Number One Private Eye (Ottosaix and *Click*)

[☆彡 Youniverse]

Ah, Serine city.

A beautiful city with an ugly community, despite it's captivating looks, the crime rate in this city is quite high. Luckily the law enforcement team placed here are quite skilled at their job and are no slackers when it comes to chasing down criminals. Noland knew this place was dangerous, he knew that this city was filled with criminals lurking around every corner however he just couldn't resist the city's looks. It would make for wonderful pictures and wonderful stories, it truly was a city packed with adventure. Though Noland hasn't really taken any sweet city pictures yet since most of the time the people wandering around the city would ask for a pictures of themselves and Noland, being the kind and honest young man that he is, would just have to accept their requests. However it was getting kind of annoying, every corner he turned he's always be asked for a "quick picture" which would end up taking 10 minutes. He decided to hide his camera for now and only to take it out when he needed it or he'd just end up spending all of the day snapping pictures of complete strangers.

Deciding that he needed a little break from all these requests, he decided to pop into a cafe. Ordering a black coffee, he would go to the seat located beside the window and wait. Boy, being a photographer wasn't as easy he'd thought. Noland would stare out the cafe's window and just observe the city's amazing architecture, he could feel it, an article on this city would get him quite the decent amount of money. If only there were more islands in the North Blue as spectacular as this one... maybe there was and Noland just needed to go out there and find it. The very thought of it sent chills down the young photographer's spine. Noticing his disgusting reflection in the window, he decided to quickly tidy himself up a bit. He fixed his tie, buttoned his shirt and gave his hair a quick comb. Now that he actually thought about it, Noland was running really low on money, he could hardly take care of himself let alone have a roof over his head. Though things would take a turn after this article, things would really start looking his way.

Once he had finally received his order, he thanked the waiter and took a small sip.

"Black... not again." he would say to himself as he swallowed the dull flavor of the coffee before staring at the darkness which filled the cup.

Noland always had a habit of ordering black coffee, he really wasn't a fan of it however it was the only thing which would keep him awake for the day to come. It was a love hate relationship. Ah well, taking another sip, he would look out the window once more. Just you wait, once he was done with this coffee, he'd snap all sorts of pictures of this stunning Serine city.

Oh and he'd have to dig his empty pockets for some money to pay for it...

[The Shimmering Banana]

The gentle underwater current flowed over her skin as she swam through the cool waters of the North blue. No real destination in mind, and not many positions, a few chemicals stowed away in a waterproof bag strapped to her back. The young lady had been swimming all night following the natural flow of the sea until now. Her eyes opened wide as the land mass became visible, "Which island is that?" Shimmer questioned as she quickly approached the isle. With her body sore from the constant swimming it didn't really matter the young Fish Woman needed a rest and decided to stop here. She looks up towards the surface, the mid day sun shimmering through the water, then flaps her arms forcefully one time sending her quickly towards the surface. Her entire body leaving the sea, droplets of water falling back into the sea as the girl glide towards the land. Her feet firmly planted on the ground she looks around letting out a large yawn. "Man I'm tired" she says her lower two arms resting on her waist, " I wonder where I am?" she continued to question herself as one of her upper arms reached up to scratch her head. Shimmer began to look around a few local people staring at the woman as she pondered where she was.

This could be a bad situation for the young lady. Being a Fish Woman she was a natural target for slavers and people who just didn't like fish folk. She knew that everyday on the blue seas could be a dangerous one yet it did not stop her from traveling the world. She wanted to learn and see any and everything she could be it on land sea or in the sky. She loved seeing new thing and learning everything the world had to offer her. But who knew if the people of this land would react in that way or be kind and courteous. It was a risk she would take without fear of the outcome. Shimmer walked towards a woman walking down the street with her toddler daughter at her side. It would show the young girl rude manners if the mother treated the Fish Woman with disrespect so Shimmer felt as if they would be the best to approach in this situation. "Look mommy!" says the young human girl pointing at Shimmer, "she has a lot of arms" the young girls eyes lighting up as it was the first time she had seen a Fish Woman. Shimmer being an octopus being an even stranger sight the young woman having six arms. The mother quickly tapped the girl on the back of the hand "It's rude to point dear" she says confirming with Shimmer that this woman was a good person to ask where she was.

"No no no... Its alright mam" Shimmer begins to say " even other fish men stare when they see me haha" a joke implying that the young girl was just admiring her instead of gawking at her. The human woman giggling along with Shimmer, "and i can see why" she replied adding a wink at the end. "So dear you seem kind of lost" the woman says the little girl reaching over to touch Shimmer as her mother quickly pops her hand again. " What gave you that idea?" replied Shimmer scratching her head once again with a huge grin on her face. Drops of water falling from her hair to the solid ground every time she moved her hand. " Well mostly because you're here... Not to say "YOUR KIND" isn't welcome here its just that..." Shimmer interrupting the woman, "It's just what?" she questioned. The woman stuttering "We..well it's just that this isn't the tourist district.". A relief to Shimmer ears expecting the woman to say something about fishman cruelty on this island, "tourist district?" she asked.

The woman nodded " Yes dear you're on the island of Amino, were divided into two main cities this is the outer city of Ana Nine, we surround a good amount of the other city known as Serine in a crescent shape." Shimmer nodding implying that she was still listening to the human woman. "Were a town of locals that work in Serine, most visitors spend their time there, as it is the entertainment capitol of the North Blue." Shimmer continued to nod as the woman talked explaining to shimmer how to get around the island and a few good spots she should go to before she left again. The pair spoke for quite some time before it was time for them to part ways "Well i hope i was some kind of help dear." the human woman said as she grabbed hold of her daughter's hand preparing to walk away. Shimmer bowing as the two walked away " Thank you mam you were a huge help" she puts all three arms from her left side into the air and waved at the young girl looking back at her. "Ok i guess its off to Serine city then" says Shimmer as she begins to walk toward the city.

[☆彡 Youniverse]

Pushing the door which lead back out into Serine City, Noland dragged himself out of the cafe. That coffee was a bad idea, really bad. Now he was only left with two or three coins in his pocket. He was gonna have to start work immediately if he was ever gonna get his hands on a decent amount of money. Picking up his camera, he began to snap pictures of the buildings which surrounded him, they weren't bad at all however they were missing a little something. Noland just couldn't get his mind around what these pictures lacked but he knew there was something missing from this picture in order to amplify it's beauty. He'd just have to snap more and hope that whatever they were missing ends up being in the next chain of photos.

Noticing a cross road up ahead, Noland was amazed. Not at the crossroad, but the amount of people on that crossroad, it was packed with people. Many buildings surrounded these people, the sun reflecting off these buildings' windows creating a shiny surface effect. It looked amazing. It was normally something people would see in their daily lives but would overlook it but for a photographer such as Noland, he knew a good picture when he saw one. Jumping on a trash can to get onto slightly higher ground, he quickly snapped the picture. Bingo. This photo was amazing in his eyes, it really showed why this city was popular. The variety of buildings and events, the amount of people coming to visit, his picture had it all. Smirking, Noland decided to hop off the trash can....but failed, he slipped off it and fell onto the pavement, almost cracking his camera. Damn that was close, he needed to be a lot more careful, he couldn't just lost his chance at some money right then and there. Continuing to examine the picture as he walked, he bumped into a notice board. Noland was normally clumsy but today his clumsiness was really getting out of hand. Rubbing his sore head, he decided to check out this board, the board was filled with all sorts of pictures. Job notices, Event notices.. and Wanted Criminals. Interesting. Noland could've sworn he'd saw the group of people which was shown on one of the wanted criminal posters.  Black caps, Yellow Bandanna which covered their faces and an arm band with the marine logo crossed off. 

Where had he seen them... Hm... Ah!

Quickly looking at the picture he just took, he noticed a group of people which fitted the description, they weren't very visible but on closer inspection, they could be seen in the photo. The poster talked about a great reward. Reward. Noland gulped, this was his chance to fill up his pockets once again.

"No, no, no. You idiot, you'd get killed!" he would think to himself.

But if he just stalked them, took a bunch of photos and turned it in to the marines, maybe one of those photos would reveal the group's hideout. He'd surely get rewarded for something like that! It was settled, he'd only stalk them from afar, no violence, no trouble. He took deep breaths in order to calm himself down, if he was gonna go on a stakeout. He was gonna need to calm down.

Taking one last breath outwards, he was finally ready... he just needed to control his shaking knees first.

[The Shimmering Banana]

Noise!!

The young woman wanted nothing more than to cover her ears as she walked through the crowded streets of Serine City. The basic setup of the city quite similar to her previous location yet there was crowds of people everywhere. Vendors calling out what they had to sell from the sides of the road. Busy people entering and exiting from each and every building, some carrying bags others just rushing to get to their next destination. Its not like she didn't like the hustle and bustle of the city nor was she unfamiliar to it being from fishman island. Some of its districts also being almost as much of a mess as this place. And the ear shattering sound of an explosion was almost orgasmic to Shimmer; I guess it was just the tone of the sounds she heard that she disliked. It didnt sound happy, just seemed like an orchestra without a conductor. What ever it was Shimmer knew that this would not be a place for her. Being who she was she wasn't going to let the sounds bother her while she stayed here for however long that may be.

Shimmer continued to walk down the crowded sidewalk various people passing by a few even slightly bumping into to her without even apologizing afterwards. "How rude" she thought as she brushed them off as it was best not to start an altercation in a foreign land for slight nudges in passing. " I guess I should try the food here" she says to herself attempting to stop someone to ask for assistance "excuse me" repeats the Fish Woman the majority of people just ignoring her as they passed her by. Eventually a rather sleazy looking man stopping, he fixed his hair and said " What ch' need lil lady?". "What a clown" she thought rolling her eyes as she decided to accept his help. " I'm new around here where's a good place to get something to eat?" ask the voluptuous woman. "Well there's tons of bars and restaurants down Main st. baby or the casinos have buffets in them, a trick to keep the gamblers there." the man continuing to babble as Shimmer took her leave before he could ask to join. "Hey wait where you goin?" called out the overconfident sleaze ball. Shimmer continuing to walk, ignoring his calls, down towards the next intersection the two signs above reading 11st and Main st.

The scenery not changing much, the addition of scattered casinos the only real difference. It seemed like main street would be the place the gamblers would come. A bit calmer than the shopping district she notices a drunkard stumbling out of a bar bottle of booze in hand. Best to stay away from men in his condition, the woman lowering her eyes as he hobbled past her grumbling harsh words to himself as he walked. Shimmer picked up the pace a little her strides becoming longer as her speed increased. Within a few more steps she walking into a casino its neon light enticing her, "All you can eat crabs, Free drinks while playing!!!" she read aloud. The drinks she could care less about and the "sport" of gambling never caught her liking. Being a woman of science she prefered hard facts rather than sheer dumb luck. It was the first line that she was interested in, ALL YOU CAN EAT CRABS. Shimmer loved crabs and mangos but nothing more than crabs. No matter how they were prepared she would devour them. She happily skipped through the entrance her smile welcomed by the door man as he yelled out "Welcome to Vault 101" Shimmer nodding as she continued to skip through the walkway letting the scent of the crustacean guide her.

Shortly after her desire coming true when before her laid a plethora of seafood; shrimp, clams, oysters and of course CRABS. She rushes over grabbing four plates at once with her lower set of arms. Allowing her last set of arms free to pick what she wanted from the buffet. A well dressed larger gentleman rushing over to her as she began to pick her spread. "Excuse me ma'am", he says tapping Shimmer on her shoulder, "The buffet is for playing guest. May I see you're playing card?" he asks the look upon the young womans face answering the question. "Hmm... Youll have to play if you want to stay!" says the bouncer quickly grabbing all four plates from Shimmer resting two on his arm as the other two were held in his hands. With a smug look on her face Shimmer pulls out a 5 beri bill the man gently tossing one of the plates in the air snatches her money before it softly returned to his hand. He then tossed the plate from the other hand and just as quickly reached into his pocket and retrieved a preloaded play card. By the time it was in her hand the plate had joined it brethren resting on the man. She shrugs her shoulders as to say she was not impressed then turns to look for the closest game of chance. At the entrance of the buffet laid a row of slot machines with food logos the signs reading "Beri Buffet" seemed simple enough just put the card in, spin the wheel, turn around and get back to the buffet. She places her card in the slot the machines already loud bells and whistles getting even louder as she spun wheel. Moments turn to second and seconds to what felt like an eternity to Shimmer as she waited for the wheel to stop spinning. The young woman deciding to turn her back to it as it began to slow down her stomach leading her to her true prize. Just as she returned to the man relieving him of her dishes the wheel stopped.

That's when all hell broke loose. The entire row of machines began to light up and chime like never before the man's eyes widening as the plates dropped to the floor. Shi.mers eyes locked onto them as each succulent morsel bounced off the ground. The entire staff began to surround her as she plopped to her knees holding a crab leg in her clutches. "Congratulations mam your today's cafe instantan jackpot winner!!", two more men grabbing her upper arms rising her to her feet dragging her away to the prize room,"You've instantly won 5,000 beri!! Just come with us to retrieve your prize." they said as they drug her away from the real prize. A single tear falling from her cheek as the casino around her cheered. "What about my CRABS!!!" she wept aloud.

[☆彡 Youniverse]

Approaching the crossroads, the place where he took the picture, Noland began to look around. It was gonna be quite hard to find the colored group within this much of a crowd. According to their appearance, they looked like a group who held a grudge against the marines. They wore a band with the marine logo crossed out, their ill feelings towards the marines were quite clear. However they also looked like quite the strong type of people, if Noland slipped up, he'd be facing more than just a few broken bones. 

He gulped.

This was his last chance, he could just continue on with his day. That way there'll be less of a chance he'd get jumped by those men. But with empty pockets and an almost empty belly, he had no choice but to take a chance. If it went well, he would get his hands on quite the fair amount of beli, not only that, his talents as a photographer will also be recognized. If he was gonna be a coward for the rest of his life, then he'd be living a life which wasn't worth living, now was the time to change, now was the time to live a life full of adventure. The sights he saw when he was younger, he'd see them once again! Clutching his fist, he finally made up his mind. Today was the day where a new Noland is born! Though.. his knees were still shaking. A part of him really didn't want to do this, but his other half of his body was ready for anything. It was like his body was arguing with itself until finally, they decided to just calm down and think with a clear mind. Some noise could be heard from a nearby casino, sounds like someone scored a jackpot. Whatever, he had no time to be distracted by such matters. He was gonna do this. Pushing his way deeper into the forest of tourists, he managed to catch sight of someone. Someone with a marine band... with the logo crossed off! This was his chance. Keeping his distance, Noland followed the man out of the large crowd and watched the hooded figure enter the alleyways. He needed to be extra cautious here, the alleyway was a one way path, if he were to get cornered in the middle of it, he was as good as dead. Pressing his back against the wall, he slid towards the alleyway and decided to poke his head into it. The hooded figure stood in front of a wall full of graffiti, he knocked twice and like magic, the wall opened up. Noland gulped, this was it, the hideout! He quickly moved away from the alleyway, he found it. Now, all he needed to do was snap a picture and give it to the marines. 

Searching his pockets for his camera, he found nothing... Oh DAMN! He must've dropped it near that casino place!

"Ugh, why does this always happen!" he say to himself before picking himself up and running back towards the casino.

He needed to find it quick, the quicker, the better.

[The Shimmering Banana]

Fortune or misfortune? To most this would be the luckiest day ever, well not ever considering the sum was only 5,000 beri. She had recently stepped foot on this island and had already fattened her pockets instantly winning a prize in a local casino. Her real prize simmering meer yards away waiting for her forced to leave it behind when the winnings were won. Her mind wandering as the cashier made her sign various forms and tax documents; basically stating that after taxes and other fees she would only be left with 2,500 beri. She nods politely to the man as he points at all the points in which she is to sign. With a pen in each of her arms making the paper work completed much faster. "Ok great here you are Miss Isngol 2,500 beri, you have a great day!" says the man in an obviously faked smiling face as if the money was his. "Thank you" replies Shimmer placing the money in her purse "waite I do have one question" she says before turning away "I can still go to the buffet right?". The cashier sighing before forcing the smile upon his face again "Why of course you can Mam". Shimmer turns around waving her two upper arms goodbye to the cashier as she merrily walks away.

As she indulged herself upon the buffet of her favorite foods a pair of men crept around the corner sitting at a penny slot machine. Each man placing a coin in every once in a while as to not draw attention to themselves. The men thieves who stalk people at the casinos until a payday hits. Today Shimmer was that payday, not a very large one but still good enough for these two knuckleheads. Thirty minutes passed as the Fish-Woman had her fill before letting out a slight burp her skin turning a darker purple hugh as she blushed embarrassed of her gas. She stands to her feet her center arms patting her slightly bloated stomach, " That was great" she says placing 100 beri on the table as a tip. "Well now at least I have money to see the town" she thinks to herself as she makes her way out of the casino. The two men walking behind the woman at a safe distance. The doors open and the setting sun gleamed a bright orange color over the adjacent building, so much time had passed inside the casino and she barely even noticed her mind stuck on the buffet the entire time.

What to do? Its not like she had ever been here before or she knew anyone in the city. And it wasn't like the would just randomly meet someone, unless they were some creepy guy trying to hit in her. Shimmer lets out a sigh as she looks down "Hmm... What's that?" says the young woman. It was a wallet, she bent down and picked it up chants and whistles coming from across the street as the men could see up her dress when she bent over. Shimmers cheeks once again turning a dark purple hugh as she quickly stood up straight and jogged away embarassed to the only place she knew. The casino, Shimmer figured that at least she could turn it in there and if anyone happened to look for it. The wallet did have his id so she was sure it would be fine. "Noland Maxwell 5'14"... Wait what there's only 12 inches in a foot. Im suprised no one has noticed that before." she says to herself as she read the mistake on the id aloud. As she began to look back up towards the casino the two men made their move unsure of what her intentions were returning to the casino. The fiends now would be the best time in case she was to stay there all night.

"What the!" she yelled aloud as the men took hold of all of her arms one man on each side if her body. What was going on she thought had she won another prize? A similar experience just occurring to her but in a good way, this was not the case. These two men were attempting to drag her away into the alleyway and rob and who knows what else to her. Her head bobbed back up as she saw the only other familiar face on this island. Not because she knew this person but because she had seen his PICTURE! "NOLAND!" yelled Shimmer at the top of her lungs " HELP ME NOLAND MAXWELL!" one of the men quickly stuffing a cloth into her mouth silencing the young Fish-Woman. Hopefully this complete stranger had heard her call and would come to her aid.

[☆彡 Youniverse]

(y u do this to me. my maths is always on point.)


He panted, boy, he wasn't really the athletic type of person so all this running really did take a toll on him. However now he was in front of the Casino, he had managed to re trace his steps back to this place. Now that he thought about it, it wasn't really a long distance away, though pushing through the crowd must've have made him think it was quite the fair distance away. Anyways, back to what his was looking for. His camera and his wallet, the two of his most prized possessions. He really was clumsy, what if they had gotten stole- Wait, a minute, they weren't here... wh-what!? He had dropped them here only a few minutes ago, did someone take them within that short amount of time. He landed on his knees, he was done for, no money, no camera to help him get money. He was completely and utterly poor. Looks like he had to resrot to begging, try raise some money to get a new camera... or even worse... resort to Illegal activity. No! He wasn't gonna do any of those things, the camera and wallet had to be here somewhere, they had to! 

He desperately ran his hands along the floors, his eyes scanning the area around him as he did so. Somewhere... please... they had to be somewhere close! He continued to crawl, still searching for where these two items had gone. Crawling past an alleway, his was interrupted by a yell for help.

"Help me, Noland Maxwell!"

W-what on Earth was going on!? His head immedatley turned as soon as he heard his name mentioned. He couldn't believe his eyes, a fishwoman was getting kidnapped right in front of his eyes! He didn't know what to do, he didn't know what to think. He was amazed at the fishwoman yet scared and worried about the situation she was in. Noticing something familiar, his eyes quickly focused on what looked like to be his... wallet! It was here all this time! No wonder this fishwoman knew his name. Now, all he had to do was standup and help her. Just stand up and help her.



J-Just s-stand up.


Those guys looked quite strong, Noland wouldn't stand a chance. He didn't know what to do, his legs felt like they were stuck to the ground. Was it just him or was gravity suddenly a lot more.. powerful? He grabbed onto a pipe which was next to a wall nearby he pulled himself up and he could feel that this pipe wasn't very strong so once he was up, he gave it a big tug and it ripped clean off the wall. Maybe, just maybe... if he helped this woman he could get his wallet, camera and a picture of her. That would help with his money dilemma! Plus, this woman sure was in trouble and he'd have a terrible feeling if he just turned and ran. He opened his mouth which was now suddenly dry.


"Le-let 'er go!" he would struggle to yell before charging in blindly towards the men, swinging his pipe side to side, up and down, hoping to get a clean hit on one of the criminals.

[The Shimmering Banana]

"Huh!" both me simultaneously said as the new man on the scene yelled towards them charging at the wielding a metallic pipe. The moment seeming to slow down to the captive woman who finally got the break she needed. In the slight moment of confusion the assailant holding her captive had slightly loosened his grip hopefully allowing her to escape. Before he even had time to comprehend what was going on with her savior, Noland Maxwell, Shimmer stomped on the thief's foot. His hold on her completely releasing as he yelled out in pain "OooOooOo!" his foot raising off the pavement as he went to sooth his pain.

"Now's my chance" she thought to herself as she reaches for her sling shot. Two of her other hands reaching for hand fulls of stone marbles. The man now standing on one leg as he grabbed his foot beginning to hop around the ally way. His partner unable to assist him as he had the current issue of a random pipe welding boy rushing towards him. She launches the first handful of marbles into the air right above them, another one of her hand reaching for yet another item a row of low grade firecrackers. A step on the toe could only keep someone distracted for so long, so if her attack was going to work she would need to keep the thug distracted. She lights the midlength fuse and tosses them on the ground near a toppled aluminum trash can.

As the man's hop continued Shimmer released the other handful of marbles into the sky hoping to return moments after the first handful. The trap was set in mere moments a barrage of stone marbles will rain down on them. Obviously leaving her dead in the middle of the attack, which is what the firecrackers were for, if she timed it right they should go off just as the first wave of stones return. Hopefully she won't be in the way, then the sound should distract the men long enough for her to get away and the second wave to strike. "Let the countdown begin... FIVE" she mumbles as the man slowly lifts off the ground for the last time. His hands releasing his foot upon his descent as his pain subsided. "Four" Shimmer continued as the villains foot returned to solid ground, his body pivoting towards Shimmer. THREE she thought as his eyes locked onto her, his mouth twisting into a villainous grin. TWO; her eyes shutting as the angered man took his first step towards the young Fish Woman. "ONE!" she yelled out as her plan initiated.

Her eyes reopened hoping to see the first round of stone pellets attacking the man. Perhaps not knocking him out but at least buying her time for the rest of the attack. His face looked stunned as nothing happened, well nothing to him, Shimmer's calculations being slightly off the first round pegging the other gentleman who was in the middle of his own situation with Mr.Noland. Drat! She thought just as the first explosion from the firecrackers rang. A thunderous roar echoing throughout the city the boom magnified by the aluminum garbage can in which they were tossed. The rest of the pops resonating just as loudly throughout the ally way.