53rd Division: Special Report 1

[Jade]

The 53^rd Division had been blessed with fair weather since heading out from Eldoran Island - a welcome change of pace from the typical chaotic weather of the Grand Line, to be certain. While the various men and women on the small cruiser were still clearly getting used to their new situations, there had yet to be any major altercations or issues. Altogether, things had been... Quiet, almost dull.

The News Coo sat patiently at the open porthole-style window of Claire's office, waiting as the young Captain putting the finishing touches on the letter she had been working on the night before. After a lot of going back-and-forth on the topic since the night before departing, she had finally made the decision to send a letter back to headquarters, addressed to one Vice Admiral Richter Sherman.

As she put the final flourish on her signature - a quick line with a curl on it, making the "x" at the end of her name - Claire sat straight, holding the whole letter in front of her to give it a final once-over. After working on it for the better part of a day and a half, the letter was...

... Still incredibly short. Her first draft had been a bullet-point list with a brief description of both Ensigns, Anthony Wallace and Magnolia Wilde, and a brief note about how the ship she had been given was small but maneuverable. This final version was better, sure - there were now proper sentences about the two Ensigns, as well as some information about how her time at Eldoran Island and the voyage so far had gone, but it was all written briefly, in a very detached sort of tone. Claire could just hear Sherman laughing now about her "impersonal tone", something that put a frown on her face as she neatly folded the letter and slipped it into its envelope, already addressed to the man in question.

With all of that out of the way, the young woman stood from her desk and walked over toward the open window, handing the letter off to the News Coo. The bird accepted the letter, carefully placing it in the bag slung around its back - and then waited patiently some more until Claire placed the required beri into the bag around its neck. With a quick salute, the large seagull pushed off from the porthole window, spreading its large, black-tipped wings - and was off.

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SPOILER: Click to show

{Notes}
Just a simple thread, out on the ocean, during the quiet days following the 53^rd's departure from Eldoran Island... Though hey, maybe they'll be less quiet in a bit?

• Claire: FFEFD7

[Vio]

¹

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Light winds and mostly clear skies offered a clear trajectory. Target in sight, amber eyes filled with focus. This was the moment of truth for Master Chief Petty Officer Aluco; the end of an era and the beginning of something new. Unfortunately, some things would never change. One such consistency quickly made itself known when a large gull flew past, reclaiming altitude with its broad, triangular wings.

“Coo!?”

“Hooh?!”

Evasive manoeuvres on the mail bird’s part guaranteed no collision, but both parties were equally surprised by the event. Surely the seabird had not heard the flapping of equally feathered wings, and Miss Striggs had been a little too focused to pay attention to her immediate surroundings. While white veered one way, quickly correcting its flight path, tawny did not do the same.

Spiralling and spinning, the Zoan soldier descended at a rate of knots towards the hull of the ship, flapping frantically to find some sort of stability, but claiming nothing more than an increased number of rolls and flips in the process.

“Geppō!” she hooted, flailing small legs in a desperate bid to not crash into the waves or the side of the ship. Despite its minimal effects, it worked. Enough of a kick against solidified air pushed the owl woman just far enough to turn a steep and stormy descent into an… uncomfortable and clattering roll a good few yards across a deck full of uniforms. A few stepped out of the way and another dived to avoid a face full of talons as the bundle of cloth, feather and steel bounced to a halt, twitching and spreadeagled…

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SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

[/b][/font] crashes in![/font][/sub]

Starring…

_{Striggs, Aluco (191970)}

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[Dandead10]

Now, Odayakama Senshi being the mediocre rank she was typically found herself helping distribute the menial chores to be done on the ship as well as assist in taking stock of supplies, generally more the lax and not so terrible part of being her rank. However, as she stood along the deck, there was something incredibly ominous. Yes, in fact, it came in the form of a seaman recruit raising their right arm and pointing out towards the sky. “SOMETHING’S COMING TO THE SHIP!” As the redhead saw the...at what she thought was some giant bird, one the size of a fully grown human about to crash into the deck, she quickly acted, running and weaving through her comrades as she raised her left and right palm.

“Nama Nama No: Kuro Heki!” Her hands turned completely black in that instant, and suddenly, an almost black fluid had splooged from her hands, gathering before the mysterious owl figure on their descent as a 6x6 wall had formed, one looking to block the owl woman’s clear descent to promptly have her crash into what simply was a wall made out of lead. Was it a bit of an odd reaction? Sure. However, this was the first time she had ever seen a Zoan type in person, and anything that fast crashing into the deck of this small vessel could cause trouble. Senshi didn’t take chances very easily.

Whatever the result, the marine quickly peeked her head over the side, only to realize something upon closer inspection. Was that...a marine uniform on this gigantic owl like thing? What? What kind of birds did the marines have that could actively serve in the military? Was it some new spangled type of ammunition that the brainy types at headquarters made? Standing just a few mere feet away from this Aluco figure, the warrant officer could only look on with an utterly confused look on her face, a long jitte made from lead forming in her right hand as she stared at the thing. “Nani?...I’ve never seen a bird like that before…” Depending on how angry the birdy was going to get, it probably cooould be the very last bird she’d ever see. However, Senshi’s eyes were sharp, just wondering what the heck was going on here, a number of marines gathering and standing in front of the apparent threat while some gawked at the WALL on the deck.

"Is it...alive?" Very slowly did Senshi lean, utilizing that three some foot long jitte to poke at the back of this oddly large owl. 

[Jade]

Just as Claire was about to take her seat behind her desk once more, the sound of something hitting the deck outside filled the air - followed by the sounds of someone rushing down the small, circular hall toward her office and knocking on its door. With a raised eyebrow, she turned herself to face the door. "Enter."

The door was thrown open as a woman - Claire recognized her as Seaman First Class Gemma, a rather serious young woman who wore her dark purple hair pulled back in a ponytail through her Marine cap - entered the room, saluting the Captain. "Captain! Something just- A bird- A bird? Something just landed on our ship!"

It wasn't completely unheard of for odd occurrences to befall vessels sailing the Grand Line, of course, but that didn't make the individual events any less strange. Claire sighed and stepped behind her desk, grabbing her "Justice Coat" from her chair, swung it over her shoulders, and took hurried steps out of the office, brushing past Gemma - who took a moment before dropping her salute and rushing off to follow her commanding officer.

Stepping out into the sunlight, Claire quickly took stock of the situation - the Marines of her division standing around, gawking at whatever had just made impact with their ship, and... "Warrant Officer Odayakama, cease antagonizing the bird," the blonde woman ordered as she stepped behind the red-headed young Marine. "Now, what exactly is going on here?"

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SPOILER: Click to show

{Notes}
It's the 53^rd's first NPC, Seaman First Class Gemma! Maybe one day she'll become important enough to get a profile.

• Claire: FFEFD7
• Gemma: 640864

[Vio]

²

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“Hoo-uuurgh…” The last few seconds a blur, Aluco took a moment to discern up from down. It certainly didn’t help that she had managed to turn her head an almost full half-circle in the midst of the crash; destiny itself had decided her face was to hit the deck regardless of her efforts. No harm done, fortunately, but something metallic was poking at her all the same.

An authoritative voice soon followed, snapping the dazed damsel out of her prolonged recovery. Head swivelling back into a proper position, the feathered female flapped a few times to right herself, standing upon four-taloned feet and - still in the form of a large, tawny owl - took stock of the situation. Of the many present upon this small, standard issue vessel, just a couple really stood out. One, a short-statured auburn-haired lass wielding a jitte, the other, a tall lady of platinum blonde waves and sharp yellow eyes adorned with the familiar Justice Coat of an officer.

“Hoo-Oh! Master Chief Petty Officer Striggs Aluco, reporting!” she twittered, body shifting from a large eagle owl’s shape. Short, talon-tipped legs morphed into something more human, while large wings - currently twisted into a salute - withdrew their grand flights and became standard arms. A compact, feathered body adjusted, plumage vanishing to reveal the athletic physique of a young, well-trained soldier. But even as beak and facial disk faded, one feature remained almost unaltered - those large amber circles.

“I’ve been sent to accompany the 53rd Division,” the brunette explained, searching her variant uniform’s pockets for a letter that she had been issued with. Somehow not breaking her heel-to-heel stance and salute, she drew the paper from her pocket and held it forward to the blonde officer. “This is for the attention of the Captain, ma’am!”

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SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

’s uniform is uniquely tailored, so here’s the description (straight from the profile) to help save time and explanation:

“ It consists of a white, mostly backless halter-neck crop top with thick, blue straps for security. This is paired with a set of white shorts with blue waistband and hems, underneath which Aluco wears a set of black leggings that cut off just before the knees. A pair of simple, black, lightweight boots adorn her feet. Over her shoulders, Miss Striggs tends to wear a white poncho, again with blue around the edges, which is both split and fastened at the front by black drawstrings. It features the World Navy’s “Seagull” insignia, as well as the word “Marine” in capital letters – both in blue – upon the back. Of course, she still wears the classical Marine baseball cap upon her head, and carries the blue neckerchief which is usually tied around her upper arm. ”

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Starring…

_{Striggs, Aluco (191970)}

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[Dandead10]

Ultimately, it seemed that the bird was not going to crash into the lead wall she had created, so...an utter waste of time really on her part for even erecting it. She could hear the footsteps behind her, one of a superior quickly order her to step away, to stop antagonizing the apparent bird, and she did, stepping back a good number of steps before it became clear that something was occurring. the presence became clear when this mystery bird rose, and suddenly began to reduce and shrink in size. No, not shrink, but morph into a more humanoid state? Yes, that was it.

as the transformation occured, Senshi's eyes widened because she had realized now what she was looking at. This was the Zoan type transformation wasn't it? Yes, the metamorphosis that allowed one to turn from human to animal and animal into human state. Staring, unintentionally with her mouth agape, she quickly saw the owl woman introduce herself, and immediately did Senshi step forward, cheeks flushed pink as she bowed her head, ferociously at that before speaking forward. "Sumimasen! M-My name is Warrant Officer Odayakama Senshi. Pardon me Ensign, pardon me Master Chief Petty Officer. But I implore you! Please...face me in battle!" Looking to the owl woman, Odayakama Senshi was far too thrilled, too ecstatic to pass this opportunity.

Never before had she met a person with the Zoan type, and even among this ship, there were only those that held the classification of Paramecia. For that reason, she had to challenge herself now and greet this challenge with a stride. With a beating heart that thrilled herself to excel. The lead marine may have been a bit overzealous, but she quickly looked up at the owl person, those blue eyes tensing with the rings focusing in the middle, looking excited despite the hot blush on her face. She wasn't sure if they could understand her ecstatic demeanor, but this was the time she could finally show what she could do. If not? Well...she supposed she could just return to her station and read or something. Not like there was too much to do while the ship was on sail anyways. Perhaps remove the massive lug of lead she had just created on the ship top.

After realizing she had just spoke so loudly in front of everyone, she slowly shrunk almost, looking a little intimidated before she rubbed the back of her head with her left hand in embarrassment. "U-U-Umm...if it's no p-problem I mean..."  

[Jade]

This would mark the first time Claire had witnessed a Zoan user showcasing their iconic ability to shift between various forms, and while it was more or less what she had expected from the textbook descriptions, it was still an unsettling sight. As the saluting owl's feathers vanished, leaving behind a young woman who immediately set to introducing herself, Captain Vaux stood silently, taking care not to show a trace of surprise at this development.

"You have her attention, Master Chief Petty Officer Striggs," Claire responded, taking the step forward in order to take the letter from the brunette. "I assume this details the nature of your... Assignment?" She looked the letter's face over quickly, scanning it with her yellow eyes - and then her hand dropped, moving the letter over her abdomen. With a heavy ka-chunk!, the letter vanished without a trace behind her hand right as it passed over her belt buckle.

She took another moment to look Aluco over, but before she could open her mouth again, there came the interjection from Warrant Officer Odayakama. The Prison Woman pinched the bridge of her nose in lieu of sighing as the young woman stammered out some form of half-apology for interrupting the proceedings. "Perhaps sparring with our newest member could wait until after she has settled in? I believe you have a mess to clean up before you go making another anyway, Warrant Officer."

[Vio]

³

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“Yes, Captain!” Aluco replied, maintaining her strict salute in the presence of the vessel’s charge. Her rank might’ve been the highest among the troops, but officers of any calibre still took priority. This woman’s word was law. Amber eyes watched as her newly appointed superior accepted the letter and, with nought but a cursory glance, soon made it vanish into her belt.

Is she asking to spar with me? Does she know I know…? The Captain aside, this Warrant Officer - the jitte-wielding redhead known as Odayakama Senshi - seemed equal parts eager and anxious. In a sense, she and Miss Striggs were not too dissimilar.

“If Warrant Officer Odayakama wishes to spar with me, then I will oblige with your permission, Captain,” the MCPO explained, almost as eager as (if not more-so than) Senshi to please and prove herself. There was, however, one slightly more pressing and limiting factor, which she soon made aware despite holding her salute everlong. “I’ve been flying for a few hours now and my arms are starting to hurt, ma’am. B- But I’ll do whatever you request of me, Captain…?”

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SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

’s ready to do whatever is asked of her!

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Starring…

_{Striggs, Aluco (191970)}

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[Dandead10]

With the sarcastic response delivered by her superior, she deflated for a mere moment before she slowly lowered her Jitte, taking liberty to drop her Jitte to the floor with a clank as she stepped forward to that wall of hers, and with her back turned, she frowned, suddenly grasping that wall of hers, her arms turning entirely black with a black flash as she pushed her arms along the wall, entering a crouching formation with her right leg extended, her left grounded as she gave a grunt, her blue eyes widening and tensing as suddenly, she lifted that wall upwards along her shoulders, herself absorbing the pressure at her knees as she could feel the pressure from the weight on her arms and the burning experience she realized.

"Hyaaaagh! AAAAAAGH!" Throwing that wasted lead construct out ahead of her, the thing flew, sailed a good distance away from the ship, a black shadowy outline forming on the water's surface before it got smaller and smaller, before a loud splash was made evident, a sploosh as it sank beneath the water's depth. "There. All clean. It's almost as if it was never there." Somewhere deep along the bottom of the ocean, the lead would continue to sink, sink further, before promptly hitting the bottom of some surface. Probably adding maybe just a .0000000000000001 % more lead poisoning to the water of the world. Whatever the case, when she was told to wait for her apparent new crew member to settle in, she nodded her head, went back to pick up her Jitte, and walked off, tapping the thing along the base of her spine.

"Gomenasai Aluco-San. I don't mind waiting. It's no good to fight someone who isn't at their peak best anyways. Feel free to rest as you see fit." She took the liberty in that following instant to walk off to the other end of the deck, looking out towards the blue sea, resting herself along the guard rail as she really couldn't find much else to do on this boat other than perhaps fantasize about the next mission, the goal they might be trying to achieve for some sort of believed noble cause, not that she could exactly understand all the intricacies of what the World Government could define as justice in the first place. She was a simple Warrant Officer. All she did was oversee a smaller group, perhaps a squad of six if she were lucky under the supervision of some superior officer for the most part. Otherwise, she did menial labor and work just like any other layman.

Her dreams of rising through the ranks to bring about change was going to take time, and unfortunately, it didn't seem like something that was going to take a major precedence, not until something happened that was big enough to get her noticed, or if perhaps she served long enough to justify another ranking up. She was a newbie after all. Wouldn't make too much sense for someone who recently joined the world government to get promoted so quickly after all, would it? That sounded about right. Little was said as Senshi would leave the two superior rankings to do their own thing, the redhead seemingly very alone in times like these.