A Duel of Honor! New Allies and New Faces on Viktas!

[Fox]

Tia wasn’t thrilled with returning to Viktas. It reminded her of home, Kaldurr, with its annoyingly cold and frigid landscape. The cold didn’t bother Tia too much personally. Being from such a climate, she had ample clothing for the occasion. She’d been more concerned for Veera and Newton who both seemed poorly equipped for the snowy weather. She’d given Veera a piece of one of her fine wooly scarves which she’d woven into a warm sweater dress - Newton got one too, but she put less effort into sewing it into a piece of wearable clothing.

Now, in order to find Edith, Veera and Newton were going into the city to track down any leads, leaving her alone on the boat. Tia sighed as she stood on top of the deck of her ship. Darling Veera and Newton had long since disappeared over the horizon, which left her alone, cold, and bored. Tia pouted. Their reasoning for leaving her behind was something about not stirring up the locals, which she understood to some extent, but it was aggravating.

To be honest, Tia had more than half a mind to go out into the snow after those two, but she was only halted by knowing that Veera would fuss at her if she did. She sighed and turned to walk into the small - for her - cabin that served as her sleeping quarters. She took a seat at the desk and put on a strange gadget with which to closely examine and catalog the assorted piles of treasure on her desk.

She wasn’t entirely done with documenting the haul from the Burning Caldera, and she supposed that now would be the best time to tidy that up. She pulled her notepad over and scribbled onto it various details about each article of treasure from its age to the era or culture that it came from. Interestingly enough, Tia was pretty sure there were some articles from the mysterious Bliss Kingdom. Good additions to her hoard.

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Tia | #ff6347 | Post Count: 1

Tags: Mr. Moon Sam

[Mr. Moon]

Hakon #1

The mighty Elbaf warrior got lost. Traveling from the West Blue towards Grand Line to prove his might to the beautiful maiden Seere, his boat was hit by a storm and before he found himself, he was already in South Blue. However, a strange thing happened there. Rumors reached him that some fierce giantess was traveling through this ocean. That made him curious. Could it be, that the storm wasn't misfortune but the hand of fate pushing him and his beloved back together? He had to find out. Collecting all rumors about her whereabouts and movement. Following them like an expert hunter, until he finally reached the Victas. A small and unimportant frozen piece of land, that served mainly as a Marine outpost. He remembered that last time Seere avoided the main human settlement and so instead of entering the port, he led his ship to the other side of the island. Big mistake, he realized in hindsight, as he searched most of the island to no avail. Could it be that she was hiding from him? But how could a giantess hide among regular folks? Or could it be that these rumors were false and he arrived on the wrong island? Confused and irritated, Hakon made his way into the town, finding the nearest inn he could retreat into. As he was drinking in his sorrow, a guy in his late thirties, short and stocky, sat at his table.
"Joy or sorrow, what are you drinking at buddy?"
Hakon raised his eyes from the glass muttering.
"Sorrow."
He responded, grimly.
"Woman huh, yeah they are always troublesome."
Hakon nodded.
"I am not going to argue with that. Listen, who is the best swordsman on this island?"
The man laughed.
"Best swordsman? Are you on some knightly quest or something? Well, my guess would be one of the marines but hey, if you want to really impress your lady, I heard that there was a giantess in the port, besting…"
He didn't finish as Hakon jumped up at his feet.
"Giantess?"
He asked, throwing a handful of banknotes on the table, to pay for his treat.
"Seere!"
Yelling from top of his lungs the tiny giant rushed out of the inn, running straight through the closed doors, almost as if there weren't any. Accompanied by the laughter of the local patrons and cursing of the innkeeper.

[Sam]

To the ends of the earth Lucien had traveled, so far down south in the island of Viktas, but a ways away from the world's bottom peak, the south pole. It was right there within reach, the very cusp of world's end. His journey had taken many months, in that time he had encountered many sorts of people. Interesting people no less, it had been a worthy journey. Even so he had yet to find what he sought after and was starting to consider it a loss cause. Perhaps it was destiny he didn't meet the emerald eyed giantess and went elsewhere with this pilgrimage of his.

"Hm..."

He hummed gently to himself sitting on his boat looking over a leather parchment map. Red crosses marking each and every island he had gone to. All the way up and down the South Blue, from warm and tropical to now freezing cold. It truly had been an adventure in it's own right and he had become wiser in his own way. No matter, Viktas was one of his last stops before he continued onward. Surely, she would be here? Of all places right? Rumors were starting thin out. He needed to luck out.

"Tally-ho..."

He mumbled gathering himself and laying anchor to sea. With one giant step he heaved his large leg covered in metal plating into the salty sea and looked at the Marine controlled island. It was different from Cinna though, which was also Marine controlled. There it had just been one base and a partnership type deal at that. A land of sugar and color. One to contrast against this much colder and bitter land which was almost exclusively inhabited by soldiers.

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Lucien | French Blue #0072BB | (Post Count: 1)

[Fox]

Tia let out a gusty sigh as she leaned up from her desk, stretching idly and blowing a bit of errant hair from her face. She’d made little more than a dent in cataloging the treasure from the volcanic island. It was fascinating, but somewhat tedious work, and she couldn’t seem to focus on it enough to enjoy it as she usually did. Thoughts always seemed to wander back to events with Veera and those scum from before, wondering how she could have prevailed or things could have gone differently.

“Mm…”

Picking up one of the cataloged treasures from her desk - a golden chain with several jewels - Tia tied her hair back in a loose ponytail to keep it from her face. She admired it in the mirror for a split second before standing up and walking out onto the deck of her longboat. The crisp frigid air blasted her, whipping up her fiery red hair all around her. It reminded her a little of home. Tia wasn’t quite sure if that was a good thing.

She took a few short strides to the railing and leaned over it, staring out toward the town before something else in the distance caught her eye. She looked over curiously, tilting her head. The perspective was rather confusing at first. Her first impression was that it was a small ship rather close by with a knight stepping out into the water. She did a double take when her eyes informed her that, no, he was quite a bit down the shore. But for the knight to be that size, he’d have to be a giant like her. Another giant in the South Blue? Preposterous.

Tia shook her horned head and looked back to the town where a small figure was sprinting out toward the shore. She perked up and squinted, trying to make out if it was perhaps Newton or Veera in need of some assistance, but it didn’t quite look like either of them. Tia scowled.

“What on earth…?”

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Tia | #ff6347 | Post Count: 2

[Mr. Moon]

Hakon #2

For a guy of his size, Hakon was surprisingly agile and fast, especially when driven by the flame of his love. He dashed from the inn, taking the shortest possible route to the port, which caused a small commotion among the townsfolk, especially, when they saw him jumping over the smaller buildings so he wouldn´t have to run around them. However, his enthusiasm wanned a bit, when he noticed a large ship with giantess on the board. Tall, voluptuous redhead, with a pair of horns growing from her head, more beautiful than any human woman could hope to ever be, yet…she wasn´t Seere.

The proud warrior of Elbaf landed on the pier leading to her ship, slightly confused, as he couldn´t even imagine, that he would meet another member of his kind in the Blues, aside from his beloved one.

“Freyja´s blessing how did this town deserve the presence of such beauty?!”

He exclaimed, eyes fixated on Tia, while trying his best to keep his cool. After all, he was already engaged man, and while he didn´t prove to be worthy of her love yet, how could he betray Seere´s feelings towards him so easily?

“Pardon my manners. My name is Hakon Earling and I am a proud warrior of Elbaf. I am ashamed to admit, that when I heard about a beautiful giantess being in the city, I mistook you for my lovely Seere and rushed to meet her. However, may I ask what did bring you so far from home? One rarely meets someone of our kind in the Blues.”

He said these words so naturally, almost as if it was an undisputed fact that he was a giant like her, completely ignoring Lucien who was disembarking not so far away from them as all his attention was drawn by the giantess in front of him.

[Sam]

Finally his quest had come to a conclusion. There was no doubt that the woman before him was the one he had seeked. Yes! The very Tia Dreki. So many had laughed in his face at the inquiry of another giant roaming the blues. But their laughter was in vain and if they hoped that an alliance wouldn’t be formed in fear that they may rule this sea? Well too bad for them. Like a proud knight Lucian strutted his way toward Tia ignoring the tiny below her. Well less ignoring and more like he simply didn’t even take notice of him.

“Huzzah! Salutations, is thou Lady Tia Dreki?”

It seemed silly to inquire given that yes. This was very likely her. I mean the poetic description of emerald eyes that pierced the soul like an elf shot and fiery red hair that reminisced the shining scales of a dragon… or perhaps the soft luscious lips that reminded him of soft rose buds. No, to him no words did her justice. But that was merely the case sometimes. Lucien gave a cordial bow and thats when he noticed the… rat… yes that what he reminded him. No… not quite. Upon a squint… it was more like a huge squirrel. Lucien scowled. That stench… that demeanor… oh… he recognized it.

“Elbaf…”

He said in a hushed voice before straightening up and looking Lady Dreki in the eyes with his own two violet ones. Lucien decided to be patient but that was hard. The zealot in him wanted to turn the small one into a red tomato like stain on the ground. But such an action in front of a lady was most unchivalrous. Most grotesque. No he’d give him his due space to speak. Lucien rolled his eyes as the little one apparently going on about some Seere girl that was his beloved. Well if he loved her so much why didn’t they go back to Elbaf and marry. Why must he ruin this grandiose moment! This miraculous alliance!?

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Lucien | French Blue #0072BB | (Post Count: 2)

[Fox]

The little speck from town galloped and leaped toward her like a little snow rabbit. When they finally stopped on the pier below, Tia cast her eyes down to get a better look. Hm. They had a rather fluffy looking tail. Perhaps more squirrel than rabbit then? Still, he was a curious sort, and his first words appealed to her injured pride more than she cared to admit to herself. It earned the little one a coy smile from Tia.

He introduced himself as Hakon Earling from… Elbaf? Tia raised an eyebrow, but let the little one continue. Apparently, she’d been mistaken for some other giantess - how many had come to the Blues? It did disappoint her a little to be compared to some other giantess. Surely, she was superior to them… but perhaps not, given her recent performance. Tia pouted a little before bemusement struck her again at Hakon’s claim that he was of her kind. A mixed blood, perhaps? Still, if he wanted to be recognized as a giant that was fine by Tia. It added a little extra humor into her day.

She was about to answer when the other giant - and he was indeed a giant as well - called out to her in a rather unique way. She turned her horned head to consider him curiously. The giant bowed to her before receiving any confirmation. He was dressed as a knight of yore. Probably not from Elbaf then. That thought was only confirmed when his expression soured as soon as he regarded her other giant friend, Hakon.

“Indeed, I am Tia Dreki. Well met, both of you,” she said with a light lilting voice, “As for what brought me to the Blues… I suppose we can call it a break from tradition? I sought to make a name for myself and not simply be wed off to the first available suitor. I’m worth so much more than that, you know.”

She glanced from Hakon to the other.

“And what of you both? Our kind are quite rare, especially in the Blues. What brings you so far from home?”

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Tia | #ff6347 | Post Count: 3

[Mr. Moon]

Hakon #3

Determined to ignore the other giant completely, Hakon decided to not react to the sour expression he used when saying the name of his home country, however, his emotions were revealed nevertheless by the deep frown that appeared on his face and by his tail that got ruffed and started moving from side to side in a display of anger, that slowly disappeared as Tia started the reason for her visit.
They sure were a strange company, Hakon realized out of a sudden.
Two giants, a beautiful maiden and mighty warrior of their race, and then of course the funnily dressed wannabe, who was too attached to his human self to at least dress as a proper giant.
"Well, at least he got the height right."
Hakon muttered to himself, as he turned to Tia.
"I am a wandering swordsman my lady."
He put his closet fist to his chest and bowed his head slightly, as was proper in the presence of such beauty.
"I was blessed by the love of beautiful Seere, but I am ashamed to admit, that I also broke her heart when she bested me in a fight. So, to be worthy of her love I swore an oath that I'll become the best swordsman in the world to be worthy of her affection."
He exclaimed with a booming voice, before returning to a more casual tone.
"To this end, I decided to hone my skills by hunting the worst criminals in this blue collecting their bounties to present them as a wedding gift."
Saying that he finally turned to Lucien to went some of his previous anger.
"And what about you? You surely look like a filthy criminal, is there a bounty on that pretty head of yours?"
He asked, making sure that the word pretty will sound as derogatory as possible.

[Sam]

“A worthy abimition befitting such a grandiose person, Lady Dreki.”

Indeed, Tia was an impressive woman. But then the small one started to speak, attempting to be eloquent. As eloquent as retch Elbaf spawn could be. Tiny body but a big head. Typical of the small folk honestly. Although some giants weren’t too far behind with that attitude. Lucien however, ignored his presence. His time in service of the crown had taught him that problematic individuals were often prideful and their pride was hurt more if no one paid attention to them than if someone did. To put it simply it wasn’t worth the time or effort to get on their level. He waited for Hakon to give an explanation. Unsurprisingly, he was chasing after a woman and judging by his actions there was no reciprocation. He ignored his insufferable accusation.

“I am on a similar mission. My beloved was mercilessly killed by barbaric Elbaf raiders. Ever since then I have vowed to vanquish evil in this world… but I heard thou was a formidable bounty hunter in this corner of the world. So I set out in search of thine in hopes of forming a fellowship.”

Lucien replied, he straightened up. The plate armor he was wearing clinked as he did. With one fist he slammed his chest proudly.

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Lucien | French Blue #0072BB | (Post Count: 3)

[Fox]

These two were acting like children. It was more than a little amusing for the restless Tia and helped take her mind off of more weighty matters, so she was happy to indulge it. The small one claimed that he was a wandering swordsman. She narrowed her eyes and squinted to try to pick out the even smaller sword on the little giant’s hip. Well, he was respectful, at the very least. Or, at least she’d thought so until he began to brag about his great love of someone else. Presumably also a giant.

“Love unrequited is often a foolish conquest, Hakon Earling,” she commented, “Even more foolish a claim as you so brazenly flirt with another.”

A light reprimand, but in honesty, Tia wasn’t too bothered by it. Love was not her personal conquest. To be fair, she wasn’t quite sure what it was at the moment. Reclaiming her damaged honor? Nothing so noble. She simply wanted to crush those who had dared to make a fool of her and harmed her precious treasure. After that, she wasn’t sure. A conquest for more treasures, perhaps. Speaking of… hm. Tia regarded the two a little more curiously like a hunter sizing up its prey.

The knightly giant too spoke of another woman in front of her. For some reason, that annoyed Tia. Exhaling loudly at the both of them, Tia stood up straight properly and crossed her arms.

“It just so happens that I am looking of worthy treasures to add to my collection and punish those criminals that have damaged my honor,” she began, “But this one has not even introduced himself yet,” Tia gestured to the knightly giant, “And you dare speak of another woman. How am I to know you’re worthy?”

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Tia | #ff6347 | Post Count: 4

[Mr. Moon]

Hakon #4

He was being ignored. Hakon realized as that little, pathetic excuse for a proper giant didn't respond to a single taunt and instead came up with a heartbreaking story about his family being killed by raiders from Elbaf.
His eye twitched and a large pulsing vein appeared on his forehead as he heard these accusations directed at his people and their noble warriors, but resisted the urge to express his feelings violently and instead focused both his full attention and gaze on Tia who tried to advise him in the matters of love.
"Not unrequited my lady!"
He exclaimed with his booming voice, succumbing even deeper into his delusion.
"Lady Seere fell in love with me just as I succeed to her charms. Only my current lack of skills is holding us apart now as nothing short of the greatest swordsman of our time can not possibly be worthy of the greatest empress our people ever saw!"
Being completely absorbed by his own story, Hakon ignored Tia's accusations about flirting with her, responding only to the part that followed.
"Worthy journey my lady, one that would surely test my blade against powerful enemies!"
He exclaimed, turning towards Lucien with a hand on the handle of his sword.
"So please allow me to prove my worth to you by punishing this pitiful excuse for a knight that doesn't even know the proper manners!"
He grinned, issuing a clear challenge to Lucy who was testing the limits of his patience for way too long already.
"You think that fancy dress and this smug act are making you better than your fellow giants you little princess? Well maybe it's time to prove you can do more than just sewing with that needle of yours !"
Said Hakon, nodding towards Lucien's blade that in his eyes didn't even qualified to be a weapon of a proper giant.

[Sam]

Well that went unexpectedly poorly… Lucien’s eyes turned to the tiny wannabe Elbafian. If he could blame someone… it would certainly be him of all people. He kept forgetting to introduce himself. How foolish. But could he be blamed? It's not like people asked. Now he was being told off about bad manners. Lucien rolled his eyes. The little man were seriously being a tad over the top here. No matter this is what he’d signed himself up for.

“Right… my apologies Lady Dreki. I am Sir Lucien Laurent.”

He gave an honest bow to Tia. Lucien rubbed the side of his head and shook it in annoyance. The tiny one’s voice was getting on his nerves. He wasn’t even paying attention to him. It was simply not worth it to him. He was above such things. If anything Lucien was mildly disappointed with this. He’d spent what? A year maybe? Looking for Tia. Only to literally find her at the end of the world. But now he was here and it wasn’t what he personally imagined. His honor and pride were getting a little rubbed the wrong way. It was all Hakon’s fault in his opinion. Perhaps things would have gone differently without him. Hakon went on and on going on to even insult his weapon by comparing a giant lance to a needle. You know what? Credit where credit is due at least the insult was funny. Lucien couldn’t help but smirk at it. The irony of the statement not being lost on him. He just couldn’t take Hakon seriously even if he tried. Even so, he wasn’t sure if he wanted comrady with such a toxic personality who was fixated on some other giantess who seemed to not reciprocate the feelings. The fool was truly lost.

“It is this humble knight’s wish to make amends and make it up to thee somehow, Lady Dreki.”

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Lucien | French Blue #0072BB | (Post Count: 4)

[Fox]

Oh dear. This little giant was completely deluded. While Tia herself might have had a certain fondness for those smaller than her, she was almost completely certain that other giants entertained no such fantasies. She could be wrong, of course, but she found that very unlikely in this particular case the more that Hakon spoke about this Seere. She just nodded to humor him, realizing that trying to pull him from his delusions was a futile effort. In a sad sort of way, it was amusing.

Hakon then went on to challenge the actual giant with his blade in hand. In the past, Tia might have laughed at him, but her recent experiences made her feel substantially more wary of the power that little ones held. The giant knight, for his part, did finally introduce himself to her, which turned Tia’s emerald eyes over to him curiously. He seemed agitated by the little giant, pointedly ignoring Hakon’s challenge.

“Hm, well,” she began, standing up straight from where she’d been leaning on the side of her ship, “A word of caution, Lucy, darling. Little ones can be surprisingly dangerous. It won’t do to underestimate them, lest your honor be damaged and pride wounded like my own.”

She turned to Hakon.

“And Hako-”

BANG!

An explosion slammed into the back of Tia’s head, causing her to lurch forward and her long, red hair to fly into her face wildly. She lifted a hand to touch the back of her head. Her fingers came away wet with blood. She turned her head to see a ship fairly close by with little ones scampering across the deck and readying more cannons. She recognized the flag they flew. An old bounty come for revenge? How foolish.

She had a thought to annihilate them then and there, but she realized that she had two perfectly capable and willing giants who would likely leap at the chance. She smiled and looked at both of them.

“How impertinent of them. Boys, if you defeat that ship of fools, I’ll recognize you both.”

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Tia | #ff6347 | Post Count: 5