Making Coal From Diamonds [Sophia, Torin]

[Cirrus]

How the inhabitants of the Stain-Glass Isle managed to afford a concert hall was frankly perplexing.

Perhaps it was because of days like today, days wherein the eyes of the whole world were watching - or at least, the eyes of most of the important people. It would be an understatement to say that this was a high-class event. Milling around were the most distinguished of all, the World Nobles, and they seemed to have such gravitas that they attracted their own moons; dozens of sycophants orbited the blue-blooded, complimenting them incessantly, laughing horribly at even worse jokes, gladly performing every menial task asked of them. Beri was worth more than dignity, apparently, for those who coddled the Nobles were of wealth too; a mass immigration had occurred on the Stain-Glass Isle; thousands of tourists had descended from their high horses, all more affluent than the natives of the island they invaded. The soft melody of a requiem or two lingered in the background like a warm memory, played on an array of strings and a grand piano, liquor black in sheen and obvious in prestige. The hall was filled with people, champagne glass tinkling lightly, accenting the music, with small talk humming idly. The gathered social elite were flanked by ranks of tables decked with nibbles; to remain in the upper echelon of the world one had to keep one's weight low; the fashion of the aristocrats was simple: thin was in. And yet despite the apparent blithe nature of the event, very serious goings-on were happening.

Florine LeBeau was ordering herself a nice pair of seastone heels.

Floating around like a whisper between the mingling, the jezebel marine was using her powers of persuasion to suggest, ever so subtly, that as a memento of her time in the naval forces in Heretic Cabal, a small portion of the budget could be used to deliver her a leaving present. Honestly it was of no consequence - they didn't even have to buy new ones - though they couldn't gift her with something she already owned, now could they? All she was "asking" for was a coating to her stilettos that would allow her to trample injustice while looking absolutely fabulous! Was it too much to ask for a girl to look good on the job? No, she thought not - and she made sure that was what the patricians she chatted to thought too before darting away to sing the siren's song in another ear: maybe this time she'd ask for pearls - the ones in her ears looked a little old anyway.

Well.
Old in comparison to new ones.

The Witchdoctor was dressed for the occassion. A long black dress went down to a few inches above the floor with a debonair reveal to the left. Any perverts would know she was prepared to defend herself: whenever she walked the reveal opened, and if someone just so happened to be staring at her legs as she did so, they'd be able to see the rather menacing deep red pistol strapped to the back of her heel. Embroidered on the dress were red lilies, travelling from her garment's hem all the way to where it met her collarbone. Dangling like a sash from her waist was Florine's utility belt, the width adjusted slightly with one end firmly affixed to her clothing. Sure, they'd hired security for the evening, but after breaking into the firm's headquarters to read the files on what they had in store, she didn't particularly have her faith in them. Guys 4 Safety - or 'G4S', as they abbreviated themselves - didn't meet the marine doctor's standards.

As she ambled leisurely around the room, taking a break from "spending money", Florine came to a snack table. It was honestly much too easy to find one - how was anyone meant to keep their weight down? Sure, all the food around them was in small bits, but there was just so much of it around; every few seconds she found herself coming face to face with a smiling attendant waving their hands over the food, as if by magic it would transform into something more appealing.

Yeah. Right.

The night's plan was very clear - she'd read it herself. There'd be a social interaction session, then the main entertainment would begin. LeBeau caught sight of a clock as she mused. In half an hour they'd see the mystery attraction. No one, not even the ball's organiser, knew what it was. Hiring the locals to provide regalement was a most capital idea! Yes, obviously, that's why it was thought of, chap! I can't wait to say 'good show'! Oh chum, you'll be saying 'jolly good show'!...

It wasn't that Florine disliked the World Nobles, it was just that she didn't really want them around very much. They were unrelatable as people. Sometimes she doubted they even were people, to be brutally honest.

She turned suddenly, distracted from her abstraction - chills had been sent down her back; someone was right behind her, and not in the this event hall is too small for such a grand event, how come World Nobles are so cheap nowadays right behind her, but the please, go ahead, try not to notice me creeping around kind of right behind her. The bad kind.

(OOC: Bleh, a bit of a cliche introduction to anyone of you guys. Anyway, I have a plan, so just trust me on this, 'kay? We're in for a wild ride of sorts.)

[Tori Tori Chopper]

'W-We appreciate your assistance here today..'

'What does this do?'

'If I had a choice I'd thank you.'

'Ooo!~ Look at this Van!'

'Forgive me asking Captain but.. Is the young lady..?'

CRASH
'Oops! Sorry!'

'You 'gotta problem with her?' The Captains head titled up, nose to the air at the brilliantly dressed man before him as he seemed to flinch at the menacing aura which fell around them at the question. 'Nono, Not at all Captain! I'm just saying.. Eheh..' His hand moved to the back of his head, glancing over to the small lightly dressed girl in blue as she skipped and hopped from place to place, cheerfully making an impressive mess all over the otherwise quiet and ambient surroundings. He looked back to Hawke, his eyes wide and striking dagger leaving the co-ordinator to simply laugh to himself nervously as he stepped away. 'Just be sure to keep the World Nobles in your sight, other than that I trust you can handle it.' a sharp exhale followed in response to the fleeing man, the swordsman's eyes returning to their half open aggravated gleam. The whole situation was an oddity, and nothing short of an obvious punishment from the higher ups. Until now he had essentially been on borrowed time, his rank a glorified label to stamp him into the marine system while he moved from place to place on other peoples ships doing their dirty-work.

'Vaaan?~' This deal was a little different, he'd been given a leash since the events in Logue-town rather than a ball and chain, a small marine-class vessel to get here and a neck-deep problematic order to give him his final chance at this line of work. 'Oioi, Vanvaan~' They knew how he operated, he didn't need a crew or some higher-up telling him what to do, just a weapon and a target.. Something the men who sat around atop their ivory towers at the center of the world didn't seem to understand. They had gone and put him in charge of something way above his pay-grade, people given power by blood rather than work waltzed around the otherwise poor and desolate island browsing wares as if they weren't being eye balled in terror by every other occupant in the room. 'Van!' His menacing hatred which mind-beamed at passers-by was shut down as a small being clutched his side, his facial expression resetting as he ruffled the attackers hair with a small grin which came and went as fast as his previous train of thought.

'What'cha need Naho?'
'Those shiny things, over there..'
'Haha, let me come look at them.'

His hand was quickly grabbed and tugged towards the shiny objects of choice, being baffled that his right-hand man.. Or girl in this case, Nann, actually agreed to go somewhere without her Mallet dragging behind her. He came in without his swords, clunky and obnoxious in such an environment, he could easily disarm any situation that came along with his fire-arms that coated his casual outfit with ease. His swords however were still not as precise as he wanted them to be, taking them up again out of a spontaneous decision showed in battle that he still had the moves to pull off the six-sword style of his homeland. But there was a certain level of delicacy which was required when around a bunch of proclaimed prestigious pricks to keep them from spluttering all over their stupid looking suits. He just had to bottle the situation, keep his cool and ask how high when told to jump, then he can continue his own vision for the Marine force one promotion at a time. 'Am I doing okay Sensei?' Nann said lightly as she leaned over to look at the interesting assorted trinkets she pulled Hawke here for. 'Just keep your guard up, these guys will find any excuse to shoot someone around here.' Even the passing glance Hawke tried to make made him double back, a lanky man surrounded by black suits took verbal pot-shots at one of the store clerks only to look towards Hawke the same time he tried to catch a glimpse.

'Just remember what we talked about.'
'Punching the bowl-heads is bad.'
'Couldn't have said it better myself.'

Leaning against the stand while Nann proceeded to ask about everything on it, Hawke let his eyes scan the atmosphere, it was quite pompous for such a small and not very wealthy island, why the World Nobles were here and so close to the opening of the Grand-line was another question he wanted the answer to but would probably never get. Just protect them, as a man of experience and precision. 'Van?' Nann had taken enjoyment in leaning against him in the same care-free unamused fashion. 'Is the pretty lady over there one too?' He raised a brow, following the small finger off towards the crowds to as well notice the much more elegant female shuffling from stand to stand. She, for a reason which made Hawke chuckle slightly, fit in more than anyone else around here.. Thus stood out in grace of sorts. 'Hey, could you watch them for me? I'm going to go ask her.' with a salute and a skip in her step she was on her way, Hawke shoving his hands into his pockets and strolling over to the woman in question.

'You seem to have quite a ta-' The woman spun on her heel before he could finish his introduction. Catching him a little off guard as his eyes scanned up and down and eventually blinked. 'A taste..' His one brow raised, she didn't look like a marine, or a local.. A noble of sorts? Maybe one of the agents? 'What are you doing here?' It seemed almost personal rather than suave or formal, something Hawke was currently too lazy to dish out to anyone but who he trusted.. This whole room only had one small girl who had that privilege right now. 'You work for someone, or are you just here to hit and run..' He folded his arms, sniffing loudly as if he wanted people to hear it before looking for a response. Because this woman hasn't been noticed by anyone yet, though the 14 year old spotted her amongst a haystack.

Something was off.

[tsuki2]

---

Nobles had the strangest fetish's of anyone Aria has ever encountered.

Last time she was at a noble function like this, they wanted the girls to wear school girl outfits as they danced, and the mingling afterwards? Yeah wanted them to call them all 'sensei' act shy and nervous or whatever classic stereotype personality they could think of for them. All the girls agreed that they were disturbing old perverts that got their kick off being pedophiles but, hey, it payed them.

This one decided on an 'angels and demons' theme this time some girls were in skin-tight yet small pieces of black shiny leather, complimenting and flattering their curves, it wasn't the most outrageous of clothing they had to wear before but some of them should just be them in leather bra and panties at that rate the excuse was that they were 'demons so they should be temptation', right...then again some of the angel outfits weren't much better. In contrast the outfits were white, usually poofy skirts as opposed to the tight ones, but really not that much different.

Aria was one of the more lucky girls for her Angel outfit, white poofy skirt ending about mid-thigh, gold colored ribbon from her knees down wrapped around her leg to her similar colored high-heeled sandals. Small white top that wrapped around her neck, leaving her arms bare and wrapped her torso just underneath her breasts exposing her stomach. Her long blonde hair was unbound falling down her back in golden waves. Golden bands were on her biceps and on her wrists, from the one on her wrist white fabric drapped over the back of her hands, connecting to a single gold ring resting on the middle of her fingers.

Right now, Aria and seven other girls were currently behind the curtains to the stage, they were the 'opening act' to whatever the event was. Breathing deeply, she went through her usual routine of stretching and to calm her nervesblocking out the chatter that was going around her. “So strange...” She heard one of the other girls mutter, “Why would nobles want burlesque dancers?” And that was what was bugging Aria for a good while now. They entertained Nobles before, but not at something like a ball.

“Get in places! You're on in five!” Came the holler as the girls split into their groups as Aria rotated her neck to get out all of the kinks.

Show time for now...

“Ladies and Gentlemen, in wait for the main event, please enjoy this opening act!”

Curtains raised as the music began to play, a slow steady beat began to echo through the area. The angels were the first scene, arms above their heads, wrists crossed over, backs arched with their head tilted slightly, eyes half-lidded. There was an explosion of music, faster then before and the dancers as one moved, breaking their wrists apart and moving them in an arc downwards as they leaned forward before swiftly turning on the tip of their toes as they straightened their torso with a flick of their hips, shifting the fabric to reveal a few extra centimetre’s of their thighs.

This continued on with the fast yet light-hearted music, hips moving is an almost hypnotic movement, turns, dips. But then the music changed, still fast, but a more dark beat to it, the spotlight that was on the Angels was gone and now it was on the demons. While the women in white was more of a tease but still fluid, these ones were more primal and wild, fierce and strong. Before long the Angels were back under the spotlight with demons. Aria in front of them, her arms crossed and the 'leader' of the demon came forth, hand resting on her hip and she smirked to her.

There was a pause as the two stared each other down, before they both lifted their arms and snapped their fingers

The others took that as their cue and went out to the audience, dancing through the crowd, around people, Angels with teasing touches and coy looks, moving out of a nobles reach when they went to grab them or touch with small giggles, demons with more aggressive movements and touches.

Aria and the other both flipped into the crowd themselves from the stage as they two began flitting from noble to noble. Aria cupped the chin of one in a mock attempt of a kiss before twirling away with a small laugh. Aria didn't really care for this routine, it was about how good and evil will always be locked always equal but of course the Noble who gave them this version butchered it, now it was how temptation was by either dark or light or something like that,either way it was more hand-on then the original. Whatever they were getting paid for it.

Okay, the song was ending, she needed to find someone to kiss, but she couldn't kiss just anyone, someone that would not give a fuck about it and definitely not be insulted or seeking more out of it. Looking around she spotted him, the eye patch helped, a warrior wouldn't be interested in someone like her and as a plus he was pretty cute.

As she moved in beside him and the woman he was talking to she gave them both an apologetic look, “Sorry.” She said before reaching up and cupping the man's opposite cheek to turn his head towards her as she pressed her lips against his just as the final note of the song played out.

Pulling back, she smiled sheepishly, “Sorry, its part of the routine, I hope you can forgive me that.”

[/size]

[Cirrus]

'What are you doing here?'
"That's an odd way to start a conversation,"
'You work for someone, or are you just here to hit and run..'
"A gal like me, working for someone? Hmph - you sound smarter than that..."

Looking the man up and down revealed some sort of samurai had rocked up behind her, apparently scrutinising her presence at the ball. Okay, maybe she'd overdone it a little bit with the fitting in - she looked like she belonged there so much that, well, she didn't really belong there - but it wasn't up to this stranger to point it out. But of course... this was no stranger. Van Hawke, leader of the Wolf Pack, had found her. At least her 'search' was over, though to be more accurate her detour milling around people more affluent than herself and sponging riches from them was over. How was she going to play this - she couldn't let Hawke know that she needed him, but she couldn't antagonise him too much; there was always the possibility of rejection. She'd dodged his questions with sass, hiding the pressure under which she suddenly found herself.

When the lights went out, she was intensely grateful.
It gave her time to think of a story.

A display of sorts, though clearly the preliminary entertainment - the nobles were far too lavish to have the main show start this early and have it end that quickly. She kept her eyes on Hawke the whole time, her brain working like an engine, cathecting a story hopefully not of an incondite nature; though her worry was likely uncalled for seeing as lying was not one of her foibles. Florine could dissimulate like it was the truth and, despite her affiliation with the banner of justice, would happily use unorthodox, untoward methods to get her way.

As evidenced by her pickpocketing during the display. A lovely pearl necklace taken as a scherzando as the artistic dancing crescendoed was now strung around her neck, taken from someone on the other side of the room. The Witchdoctor was confident she could allow herself a precipitancy, if only because she felt when she finally joined the Wolf Pack - and that was an absolute certainty - Hawke would force a regime of sit-tight-fly-rights, despite the origin of the bad company he now led. It made sense, after all: why would the disgraced not change? Everyone, especially in the World Government's system wanted glory, did they not? Even Florine, materialistic as she was, desired triumph - albeit her victories came in the form of diamonds, pearls and beri.

And all these thoughts flashed through her head as she moved back to where she had been previously, eyes locked on the shogun-marine, body lithely swaying with the tempo of the dance. And as the lights came back on she saw Hawke lip-locked with one of the dancers - an action that elicited a curt smile from the jezebel marine.

"Oh, already found someone else to bother?" She murmured within earshot, her debonair tones languishing her words like liquor. Honestly Florine found it amusing that Captain Hawke had no power over when and where he found himself entangled in scandal - the prospect of blackmail was tantalising to the witch's lips, it only being self-restraint stopping her from laughing at the hilarity of it all. The tables had surely turned, for if she could spin a story as well as she knew she could, with a few loose words the samurai-marine would be too much of a liability for even his own motley crew. Sure, it was just a kiss - but what Florine saw was Hawke scooping up the dancer in his arms and unleashing his passion on her face. And she'd be damned if that wasn't what the nobles saw too. Alluding to this, she strutted up to the debased captain's ear and whispered, her words like bitter alcohol,

"This'll make a great investigation, Captain Hawke. What sort of security job is it when you ravish the people you're protecting?" A hint of a giggle coming into her voice, she continued,

"There are some things you don't need to know. Focus your attention on the Nobles, and I'll do the same~"

[Tori Tori Chopper]

'Being under the impression that you work alone is sweet, but its a fable that will come back to bite you before long.. And not in the good way either.'

The woman's entangling voice seemed to be cut short faster than its effect intended, the company of an attractive woman is surely not something to avoid, though Hawkes mind was too settled in its intent and obvious display to let it sink beyond cold mind-set. After a moment of conversation she seemed more interested in him than he was of her, his intention of uncovering a reason behind her presence still at the front of his mind.. She however seemed more alarmed at who had come to ask her, like she was intending to stick out, just for someone else to notice. His presence or cocky attitude didn't seem to be required at this stage, she had this persons attention without having to plant a smirk of dominance on his face. 'So you didn't answer my que-' Sadly the same couldn't be said about him, the lights dimming around the room leaving the Captain to turn heels and scan for the rest of his protection detail, a man in black passing a thumbs up in his direction.. Served him right for trying to make something interesting conjure up in his imagination for once, it was just another damn glory display, a flaunting of human ownership and their flick of the wrist command style. This was just all for them after all.

He let out a sharp yet odd sounding whistle as the music began. A small figure getting suddenly taller from the noise as it began to hop slightly in a circle to find the source. Something was unnerving about the lack of light, to the audience it was ambience, a form of directing everyone's eyes to what the nobles wanted everyone to see.. To him it was a fog of war, a decrease in detection to anyone with any bright ideas. He looked back to the woman, seemingly still interested in his apparel or presence in her little game as she hadn't even twitched. He thought of words to express in a sly fashion how she shouldn't consider pulling any moves, though his actions spoke both subconsciously and louder, the approaching dancers to the audience and in term them pushed a cautious look over his face. The light click was easily notable, intended to be as his thumb flicked one of his fire-arms into a quick-loading position while his eye darted from dancer to dancer. 'Any one of them could have an intent, what are they thinking..' He mumbled under the music and his breath, looking back to check on his student as he head bobbed amongst the general crowd of suits. Any dirt-rate attempt at an assault or a uproar wouldn't think a small girl capable of tearing them apart, it brought a little more ease to the otherwise aggravating atmosphere.

The apparel of the dancers was supposed to be luring, attractive even.. Where was the attraction in seduction? Its a sick game to root out the weak in something as simple as a market-day for the glorious and wealthy, dangle a carrot right at their noses only to remove it every time they tried to catch it. The display for some reason needed an example, a focus, whether it was for just this one dancer or if all of them did it, Hawke was not in the position to know beyond the face which was pushed towards his. it came with vocals, a warning of sorts which he wasn't really paying much attention to, the movement of his most recent acquittance was more his concern than the swaying angel which apparently needed to finish her act on a very forward note. That note brought all eyes around him, to him, and in the brief moment where he simply let her 'perform' His mind moved to danger it could have possessed.

The kiss, if you could call it that, lasted a bit longer due to Hawke pushing into it, he needed to know more than just her final choreographed action.. Anything could have been on those lips. But he had thought to much into it, letting her retreat when she desired and performing a easily misinterpreted action of licking his lip to make sure nothing lingered along the lines of poison. What kept the audience and observers from suspecting flirtatious intent was what rested firmly against the dancers stomach with a pulled-back hammer. His eye widened, despite this being her job he didn't appreciate her making his job harder as a result, though his side-arm quickly began to spin on his finger as he removed it from her immediate direction, with a sharp wisp of wind the gun's nozzle had been placed against her cheek instead, though hardly as forced as its previous location. 'You can forgive me for this routine, then we'll call it even.' His eyes flicked over to the nobles who's expressions were shock and horror from their protectors actions, though his own display of threatening intent seemed to put them at rest with excuses to cause a scene.

'You should pick someone a little less official to plant a final note on next time.' He said with a hopefully assuring one-sided grin, spinning his fire-arm back amongst the masses of others while the crowd went back to their own activities. The reaction that the event incurred from his questionable female however was something a little more incriminating. 'And you should know better than to label me security detail.' He would have continued to bash the woman for her actions and attitude, confident enough to flaunt her arrogance to the masses while probably basing her remarks on knowledge vastly out of context.

'You look so pretty!'
A small girl chirped from amongst the social triangle towards the dancer
'Naho, doin' okay?'

'Mhm! Oh! I mean.. Parameter secure Sensei!' Her lips pushed forward, her face attempting a very serious expression as she gave a light salute which failed overall as she giggled afterwards. 'They wanted me to come get you, said they needed to talk about something important.' A noise of curiosity hummed from the swordsman, looking to his female company and tipping an invisible hat. 'Got my eye on you, both of you.' And with that he was dragged off by his accomplice, through the crowds and towards the sectioned off Noble zone to be told apparently some important information.. Or at least he hoped it was important.

Leaving her off a leash was a bad idea.

[tsuki2]

---

The gun in response made her widen her eyes, before she blinked a few times. Really. A gun....well if he was going to make it that easy for her...

“Oh my sir.” She said with a small gasp, raising a hand to partially cover her mouth, “Wanting to blow your load over me so soon? Please show some restraint!” There was a ripple of laughter though the ones that were watching them as a faux blush spread across her cheeks and she cupped her other cheek, “So ecchi...” She breathed with her eyes half-lidding, she wasn't going to take any threats to her being kindly, if she wasn't on the job and not wanting to screw up them getting the money for this gig then she'd be more rude...much more rude. It wasn't ideal behavior for a dancer but just because she danced for entertainment didn't mean she was anything less then a person.

She dropped that as soon as his attention was diverted to the black-haired female that he was talking too since she came over from her routine, and just cocked a brow in amusement. Placing her hands on her hips she looked between the two of them, a little sexual tension? My oh my, she was surprised that the male could even feel something like that, after all with that tight click attitude. It must be a miracle he didn't squeak when he walked.

'You look so pretty!'

That made Aria blink a few times and looked to the other before smiling, “Thank you.” A compliment was a compliment and those were always nice to have regardless. “Would you be interested in having a little makeover?” The girls would have a blast with that, they loved doing those kind of things.

Well seemed like the male had to leave, such a shame really, her agony is very crippling right now, at his parting words however, she raised her brow once more, “So perverted~” She sang before watching him walk away. Frowning slightly, she tilted her head, “How is he not limping?” She mused mostly to herself though anyone listening could hear what she was saying, “One would think he would have a limp from the stick stuck so far up his ass.” He might have to go for a rectal examine to get it out, she thought to herself with a soft snort.

Whatever, he can threaten all he wanted, he had more important things to do then bother the people here. Like protecting them as much as it made his nerves shot, she was sure. Patting her stomach she began looking around, she was starving, maybe she could sneak to the buffet table before the main event happened....

Remembering the black haired woman, Aria looked towards her, “He was lovely company wasn't he?” She asked her.

[Cirrus]

(OOC: I'll let Naho show off whatever to Hawke, Aria can uhm, do something, and then I'll get this show on the road. Sorry for the wait, and my general terribleness at everything ever. I wish I was someone better, honestly I do. orz)

'Being under the impression that you work alone is sweet, but its a fable that will come back to bite you before long.. And not in the good way either.'
"There's a good way of biting? Kinky, captain."
'And you should know better than to label me security detail.'
"My mistake - you're anti-label security detail, then?"

Florine giggled - Hawke was just enough fun to warrant her sticking around. Of course, the jezebel marine was conveniently forgetting that she had to stay around the shogun, lest she find herself unemployed - or, to put it less eloquently, up shit creek without a paddle. It would appear someone else had had a similar brainwave, for she heard the voice trickle through the air and to her ears like delightfully bittersweet treacle. It was the dancer who had been locking wits and eyes and tongues with the samurai marine. She'd made no effort to stop 'Naho' from leaving - Florine had actually been devising a way to get to the marine through his accomplice; the tone he used when talking to her was markedly different from the rough and tumble, indomitably tough, manly man-guy routine Hawke was so fond of playing.

Alas, such machinations would have to wait for now - she couldn't let her swirling dissimulations be noticed again; the Witchdoctor didn't want to risk Naho being the only one perceptive enough to know she was planning something; she'd have to put the guard up higher, and that would start with responding in light, frivolous conversation with this clearly unprofessional dancer who was so eager to talk rather than clear the stage. Florine was no stranger to the spotlight herself, after all: it was still well within her capacity to accurately critique the performances of others. At any rate, she replied to the entertainment with a smile and that telling look only the feminine kind could possess - that look that said, 'we're going to disguise our plotting of his downfall with cheery chuckling and sorority!'

"Lovely indeed! A real stick in the mud~" She delighted, not feeling it necessary to elaborate. The both of them knew what was what. Hawke, meanwhile, was promptly swallowed up by the crowds, though if the amassed were to be likened to an animal, it'd have to be a transparent one as Florine could plainly see the armoured enforcer of the World Government's law navigating the swathes of people; it was almost like tasking a lion with knitting: it was only a matter of time before the claws came out and all was torn asunder.

She said a quick, "You're unoccupied after your routine - I'll see you around~" to the dancer, whose face she quickly memorised. She would come back for her; a girl on the inside would always come in handy. But for now, she had to go - spending too much time with her would come across as conspiracy, and against the soft Kodaly of the background harps would surely be suspicious.

Like a snake Florine seemed to dart into the crowd - but not with the usual, ugly hurriedness such a motion would normally prescribe, but with the measured, assured steps of a predator that knew its prey could try all it liked, but there was only ever going to be one outcome of the encounter, and honestly the adrenaline just made the kill taste bad as it hung, defeated, from the razor sharp fangs...

Entirely verbally, of course.

In due time Florine was in the sectioned off area - an area reserved for the World Nobles, their sycophants, and their flanking paragons; those they could order to die for them at any given moment. But at least the pay was good, they likely reasoned - or perhaps they were just softly bludgeoned into submission through status and exhibitions of dominion over others. The Witchdoctor looked into some eyes, some empty forlorn eyes with smiles on their faces and nothing in their souls.

Life wasn't fair for all, she reminded herself, before carrying on.

Of course, she managed to make her way in, mask her identity with that of others - at once Florine was everyone whomever stopped her for a chat deemed her to be; that girl from accounts, who he'd never guessed had that much influence!; that other Noble's niece's brother's girlfriend; the event organiser; an insanely rich girl in her own right. She guessed anyone with the looks and the brains to pull it off could commit intense fraud around these affluent heirs and heiresses - and why wouldn't they have been able? The eternal paradise of the World Nobles was oblivious to the dark storms of the scheming and the calculating; their rose-tinted glasses blinded them to the tempests of the paradise lost.

She stayed in the distance, waiting and watching to see if Hawke would pull any funny business - after all, Naho must have dragged him over for something or other.

[Tori Tori Chopper]

'Can I beat them up, Sensei?'
'We'll have to bite our tongues on this one, Naho.'
'But she was so mean..'

'Haha, this place is a verbal war-zone right now, can't have me leaving in better favour when these kind of people are watching.' Though it sure as hell stung, the feeling that he could have done a million things to stamp his territory upon the Femme Fatales and yet couldn't muster one word besides his sudden actions to keep his pride intact within the eyes of the audience. This place wasn't a proving ground, these people high strung and working away at the grind-stone with their boring day to day lives, with money to their names and too much time on their hands.. They relished the soft-core drama. 'Besides, they were just playing their parts, just like we are.' The smaller girl who had now hugged Hawkes arm entirely gasped, even rose from the realisation, as if it was some amazing lesson in itself. 'They have to stick to the rules too, so its not their fault~' He grinned back to mimic the beaming smile his right hand girl looked up to him with, they were indeed playing parts, but for their own motives and goals. The sore thumb was playing on a very high rope however, blending by ear, but not to the eye. 'Can I do that when I'm older?' He raised a brow, snapped back only to realise he was looking at the top of her head. 'Do what, exactly?' It took a while for him to process, chuckling whole-heartedly for once only to have his accomplice huff and puff at his reaction. 'Its not funny! I'll be cute, and these will be more out here.' Her hands gestured her foretold chest size, a conversation very out of the ordinary for anyone else, the two however sharing their complete lack of social understanding.

The humour was easing, at least for the current situation which had him wanting to pin an offence on the mystery woman here and now in order to douse the troubling fire which was inevitably going to ignite in volumes once her actions spread amongst the event. He felt chained, limited in potential and power that he possessed just because a select few deemed holier than thou graced them with their presence. Speaking of the ever so demanding snorts which emitted from their protective domes, one yelled in intangible gibberish which couldn't even be attempted to decipher from a distance, a large man in their symbolic black suits walking over to the two and stopping them in their tracks. 'Nann said you needed to see me.' The large man stuck his nose up at the question, tilting his head back to the Noble who nodded in the chain of command. 'Well..?' Hawkes impatience left the man to literally growl, gesturing his features over to the two women of previously insulting manners and then peering back with a grin. 'You must be the funny one of the government clones.' He had been gestured over by the almighty, which gave him every right and pleasure to push the man aside with a foot displacing shove, at least here he could state his dominance over the lesser talented.

'Captain Hawke, dare I suspect you've been galavanting with our appointed female company?'
'It was a misunderstanding, I'm here to do my job.'
'I see, your servant has been most helpful in our protection.'

A hiss concealed and disarmed itself within his mouth, Nann looking to him from the side-lines of the suits in circle formation with a near terrified look at the word, a assumption of their bond which a man of such ignorance and obnoxious attitude could never understand. 'No matter, I wish for you opinion despite what the meaning of practice was moments ago.' The lanky and snobbish moustached man patted the much larger and rounded boy beside him, looking off to the mass of dancers collecting themselves for their stage exit or encore should they be commanded.. Hawke knew too well who they were both looking at amongst the decorated Angels and Demons of the entertainment. 'We are interested in her personally, and seeing as you've had.. Hands on experience, do you advise us purchasing her?' Did they have any idea what was and wasn't theres to control? They would really snatch a person from their life-style and home for their own momentary satisfaction?

'Father! I've decided! I want her now!'
She deserved it, playing herself out like that.

'Whatever you want my boy, can you obtain her please?'
She deserved it for playing him.

'Wait..' Though it dragged out, much like many of Hawkes cocky toned words, it caught the attention of everyone within his radius. The Nobles, especially the one playing center-stage and apparent father who seemed to find it almost horrifying for him to talk without being asked. 'Wait until she's finished the entertainment, it wouldn't be as organised with their figure-head out of the picture.' Their expressions faded, back to their otherwise posh and judgemental demeanour. 'Right you are Captain, wise words to take into consideration son.' His son nodded, leaning back in his chair and opening his mouth wide for a woman barely tall enough to reach him to feed him upon his transportable pedestal. 'You have a fine woman in progress yourself there Captain, I too consider it better to mold them with age.' The final straw, the sick bastard, his hand delved into his jacket with blinding speed though to pause as quickly within the clothings depths as his students muffled beckoning painted out the red. 'Can we go to the stage again Captain? I think I saw someone suspicious.' His built up air sent right to his lungs like a filter to allow better handling of his side-arm funnelled out his nose like a pressure being left to explode, nodding to the Nobles who brushed his presence away with hand gestures while they continued to look about the market for merchandise both material and physical.

'Bite our tongues, right Sensei?'
'As quick-learning as ever, Naho.'