Post by Jess on Jun 17, 2022 17:22:03 GMT -5
Samantha Louise Stephens
Other Names:– Samantha Stephens
Epithet:– TBC
Height:– 178cm
Build:– Slender and long-legged, with broad hips and a modest bust
Age:– Mid 20's
Gender:– Female
Race:– Human
Occupation:– Archaeologist/Bounty Hunter
Bounty/Rank:– N/A
Total X-Poinz:– 1400
Used X-Poinz:– 1225
Total Rebate:– 600
Used Rebate:– 425
Earned X-Poinz Record:–
+300 (Starting XPz)
+276 A Dance with Danger
+104 Memento Mori
+132 Tide of Temptation
+256 Blues Exp Update
+200 Ruin and Reward
+132 The Run Down
-100 Zoan Devil Fruit
-75 R1 Weapon "Remy"
-50 Rising/Diving Falcon
-50 Round Table
-400 Yuge Yuge no Mi
-150 Red Mist Advancement: Reflexive Transformation
-200 Red Mist Aspect: Destructive Power
-200 Albrecht Style Aspect: Super Speed
-? (Name of Technique, Equipment, etc)
Rebate X-Poinz Record:–
+50 Zoan Devil Fruit
+50 Rank 1 Weapon – Remy
+200 Logia Devil Fruit
+50 Red Mist Advancement: Reflexive Transformation
+125 Red Mist Aspect: Destructive Power
+125 Albrecht Style Aspect: Super Speed
-50 Muzzle Blast
-50 Canvas
-50 Har-Plume
-75 Rolling Falcon
-75 Red Table
-125 Flash
Personality
A warm, outgoing and upbeat woman with a definite playful side, Samantha Stephens is likely not what one envisages when they think of a historian given she can be flamboyant, charming and adventurous, but also at times mischievous and vain. The type of person who enjoys the company of others and having a good time, Samantha is a fair minded and empathic soul who also has learned a great deal about getting what she wants. A passionate and sometimes impulsive girl who can be somewhat easily swayed by her sense of whimsy, while she enjoys puzzles and intellectualism, Miss Stephens tends to also seek excitement and adventure both in a conventional and a more figurative sense.
A girl in the prime of her life whose personality is for the most part as bright as her blonde hair, Samantha is a largely self-confident and outgoing woman who has learned to be free-thinking and non-judgemental, and seems to show a mix of adventurousness, playful but also brainy and even geeky in the right kind of circumstances. Curious and enthusiastic, though Miss Stephens is well read and educated she can tend to be the sort of person who vastly prefers her own experience rather than relying on the accounts and opinions of others, and has the strength of spirit and standing needed to make up her own mind and stand by her own convictions rather than relying on the viewpoints of others.
Giddy at times and perhaps a little indulgent of certain hedonistic vices when the mood strikes her, Samantha is often permissive and possesses a sense of charm and articulation which can offer her no shortage of charisma, which she isn't always above using to her own advantage, I can tell you! Certainly seeming to get along well with her pet, Remy, even beyond this Samantha's compassion and subtle maternal characteristics afford her a natural affinity for animals which enables her to win them over more easily than most, allowing her to befriend creatures with relative ease.
The connection she has with her 'danger doggo' one which is warm and cordial, in spite of both the intimidation factors of his breed and nature as a firearm Miss Stephens shows little desire to recoil from the animal, and instead embraces him with fondness and affection. Possessing a close bond that she has worked on over time and regarding him as a rare constant in her life by this point, she fools around with him and treats him in a puppyish fashion, which can surprise some really. Especially when she is prone to doing so after a heated battle, with some being a little unnerved by how she can nuzzle and kiss and rub the belly of a beast that was blasting and biting her enemies only a moment ago. Though in her mind there seems no reason to refrain from him because of that, because well, she was kicking ass too, and a good good boy deserves his love, right?
For that matter very protective of him and perhaps even a little possessive even, Samantha likes to bring him with her wherever she goes in some form and often chats with him even if he doesn't talk back, or maybe because of that, and would shun any institution which would deny her the privilege of having him nearby as she enjoyed a meal or a drink. Even moreso short on her temper should someone deign to make the mistake of hurting him, even those this capable canine is more than handy in a fight she does not tolerate any kind of abuse toward him on account of the circumstance she found him in, and this would be enough to prompt her rarely observed 'bad side'.
This in fact something she only tends to show in regard to cruelty or in particular mistreatment of the people she cares about, Samantha tends to burn cold rather than hot when provoked, and shows a callous and even vengeful detachment toward those who hurt or imperil her friends. Even going so far as to be vindictive and condescending when cast into fury, the impish elements of her personality turn truly devilish as she demonstrates a ruthless wrath which makes her wish to break any individual so careless as to draw this kind of ire in any and every way she can. In summary, not the sort of woman to piss off, though thankfully, easily avoided since there are only specific triggers which can activate this side of her.
Often the type of person who might be a little on the overbearing side given how she has a tendency to blur barriers and make a habit of refusing to stand on ceremonies, some might be annoyed by both the fact that Samantha loves to have the last line in a disagreement or end on a witty note in a conversation, and find perhaps an absence of respect in how she can tend to employ airs and graces only as a measure of sarcasm or irony. This tending to mean she can cause a stir in one way or another in more refined company, some seem to take to her manner as a form of refreshment and break of stuffy atmospheres, though others may be caused great offense by it.
The latter rarely her intent of course but born from influences that make her respect demonstrations rather than suppositions, she loathes those who ride the coattails of power, and likely would prove scathing company to anyone with undeserved pomposity, though is more approachable and inclusive than she might appear. Growing up with a quiet and introverted father and seeing the difference between his subdued 'shell' and animated interior, Miss Stephens is more perceptive than she might appear and often favours quiet company, even if she excuses such predilection for liking it when she doesn't feel like she is going to be interrupted! Happy to take that extra step though and be patient with people who appear to be restricted or distant, she knows the wait is usually worth it, and is happy to take the initiative with those who appear to struggle with the same.
Laid back for the most part and definitely open-minded, she can be somewhat hedonistic at times and folk may be surprised by her frankness with certain interests. Eager to offer a little sweet wordplay to those she feels deserve or need it, the girl has a certain innocence about her flirtation since it is aimed often with as much intent of providing a little lift to the person as it is about achieving certain results. Sometimes perhaps a little manipulative, while she on the whole uses her skill in moulding people and situations for a positive outcome, the shrewdly mischievous mistress isn’t above charming and coercing others for her own benefit where the situation calls for it.
Seeming to be the type who is perfectly at home in situations that might put other people on the edge, because she eternally seeks that kind of ‘high’ that one gets from overcoming adversity the girl can be seen as a rather reckless person at times, and will on occasion simply do things with the intention of defying expectations and pushing herself to the limit. Showing she is sort of girl who will happily and comfortably do things like sit on the edge of a high rise building or drive over the limit simply to get a bit of a ‘buzz’, the daring that Samantha shows can be a source of worry for the people who are close to her, and there are times when she is quite blind to the effect she may have on them.
Ultimately this seeming to be sources from a mix of the lingering aftereffects of the trials in her younger years but also a desire to test and stimulate herself, Miss Stephens tends to take great interest in exciting enterprises and opportunities to challenge her mind and body, which is reflected in her line of work. Opting to chase down legends and the like not to stroke her ego or leave a mark on history but simply because of the chance to test herself and the satisfaction she gains from achievement, she has shown herself increasingly willing to put herself in danger to provide herself with a break from boredom, be it chasing down lost treasures and the like or confronting wanted criminals in order to fund her next excursion, or, on a bad day simply pay her bar tab.
Remy
Inheriting many characteristics of his 'breed', Remy is an intelligent and alert animal who, thanks to the fact he was born from a gun, takes a certain pride in things like his abilities and shooting accuracy in particular. Perhaps a little standoffish to strangers, he can tend to be aloof when interacting with most people other than Samantha and it takes him time to warm to people whilst in their company, though shows strong loyalty and protectiveness to those who have earned it.
Quieter and more defensive around men in fact and tending to warm up to guys more steadily than women, this is likely due to the fact that his previous owner treated him in a rather abusive way, and seems to prompt a sense of anxiety and vulnerability. Beneath this however his personality very much like a normal dog, he likes being spoiled and doted on by the right people and Samantha especially, to whom now they have bonded he shows strong levels of affection and puppyish tendencies.
Appearance
An attractive and tall woman with a light complexion, Samantha Stephens has blonde hair of mid-back length that tends to be somewhat messy, though more often than not she will wear it in a simple tail at the back of her head. Parting her hair from the left side of her head and leaving some or all of her right eye often hidden by her long bangs, the locks of this lady are a little on the wavy side and curl up at the tips, and long enough to reach the upper part of her back.
Large eyed, Miss Stephens has blue irises which look like crisp ocean water, and her overall facial structure is slender and refined. Sporting lips that are naturally rosy even without being coloured, this blonde bombshell has a noticeable pout that only seems to add to an overall sense of mature appeal, looking more like a woman than a girl and a little older than her age. Suffering from myopia, while she tends to habitually wear contact lenses, there are times when she is at home or feeling a casual vibe that Samantha tends to prefer the comfort and ease of a pair of spectacles. Fair in terms of her complexion, she has northern ancestry which is reflected in her light skin and soft features, though certainly is not pale as she well appreciates the value of getting one’s vitamin D from the sun.
The style of clothing that Samantha prefers tending to be on the smart but feminine side of the spectrum, she likes blouses and sweaters, though often chooses things that are short or sleeveless so they are functional. Generally more of a fan of a dress or skirt, she tends to like to highlight her legs more than her bust with the way she dresses and prefers simple displays of elegant jewellery with a quality over quantity approach, enjoying pearls, diamonds and sapphires as her favourite gems. A fan of sweaters and turtlenecks, when relaxing at home she will often wear just this and some jeans or shorts as she lets her hair down, though she has good vision she can be fond of wearing glasses all the same because she enjoys the image, and jokes they make her 'brainier'.
Traits
Fleet Footed Starter Trait
Speed key in battle, at least as Samantha has learned it, she has focused her style not on overwhelming power but rather the paces at which she can move, and as a result can rush around with a kind of haste that most would consider inhuman.
Aerial Ace Starter Trait
Flexible and capable of feats of surprising acrobatics, Samantha learned to move around her environment with what one would consider 'creativity' during the time she spent stranded in her youth and has kept it up ever since, showing noted acrobatic feats and agility that can keep her one step or more ahead of her enemies.
Eagle Eye Starter Trait
Possessing sharp and reactive vision, in spite of her fondness for wearing specs occasionally Samantha actually has highly acute visual perception, allowing her to pick out details at a distance many might miss and thanks to her frenetic styling, also boasts inherently zippy reflexes as well, making her highly accurate and responsive to stimuli.
Lively Lass D-Rank Trait
Developing a powerful reserve of stamina through her years of training, Samantha doesn't tire all that easy and can hang in there longer than most when completing a difficult job or combatting an enemy.
Sultry Siren Devil Fruit Trait
Consuming the Yuge Yuge no Mi, Samantha has become a 'Vapour Human', and is able to transform herself into steam or mist, propagate that, as well manipulate both the vapour she becomes and ambient sources thanks to the potency of her Logia ability.
Fighting Styles
Name:– Albrecht Style
Focus:– Swordsmanship, Speedy & Accurate Attacks
Class:– D
Description:–– A style which has been semi-improvised by Samantha, she has taken cues and tips from masters at arms and other talented individuals she has met in order to develop a skill focused in the use of swordplay which takes advantage of her speed and agility to outmanoeuvre her foes, and then deliver devastating attacks to finish them.
Aspect: Fast Draw – Able to handle a blade now with the full superhuman pace she has been gifted, Samantha can perform moves so quickly that most would not even realize she has drawn or raised her weapon before they felt the attack.
Name:– Howlitzer
Focus:– Marksmanship, Canine Teamwork
Class:– E
Description:–– An improvised style developed when Samantha managed to acquire Remy the Gundog, this can be used to add some much-needed range to her arsenal as well as perform team moves with their respective abilities to get the better of enemies, with the woman commanding her pet through the use of whistles, gestures and verbal commands to work with noticeable synergy.
Name:– Red Mist
Focus:– Logia Devil Fruit, Creativity
Class:– D
Description:–– Gaining the use of a powerful Logia type ability, Samantha has learned to incorporate this potent and versatile skill into her combat arsenal in a variety of ways, such as using its defensive properties to protect her from harm, expanding her freedom of movement, exploiting the properties of the medium, as well as simply enhancing her offense. Mastering her powers beyond the basic level, she has enhanced her abilities with the following powers;
Advancement: Red Reflex – Practiced with the act of shifting to her logia form for the purpose of defence, Samantha no longer needs to activate this consciously, making it a Reflexive Transformation that protects her from most attacks.
Aspect: Stephenses Rocket – Taking inspiration from the pressure used by steam engines, Samantha can upgrade the sheer kinetic force she delivers with her attacks, allowing her to shatter stone and damage metals with her attacks.
Equipment
Name:– Straight Edge
Fighting Style:– Swallowtail Style
Rank:– 0
Description:– A perfectly ordinary use sword, unlike many sabres which have curved blades this is largely straight in their design with a single edge and a pointed tip, making it excellent for both thrusting and cutting moves, though they possess little in the way of remarkable qualities really.
Name:– Remy
Fighting Style:– Howlitzer
Rank:– 1
Description:– A pistol which has eaten a devil fruit which has endowed it with the abilities of a Doberman Pinscher, it has a study construction which makes it more durable than the average store bought pistol, which can be inherited by his hybrid state.
- Dobermann Physiology – Gifted with the physiology of a strong hunting dog, Remy has a robust, fast and strong (for a dog) condition, as well as sharp hearing and scenting capacity.
- Sturdy Construction – Constructed with top grade materials, while this makes it a little heavier, the real boon is that it offers Remy's hybrid form armouring which can make him noticeably resilient.
Techniques
Name:– Rising/Diving Falcon
Fighting Style:– Albrecht Style
Rank:– 1
Description:– Performing a rolling strike, Samantha wheels her blade around as she performs an acrobatic flip, using the speed and momentum of the act to empower her attack beyond the simple outlay her weapon can deliver. The name changes depending on whether she is using a forward, or backward flip.
Name:– Rising/Diving/Rolling Eagle
Fighting Style:– Albrecht Style
Rank:– 2 (Speed Aspect)
Description:– Performing the same move at a speed that makes her look like a blur, the move is so fast that many might thing she has suddenly vanished from one point and appeared elsewhere like a flash step, and with the speed she has built can even be used from a stationary start without the jump, sustaining its momentum with he sheer pace of her action.
Name:– Round Table
Fighting Style:– Albrecht Style
Rank:– 1
Description:– A technique for crowd control, Samantha exploits her speed and mobility to wheel her weapon around, lashing at the space around her with the sharp edge of her blade to cut down enemies which get too close to her.
Name:– Red Table
Fighting Style:– Albrecht Style
Rank:– 2 (Speed Aspect)
Description:– Able to attack even faster, Samantha uses this technique with her honed speed that makes it seem as if her attack is a mere blur, hitting so fast that many might not even know that they had been hit by her technique until they feel the result.
Name:– Flash
Fighting Style:– Albrecht Style
Rank:– 2 (Speed Aspect)
Description:– Able to exploit her sheer pace for the mere method of movement, Samantha can now rush around with such supreme speed that she appears to almost disappear from view, moving like a flash of lightning.
Name:– Guardian
Fighting Style:– Howlitzer
Rank:– 0
Description:– One of Remy's most useful functions simply to exploit the alertness of his breed, Samantha often keeps him nearby when not in use for combat to alert her to possible problems thanks to his sharp hearing and scenting abilities.
Name:– Bloodhound
Fighting Style:– Howlitzer
Rank:– 0
Description:– That potent scenting ability making Remy useful for tracking, Samantha can employ him in this manner to trail her targets, it gives her a handy knack for finding what she was looking for, or sometimes, what she isn't as well.
Name:– Pinscher
Fighting Style:– Howlitzer
Rank:– 0
Description:– A simple flanking technique, Samantha commands Remy to use that canine swiftness one way while she does the same, allowing her to catch her enemies in a pincer attack.
Name:– Muzzle Blast
Fighting Style:– Howlitzer
Rank:– 1
Description:– Sending Remy to pounce on a target, as he does so he unleashes a barrage of bullets at point blank range, giving him quite the nasty bite indeed.
Name:– Canvas
Fighting Style:– Red Mist
Rank:– 1
Description:– Blanketing an area in thick steam, not only can Samantha create an instant 'smokescreen' effect, but she can also use her ability to perceive her steam like a kind of 'radar' to scope out areas in darkness or track movement through her airy medium.
Name:– Har-Plume
Fighting Style:– Red Mist
Rank:– 1
Description:– Transforming a limb into vapour as she attacks with it, Samantha can extend her reach greatly and alter the course of her strike, thanks to her Logia powers and precision.
Background
Born to a historian and his wife, Samantha's father is a cerebral and somewhat introverted man with a noted intellect, while her mother is well, complicated. Unknown to her daughter the woman spending a long time as a thief and con artist and even more than this, she came from a relatively meagre background but always proved good at getting what she wanted, though seemed to mostly mend her ways when she met her husband.
Unfortunately, Samantha never really having the chance to get to know her mother before she was taken away from her, the woman passed away before her daughter could forge any real memories of her, and left a hole in her life which others struggled to fill. Ultimately this seeming to bring her closer to her father, Miss Stephens has been remarked to take after her mother in her outgoing and at times flamboyant tendencies, and so as she grew older, she seemed to feel more and more of a push to bridge the gap between her more subdued single parent.
Father something of a geek in truth but a loveable one really, he was quiet normally but when one brought up a subject which lay within his forte he seemed to come alive, throwing off those shackles of awkwardness and speaking with passion and articulation, Samantha loved to see him this way and was drawn into his interests because of that. Certainly not lacking for intelligence in her own right and able to keep up with her father's explanations and conversations from a young age, she liked to study history and artifacts because the habit made her feel closer to her dearest daddy, and especially enjoyed getting good grades to do things which impressed him.
That being said not your typical bookworm given the temperament she had inherited from her mother in truth and that seeming to make her somewhat showy, outspoken and assertive, and was considered somewhat precocious, especially given the station they came from. Brassy and a bit bossy and not always seeming all that becoming of a lady, Samantha was the sort who was happy to give a bully a clip around the ear or return a cheeky remark to a teacher, and seemed to possess a fast and apt wit which allowed her to see through most liars and often have the last word in an argument.
Dad not terribly high in the levels of aristocracy but possessing enough influence and inheritance that both could live comfortably while he pursued his interest in academics, before settling down he had toured the seas to study ruins and the like and seemed to have plenty of stories. I mean, a lot of them were ones of reproach for the travel circumstances since he had never been much of a fan of crossing the water, but oftentimes the places he visited were rich in culture and history and intrigue for him. Not to mention, it was on one of these trips, one of the last ones, that he met his wife as well.
These tales of adventure certainly doing little to quell Samantha's interest in her father's career, while she was already keen on his studies due to their shared hobbies, she found the promise of travelling the seas even more thrilling, and likened it to storybook tales and the like. Perhaps once again showing some of the qualities she had in common with her mother in regard to her wanderlust as well, while dad seemed to think that voyages across the sea were a simple means to an end, his daughter found a sense of mystery and romance in visiting foreign lands which seemed to call to her, and so she craved the creation of her own tales thusly.
With this in mind seeming to jump at the chance to accompany him and a bunch of his fellows in the early part of her teen years to some exciting ruin that had been rediscovered, Samantha, her father and his associates were accompanied by a band of mercenaries to carry out some investigation and survey of a structure which had been rediscovered recently. Thought to be a simple exercise, all the same dad made sure to secure one of the more outgoing of the band to look after himself and more pertinently his daughter as they explored a lush and in places dangerous landscape, though none of them expected what they would find.
Time seeming to fly by and weeks passing with Samantha acting as an assistant and caretaker for their camp, when not helping with meals or doing laundry she accompanied dad where she was allowed, and otherwise seemed to bond with her guardian. The man called Dirk and carrying a reasonable renown as a sellsword and bounty hunter, she had to admit a fascination in the stories he told her of lands he had visited, and struck up a close bond with him, as well as seemed to nurse a crush as well.
Still only young and perhaps a mite inexperienced in expressing her affection toward a figure who was more than a decade older than her, instead they mostly larked around camp when they got a chance, playing pranks on each other, and when dad wasn’t there stick fighting with branches and stuff. The latter proving useful for what was to come really, as through play games and such he seemed to teach her how to defend herself reasonably well, which she liked really. Most people seemed to treat her like a little girl still, but this guy made her feel like more of a woman, which left little reason as to why he stood apart from the crowd eh?
This idyllic excursion in an island paradise turning on a dime however when the Aboriginal inhabitants of a nearby land seemed to get wind of their supposed 'invasion', while the structure that the group unearthed was a fascinating study for the archaeologists and historians present the 'locals' worshipped the place as a kind of holy land, and did not take kindly to foreign devils trying to purloin their sacred grounds. Seeming to strike not long after nightfall when the majority of the party had bellies full of food and drink and a mind toward bedtime, out of nowhere a group of hunters struck from the shadows and lay waste to the base camp which they had created, and dull-witted hands and scholars seemed easy prey for their group.
Lucky for Samantha the girl having been sharing a moonlit and perhaps precocious conversation with dirk away from the group and therefore not caught in the initial attack, once he noticed the attack they were able to get the drop on some of the hunters, and grabbed weapons and what supplies and stragglers they could in order to escape. However, there was a problem with that plan; father was still in the ruins with a couple more of his fellows, working away at a puzzle which intrigued him, when last they heard, and didn't seem to be among the number who had returned to camp now.
Dirk caught in something of a quandry because of this, while Samantha wanted to rush to the site and bring him with them it was a dangerous prospect to cross the land in the dark with god knows what kinda savages prowling around, and so he made the executive decision to drag her along and try and get as many people to the boat as he could. Though this was a decision the girl certainly could not agree with, and so, she nabbed a sword and ran toward her father's aid in a reckless display of love and loyalty, which nearly cost her dearly.
Making it through the wild land and perhaps glad that her small and light body allowed her to do so in a stealthy and sneaky fashion, when Samantha arrived where dad was, she found his fellows wounded or worse and the man himself doing little better, and so she leapt to his defence. Unfortunately, it seemed she was vastly overestimating what meagre skills she had gathered with stick fighting could do when up against a trained warrior, though she managed to blindside one of them she was quickly disarmed and overpowered by another, and left kicking and screaming like an animal as all hope looked lost. Lucky for her, it wasn't, however.
Her attacker felled like a flash as dirk showed up and carved his way through the savages after having trailed her through the woods, he chided the 'bossy madam' for going off on her own but beat their attackers into enough of a retreat so that they could get her father and the other survivors away from the ruin and onto the ship, and beat a hasty retreat from the island as angry arrows rained down across their boat.
Certainly, seeming to learn both the importance of making peace with the locals and the value of self-defence that day, while father needed a cane after that day and several of his friends were lost to the island, Samantha for her part was more shocked and shaken than anything, and perhaps not as offput by her experience as many were. Taking some time to re-evaluate things but by no means wholly soured on the life of adventure, dirk seemed to tell her off for her recklessness but also commend both her courage and her company, and she would have been a liar if she said that her lingering crush on the man didn't also influence some of her future decisions either.
Dad not doing as well as she did mentally however and seeming to swear off the adventurer life once and for all even after he had recovered, having lost friends on the trip he seemed content enough to work in museums and do research in more civilized locales, which Samantha accompanied him to again in time, though had far grander designs than this in truth. No fool and guessing that she would need to become stronger if she was to continue this kind of life but feeling like she could do more, see more, she began to take up or rather continue lessons in protecting herself where she could, and began studying fencing from local masters at arms and into university as well, though tended to not make much of this fact since she didn't want her dad to worry.
Focused on her studies as well, while she certainly seemed to crave new and distant horizons Samantha also in a way wanted to be like the 'right hand' of her father to visit these places and unravel myths and such, so she might return to him with new stories, artifacts and discoveries for his papers and museum. Really rather coming into her own in fact as she moved away from home and studied, she became a keen with fact and foil, and flourished in terms of her confidence and poise, as well as her budding combat ability.
The latter even impressing the locals enough that she got some offers from the marines about pursuing a commission, while she didn't doubt that the chance to tour the world as an officer and do some good as well appealed to her, she ultimately opted to stick to her original design for the sheer sense of freedom she felt in it. Subsequently graduating with merit from her studies and setting out into the world as a woman rather than a girl, though father had expected her to assume a post merely as his assistant and protégé at the museum, she surprised him by admitting that she wished to see the world and purveyed her plan to him.
The man certainly having some reservations about sending his daughter into the world given all that had occurred previously, and subsequently seeming to block her attempts to join more exotic digs by withholding funding and approval for her participation, she earned a begrudging acceptance when after a robbery of a particular item from their collection she managed to track down the party responsible and ultimately reclaim it despite some less than friendly opposition. The act also resulting in arrests that even rewarded her with some travel money in the form of a bounty, which helped her to fund her own work the first time and many others.
Dipping into the habit of bounty hunting in order to bolster her coffers as yet another measure of independence for herself, while dad seemed to gradually become more comfortable with the idea of her travelling overseas and operated with a kind of "don't ask, don't tell" type of policy for the riskier elements of her hijinks, Samantha felt good about making the world a brighter place in more ways than one whilst doing what she loved. And besides, given how her tastes seemed to further diversify as she spread her wings further and further, she felt more comfortable spending cash she had earned herself on things like bar tabs, nice clothing, and expensive hotels!
Reconnecting with the adventure guild from which dirk had come as well as she toured the blues both as a means of finding manpower and sometimes even on their employ as well, though perhaps a part of Miss Stephens had hoped that she might run into her one time mentor and friend again for a more adult kind of reunion to her surprise and a dash of disappointment she found him married and with a child on the way, but was ultimately happy for him, and happy to pay him back for what he had done years before by covering jobs where she could to help him out.
One particular adventure of note which occurred during her voyage of discovery seeming to occur when she and a few fellows ran into a particular distasteful pirate who boasted the use of an oddity in the form of a dog which seemed to be able to belch bullets and cannonballs from its muzzle, though the animal was a proud and powerful creature Samantha couldn't help but feel sorry for how it was treated, and so after a hard-fought victory chose to liberate the poor thing and make it her pet. A bit of a 'project' really at first given how standoffish it seemed to her, over time she gradually managed to win its trust and company, and make use of his abilities to only make her more of an effective asset in battle.
Continuing to scour the seas for excitement and discovery however and feeling her horizons only growing wider as she does so, with experience, expertise and a curious companion by her side Samantha craves even greater challenge and achievement, with a desire which has only really been further stoked by recent news of the world. The revelation of the hidden tombs of Alabasta and cry of the golden bell of Shandora reminding her that there is still plenty left to see and do in the world, Miss Stephens knows she is only just getting started with what she can do, and can't wait to see where the tides and her passions take her next…
