Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Posted Image

Welcome to One Piece RP. We hope you enjoy your visit.

Set sail with your own, unique character in the world of One Piece! Make some friends, join a crew, and sail to adventure!

Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Of Tea and Thieves 1; A Meeting of Experts
Topic Started: Jun 20 2018, 01:20 PM (107 Views)
KileyBarker
Member Avatar
A True Hero
[ *  *  *  * ]
Ji Li stared up at the clouded sky and wondered how long the rain would hold off. The wind stirred and the air smelled of salt and brine. A storm approached.

Ji Li walked the docks of Cactus Island with purpose. She had a meeting to attend. On each side of the pier men and women nailed boards over windows, while some stacked sandbags. There was a sense of panic among the people. Ji Li almost seemed ethereal as she walked, her footsteps clicking off the docks with odd rhythm. She cut a gallant figure, dressed in a full women's suit. Her red hair was corralled by several ties, keeping it in a tight bun; though, several frizzled strands stuck out in all directions, radiating like light from a candle. On her hip she wore a business-oriented purse-styled briefcase.

After several minutes of walking, Ji Li finally found her target. She walked up to the small apartment building and tried the door, only to find it locked. She grinned and pulled a key from her briefcase-purse.

The doorway opened up to a dark staircase. Ji Li walked up and counted her steps, pausing at every 7th step. On the 28th step she stopped and turned to the blank wall beside her. With several knocking motions, the wall opened up into a small apartment. A fully stocked kitchen sat in one end, and a dining room had a table set up with 3 seats. This was where the meeting would take place.

Ji Li set her briefcase down on the table and prepared. Being the first here was a good thing. She set out a series of documents and folders, each filled with information about the 'Hong Meng Immortal Tea Set'.

Ji Li sat down and waited for her two 'partners' to arrive. The information network Ji Li used highly recommended these two, one because of his knowledge about all things tea, and the other as a master infiltrator. Ji Li could only hope they would live up to their reputations... After all, she did take out a few loans with the Romulin Mafias in order to set everything in motion.

It was a risk she needed to take. Ji Li needed capital in order to get to the New World, and to get money she needed money. This job---if everything went to plan---would set her up with all the cash she'd need.

Ji Li put those thoughts to the back of her mind. For now, she waited, hoping the two wouldn't be too late.
Edited by KileyBarker, Jun 20 2018, 01:26 PM.
"And says 'at last' just as the time bell rings
Goodnight, now it's time to go home
And he makes it fast with one more thing
We are the Sultans
We are the Sultans of Swing"

Characters 🐐 🐏
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Linxwire
Member Avatar
Viewtiful
[ *  * ]
The clouds above were dar and turbulent, pressing up against each other in a contest for space. It was obvious this little moment of clam was fleeting, as people all around decided to pick up their belongings, head home and barricade the door. An appropriate reaction, well warranted as well. However, here laid Stacy grinning wryly at the foot of a tree in a mild park, her gaze upon the sky between the whipping branches. One of the of the first drops of rain tumbled between the leaves dropping onto her forehead, her smile only grew more. She wished dearly that she could stay and observe from somewhere safe, but she had somewhere else to be.

Stacey Suross had been called to a meeting of “great opportunity” as some man put it only a few weeks ago. She arrived at this island a few days ago and tried to pass the time by searching for oddities, but not a single item proved interesting. A shame, but better to have tried she supposed. She would have been on her way sooner if not hoping for the rain to come. The winds picked up, her coat flapping along behind her, and she suddenly remembered this rain wouldn’t be coming alone. She began a half sprint, not wanting to be swept out to sea on accident.

Stacey nearly smashed her head upon the door as she arrived at the apartment building, having to stop for a second to catch herself. She reached above her head to the doorknob, and pushed it aside. Her heart sank a little as she saw the staircase, but she knew it was unavoidable. Sighing as she ascended, her knees eclipsed her chest with each step, but she was too stubborn to have it any other way. She stopped at the 28th step noticing not quite a doorway, but a square-ish hole in the brick of the wall leading into an actual room where a woman sat alone at a table.

Standing in the doorway was a very small girl, whose hair easily hung half her height entirely braided in shiny blonde locks. She wore a sun hat, basic shirt and pants, and a dark brown leather coat. All of her garments fit her perfectly despite her unnatural size, and amber eyes glanced around the room uneasily.

Stacey approached the table hesitantly, removing her coat as she did so. As she place it across the back of the chair it seemed to stretch out to a much larger size. She climbed into the seat herself, the table coming across her chest leaving little room to see her head. She waved meekly to the other woman. “Hi.” She clasped her hands together, politely waiting for something.
Posted Image
Characters
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MachoMan
Member Avatar
Legacy of Rich Piana
[ *  *  * ]
A large hooded figure stooped along the dark streets of Cactus Island, his massive height not-so-subtly concealed by his attempt at disguising himself. He could see people coming and going, hustling and bustling like scared ants trying to return to their anthill before the rain was brought forth by the spirits. They worried too much, they needed some Peppermint tea to try and clear their minds as much as they could. The large hooded figure nodded at that thought, seemingly content with it. In one hand he held a large crate filled to the brim with tea-leaves along with a kettle and cups, while in the other he held a letter he had been sent by an unknown benefactor.

Miso didn't trust these humans overly still, even with his experience living on Naia and serving all sorts of folks in his parent's tea shop. Still, this was a chivalrous attempt at parleying with him, and as an aspiring musketeer he would be uncouth to ignore it! The large hooded man at last came upon the meeting place, it looked like an apartment building with nothing too special about it. Miso made an 'o' shape with his mouth as he looked up at the windows, all dark save for the one he knew was waiting for him.

The man lowered his cowl and began the long and treacherous battle against his age old enemy: stairs. His large and rotund feet struggled to get solid footing on the small steps, all while his height clashed with the confines of the human-sized stairwell. After a solid ten minutes of crawling up, the man at last reached the room in question. With a single large finger, the man poked the door to send it creaking inwards. His tea cups jingled together against each other in the crate he carried them in, his expectant eyes looking over the two women who had beat him here.

Silently, Miso entered the room and closed the door behind him. He sat down with a thud, the light revealing his features: he was a 15-foot tall panda minkman. His eyes were like slits practically, they carried the vision of an eternal pokerface. With a long sigh, the minkman reached over and opened up his crate, he set down two small porcelain tea-saucers on the rickety table for the three of them and then began heating up his portable kettle. Perhaps chammomile would help with these talks...

"Hello, I am Miso. I was told you needed an expert on tea" he said with a small smile as he looked down at the two young women with him. His rapier was still bound to his belt, hanging at his side in case a chivalrous-display of prowess may be needed! For now tough, the minkman simply sought to make his tea and rest after that ordeal with the stairs. It wouldn't do to simply meet new friends and not pour them cups of chammomile to help seal their newfround acquaintanceship!
Posted Image

Magu Madness Will Never Die


Marineboy


Rob the Fuqboi


Sabu the Sam-Moo-Rai
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KileyBarker
Member Avatar
A True Hero
[ *  *  *  * ]
The first of the two accomplices arrived like a whisper, her small frame making her stand out from the usual crowd. Ji Li felt an almost kindred connection. A peal of thunder cracked outside, and the scattered raindrops started to pour.

The building shook, not from the thunder but from the girth of the second visitor. Ji Li leaned back in her chair as the massive mink appeared, and she grinned. The man even came with his own tea set. Ji Li's information network worked wonders. Being a proper thief had its perks, at times.

With both of the guests having arrived, Ji Li cleared her throat and pushed a folder towards each of the them.

"You must be Miso," said Ji Li with a smile. "Yes. I am in need of a tea expert. Particularly someone who can see the true value in rare sets."

Ji Li held up a picture of the Immortal Tea Set and grinned. She then procured photos of two marines and one Priest.

"I've invited you two here on a proposition. The marines found an antique tea set buried in the ruins of Ava'Tul, something supposedly worth millions of Beli. I already have a buyer lined up. The tea set is being kept in a safe in a small marine facility in the jungles of Little Garden. All I need is to get my hands on it. That's why I've invited the two of you..."

Ji Li paused for a moment to let the two others catch up. She took a breath and gave a stunning smile.

"I need an expert in tea to help identify the main set and to get the keys to the safe," said Ji Li as she looked over Miso's massive frame. Then she turned her head to the small infiltrator, "And I need someone who can help us get access to the safe in the first place."

"You'll both get a large cut of the profits and the peace of mind knowing the tea set will be with someone who actually wants to use it, instead of hoarded in a marine vault like Alabasta Gold. Each of you will get a 20% cut. I'll take 30% for organizing the operation. The remaining 30% will cover the expenses we need.

What do you think? Are the two of you in?"
Edited by KileyBarker, Jun 23 2018, 07:13 AM.
"And says 'at last' just as the time bell rings
Goodnight, now it's time to go home
And he makes it fast with one more thing
We are the Sultans
We are the Sultans of Swing"

Characters 🐐 🐏
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Linxwire
Member Avatar
Viewtiful
[ *  * ]
Stacey felt out of place at first just being alone with the well-dressed woman in the room, only to have her previous conceptions destroyed when Miso, the titan-like panda, took his seat in the room, looking like he was a little cramped while sitting. Never had she seen an actual mink in person before, to her they were merely rumors, but they seemed a lot larger than she originally anticipated. She scanned him with her eyes, getting a careful understanding of what exactly was in front of her.

As Miso introduced himself she came to realize she had hardly done the same for herself. “O-Oh, I uh…” she stammered, coming back to her senses. “I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Stacey Suross. I consider myself a collector, but I heard you needed someone who could get into difficult places.”

The girl poised herself for a moment as she began to listen to the briefing of sorts on the tasks set ahead of them while examining the items in the folders their new partner so carefully put together for them. The picture of the tea set was particularly alluring, and she was very sad to hear that they wouldn’t be keeping it. Its design was unfamiliar to her as was the name Ava’Tul, which only made her want it more. Yet, even with the promise of discovery she found herself more drawn to the panda-man. In fact, there was something else about him on the tip of her tongue.

“Miso… Miso… panda guy… Ohhh, I remember now. I have heard of you before. People spoke well of your special brews of tea across the Grand Line. I was always a little curious. Yama...moto? Correct?” She smiled cheerily. It wasn’t often she was able to remember something that specific without referring to her book, especially about the rarities of the world. “I’d consider a cup as valuable as any antiquity.” Despite how Miso responded, Stacey would smile politely, wanting to make a decent impression.

Then Ji Li turned to her and mentioned her simple but explicitly important role. She nodded eagerly, “Yes of course, without issue.” And of course, after that, came the topic of money. She, for the most part, could care less. Money meant food, and that’s all well and good but she really wanted to keep the tea set for herself, or better yet see what Miso could do with it.

“I’m in, on one condition.” She said carefully replacing the folder on the table, her eyes softened and expression a little more serious. “I want some time after we’ve safely extracted the tea set to document it before handing it off to the seller. I simply can’t let an opportunity like this pass.”
Posted Image
Characters
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MachoMan
Member Avatar
Legacy of Rich Piana
[ *  *  * ]
Miso looked at the kettle as it began to screech. The steady scream of hot water rippled out. The fifteen foot tall panda-man looked the two women further over as they began to speak. The chivalrous tea-master felt a few bristles of pride rustle up and down his spine as he now understood more fully why he had been asked to come. He certainly was not a master fighter, but no one could take his love of tea away from him! The panda mink stroked the fur on his chin as he took the woman's proposition in. This was a... unique, proposition. "You mean to steal it? Yes, yes?" he asked as the black lines that formed his squinted eyes turned to look down at the woman who organized this entire affair.

While he pondered this new venture over, Miso gently pushed the two filled teacups on their saucers to their respective drinkers. His large, black, paw dwarfed the small pieces of fine chinaware, but he treated them with an unexpected skill and gentleness for one of his size. Stacey Suross, he had never heard this name before, though as she now introduced herself it was clear that she had his. The mink gave a slow nod, gesturing to the filled cup with a single finger slowly. "This is my name, yes. I mastered my craft on Naia Island, my parents owned a shop there before they were taken away by world nobles. I learned then that day that just like truly zen tea, truly zen justice is something that is truly rare" he said to the small girl next to him.

His large form towered over the two women present, but his soft and deep voice spoke more of a pacifistic creature than a violent one. His grin to the newfound acquaintance was small, but the small glimmers of his white teeth showed that it was a sincere one. "When perfected, the perfect brew of tea can end quarrels between not only feuding kin, but feuding nations. My ma'ma told me this many years ago, i saw the truth in her words when I served customers in our shop" the mink said as he hunched over to slowly open the small packet with his huge fingers.

The details seemed straightforwards enough. It was a valuable and old tea set that this woman wanted him to help her steal away. The man closed his already squinted eyes as he sipped on his chammomile, this was intersting... Perhaps he should have chosen peppermint to think this all over. "I am not a warrior yet, though I strive to be a musketeer. Chivalry frowns upon stealing instead of facing an enemy in a duel, I am not a thief" he stated firmly placing the tiny teacup back down on the table and turning his attention to the leader once more. For a moment, his face was blank, his eyes taking the woman in despite his semi-permanent pokerface. Slowly, oh so slowly, a small smile would tug at the corner of his mouth to show a grin, "Fortunately, there are no tenants of Chivarly that I can think of which would prohibit me from working alongside thieves. Especially against villainous knaves who will not respect the power of peace tea may bring" he said, giving a slow and steady nod.

"I shall work for you under whatever split you see as fair. Now though, I do not believe you have given us the pleasure of knowing you truly by giving us your name"
Posted Image

Magu Madness Will Never Die


Marineboy


Rob the Fuqboi


Sabu the Sam-Moo-Rai
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
KileyBarker
Member Avatar
A True Hero
[ *  *  *  * ]
Both of the hires seemed interested in the job. Ji Li felt a sense of satisfaction. In fact, she felt downright giddy. This was the first of, hopefully, many big heists for her. Perhaps, if she made her name well enough known, even her bastard of a father would hear it one day...

Ji Li shook her head and returned her focus to the situation at hand.

"Of course you can do anything but break the set. Our buyer wants it whole and undamaged," said Ji Li to Stacey first before turning to Miso. "And you, friend, don't need to steal anything at all. And my name is Ji Li, it's nice to meet both of you."

Ji Li reached forward and opened her folder, showing a picture of a priest dressed in Cactus Island garb.

"Now for the nitty gritty of the situation," said Ji Li with a small cough. "This man is the Priest Sima Parapara, and, you two might already know this, but he is a master of tea ceremonies as well... And he's the one who appraised the Immortal Tea Set for the marines.

"Now there are two things we need to do on this island, and the hurricane that's about to smash things up is going to give us the best chance possible. Miso, your job is to find this priest and discuss with him, try to find out some things: the location of the marine base exactly on Little Garden, and---more importantly---whether the tea set is real or just a rumor the marines released. While this job is important, getting caught jumping on a marine trap would be unfortunate for everyone involved. The man should be in the main Cathedral to weather the storm."


Ji Li then turned to Stacey. "Stacey, while Miso has the priest's attention, we're going to break into his apartment using the rain as a cover. My sources told me that, as an appraiser, he has a writ of passage from the marines that lets him bypass inspections. We need to get hold of that to sneak into whatever base or location they have. His apartment will have security measures even with a hurricane, so I'll run distraction while you use your skills to get in and out.

...

Do the two of you have any questions, objections, important notes, or anything to bring up before we get started?"
"And says 'at last' just as the time bell rings
Goodnight, now it's time to go home
And he makes it fast with one more thing
We are the Sultans
We are the Sultans of Swing"

Characters 🐐 🐏
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Linxwire
Member Avatar
Viewtiful
[ *  * ]
Stacey looked eagerly beyond the massive paw of the minkman as he carefully placed the saucer and cup of tea in front of her, as his paw eclipsed her entire view of the cup itself. He handled each piece of his tea set with serene grace, and it only served to make her more curious. As his hand moved away, she reached out her own, it shaking with anticipation. To her, this tea was just as satisfying as a new and strange discovery, and she fought herself to hide her joy; her lips curling into a smile and on the verge of maniacal laughter. Luckily for her, finally taking a sip of the chamomile soothed her nerves, and she settled down somewhat, not appearing entirely maddened to her newfound team of thieves. For now. She held the cup in both hands, as one couldn’t do the job of balancing it at her current size, and chugged the entire cup down before coming up for air.

The conversation had carried on some without her, and when she finally gave it her attention again she almost thought that her newest interest would leave them until he played to their expectations. “Can we keep him? He’s perfect.” She whispered to Ji Li, her heart sufficiently warmed.

“Oh yeah, we hadn’t heard your name. My condolences Miss Li.”

Stacey found herself nodding her head as she listened to the plan, it seemed like she had a decent understanding of what needed to take place for them to access the tea set. However, there were definitely a few things concerning her. She waited politely until Ji Li asked if there were any questions before speaking up.

“I have a small number of concerns with this. First of which, this “writ of passage” is just a paper, right? Once we have it we’d still need perhaps a disguise for someone presuming we make it to the base on Little Garden. Secondly, and more importantly,” she began before placing a hand on the table and pulling herself on top of it. Her already short stature seemed to reduce more on command leaving her standing only at a few inches on the tabletop. “This ability I have is what I presume your informant recommended me for, while this is helpful, it originates from a devil fruit. This hurricane coming in will cause serious problems for me if the island starts to flood. I wanted you to be aware of this before we set out.” She quickly grew nervous looking up at Ji Li’s face and fought the eerie urge to look behind her at the ever larger mink man.
Posted Image
Characters
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MachoMan
Member Avatar
Legacy of Rich Piana
[ *  *  * ]
Miso gave a small nod of approval. This seemed agreeable to him, he would finish this 'job' faster than a hungry boy downing a bowl of ramen. "Mhmmm" he hummed lightly and melodiously in approval to Ji Li's introduction. Well, that was all better, now they all knew each others names. Truly the power of tea knew no equal.

The mink scratched his chin as he leaned over the desk, casting a large shadow over a portion of it as he craned his neck down to look at the picture of the strange man. This priest was the one they were here to meet? Miso was initially confused by this plan, but seeing as how Ji Li had orchestrated this whole affair expertly, he thought it best to just keep his thoughts to himself. The mink made an 'o' shape with his puckered lips as the gears in his head slowly turned. All he had to do was talk to this elder one? All while they both stole this piece of paper? It seemed easy enough to do! "A fellow Tea Master? I shall test his true mettle!" the panda said, determination flaring in his nearly-shut eyes as he commited the priest's appearance to memory.

The number of questions that the boss lobbed at him though took the panda by surprise. He gave a small pout as he pulled out a comically undersized napkin and pen which he tenderly wrote with. "Marines... a little tea garden..." he murmured to himself as his terrible handwriting made his note taking virtually incomprehensible. This was a lot of stuff to remember! Couldn't he just ask him outright while they were debating the intricacies of green tea? He supposed that since he was working with criminals now, he would need to think like they would if he wanted to succeed! Yet how could he do such a thing whilst maintaining his honor?!

"How many cups do we have? It would be thoughtful to bring tea to the poor while on my way there before this hurricane hits. Those can be quite dangerous you know" the man asked politely before pouring the rest of the chammomile in his kettle and slowly putting it down back into his little collapsable set. It was important to be charitable to those who were in need! It was one of the corners of chivalry! These internal dilemas continued to play out in the panda's mind as he looked next to him as Stacey began to speak only to find to his horror that the woman had seemingly disappeared form her seat!

A panic set in. What was this trickery? "Where are you! Stacey!" the large panda yelped as he looked around the room. As the woman continued to speak though, his gaze slowly honed in on the tiny figure standing on the table. Squinting his eyes and lowering his snout atop the surface, he saw her true ability at last. "Stacey, why are you so small? Or is this your true height, and you were standing on stilts before?" he asked her in a mixture of awe and confusion. What a strange girl. Once she finished speaking her mind, Miso looked up from her tiny form to Ji Li to see what they would do next. The storm was getting closer after all...
Posted Image

Magu Madness Will Never Die


Marineboy


Rob the Fuqboi


Sabu the Sam-Moo-Rai
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Cactus Island · Next Topic »
Add Reply