Getting to Know The Creed, Pt1 [Deep]

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Ramza turned at the sound of clapping as he collapsed his staff and holstered it on his hip. The praised that came from Drake seemed genuine, though to Ramza some of it almost seemed exaggerated. Was Drake mocking him? Maybe that was just the way this man spoke.

Drake may have been pleased with Ramza, but the assassin was less so. The two encounters Ramza had before this one had been much cleaner. Then Ramza had had much more space to move in, but this last time the enclosed space had truly handicapped the assassin.

Ramza clenched his jaw as the man dropped from his desk with a mighty crash. The vibrations that emitted were violently clear to him and they weren't terribly pleasant. Ramza's eyes follow Drake as the man walked over a large window and opened it. Ramza had almost gone out that window to bring his fight with Brutis into a more open location.

Drake then launched out of the office and landed onto the rooftops of another building. The distance was easily reachable for Ramza, but he preferred make quick dashes from various polls and trees to cross the gap. By doing so the assassin had options with each additional jump rather than making one long commitment of a jump in which Ramza would be completely vulnerable to anything Drake could do. By the time Drake had finished his roll and turned around, Ramza sat crouched on top of the closest lamp post just mere feet away from the rooftop Drake stood on.

Ramza was merely a dark silhouette against the light that emitted form the lamp. He waited for Drake.

[kiarus]

Drake turned to completely face the black figure. He was sure an oddity at this time of day. An assassin, clothed in all black perched a top one of many poles. To many civilians here he was quite the spectacle and naturally out of his natural element. Number one couldn't help but give a brief, half-hearted laugh. "Hmph, come on. To the shore." 

He said ever so kindly, authoritative, but kind. 

The two Creed members would make there way to the islands shore which wasn't too far off. Or at least Drake expected Ramza to follow

Making use of various tall structures, buildings, trees, Drake would progress toward the bay. "I have a mission for you Ramza. Your first mission in The Creed." Drake began as he landed on another rooftop and darted for the next one after jumping from a full sprint. When they were within earshot, "I've got wind of something called Glow Saber Technology. I want you and your partner to find it, figure out what it is, and bring it back with some type of sample and blueprints. I'll tell you more about it later, with Anari. Shouldn't be too hard for you no?"

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Ramza blinked as Drake beckoned him to follow him for the shore and took off. It took little effort for Ramza stay beside Drake as they leapt from various structures and objects at an impressive rate. In the past, the assassin had frequent such a travel method. It was fast and one was hardly interrupted by another passerby. Ramza did not like to be interrupted.

After a few moments of traveling in silence Drake spoke to Ramza. He told of a new developing technology and his wish to have it. The man certainly was ambitious. Ramza was slightly surprised by the request, for he had never been hired for a simple snatch and grab. He was a killer, not a thief. However, Ramza figured Drake knew that Ramza's skills would still be required in such a task.

There still was one problem, "Sir, Anari and I have already been tasked to hunt a man named 'Whiskers' Marsh." Ramza responded on the move, "However, we could still perform this task before or after our hunt."

(I only bring up the dog hunt for the sake that the relationship between Anari and Ramza may changed drastically during this mission and it would alter this plot.)

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[kiarus]

He shut his eyes temporally, "My my, how could I forget." Drake opened them only to shake his head, bringing relief to the serious air. "I must really be tired so forgive me." His apology seemed sincere but one was never too sure when dealing with Drake.

He sighed.

"Very well... Do this first. This is something that is very important to me and no matter what, bring it back." It was quite obvious that Drake was serious about this particular mission. A quick end to the relief. "I would go do it myself but I'm too busy and I'm sure your skills would be better suited." He readily admitted. The leader of The Creed didn't recruit the best for no reason. They all would help The Creed grow and become stronger than he ever would dream of.

The two continued on, the shore clearly coming into view. Drake gracefully landed on a nearby tree branch. He stepped on it hard, pressing down with all of his might causing the tree branch to snap and break off upon his immediate launch. Drake was sky rocketed into the sky and landed mere inches from the ocean. His fall being cushioned by the sand on the beach.

He sighed,

He let his body drop backward and falling on his butt, Drake let his metal encased arms rest on the metal that trapped his legs. He stared off into the ocean view thinking of what Ramza's perception of him might be. "How long ago did you eat your devil fruit?" He humbly asked. There was no plot behind it, no secret to pry for information, nor any malice or deceit in his voice. It was a sincere question amongst fellow Devils.

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"Okay," was all Ramza said in reply to Drake's insistence on the retrieval of this new technology.

They then continued to travel in silence. To a normal man, traveling beside another would be completely normal. However, for Ramza any traveling done accompanied was always uncomfortable. He normally had to watch his traveling companions, for they were always the closest and they had the best opportunities to stab him in the back. Drake was certainly one with capabilities beyond back stabbing, yet there was something different about him. Something about Drake reminded Ramza of his old master Ki the Grey. Maybe it was because it was only with Ki did Ramza ever travel this way with. Or maybe it was the way Drake was giving Ramza orders the way Ki did, on the go. Either way, there was something comforting about Drake in which Ramza was reluctant to accept. Still he would watch Drake, he was not Ki.

Ramza watched as the Creed's leader made an impressive leap off a single tree branch, and soared through the air until he landed on the beach near water's edge. Ramza couldn't bring himself to launch so far as to nearly land in the water. He was a cautious man, and water was a dangerous niche he could never venture. Instead Ramza landed several feet behind Drake and walked up to the man as Drake fell on his ass. Then Drake asked a very peculiar question.

Ramza decided that there was no harm in answering it, "Longer than my memory is clear. I was a street rat at the time. And I ate so much shit I couldn't discern the Devil Fruit aside from whatever else I was eating." Ramza now stood beside Drake near the water, but he did not sit down. He looked down at the leader of the Creed, "It was much later when my teacher told me I had done so."

Ramza blinked at himself. Such conversation was very odd, all in his life he had never mentioned Ki to anyone save clients when he was younger. Why did he speak to this man? Ramza shook his head and looked out into the sea, "I have waited and watched, but I have yet to witness you exhibiting your power. I must admit I'm very curious."

Ramza prided himself in his use of words, it was one of the few luxuries Ki had taught him as a boy.

[kiarus]

Drake continued to stare off into the ocean while the young boy spoke. He talked of his childhood and his homelessness. It was sad, it seemed all the devils went through some type of unfortunate chapter in their life. Though, look where they are today. Stronger, wiser, and a boatload happier. It was just life really, things always got better...

Until they got worse.

"I have waited and watched, but I have yet to witness you exhibiting your power. I must admit I'm very curious."

"Hmph." He smirked and looked back at Ramza. His red vein infested blue orbs portrayed a pinch of confusion. As if the leader of The Creed wondered himself about his own power. "It'd be a waste if I showed you now. My power isn't complete nor even near the point where I want it to be." Drake's vision drifted back toward the ocean, "Patience, you'll see. Everyone will see." And with that Ramza was free to leave or stay if he wanted and enjoy the view. Though Drake doubted it, the assassin seemed a bit like a loner.

That was fine.

Drake had nothing against it. We all go through that phase in our lives until we realize that we need people.