Narivena leaned forward as she spoke, her face close enough to the man's to feel his stinking breath on her face, but she did not yield. Hell if she would lose to this bastard. The man growled and headbutted her in the face with his forehead, making her fall back into her chair with a groan. " Get 'er!" he hissed at his two men who immediately made their way to pin her down.


With one dagger dug into the table, Narivena felt the hilt of her other in the palm of her hand. The hit from the man's head had made her dizzy, and she felt blood coming from her nose. The commotion had made the other guests in the bar turn their attention towards them. Once the men were within range, Narivena pushed out of her chair and dug her dagger into the biceps of one of the men, making him scream in pain from the deliberately painful attack. Just as she was about to charge the other one, she felt two large hands around her shoulders - incapacitating her to make another attack. Looking around, slightly panicked, she saw the other men had been caught in the boucers' grips.


" You've made a mess since you set yer foot in here the lot of ya! OUT! OUT OF ME BLOODY BAR!" the owner pointed at the exit of his bar. The wisest move would be to wait until she was outside to make her escape, but the other three men had something else in mind. They fought back against the bouncers, simply getting knocked out by some neatly placed punches. It seemed it would soon be time for her to leave here. She had caught too many people's eyes at this point. 'Once I finish my map, I'll find a way out of here..'





The man with a tight grip around her was relentless when tossing her out of the bar. She landed straight on her back, her equipment being spread across the busy road along with her mapping paper and half-finished map. The clock she had stolen had also fallen out of her bag. " Great. Just great." she muttered to herself, throwing her arms up in annoyance before wiping the blood off her upper-lip with her sleeve. The three men who had been knocked unconscious were tossed close to her, but she was already on her feet and brushed off the dust from her clothes and started to pick up her equipment from the ground.





" There has to be one place I can sit in silence and draw my freakin' map.." she puffed in annoyance as she gathered her things from the ground, brushing off them as she picked them up. For once, she did not care if she blended in or not. She just wanted to pick up her stuff and be done with her map. 'To the docks. Maybe I can find a ship there while I'm at it? Thought I still need more intel..'

 

[Felix]

A cloaked man slowly walked through the crowd of the business district. The man tried hard to fit into the crowd, but failed miserably. It was not his cloak, whatever color it used to be, now it was grey and ragged, which was very common among poor people and travelers. The sunlight caught the white streaks in his hair. The man smiled. This was exactly the way a mysterious character would be introduced in his stories. Am I mysterious? Not really, it was more that he didn’t have any friends or family to open up to, to tell his stories about what actually happened. The only mysterious thing was what was strapped to his body, concealed under the cloak: a beautiful swan wing. Cygnus’ smile made way for a deep sigh. Beautiful, but useless. With one wing he couldn’t fly. He couldn’t swim either. What was the purpose of being half swan when you cannot swim, nor fly? He could have changed. He could have been normal. There were just too many painful memories clinging to the feather. Painful, but cherished and unmissable.


At the end of the street Cygnus could spot a shop sign: Mumford’s Tailor and Dry Cleaner. He walked over there. Tingeling! It was the ninth bell he heard today, five different tunes. Hopefully this was the last time. The shop was vapory and smothery, just like the last one. An older man, balding and with a beer belly, hobbled towards the counter. ‘What do you want, boy?’ He said with an unfriendly face and an even grumpier voice. Cygnus used his soothing voice in the hope that the man would cheer up: ‘Good afternoon, good sir. I would like to get my cloak repaired. It’s a bit tattered as you can see.’ It was no use. ‘Can you pay for it?’ The man replied, still as gloomy as he was before. The sulky mood was starting to affect Cygnus as well. Keep the hope up, maybe it will just be as contagious.


‘Harold!’ Another cantankerous voice shouted from the stockroom behind the counter. ‘You oaf! You forgot to ask whether he is from around here first!’ A fat squat lady walked over to the counter and hit the man on his head. Cygnus feared that he would be denied service. Again. ‘Yes, dear,’ The man said submissively. ‘But seeing his attire he probably is, aren’t you, lad?’ Cygnus took pity in the man. ‘Yes, I’m from the outskirts of town.’ He lied. ‘And yes, I can pay.’ He dropped the pouch with the 200 beli on the counter. It was a lot, especially for him, but he valued his cloak. It was his most important possession. If you didn’t count his wing as a possession, that is. ‘Where did you get the money, brat?’ The woman asked aggressively. ‘You probably stole it somewhere, you runt!’ The man however, didn’t want to distance himself from the money. ‘Come on, pumpkin.’ He said in his most charming voice, which was still about as charming as cow, who went outside after a long winter in the barn. ‘He is a customer and can pay. There is no reason to distrust this man.’ His argument was not very convincing. The town was flooding with sinister people and pirates, all in search for the map to One Piece. You couldn’t trust anyone, even if they said they lived here. Then they were probably liars, like Cygnus. ‘Well, fine!’ The woman said, still not calmed down. ‘He better pays with every damn beli he owns.’ She couldn’t know how true her words were. Cygnus was glad he had kept his hopes up. It did pay off, he would finally get help.


‘What are you waiting for boy? Hand over the cloak.’ The woman demanded. Cygnus didn’t prepare for this. He didn’t expect to get this far ‘Th-thank you, kind madam.’ He said with a quavering voice. He started unclipping his cloak while the shop-owner and his wife (or husband seeing how their relationship was) were watching him impatiently. He tried to do it as slow as possible. He didn’t even have to try, his shaky hands had trouble with the clips. ‘Hurry up, boy! We don’t have all day.’ The woman said. She ripped the cloak from his shoulders as soon as Cygnus undid the last button. She was about to make an annoyed remark, but then she saw what was underneath. The cat was out of the bag, or rather the swan. Now that it was there in plain sight, Cygnus didn’t care anymore. He stretched his wing. Being hidden all the day had made the muscles stiff. The couple gasped. Before they were out of confusion Cygnus grabbed his cloak. It was stupid to have gone here. Why did he expect that they would react differently? He also grabbed the money back. They probably wouldn’t change their minds. The woman came to her senses first. ‘Frrreak!’ She shouted with even more hatred than before. ‘We don’t serve your kind here! Get lost, you Dirty devil fruit user! From around here?! Ha! You don’t belong here! You don't belong anywhere! …’ She continued her rant, but Cygnus had already heard enough. Tingeling! Number 10 was a fact. He looked for the direction to go to. To the right were more alleys. More places to hide. He started running. ‘You better not come back here, you scum!’ The woman shouted from the entrance. Luckily she didn’t follow him. They both knew that she was slower. By far. Cygnus dove into the first alley he saw.


When Cygnus believed that he was far enough in the maze of backstreets and alleys he allowed himself some rest. He was panting and sweating. A hermit’s life did not really give you good stamina. If someone would have been following him, they would probably be lost in some alley by now. You shouldn’t have come her. He thought to himself. Five tailors, five denials. He had come for adventure and he had found it. At least he hadn’t seen the old man and his son for a while now. He looked at the sorry state his cloak was in. ‘I’m sorry, Mother’ He cried. Without realizing he had formed a small bubble around him. ‘I’m so, so, sorry! I can't do anything right.’ Tears were running over his cheeks.


No! You have to be strong! You can make her proud again! Yes he had to. The bubble vanished. He swept the tears from his cheeks. He had to keep up the hope. Anything could happen when you believed in it hard enough! Right? He tried to force a smile. Of course it was true. His mother had told him, so it had to be true, right? He got up. If the local shops denied him, than he would have to find a capable individual who could do it for him. However it was dangerous in the streets now. The Mumford’s would have contacted someone by now. The navy, or worse. Then it struck him. He hadn’t seen any marines. You would expect that an island crowded with crooks, pirates and thieves would have the navy’s full attention. Were they planning something? Were they undercover? Cygnus had seen a few street performers with masks, but that couldn’t have been Cipher Pol, could it? Maybe there was something else on this island that scared even the navy. Cygnus shivered. He wanted to get out of here. Back to his simple and comfortable life on his own. Away from people, for as long as he could. What about your cloak? Right! He had to continue his search before he could leave. After that he would flee with his tail, or rather wing, between his legs.

 

[shadowdude505]

Cait Merlin & Captain Sora Z. Lachance

​

Sora looked at Cait and chuckled a bit. "Never doubted the strength of a fishman, nasty bunch to get in a fight with." Sora said with a small humm. "Though, no offense but I honestly thought a fishwoman would look more...fishy. Like your skin would be a completely different color than average, though I have only met a few in my life so I could be wrong."


"Well for starters, I'm only half Fishman. My da's a human and my ma is a tiger shark fish woman so it always looks like my arms have a tan," Cait replied. "Once I lose my fisherman's tan it would be more noticeable. Not that anyone needs to notice a skin tone difference to tell that I'm part Fishman. The fins and teeth speak for themselves," she added casually.


Sora walked down the street before taking a turn into an alley to not only get away from the crowd but to also use as a short cut. "Oh? And here I thought you just glued them on." He siad with a small laugh as he waved his hand casually. "No offence of course, though a hybrid like you. That's not one of the most common things around, actually this is the first I've heard let alone seen someone like you..." Sora said as he looked over his shoulder at her while he placed his hands in his pockets.


"You're right.... I'm a rare find," Cait replied with a hint of sadness in her voice. Judging by the way the humans and Fishmen treated each other, she'd probably be the only hybrid if prejudices didn't change. If the blood of a human man and a fish woman could coexist within her, surly the two races could do the same at some point in the future. But when would that future come?


Cait became silent and her mind started to go into autopilot as she followed Sora. In her thoughts she could see a younger version of herself crying on the beach on a dark night. "Ma, don't go!"


Sora looked at her for a moment when she went silent. He didn't say anything for a moment before he came to a stop at the end of the alley. "....If I said something I shouldn't I didn't mean to. I honestly see zero problems with you being a hybrid. If anything I find it to be very interesting and amazing." He said before scratching the back of his head.


After a moment longer of silence he decided to change the subject. "Seeing as you want to be on my crew, I got to ask what you plan to be exactly. I see you have a guitar on your back so, my best assumption is...musician? Or do you just carry that around for a hobby but really you plan to do something else?"


Sora's words shook Cait out of her thoughts. "No, no, no, no, no.... you said nothing wrong." She clapped her hands together to help her brain change gears. "I'm a musician, but I can also help out on the ship in other ways. My da's a fisherman by trade and I worked with him for the last ten years," she replied cheerfully. "And since I'm part Fishman, you can count on me for water rescues."


At this Sora let out a sigh of slight relief. "So you mean to tell me the chances of us starving at sea with you along is very slim... Good on the way here one of the crew had a nervous break down and the only way for him to calm down was eat the last of our supplies, cause of that ass we could have starved if there was a storm or anything. Luckily I planned everything rightish, and there was no storm," he said as he shook his head.


After this he took a deep breath before he walked into the streets and moved to a vendor. He seemed fine was he walked, but as he moved to a more crowded area where the vendor he needed was his movements seemed a bit stiffer as he walked. Albi who was tired of being on his neck moved to the ground and walked by his side and bumped the back of his shin from time to time telling him to not stop. Taking a gulp he tried to zone out more of the people there and only focus on him, Albi and Cait. "An-Anyway for the ship, food, water is needed, as said. I mean as I said, I'm out of food and water." He mumbled as he moved to the vendor stopping in front of her.


Opening up his jacket two different pouches could be seen in it, one much larger than the other. Taking the smaller pouch out of his jacket he opened it and counted out the coins. "Th-This enough shou-should be." He stuttered out as he handed Cait a few gold coins. "G-Get water, not sea water, regular water, plenty of sea water in the sea." He started to ramble before he gripped the vendor table for some support. "Once you have gotten the thing I told you, uh...water, the water. Once you have gotten that j-just meet bac-back up with me... Sometime."


Cait followed Sora to the market place and stood near him when they reached the vendor. She watched Sora go through the purchasing process. For whatever reason he seemed to be out of his comfort zone. Cait wondered if she sould try to be a more assertive patron to help her new Captain. She wasn't sure how the vendor would react to a half-Fishman.


Cait placed the coins on the vendor's table. "Make that "sometime" late afternoon, by the docks," she said. "You'll see us on our ship."


Sora nodded at this as he now focused his attention on the vendor. "Noon, this after, G-Got it. Just get the clean wa-water. Much the coins g-g-get you." he mumbled as he took another deep breath as he closed his eyes. 'I got this, just ignore everything around me....' He thought though despite the encouraging thoughts, he was still trembling quite a bit as he stood there.


Collab: @Peaceswore

 

[BlacklegSanji]

Kenji


Kenji Watched as Sora's little group talked to each other about joining Sora's crew. He was quite pleased with Sora having formed a crew so quickly. "Ah, I need to find my self some crew members!" He said coming to the sudden realization that he currently had no one in his crew. Well he did have one. Kenji walked into another bar, Which wasn't strange seeing as since he had gotten to Mirstone he had been bar hoping. He walked up to the counter and ordered a drink. He Began to chug it back when he noticed just down the bar there was a girl who on her belt had a assortment of tools. Kenji looked at her in curiosity till it clicked. She must be a ship Wright! He walked up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. "Hi, My name is Kenji, Are perhaps a shipwright?" He asked. "If you are, it would be appreciated if you could fix my ship, I can pay you, or perhaps your looking for a ship to travel on? I can give you passage aboard her, that's if you don't mind being on a ship with Pirates" he said Looking at her, trying to be as polite as possible, not even taking notice to the guy sat by her.


@DaughterofAthena


@Exanis


Ren


Ren looked at the Runt who was talking about being a pirate. "Yeah, like a runt like you would be of any use on a pirate ship. I bet if you even try to ask to join a pirate crew they might just decide to kill you anyways" she laughed. "I bet you dont even have any skills you can use on a boat" She said. She then proceeded to turn around and begin walking off. "So long, I got things to do and places to be. Oh and if you do make it in a pirate crew Runt I'll see you on the open water" She said. She walked off and exited the Alley and went into the market district. On a sign she seen the words 'Cook Off'. "Hmm, should be interesting" she said so she entered her name into the contest.


@Red Thunder


@Elision of Ecritures

 

[Lady Warlock]

Stacy Beauregard

Though Stacy was glad to hear initially that her new… well, she wanted to call him a friend, but that didn’t seem appropriate yet… acquaintance had been involved in some acts of question, she couldn’t help but feel bad for this dog who he seemed to initially hate. She didn’t particularly dislike or like any animals in particular although the doc seemed misjudged in her mind. All dogs slobbered on shoes from what she recalled from her minimal animal interactions as a child. That didn’t seem to be a good enough reason to get mad at a little beast.


Nonetheless, she found herself seeping into the story as he told it and that had to be a good thing. Stories were only valuable if they could hold attention after all. One burning question began to slowly eat away at her mind as she listened to the tale. ‘You did all of that for a pair of shoes?’ Her eyes widened in surprise at the realisticality of it as he began to wrap up.


Eyes trailed down to examine Syrin’s shoes as she wondered if their pristine white color was what made them so valuable. They certainly didn’t look like they’d been slobbered on by a dog. However, before she could actually vocalize the words, Stacy’s head swiveled back as she felt a hand tap her shoulder.


The man was completely unfamiliar.


“Sure. Yep. Mhm. Walk up to a person on an island full of thieves and vagabonds and tell them your name right away. Seems like a fabulous way to go about things!” Sarcasm soaked its way into every word that she spoke as she very nearly started laughing at the apparent humor in it. “At least I waited until I knew he wasn’t ‘bout to kill me on the spot…” Stacy added, acknowledging that although she had given her name to Syrin, she hadn’t done it right away.


Sighing, Stacy could not help but contemplate the remainder of what he had said even though she already struggled to take him seriously. “Well, I am bored and fixing a ship would fix that,” she admitted. “Unless my friend here has another story to tell. It was quite amusing to hear how much he was willing to go through for a pair of shoes.” Chuckling a bit, Stacy’s gaze turned to Syrin, now waiting on him.


“Though regardless, I do suppose I’ll have time eventually. As for pirates, the island’s full of ‘em. If I didn’t like ‘em, I wouldn't be here. Though my coming with you doesn’t depend on that. It depends on what idiot broke the ship in the first place and whether or not they’re going to let me do my job and keep it workin’.”


@Exanis @BlacklegSanji

 

[Exanis]

Syrin Insinu

Syrin blinked slowly as he noticed the man who approached. Kenji, his name was. Apparently, he wanted Stacy's help with fixing his ship. He hummed to himself as he took in Kenji's appearance. He blinked again as he noted that Stacy mentioned him, and raised his visible eyebrow at her. "I will have you know, these are more than just shoes to me. Maybe I'll even tell you their significance later." He glances back at Kenji with a completely deadpan stare, his visible eye half lidded, and the overwhelming feeling that he was judging Kenji and found him lacking present in his stare. "You know... I don't like you. At all. You have no manners, you are, apparently, too trusting, and believe me, I can find so many other reasons to not like you. I bet you're one of these brainless peons that came to this island in search of a map to the One Piece, especially under the assumption that all your worries would disappear the moment you lay hands on it." He stops and takes a good luck at Kenji, then nods his head, as if he is simply confirming his previous statement.


He then turns around, and leans his back against the bar counter, crossing his legs and his stare visibly gets darker as he looks at Kenji. "So, here's the thing. I DO have many more stories I could share." He directs that at Stacy. "But I'm sure working on something would be much more amusing for you. And you are your own person, so I can't and won't stop you, as I just met you after all, and my word has little to no sway. But, if you don't mind, Stacy, I'd like to tag along. This guy-" He nods his head lightly towards Kenji. "Seems like a goon, and while I'm sure you can take care of yourself, I already told you that you intrigue me and for that I am willing to stick around you for a bit longer, if you'd allow me of course. Otherwise, I'll take my leave at this moment." As he finishes his statement he crosses his arms, and an audible sound of chains clanking against each other is heard.


@BlacklegSanji


@DaughterofAthena

 

[Bacon is fluffy]

Rei Atagami


It's been a good week now since Rei landed upon Mir stone's shore,but her excitement hadn't died down yet. She loves to bob and weave through the crowds of ecstatic people looking for a jumping off point for their own journey. There was a certain charm to the hustle and bustle of mirstone, because it was much akin to an asylum being ran by the inmates. This isn't to say the marines aren't necessarily off their rocker from time to time,but generally speaking, outlaws don't govern other outlaws. She certainly felt a wee bit frightened at the same time though,because she was in an environment free from normal social stigmas and could be a loud mouthed idiot,but at the same time, there was no deterrent if she pissed off the wrong person. It was a late start for her today and she still didn't quite know what to do. There was a growing feeling in her chest. The type of nagging tug which gets exasperated when you have things to do,but aren't making any progress.


It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. It's only been a week. Surely I'll find a way to set sail soon...right? Surely not all the good blokes have come and gone, right?


She muttered to herself often, as a way of relieving stress. Normally surviving was none too hard for her,but now she actually had a need to persuade another human being to trust her. It was quite the conundrum, having to convince others that she would be useful. What if I can't do it...what if I can't compete with pops? is this it? She paused for a moment and shook her head as if she were shaking her worries off when a some kid stepped on her foot. The girl couldn't have been much older than a young teen, she was short and small as she effortlessly scurried through the crowds of people. A theif perhaps? It serves her right, afterall pops said the only wrong thief was the one who got caught. Right? Moments later a woman followed suit, with a slight smile across her dainty face. The woman was in pursuit,but wasn't particularly upset. Rather she seemed to be enjoying herself. Wait, is this not just some kid running from the person she stole from? She's old enough to know what's right and wrong, it's on her? But we all make stupid decisions. Pops bailed me out constantly! What to do what to do. Rei's fist was clumped like a ball and her movements were rather stiff. Tch, I'm probably going to regret this.


Rei made her way toward the outskirts of the crowd and ran through restaurant patios and merchant shops until she came across the woman nonchalantly leaning against the shop's entrance. Upon closer inspection she noticed the sword at the women's hip, it looked expensive judging by its exotic pitch black hilt. Rei slowly approached the woman,leaving a small distance between her and the woman waiting outside of the noisy shop. She couldn't exactly make out what was said from where she was,but the men thrown out when accompanied by their muffled yelling sort of left her feeling a bit vexed. The girl was inside,but the woman stood outside with the same insidious smirk. “Out is fine with me", she said with the same lack of care. " Hey, you missy with the fancy pants sword. Mind if I have a moment of your time"?


@DaughterofAthena

 

[vergil]

Her hair was becoming messy as her fingers ran through it constantly whilst she read, a habit she always had - it was exasperated when she was researching. She took down notes from various sources; extracts from fictional novels about adventurers going off to faraway lands and coming to new islands with strange cultures and customs, having bested treacherous and unpredictable seas. Of course the novel was a trash romance of vampires trying to find true love and it was a poorly written mess, aside from the detail of the environment - which was cause for suspicion. There were a couple of Captain's logs too - all of them pointed to the Grand line, but past that, not much - the logs were of pirates that had not made out of the West Blue.


The Grand Line. Rena remembered the Barkeep who spoke indirectly of it. It was fairly common knowledge (well, to those that can read) that the entrance to the Grand Line lay at Reverse mountain. Such information was proactively spread around along with how many ships had been destroyed by the unforgiving rocks. It served as a great deterrent after all - not to mention the detailed propaganda of the pirates and how unruly and violent they were. She had been on an island full of pirates for the better part of half a day and the only violence she witnessed was her legs assaulting themselves when she tripped over nothing. There was always the potential for violence....but that could be said anywhere. The one newspaper that the world read and Rena was confirming her suspicions that it was all written to control the masses.


She jotted some other tidbits down. Something about a special compass, but no detail about it - just that it was different; written by a person who didn't understand how it worked, no doubt. The only thing that was written was not to bother with traditional compasses as you would be going in circles forever. She flipped open hers and examined it. How could it be different? Compasses work using magnetic waves and are fairly accurate. Something was messing up their calibration. Perhaps the weather? Sea creatures? The Islands? An over abundance of magnets? She wouldn't put anything out of consideration - in a world of super powered humans and mystical treasure - why the hell not? She was always taught to think outside the box when she was a child.


Basic geography at school taught kids about how the world was split into four seas, the grand line and the Red line intersecting to create a a world which was nicely quartered. The red line was a continuous line of land that circled the world, whilst the Grand Line was a curious sea that also circled the world. Surrounding the grand line was two belts; both called the calm belt which was all but impossible to cross, as it was infested with Sea Kings and had no current or wind whatsoever. The physics of it made no sense, but there was never really an explanation to how it worked - just that it did. It made Rena's brain hurt to think about it.


Looking at her notes it was clear that she had to find this compass. The barkeep had lost many of his crew and was washed up in a bar. There was no love for what he was doing - just living. Friends gone. Dreams dead. He'd be fairly open to suggestion, given the right motivation. If he had been to Reverse mountain, then it was a fair chance that he would have a compass, know where to get one or how to make one.


Additionally.....


There was a noise; loud, long and disconcerting. Her stomach was not happy and letting her know in no uncertain terms that it required food now or there was going to be more of that. Even as a child she would get caught up in reading and


Grrrrrrowllllllllllllll - no time to reminisce. Feed me!


"Fine you godamned impatient organ we'll go to the bar and get some pirate food. Whatever the hell that is!" Rena tidied up after herself and headed back to the bar.

 

[AllHailDago]

Cletus T. Bass & Jasper Pharos


Walking alongside Jasper, Cletus puffed on his cigarette as the butlery man asked how combat efficient he was. "I'm no marksman, but I have experience dealing with turkeys," Cletus replied, insulting the unruly pirates that the Red Ribbons would probably come across in the near future. Once at the docks, Cletus walked up the gangplank to get to the Charybdis's main deck. After taking a moment to soak in the sight of the deck, Cletus started to speak. "So are you going to show me around the ship or should I give myself the three hour tour?" he asked curmudgeonly.


Jasper found the answer to his question severely disappointing. Quite unhelpful to discovering the man's ability to protect Lady Scarlet. He chewed his lip in thought. He supposed he would simply have to make sure he was not her only protection in a possibly violent situation. Not that Jasper did not trust her to protect herself. It was simply his personal worry for his Mistress' safety. Quite understandable in his opinion given his station.


Jasper found the man's gruff manner a touch annoying but attempted to keep up appearances anyhow. "Well the deck is quite self explanatory I am sure. Follow me below deck and I will show you around. I do not believe it should take very long." Without waiting for a response he simply moved to descend below deck.


Cletus didn't know how disappointed Jasper was in his answer to the combat question, though he wouldn't have explained himself even if he did. Cletus had confidence in the gun skills he refined over the years alongside his cowboy friend Wild Bill. Not wanting to accidentally catch the ship on fire, Cletus put out his cigarrette by pressing it against one of his shoulder pads and placed it's no-longer-burning husk back between his lips. As he followed Jasper below deck, Cletus momentarily rubbed his hand against the wood forming the walls to feel the material. So far everything was looking shipshape. Cletus continued to follow Jasper and silently waited to hear what he had to say.


"So as I am sure you surmised the Captain's quarters are above deck. Down here are the crew's quarters. Although to this point they have simply been my own, I have kept things tidy and spacious should others join us. Besides the crew's quarters the kitchen is down here, we'll stocked after my trip into town earlier. Besides that the remainder is being used as storage for now. Although I suppose separate quarters for men and women may be needed now."





As he spoke he walked Cletus into each section he was discussing. He showed the food pantry as well and where one could wash themselves when necessary. But following that he was just about entirely finished. Like he said, not long at all. "So any questions? Or perhaps specific supplies you might need that you do not yet have? If so I can make another run of the shops if given a list."


"No questions. Everything looks shipshape, just need to take a peak at the keel," Cletus replied. "As for supplies, nails and wood should suffice. Maybe some metal sheets, though with this level of craftsmanship I really don't want to turn this ol' girl into a frankensteinian mess."


"I need to retrieve my tool box from the inn. Might as well check out while I'm there," he continued. "Give me about ten minutes and I'll be back to finish my inspection. You can put me on guard duty after that." Cletus started to make his way off of the Charybdis.


Jasper made note of the materials needed on a notepad he had in his pocket. "I can easily retrieve these materials. Also do not worry over much about Charybdis' protection in the ten minutes prior to your return. It will be safe alone in that time period I am quite certain. While you retrieve your tools I will return to the shopping district and get these supplies. Welcome to the Red Ribbon Pirates."


Jasper gave a smiled and departed the boat, heading in a separate direction from Mister Cletus. The shopping should not take too long. He would follow it by searching for Lady Scarlet's thief if they have not yet found her. He pondered what other types might be recruited before they set off. He pondered if his prior affiliation might be an issue.


@shadowdude505

 

[shadowdude505]

Cletus T. Bass

​

Cletus tossed his cigarette into a trashcan as he walked into the Buccaneer Inn. He walked into his room and took a moment to glace around it as if he expected someone to have broken in by now. He grabbed his tool box that had been laying by the bed and headed down to the front desk. "Thank you for your stay. How was everything?" an overly enthusiastic worker asked as Cletus turned in his room key. "As expected," Cletus replied. "The bed was a bit stiff and the food was under cooked."


Cletus left the Inn and made his way back to the Charybdis. Once back onto the ship, Cletus made his way below deck and started to uproot a few floorboards with his hammer. The ship's sailing condition would soon be known to him as he prepared to look at the keel. He hoped it was sea worthy, but part of him prepared for the worse. He wouldn't hesitate to tell his Captain if they had to get a new ship. The only question in his mind was whether or not she'd be able to handle the news.


Luckily it looked like he had nothing to worry about. The devastating ship news would have to wait until after some crazy sea battles. Cletus nailed the floorboards back in before putting his toolbox aside for later. Returning to the upper deck, Cletus fond a barrel to sit on and started to watch the hustle and bustle. He held his hunting rifle in his lap, making it easier to grab in case it was needed. Now all that was left to do is to wait for something to happen.

 

[Red Thunder]

Mal


A Fool's Errand
​

"Yeah you'd better leave, ya damn witch! I'll kick yer ass if I ever see you again!" The flames that had disappeared sprang once more into existance as he raised a fist of fire. It seemed to make little difference to the teen that Ren was walking off, effectively ignoring him. "I'll burn down whatever damn ship you get on, if old age doesn't get you first!"


He reacted predictably, as Ren or anyone else might have expected from the hothead at such comments as the scythe-wielding would be pirate had made. Truth be told, they struck a little too close to home. He had no skill that could be used on a boat; they only thing Mal might offer a captain was his own cleverness. Street smarts, thieving skills, hell, even his new found fire abilities, would serve a ship little except to get in the way. But he had to try, right?


"Fake it 'til ya make it," he muttered. Finch still stood beside him, looking distinctly unhelpful. At least, unhelpful to where Mal was mentally. Giving his new friend a good natured slap on the shoulder, the young man turned and walked off, his thin coat twirling in the sea breeze. "Thanks for the help, Finchy! Maybe I'll see you around!"


Hands in his pockets, Mal strode off, seeking ... something. Whatever it was, he'd figure it out on the way.


@BlacklegSanji @Elision of Ecritures

 

[Lady Warlock]

Yumi Tahiro

NPC Notes

Location: Outside the shop

Age: Late teens / early 20s

Gender: Female​

Yumi chuckled as she guessed that the woman who yelled was talking to her. Glancing around, she didn’t see anyone else holding a sword in the immediate area and so she presumed there was no one else to possibly be in question. Twirling the sheathed blade once more upon the ground, Yumi took her time in answering.


“We with the fancy pants sword, eh?” Another chuckle erupted from within the back of her throat. “I suppose that’s one way to get my attention. Not sure if it’s the best, though… might actually be an insult to the blade, now that I think about it.” Despite her words being a bit out there, Yumi shrugged and pushed herself off of the building before she nodded in the direction of Rei.


“I might. I might not. Depends on what you mean to do with it,” Her words showed indecision. Her expression showed mischief. “I’d go a minute for a minute though. I’m trying to catch a little runaway that’s in this store right now. If you’ll help me snatch her up real quick - shouldn’t be too hard - then I suppose I won’t be too picky on what you do with my minute.”

@Bacon is fluffy

 

[BlacklegSanji]

Stacy Beauregard, Kenji Kita and Syrin Insinu

Kenji Gave Stacy a weird look. "Does it really matter all that much if you know my name or you don't know my name? I mean I could be lying," He stated. "As for who did the damage.... well I'll explain when I get there," He said


He then peered back Syrin and smiled. "I'm a pirate, and you're in Mirstone, a place for pirates, thieves, and vegabonds alike. There are no need for manners here, and as for the one piece, yes I am after the map, although I am not really brainless," he said giving him a smile


"Come with us if you want," He said to Syrin before turning back to Stacy. "I'll take you to my ship, supplies to repair her are already on board," He said.


Stacy considered Kenji for a moment. "First of all, if you're going to ask a person for help with anything, manners are always important. It's called making a first impression and yours was really shitty." She flashed a smile towards Syrin before she continued. "Second of all, if you're not a shipwright," her eyes scanned him up and down as though she was confirming that fact, "then how would you know what I need to fix a ship?"


"Use to be a navy ship, extra supplies for fixing her were inside the ship, along with tools, though I have little to no idea how to do that stuff," he replied simply blowing off her comment of mannerism, more or less because he realised that she was right.


Syrin took what the other two said silently, internally contemplating their statements for the moment. "You know, I wouldn't consider myself a pirate. Or a thief. And everyone who travels at sea could be considered a vagabond. What I am, however, is a criminal. And I have met many priates, thieves, vagabonds and criminals with manners, even here in Mirstone. And the mere fact that you stated that you are here for the map makes you brainless in my book until further evidence." With his piece said, he fell back silent and fiddled with a bit of chain that dangled from out of his sleeve.


Kenji Sighed a little at Syrin, knowing that he would end up driving him nuts by the time they got to the ship.


"This way," Kenji said as he began to walk out the bar. Kenji began to lead them down towards the port. "I've been navigating the ship for a while now, though I'm not skilled enough myself to go through the grandline on my own, " He said. "Honestly I also only have one Crew mate at the moment. Sadly he is the cause of the problem with the ship, though it was a complete accident So you shouldn't have to worry about him causing anymore damage to the ship.... Probably not anyways," he said.


Stacy sighed, simply following along. "Well then, they better learn how to stay out of my way. I'm not one to do the same job twice so if they break it again, you're screwed."


Kenji Laughed a little. "Don't worry this kind of thing usually doesn't happen... although he can be a little... um how should I put it... over excited some times..." Kenji said, which seemed like he was in some kind of thought about this crew mate. Kenji led the two around the turn. He looked out towards the open water as he made his way into the port area of town. "Come on, My ship isn't far from here," he said.


"Does this particular crewmate have as poor of manners as you do? Or might he actually have interesting stories to tell? I do much prefer stories to people who seem to only want to use me for fixing their messes." Stacy commented.


In the background Syrin faintly snorted.


"Poor manners... he can be a bit improper at times, I usually end up having to appoligize for him. I'm not so sure about stories... but he is a ninja, and he is quite interested in people..." He said trailing off a little again as he sighed a little. "He might be able to tell you some stories, but he is really forgetful, so I don't know how much he will be able to tell you"


He walked down the docks to a ship that was tightly secured to the port. He looked up at the dragon figurehead the was at the bow of his Ship. "This is the Sea Dragon," He said. "She use to be a navy ship but I've had some modifications done to her," he said.


Up on top of the yard of the ships main mast a boy lid down covered in bandages, hurt from what seemed to be a serious injury considering the amount of bandages on him. In the side of where the kitchen should be was a giant hole. "Up there is Norman, he has been gaurding the ship. If you need any more supplies, ask him he will go with you to buy them. And don't mind the mask or bandages. He had a cooking accident and the stove blew up, had to buy a new one... and he doesn't really like to show his face," Kenji said. "By the way I havent asked you two for your names" he said.


"If you had paid any attention beforehand, you'd know at least one of our names." Syrin muttered under his breath, a steely glare set on Kenji.


"Hmm?" Kenji Immedately perked up a liitle. "What do you mean? I guess I missed something" he sighed a little at his own attention span.


"Maybe try to think of something other than your own desires when you are requesting assistance from someone next time, hm? You may not miss something as vital and simple as a name that time around." With that said, he fell silent once more.


"You can probably just drop it, Syrin. All he cares about is getting his ship fixed and getting his treasure. Anything else is just busiwork for him and I don't imagine he even cares anyway. Certainly hasn't tried to get to know an inch about us since he learned I could fix his ship." Sighing audibly, Stacy simply left it at that and started walking onto the ship, determined to make it clear that she was still very undecided as to whether or not she'd be sticking around.


"Its not about the treasure, dear, its all about the adventure," he said with a smile.


"Dear? You think you can call me dear!? Hah! That's laughable! Don't try for one minute to act like you know me well enough to start calling me by anything other than my own name - if you even remember what that is. Go. Find whatever you came here to find. I'll fix your ship simply because I'm bored enough to want something to do that badly."


"Heh, you state that you do this for the adventure, yet you restrict yourself to finding a map to do anything of he sort. See that, that is why I called you brainless like every single other pirate here. You've only proved my point." With another snort, he turns to Stacy. "If you need any help feel free to say so Stacy."


"Ah... Syrin and Stacy was it... you didn't let me finish," He said. "And Freedom... freedom is important too, to be able to roam the seas freely and adventure them as I please... you see the pirate king is the man who has the most power, wealth, and fame. But he also has the most freedom, thats why I want to find the one piece so I can roam the seas more free than any other man," he said.


"Look if you don't want to stick around my after the fact i'll pay you for the repairs and let you be on you're way... but stick with me and i'll make sure your need to do something is quite satisfied... because where is the fun without a little adventure" he said. "Anyways I have a map to find, I hear the Grandline isn't easy to navigate, full of all sorts of surprises," he said walking off leaving those two in the hands of Norman.


@AllHailDago


@DaughterofAthena


@Exanis

 

[Bacon is fluffy]

Rei grimaced if only for a split second before smirking at girl before her, who had twirling her blade nonchalantly. Her chest felt constricted, as if someone was crushing her windpipe with their bare hands. Keep calm rei, step back and you immediately show your cards. Rei cautiously bobbed and weaved through the crowd taking inventory of the surroundings, her hands exploring the pockets of bystanders in the immediate vicinity. The crowd was thick enough to impede movement,but that also meant it was good enough to blend into at a moment's notice.


She saw sword lying down next to a group of drunkards across the street, they didn't look too tough. It was a group of surly pirates yelling obscenities at eachother; surely they would not miss a weapon left out in the open. And to her right a wagon which could give her a boost if need be. Admittedly, rei was hoping for a rooftop chase. In order to keep the flow of the conversation going Rei never looked away from her potential opponent for more than a moment, " Oh I was just being polite. In the hands of a petite little girl such as yourself, it might as well be a toothpick". Just before making her way to the store front, she hit the jackpot. Her left hand not so subtlely hidden, she constantly made a flicking sound with the object with her concealed object. Rei instinctively kept around five to seven paces.She reckon'd it was far enough to run away,but close enough to make a move. " Depending on the reason for why the girl is running from you, I may or may not have to rescue her".


@DaughterofAthena

 

[AllHailDago]

Jasper Pharos and Kibto Intinal


Outside a sweet shop that sold the most beautiful of pasteries and seemed to be lined from the floor to the roof with candy stood a young albino boy who was staring inside the store. His eyes glimmered in pure excitment for what he was seeing and drool was close to running out of his mouth as he stared at it. One finger barely in his mouth while the other arm rested on top of a wooden box that was on his waist. 'S-Should I?' He thought as he watched other kids with their parents point at the sweets and goodies they wanted and actually got. "It looks....sooo good. And I haven't eaten in two days now.. I need to get food I have enough for some but things like those sweets. They look so amazing and perfect.... I wonder if the gems and jewelry in here is enough. Th-They seem to sparkle. I, really want one.."


Standing there for a good while some people in and out of the store started to take notice of the boy. One girl who was in the store waved in front of his face to see if he was okay but he made no gesture or movement to show he saw the girl's hand. His eyes stayed on the sweets and nothing but the sweets.


Now had the boy been more aware of his surrondings he would have noticed a group of rather angry and scary looking brutes holding some paper in thier hand while they kept glancing now and then at the boy as they whispered among themselves. "I....I shouldn't' use the gems on these... The sweets are probably too good for me. I might not appreciate them enough. An-And I don't want to come off rude... But, I want to try one so bad." He said in a soft tone as he stood there staring.Loud grumbles from his stomach making it obvious to everyone that passed by him that the kid wanted some of those sweets.


Jasper strode purposefully through the shopping district on his way to a hardware and carpentry store. He intended to obtain the supplies for Mister Cletus as quickly as possible. He wanted to expedite the matter so he could go to Lady Scarlet's aid with the thief. He was slowed from his stride for a moment when he smelled a delightful scent from a small but seemingly upscale bakery and candy shop.


He stopped fora moment and eyed the alluring treats on display through the shop's front window. Perhaps Lady Scarlet would enjoy a sweet desert for after dinner tonight. He mulled that over as a young man seemed to mutter to himself in front of the shops window. He gave him a quick glance and saw him touching thoughtfully upon a box on his belt. He muttered about jewels and sweets while his stomach rumbled.


It was then that Jasper began to feel eyes on his back. He turned his head slightly and looked around at the edge of his vision. It seemed the young man was the focus of several unruly types attention. He turned his attention back to the young man. "You know, they might allow you a sample or two if you need to know what you would like to spend your money on."


Kibto had been so focused on whether or not he should actually use the gems he had to get the sweets or not he had honestly forgot for a moment he was outside in public. Having zoned out most if not all the background noise. However when he heard someone rather close to him speak up about trying free samples he couldn't help but flinch a bit in suprise. Though that was mainly because he was snapped back into reality.


Looking around and blinking a few times his eyes soon landed on Jasper before he craned his neck up to look at the evidently taller man. He looked at the white-haired male for a moment before glancing back at the shop and then back at the guy. "R-Really? Even to so-someone like me?" He asked curiously as he indicated to his rather dirty clothes before he looked at the ground while he played with his soft and delicate looking hands. "I...I was just kicked out of a resturant becuase they said I was too dirty to be there. B-But it wasn't my fault. I fell in mud on the way there after I was shoved. An-And I don't know where to wash.......I-I think if I go in there they will be mean and kick me out to...." He mumbled softly in a slightly nervous tone.


Shoved in the mud, kicked onto the street, clearly hungry, and pursued for reasons unknown. Looking at the kid sent Jasper back to the days of his childhood. He did not much like the thought. He did not see the harm in helping him out. "Tell you what, I can go in with you. Help you get a few samples and choose what to buy. How about it?"


At this Kibto blinked several times as he reran the man's words in his head. After a moment he looked up at the other with a honestly suprised look on his face. "R-Really? You would do that? No joke?" He asked with a shy smile growing on his face, as he held his hands close to his chest, hoping that this man wasn't joking. "If you aren't that wo-would be great. Though o-only if it's no trouble, I do-don't want to be a bother to you sir or the people in there... I'm greatful for the offer, so if you would come with me that would be really nice an-and I...um.... Yes please." He mumbled softly, unsure what to truly say to the man, as half his mind was filled with the idea of actually tasting some of those sweets.While the other tried it's best to make the man not look so imposing in his mind.


Jasper smiled lightly at the young man, who had begun reminding Jasper of a timid version of his younger self. "Alright then, then let us go inside and enjoy ourselves, hm?" He winked and opened the door of the shop, holding it open for the young man. "After you.... um, perhaps you would kindly tell me your name?" Jasper began to think he was bad at asking for names. He would have to remedy that in the future.


Kibto looked up at the other with a soft smile on his face as he nodded. "Th-Thank you sir." He said softly as he started to walk to Jasper before he stopped when he was asked the question. "Oh my name? It's Kibto." He said softly before he blinked a bit and slowly stuck out his hand to shake. In his excitement to get something sweet he almost forgot the most basic of manners. Giving the man a kind smile he looked at him. "My name is Kibto sir, what is yours? I-If it's okay for me to-to ask that is..."


Jasper accepted Kibto's hand shake and smiled back at him. "My name is Jasper. It is nice to meet you Kibto. Now, how about we go inside, hm?" He entered the shop while keeping the door open for Kibto. The smell of sweets and baked goods was even more tantalizing inside. A pretty young woman stood behind a counter. She gave the customer prior to them his items and wished him a good day. She spotted Jasper and beamed, her eyes landing on Kibto next. Her smile wavered for a moment but was back on a moment later.


Quite professional for a baker. "Can I help you gentleman today?," she asked with a light, airy tone of voice. Jasper spoke up on behalf of the timid younger man. "We would like to sample your best products before we buy. If that is alright?"


She nodded. "Yes, that's alright. Anything in particular you or your..... friend want to try?"


Jasper looked to Kibto with a raise brow. "Well Kibto, is there something you had your eye on?"


Kibto who hid behind Jasper ever since they entered, only had his head peeking out from behind the older male as he looked at the women. Seeing her smile almost leave upon looking at him he retreated back behind Jasper now only part of his face could be seen as he stayed quiet. As he quietly watched the conversatoin between the two, he moved a bit nervously when Jasper talked to him. "I...I can chose?," he asked.Surprised by this he looked at the women with a geniune look of shock. "Oh...Okay, I'm not sure.... They all sparkle and look so beautiful.," he said softly as he looked at the cakes and sweets.


Unsure what he wanted as honestly he had his eyes on the entire case, he decided to randomly point to one of the sweets. His finger landed on a nice chocolate cupake which had a nice white chocolate icing, a chocolate covered strawberry on top, and black sprinkles as the final bit of decoration. "I-If it's not too much miss. Um...Th-That one..." He said in his nervous tone as he looked at the woman hopefully.


She smIles more directly at Kibto and nodded. "Thats a great choice. Very popular around here. I get orders of them almost every day. And for you sir?," she asked Jasper with a tilted head. He looked over the case quickly and smiled to himself. A perfect desert to bring to dinner he thought. Lady Scarlet might even get a laugh out of it. He pointed to the cupcake and the lady's smile widened. "Ah yes, our Red Velvet cupcakes are very popular with those with a sweet tooth."


She cut a half of each kind of cupcake and put it on two little plates. She put them up on the counter for each of them, placing a fork on the plates with a smile. "Hope you like them."


Kibto looked at the girl and Jasper for a moment, unsure if it was actually okay to simplyhave it. It's not like he did anything to deserve such a treat, so he felt a bit hesitant. Reaching out to grab it he retracted his hand for a second and looked at them again to see if this was a trick or something. However not seeing any change in thier facial expression he went ahead and grabbed his plate. "Th-Thank you miss." He said softly as he looked down at the cupcake. Taking the fork he was given he kept his complete focus on the cupcake as he slowly took a bite-size piece off.


After another moment he placed the fork in his mouth and closed his eyes as he chewed on the sweet bread. "......" Upon opening his eyes they glimmered in complete fasination. "S-So good, it's really really good." He chimed as he smiled happily and took another bite of the cake, smiling as he chewed it to enjoy the taste. "This is better than good.... I...I didn't know a cupcake could be this yummy." He said softly as he kept smiling utterly abosrbed in what he was eating.


Jasper had to stifle a giggle at the kids enthusiasm. He was not much of a chocolate person, so he would have to take his word for it. He took a bite of the Red Velvet cupcake and found himself immediately delighted with his choice. "Well I suppose that settles it then. We will take a dozen of each.," he said while placing a small stack of a few bills on the counter. "Feel free to keep the change."


The woman's eyes widened at the man's generosity. She swiped up the money embarrassingly quickly and opened her register. "Thank you, sir. You won't regret your purchase." She began to get two boxes of the cupcakes ready for them while they waited. Jasper gave Kibto a reassuring smile. "Do not worry, the cupcakes are on me."


Kibto looked up at Jasper as he finished his sample. For a moment he was a bit confused as to what he meant. "You mean.....You a-are paying for them????" He asked in honest confusion.


Jasper nodded. "Indeed I am. My treat." The woman placed the boxes on the counter, along with a small extra box with a single pastry inside and a piece of paper taped to the top. Jasper looked at it confusedly before she said, "Free of charge. Thank you for your business, have a nice day!" She giggled and began helping the next customer.


Jasper shrugged and picked up his boxes, handing the other to Kibto. "Now shall we be going?"


Kibto all the while looked at Jasper as if he was looking at a god. A man he just randomly met, not only brought him in here, but also bought him so many pastries. Someone this kind had to be a saint of some sort.At least that's what the boy thought as he looked up at Jasper. "Th-Thank you so much." He said happily as he grabbed the other box. Before he left he stopped, looked at the woman, and smiled at her. "Thank you for letting me try one of those cupcakes. I-I hope you have a really nice day too." He said softly before he headed out the door following Jasper.


Once he left he looked at the other and smiled at him. "I don-don't know why you did this. B-But I'm very very grateful. I-I hope I didn't waste any of your time...." He said in his usual soft tone his smile become a bit nervous as he was a bit worried he may have distracted the man from some other thing he was suppose to do. Not to mention he was a bit worried about the money the stranger spent on him. He thought about offering to give the man something from his box, but he wasn't certain if that would be considered rude or not.


As he debated this gesture internally, the men that had been waiting this entire time for the boy to come out were running out of patience. They had initally planned to wait for the man with him to leave, but they wanted their reward sooner rather than later. So putting the wanted poster away four men started to approach Kibto from behind and to the side. One man reached out ready to grab the ignorant boy's wing as he didn't notice the men behind him.


Jasper had noticed the moment the brutes began moving. He shifted and put his right hand near his weapon in preparation. As the man behind them reached for the young boy he pulled out his falchion Nyx and whipped it into position behind Kibto's back. He shook his head and clicked his tongue. "Attacking a young boy in such numbers. And by surprise no less. You men must have no shame."


Kibto's eyes landed on Jasper's blade when he reached for it. He looked at the other in confusion as he didn't see the reason to grab it, unless of course Jasper was planning to cut him down. But he just bought him cupcakes? Why would someone kill another after buying cupcakes??


When the blade was actually drawn Kibto let out a yelp and closed his eyes in fear of getting slashed. However when he heard Jasper speak he slowly opened his eyes. Landing on the black blade he followed where it was pointing at before he turned around to see what was going on. Once he saw the men he jumped and let out a louder yelp. Once his feet landed on the ground again he backed away and gulped a bit . "H-Hi..." he said in a meek tone.But before he could say anything else, a rather burly man that seemed to be the leader of the group glared at Jasper.


"Get your own fucking bounty! We have had our eyes on this brat for a while now and he's ours." The man growled as he put his hand on his own blade, while the other three put their hands on their own blades. One of them went to his coat pocket to grab his gun.


Bounty hunters after this kid? Maybe he was even more like Jasper than he initially thought. But they must either be really stupid bounty hunters, or he had not received a bounty if his own yet. Although he HEAVILY presumed the former was true. Bounty hunters in a pack this large for a kid? Stupid written all over it. He placed his box of cupcakes and the small single box on Kibto's. "Hold that for me, kid. I'll take care of this quickly."


He turned his full sight upon the leader of this little scum sack of a group. "So, ya think ya can take me hm? Even if the kid was my bounty, you think threatening me with numbers would scare me, eh?!" Jasper's entire demeanor had changed as he prepared to fight the group. His speech losing its usually pleasant patterns and grammar. He drew his ebony white rapier, Luna, with his left hand. "Wehehell, let's see you idiots try me."


Kibto held the cupcakes like he was asked as he watched Jasper. 'He's going to fight them?? Is he going to be okay? There are so many!' Though as he watched Jasper, he actually stopped worrying about him and felt frightened for himself. He even felt worried for the bounty hunters who still seemed so ignorant about who they were about to face. Simply being careful Kibto backed away a few paces, but he didn't run. Sure he was frightened but no way he wanted to steal Jaspers cupcakes or let someone else take them. So he decided to stay for the time being.


The bounty hunters glared at Jasper as they tensed a bit. Having hoped this would be an easy snatch and grab, some of them felt nervous when Jasper approached them. The leader, full of pride and ignorance however didn't back down or even show fear. "We don't need numbers to get that damn brat or to take you down!" He shouted angered this nobody was trying to take his bounty.


Grinning as if he already won. The leader drew his sword, before he charged forward, and raised the blade above his head planning to send it straight into Jasper's skull. "Should have gotten out of our way!!" The man foolishly shouted. His men seeing their leader charge followed suit. One man using his blade ran foward to send a slash to Jaspers right the other did the same but to the left. While the final man stood in his place and raised his gun at Jasper ready to shoot if he needed to.


Laughing as the men charged he yelled, "Yes ya stupid fool, charge me. All at once. Let me feed the earth your blood!" As the two men moved to slash him he stepped to the left. Blocking the left man's slash with his falchion, he spun around behind him and kicked him forward. The momentum shoved the man into the slashing blade of his companion from the right, then forward into him, ending up a bloody tangle on the ground.


Jasper stepped forward again and met blades with the leader. He laughed, right in his face, as his blade struggled against Jaspers own. "Well, ya gonna start trying? Or is that your best?" He laughed mockingly as he taunted him.


The man growled at Jasper as if he were a beast. "Just cause you knocked that klutz off his feet doesn't mean you are all that." He spat letting his pride blind him from the painful truth. Backing up a bit he held the blade up and after a moment ran forward once more and sent a strike that was meant for Jaspers heart. As he did this the man that had been slashed by his partner was being moved away by his companion, the one that had accidently slashed him. The last man was foolish sure, but even he could see the very likely outcome of this fight. Due to this he was getting nervous.


Kibto watched the scene with mixed emotions. Certainly he thought it was so amazing that Jasper was handling these men on his own. But, he was also hurting them, making one bleed, and the way he spoke, not to mention looked, started to frighten the young Skypiean.


Jasper sneered at his opponent as he once again ran straight at him. His movements were so predictable he almost felt insulted. It seemed Jasper had devolved to this state for no reason.... again. But that was beside the point, and he knew it. For now he needed to show this man what it meant to attack him.


He sheathed his rapier and stood with a wide eyed, toothy grin. He held his hand at his heart and as the blade slid into position he grabbed the man's sword. The pain was immediate as the sword cut into his skin, but he ignored it as he began pushing the sword up and away barehanded. At the same time he placed the point of Nyx at the man's heart. "So.... shall I continue, or do ya understand me now?"


When Jasper caught the blade with his barehands the attacker looked at him as if he were mad. But his eyes quickly were drawn to the blade that was aimed at his own heart. The realization was practically instant. He didn't even dare pull back his blade as he dropped it. "Fuck this, that kid ain't worth meh life." He growled as he moved away from Jasper. Even though he kept a calmish look about him (if you ignore the shaking and sweating) the moment he was out of Jasper's reach he bolted. The man didn't even wait nor check on his comrades as he ran away. The man with the gun sighed in relief when he didn't have to use it as he ran after his boss. The last two following one needing obvious support from the other.


When all was said and done Kibto looked at Jasper with wide eyes. He didn't know what to say as he stared at the other. "..................Woah...." was the only tihng that left the boys mouth as he remained fixed on his spot.


Jasper sheathed Luna as well, and began wrapping his hand in a few bandages he always kept in his jacket. His posture and expression returned to normal after a few moments. Hopefully the minute amount of letting loose he did would not upset Lady Scarlet.


He turned back to Kibto and began walking towards him. "Apologies you had to see that Kibto. I am not normally like that, even in combat. At least, I try not to be. Anyways, I am sure they will not bother you again. Nor is it likely anyone on this island will if word gets around. It has been nice, but I think I should be going now."


Kibto blinked several times as he watched Jasper, his smile remained on his face after Jasper apologized. Which of course Kibto had to accept, even if he was initally frightened. As he handed Jasper his boxes back a sudden question popped into Kibto's head, and without actually thinking completely about it he went ahead and said it with a bit of enthusasim. "Are you a saint? Or a guardian angel???"


Jasper let out a small laugh. He was afraid the kid was going to be scared of him now, but it appeared things were fine. He gladly took back his things. "Neither. I suppose nowadays I am a pirate. Anyways, have a nice day Kibto. Enjoy your cupcakes!" With that Jasper began walking back in the direction of the hardware store. He hoped Lady Scarlet was okay without him for now.


"A pirate? That's so cool!" Kibto siad with a grin before he watched Jasper leave. "Bye, thank you for the help." He chimed as he waved at the man. Once Jasper was gone Kibto turned on his heel and ran off in search of a place to get something to drink or to simply rest.


@Peaceswore

 

[vergil]

Rena Heartwood.


The streets actually looked fairly nice at night. Mirestone, which was busier than it had ever been thanks to the rumors of the map, had inns that were lit up and rowdy in addition to the fair amount of activity on the streets. No curfew, no laws and despite the peppering of a few brawls, there seemed to be an unwritten code. There was a truce of some sort perhaps? Or perhaps it was just the excitement of the Great Age of Pirates starting up again? Of course, the third possibility was that of a pirate that was strong enough to invoke this kind of respect from the others? Conjecture at best but.....


Grrrrrowlllll!!


Rena stopped musing and picked up the pace, a little red faced by the noise. She quickly opened the door to a packed bar; jolly and full of life - a stark contrast to the afternoon display. The putrid stench from before was gone and now only the savoury smells of meat and fine beer ran through the establishment. There was music playing, games in the corner and the deafening roar of laughter from various parts of the room.


She slipped through the crowd and managed to squeeze through to the counter. The barkeep had employed a good team of tenders for his rail and was stood in the corner talking to three other men, all about his age and with the same look about them. Rena could play this two ways; start of with an apology or carry on with the act she had on before. She decided for the former.


As she approached the barkeep nodded at her and pointed her out.


"Ey, there's the one I was talking about!" the man said and she was quickly surrounded by 4 older, but no doubt burly men, whose stone faces were not giving her any clues. She changed tactics, putting her hands on her hips and staring at the bartender with an icy glare.


"Rather busy tonight." she started, cool calm and collected. In truth her heart was in her throat, "I..."


"Yep, that's the one that fell over after one shot of rum!" the barkeep laughed, "Utterly legless! Perfect face plant as soon as she left the place! Best thing I saw all day! Cheered me right up!"


The other chuckled and escorted her to an open table - their table - and sat her down. "Well Missy," a bearded man with all together too much body hair on display said as he sat beside her - not close enough to make her feel alarmed, but closer than a 1000ft which is where she would be comfortable, "you certainly ruffled ol' Axton's bones today."


'Ruffled his bones?' Rena thought and clenched her fist at the desire to correct the man.


"He's been talking about you all day. Managed to size him up pretty well and it was just the slap on the face he needed. Dumbass!" Old hairy leaned back and put his arms up - Oh god the armpit hair - it was like a black forest of death.


"See, yesterday was the anniversary of Jimmy's death at the hand of reverse mountain." A bald man with no facial hair said. None. No eyebrows - nothing. He looked at the hairy one and back at the hairless one. Life truly wasn't fair. "Axton's been moping around, feeling all depressed. Fuckin forgot was we all said before we set sail."


In unison the group of men said,


"When I'm gone there's no mourning or strife,


Don't worry about death but celebrate my life."


"That was our pirate motto." Axton, the barkeep said, "I'd forgot it - so thank you for being a total bitch and pulling me out of it!"


"Ummm...Completely welcome?" Rena said with an unsure smile.


"Well now Axton's gotta play the punishment game. He had to buy a round for all the guests in the place." Hairy ape man said - no wonder everyone was so happy. "But that goes double for you - so tonight all the drinks for you are on him! Though I reckon it'l only take one an yer done! Maybe a dinner?"


Rena stomach growled again louder at the proposition of food but thankfully the noise of the place drowned it out.


"The compass! I need to get to the grand line! I want to find that treasure!" She actually did - she wanted to know just what the hell it was that would drive men to their deaths; to give up their families, their futures?! What the hell was the One Piece?!


The men looked at each other and then at Axton who stood up suddenly and walked off.


Shit! - had she been too forthright? The others looked uncomfortable but Rena clenched her teeth and maintained her determination. After a few minutes Axton came back with a wooden box and opened it at the table.


"Jimmy was our navigator, before he died, I tried to grab him as he flew off the edge...but, I ended up smashing the log pose and taking it off his wrist. His last words to me were to hold the ropes....his last thoughts were to get us to safety." Axton's voice never wavered, nor did his face flinch at the memory - it was obvious the story had been told a few times and they had moved past it.


"We all lost something, but Jim lost everything. I don't know if you're just going to share the same fate as we did, I hope not. I'm not going to say that ' I see something special in you' because I don't. You're the only one that's ever had the balls to ask me for it." He showed it to Rena and chuckled, "And it's not as if I'm even gonna give it to ya!"


"It's called a Log Pose. The islands in the Grand Line all have their own magnetic field. That's why compasses won't work. The log pose will point you to the nearest island, but you'll have to stay on it for it to reset. That can take a year or a few hours, - it depends which island you hit. This one won't work - can't repair it neither; but you'll have an idea what to look for and what it does."


Rena took everything in and chewed on it. The men around the table waited for her response.


GRRRROWWWWLLLLLLLL!


She slammed down 200 beli "For fuck's sake feed me!"


****


The beast that was her stomach had been sated and as she leaned back in the chair and rubbed her stomach; she felt good. Manners were not essential here and swinging on two legs of a chair, which is something she always enjoyed doing, didn't raise an eyebrow. Good times. She slowly moved off the chair, toothpick in mouth and addressed the others around the table.





"Well gents, it's been a pleasure. Thanks for all your help. Now I need to....actually, you wouldn't happen to know about the map to the One Piece would you?" Rena inquired.


"Just someone around these parts has it - it's why we're so busy!" Axton said taking a swig of beer. "Other than that, there's no info. Could all be a hoax, but hell, I ain't complainin'!"


Rena looked at the bustling bar and nodded. Piracy was great for the economy? That's an interesting angle for a piece. She took out her notebook and jotted down the idea. "About 300% increase in business?"


"More! We've run out of so much stock the brewers are working almost round the clock to keep us supplied. I don't really care about the One Piece - this little surge here will set us up nicely." Axton nodded.





"Hm. Who'd have thought eh?" Rena mumbled, gave a thumbs up and wandered away, lost in thought. She spoke to a few other patrons, some she recognized from the stalls. Jewelry, clothes, weapons - all vendors had a marked increase in sales. Having mingled for an hour, she exited the building, and used her grappling hook to climb to the roof of a building, which had a nice flat top. It took a little longer with the additional weight of the food in her belly but she still managed to make it look easy.


Pirates weren't that bad - she thought, as she looked at the sky, diamond like pin pricks of light beginning to emerge from the black velvet curtain. She had one story at least - but the big prize was the map. The reporter looked towards the docks; it was dark enough, though not quite late enough. She'd have to stay up until 2am at least before she could venture onto a ship and snoop around so she had a few hours to kill. From where she lay she could see most of the town and should anything pique her curiosity then she'd investigate, though for now she took out her pad and started sketching out what the log pose looked like and organizing her notes.

 

[Lady Warlock]

Scarlet Johanna Indigrid

Perusing through the city, Scarlet peered into every nook and cranny she could find to look into without really caring who’s lives she might have been disturbing or who’s privacy she might have been intruding upon. Her thoughts were now fully and completely consumed with finding the thief who she was intent upon having join her crew.


“You know what? Trying to find one person in an overcrowded city really really sucks!” This whole mission was starting to get frustrating. “And if finding a person is hard, how hard will it be to find a map!?” Fists curled up at her sides as she squeezed them as hard as she could manage to squeeze them. A grimace slipped onto her expression as she realized she had to find the map because if she didn’t, then Kenji or Sora would. She had to prove them wrong. She had to prove that a woman could become Queen of the Pirates.


“You lookin’ for the map lady?” A man peeked out from a bar nearby and glanced towards Scarlet and Harleen.


Gaze drifting up, Scarlet’s eyes met the man’s. “Map lady?” She was completely confused by the mention of a ‘map lady’, but nonetheless, she was curious.


“Mhm. Woman was drawing a map and she had some others that looked like maps. Dunno if she’s what you're lookin’ for, but the barkeep just threw her out a few minutes ago. Can’t have gotten far from what I reckon.” The man seemed to shrug as he said it. “There’s a lot ‘a people talkin’ ‘bout maps around here though. Could be someone else you’re lookin’ for. I dunno.”


Sensing his hesitation, Scarlet leaped at it. Walking up to him, she took a handful of his shirt and her face was consumed with excitement. “Anyone talking about the map to the One Piece!?”


Seemingly terrified by her sudden enthusiasm, the man shook his head briefly. “N-n-no… well, nothin’ specific, m’lady… they… they was sayin’ that they was gonna offer to buy it and see if anyone showed up. At… at the bell tower at sunset… but… they don’t know who has it or… or if they’ll show…”


Satisfied, Scarlet released the man’s shirt and looked back towards Harleen. “Well, looks like we’ve got ‘til sunset to find our thief. I wanna go talk to this map lady, though, too. Maybe she knows something.”


“She went that way,” the man pointed in the direction that would lead to the docks.


@Sunbather

 

[Red Thunder]

Mal

Friends in High Places

"And here I thought I was the only one to appreciate a nice view!"


The sun hadn't quite reached the horizon just yet. But to Mal's golden eyes, this time of day was the best; people were generally wrapping up work and heading home, a kind of happy weariness would settle on the town, and of course the colors that bled across the sky's expanse were vivid and mesmerizing. The streetrat sat with his back to the wooden wall of a second story, gazing out across the town to the open sea before him. After leaving Finch, he had wandered the streets for only a few minutes before becoming utterly bored. So in the interest of not getting into further trouble, Mal had retreated to a place he'd sometimes come, not out of necessity, but out of desire to just relax. The woman, a writer or artist maybe, sat below him a few feet, notebook in hand and a pensive look on her face. He stared at the paper curiously with little thought for privacy.


"What're ya drawing?"


@vergil

 

[Peaceswore]

Sora Z. Lachance

After getting what he needed he grabbed the items and started to stumble off into an alley as his head spun rapidly. "So many people, I should have shopped at night. At least then I wouldn't have a million people staring at my back." He grumbled highly exaggerating how many people were even slightly interested in the redhead. Leaning against the wall of the alley way he took several deep breaths before he crouched down. Letting out a sigh he looked at Albi and petted her head a bit as he silently thought about what his next move should be.


'I need to get some ideas where the map is...but I also need to stock my ship, I got the water though I need to take it and some more things to the actual ship before I start to explore or even look for that map.' Albi who had seemed to smile as she was petted nuzzled his hand before jumping up and climbing up his arm. Chuckling a bit Sora looked at Albi. "Guess you are ready to head out as well huh?"


With that the redhead stood up and grabbed the barrel of water while using his foot to roll the other one in front of him. Suuure not the best way to transport the water, but he didn't have a cart. After a moment he stopped and thought about it before looking at Albi. "I don't think I should let Cait try and find the boat on her own. She'll be searching awhile." he said as he stopped and looked around. Putting the barrel straight up and placing the other down he took out a napkin he had in his pocket before taking out a pen as well. Using the barrel to write better he wrote a note with the directions. 'Oi Cait, sent Albi here to lead you to the right ship since I don't think you want to be searching for gods knows how long till you find mine. I know she can't talk but trust her, she usually knows where she's going.'


After writing this he folded the napkin and gave it to Albi. "Go find the fishgirl and give this to her. You remember her and her smell/the direction she went right?" Albi placed the napkin in her mouth before nodding. With that she scampered down his shoulder and bolted off in search of Cait. Once she was gone Sora grabbed the barrel again and let the other roll along. Whistling a soft tune he headed to the docks and his ship.


@shadowdude505 @Anyonethat want's to run into Sora


Kibto Intinal

As Kibto ran down the street unbelievably happy about what he had in his possession, a thought occurred to him. Looking down at the sweets he was quiet as he began to walk and think about it. 'This is 12 of those cupcakes right....Wait I ate one. So 11. These cupcakes taste great but they are kinda big....not to mention super sweet. The last time I ate a lot of something even half this sweet I got sick, really sick. But, if I don't eat these soon they will taste bad like stall bread I had a few days ago.' He thought as he now moved to the side of the street where he sat on a bench as he stared down at the box. 'I don't want to waste the really nice gift. Should I eat all of them before they go bad, but get really sick? Or only eat enough not to get sick but risk them getting bad? I don't want to do either.......' He thought feeling he was in quite the conundrum.


After a moment he opened the box and took another cupcake out before closing it. He started to nibble at it as he thought about what to do with a lot of concentration. One could see the boy was thinking hard as his eyes were shut tight and his face crunched up in his concentration. It was such a hard choice! They tasted so good! It would be such a waste if they went bad and moldy. But...it hurts so much to get sick and stomach cramps.....


After he licked the icing off and just as he bit into the nice breading a light bulb appeared above his head. Opening his eyes he smiled happily at his sudden idea as well as the sweet taste in his mouth. 'I can share this! I can give some to people I meet and they can help me eat them! That way I won't waste any and! I won't get sick!' Feeling like he had a million dollar idea he continued to eat his second cupcake as he now hummed happily and swung his legs out a bit.


Once he was done eating he licked his fingers not wasting any of the sugary goodness, before wiping his hands on his clothes. Picking up his box he ran over to a random person and held out his box. "Do you want a cupcake?" He asked with a smile on his face as he held out the box. The stranger looked at the boy with a raised brow. His eyes first landing on the wings that the boy had on his back before looking at his clothes. "Tch, like I would take any kind of food from you street rat. Probably drugged or somethin." The man said with a grunt before walking off. "???"

<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_05/10246169_606849556068083_9169568_n.jpg.265d267144217d377a97be6109affaad.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="129426" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_05/10246169_606849556068083_9169568_n.jpg.265d267144217d377a97be6109affaad.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

Looking at the box for a moment he shrugged before running off and trying


again. "Do you want a cupcake?" he asked once again only to get the same response in a way as the man shoved right by him. "???" Feeling confused as to why everyone was assuming that the cupcakes were bad in anyway he felt lightly discouraged but even so he deiced to try again.


After the 10th rejection Kibto was near tears at this rate thinking he did something wrong. 'On-One more try, someone would like cupcakes right?' He thought as he looked around. His eyes soon saw a a girl drawing and another boy with on a rooftop. Climbing that had to require energy right? They had to be hungry shouldn't they??? Surely they wouldn't refuse his offer since they are hungry and he is offering cupcakes. Running over to the base of the roof he looked up at them. For a moment he was hesitant since he didn't like to raise his voice. However he didn't think they would hear him, and not wanting to risk being given a glare by another random adult he looked up at them. "D-Do you wan-want some cupcakes?! P-P-Please?! I...I...I don't want to waste them. They taste too good but I can't eat them all! I-I swear they are not bad or poisonous. R-Really.............! I can't eat all of them, and the nice man gave me them, so I want to share them so I don't waste them! Please take one?! P-Pretty please?! A-Also so-so-sorry for yelling, I-I just want to make sure you hear me." He asked in a loud almost yell before his voice turned meek, all the while he sniffed a bit more while looking at the two with watery/pitiful eyes.


@Red Thunder @vergil

 

[AllHailDago]

Norman Newman:


Chefssasin Extraordinaire!





Time had passed almost painfully slowly for Norman since they had docked and Captain Kenji had gone to town. He was supposed to stay and guard the ship, which originally sounded AWESOME! He was so pumped amd ready, waiting up on the mast thingy. Just waiting to stab someone when they tried to steal from his Captain! Except no one ever came.


So he found himself laying across the..... cross beam? Mast side post thing? Whatever you call it, he was laying on it trying to fight off his boredom. He played with his kusarigama for an hour or so. He played "Shurikens of Maybe Death". A game he made up where you throw shurikens straight up in the air and try catching them before they stab your face. He even tried thinking of new recipes!


But nothing worked and the day seemed to get later. So he decided to take a nap! Although, with all the burns from the totally not his fault accidental explosion, it was a tad uncomfortable. He found a way though, thanks to his training to ignore pain. Delightful dreams came of cooking giant sea creatures for the Kita pirates on the Grand Line. The crew were all super awesome and powerful fun people! It was very exciting.


He was the best chef and assassin in the world, with a hundreds of millions bounty to match! He was Norman Newman, Chefssasin Extraordinaire! At least, until he was shaken from the beautiful dream by a couple of loud folks and what sounded like his Captain on the boat. He quickly blinked his eyes open and looked down to see the Captain disembarking again, leaving the two people aboard.


Norman gained a HUGE smile across his face, not that you could see his lips. But his eyes sure glittered with excitement! He wrapped his kusarigama around the mast with a tossing motion of the balled end. Then he jumped down, hanging upside down from the bladed end of the weapon. He waved excitedly at the two new arrivals.





"Hi, I'm Norman! Chef of the Kita Pirates! Are you guys new crewmates? I saw Captain Kenji with you so I bet your new crewmates! Unless you're tricking him to steal his stuff, which means I gotta stab ya. I bet ya don't want that but I'd like to stab someone! Are you stabbable? Huh huh? Pleeeeeease be stabbable! Or crewmates, that's fine too! Well which are ya, huh huh?!"


He huffed out every word without taking a breath. His eyes flitting back and forth between the pair. His scarf tickling his neck and nose in this position, but still covering the lower half of his face. Good thing he tied it on reallllly tight! If they saw his face he'd have to stab them. Although he did kinda want that anywayyyys. Hmmmm.


@Exanis


@DaughterofAthena