[fieldbox= Saburo and Ran Affinity Chapter 1 Shrine: 'Stage Combat', gray, solid]
ThE Pirate King.
Ran had heard rumors about him.
The Terror of the Jade Sea.
The Man who tamed the Hellfire Kraken.
The Man who killed the Hydra of Seven Sins single-handedly.
The Man who had a Harem full of cat-eared Doven.
The Man who was in possession of the Three Heavenly Treasures.
The Man who had a fleet, an Armada, bigger than the three powers combined.
And many more...
The Living Legend.
A God amongst Men.
The Pirate King.
BUT... rumors were rumors. They always had a certain truth to it. Nonetheless, there he stood. Chained, branded, like a filthy Criminal. Not any different from a simple cow-thief. Not any different from a clumsy back-alley murder.
Here he was indeed. The difference was astounding. Ran's own mental image and... him. Him! The Pirate King! Yet, the white-hair had already accepted it. The circumstances. Clearly, this was just trickery. Clearly, he was the most dangerous of all. But... Tsubaha had him as one of her allies. So she had to...trust(?) him? Keep friends close, and enemies closer? The enemy of my enemy is my friend?
Ran couldn't be all too sure, but what she could be sure about was that THIS MAN had to stay the hell away from her sister. He was Devil Incarnate. Conquerer of some dumb puddle, owner of some stupid treasure, it all didn't matter in front of her sisterly compassion. If he would get in their way, she'd give her everything to cut him down.
Right now, Ran would make sure to let him know. His limits.
"Pirate King!" Ran called out. Her smile? Not present at all.
"Let me be perfectly clear with you. I'll work with you, all the same, but if I see you pull anything shady with my sister, I WILL cut you down."
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"Huh."
That certainly was a clear statement from...oh, what was the angry one called again....raging...ran? Yes, that was it!
Saburo gazed raised from his feet onto hers. Slowly he seemed to bring his eyes across her body upwards. Before looking away just as he reached her face. Ran got the feeling that the Pirate King was in some thought.
"I-if that's what you want." Saburo seemed to whimper.
Sibiling love. It was sweet to see, he supposed. It reminded him of his siblings. Those they spent most of their love on punching him and playing the classic game of 'dodge this rock Saburo'. He never seemed to win that game.
Still, even if she was threatening to slice him in two he guessed it was at least an opportunity to get some talk from her.
"Don't know why you think I would, really. Your twin looks nice." He swore in his mind.
"I'm joking about that last part" He swore even louder in his head.
"Er, both of you are of a reasonable attractiveness b-but not at a necessary level to cause any unwanted reactions from me that may be seen as uncomfortable, harmful or traumatising." He said, the words rolling off his tongue.
"Certainly one may s-suuuurmise you are pretty but that in no way changes my opinion of y-you in anyway."
His eyes swam up her body again, meeting her own.
"Well."
And then his body convulsed as a small whining groan grew into a cackling laughter. It certainly sounded a little evil. Or at least what one may guess a 'evil' laugh sounded like.
Kill me.
He punched a nearby resting shrine ornament. His fist going right through it as his laughter abruptly stopped.
His face, having never turned away from her. Formed back into to a small friendly smile.
"Sure, you won't see me do anything shady to your sister."
"..." Ran's serious face slowly turned into a smile. She didn't seem flustered, neither did his comments get a 'Kyyaaa you perv perv perv! Just die!' kind-of-deal, no. She was... pleased?
"Of course, Lan and me very adorable! Duh. You're all the same. Disgusting pigs." Ran sighed. The PIRATE KING shouldn't be... like that, right? And, as if on cue, there it was! He punched. He punched the stupid thing apart. Just. Like. That. With some evil laughter! THE PIRATE KING WAS REAL!
"Your stupid farce won't fool me, so you can drop it all together. But is it that what you want? Another girlfriend for your hidden away harem? I can pretend for the time being, though I won't sully myself. As long as you don't touch Lan. Then again... how much is a pirate's word worth?" Did she just suggest something... weird? A misunderstanding? Or a calculated risk?
Ran was too much of a realist. If he was the real deal, some girl that performed a bit and trusted her guts wouldn't get very far in protecting her one-and-all with a simple threat.
Offering to be his girlfriend. Truly this woman could see deep in his heart. Deep as in he was a young male who wasn't exactly the attractive bachelor type. Or she was a prostitute. Probably the latter. A fighter prostitute. What an interesting combination.
"A pirate's word? The same worth as anyone else?" Saburo answered. Though it sounded more like a question then an answer.
Urgh, he was supposed to be the Pirate King. Yeah, the terrible Pirate King! The great and horrible Pirate King!
All the same....all the same pigs.....
Pop, went the idea.
"If I wanted you in my harem, well." He faked a chuckle.
"I could have you at any moment I wanted really... I...I..." Quick, think of something horrible!
"I'd have you chained up and naked. Your only thoughts wanting to fill my needs. Me being the only thing that could ever be in your pretty little mind ever again."
Gross.
"Doesn't that sound nice to you?"
Grooossssssss
"Ah, but now not's the time for that, I suppose." He tilted his head.
"B-but since you did mention it."
His eyes rolled over her body again.
"Declare your love for me." He was going to be sick.
"If you want to keep your twin safe. Then say that you love me, and act like it!" Yes, he could feel the bile rising at his own words.
"Or, er, else. I guess."
Yes. If he wanted her in his Harem he could just...
So... why exactly didn't he? Because they were temporary allies? Or was it because...?
Why exactly did she suggest this insanity again? Ah, right. It just went how she wanted. Males were such detestable pigs in human clothing. Only, always, thinking with their
D—
"S-Say that I love you?" Ran suddenly blushed as she seemed to become a lot timider. Just... what did the Pirate King actually like? Defiance? Falling head over heels? Ran didn't really have any pointers.
"Out of the blue? T-That is... a bit much..." Ran made a few steps forward as she cast her gaze downwards, her hands trying to find something to occupy themselves with. Fidgeting on her own clothes, pulling her shirt a bit down.
Another step. Slow, but steady. The girl, red as a tomato, looked up again. Her face full of confidence!
"Saboru!" She called out. Full of hope, dreams, innocence. Like a bud, that had yet to bloom, calling for her prince. Her first. Her one and only. Saboru... Was the name real? Fake? She did not know.
Hasty steps, closer and closer.
Too close. She had done this done countless times before.
The girl looked up. The Pirate King, a head taller.
"Saboru..." She whispered his name.
"Saboru..." His sweet, sweet name, like chocolate. Her arms embraced the Pirate King. Pressing him gently against her delicate self.
Slayer of Beasts or not. Men were all the same when it came to this. Only thinking with their Disjointed Brain.
"I..." Her face went closer and closer. A kiss? Not quite. Standing on her toes, she gently breathed into his ear.
"I~~ love~~ you~~"
One hand, caressing his fluffy hair. The other?
The cold feeling of metal against the side of his neck.
The tip of the small dagger dug slightly into his smooth skin, while the hand on the back of his head kept him close.
"I won't kill you." Her emotions. Her love. Her affection. All gone. Left? A nice tone with a Big Friendly Smile!
"We're allies, after all." Not lovers?
"BUT..." But?
"I figured it out..." Finally, Ran took a few steps back.
"The reason you're here! Fufufu~" Yes! She did it. She exposed the Pirate King.
"If you had the power to have me in your Harem any moment you'd want, why not just do it? I tell you why: Because you can't! You aren't..." So much for his facade. So much for his foolery.
"...AS POWERFUL AS YOU USED TO BE!" She pointed her weapon at him. Yes. This was it. Why else would he be here? Why else would he even ally with
us weaklings? "But why? I tell you why. Clearly, someone stole some sort of Artifact from you! So, now you want it back." It was simple, really.
No mortal could be as powerful as The Pirate King unless they had the aid of some Heavenly Treasure.
"If... If it is for Lan, I'll even fight the Gods if I have to."
She made a promise to her sister. Even if she could guarantee her safety by pawning of her own body, she'd break this promise. No can do.
So that what that felt like.
Being told someone loved you romantically, not the whole blade to the throat thing. The Shang Guards had already given him a lot of that.
She was a good actor. He knew it was fake and yet he still couldn't help but get goosebumps from her words and touch.
Albeit, the knife was helping the goosebumps stay for a bit longer.
Saburo swallowed the sigh of relief that threatened to come out when she took the blade away from his neck.
She went on to talk about her theory. It certainly would be an astute one if it was in any way accurate. Still, as the feeling of shitting himself slowly faded away. Saburo was left with a choice.
Either he could say she was right, in which would give a handy explaination when they eventually got into the conflict and he wasn't chokeslamming bears. But on the other side, that just announced to everyone that he was no longer this (percieved) unstoppable monster. Which would eventually lead to him getting stabbed.
Or he could tell her she was wrong. In which case if they did get into conflict he would have to find....
Ah.
"A-Artifcact, eh? Buut which one?" Saburo took a step forward. A sneer across his face.
"The spear of Raslion? The Heart of Mother Chou? The Guantlets of the emperor. Thought loss for decades until I found it!" The air around the two grew colder. Ran could see her breath in the air now.
"Those who rely on tools to bring them to greatness are nothing but filthy frauds!" Frost was growing on their surroundings. On Ran's clothes. She could sense it. The air was thick with danger.
"Y-you make me laugh." Saburo sat down against a nearby wall. Suddenly looking relaxed as one could be. The frosty magic in the air dissipating.
The real reason he was sitting down was that the little magic trick he pulled there, something his mother taught him to pass the time, took a lot out of him. But she didn't need to know that.
"Your pride for such little things is cute, it really is." Saburo clasped his hands.
"This has given me a great understanding of you. I wanted to know what would you to protect your twin. In fairness, the little act was nice. But only fools fall for that." And he basically did despite knowing it was fake.
Saburo grinned.
"I am the pirate king. Please, do not rate yourself that highly"
"But the reasonable performance means you've done it before. Faking this sort of stuff. Called my 'kind' a pig. My my, not the greatest fan of your sexual counterpart are you?
"If I was you. I would have acted the fool longer. Make me at least think you were at least a bit more of a bumbling fool then you actually are. Maybe you could catch me by suprise to get away with your sister if needed. But declaring it like that. When you're a ant compared to me? And then showing off your tricks right at the beginning?" Saburo's grin widened.
"You couldn't protect your sister from a being that was a mere fraction of the threat I am."
All he actually wanted when he ask her to see if she would say it to him.
"At least you amused me."
Suddenly, it became colder. A. Lot. Colder. Ran was shivering. What was this? Had she been a Fool? Was this how she'd die now? Was this his true power? It disappeared as fast as it came, however.
The... The Pirate King was right. He had MANY Treasures but... but... why was he with them then?! If he was still THAT powerful? Damn it! Here she hoped she could threaten him! Enough that he would leave the two of them alone... she should have known better.
Maybe... Tsubaha had some sort of leverage against this man? If Ran was wrong about this, then clearly Tsubaha would know something! She had... she had to find out more. For her Sister. But... for now... maybe...
Though, he did not kill her on the spot. She was still alive. And... he did compliment her? Maybe... just. Yes, he wasn't wrong... .
Her smile disappeared. Instead, despair.
A tear.
Ran started crying.
The woman started crying.
Saburo made a twin cry.
Good job!
At first, just a few, but then a small stream. Ran's dagger clattered to the ground as her legs gave in. Stumbling to the ground she burrowed her face in her arms.
"I-I'm so, so, sorry! I just... I just wanted to protect... my only family left... I... please..." Boohoohoo! It was hard to understand Ran with her teary voice.
"I... I should have ki... no... but... I can't just kill someone... I did EVERYTHING but that... t-that's... please... please... forgive me...I- I could..." Ran looked at him with puppy eyes.
What would the Great Pirate King, Lord, or whatever, do? To do the crying girl whose name he didn't even know?[/coide]
She was crying. The girl who had a knife at his throat about thirty seconds ago was crying.
Saburo mouth scrunched up to one side.
"Huh."
What was the word his mother use to use for people like this?
Interesting? Special? Sensitive?
Liar?
Saburo was certain there should be guilt wrecking his system right now. He made a poor girl cry. She was getting all snotty and a little gross and in general was a rather poor sight.
He inhaled in irritation.
He had been the baby of the family once.
"What do you have to be crying about? You come up to me declaring you would 'cut me down' if I did anything to your sister. I say I won't do anything to your sister. That's not enough for you. I call you out on your bullshit. You cry? After you just showed you can act?"
Saburo face seemed to scrunch up in mild disgust.
"Ugh, I bet some people actually like that. Gross~. Men are digusting sometimes." Frowning slightly, Saburo took out a small piece of cloth. He threw it towards Ran.
"Whether you mean it or not. Use that to clean your face. Can't be walking around with mucus on your face and sleeves now, er, can you?"
"Speaking of which. Crying girl who put a blade to my throat." His mouth widened into a small friendly smile.
"What's your name?"
Did it... work? Or not? The Pirate Lord kept talking. Some of the words, she understood. Others, she did not. Despite her act just now, Ran was just honestly, confused.
The grief on her face? An act.
Her empty eyes, not sure what to make of this? Her honest feelings.
She felt empty. Scared?
Was HE acting? Was he for real? Did he fool her? Did he tell the truth? Disgusting pig. Her mental image. HIS image. Two worlds colliding. She could feel a slight headache. Was this mental warfare — Pirate Lord Style?
This encounter was weird.
This encounter went places.
This encounter was supposed to be over!
And now... he smiled?
His warm, friendly smile at the end? Welcome. What? NO!
...
...
...
Ran smiled back as she accepted his cloth. Was it poisoned? Did she have a choice?
"I'm Ran!" She nodded.
Just where was this supposed to go? Ran rarely felt as insecure as she did right now. She just wanted someone to hold her.
Their first meeting. A weird, and wild, ride.
For now, however, it should be over...
Saburo let a small sigh escape from his lips.
"Nice to meet you Ran"
He could feel a slight headache. Was this mental warfare — Crazy Girl Style?
"I hope..." He hoped for a lot of things. Like not nearly get stabbed. And for him to just be set free. And to be able to look people in the eyes. And not have to pretend to be some evil criminal.
"We can get along well. L-like friends." Maybe that was the first true thing he had said to her, he didn't know yet.
He walked past her without any further words. He needed to go somewhere shady and pretty. This was stressful.
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