Wealth, Adventure, and the Open Sea: A One Piece RP.(Arc 4: Porte Carlo.)

[Fragrance of Mtn Dew]

After hearing Yoje introduce himself, Hal decided to do so as well even though he was pretty sure he heard her mutter the word crook. "And I'm Hal. Hal Granada, traveling merchant. You want quality goods for decent prices? I'm your man! Us fugitives gotta stick together after all." Hal said with a grin, putting emphasis on the word merchant to show that he disliked being called a crook. He may not have always given people the best deals, but he always gave them something.

 

[tsatoma]

"Alaena," she replied, shaking Yoje's hand, "I suppose I don't really have a choice anymore when it comes to the current situation. I guess I didn't factor in everything like I should have, and now it's too late for me to finish what was started tonight by myself. I'm not used to working with others very often..."

She turned her attention to Hal once he introduced himself, an unamused look on her face. "Call yourself whatever you'd like, but I've been here long enough to know exactly what you are. And don't call me a fugitive," she stated, walking past him to wait at the door for them. "I need to grab my stuff at the tower. It's on the way," she added, looking over at Peter.

 

[Fragrance of Mtn Dew]

Hal chuckled nervously and adjusted his shades, hoping no one else would dwell on what she had said. "Hey now, I don't know what you've heard about me, but it's probably exaggerated. And no hard feelings about the fugitive thing OK? I just feel like one with all the running I've been doin all day..." Hal said, putting his hands up and giving his most disarming smile.

 

[Mr. Omega]

Peter and the others had made a quick stop to get the rest of Alaena's things before they arrived back at the inn. "Ok... now does anyone have anywhere else to go? No? Well then let's go." The group walked into the inn.

 

[Fragrance of Mtn Dew]

As the group entered the inn, Hal turned to them. "Hey guys, I already promised Yoje here I'd pay for his room, but since you're all lettin me stick around with you this ones on me OK?" Hal said before walking approaching the front desk. "Hey there pal, I need rooms for me and my buddies here. Gimme the nicest ones ya got!"

The man at the desk smiled politely and looked over the group. "Alright, 6 of you then? That'll be 30,000 beli. We're going to have to be charging a little extra to cover the costs of repairs after today's incident. Your rooms will be on the second floor, which didn't suffer any damage."

Hal winced as it was more than he expected, but he understood how much it sucked to have to rebuild after getting smashed up like that so he didn't try to haggle even though he could have. "Well, that's life ain't it? Here ya go, man." Hal said with a somewhat forced smile as he opened his briefcase and handed the man a stack of beli. "Alright guys, let's go." He said to the group as he headed towards the stairs to their room.

 

[NeoAC]

Not wanting to go chasing after her crewmates, at least not in her current state, Sammi had stayed behind at the inn, intent on getting a new room out of the keeper since the old one had been blown apart by that foolish Marine. However, the keeper was very adamant that they would not be switching rooms.

"What the hell do you mean 'you get what you pay for'? That's not even a room anymore! That's a sundeck!" Sammi pointed out to the innkeeper.

"I'm sorry, we don't just switch rooms like that for no cost," came the reply. "Especially not for someone who didn't even sign the registry. You could just be a grifter looking for a free night!"

Sammi was getting angry. She brought one of her axes up onto the desk. "Listen, even if I was trying to scam you out of a room, I have much easier, and more effective ways of doing it. Now switch us up or else I will slice you into so many pieces that you..." she was cut off by the return of the rest of her fellow pirates, as well as the doctor, and the merchant from earlier, who came right up to the counter. He plunked down a bunch of beli in front of the man and he gave him six rooms, just like that. I guess only money talks in this town. That and guns. Six keys though. She counted up who was present, and noticed someone missing. Right. The bird guy. Well I'm not sharing. That's for damn sure.

Sammi took one of the keys from the merchant. "Sorry, I'm taking one for myself. No offense but I think I need a solo room to properly heal." The only perk to this injury. "You guys should probably decide who's going to be bunking with Birdman when he catches up." Not that that was settled, Sammi headed up stairs, innkeeper be damned.

 

[tsatoma]

Alaena had been silent instead of responding to Hal's remark, deciding to ignore the man while she went up into the tower to grab her things. Fletch perched himself on top of her shoulder gently after she had descended and exited, rustling his feathers a bit once Alaena fell in with the group. There were a number of people out due to the explosions that had happened, and a few of them stared as she walked past them. She paid them little attention on the outside, and was quite thankful that the black cloak she had worn had been able to hide anything that could give her away. The only thing of notice, her bow, had been put inbetween the two satchels so as not to arose suspicion.

She looked up at the inn once in front of it, noting the damage that had happened since she had left. Staying to the side while Hal got the rooms, she noticed the person she had previously mended was still there. She felt uncomfortable as she grabbed one of the keys laid out for everyone, turning it over in her hand a few times before moving back and waiting to follow everyone else up.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Jacque and finally reach the inn although from the appearance outside there appear to be some damage dealt to it but he can't afford to be picky. Before he enters, he quickly put on his mask; bandana and his hat, betting on the innkeeper had not seen his wanted poster.
He wasn't that specific with the room he wanted so the innkeeper charges him for a room upstairs which he was fine paying for albeit being abit more expensive. He walks up to the stair to which he found a pleasant surprise when he reaches the second floor.
He had expressed a shocking face when he sees Peter and co standing in front of him.

He shouted "So that where you were!! I've been looking everywhere for you lots! There something I need to tell you!"

Before he tells them he sees something else were bothering them.

He asked "Actually first just what did you guys do on this island? The people here are posting up our wanted posters twoo."

 

[Mr. Omega]

"Jacque? Fancy meeting you here." He took a look at the wanted posters. "Hmm... these don't seem to be that up to date. Still, quite a few of our bounties have gone up. That's interesting, to say the least. Must've identified us as we ran from Jingo. Still, we HAVE been busy here. A bit of an issue with the Marines and the local crime families, mostly to these two idiots here..." he said, gesturing to Alaena and Grana. "Well, if you'll come with us, I can get you up to date on the situation, hopefully. Still, what is it you need to tell us?" Peter said, taking the posters and walking into a spacious room.

 

[Xero Scythe]

Grana's mouth hung slightly agape as he stared at Alaena's eye, noting the severe bandaging around that area. He flashed back to when he was carrying her to the clinic, remembering the amount of blood pooling around her face. He especially remembered the large amounts of blood that had covered her left eye. Unconsciously, Grana's hand moved to his own eye as his mind began to piece together something to hold onto. "Damn... So it wasn't just splash blood, o-or a couple cuts right above the eye. She really... Lost it. It's gone forever just because I got careless and let her get out of range!" Damien's self-directed rage rendered him mute until they arrived back at the inn, his tongue becoming unglued from the room of his mouth. "I-I went to the Eyes On the Table Casino. I went to the blackjack table, memorized the card order, and won a huge amount of beli because the idiot running te game never reshuffled. I was taken out back to be taught a lesson, at which point I met you and Alaena. I lured away the Buderos and killed them, leaving some of the bodies in the alleyways. I stumbled upon a Yarrakona gang, and since the streets were clear, I shot a Yarrakona and disappeared Ito an alleyway, causing each group to kill the other. I got back here, then went out at the same time as Alaena, planning on drawing out Tozani to the Marine HQ. He told me I had to kill the Night Archer, so I was planning on taking the bloody cloak and some random bow painted white for proof. Then I chanced upon Alaena and Inshi fighting, when the Marine... Shot the two of them with his cannon."

Grana's voice cracked slightly, as this was the part he felt most guilty about. "I... I let Alaena get outside of my range, and the Marine fired from a bad angle. I couldn't reach the cannonball in time. I found Alaena and quickly hid her items and bound her wounds, to make it appear as if she was a citizen. Then I called Tozani, hoping he would send a doctor." Grana slammed his fist into his leg. "Stupid. I should have realized he would try to tie up loose ends. I even had something he wanted on my person. But I panicked. He only sent two, and I was able to make one of them say I was 'taken care of' before he died as well. I sent Birdy to look for a hospital, met you guys and that brings us to the present time." Grana sighed, his mind finished spewing out information on autopilot. He was still replaying events in his head, wondering if he could have done something to save Alaena.

 

[GoWithDAFro]

Yoje listened to Grans's story with a straight face. "What happened to Alaena wasn't your fault, Grana. You should feel more guilty about making Tozani want to kill you. If he comes after you, he'll be coming after us, too. It's the same with the Inshi's family, because of Alaena."

He fell silent as something occurred to him. So, killing those thugs on the docks didn't end up helping anyone at all. And I was actually worried that I'd be causing trouble for the crew. I don't know who I should be mad at right now...Well, I know two people.

"So, since we have to fight both of them now, we might as well go after the family with the weakened leader, right? And after that, we can take out Tozani, too." Yoje punched his hand and cracked his knuckles.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Jacque replies "Err that pretty much it, with us being wanted over here..."

He felt quite embarrassing for pointing out the obvious since after all they're all pirate with bounties on their heads. Regardless he smiles at Peter offer.

He cheers "Fine by me! It's better that we stick together being wanted on this island and all, twoo!"

 

[tsatoma]

A quick glare was sent at Peter's remark about what herself and Grana were, but Alaena stayed silent as everyone else spoke around her. There were a few things she felt like addressing, though she decided to not remark on them since it wouldn't be beneficial for her to be antagonistic.

"Look, if any of the families need to be taken out right now it's the Yarrakonas. Inshi is severely injured, he more than likely retreated back to the resort, and I have no idea what he could be planning now. Tozani is easier to know what he's going to do. That is, if you know anything about the man," Alaena stated, looking over at Grana before turning back to everyone else, "There are two ways to do this: split up and have one team deal with each, or just straight up go to one family and take them out first then deal with the other." She found a chair and took a seat, tired from just the travel over to the inn.

 

[GoWithDAFro]

"Let's all go after Inshi first" Yoje offered. "It shouldn't take more than two of us to beat him, but he's going to be heavily guarded if he's at the resort. Only four of us are in good fighting shape, so we might not even be able to reach the bosses if we split up."

 

[Fragrance of Mtn Dew]

Hal was grateful that he wasn't the only one who was stirring up trouble with the gangs as he listened to Grana's story and the following conversation. It didn't help his situation any, but it still felt good to know that he wasn't the sole cause of everything.

He thought very carefully about the decision they had to make before answering. "Yeah I'm with him." He finally said, pointing to Yoje. "No sense in trying to take them both out at once. I mean, they're rivals so they're not gonna be jumping at the chance to go save each others asses." Not to mention if they all stuck together, Hal would be much safer than if he went with a smaller group or stayed behind.

 

[tsatoma]

"I guess we'll be going to the Ivory Resort than," Alaena said after hearing the mutual agreements to go after Inshi and the Yarrakonas first. She excused herself for a moment to leave the room, leaving the crew to themselves. She took the key out of her pocket and inspected it, taking note of the number on it and heading to that room.

Once inside she placed her satchels down on the table. She took a moment to observe the nice room before taking a seat on the bed. The room was certainly more luxurious than the majority she had stayed in, especially within the last few years. Not that she ever complained about the conditions of living that she had to endure, she never complained about her line of work. In the end it was and would be worth it, and that was all she needed. It was dangerous too, but she reasoned with herself that it was better than being back home where she would have to deal with danger of a different kind.

She couldn't hold the tears back after that, sobbing into her hands at everything up to that point. Her choice of work, her family for letting her go before she even knew any better, the damn Marines for letting the two families ruin a city like this, herself for allowing all these injuries to accumulate making her a liability when she should be the one finishing both the families. It all just seemed to much to take, but she choked back anymore tears and wiped her eye. She then went to find something else to change into; digging into her satchel and fishing out a dark, long-sleeved green shirt and another pair of worn-out black pants.

Noting that she'd need to go out and buy an eye patch and a new cloak, she put on her vest and belt, leaving the sash inside the bag for now. She placed her revolver into it's holster before after making sure her knife was put in it's place too. There was a moment after she grabbed her bow and quiver where she stopped outside the door and went to lock it, putting the key back into her pocket and bringing out her brooch she had pocketed earlier. She looked down at it for a few seconds before taking a deep breath and dropping it back into her pocket. With that she rejoined the group and took a seat back where she had been earlier.

"So, when are we going to go?" she asked calmly, looking over at Peter for the answer.

 

[Mr. Omega]

He sat down in front of them. "Ok... well, Inshi is injured and his men aren't in the best shape. So he is the logical choice. That being said, once he's down, we need to strike Tozani pretty quickly. As for getting to Inshi, it should be simple enough to just get his base. Getting to Inshi himself could be a problem. But between all of us, it shouldn't be that hard. Some of us will need to stay behind both to cut off reinforcements and to create an escape route."
[hr]
Inshi had sent his men out of this office. He went to his safe and opened it, walking inside. The safe was lined with barrels, not unlike what one would see in a wine cellar. Two men had remained. "Sir, what exactly is this stuff?" Inshi grunted and used his cane to open a hole in one, pouring into it was what seemed to be a very light, almost glowing blue liquid. "On an island... in the Calm Belt, north of this island... there exists an island. On this island exists an oasis... with water that restores all around it. The trees tower into the skies. The plants are vibrant and intricate. The animals are old and yet spry. I discovered this in my travels... and brought it back. It was by nothing short of a miracle that I could make that voyage once. I have been drinking this for the past 40 years, and in exchange for a meager amount of this a year, that Marine had allowed me to go unopposed on this island..."

He downed a glass of it, getting another and then another once that was done. As he swallowed it, the two men noticed all the bleeding had stopped. His wounds were healing. And he was starting to stand up straight. He turned to them, his eyes foggy and he seemed unaware of things around him. "This rejuvenates the body, yet leaves the senses dull while it is in effect... nobody must enter this room while I am recovering..." he said as he sealed off the safe and sat back in his chair. "You will prepare a retaliation for those who have harmed me..."

The two men saluted "Yes, Oyabun!" The went to the elevator and went downstairs.

 

[GoWithDAFro]

"I can do that, Peter. Fighting thugs will be no problem." Yoje said with a grin. "And once you guys beat Inshi and get out, I'll start clearing a path to Tozani. Like you said, we need to get to him fast, and I can move the fastest here, except maybe for Jacque."

 

[tsatoma]

"I nominate myself for keeping back reinforcements, I can deal with most of them with my bow and arrows. I'll have to find a spot with relatively good cover though since I can't really move around too much in my current state. Wish I could finish Inshi off myself, but it's best to not make myself a burden just for that," Alaena said to the group, making sure that her quiver had all the normal and trick arrows she'd be needing. She had already checked it before leaving her room, but she couldn't help but check them again out of nervous habit.

 

[Fragrance of Mtn Dew]

"Yeah, I think I'm better off holding off the reinforcements as well. Storming bases isn't exactly my strong suit, but if I can set up an ambush and take them by surprise? Well, they'll be dead before they know what hits em." Hal said after pondering which option would be safer for him. Well, the reinforcements might not even show up after all. I think this is a good bet. Alright, Sengetsu. You got me this far. Take me to safety pal! He thought as he unsheathed his sword to check the blade. It was as perfect as when he'd bought it. He'd be getting some good use out of this thing for a long long time.