Serious: Strangers

East Blue, Orange Town::.
12:00 PM::.

Breaking free from the dead of night a glowing morning sun rips into the sky screaming to the world it's day time, a time to wake from the short death and get busy once more like the day before. Ships in the ocean blue feel this and the waves which rock their ships.

Awake and ready for the day ahead the naval ships in the bay and even soldiers in the academy get to their feet ready to start their patrols and hopefully put a bad guy away. But who knows? Heading into the town and splitting up groups of young qualified Naval soldiers each one finds their own way into the town in search of criminals. Some pass the shops up ahead, others wander the market stalls.

And a few make their way past the Tango Talons.

Behind these closed doors and large wooden walls made from Sinpant Pear wood hide the a few the soldiers seek for. A team of five pirates. Notorious, rotten, foul mouthed, sons of bitches people wouldn't dare mess with.

Standing before these monsters is the lowly courier whose been forced to deliver a package for them and knows his ultimate fate when the job is completed. With pee streaming down his leg and his legs shaking in his little boots he can't quit keep his composure.

"You are to deliver the package to a Mister Pallah, he should be waiting for you in the harbor wearing a red coronation. Once you've handed over the package he will hand you another package which you are to deliver back here to us. Just to make sure you don't run into anyone who might pose a threat such as a Marine or you don't try to run off, Gring-Gott will be going with you."

Looking into the shadows hearing the sound of a laugh the courier reached up to wipe some sweat away from his forehead. In the shadows a lo rumbling laugh made its way out as did something which moved.

Nodding the courier could feel cold hard glares as many eyes made light work staring at him with such excitement and curiosity.

"Can I ask where the package is?" the courier asked trembling as he did so.

From directly in front of himself a small package wrapped up in brown paper landed on the ground before him. Bending over to pick it up the courier lifted the package up realizing it was heavier than it looked. As curious as he was to open it and search inside he knew it would be his undoing.

"And this goes to Mister Pallah at the harbor?"

"That is correct. You best head out before you miss him."

Nodding the courier turned to head out of the door with the package in hand.

"Gring-Gott, you know the drill."

Heading out of the door after the courier Gring-Grott made sure to keep an eye on the courier of whom should do a good job keeping out of people's ways.

With the streets so full of life and various markets on display it was a wonder no one got lost but not so much a surprise people lost allot of belongings such as beli mainly. Thankfully some people never had any beli and for those who didn't it was a pain when such delicious food stared right into the souls of a starving young man who'd been at sea for such a long time.

Looking at the market stall with kebabs roasting over an open flame was a young man with a belly so hungry it's roars could be mistaken for a dragon. Drools clung to his mouth dripping almost forming a puddle. As his belly made a small sound and he leaned forwards in hunger he watched a Naval soldier walked past glancing down at him before giving him a dirty look.

Shrugging off the dirty look quickly it was made obvious that he didn't care what anyone thought of him. The only thing that mattered right now was food and food was going to get in his mouth one way or another.

Reaching up to the stall and slipping his fingers around one of the kebabs he snatched it free and opened wide for the first chunk of meat.

"PUT THAT DOWN!" a voice shouted to which the hungry young lad looked for the source as a chunk of meat met his stomach and filled him with joy.

Standing a mere four meters away was a seaman recruit who had caught the young lad stealing. Angrily pointing his finger at him he drew attention to the boy from the stall owner who had been busy preparing a few more kebabs with his back turned.

"Are you going to pay for that?" the owner asked as he placed his hips on his sides and looked into the hungry eyes of the young lad.

"Geez, you guys need to loosen up." a voice said as a few coins fell onto the table. Raising his head and looking to see whose money fell on the table the young lad saw a man in a blue waistcoat with messy hair.

"That should be enough, just let the poor guy eat in peace."

Smiling as he saw the meat paid for the young lad watched the man in the blue waistcoat walk past him and down the street past the Marine who was a little shocked.

"Thank you!" he shouted after the man before making his way from the stalls into an alleyway. He didn't want any more trouble with the Marines nor the stall owner. Not that he now had his hands on a kebab.

The waves had been harsh on the ship for the last push of the journey but with a new day already begun and the sun waking up to join those whose days started an hour or two earlier, Sierra pulled herself up one last time. Her legs pulling her weight up to complete a small morning workout she felt the sweat trickle down from her forehead and grinned as her body limply fell allowing her to hang loose.

Looking ahead she could see a town up ahead. Smiling she felt a relief to be getting off of the ship as it had been a pretty nasty three days aboard. Letting go with her legs she quickly allowed herself to drop down on to the deck and landed on her feet as she'd manoeuvred her body mid air.

Quickly making her way to the wheel and directing her father's ship into the docks at the edge of town she made haste to lower the anchor. Before she knew it the ship was docked and the sun was only just rising over her ship.

Smiling and wiping the sweat from her forehead away she rushed into her room aboard the ship to quickly wash herself down and change her clothes. This was a new town, a new start and best of all a new adventure. Snatching up her belt & bolt which she strapped to her hand she bounded off of the ship and on to the deck with helmet & goggles too.

Rushing into the town she felt a sense of glee along with the ever present weight of her astonishing breasts which bounced around beneath a sheet of white which was her tank top. With a hearty grin over her face she watched as the town started to unfold itself into a number of streets leading left, dead ahead and right.

Looking up at the signs she read over them all trying to figure out what her best course of action would be. According to the sign dead ahead was home to a few sights such as a museum and the Naval academy. To the right was more of a residential area and left was where not only a delicious smell was coming from but also where all of the stalls selling food were too.

Her mind was made up and she was ready to get her hands on some food for thought and for the journey. Mindlessly running down the street she spotted a few Marines who appeared to be busy making their presence known in the town.

She'd already experienced their authority and generosity once and wouldn't be too fond of accepting it once more. Not even if they would be a little kinder due to her large breasts.

Spotting a man carrying a package heading in her direction she smiled at him. He looked a little shaken up and uncomfortable, but only lord knew why.

Feeling the looming eyes of Gring-gott watching him the courier couldn't have felt more so at risk than safe. Everyone seemed to be staring at him even if they weren't and the package felt as if it were burning a hole in his pocket.

The fear which had buried itself deep within him was now getting worse and he felt as if he were potentially about to have a heart attack from the fear. Hopefully not though. As he package he held in his hand grew slightly more moist from the sweaty palms he had due to the nerves he changed hands.

Looking ahead breathing deeply the courier thought to himself about how he could escape all of this. but with Gring-Gott he wasn't so sure he could escape. His time was limited and soon he would be dead.

He wanted to cry a little but didn't think he could. Making his way further down the street he could hear his own heart beating wildly in his chest and feel the arm pits of his shirt begin to grow moist. It was a disgusting feeling but not one he could avoid. A pretty blonde girl was seen walking in his direction and she even shared a smile with him to which he ignored.

The fear was too great and his cowardice even more so. Moving quickly down the street he suddenly felt a pain in his chest and had to stop. Pausing momentarily however, was news to Gring-gott.

As for the man in the blue waistcoat, he stopped off at a notice board and took a look at the wanted posters which littered it. So many crooks, with such high bounties. And best of all he still had his own mark to mark on this planet.

Out of the bounties on the board there was one for Reath O' Hara. A notorious marksman and captain of the Sundance Pirates. A total of 32,000,000 Beli.

Another was Shang Sheenan Captain of the Dogheart Pirates with a bounty of 29,000,000.

Next up was Gring-gott. A beast of a man or so he looked in his picture with a bounty of 18,000,000 Beli.

The man closed his eyes and stated to day dream about his bounty poster and how it might look.

Josh Wynter 100,000,000 Beli.

Feeling a foot suddenly step on his own Wynter opened his eyes to see a man with sweaty arm pits running past him. He'd stepped on his foot and more hit him in the chest slightly as he made his way past him.

It hurt a little but he wasn't too bothered about it. Turning to continue walking Wynter was stopped by a hulking creature which seemed to come from nowhere.

Looking up at the creature he raised an eyebrow and turned his head to look at the bounty poster. He was certain it was.

Turning back he felt the large meaty hand of Gring-Gott the grotesque knock him aside. With his feet no longer touching the ground but his torso, face and legs against a brick wall, Wynter pulled away slightly pained and dusty. He dusted himself down and looked onwards at Gring-Gott who was giving chase to the man who'd stepped on his feet.

Gring-Gott the Grotesque was right. The large creature who was a full 8ft tall with a hunched over body and a belly like a boulder he really was grotesque. Right from the pig nose and concave face & large deeply embedded eyes to the fungi ridden toes.

Wearing a leather harness which went over his torso with steel shoulder pads and knee pads he must be some kinda of wrecking ball Wynter thought to himself.

Rolling his sleeves up and wiping his forehead due to the overwhelming heat, Wynter made his way towards Gring-Gott and the direction he'd run in. He may not have been looking for a crew member like Gring-Gott but if he was one, maybe he'd know where to find some crew mates.

With the strange nervous man making his way past Sierra continued down her route. Her belly had made a few quiet monstrous sounds and the stalls she'd passed making her way into the food district wouldn't cut it. She was looking for a nice big proper meal.

Something to really fill her belly and her ship for the journey ahead.

Thinking about what might await her ahead a smile filled her face. She wasn't a huge food person but when hunger sets in, well you can't help but dream. Stepping on a loose rock Sierra slipped a little and was snapped out of her day dream to realize all the men in the surrounding area had their eyes on one thing. Well except for the big guy in the corner with his hand in a bowl of nachos.

Everyone bar him, had their eyes solely focused on her breasts. Rolling her eyes Sierra begun to spin her bolt around giving them a little preview of what she had in store for anyone who dared take things further.

Grinning as she saw their eyes begin to search for a new sudden interest she spotted a stall which sold all kinds of large baguettes filled with any thing you could think of. Glaring at them she pointed to two and forked over a good few beli.

Walking away she quickly made work on the first which was made up of ham sliced up hard boiled egg, lettuce and tomatoes. The second she'd keep for later whilst she hunted for bigger shops.

Hopefully she would find herself a nice big place to buy stacks of steaks and some fresh fruit with vegetables.

Giving chase to Gring-Gott as he maliciously hunted down the courier Wynter was able to follow the large cracks left in the pavement from his feet and sheer leg strength. 

The guy was clearly strong and physically a big guy. But that wasn't something to stop Wynter. He was determined to have words with the guy. It wasn't everyday someone knocked you out of the way and into a wall. But it also wasn't every day when you paid for a stranger to eat. 

It was turning out to be one of those kinda days where weird things happen and no one really cares till it affects their own lives.

Running into a dead end the courier carrying Shang's package stopped standing before the large wall and started to cry. With tears streaking down his cheeks he dropped the package. 

He needed help but as far as he could see nothing was in sight. He didn't stand a chance. With a large shadow appearing over him the courier gulped as the looming presence of Gring-Goot approached. 

Cracking his knuckles as he got loser Gring-Gott's mouth turned into a grin and his eyes narrowed. Pleased with himself Gring-Gott reached for a large metal meat hook which hung from his trousers and begun to spin it among his fingers. 

"Gur-sha Gur-sha, think you can escape me clutches." Gring-Gott spoke finishing with a snort. Spitting to the left a large glob hit the wall before he returned his attention to the spinning meat hook in hand. 

Using one end to fling the package up into the air Gring-Gott dragged the other end up towards the bottom of the courier's jaw. Catching the package in his free hand he held the pointed tip at the courier's lower jaw. 

"Gur-sha Gur-sha. Think you can steal from Shang's family d'ya?! HUH!? No body steals from us."

Feeling pressure build up on his bottom jaw the courier gulped closing his eyes. Despite the agonizing pain he just hoped if he were about to die that it'd be quick & peaceful.

"Hey Gringo!" a voice called from behind catching Gring-Gott's attention. Turning to see the owner Gring-Gott removed the meat hook leaving a small cut with blood slowly slinking it's way out. 

"Gur-sha Gur-sha. What you been doin' here?"

"I don't take too kindly to bein' thrown around cause I'm in the way. I'm not a rag doll."

Clenching his fists tightly as Gring-Gott rolled his eyes Wynter spotted his target and made like a bull. 

Life Return: Nervous System Shocker

As the two clashed, Wynter found his fully charged fist with a hell of a voltage on it make contact with Gring-Gott's meaty fist.

A few grunts of pain could be heard and even seen deep within the eyes of Gring-Gott. As their fists clashed and the two declared themselves enemies, Wynter felt the voltage leaving his body and watched as it sent Gring-Gott in to minor spasms.

With a belly full of food and another sandwich waiting to be chewed up and digested Sierra eagerly hunted the shops for some food. Excited to see what new cuisines such a place had in store for her she picked up a little bit of everything including recipe books. She was no stranger to cooking, but neither was she a season chef.

Sierra was able to follow simple instructions given she understood them. But she'd be allot happier if she'd been travelling with an actual chef. Someone who could actually cook and actually knew what would and wouldn't go together. As far as she was concerned she'd be mixing random spices, herbs and god knows wheat else to try and find the right recipe for whatever it was she'd be eating later.

That's how cooks did it right?

Among her hunt she discovered a small stall which sold duck, chicken, ostrich, alligator, bull & deer meat which she happily took a few steaks of each.

With her bags growing heavy and her ship currently quite a distance away Sierra, decided now was a good time to head back. Get back to her ship store away the hopefully delicacies she'd purchased and maybe a little later stop off for a night cap before returning home and setting sail early next morning.

The sun was already beginning to descend a little on this fine town an in a few more hours it'd be time for dinner and a bit of booze to numb her now aching shoulders.

Passing the signs she'd read earlier to direct her to the food stalls Sierra noticed a few cracks in the paving below her feet and raised an eyebrow. It must've taken some doing. Shrugging it off she continued down the street feeling the weight of her bags and her breasts really putting a strain on her.

Huffing and puffing as she continued along she finally felt a break was necessary. Dropping down the supplies and taking a quick breather she stretched out her arms and back. It wasn't time to be struggling along, she'd most likely cripple herself and that wouldn't help anyone.

Looking up at the clouds she held her hand over her eyes to avoid being blinded by the glorious golden sun which shone down over the town.

As far as she could tell the day would remain sunny which was a good thing.

Whilst she waited for her body to recuperate and a sudden surge of energy to return to her body Sierra heard the distinct sound of a manly scream from a near by alleyway. It assaulted her ear with it's rough raw call and as curious as she was and interested to see the source as well as the result, so much so she actually took about five steps.

She realized that the food left on the side was too big a prize for a would be thief.

Turning around and looking at her collection she realized that she couldn't just leave it.

Returning and hoisting it upon her shoulders and gripping tightly in her hands Sierra continued back towards her ship ignoring the calls of a manly creature in such agony. With the docks in sight and more importantly her ship, she could see that her journey back home to her lovely little ship was almost over.

As a scream reached into the sky, Gring-Gott fell to his knees. The scream and shock seemed to have taken quite a bit out of him. Wynter took a step back as Gring-Gott hit the ground with his knees. Still standing quite a bit taller than him, Wynter took advantage of the stunned Gring-Gott.

Life Return: Stomach Acid

Using life return to bring up stomach acid, Wynter opened wide launching out a large glob of steaming hot stomach acid. Headed straight for the face of Gring-Gott it ouched upon his eyes and nose bridge.

Splattering over his face in a display so disgusting Gring-Gott grunted before the burns burrowed in deep and his eyes shot open as did his mouth. The pain too great he slammed his hulking fists on the ground and screamed in Wynter's direction.

"Gur-sha Gur-sha! It burns! It burns!"

"That's the idea. But if it burns so much, let me cool it down for ya."

From behind the monstrosity that was Gring-Gott the courier cowered in fear against the dead end. He watched through a few open fingers and the assailant thrashed around in pain. As much as he wanted to run for his life a bigger part of him couldn't muster up the courage to move an inch.

Life Return: Body Heat: Frozen Fist

Charging towards Gring-Gott Wynter threw himself towards a wall which he kicked off of to elevate himself near enough to a height for Gring-Gott's face.

With an icy fist hardened and frozen like an iceberg he decided to deal out a nice refreshing blow to Gring-Gott that might just stop him from being in such agony from the burning sensation.

Slamming his fist downwards into his nose bridge between the eyes Gring-Gott hit the ground landing on his back unconscious. With blood shooting from his nostrils and staining his torso Wynter landed on the ground in front of him with his back to the courier.

Heating up his hand so he could move it again he turned to the courier.

"Sorry if that was your friend, but I don't appreciate being push out of the way. Anyway have a good day."

Wynter smiled and waved to the courier before making his way out of the alleyway.

Stunned and shocked by what he'd just witnessed the courier got to his feet and picked up the package meant for delivery.

Looking at Gring-Gott then at Wynter who was leaving the courier approached him with package in hand.

"Excuse me, mister!"

Turning to see the courier who seemed much less terrified, Wynter raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Yea?"
"I just wanted to thank you,"
"Oh wasn't he your-"

The courier shook his head as he clutched the package tightly.

"Oh, well your welcome then I guess."
"I don't have much, but I'd like you to have this."

The courier offered Wynter the package which he looked at curiously and took in his hands to get a feel for it.

"Thanks, but what is it?"
"Your problem now!" the courier shouted from a distance. Turning to look him in the eye Wynter saw the courier he'd just saved the life off on his way to make a safer lifer for himself.

He was gone as quickly as could be and left to hold he package now, was Wynter who started ripping into it. Beneath the paper packaging had been a wooden box.

Opening it up Wynter didn't quite understand how this was a problem as inside the box there were a large series of bills adding up to a grand total of 5,000 Beli.

Grinning Wynter slammed the box shut and gripped it tightly.

With this money he could find a nice spot to spend the night or find himself a ship. Leaving Gring-Gott in the dust Wynter made his way back into town.

However the man who'd been waiting for the package at the docks, Mister Pallah checked his watch. By the looks of things Shang and his delivery team were running late.

Reaching for his den den mushi Pallah was ready to make the call to inquire where his payment was when he laid eyes on what he would consider the prettiest delivery girl he'd seen as of yet.

Lowering the den den mushi and stepping forward with open arms Pallah was ready no just for his money but to cop a feel as well.

"I was just wondering where you were. About to call your boss I was, but here you are. Five minutes late, but with beauty such as yours I'm sure I can look past it."

The rubbing on her shoulders quickly kicked back in and she knew that she'd have red sore marks but it would be something she'd have to look past. The ship was only a short walk and these supplies were ready to meet their new homes just as much as Sierra was ready to sit her ass down and enjoy a nice drink.

The sun despite being nice could be a real bastard when exerting oneself. And with a bit of sweat running down her forehead and from her armpits the sudden words which came her direction from what she saw as a weird man  weren't hugely believed but were appreciated a little.

Looking at the mystery man who started talking to her, she dropped her bags and pulled a questioning face as she looked at him.

"Eh? What you talking about?"

Sierra hadn't heard something talk such perverted gibberish in a while but now that she was hearing it again and here, she had to admit she was a little creeped out a more so worried that someone had got the wrong person and she was them.

"Sorry, I don't follow."

By this point she was a little more worried as the man closed in and reached for a hug. Stepping back and tightening her fist just in case she replied.

"I think you've got the wrong person."

"Wrong person? I don't think so, with all of those bags, I can't see how I've got the wrong person. You must be the one, the delivery girl from Shang."

Adamant that this mistake was correct Pallah noticed the lady stepped back from the hug and understood.

"Ah I see, you wish to keep things strictly business. Okay, okay, okay. We will keep things strictly in the business. I assume these ones of the ground must be mine? Nice cover. I like it very much. Keep things away from prying eyes. I had many many MANY eyes on me today. And that has just been the ladies. HA! No I joke. Many Navy dogs watching me they have been. I take these bags and I'll leave you the package. Very good way to deal. I like the way Shang businesses. He does it well."

Reaching for the two bags on the ground that Sierra had dropped at the sight and mention of himself, Mister Pallah grinned being able to get so close and peer at Sierra from below upwards. With a bust so large and wondrous he could only imagine who the lucky man was that got to touch them.

As for Wynter with the box of beli he was ready to get himself a few supplies himself. Heading to the nearest bar he figured this was as good a place to find crew mates as any. Quickly falling in a tavern by the name of Red Lion, he was quickly seated at the bar.

An order of Applejack's frosty cider was placed in front of him by the buxom bar maid with red curly locks who explained the first one was free for new customers.

I'm already loving this place. Wynter thought to himself.

Snatching up the applejacks and taking a large gulp Wynter felt it hit him hard. And he wasn't ready to stop anytime soon. He was just getting started and things were going to be getting good. Turning around and looking at the patrons he tried to spot a few rough looking characters before he heard the sound of the bar maid once more. Swiveling around on the stool two more times due to how fun it was he finally faced the bar maid.

"Having fun there are we?"
"Maybe a little too much sssh."
"So what brings you into town mister? You look a bit young if you don't mind me saying."
"I am young. But that's not why I'm here."
"Oh well why are you here then? What're you doing here in Orange town? Not starting any fights I hope." the bar maid chuckled.
"Well it's a bit too late for that. I already had one of them. Some guy threw me out of the way so I had to teach him a lesson."
"Well. . . as long as you bring no trouble my way we'll have you in here."

Nodding Wynter finished his applejack and ordered another. Sliding it before him the bar maid smiled at Wynter and placed his money in the till.

"Although on a serious note, I am here with an intention."
"And that might be?"
"I'm looking for some crew mates."
"Oh you're a pirate are you?"
"Yea . . . well, well, well, not yet. But I will be. Once I find meself a crew of course heh."
"Well I've no problem with you bein' a pirate, but just don't be bringing any problems with you into this here place. I've worked hard to give it a respectable name."

Signalling an okay symbol to her Wynter finished his second drink and asked for a third which landed in front quickly along with the money which the bar maid snatched up.

"You wouldn't happen to know where I might find some crew mates would you?"
"I know a few places."

Perking his ears up Wynter was ready to meet his new potential crew mates and prove to them he was fit to be their captain.