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Post by CJ on Oct 21, 2013 14:35:27 GMT -5
"The way pirates spend money is like spilling water. Even though they see fighting and killing as an "everyday thing," they rarely attack the citizens. After all, what good is money if there is no where to spend it at?"
"Still, I don't really like this city!"
"A normal person would say so. Unfortunately, there are not many normal people here." (One Piece Chapter 233)
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Most pirates have goals and ambitions. Few have dreams.
Mock Town is the set for our stage, a place where dreams are seen as the delusions of fools. Had the place not been the haven of pirates, the average person might enjoy the island for a paradise. With flowing rivers, beautiful trees, houses and streets, it could be seen as the perfect vacation spot.
The local pub was roaring with pirate folk from all corners of the Blue Seas and throughout the Grand Line. Laughter and cheers sounded from it.
But not everyone was happy, a green haired young man walked out of the pub, dressed in worn clothes with a bandanna around his head. A bottle of beer was slung through the open doors and struck him in the back of the head. He fell to the ground as a slew of mockery ensued from the pub.
Groaning, the man faded in and out of it of consciousness. Getting a hold of himself, he reached pitifully for his blue checkered bandanna.
"Damn rotten pirates..." he muttered.
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Post by Necromantic Soundwave on Oct 21, 2013 15:25:21 GMT -5
The brown skinned man known as Arnell was never known for making noise in this first half of the Grand Line. He was likely overshadowed by other pirates in his misdeeds. Truth be told, without a crew behind him, Arnell was not sure he could afford to have any sort of bounty on his head. However, in Mock Town, that was an offense in itself. He constantly found himself hounded by other pirates who had bounties on their head, even if they were not of any note compared to the rest of the world beyond. He supposed everyone just lived in the moment here in Mock Town, and that even greater hardships were to come after. Unlikely thoughts for most of them. Pirates were nothing if not arrogant.
Arnell pulled the wolf head shaped hood down, and rubbed his shaved head. His stomach growled, and he looked down upon the town with a sigh. From the rooftop of the Tropical Hotel, he could see exactly where he needed to go. The pub he frequented was not too far. On the other hand, he could bypass suffering the insults of Mock Town by heading out into the jungle on the other side of the island. That sounded like too much effort for Arnell, at least at the moment. And so, the dusky colored man climbed down from the rooftop and made his way to the pub as quickly as he could.
With his hands in his pockets and his head down, it was easy to avoid most of the pirates who talked a big game. In fact, sometimes, the lack of a bounty actually made it easier for him. One time, he was even confused as a resident of Mock Town, he'd frequented the pub so often. He'd been here far longer than the four days that was required to reset a Log Pose, as if he was waiting for something to happen. It would be a lonely trip to the next island otherwise. There was nothing but loneliness since he left his home, but his wanderlust still had not been sated.
In the midst of being lost in thought, he tripped over a fallen young man just outside his usual pub and fell flat on his face over the top of him. For a few moments, he was silent. That was really something he should have seen coming if he wasn't so lost in thought.
"I apologize... Didn't see you there," Arnell would quickly roll off of the man, and onto his feet, "You shouldn't lie on the path like that. It's dangerous.".
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Post by Franky on Oct 21, 2013 16:32:46 GMT -5
Howls of laughter could be heard from the broken second story window directly above them as the group of men leaning out of it watched the scene then went back to their drinking. "It's cool man" Jack said as he lay there flat on his back among the broken glass, Still looking straight up at the sky with a content grin on his face. This wasn't the first time he'd been thrown out a window and he was sure it wouldn't be the last. Closer inspection of his face show signs of a beating. A trickle of blood dripped down from his hairline. In his sprawled out position the light blue palms of his hands were clearly visible.
He Stood up and brushed himself off and shook the dirt out of his red hair. He put his hands on his hips and stretched his back before laughing loudly to the heavens "SAAHAHAHAHAHA! Looks like I lost all my money again!
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Fell
Cabin Boy
Posts: 33
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Post by Fell on Oct 21, 2013 18:06:25 GMT -5
Down from the high window, something jangling and metal lined leapt, landing in a crouch right beside the fallen pair; a young girl who couldn't have been more than twelve, shoulder length reddish brown hair tugged back into what could only be described as "Loaves" on the back of her head, grinning a gap toothed, churlish grin.
"You okay there Mister? I hope I didn't hurt you too bad; you looked strong at first, so I didn't want to insult you by holding back too much, but you really should think harder before you bet people things like that, just because they're little." She advised him sagely, sounding rather like someone reciting from a book, before standing up and offering him a calloused hand he knew was as tough as hardwood from how it had smashed into him after he'd lost his game of dice, the other one crossed over the first and offering a wave to the wolf hatted man who'd tripped over him, multitasking turning simple gestures into ungainly knot-tying of her skinny arms.
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Post by CJ on Oct 21, 2013 21:35:16 GMT -5
As the rogue got a hold of himself, he was able to sit up and positioned his bandanna on his head. But not long after, the second story window broke. He rolled quickly to avoid the strange red haired man who would have fallen on him.
A shard of glass nicked his face. He cringed and wiped the blood away on his worn sleeve. He double checked to make sure his bandanna really was on his head.
Standing up and backing away, he watched in surprise as a man tripped over the beat up pirate. He had seen this figure before. The wolf pelt was a unique article of clothing after all. The man might have seen the rogue around before as well. Like now, he was always alone, wandering the streets in search of something, something that others, well, mocked him over. He couldn't have been more than seventeen years old.
The rogue remained quiet and was about to go about his way, ignoring the pirates when the little girl jumped from the window.
"What's a kid doing around here? You should scram and go home to your parents before you... wait..."
Blinking, he realized she was the one who had beaten the pirate up. There was a certain aura about her that was unmistakenable. He had felt it before when powerful pirates would take advantage of Mock Town. People said he was crazy, but he could swear that he could sense dangerous auras.
"You're no ordinary kid," he scowled at the girl. "You're one of them fruit users, aren't you? Using your powers to make yourself tiny! Damn deceiver!"
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Post by Necromantic Soundwave on Oct 21, 2013 22:33:05 GMT -5
Arnell was taken aback by the little girl jumping down after the man with blue hands. He wondered what sort of power he had that would give him such a strange trait, or if it was just genetic among his people. Probably the former. He waved at the young girl in response to her own waving. The leather garbed man was slightly uneasy in her presence, knowing that someone so little could have the power to send a grown man flying, and then jump down from said window. How do the residents here pay for all of the broken windows? This must be the fourth or fifth time I've seen someone come out of there.
He was about to speak before the young guy he'd seen walking about, being mocked as much as himself in this regard, spoke first. Arnell idly wondered what he was always looking for. At least in his own meandering about the island, he had no real set purpose in mind. The man in front of him seemed to have a goal, and a purpose, which was something that Arnell admired. He had that same drive when he set out, but he wasn't sure where it was going to take him. Perhaps Mock Town was getting to his way of thinking.
With the clearing of his throat, Arnell adressed his statement about the girl, "I don't think she has a Devil Fruit power like that. She just looks like a normal girl. Acts like one too," he mused, and lifted his arms up behind his head, weaving his fingers together, "What are you doing around here anyways? Still looking for... whatever you're looking for?" This was of course, directed to the man accusing the little girl of having a Devil Fruit.
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Post by Franky on Oct 21, 2013 23:00:14 GMT -5
Jack clasped the girls hand in the inescapable grip of his own and shook it. "High stakes are the only ones worth betting. He looked up at the broken window he'd just gone crashing through. "It does seem to be a frequent thing huh." He said to the Wolf hooded guy. He looked around at the people on the streets "But considering the clientele, I don't think any tavern on the island is hurting for cash." At the mention of Devil fruits he perk his attention to the guy in the bandanna. "Devil fruit? mmm...nah I don't think so." He scrunches his face and looks off in the distance as he thinks. "I think she's just a tough little ragamuffin. He turns his gaze back to the girl, still holding on to her hand. "...Or are you?
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Fell
Cabin Boy
Posts: 33
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Post by Fell on Oct 23, 2013 17:11:32 GMT -5
D-Deceiver!? Why you- C'mere and say that to my face, veggie-top!" she shouted at the the man's accusation, her feet carrying her away from Jack while the inescapable grip held her back; she might have been strong, but leverage was leverage and the end result was her swinging ass over teakettle and landing on the ground with an "-oof!"
Lacking recourse, she pouted, puffing her cheeks out and looking to one side. "I didn't eat any kinda fruit more devilish than a papaya. 'M just little."
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Post by CJ on Oct 24, 2013 14:52:23 GMT -5
"You're going to have to prove it if I'm ever going to believe you. No girl can throw full grown men out windows or would willingly be in a place like this."
The green haired man wasn't buying it. Hcould feel she had extreme potential for power. He didn't have a name to his Observation Haki, but for most of his life he could sense others powers. For all he knew, the girl's age was simply a disguise to trick people into getting what she wanted from them
Speaking of things people wanted, he sighed and shook his head at Arnell.
"If I could get my treasure back, I would, but in the clutches of Saint Matthew's men, I'm shit out of luck. I've been looking for any clues... but I'm stuck."
If these three had been in town for long, they would know that Saint Matthew was a World Noble who was building a new restort hotel in Mock Town. It was rumored to be designed to run out the pirate population and transform Mock Town into a paradise for the rich.
"Who are you freaks anyway?" the young man asked, picking at his nose.
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Post by Necromantic Soundwave on Oct 25, 2013 14:41:17 GMT -5
Arnell laughed audibly at the little girl's antics, especially when she fell over due to the, what appears to be, the adhesive nature of Jack's hands. Obviously some sort of Devil Fruit ability. His ears perked up when he heard the younger man speak of Saint Matthew. His gaze intensified and his mouth formed into a frown. He hadn't had any experiences with the World Nobles since leaving Mariejois. Naturally, nothing but the need for vengeance clouded his mind. He had no idea that attacking a World Noble might bring in an admiral, but he didn't care.
"Saint Matthew, huh? Well, World Nobles aren't too smart, so your treasure is probably wherever they are..." Arnell was not basing this on any past experience. He just wanted to ruin Saint Matthew's business venture. And oh, what fun it would be to do so. The dark skinned man folded his arms on his chest and thought of the palpable feeling of watching something falling apart at his hands. It brought a fuzzy feeling that reminded him of watching Fisher Tiger destroy the infrastructure of Mariejois so long ago.
"I'm Arnell. And kid, I'm going to help you get your treasure back." He waited for the others to introduce themselves, "You're all welcome to join me. We'll head to wherever Saint Matthew is, cause some trouble, and find the treasure."
It was really that simple in Arnell's mind.
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Post by Franky on Oct 25, 2013 19:48:15 GMT -5
Not expecting her to run off so suddenly, Jack couldn't release his grip in time to let here go. However, being more than strong enough to carry a small girl with one arm, he held her up by her hand turning what would have been a full tumble into a light bump. Easy Small-blind, don't lose your cool just yet. He set her down and let go of her hand. If you keep acting like "devil fruit user" is some kinda slur you might hurt my feelings. He looked up at the two men, then looked out around the town. Matthew, I've heard the name. Heard what he's planning for this place too. I've seen a place like that run by people like him before and I left it behind me. I'd rather not see another one. The game's no fun if you gotta go all in just to match the other guy's blinds After hearing Arnell's plan he let out a laugh. You Sure you can handle stirring up that kinda trouble? These world noble types tend to have the deck stacked in their favor. He said with a smile.
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Fell
Cabin Boy
Posts: 33
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Post by Fell on Oct 26, 2013 1:27:49 GMT -5
"Tch... fine, veggie-head can believe whatever he likes; a hero isn't swayed by petty words!" she declared, standing up and dusting herself off... to little avail, it was more of a gesture than anything. She turned and gave a little bow to the big man who'd saved her from the worst of a tumble, the proper gesture looking all kinds of awkward for her.
"I meant no disrespect of course! I have nothing against people who have eaten fruits... salad bar just made it seem like I was being sneaky! And a hero does not engage in such deceptions! Except as concerns cyclopes, dragons, and evil gods." She said, another rote lesson rattled off without any preamble.
"And despite his rudeness, I cannot ignore a valiant quest to retrieve someone's precious treasure from the corrupt nobleman! You have my sword, raddish tops!"
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Post by CJ on Oct 28, 2013 17:12:37 GMT -5
"Well, the treasure isn't with Saint Matthew. He's back at his own kingdom. It's his subordinates I have a problem with. They're the ones who took my treasure. But you're all right. Messing with these guys could prove to be fatal."
Pacing about, the young man glanced into the bar, perhaps double checking to make sure someone wasn't listening in on their conversation.
Overhearing the talk between Jack and the young girl seemed to confirm something for him.
"Huh," the young man muttered, "so that guy's a Devil Fruit user but the kid isn't?"
Crossing his arms, he responded to Arnell with a respectful nod. He glared at the little girl though, clearly still not trusting her.
"I'm Ron Guer, not veggie-head, vegetable or whatever. And what am I to call you, Miss Hero? How am I supposed to trust you with something like this if I don't even know your name?"
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Fell
Cabin Boy
Posts: 33
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Post by Fell on Oct 28, 2013 18:15:47 GMT -5
"Me? Why, I'm the Great Hero, Amaranth Kilgain!" she declared boastfully, thrusting her chest forward manfully and jabbing it with a thumb.
"And I will call you by name only when you apologize for the affront to my honor, Kale Crop." She said, crossing her arms and pouting, as if entering some "Normal little girl" Mode.
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Post by Franky on Oct 29, 2013 0:33:35 GMT -5
Jack chuckled at Ammy's apology and patted her head. "S'okay kid, I'm just kidding." He turned his attention back to Ron. "Just his subordinates? Oh, well those odds are much less fatal. Hmm." He rubbed the stubble on his chin and thought for a few moments. "Well considering I've got no more money to gamble away... sure, I'm in. You got yourself another partner in crime." He stood up straight with his shoulders wide and his hands on his waist. "The name's Captain Jack Ringer" A loud "Don" soundeffect could be heard in the background
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