applepirate | 02. Barbossa is Hungry [Action]

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02. Barbossa is Hungry [Action]

[Since exactly a month ago, the whole of Luceti has had the pleasure of being graced with the presence of a certain pirate captain who still thought that it was the most peculiar chunk of land he had ever seen, and yet, he found himself fitting right in among all the rest. For better or for worse, he found out that he stood out much less when his location was also supposedly a home for not one, but several bloody gods among mortals as well as the likes of talking dragon(s) and other strange creatures. And that was discounting the numerous certain humans who were not exactly normal either, some of them even brought here back from his own world.

Laying low for the duration of his stay here so far, Barbossa analyzed and read more about the village as a whole, what it offered him, and who exactly his enemies were. He had yet to devise a plan that would bring him back to his beloved ship back home and to the vast open seas that he was used to. It wouldn't be long now before those pesky, smug Malnosso folk were gonna start seriously regretting bringing him down here.

Today was his day out, however, and what was just about to happen couldn't quite be described as "laying low", oh, no.

Barbossa thought that if there was anything this place was good for, it was its seemingly infinite supplies of free apples and rum. Yes, here he was, in the middle of the day, out by the food store, an apple in his hand that he had just gotten for himself. It was quite a bright and enjoyable day too, even with the cold snap.]

Ah, this apple be a splendidly good choice, perfectly ripe! [Indeed it was, for he had already taken a single bite and was already enjoying it, even briefly standing still in the middle of the Luceti road so that he could simply savor the moment for longer. It was just so juicy and crisp.

He couldn't help but lean in for another bite immediately afterwards with a pleased look on his face, even closing his eyes dreamily when suddenly--]

What in the--?!

[The apple was bloody gone and he found himself trying to bite the air, which didn't taste nearly as good. His eyes snapped open, his pupils wide upon seeing that there was nothing in his hand, and soon enough his head swiftly turned in the direction of a suspicious sound nearby. That looked a lot like a--]

Monkey!

[And with that exclamation, he set off like a rocket right after the pesky complacent little creature through the road, his eyes on the precious apple that it had made the grave mistake of foolishly stealing from him. Thinking nothing of the possible collateral damage of this chase, Barbossa didn't shy away from lightly pushing people who were certainly taking their bloody time walking through the village.]

Arr, outta me way, ye bloody cockroaches! Come 'ere, ye thievin' little...

[Wait, he could just go back in the store and get another apple, right?... But no, this had been the perfect one, and besides, there was just something about this monkey that was oddly familiar... Perhaps it was the fact that it was dressed quite adequately, the outfit it wore ringing a bell in his head, along with its rather obnoxiously thieving attitude. Could it be...?

One way or the other, he was going to find out, and he planned on doing so before it could get the chance of disappearing into the distant forest and climbing up one of the trees there, in which case he wouldn't be able to follow. Barbossa may not have been the youngest of people here, but he was surprisingly spry, especially when either his hat, apple, rum or ship was on the line. And this chase right now? It was just the kind of emergency that warranted the pirate captain's best.

And for that reason, when the monkey began trying to lose him by attempting to climb on one of the house roofs and then jump towards the forest, Barbossa deftly pulled out his sword, skillfully swung it towards the apple and pushed it off the monkey's hand just before the animal could escape his reach. At the same time, he held out his own and managed to catch it, not letting it fall on the ground while also making sure he didn't harm the thief who had stolen it. His joy over regaining the previously lost piece of fruit was shadowed by the mutual recognition between a master and his monkey as the latter turned his head around with a set of puppy dog eyes Barbossa knew quite well.]

I knew it had to be ye, Jack!

Action I.

[One may stumble upon Barbossa wildly chasing Jack through the streets of Luceti (it was a sight that couldn't quite be missed), though unless they could keep up with the two, they shouldn't hope for small talk with the currently distressed, annoyed and preoccupied pirate captain. The character tagging can either be a passer-by, or somebody Barbossa shoved to get out of the way, or somebody who catches Jack first - go wild with this one.]

Action II.

[Once Barbossa and Jack were reacquainted with each other, the monkey was back where he belonged - on his master's shoulder, who had generously split the apple so that both of them would be able to enjoy it. As they walked through the streets of Luceti, one could tell that Barbossa was quite in a good mood after being brought back together with his pet, even if he was visibly tired from the chase. He couldn't explain how, nor did he have an idea as to why Jack was here as well, but he didn't particularly care.]

Water under the bridge, Jack! [His response to a brief sad look that the monkey gave him.] Puttin' up that kind of fight for a mere apple deserves some kind of reward, wouldn't ye say?

[Barbossa, now with Jack on his shoulder, can be found walking around Luceti basically anywhere, mostly to and fro the food store to procure another apple for him and his pet to share. Of course, he would celebrate the occasion later in the evening in the Good Spirits tavern as well.]

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[Marco probably looks pretty different with blond hair, no earrings, and the tattoo in a different place, but he looks pretty amused nonetheless and even friendlier this time.]

You named the monkey Jack?

[Because of his slightly different appearance, it took Barbossa a second to identify the man who approached him as Marco, his voice giving it away that he was the same guy, at the very least. But he smiled once he was sure that it was him, the fellow pirate being one of the few folk around here who Barbossa actually found himself liking.]

Aye, that I did, Captain Marco! [He gave him a grin, glancing briefly at the mirthful monkey on his shoulder.] Me crew thought it fit well, especially given the fact that we were one Jack short after I took command as captain.

[Though of course that wasn't the only reason, for apart from the mockery itself, Jack shared a lot of his namesake's traits, particularly the way he carried himself.]

[A small laugh, and Marco reaches out a wary finger to pet the monkey's head, unless it snaps at him.]

It seems fitting, eh? I can see the resemblance.

[The monkey didn't exactly snap, but still tensed up in response to Marco's petting, looking at him with his big wary eyes, both in suspicion and fear alike. Barbossa didn't seem to mind, however, who merely released an amused chuckle.]

This be me fellow Captain Marco, Jack. No need to look so aghast, he ain't goin' to steal yer apple.

[He then turned his head to look at the other pirate, one of his brows lifting as he took in his changed appearance once more.]

Did ye dye yer hair, hmm? I have to say, I personally thought black suited yer better, but that's just me.

Aye, I'd be more likely to give you an apple, eh? Reminds me of Doma's pet monkey. Although he preferred bananas.

Ah... actually... [Pulls his hand back to rub the back of his neck.] This is my normal look. The Malnosso had a bit of fun at my expense last month. Have you heard about their... kidnappings?

[He peers up at the pineapple colored locks and shrugs.] I prefer blond outside of mourning, eh? Black reminds me too much of Teach, and my father was blond before he went white.

I think I've been rubbin' off on him, actually, else he would've still been a banana lover like normal monkeys, I reckon. [As he looked to his side, Barbossa got a small affirmative nod from Jack in return until the small creature continued chewing on the remainder of his apple enthusiastically.

He then faced Marco again and nodded as his eyes widened a bit in understanding.] Aye, I'm afraid. Shifts, some folk call 'em. Strange affairs, those experiments. All kinds, each of them as peculiar as the next. [He then shook his head with a bit of a scoff.] I take it ye were a victim of a hair color changin' one, then? Which would be just as ridiculous.

[Barbossa lifted one of his brows in response to Marco's last comment.] Shouldn't let that get to ye that much, I say. If blonde be yer color though, then proudly wear it.

Aye, fair enough. Although I think Doma actually loved bananas because of his monkey. Go figure.

Aye, shifts. It was haircolor, and some messing with memories, but it's all clear now at least, eh?

Aye, thanks matey! [Grin.] And I see ye're adapting pretty well to this place all told. Did ye find everything all right?

[That mention about Doma liking bananas elicited an amused chuckle from Barbossa, who then took one more bite from his apple, already on his way to finishing that one too.]

I may not be plannin' on lettin' meself be caught by these scalawags, but I still can't help but be curious what strange horror they shall inflict on me if they did. [Perhaps make him undead; that's what came into his mind first anyway. Now that would be gruesome to experience again; it almost made him shudder thinking about it, his features showing a brief hint of fear before he went on to answer his next question.]

Aye, I've been... gettin' used to the place. [Which he hoped he wouldn't have to.] Recovered me clothes and some of me possessions, but alas, obviously not me ship. [And therein lied the main problem.]

Try not to think about it too much. If you can think of ways to handle it, they probably won't do it. It seemed to be related to turning me into a weapon this time, but all three times I've been kidnapped, time was involved in a major way. On the other hand, people have been turned into animals or just had things that were humiliating. [It's strange, and there isn't much rhyme or reason to it that Marco can sense. Getting turned into kids was most common, but probably because of trying to figure out how to play with time itself, he figures.]

Aye... ships are the trickiest to acquire here. Although, even if you did get her back, there's nowhere to escape with her, eh.

Thinkin' about it would be time wasted anyway, I reckon. Supposedly, I hear the kidnappings can be prevented, so I'll definitely keep a close watch to make sure they don't get me. [He turned his head to look Jack's way momentarily with a grin on his face.] He will too, for that matter. [He then raised one of his brows as he looked at Marco and folded his arms, his apple now gone.] I take it there wasn't much ye could do when they came for ye, though. The Malnosso seem like a sneaky sort.

[And that couldn't help but make the old pirate captain sigh a bit ruefully.] Sadly, I know that, Captain Marco, and yet... I think I shall like to have a vessel regardless. A place to have a good view of the sea from, a place that feels like the old days, aye? [And he already knew, even if he hadn't exactly seen it yet, that Jack had a ship of his own, so it was clearly not an impossible concept.]

Perhaps, but I wouldn't count on it anymore than getting sent home, eh.

[He thinks it over and nods slowly.] Aye. I live in a tower here, so I can't say I mind it as much, since I can fly out over the ocean whenever I like, but that's certainly understandable. You might be able to get the Malnosso to cooperate by doing some of their "mission" for points. Supposedly that is also how ye can avoid some of the shifts too, eh?

That is also an occurrence that seems to be just as random. Perhaps it happens after one has outlived their usefulness here, hmm? [Though there were also theories that the Malnosso didn't particularly care about the expertise of the ones they took, but then, what was it all for, really?]

[What Marco then said certainly got the captain curious, though, who began scratching his beard thoughtfully for a moment.] Ye live in a tower, ye say?... One that ye may fly out of, right over the ocean? Is it by the beach? [That sounded intriguing, actually, certainly better than the boring apartment complex he was now living in.]

Honestly, I've been debatin' with meself as to whether I should bother. I want me a ship, aye, but is it really worth doin' the dirty work for these lyin' cowards and helpin' them in their endeavors?

Maybe, but I think it's something the world itself does. Although, leave it to the Malnosso to fuck it up a lot, so who knows, eh?

Hah. No, it's CH3. I put it under my flag. [Because you know, pirate. What's taking over an apartment complex if no one is going to object?]

But I can turn into a phoenix, so I fly out when I want. Sometimes I use the Transporters if I don't feel like take the extra time for going over the mountains. Depends.

[Rubs the back of his neck and nods.] Aye, that's a toughie, eh? I haven't been able to bring myself to do it, but that's just because I hate work. [Sly grin, but true.]

Aye, there seem to be a whole lot of uncertainties that not even our lengthy guide quite explains. Personally, the only thing I care about is findin' a way out, even if I have to fight against the bloody world itself. [Because he was going to do it, seriously, if he could find a way to. He was just about fed up with the situation here and the fact that he had to be separated from his ship and everything else back home.]

The third building, ye say? Ye're not quite far from me own quarters at the sixth.

[Turning into a bloody phoenix, though?] And here I thought ye were among the few normal folk around 'ere, Captain Marco! [Oh, boy, was he seriously wrong about that one!] I should have expected it, perhaps. Somethin' didn't quite add up there.

[He gave a chuckle in response to Marco's mention of hating work and showed his teeth as he grinned.] Not fond of it either. Which is why I prefer to be me own captain.

[A laugh.] Sorry matey, normal is highly overrated, eh? After all, Jack is normal. [... Ish.]

Aye? Sixth, eh. I'll make sure to stop by sometime and bother you for tea. [Sticks his tongue out, clearly teasing.] And good luck on getting out. I'd rather just take down the barrier and take over this world myself, but as I said, I'm a phoenix, so I have the extra time for two worlds.

Heh. Somehow I've found being captain to be more work than first mate. I actually miss it, but I had the best captain in the world, so maybe I just miss him. [OKAY, he's gloating, but can you blame him? Whitebeard really was the best captain ever.]

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