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Post by Kyubey on Jul 8, 2013 3:45:51 GMT -5
"Toy soldiers, are we? That's not nice."
He felt a mix of offense and confusion as Hilda ran away like she did. From the description Winona had gave of the giant, Ohyeah imagined her to be made of sturdier stuff than that, he certainly didn't think of her to be the kind of person who ran away out of embarrassment or anything else. He did expect her to react negatively to Fate's brash methods, but still, he had anticipated that the exact reaction would have been the opposite of what really happened. What Hilda did seemed to go against the teachings of seemingly every known warrior culture and code, leading the Marine to wonder if he had really found the right person, despite the rarity of giant axe-wielding female Warlords out there. Privately, he was disappointed. He was hoping for the interrogation to go quite differently. Elsa seemed to be much more helpful, but, in his mind, that just made things boring.
"We mean no harm here, Elsa," he said, trying to be as courteous as possible, seeing as he was talking to an ally of the World Government. "And I promise we weren't trying to embarrass Ms. Irongard. Next time you see her, be sure to apologize for us. All we want to to find enough information to nab the sucker who put that mark on your captain. That's it."
Like Fate, he also considered the possibility of Uzo running off if he caught wind of the sudden Marine presence, but unlike Fate, this didn't worry him at all. In fact, on the contrary, he sort of hoped the Warlord would do such a thing. As it was, though Uzo was a suspect, they didn't have nearly enough solid evidence to make an arrest. If Uzo were to run, however, it would basically be an admission of guilt, which would lead to much fewer questions and finally provide Ohyeah with a chance to fight a warlord.
As Fate began asking questions, Ohyeah leaned against a wall and listened stoically, planning on letting his two comrades do the majority of the question asking. He trusted them to know what the right questions would be better than he could, but, given what happened earlier, he knew that he might have to take over the conversation soon enough.
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Jul 17, 2013 3:55:59 GMT -5
"Are you implying Irongard somehow did this to herself?"
"Ah that's a nasty business, yes. Not an island or two ago you see, the mayor of a town invited our expedition to something of a... as you would call it, a formal dress gathering, with the eating and the dancing. Here, I have something of it, let you see." After a moments realization, Elsa signaled to one of the other scouts and spoke something of their language. Some rummaging through bags later and there was produced a crumpled letter, detailing something of an invitation of the crew as guests to a gathering. Of course Elsa knew it was in the hopes that their town would not get pillaged by a wandering crew of Survolg, which was not the case, though the effort was recognized nonetheless. "A gesture of goodwill no doubt, but the giant was bidden to present herself. And so she would, under our scrutiny, but when she did appear herself you see..." She gestured to her forehead. "Ledare bore that strange mark upon her face as you know, which would not normally have been so very great a problem, but that it reflected very poorly on all of our behalf. The mark itself was a simple matter, came right off with some water, though it was there because of Ledare in the first place. Makeup, you see. Like the young girls do, for looking prettier."
Elsa laughed a bit to herself on this matter. Such a thing was not a convention of Survolg, least of all a high seas expedition. What would drive Hilda to try something like that, to such disastrous effects, that she might think it was a good idea?
"And I promise we weren't trying to embarrass Ms. Irongard. Next time you see her, be sure to apologize for us. All we want to to find enough information to nab the sucker who put that mark on your captain. That's it."
"You can apologize to her yourself, if that is to your liking. The culprit for the one whom had made such a mark was Ledare herself, though if there is another, this... Sucker, as you name him, then we would have you tell us so that we may right this insult. We had not known why, but if it is that she was to have been fooled by this person, that would change things a fair amount. If you would like to ask her yourself, you are welcome to try, but to us she is not speaking of the matter. Not even to me..."
Rory listened after to what his superior officers had to say on the matter. Of course he wrote down all that was being said, or at least paraphrased it, but he was interested in learning more about his caretakers. The kinds of questions they asked, or more actually what they wanted to know, told him very much about who they were. It so happened that he got lost in thought on the matter if only for a second, then returned his mind to the task at hand. It would be like him to get lost in all the new information they had, but he knew to put such things out of his mind until they had the time and the place to properly consider and analyze it all. One thing he could tell thus far at least, was that Elsa and her lot seemed to have a passable grasp of the common language at best. Somewhere along the way, something of their own language had refused to yield to the common tongue, and so suffered their speaking of it.
Elsa meanwhile, extended her hands towards one of the nearby venues, intent on continuing the interrogation of sorts in a less public place.
"Come, walk. Inside, if you please. No need to discuss such matters whilst standing in the street for all to see or hear, whichever you like."
---
"Hilda, are you OK?"
"Uso! I... I had thought you to go to the land, with the others."
At first, Hilda had been quite startled by Uzo. Had she known that the deck was occupied, she would not have come to sit by the boat in the first place. Doubly so, if it was Uzo whom was waiting there for her. Though she did not want to bring her troubles back to share them with the ship, he never failed to make her feel at ease. She didn't had to worry about acting properly or as according to her position, because he was in the same boat as she was (in more ways than one). In some ways, she liked to imagine at least that she shared something in common with him, that she did not with anyone else in the crew.
"I am... OK. Just only some Marin asking silly questions, and so I come here to get away from them!"
In her mind, what she said was a perfectly logical way of deflecting the question, or at least making it seem like nothing was wrong. Of course, it would not be difficult to get any truths from her.
"...but, why are you here anyway? They didn't send you after me, did they? Or maybe you were always here..."
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Post by CJ on Jul 17, 2013 17:44:12 GMT -5
Trailing behind Ohyeah, Fate held her helmeted head down in shame. The whole situation was taken way out of hand. She imagined if this event had taken place before she and her comrades were stranded on Breakwater, she wouldn't have felt guilty at all.
She cursed meeting Mr. Dark. If she hadn't, perhaps they would already have the answers they needed.
---
Entering the Galloping Stallion Coffee Shop, the pirates and Marines would view pounds of coffee for sale and cups sold individually. The strong smell thickened the air, creating a warm and pleasant aura.
Something was obviously off about the happy atmosphere. Several scenes had been painted on the walls surrounding the tables. The first was of a dark haired woman, who looked like a hybrid between a human and bee. She sat on a large throne and wore an expensive golden crown. She sneered and grinned, looking down on weaker people who served her dozens of different kinds of fruit.
The next scene featured a Marine Captain, who challenged the woman in battle with his bare fists. This Captain looked extraordinarily like Vice Admiral Ohyeah, perhaps explaining why he was getting so much attention.
The third scene featured the woman defeated, dead and curled up on the street grounds in the background of the painting. In the foreground, the Captain leaned down, facing eye to eye with a child and what appeared to be his friends or siblings nearby (though the girl and boy had vastly different hair colors from him). Placed in the child's hands was what appeared to be seastone.
What was distressing about this third one was that the boy's face had been blotted out in black paint. It appeared to be graffiti, as the message scrawled above it was inked over as well. Those who looked could read a short stark message barely hidden away.
BEE'S BACK.
"Marines get 50% off all products!" a cheery woman exclaimed behind the counter, smiling widely.
Fate leaned back in a chair at one of the small tables. She crossed her hands and appeared to look at Elsa through her helmet.
"Did anyone actually see the mark applied to her face? Did she say whether or not she did it herself?"
---
"Marines," Uzo muttered. Any sign of the Marines were troubling, especially those who had the gall to approach Hilda. But what kind of question could they ask to have her run away?
Leaning forward over the crow's nest, the Shichibukai blew hair out of his eyes.
"I was always here. I don't know if you noticed but I haven't been going on land very much. You remember when I told you that I didn't have my magic? Until my hand heals, I can't use my wizard powers. I have a lot of enemies, Hilda. If one of them were to recognize me out there, they might not only hurt me, but hurt you and the rest of the crew as well."
He tried to used language that Hilda would understand. He couldn't say things directly, lest he confuse her. He smiled, knelt and rested his head on his working arm.
"Don't worry about me ever telling on you, Hilda. We're Warlords together. If we betray each other, who else do we have to rely on?"
For once, Uzo didn't have to lie or withhold something from Hilda. He was completely honest, though she was the only Shichibukai he actually liked.
"So what kind of questions were the Toy Soldiers asking?"
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Post by Kyubey on Jul 18, 2013 1:08:45 GMT -5
As Elsa began talking about makeup and somebody he didn't know named Ledare, Ohyeah took off his cap and began scratching at his balding head in puzzlement, wondering if she was really on the same page as the rest of them. Was Elsa truly talking about the same marks he was looking for? Because it sounded to him like they were now conversing about some amusing dress-up mishap. It seemed like there was a disconnect that nobody else but him was really picking up on, and this was troubling to him. Why was it that whenever he or his comrades asked about the marks directly, the person they were interrogating seemed to think they meant something different?
"Ehm, thanks for your cooperation, Miss. Talking about this somewhere else would be great."
He didn't dare try to clarify anything, lest he make things even more confusing for himself and others.
---
Ohyeah glanced around the Galloping Stallion, thinking to himself that the name seemed a bit more suited to a rowdy bar, rather than a quaint little coffee house. Places like this weren't really his style, but he wasn't exactly a stranger to coffee shops either. It wasn't really what he was expecting, but then again, he was there for business, not for touring the local cuisine, so he wasn't about to complain. And the 50% discount was more than enough to get him to enjoy his stay. He strolled up to the counter, taking in all the smells, and forgetting to actually look at the menu before he ordered.
"I'd like a mango chai latte," he said to the barista, "With extra whipped cream, please."
As he looked around, his eyes inevitably fell upon the drawings on the walls. He liked what he saw for the most part, being especially fond of the Marine hero of the little story, though he couldn't help but notice that the subject of the story seemed just a tad bit grim for such a cheerful shop. Was it something based off of the island's history, perhaps? Or something else? And what did "Bee's Back" mean? These questions momentarily distracted him from what he came in for, as he found himself drawn into the art itself. This was notably strange for him, as normally he was infamous for not understanding art at all.
"Excuse me, but can you tell me who the artist of this is?"
As for the interrogation, he left that up to Fate and Rory. Already he was lost in that conversation, and the last thing he wanted was to make a fool of himself in front of the others.
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Jul 23, 2013 2:45:48 GMT -5
"Did anyone actually see the mark applied to her face? Did she say whether or not she did it herself?"
"Inte, instead of our customs, we do not normally be in the same room as the giant when dressing. Being that we cannot help her with such a task, is but a waste of time."
"That reminds me of a prison custom!"
Rory interjected if only for a moment, still able to maintain focus on Elsa and take notes without having to see what he was writing. That said, it wasn't really a thought out response, as no sooner had he blurted it out, than the journalist felt sorry for himself and turned his smile upside down.
"Good for helping to dress the type of clothes we wear, and to see for any injuries like frostbite for which the other person may not realize. Anyway, I can say for certain that it was Ledare whom made the mark upon herself, for it shared the same poor style as her handwriting. Upon seeing it once, you might recognize it anywhere."
Looking through a collection of papers one of the other scouts had lent to her, Elsa managed to locate a few of the crew's RSVPs to the event, Hilda's in particular. Displaying it on the table for Fate and Rory to see, after some inspection and comparison they would be able to see the similarities between her signature and the crude representation of the mark which had appeared on her head; a sloppy, error-ridden trend, belonging to someone whom likely had problems either with common normal-sized writing utensils or little practice with those appropriate to their size.
"Though she has not admitted to any such thing, from shame or some similar thing is my believing, I would say that she was made to create the mark by another. Perhaps this Sucker your kamrat suggest, though you may guess as any one of us, as to how he managed to trespass into such a place without us being aware."
---
Life must have been hard as a wizard, and though Hilda could only dream of such magical powers as the little bird possessed, she began to gain some understanding of why Uzo acted the way he did so often. She began to formulate something a plan in her head where he could use his magical abilities to save her homeland, but soon thereafter shook her head to drive out any such thoughts. That was not why she left her home, and that was not what she was about to force any little bird to do.
"If they try to hurt you... I will hurt them back."
With some initial difficulty, she realized that there could be other people in the world who would not refuse to ask Uzo for help. Such people might even hurt him for it, though that was not something she was about to let happen.
"Don't worry about me ever telling on you, Hilda. We're Warlords together. If we betray each other, who else do we have to rely on?"
Uzo's words drove much of the worry from her heart, and she moved to a position of sitting on her knees instead of one of self-pity, so that she might better be able to speak with him. In a way it was confusing to her, like so many other things; why was it that she could speak with him easily like this, not having to fear or worry about anything, something which she could not do with anyone else on the ship. Not even Elsa, could she rely on so certainly, for at the end of the day she had Survolgs interests closest at heart. This was admirable, but Uzo shared no such devotion, for which she was glad to have someone like him aboard.
"So what kind of questions were the Toy Soldiers asking?"
"Usch!"
This question? She sighed a bit, struggling to maintain eye contact while she turned ever-so-slightly red. Unlike with Fate however, she managed to get over her embarrassment. Looking around to make sure no one was there, she brought up a hand to whisper to the little bird a great and terrible secret.
"You remember Uso, the time of the party not so long ago? They ask of the mark was on my face. They ask, before all people in the street! All could listen, all could hear! I may split a ship in two, but what they ask, where they ask... is too hard."
As Hilda said, it wasn't all that long ago, only about two or three islands past. Even if Uzo had avoided the event altogether, it would be unlikely that he had not seen the repercussions, by simply being on the ship. Hilda had made a serious blunder at the ball, and it had reflected poorly upon their whole nation. For this, she was confined to her room for an awfully long time; this was the first island they reached after the event, that she was even allowed off the ship, and even then it was under heavy supervision.
"Aj! I cannot understand, I say sorry so many times! I read every word, follow the instruction and only bring shame, bring trouble! I only try to look nice for the King's party, but all is ruined... it is not fair."
Hilda seemed quite upset by the whole matter, perhaps more annoyed than anything else. She tried so hard, but was bitten harder for it. At this point she was just thinking aloud, more than trying to talk to Uzo about it. It seemed that she had not yet come to terms with her problems herself, let alone with anyone else yet.
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Post by CJ on Jul 24, 2013 13:53:49 GMT -5
"I'm so glad you asked for coffee, even with fruit included," the woman said with the sweetest tone. "If you had ordered a smoothie, I would be so fucking furious right now. Stally, we've got a mango chai latte!"
With a cute giggle, the pink, curly haired beauty tilted her head in a kind gesture as she went to work. Her bright green eyes opened when Ohyeah mentioned the art on the wall.
"Oh, that's my sister's work," she chirped. "Pisses me off what they did to the thing."
Several heavy footsteps shook the restaurant at the mention of the art piece. A hulking mass opened the door to the backroom. Emerging through the entrance was a rather large, muscular person.
The huge woman glared at Ohyeah with beady, dark eyes. The top of her pigtailed head practically dragged against the shop ceiling. Her happy flowery dress pressed tightly against her sculpted body.
"If you're asking whether or not she's going to fix it, she's not."
"I've fixed it twice already," the larger sister said in a deep voice. "The vandals don't even know what they're saying. They think just having a Zoan changes a person."
As the two prepared the latte, the smaller sister squeaked cutely.
"Stally," she said. "We should fucking destroy the bastards."
"Oh, no," Stally responded with barely a frown. "That would be so mean, Gally."
---
Meanwhile, Fate turned to Rory slowly. It was impossible to tell exactly what she thought about his "prison custom" immediately. She slowly turned her head back.
"For once I hope you're lying," she muttered.
The Captain analyzed the pictures carefully, moving the pictures slowly to the side when she was done with them. She crossed her arms, still looking at the photos and addressed Elsa.
"So she was supposed to be in that room by herself," Fate repeated. "If our mastermind has a Devil Fruit that allows him or her to teleport, they could easily have gotten in that place with her. With the exception of the Shichibukai Uzo, have you met anyone with the ability to warp space or that possesses extraordinary stealth? Do you know yourself what this symbol means? Don't lie if you do."
---
Uzo tried to imagine how useful Hilda would be against his enemies. He could just imagine her busting through the windows of whatever dreary meeting he had to attend. She'd flick Martin and anyone else who threatened him cross the ocean.
Shaking his head, he remembered how hypocritical he was. So many people had tried to take advantage of him in the past. He felt awful even thinking about doing the same to Hilda. He blinked and looked down at the giant with one wide eye.
"They were interested in that mark?"
Uzo had barely seen it, getting only a quick peek when Hilda was getting lectured. He wondered briefly why they would be so interested in it. It didn't seem all that important at the time and surely the government wasn't interested in whether or not Hilda embarrassed her country. Was he missing something?
"Yeah, you got in a lot of trouble for that. But don't worry! You didn't ruin everything!"
Pointing his thumb at his chest, he put on a pompous grin.
"Even I, the great and powerful Uzo, make mistakes sometime! Besides, you didn't mean to embarrass your crew."
Leaning somewhat dangerously over the crow's nest, his grin fell.
"If it makes you feel any better, you didn't hurt me."
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Post by Kyubey on Jul 26, 2013 19:19:42 GMT -5
Ohyeah smiled nervously as Gally's sweet tone suddenly seemed to have a malicious dissonance. Normally, his unconventional taste in coffee only got him strange looks from people who didn't think he noticed. He never thought ordering a latte or a smoothie could actually inspire anger in people. Though the pink-haired woman appeared harmless enough, he would make it a point in the future to not get on her bad side.
When attention was brought to the graffiti on the wall, he looked over at it, frowning as if he was only noticing it for the first time. "Yes. It's a real shame."
As Stelly entered, Ohyeah politely removed his cap in greeting, always happy to see someone who seemed to care as much about fitness as he did.
"Ah, so you're the artist," he said extending a hand. "I love your work here. It's a very interesting painting."
As the vandals were brought up again, a thoughtful look came over his face. Clearly now, the picture held some significance to the people of the town, or else the vandals wouldn't have done such a thing. The bit about Zoans seemed particularly fascinating.
"In my line of work, you see a fair amount of Devil Fruit eaters, of all kinds," he remarked. "For some, the power that Fruit abilities can give someone goes to their head a bit, but never once have I seen a Zoan fruit completely change who someone is. That's just ridiculous."
He glanced back at the vandalism. Why someone would do that to a work of art, he could never understand. He had seen and fought plenty of people who were only seeking to destroy, but never could he comprehend the logic behind it. He left that to some of his fellow Marines.
"You know," he mentioned offhandedly to the two sisters, "I'm after something of a vandal, myself." He didn't say anything further than that, though, after he remembered only too late that perhaps the details of the case weren't anything he was supposed to mention to the public.
During all this, he would constantly glace in the direction of Fate, Rory, and Elsa, keeping track of their conversation. He planned on going back to the investigation shortly, but for the immediate moment, he trusted his comrades to handle things.
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Jul 29, 2013 3:35:31 GMT -5
"With the exception of the Shichibukai Uzo, have you met anyone with the ability to warp space or that possesses extraordinary stealth? Do you know yourself what this symbol means? Don't lie if you do."
"To being truthful, I did not know such things could be done till meeting Uso, none of us did. Though we encounter many persons on our journey, none so as you say. The mark that was, I do not know myself. I had thought perhaps the Captain to know, but his scolding was for the giant making us look bad in front of a king, and the men with cameras that give pictures to newspapers."
"Wait, so the mark didn't causeanydangerordestruction, only harm to reputation? I guess that makes sense... if you wanttoshowyou'rebetterthansomeone, why not show you're better than a giant, and a warlord at that?"
Rory found it strange, the simple motivation behind all this. So strange in fact, that he forgot about his previous mistake. Whoever was leaving the marks around, wanted them to be seen, but then why not just put the mark on the giant's ship? Everyone could see that, and it seemed unduly risky to go through the process of getting it on her head. Moreover, why was the giant being punished for all of this when she seemed to be a victim? Before he could ask further though, Elsa somewhat answered his question anyway.
"For so plain to see upon her head, that is not a country of respect whose people are so easy to take advantage of. Not a warlord of respect either. To being truthful, I did not see such a person to enter or leave her room. For reasons why I cannot say, but my feeling is the giant was tricked by something else. Just a feeling..."
Now it made a bit more sense to him, and it seemed now that the mark was an attack on the country the giant came from, rather than the giant herself. The vandal wasn't trying to hurt Hilda or even her image, they meant simply to hurt where she came from. Now it seemed more like the motivations and actions of a terrorist rather than a rogue artist, except for one problem.
"This isn't the first time this same mark has shown up, and it's always been in some place thatthreatensthesafetyofthatplace. Why then, was your country targeted? Why would someone want to do this, maybe someone who had a grudge against Irongard?"
"Those questions though good, are not towards the right place. I wouldn't have an idea, for the giant has been alive longer than any of us. If you care to ask towards the right place, she is not hard to find."
---
"If it makes you feel any better, you didn't hurt me."
Uzo's supportive words brought her back to reality, and Hilda did indeed feel a little bit better. Uzo at least seemed to understand and agree that the mark wasn't anything more than a mistake of which little harm came. Certainly not worth such a harsh punishment, the likes of which she received.
"Bring ruin to all, so long as framling isn't hurt, she smiles."
The deep, gravelly voice that sounded from below on the deck caused the breath to catch in Hilda's chest. Her expression did not change all that much, but the fear in her big eyes was plain to see. Slowly she sat down on the dock again, crossing her hands in her lap and locking her eyes on them.
"Toss kamrat to the wind, only catch the one that can fly."
For Uzo's stay aboard, even had he worked as hard and surely as he might, there were some who did not like his presence. Though mostly they would never bring it up, there was at least one who did not exercise such control. The cold aura about him was palpable even from a distance, and the big black bear skin about his shoulders made him stand out like a sore thumb, as if his size didn't already contribute to that. Surely he was not nearly as large as Hilda, but he dwarfed nearly every other member of the expedition. Were it not for his visible clothes and armor beneath, it was possible that he might actually be mistaken for a real bear. The one thing that was not visible, his face, was hidden behind a horned war helm menacing even by Survolg standards. Not even his eyes could be discerned underneath. Uzo might have seen him once or twice in passing, as he did not often associate with the rest of the crew, but everyone referred to him the same way and with the same trepidation.
"Tarq... Uso and I were just only talking..."
"As was I Forradare. Say framling, where you come from, are all so willing to turn their back on family? Is that why you remain here, and not there?"
It was uncertain how long he had been there or when he'd emerged from below to the deck, but his sudden appearance was enough to scare Hilda into a frightened mess.
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Post by CJ on Jul 31, 2013 9:54:40 GMT -5
"It marks the most important day of our lives," Stally said, shaking Ohyeah's hand. "It was the day we were finally freed of slavery under the influence of Bee Sanderson's abuse of power. Thank you for seeing value in it. Not many do anymore."
The large woman shook her head at Ohyeah's assumption.
"Oh, a Zoan can change you. If you consume a carnivorous one and get too invested in battle, it can lead to terrible consequences. Bee's Zoan was a herbivore. Same goes for the boy that consumed it later. He's grown up now and a pirate himself, but I know he hasn't followed in her footsteps."
"How can we be sure the fucker isn't, Stally?" Gally asked with a beaming smile.
"We'd certainly know if there was, right? Since when have you heard of a Bee Zoan taking over an island in the past twenty years?"
Gally shrugged with a rare frown. At the mention of a vandal however, a cute grin came over her face. She handed Ohyeah his drink.
"I fucking hate vandals," she said, as though she was announcing a birthday.
---
Fate turned to Rory slowly. The prisoner had a point. It would be one thing to paste a marking on the side of a building or landmark, but to have the courage to convince a gigantic warlord to follow your orders was huge. She nodded her head and made a few mental notes.
"I'm guessing the Warlord has been tricked before," she commented after Elsa. "From your manner of speech and the state of your nation, I'm guessing you've known her for a long time, personally even. Her gullible nature is what did her in. If I were just as trusting, I'd likely put the symbol on my own helmet. Fortunately, I don't trust anyone."
Nodding again, the Captain stood from her chair.
"We'll interview the Warlord then. Please, if you would, assist us with communications. I clearly do not know how to speak with her properly. If I falter again, serve as an interpreter on my behalf."
Tapping her boot on the ground, she called out to Ohyeah to see if he was ready to depart. Turning, she froze in front of Elsa in a fit of embarrassment.
"Um... excuse me, but what was your name again?"
---
Seeing Hilda so nervous really threw Uzo for a loop. She had a tendency to not be as intellectual as some of the others but she was almost always confident in her own abilities. Couldn't she smash this guy if she wanted to, or worse, drown him with her other ability?
The Warlord had to be careful around his guy, even in the safety of the crow's nest. He could easily come after him later if he wanted to. There was likely a good reason he didn't expose himself as much. He didn't know what "framling" meant, but it probably wasn't flattering.
"Look, Tarp," Uzo said, messing up his name, "you couldn't possibly comprehend where I come from so I won't try to explain it. Family doesn't concern me but that wouldn't matter. My home is long gone now. I'm sure you can at least understand that."
He was obviously referencing Survolg. Out of shame, he lied about his family. He wouldn't let anyone know about the whereabouts of his family in this timeline or worse that he cared about them. His brothers seemed to handle themselves (though the one's status as an Okama was always unnerving), but his mother was completely defenseless. He felt he couldn't trust anyone with that information, not even Hilda.
"You only have to deal with me until my fingers heal. Now why don't you leave Hilda alone and go into town? She's had enough lecturing and you could probably use new clothes. That bear pelt has got to stink bad since you don't wear anything else."
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Post by Kyubey on Aug 3, 2013 23:50:29 GMT -5
Now having a new perspective on the painting, Ohyeah gazed at it once again, sipping his fruity latte. So it really was based on events in the island's not-too-recent history. The significance the picture held made the vandalism stand out all that much more. Still, the marking on it ultimately couldn't fully ruin the picture, as it still struck some chord within the hardened Marine. He could tell that there was still much to the story that the sisters hadn't told him, but he learned all he had to and more. After Fate called out to him, he knew he couldn't stay and chat longer, even if he wanted to.
"I see," he said, before downing the rest of his drink. "If I ever see this Bee Zoan kid, I'll be sure to tell you. See ya."
Before he followed after Fate and the others, Ohyeah reached into his pocket, retrieved a handful of coins, and placed them in the tip jar. Seeing how Gally felt about vandals and people who order smoothies, he was not in a hurry to find out her opinion on poor tippers.
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Aug 7, 2013 1:55:18 GMT -5
"Stink... ja, that it do framling. Of courage, honor, of such things. If could, instead the skin of a man to wear. Give a message more truly than bear."
Hilda stifled a gasp when Uzo spoke in the manner he did to her shipmate, sharply drawing a hand to her mouth. If Uzo was not a stranger, Tarq wouldn't have afforded him a response, merely a crushed skull. She wondered if maybe there was something noticed between the two humans which she missed, as she had often thought that if the bear skin smelled like anything, it was death. Such was the trepidation about the man whom had slain a bear bigger than she.
"...he did not mean to-"
"Mean what he pleases Forradare, Ishamre need a guard. Leaving this place, cannot bear to stand where courage and honor are not. Enjoy framling as you will, before long you may share things in common."
Before taking his leave to return below deck, Hilda could have sworn she saw the glow of two blue points within Tarq's helm, his gaze freezing her blood like ice. Once the trudge of the man in black faded however, she felt she could breathe again, and felt much more at ease. Her focus was no longer on the haunting cold presence, but on Uzo once more whom she faced with nervous laughter.
"Uso... not sure if wise decision, but impressive! Jelelelel! Never see anyone such to speak to Tarq in that way! Are you to speak such ways to Marin, or at meeting of Govremant?"
She was worried if this was a chip that the man in black would carry on his shoulder, as already his dislike of strangers was famed. Then again, he tended not to even consider most outsiders, and even if this tension did come to a head it would be against her rather than Uzo. This, she was fine with.
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"Ja, know her well I do, though she is not hard to speak to. Imagine speaking to a child, and you will not have difficulty."
Elsa found it immensely funny about how people often viewed or treated Hilda. Appearances were what people judged by usually, but if they knew her like she did, then chances were she would not be a warlord for very much longer. Sure, she could split a ship or two besides, but for Elsa she was like a younger albeit larger sister. Setting aside the fact that she was treated like a troublesome child aboard her own ship, it didn't take but a few minutes to realize that Hilda was not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. Very close to being the dullest, even.
"Um... excuse me, but what was your name again?"
Laughing as she went out the door, the scout led the little group towards the direction the giant had run off in.
"Elsa. Perhaps I should help to converse Marin, if this is such trouble for you."
"If it really becomes a problem, we could always let the Commander do the talking. I don't suppose it could be any... well, he might better than us two at least."
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"Ledare! Overraskning! Your very best friends in the world!"
As occupied as she was with Uzo, Hilda didn't notice the approach of the others. Elsa in turn noticed this, and sought to mess with the giant a little. Thusly she announced herself and the others as a surprise, to which Hilda shifted in place quite suddenly, causing Rory to fall backwards over himself in surprise. He had been busy asking Elsa questions all the way here, and was about as surprised as Hilda was at their meeting.
"Oh wow... big ears... big eyes... big teeth..."
He had not seen a giant since the War of the Best, and never this close, so the prisoner was momentarily caught off guard. Hilda on the other hand didn't seem to notice Rory's reaction in particular, but rather noticed them all as the marines from before and turned away indignantly, affording only a sideways (and downwards) glance. Almost as if she could wish them to go away, she didn't focus on the newcomers too much, instead expressing her annoyance with Elsa.
"Why to bring them here! Make me look like fanig for all to see! What to want from me, more fun?"
"Only to talk, Hilda, and none to see here."
From down where they were, it seemed at the very least that at least Elsa and Rory hadn't noticed Uzo yet, which was not a surprise. After all, they were on the ground with Hilda and even though she was seated, her head was only about on par with the lower deck of the ship. The crows nest, was very much higher up. The giant herself realized this to some extent, and in an effort to help Uzo, tried to draw attention to herself in the situation.
"Only to talk, says she! Will have to try hard to hear the squeak of Toy Soldiers! Talk much before, talk much now?!"
Reaching for something on her side, Hilda spoke in a rather boisterous manner as she went, and drew forth a hand axe. For her one hand was enough for this, but for the others it was about as big as a small ship. Setting it down roughly before them, she moved her hand now above them. Held flat and hovering over them, it was almost like she was taunting their height, and the looming shadow gave the impression that she could squash them if she wanted to.
"Well go on then, who wants to ask her about what first?"
Rory all the while, was furiously writing, seemingly unaware of the potential danger they faced.
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Post by CJ on Aug 9, 2013 11:01:11 GMT -5
"Tell him to never come back to this island," Stally said solemnly as Ohyeah left. "Though I'm sure he knows that already."
Shaking the coins in the tip jar, Gally waved to the Vice Admiral.
"Fuck off! I mean, come back soon!"
---
"I'm not sure if it was either," he sighed, glancing away from the giant. He hoped Tarq wouldn't come after him or Hilda for his words. He was all for respecting Hilda and her crew, but he couldn't respect him.
"Caw... I don't talk to everyone like that," he answered, scratching his head. "I'm sure you know how that is. There's a lot of people I'm scared of."
Uzo stopped. He couldn't believe what he was saying. Sure, he and Hilda were close, friends even. But he wouldn't even admit something like that to his own brother.
Catching a glimpse of Elsa and the Marines, the Shichibukai immediately sunk back into the crow's nest, quiet in an attempt to hide and try to figure out just what was going on.
---
The Captain kept her helmeted head low as they neared the ship. She hated to have to rely on Elsa to help them out but she had to admit they needed her.
For some reason, Brynhilda seemed much bigger compared, now compared her size to the ships around her. Perhaps it was the enormity of the weapon, but she actually felt a tinge of fear near the giant. She reminded herself of her battle with Wolf, the Activista, and the strange creature at Jubilee. She was able to handle herself against them. Why couldn't she handle one giant?
In the protection of the shadow the giant created, she could look at Brynhilda face to face. She slowly took off her helmet. Her greasy black hair stuck to her face in waves and curls. Her piercing red eyes were unforgiving and cold. She otherwise looked incredibly weak. Due to a lack of sunlight, she appeared to be in her teens, not near thirty. Her skin looked almost translucent.
Fate clutched her helmet tightly with both hands, ready to throw it over her head at any moment. This gesture made it hard for the Captain to threaten anyone physically with her sabers.
She wanted Brynhilda to trust her, even if she would never trust the giant herself.
"Shichibukai Brynhilda, this is Vice Admiral Barlow and I am Captain Morgana Fate. We've come to Patchwork Island because we need your help. Let me clarify, we know you're embarrassed about the symbol you applied to your head a few days ago and we... apologize for any harm we've cause you here. We don't think this was your fault. It is probably quite the opposite."
Ohyeah and the others might have noticed Fate straining against her words. She was really struggling to not lash out at the giant. Had she had her Conqueror's Haki, she likely would have tried to subdue Hilda to get the needed information and knock out Uzo (hopefully nearby) in the process.
"We need to know where you learned of the symbol you applied to yourself. We believe the person behind could be trying to hurt good, innocent people. Can you answer this? Don't lie."
Had Ohyeah been looking, he would have seen a brief glimpse of blond hair and two mismatching eyes peering over the crow's nest. Upon eye contact, the Shichibukai would have sunk back into the crow's nest.
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Post by Kyubey on Aug 9, 2013 18:26:56 GMT -5
Unlike Rory, Ohyeah had seen giants before, and had even fought them on occasion. As such, seeing Brynhilda up close did not intimidate him in the slightest, and he approached her as he would any other Warlord. When the battleaxe was drawn, however, his expression hardened, and his posture changed dramatically. He stood completely upright, at eight feet towering over normal humans, though he was still tiny compared to Brynhilda. His hands were at his sides, clenched into fists, and his legs were positioned in such a way so that he could move or sprint forward at a moment's notice. There was nothing about his stance or expression that would be directly threatening to the giant, but it was clear that the Warlord's aggression had put him on guard. He wasn't about to start a fight, but he wasn't afraid of the possibility either.
"Easy, Irongard," he said firmly, "The last thing we want is to have an incident here. That would only turn out badly for all of us. There's no reason any of us want to cause you unnecessary pain. So I'm asking you, to settle down, and listen to the Commander's question."
While he kept his head held upwards to look Brynhilda in the eye, he happened to catch a glance of someone up in the crow's nest. However, it didn't last long, and it wasn't long enough for him to realize who it was he had seen. Therefore, he didn't think much of it.
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Aug 11, 2013 3:48:20 GMT -5
"Always to say settle down, calm down, cause no trouble. Why is this, I wonder?"
Ohyeah did not strike her as any different from any other toy soldier she had come across. For whatever reason, they were always telling her to remain calm. Then again, taking a moment to think about it, most humans spoke to her that way. The marines though, it was always in the same manner, as though they didn't want her to be herself. It was irritating sometimes, that no matter how she may act, she was never "calm" enough to the humans.
"We need to know where you learned of the symbol you applied to yourself. We believe the person behind could be trying to hurt good, innocent people. Can you answer this? Don't lie."
"Usch! To say sorry as I do, is appreciated, but... why to keep bringing up this?"
The first thing Hilda wanted to do was correct Fate on her name. Why was everyone always calling her Shikachaka or whatever it was that they said? What it was that Fate wanted to talk about though, eclipsed her confusion over the name game, and she became rather sullen.
"Mark was what to write in the directions. Some weeks ago, I hear others to say we are visiting a land, and the king there certainly to invite us to a party. I hear of this, and know of our land... Survolg seem strange to many people, so I try to look like woman not of there. Maybe the king appreciate?"
"Aj, you probably heard from me. Sorry for that, Ledare. But why to want to be different, home is not something to be ashamed of."
Elsa nearly slapped herself out of realization, knowing that the giant was highly suggestible. Speaking with the crew about the islands to come and what they might see, if Hilda were to overhear then as was often the case, she tended to prepare in her own way. As it turned out, a party in this case meant presenting herself in a certain manner. What she said though, she almost immediately regretted it, because of the effect it had on the giant. She didn't want to put her on the spot like that, but hearing what Elsa said, Hilda drew her hands away from the marines towards her lap and locked her eyes on the ground. It had long been a problem, Hilda's curiosity towards the outside world, such that this was not the first incident. Her devotion was unquestionable, but the giant was quite impressionable so some things were inevitable. After some time had passed, Hilda continued to speak, closer to her normal tone now. As well she seemed not to want to respond to Elsa, which the scout understood why.
"I send in secret for making up kit, one special for only giants. Deliver when we reach island, and have time to make use before the party. I follow directions close, every word for sure! To say is proper, how small woman to use, so I do same. When to follow all directions however, it leave mark on my head!" At this she gestured to her forehead. "If I could see, would not to leave ship looking like that!"
As this had been a subject of much trouble and bother for Hilda, she spoke rather indignantly, clearly trying to absolve herself of the blame for all this. This was the first anyone cared to discuss it in such detail with her however, and even Elsa was surprised by the new information she was learning. Rory didn't hesitate for a second in asking what was bugging him.
"This kit, do you still have it? Mayweseeitplease, it could help."
"Ja, still to have. Must hide though, others would make angry."
Hearing the little prisoners question, Hilda spoke as she carefully made for her feet. Standing up now, the main deck of the ship was about at her stomach, and she leaned over onto the ship a bit as she went to reach below deck. Able to get her arms inside without actually having to get onto the ship, she grabbed around in her room for some things with difficulty (unable to see what she was grabbing at). Eventually she drew forth what she was looking for and slowly returned to her seated position on the ground alongside the ship. As with the axe before, she laid before the marines what looked to be your typical pocket makup kit... only, it was the size of an entire floor of your average house to the marines. Rory approached it, to which Hilda helped by opening the kit for him to see.
"Hmm, and... how did you get this?"
"Thought to ask that, have it as well."
In her other hand she had a very large mess of paper which she set down beside the kit, and made the effort to flatten out a bit, clearly having seen much wear and tear. A cursory glance would indicate that it was a newspaper, only it was of an appropriate size for Hilda. Elsa moved forward to inspect the items alongside Rory, walking across the newspaper as she went. The thing which stood out the most about the two items though, their only similarity, would require a closer inspection; the writing adorning each was exceedingly simple, such that a child could understand it. Both seemed to have a large designator that these items were for giants, and both were ridiculously easy to follow. The paper had the title of 'The Giant Times', and had what were clearly some made up stories about giant exploits in the world at the time of print, as well as a very prominent (the only part of the paper that was colored) advertisement for a giant-sized makeup kit. It made abundantly clear that if the reader wanted to impress little humans, then this was the only way, and best of all it was free.
The kit itself on the other hand, contained excessively bright colors, bright red being the most prominent (and the kind which had shown up on Hilda's head). As well as an attached mirror, it contained directions for how to properly apply in order to impress. The directions themselves were as with the newspaper, offensively simple, and informative as possible so that any idiot could follow them correctly. They outlined how, in effect, to properly inscribe Era's mark upon ones face with the makeup and brushes included. They were written in such a way though, that there was enough complexity to subtly mask the true intent. Overall they were helpful directions which would lead one to properly applying makeup, only that in each numbered direction, there was a little part indicating where to add a bit more of the bright red in order to further the mark. Therefore, it wouldn't be that in one single direction the user would apply the mark, but over the course of all the directions, the mark would slowly come together line by line and letter by letter. By the end, the user would have a pure white face and Era's mark in red on their forehead, and all the while before during and after the directions ensured that this was both the proper and correct way that smaller women always applied makeup to impress.
"Ledare... where from did you get this newspaper?"
Elsa whom had been quite occupied with examining the paper she was walking across, asked towards her curiosities about it. All this new information to take in and try to understand, greatly changed the situation by which Hilda was in trouble.
"Many some island ago. A man was handing out in marketplace, though no one else to want... no, actually, no one else to give to. Approach me only, to give."
A simple matter to deduce, that both of these items had been specifically tailored, made exclusively for Hilda. The joke was, that Hilda seemed completely unaware of this, and thought it was all normal. At least, apart from the fact that it ended up getting her in trouble.
"Yes, yes... and so you had this paper for some time, a long time. So when you heard about this new land, and a party, youtookthepaperuponitsoffer?"
"Exakt! Only to follow directions, not to know was all wrong. Keep secret for want to surprise everyone, make all happy! Is what paper to say!"
At this, Elsa laughed quite a bit to herself, finally getting a bit of the big picture. What a silly fool her friend was, but she loved her all the more for it. She felt for certain now, that the captain would see things in a different light, and would make an effort to pardon Hilda for this whole mishap.
"What do you think about all of this you guys?! Crazy stuff, huh?"
Rory turned his attention to Fate and Ohyeah, a little bit below him now that he was standing up on the open makeup kit. They would be able to notice right away that his face was all white, with Era's mark in red upon his forehead. It seemed that during the time he was investigating the kit, he followed the directions included, and ended up making himself look like how Hilda had at the party those days prior. Seeing this, Hilda joined in with Elsa, a light laugh of her own.
At least he looked genuinely happy though, perhaps the first time since being taken out of prison. This was the first lead and clues he had been there to discover while on the case, and for him it felt like they really were on the trail now towards solving this mystery. He hoped Ohyeah and Fate were as excited as he was at least, for this was what he lived for, and why he had been imprisoned in the first place. He never wanted this feeling to end, trying his best to forget for the time being that once this mystery was solved, he was going right back to prison. For now though, he could cherish this moment.
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Post by CJ on Aug 11, 2013 13:19:59 GMT -5
"Stop laughing!"
Having been exposed to sunlight, Fate's helmet was back on her head. She stomped on the ground in anger, not seeing anything positive about Rory's application.
"This isn't funny. The Shichibukai was lied to! This person... this flyer is the absolute worst!"
Kicking the flyer with her boot, the Marine Captain was getting a little too emotional it seemed.
"I'll show you how you do put on make up! Watch closely!"
Carefully, Fate pulled her coat over her head and took off her helmet in the safety of the shadow. She approached the kit and used her fingers and the back of her right hand to apply it to her face. The other hand kept the coat safely over her head.
For inspiration, she thought of the porcelain dolls she used to own and of the models she stared at in magazines. After she lost her shadow, she trashed anything that reminded her of beauty. It was too painful to think about otherwise.
But those fading memories and current experience were enough for her to provide somewhat of an example to Hilda.
"See?"
Having only been able to use her leather glove, the texture of the make-up was somewhat rough. Otherwise, it wasn't all too terribly bad. Soft blue eye shadow made her red irises look somewhat less glaring. The blush on her cheeks gave her skin a healthier look.
"Make up should never be used make a statement. It's to extenuate your natural features. That symbol distracted from your beauty, Brynhilda Irongard. But, aside from that, you do not need make up. You're beautiful enough, understand?"
A typical Marine would have likely inquired more information about the man in the marketplace or where the make up kit was sent from. For personal reasons, Fate wanted to correct the lies of the man Hilda trusted, even if it meant risking a bad recommendation from the Vice Admiral there.
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