Flag & Lay Claim!

[shivvymetimbers]

WHO: Bastien Courbis & everyone he's trying to rob
WHAT: Pirates are a dime a dozen but this one is crabbier than most and has blue scales.
WHEN: June 17th
WHERE: Genessia City. (Starts at the Bay and eventually more inland)
WARNINGS: Potential violence, possible swearing, and larceny.


Arrival - The Bay

[You know, this isn't the first time Bastien has woken up in someplace damp and murky. Probably won't be the last time either if he somehow keeps evading Death's cold embrace. Of course he wakes with a start, bumps his head against the roof of this cocoon shaped coffin and then falls right into the water the second he scrambles out of it. The typical ritual for a new arrival, yes? Well, Bastien isn't very pleased with being drenched from head to...fins?]

Oh hell...

[A sigh passes through his lips the second he loses his sea legs in favor for a tail and fins. The high tide rolled right in while he was sleeping. This is normally not a bad thing but Bastien was caught off guard the second he escaped the cocoon. So now he's swimming out of this cave carrying his breeches, boots and everything else with him. To say the least, he's annoyed. Especially since drying will take some time after taking a dip within the water.

He's stuck with the turquoise scales and fins for the time being as he washes up towards the pier. The merman turned pirate tosses his belongings up onto the pier starting first with the boots, then the breeches followed by his favorite tricorn hat. He tries to salvage what's left of the Mao Kun map he stole but the damn thing is so waterlogged that it rips apart.

Thoroughly upset and even a little bit befuddled, Bastien climbs up the pillars slowly but surely until he manages to reach the platform above.]

A fine mess you've gotten yourself into now. [The fishy pirate mutters to himself after finally managing to reach the platform. All that swimming he does blessed him with strong arms even if he looks scrawny.] Where the hell am I? I can't tell east from west---

[He pauses suddenly when he catches someone's gaze]

...Hello? [Bastien stares back in mild horror.] Mind not staring, luv?

It's a little off-putting to say the least

A little bit of Thievery

[Genessia is probably the biggest city he ever seen and then some. Even though it took him a few minutes to dry off after his less than spectacular arrival, Bastien finds himself oddly drawn to the peculiar sights and sounds of the city. It sort of reminds him of Singapore/i> vaguely if only because of the endless crowds. Otherwise than that, he doesn't have much to compare Genessia to since the city itself is an entity unlike any others.

While gazing up at the tall buildings like any wide-eyed tourists, someone bumps right into him. Now Bastien is a patient man or rather is patient enough not to instantly slug someone for trying to run him over. However, he's not exactly very forgiving while stressed out of his damn mind. So when the individual accidentally hits him, Bastien takes the opportunity to pick their pockets.

Whatever he grabs could be as mundane as a couple of coins or something more egregious like someone's entire wallet. Nevertheless, Bastien isn't walking empty handed after having some clown trample over him.]

Sorry about that, mate~ [He states with a cheesy grin as he winks at them. Unlike most pirates, he has most of his teeth minus a few gold plated ones.]

No harm done!

Five Finger Discount

[After pilfering some poor fool's pockets, Bastien decides to treat himself to some new wares. While the money he stole is just enough to get him some much needed food, Bastien still flat broke. That is until the man decides to snatch a few items from neighboring stores and boutiques. So if you see a suspicious man with a tricorn hatreport him. Or maybe if you're feeling a little brave, feel free to apprehend him yourself.

That is if you don't mind getting skewered by his fancy silver and blue hilt sword. Bastien is well armed for a pirate who just washed ashore. While the gunpowder is still wet, he has enough blades on him to compensate. Just be mindful lest you want a dagger at your throat.]

What are ya lookin' at? [The pirate sneers once he catches the gaze of some onlooker.] You best be lookin' at the sky, mate.

Or else.

A Mugging - Late Evening

[It all happens so fast! One minute you're minding your own business and the next you get yanked into an alleyway the second you walk past.]

Your money or your life.

[The demand is quickly followed by the menacing glint of this crazed man's dagger. The cold steel bites at the throat of his victim but doesn't cut it, not yet. Bastien has a steady hand for someone who seems slightly unsteady upon their feet. Adjusting to land after being adrift at sea is a bit of challenge but not one that hinders him.]

I'll ask again. [He presses the dagger harder against their throat.] Your money or your life?

I don't have all evening, luv.

Wild Card

Pick your poison. Feel free to send a PM my way if you want to plot.

Comments

A Mugging

[burnt_offering]

Love, huh? I know I'm cute, but that's a little forward, isn't it? Here you are, demanding things out of me and we just met!

[Ace doesn't seem all that afraid for someone who's been yanked into an alleyway and threatened. Bastien might notice that Ace is abnormally hot, that it might be starting to be uncomfortable just being near to him.

He might want to move that knife. Ace's throat erupts into flames, and the rest of his body soon follows.]

[shivvymetimbers]

The hell!? [The uncomfortable heat was almost enough to make him back off but the sudden explosion of flames definitely does. What sort of sorcery is this!?

[Magic isn't exactly something common in his world but be damned if it doesn't exist. Bastien is living proof of that. While he might seem like your average cutthroat, there's something notably off about this cocky pirate.]

Just my luck that I'll run into some damnable sorcerer.

[He yanks out a second dagger from his coat and and gets into stance. Due to his Southeast Asian roots, Bastien is in possession of two ornate short kris daggers that have that iconic curvy steel blade. These were a gift from his benefactor. He knows them better than the sword he has at his hip but if push comes to shove, he'll switch styles on a fly.]

I'm not scared of a little bit of fire.

[While he doesn't have much of a chance on dry land, Bastien isn't about to shrink away from a fight.]

[burnt_offering]

Aww, you're hurting my feelings. I was love just a minute ago, and now you're rejectin' me. Too bad.

[Bastien isn't off or strange at all to Ace, and even if he saw him in his full glory he wouldn't raise an eyebrow. His home world is a clusterfuck of unique traits, hidden powers, and more. While Bastien might be interesting and powerful, he's just another person as far as how Ace's world goes. And if he can provide a fight worth having? Hmm, maybe he'll be interesting.] Not a sorcerer. Sorry to disappoint. [Any attempt to cut at Ace will end up simply rushing through flames. He does eye the blades approvingly though, how pretty!]

Yeah, I'm not scared of a bit of fire either. Kinda hard to be in my shoes. [Ace knows damn well that there is very little outside of power canceling abilities or a superior fire based power that can mess with his logia abilities. Meaning he can't be touched at all unless he wants to be. But he hasn't had a good fight in a while and he's been wanting someone to burn.

But if his assailant isn't strong enough, it's just not worth the trouble.] I don't know if we're in the same league, if you know what I mean.

Mugging

[swordprincess]

[Karla spends a lot of late evenings strolling down the streets. Perhaps she was still into the habit thanks to her time as a Deputy. But tonight is a bit different from the rest, as she's suddenly yanked into an alley with a knife pressed against her throat. Aside from the initial surprised gasp from suddenly being yanked, she seems oddly relaxed. It shouldn't be hard to see why, with her sword sheathed at her hip. Unfortunately, her current position makes it a bit difficult to draw her sword.]

Now, now, there's no need for that...

[She reaches up to grasp the man's wrist, attempting to push the knife away from her throat.]

[shivvymetimbers]

[A sword, eh? Bastien notices the sword at her hip and makes a mental note not to let her reach for it. Who knows if she's capable with it or not. The pirate doesn't want to risk losing the upper-hand here.]

You're not in a position to state otherwise, lass. [He mumbles while pressing the dagger a little harder against her throat.] The question is simple, luv.

Your money or your life?

[Oh god. He certainly hopes Karma doesn't strike him dead for this. Robbing women is bad luck in his book but he's in a bind. A real bind. He's been stuck in this city all day with no sign of his crew or ship anywhere.]

[swordprincess]

That's...an interesting question...

[Her money or her life? She's got plenty of money so it could hurt to part with some. Her life...she kind of needs that. But what's got this guy in such a bind that he has to resort to threatening? It just ain't right.]

Hold on now... [She's reaching down, patting around her sash.] Do you have a pendant? Are you new here?

Five Finger Discount

[featherknives]

[Xayah usually tends to mind her own business. She really does. She likes to shed blood, of course, and without blinking at that, but not where it's not warranted. The guy that got pillaged probably isn't a spring flower, but stealing? In broad daylight?

Three feathers appear underneath her cape and she gives the guy a dark look from beneath her bangs. She'd leave the guy be- but he had to turn and threaten her and she does not do well with threats.]

Or what? [Xayah steps away from the stall she was checking out and her wing gives and threatening flap behind her.] Did I ruffle some feathers?

[shivvymetimbers]

[Bastien doesn't care what time of day it is since he's in a bit of a mood. The pirate is confident he can outrun the law enforcement here and most of the citizens seem to notice him at all. Or maybe they do and don't care but either way, Bastien is making off like a bandit.

The Karma payback is going to be a hoot and a half but Bastien isn't concerned. He's just gathering "supplies" or so he'll claim.]

You're the only one here sportin' feathers, luv. [The pirate says with a scowl as he reaches for his dagger.] And if you don't get out of here, you'll be cluckin' for mercy.

[Scram, you overgrown hen!]

[featherknives]

[She's not 'most of the citizens'. Hell, she's not a citizen at all, or even a human for that matter. And she enjoys not quite fitting in. And she's right in the thought of not trusting them at all; here or back home, humans are all the same. Prone to violence and destruction.

And, well, she's the type to fight fire with fire.

The feathers that had materialized between her fingers give an ominous, purple glint-]

I'd like to see you try.

[She's not a hen! She's Vastaya! Huff!]

A Little Bit of Thievery

[cadventuretime]

Hey!

[Rotty's reflexes were quick, but even she couldn't respond fast enough to completely prevent Bastien's snatch and run. The best she could do was reach out and grasp the back of his shirt.]

[And doesn't seem to be letting go. Even when the voice of the silhouette of the girl vanishes from view.]

[Should he look back she'd find the girl's arm clinging on, waiting for the moment to scuttle up his back to reclaim her wallet.]

1/2

[shivvymetimbers]

[Bastien lets out an awful cackle once the girl's voice grows distant. While he detests harming the fairer sex, doesn't mean he won't rob them blind. Still, he can't figure out for the life of him why he feels something tugging at him still. The pirate comes to a slow halt and glances behind him.

It seems the green lass is nowhere in sight, so what the heck is---]

2/2

[shivvymetimbers]

Oh bugger...!

[The pirate lets out a shriek loud enough to shake up the entire neighborhood. There's a hand, a severed HAND on his back! It's green just like the weird girl he ran into. Bastien attempts to shake it off but suddenly the accursed thing starts scurrying up his back like some kind of beetle and Bastien can't stop himself from screaming a second time.]

GETOFF!GETOFF!GETOFF!

[The stupid pirate is jumping around like he has ants in his pants. He tries to shake the damn hand off him but it just keeps scuttling about much to his horror.]

[cadventuretime]

[The problem with this trick is it wasn't as though she was magically drawn to her limbs. If she couldn't figure out where it ran off to, she'd have the devil of a time getting a replacement. Fortunately, you could be deaf AND two blocks away and hear Bastien's scream.]

[Rotty's no slouch in running either. With a place to go, she's not long on the scene, a wicked smile coming to her face.]

Aw... look at that. Leftie likes you!

[And, apparently quite intent on yanking every part on Bastien that's yankable. Especially hair.]

Five Finger Discount

[chief_of_staff]

[Yeah, that question was a mistake to ask. Sabo has already been on edge here, what with the events and happenings he'd had to endure the past seven months in his last place of residence (albeit forced) so he has little patience.

And this man with the hat that he finds a bit tasteless, compared to his own, is trying to test the small amount of patience he does have.]

Nothing of value. What are you doing?

[He'll pull the pipe out from his back and take a few steps forward.]

[shivvymetimbers]

None of your business, lad.

[Despite the other looking fairly close to his age, Bastien dares to talk to this man like he's some mere child.]

Do yourself a favor and run along while you can. [He says cockily as he reaches for dagger. The silver blade of his oddly wavy kris dagger is quite unsettling. It was gift from the Madam herself and of course it seen some action over the years.]

Take another step and I'll relieve you of your family jewels.

[He's not joking, tophat. Bastien is feral like a cornered animal at this point. He's tempted to stab first and ask questions later.]

[chief_of_staff]

It's my business now.

[He actually hesitates on whether he should move or not when he gets a good look at that dagger. He'd admittedly not engaged in many fights back in the last place he was in, nor did he train very much; so, he's rusty. Very rusty, and getting into a fight right now probably isn't the best idea.

So, he just stays put, twirling the pipe around in one gloved hand.]

If you did that, there would be at least one very angry man here. Would you want to deal with him?

Five-Finger Discount

[fierybluebird]

[Chuckles.]

[Marco can't help it. It's been twenty-five fucking years since someone pulled this kind of shit with him, and it's kind of nostalgic!! Hell, it's half how he met a few of his brothers like Thatch even!!!]

[He glances Bastien over and checks haki resonance to make sure it's not just a masked version of Shanks or Vegeta's willpower which easily surpassed even Marco's.]

Who's your captain, picaroon?

[Marco isn't a deputy anymore, so he has no pretend responsibility to take care of the people and protect them from other pirates, it's someone else's job now.]

[And while he might not carry himself like a captain, he does have his shirt open brazenly displaying his modified crew tattoo, and an air of immortality that comes off as more than a little cocksure, to say the least.]

Re: Five-Finger Discount

[shivvymetimbers]

Picaroon? [The comment wins a 'tut' of distaste.] I might be a scroundel but I'm my own captain, mate.

[A playful smirk curls onto the pirate's lips as he regards this plucky blond.]

I'm Captain Bastien Courbis, friend. [His grin widens some as he quickly pockets the coins he snatched.] The dreaded "Devilfish" of the Mediterranean and the South China Sea.

[He's quite proud of his titles, okay? Why shouldn't he? Bastien worked hard to win such a lofty reputation even if most of the rumors about him are just lies he started himself back in Singapore. This pirate has traveled through half of the free world pillaging and stealing but the British, the Spanish and the French know him as a 'rebel' who upset their trade in the Far East under Madam Ching's tutelage. The Chinese aren't very fond of him either. If anything, he has a bounty on his head only second to the Madam herself.]

Who mighty you be, blondie? Goldilocks?

[Sassy. Very sassy.]

Five-Finger Discount

[fierybluebird]

Oh? Never heard of you.

[Given he was from another world. But this tended to be Marco's response default anyway. Just ask Shanks' crew.]

[It DOES remind him a LOT of Thatch though, a really really young feral Thatch that is, but it puts Marco in a good mood, and he actually grins right back.]

Hey now, I prefer Pineapple Prince Phoenix Proud Purple Pirate... ehhhh... the last one gets less use around here. More trouble than it's worth. Avoid the men in white coats with red script on their back or gold tassles on the shoulders. [A headtilt. Wait. Did Aokiji or the other one even wear their jackets here??? Even the marines found it pointless!] One of them can neutralize powers, and the other can freeze a whole island in a blink, yoi.

[A shrug.] But they're all semi-retired. Welcome to dullsville. Did you ever have a secret yearning to go straight?

LMAO (A Mugging - Late Evening)

[phoenixstrut]

[She should have been paying much closer attention to her surroundings as she makes her way home from the studio, but the conversation currently taking place on the device in her hand has her far too pleasantly distracted, and she's used to walking home late as it is.

What she isn't quite used to is being suddenly snatched off her path and into a darker alley, especially with a knife at her throat.

Unfortunately for her attacker, quality time with her best friend has only quickened her reaction time, and-

well. That's an elbow (hopefully) slamming into his sternum and a fist aimed directly for his gut as she twists a split second later, knife be damned.]

[shivvymetimbers]

Do I have to repeat myself, dear? [The pirate snaps once he doesn't receive a reply.] Your money of your lif---Oof!

[The second he asks, The woman rams her elbow right into the middle of his chest. Bastien staggers immediately, the knife slips from his grasp and clanks noisily against the pavement. For a brief second, he couldn't breathe. A punch to the sternum is no laughing matter and it's even worse if struck by something harder than a fist. Utterly blindsided by the burning sensation constricting his heart, Bastien is nowhere near prepared for what comes next.]

Waaaiiiit! [He screeches hoarsely.] Just wait a minute! We can talk this out---

[Bastien nearly doubles over once her fist slams right into his gut. The woman literally knocked the air out of him. Gasping for air like a fish out of water, Bastien reaches out towards the adjacent brick wall to keep himself upright.]

Tu te moques de moi?! [He mutters under his breath briefly in French as he tries to breathe. He spent the last few years of his life at Saint Barthelemy after fleeing from the South Pacific. So excuse him if he momentarily curses her the hell out in French.]

A Mugging

[sewingresolve]

[ Hornet's head tilts down, then back up. Despite her eyes being empty, she seems a touch unimpressed - backed up more than a little by the fact that her exoskeleton is making pressuring her into compliance a bit more troublesome than if he were accosting someone with skin. ]

Neither do I, brigand.

[ Her cloak flares as limbs move - two hands behind her brace on the wall of the alley, while four feet strike out in quick succession, aiming for the pirate's gut. ]

[shivvymetimbers]

[WHAT IN THE HECK?! Is that...is that a monster? It certainly looks like a monster but---Oof!

The pirate is completely caught off guard once this humanoid insect literally kicks him with its many limbs. It all happens too fast for Bastien to recover. He goes down fast after those rapid strikes, the wind completely knocked out of him along with his knife.]

J-Jeez! [He crumples up into a ball upon the pavement and whines pathetically.] I-Is everyone in this...godforsaken town some kind of spook or horror!?

[Listen, he's having a real crappy night.]

the bay!

[wasanangel]

[Thankfully Levi missed the fins part. She was struggling herself on this end. After waking up in that container again, oh the memories flooded her mind. Water doesn't affect her beast self, but damn it was annoying becoming drenched in it.

First thing first, she squeezed her long blue hair of any water. Once done, she whipped it back, and continued to squeeze any water off her long skirt. Levi doesn't wear shoes, only silver ankle bracelets.]

This is annoying.

[She remembered her previous life here. Bugs. Yeah. Once she was finally dried, it was time to leave the bay. Outside was when she caught site of the strange pirate. Pirates were common in her world, both human and demons. Levi would be what one described a demon with her long ears.

She heard the pirate spoke, stroke her chin curiously.]

It's Genessia. Like a leap to Hell to say.

[shivvymetimbers]

Is it? [Bastien questions with a wry grin.] If here be hell, then I never known a nicer place.

[He chuckles lightly to himself as he eyes this wispy looking girl. Damn, she has really long hair and it's blue too! That's the first thought that passes through Bastien's mind before he notices her oddly pointy ears. The pirate couldn't help but cock his brow at them.]

You're a pixie? [He questions briefly.] Probably more of an "elf" due to the lack of wings.

[Not that he has ever seen either but the fairy tales always claim that fairies sport wings.]

Genessia? [Bastien frowns some.] I've never heard of any port town sporting that name before.