[FLASHBACK ]Burning Canvas

East Blue:::.
Queen's Bay, Midday, 13:01::.

The large open desert like streets of Queen's bay lay before the citizens of Queen's bay. Empty with numerous bazars the thieves were on the rise and the con men were beginning to form a reputation. As the sun settled behind a nice large set of darkened clouds a few drops of rain begun to crash down over Queen's bay. It was about time and not only would the thieves be thankful for providing a distraction but the citizens and farmers who'd failed so miserably in their endeavours.

A naval presence was requested to increase within the town especially the bazar due to the amount of fights breaking out & thefts, however not much help seemed to be on the way, but there was one marine who'd arrived and spent a little time within the surrounding towns. It was just a shame he was far too lazy.

This marine was Colton Ryker and he just came for the art which lined the walls of the alleyways. It was a thing of beauty and despite it being a crime, it was something he wasn't ready to arrest someone for. There was one piece he was seeking and as of the moment hadn't been fortunate enough to lay eyes upon it.

The piece was a large wall of which there were so many different pieces of art scattered over it from years gone by dating back to the era the pirate king was still alive and well.

Mishi dabbed her forehead with a handkerchief, it really was too hot here. It felt like she was melting. Absolutely, stupidly hot. She needed to get to some shade soon, luckily she was on her way. This place was a goldmine for criminals like her- barely any law enforcement, barely any marines, rampant crime. If she wanted to burrow herself into the Five Families, she’d have to start somewhere. She had, in fact, been somewhere- until Takao and Billy shoved her off to the Grand Line, now everyone’s forgotten about her. Well, not EVERYONE, but still. She wouldn’t be here if she had a substantial amount of contacts to get her anywhere for the best stuff. Buy here, sell a few islands down the line. She already had some stuff for this place, which she intended to make a profit on. But first, thief bazar.
 
Through the winding alleyways, thankfully shaded, she zoomed. Coming straight from the Grand Line made her feel almost invincible. She felt faster and stronger than anyone else. She shook her head away from the thought, that’s how you get caught. She got so caught up in her inner monologue, she lost track of where she was going, quickly finding herself lost. Dammit. A few months ago she’d know this place like the back of her hand. Did they change the architecture? She hurried along the winding passageways until she turned a corner, bumping into a man with dreadlocks. Skinny, must be a kid, actually. “Ooof! Hey, watch where you’re going, kid!” She grunts, then complains, frowning at the man, placing her hands on her hips, frowning. Can’t you see I’m busy, here?”

Exploring the alleys taking in all the word had to show in terms of it's beauty and the wonderful artwork of which Colton kept finding, he was suddenly interrupted by the sound of feet and another body slamming into him. The speed was enough to knock him from his feet, but not quite knock him to the ground. Stumbling a little the lazy deadlocked soldier turned to face the weight that barged into him and raised an eyebrow as he rubbed his arm a little.

Sighing Colton shook his head. He wasn't sure as to why she'd barged into him, but he reached for his pockets to check nothing had been taken. By the looks of it nothing had been, but even if something had been they would've gotten away with a couple of coins equalling to a total of two beli and an empty packet of beef jerky. Shrugging the incident off Colton continued on his way from the alley and made his way from the wall of beasts which had been painted on and found his way further down an alley to another wall of art work.

Stepping around the corner and down a couple of steps Colton's eyes caught sight of something which puzzled him. The wall seemed to be missing a piece of art. The wall had a portion that was void of art despite the large piece around it which looked to be a backdrop for something. The only question was what?

Raising an eyebrow and taking a few steps to inspect it Colton heard another set of foot steps and turned to look back towards the lady with pink hair who'd charged into him moments before hand thinking it'd be her again.

Mishi frowned at him some more, giving the evilest glare she could, but it looked like he wasn't even paying attention. He was just patting himself down- was he assuming her a pickpocket? She huffed as he walked away, but now wasn't the time to teach him some manners. Teaching a kid some manners. Since when did she even do that? Either way, she was too busy for him. Time to move on, at least there weren't any marines to be called, looked like she had knocked the child off his feet. She walked away in the opposite direction.


Still boiling hot. She wasn't used to this kind of heat, she noted for the fiftieth time since coming here. She was dreading the next voyage, but it had to be done. Back to finding the Thieves Bazzar. What was the entrance again? She glanced at the graffiti which lined the walls. Some looked good, others were just amateur. SHE could draw better. Not that she'll try.


She stepped a corner, and SMACK! Right into another person. This one barrelled over completely. "I swear to.. Watch where you're-" She began, only to catch a glint of steel. Mugger. Pickpocket. Danger. Run. Crapcrapcrap." She muttered under her breath as she turned heel and ran off in the opposite direction. She heard calls, he was pursuing. This wasn't the Thieves Bazzar. Therefore, she was as much a target as anyone else. Or was that elsewhere? Either way, she was running.

Turning to catch sight of the individual Colton watched as the multicoloured foot of an individual sprinted past him down an alley and just out of sight. Curious as to the multi coloured foot and the speed of the individual Colton stepped sideways allowing him to peer down the alley.

Only able to see a man in a black trench coat Colton dismissed this and decided not to worry about it. This shouldn't be a concern of his. Not now whilst he was on holiday. But regardless of that he was still very curious about the person shaped missing piece of this mural. It just didn't make sense.

Scratching his chin Colton turned on his heel and begun heading towards the town leaving the vibrant colourful alleyways. There were still sounds of foot steps near by, but he decided to take no notice of them. This was a holiday and most importantly this was his holiday and he would do what he wanted and only what he wanted. Nothing else really mattered.

Nothing until the girl with pink hair was seen shooting past him with what appeared to be a frightened air about herself. Turning to see why Colton lazily spun around to see her pursuer.

Sighing once more Colton raised his left hand lazily barely opening up his palm raising his fingers.

Whoever this guy was he needed to understand that chasing people wasn't the way to get what you wanted.

Serpent Spit I

Mishi ran, and ran, and continued running. She couldn't speed up, due to the winding alleyways, she may run into someone again, and that someone might be a little more ready to "deal" with people than the one behind her is.  Who's to say he hasn't got a partner? She kept an eye out for escapeways into the main bazaar, eventually she'll be able to escape or be forced to fight the guy. Damn, today was hot. She was sweating, running wasn't even that exerting, it felt like more of a powerwalk to her. But the sun was blazing above her in judgement, sometimes a wall blocked it, sometimes she felt its full rays.


Well, it may not have been the fruit she wanted, but it's the fruit she's got. Her fingers began to tingle a little as she willed them into mochi, small clattering sounds came from her arm as it slowly turned from a normal, flesh a sticky substance capable of holding down a strong human. She just had to wait a little while as it travelled up her arm, clenching it into a fist. She didn't will her clothes with it, however, as that'd just betray her having a trump card. She flicked the sleeve over her now-practically-invincible (as far as she was aware) arm to shroud it from view.

She past the kid from earlier, maybe a meatshield? She glanced behind herself, ducking behind a corner as she observed. She blinked as he shoved a bunch of stuff into the pursuer, looked like flaming embers? Ash? Somethign else? either way, it seemed he had a fruit just like her. "I suppose it won't hurt to follow him." She murmured to herself quietly, who knows? Maybe he'll lead her to where she needs to go. Either way, the mugger was probably down for the count or gone, she wasn't interested in him.

Watching as the scorching embers blasted into the pursuer's face Colton heard coughing followed by sounds of grunting. He wasn't particularly sure if his attack had stopped the pursuer or simply stunned him but either way he wasn't too bothered. Stepping forward he could see the pursuer still on his feet seemingly struggling to breathe.

Placing a hand on his throat Colton quickly thrusted the gentleman to the ground landing him on the ground on his back.

Turning from the pursuer and pass his glance towards the mural on the wall, Colton turned his attention to the lady with pink hair. Approaching her Colton offered her his hand as she seemed to be a damsel in distress.

Although basing things on the past experience he'd had with her mere moments ago, she very well may have just barged into this man as well and he may not have been as forgiving. Or she could've pick pocketed him.

Either way this wasn't Colton's place to worry. He was on holiday.

"You okay?" Colton asked offering his hand to Mishi.

As for the mysterious figure who'd run from Colton earlier. He wondered if he'd see him again or if he was even the artist who'd been responsible for these astounding pieces. If so then Colton would have a few choice words for him.

Mishi peered around the corner. The mugger looked to be having a load of trouble breathing due to the burning substance in his face. Probably ash, if she remembered correctly, Logias were fruits that gave elemental properties, able to turn into and endlessly generate an element. Where did she put her devil fruit book again? She really needed it right now. Must be ash. Definitely ash. Or a weak firem but then there wouldn't be those little pieces. Definitely ash.

Alright. Back to business. She had to figure out a way to benefit from this. Even if there wasn't really anything to be found, she may as well use it as practice. after all, she has to get back into the game anyway. Should she just follow the guy, see where he leads? Or make an ally out of him? She peeped around the corner again. Looks like the mugger got grounded. She moved back behind the corner. Okay. thinking time. Follow or befr- She jumped as a sudden hand appeared in her point of view, as well as a voice. He knew where she was. Befriendbefriendbefriend!

She took his hand, allowing him to help her up to her feet. "Er.. Thanks.. Sorry for uh, bumping into you earlier." She says, putting on a more friendly air as she closes her eyes, willing out a large sweatdrop. The blush wasn't acted, and to a lesser extent the sweatdrop, after all; it was hecking hot out here. "My name's M.." She began. No real names. ..arla. Marla." She stated. Of course, this kid doesn't look like any kind of authoritive figure, so she was most likely safe. If she were lucky (or unlucky), he could guide her to the Thieves Bazzar.

Feeling the soft touch of Marla upon his fingers, Colton helped her to her feet. As a marine it was his duty to serve civilians, but as a general all round half decent person it was just the kind thing to do. As the lady mentioned her name was Marla she appeared a little shaken by a stutter which was understandable given her current situation in which some guy had tried mugging her. He couldn't quite say he felt bad for her though. Not because he was distanced from the situation with exception from the final confrontation, but because he didn't really know all the details. But regardless when one comes at another with malicious intent or looks as if he does it's easy to tell apart who the victim is and who the aggressor is.

Smiling back at Marla as she thanked him and apologised for bumping into him earlier, Colton thought to himself about the person he'd seen earlier and wondered if Marla had seen where they had headed. Trying to remember any little detail about them Colton was pulling out blanks. He could remember a trench coat, but that could just as easily be a cape.

"It's no problem. This might sound a little strange, but you haven't happened to see a gentleman running around these alleyways in a trench coat or a cape have you?"

Questioning Marla he understood how peculiar this question may come across but genuinely felt as if there were something to investigate with this gentleman as innocent people didn't run and why was there a chunk of art missing from the wall. Unable to fully figure out what was going on, Colton hoped he could find some answers and figure it out.