Post by Fennec on Mar 9, 2020 18:52:01 GMT -5
Samurai Bebop
His goal was to arrive at Paradise or one of the Blues. That task became easier once he heard of a mobile Casino in the area. One on an Island Turtle. Or so he had been told. That last part he wasn't sure he believed. It seemed too unreal to the Tengu. How could an Island rest upon a turtles shell? Even so, wether he believed the tale or not! Here was on a motorized ferry headed toward that very turtle. In the end, the Turtle casino would be his key to move to either paradise or a blue. One of the Blues seeming more likely to see as the turtle was known to cross the Calmbelt to pick off and drop off civilians.
Gen's train of thought was however cut short. As a turtle was in the way. One that soon began to block his sight of the deep sea as he noticed the sun being blocked a bit. There in the distance was an island with a massive jungle. But look! At one end stuck the head of a massive turtle and at the other, it's small tail... well small in comparison to the rest of its body. The tail was fairly large all things considered. Other passengers onboard flocked to the side where Gen was out. All sorts of people with cameras ready to snap pictures of this massive wonder.
"Wow! It's so big!"
I can't believe my eyes!"
"How can a creature that big survive!"
Different people exclaimed. All in awe of the marvel that was ahead. As they reached the Turtle the ship began to stop a bit. The closer they got more Gen noticed the massive size of the creature in comparison to everything and the more he wondered how the ferry would dock itself. Seeing as the ferry was all the way down in the water and the 'land' or well shell was high above. That question of his was, however, was answered as out of the shell dropped a massive canal with water dropping down. The ferry began its trek up the canal slowly rising above! It was a maddening sight! One so surreal! Gen wondered how this was even possible! It broke every preconceived notion of physics and reality to him. Sure! He had heard the world outside was odd and full of marvel! But the pictures he had in his mind seemed almost dwarfed in comparison to what the reality was.
In about fifteen to twenty minutes the ship had risen above the water-filled canal that had been sent down for it. The ferry rested on a large lake with docks all around ready to let civilians access the land. Gen looked below at the lake seeing massive koi fish the size of bovine swimming around below. It was a beauty. It was paradise! This island was a paradise! A wonder of nature! Thick verdant jungles with tropical trees decorated its shore. It was like nothing Gen had ever seen in his life! Nothing at all! The Tengu wished his family was there to enjoy the sights with him. Gen frowned at the memory of his family. For a second there he had forgotten about the previous emotion he held onto after experiencing the barrage of beauty that was the island Turtle. The bounty hunter sighed. Anymore thinking about the matter being interrupted by the Captain of the ship announcing their arrival.
"Welcome to Turtle Island Onsen and Casino! Please exit the ferry in an orderly fashion and enjoy your stay!"
Immediately the Tengu began to make his way off the ship. People seemed to leave in groups all lead by different receptions who welcomed them to the island. After waiting for a couple of minutes it was finally his group's turn to receive the welcome to the island. The receptionist tending to his group was a small blonde woman with tan skin and short-hair wearing a red dress.
"Welcome! My name is Auli'i and I'll be your receptionist for today!"
The woman began to pass baby Den Den Mushi out to everyone. All had the name of the island written all over them signifying the snails as the property of the company that exerted power here. A reminder that these were not free and Gen was right! These babies were for use within the island only. They would begin to beep annoyingly if you attempted to leave the island with them.
"These will be for if you ever need me when you are on the island! Please contact me if you have any questions or need any help. For now, enjoy your stay! We have a resort for those who plan to stay, a casino, and an open! Our plan here at Turtle Island is to make your vacation dreams come true! Oh and one more thing! Today we have an auction at the hotel resort! If you want to go view it or plan on participating you are more than welcome! Any questions I can answer right now?
The woman explained everything with a cheerful preppy demeanor. Whether this was an act that was required for her job. Or if it was her actual personality he had no idea. Nonetheless, this sounded fun! At least he had chosen a good island to spend time in until he arrived at Paradise. Gen rose his hand to ask a question.
"Yes! Gentleman with the long nose! What is your question?"
"What is the Island Turtle's next stop?"
Gen asked. The woman looked up thinking about his question.
"That would be the North Blue... later today! The Ferry will be loading up and dropping off people on Notice Island."
Damn, Gen thought to himself. He wouldn't be able to go directly to paradise! That was unfortunate. No matter he would have to go the long route down reverse mountain. It wasn't that bad either way! In the end, this was his best bet! What more could the Tengu ask for? He didn't know. Because he couldn't answer that question. He felt he had gotten the best deal he could. The crowd began to disperse and go their separate ways. Auli'i did the same thing seeing as her job had been fulfilled. Only Gen remained in the same spot for a moment. He was pondering. Where to next? Perhaps the auction? He had never been to one and it sounded like fun. While he didn't plan on buying anything he still wondered what would be up for sale. Moreover, who would buy it! The prospect was to enjoy himself and keep calm. Something he felt he would have very little of once he reached Paradise.
Moving onward the Tengu began to walk toward the hotel. As he got closer he saw more and more people grouped up dressed for business. He felt out of place as the men wore suits and the women wore dresses. He wished he had a proper suitor rather had worn proper attire for the occasion. No matter now! Such a thing would not deter him from enjoying his time at the hotel. Gen finally arrived at the building. It was tall! Fifteen stories are tall! Bigger than any building Gen had seen that was for sure. He looked up at the massive building painted in a cream color and decorated with orange. Gen hadn't seen many hotels in his life but he couldn't help but wonder why they always had that bland cream color to them. He shrugged and decided to enter.
There were two men at the entrance wearing red bellhop suits ready to take your luggage in through a spinning door. Gen looked at the spinning door and how people crossed through it. It was a marvelous thing for him! Something foreign. Something different. Something he had never seen before. It piqued his interest in fact. The Tengu approached the door slowly. One part of him was amused but another was a bit scared at the prospect of using the door. With a sudden burst of courage, the Tengu ran through the door spinning with him and letting him into the hotel and casino. One moment he was in awe because of the door and in the next he was in awe of the indoors. The Hotel was finely decorated. It had shining marble floors. Red carpets with golden metal engrave on roman styled pillars. In the front was a table with various receptionists available to help anyone signing in. A lobby with couches and a small coffee table for those who waited and beyond that was another room. The casino room! At the center of the casino, the room was a giant diamond statue in bronze that kept spinning in circles as if to be in display for all to witness. Slot machines and poker tables lined the massive casino floor as many of the guests gambled their lives away. Beyond that was a stage with scarlet curtains held up by silver rings. Two large visual Den Den Mushi were placed just in front of the stage displaying on two different projector screens the stage front which was constantly being recorded. In front of the stage where various black foldable chairs that smelled of cheap black paint. To Gen the whole place was breathtaking! Frankly, something he had never witnessed before in his life. The Tengu continued inside and approached one of the receptionists. A short man with green short hair finely dressed in a white shirt with a dark green bow-tie and black pants.
"Hello, sir. Where is the auction going to be held?"
Gen inquired.
The man looked up to make eye-contact with the Tengu. He then checked his watch and some papers.
"It should happen in give or take fifteen minutes within the casino! You should take a seat if you want to view it."
Gen nodded and made his way toward the casino. He walked toward the black foldable chairs and took a seat. There were a few people sitting in the chairs but there were still plenty of seats available. He awaited the beginning of the auction.
Thirty Minutes Earlier...
Over some slot machines stood a white-haired man. His hair long and silky. His eyes dark and shady accentuated by the dark circles around him. His skin paperwhite. His outfit was a fanciful one! Long black coat with black buttons. A pair of purple trousers lined in white and underneath a purple shirt to match his pants. He wore a small black driving cap on his head. The man would look two and fro before looking down at his companion. A petite woman with brown hair and small wings like those of birkans. She looked at her friend pulling out a set of twenty-sided dice. A black prism that glossed itself in the casino's light. The small woman closed her eyes and threw the die at the ground. The game pieces rolled a few times before landing on a nineteen.
"Score!"
The man exclaimed. He pats his small companion on the head. This was exactly the outcome he wanted.
"I see another jackpot in your future Piper!"
The small woman said to the silver-haired man. His name being piper. The man turned to his short companion.
"Indeed Chu! You that means we are closer to our goal."
Piper laughed maniacally before pulling on the slot machine's lever. The wheels rolled and rolled until boom! Four clovers were seen in front of him. A loud ding sound was made as a bunch of gold coins spewed out of the machine.
"JACKPOT!!!"
The silver-haired man yelled! Catching the attention of other guests. One of the guests in the background.
"That's the eleventh time that man gets a jackpot!"
Someone in the background exclaims. A few other people begin to speak among themselves weirded out on what's the matter. Piper looked around, his fellow guests were getting suspicious. Perhaps it was time to regroup with his crew and accumulate money.
"Chu contact the crew. We are going to regroup in thirty minutes. We almost have the money needed for our big buy."
Piper whispered to his small companion.
"Yes Piper, I'll do so immediately."
The little girl pulled out a Den Den Mushi and began to dial numbers into them. Meanwhile, Piper looks in the distance. His prize was just within his grasp. He could almost taste it.
Back to the present...
Gen sat quietly in his chair looking around at the various people passing by. He noticed a large group of people including Piper and Chu sitting in some seats ahead of him. The group peaked his attention a bit. Out of most people there, they stood out somewhat. However, his attention would soon be cut when something even stranger happened. A feline sat next to him. No, not exactly a cat! More like a Jaguar! A Jaguar Mink. To Gen, this was an odd sight as he had never seen a Mink. The Mink in question leaned back on his chair and looked over noticing the Tengu looking at him. He gave Gen a smile.
"Greetings! I am Pacha! Who are you?"
The mink exclaimed. He seemed rather eager about the whole situation.
"Nice to meet you, Pacha. I am Gen! Well met."
The bounty hunter introduced himself politely. The fact this feline creature was speaking suprised him even more. He wondered what he was but dared not ask to not offend him. However, he did find Pacha to be quite the interesting guy... his clothing much like Gen's was foreign. Pacha's resembling more of the colored outfits of the Romani people vs Gen's more Japanese garb. It was for sure an interesting contrast.
"Do you plan on buying anything?"
Pacha inquired.
"No, not quite I am just here for-"
The Tengu was interrupted by a man on stage with a mic. His outfit was extravagant! A leopard print suit with star-shaped sunglasses and long pink hair.
"Hellooooooooooo ladies and gentlemen! My name is Cupid! I'll be your auctioneer today! I am soooooooo happy to see everyone here today!"
Cupid exclaimed waving his arm about as he spoke about the auction. It was clear he was very excited! The man looked over at some people bringing in the first item.
"Here we have the first item off to auction! A vintage porcelain vase! It was made in the East Blue and is said to be four hundred years old! The bidding starts at 2 million!"
Various people begin to raise their hands beginning to the bid. The vase itself was rather simple decorated with various red dragons and pink flowers. To Gen, while the vase was pretty and old he couldn't understand why people would spend so much money on it.
"Do I hear three million? Four million? Eight million!? Ten million? Sixteen million! Sold! To the gentle in the red for sixteen million beri!"
This process continued for a few more hours, objects of varying value and quality are sold. Ranging from ancient antiquities, exotic animals, art, and even some modern technological marvels. Objects that Gen questioned the logistics of it. The mink next to him raised his hand... paw? For some of the items. He, however, didn't seem to win any over and instead lost them to some other folk with deeper pockets. Despite his unfortunate luck, it didn't seem like he was upset. In fact, he was still smiling something that took the Tengu off guard if anything. He knew he would have exploded by now, his short fuse was if anything notorious in his household. Maybe he could learn a thing or two from this friendly Jaguar. Gen turns to view the show and in good time too! The magnum opus of this trivial event was being shown or at least that's what Cupid was claiming.
"Alright, everyone! Please look over here! This is the most precious item in our entire roster!"
Cupid pointed to the left side of the stage as a red-haired woman wearing a sleek black dress wheeled in an odd object... one that was covered by a black mantel. Cupid removed the mantle off revealing an oval-shaped glass case that held a musical piece. That's right a piece of paper with various notes written on it... to Gen this was odd it was something he could barely understand even. Sure pieces of art had been sold earlier. Paintings and sculptures but they were visual pieces that could be set on display for all to view. But a musical piece while audibly pleasant it wasn't something you could display... right? It was worth something but you'd better off pay for a musician to play the piece than by the piece itself. That was unless there was something more to this. Gen, couldn't be farther from the truth indeed there was something more to this whole thing.
"This musical piece is known as Artemis' Sonata! An enchanting piece that when played at the right frequency has a controlling effect on animals of all kinds! Guess they were onto something when they said music could tame a beast!"
Cupid said prancing around on stage. There was a loud murmur in the crowd as they looked around at each other in awe. Gen himself was astonished at this fact... a musical piece that could manipulate animals!? That was astounding. Meanwhile toward the back Piper and his crew sat awaiting their time to strike. This was the big piece they had set their eyes on and it would surely be there's. If they had the right amount of money that is and even if they didn't they'd try to take it by force.
"Alright, everyone! Bidding starts at twenty-one million Beri! Who wants to start?"
Immediately as Cupid said these words a plethora of people began to raise their hands. Immediately shooting up the price more and more.
"Forty million! Fifty! Sixty! Seventy! Eighty! One Hundred MILLION! Anyone else? No!?"
A gentleman with slicked-back grey hair was offering his money competing with Piper. He was the last offer the one hundred million... but Piper was not about to give up. He rose his hand raising the price to fifty million more.
"One hundred fifty million!? No... two hundred million!"
But sadly, he was immediately one-upped by the gentleman. Piper had lost... that was money he didn't have. He simply couldn't compete with him. No matter, if push came to shove he would just have to swipe it off of him or take it by force. There was no way he would let go of that item... that was the key to his success.
"SOLD! To the gentlemen with the grey hair!"
Cupid exclaimed, the gentleman stood up and began to bow. Gen was astonished by those numbers... two hundred million beri! That man was filthy rich! He didn't have that kind of money! His family didn't! No one he knew did! The fact someone could have so much and to spend it all in one go was astounding. However, what happened next was much more maddening... as a slash of air pierced the man cutting him up. The grey-haired gentleman spat blood from his mouth as he fell to his knees and down on the ground.
"Medic! Medic quick!"
A man next to him yelled the scene was an intense one! People began to scream and rush about Cupid on stage put the mic to his mouth demanding people stay put but everyone was too busy running. Out of the crowd came the culprit... Piper... with a flute in his hands. He'd played a sharp musical note creating a piece of what could only be described as compressed down that cut through the gentleman. Gen stared at the man in disbelief as he and Pacha hid behind some of the nearby chairs looking at the scene unfold. Piper gave a smug smile and pointed at Cupid.
"Allow me to introduce myself! I am Hamlin Piper!"
Cupid tried to grab the cart that Artemis' Sonata was set in and run with it but before he could Piper played on his musical piece creating another of projectiles shooting Cupid down as well. The man began to pace toward the stage... as he did only him, his team, Gen and Pacha remained in the room. Everyone else had run away to safety which was a loud enough alarm for the local guard who came rushing in with rifles and riot shields at the ready.
"Halt in the name of the law!"
The group of guardsmen yelled in perfect unison! But Piper continued in his walk toward the stage hopping over it in fact and reaching for Artemis' Sonata. He shattered the glass and pulled the musical piece out... a malicious grin on his face. He ignored the guardsmen's orders instead of turning to his crew and telling them to off the men. His crew was composed of three people. Chu the small woman! Short and not very strong but she made up for it being born with natural Observation Haki which combined well with the fact she was a human calculator. Boris a big burly man with huge fists and a tiny lower frame... he was more of a hand to hand brawler than anything else. Finally, the third member was Zhao! An expert blind bowman. The three immediately turned to view or rather face the incoming group of armed guards.
"Consider it done boss..."
Boris said as he spat on the ground and made his way toward the group of guards armed with guns.
"Stop or we will be a force to shoot!"
The large burly man ignored their commands as he began to walk toward them.
"This is our final warning!"
They clamored in unison but Boris didn't budge... instead he kept walking forward.
"OPEN FIRE!"
They all yelled shooting at Boris, the large man stood still as bullets began to rain off of his body and not make a single dent in his flesh. He was using a special technique... one that allowed him to constrain his muscles to the point of making them as hard as steel. Marines knew this technique as Tekkai but Boris simply knew it as Flexing! Because well that's what he did to activate it. As Boris took in all the damage his two companions sprung into action as Zhao used the sound of the bullets to find the direction of the guards he filled his bow with arrows and began a barrage of shots piercing through their shields and striking man after man down.
Meanwhile, Chu grabbed a boomerang which she through at the group. The not so intimidating weapon springing blades which cut through ranks of men before returning to her hands safely... with the right trajectory she could make sure her boomerang hit the highest amount of men possible in doing getting the most bang for her buck. The battle didn't last long as in a couple of minutes the whole of the guard was on the ground.
"Great job team!"
The villainous Piper exclaimed as he hopped off the stage and made way toward his group. Gen and Pacha were still behind the chairs having seen anything. At the moment Gen had been frozen in essence. But now that things had settled he felt his blood start to boil... how... how could they? Why would they? This was uncalled for! Putting his hand over his sword's handle he sprung into action.
Pacha attempted to grab Gen to restrain him but the Tengu proved to be much faster than the Jaguar! He dashes toward Piper who was now walking toward his team but promptly got hit in the face by something hard. Gen rolled on the ground his vision blurring a bit. He felt a ringing in his ears. But it was enough to note Chu was behind the attack... it seemed she had used a didgeridoo to land her attack on him. Gen's vision continued to blur the impact had been hefty. He felt something warm on his head as he slowly blacked out. The strike had been enough to give him a concussion.
"Thanks, Chu... I hate those who play the hero."
Piper said as he began to leave out the door with the rest of his crew.
"Where to next boss?"
Boris asked as they entered the lobby.
"Good question... we're going to the radio tower..."
Achoo
Gen felt something fluttering above his nose... it was like a fly or some other winged insect. He couldn't tell he hadn't opened his eyes. So he did, he opened them... and what did he see? A golden moth fluttering above him it seemed to want to get his attention. The Tengu stood up noticing he was in an empty field sitting under a cherry blossom.
It was a peaceful sight to behold as the blue sky extended for miles on end and feel went on as far as the eye could see. His appreciation of the natural beauty was however halted by the persistent moth. Gen frowned finally getting up and following after the golden moth. The small delicate creature leads him to a gaping hole. A hole with a spiral of marble steps leading into a cavernous place down below.
"Are you kidding me!?"
At him saying this, the moth began to sporadically fly in front of him annoyingly. The Tengu got the message... he rather descends stares than being annoyed by a flying insect. He begrudgingly began to descend down the marble white stairs each step blending with each other. Never-ending the descent seemed until he was at the bottom... the oddity of all was that even though he'd gone down so many steps he didn't feel any more tired than if he hadn't. Gen, however, decided not to question his physical state... there where more pressing matters like asking this moth what the deal with leading him here even was!
"What now!?"
He asked exasperated, the moth fluttered up and down before going forward into a small square room. The walls of the room are where white and its floor was tiled with polished white granite. But more interestingly the walls were decorated with various paintings each with a different animal. The moth approached a blank canvas and attached itself to it becoming one with the painting. Gen approached the painting where his golden friend had gone... the name was labeled on its frame below.
Basilodes Pepita
It read, Gen, tilted his head... 'that must be its name.' He thought to himself... while he liked animals he wasn't crazy about learning their names in this fashion. It seemed redundant to him in fact. But it was an art-science to someone much like his medicine was an art to him. The Tengu looked at the painting itself... the moth seemed very vivid within it flying across the heavens with white clouds around it and a light blue backdrop. It was an odd sight since moths and other insects flew at a ground level and never went that high. But then again this was painting so he wouldn't question the artistic choice. The Tengu paced to the next painting in the room it was of a large brown bear sitting on the deck of a ship. It too had a gold plating name tag at the bottom.
Ursus Arctos
Again, with the fancy name. Gen stepped back taking a look at the bear... Ursus Arctos... but all he saw was just a big brown bear sitting on the deck of a ship. He shrugged moving to the next painting... this time it was a small brown bird perched on a thorny branch. Its mouth as agape as if to sing. It was a nightingale a bird renowned for its singing voice many poems exalted its pitch and tone as the best of the songbirds. Like the other paintings, this one had a golden plate with its name on it.
Luscinia Megarhynchos
The same naming scheme as before, this must be what Nightingales are called in that format. The Tengu stepped back and moved over to the next painting. This time it was a puppy... an Akita to be exact! A proud mountain dog from his homeland of Wano! Gen smiled at the sight of such a familiar creature... one that made him feel homesick. The puppy seemed to be on a beach staring off into the distance out into the horizon as if searching for something far beyond its reach. Gen looked down at the gold plate below with the name engraved onto it.
Canis Lupus Familaris
He sighed at the sight of that name, he was starting to get tired of these naming schemes. Gen moved to the next painting this time viewing a shark... more specifically a hammerhead shark swimming around a reef. The reef was empty and devoid of other creatures then only entity in the vicinity was the lonely hammerhead shark as it roamed around its empty reef. The Tengu felt for the shark... he looked down to read its plate like the others before him.
Sphyrna Lewini
Gen nodded, as was expected another fancy name... across the room there was only one more painting left. However, unlike the rest its canvas was blank and on the bottom, there was a golden plate. Gen closed up to see what matter of creature was intended for this canvas... what had the artist intended before they'd either grown bored or ran out of time.
Corvus Corax
It read as Gen was halfway through reading it however he heard what he believed to be a raven's call. The Tengu's eyes shot up as he looked at the blank painting canvas... ink being spilled on it now shaping into a crow. Overcome by the urge to touch it Gen put his hand on the black ink... that was the last he saw before waking up. His eyes sprung open. It was just a dream... the Tengu stood up now in a bed in some sort of hospital. He looked around at the white walls and the other beds next to him seeing the grey-haired gentleman and Cupid. On a chair next to him was Pacha waiting for him.
"You're awake! Thank goodness!"
