The gathering shadows (New Convent of Shadow)

[Farris (Kuro)]

The town of Beacon Village was not one that was friendly to pirates, but Dr. Victorson L. Faust wasn't exactly your typically pirate, he was a cunning man and considered himself more a man of Science than one of pilfering. His choice to go into piracy was more a recent decision based on his lack of funds. Of course he didn't sail into town under a jolly roger flag, he wasn't like normal pirates. In fact, he tended to keep out of the spotlight that many Pirates sought out. The idea of gaining fame and being hunted were not things Faust needed in his career. It was fare easier to continue his research without people knowing he was a criminal.

That was why he was forming this crew to bring together more... intelligent people that wanted to make money without the the worries of fame. Those that wanted to help advance Science were a plus as they likely shared his ideals. Thus why the name Convent of Shadows was picked for his crew. A group that didn't seek fame but sought to work underground to achieve their goals.

He had extended this invitation to a few that he deemed were suitable partners. Organizing them by what he needed and what they were good at, but also by Lack of bounty and that they would be likely to see the benefit of pursuing their goals without a bounty as Marines were such a pain and wanted poster often created problems when finding patients for ones research. The Message was sent via messenger bird and gave instructions to meet at the pub at this very village if they were interested in his business proposal. So there was little left to do now... but wait, as he took his seat in the pub and ordered a small cup of tea...

[flame08]

It had been not even a week since her dark shadow had fallen over Beacon Village. Sliding through the world cloaked in black, Lotus Nymphae, was a silent killer though her victims never seemed to be as quiet as herself. Strange disappearances in the night, screams from empty buildings, a few of these events (the rest being because of similar people or simply the oddity of the world of One Piece) could be attributed to her. And it had been in that previous week or so that she had received a strange letter from an unknown person by method of messenger bird.

They were too meet in a pub near the edge of village. Just the kind of shady place she was used to visiting. Lotus decided that she would go and see what this person was proposing at the least. Now to fast forward a little to the current time.
~~~~
In an abandoned alleyway off the side from the main village road. A young woman lay on the ground, a look of terror stricken across her face. Above her stood another figure, covered in a black hood, Lotus was just that figure. Her tan skin only adding to the darkness created. Under it her scantily clad body felt the rush of air as it passed through the alley brushing up her cloak to reveal her bare legs. In the following few minutes a short shriek would be the only sound to leave the mouth of the young woman on the ground (the details of what has happened have been left out for the sake of imagination, you can decide what you like happened).

When the next person came in to check out the screaming all that was left to see was a mutilated body with a long cut running between the female's breasts. The body had been covered in a black cloth and left there. No other living beings were to be found in the alley. At the same time in a pub not to far down, Lotus found herself entering it. Once inside it, she walked up to the bar and ordered a pint of beer. Her cloak forced by gravity to fall back no longer covered her exposed body (well she has basically a bikini and short shorts on). From the back a small rustle could be seen every now and then as Ren, her snake, shifted in its position.

She had answered the calling, now the question was would she be approached.

[SHADE SMASH]

Amber eyes glinted in the shadey light of a mid-afternoon day. Now, if one could kill just by looking at someone, trust me, everyone around would be out cold on the floor. Yet, sadly, even with innovative science to move us ahead both genetically and mentally, one can still not kill someone with just a look unless one was to consume a fruit that gave one the power/ability to do just that. Mirai did not have this fruit.

As any tanuki, Mirai has luscious gray fur that had rings of dark gray fur running through her body, around her tails and legs. Her eyes even matched the standard for any other raccoon. Yet two things seem to make her stand out from an everyday raccoon. One would be the almost fluorescent red died fur that hung over her eyes like bangs, and then there was the fact that she had a fruit. It was no huge fruit that could possibly kill people on site. No, it did so much more especially for a scientist of her standards and priorities. It granted her experiments that she could place under extreme sadistic and enlightening 'harmless' procedures. It seems that Mirai's definition of harmless is no physical wounds.

Well, anyways, to get to the point of her especially bad mood and if gazes could kill feel. It appears that for the past week, nothing exactly was going her way. As Mirai began to ponder onto such thoughts in her mind, her gaze darkened and everyone around her host began to keep a ten foot distance, much to the poor ladies dislike. She even muttered something under breath about how men these days had no appreciation for beauty, but little Miss raccoon seemed a thousand miles away as she recalled the days preceding this one.

I suppose it would not be of much surprise to discover that Mirai was on a particularily bad mood on this day that she decided to reminisce about. Her most recent experiment somehow had escaped an experiment that could very well solve her difficulty with saying human words instead of having to relay through ones mind. It was very frustrating to have such a seemingly minuscule problem to tax on her abilities when it came to battle after such confrontations.

In hopes to forget about her problems, she decided it my be best to throw her tantrum out on a bird, that just happened to be flying in the direction of her home. Thinking nothing of the coincidence, she lunged at the bird, barely grazing it, only to land on the ground. Her prey? Completely unharmed! The nerve of such a species to deny her of the need to drag it down! All she seemed to have done was make it spooked and have it accidentally drop something. After a good fight to take her mind off things, and a full belly, she decided to read what was on the paper. It turned out to be something addressed to her long dead master.

So now, here she is, glaring angrily around her, sitting on a very uncomfortable and scratchy wig, as she impatiently waited to get to the very place that was stated on the letter. Her tail lashed angrily behind her, and people gawked at the strangeness of an animal so known for it's diseases to be propped on a prominent ladies head like a hat. Although, some people are known for wearing raccoon hats, it was surely not a new trend to have LIVE ones on ones head. Mirai completely ignored them, propelling herself from the girls head the moment she found the said pub. Now, to discover what sort of nut job decided to play such a despicable prank on her.

For a short while, Mirai stood beside the door, wondering if she could possibly spot who could do this but seeing no one that would be wanting her head nor her masters. So, once someone opened the door, she slithered inside like a stealthy cat and prowled the place. Maybe she should just set loose her ability and force them out whoever they were.

[Farris (Kuro)]

When Faust had set out the "invitations" He never would have guessed that the young tanuki would have answered his call or that his old friend was no more a member of the living. He saw one of those that he had invited though, but he knew her more by reputation. "Ahh, Miss! If you'd allow me to be so bold as to invite you to my talk for a bit of a.. chat?" He said beckoning the scantly clad amazon over to him as if she were some noble lady deserving of respect good manners. The slight pause in his words at the end of his sentence suggesting that he had been waiting there just for her. Which in a sense he had, but their was one other he had been waiting on.

The person in question never showed and never would, in her place was a very ill-tempered raccoon. A very familiar raccoon...yes he knew this animal from the beta stages of her experiment. But if the subject was here, why was the Doctor not with it? Faust thought curiously an patted the side of his leg to get Mirai's attention. He was curious if the raccoon would recognize him or not, or if his college had successfully educated the animal or not. It was a bit had to tell at this point, but it's showing up here would be one heck of a coincidence if his fellow scientist hadn't.

[flame08]

Lotus turned around to check who was being referred to as "Miss". Noticing it was actually her, she began to check out the man who was beckoning to her. A person who could have been wrought in darkness was before her, a red trench coat covered his body, he seemed very doctor-like. Grabbing her drink she got off her barstool and walked over, her cloak moving back over to cover her body. Walking up to the man at the table she took the seat next to him and sat back down. Her cloak now covering her body, the hood draped over her head again her body was almost completely covered in the darkness save for the slight light that could been seen at the hood's opening.

Speaking slowly she said "If you are the person, as to the invitation came from, then I suppose that we may have something to talk about. Otherwise I should have no purpose here and will probably go back to the bar to obtain more drinks. Taking a sip of the golden liquid in her jug, she observed the man before her as well as her surroundings. Ren secretly slithered down her back its tongue flicking itself in and out of the mouth. It had scented something but it didn't know what. Something that wasn't normal in the area. Squeezing slightly it warned Lotus of the possibility of danger.

Becoming more aware Lotus swerved her eyes around the room trying to pick up any movements.

[SHADE SMASH]

Mirai glanced around the room, her eyes blazing even hotter than before if that was possible. Already she has been in here for a minute, a FULL minute!!!! And no one of any importance to her had appeared out of the blue. Maybe it was because her sight was practically blinded by anger, or maybe it was because of the quick glances she she gave as she searched frantically around the room, too quickly for a proper look, but she couldn't help but be pissed by it all. She even considered that this person she is waiting for be the assasin that killed her master so long ago. Maybe they had ann epiphany and decided she was finally worth it.

Even so, if that was true then Mirai might as well be laying in a pool of her own blood. Despite all the training she had went through in the past year, she is still not nearly able to fight without the dependence of her fruit because of her small stature. So if this guy already knew the back door out of her abilities then she shouldn't be here waiting for suspense.

Mirai's restless mind kept on suggesting new possibilities for the mind behind this, and still no sure thought entered her mind. It may have been only a minute but she had already thought of over 500, 547 to be exact, people that could possibly be behind this.

Her ears swiveled around suddenly as a new sound reached her ears and she snapped around to glance at what it was. Her eyes ablaze with fresh anger as she considered the shabby guy to possibly being behind the mystery letter, and yet, something about the way he patted his leg was nostalgic. She scrutinized the hand in a failed attempt to realize why he would look like such, but she shook her head instead. Now was not the time to reminisce about past problems. He was probably someone she and her master beat up anyways so no need to think so hard.

So with that, she quickly ran up to the man and clawed up his arm onto the bar table where she glared at him and his "buddy", her eyes glaring so viscously at the snake that it surely would have made it slither in fear if it had been a normal animal.

"Hey! Animals are not aloud on the bar!" The bar tender yelled as he came over, staring between Faust and Mirai, then Lotus and her snake. Yet, when his eyes began to look back at the raccoon, he seemed downright confused. Looking hurriedly between the three others and at the bar, his face flamed a beet red and he muttered apologies before her meandered off to deal with some other people. The tanuki's eyes looked at the corner of her eye angily at the man all the way through. Of course she did that. He almost got in the way of her tantrum and discovering just what the hell was going on here!

So! Who the heck are you and what do you want with my master you &*#$ Mirai hissed in all of their minds, her fur bristling and her fluffy tail lashing angrily behind her like a predatory cat. They looked together so might as well tell them together, but she still looked only at the male. He still had that look of someone extremely familiar, someone who she should know and not just another of those idiots that got beaten up in a bar because of their innocuous annoyance. She examined him once again, her eyes straying to his white hair, then it came to her! She remembered him!!!

Her eyes widened a fraction, not enough to really show her surprise but somehow, just enough in the face of a scientist. He was that guy! The one who was big friends with her master!!! So now, the question lied was what did he want and how could he really be oblivious to her masters death if they were such great friends! Mirai attempted to keep up her angry facade but it was becoming increasingly clearer that she was getting more calmer and more confused than anything by the sudden realization.

[Farris (Kuro)]

Faust didn't even flinch as Mirai claws up him to peer into his eyes with such intense anger. First he nodded to Lotus, "I am." He told her simply, his tone calm as if they were all good friends simply have tea and discussing the latest news. Though the mad Scientist was drinking tea, he had more important things to discuss as He took note of Mirai's recognition and confusion, though well masked as it was, he noticed it. She was not expecting him then, interesting... He thought studying her behavior like he did most everything, with a keen scientific perspective. Though Psychology was not his best field he had learned a thing or too from the raccoon's master on the topic. "I was expecting your mistress Mirai, Is she not in good health?" He asked before realizing that It would be better social manners to apologise for not keeping in touch. The doctor was never good at such things.

"Sorry for my... lack of visits my work keeps me quiet busy." He added too her in explanation before getting down to business. Mirai could always relay his message to her master. "I have a proposal for you ladies. I'm forming something of a "Group" to aid Gifted minds like ours to better our funding and research." He said using words that only scientist that were under appropriated for their pursuits and more dark methods of work that would not be approved of by Legal officials would understand. Those like himself.

"This "group" would be traveling together and aiding one another in our goals. I have sought you out with both respect for your skills and the thought that we all share a common thorn in our side when it comes to our work. Thus why I suggest banding together to better our finances as well as our work." He spoke, clearly to both Lotus and Mirai, again his words were picked with care as to be useless to those that weren't aware that the three had less than legal practices. "You may think on it a while if you wish, I don't need an immediate answer, must soon would be appreciated." He finished letting them question him or think more on the matter.

[flame08]

Lotus nodded to Faust quickly checking to see if Ren had accidentally slipped out of her cloak. She noticed only his head was visible under her cloak, it must've been pure bad luck that the manager had noticed him. Ren wriggled around disappearing back up her cloak. As she turned back she met eyes with a raccoon who was sitting on the ground behind the table. Its eyes were fixated on the point Ren had just been, it wasn't scared either it looked fierce. Well as fierce as the small tanuki was. It was so cute she just wanted to dig a dagger into it and watch it scream (such a macabre thought).

Then a message, as if not spoken but just understood came into her mind. It was startling even if she didn't show it. She wasn't expecting such a thing to happen, she looked around to see where it might have come from. But there was no one facing her direction. She then noticed the doctor had turned to face of all things, the tanuki. He made a comment to the tanuki as if it could understand, could it? She was confused, Ren understood simple thoughts and worked with her well. But it wasn't like a random tanuki could understood just any old human. The thoughts racing through her head were brought to a halt as she was called upon again in real life.

The doctor proposed that they work together in a joint venture. To allow them to master their fields and combine their efforts to thwart those who tried to thwart them. It was an interesting proposal though working with a male was against her normal ways. This male wasn't too bad, he did not give her an intense dislike nor did she have any positive feelings. She felt apathy for him, which was a start seeing as most males she met simply died before anything happened.

[SHADE SMASH]

Mirai looked at Faust with pure disbelief. Her anger was now completely erradicated throughout the mans speech but still, she could not believe a single word that was entering her ears who had such perfect hearing it would probably beat a dogs!!! Pretty hard to not believe something that was heard from those ears, but she did. Even with the obviousness of truth, no twitch of any facial muscles, he stared right at her throughout conversation, looked remotely thoughtful with his words and so forth. It was ridiculous!

Yet, a twinge of pain came upon her face when she realized she would have to be the one to tell him what happened. Regaining her anger, she glared over at the other girl to see if she understood anything he was saying but by the blank look she gave, it looked like a no.

She is dead! The voice snapped in the man's mind, yet what was thought to be heard as strength in her voice, the voice did seem a bit fuzzy like an old transmission on a radio. Almost like she wanted him to hear but not quite at the same time. Her voice was not heard in the girl's head however. Actually, Mirai would like it better if she knew nothing of what was occurring, gave the tanuki a secretive past that always gave a good image to mad scientist!

For once, Mirai seemed to appear in a well-mannered and good natured mood, or at least for her it was. She sat up straight like a proper lady in raccoon clothes, her tail wrapped neatly around her paws and her eyes looking at the two with a mixture of thoughtfulness, sneering, and arrogance. Close to the look that a higher up would possibly give a passing low life if they even glanced. That's how she saw them as she considered the offer. It seemed like a great idea, in her opinion. A team where she could do all sorts of experiments with an array of tools, possible challenges with fellow members, maybe even more experiments on them as well. It seemed all good, but there was one thing she needed to know before she officially joined.

Taking a glance at both of the crew members hair, she spontaneously rain up Fausts arm and landed on the soft strands of his hair, setting herself softly down careful not to scratch or anything as if he was just another host. She recalled sitting on his hair as a cub, but she needed to know if it was still the same. And how much it was!!! Even in his age, his hair was as soft as ever and a strange expression appeared on her face as if she was smiling. Almost like a child on christmas morning!

I'm in! she let enter their minds as she circled for a bit before curling up and resting her tail on her nose. Already, if one listened closely, they could hear the soft snores that came from her as she slept on his head.

[Farris (Kuro)]

Faust frowned slightly at the news of his colleague. He rarely made friends of anyone, and the best he's ever rate someone as a result was a colleague, someone with equal thoughts and respects for science and it's advancements. The tanuki's master had been such a woman and her loss was disheartening. To Faust, A great mind had been lost and a moment of silence was both deserved and given before he spoke to the raccoon again. "My condolences, my offer is then extended to you, Mirai." He said simply but it wasn't coldly or with out respect. If he knew his former college she had schooled her specimen well. He would not be disappointed with Mirai's skills.

When she planed herself on his head a light smirk crossed his face as she told her she was "in". "Excellent, and I take it you would like more time Miss Lotus?" He said first to the raccoon before addressing the amazon. His eyes always on her face. Never once did he look at her scantly clad body, not that she wasn't an attractive woman, but he simply had no interest in women or men. Faust's love was for his work more than anything else and it had always been hard for him to feel anything stronger for actual people.

[flame08]

"... and I take it you would like more time Miss Lotus?" (I don't think i told Faust her name but whatever) was the question posed by the man before her. Lotus paused as the question was asked, it seemed that the final decision had come. Only a few seconds ago the tanuki had rolled up on the head of Faust. It seemed that the tanuki had accepted the offer. Or at least she thought it did from Faust's reaction. Maybe she would figure out the importance of this raccoon. To her it was only a raccoon, she couldn't understand how it could be of help in this endeavor. But most likely it would be made evident in the future, the purpose of this raccoon, and she was willing to wait.

Looking straight at Faust, she noticed his eyes were aimed directly into hers. He was totally unconcerned with her well body. She smiled slightly, there were very few men who could go without looking at it. This was probably the reason for her apathy on him. Speaking she said "For the time being I see no reason to reject your offer, I will accept your offer for the time being." Taking another sip from her pint of ale she commented "We should probably talk out the remaining parts of this in a more secret place."

[SHADE SMASH]

Mirai was truly in the deepest depths that sleep could possibly muster for the young raccoon. So deep, in fact, that not even the small nods of Faust's head or the vibrations caused by his vocal chords seem to awake her from her predicament. To put it simply, since she had been in possession of the letter, not an ounce of sleep had ever come to her. Call it anxiety or downright anger, it just never blessed her until the moment she stepped onto the 'captains' head. It was a nice feeling too. Yet, even in her sleep depravity, dreams still met her, and the instant the word 'secret' came up, a snicker came onto her face.

Dreams of great experiments misted in her mind, and they were all the greatest! Whether you would like to see what images plagued her mind, such intensive describing of the sort might very well make you go insane. Even just saying what was happening may surely you land at the next psychiatrist in the matter of minutes of reading such horrid events. So, for the safety of the one who happens to be reading this, the mentions of such things will not be shown. We will just have to say that Mirai continued to sleep with that same maniacal smirk of hers never once leaving her face.

[captianjim]

It was a rainy, dreary day, a few weeks before the fated meeting at the tavern was supposed to take place. On an island in the West Blue a tall cloaked figure made it's way up a brick pathway that eventually lead to a heavily guarded mansion. In the figure's hand was a large leather bag.

Inside the mansion a well dressed guard peered out of one of the second floor windows at the cloaked figure, as the figure drew closer the guard was able to make out the facial features of the figure. It was an enormously tall man with green, pail skin and large yellow eyes unlike anything the guard had ever seen. The guard flinched when the pair of eyes looked directly at him, and instantly turned away from the window and began to walk down the hallway towards a set of large wooden doors that were finely carved will exceptional designs.

The guard knocked on the door three times and a voice called out from inside.

"What is it?" The voice questioned

"The Mercenary. He has arrived and is on his way up the path at this moment." The guard responded

"Ah, good!" sounded the voice, "When he arrives, escort him up here."

"Yes sir!"

The figure now known as The Mercenary made his way to the front doors of the mansion. He lifted up his long arm and knocked three times with his large hands. He was instantly greeted with about a dozen goons who each had a pistol pointed to his face. The Mercenary's expression did not change as his eyes looked at the closest guns to his face, one eye to his right and one eye to his left. The Mercenary let out a small grumble before the goons were ordered to stand down by the head guard. The Same guard who had locked eyes with the Mercenary just moments ago.

"I apologize." The guard said nervously looking up at the almost nine foot man.

"Peh." The Mercenary scoffed with a small grin appearing on his face as his eyes slowly went back to normal. "I have what your 'boss' wanted. Take me to him."

"Right away, sir." The guard hesitantly nodded before turning towards and making his way up a large flight of stairs. The Mercenary followed behind.

The Mercenary stepped through the large wooden doors and was greeted by a rotund man with a cigar in his mouth. He had a thick mustache and looked to be in his 50's.

"Ivan! Back so soon?" The older man said with a smile as he waved at the Mercenary from behind a large mahogany desk. "Please have a seat."

"No thanks, Don. I don't have time to get comfortable...and would you refrain from using my real name?" The Mercenary spoke as he made his way towards the desk.

"What do you want me to call you then? 'The Lizard'? That's what people call you these days isn't it?" the old man said sarcastically.

"I don't care what you call me, I have a name for business and a name for everything else. Right now it's business time." The Mercenary said as he placed the large leather bag on the man's desk. "Here's what you wanted now give me my money."

The old man leaned forward and opened the bag before making a disgusted face. "Alright alright. You did you're job. You brought me the head of my most hated adversary, Don Calzone." he said before placing a metal suitcase in the Mercenary's hands.
"Here's your money. All 1,000,000 Belli of it."

"Nice doing business with you." The Mercenary nodded before turning on his heels and leaving with the suitcase.

Upon reaching the Mansion's gate at the end of the pathway Ivan was met by a miserable looking bird who was soaking wet in the rain. The bird had a piece of paper attached to it. In Ivan's business messenger birds were pretty common so he stepped towards the bird who was perched on the gate.

"For me?" Ivan queried.

The bird nodded and extended the message out to Ivan who took it and began to read it.

--------------------------

The place was Beacon village. The time was that of the meeting and Ivan had just stepped off the passenger liner that had come in to port. It was night and Ivan's eyes glowed a bright yellow as he made his way towards the pub in which he was apparently supposed to meet with others for some sort of 'job'.

Ivan entered the pub, having to duck down in order to get under the door. He looked in both directions at the same time. Looking for someone who looked like an employer. All he saw was a bunch of normal looking people, save for a White haired man and a woman in a black cloak who were in conversation. There was also a small rodent with them. A Racoon. Ivan didn't pay it or the other two much mind as he stepped further into the pub and continued looking around.