Leading the way, Pen headed out of the Mess, tramping across dusty grounds to reach the edge of the HQ, moving beyond the walls to the Town. As they walked through, Pen's eyes watched as folk, women and children more often than not, mulled about in the early morning. The walking pair got the occasional smile, as Marine uniforms tended to receive in a town of those related to them, but at the same time, a few conspicuously looked away from the gruff duo. Pen didn't pay it much mind though: no point in fooling around with these people, as they were always 'well, my ____ is a Marine too!' Yeah, no shit.

Moving past the edge of the Base Town, the two went down yet another path, flanked by a poorly kept fence. At its end, a staircase built into the cliffside wound downwards, overlooking the shadowy buildings below, a port visible in the distance, many of the ships unmarked. As they began to head down, Pen scoffed, [color=darkred]"Can you believe this is still Headquarters?"[/color]

After a steep trek to the bottom, the two were in Undertown proper. Now those mulling about were largely men, in various states between Marine and sour sea dog. Some even had tattoos or other markings of affiliation, poorly hidden, if they bothered at all.

Stepping around a few buildings, Pen knew the exact path he was taking. Turning one corner, however, a voice he heard made him come to a stop, glancing around.

"-this wave pattern? Did I ask for this wave pattern!? No, you're screwing around with me, aren't you!"

Sidling to the nearest corner, Pen watched as a Marine, holding a katana with a brightly colored sheath, shaking it as he raged at the blacksmith, who seemed a bit tired of the Marine's crap. Eyes wandering, Pen saw yet another sword lying on a barrel just behind the Marine.

Grinning mischievously, Pen suggested, [color=darkred]"Well, that's not right. A Marine not giving business to our Marine contracted smiths? Well, he can keep his new blade, but that other one is Marine property!"[/color]

Letting that proclamation hang in the air, Pen shuffled forwards, moving to approach the Marine from the other side, leaving the sword on the barrel in the clear.