Setting Sail at Last!

[Jade]

The dark-haired woman stood casually in a back alley, setting herself apart from the throng of people, with their loud sounds and friendly faces, to brood while she tore into a piece of stolen bread. Eris just knew that today would be the day she finally set sail; there was something in the air, like the pull a magnet feels to orient its needle to the North, something like... Like an electric charge. For the first time in a long while, the woman was excited, fidgeting as she devoured her midday meal at the expense of whoever had originally purchased or made it. It didn't really make that much of a difference to her. Food was food was food, and if someone was fool enough to leave it out for her to steal... Well, Eris had no problem taking advantage of a fool.

In the years since her mentor and idol, Wayman, had left Strawberry Hill, the ex-thief-turned-thief-again (out of necessity, she swore!) had turned back to crime in the hopes of making enough beri to acquire a ship the legal way. But, lo and behold, here she was, in the seven years since, Eris had yet to make a single beri; she was as broke as the day she was born, without a single cent to her name. As she finished that particular train of thought, the swordswoman also finished off that piece of bread, throwing the last chunk of it in her mouth and smashing it to pieces. It had been good bread, honestly, but she didn't have time to waste savoring it. Now that her meal was done, it was time to hunt down a good drink. Whether that meant stealing some beri or, and she shuddered to even consider the idea, persuading someone to buy her one, she needed something to wash down that bread, and she needed it a minute ago.

As the soon-to-be pirate captain made her way out of her little hideaway and into the masses of people, she found herself immediately presented with a fantastic opportunity: an out-of-town merchant (from lurking and watching, she knew just about all the locals of Strawberry Hill) who was just wandering about, with a bag full of money simply tied to his waist. Eris's eyes quickly searched the area, finding more than one child from the Strawberry Allergy with their eyes on the same prize, which wasn't particularly surprising. It wasn't hard to ensure that she would be the only person on this hunt, though; unsheathing her katana just a little bit was enough to scare the kids away. They knew who the bigger and badder thief was, and they weren't inclined to mess with her.

Stealing the money wasn't too difficult, at least to the street-trained, lifelong thief. The swordswoman walked a respectable distance from the man for a while, watching him, seeing where he was going, seeing if he had any friends. Well, as it turned out, Eris was in luck - this man really was stupid. He seemed to just be traveling alone, looking into different stores ("window-shopping", as it were), as if on his own little hunt for a trinket of some sort, and almost completely oblivious to the crowd around him. During one of these moments of peering into a shop's windows, Eris walked up behind the man, unsheathing and tilting her katana just enough for the blade to cut into the cloth of his bag, spilling his coins over the pavement. As she walked away, katana completely re-sheathed, leaving the man frantically trying to recollect his lost coins, Eris grinned, glad to feel the solid weight of ten coins in her hand.

Not twenty minutes later, the swordswoman found herself at her favorite haunt: a little hole-in-the-wall type bar, with greasy looking people (more than one who were probably too young to be drinking, in all honesty), awful lighting, and horrid food. The only redeeming quality of the Drunken Herring establishment? It was cheap, and the owner, a woman who commanded respect, despite her frail build, by the name of Anna, didn't ask too many questions (although everyone suspected she knew about the illegal actions of the majority of her patrons). Sliding over one of the coins got Eris a dirty glass of brownish liquid; which she quickly knocked back, letting out an 'aaaaah' as she thumped the half-drained glass back onto the bar in front of her.

Yep... Today was off to a pretty good start, it seemed.

[Vio]

Another seemingly peaceful day on Strawberry Hill. The streets were busy with townsfolk, merchants and scavengers, as per usual. Out in the streets, the hulking figure of Augustus Savoie plodded through the streets at a lethargic pace, reliant on the flow of steam to push his weighted form along. A frame of metal and wood and rubber, progressing through the masses. Since his previous confrontation with that chainsaw using marine cyborg, the walking diving suit had made his ventures into town more regular.

Doctor Deane did say that these regular excursions into town would be good for my physical health. Honestly, I just wish I could be free of this suit, but my life depends on it. The steam-powered cyborg continued his sluggish trek down the street, the civilians parting out of a mixture of caution and respect, a path opening before him. Certainly, it was always the better option to avoid angering Mister Savoie, lest you trigger one of his infamous rampages. More than a dozen buildings had had a wall smashed in by this titan's frustration, brought about by a mixture of annoying fools and Augustus' own displeasure at his debilitations.

Freedom. That word means so much. Reminiscing about previous confrontations, Augustus recalled his dream. Eventually, he would set sail and become a fully fledged pirate, just like his father. Still with only one fully functioning arm, clad in a metallic gauntlet, there was little chance for the brass monstrosity to sail a vessel of his own. Piloting a ship required dexterity, something which he no longer possessed to any notable degree.

"Oi! Tin man!" Augustus stopped, the gentle hiss of steam escaping as his locomotion came to a halt. Narrow eyes focused upon the source of the voice, glaring through the thickened glass of his diving helmet, a metal casing that protected his vulnerable head. A man, probably in his early thirties, clad in a dirty brown woollen jumper and grey trousers.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Eh?" The thug taunted, knowing full well that the cyborg was barely capable of speech. It was people like this that aggravated Mister Savoie, the steam-powered pirate had a short fuse, little patience for men who put others down when they could not back it up. Before his incident, Augustus had been a well disciplined youth, knowing full well the respect that one should show others. It was downright rude to insult someone based on their disabilities. Indeed, this street thug probably had less than half the mental capabilities possessed by himself.

Honestly, men such as you are barely worth my time! Insulting a man like me just because I cannot defend myself? How pathetic! Oh. Forget this pointless monologuing! Augustus' steam engines fired up once again, the familiar hissing of steam echoing through his suit as the boiling water flowed through the piping that weaved through his shell like veins and arteries. The titan turned, his heavy body stamping towards the target of his rage with the simplest of intent: Flatten him like an insect.

[Jade]

"Haha, looks almost like you've got enough there to pay for a round for the whole place, Eris." The bartender, Anna, playfully suggested, leaning on her palms, giving the dark-haired woman in question a grin and a hard stare from her steely blue eyes. How such a bright-looking, dainty woman had come to be the owner of such a shady establishment was far beyond the knowledge of most of said establishment's patrons, and that number included Eris herself, who merely frowned in response to the owner's statement.

"Oi, maybe you're right, but I still ain't gonna do it." came the curt response, just as soon as the swordswoman had drained the last of her drink and slammed the empty glass back onto the bar. With that bit of the dramatics done, Eris folded her arms and frowned at the smaller blonde-haired woman, who merely gave the future pirate captain a wry smile, took the empty glass, and had it filled and back on the bar in under a minute. "I'm saving up before I set sail, you know! I ain't got a single coin to spare for this sorry lot."

And a sorry lot it truly was - three kids who may have just entered their teenage years sat around a table in the corner, playing with a deck of cards that had obviously seen better days, a thin, greasy man with an eyepatch, and Eris herself were the only people currently occupying the bar, if one didn't count Anna herself. The bar may have seen better days, but Eris certainly wasn't sure when exactly those days were; they certainly hadn't been since she had been alive, and Anna didn't seem like she was that much older than Eris. Not that the swordswoman was that good a judge of these things in the first place...

That wry grin was what greeted Eris after downing another big gulp of her drink, and, honestly, it was starting to get one her nerves more than a little. "So, you're still on about that whole 'pirate' business, are you? Hahaha! Oh, come off it, girly. You're a thief who dreams too big, that's all." The thief wanted to punch that stupid look off the bartender's face, but she knew better than to start a fight with the person in charge, and the Drunken Herring was probably the only place she could safely spend her ill-gotten gains without worry. Starting a brawl with Anna wouldn't get her anything more than a little satisfaction - in the long run, booze was better, in her books.

"Yeah, actually, I am. And wouldn't you know, I already have my eye on someone to join my crew!"

Anna almost laughed out loud, but stifled it at the last possible second. "Is that so, dear?" came the condescending question from the woman least certified to be giving one.

"... No." Eris grumbled, sitting back down in her bar seat (when had she gotten up?) and tilting her glass back, chugging the last of her drink to keep herself from acting on her impulse. When Anna moved to refill the drink, the swordswoman glared at the woman's pale hand, which quickly darted back out of view. And then Eris did something that she would have never thought to do in the past seven years, at least not with Anna: she made something up.

"Actually... Yeah, I do! He said he'd be meeting me here in this bar, and that he would be making a big entrance." Eris stood up, defiantly, hand on her katana's hilt. The bartender took one look at the sheathed blade, appearing unimpressed, before shrugging.

"Well, alright. I'll just stay with you until your friend shows up."

... Dammit. I'll either have to come clean or sit here with her until she just admits she knew I was lying...

[Vio]

Get back here you weasel! I am REALLY not in the mood for idiots like you! If you're going to insult me, at least have the balls to back it up! Steaming, both metaphorically and literally, the hulking figure of Augustus Savoie barrelled along in a heated pursuit of his quarry. The scruffy buffoon had been bold enough to insult the already ill tempered cyborg, but it was clear that fear was the only thing supporting him as he scrambled through the streets and down a side alley in an attempt to escape the walking diving suit.

Don't you dare run away from me, coward! Turn and fight like a man! To be honest, Augustus had had anything but a great morning, his adoptive father having scolded him for the damages he had caused to his suit in a more exciting confrontation. The cyborg had actually enjoyed that duel, a challenge between men, cyborgs at that, which had enthralled his heart and given him a new lease of life. Unfortunately, reparations to the life support systems and steam pipes had cost more than expected thanks to the slicing teeth of those chainsaws. That said, with the suit good as new, nothing was stopping the hulking beast from gaining on the rogue.

As Augustus attempted to follow the turning of his prey, he clipped the corner of a building with his shoulder, cracking the cornerstones of the wall with the force of the impact. At least he was able to make the turn, albeit less gracefully than a child taking their first steps, and continued his steam-powered chase. The rhythmic pounding of heavily armoured feet on the dirty ground resounded throughout his suit as he found he had cornered the thug.

"Hey, uhh. Look. I-I didn't mean-" As the runt attempted, and failed, to reason with an enraged cyborg, Augustus reached out with a metal hand. The large fingers of the cybernetic gauntlet grabbed the jumper of the unfortunate victim, Mister Savoie's empowered arm hoisting him into the air with frightening ease. A look of sheer terror encompassed every inch of the scruffy male's stubbly face as he gazed into the dark glass window of the cyborg's helm. Mere seconds later, following the sound of steam pressure releasing, Augustus swung his mechanically reinforced arm, releasing his grip.

Never try to reason with me, you rat! Currently driven by an inexplicable degree of rage and frustration, most of which had been built up over time inside of his own mind, Augustus flung the unfortunate offender towards one of the flanking buildings of the alleyway. The scrawny street goer let out an oddly high pitched scream as he hit the wooden door of the tavern, the force of the living projectile was enough to smash through the doorway and send him barrelling into the dull interior, bouncing off the floorboards before hitting the bar.

"Eh? Ronnie?" Anna, the bartender, was seemingly quite surprised by the sudden intrusion. Her previously joking manner, however, was quickly replaced by a more serious tone as she looked towards the doorway. As a local and, being quite knowledgeable about the people, the blonde recognised the hulking silhouette of Mister Savoie as he squeezed through the already damaged doorway.

"Well. Look who it is! Explains a lot about your entrance, Ronnie. Honestly, you can never keep your trap shut, can you?" The mixed tones of disappointment and disdain lingered in the barkeep's voice for a moment as she leaned over the bar, shaking her head slowly as she looked down at the huddled up and barely conscious form of Ronnie, a usual patron of the Drunken Herring and all around troublemaker. He never needed a reason to cause a ruckus, he just loved doing so, a fact that Anna and fellow regulars of the bar knew all too well.

Hmmm. It appears I will have to be paying for that door. Well, I suppose father will, at least. Perfect, more excuses for him to rant at me about finances. Well, either way, nothing helps relieve stress than tossing a man through a closed door! Now in a calmer state, the goliath frame of Augustus Savoie slowly stepped closer into the middle of the bar before attempting a strained apology.

"...S o r r y..."

[Jade]

The whole bar remained silent for another minute, all the people sitting, staring at the massive... Well, for lack of a better term, and one that would hopefully not offend the giant, the massive Mister Savoie. Anna had helped the kid who had gotten himself thrown through the closed door back up to his feet before finally breaking the silence after Augustus's apology. "Well, Savoie, there's nothing to do about it. I suppose the place needed a bit of sunlight anyway."

With that, the bar's patrons went back to their brooding, maybe moving slightly away from the door, as if trying to avoid the sunlight... Except for Eris, who, despite all common sense, decided to make yet another irrational claim. The dark-haired swordswoman pushed past Anna, who had been carrying Ronnie over to the one booth the bar had, to get to the massive mechanical man, one hand on her katana's hilt in the event that the giant's wrath should be reignited by her movements. "See, Anna, what did I tell you? Speak of the the devil, and all that shit." Augustus Savoie was someone that, if you lived in Strawberry Hill long enough, you were bound to know something of, and usually that "something" was his tendency to rampage. Having been born and raised on the island, Eris also was familiar with the hulking man's strange manner of speaking - which mainly involved not speaking much at all. She had no clue as to what this man's thoughts were like, if he even had any, but she was praying that he wouldn't suddenly decide that her actions were rampage-worthy. She could probably stand her ground for a while, but in a brawl, she knew she would be no match for Savoie's armored punches. For crying out loud, he had just put that stupid kid through a door!

Keeping one hand warily on her blade's hilt, Eris looked up at Augustus's helmeted head, and then back toward Anna. "Oi, Anna. If he wants anything, I'm payin' for it, alright? Aside from the door, of course. Y'know I don't have the kind of money for somethin' like that." Keeping a grin on her face, the thief walked back over to her seat at the bar, feeling a great sense of accomplishment. True, it was all a lie and a show, but getting that dainty little woman to actually look shocked? Eris would risk life and limb to get that expression more often... Which, if Mister Savoie's usual disposition was any indication, could be the case right now.

"Our good friend here, the hulkin' giant of Strawberry Hill... Is the first member of my crew! This is the day, Anna," the swordswoman grinned, "that I always told ya was comin', didn't I? Kurororo~! Get me another drink; today is a good day after all!"

In all honesty, Eris was still praying to whatever god or higher power there may be, hoping beyond hope that Augustus would either go along with it... Or do anything aside from deciding that she would be his next target. This whole idea was stupid, but if he just turned around and left the bar, she was sure she could just come up with some other story to explain why her supposed "underling" had just waltzed off, and if he decided to play along with it, well, that'd be great. Anna would get off her back about her "stupid dream", finally... And, in the least likely case, Mister Savoie would actually join her! But there was absolutely no reason why that should be the case, after all... So Eris was content just hoping that her words didn't incite a rampage.

[Vio]

An eerie silence permeated the dim interior of the Drunken Herring, the hulking figure of Augustus Savoie was surrounded by a faint luminosity, a direct result of the widened entrance behind him as sunlight poured into the bar. Many of the patrons retreated from the golden rays like shadows, though this was most likely due to the presence of the soon-to-be pirate clad in an old diving suit. Like her usual self, Anna was first to break the ominous lack of sound, probably in an attempt to keep the mood light and prevent a further outburst from the cyborg of Strawberry Hill.

Fortunate that Miss Anna is always such a kind hearted soul. She certainly knows how to stave off foul moods. She has probably seen enough foul tempered scoundrels to- Hah! Insulting myself, I suppose. As Mister Savoie thought to himself, the only way for him to truly have an intelligent conversation in the majority of circumstances, the impressively tall female who had been seated at the bar made an unusual move.

Who are you? I don't ever recall meeting you before? This woman seems a few sandwiches short of a picnic, perhaps. Honestly, it is unlikely that you are mistaking me for someone else given the fact that I'm stuck in a diving suit! The cyborg observed the woman's actions through the glass window of his helm, her loud words echoed inside of the brass, babbling on about the colossus as if the two had known each other since childhood. The woman was at least of a similar age to Augustus, her jet black hair cut to shoulder length and a scar across her left cheek. Provided she was a native of Strawberry Hill, perhaps she, just as Savoie had been in his childhood, was orphaned while young. However, the metallic titan was more than capable of discerning that, unlike himself, this lady had had a more brutal life on the streets.

Keeping a hand on your weapon, are you? She had better not dare try anything. She should know full well who I am. It was then, just as the woman sat back down at the bar, that she said something which truly made Augustus think twice about his opinion so far. "the first member of my crew!"

Crew? What do you mean? Are you, perhaps, so wannabe pirate captain? Certainly bold, aren't you... Intriguingly so. Starting a crew of your very own is a difficult task, I would imagine. At least, it is for me... Augustus slowly raised his right arm, looking at the metal gauntlet that covered, and was indeed a part of, his own hand. Wriggling the metal fingers, albeit very slowly, the armoured figure of Strawberry Hill's local steam-powered cyborg received a painful reminder of his inability to leave his home. So many things, mostly caused by the incident seven years ago, prevented him from leaving and becoming a pirate on his own.

Usually, when a rookie pirate crew arrives at Strawberry Hill, I challenge their captain. You can certainly tell a lot about a crew by the prowess of their leader, but so many have proven themselves incapable captains. I, myself, cannot become such a man in my current state, nor do I think I want to. Of all the crews I have encountered, which, I imagine, really isn't that many, not a one has started here in Strawberry Hill. Lowering his arm again and stepping slowly forwards, with the aid of a small degree of steam pressure, Augustus Savoie was close to making up his mind. He needed to know more about this woman, why she wanted to be a pirate, why she seemed so bold despite being on her own. Unable to ask all of that directly, all the cyborg managed was a single laboured question.

"Who... are... you?"

[Jade]

"Who... are... you?"

Eris let out a sigh of relief as Augustus asked his question. He wasn't going to rampage, at least not yet, and that was the first step in the right direction. And that direction was, of course, avoiding getting pummeled into a fine pulp on the street's of Strawberry Hill. But his response did bring up another question for the swordswoman, and that was... Oh, right, his question.

... His question completely blew her original facade out of the water. Dammit; that was why Anna was back to smirking. "Future pirate captain, ex-thief, swordswoman extraordinaire... The name's Eris, big guy. I wouldn't blame you for not knowing who I am, of course..." The thief grinned, but it wasn't an expression of happiness or sarcasm or anything else a grin was usually associated with; this grin had something a tad forlorn in it. But it was soon gone, drowned by a huge gulp of the liquid that filled Eris's glass once again.

Anna raised an eyebrow at the black-haired young woman, and then fixed an eye on Augustus. "What she's trying to get at, Savoie, is that she's a troublemaker, same as you. If I've heard one story about her escapades, I've heard them all, and she's only been caught a handful of times." The dainty barkeeper smiled, perhaps a little more genuinely, and then she was gone from behind the bar, walking toward the three boys sitting at the table in the corner with her dirty cleaning cloth in hand.

The wannabe-pirate captain stared into her drink for another minute before chugging the rest. "Well, I've certainly seen you out and about, big guy." Eris threw a wary glance at his body - dangerous weapons and an even deadlier strength to back them up, as far as she could tell. If she could convince him to join her crew, that'd be fantastic...! But that went back to the old question; why, by all this world's treasures, would he even want to? He was a Strawberry Hill native, as Eris had been told when she had inquired about the hulking cyborg in the past, and, in all honesty... Strawberry Hill wasn't that bad of a place. It could be boring, and for a thief it could be dangerous... But for Eris, who had gone through those ordeals, days without food and picking fights, alongside her years training with Wayman, well, danger meant fun. She liked danger. Augustus looked like he could weather any danger coming his way, with that big ol' shell of his, but that didn't necessarily mean he wanted to go out and put that to the test. "So... You want anythin' or not, hot shot? Any food, any drink...? I've got some money burnin' a hole in my pocket, and havin' some spare change might just go to my head. Gotta keep myself penniless, y'know?"

The swordswoman smirked, sticking her hand in her pants' pocket and jingling a few coins in her fist, and used her other hand to gesture to the open section of the bar to her left. "Come on, we can have a drink or two together and talk for a bit, if you like."

[Vio]

As Augustus Savoie asked his simple, yet extremely deep question, a subtle smirk spread across the face of Anna. As he waited, the scarred woman who sat at the bar let out a deep sigh before reeling off facts about herself, ones which, in all honesty, barely meant anything to anyone. Still, it was the words "future pirate captain" that made the biggest impact upon the titan as he took one last step towards the bar. Sitting down was not really an option for him, nor was having a drink, considering his current state. Augustus was not one to take off his helmet in public.

I am not entirely sure of this "Eris" woman. She seems to keep this tough façade on her, but perhaps, like me, she is a more troubled soul? What reasons do you have for becoming a pirate? Questioning thoughts flooded through Augustus' head, questioning not just Eris, but himself as well, taking into account what Anna was saying. The cyborg had a promise to keep, a dream to live, and maybe the woman that sat beside him now was the catalyst for his dreams to become a reality. Mister Savoie needed to prove, not just others, but also to himself, that his mental acuity could surpass his physical limitations. An intellectual trapped in the form of a monster, perhaps this was his last chance?

Troublemakers we may be, but who can judge the desires of others? Maybe it is time for me to depart from Strawberry Hill. At last, this day has come? Ugh, what nonsense is this? Augustus, do you honestly think someone like this woman can help you become a pirate? Does she have the gall to back up her claims? Absently thinking to himself, the future pirate cyborg turned and walked out of the dull environment of the Drunken Herring and out into the sunlit side street, somewhat hoping that Eris would give pursuit. Persistence, more often than not, paid off. While he normally challenged captains to a straight up test of strength, perhaps the best way was to test Eris' own tenacity. If she truly wanted to become a captain of her own crew, Savoie was going to test her resolve by simply walking away.

Eris. If you wish to become captain of your own crew, if you wish to be my captain, then you, like all others, are going to have to prove it! With his silent challenge issued to the thieving swordswoman, the armoured goliath that was Augustus Savoie trekked steadily through the busy streets of his home town, pushed along by the combined efforts of weakened musculature and raw steam power. The more he moved, even if it was just walking, the more exercise his atrophied muscles would get. Eventually he might even be able to walk without the aid of steam power, but until then, he would just have to settle with getting to the docks with the assistance of his suit.

[Jade]

The entire bar fell silent as Augustus turned and left, using those great steam-powered strides of his. Eris groaned as she watched him leave, turning herself so that her front faced the back of the bar, and hung her head over her glass. Well, there went that plan... She had hoped for a moment that, maybe, just maybe Augustus would go with it. He would have made an interesting crew member for sure; even if he wasn't the fastest person around, Strawberry Hill's titanic cyborg had just proven that he had more than enough strength to make up for that abysmal speed. But... Aside from his strength, the thief didn't know him at all, and Mister Savoie hadn't seemed willing to share much about himself. Perhaps his leaving before the whole situation could get awkward was-

"You know, most captains would consider that mutiny."

Eris's head shot up, glaring at the fragile barkeep with an expression that she at least hoped looked terrifying... From Anna's reaction, however, she could tell she looked more shocked than anything. Dammit. "What in the hell do you mean?"

The little blonde woman smiled and reached over the counter, as if to give Eris a comforting pat, but reached instead for the empty glass in front of the other woman. "Well, simply put, dear, if he is part of your crew... Do you intend to just allow him to walk off on his captain without giving him hell to pay for it?"

"... He isn't part of my crew. I don't have a crew." The black-haired swordswoman replied after letting a minute of silence pass. "I know that, you know that, hell, those kids over there know it! They're scared of me, so they'd never admit it, but all those damned orphans laugh at me. I'm that whacky lady who steals better than they do, brawls better than they do, but they laugh at me anyway, because they know all my big talk is just big talk!"

Eris fumed for another minute before Anna rolled her eyes and began to laugh. "You've been proclaiming you'd be a pirate captain for years now, dear. But, if you insist on this stupid behavior... Give Mister Savoie hell anyway. If not for mutiny, then because he broke my door." The delicate woman smiled, patting Eris on the forearm, trying to be reassuring but coming off slightly creepy. The black-haired thief would never understand how a woman who had all the typical requirements for being "pretty" could come off as so... So... Well, terrifying was the best word.

Without another word between them, Eris stormed out of the bar, making a point to step on each and every large chunk of broken door on her way out, without going out of her way, leaving the bar behind in favor of the somewhat crowded streets of her hometown. Fine, she thought, if this is the hand I've been dealt by lying and bragging, then so be it. Augustus, you're going to join my crew now, whether you like it or not!

---

The greying swordsman stood at the starboard side of the vessel, staring out over the strangely calm waters, his hands gripping the railing as he stood. Wayman's eyes were closed, trying to bring to mind once again the memories of his time spent on Strawberry Hill - his time spent with his protege, the young woman Eris. He had raised her as a swordswoman; her skill hadn't been very great when he had left, but it was acceptable and he had given her the tools she would need to further hone her ability... And that was good enough, at least for him. After all, the life of a pirate had called him out to sea once more. The expert swordsman's only regret was that he hadn't brought Eris along for the ride... Although, his captain would most likely have not let her come on board, claiming that she wasn't ready for the truly rough waters in this world. And Wayman would have agreed, but that did nothing to ease his regrets.

"Oi, Wayman. Whatchya lookin' at?" A thick-limbed man with a blond ponytail walked over, leaning on the railing beside the master swordsman, mockingly looking out over the ocean just like they grey-haired man.

"Looking to the west, Stallion, and remembering." Wayman mused, holding a hand to the rather plain-looking katana hilt at his side and smiling. The other, taller man raised an eyebrow at the swordsman, looking around to see if anyone else was nearby, and then let out a big, booming laugh. "What's so funny, horse-face?" The swordsman's smile turned sour as he glared at the laughing underling.

In between bouts of laughter, Stallion tried his best to respond. "Yehuhuhuhu! That ain't west, old man! That's south!" With that, the bigger man fell to the ground, still laughing hysterically at Wayman, who merely grimaced and debated pulling his sword on the man currently making fun of him.

"... Asshole."

[Vio]

Now steadily plodding down the street, the hulking frame of Augustus Savoie seemed like a shark amongst a school of fish. The people that swarmed the busy boulevard parted like the tides as the monstrosity of wood and metal marched down towards the docks. Deep, regulated breathing echoed within his enormous exoskeleton, supported by the power of a cybernetic lung. A simple invention really, useful but ridiculously expensive; though Doctor Deane had managed to secure it at a reduced price thanks to his more easily 'persuaded' associates at the university.

What little she knows of me. For seven years I have remained imprisoned within this, my own creation, augmented by the likes of the good doctor so that I may hold onto my life; and my dreams. His pace never waning, the hulking horror of Strawberry Hill reminded himself of the events that had led to him being stuck in this state of half life. Since the day he had woken, the stubborn scientist had felt trapped by his own genius, stifled by the dark confines of the shell which encased his entirety. The sluggish contraption was intended for use as a deep sea diving suit, but with a few adaptations, the optional 'overcoat' had become a part of his very being.
If not for that creature, I would not be in this state. If not for Deane, I would not be here today. If not for my fathers, I would have become another corpse on the seabed. But, it was all my fault. Wisps of steam hissed free from the valves of his suit as Mister Savoie progressed, unaware that the self-proclaimed captain might now be seriously considering her actions. Ahead he could see the masts of ships, framed neatly by the window of his bulbous brass helm. A familiar white flag sat to the left, the flag of the Strawberry Cross, a vessel upon which Doctor Deane sailed to neighbouring islands. It was a medical ship, a Carrack with state of the art operating theatres and sick bays to treat patients at sea; a hospital on the water.

From humble beginnings, that man grew into what he is today. Professor at the university, co-captain of the Strawberry Cross, private doctor of the Savoie family. A genius, to say the least. Doctor Deane had always been somewhat of a mystery to the adoptive son of the Savoie's. His background had forever remained a secret, but Augustus had assumed that the 'good doctor' was a native of Strawberry Hill and an old family friend. For as long as he had known him, that had been the case, but the inner workings of the philanthropic physician were an unknown quantity.
Hmm. I believe he should be at the harbour now. Perhaps I should consult him? He always seems to understand how I am feeling. He has always been much easier to talk to than Father. Pace accelerating just a little, the steam-powered cyborg pressed onwards towards the shores of the island which he called home. Inside his protective carapace, the heart of Augustus Savoie was in a twisted state of turmoil, as was his mind. He had dreams, but his understanding of the realities he was bound by had always made him dismiss them. Perhaps that was another reason for his frustrations? To be understood by others would calm his nerves, but maybe he needed to understand himself to be at ease...

~~~~~

Perching upon the highest mast of the ship, squatting and gazing into the endless blue of the horizon, the rugged figure of the captain whistled softly to himself. Beneath, his crew were going about their usual business, more than used to the nuances that came with having a captain such as Joseph Siebe. The 'Black Tiger' stared with piercing green eyes to the west, his pursed lips switching into a sly smile that accented the peculiarly long canines of his upper jaw.

Today's going to be a great day! I can feel it! Huh? Eyes now wandering down to the deck of the ship, drawn by the familiar flicker of light, Joseph spotted the blade of his crew's very own master swordsman pointed at one of his fellow crewmen. The tiger smiled, the combination of sharp 'fangs' and his black, grizzled mane - sideburns included - certainly showed where his namesake had arisen from. That said, it was not only his appearance that was ferocious.

"Roaaahahahaha!" Leaping from atop the sails, the grizzled pirate let out a deep laugh, pouncing like a playful kitten and landing upon the deck just a few feet from the two gentlemen. Squatting, Captain Siebe had his back to his subordinates, bearing the black shawl upon which white stripes formed the face of a roaring tiger, white claw marks crossed beneath.
"What seems to be the problem here, kiddo?" Head to the side, widened pupils nearly completely replacing the vivid green of his eyes, the conspicuous captain looked to the likes of Stallion. Narrow scars upon the cheeks of Joseph added to the tigerish looks, like whiskers.

[Jade]

The mighty laughter of his captain prompted nothing more than a roll of the eyes from the master swordsman, who didn't even bother to give the Black Tiger the benefit of having someone appreciate the theatrics. Stallion, still laughing hysterically on the deck, certainly wasn't paying their captain much mind either. The expected thud came soon after the booming laughter from above, along with what Wayman assumed to be another bout of theatrics. Heavens, while the swordsman himself wasn't one to talk, at least he put on a show when he knew people were actually watching. With a single 'hmph', Wayman sheathed his blade, crossing the short distance between himself and the offending crew member in a single step, and delivering a quick kick to Stallion's ribs.

"The only problem, dear captain, the greying swordsman replied in a tone absolutely devoid of any humor, "is that the wild horse over here is going to laugh himself more than a little hoarse, because he found it funny that I didn't quite recall which direction west was. These sea's mess with a man's mind; so can you really blame me for being a little messed up? It was only south, after all - it could have been north, which would be the entirely opposite direction! Unaware of his screw up, Wayman huffed once again, delivering another swift jab to Stallion's side and frowning when the other man simply rolled out of the way and back onto his feet. Those stupid cowboy boots of his, with their dumb spurs, clinked and clanked all over the deck; no one could get a wink of sleep whenever Stallion took the night watch. The lesser crew member merely snickered a few more times before taking a step back; Wayman may have been aging, but his glares were still enough to send lesser men cowering.

---

"Has anyone seen the big hulking guy? Throws kids around for fun. Breaks doors, kinda quiet?"

Eris was wandering down the street, asking, rather half-heartedly, the various pedestrians whether or not they had caught a glimpse of Augustus. The vast majority of the people simply ignored her, although sometimes someone would shout out a quick reply; even more rarely, the thief could actually get to the person and ask them which direction Mister Savoie had gone. Slowly, but not so slowly as Strawberry Hill's great cyborg himself was going, the swordswoman was getting there.

What was she going to do when she caught up with him? That was the big question. He certainly didn't seem like the sort who could be persuaded through physical force - he had broken a door by chucking someone through it, and Eris had a sneaking suspicion that that big casing around him would be more than resilient enough to take a punch or two. He seemed slow but powerful; sure, she could probably try punching him, but again, that suit made her think twice about it. If her style of swordplay lent itself to quick movement, like Wayman's own had done, she could have done it... But then would come the problem of patching Mister Savoie up enough to make him seaworthy again, and the future pirate captain didn't trust herself to do more than apply a bandage to a wound from time to time. Complex machinery was way beyond her skill level.

The crowded streets weren't her first choice of travel in the city. Eris would have much preferred to travel through the back alleys and smaller roads connecting the main pathways around the city, but she somehow doubted that Augustus, Strawberry Hill native though he was, would take those same routes - the vast majority of them were probably too narrow for someone of his size, and would probably be filled with stupid brats who would make fun of and torment him so long as he stayed on their turf. Street kids were nothing but trouble, after all, and Eris knew that first-hand. After all, she had been one of the kids making the trouble, once upon a time.

"I'm looking for the grand Mister Savoie himself! If someone-" The latest session of shouting was cut short as Eris rounded a corner, surprising herself. There he was; all laborious movement and hulking body and hissing steam set against a backdrop of ships and the piers and the ocean itself. Eris stopped in her tracks, her mouth still wide-open, staring. For a brief second, she could see it; this truly would be the first person she would call her crew mate, perhaps even first mate. And then the moment was gone, interrupted by a small insect flying into the thief's mouth. Eris screwed her face up in disgust, spitting out the offending insect and rubbing the taste off of her tongue with her thumb and index finger of her left hand, and then began forward movement once more.

"Hey! Augustus!"

[Vio]

Crowd parting before him, Augustus Savoie continued his lumbering trek towards the docks of Strawberry Hill. The hiss of steam pressure building in the veins of his suit, then being released as his body was propelled onwards; these were the sounds most heavily associated with him. For the people, those sounds were to be feared as well as respected, but that was not necessarily how the steam-powered cyborg saw them. Quite the opposite, he felt that they were testament to his disabilities, rather than his skills.

Do they all see me as a monster? Or it is just me who sees it? Oh, how I long for freedom from this... this coffin! As the softly sloping streets reached ever closer to the harbour itself, the crippled wannabe of a pirate longed to feel the sea breeze upon his skin; a feat which was practically impossible in his current state. The good doctor had warned him, all those years ago, of the dangers that removal of the suit currently presented. Sure, he could go without his helmet, but what use was revealing a vulnerability to the outside world? The brass sphere was something he only dared to remove in private, allowing his eyes to gaze upon the world without being tinted by a barrier of glass.

Indeed, I can go without need for this helm; it is naught but an accompaniment to the rest. But, within this suit of mine are mechanics that keep me alive. It holds them in place, and in turn? Concealed eyes looked down towards the cobblestones as Mister Savoie continued to plod along, his laboured breathing relatively light thanks to the ventilation of air in his suit. For all its bulk, it was efficient, though he did wish that he was not so restrained by its limitations. That said, it was not like he could do much more than suit allowed whether he wore it or not. In fact, it benefited his mobility.
Hm, there is something I must discuss with Deane. If I do venture out to sea and pursue my dreams, what happens if I sustain damage? So far, he has been able to repair all the damages, but what do I do without him? Factual thoughts, for sure. Damage sustained by the suit, courtesy of the longarm cyborg's chainsaw limbs, had all been patched and reconnected by the handiwork of the doctor. Steam pipes resealed, fabrics sewn and patched. But, without Deane there to fix him up, the cyborg would have been helplessly immobile for days on end.

"Hey! Augustus!" A shout out from a familiar voice echoed within his brass helm, a haunting ringing in his ears. The unusual and obnoxious woman from the bar, no doubt about it, had given pursuit to the ironclad invalid. For whatever reason, she had considered him valuable for her 'crew', though from first glance it was safe to say she was not financially stable enough to afford a ship. What good was a pirate without a ship?
Persistent devil, isn't she? Well, I'm in no mood to fight her, whatever the reason. Of all the weapons I have, only one man so far has proven himself capable, and that was because his technologies were more advanced that mine... His pace slowing for a moment as he recalled the exhilarating clash between himself and his unnamed opponent, Augustus considered his possibilities once more. Marines, they had access to far more effective machinery than the average folk, and technology was even more developed in the Grand Line, or so it seemed. If a man of such calibre existed in the Blues themselves, what kind of geniuses called that terrifying sea home? Now, more than ever, he wanted to go there.

Stuck in this shell until the day I die? Stuck on this island for that matter! No thank you. Heh. I assume I have made up my mind, after all this time. So suddenly. So strange. The rhythmic pulses of steam came to a stop as heavy limbs ceased their actions, allowing time for the woman to catch up. He could feel the eyes of passers by focusing on himself, almost fearfully, as if expecting him to turn around and cleave the street rat in two with his oversized knife of a sword. Or perhaps crush her in his iron hand? Skewer her upon a harpoon, maybe? He could blast her with his gun, at that. He was, after all, fully armed at current. Normally, he would leave his blade at home, but after his match with the fellow cyborg, he had kept it on him at all times. Taking a single, deep breath, he uttered a single word. "...Yes?"

~~~~~

"The only problem, dear Captain, is that the wild horse over here is going to laugh himself more than a little hoarse, because he found it funny that I didn't quite recall which direction west was." With Stallion laughing his head off in the most horsey fashion possible, continuing his hysterics as Wayman delivered a swift kick to his side, the captain simply watched and waited. There was, most definitely, no need for any involvement. If the way Joseph Siebe acted was anything to go by, then one could make a good assumption of his crewmen.
"These seas mess with a man's mind; so can you really blame me for being a little messed up? It was only south, after all - it could have been north, which would be the entirely opposite direction!" The words of the greying swordsman were, perhaps, not as helpful as intended. Still, as Captain Siebe stood up to display his full height, so too did Stallion. Respectfully stepping back, looking as if he could burst into fits of laughter at any second, the Black Tiger gave a subtle nod of the head to dismiss him.

"Roahaha. Well, nice to see you're as sharp as always, Wayman!" Turning now to face the sea, Joseph stepped between the swordsman and the subordinate as Stallion trotted away, the sounds of suppressed laughter audible in the calm. Amidst the cries of seagulls and the rest of the crew at work preparing the ship, all was otherwise calm. Right arm leaning on the railings, piercing emeralds gazed out to sea once more before he broke the awkward silence.
"You never did say much about her, y'know..." His tame growl of a voice now quietened to a somewhat more private tone, the grizzled pirate understood all too well the kinds of feelings that Wayman held on to. Seven years ago, the two had met on Strawberry Hill, and on that very same night they had departed. Memories were something that both the ageing gentlemen kept locked inside, both wishing similar things for the subjects of their affection. "Roaaha! I wonder what my boy's up to now!"

[Jade]

"...Yes?"

The hulking man slowed to a stop, prompting many glances, a handful of them angry, from those just going about their daily lives. Eris felt a good portion of those eyes shift toward her and nearly leapt out of her skin; she wasn't used to this much attention, and she could pick out four faces just in a cursory scan of the sea of people who she had stolen from in the past week alone. But the hub of activity soon resumed its normal pace. After all, life didn't stop for anyone - not even for a massive cyborg with more weapons than anyone would feel comfortable shaking a stick at, and certainly not for the rather dirty-looking future pirate captain.

Which wasn't to say that life would never stop for her; oh no, she fully intended to have all eyes drawn to her one day, when she was powerful and infamous, with a bounty higher than a king's ransom. The black-haired swordswoman would have a great big ship with a hold full of looted treasures, a crew of pirates loyal to her Jolly Roger and her blade, and enough power to make the world tremble just at the whisper of her name. So perhaps a bit of attention shouldn't bother Eris, considering her plans, but those plans were, in truth, just dreams, and they were far off... And the only way to get to those dreams, at least right now, was to convince this Augustus guy to join her crew, get a ship, and get the hell off Strawberry Hill.

The swordswoman quickly cut her way through the crowd toward Mister Savoie, keeping one hand on the hilt of her katana at her side as she walked, keeping her eyes peeled for anyone who might be so bold as to intercept her. Eris had spent her fair share of nights in jail, and if she was recognized by anyone as the thief she was, well, she had no plans on staying in the Strawberry Hill jail again. She was only ten steps away from the great cyborg when she cleared her throat and steeled herself; Augustus's great big hand, that sword, and the massive gun built into him all reminded the thief of that boy he had thrown through the door of Anna's bar. If Savoie decided that he was going to assault her, Eris knew she wouldn't be much more than a blade of grass confronted by a hurricane against his attacks; sure, she was strong, and perhaps she could parry a blow or two, but but still... An arm that could throw someone through a solid wood door would more than likely be able to snap her own arms like twigs, especially with a blade the size of the one the cyborg had on his person.

"If it'd be to your liking," Eris said suddenly, stopping five feet from Augustus, "I'd like to give you a more, ahem, formal invitation." The future pirate captain took a deep breath and exhaled before continuing. "Savoie, you're going to join my crew. Take it or leave it, but I'll force you if I have to. And don't think I won't, hot shot." A smug grin was the best Eris could muster, along with a little glint of steel from the sheath at her side. In truth, it was all she could to manage to continue looking up at the hidden face of Augustus without trembling; it had been a number of years since Eris had been truly afraid of something, but now, looking at this... Cyborg, or whatever he was, she felt it like a pang in her stomach and her head at the same time, threatening to send her to her flying to one of her haunts at speeds she felt that Mister Savoie would never hope to be able to match.

---

"You never did say much about her, y'know... Roaaha! I wonder what my boy's up to now!"

Wayman watched his captain quietly, not saying a word as the Black Tiger laughed and spoke. He gave Joseph a minute of silence after that final question... Or was it a challenge, or a statement? It was sometimes hard to tell, especially with a captain as wild as this. "You know, Joseph, I would put money on your boy's safe recovery. Why, I'd go so far as to bet that he's on board a ship right now, making a name for himself." The Wandering Blade's previously grim expression softened, a wry grin pulling at the edges of his mouth as he moved forward to stand beside the wild captain. "And the reason I never say much about her, o' captain, is because there isn't much interesting to say. She's a fierce girl, that much is for certain, and I know she'll do well for herself. She's persistent, if nothing else..."

The crew's master swordsman trailed off at that, turning his dark blue eyes, flecked with steely grey, toward the horizon. "I wonder if the winds of chance shall blow those kids our way one day..."

[Vio]

Standing in the middle of the street, the brass-helmed figure of Augustus Savoie waited in silence, save for the sounds of his laboured breathing as it echoed inside of his suit. He could feel he judgemental stares of civilians as they walked by, and by now he was certain that the swordswoman felt them too. They were both outcasts in their own rights; one a thief, one a cripple, both monsters. Still, the steam-powered cyborg calmly awaited the response of the wannabe pirate captain, his mind having already been made up, provided the right answers were given.

"If it'd be to your liking, I'd like to give you a more, ahem, formal invitation." The words rang loud and clear in the ears of Mister Savoie as he remained utterly motionless, the soft hiss of heated water redistributing itself amongst the varying capillaries of his suit sounding like static on a radio. A formal invitation was not something he expected from a captain, at least not one he would deem worthy of following. He was picky, to say the least. The usual physical challenge he issued to pirates was, in this instance, replaced by a mental one.
Be careful what you say, else I may not join your crew. Bah, why do I think these thoughts? It's not like she can hear me. Still, I should at least consider the possibilities. It appears she has no ship and no crew, not yet. Silently questioning himself alongside the words spoken by what he hoped would be his future captain, the ironclad invalid took a deep breath, almost in synchrony with the scarred woman. His back still mostly turned, the cyborg remained stationary until further notice, heterochromatic eyes - one green, one blue - gazed into the distance through the glass window of his helm. It was not the masts of the ships that he saw, nor the blue seas beyond; his eyes focused on his future, standing on the deck of a ship, surrounded by fellow pirates who longed for adventure.

"Savoie, you're going to join my crew. Take it or leave it, but I'll force you if I have to. And don't think I won't, hot shot." Cumbersomely turning to face her as she spoke, Augustus now looked the swordswoman square in the eye, his own face hidden in the shadows of his helm. The smile on her face, the glint of steel, the look in her eyes. She was clearly terrified, to some degree, of the metallic monster before her. Then again, who was not? At the same time, there was something about her that made him strain a concealed smile.
Scared of me? Fair enough. But, that is impressive. Despite her fear, she is not running. She followed me, of all people, and was to be so bold despite, most probably, considering herself outmatched? How odd. She could easily outrun me, yet she chooses not to back away? Heh. Thoroughly impressed by what he was now looking at, the adoptive son of the Savoie family could not help but find promise in the eyes of Eris. She was fighting against her instinct to flee, standing firm in the face of danger and doing what she could to suppress her fears. That was, in his honest opinion, one of the most amazing qualities of the mysterious woman.

"...Roa ha ha ha..." Unable to resist, the usually silent suit of armour began to laugh softly, though his chuckle of satisfaction was soon cut short by a choking need to breath again. Several deep and raspy breaths later, the crippled pirate managed to regain his composure, his handicaps unable to best the man within the shell. His mind was certain. Eris had shown the determination and charisma which he admired so much, and from this point on he would refer to her by a single word.
"...Yes... Captain..." With a subtle hiss of steam, the bulky right arm of the cyborg raised up and extended, a massive hand of iron held out in an open position. An invitation to shake hands and confirm his allegiance to the dreaming swordswoman, Augustus Savoie would be the first of what he hoped to be many to join this abnormally determined woman. He could feel the eyes of the crowds staring in awe, some in fearful anticipation, as he held out his hand and awaited acceptance. It was the strangest feeling, one not inhibited by his frail physical form, but one that seemed to reinvigorate him; mind, body and soul.

~~~~~

"You know, Joseph, I would put money on your boy's safe recovery. Why, I'd go so far as to bet that he's on board a ship right now, making a name for himself." Bearing sharp fangs again, the Black Tiger smiled at the words spoken by the ageing swordsman, silently agreeing with the given statement. He had not seen his son in years, that much was true, but not an ounce of emptiness was felt within the pirate's heart. If anything, it felt as if something good was about to happen.
"And the reason I never say much about her, O' captain, is because there isn't much interesting to say. She's a fierce girl, that much is for certain, and I know she'll do well for herself. She's persistent, if nothing else... I wonder if the winds of chance shall blow those kids our way one day..." A silent chuckle, Joseph Siebe knew all too well those facts about the mysterious 'daughter' of the Wandering Blade, facts which seemed to be the only things Wayman ever said of her. Still, Captain Siebe had a pretty good idea of Eris already, just from that description. Augustus was a whole different kettle of fish, a much more complex mind, from what he understood. Opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of intelligence, but both were determined fools.

"I hope so! I'll be damned if I have to set foot on that island again! Roaahahahaha!" Roaring laughter emanating from his mouth once more, the grizzled captain stepped back before turning to give the crew a quick once over with piercing eyes. Everything seemed to be in order, at least as much order as one could expect aboard this ship.

[Jade]

Eris trembled, her grin faltering as Augustus began to laugh. Her hand clenched the hilt of her blade; if the large cyborg decided to strike, and she hoped he didn't, she could probably leap to the side and get a blow in before fleeing the scene. The crowd would probably part before Mister Savoie, should he charge after her, but... Yes, the swordswoman could lose him in the alleys. Strawberry Hill's back alleys were her home, after all, and-

"...Yes... Captain..."

Wait. Had she heard that right? No... No, there was no way she could have... And yet, there was a low hissing noise, and Augustus had his hand raised to her. An open palm; there was no weapon there, only an invitation of his own. The sable-haired thief's hand dropped from the hilt of her katana in shock, but she quickly made up for that - she took a step forward, clapping that hand against her first crew member's one, wrapping her fingers around his hand as best she could, her smug grin returning in full. And this time, it wasn't present to mask fear; how could she be afraid now? The monstrous man of Strawberry Hill, Augustus Savoie, had just declared himself, in his own way, a part of her crew. Her grin grew with each passing moment as the newly-minted pirate captain thought about the implications this had.

Together, they could hit the seas. Together, they could take a ship, they could leave Strawberry Hill. True, two people did not make a pirate crew, but Eris didn't care - she felt cooped up, stuck her entire life on this stupid island, and she wanted, needed, to head out to sea. True, she wasn't the most qualified person to run a ship, not yet, but experience would come from action. There was no sense in worrying anymore...

"Kurororo! Well then, big guy, we've got a lot of plans to make, don't we!" The young woman laughed, putting her hands on her hips and grinning up into the helmeted face of her first crew member. And then she was looking all around, her grin turned fierce, at the crowd gathered around them. "And hey! You guys have lives. Get a move on; it ain't like we're gonna be settin' off fireworks or anything like that." Said crowd lingered a moment longer, but the glint of steel quickly set them to moving. Eris was beyond the point of caring about the repercussions of threatening the masses - she was a pirate in more than just her fantasies now, and she was going to act the part.

---

"So, our favorite little nuisance is back at it again, is she...?"

The black-capped man leaned back in his chair, kicking his feet up on his desk, exhaling a big puff of smoke as he laughed. The Chief of Police of Strawberry Hill, a man by the name of Ulysses R. Wright, was a lanky man with a reasonably attractive face; all tanned skin, green eyes, slicked-back blond hair, and a white smile, despite his smoking addiction. The two men in the doorway to his office were still struggling to catch their breath, having run all the way from the docks to give him this report. Ulysses almost felt bad for the older of the two men, a big, portly fellow with a thick grey mustache that made him look a bit like a walrus, made even more comical now by the way his skin was flushed red from his run. The Chief of Police pushed himself back by kicking off from his desk, rolling back to the wall behind him, where he proceeded to lean over, putting his hand behind the cabinet where he kept a multitude of files on the various criminals running around his dear city.

"Well, organize some of the boys. These 'plans' of her's are not going to go off without my say in the matter, vehehehe..." Ulysses smiled softly, pulling his saber out from behind the cabinet. Oh, yes, that saber, with its ornate sheath; trimmed in gold and with spiraling patterns, reminiscent of those found on a Devil Fruit, down the length of it. The policeman had a feeling that Eris wouldn't just let herself be taken in tonight, and he knew of that sword she kept on her... She had stolen it back from their possession after having it confiscated often enough.

---

"I hope so! I'll be damned if I have to set foot on that island again! Roaahahahaha!"

The aging swordsman's expression remained indifferent, continuing to stare out at the sea laid out in front of the two men. "The Blues were good to me... I have good memories of those calmer waters." Wayman's gaze tracked a seagull, spiraling far overhead. The faint cawing of the damnable bird reached his ears, and he silently wished that it were practical to expend the energy to dispatch the ugly bird. "But I agree, captain. To hell with that island."

Wayman smiled, looking over at the man he had followed back out to sea. He had no regrets leaving Strawberry Hill, truly, although... He did wish he could have brought her out to sea with him. Oh, he missed her, truly, but he had long since decided to consider this a test of his "daughter" - they would meet again. Oh, yes, they would... It seemed like a silly, 'old man' sort of thing to say, but Wayman could feel it, even in his bones. He would put her metal to the test on that day, and probably berate her for slacking on her practicing, and things would be like they had been during those sweeter years. Wayman just hoped that she was not too angry with him for leaving her behind.