Dance of Disaster (Mission 3, Open)

[Farris (Kuro)]

Esmeralda Judgeman was not on duty today, nor was she running around as a Superhero like she normally did. She was walking through down with her hands full of clothing and things she just bought. That's when she saw the Flyer. Their was a Dance competition that night! And they were giving away a secret prize to the winning couple that entered. The flyer read 15,000 beri plus a secret grand prize that would be unveiled at the competition. A dance competition seemed so fun too! She wondered if Dietrich knew how to dance? It said something about formal wear only thus it was probably a classy dance. That made her wonder if there would be rich people attending? If so thieves or evildoers might show up and attack them!

This in mind she resolved that she definitely had to enter undercover to make sure nothing bad happened... and not just because it was a fun thing to do. Thus with the flyer in hand the the bubbly Wotan made her way back to the Line Ark to inform Dietrich and convince him that the dance would be fun- er, that that they had to attend undercover to make sure the people would be safe.

[Die]

Though they were off duty, Dietrich chose to be locked up in his lab as usual. This time however, he was working on a special request to upgrade the Ensign's tonfas. Knowing of her inability to aim in any situation, he decided to fit them with a sort of shotgun. However, this would require a complete redesign of her tonfas and make them bulkier and heavier due to the typical size and power of a shotgun. They would, in effect, function similar to sawed-off shotguns.

He had finished a draft of the new design, and began to construct the primary frame piece. Accessing the stockpile of materials, he constructed it out of a lightweight yet highly durable metal alloy. The main length of the frame was hollow, just barely big enough to fit the "shotgun". There was a slat at the back bottom of the tonfa to allow for the magazine of scatter or slug rounds to fit in. Above that was another slat that would allow the spend shell casing to be ejected. After he was finished with construction the main frame, he got to work on the internal components for the gun. It would be a rather simple task.

[Nasakeshira]

He stood on the bow of the small boat, his hair blowing wildy in the wind, Mathus was looking ahead amrs crossed making himself seem important. How much money do I have? Probably not enough for this greedy rat. The man had already set his feet rubbing them together, until he saw the ship he was floating. Holes in the sale, and a constant croak that would annoy anyone. The boat finally landed on the dock and Mathus got off, the boat immediately sank. The fee collector approached, "good day sir, where would your docking money be?" The greedy man sniveled.
"Docking?" He looked around, "I don't see any ship." Mathus grinned and walked off humming, an old pirate tune.

I hope he decides to not chase me, he thought. Really that would. Sure enough that rat eyed greedy porcupine called his name, "excuse me, sir." Mathus took off running, quickly gaining distance away from the docks. He suddenly stopped and closed his eyes, "so hungry though. I can't run anymore." He suddenly collapsed close to the marketplace.

[Masta Deltron]

It was a calm day like every day on Mirror Ball Island. The birds were chirping and the children playing in the streets. The people seemed to be as happy as ever because something was going to happen. A huge ball was supposed to happen where there would be a dance contest. Money was involved and there were some things a certain someone wanted to buy. He decided to take it upon himself to apply for a job as a clown for advertisement. Gigen, the clown in the iron mask was wearing his favorite jester outfit. Well he thought it would be fitting because no one would hire a clown in a iron mask, his face would scare the kids. He was fairly tall and seemed to float around skipping through the streets. He wore a multi-colored outfit that was like a normal jester outfit. Yet his mask was painted red and black with a bright red nose in the middle.

SPOILER: Click to show

“Dance night come one and all! Have some fun, come hear my puns!” he yelled as he threw flyers everywhere. Then someone caught his eye especially, a bubbly young wotan that seemed to be static about the dance. The jester danced and jumped around as he approached her. His bells and squeaking boots made all sorts of nosies while he made his way over.Taller than her he leaned down and turned his head to the side. “Why hello there little one! I see you want to dance!” he yelled, throwing both of his hands into the air.

[falken]

Mirrorball Island.

That was what the welcoming sign said that Jace had been attempting to stare down for the past five mins. In all honesty, he was still wonder what he was doing here of all places. While he under the impression of a reconnaissance, so far it seem nothing of the sort.

Come to think of it, his Captain, whom had suggested it in the first place had ran off at the moment they docked on the island. Jace frowned at the memory of the man's perverted look and drool. No doubt, at this place of party princes, the objective was probably the pretty girls that worked here.

With no idea of what to "reconnaissance" about, if it was even really such a thing that they were to be doing. Under the pressure of the clueless crew, Jace sent them off... to do whatever it was they needed or wanted to do. It wasn't often that marines had days off, so they might as well enjoy their time here.

The young man scratched his head as he pondered at his choices. While loved to live it up as much as the next guy, the whole situation that he was forced in moments earlier had already killed his cheerful mood. Figuring he should waste any more time than he already did standing there, Jace set off towards the center of the town, in search of something to make his day.

[Farris (Kuro)]

Esmeralda smiled brightly at the Jester as he peered over her. The wotan always did like clowns. They were funny and silly and a lot of fun. She was that it was him who was advertising the ball and this would prove to be an even more enjoyable party than she first thought. "Yup! I've never been to a Party or a ball before! I wonder if I should dress up... Maybe I'll wear my Superhero outfit! No that would tip off any bad guys that might be around, secretly plotting to steal the dance money." She said in a dramatic loud whisper as if she was sharing a dark secret with a new friend... A.K.A. Mr. Clown.

"OH! I know You can help me pick out something to wear! I bet you go to all sorts of parties and Dances so you'd know the perfect things to wear, huh Mr. Clown!?" The bubbly shark girl beamed with a smile, convinced the clown would be all too happy to help her in her little dilemma. Dietrich could wait a few moments longer after all. She beckoned him to follow as she tried to make her way to one of the clothing stores, only to see a man in a nearby alley way that looked to be injured or something.

As a hero of Justice, Esmeralda could not turn a blind eye to this. She looked approached the young man with a friendly smile or as friendly as she could with her rows of sharp teeth. "Hello there sir, Are you ok? You really should sleep here, it's not health and it's against the law." She pointed out in a friendly sort of way, bending over slightly and offing to help the pink haired man up.

[Die]

Dietrich continued to construct Esmeralda's new weapons. He had made several slats to help with cooling the barrel of the gun. He then worked on the triggers that would be at the base of the handles. His stomach then began to rumble. How long had it been since he last ate? Finishing the triggers, he decided to leave the rest for later as there was no rush.

He left the lab, which had automatically sealed itself behind him, and made for the exit of the ship. He kept his gunswords with him as well as his belt of knives and grenades. All of it was kept hidden as he left his uniform behind, choosing instead to out in a much less conspicuous attire while keeping his combat suit hidden under.

As Mirrorball Island was a massive tourist destination, it was bound to have quite a few good places to eat. After a little bit of searching on the streets for a place to eat, he spotted a simple sandwich shop. Interested in the menu in the window outside, he walked in. He ordered a Reuben melt and water, and sat down at a table outside, enjoying one of his favorite sandwiches.

[Nasakeshira]

The rose haired pirate lay face down butt up. An awkward position to collapse into. I hear people. Am I being called back to life, wait... Was I even dead? Mathus popped straight up and into a cross legged position. "Phew, I am alive!]" Suddenly his stomach growled, "shh! Stop yelling tummy." He pat his stomach softly and then looked up, a girl with sharp teeth was offering her hand to him, sharp teeth... SO COOL!

He bounced up onto his feet, ignoring her hand. "How'd you get those sharp teeth!" His eyes beamed full of awe. Mathus' stomach growled again, "first we gotta get some food, before you answer that question. Any good places to hunt?" He opened his mouth to speak but suddenly stopped, his eyes shifted over to the jester. He drew back deeper into the alley and put up his hands in an awkward karate position as if defend himself from an oncoming attacker, after retreating into the alley he asked the most important question: "why is that clown here?" As he waited for the reply he asked another question, "who's the funny person in the clown outfit?" He asked suspiciously, Mathus squinted as he said this.

[Masta Deltron]

After hearing the Wotan’s answer the Gigen began to jump in around in joy. “Indeed I will you Wotan!” he said as he jumped up and down in joy. Then he heard a thud noise and the Wotan rushed to help the boy in need. “Hmm….the more I advertise the more people will show up. That means more money for meee!” he thought to himself as she turned away for a moment. Then he heard the man address him. “Who me? I am just a simple jester bring good word of the ball!” he said as he walked over in a funky manor, causing all sorts of squeaks and jingles.

Then he reached into his sleeve and pulled out tons and tons of different colored scarfs before reaching the paper. “Here you see, the ball tonight, so there is no reason to be afraid of me.” He said handing the paper over to the man. Then the clown began to dance around and throw out more papers to the people that walked about.

“Come come now! We have much work to do young Wotan! Your costume awaits for you!” he said as he skipped around for a bit to wait for her to come.

[falken]

Jace wandered the streets of Mirrorball Island leisurely as he scouted around for a decent place to eat. All the pent up frustration in his system made him famished. However, it seemed that the whole island was filled with tourists. While the restaurants weren’t exactly filled to the brim with business, everyone seemed to be having a grand time partying it up. Although he would have liked to join in, seeing that a few of his crew mates were inside, the young man’s mood did little to fuel that endeavour.

His decision to delve further into town was one that ended him with mix feelings. Outside a rather plain shop was Captain Dietrich in his whole sandwich eating glory. Or was that Commodore Dietrich? In all honesty, Jace had attempted, in a subtle way, to avoid him and the perky fish... girl that he had met last time.

Anyway you looked at it, the young man failed fairly badly during their prior meeting. During that time, the crashing waves had sent a fellow marine spiralling into him, which ultimately ended in the two smacking right into the railing. While his comrade had been relatively fine, Jace took the majority of the blow and had been instantly knocked out. It was more than just embarrassment that he felt when the swordsman had realized he seemed so weak in front of superior officers that may have been able to take him out of this wearisome division.

As much as Jace would have liked to quickly run in the other direction, it would have seemed rude and stupid the man had saw him already. With a breath of guts, he stepped forward towards the commanding officer. Hastily, the young marine decided on the rank of commodore to address him, as it was basically playing it safe... a win-win situation, even if he was wrong.

“Yo, Dietrich-Junshou. Mind if I join you?”

[Farris (Kuro)]

The wotan blinked and then smiled, righting herself. "Food? Oh sure! I past a nice sandwich shop on the way from the Li-" She was about to say and was cut off when the young man took a fighting stance and questioned her about the clown. "Oh! Don't worry! He's a nice clown! He was handing out flyers for the Dance competition here in town tonight." She explained in her bubbly way. As if to confirm her story the clown in question approached and pulled out tons and tons of different colored scarfs before reaching the paper from his sleeve and offered it to the pink haired young man. The clown even told him he was a good clown and the man shouldn't be scared of him. The Ensign nodded, "See? And anyway, Clowns are funny and cute and silly! So theirs no need to be afraid of him." She chimed in in a cheerful manner.

The clown then beckoned for her to follow and she didn't want to keep him waiting after he was being nice enough to help her. "Right, coming!" She said with a giggle at the noises his shoes made as he walked and took the clown's arm in a friendly manner. She peered back at the boy and waved for him to follow. "Let's show him where the nearest Sandwich shop is first, ok mr. Clown?" She asked in a perky manner before they set off. It wasn't far away and she spotted two people he knew, the first was Jace from the time she battled a Sea monster with Dietrich, the other was the Commodore himself. "Oh! Hi Jace Kun!" She said bubbly as ever as she waved to him, and then looked at her superior with a light blush. "Hi Dietrich Sempai!" She said releasing her hold on the clown as she waved to her superior. They were off duty so she didn't have to be formal with him right now. All the while the half shark was oblivious to any reactions the clown maybe having at the sight of her superior officer.

[Die]

As he chowed down on his delicious sandwich, he noticed a familiar person awkwardly trying to make his way through the crowd. He stopped for a moment, having seen the commodore at the sandwich shop. He seemed to awkwardly contemplate something before seemingly resigning to the fact Dietrich had seen him and walked over.

“Yo, Dietrich-Junshou. Mind if I join you?” asked Jace.

"Not at all, Chief Petty Officer," Dietrich replied as he drew back a hand, pointing it at an empty seat at his table. Since they were technically off duty, Dietrich was more or less relaxed with formalities and the such, so they need not be so stiff with the normal rigidity of the Marine hierarchy.

Not long after, the Ensign appeared with two people in tow. One rather strange-looking pink-haired boy, and an even stranger-looking clown.

"Hi Dietrich-sempai!" she said releasing her hold on the clown as she waved to her superior.

"Hello, Esmeralda," he said as he smiled and waved back. However, his mind was focused on the clown. Though he did not look familiar in the least, Dietrich had gut feeling that they had encountered each other once in the past.

[Masta Deltron]

Esmeralda grabbed Gigen’s hand but before they could be on their marry way she wanted to do another good deed by showing the kid a sandwich place. Then he began to drift off into his own little demented world. He began to dance around again as she talked to someone else.“God this acting is killing me. I can’t wait until I can kill someone else! But with a knife? With a bomb? Or maybe with my shoe? I don’t really know but hopefully night fall will come faster!” he thought to himself. Then he snapped out of his daze because he heard a familiar name. It caught him completely off guard as he fell on his face. “Dietrich…” this name rang through his head like a bell. This sent a shock through his spine.

While on the ground a rage began to build up inside of him. “Dietrich…..fate has brought us together once again. This is perfect, he will be apart of final act. Yet, I have to stay in character or they will be on to me!” He thought. He jumped back up as quickly as he fell. “Just a scratch you see, nothing more and nothing less.” He said rubbing his fore head. There was a few more people who seemed to appeared on the scene. “Hello my dear friends how are we today, he said as he bent over sideways. He was fairly tall so he looked awkward while tipping over.

[Nasakeshira]

Mathus' eyes sparkled in awe as the clown pulled out multi colored towels out of nowhere, he had stopped listening to the sharp toothed lady. His jaw dropped open as the clown finished the act, the pink haired pirate let his guard down... completely. He had almost forgotten about his hunger, until a painful reminder hit him. His stomach gurgled, "yeah lets get some food." Mathus groaned, he wrapped his belly tight. He began to follow the sharp toothed girl and the clown.

He walked silently groaning and complaining about his stomach every now and then. Mathus had started walking hunch backed, he started to drift off into his own world. He was abruptly called back from his world when Esmeralda called out someones name. He squinted and had a serious look on his face, did she just say Dietrich? The "Red Comet" Dietrich? I'll have to be sneaky, get the food and be off. He he, they'll never catch on. Mathus grinned creepily at the idea while he squinted at the Commodore.

As he finished his thoughts the smell of sandwiches drifted into his nostrils. He had completely forgotten about the Marine situation his body seemed to float towards the heavenly smells of the delicacy they called a sandwich. His face smacked into the glass plating he opened his eyes and attempted to chew all the great looking foods on display.

[falken]

“Not at all, Chief Petty Officer.”

“Thanks, it’s been frustrating finding a good place to sit down for a while. The whole town’s been a party house twice over,” Jace commented appreciatively as he motioned towards the somewhat empty table. His two swords clattered together as the young man placed them by the tableside and plopped down into the seat. Now that they were detached his side, he could fully tell how heavy the black -and more recent of the two blades- really was.

As soon as the youthful officer got comfortable, the waitress hurried over for his order and off again. Mentally, Jace not only applauded the store for their quick service, but also at himself for finally remembering to address official marine ranks once in a while; not really realizing how ironic it was when considering his fancy for a promotion.

The atmosphere between the two seemed to border between awkward and casual, but time passed quickly enough as the teen focused solely on his meal when it came. It was when he had finally taken his last bite that Jace heard the call of his name.

“Oh! Hi Jace-kun!”

“Yo, Esmeralda,” the chief petty officer greeted back between bites and a sip of coffee. Delicious heaven was in his mouth and all reminders of formal conduct went out the window.

The girl approached the table with two citizens by the arm. Comically, she reminded him of the kids from his orphanage. Little boys who’d pick off animals and critters from anywhere, half in fascination and half in the attempt to show off their findings. On the other hand, taking random pedestrians with you was probably on a whole other level in itself.

However, Jace couldn’t deny that the female officer had a keen eye for strange things. A towering clown jumped around in what seemed to be joy and frustration. The other was a teen, who probably wasn’t much older than himself, seemingly licking and mouthing the display window in distress.

Scratching his head, Jace turned back to the fish-girl, “As much as I’d like to ask you to sit down and join us… you’d probably want to stop your friend between he actually chews through the glass or gets yelled at by the waitress.”