|
|
Post by HOTARU SATSUMA on Mar 10, 2012 14:28:53 GMT -5
   
I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know
[/color][/center] ★ [/size] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[/center][/blockquote]
The crescent moon illuminated the city with a translucent, silvery glow unobstructed by fog or clouds which commonly veiled the city at night. The low level of light turned the distinct horizon of Loguetown into a feint, simple, geometric shadow which separated earth from Celestia above. These were ideal conditions for Hotaru, who on this pristine night would be playing the part of the phantom thief, just one of the many roles she has cast herself in on the worldly stage.
Light footfalls carried the young woman across the rooftops of the city, and in no time the sounds of the muffled howls and shouts from the nightlife below had been replaced with the gentle lapping of the ocean against the man made shoreline. The distorted reflection of the stars and moon danced on the surface of the sea, and Hotaru couldn’t help but take a moment to admire the scene. Salted winds blew steadily off of the harbor and through her bright scarlet mane, and her black, unbuttoned jacket fluttered weakly behind her, still tethered to her form by the rolled up sleeves snugly around both of her arms. A black spear just taller than herself hung diagonally off her back, though she hoped things went smooth enough so that she wouldn’t need to draw it.
The cat burglar removed a scrap of paper with the details of the shipment on it to verify the location of the merchant boat carrying the prize. Violet eyes jumped from ship to ship, keeping a mental tally of the numbers before settling on an impressive vessel at one of the larger docks. A slight smile curled her lips, and a series of quick jumps carried her quietly from the rooftops, down a pyramid of crates, and onto the cobblestone docks below. As quietly as possible, Hotaru darted between stacks of barrels, crates, and carts until she reached the pier to which the ship storing the diamonds was moored.
Approaching a stack of barrels near the gangplank, she poked her head around to get a view of what, if anything was guarding the cache of jewels she was after.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -★ [/size][/center] Everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold ♥[/center][/color] |
|
|
|
Post by ZEPPO BLEU on Mar 10, 2012 15:27:12 GMT -5
Zeppo's wild scarlet orbs swiftly surveyed the area before him as he descended from a massive transport vessel. Behind him were four bulky men, each holding a different side of one big marble box that was sealed at the top. Body guard? Yeah Zeppo didn't like it, but the maniac needed work. He needed money. Without money Zeppo had been nothing but a poor street punch without so much as a crew so he couldn't have been deemed a pirate, and the man was too lazy to actually hunt down pirates so he couldn't have been called a bounty hunter.
There was nothing he could really do about his money situation, so Zeppo grit his teeth and became a traveling work for hire body guard, his first job serving as a guard of a special shipment of assorted jewels that was to arrive in Loguetown. Whoever his empoyer was couldn't have been to picky because he hadn't a clue as to the type of psycho that Zeppo really was. Secretly he plotted to whoop every ass possible, steal the jewels, then cash the suckers in.
His wild blonde mane danced as Zeppo continued down the long wooden ramp, finally landing down on the pier where a dozen deckhands had already began to scrabble about after recieving orders. The pier was well lit by the dazzling light of the moon and the few lamps that stood tall every few meters, but between immense crates of cargo, barrels, and crates there was much darkness and shadows, perfect for an ambush or for someone to come and try to steal the jewels. Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion. Zeppo had no idea how long it would take to get the jewels from the pier to town, but hopefully it'd be done in the upmost concealed mannor.
Zeppo watched in boredom as the men carrying the marble box descended to the pier where they were joined by three other bulky men, all of whom wore tanned jumpsuits as if they were all forced to wear the same uniform. A sly chuckle escaped the lips of the demon-eyed guard, but it was cut short as one of the other men started to look upon Zeppo. Little did they know he had his two combat knives tucked away in the fold of his opened black robe.
What an odd attire it truly was, a toga of sorts, but at the same time still a robe. While his right chest was was visible his left was completely hidden and his left shoulder protected by a plate of armor protecting his right shoulder. He was ready for anything that could have went down that night. Or anyone...
|
|
|
|
Post by HOTARU SATSUMA on Mar 10, 2012 21:12:07 GMT -5
I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know
[/color][/center] ★ [/size] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[/center][/blockquote]
8...damn
Hotaru cursed, not counting the deckhands who were unarmed and too scrawny to even put up a fight. The thief pushed her back into the barrels and took a deep breath. Her left hand reached to the ribbon holding the spear to her back and released the weapon from it’s binding. Nimble fingers curled around the body of the pole arm, and she ran through the scenario in her mind.
The 4 men holding the cache would likely not drop their corner of the stone crate to fight, and attacking the blonde at the front would mean she would need to deal with the 3 guards behind the caravan. However, if she bided her time from the shadows, she would likely be able to take out the straggling muscle, reducing their numbers from eight to five in a matter of seconds.
The experienced thief held her breath and watched the caravan of guards pass her hiding place. Upon closer inspection, none of the men appeared to be armed, giving the spear wielding picaroon a clear advantage despite the brutish size of the hired muscle. As soon as the group moved past her location, she started her assault.
Without leaving the shadows of the stack of barrels, the long weapon shot out from darkness, tearing into the side of the guard closest to her. The spear returned to her hands and by the time the man cried out and doubled over in pain, Hotaru was already behind the remaining two rear guards. With an impressive demonstration of speed, her weapon was thrust twice in the blink of an eye, piercing the backs of the two remaining men behind the treasure.
The screams of the injured men ripped apart the night’s tranquility, who were now all laying on the wooden pier, incapacitated and writhing in pain. There was no doubt that her presence was known to the remaining transporters, to whom a friendly greeting would be extended.
“Hey.”
Her spear was held in both hands, the barbed point extended towards the box holding her prize; her body poised, ready to strike or evade at a moments notice.
Just once it would be nice for them to just hand the treasure over. . .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -★ [/size][/center] Everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold ♥[/center][/color] |
|
|
|
Post by ZEPPO BLEU on Mar 10, 2012 23:44:09 GMT -5
Finally things were beginning to pick up. Zeppo and the other crewmen were setting off on route to another dock where they'd meet with a transport unit that would take them and the precious diamonds to Loguetown. Before they met would be the perfect time to strike and then Zeppo could give the transport team some bullshit story or excuse of what happened to the diamonds.
A sly demonic grin slid across the guards face as his twisted thoughts ran over the scenario that was soon to unfold. Everything was running so perfectly, there was no way anyone could possibly stop him now.
Just when the maniac guard had become comfortable everything changed. Screams of those behind him forced the red-eyed psycho to whip around, his eyes falling to slits as he accessed the situation. There standing just feet from the diamond container was some red-headed, pole wielding chick. And two guards were splayed out on the ground with blood spilling all about them. Her spear was aimed at the diamonds, her eyes transfixed on the remaining guards standing before her.
Without hesitation the two remaining guards rushed at the thieving woman, attempting to rush from opposite directions. Zeppo could already tell that they'd be easily dealt with by the pole arm weapon easily, simply because she had the upper hand seeing as they had no weapons. Using his power step technique Zeppo sprung into the shadows beside him, hopefully unnoticed as the red-head would have to deal with the two guards. Removing the dual knives from his robe Zeppo stared on, a crazed smile forming on his lips as he prepared to leap from the shadows onto the woman. At his current position in the darkness he stood between a pitch black space between two gigantic containers, 5 meters from the womans right.
|
|
|
|
Post by HOTARU SATSUMA on Mar 11, 2012 0:14:07 GMT -5
I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know
[/color][/center] ★ [/size] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[/center][/blockquote]
“Pfff”
Hotaru scoffed as two of the guards holding the chest suddenly abandoned their role as bodyguard, rushing recklessly towards her spear. Swinging the weapon as they approached the downed form of their comrades, she would strike them in the side of the head with the blunt shaft of her pole arm, stunning them and knocking them off of the pier and into the ocean. Since they left their posts so suddenly, the marble case holding the gems had fallen onto the dock, causing a large crack to snake up the middle of the box.
The unarmed attack was so pathetic, it was no trouble for Hotaru to see that the blonde guard had ducked behind a stack of barrels further down the pier, especially since the pier was so well lit. With an arched eyebrow, Hotaru urged the remaining guards to escape.
“Go on. Get out of here unless you wanna end up like your friends. You can leave the chest though, I’ll be taking what’s inside for my trouble.”
Her volume would then rise as her intended audience shifted from the muscled goons holding the other half of the crate to the guard who was hiding somewhere behind a stack of containers.
“As for you, blondie, it’s not too late for you to get away. I doubt anyone would blame you considering the smack down I gave your friends over here.”
Still poised in the same position, she waited to be left alone with her treasure, a score that she felt she had now earned since she had gone through the trouble of dispatching most of the guards.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -★ [/size][/center] Everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold ♥[/center][/color] |
|
|
|
Post by ZEPPO BLEU on Mar 11, 2012 0:42:41 GMT -5
Just as he had figured the guards were easily done in by the scarlet haired thieves spear. She made quick work of both muscular men, but Zeppo's grin fell to a distasteful frown as she let them go. What the hell? If you were gonna go as far as to wreck some big guys with your spear why not end them? A fight wasn't really won until there was one side left standing, and since she had let the guards escape that meant that they were technically still standing. Such wusses. Zeppo watched from the shadows as they bounded away, fleeing the dangerous thief. The bastards didn't even set the damn container down carefully! There was a huge crack splitting up one of the sides of the marble box where they had simple-mindedly threw it down. Piercing red eyes stared upon the woman from the pitch blackness. She began to spout at the mouth. It seemed that she was calling Zeppo out, or allowing him to escape, but by the tone of her voice and where she was looking it appeared as though she hadn't known his position. Perfect. Zeppo began his thought out strike by chucking a knife from the blackness of his position. He aimed for her right shoulder, an easy target seeing as he was so close and she was holding a weapon. Just as he threw the knife Zeppo sprung from his hiding spot, staying low to the ground as he closed in on the thief. Using his power step Zeppo attempted to get behind the woman, his knife clutched in his right hand as he swung a slice at her back.
|
|
|
|
Post by HOTARU SATSUMA on Mar 11, 2012 1:24:30 GMT -5
I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know
[/color][/center] ★ [/size] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[/center][/blockquote]
Just when she had thought she had won, a glint of silver flashed next to the barrels, letting her lock onto the weapon just as it left the shadows. With a single step to the left, Hotaru narrowly avoid the knife which sailed harmlessly behind her before clattering against the wooden pier a few meters to her 6 o’clock. Just moments after the knife had been thrown, the red eyed guard and jumped out from his hiding place and sprung quickly towards her with another dagger drawn.
With a powerful jump, his feet barely left the ground as he sped forward in an attempt to get behind the spear wielder. Using the reach of her weapon to her advantage, Hotaru extended the spear and attempted to slash her attacker’s left bicep with her spear as he passed. Regardless of her success, she kept her gaze focused on the knife wielder and turned her body to remain facing her opponent. With the spear head now aimed directly at the boy’s chest, she remained prepared for whatever he may try and throw at her next, both literally and figuratively.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -★ [/size][/center] Everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold ♥[/center][/color] |
|
|
|
Post by ZEPPO BLEU on Mar 11, 2012 11:05:22 GMT -5
Damn she was good. As Zeppo had attempted to speed behind her she had attempted to slash at him, but luckily his knife slash parried the spear away from his body. If he could just get in close quarters with her it'd be a breeze to fight, but getting close to the spear wielder was hard as she was easily keeping him at bay. With her spear tip pointed at his chest there were few options for the crazy-eyed fiend, but he wouldn't give up. For a brief second Zeppo shifted his weight to his back leg, swiftly springing away from the woman and out of her reach, swiping his earlier thrown knife from the ground. He had slashed horizontally at the air as he had sprung just in case she had tried to pursue, but while he had both knives clutched in front of his chest Zeppo wouldn't make a move. "Who the hell are ya?" he questioned. "The diamonds is mine, I ain't sharin!"
|
|
|
|
Post by HOTARU SATSUMA on Mar 11, 2012 11:31:55 GMT -5
I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know
[/color][/center] ★ [/size] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[/center][/blockquote]
Her spear was parried out of the way as he passed, and another spring step carried her opponent to his knife a few meters farther down the pier. Hotaru smirked and planned to capitalize on the opening she had to secure the diamonds. While her opponent was still en route to his discarded weapon, she planted her spear firmly in the ground and a powerful display of jumping ability and upper body strength caused her to vault 4 meters into the air, carrying the spear with her as she used the upward momentum to position herself over the already damaged marble case.
While airborn, she assumed an upright position as she held the spear parallel to her body, the tip of the weapon pointing directly at the crack on the top of the stone box. With a powerful thrust combined with the momentum of falling from over 10 feet in the air, girl and spear fell from the sky, the weight of her body added to the force that the spear would deliver onto the crate. Accompanied with a brief yet powerful blast of air, her weapon completely shattered the stone box, sending shards of marble all over the pier. Pulling her spear from the small pile of rubble, she heard her opponent start to speak.
After asking about her identity and making some comment about how the diamonds were his and that he had no intention of sharing, Hotaru smirked and issued a reply.
“Not that it’s really any of your business, but the names Hotaru. And as for your diamonds, I really dont think you have much of a choice.”
She said with a little chuckle and an arched eyebrow. Her eyes remained fixed on her opponent, though if she was given another opening all she would need to do is pick up the cache of jewels and be on her way.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -★ [/size][/center] Everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold ♥[/center][/color] |
|
|
|
Post by ZEPPO BLEU on Mar 11, 2012 11:56:57 GMT -5
Shit she got to the diamonds. In trying to get to his knife Zeppo had totally forgotten about the cache of jewels that sat in the marble box close to the woman. In the midst of their battle he had lost position of the box completely and until she split it open had he realized she was fairly close to it. Those were his diamonds! Who was this thief to come and steal his stolen diamonds! If anybody was gonna be stealing anykind of diamonds it was the crazed blonde, but it appeared that he was the one getting thieved.
This would have to be the thiefs final assault. Zeppo that was. They were both thieves, but Zeppo was the first thief, now here he was getting stolen from. That was a complete no no. Dashing for the woman and staying low to the ground the red-eyed guard would slash with his right knife as soon as he got in proximity of the spear. With any luck his knife would parry the womans spear and the force of his attack would send a shockwave rippling throughout the arms holding the spear, numbing them for enough time to create an opening. After slashing with his right knife he threw his left knife once again, this time aiming for the female thiefs right shoulder.
|
|
|
|
Post by HOTARU SATSUMA on Mar 11, 2012 13:36:44 GMT -5
I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know
[/color][/center] ★ [/size] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[/center][/blockquote]
In a fit of rage, it seemed that her opponent had lost all rational thought and began charging wildly down the pier towards Hotaru and the diamonds. Flicking the butt of her spear through the pile of rubble, she uncovered the soccer ball sized bag of diamonds. Bending down, she picked up the jewels and prepared to make her escape.
With his knives brandished, her opponent would not hesitate to strike and would likely be able to cause some serious damage if he got inside her guard. With the prize in her grasp, there was no reason to stick around and waste time fighting with the blonde bodyguard. Standing up just in time for her opponent to swing at her spear, Hotaru planted her weapon into the ground and jumped, pulling herself off the ground with her free hand, using the spear as a point of leverage. Her opponent’s knife collided with the spear bearing her weight, sending a shockwave up into her arm as momentum carried her into the air.
Fighting with all her might to keep hold of the spear with her arm, she landed atop a stack of crates 2 meters off of the pier’s face. The knife that he had thrown whizzed past her rapidly ascending form, landing a few meters down the docks.
“Nice try!”
She said with a wink before leaping off the stack of crates. In only a moment, she left the illumination of the lamps on the dock and was swallowed by the night’s darkness. After a short pause, a loud splash was heard. Hotaru was attempting to use the ocean to mask her escape. Holding her breath and swimming under water she would only resurface when she reached the underside of another pier 5 meters away. Hopefully she would lose the blonde by disappearing into the night.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -★ [/size][/center] Everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold ♥[/center][/color] |
|
|
|
Post by ZEPPO BLEU on Mar 11, 2012 13:59:08 GMT -5
Zeppo had felt that his strike had found it's mark on the womans spear. The shockwave sent up her arms sent her wobbling overhead of the blonde guard but sadly she had used her upward force to vault over him. Shit! He had her. One more move and the thief would've been done in and the diamonds in his pocket, but she dived into the ocean and swam away before Zeppo could pursue. "DAMNIT!" the furious guard hissed. She got away with his diamonds, but at least he had her name. Zeppo cursed aloud, kicking the dulled pavement of the dock. It had been a pretty eventful night, but finally it was coming to a close. Luck seemed to have been on the thiefs side because just as she leapt into the ocean the lights of the pier cut off as if on cue. Zeppo angrily trekked on through the darkness, feeling around with his foot for his knife then finally scratching it from the hard ground. He'd find her...sooner or later he'd find her and the result wouldn't be pretty. Feeling defeated and angry Zeppo made his way to Loguetown, his battle at the docks over with.
|
|
