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Post by DornKoon on Nov 27, 2023 17:03:36 GMT
Salamander continued to eat, listening to the Captain as he talked, the words of a serious nature for sure. The young marine's bushy brow furrowed again. He sighed at the mention of his father, and he did not really feel like he wanted to talk about that, but even so, it was not that surprising. "My Father is dead, Captain. I'm not surprised you already knew that. He died protecting me during Grandpa's... episode." Said Salamander slowly, "I don't what my Grandpa was thinking, or what led him to betray the Marine... it... It makes little sense to me. But Mahonia just accepted it as fact and moved on. I know she has been screening all letters for me, and it's like she thinks I don't know."
The lieutenant froze, looking at the Captain; the air in the room had turned... serious and cold. Salamander found himself locking in the gaze of Captain Kramp. "I'm not going to ask for a different taskforce, Captain," he began, defiantly letting out a deep huff from his nose. " And had I wanted to escape, do you not think I could have completely crushed my escort here and escaped if I wanted to?" Salamander gritted his teeth, and at that moment, he looked a lot like his father and grandfather, the stubbornness, the fire in the eyes, the "Marigold eyebrows". He was starting to heat up and completely ignored the icy pressure. He did not care if he was insulting.
" And if you're that set on getting rid of me, good luck, take it up with Fleet Admiral Saint because I'm NOT going ANYWHERE, you old goat!" There was a pause as he narrowed his eyes... "You're stuck with me, and if you compare me to a snake, like Nostra, one more time I'll kick your ass!!"
He had bent his fork, stood up and slammed his hands into the table.
"With all due respect, sir!!"
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Time
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Post by Time on Nov 30, 2023 23:44:02 GMT
Kramps didn't back away.... In fact, he only took a slow bite after Salamander basically insulted him. It'd be a solid minute after Salamander had bent his silverware and stood up with his hands on the table. The man unfortunately didn't break eye contact, and everyone in the canteen had begun to leave. It was as though they were well aware for what was going to happen....
"Meet me outside in 2 hours then... Enough time to digest, and for me to fully recoop. Unless you're feeling more like a frog Sally."
Kramps would resume the pace he was going at prior to the conversation. He didn't break eye contact, though he did comment, "Also, that fork didn't do nothin' to you. I suggest you go apologize to the cook when you get the chance." He stated in between bites.
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Post by DornKoon on Dec 9, 2023 14:41:09 GMT
Salamander did not look away as Kramp talked; two hours... seemed reasonable. Mahonia was going to be so pissed when she found out about this that the first thing he did upon getting his new position was to get into a fight with a superior officer... again.
"Okay," he said slowly. "As you wish, Sir"
The comment about the fork finally made Salamander break eye contact with the captain; the young marine blinked and looked down at the fork in his hand. "Shit..." He muttered and turned the bent fork over a few times before carefully unbending it again. Brow furrowed, and tongue sticking out as he very gently tried to undo the damage without breaking it more. His cheeks had turned slightly pink, and his whole posture was as if the argument with the captain had not even happened. "Shit, does... that look good? No... maybe?" He continued to mutter under his breath.
He looked up and found that much of the canteen was empty. "Where did everyone go?" He asked...
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Time
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Post by Time on Dec 10, 2023 0:47:35 GMT
Kramps looked at Salamander with a bit of confusion, before chuckling lightly, which was more akin to a rumbling laugh. "You really are hot headed huh? I almost can't wait two hours!" He stated, patting Salamander on the shoulder. Perhaps a bit too hard, as the weight of the "pat" actually forced Salamander to sit back down from the sheer weight of the gesture. Taking the fork, Kramps took a moment, and then with a pair of fingers, he straightened the slightly warped looking fork, before curving the base slightly. Strength, dexterity, and precision. Three skills displayed in a small moment.
It was clear now why people had left. Kramps gave the fork back. "There you go kiddo. Use to make these when I was a Ensign myself with my bare hands." He said casually, as he resumed eating. "And they left because they know my reputation. I normally create whirlwinds with a single strike, but lately I've been malnourished. You'll know what I mean later once I finish eating and let my meal digest." He claimed, grinning like a demon at Salamander. Standing up after clearing his plate, Kramps took two massive bites, before his belly bulged out from the massive meal. "I'll see you in two hours kid. Training Courtyard." Kramps stated, leaving the plates and fork to the boy. "Clean up, and I'll handle the next time we eat." He finished, waddling out like the mountainous hill he was.
Without anything to do aside from eat, and whatever Salamander wanted to do for prep, the young man was left to himself. Soon enough, marines began to warily re-enter the canteena, as they looked back to make sure Kramps wasn't coming back. "Good luck", "Best of Luck", "Poor Guy", and a number of other comments that basically stated that none of the marines here were giving him a vote of confidence. The chef came by and dropped a bottle of whiskey to the young Salamander. "This should help you out later," He said, giving the kid something a bit stronger than the usual drink that most marines got. It was clear now. This next match was likely going to hurt.... Best for Salamander to get his business done before he went out to the training grounds.
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Post by DornKoon on Dec 14, 2023 10:22:43 GMT
Salamander did not seem intimidated like other people were in the canteen, not that he doubted the Captain's strength for even a moment; he knew him by reputation before coming here. He listened as Kramp talked about his days as an Ensign and why the others left... feeling a little insulted that they assumed they would start a fight inside the canteen.
"Papa always said, don't fight where you eat." He commented and did not return the grin, but neither did he seem unnerved by it. Instead, he nodded when the captain told him where to meet in two hours. "I'll see you there, Captain Kramp."
Salamander returned to his eating and glanced only as the marines began to filter back into the area. Now, how could he prepare himself for this? It was not like this chance came every day, so he would not waste it. He could never take Kramp in terms of raw power, and the guy was older, more experienced and stronger. He ignored the unsolicited comments, well-wishes and sorries from the other marines; they did not help at all, and their lack of confidence only spurred him on. He did give an appreciative nod to the chef when he came over with the bottle of Whiskey.
He took the bottle and held it in his hand, eyes scanning the label... as he was thinking.
"Maybe..." He said to himself, brow furrowed again, but this time in intense thought. Then, he grinned and began to chuckle, which turned into a hearty laugh. "It's a really stupid idea, but at this point... this whole thing is stupid. My Aunt will kill me when she finds out about this."
Once he was done eating, he cleaned up after himself and Kramp. He spent the remaining time resting under some trees outside, watching the sky and thinking to himself about... nothing. Salamander had the amazing skill of letting his mind do nothing for a while; it was relaxing not to think. He also stretched and did a few exercises that his father always did with him to prepare the body. It would hurt later, so he did what he could to prepare for it.
Finally, as two hours had passed, and Salamander had asked for the way, he walked onto the training courtyard.
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Time
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Post by Time on Jan 7, 2024 23:13:57 GMT
Salamander would find Kramp was late by the time he approached the location. Strangely enough, there actually wasn't a crowd to watch the group. Instead there seemed to be only one individual, a marine who seemed to wear a slightly different design of the marine uniform, it being baggy, and strangely even including a hood and cover for the marine's face. It was only by looking into the man's eyes and eyebrows that the tell tale signs of a Wano immigrant it was clear. Salamander knew that most immigrants were usually detained, but it wasn't uncommon to see a few in the marines. Seconds would turn to minutes, then before Salamander noticed an hour had passed, all without Kramps showing up. The baggy uniform man was still there, the word, ninja appearing in salamander's head.
The ninja had been watching Salamander, watching his reactions, actions, and even movements. Soon though, Kramps would walk in, holding a thick and massive fan. Yawning the man scratched his head. "Alright kid.... Let's get this done. Go ahead and start."
Kramps didn't actually stand in a battle ready stance, but instead he leaned upon the fan, yawning yet again as though he wasn't taking this seriously.
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Post by DornKoon on Jan 8, 2024 13:36:51 GMT
Salamander frowned slightly when he found the area empty, and he checked the time to be certain he was not there early... no, this was the time... and place. He gave a short glance to the marine in the baggy clothes, a person from Wano, not something Salamander had seen often. The young lieutenant leaned against one of the walls with his arms folded. The ninja did not get much from Salamander; he did not move much as the hour passed, only ever adjusting the cap. It was just a clear sign that he was not sleeping. It was not that Salamander was patient but more that his stubbornness was more powerful than his patience.
And finally, the captain decided to show up...
Salamander watched Kramp and left his position next to the wall. It would be a lie to say that Salamander wasn't annoyed because he was. The young marine's eyes shifted from Kramp to the hooded figure and back again. Salamander gritted his teeth and let out a frustrated huff. He raised his hand and flexed it a few times without looking away from Kramp, the distance... the fan... the stranger. He pulled out his blade and gun, adjusting his grip... he did not know what Kramp was planning.
"Fine..." said Salamander and pulled the trigger of his pistol, aiming at Kramp's chest. It was a simple enough opener for a duel; if he was allowed to start... that was what he would do.
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Time
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Post by Time on Feb 28, 2024 1:46:51 GMT
Kramp didn't say anything as Salamander pointed the pistol at him. Instead Kramp lazily smiled, before the pistol rang out. The small plume of smoke would momentarily block Salamander's vision, but Kramp had not seemed to have dodged. In fact, as the thin veil floated away the only thing that had changed was the fact that the fan had been placed where the bullet was aimed. The iron spine of the fan had barely a scratch on it as the smoothbore had flattened itself against it.
"Standard Marine Opening. Useful if you have the numbers to support it, but perhaps I need to be clear kid. I don't want you to fight me like a marine. Go full on, or I'll wipe the floor with you. You only get one more chance. Most Pirates won't even give you the first one." He stated, moving the fan back to it's original position, not even bothering to open it. Rolling his neck, Salamander would hear the old man's neck crack. It was one thing to block a bullet. Simply predicting where it was aimed and the timing was one thing, but he did it in the moment the trigger was being pulled. Yet he was not only giving Salamander a chance to strike again, Kramps probably wasn't even warmed up.
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Post by DornKoon on Mar 8, 2024 11:48:27 GMT
Salamander watched the cloud of smoke and saw that his attack did nothing... which was to be expected. He turned the pistol over in his hand as if examining it, brushing a finger and opening it before closing it again.
"That's not what I'm doing, Captain, and you're mistaken; I cannot fight as anything other than a marine because that is what I am." Salamander replied, spinning the pistole around without looking away from Kramp. "We both know I would never stand a chance against you in a fair fight, and I'm not stupid enough to give myself any false ideas. So stop with the pretences of making it seem like you won't wipe the floor with me because we both know you will, no matter what I choose to do now." His eyebrow furrowed, he gritted his teeth. Going all out? He did not want to use his devil fruit, and he did not want to feel like using it was his only option.
He attacked nearly instantly, dashing and pulling out his cutlass simultaneously; the young marine aimed the pistol and fired three quick shots in different directions, none straight at Kramp. Using his trajectory knowledge, Salamander caused each of the three shots to ricochet off the ground so that they would still be aimed at the captain, each at different intervals and from different angles. At the same time, he aimed to slash at the officer with his cutlass.
"You could just send me back if you trust me so little!" Salamander continued, "Right back to under the thumb of my Aunt. She'll make sure to put me away in some office where I can do NOTHING!" He fired again, like before. The shot bounced off a nearby wall and was aimed at Kramp's back.
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Time
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Post by Time on Jul 14, 2024 0:31:42 GMT
Kramps stopped mid neck roll as the young man explained that he couldn't fight like anything except a marine. His face turned to a scowl, but instead of talking to Salamander he simply listened, frowning as the marine charged at him with cutlasses. Firing the pistol shots, Salamander was certain that each of the trajectories were correct, and in a sense it should have worked against anyone.... but what happened next was unprecedented. Kramp simply stepped forward, his massive stature giving him all the distance he needed to simply avoid the shots, as he lifted the fan to block the odd angle of the final bullet, before using that same defensive posture to swing the folded iron fan at the man's cutlass. The weight behind the fan was immense. So immense that Salamander would feel that he couldn't hold his ground against the counter, and was sent flying back into the pillar by the wano man.
"I'm not going to make you leave. You'll do that by yourself.", Kramp stated, as he slammed the end of the fan down, making the ground quake a little. "I said go all out. That's an order. If you can't fight like nothing, but a marine then do as any marine does and strictly follow orders. That is what Marines do..... We have to be more. We don't just fight pirates. We hunt them down. On occasion, we have to let them get away. On some occasions, we have to realize we can't quite fight them. And on some occasions, we need to realize the cost of what we do. So.... Can you imagine the cost of holding back? Do you think a Lawless Pirate will not use any trick or devil fruit power they can use against you? What if one of those fruits makes me fight you..... Can you say you won't hold back then? Because I wouldn't.... So.... Get up. Or Quit and run back home to your auntie." Kramp was aiming for sore spots. Before Salamander could get up though from the powerful swing, Kramps lunged forward, aiming to further stomp him into the pillar he had been slammed into.
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Post by DornKoon on Aug 10, 2024 7:42:13 GMT
Salamander could do little to prevent being sent flying. He slammed into the pillar, and that would have been the end if he were any regular guy, but in spite of his youth, he had not earned his rank for anything. As he slid down, he landed on his feet, taking a moment to crack his neck as his superior officer spoke.
Follow orders; that is what a marine does.
We have to be more...
He had heard very similar words before...
Salamander took a deep breath, focusing his senses, feeling his body. Kramp was right, of course, as infuriating as it was for someone like Salamander to admit. He was not given time to reply before the Captain lunged at him. Salamander raised his hand, and his legs shifted into hand cannons and, with a blast, sent the young marine into the sky. Using smog against the captain seemed a waste of energy, as he could blow it away with his fan. Salamander landed at a run a good distance away, aiming to keep himself mobile as much as possible. There was no way he could match Kramp in brute force, so he would need to be smarter about it. Salamander could move much faster if he used his devil fruit, even if it was more likely to cause collateral damage.
"I might be many things," Salamander said. "But I'm no quitter."
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Time
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Post by Time on Aug 10, 2024 23:32:46 GMT
Kramp's kick snapped the pillar in half, breaking the structural support into a mess of rubble, as Salamander rocked away with a cannon giving a momentary blast of debris. The young man's assumption was right, as Kramp barely took any time to open his fan and swat away the cloud of dust to clear his vision quickly. The older captain would double the fan back, raising it as a wave of wind ripped up the ground between the two with a wave of dust, and hardened dirt that was careening towards the young man, all while obscuring Kramp's position. It seemed that the older man could not only clear up smokescreens, but create his own whenever he wanted, proving that his choice of unusual weapon was not without effective strategies. Whether Salamander got hit by the wave or not, Kramps would appear from the dust, a fist raised to land a solid punch to the young man's face unless he was able to dodge the follow up attack.
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