Heart to Heart! Let’s Serve up their Just Deserts!

[Fox]

Tia’s emerald eyes flicked over to Newton in a flash of mild irritation at his comment, but she supposed that he couldn’t be faulted. Not this time, anyhow. He didn’t know the details of the whole affair. But, her attention soon turned back to Veera, seeing her fragile little companion tear up with depthless gratitude. Newton’s comment did pull her attention away from the giant as she explained very briefly what had happened. Veera then played with the boy, ruffling his hair and telling him how he could become one. Well, in a responsible manner.

“Yes, well…”

With a gentle finger, Tia picked up Ada from off her horn and set the little girl on the ground with surprising delicacy. Her face was still somber, but she had enough wherewithal to keep the more graphic details to herself with the children about.

“It was more that I moved without thinking. I’d gone to pick up a bounty and had discovered a quite… inebriated Veera at the local tavern who was hunting the same marks. Foolishly overconfident, I took her with me. I was supposed to protect her. I failed. I failed, and she lost her eye in an entirely preventable scenario. It’s my fault, so I must be the one to take responsibility.”

Tia sighed, looking away from her two smaller companions. She didn’t want to see either of their faces. She didn’t want to see pity or denial or surprise. This was a burden that she now had to carry, and it rankled her pride to do so, but carry it she must. Aside from being intoxicated, Tia considered any little ones accompanying her to be in her care. To have failed so miserably… Well. She was ashamed.

“I’m sorry, darling,” she muttered, softly, but loud enough for those who listened to hear.

It was a rare thing. To get an apology from Tia. A fragile and soft thing, filled with humility and wounded sentiment. There was something deeper in there as well, a bit of genuine affection. She sighed again after a moment, and looked back to the two of them, having somewhat regained her composure but also wanting to push away from this topic as fast as possible.

“That is why, Newton, we need your help. Probably darling Edith’s as well. If we’re going for a grudge match, I want to make it so incredibly one-sided that we annihilate any hope of their victory.”

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Tia | #ff6347 | Post Count: 11

[Sam]

-- CHAPTER 3 // Just Deserts!

The two children remained silent as they watched the adults speak. Hiding behind their brother as they stepped away from the two strange ladies that came to visit him. Newt himself was silent... Tia... defeated? He'd seen what she was capable of back on Burning Caldera.

The crew they encountered there was hardly a push over crew... they were a big deal in the South Blue. Yet, Tia had disposed of them efficiently, granted she'd gotten some help from Newt and Ede but still. A giant's strength was nothing to scoff it was the point. There was hardly anything that could match them in these waters... save for perhaps another giant.

"I see..."

Newt replied, his expression of contempt was now gone. It was replaced by a blank and serious one. His green eyes almost seemingly lost in thought as he put one hand on his cheek and stared into space.

"Ede, I understand."

He replied, they wanted a grudge match did they not? They should wrangle strong people. Ede was strong, she'd consumed a very strong Devil Fruit, a Logia... those were rare from what Newton had heard and very powerful too. It allowed her to go toe to toe with someone as experienced as Turk. Someone Newt had struggled with and had not survived if it weren't for his own supernatural prowess. But even so, why choose him?

"Why come for me though? I'm not as impressive as Edith... you know."

The question was genuine, nothing was skipped. It was straight to the point, his gaze shifted to meet Tia's big eyes. Almost as if challenging her, but one look into his eyes and you could tell they were honest.

"I'd love to help, but frankly... I'm not sure I meet that expectation, Tia. If even a giant struggled against this foe... what makes you think a humble shepherd boy would be of any worth?"

-- NAME // Newton M. Icarus

-- CLASS // E
-- TECHS USED // None.

[Kami-Gaz]

Hearing how Tia blamed herself for a mistake that was not hers to make made Veera spark with a sense of annoyance. Was it because she was a giant that she had to protect everyone from themselves? Veera knew it was her own fault and not Tia’s for the explosion that claimed her eye, that it was her fault that the fight was so one sided against them. With a long huff she twisted and looked up with her good eye to see the pain on the giant woman’s face. This was going to get talked about later. How were they meant to be partners when they weren’t even on the same page?

“We need more than brute strength Newtie, we need what only shepherd boy can give us.” Veera responded before Tia could. She had to hit the nail on the head for this one. “Tia trusts you, and if she does then so do i. If we are going to attack their base, we will need more than Me, Tia and this Edith person. We want every skilled and competent person we can get.” The mermaid announced, putting her boot covered tail-foot down, as she did ripples of sparks danced up her skin and under her still damp clothes. 

“Tia is a giant and I am larger than life, Newt, please be the one that can ground us, give us a new perspective and help when we need it. When we get the bounty, you get an equal share.” She spoke, looking around and spotting parts that needed fixing up from here with her good eye, money could help that. “Does that help you see your worth?” With her previous annoyance and determined attitude shining through all the energy that was bouncing around her body began to passively charge her gun, making the magnets spin inside the barrel and emit a droning hum.

“If you say no I’ll zap you!” She added before puffing her cheeks out and poking a finger forward with visible sparks dancing around the skin.

[Fox]

Well, at least Newton was taking this seriously. Good. Tia wouldn’t have it any other way. She didn’t want another one of her treasures to get damaged on her watch. He seemed willing, but seemed to have doubts about his own self-worth, which surprised Tia a little. He never seemed to lack self confidence or pride before now. She became silent and thoughtful, but Veera abruptly and vehemently interjected. Something had certainly fired her back up. Tia smiled at that before chuckling at her final threat. She looked down at Newton.

“Well, there you have it, darling Newton. It seems you don’t have much of a choice, ohoho~!”

Tia shifted a little and leaned over, patting Newton on the head with a finger.

“It was you that made me appreciate the skills and abilities of those far smaller than myself. So, please, don’t sell yourself short, dear.”

Leaning back, she smiled, resting her head in one hand. Edith, Newton, Veera, and herself. Hm. Quite honestly, she’d like to tip the scales a little more in their favor, but it was possible that they’d come across other extraordinary little ones soon. Certainly, Tia had found several in relatively short order. It wasn’t too optimistic to hope that more would appear soon, was it? Perhaps extraordinary people attracted other extraordinary people.

“So what will it be? Will you join us?”

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Tia | #ff6347 | Post Count: 12

[Sam]

-- CHAPTER 3 // Just Deserts!

With his head resting on his hand as he was sat on the ground Newton let out a sigh. Veera went on with some sort of speech on how they needed more than brute strength. Perhaps that was true, but it felt odd to see Tia's attitude so desperately change. Newton did a lot more than he thought capable back on Burning Caldera. Through wit alone he took care of as many men as Tia had. Even so, that feat went to blind eyes... not that it mattered to Newton really. But it did make him wonder why she came here.

"That doesn't answer my question, really. But alright."

He gave a simple reply and shrugged. The blond-haired thief tilted his head to look at the red-headed giant of a woman. Her emerald eyes looking down him, their look had slightly changed from the first time they met. Truth be told, he didn't have much say in the matter. Putting a hand to his face he shook his head slight letting out another sigh.

"Do I have a choice?"

Newt replied with a smile, letting his hand down he looked to both the women. He knew it, he couldn't sit still. Living the lavish life of a rich man felt nice... but somehow it felt unfulfilling. Since his last adventure, Newt felt a crave for yet another... this drive deep within himself that he couldn't explain telling him he needed more. To see more. To do more. To make a name for himself. Now that his family was comfortable, he could achieve said dream and here were these two women offering him a chance at it. Yet... he couldn't help but feel off. To feel strange.

"Yes. I'll come."

He finally replied and just as he did Kars came out rolling some Araq barrels. Enough for everyone... although Tia would have to drink from the casket themselves given her size. Oh and the children were brought some apple juice... just to keep them satiated.

"Looks like the refreshments arrived!"

-- NAME // Newton M. Icarus

-- CLASS // E
-- TECHS USED // None.

[Kami-Gaz]

Veera heard Tia and her pride in her for putting her tail down and felt a swell of pride in herself for impressing the giant woman. She cracked a grin and let the energy she had bouncing around her system go and crackle in the air as if she were a tesla coil. Now they had their third, a man with a level head that would keep them level. That and he was the man that made this proud giant take a liking to smaller people like herself, so he held a weirdly special place in her heart.

“Well you had a choice… You get Zapped… Or you don’t. It’s a simple choice Newtie!” The mermaid intoned as she moved towards where the refreshments were being served and nudged him with a gentle static shock. She was starting to like him as a person and she had to show that, with a gentle zap every now and then.

“It’s time to party!” The mermaid spoke and pulled her rifle from her back and loaded a series of shells before pointing it to the sky. In a quick moment the quiet of night was swallowed up with the rapid spinning of her magnets whirring around the barrel and then a loud sound barrier shattering pop that rocketed a high explosive shell into the air. As it slowed down at an incredible height it exploded like a firework. Today was a day to celebrate! The queens had just found their first key piece in getting their revenge, in moving Veera to her Goal.

“Fireworks one me!” She called over the all too familiar ringing in her own ears, it was something she had always gotten used to. She grinned before cocking the rifle to load another shell… she had the ammo to go all night!

[Fox]

“Excellent! Ohoho~!”

Tia hadn’t really doubted that Newton would come along. She knew he was destined for greater things than simply being a shepherd boy out in the desert. As nice as his new little dwelling was, he struck Tia as someone with ambition. As did Veera, naturally. Her two little gems. Tia smiled warmly down at them both. She wouldn’t let them be hurt ever again. She needed to become stronger. Tia briefly considered her gloves before Veera lifted the mood by firing her bullets into the sky.

“And the drinks are on, Newtie,” Tia cheered, chuckling at Veera’s nickname for him.

Grabbing one cask entirely, Tia popped the top off with ease and sipped it with surprising delicacy. Good stuff! Perhaps Newton could be in charge of requisitioning the supplies. She tilted her head up at the sky and watched Veera’s fireworks with a smile. Well. They certainly had more than enough time to prepare, didn’t they? With all of their brains behind it, she doubted that they would miss anything. There was no margin for error. Not when it came to the safety of her gems. If someone was to be hurt in the battle, Tia would prefer it to be her.

She smirked to herself. Of course, it wouldn’t even come to that. Their victory was going to be a one sided slaughter. She’d see to that. For now, seeing Newton and Veera’s smiling faces was enough for her.

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Tia | #ff6347 | Post Count: 13