Cherub Hunting on Notice Island

[Cherub Kane]

As she would shrink down the pelts Cherub could only think how convenient such an ability was. While he didn't enjoy being shrunk down against his will he was certain having control of a unique ability such as Brie's would be useful. The hybrid was unsure if he'd want that same type of ability, or if even any but he was gaining interest in these strange fruits he had only heard legends about. Seeing it in person was something that only raised more questions about the possibility. For now, he had to think about work. Who knew the only thing he needed for a job was to have his life on the line.

"Sounds like quite the person, well together I'm sure we can beat them down. While I'd argue I'm more useful at my full size I can agree that maybe an element of surprise may be useful for us in this situation. You wouldn't want to reveal all of your tricks." He would say, just trying to stay positive about the situation. He was ready to start punching, besides how bad could they be? Bandits were always more bark than bite.

Still, rather than push his luck he'd play it safe. So far luck hadn't been in his favor. Dusting himself off he would walk towards Brie, needing to ask a few questions. "So boss, since you're the expert where do we start, do we just head there and start punching at whoever we see? Or is there some more elaborate plan for how we're going to infiltrate and take out this mysterious iron fortress? I'm happy to provide whatever assistance I can."


There was some playfulness to his tone but they were serious questions. He wasn't very good at blindly following orders so naturally, Cherub was looking for answers. Since his freedom counted on it there wasn't much opportunity for a discussion but still, he'd rather know what he was in for. If they were just going to be a rampant storm of destruction then he needed to mentally prepare himself. While she could turn people into little playthings, he could only punch and burn and only so efficiently at the moment.

[CowpokeRobin]

"We'll start by heading back towards town. Village folk probably won't recognize you at this size, but we'll play it safe. Hood up and I'll do the talking," she announced as she turned on her heel to head back into civilization. It wasn't exactly a short walk, but they'd make it back before sun down. She figured they'd get a room at the inn and set out in the morning.

"I'm sure someone can point us in the right direction. These bandits are probably set up somewhere in the forest, but looking for them blind would take us ages." Brie tugged at her poncho a little as some storm clouds began to gather overhead. She worried momentarily about the humidity as her hair had never taken kindly to it. 

"The pelts should buy us a meal and a night's stay so we'll start tomorrow. Let's at least get back to town before dark," Brie said as she began to trek back towards the small town that wanted Cherub in the first place. 

"One more thing. Brie is fine," she said in response to being called 'boss'. She had to admit that she did like the ring to it. Being on her own for so long did leave her lonely most of the time, and having someone to accompany her was a nice change if pace. Even if that person was of questionable character, she felt she could let her guard down if only just a little.

"So what even brought you here? Not many giants in the North Blue. Especially not ones with wings."

[Cherub Kane]

He sure hoped she was right in that assumption that they wouldn't recognize him. They hadn't seen his clothes, or his face but he was so large they had to have gotten peaks of both. There was some risk, some chance that someone would be able to tell he was not from there. If they saw him as a threat that would make it hard for them to find shelter for the night. So, he reversed his hood, the inside was gray. He then would braid his hair up. It wasn't much but a simple disguise often helped. Caped, and dressed up he was a brand new man. "Inconspicuous and hidden in plain sight, I think if I go too shrouded all people will see is a shady figure." Cherub chimed up as they pranced forward.

It felt strange getting to know a potential captor, but Brie was rather kind; Kind compared to what he had seen in the North Blue so far. Cherub wanted to make friends, could a pirate and bounty hunter be friends? "Good to Know Brie, you can call me Cherub of course, but I've been known as Cherie by some." Hoping it would bridge the gap between them a bit more. Still, maybe she did wish to connect or she wanted information on a target but she asked more about their situation.

"Well, that's long but I think I can be brief" he would say with a sigh. "Not sure what gave it away but yes I'm not from around here.I come from Elbaf, but I was dropped off by my brother who travels for exotic hunts. I've been island hopping on boats, rafts, and large logs. I'm lucky to not be weighed down but I've been saving money for a nice ship. I've been trying to form a crew, a group of people who want to right injustice in the world. After a long argument with a clown on his ship, he left me stranded here. I've been here for about two weeks now trying to work to find my way off. I don't know where to next, but maybe somewhere friendlier to tall folk."

He would say finishing up, was the best way to break it down without going into what felt like something longer than his life story. This year had been turbulent for the hybrid. "That about sums it up for me, any fun stories to explain how you got here? I can't think I caused enough of a disturbance to have been the bounty that brought you to this cute little island with its kitty cats." He would say laughing a little, waving the part of one of the pelts he carried. Maybe it was morbid, or maybe it was just purrrfect.

[CowpokeRobin]

Brie took in the short summation of Cherub's life as she nodded along. Even with the more specific details it certainly wasn't an unheard of story in the North. Her own adventures to this point hadn't been too dissimilar compared to that of her new giant companion's. A ship wasn't exactly cheap, and having to house a giant was certainly something that necessitated a large amount of beri. If Brie weren't living bounty to bounty she may have felt compelled to offer some of her own fortune to his cause. Of course, with the understanding that repayment would be expected, but it would be a kind offer none the less.

"Friendly to tall folk, maybe," Brie said with a stern tone. "But kind to Lunarians? The few I've met would tell you thats in short supply." Brie thought for a moment about just how peculiar her last couple of companions had been. She had gone from no Lunarian acquaintances to a small handful in a very short time. 

"No," she responded flatly to the half giant at his question on her prior adventures. She was still uneasy allying herself with a mark, and really hadn't gotten a full picture on exactly who he was. She wasn't about to start acting friendly, even if he did seem to be nice enough. Luckily they had arrived at the small town, stepping up to the threshold of the small inn on the outskirts. She did turn to Cherub before entering to offer some explanation.

"This was just the place the ship took me. No shortage of bounties on any island around here, and being honest? I heard it was going somewhere warm. I've seen too many winter islands for my taste recently. Needed a change."

Brie looked over the tree line they'd just came from and could see the sun setting behind it. The green of the forest complimented the orange rays of the sunset in a way Brie wished she could shrink down and place in her coat along with the other various trinkets she kept.

"We can't exactly turn the pelts here. I'm sure this town has had enough cat pelts for a lifetime. I'll foot the bill for the room and sell them somewhere they'll be better... Appreciated. Actually!"

Brie sounded sort of excited despite her desire to stay professional. The town was starting to come alive a little as the streetlamps lit. It was clear there was some nightlife to be had in the small town, and she couldn't hide her desire to experience it some.

"Here," she said as she foced some beri into Cherub's hand. "Get us a room then come find me. I'll be in the town square... Getting... Leads... Yeah." Brie's attention obviously already being pulled away by the sights and sounds of the quaint village. "And please, don't blow your cover. Or else I'll just collect the bounty." With that the young mouse raced off to 'do her job'.

[Cherub Kane]

"I think I can manage that" Cherub would start to say "I'm sure my face isn't that well known yet, still I'm gonna play it safe. Don't want another incident now do we?" He'd joke as if the whole situation wasn't his fault to a degree. He had better things to think about, like a hotel room and actually being able to enjoy it! Such a joyous idea was something that could only happen with the power of a devil fruit! How long had he been an outsider? This whole journey for sure but home wasn't the happiest place either. No, he would have to make his own way.

Upon getting into town Cherub would try and keep it cool. If he acted suspiciously the people could just persecute him for being a strange person. Sweat barely beat down his brow, he kept the hood down, but his wings stayed well hidden. The great flames he had were extinguished. While he was undercover he was weak, he was vulnerable to so many outside threads. That didn't mean he wasn't excited either, and after a couple of hours of walking, he found an in called the Sleeping Lion-Sheep. It was a small establishment, yet it had the finest decorations of anything around. He barely had enough berries to cover the night, but he could pay some himself. He was able to get in, pay for a room for two, and then leave.

It was the most peaceful moment had on this island since squatting in the jungle. Some people even smiled at him, but not everyone felt the same way. There were always those who had a desire to take advantage of others. While walking towards the town square, a pair of blond men with triangular jaws, one with a chinstrap beard and the other a baby smooth face. They might've been brothers, possibly twins, what they were for sure were scumbags.

Bumping into him, he would feel the other catch, and while he did the other tried to slip his hand inside the lunarian's pocket. He would try to jerk back quickly. "Hey, what do you think you're doing, I don't want either of your hands on me." He spoke holding back his voice, there was no reason to make a scene. They wanted there to be one.

The one with a beard would say "Why are you trying to start a fight we were just trying to help!" His brother or accomplice would follow up with "Tourists always trying to make things rough on the natives" Before the angel could get in his response the one with horrible grooming options would speak again. "Yeah, you know accusing us really hurt our feelings, maybe you should have to pay us for distress?"

Cherub was dumbfounded, unsure of how to respond to such silly antics. He didn't have much money to offer, he was still unsure if he had it all. Who knew if they had managed to slip a bill from his pocket? He kept his stance firm, his face strong but he couldn't throw a punch no matter how much he wanted to. "You can try and tempt me, but you will get yours before this day ends unless you return everything you've taken today." Threats always worked, but he didn't have the size to back them up this fine day.

[CowpokeRobin]

Against Brie's better judgement, she decided to chase the high of experiencing the city nightlife over ensuring that her wanted companion was well tended to. It wasn't like he'd be running away, she figured. He'd probably want his size back before making any sort of significant changes in locale. Besides, the amount of money from the bounty they were going to hunt should be reason enough to stay for someone looking to purchase a ship that would accommodate a giant. Brie decided to just assume that Cherub could handle himself for a short amount of time without getting into trouble. 

As Brie approached the center of town, she saw children running about in masks that nearby vendors were making and selling. They ranged from ornate and complex to simple eye masks. She secretly wanted one, but she was a bit embarrassed by the fact that only children seemed to be wearing them. She noticed one in particular, a small black mask that covered only the top half of a person's face. It reminded her vividly of the paper masks she made when she was young and imagined herself to be the Midnight Mouse, a heroine of her own childish design. She continued on her way as the smell of cooking food at the stall across the way made her aware of how long it had been since she had a proper meal. She even glimpsed some young men preparing a few mortar tubes, clearly intended for fireworks, which made her even more excited about the small festival this quaint town was putting on.

It didn't take her long for her nose to direct her towards a stall that seemed to be selling various types of kebabs. The old man operating the booth smiled as she approached.

"New face, new customer! What can I get you stranger?" He asked emphatically as he tended to the flames beside him. Brie's nose immediately detected the small cubes of cheese he was melting onto the various meats and vegetables he was grilling and she lit up in delight.

"Um... How much does a giant eat...?" She quietly whispered to herself before putting her attention back onto the kind geezer. "Give me four with lots of meat and one with as much cheese as you can put on it," she asked as she slid a handful of berri across the table. "And I mean as much as you can," she emphasized as the man realized the money included a generous tip for only five kebabs. He quickly turned his attention fully to the grill, clearly wanting to earn the monetary appreciation he'd been given. Brie hummed happily as she watched him drench the meat in the pungent cheese, happy to see him take the order incredibly seriously. She snatched up the food as soon as it was ready with a joyful "thank you!" Before turning on heel to go find Cherub. It certainly didn't take long to her dismay. She had hardly taken two bites before noticing the small unfolding scene. 

"Shit..." She said as she watched the two men harass Cherub and a small circle formed around them. People were starting to whisper as the two men made a small scene, and Cherub appeared ready to knock them out. Brie had to think quick and what she went with was.... Questionable.

Brie dropped the small bit of food she purchased and darted into the commotion. On her way she quickly fiddled with her coat, shrinking it away and stashing it in her pouch. She swiftly grabbed the small mask that had caught her attention earlier, placing it on her face as she withdrew from her bag a black cloak that she paced around her shoulders to emulate a cape. Rushing up behind the two men messing with Cherub, she took a large leap, flipping over them and landing directly in between the two parties. She held a cliche action hero pose holding one hand in her mask and another up into the air as her heart raced. Her face was cherry red on her mask as she regarded this as the most embarrassing rescue attempt she could manage.

"Halt evil doer!" She yelled in Cherub's direction. She looked up at him and gave a nervous wink from behind the mask. She mouthed a little "play along" as she regarded the crowd and the two now dumbfounded men behind her.

"You think you can attack my friends here? Well, think again! The 3 of us shall apprehend you!" She announced, roping the two thieves into the small performance she was concocting. She prayed silently that everyone would buy this as a street performance. Suddenly a small child asked in amazement "who are you mouse lady?"

"Me?" She panicked before answering his questions as confidently as she could muster. "I'm the Midnight Mouse! And I'll save this town from this horrible brute! These gentlemen!" She said as she pushed the two forward towards Cherub. "Will help me do so!"

Brie flashed a smile at Cherub and mouthed a command to him as the two nervous men hesitantly played along so as not to be outed as thieves.

"Knock them out."