Post by risaka on Apr 11, 2020 6:01:21 GMT -5
Character: Vontanna F. Risa
Wordcount: 10169
Vontanna Risa, a young girl from East Blue has settled down in a small hut in an island mostly unknown to her. For all she knew, it was named Gecko Island, as for the villages, not too much familiarity. Truth be told, she hasn't been in the island for more than a month, she had just arrived from a neighbouring island, in which she was in desperate need for assistance to survival. Her record of surviving on a stranded island for more than three years left her struck with a minor fear of going back out into the sea, cause no matter how much she tried she always felt ill and weak when trying to swim.
Luckily for her, she was picked up by a ship that happened to sail near the shore she made her life go, and after being dropped off this island's port she never looked back at the water, walking up to the land and made herself a temporary home. Outside of Syrup Village the hut can be seen in a lone hill side, a simple construction of wood to make a simple one room house, the kind of room where she preferred to be left alone and do her own things, of course that never really lasted a long time.
''Missyyyyy! Hey! Missy! Hey hey!''
A young kid with a broom had approached the door, but instead of knocking on the frame he let out his relentless yelling to obtain attention. With him was another young kid, a boy with turtleneck sweater who had the opposite nature of the loud one. It didn't take long for Risa to react to the annoyance that is Teppo, the loud one's name. She approaches the door and slams it open with a clearly annoyed expression, fangy teeth and clenched fist.
''COULD YOU JUST BE QUIET?! Why are you here!''
She knew these kids all too well, and even if they jumped up from her scream they took it as expected, Teppo crossing his arms with his broom and gives of a grin.
''Oh shucks, don't be like that missy! I just wanna see your powers again! Apple here didn't believe me so I came here for... y'know.. proof!''
Apple, shy as ever, stood slightly behind Teppo, but nodding to the explanation and looked up to the greenhaired lady.
''URUSAI! I don't care what the fruit believes in, nor do I even want to do such a thing! You just happened to see it when sneaking up on me! Now begone!''
With a doorslam Teppo pouts hard and taps his foot, Apple clearly intimidated by the lady's reaction and beheaviour. Teppo closes his eyes, thinking for a moment and snaps his fingers. 'Righto!' he thought to himself, sprinting around hut, silently however, and began to climb up from the side where the roof was near the ground. Hoisting himself up the young boy was outmost cautious and leaned forward, his broom reaching to the center of the roof. Teppo stared at Apple with the usual 'check this out' smuggy face. With the lenght of his broom he began to create a scrapping noise at the wood on the roof, making Risa hear the subtle sound. It didn't take too long until something errupts through the roof! A sharp black spike reflecting the sun strikes the spot where the broom scratches it, Apple jumps up with widened eyes, Teppo snickering, trying to hold in his laughter.
''Why are there rats in my house still?- ...I hear snickering.''
Kicking the door open Risa dashes out of the house to look up at the roof, seeing Teppo with the biggest smile he could muster, although he knew it was normally not a good idea to annoy this woman.
''Grrr! You dumb brat! You made me puncture my damn roof! Stop annoying me!''
She didn't realize it at first, but she forgot to take off the extending long Jet Black spike off from her hand, allowing Apple to see it in all of it's glory. Risa smacks at the side of her head with a defeated sigh.
''Jeez, now I got two kids knowing, are you happy now?''
It wasn't happiness of curiousity that sprouted from Apple, he was shocked and quickly jumped into a bush for hiding, all the while Teppo laughing uncontrollably on the roof, leaving Risa aggravated.
''UHAHAH! You sure are one scaredy cat Apple! Aha!''
''Get down from there! That's my house you're stepping on!''
''Heh heh! It's more like a bird house! It's so boring here anyways, let's go down to the market or something!''
''To hell with you and your childish demands! I have no reason to ever get close to that darn town!''
''Pssssh, you're no fun, it'll be fun!''
Just as Teppo attempted to step forward, he placed his foot a tiny bit close to the small hole, which let in due to his weight. He fell right through with a crash on his butt, the sound of wood snapping made Risa grip at her hair with her hands and glaring at Teppo.
''O-ow ow ow ow... whueeee, that was sudden... heh, looks like you got a reason to visit the town now! I know of a neat shop to get fresh wood!''
Teppo jumps up from his butt and gallops out of the hut, Risa on the verge to just chase down the young boy and give him a proper squeeze at his head with both of her hands. But she couldn't live a house with a hole in the roof, so of course she had to follow along.
''For your info, you'll be paying..''
''EEEEEEEEEEH?! But I'm just a child!''
''AS IF YOU ARE! You're a god damn devil that keeps bugging me!''
''That's so RUUUUDE!''
Apple watched from the bush as the two ventured down the dirt path, and quickly followed in pursuit, visible sweatdrops from his forehead with the morning sun blazing down on Gecko Island, that turtleneck sweater sure is getting hot.
''Here we aaare! And it's open too! This old geezer usually keep his shop closed!''
Excited as he may sound, he didn't dare to take another step forward the building, standing with a smile and hands holding eachother behind his lowerback. Risa of course expected Teppo to be charging forward, being the kid to always take action before thinking one would think he'd be already inside. But he stared up to her, waiting on her to make a move apparently.
''..Why the sudden modesty? Are you gonna tell me ladies first or crap like that?''
''Well no! I aaaaam simply keeping myself at a safe distance!''
''Safe distance? From what?''
''Erm, let me show you!''
Just as he spoke he moved his left leg forward and taking a step on the brickfloor infront of the shop's entrance, and at that very moment an old geezer dashed out of the window from the second floor! Risa, shocked not only from the random old man, but just how fast he reacted to Teppo stepping, did he keep an eye on them?
''OHO! Keep yerr distance right der kiddo! Don't think I know yer footstep when you walk near mah place!''
He waves with his walking stick and pointed angrily at Teppo, who was shrugging to himself, he didn't comment back so naturally it begged the question; why is a kid being put into a restriction order? Risa raised her brow and stared at Teppo with an outmost doubting eye, that shrug of his can't fool her.
''No worries Chippy! I will be staaaaanding right here! Not a single step more! No way!''
''..You did something terrible to this man didn't you?''
''HEY HEY! Don't just go assuming stuff like that! I am a good boy!''
Chippy aggressively sharpened his stare at Teppo and raises his walking stick up into the air from the window.
''As if you are! You and your clumsiness resulted the destruction of my sailboat in jar collection! Take back that step you just did and I might not just come down and give you a real beating!''
''UWAH! Nowaynoway! It was just an accident I promise! I'll leave! Hey missy, you can trust on this old man, he knows his stuff with construction! See ya!''
Watching Teppo dash off with those swift waddling legs left a small dustcloud, coughing annoyed Risa clenched her fist and yelled towards the kid angrily.
''HEY! You're supposed to pay for those planks! You-! Ugh... he's already gone.''
The old geezer laughs out so sudden that it catches Risa off guard, turning her attention back to him with an unamused stare, was he laughing at her? Quickly fixing her bangs to the side she puts on her more stoic body language, crossing her arms and staring up at the man.
''I hate to ask, but do you supply materials for construction?''
''If I do? Course I do! I am the go to carpenter of this town! Everybody knows me and my handcraft! If yer looking to get something fixed I am yer man!-.. Oh right! Can't truly talk to a customer from the second floor!''
And just like that he straight up jumps out of the window into a galloping manner, but to Risa she could only imagine a bad end for the man and his poor cranky ol' legs.
''WH- You're gonna break your-!''
''HUU-HAH!''
''......legs?''
To her amazement, the old man landed with such delicacy that he did not flinch a bit, maybe his appearance was a lie, Risa certainly had a hard time believing he just jumped from such a height without falling into a wreck. However, she shuck her amazement off from her mind and gave the old man a stern look.
''No need for such an entrance.. I am here to collect planks to fix a roof, the brat from earlier walked on my roof and fell right through. But now he's gone and I don't know if I even have enough for such a project..''
Yet again, the old geezer let out a laughing fit, pushing Risa's annoyance on the edge with two anger marks growing on her, but she didn't know if he laughed at her or her dumb situation.
''Nghooh! W-what's so funny anyway?!''
''Oh nothing, it's just that kid just happens to be the biggest troublemaker in town so it's no wonder this happened, and while it's not funny when it happens to me I can at least have a jolly time seeing others feeling my pain, ooohoho!''
'Just who the hell he think he is to just laugh at someone's misfortune?!' Risa thought to herself while having a mighty speechless annoyed expression. She corrects her posture and goes back to cross her arms and huffs.
''It may be fun for you, but in all honesty I am here for some repairment, what do you have in store? Preferably something... that can prevent moisture to get through.''
''Uhuh? Yer not from around here that's for certain, not only did you not know who I am, but you also don't what materials to get! What are you-- a lost child?''
Her anger marks pops again and twitches, her face turning into a face of regret, grinning with a glaring stare as she just wanted to get this over with, and what does it matter to him if she was here for many years or just a single day?
''Ugh, then what do I get? I really don't have time to explain my knowledge of this island!''
The old man Chippy smiled and spun his walking stick idly as he walked back inside of his house, the noise of rustling and heavy objects being moved caused the inevitable of a loud crash, objects of various materials crashing all over the floor, at least by the sound of it. Risa stood silently and grew worried that the crash had probably ended the old man's life just now.
''...Uh, you the-''
''OH-HOO! I AM ALRIGHT! ONLY A SCRATCH!''
''DON'T JUST GO QUIETLY LIKE THAT! Tsk..''
Finally Chippy came back out, and with one big package in his arms. His walking stick hanging from his wrist and it seems like he was struggling a bit to stay balanced, but with enough effort he plomps the 'crate' infront of Risa with a silent wheeze. His hand smacks at the top of the crate witha big grinny mouth.
''Hhheh, heh! What ya need lassie is something more compact, not something organic! These roof bricks are create with the purpose of hindering rain come through, you can't just use wood and hope for the best! Stick with the right guns when fighting against the weather!''
''..Right..''
!00, 200, 300... Risa counted in her head as she browsed through the small wallet of hers, sure enough she could straight up go full Pirate and reject the cost, however this old man didn't need that kind of treatment. Risa just had enough for the material, placing the small stack of beli onto Chippy's hands. ''Here, try not to spend it all on useless crap.'' She told him before kneeling down to pick up the large crate onto her hands. It was mighty heavy and forced Risa to grit her teeth, but nothing she couldn't handle. ''You sure are one tough cookie lassie, I haven't seen a lady with such strength in a loooong time, wowie!'' Risa thinking whether she should take that as a compliment or not, was it really that rare of females to have used their muscles? Ignoring his comment Risa begun her journey back to the her hut, and it was a long one. The old man noticed her pace and waved at her with a grin.
''You know lassie! You could rent one of my donkeys!''
''I am out of money you old geezer! Tsk..''
She truly didn't have the patience to talk, now with her full focus on delivering the material she picked up the speed and walked faster, the crate idly wobble on her back. A few residents watched her go, both with amazement and worrisome stares. The sun was blazing hot so it was only natural for her to start sweating droplets off from her forehead, while everyone else stood nice and cold in the shades. Risa knew it was a bad idea to keep the worn out coat on her, and even if she wants to take it off it meant to put down the crate and then pick it back up, which is not easy to begin with! ''I swear to god, once I find the brat he will pay me and carry my goods around to make up for this..!'' Monolouging to herself she killed time with brainstorming a few ideas to invent or continue developing, she was currently aiming to make a tool that could lift her up to edge, like an automatic hook, small enough to be swiftly used but sturdy enough to withstand the weight of an average human being.
''Okay, finally nearing the outside of town..''
It was a minor uphill, but one that she quickly began to despise, each step felt like another couple of kilos was added to her shoulders, but as soon she reaches the end of the uphill she hears a faint sound of crying. Being in the less delicate part of town, where drunkards and muggers tend to reside it's not unusual for things to happen. Catching the corner of her eye she could witness two grown men being occupied by something on the ground. Inspecting the scene further by turning her head towards them made her realize it was young child curling up, the source of the pained cries. Risaka halted her steps and caught the conversation being held between them.
''You damn shitty kid! You really thought we'd buy your crap with our hard earned money? Pathetic!''
''Lil girl doesn't know whats good for her, trying to scam us will only lead to your end!''
The two grown men truly went hard on the young girl, a mere child, helpless of their tormeny, kicked on both ends with very little hope of mercy. She cried louder and hid her face deeper against the ground.
''UWAAAAH! Please! Stooop! Just let me go! *sniff* *sniff* I'm sorry!''
''SHUT UP! Don't talk back to us adults! You should feel ashamed to even attempt selling worthless scrap! Even if your little toy worked it probably is still mere trash! Bwahaha!''
At that point, Risa had her entire mind shoving all brainstorming and ideas on hold, it was quickly fueled by a rising rage. A clear vein popping on her forehead, her hands gently putting down the crate down on the ground behind her. Even if it wasn't directed at her, those insults meant all the same, a young child always have potential if they put their work in, and then these digusting people think they got the right to say otherwise? Risa took a hold of her Black Thorn, dashing from the spot with an incredible speed, upon impact she shoves her hand against the man's throat. The strength behind the grip was worthy of raw fury, crushing the man down against the ground and the sword pointing ready to slice up his face.
''THAT TOOL IS WORTH MORE THAN YOUR DAMN FACE!!!''
The Jet Black sprouts out from her grip and surrounding the man's jaw, all the while he was in pure shock and pain, the choke hold made him unable to respond with nothing but desperate squirming. The other man took a step back, frightened to the scene of some random woman's lashing rage.
''YOU BASTARD!''
She was mere inches away from maiming the man, but reminding herself of the fact that a crying girl was present, to kill someone right infront of a young child was too much, even for a pirate like her. She stabs the ground next to the man's face, stands up and uses her chokegrip to literally toss him from a body twist swing. She aimed at the other man, resulting the two of them crashing against eachother, knocking the air out of their body and leaving them unconcious. She gritted her teeth and pulled her sword out from the ground and back into her sheath.
''H-hungh, uwah... *sniff*''
The girl was in shock, for a brief moment she thought she was gonna be next, however, Risa calms her expression and kneels down, picking up the halfbroken tool up from the ground and grips it. It gave her a small nostalgic feeling and suddenly pulls up her wallet.
''It's not much, but I'll buy it.''
The girl was left speechless, staring with wet eyes as the small amount of beli was placed into her small hands. Risa placed the tool inside of her pocket and stood back up.
''Keep working, that's all you can do, that's all we can do.''
She walks back to the crate, letting out a silent sigh and watched the girl snap out of the shock and waddles off quickly, far away from the two men.
''Guess dinner is out of question tonight.''
The moment of arriving back to the hut Risa's legs were wobbling, she couldn't carry the damn crate anymore and slumps down forward, face hitting the ground and body squeezed inbetween dirt and a hard crate. Grumbling in both aching pain and overheat of her body she slowly but surely slid the crate off from her body, bit by bit she eventually gets out from the tight position. standing up with her hands on her knees. ''Ngh, alright, alright--.. time to get to work, can't risk having my hut soaked overnight.'' Pushing the crate closer to the side of the hut she inspected the roof from the ground, seeing the hole created by Teppo. ''Maybe if the shitty kid lost some weight the roof might've withstand it.'' Shrugging nonchalantly the green haired pirate went back inside, only to realize the door was still open from her departure, and just looking inside she could immeditaly notice a lot of tinks and devices were gone. Clutching her fist into a tight ball up near her chest she felt mighty angered, one of those kids went here and snagged a bunch didn't they?! Risa smacks her fist against the wall and cools down when slumping her body onto the chair, sighing out gently.
She took the moment to reflect her current situation, just what kind of life was this? Pirates had to be out there, on the sea right? But how could she ever possibly go back with this unpredictable fear of the water? Better to live in a silent island on a lone hut outside the city all alone, that was the excuse she gave herself everytime she thought about the pirate life. But then again she felt unfulfilled, what is there even to accomplish? All she did today was getting her roof assaulted, buy crate full of roof bricks, spending the last amount of money on a broken tool out of sympathy, and dragging heavy weight for hours, what a life she lived.
''No reason to whine about myself, let's get started then..''
Standing up she walked out of the hut, the sun was about to hit the edge of the horizon, the day sure went by quick, did she have time to prepare the entire damn roof? Locating her hammer and nails she got ready to start nailing, that is until an unknown individual suddenly emerged around the corner, cloaked up and face hidden. Risa felt surprised, but kept her uninterested stare at the guy with a few nails in her mouth.
''..Eh? And who are you supposed to be?''
A light chuckling giggle was heard from the cloaked mysterious man, making Risa lose her patience and ready the hammer in her hand, turning to fully face towards the potentially hostile person.
''I don't tolerate idiots trying to act shady, get lost.''
Just as Risa got into position to lounge at the enemy with the work hammer another unknown individual was approaching. From the other side of the hut, they ran up behind her back, catching her off guard. She grits her teeth and wanted to pull her sword out, but a large swinging club came roaring through the air, hitting her dead on the side of her face, knocking her a few meters away and laying unconcious. But right before she falls into the dark abyss she hears the joys of men.
''Yeah! Nice hit, bro!''
''C'mon, let's grab the stuff and get out of here!''
''Can't believe a pirate of all things lived here! Hey, that crate looks important, and heavy! Grab it lil bro!''
''Heh, got it!-''
Risa wanted to feel angry, but she was already tired and accepted the unconcious state, laying silent as the sky slowly darkened with incoming gray clouds.
Splish, splash, splosh, water began pouring down from the darkened sky, the cold drops hitting Risa's face and body eventually kicks her senses alive. She held her head and groaned in pain, that was one direct hit, knocked her basically instant. Looking up she could see the sky once only slightly clouded has been fully cloaked, how long has she been out? The sun was no longer in sight, an hour maybe? No matter Risa thought to herself, whoever did this will surely pay, and pay twice as much back, pain included. Seeing that the crate is gone made her widen her eyes, seriously?!
''They must've been the thieves, but why the in the living hell would anyone ever steal a heavy crate full of bricks?! ..hm?''
To her surprise her Black Thorn, her former captain's straight saber, was still by her hip, seems like the thieves didn't notice the sword, or perhaps they didn't have time? Thank goodness for that though, Risa can't possibly lose this sword, a most valuable asset to her belongings, well, barely anything left to be called her belongings. But this has become quite the awfull situation, rain already pouring and the hut will get soaked beyond repair, but that is a matter for later, right now she had her full focus on getting back at the thieves.
Thinking with the method of elimination she can be certain that they must've gone back to the town she came from, since it is closest to her hut. And if she's lucky she might catch some locals who has seen this thief duo and the significant large crate, that'll be her first stop.
Venturing down the muddy road she felt the pain on her head easing, the rain felt nice for once and cooled her body down. Sighing out once she regained mental strength and go into a dashing sprint. Being that quick she is totally arriving to town faster than one could say-
''HEEEEEY!''
The sudden shout got her attention, forcing her to grind her heels into the muddy ground and glide on the path, almost slipping forward but regaining her balance. Just who was that? She turned around, looking to the sides of the path, one had bushes so she deduced the voice came from there. Approaching the bushes she noticed a very familiar young boy. It was apple and he looked awfully embarrassed, his cheeks beet red and face hidden under his turtleneck sweater. Even she felt surprised, and she has only known for what, five minutes at max? But those five minutes had solidified his personality to be so shy and quite, so why did he yell this time? This needed a thorough reasoning.
''Did you yell 'hey' just now?''
Apple nodded, slowly but clearly. Risa kneeled down and stared at him with narrowing eyes.
''And why did you do that? Something tells me you got something to say.''
Apple mumbled and shivered, attempting to speak he slowly raised his face and gritted his teeth behind that small mouth of his. He stuttered and had difficulties to bring his words out, Risa just sitting there waiting, trying to be patient as possible.
''They...the....y, they, uhm, they...''
''....*sigh* yeeeees? They what? Who're they? Just speak.''
''Mnnnh, they, th-... they took..''
''....Christ almighty- SPEAK UP BOY!''
The sudden angry burst from Risa had the shy boy jump up in firhgt and having his eyes widened and face fully off from the sweater's neck, completely attentive.
''*Inhaaaaale* T-They took my friiieeeeeeend!!! THEY TOOK TEPPO-SAN! Please help him! You're strong! Please!''
Rise's brow twitches, just the sound of Teppo's name quickly made her regret even asking, of course there is something going on with that troublemaker. However, this time it must've been real bad, to have Apple act this way gave Risa the impression that Teppo has gone into way deep of a water. This is a thought, a mere hunch, but she thinks that Teppo's situation might be linked with the thieves.
''Hum, I see, Teppo's at it again, to be honest I rather want him to deal with it himself, but seeing I am in a hunt this could lead to the thieves, a small chance.. speaking of thieves, Apple, did you happen to see anything suspicious on the road? Like someone carrying a large crate?''
He sniffles and wipes away his tears and snot, shakes his head right before sulking back into his turtle stance, this kid really is in distraught. Risa stands up and huffs, looking down the road, rain pouring harder, both of them now completely soaked, but Risa didn't mind.
''Listen kiddo, go back to your home or whatever, not much you can do out in the rain, and you might catch a cold, so uh... yeah, shoo shoo.''
She hand gestured him and continued her sprint down the muddy road, with the town in sight it was time for a Hide n Seek she was not looking forward to.
The rain seems to be slowly halting, the droplets acting more soft and fewer. Risa wipes her face mid sprint and pushing her wet bangs to the side. Entering the town she knew that the culprits had to take the main street, carrying a crate inbetween buildings seemed impractical, even for her. Going by a few house residing by the wide street she knocked on doors and rang bells.
''None, why asking?''
''It's getting late young girl! Stop bickering me!''
''My my, you look so wet! Here, have a towel!''
''Sorry, I have been in my bed all day.''
All mediocre, every single houseowner gave her either vague answers or straight up ignoring her question! She now truly felt hopeless, but now that she thinks about it perhaps those abusing men from earlier are the cause of this theft? Or worse, the so called incident with Teppo? Sitting on a nearby bench she took the moment to browse through hypothetical scenarios. Holding her chin she quickly realizes that she is coming out on short for leads. 'Curses!' went through her head, at this point she doesn't care that much about the bricks, she just wanted to dish some revenge kill to make herself feel better, that sneak attack got her good. But she'll get them more the moment she finds them, the fact they used mere caveman weapons indicated that they don't even have proper weapons, a gun would be far more effecient when it comes to robbery.
No matter the their reasoning, she knew she could win in most fights, ever since she got this weird power to produce Jet out from her body she's been developing moves to make use of it, still it has left her quite heating when she uses it during summer days.
''Sometimes, I wish I could just go back to the old days, without being this weird and not fear the ocean.. Nnnngh!''
Standing up and stretching her arms she shoved away her reminisence and continued forward, she hasn't checked near the harbor afterall. Only a few minutes of walking she could see the sea, the same dreaded blue surface that she wants to stay away from. Feeling an anxious emotion brewing inside of her gut the moment she steps onto the docks made her look away in disgust, how come she used to be fine with the sea but now despising it, she felt betrayed by herself.
She could hear a slight commotion further down the lane of many docks, in a building she could hear at least three people arguing. She felt mighty curious, even when she knows it's not wise to eavesdrop she couldn't help but to catch the topic of the conversation.
''Why aren't we just getting rid of him?!''
''Relax my guy, he's just a kid, besides, it's not like he can move, no point on erasing him! Like I said, as long he stays there we will get a clean get away.''
''So why are we still here? This island is so boring, barely any loot.''
''Whatever man! I am sure we could solve the burden by just dropping him into the water chained to an anchor or something!''
''We don't just have an anchor laying around!''
This sure sounded a whole lot like Teppo, a kid causing trouble. But Risa got mighty worried hearing that they'd drown the brat, not only that they seemed to be more than just locals, a group of thieves? This demanded for further investigation. Risa patiently waited around the corner of the building, they were packing stuff and separated from eachother, one was still in the building busy loading up a bag, this might be her chance! Sneaking up behind the man she wrapped her arm around his neck and gave the sucker one hell of a choke grip, forcing him to fall back against her in desperation to get loose. Risa promptly shows her sword in full display infront of his face to make him quiet and less struggly.
''I am not a patient person so listen carefully, I don't care about people like you nor do I want to use my blade, but deny my questions I won't hesitate.''
The man with such widened eyes could only give in and raise his hands up to surrender to her demands, nodding with an audiable gulp. Risa pulled the man further into the building and around a corner incase someone were to come back to the place.
''I am looking for a certain someone, a kid, and I just happened to overhear the conversation you and the other brutes were having, so tell me.. did the kid wear a blue jacket? Was he also a bit fat?''
The guy in the mercy of the green haired pirate took a moment to think, a couple of sweatdrops running down his face made it very obvious that he was easily intimidated. Finally he nods, verifying her prediction.
''And just where do you keep him?''
''U-uhm! T-the next building, just outside! We kept him inside a barrel! Please don't hurt me!''
''A promise I can't keep.''
And with that she clenches her hand and delivers a knuckle sandwish to the side of his face, punching the ever living soul out of his body in which he falls on the ground unconscious. She sheaths her sword back to her hip and looks out to the exit of the building.
''No one in sight, I gotta be careful, right now people might be grow suspicious of the guy's absence. Tsk, now I wonder why I even bother saving the brat.''
With no option to go back she pursued to the next building, and very similar to the first one she could take a sneak peek to the inside through a window, and there was quite a lot of stuff, a bit too much infact. This is an abandoned fisherman house, worn down and rotten, someone's been using it to store their goods huh? Risaka took notice of the dozen of barrels, none of them moved, increasingly making her worried.
Walking around the the building she found the entrance door, unlocked, this was way too easy. Risa couldn't help but to feel alerted by the lack of patrols, maybe the stuff is not valuables? But they mentioned loot so it has to be. And it was then it struck her, in the middle of all the wares and goods, she saw her crate! But it was busted open and bricks had been spilled! She turned angry with a pair of clenching fists, a slight passionate fire was visible in her eyes.
''Who the hell made this mess?! Kidnapping a child is one thing, but stealing my stuff to only ruin it I won't tolerate!''
Feeling the need to pick up all the roof bricks she kneeled down and began collecting them into a neat pile next to the broken crate, and it was then she heard someone walking outside. Drat! Someone is about to enter the building, the very same entrance she came through! In a slight panic Risa dropped a brick an inch, making a clunking noise, but quick enough to dash right behind the door. Being out of sight of the one entering she held her breath to be absolutely silent, drawing her sword out with intention of fighting them if they just happen to turn around to see her. It was one of the men that talked earlier, and they whistled nonchalantly, quickly ceasing their little tune when seeing the stack of bricks. He kneels down to it, clearly interested.
''Mh? Someone been playing with bricks in here? Did... the kid get out?!''
He stands up in full alert, drawing his saber out, but at the very same moment Risa had charged a powerful elbow smash. Her arm crashing into the man's face and knocking him down in a single strike!
''UNGH--!...''
''Psh, I didn't play.. idiot.''
There was no time to waste, the longer she stayed here bigger the chance one will find her and alert the rest, and god knows how many there are of them. So far none of the guys she has taken down has been the thieves, their voices being nowhere near familiar. Without further ado it was time to do some thorough search among all the barrels.
Taking a nearby tool the green haired lass began to pop the lids, each barrel proved to be something unique, everything between raw caught fish and flour. Why was all of this here? If anything these seems to belong to stores, one in particular even had the logo of a shop she knew of. Safe to assume these thieves went on a looting spree recently. Risa couldn't care about such right now, the moment she finds Teppo she's outta here, although she might have to find something new to carry her bricks.
At least ten barrels of various contents got forced open until there was no barrel left. Did the grunt from earlier lie? This is bad, Risa needed to reconsider the details, one barrel was apparently empty, which could potentially mean Teppo has already left, but if he did then surely he wouldn't bother waste time on closing the barrel. Risa lazily put the lids on the top of the barrels and looked more around. 'Where in the hell are you kid?' she thought to herself. Being a somewhat large kid there was barely any spots to hide in within the room, resulting her not finding Teppo at all.
''If he's not here then he surely must be somewhere else safe, what am I supposed to do?''
''What to do indeed!''
The voice got her good, the element of surprise strong as ever, without even having a chance to fight back she was smacked by a large club, yet again. The force behind the weapon resulted her crashing against the wall within the building, but due to the worn down quality of the structure she crashed right through! Her side was hit, making her groan loud and land hard on the docks right outside the building, picking herself up all the while the assaulter steps out of the newly created hole.
''It's quite funny, y'know? I know pirates can be stubborn but man are you dumb to hunt us down!''
Risa coughed up with her head throbbing, the pain was leaving her legs twitching and her right hand holding on her side. She glared at the man, a brute who was amazingly silent when getting behind her in such a small room. He casually swung his club like a baseball bat, in other words warming up.
''But I was so certain you wouldn't get back up, for one I hit you with all my might, and yet here you are, still standing! So stubborn! But no matter, once the shitty kid attempted to fight us and fail miserably he mentioned you'd come after us. I didn't believe him, but my bro is a smart guy, and sure enough here you are snooping through OUR loot, cute.''
Risa didn't need to converse back to the man, her decision to draw Black Thorn out was more than enough message to the brute, the sharp tip pointing towards him.
''Huh, scary, even though I could very easily swipe you down into the ground I should mention that I am in no mood for dumb fights, bring him out!''
And sure enough, someone was brought out from the side of the building, waiting in the shadows. A tall man held Teppo around his neck with his mouth covered tightly by a rag. Risa glared at the sight, curses, here she was hoping he was somewhere safe. And to make things worse, a knife was near the kid's face, the obvious way of threatening someone with a hostage. She sighs and knew she had to surrender, while she much rather fight without the burden of someone's death Teppo was still a kid. Seeing as more grunts appeared from the lurking shadows there was no way she'd take them all on. Dropping her sword to the wooden floor she crossed her arms and stared forward.
''I'm gonna be honest here, I just wanted my stuff back, that brat has already caused me so much trouble.''
Teppo gave an angry remakr, chewing at the rag to let his mouth hole be free to talk. The guy holding Teppo up struggled to keep the kid in place
''Why are you so rude in a time like this! I fought them since I saw them bonk you down! And I nearly had them!-''
''Ahahaha! Funny joke kid, what you did was giving my bro a stomp on his foot!''
''And yet it really hurt me dammit!''
Behind a few more men, a smaller guy walked inbetween two of his thugs witha cloak covbering his shoulders, his foot barely leaning against the floor with an irritated expression. Risa couldn't blame the guy, if a kid like Teppo could fall through a roof then could easily crack a toe or two.
''Alright now, let's just calm down and be rational about this, surely you won't gain anything by killing a brat and me right? You got the loot ready, and I presume the ship over there is yours no?''
The small guy chuckled and stepped further forward, and drawing out his pistol. Risa turned cold pale seeing the flintlock gun being readied. He stands to the side of her and takes aim.
''How about no? Considering you know how our boat looks like you might snitch on us, this is not the first time we'll visit this town y'know? And to give you both a proper good bye, third times the charm right? Lil bro!''
He cheered himself up, raising his club and flexed his muscles, getting pumped to smack Risa for the third time, and if it were to strike her where she stood she'll definitely get sent into the water. Oh god she thought, not the water! Risa had very little room to work with, forced to stay put by a gun and a large brute charging up his club. She desperately looked around, anything, jsut anything to prevent her getting slammed to oblivion! That was when she notices the small guy didn't really keep his eyes at Risa, he watched his sibling getting that club into motion. And in the moment of the club soaring through the air a sudden yell was heard.
''P-people like you should all go away!! Y-you bastards!!!''
The cry of a small girl was heard behind the crowd, catching both siblings off guard, even Risa, but she had other plans. The brute gave the direction of the girl a confused look, the perfect moment for Risa to duck down like a sly fox, allowing club pass her and continue towards the small man. The brute internally gasps, unable to stop his motion he could only witness his sibling's face forming to the club's round shape, crushing the guy with tremendous force, teeth flying out of the mouth and sending him into the air!
''GUH-- AAAAAARGH!!!''
''OHNOOOO! ANI-KIIIIII!!! YOU LITTLEEE-!''
He quickly put his attention back to Risa who just escaped a probable death. With intention of striking right downwards the brute used the momentum to raise his club high, however, with the enough seconds Risa prepared a simple straight forward punch, her hand getting coated by Jet and forming into a black fist and increasing the blunt force delivered to the brute's stomach. The hit knocks the guy off from his feet, his face pale turning and crushing his lower ribs. Being sent back the brute crashes into the building while everyone jumps up in shock.
''There's more coming..! I'll beat you all down!''
With a high level of adrenaline she couldn't help but to shouting out at the enemy with intention of fighting more. Teppo followed pursuit by taking the opportunity to bite right down into the kidnapper's arm. He shouts out and is forced to let go of Teppo who quickly began to sprint away.
''IIIII'M OUTTA HERE! Later suckers!''
''The brat's getting away!''
''After him! Someone take care of the girl!''
''B-but our boss!!!''
''He's somewhere in the water, we ain't got time!''
Maybe fighting them all was a bad idea, Risa certainly preferred to just get away from all this, but instead she shows off what she can do! Two men with sabers charged towards at her, she responds back by stomping right down into the floor, great size of Jet sprouts out from her legs and large rough spikes emerging. The two men gets tries to stop their tracks, but gets struck by the pitch black mineral and sending them flying back. Their loud screams got the rest to turn a whole lot more defensive.
''N-no way! She's a power user!''
''Screw this then! They eat people, right?!''
''Wh- no they don't! Look, get to the boat and find our boss!''
'Well this turned out to be unexpected' Risa thought to herself, this power of hers proves to be far more useful than she thought, a way to intimidate mere grunts. Perhaps this might just do the trick. She picks up ehr Black Thorn and allows jet from her hand to emerge and cover around her sword, creating a large rough black sword in full display.
''That's right, you've angered me so I won't hesitate piercing you all with my sword!''
''Uah! No no no no! I won't die by the devil!''
''I'm too young to die!''
As cowards they fleed to the side, the whole lot of them. Those injured tried their best to follow, leaving behind the brute who was halfway inside a building wall. She huffs and quickly gets out of the spot, where did the girl who shouted go though? If Risa had to take a guess the girl was likely the one she paid earlier today.
''Guess I can't stay here anymore, or else they might get their boss back in order, better get out of sight so that they won't chase.''
Sheathing her sword back in she sprang away from the docks and between the buildings, reaching a lone street where barely anybody lived, for the most part she knew this place was uninhabited. Being relieved that Teppo got away she got back to focusing on retrieving her stuff back. If she remembers correctly a bunch of her half finished mechanical tools got taken away along with her crate. Then it was decided, she needed to get back inside the building with the loot, the thieves didn't have the guts on attempt bringing it with them when she threatened with her sword.
She entered the same building, and this time she held her sword out and ready, no more cheap sneak attacks on her! Seeing the same guy she knocked out still on the ground and her broken crate made her relieved, after fetching her tools she could probably use the empty barrel she found earlier. ''Time to get to work then..'' She loaded up the barrel in no time, neatly stacking the bricks in a smart way to get as many as possible, unfortunately for her she had to skip on a few remaining ones. ''Alright, alright.. time to departure, another long walk...'' But to add more to the pile that is called unluck of the day she heard the yell of the small man somewhere in the distant. He was using some kind of megaphone and clearly wanted attention.
''LISTEN UP YOU WENCH! I am giving you ONE chance to come out before I blow this girl's brains out! I knooow you're still around, lurking in those buildings, but guess what? I won't let you get away with hurting my bro and making a fool of me! You even made me lose my favourite pistol! So get out from the shadows or this tiny girl will die!''
It was very faint, but in the distance, somewhere on the water surface was a familiar pained cry. It was indeed the girl that got abused by the two men, and now she was held hostage on their boat! Risa peeked at them from the corner, and it was definitely a hard choice. Teppo was one thing, but this girl? She simply didn't have the heart to let her die, darn it! Risa felt so frustrated, smacking her fist against the wall.
''You just tried to save me to return the favor huh? Looks like I have to save you again, fellow inventor.''
Risa sighed, for a brief moment she pulled up the tool she purchased from the girl, it was spring based and used momentum in it's gears to function, a simple yet failed attempt on a hookshot. Risa took the opportunity and tampered with the tool, pulling out a few screws and twisted the tool up until it was on the verge of snapping into pieces. The trap was set. Then she began to slowly yet casually walked out of the building, she didn't have much of a choice, but she got a plan in mind, and inside of her head she was praying to the gods. She had her hands held up, indication of her surrendering. The girl kept on crying and warned Risa, saying all sorts of stuff to just run away and not look back, Risa was no fool though.
''Okay yeah, you got me, I guess? What are you supposed to do from that distance? There's water between us.''
''SHUT IT! You're a power user yeah? So it's only natural for us to use the water to our advantage, you can't swim!''
Risa furrowed her brows, how did he know? Was this common knowledge? But he seems confident so he couldn't just have pulled up a random excuse.
''And let's say in theory that I am, then what? From what I saw earlier you guys did not have ranged weaponry except for the one you lost, all of your men are holdings swords.''
''Ngh-.. tsk! Yeah that's right, we don't have guns, but the burden is not on us y'know? We got your cornered like a rat! Jump into the water and we'll let this girl go!''
This quickly turned bad, if she didn't jump then surely the girl will get killed on the spot, but the man might be lying, the tiny girl did afterall interrupt them which resulted him to get smacked way high. She hoped it wouldn't come to this, but if she got nothing on them she simply had to make one. Sliding her hand inside the the pocket of her coat she pulled out the tampered tool. She grinned and hovered her finger near the eject button.
''I'll give you a fair warning, you haven't noticed it yet, but your boat is bugged, explosives have been planted inside the lower deck, and this device right here is trigger.''
The man blinked and looked down at his boat, the rest of the thieves got worried expressions and mumbled words between eachother. But the boss cuts the tension and lets out a laughter.
''AHAHA! You think we're stupid? That's an obvious bluff, that is way too convenient of a threat to make! If that was indeed the case then why haven't you used it yet eeeh?!''
''Well of course I was planning to, until you began to threaten me with that girl you're holding, she may not be someone I know, but I don't just kill children. Besides, you don't think I'd turn your only getaway into a trap? This harbor is practically abandoned, the only boat docked was yours so it was easy to deduce.''
It sounded almost too true, it got the boss paranoid, questioning his confidence, she did prove to be quite sly so planting explosives on a lonesome boat didn't seem far fetched.
''H-however! I had men patrolling! It'd be extremely stupid if we just left our boat alone y'know?!''
''I suppose it -is- stupid to leave your only escape route unguarded, but then again, you did something stupid for that to happen. Your own paranoia got you overly cautious. Knowing full well that I'd come due to the brat's comment you had all of your men ready for me. Your boat was fully left alone, giving me the opening to plant the explosives. If you don't believe me then you are needlessly putting your own life at risk~''
It was a far stretch, but considering the circumstances and how easily he gets anxious she hoped to god that he indeed did send all of his men to the docks. And sure enough he stood there pale, sweating prefusely and bit his lowerlip.
''T-this wench really planted those explosives- n-no way..''
His crew members all stood silent, they all turned equally pale knowing fully well that they got ordered to wait among the docks hidden. One even dropped his sword and prepared to jump off from the boat.
''I-I'M NOT GONNA DIE ON THIS BOAT!-''
''YOU STAY RIGHT THERE IDIOT! Grrr! We can't make sudden moves or else she'll fucking blow us up!''
The man quickly got silenced and got back to his position, gulping mighty scared, the young girl had stopped crying and was just sulking, tears still wet and sore. The boss walks to the end of the boat and grits his teeth, he was furious and pointed his sword towards Risa's direction.
''Make your demands..''
''In the end I just wanted my stuff back, but things turned out wrong so here I am offering you the idea of a trade. You toss the girl, I toss the trigger, deal?''
He for sure did not like the idea of such a trade, being a thief he was mighty greedy. But considering the circumstances he much rather taking the safe route, but tossing the trigger was a mighty dangerous idea.
''Nnngh, alright alright FINE! You get the girl, just toss the trigger gently!''
He smirked devilishly in secret, in his head he had other plans, being a cheeky thief he was more than prepared to pull some last minute scam. Risa had her trigger tossed the same moment the boss did the swing to toss the girl off board, but on the last second he tugged the grip back on the girl's overalls.
''WAH HAHA! You fool! Now I get the trigger AND the death of you!''
''Uhuh?''
Just as expected, he tried one last attempt to get what he wants, with the trigger in mid air he took a hold of it and grinned wide, but the very small impact of landing on his hand got the tool lose it's density of structure. The springs within goes loose and violently spins from within. He raises a brow at the so called 'trigger' and gets one big surprise. The tool breaks into pieces, splinters of metal and springs flies out from his palm and hurts his face. He yells and loses the girl from his grip, resulting her cry out a scream while falling down into the water.
''AAAAAH! No no no! It's all exploding!!!- E-eh? Wait, only thing exploding was the trigger... GACK! THE GIRL!''
Just as expected, the boss is easily caught off guard and is very jumpy. The girl coughs in the water but quickly begins to swim towards the docks. ''Hey! Quickly! We got no time to lose!''
''The bombs was a lie! She got us way too good!''
''And the the girl are escaping!''
''Daaaaarn IT! After them after them!''>
The crew jumped one at a time into the water to swim after the girl, it'd take too much time to raise the sails and get the boat docked. Luckily for the young girl Risa held her arm forward, reaching to pull the girl right up. Holding the girl into her chest Risa then began to dash for her life, using her immense speed to get away from the men emerging around the dock.
''U-UWAH! So fast!''
''Don't worry, I'll bring you somewhere safe! They won't be able to catch up to me.''
In truth she was very tired, and hurt, she didn't know how long she'd keep up this speed. In a hot race into the town where locals resided the commotion of men chasing someone was quickly put into awareness. Teppo had warned many residents about the thieves and the loot. So the moment Risa gets far enough into town several residents was standing ready near their doors, seeing the group of men with swords stuck out like a sore thumb, obvious culprits.
''There they are! You damn thieves!''
''W-whuat? Hey, how did you know?!''
''You're not supposed to say that you idiot!''
''Get them!''
Risa looked behind her, the crowd of locals gathered up on the street and charged down at the thieves, who quickly gave up the chase and ran back down to the abandoned docks. Risa eased her running and sighs out, thank goodness. She looked at the girl, she was unconscious.
''Eugh, alright, I don't even know where you live and I can't exactly drop you somewhere random, I'll watch over you.''
Later that cold evening, Risa arrived back to her hut, the young girl wrapped in the old coat to keep her warm, the water was extremely cold and easily got to the child. Risa laid the girl gently down on the grass, sitting right next to her with Risa watching at the ruined hut of hers. The rained did so much damage, everything was soaked inside, most of her stuff gone, and she was ontop of it all, broke.
''...Well, that was one odd night, I seriously got nothing left huh? Well, I still got my sword, and coat... uh, yeah.''
Not her best moment in life, but she managed to save those kids, even kept her own life intact, the same goal she's had all of her life, to survive. She enjoyed the peaceful nearing midnight, but abruptly ended when a young voice came from the distance. Once again Teppo runs back into Risa's life, and he was waving with one big dumb smile.
''Heeey! Missy! We did it! We got those thieves real good!''
''Grr... Why did you go at them?! What the hell is wrong with you! You could've been killed! I was almost killed! Tsk..''
He stops his track and fidgets the tip of his foot into the ground, looking ashamed for once.
''Well I uh, I wanted to help, I noticed you getting assaulted, I tried to wake you up, but nothing helped.. So I went after them, I even told Apple to stay back to watch over you, I just felt so bad seeing you just trying to live and get... y'know, trampled on.. I'm sorry missy, I truly am.''
''....Psh, don't get so sentimental, I couldn't care less for how you feel. In any case, you should go back home.''
''Whu- But! You got no proper place to sleep in now! C'mon! Let me try to find you an extra room! My mom surely will help!''
''Cut the crap already! I'm a pirate, there's no way she'd let me sleep under the same roof as her, just go already.. I have already decided anyway.''
''Huh? Decided what?''
''..Well, since you asked I'll tell you. I'm leaving, I wanna leave this place.. I can't seem to do things right when I'm on land all alone, I exceeded when I was on a ship, back when I didn't fear the water..''
Teppo didn't respond, he stood there and clenched his fists, then a slight sound of sobbing was heard. Risa turned her face towards him and saw an unexpected sight. Teppo was filled with tears, mouth shaking and shoulders scrunched up to his neck.
''Y-you're l-leaving..? But.. *sniff* *sniff* You're my f-friend! I've always liked t-talking with you! You're the most interesting person I've ever met on this island! *sniff*''
With a gentle sigh she couldn't help to suddenly feel bad for the kid. She never saw him as a friend, but in truth she rarely saw anyone beyond as a stranger. Teppo visited her often, tried to help, filled her days with life, and in the end he ended up saving her by warning the locals, who knows how far those thieves would've run for. She put a small smile on her face and laid her hand on his head, patting him idly.
''So that's how it is.. I'm sorry, but I won't avert my decision, but I'll tell you this. Someday I will return, when I have conquered my fears and making a name for myself. You may just be a brat, but you saved me.''
Teppo tried his best to hold his tears back, but if this meant to be a final good bye he couldn't hold back. He burst out even more tears, crying out loud and hugs into ehr side with his face against her shoulder, in which she squirms.
''Hey! My shirt is not a tissue!''
''*sniff* *sniff* *snooooort* I WON'T FORGET YOU MISSY! I'LL WAIT FOR YOU!''
Wordcount: 10169
Vontanna Risa, a young girl from East Blue has settled down in a small hut in an island mostly unknown to her. For all she knew, it was named Gecko Island, as for the villages, not too much familiarity. Truth be told, she hasn't been in the island for more than a month, she had just arrived from a neighbouring island, in which she was in desperate need for assistance to survival. Her record of surviving on a stranded island for more than three years left her struck with a minor fear of going back out into the sea, cause no matter how much she tried she always felt ill and weak when trying to swim.
Luckily for her, she was picked up by a ship that happened to sail near the shore she made her life go, and after being dropped off this island's port she never looked back at the water, walking up to the land and made herself a temporary home. Outside of Syrup Village the hut can be seen in a lone hill side, a simple construction of wood to make a simple one room house, the kind of room where she preferred to be left alone and do her own things, of course that never really lasted a long time.
''Missyyyyy! Hey! Missy! Hey hey!''
A young kid with a broom had approached the door, but instead of knocking on the frame he let out his relentless yelling to obtain attention. With him was another young kid, a boy with turtleneck sweater who had the opposite nature of the loud one. It didn't take long for Risa to react to the annoyance that is Teppo, the loud one's name. She approaches the door and slams it open with a clearly annoyed expression, fangy teeth and clenched fist.
''COULD YOU JUST BE QUIET?! Why are you here!''
She knew these kids all too well, and even if they jumped up from her scream they took it as expected, Teppo crossing his arms with his broom and gives of a grin.
''Oh shucks, don't be like that missy! I just wanna see your powers again! Apple here didn't believe me so I came here for... y'know.. proof!''
Apple, shy as ever, stood slightly behind Teppo, but nodding to the explanation and looked up to the greenhaired lady.
''URUSAI! I don't care what the fruit believes in, nor do I even want to do such a thing! You just happened to see it when sneaking up on me! Now begone!''
With a doorslam Teppo pouts hard and taps his foot, Apple clearly intimidated by the lady's reaction and beheaviour. Teppo closes his eyes, thinking for a moment and snaps his fingers. 'Righto!' he thought to himself, sprinting around hut, silently however, and began to climb up from the side where the roof was near the ground. Hoisting himself up the young boy was outmost cautious and leaned forward, his broom reaching to the center of the roof. Teppo stared at Apple with the usual 'check this out' smuggy face. With the lenght of his broom he began to create a scrapping noise at the wood on the roof, making Risa hear the subtle sound. It didn't take too long until something errupts through the roof! A sharp black spike reflecting the sun strikes the spot where the broom scratches it, Apple jumps up with widened eyes, Teppo snickering, trying to hold in his laughter.
''Why are there rats in my house still?- ...I hear snickering.''
Kicking the door open Risa dashes out of the house to look up at the roof, seeing Teppo with the biggest smile he could muster, although he knew it was normally not a good idea to annoy this woman.
''Grrr! You dumb brat! You made me puncture my damn roof! Stop annoying me!''
She didn't realize it at first, but she forgot to take off the extending long Jet Black spike off from her hand, allowing Apple to see it in all of it's glory. Risa smacks at the side of her head with a defeated sigh.
''Jeez, now I got two kids knowing, are you happy now?''
It wasn't happiness of curiousity that sprouted from Apple, he was shocked and quickly jumped into a bush for hiding, all the while Teppo laughing uncontrollably on the roof, leaving Risa aggravated.
''UHAHAH! You sure are one scaredy cat Apple! Aha!''
''Get down from there! That's my house you're stepping on!''
''Heh heh! It's more like a bird house! It's so boring here anyways, let's go down to the market or something!''
''To hell with you and your childish demands! I have no reason to ever get close to that darn town!''
''Pssssh, you're no fun, it'll be fun!''
Just as Teppo attempted to step forward, he placed his foot a tiny bit close to the small hole, which let in due to his weight. He fell right through with a crash on his butt, the sound of wood snapping made Risa grip at her hair with her hands and glaring at Teppo.
''O-ow ow ow ow... whueeee, that was sudden... heh, looks like you got a reason to visit the town now! I know of a neat shop to get fresh wood!''
Teppo jumps up from his butt and gallops out of the hut, Risa on the verge to just chase down the young boy and give him a proper squeeze at his head with both of her hands. But she couldn't live a house with a hole in the roof, so of course she had to follow along.
''For your info, you'll be paying..''
''EEEEEEEEEEH?! But I'm just a child!''
''AS IF YOU ARE! You're a god damn devil that keeps bugging me!''
''That's so RUUUUDE!''
Apple watched from the bush as the two ventured down the dirt path, and quickly followed in pursuit, visible sweatdrops from his forehead with the morning sun blazing down on Gecko Island, that turtleneck sweater sure is getting hot.
''Here we aaare! And it's open too! This old geezer usually keep his shop closed!''
Excited as he may sound, he didn't dare to take another step forward the building, standing with a smile and hands holding eachother behind his lowerback. Risa of course expected Teppo to be charging forward, being the kid to always take action before thinking one would think he'd be already inside. But he stared up to her, waiting on her to make a move apparently.
''..Why the sudden modesty? Are you gonna tell me ladies first or crap like that?''
''Well no! I aaaaam simply keeping myself at a safe distance!''
''Safe distance? From what?''
''Erm, let me show you!''
Just as he spoke he moved his left leg forward and taking a step on the brickfloor infront of the shop's entrance, and at that very moment an old geezer dashed out of the window from the second floor! Risa, shocked not only from the random old man, but just how fast he reacted to Teppo stepping, did he keep an eye on them?
''OHO! Keep yerr distance right der kiddo! Don't think I know yer footstep when you walk near mah place!''
He waves with his walking stick and pointed angrily at Teppo, who was shrugging to himself, he didn't comment back so naturally it begged the question; why is a kid being put into a restriction order? Risa raised her brow and stared at Teppo with an outmost doubting eye, that shrug of his can't fool her.
''No worries Chippy! I will be staaaaanding right here! Not a single step more! No way!''
''..You did something terrible to this man didn't you?''
''HEY HEY! Don't just go assuming stuff like that! I am a good boy!''
Chippy aggressively sharpened his stare at Teppo and raises his walking stick up into the air from the window.
''As if you are! You and your clumsiness resulted the destruction of my sailboat in jar collection! Take back that step you just did and I might not just come down and give you a real beating!''
''UWAH! Nowaynoway! It was just an accident I promise! I'll leave! Hey missy, you can trust on this old man, he knows his stuff with construction! See ya!''
Watching Teppo dash off with those swift waddling legs left a small dustcloud, coughing annoyed Risa clenched her fist and yelled towards the kid angrily.
''HEY! You're supposed to pay for those planks! You-! Ugh... he's already gone.''
The old geezer laughs out so sudden that it catches Risa off guard, turning her attention back to him with an unamused stare, was he laughing at her? Quickly fixing her bangs to the side she puts on her more stoic body language, crossing her arms and staring up at the man.
''I hate to ask, but do you supply materials for construction?''
''If I do? Course I do! I am the go to carpenter of this town! Everybody knows me and my handcraft! If yer looking to get something fixed I am yer man!-.. Oh right! Can't truly talk to a customer from the second floor!''
And just like that he straight up jumps out of the window into a galloping manner, but to Risa she could only imagine a bad end for the man and his poor cranky ol' legs.
''WH- You're gonna break your-!''
''HUU-HAH!''
''......legs?''
To her amazement, the old man landed with such delicacy that he did not flinch a bit, maybe his appearance was a lie, Risa certainly had a hard time believing he just jumped from such a height without falling into a wreck. However, she shuck her amazement off from her mind and gave the old man a stern look.
''No need for such an entrance.. I am here to collect planks to fix a roof, the brat from earlier walked on my roof and fell right through. But now he's gone and I don't know if I even have enough for such a project..''
Yet again, the old geezer let out a laughing fit, pushing Risa's annoyance on the edge with two anger marks growing on her, but she didn't know if he laughed at her or her dumb situation.
''Nghooh! W-what's so funny anyway?!''
''Oh nothing, it's just that kid just happens to be the biggest troublemaker in town so it's no wonder this happened, and while it's not funny when it happens to me I can at least have a jolly time seeing others feeling my pain, ooohoho!''
'Just who the hell he think he is to just laugh at someone's misfortune?!' Risa thought to herself while having a mighty speechless annoyed expression. She corrects her posture and goes back to cross her arms and huffs.
''It may be fun for you, but in all honesty I am here for some repairment, what do you have in store? Preferably something... that can prevent moisture to get through.''
''Uhuh? Yer not from around here that's for certain, not only did you not know who I am, but you also don't what materials to get! What are you-- a lost child?''
Her anger marks pops again and twitches, her face turning into a face of regret, grinning with a glaring stare as she just wanted to get this over with, and what does it matter to him if she was here for many years or just a single day?
''Ugh, then what do I get? I really don't have time to explain my knowledge of this island!''
The old man Chippy smiled and spun his walking stick idly as he walked back inside of his house, the noise of rustling and heavy objects being moved caused the inevitable of a loud crash, objects of various materials crashing all over the floor, at least by the sound of it. Risa stood silently and grew worried that the crash had probably ended the old man's life just now.
''...Uh, you the-''
''OH-HOO! I AM ALRIGHT! ONLY A SCRATCH!''
''DON'T JUST GO QUIETLY LIKE THAT! Tsk..''
Finally Chippy came back out, and with one big package in his arms. His walking stick hanging from his wrist and it seems like he was struggling a bit to stay balanced, but with enough effort he plomps the 'crate' infront of Risa with a silent wheeze. His hand smacks at the top of the crate witha big grinny mouth.
''Hhheh, heh! What ya need lassie is something more compact, not something organic! These roof bricks are create with the purpose of hindering rain come through, you can't just use wood and hope for the best! Stick with the right guns when fighting against the weather!''
''..Right..''
!00, 200, 300... Risa counted in her head as she browsed through the small wallet of hers, sure enough she could straight up go full Pirate and reject the cost, however this old man didn't need that kind of treatment. Risa just had enough for the material, placing the small stack of beli onto Chippy's hands. ''Here, try not to spend it all on useless crap.'' She told him before kneeling down to pick up the large crate onto her hands. It was mighty heavy and forced Risa to grit her teeth, but nothing she couldn't handle. ''You sure are one tough cookie lassie, I haven't seen a lady with such strength in a loooong time, wowie!'' Risa thinking whether she should take that as a compliment or not, was it really that rare of females to have used their muscles? Ignoring his comment Risa begun her journey back to the her hut, and it was a long one. The old man noticed her pace and waved at her with a grin.
''You know lassie! You could rent one of my donkeys!''
''I am out of money you old geezer! Tsk..''
She truly didn't have the patience to talk, now with her full focus on delivering the material she picked up the speed and walked faster, the crate idly wobble on her back. A few residents watched her go, both with amazement and worrisome stares. The sun was blazing hot so it was only natural for her to start sweating droplets off from her forehead, while everyone else stood nice and cold in the shades. Risa knew it was a bad idea to keep the worn out coat on her, and even if she wants to take it off it meant to put down the crate and then pick it back up, which is not easy to begin with! ''I swear to god, once I find the brat he will pay me and carry my goods around to make up for this..!'' Monolouging to herself she killed time with brainstorming a few ideas to invent or continue developing, she was currently aiming to make a tool that could lift her up to edge, like an automatic hook, small enough to be swiftly used but sturdy enough to withstand the weight of an average human being.
''Okay, finally nearing the outside of town..''
It was a minor uphill, but one that she quickly began to despise, each step felt like another couple of kilos was added to her shoulders, but as soon she reaches the end of the uphill she hears a faint sound of crying. Being in the less delicate part of town, where drunkards and muggers tend to reside it's not unusual for things to happen. Catching the corner of her eye she could witness two grown men being occupied by something on the ground. Inspecting the scene further by turning her head towards them made her realize it was young child curling up, the source of the pained cries. Risaka halted her steps and caught the conversation being held between them.
''You damn shitty kid! You really thought we'd buy your crap with our hard earned money? Pathetic!''
''Lil girl doesn't know whats good for her, trying to scam us will only lead to your end!''
The two grown men truly went hard on the young girl, a mere child, helpless of their tormeny, kicked on both ends with very little hope of mercy. She cried louder and hid her face deeper against the ground.
''UWAAAAH! Please! Stooop! Just let me go! *sniff* *sniff* I'm sorry!''
''SHUT UP! Don't talk back to us adults! You should feel ashamed to even attempt selling worthless scrap! Even if your little toy worked it probably is still mere trash! Bwahaha!''
At that point, Risa had her entire mind shoving all brainstorming and ideas on hold, it was quickly fueled by a rising rage. A clear vein popping on her forehead, her hands gently putting down the crate down on the ground behind her. Even if it wasn't directed at her, those insults meant all the same, a young child always have potential if they put their work in, and then these digusting people think they got the right to say otherwise? Risa took a hold of her Black Thorn, dashing from the spot with an incredible speed, upon impact she shoves her hand against the man's throat. The strength behind the grip was worthy of raw fury, crushing the man down against the ground and the sword pointing ready to slice up his face.
''THAT TOOL IS WORTH MORE THAN YOUR DAMN FACE!!!''
The Jet Black sprouts out from her grip and surrounding the man's jaw, all the while he was in pure shock and pain, the choke hold made him unable to respond with nothing but desperate squirming. The other man took a step back, frightened to the scene of some random woman's lashing rage.
''YOU BASTARD!''
She was mere inches away from maiming the man, but reminding herself of the fact that a crying girl was present, to kill someone right infront of a young child was too much, even for a pirate like her. She stabs the ground next to the man's face, stands up and uses her chokegrip to literally toss him from a body twist swing. She aimed at the other man, resulting the two of them crashing against eachother, knocking the air out of their body and leaving them unconcious. She gritted her teeth and pulled her sword out from the ground and back into her sheath.
''H-hungh, uwah... *sniff*''
The girl was in shock, for a brief moment she thought she was gonna be next, however, Risa calms her expression and kneels down, picking up the halfbroken tool up from the ground and grips it. It gave her a small nostalgic feeling and suddenly pulls up her wallet.
''It's not much, but I'll buy it.''
The girl was left speechless, staring with wet eyes as the small amount of beli was placed into her small hands. Risa placed the tool inside of her pocket and stood back up.
''Keep working, that's all you can do, that's all we can do.''
She walks back to the crate, letting out a silent sigh and watched the girl snap out of the shock and waddles off quickly, far away from the two men.
''Guess dinner is out of question tonight.''
The moment of arriving back to the hut Risa's legs were wobbling, she couldn't carry the damn crate anymore and slumps down forward, face hitting the ground and body squeezed inbetween dirt and a hard crate. Grumbling in both aching pain and overheat of her body she slowly but surely slid the crate off from her body, bit by bit she eventually gets out from the tight position. standing up with her hands on her knees. ''Ngh, alright, alright--.. time to get to work, can't risk having my hut soaked overnight.'' Pushing the crate closer to the side of the hut she inspected the roof from the ground, seeing the hole created by Teppo. ''Maybe if the shitty kid lost some weight the roof might've withstand it.'' Shrugging nonchalantly the green haired pirate went back inside, only to realize the door was still open from her departure, and just looking inside she could immeditaly notice a lot of tinks and devices were gone. Clutching her fist into a tight ball up near her chest she felt mighty angered, one of those kids went here and snagged a bunch didn't they?! Risa smacks her fist against the wall and cools down when slumping her body onto the chair, sighing out gently.
She took the moment to reflect her current situation, just what kind of life was this? Pirates had to be out there, on the sea right? But how could she ever possibly go back with this unpredictable fear of the water? Better to live in a silent island on a lone hut outside the city all alone, that was the excuse she gave herself everytime she thought about the pirate life. But then again she felt unfulfilled, what is there even to accomplish? All she did today was getting her roof assaulted, buy crate full of roof bricks, spending the last amount of money on a broken tool out of sympathy, and dragging heavy weight for hours, what a life she lived.
''No reason to whine about myself, let's get started then..''
Standing up she walked out of the hut, the sun was about to hit the edge of the horizon, the day sure went by quick, did she have time to prepare the entire damn roof? Locating her hammer and nails she got ready to start nailing, that is until an unknown individual suddenly emerged around the corner, cloaked up and face hidden. Risa felt surprised, but kept her uninterested stare at the guy with a few nails in her mouth.
''..Eh? And who are you supposed to be?''
A light chuckling giggle was heard from the cloaked mysterious man, making Risa lose her patience and ready the hammer in her hand, turning to fully face towards the potentially hostile person.
''I don't tolerate idiots trying to act shady, get lost.''
Just as Risa got into position to lounge at the enemy with the work hammer another unknown individual was approaching. From the other side of the hut, they ran up behind her back, catching her off guard. She grits her teeth and wanted to pull her sword out, but a large swinging club came roaring through the air, hitting her dead on the side of her face, knocking her a few meters away and laying unconcious. But right before she falls into the dark abyss she hears the joys of men.
''Yeah! Nice hit, bro!''
''C'mon, let's grab the stuff and get out of here!''
''Can't believe a pirate of all things lived here! Hey, that crate looks important, and heavy! Grab it lil bro!''
''Heh, got it!-''
Risa wanted to feel angry, but she was already tired and accepted the unconcious state, laying silent as the sky slowly darkened with incoming gray clouds.
Splish, splash, splosh, water began pouring down from the darkened sky, the cold drops hitting Risa's face and body eventually kicks her senses alive. She held her head and groaned in pain, that was one direct hit, knocked her basically instant. Looking up she could see the sky once only slightly clouded has been fully cloaked, how long has she been out? The sun was no longer in sight, an hour maybe? No matter Risa thought to herself, whoever did this will surely pay, and pay twice as much back, pain included. Seeing that the crate is gone made her widen her eyes, seriously?!
''They must've been the thieves, but why the in the living hell would anyone ever steal a heavy crate full of bricks?! ..hm?''
To her surprise her Black Thorn, her former captain's straight saber, was still by her hip, seems like the thieves didn't notice the sword, or perhaps they didn't have time? Thank goodness for that though, Risa can't possibly lose this sword, a most valuable asset to her belongings, well, barely anything left to be called her belongings. But this has become quite the awfull situation, rain already pouring and the hut will get soaked beyond repair, but that is a matter for later, right now she had her full focus on getting back at the thieves.
Thinking with the method of elimination she can be certain that they must've gone back to the town she came from, since it is closest to her hut. And if she's lucky she might catch some locals who has seen this thief duo and the significant large crate, that'll be her first stop.
Venturing down the muddy road she felt the pain on her head easing, the rain felt nice for once and cooled her body down. Sighing out once she regained mental strength and go into a dashing sprint. Being that quick she is totally arriving to town faster than one could say-
''HEEEEEY!''
The sudden shout got her attention, forcing her to grind her heels into the muddy ground and glide on the path, almost slipping forward but regaining her balance. Just who was that? She turned around, looking to the sides of the path, one had bushes so she deduced the voice came from there. Approaching the bushes she noticed a very familiar young boy. It was apple and he looked awfully embarrassed, his cheeks beet red and face hidden under his turtleneck sweater. Even she felt surprised, and she has only known for what, five minutes at max? But those five minutes had solidified his personality to be so shy and quite, so why did he yell this time? This needed a thorough reasoning.
''Did you yell 'hey' just now?''
Apple nodded, slowly but clearly. Risa kneeled down and stared at him with narrowing eyes.
''And why did you do that? Something tells me you got something to say.''
Apple mumbled and shivered, attempting to speak he slowly raised his face and gritted his teeth behind that small mouth of his. He stuttered and had difficulties to bring his words out, Risa just sitting there waiting, trying to be patient as possible.
''They...the....y, they, uhm, they...''
''....*sigh* yeeeees? They what? Who're they? Just speak.''
''Mnnnh, they, th-... they took..''
''....Christ almighty- SPEAK UP BOY!''
The sudden angry burst from Risa had the shy boy jump up in firhgt and having his eyes widened and face fully off from the sweater's neck, completely attentive.
''*Inhaaaaale* T-They took my friiieeeeeeend!!! THEY TOOK TEPPO-SAN! Please help him! You're strong! Please!''
Rise's brow twitches, just the sound of Teppo's name quickly made her regret even asking, of course there is something going on with that troublemaker. However, this time it must've been real bad, to have Apple act this way gave Risa the impression that Teppo has gone into way deep of a water. This is a thought, a mere hunch, but she thinks that Teppo's situation might be linked with the thieves.
''Hum, I see, Teppo's at it again, to be honest I rather want him to deal with it himself, but seeing I am in a hunt this could lead to the thieves, a small chance.. speaking of thieves, Apple, did you happen to see anything suspicious on the road? Like someone carrying a large crate?''
He sniffles and wipes away his tears and snot, shakes his head right before sulking back into his turtle stance, this kid really is in distraught. Risa stands up and huffs, looking down the road, rain pouring harder, both of them now completely soaked, but Risa didn't mind.
''Listen kiddo, go back to your home or whatever, not much you can do out in the rain, and you might catch a cold, so uh... yeah, shoo shoo.''
She hand gestured him and continued her sprint down the muddy road, with the town in sight it was time for a Hide n Seek she was not looking forward to.
The rain seems to be slowly halting, the droplets acting more soft and fewer. Risa wipes her face mid sprint and pushing her wet bangs to the side. Entering the town she knew that the culprits had to take the main street, carrying a crate inbetween buildings seemed impractical, even for her. Going by a few house residing by the wide street she knocked on doors and rang bells.
''None, why asking?''
''It's getting late young girl! Stop bickering me!''
''My my, you look so wet! Here, have a towel!''
''Sorry, I have been in my bed all day.''
All mediocre, every single houseowner gave her either vague answers or straight up ignoring her question! She now truly felt hopeless, but now that she thinks about it perhaps those abusing men from earlier are the cause of this theft? Or worse, the so called incident with Teppo? Sitting on a nearby bench she took the moment to browse through hypothetical scenarios. Holding her chin she quickly realizes that she is coming out on short for leads. 'Curses!' went through her head, at this point she doesn't care that much about the bricks, she just wanted to dish some revenge kill to make herself feel better, that sneak attack got her good. But she'll get them more the moment she finds them, the fact they used mere caveman weapons indicated that they don't even have proper weapons, a gun would be far more effecient when it comes to robbery.
No matter the their reasoning, she knew she could win in most fights, ever since she got this weird power to produce Jet out from her body she's been developing moves to make use of it, still it has left her quite heating when she uses it during summer days.
''Sometimes, I wish I could just go back to the old days, without being this weird and not fear the ocean.. Nnnngh!''
Standing up and stretching her arms she shoved away her reminisence and continued forward, she hasn't checked near the harbor afterall. Only a few minutes of walking she could see the sea, the same dreaded blue surface that she wants to stay away from. Feeling an anxious emotion brewing inside of her gut the moment she steps onto the docks made her look away in disgust, how come she used to be fine with the sea but now despising it, she felt betrayed by herself.
She could hear a slight commotion further down the lane of many docks, in a building she could hear at least three people arguing. She felt mighty curious, even when she knows it's not wise to eavesdrop she couldn't help but to catch the topic of the conversation.
''Why aren't we just getting rid of him?!''
''Relax my guy, he's just a kid, besides, it's not like he can move, no point on erasing him! Like I said, as long he stays there we will get a clean get away.''
''So why are we still here? This island is so boring, barely any loot.''
''Whatever man! I am sure we could solve the burden by just dropping him into the water chained to an anchor or something!''
''We don't just have an anchor laying around!''
This sure sounded a whole lot like Teppo, a kid causing trouble. But Risa got mighty worried hearing that they'd drown the brat, not only that they seemed to be more than just locals, a group of thieves? This demanded for further investigation. Risa patiently waited around the corner of the building, they were packing stuff and separated from eachother, one was still in the building busy loading up a bag, this might be her chance! Sneaking up behind the man she wrapped her arm around his neck and gave the sucker one hell of a choke grip, forcing him to fall back against her in desperation to get loose. Risa promptly shows her sword in full display infront of his face to make him quiet and less struggly.
''I am not a patient person so listen carefully, I don't care about people like you nor do I want to use my blade, but deny my questions I won't hesitate.''
The man with such widened eyes could only give in and raise his hands up to surrender to her demands, nodding with an audiable gulp. Risa pulled the man further into the building and around a corner incase someone were to come back to the place.
''I am looking for a certain someone, a kid, and I just happened to overhear the conversation you and the other brutes were having, so tell me.. did the kid wear a blue jacket? Was he also a bit fat?''
The guy in the mercy of the green haired pirate took a moment to think, a couple of sweatdrops running down his face made it very obvious that he was easily intimidated. Finally he nods, verifying her prediction.
''And just where do you keep him?''
''U-uhm! T-the next building, just outside! We kept him inside a barrel! Please don't hurt me!''
''A promise I can't keep.''
And with that she clenches her hand and delivers a knuckle sandwish to the side of his face, punching the ever living soul out of his body in which he falls on the ground unconscious. She sheaths her sword back to her hip and looks out to the exit of the building.
''No one in sight, I gotta be careful, right now people might be grow suspicious of the guy's absence. Tsk, now I wonder why I even bother saving the brat.''
With no option to go back she pursued to the next building, and very similar to the first one she could take a sneak peek to the inside through a window, and there was quite a lot of stuff, a bit too much infact. This is an abandoned fisherman house, worn down and rotten, someone's been using it to store their goods huh? Risaka took notice of the dozen of barrels, none of them moved, increasingly making her worried.
Walking around the the building she found the entrance door, unlocked, this was way too easy. Risa couldn't help but to feel alerted by the lack of patrols, maybe the stuff is not valuables? But they mentioned loot so it has to be. And it was then it struck her, in the middle of all the wares and goods, she saw her crate! But it was busted open and bricks had been spilled! She turned angry with a pair of clenching fists, a slight passionate fire was visible in her eyes.
''Who the hell made this mess?! Kidnapping a child is one thing, but stealing my stuff to only ruin it I won't tolerate!''
Feeling the need to pick up all the roof bricks she kneeled down and began collecting them into a neat pile next to the broken crate, and it was then she heard someone walking outside. Drat! Someone is about to enter the building, the very same entrance she came through! In a slight panic Risa dropped a brick an inch, making a clunking noise, but quick enough to dash right behind the door. Being out of sight of the one entering she held her breath to be absolutely silent, drawing her sword out with intention of fighting them if they just happen to turn around to see her. It was one of the men that talked earlier, and they whistled nonchalantly, quickly ceasing their little tune when seeing the stack of bricks. He kneels down to it, clearly interested.
''Mh? Someone been playing with bricks in here? Did... the kid get out?!''
He stands up in full alert, drawing his saber out, but at the very same moment Risa had charged a powerful elbow smash. Her arm crashing into the man's face and knocking him down in a single strike!
''UNGH--!...''
''Psh, I didn't play.. idiot.''
There was no time to waste, the longer she stayed here bigger the chance one will find her and alert the rest, and god knows how many there are of them. So far none of the guys she has taken down has been the thieves, their voices being nowhere near familiar. Without further ado it was time to do some thorough search among all the barrels.
Taking a nearby tool the green haired lass began to pop the lids, each barrel proved to be something unique, everything between raw caught fish and flour. Why was all of this here? If anything these seems to belong to stores, one in particular even had the logo of a shop she knew of. Safe to assume these thieves went on a looting spree recently. Risa couldn't care about such right now, the moment she finds Teppo she's outta here, although she might have to find something new to carry her bricks.
At least ten barrels of various contents got forced open until there was no barrel left. Did the grunt from earlier lie? This is bad, Risa needed to reconsider the details, one barrel was apparently empty, which could potentially mean Teppo has already left, but if he did then surely he wouldn't bother waste time on closing the barrel. Risa lazily put the lids on the top of the barrels and looked more around. 'Where in the hell are you kid?' she thought to herself. Being a somewhat large kid there was barely any spots to hide in within the room, resulting her not finding Teppo at all.
''If he's not here then he surely must be somewhere else safe, what am I supposed to do?''
''What to do indeed!''
The voice got her good, the element of surprise strong as ever, without even having a chance to fight back she was smacked by a large club, yet again. The force behind the weapon resulted her crashing against the wall within the building, but due to the worn down quality of the structure she crashed right through! Her side was hit, making her groan loud and land hard on the docks right outside the building, picking herself up all the while the assaulter steps out of the newly created hole.
''It's quite funny, y'know? I know pirates can be stubborn but man are you dumb to hunt us down!''
Risa coughed up with her head throbbing, the pain was leaving her legs twitching and her right hand holding on her side. She glared at the man, a brute who was amazingly silent when getting behind her in such a small room. He casually swung his club like a baseball bat, in other words warming up.
''But I was so certain you wouldn't get back up, for one I hit you with all my might, and yet here you are, still standing! So stubborn! But no matter, once the shitty kid attempted to fight us and fail miserably he mentioned you'd come after us. I didn't believe him, but my bro is a smart guy, and sure enough here you are snooping through OUR loot, cute.''
Risa didn't need to converse back to the man, her decision to draw Black Thorn out was more than enough message to the brute, the sharp tip pointing towards him.
''Huh, scary, even though I could very easily swipe you down into the ground I should mention that I am in no mood for dumb fights, bring him out!''
And sure enough, someone was brought out from the side of the building, waiting in the shadows. A tall man held Teppo around his neck with his mouth covered tightly by a rag. Risa glared at the sight, curses, here she was hoping he was somewhere safe. And to make things worse, a knife was near the kid's face, the obvious way of threatening someone with a hostage. She sighs and knew she had to surrender, while she much rather fight without the burden of someone's death Teppo was still a kid. Seeing as more grunts appeared from the lurking shadows there was no way she'd take them all on. Dropping her sword to the wooden floor she crossed her arms and stared forward.
''I'm gonna be honest here, I just wanted my stuff back, that brat has already caused me so much trouble.''
Teppo gave an angry remakr, chewing at the rag to let his mouth hole be free to talk. The guy holding Teppo up struggled to keep the kid in place
''Why are you so rude in a time like this! I fought them since I saw them bonk you down! And I nearly had them!-''
''Ahahaha! Funny joke kid, what you did was giving my bro a stomp on his foot!''
''And yet it really hurt me dammit!''
Behind a few more men, a smaller guy walked inbetween two of his thugs witha cloak covbering his shoulders, his foot barely leaning against the floor with an irritated expression. Risa couldn't blame the guy, if a kid like Teppo could fall through a roof then could easily crack a toe or two.
''Alright now, let's just calm down and be rational about this, surely you won't gain anything by killing a brat and me right? You got the loot ready, and I presume the ship over there is yours no?''
The small guy chuckled and stepped further forward, and drawing out his pistol. Risa turned cold pale seeing the flintlock gun being readied. He stands to the side of her and takes aim.
''How about no? Considering you know how our boat looks like you might snitch on us, this is not the first time we'll visit this town y'know? And to give you both a proper good bye, third times the charm right? Lil bro!''
He cheered himself up, raising his club and flexed his muscles, getting pumped to smack Risa for the third time, and if it were to strike her where she stood she'll definitely get sent into the water. Oh god she thought, not the water! Risa had very little room to work with, forced to stay put by a gun and a large brute charging up his club. She desperately looked around, anything, jsut anything to prevent her getting slammed to oblivion! That was when she notices the small guy didn't really keep his eyes at Risa, he watched his sibling getting that club into motion. And in the moment of the club soaring through the air a sudden yell was heard.
''P-people like you should all go away!! Y-you bastards!!!''
The cry of a small girl was heard behind the crowd, catching both siblings off guard, even Risa, but she had other plans. The brute gave the direction of the girl a confused look, the perfect moment for Risa to duck down like a sly fox, allowing club pass her and continue towards the small man. The brute internally gasps, unable to stop his motion he could only witness his sibling's face forming to the club's round shape, crushing the guy with tremendous force, teeth flying out of the mouth and sending him into the air!
''GUH-- AAAAAARGH!!!''
''OHNOOOO! ANI-KIIIIII!!! YOU LITTLEEE-!''
He quickly put his attention back to Risa who just escaped a probable death. With intention of striking right downwards the brute used the momentum to raise his club high, however, with the enough seconds Risa prepared a simple straight forward punch, her hand getting coated by Jet and forming into a black fist and increasing the blunt force delivered to the brute's stomach. The hit knocks the guy off from his feet, his face pale turning and crushing his lower ribs. Being sent back the brute crashes into the building while everyone jumps up in shock.
''There's more coming..! I'll beat you all down!''
With a high level of adrenaline she couldn't help but to shouting out at the enemy with intention of fighting more. Teppo followed pursuit by taking the opportunity to bite right down into the kidnapper's arm. He shouts out and is forced to let go of Teppo who quickly began to sprint away.
''IIIII'M OUTTA HERE! Later suckers!''
''The brat's getting away!''
''After him! Someone take care of the girl!''
''B-but our boss!!!''
''He's somewhere in the water, we ain't got time!''
Maybe fighting them all was a bad idea, Risa certainly preferred to just get away from all this, but instead she shows off what she can do! Two men with sabers charged towards at her, she responds back by stomping right down into the floor, great size of Jet sprouts out from her legs and large rough spikes emerging. The two men gets tries to stop their tracks, but gets struck by the pitch black mineral and sending them flying back. Their loud screams got the rest to turn a whole lot more defensive.
''N-no way! She's a power user!''
''Screw this then! They eat people, right?!''
''Wh- no they don't! Look, get to the boat and find our boss!''
'Well this turned out to be unexpected' Risa thought to herself, this power of hers proves to be far more useful than she thought, a way to intimidate mere grunts. Perhaps this might just do the trick. She picks up ehr Black Thorn and allows jet from her hand to emerge and cover around her sword, creating a large rough black sword in full display.
''That's right, you've angered me so I won't hesitate piercing you all with my sword!''
''Uah! No no no no! I won't die by the devil!''
''I'm too young to die!''
As cowards they fleed to the side, the whole lot of them. Those injured tried their best to follow, leaving behind the brute who was halfway inside a building wall. She huffs and quickly gets out of the spot, where did the girl who shouted go though? If Risa had to take a guess the girl was likely the one she paid earlier today.
''Guess I can't stay here anymore, or else they might get their boss back in order, better get out of sight so that they won't chase.''
Sheathing her sword back in she sprang away from the docks and between the buildings, reaching a lone street where barely anybody lived, for the most part she knew this place was uninhabited. Being relieved that Teppo got away she got back to focusing on retrieving her stuff back. If she remembers correctly a bunch of her half finished mechanical tools got taken away along with her crate. Then it was decided, she needed to get back inside the building with the loot, the thieves didn't have the guts on attempt bringing it with them when she threatened with her sword.
She entered the same building, and this time she held her sword out and ready, no more cheap sneak attacks on her! Seeing the same guy she knocked out still on the ground and her broken crate made her relieved, after fetching her tools she could probably use the empty barrel she found earlier. ''Time to get to work then..'' She loaded up the barrel in no time, neatly stacking the bricks in a smart way to get as many as possible, unfortunately for her she had to skip on a few remaining ones. ''Alright, alright.. time to departure, another long walk...'' But to add more to the pile that is called unluck of the day she heard the yell of the small man somewhere in the distant. He was using some kind of megaphone and clearly wanted attention.
''LISTEN UP YOU WENCH! I am giving you ONE chance to come out before I blow this girl's brains out! I knooow you're still around, lurking in those buildings, but guess what? I won't let you get away with hurting my bro and making a fool of me! You even made me lose my favourite pistol! So get out from the shadows or this tiny girl will die!''
It was very faint, but in the distance, somewhere on the water surface was a familiar pained cry. It was indeed the girl that got abused by the two men, and now she was held hostage on their boat! Risa peeked at them from the corner, and it was definitely a hard choice. Teppo was one thing, but this girl? She simply didn't have the heart to let her die, darn it! Risa felt so frustrated, smacking her fist against the wall.
''You just tried to save me to return the favor huh? Looks like I have to save you again, fellow inventor.''
Risa sighed, for a brief moment she pulled up the tool she purchased from the girl, it was spring based and used momentum in it's gears to function, a simple yet failed attempt on a hookshot. Risa took the opportunity and tampered with the tool, pulling out a few screws and twisted the tool up until it was on the verge of snapping into pieces. The trap was set. Then she began to slowly yet casually walked out of the building, she didn't have much of a choice, but she got a plan in mind, and inside of her head she was praying to the gods. She had her hands held up, indication of her surrendering. The girl kept on crying and warned Risa, saying all sorts of stuff to just run away and not look back, Risa was no fool though.
''Okay yeah, you got me, I guess? What are you supposed to do from that distance? There's water between us.''
''SHUT IT! You're a power user yeah? So it's only natural for us to use the water to our advantage, you can't swim!''
Risa furrowed her brows, how did he know? Was this common knowledge? But he seems confident so he couldn't just have pulled up a random excuse.
''And let's say in theory that I am, then what? From what I saw earlier you guys did not have ranged weaponry except for the one you lost, all of your men are holdings swords.''
''Ngh-.. tsk! Yeah that's right, we don't have guns, but the burden is not on us y'know? We got your cornered like a rat! Jump into the water and we'll let this girl go!''
This quickly turned bad, if she didn't jump then surely the girl will get killed on the spot, but the man might be lying, the tiny girl did afterall interrupt them which resulted him to get smacked way high. She hoped it wouldn't come to this, but if she got nothing on them she simply had to make one. Sliding her hand inside the the pocket of her coat she pulled out the tampered tool. She grinned and hovered her finger near the eject button.
''I'll give you a fair warning, you haven't noticed it yet, but your boat is bugged, explosives have been planted inside the lower deck, and this device right here is trigger.''
The man blinked and looked down at his boat, the rest of the thieves got worried expressions and mumbled words between eachother. But the boss cuts the tension and lets out a laughter.
''AHAHA! You think we're stupid? That's an obvious bluff, that is way too convenient of a threat to make! If that was indeed the case then why haven't you used it yet eeeh?!''
''Well of course I was planning to, until you began to threaten me with that girl you're holding, she may not be someone I know, but I don't just kill children. Besides, you don't think I'd turn your only getaway into a trap? This harbor is practically abandoned, the only boat docked was yours so it was easy to deduce.''
It sounded almost too true, it got the boss paranoid, questioning his confidence, she did prove to be quite sly so planting explosives on a lonesome boat didn't seem far fetched.
''H-however! I had men patrolling! It'd be extremely stupid if we just left our boat alone y'know?!''
''I suppose it -is- stupid to leave your only escape route unguarded, but then again, you did something stupid for that to happen. Your own paranoia got you overly cautious. Knowing full well that I'd come due to the brat's comment you had all of your men ready for me. Your boat was fully left alone, giving me the opening to plant the explosives. If you don't believe me then you are needlessly putting your own life at risk~''
It was a far stretch, but considering the circumstances and how easily he gets anxious she hoped to god that he indeed did send all of his men to the docks. And sure enough he stood there pale, sweating prefusely and bit his lowerlip.
''T-this wench really planted those explosives- n-no way..''
His crew members all stood silent, they all turned equally pale knowing fully well that they got ordered to wait among the docks hidden. One even dropped his sword and prepared to jump off from the boat.
''I-I'M NOT GONNA DIE ON THIS BOAT!-''
''YOU STAY RIGHT THERE IDIOT! Grrr! We can't make sudden moves or else she'll fucking blow us up!''
The man quickly got silenced and got back to his position, gulping mighty scared, the young girl had stopped crying and was just sulking, tears still wet and sore. The boss walks to the end of the boat and grits his teeth, he was furious and pointed his sword towards Risa's direction.
''Make your demands..''
''In the end I just wanted my stuff back, but things turned out wrong so here I am offering you the idea of a trade. You toss the girl, I toss the trigger, deal?''
He for sure did not like the idea of such a trade, being a thief he was mighty greedy. But considering the circumstances he much rather taking the safe route, but tossing the trigger was a mighty dangerous idea.
''Nnngh, alright alright FINE! You get the girl, just toss the trigger gently!''
He smirked devilishly in secret, in his head he had other plans, being a cheeky thief he was more than prepared to pull some last minute scam. Risa had her trigger tossed the same moment the boss did the swing to toss the girl off board, but on the last second he tugged the grip back on the girl's overalls.
''WAH HAHA! You fool! Now I get the trigger AND the death of you!''
''Uhuh?''
Just as expected, he tried one last attempt to get what he wants, with the trigger in mid air he took a hold of it and grinned wide, but the very small impact of landing on his hand got the tool lose it's density of structure. The springs within goes loose and violently spins from within. He raises a brow at the so called 'trigger' and gets one big surprise. The tool breaks into pieces, splinters of metal and springs flies out from his palm and hurts his face. He yells and loses the girl from his grip, resulting her cry out a scream while falling down into the water.
''AAAAAH! No no no! It's all exploding!!!- E-eh? Wait, only thing exploding was the trigger... GACK! THE GIRL!''
Just as expected, the boss is easily caught off guard and is very jumpy. The girl coughs in the water but quickly begins to swim towards the docks. ''Hey! Quickly! We got no time to lose!''
''The bombs was a lie! She got us way too good!''
''And the the girl are escaping!''
''Daaaaarn IT! After them after them!''>
The crew jumped one at a time into the water to swim after the girl, it'd take too much time to raise the sails and get the boat docked. Luckily for the young girl Risa held her arm forward, reaching to pull the girl right up. Holding the girl into her chest Risa then began to dash for her life, using her immense speed to get away from the men emerging around the dock.
''U-UWAH! So fast!''
''Don't worry, I'll bring you somewhere safe! They won't be able to catch up to me.''
In truth she was very tired, and hurt, she didn't know how long she'd keep up this speed. In a hot race into the town where locals resided the commotion of men chasing someone was quickly put into awareness. Teppo had warned many residents about the thieves and the loot. So the moment Risa gets far enough into town several residents was standing ready near their doors, seeing the group of men with swords stuck out like a sore thumb, obvious culprits.
''There they are! You damn thieves!''
''W-whuat? Hey, how did you know?!''
''You're not supposed to say that you idiot!''
''Get them!''
Risa looked behind her, the crowd of locals gathered up on the street and charged down at the thieves, who quickly gave up the chase and ran back down to the abandoned docks. Risa eased her running and sighs out, thank goodness. She looked at the girl, she was unconscious.
''Eugh, alright, I don't even know where you live and I can't exactly drop you somewhere random, I'll watch over you.''
Later that cold evening, Risa arrived back to her hut, the young girl wrapped in the old coat to keep her warm, the water was extremely cold and easily got to the child. Risa laid the girl gently down on the grass, sitting right next to her with Risa watching at the ruined hut of hers. The rained did so much damage, everything was soaked inside, most of her stuff gone, and she was ontop of it all, broke.
''...Well, that was one odd night, I seriously got nothing left huh? Well, I still got my sword, and coat... uh, yeah.''
Not her best moment in life, but she managed to save those kids, even kept her own life intact, the same goal she's had all of her life, to survive. She enjoyed the peaceful nearing midnight, but abruptly ended when a young voice came from the distance. Once again Teppo runs back into Risa's life, and he was waving with one big dumb smile.
''Heeey! Missy! We did it! We got those thieves real good!''
''Grr... Why did you go at them?! What the hell is wrong with you! You could've been killed! I was almost killed! Tsk..''
He stops his track and fidgets the tip of his foot into the ground, looking ashamed for once.
''Well I uh, I wanted to help, I noticed you getting assaulted, I tried to wake you up, but nothing helped.. So I went after them, I even told Apple to stay back to watch over you, I just felt so bad seeing you just trying to live and get... y'know, trampled on.. I'm sorry missy, I truly am.''
''....Psh, don't get so sentimental, I couldn't care less for how you feel. In any case, you should go back home.''
''Whu- But! You got no proper place to sleep in now! C'mon! Let me try to find you an extra room! My mom surely will help!''
''Cut the crap already! I'm a pirate, there's no way she'd let me sleep under the same roof as her, just go already.. I have already decided anyway.''
''Huh? Decided what?''
''..Well, since you asked I'll tell you. I'm leaving, I wanna leave this place.. I can't seem to do things right when I'm on land all alone, I exceeded when I was on a ship, back when I didn't fear the water..''
Teppo didn't respond, he stood there and clenched his fists, then a slight sound of sobbing was heard. Risa turned her face towards him and saw an unexpected sight. Teppo was filled with tears, mouth shaking and shoulders scrunched up to his neck.
''Y-you're l-leaving..? But.. *sniff* *sniff* You're my f-friend! I've always liked t-talking with you! You're the most interesting person I've ever met on this island! *sniff*''
With a gentle sigh she couldn't help to suddenly feel bad for the kid. She never saw him as a friend, but in truth she rarely saw anyone beyond as a stranger. Teppo visited her often, tried to help, filled her days with life, and in the end he ended up saving her by warning the locals, who knows how far those thieves would've run for. She put a small smile on her face and laid her hand on his head, patting him idly.
''So that's how it is.. I'm sorry, but I won't avert my decision, but I'll tell you this. Someday I will return, when I have conquered my fears and making a name for myself. You may just be a brat, but you saved me.''
Teppo tried his best to hold his tears back, but if this meant to be a final good bye he couldn't hold back. He burst out even more tears, crying out loud and hugs into ehr side with his face against her shoulder, in which she squirms.
''Hey! My shirt is not a tissue!''
''*sniff* *sniff* *snooooort* I WON'T FORGET YOU MISSY! I'LL WAIT FOR YOU!''
