Fledgling Heist

[tepigturtwig]

Jerek Doregon sighed as he slipped out of his makeshift house near the dock. At this point, he was beginning to feel like his endeavors on getting into a crew were fruitless. However, maybe it would just be another week. No, he had told himself that four weeks ago. Another day? Forget it, he had already told himself that for a month. Maybe I'll have to take a ferry to a different sea. It's well known that the pirates in East Blue are the weakest. Like me, he thought to himself. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a quick breath to steady himself, and glanced back at his little ramshackle abode. It was small and unassuming, all dilapidated and old. Moss was beginning to grow on the wooden boards that had been hastily nailed together, but, it added a flare of color to the almost ashen grey, aged wood of the house. It was supposed to be a temporary home, so I wouldn't have to cross the island to get back to my house every day. And yet, I still live here. Well, at least I can practice my medicine without mom yelling at me. 


Jerek then gazed out, across the narrow alley. It looked like the sort of home to scum and villainy from some seafarer's tale. However, it worked to Jerek's advantage, as the eyes glancing through the rickety blinds of the windows wouldn't find his strange trips to the dock any stranger than their own activities. As he stepped, the worn-down cobblestones under his feet seemed to chip and crack. His own feet were constantly in uncomfortable positions, as it seemed the paver had purposely made every little stone uneven, ranging from those buried under the soil, to those that looked like stairs compared to the actual ground. The little bumps sent shivers down his spine, as he took a deep breath of stale air, and let it out. He eventually saw the cobbles seem to even, one of his first signs of the dock clamoring to expand onto this alley.

Jerek braced himself, as his feet began walking under the now straight terrain, and the small niche opened into a wide area of commerce. Smells of age and rust were replaced with the salty scent of the sea and the strange aroma of the sailors who had come to exchange goods for gold. The stale, suffocating air was replaced with fresh, free air, with a cool wind breezing by, ruffling through his suit. As he glanced around, he saw stalls with haggling merchants, although he could not make out what they were saying, and great, grand ships, especially the almost gaudy marine ships. Masts held flags of all types, shapes, and colors, so many that he always spent a few minutes just looking at them. Along the edge of the dock, he could see children playing in the sandbank. He always forced himself to resist the temptation to throw off his boots and hop onto the shores, and build a castle or a ship with the sand. He was a gentleman, of course, so there was no way he could do something so childish. 

He eventually forced his way through the surging crowd, thinking to himself as he went about the grand adventures he would have if he could just find a crew here. However, as he finally stumbled out of the pack, he realized something, and slid behind a few barrels. Then, he pulled out a set of vials he had with him, and  began concocting a few strange chemical cosmopolitans. He would need to hurl these at his foes, and maybe drink a few himself, should combat arise. He had his sword, but he was not a skilled swordsman in the slightest, only keeping it around to fend off weaklings trying to pick his pockets. As he was hidden behind the barrels, he began overhearing something, two sailors who were keeping their voices down, almost secretive. As he glanced out, it was obvious which two sailors were doing the talking, due to the close proximity of their heads to each other. As he stared even closer at them, he saw them carrying a small box. At first, he wondered what was inside, until he heard what they were saying.

"Remember, tell everyone that there is a gift for the marines in the box."

"But, you know I'm bad at lying!"

"That's why we are not. Just not telling the full truth. If anyone knows there is a devil fruit in here, they'll steal it, or at least try to. And then those marines won't be handing us all that gold. In fact, worst case scenario, a pirate gets the fruit instead, and we lose our heads."

"So, what fruit is it?"

"I just know it looks like a nectarine, and I sure ain't eating it! I'd rather be able to swim, thank you very much."

As Jerek overhead the two bickering, the temptation grew too much to handle. As he hopped out from his hiding place, he began approaching the duo, ready to steal that fruit. His first act of piracy! But, as he drew closer, he realized something: he wasn't the only one who had heard the two talk, it seemed. So, he kept his hand on his sword, and began edging closer to the two sailors, ready to fight anyone else who wanted that devil fruit. 

[The Shimmering Banana]

The Worst Week Ever: Day 4

Is this really happening? I've been on my own for three days and I'm already a fugitive. And not just that... we just got together and our crew has already crumbled. What is going on? What ever it is Im sure it can't possibly get any worse. Thoughts from an exhausted young Fish Woman as she laid her head to rest just meters from where she had been held captive earlier that week. Hidden under the cover of large palm branches Shimmer slept the night away in the forest on the outskirts of Loguetown. The now fugitive left alone by her “crew” mates after promises of reuniting in this very spot. Shimmer waited an entire day at the meetup spot and when she awakens it will be another. Not like she should have expected more she had only just met them after all. Who knows maybe they'll be standing there when she awoke and all would be ok. Or not.

Birds gently tweeted above her as the sun peeked over the treetops. It was a great way to wake up especially after all the stress Shimmer had been under. She stretches out all six of her arms arching her back still laying on the cool morning grass. Her palm leaf sheets falling of her slender frame as she wiggled awake. “Not the worst sleep ever I guess” she says to herself as she rises to her feet. This was the dilemma now. Where to go should she wait here for her fellow fugitives or do what a Fish Person does best and flee to the sea? Gathering her things she decides on a third option; “I'm going to go look for them” she says flipping her sack onto her back and walking back towards Lougetown. The trail was fairly easy back to the natural hustle and bustle of the town but where would she start her search? Joe’s Place she says remembering her short time working for the bar. But that's where everything went wrong she thinks as her upbeat jog began to slow down. If I get caught who knows what'll happen to me the girl having already been sold off at auction once on this isle. That won't stop me her new sense of determination giving her the courage she needs to keep going back into the town.

It was just as she remembered the constant foot traffic vendors at every corner. She was sure not to be noticed. And the altercation was so small Shimmer was sure the Marines and everyone else had forgotten all about her little rumble at the bar. She would be right everyone had forgotten about it well almost everyone. She was sure Joe would remember after all they did do some damage to the bar. But more importantly the marine captain the Gorrum K.O.’ed will definitely remember. As long as she stayed out of his sight she should be fine. Shimmer kept her head down as she walked the streets her obvious Fish Person appearance being covered by an old dark purple tunic she had in her bag. If anything would give her away it would be that fact that she was a six armed beautiful woman. As she walked the streets she saw a few familiar faces and location including the crab stop she visited earlier. Man those poppers were good thought Shimmer as the aroma of her favorite types of food hit her nostrils. Even that didn't deter her the girl quickly continuing down the sidewalk towards Joe’s Place.

*Mean While*

“I can't believe they denied my request to put a bounty on those three punks. After they destroyed that bar and attacked us”

“Well it was mostly us who destroyed that bar Sir” replies a terrified subordinate realizing the mistake he has made. “I.. I.. I mean I can't believe it either Sir.”

“Doesn't matter they couldn't have gotten far well maybe that fish girl but not the other two.” says Captain Ahab “I'll catch them and regain my good name” he finishes laughing maniacally afterwards. “Don't know how good your name was to begin with” whispers his subordinate.

Doesn't look too bad. You can't even tell there was a fight here thought Shimmer as she walked into the front door her head dropped low as to not arise attention. The door slightly swings open as the young woman quickly shuffles to the bar top muttering out to Joe “Hey boss, remember me?” slightly tipping the hood of her tunic up just enough to see the purple hue of her skin. The bar owner looking up from his rigorous cleaning to respond to the girl “Shimmer? It is you… Figured you'd be in jail or halfway across the sea by now. How are you is Gorrum with you have both of your pay here.” he says before walking over to the cash register reaching underneath retrieving two envelopes; one with Gorrum’s name on it the other with Shimmer’s. A good enough little bonus for the girl having returned to the scene of the crime. “Thanks” replies the pirate as she stuffs both envelopes into her bag “but thats why Im here. I got separated from the others and need some help finding them.”

Joe continues his cleaning trying not to draw attention to the fugitive girl. “Well little miss if you're looking for a pirate the best place to search us by the docks. There sure to need a way off this rock sooner or later.” an obvious clue but one that Shimmer had not thought of. “Thank you once again Joe and I'm sorry about your bar.” says the young Octo-Woman. “Don't sweat it kid was more that Ahab fella than anyone else. Now go find your friends before you get left behind.” replies the old barkeep shooing Shimmer off. “Thank you again” she says before making her leave.

[tepigturtwig]

Jerek glanced around suspiciously, and a feeling of dread filled his heart. His eyes wandered onto many people whose eyes had narrowed at the pirates, and whose mouths stretched into maniacal grins. I need to determine who knows about this fruit, and who are working together, he realized. Then, suddenly, he noticed a few more individuals that made him take a step in a different direction, so as not to draw attention to the fact that he was stalking these two sailors: marines. They were very menacing, causing him to put his hand on his sword. He chuckled to himself at his own stupidity. He couldn't fight them in a sword duel, and it only made him more suspicious. And so did that chuckle, apparently, as the sailors glanced at him, fixated on the man who was following them.

Caught like a deer in the headlights, Jerek mentally panicked, forcing his body language not to change at all through strenuous self control. He breathed a deep breath, and forced a smile. The sailors, whoever, it seemed, were not buying it. As he took a subtle step to the side, he decided to throw attention from himself, speaking, "Good evening, gentlemen. Why the strange looks? I'm simply running errands." Jerek knew the trick to a lie: never tell a full one. He really was running errands, just not the errands that these sailors would think. Then, the sailors responded. "Well, we got business with Captain Ahab. Now bug off!"

And so, Jerek decided to change up his approach. As the men stormed off, he slipped into the first building he saw. As he was tailing them in this building to building fashion, he decided to go a different trail and intercept them near the headquarters. Spying a tall building with a ladder on the side, he climbed up, taking his time as he did, surveying the area. Eventually, he spotted the duo, who clearly knew nothing about adverting suspicion. As the sailors walked, he estimated what route they were taking to the prominent Marine Headquarters, famous for its ability to capture pirates. He eventually spotted a small alleyway where he could sneak up on them and eliminate them with everyone else none the wiser.

He headed down from his post, taking it a rung at a time. He almost slipped a few times, probably due to nerves, but made it down safe. His anxiety and excitement blended into one strange, sugar-rush feeling inside him, and he made his way over to the marines. As they came around the corner, he looked, realizing he was further from the alley than the marines, causing him to mental panic again. If they walked fast, or walked in a different direction, he might miss his chance. So, he needed a diversion. He withdrew one vial, and glanced around for a nice building to hide near. There was this Joe's Place, which seemed like a rickety, bar-like endeavor, and he sneaked behind it. Then, he poured out the contents of the bottle onto the floor of the street. That was sure to cause a ruckus. 

[The Shimmering Banana]

*DING..DING..DING..DING..
DING..DING..
DING..
DING..DING..
DING..DING..DING..*

The clock tower in the center of town rang twelve times, once for every hour that had passed this day. It was midday and the lieutenant was already late with the delivery. Not a good start as the captain was already on edge about this mission considering his reputation was on the line. “Where late he’s going to be pissed.” says the prominent muay thai combat as he firmly grasp on end of the small treasure like case. If the marines thought they were fooling anyone they weren't it was obvious they were carrying something valuable. Then again who would be dumb enough to steal from a marine lieutenant and recruit in broad daylight?

“Lieutenant Redips is late” says Ahab as he glares through his binoculars from a room in the motel across from Joe’s Place. “On the day that one of the little scamps returns to the scene of the crime and he's late.” he continues his voice becoming steadily more angry. “Sir. It was of utmost importance, a gift to a prince. Im sure the others party were the tardy..” the young recruits word cut short as the door to the bar across the street begins to open. “Shhhh! The doors opening” says the excited captain overlooking his official mission for a personal vendetta. Sadly it was just another drunk stumbling out at such an early hour. The captain leers back out the window with the binoculars awaiting his prey. “Ah there's the lieutenant” he says as Redips and the recruit come around the corner heading towards the motel. As the burly man looks through the window he also catches a glimpse of someone else. A slender shadow of a young man sneaking around the building. Probably just nothing thinks Ahab as the pair of marines take the last step towards the side of the building.

Or maybe that's what they want me to think the eager captain thought connecting the hidden thief to Shimmer and her crew. “Men get word out to the lieutenant the Fish Woman has an accomplice waiting around the corner!” he calls out as he stands to his feet placing the binoculars on the table. The door from the bar beginning to open this time with the marines intended target in mind. Their fate was sealed a careless mistake made by a fish woman and a case or wrong pace wrong time for a would be thief. “Tell him to hold his position and await for the pirate to exit the bar.” continued Ahab as his subordinates relayed his every word via baby den den mushi to their commanding of mushi “Finally I'll have my revenge and I'll drop off that cursed fruit it'll be a glorious return to Marine HQ. They'll most likely give me a promotion.” a childish grin covering the large captains face. "ALL UNITS MOVE IN!" he calls out the recruit replying "Sir. Theres only four of us including us two" Ahab yelling back "Then what are you still doing here get the girl and that other recruit and get them. Ill be watching."

[tepigturtwig]

Jerek watched as the "swarm" of marines hurried about, a few heading towards his position. However, at this point, the chemical mixture was beginning to seep into the street, causing even more entropy then he had originally intended. As the green ooze began creeping into the busy, hustling civilians, everyone began yelling and shoving through the crowd to get away. Snickering, Jerek drew his sword, ready to fight the marines. Then, as he saw the marines trying to get to him, he waited for the perfect chance to strike.

And waited, and waited. He was furious at how long these marines were taking. Had there been another way out, he would already have dashed off. This mixture wasn't going to disintegrate their feet, it would just sting a lot. They didn't have to act like they were dancing in a volcano. But, it gave him time to think, which he far preferred to time to fight. Jerek's head swarmed as thought after thought entered it. He would need to get out of this mess, and get that chest. However, he soon realized something: those sailors were not heading further up. They should have passed this corner by now. And then, right as the marines were next to him, he realized that they weren't regular sailors, but marines. These marines had immediately followed him, so he suddenly came to the realization that he had hid right behind a marine outpost of sorts. However, he did not have time to reason any further, as the marines readied their blades.

Jerek was not a fighter, and that much was clear from the second his blade clashed with that of one of the marines. The marine's blade immediately shoved his aside, and Jerek was forced to clumsily leap out of the way, awkwardly slamming into the wall behind him. The marines saw their advantage, and pressed forward. Jerek began blindly swinging his sword in front of him, trying to get the marines to stay back. He needed to think his way out of this problem, not fight his way out. Then, a thought hit him like a truck.

Jerek dropped his blade, and, as the marines realized what he had done, they thought he was surrendering. Then, seeing the hazardous chemicals he had stuffed into his travel handbag, they asked him to drop that too. So, as Jerek fiddled with the buckles on it to "unravel" it, he made sure to douse his fingers in chemicals. They were not very apparent on sight, but they stung. However, he was used to this stinging effect on his chemicals, as he often spilled them on his fingers. However, as one of the marines grabbed Jerek's wrists to try and pull him into an arrest pose, the marine proved that he was not used to the stinging, writhing back in pain. As the marines all rushed to see what had happened, Jerek decided to pull his little hoax. "You see what that man just went through? It's because he touched some very toxic chemicals on my hands. He only has hours to live. Oh, and don't worry, they don't effect me. After all, I made them. I am a Chemo-Chemo No Mi user, and I can create chemicals at will. So trust me, this won't be pretty if you don't back off."

It seemed his little hoax worked, and he headed off. However, as he was picking up his bag and sword, he slipped a little, tiny vial into his palm, which was hidden as his fist clenched to grab the blade. As he walked past the now terrified marines, he mentally chuckled at their stupidity. Then, to really sell the illusion, he leaked out the contents of the little vial, which then spilled on the ground. Then, as he turned the corner, he peered into this strange Joe's place. The two marines with the devil fruit were in there, along with a high-ranking marine. The high-ranking marine was burly, menacing, and glaring right at Jerek. Jerek gulped, realizing that he now had a choice: fight or flight. Disregarding all logic, he chose to fight. And, so, he headed into the small bar, reading up a chemical storm to defeat this guy. He didn't really have a Chemo-Chemo fruit, if that was a real thing, but he sure had a slew of chemicals. 

[The Shimmering Banana]

She had made a mistake. One that every novice criminal makes yet still a big mistake. Shimmer had returned to the scene of the crime which for her could prove to be costly. In her two day absence the marine batallion her crew assaulted had made camp across from her location. Now it was there time to strike and with the absence of Gorrum and Zel she knew this was going to be bad. The sound off boots hitting the pavement was the first thing the Octo-Girl noticed. Hmmm it's all in unison she thought as the bar door fully extended open giving the men the 100% id on Shimmer.

The sun gleamed in the girl's face causing a moment of blindness as the first two men, the lieutenant and a recruit, approached the doorway as per the captain's orders. “Stop right there!” they call out, the voices sounding vaguely familiar to Shimmer. She instantly assumed the worst which was exactly what was happening to her. The marines have caught up to her for a simple mistake and she would spend the rest of her life in jail. Her arms shot up in the air a kind of reaction from the marines yelling stop. Her life of crime was still young and she still hadn't learned to not listen when the authorities tell you to stop. She drops her lower set of arms as she takes a step back then her center pair with another step back. As Shimmer goes to put her upper arms down that lieutenant reaches over and grabs her wrist “I said stop!”. She was caught the girl tugging at her arm attempting to get loose from the man tight grip.

Shimmer struggled as the recruit moved in quickly grabbing her other arm the Octo-Woman using her center arms to push him back. The two men now going to handcuff the girl realizing that their efforts to grab all her hand would be futile. Redips quickly snaps the iron cuffs onto the girl's wrist twisting her arm behind her back and joining it to her wrist from one of the center arms. The recruit following his lead and chaining the girl in the same manner. Her top two set of arms were now chained in a cross pattern behind her back leaving her bottom set yet to be cuffed. “No.. Stop!” she calls out “help me!” she continues as she sees another man trifling with the battalion passing by the door.

[tepigturtwig]

As he stepped into the bar, he saw a scuffle on the floor which he had not seen from outside. His eyes naturally began zooming in on the mess, trailing past chipped wood and simple tables. He looked into the scuffle, seeing blues and purples and whites. As the blurs began forming, his nose tingled. The grape-like smell of alcohol was penetrated by something, salty. Sea salty. And then, he heard a plea for help. It was soft, delicate, definitely not a grown man's. Then, his mind came to the conclusion a millisecond before his eyes saw it: that's a fishwoman. Jerek grew inflamed, "You miserable curs would treat a woman like that?" As soon as he had spoke, most of the marines drew their attention towards him, but a few kept focused on the Octo-Woman. 

Jerek hurled the tiny vial in his palm at one the men, and it shattered, impaling him with small shards. Not a kill, but definitely an incapacitated man. Then, as others rushed towards him, Jerek saw the chaos he had got himself into. If I was thinking, I would have taken advantage of that commotion. Damn you, Jerek! Jerek, however, did not have time to internal monologue, and quickly focused in on the situation at hand, deftly putting his sword in front of an incoming blade. Well, it was deft until his sword spun out of his hand. He was unarmed. Alright, let's try a more, diplomatic approach.


Jerek placed his palms out in front of him, a mixture of a defensive and a friendly gesture. Now, he needed to stall."Alright, there, you insufferable disgraces. Even men as foul as you would not attack an unarmed gent, would you? Although, I'm certain that you would, seeing as you navy scum were never proper men. Just flaunting your biceps and blades. No manners! I can't stand the site of such men, unless they are in line for decapitation. None the less, place down those swords and be more civilized with your methods."


As the men closed in on him, many having their swords still in front of them, Jerek realized they weren't in the mood for propriety. However, as his eyes scoured the room and his mind raced to wrap up whatever plan he had in store, he saw the box, out of the corner of his eye, being placed in front of that captain. He was going to get the devil fruit, not that captain. And so, Jerek pulled another stupid move, withdrawing a vial from his bag and chucking it at the captain. The vial missed, as Jerek had planned, but the gas created as it smashed against a wall was already beginning to cover the room in a blinding gas. Jerek could barely see further than his hand, and closed his eyes. He was going to find that table out of memory, and closing his eyes would double his more useful senses. As panic and confusion erupted in the room, Jerek sprinted to the table the captain was at. 

Eventually, Jerek thought that he was near the table, reopening his eyes to find that indeed, he was near a table. As he hopped onto the table, he saw a chest. And a huge hand, probably the captain's blindly trying to grab it. Clearly not a genius, this captain. I hope that Octo-Woman is, I think I gave her ample time to do something. And so, Jerek grabbed the devil fruit out of the box, and leaped to get off the table. However, midair, he felt something grab his leg and pull him back. The fog was clearing, and he was right next to the captain, who had one hand on Jerek's leg and the other in a fist, ready to deliver a smack to his face. Jerek gulped, and shoved the devil fruit into his throat. That captain was not taking it.

[The Shimmering Banana]

A girl in need of help and she got it. Her call being heard by the man who rushed in blindly to save the voluptuous woman. His first attempt to reason with the group of officials not going so well ending in him using diversionary tactics to try and escape with the girl. Or so she thought… The mysterious gas covered the bar causing the early afternoon customers to flee in terror. It was a madd house making it the perfect way for them to escape. Shimmer yanked her body away from the two marines grabbing her the second the vile burst against the ground. She was loose well almost, four out of six arms were still chained together but at least she was out of their clutches.

With the gas in the air Shimmer hit the ground one making it a bit easier to move without inhaling whatever type of gas it was. Her visibility was hindered but not as much as one would think. Being the type of octopus fish woman she was, a blue ringed octopus, her bread was used to being in dark cloudy deeps and eyes could see well in such conditions. She looked towards her savior as she assumed that he would be hot on her trail but was mistaken. 'He was just trying to steal whatever that was' thinks Shimmer as she sees him stuffing the devil fruit down his mouth. 'Who cares at least it worked in my favor.' she continued as she looked back towards her two captors.

The pair was blinded as they coughed and stuck their arms in front of themselves attempting to feel out their surroundings. Each step confusing the two making it harder and harder for them to find the Fish Woman. 'There they are' she thinks spotting the key ring dangling on the hip of one of the marines. Quickly crawling towards the recruit Shimmer uses her last set of arms to slowly reach for the key ring sticking out of his back pocket. “Got ya” she whispers as she snatches the keys the marine quickly turning in her direction and swiping his fist. “Get over here!” he calls out, the Fish Woman snickering as she scurries off in the other direction. Shimmer props her back against the wall as the gas begins to clear and unlocks one set of the chain cuffs.

*Click*

The cuffs popped off her slender wrist causing the chains to hit the wooden ground. She was almost free but was there enough time to get the other set of keys before the gas cleared? 'I'll just have to go like this' she thinks as she can see the maries steps becoming more designated. It was clear they were starting to gain visibility and would soon be at an advantage again. There was many more of them then Shimmer and her mestey savior. 'Wait I forgot about him.' thought the girl as she looked back towards the young man. Through the cover she could notice him acting strangely “what's wrong with him?” she asks herself.

[tepigturtwig]

Jerek's skin began to glow a heated red as the devil fruit began taking its effect. He could feel something weird happening, something he could only describe as, devilish. He felt steam coming out of his ears, eyes, nose, and mouth. It should have been painful, but, more than anything, it just made his vision foggy. Was this the devil fruit's power? He didn't have time to contemplate what fruit he could have eaten, however, because he felt a fist soaring towards his face. Jerek knew that it wasn't a logia, otherwise, he would have felt his skin becoming something different. As he fought to get out of the grip, the fist landed squarely on his temple. Jerek's whole body shuttered, and he barely held onto consciousness. If one fist could do that to him, what could 10?

Through his somewhat fading vision, he glanced at the captain, who yelped in pain. Jerek saw the marks on the man's hand, instantly recognized them as burn marks, and deduced what his power was in a second. The captain realized what had happened, also, and decided to go for a different plan. As Jerek was assessing his own injuries, he felt the captain lifting his leg. He's trying to slam me against the table! Jerek decided to try and get some use out of his devil fruit, focusing on his leg. Maybe he could burn his way out of this. As his leg heated up, Captain Ahab screamed in pain, but held his grip. Jerek needed a plan, and fast.

Captain Ahab slung him up, and then swung his arm down, bringing Jerek to the table, milliseconds from contact. But, right before his head hit his table, Jerek grabbed his own leg, pulling himself up long enough to get hit in the back by the table instead of the head. He'd rather hobble awkwardly for a few days then get a concussion around a pack of marines. Feeling himself almost black out from the pain, he winced, but kept his eyes barely open, and burned with both hands and his leg against the arm subduing him. He burned hard enough that Ahab had to drop him, and he backed away, scooting to the door. He could see the Octo-Woman making her way out, and decided to see if he could help her.

However, he had his own struggles to handle, like an enraged captain and marines coming after him. He decided to see if that steam from earlier could be released as a thick steam. He focused on generating heat into his hands, and thought about the steam in his mind. Then, a blast of the scalding gas emerged from his palms, and he was rocketed through the doors, hurting his already injured back more. He screamed in agony from the pain, but barely managed to get up. As he climbed up, he saw the Octo-Woman near him. Maybe he could get them both away? "Hey, madame, I have a plan, split up." Jerek then decided to leave one little parting gift to the marines as the ran out the door to catch the two criminals. This time, he glanced around for the captain, and, when he saw the captain, released as hot a blast of steam as he could muster at the captain's crotch. Jerek did not have time to see if the captain dodged the move, as he immediately began hobbling away as fast as his injured back could carry him. He needed to get to the docks. 

[The Shimmering Banana]

'What is going on?' she thought gazing upon the young man who had eaten the devil fruit. He seemed like any other ordinary kid just a second ago and now steam was coming out of every phase of his visible body. 'could this be what caused thats gas earlier' continued Shimmer as the steam quickly dissipated. 'No it clears up way faster' she was enthralled by what she was seeing. Not only was this the first time she had seen someone use devil fruit powers but it was definitely the first time she had seen someone gain their abilities. 'It's like steam' Shimmer was now convinced that this man somehow produced steam from his body. He must have been one of the people who ate the cursed fruit. 'He's a devil fruit user but not a very good one by the looks of it.' she thought seeing the boy still get tossed about by the captain.

Strong or not he had bought her time to escape whether it was steam or some kind of gas Shimmer had a distraction and wasn't going to waste it. She snapped out of her astonishment from her first devil fruit encounter and continues to keep close to the ground heading for the door. Before she knew it she would be out of the bar and headed somewhere safe to remove the other pair of cuffs still binding her arms. Her knees shuffle against the hard ground when suddenly she feels something smack right into her plump bottom. “Ahhh!” screams out as Shimmer glides out the doorway and into temporary safety.

“Talk about deja vu” says the girl as the devil fruit user comes to a stop right under the very window of the motel room the marines were hiding out in. Not two days ago she was fleeing the same establishment after battling out with the same battalion. She hoped that this would not become a thing of normalcy, Shimmer rubbing her butt from where the young man had made contact. “owowowowow! Ide ide shake your hand but my free one are rubbing my a$$” she says. “Nevermind that though no time for introductions we have to get out of sight.” continued the fish woman. She then grabs her new ancomplace by the wrist and begins to run back down the alleyway he had originally come from. “This might sound bad but I ran from these guys a few days ago so they'll probably expect us to head for the forest. Thats where we ran last time. So this time we'll head for the docks. They shouldn't expect that.” states Shimmer dragging the boy along with her her grip on his wrist remaining as tight as ever.

[tepigturtwig]

"Or we could follow your plan," Jerek managed to say as he was being dragged by the girl, "By the way, sorry about hitting you in your rump." As the fish-woman spoke about her previous encounter, although in a more alluding than straight-forward manner, Jerek realized that he should probably shut up and listen for her plan. With his feet thumping against the cobbles, Jerek half-walked, half-dragged behind the fish-woman, while keeping his eyes on the marines behind him. Jerek tried to stay calm and focus on not heating up, as he had the feeling that the fish-woman would not be so inclined to help him if he burned her hand.

Alright, now that I have a second to stop thinking in the moment, I need to figure out what the heck I've eaten. So, so far, I know I can release steam and heat up. That could be a plethora of things. I need to find some basis for what this power is based off of. Every devil fruit has a basis, rubber, poison, spiking one's body, tons of things. Then, as Jerek observed his body for flesh wounds, he saw something that almost made him gasp: a wrinkle. Instinctively and without thought, he began "ironing" out the wrinkles with his hand. Well now I definitely know what I am. A frickin' pressing iron. Great. 

Realizing that the fish-woman needed a little diversion for her plan to work, Jerek launched out a blast of steam to cloud the path behind them. As the marines faded out of view, he decided to see if he could contribute to the plan, "You say we are going into the alleys, right? Well, how about we lay low out my temporary hideout. It's in a run-down alley, so no one will see us, and, if they do, they won't speak up or show their faces to the marines, since they have crimes of their own to answer for. I can lead you there. Oh, and I might have an idea for removing those handcuffs."

[The Shimmering Banana]

*Clip clop Clip clop Clip clop*

The sound of their boots hitting the stone roads rand throughout the allies as the group if marines chased down the pair. A thick plume of harmless steam clouding their vision as they ran. “Keep going men this way!” called out lieutenant Redips as he took a sharp left watching the direction of the swirling air. ‘A trail covering your tracks is still a trail’ he thinks as he makes another left then a right. “This way!” he calls out once more before thinking to himself ‘with the steam in the air you could see estimate which way someone went by looking at the air flow. He a devil fruit user so we won't engage but the captain will want to know where they're hiding’.

After a few more turns the plums began to dissipate as he looked back with no sign of the rest of his battalion. ‘Bunch of slow pokes’ he thought as he continued his relentless pursuit of the pirate pair. “If I'm right they turned down this way” he says reaching the end of an ally leading directly into the hustle and bustle of the market place. “Damn the perfect place to get away” he says as he pulls out his den den mushi.

*ips ips ips ips

ips ips ips..
Ips ips

  ips*

“Did you find them yet?” answers the captain on the other end. “No I lost them in the….”
*IPSsssss*

The mushi looses connection as the captain hurls his across the room the poor snail lucky landing in a pile of rags in the hotel stakeout base.

“I know you said to head that way but we needed a way to blend in. I figured a quick cut through the crowd would do that.” she says to her new acquaintance as they made their way through the crowds. Shimmer looks back hoping not to see their oppressors “I think we lost them” she says panting as she slows her run down to a brisk walk. “I think it safe to stop running now” she continued. But would it ever be safe to stop running? In a matter of four day Shimmer had become what seemed to be public enemy number one to this marine battalion. As long as she stayed here she knew she would always be running if not fighting. ‘Huh! How can I fight with my hands all chained up sure I can still shoot my sling shot but with no more powder I can't make another dream bomb’ she think before remembering the young man's comment. “Wait you said you had an idea to get these chains off right? Well lead the way back to this hideout and you can tell me all about it.” she says before remembering her manners “Oh the names Shimmer by the way Shimmer Isngol.”

[tepigturtwig]

Jerek thumped along behind the fishwoman, hoping she would eventually stop. As she told him her name, he decided to introduce himself, "Nice to meet you, Shimmer. My name is Jerek Doregon. This idea I was telling you about, well, it has a very low chance of succeeding on those handcuffs. I was going to make a kind of powdery thingy that might be an explosive. Okay, now that I think about it, all that would do is blow off your hands as well. Okay, scratch the plan. Sorry, you are going to have to stay in those things."

Jerek was quite sad that he would be unable to help this girl in her current position, but he knew he could at least help her find temporary cover. He had the feeling his little steam cover-up would not last for long, but could buy them time to come up with a plan and maybe rest a little. If they were going to fight a bunch of marines, they would need every advantage they could get. "Alright, we are going to rest at my place for a little while, follow me." Taking her hand, very gently, he guided her along through the crowd, and eventually made his way to the docks. 

"Only a little further," he reassured her and himself. As they walked slowly, to not draw attention, Jerek began glancing at the ships at the dock. One caught his eye, a ferry. The dock of the ferry had a sign on it: "Leaving tonight." Jerek could not believe his good luck: he would just have to last the rest of the day without getting murdered by marines, and he might be able to escape. Hopefully, the girl would come with him. However, he had the feeling they would part ways once the fiasco ended.


Eventually, they made their way back to his house, and he flung open the door, catching it seconds before it slammed into the wall. He didn't want to make unnecessary noise, so he hastily sneaked in with the fish-woman and shut the door with a creak behind him. The room was a bit of a mess, but he did not mind. It was always a clutter of strange ingredients. He began stuffing his little bag full of ingredients and vials, since he knew that he wasn't coming back to this place. Then, he took a vial which he knew was a rubbing salve, based on where it was. He always kept his concoctions labeled by little folded papers with the type of concoction it was on them, so he would not have to think twice about what he was grabbing.

Slowly, and gently, he poured in a mild painkiller and mixed in a teaspoon of powdered root. Mixing it with the utmost caution, he took the vial with the new substance and headed to the bathroom. "Pardon me, madame, but, I need to apply a little bit of this salve to my back and legs to kill the ache and pain of being slammed into a table. Anyways, you seem like a veteran at running from these guys. Care to explain?"

[The Shimmering Banana]

Jerek, so that was the name of the kind stranger that jumped in to save her. He didn't look like a Jerek Shimmer thought he loomed more like a micheal something strong and calming. Who was she to say though. “Well thanks for saving me and yeah let's not blow me up…” says the girl following the young man's lead. The trail was shady the type of place you don't want to walk down at night by yourself. Good thing it was still early evening and Shimmer had this man,Jerek sorry, with her. It was the path to his home after all or at least his hide out. This is when it occurred to Shimmer ‘waite this guy has a shady hideout… who is he?’ she was so quick to accept his help that she didn't actually know who he was. For now he seemed nice enough coming to her rescue for no reason. Although the girl had caught a glimpse of the man already running from the marines. So perhaps they weren't coming for her bit him and she just happened to get caught up in the mix. But what were the chances of that ‘I did return to the scene of the crime’ she thought as they reached his “hideout”.

This did not make the young Fish Woman feel any better as his den was covered with various vials and herbs. What was he doing with all this stuff especially in a temporary location. Something was off here and Shimmer was going to find out what it was. She watched as he sorted through his belongings preparing some kind of mixture. ‘What is he making’ she thought to herself as she reached into her bag to retrieve a pack of firecrackers. ‘If he tries anything I'll throw these and have a distraction to run’ her mind thinking the worst of the so called savior. He then rubs the mixture on his body ‘It's just some rubbing ointment?’ she thinks ‘maybe I'm wrong about him.’ she continues as she walks over to his herbs looking over his wares. ‘I might be able to find something useful here’ she thinks as the boy asks her about her current predicament.

“Honestly it is just a case of a marine with a God Complex. It all started with a bar fight between a few of my friends and some thugs at Joe’s Place. We worked there. Then when the marines came to check it out they almost killed an innocent civilian for trying to proclaim our innocence. Long thread short my friend kicked his a$$ and he got butt hurt.” she rambled spotting a few key components for her casing to the dreams explosive. ‘It would take a bit longer to harden but should still work.’ she thinks turning to face Jerek. “At the end of it all we got separated when we ran towards the forest. That's when thing went from bad to worse… Do you mind if I grab a few things?” continued Shimmer, telling her story thus far before asking for a few supplies. The girl grabbing some acacia from the makeshift shelf, a highly flammable plant leave. Then an aloe leaf from the shelf underneath it. Key elements to make her simple powder bomb more combustible by making its casing out of oily leaves.

She then uses another arm to reach into her bag and grab her kit mixing and making the highly flammable casing from scratch. As she begins to pull out the rest of her mixing tools for her powder mixtures she asks Jerek “So before I finish how about telling me why they were chasing you? And why do you have all these herb? And oh yea how come your hand can shoot steam?"

[tepigturtwig]

Jerek smiled at the girl. She was his type, using her head to think up an idea. Even the construction of the makeshift bomb was interesting to watch. However, she had asked a question, and it was his job as a gentleman to clear it up. "Alright, fair enough. You've told your story, I'll tell mine. A lot of your questions have the same answer, so it may seem a little less shady after I explain what happened." Jerek cleared his throat, prepared to give his own brief backstory, and thought about what to tell her and what to keep secret.

Jerek sighed and continued, "Let's start at the beginning: my mother was a pirate, who left her old crew to raise me. Ten years ago, when that old crew returned to check on my mother, she and they mutually agreed that I should do some pirating with them. Realizing that my strength was not my muscle but my mind, I was apprenticed to the ship's doctor. That's why there are all these herbs in my hideout. For two months, I gallivanted across the high seas of East Blue with this crew. East Blue was easy picking, and, well, I've lived in Loguetown my whole life, so they knew I would know this Blue better than any other. I eventually settled into this pirate life, even though I knew I was going to land on the marine hit lists, if only at the bottom. My bounty was really small, barely considerable."

Jerek cleared his throat, blinking back tears as he continued, "Then, one day, marines ambushed our ship. In the chaos, I was knocked off the ship, and, while the rest of my crew was captured for execution, I was presumed dead, and, clinging onto a piece of driftwood from the destruction, I made my way back to Loguetown. Little did I know, that, on the day of my arrival, I would witness the execution of my crew. I immediately deduced what happened, and have kept a low profile since then, living with my mother. I guess that some of the lesser marines, such as that punk, might have the bottom of the hit list memorized, so, they probably might have recognized me."

Jerek crinkled his lips, finishing, "So, now, your other, less backstory-related questions. First off, the reason I have this hideout is because the dock near here is home to lots of pirates and merchants, and I might be able to get myself a new crew here. I decided to make a hideout since I do not feel like walking across the island every night to get to my house. Besides, as a man in my early-20's, it is rather shameful to be living with my mother. Now, for the steam out of my hand, it is clear you don't have a lot of knowledge on these more mystic things. What I did to get this power was eat that fruit on that captain's table. It was a Devil Fruit, and, like many other Devil Fruits, it gives the eater special powers. However, they come at the price of not being able to swim, and I lose these powers on contact with sea stone. If I had not ate it, he would have, and he would be shooting steam out of his hand. Also, I deduced that I have the powers of a steam iron, so, do you have any clothes that need pressing?"

As Jerek said the rather peculiar question, he looked at the girl's clothes, and realized how surprisingly dirty they were. "Wait one moment," Jerek said, "I think I can get you some better clothing." As Jerek fished through his compact wardrobe, he kept explaining devil fruits to pass the time, "These devil fruits are broken down into three categories: Logia, Zoan, and Paramecia. Logias are devil fruits that have to do with elements of nature, and are both the strongest and rarest. They have the ability to turn into their element, and create it. They are very powerful, and can only be hit with sea stone, or haki. I'll save figuring out haki for you. Then, there are Zoans. They can transform into an animal or partially transform into an animal. Finally, there are Paramecias, such as the one I ate. They cover every other power a devil fruit can give, but usually have to do with the body in some way, shape, or form."

As Jerek took a moment to let everything he had said soak in, he focused his attention back on the closet, he pulled out a slightly wrinkled overcoat, and some gender-neutral shirts and pants. "I rarely use these," he said as he began ironing them with his hand, "so you can have them. You need some changes of clothing a lot more than I do, no offense intended." As Jerek walked back to hand the clothes over, he heard a little sizzling behind himself. As he quickly glanced back over his shoulder, he saw steam, which clouded his vision of everything behind it. However, he realized something as his eyes traveled back to Shimmer. He naturally left a steam trail. Not wanting to scare Shimmer, he kept this to himself. She didn't need to know that they weren't safe here for long.