[IC] One Piece: On Stranger Tides

[Eklispe]

Finhall

A sunny day with scattered clouds drifting throughout the blue skies and a gentle breeze pushing things along. It was a day for adventure, playing outside, and making friends. However it wouldn't happen here. Finhall wasn't the most exciting of places, the only time anything happened was when a ship came through or crashed on the shores or something. Of course the people of the small island had gotten a little excited when a unicore marine ship had come sailing in but found there were was no marine crew here to arrest some villain that had been stowed away on their island, just a girl that hung out in the local tavern too much, along with some other washouts. Of course not everybody ignored the seemingly innocuous event, the marines had eyes and ears scattered throughout the seas and stealing from the marines, especially a relatively well known ship, would not go unpunished for long. Winds of change often brought stranger tides.

[Ryteb Pymeroce]

Hunter sat at the tavern, nursing a pint of rum. Boredom had been settling in, but without a job he was forced to await opportunity here. He was surprised to see Dead Eye appear in this backwater dump, especially as she brought a ship with her. Granted it was a Marine ship, but there were definitely better Isles to find sailors. He decided to go over and strike up a conversation with the lass, considering that his funds were starting to get a wee bit low.

"Why hello there Dead Eye." He said, with a dark grin, "What brings ye to a shithole like this? Last I heard ye were making a killing, both figuratively and very much literally. What changed lass?"

[LostDestiny]

Anna, having sat herself in at a random table after ordering herself some food, with her fresh pint of ale, looked at the stranger through her mask. Well, not really a stranger, she had seen this man on multiple occasions and exchanged words with him before, briefly. "Needed a new job. They only last so long. After all I can only kill someone once." She shrugged at him, lifting her mask up just enough to take a drink. She had been very careful to keep her identity as hidden as possible, therefore her mask stayed on at all times when she was looking for jobs. "If I don't get a job here in the next couple days I will have to move on, after all, the Marines are pissed about the ship I stole, word will get around that it is here. That damn unicorn is way to recognizable, and really stupid to have as a figurehead on a Marine ship. Not to mention I would rather not have to kill for free."

She looked the man over. If she remembered correctly his name was Hunter. She could never figure out why the man insisted on speaking to her. Most people avoided her like she was the plague. Then again, they more than likely avoided him as well, sporting his blood cover marine jacket. "If I were you I would leave when I do. This place will likely be crawling with Marines in a few days." She figured she would warn him since she wasn't the only person the Marines were after.

[jynmi88]

It was always wise to take things slow, especially after a traumatic event, and Abigail had just been through one for the books. Of course she didn't have any patience for something like that. Her family, her crew, her inability to decide which status held the higher meaning, were out there somewhere. She hoped wherever that somewhere was had them alive, and well, for the ship who attacked them's sake. Regardless of her loved ones' fate she still had places to be, and people('s skulls) to drive her fists through and she wasn't going to get anywhere pussyfooting around. Besides, it wasn't like she could exactly blend in with a crowd, even if she wanted to. There was always something about a Hennar that made it so they couldn't hide in a town any better than a giant could.

The doors to the tavern rushed inwards, banging the walls on either side of the entrance. "Don't mind me." A loud voice from a tiny framed woman with red hair said as she stepped in. "I'm just passing through." Her large eyes moved from person to person as she walked up to the bar. As she moved, a trail of water formed after every step. She hadn't taken time to dry off after coming onto land. She didn't even bother kissing the ground and thanking the world for another day of light. It was right to the tavern. "Beer, please." She said, turning around to rest an elbow on the table so she could get a better look at the faces inside. "Oh!" The tiny woman perked up a little and slapped her hand on the table. "A cigar too, if you have it."

The bartender nodded, and held up a hand for cash. "No tab." Her muttered.

"Fair enough." Abigail said, paying the man. As she waited for her drink and smoke, the red haired woman's eyes bounced from face to face until she found a pair that looked suspicious enough for her liking. It was the mask that did it. Abigail didn't know why but she always trusted a woman in a mask; probably because they were the honest ones. Nothing like a mask to let you know there was a knife in their hand with your back's name on it. Drink in hand she sauntered over to the couple.

"You guys looking for work, because I could really use a crew." She paused to take a drink. "And a ship. Any ship. It doesn't matter how silly it looks. If I can get my hands on it, I'll take it."

[Catchphrase]

"Is that a unicorn on that ship?" Jack looked up from his work to see what the other cook was talking about. Sure enough, a ship had just come to the island with what appeared to be a unicorn as its figurehead. What was more interesting was the fact that the ship was largely intact, and if that were true there would be a chance that the Captain of it may need some crew for it.

The person who came into the bar appereared to be the Captain, a woman wearing a mask. She was approached by Hunter, a man that most people feared, though usually it was his blood red jacket he always wore. As they started chatting, a red haired woman walked into the bar, covered in water and dripping all over the place. She got a drink and cigare and walked over to the masked woman and the blood jacket. Seems she wanted off this rock too. She would have to wait before him.

"Hello there. I too would like off of this island, and as I noticed miss mask face you seem to have a ship which appears a bit light on crew. I wish to offer you my service as your ships cook. I guarantee you shan't be disappointed by my cooking skills. And if it comes to it, I will also be able to handle myself in a fight. So, may I join?" Smooth and subtle as ever, Jack never could resist going into the deep end.

[Ryteb Pymeroce]

Quick as a flash, Hunter had drawn two of his pistols and had them pointed at the head of the newcomer and the chef. It was nothing particularly personal, he just tended to be a bit edgy... being on the run for the vast majority of his life did that to a guy. After he registered what they had actually said, he slowly lowered his twin pistols.

"Sorry, 'bout that," the red coated pirate apologised, "I've been expecting the marines to jump me any day now. If ye need a navigator ye'll find none better in South Blue. I only have two conditions, that I have a room on the ship for me maps and navigation tools, and that ye don't turn me over to the government dogs."

[LostDestiny]

Anna kept a cool head, even when Hunter drew his pistol. She also chose to ignore the cook who had intruded upon the conversation. "I am indeed looking for work. And you ma'am are in luck, I happen to have a ship that I may or may not have commandeered from some Marines some time back. So, not only have you found yourself a ship, but a sharpshooter and a navigator to go along with it." She responded to Abigail before turning to Hunter. "As for your maps I have just the place for them don't you worry about that. And believe me there will be no turning anyone over to anyone, I stole a ship from the Marines what makes you think I would want to make there lives any easier." She winked under her mask, forgetting she had it on and that nobody could see it.

Finally she turned to to cook. "As for you. It is rude to butt your way into a conversation, though I do suppose if we are forming a crew a cook would be a necessary thing to have..." She turned to Abigail. "You mind bringing along the red headed cook?" She asked before a realization smacked her in her face. "Actually, three of us are red heads. Well ain't that a mighty fine coincidence." She chuckled to herself. "Anyway, name's Annabelle Pond, but you all can call me Anna, Pond, or Dead Eye, either is fine, just not Annabelle." She lifted her mask again just enough to take another drink of her ale, finishing it off, and waited for the others to take her cue and introduce themselves.

[Catchphrase]

When the man drew out his pistols and pointed one at his face, William didn't even panick. On the contrary, he got excited at the prospect of violence, his eyes widened and his face cracking into a look of pure glee. Wasn't the first time someone had threatened him with a gun, it wouldn't be the last either.

So when the guns went away he was a bit disappointed that he wouldn't be able to see how good he was compared to tgis man, but still things went well anyway. The masked woman, whom called herself Annabelle Pond, accepted his offer of a job.

Which is good since he had just done something stupid and was banking on the fact that he would be able to flee. "Well Miss Pond, my name is Jack Gallows, at your service." He gave a quick but elegant bow to her and stood back up. "Now while I do hate making a bad first impression, I think we may need to leave this ppace in a hurry."

As he said that, five large thugs burst into the bar, the bigger and meaner of the lot glowering right at Jack. "Gallows you bastard! Where is the money you took off me!?" He snarled and his men started forming a circle around Jack. Jack didn't even bat an eyelid, he calmly looked the man in the eye and said to, "I don't have it, I gave it to my Captain over there."

He pointed his finger right at Anna.

[Ryteb Pymeroce]

Hunter was focused on planning out the logistics of their voyage, having taken out a sea chart and a notebook. He was right in the middle of figuring out food supplies when the thugs burst in. Not even batting an eye, he drew a pistol and fired a shot over his shoulder. A scream of agony came from one of the thugs, who got hit right in the groin. Nonchalantly he turned to Abigail and said; "The nearest island we can take on some cheap crew is Shipwreck Isle. That's a weeks sailing from here, but we can't get food there, on account of the nature of the Isle. I'd suggest we store three to four weeks worth, in case the winds take us on a bad path."

[LostDestiny]

Anna shot Jack a rather nasty glare though she forgot that she still had her mask on. She cursed under her breath and made a mental note to make threats and take payment later. Calmly, she placed her hand on one of her pistols. "I apologize gentlemen but I just met this man and I assure you he has not given me any money, though he may end up in debt later down the line, depending on how this exchange plays out." The last bit of her statement held a large amount of venom to it, directed at Jack. "Also, might I remind you that you are speaking to the infamous Dead Eye. You do realize I can drop all of you in a matter of seconds no?" She spoke calmly but she was indeed threatening, and even daring the men to try something.

The thugs either didn't care or were complete idiots because they refused to back off. One of them even stating that Dead Eye was a man, not a woman, no woman could do what Dead Eye had done. This caused her to smirk under her mask. They were challenging her, and she was willing to take it. In seconds Anna had pulled out both of her pistols and fired shots into at two of the uninjured thugs as well as the one Hunter had previously shot. Two shots were fatal, the third was fired into one man's knee. The injured man and one other fell to the ground lifeless, the other screamed in pain as he too fell to the ground. She waited, nothing happened. Everyone remained still for what seemed like an eternity before Anna finally spoke again. "Care to push your luck some more?" She questioned, to her shock the man backed off, though she was sure they would be back to avenge there fallen comrades.

She turned to Jack, holding the barrel of her pistol between his eyes. "You pull that shit with me again and I will fire one right here." She threatened, completely serious. "Also, I don't kill for free. You will pay me, with whatever it is they claimed you stole from them. I want it." Her voice had gone monotone, she was no longer playing games. She remained still, eyes locked with Jack's through her mask. She said nothing, waiting until either Abigail or Hunter spoke or Jack gave her the payment she required.

[Catchphrase]

Jack saw the devastation that this one woman had caused, saw all the blood and smoke and he just started laughing. "You are very good at killing people, and I always pay my debts. Well, most of the time." He reached into the back of his belt and pulled out a small pouch, filled to the brim with gold coins. "Here you are, a small payment to start off what I believe shall be a most profitable partnership."

He dropped the pouch onto the table and walked over to the thugs and kicked the body of the one still breathing on the ground, then looked at the last two still standing. "But you were a bit sloppy here. Afterall, can't leave anyone to come after us."

Quick as a flash his drew his sword and sliced it through the necks of the last two thugs still standing, and as they fell to their knees clutvhing theirs necks, he grabbed the hair of the last living thug lying on the ground, pulled him into a kneeling posture, and cut his head off. When the bodies fell the floor, he wiped his blade clean as well as some droplets of blood that fell on his face and clothes.

He looked back at Anna and gave a small smirk. "Well, that settles the matter. Now, I shall gather some provisions for our ship, I will purchase the best ingredients I can find and cook you all up a fabulous meal to celebrate a first of what I hope shall be many days to come." With that he started walking out the bar and gave a wave behind him, "I shall see you on the ship as soon as supplies have been purchased. Try not to get into trouble." He walked out with a maniacal laugh, leaving the local patrons gobsmacked at his sheer insanity.

[jynmi88]

Abigail didn't flinch when the man pulled out his guns. She kept her eyes on him and slowly moved her cup so it was facing him. Its handle started glowing yellow. The light disappeared as soon as the man's weapons vanished. "Not a problem. Better safe than sorry. At least for most of the time."

The captain's attention turned to the woman who with the mask and nodded. "Nice to meet you Anna. A sharp shooter and navigator are just what I need for starters." She paused to look at the chef. "Someone whose good with cooking wouldn't hurt." Her smile turned into a frown at the thought of food. She was already starting to miss her mom's cooking. "I'm not a fan of biscuits myself. So a cook is always welcomed." She gave the cook a short nod. "As for a name I'm Abigail Hennar, but you can call me Abby, or captain and that's about the end of the things I'll respond to."

Men barged into threatening her new cook, whom in turn shifted the blame to her new sharpshooter, whom he called captain. Abigail's eye twitched at the confusion but she decided to let it go. The thugs didn't look like anything special and maybe the mix up would be a good way to see what her new crew was made up of. So she took a step away from Anna and moved closer to Hunter, who was talking about the next stop he thought they should make.

"Hmmm. That does sound like a good plan." Abigail muttered. "But what makes you think we could pick up some cheap crew members there?" Gun shots and screaming went on to her left as Anna and her new cook took care of the threats.

Abigail turned her attention away from her navigator and frowned at the mess. "This is a bit much." She said, shaking her head. "Now, we're going to have to rush things even more than what I was hoping for." Her focused moved from watching their cook make his exit to dead eye and then back to her navigator.. "I don't have much in the way of possessions because this skirt doesn't have pockets and the rest of my stuff is elsewhere. Is there anything you two need to do before we leave, because we'll be needing to hurry now as I'm sure someone's going to get marines here right, quick and in a hurry. "

[Ryteb Pymeroce]

"I wouldn't worry too hard, cap'n." Hunter said nonchalantly, "The nearest marine base is three weeks away from here. We have plenty of time to stock up and head out before ya see even a glimpse of their white flag over the horizon."

Dead Eye seemed as impressive as ever, though this cook seemed to be trouble. Ah well, he could always castrate the bastard if he went out of line. Digging through his satchel, he pulled out a large book titled 'the Isles of South Blue'. He flicked through the pages until he found what he was looking for.

"Scylla Island, known more commonly amoung sailors as Shipwreck Isle, is an otherwise ordinary island, save for its inaccessibility. Sharp currents and jagged rocks make the Isle completely unreachable, save for those who know the safe way. In recent years, the Marines constructed a prison on the Isle, due to the rise of piracy following the death of the infamous Gold Roger."

Hunter closed the book and returned it to his satchel. Turning back to Abigail he continued to explain.

"The prison on Shipwreck Isle has but a skeleton staff, relying on the treacherous waters to keep the prisoners secure. Fortunately, I know the safe route through to the island, and between me and Dead Eye we should be more than enough for them blasted marines."

He took a big swig of his drink, polishing it off. After that, he packed his stuff up and left to leave.

"I'm gonna go check out the ship. When she came into port she looked like a real beaut, save for that God awful figurehead." He waved his goodbye to the crew, and exited the tavern.

[LostDestiny]

"Now that was highly unnecessary, they wouldn't be stupid enough to come after us, not when I would see them coming from miles away, they would be dead or injured before they could lay a hand on you, pretty boy." Anna said as she took the money Jack handed her. "Also, I am never sloppy. Simply calculated, I really prefer to avoid killing if at all possible." She informed him as he walled off to do whatever it is he was going to do. With a roll of her eyes she turned toward Abby and Hunter tuning into the last bit of the conversation, about the god awful figurehead.

"Tell me about it, jeez I hate that thing, what kind of Marine would want a damn unicorn as the figurehead. Oh, wait, I know just the Marine who would..." She shook her head and turned toward the tavern doors. "Let's head out. Oh, and like he said, there isn't a Marine base too close to here, and anyway, they would have been heading this way anyway. They want there ship back, not to mention they probably got wind that the Marine killer was here too." She was referring to Hunter as she said this. "Anyway, ship's this way. I can show you the captain's quarters and the room that will now be your map room." She lead the way to her ship and upon arrival said "Behold, the Dawn Seeker, one of the Marine's finest ships. She is ours now." With that she boarded the ship, removing her mask on instinct as she did. "Captain's quarters will be that stand alone area there," she pointed to it, "and your map room will be just below deck in the room where the water for the tree is, toward the back." She motioned to the stairs that lead to the lower decks. "You'll know it when you see it." With that she sat herself in a chair that was placed on deck and closed her eyes as she relaxed.

[jynmi88]

Abigail sighed and shook her head at Hunter's statement. "It would be nice to think that it would turn out that way, but I'm doubtful. Marines get around, you know. They've got a far greater area of access than any pirate as well as the love of most common people. The issue here isn't how close one of their bases is. The issue is someone, anyone who saw what just went down, talking to either a marine or someone who could get a message to a nearby marine."

The captain couldn't help but look around as the navigator explained why there was a good chance the island would have some crew members for them to recruit. So many of the bar flies were staring at them now. EAch one was wondering if these guys had a bounty, and would it be worth it to make a move? Then again, she wasn't the best at reading faces so maybe everyone was just staring because the group was a novelty to look at.

When Hunter finished Abigail nodded, without pausing her eyes roaming about the room to try and figure out who exactly was looking at them the hardest. "Alright." She said. "The island does sound promising and even if we don't manage to take on some new blood then at least we'll piss off some marines. That's never a bad way to start out in pirating." Her drink was raised up to Hunter. "To Shipwreck isle it is then." She bent tilted it the rest of the way and finished the contents inside.

Abigail listened to the sharpshooter and nodded. "Who knows with marines. They're all deranged if you ask me. There's probably some strange message of justice to it like unicorns and justice are both real even if there's no proof of it, or something along those lines." The redhead shrugged. "I don't know. Their idea of justice doesn't make sense to me either."

When Ann mentioned going to the ship Abigail stepped aside. "Yeah. Let's see it. I'm anxious to see just how silly the damn figurehead looks in person." The woman walked behind the sharpshooter to the ship and paused when the woman pointed it out. Her face went pale. "Oh. Oh no. It's horrible like a magical rainbow fairy took a crap." A shudder went up and down her spine like a bird trapped in a room. "But at least its' floating. That's something."

After the tour was over and Anna slumped down into a chair, Abigail moved over to the edge of the boat. She put her hands on the railing and leaned over to look out into the sea. Her eyes moved from side to side. It was all blue, with the occasional white cloud. She paused and narrowed her eyes. "Is that a cloud, or a ship." Something kicked in Abigail's stomach.

"Hey, Anna.." Abigail, said as she turned her attention back to the woman in the chair. "Let's go see if Jack needs help bringing the supplies. I'm sure its just paranoia but the sooner we're out to see the better."

[Catchphrase]

Turns out finding enough quality supplies for a month long journey was difficult in such a town as this. Sure there were a few people selling some spices and choice cuts of meat, but most of the good stuff would rot if not cooked immediately. So, he had no choice but to make do with what he could find. He bought pouches of spices, small bags of flour and sugar as well as two large sacks of salt. He also bought a couple barrels of alcohol and large amounts of food stuffs that won't just rot, including a couple jare of honey.

By the time he was finished he had a small crowd of people carrying the supplies back towards the ship, where he saw it up close for the first time. It was, colourful to say the very least. Not something that would strike fear and terror into the hearts and minds of people, but while those people were all laughing at the ridiculousness of it they would be boarded and killed, so there was that.

He walked his way onto the deck and started looking around for a place to store his cargo, he found the kitchen and a good dry and cool place to store the supplies he bought. He directed his workman to drop off the cargo, keeping an eye out for any of them that may try and steal from him, though by the look of fear in their eyes it was highly unlikely that they would.

Jack looked at his fellow crew memebers and gave a polite smile, "We are set here with the supply situation. What is our next course of action?"

[jynmi88]

Abigail didn't make it off the ship before her cook arrived. "Never mind then." She said, stepping aside so the men with the goods could pass by. "Well, it looks like we're all ready to go, huh?" She put her hands on her hips and turned her attention to Anna. "Alright then. That's enough waiting around. Set a course for shipwreck island." The captain moved to the wheel and took a hold of the object with both hands. "And here we go."

[Eklispe]

Finhall -> East Blue

And so the new crew would set sail for the first time together, into the open blue waters. Of course they weren't open for long. They hadn't far when those white sails Hunter spoke so casually appeared. Of course they weren't so fortunate as to only see one ship either. There were three ships, coming from the North, South, and East respectively, leaving their only option to try to make it past the incoming ships or to head east and try to make it through Scylla Island safely, an arduous task even without marine ships chasing them. Obviously the marines intended to run them into the island, and considering the amount of cannons on the ships clearly visible even from here: along with the admittedly somewhat small crew, they wouldn't be making it out unscathed if they attempted to break through the closing ring of ships. It seemed the unicorn ship had not gone unnoticed, or perhaps it was on the antics on the island. Well it was impossible to say for sure and not really important anymore so much as what they would do now.

[Ryteb Pymeroce]

"Batten down the hatches, pull in the sails. This is going to be close..." Hunter yelled, as he tried to keep the ship from being dashed against the rocks. As if the Marines and the deadly currents weren't bad enough, a storm had started brewing, making his job a nightmare among nightmares. It was as if the gods themselves had finally decided to arrange his death, well screw those fuckers, he'll make his own odds.

"Jack, make yerself useful and get us some barrels of gunpowder through the hold. I'll see us through this shit-storm yet."

There was an audible crack, as the ship scrapped across a rock. Fortunately there was little damage... hell the blasted figurehead had come of so that was an upside, but he couldn't risk that again. His eyes were stinging like a bugger due to the waves thrashing his eyes, but hee had to keep his eyes on the waves, and get them through the storm. A cannon shot rang out from one of the marine ships, followed by an entire orchestra of gunfire. The bastards were trying to sink us.

"Brace for impact, ye bastards!" He yelled, trying to be heard above the squall of the storm, "They're trying to sink us!"

[LostDestiny]

When the group finally set sail, Anna couldn't help but feel uneasy. Something was in the air and when the all to familiar white sails became visible she knew exactly what it was. She immediately got to work making sure everything was secured and pulling the sails, something she had done by herself many times in a hurry. Just as she finished the storm started. What lovely mood weather...

"There are several reasons they would be pursuing us. The main one likely being this damned Unicorn ship." Just as she finished her sentence the ship lurked to one side and she barely managed to avoid the debris from the broken figurehead. "Yes! Finally that ugly thing is gone! I know you didn't do that intentionally but nice work!" She couldn't help laughing as she put on her mask and prepared for the worst. "If I am going to die here I sure as hell ain't doing it without putting up a fight. And Hunter, make sure the Marines don't get there precious ship back intact. If we go down, we take the ship with us!" Even though she was raised by a Marine she wasn't exactly fond of them which was the main reason she had stollen their ship. Nobody would have expected her to do that, and she enjoyed watching them struggle to get it back.