Time
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THE ONE PIECE! THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!!
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Post by Time on Oct 21, 2023 18:12:38 GMT
The west blue was a place where many crimes were committed. It was a place that was almost like a constant frontier; despite the fact that compared to the Grand Line it was better than paradise. Not that most people who lived the lives of criminals and pirates would have known this. That said, eventually even those who live as outlaws would eventually find that their journey would come to an end. One such group of outlaws, or rather Pirates were the Black Hair Pirates. Captain and commander of the Black Hair pirates Destin E Theory, who had in the past constantly attempted to challenge the 80th division of the Marines in the West Blue had been quickly raided, a massive storm of marines having ambushed them making it clear that the outlaws were no longer being tolerated.
“Poe, Blissy…..” The man stated as he stared at the small armada of ships against his own pair. “This is an order. Take one of the auxiliary ships and head to Las Camp. Take your time and make sure that no one follows you. If the Marines find our base location at Las Camp, everything will be lost… We’ll buy some time before scattering ourselves.” Seeing the dozen or so sails of white and blue with the symbol and title of Marines on them, the pair would sense the anticipation of a fight in the air.
But more than that, there was the definite sense of uncertainty. Most of the crew behind the pair were looking grim, though the determination to fight was still well in their eyes. What the twins did now was up to them…..
But fate, as well as Destiny always has a plan…..
Poe and Blissy Ho’or-Bookend would be clad in their uniforms, or what best resembled uniforms for semi-organized cohesive outlaw group of pirates. It was more the fact that they wore the symbol of the Black Hair Pirates as additional clothing. Capes, scarfs, wraps, vests. Whatever fit the fancy of said member, including the twins who wore their own badge of sorts. The pair knew that the Auxiliary ships were basically scouting ships, only large enough to house a single room, sail, and a few feet of deck to work on. It’d be mostly unnoticeable if they left now, but once the fighting started, anyone on said ship would end up being a giant target to either be captured, or sunk by a single stray or accurate cannonball. The two had been a powerful pair on the crew of the Black Hair pirates. Poe’s ability to heat himself up made him nigh unapproachable, and with his sister’s ability to turn into ashen hand that could block and soften the blow of bullets or other projectiles rending them useless; the two were a deadly pair unlike any other. So much so that their bounty was a shared one. Surely their successes in various missions, as well as their powers made them invaluable, so the question was why the commander and captain had given them orders to run? Would they understand and comply, or would they argue, attempting to do something to fight the marines they had grown to hate so much?
More than that though… was that the captain’s words indicated something else. Never once had the idea of scattering the group ever resulted in a full retreat and regrouping. Such a thing implied the obvious if the twins were quick to catch on.
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Post by notdomino on Oct 23, 2023 5:07:00 GMT
"Why can't we stay and fight too?!?" Her eyes pivoted to the man who found them orphans, their father figure Bookend. He was a wise and mysterious person but a father figure all the same. Surely he could talk some sense into Destin. Poe had already gathered that they probably already discussed things. He was only a firstmate, but Destin held the authority for things like this.
Blissy was reluctant to follow those order, but Destin's word was law. Poe on the other hand was more than welcome to follow, especially since Bookend was approving of Destin's word. When the Captain Commander and his first mate made up their minds success was imminent, but... why did this time feel different? "Blissy let's go!" Blissy set one foot on the boat and looked back. While the Black Hair pirates were a mighty crew whose size was similar to a marine crew, a large chunk of the fighting force was The Blaze Twins. What sense does it make to go at the military without them? "Blissy LET'S GO!" The girl still hesitated.
"There's a transponder snail on board the auxiliary ships." Glancing at the engravement on their ship, she continued- "Ship 03. Call us once you've won!" She had a fierce expression on her face. She wouldn't move an inch, forcing her brother to literally pick her up and carry her onboard. "We love you! Papa Bookend... Captain.... Call us! Promise you'll win!" Her glare only intensified as tears rolled down her face. Poe would pause and put on a brave expression. He'd make absolutely sure no harm would come to his twin. In fact, he'd salute both Destin and Bookend by removing his shroud, and holding it up for the whole crew to see. The black-haired logo would wave in the wind like a flag as he held it. "Captain Commander! Pops! We'll be okay, I'll make sure of it. "
They would have to lower the ship before Blissful worked the courage up to run back onto the main ship. For now, she'd hold her fist up alongside her twin who proudly held the logo up as a salute.
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Time
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THE ONE PIECE! THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!!
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Post by Time on Oct 28, 2023 20:36:16 GMT
As the two lowered into the waters, thunder rang through the air, as well as a flash and fire of cannons in the distance. The Black Hair Pirates were no slops, and quickly fired back, turning their ships to not only create an inverse chevron to maximize their angles of attack, but provide cover for the retreating auxiliary ship. The twins would set sail back towards Las Camp as per ordered..... Though the storm that followed would prove difficult, they would withstand it.
Three days later, there was no answer from the Transponder Snail aboard the small ship the twins were on. By now, they had ported upon an island to quickly restock and repair their sail which had been damaged in the two day long storm at sea. It was nearly a miracle that they had not capsized; but with the snail silent, the twins could possibly assume the worse.
Before they were to depart, the snail would suddenly light up, ignoring the answering call as it received an automated message. The voice belonging to their father!
"All members who are scattered and alive, return to Las Camp as quickly as possible. Those who have received orders prior to this are to continue to do as you were told. Do not deviate from these orders!" The message would continue for a while until the snail was picked up and the message played one final time. Even if Blissy or her brother attempted to answer or call the snail that sent the message, there would be no response, the transponder snail in question seeming to look confused and sleepy. Now the question was what the twins would do?
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Post by notdomino on Nov 1, 2023 7:12:00 GMT
Blissy had been moping for most of the three days. She'd only really gotten up to cover Poe when he got tired, or to eat. She'd lay flat on the ship's small deck, staring at the sky. Her brother was finishing up doing inventory. They had enough for a week. Raiding a passerby ship or two would yield a longer float time and take them to Las Camp. Destin and Bookend were breeding a crew ready for the grand line and yet here they were... scattered from the main crew. As the transponder snail came on, the boy perked up but fell back into a frown. He'd take off his hat and pray for a moment before putting it back on. He would bring the message to Blissy. "Time to get going. We're wasting our time here."
Blissy perked up. As twins, they are the ying to the others yang. "Any word?" She'd play captain, mainly because she held more prowess than her twin.
"We're to make it to Las Camp at once. Straight from Pops mouth... Well, no one would answer back." Being as Poe had more sailing skills, he'd play the makeshift first mate. Smiling the two would bump fists and begin to set sail. It was a lot of work between two people, but using her ashen hand, Blissy could literally give a hand anywhere as long as Poe explained how something worked. The sea was clear for now, but anyone who got in the Blaze twins way on their way to Las Camp would find themselves at the bottom of the ocean.
Blissy found herself back on the deck, but this time surveying the area. A hand made of soot was high in the sky, relaying what it could take in. The young woman glared while waiting patiently. Las Camp was further north, and they weren't making good time. The faster they could get to the crew the better. Part of her wanted to ditch this ship for a faster vessel.
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Time
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THE ONE PIECE! THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!!
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Post by Time on Dec 1, 2023 0:32:15 GMT
As much as the twins tried, the wind was against them for the most part. It required them to avoid using a straight line of passage, instead sailing at odd angles in zig zags to keep a semi consistent speed. Even then, it was for the most part, it was a slow trek. Two days would pass, before Blissy would find something of interest with her method of searching. A small ship, likely a trader ship of some kind. Most merchant vessels were primarily large cargo ships, but on occasion, a merchant just starting out in the trade would begin with a speedier vessel such as the one that Blissy was seeing. It was... odd, honestly. Most vessels for merchants were bland, and mostly copies of one another. Only small touches to distinguish the difference between them, mainly the name and figure head.
This one was.... shaped like half a massive barrel. What's more, it almost seemed like there were other ships around it, as well as what appeared to be a keg tap for the figurehead. From here, Blissy could see the name of this fairly odd ship. The "Whiskywiner" it was called, and despite it's relatively small size, it was more the fact that from this angle it was wider than taller.... she couldn't make out more details, but it was clear this was some kind of special merchant ship. Still, she could suggest to her brother to stop by the place, maybe either to raid, or get a drink if the merchant ship had wine or whisky.... maybe even both? No one on the open sea to really tell them no; but then again they had orders to head "straight" to Las Camp. This might constitute as a decent detour if the pair cared for it... plus there was no doubt a few ships that were either unoccupied, or that their passengers were drunk or drinking.
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Post by notdomino on Dec 1, 2023 3:22:09 GMT
In one of her books, Blissy sketched the sea she saw. Something that was so freeing felt bleak without her makeshift family of a crew. She could only wonder how Poe was feeling. Twins had that odd connection. To subjugate his sister's worry, her brother tidied up the ship and kept things running smoothly. The defining difference in their mentality was Poe had hope... Blissy was mourning early so she wouldn't get crushed later. The sea was treacherous. Sure it was Destin and Bookend but... the military had it out for the Black Haired Pirates... The crew was full of people who carved their path, and marched to the beat of their own drum. With a glum expression, Blissy took picked a scope up and peered through it. It may have been her imagination, but she could've sworn she saw a sail in the distance. "BRO!"
Poe would arrive with dried fish and water. Rations were still fine but it wouldn't hurt to get more. "What's up?" He'd take the scope from her with fish bones hanging from his chompers. "Aaaaah. Reckon we should just let them pass?" Blissy shot a look at her twin, to which he'd just sigh. "I need to blow off some steam." Black speckles formed around her body as she said this. Ashen Hands formed to take down their small Black Haired flag, and substitute with a solid black one. After deactivating her logia, she stared at her brother, and with that alone, he understood. The plan was already set. Poe would angle the boat towards the merchant's ship. They were the notorious Blaze twins, but that didn't mean every single person knew who they were. There were people in the west with WAY higher bounties than them. This would be a gamble, but hopefully taking down their flag would feign some innocence.
"Ooooi~!" They'd waive their hands in unison. "Got anything good for sale? Drop anchor, we'll buy from you!" Destin had blessed them with some money, but that didn't mean they were supposed to spend it all in one sitting. Seeing what this merchant had would be important.
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Time
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THE ONE PIECE! THE ONE PIECE IS REAL!!
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Post by Time on Dec 10, 2023 1:46:40 GMT
As they approached the strange looking ship; the twins would be hailed by.... someone looking very dapper. The man wore a apron, and bartender suit. A cone was lifted by the man, "Hail! We have a docking space near the far end!" The pair would find the spot easily, noticing that the keg like ship was far wider than Blissy had seen. Now that they were closer, they noticed exactly what this place was. It was a floating Saloon, and what's more there was a variety of ships that they hadn't seen. One of which had a jolly roger flying. It was clear now that this was a floating saloon of some kind. Food was a given, and so were drinks. The man who hailed them before approached, and it was clear that his uniform was indeed that of a bartender/attendant. The man had a bald head, but a comically elongated and super curly mustache that almost looked like rust colored springs extending from his face. "Greetings sailors! Welcome to the Whiskywiner! Whisky, Wine, Cheese, Crackers, and whatever goes well with your choice of spirit or liqour! My name is Rusty Spriggs, and I'll be your speedy waiter for today! May I have a name for your party of...." He paused, suddenly noticing the two odd looking twins, and how alone they were. "Uh.... You... Do have berries for a meal right? We do accept cargo trades, but it'll be to your disadvantage...." The man said, a massive sweat drop clear on his shining head as his springy mustache waved with each of his movements almost with a 'bwoing' like sound to it.
The ship was clearly not as speedy as they had thought, but it was clear there were plenty of visiting ships they could apprehend if they were clever enough. However, if they had an attendant from the beginning, it meant that someone would be watching them and tending to their needs, perhaps obsessively so. "Either way, even if you don't have anything to pay or trade with, you can always sign a work contract! We always need bus boys, waitresses, and dishwashers. Now, may I have a name to use for you two? Or is there someone else on the ship?"
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