Against the World (Government) [Ascalon]

[Lao Hu Long]

A sigh escaped the lips of a young man slumped against the wall of a dark alleyway with a guitar case by his side, his figure obscured by large wooden crates left just outside the back door of a tavern. He could hear running feet stamping along the cobblestone streets of Illusia. The blond glanced to the right, peering out onto the main street where Marines ran to and fro in search of something. He shut his eyes, leaning his head back against the wall as he rested himself for a moment. As he opened his eyes he looked down to his hands - his bloodstained hands. They weren't stained with his blood, of course - but nevertheless, there was blood on his hands. Blood he didn't regret shedding. As he looked down at his hands, he replayed the moment in his head.

After entering Illusia Kingdom, he quickly found himself drawing the attention of the Marines. But then, he'd already gained a bit of a reputation amongst the Marines, having already launched attacks on several of their bases. He chose to fight back, and punched and kicked his way through a crowd. But he hadn't eaten a lot recently, and rather than waste more of his energy he instead decided to hide away, at least for the moment. He was brave, not stupid, after all. Besides - the moment he got a bit to eat, he intended on continuing his fight. He looked up, out of the alleyway towards the Castle where the King resided. Atop the castle was the flag of the World Government - that disgusting flag that symbolized everything he hated. This Kingdom was one of the largest Kingdoms within the World Government that existed outside of the Grand Line.

Naturally, that also made it a prime target.

"Food first..." he thought to himself, a hand rubbing his stomach. Pushing against the wall, he rose to his full height and clutched the strap of his guitar case, putting it on over his shoulder. There were still Marines running about, but he figured he could slip by them. And if not, then he'd bash their heads in until they let him pass. Walking down the alleyway, he whistled a tune - an old song sung often by older pirates. He'd learned of it long ago and it stuck in his head ever since. It was fitting, if nothing else - he was a Pirate now. There was no going back from that. Arriving at the corner of the alleyway he looked out, checking before walking onto one of the backstreets. So long as he kept off the main street, he figured he'd be safe. But then, he recalled that 'safe' was relative.

Whether he was a Pirate or not, so long as he was a Fishman amongst Humans, he knew that safety was never assured. Hopefully, none of them were stupid enough to dare mess with him.

[Ascalon H. Helios]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,10,true][atrb=style, width:500px;,bTable][STYLE=width:200px; height:400px; float:left; background-image:url(http://imageshack.us/a/img585/9625/740643a7a4b74783b382113.jpg)][classy=lyrics][STYLE=font-size: 12px; letter-spacing:7px]get up, eject[/style][STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]escape[/style] [STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]words[/style]368 [STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]tags[/style]lao hu [STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]notes[/style]inner child powers, go![/classy][/style][classy=posttextbox][classy=sc][classy=posttext] Alright, Terrance, you just stay in line next time, kay? Ascalon jokingly called back at the Marine and his friends as he walked away from them. He had spent much of the day with them, actually. Earlier in the day, the Illusian Marines attempted to arrest the pirate for, well, “potentially” being a pirate. After a day of Ascalon joking with them and being his usual self, they let him go. They even went as far as to buy him lunch. Being a pirate and all, one might expect Ascalon to hate marines and wish them all dead. But he didn’t. As long as the Marines were trying to hurt him, he didn’t really mind their being there. They deserved to live just as much as he did, in his eyes. Labels didn’t make a person, action did. The young man took his leave from the group, walking down the back alley road. He was only on that particular road because that’s where the Marines took him for lunch. There was a fantastic soup shop just around the corner. As Ascalon walked, he saw a blonde male come out of one of the alleys connecting to the main avenue. The male was carrying a guitar case and carried something else with him, though the second thing wasn’t physical. Something was strange about the person. Ascalon couldn’t tell if it was anger or angst or what. Just off. Maybe it was how he was walking, which looked a bit weak to Ascalon. The cyborg had nothing better to do, plus he loved helping others. Maybe he’d make a powerful ally. Helios picked up his pace a bit and eventually found himself next to the blonde. Howdy, you alright? Ascalon asked, readying himself for a jump just in case this… fishman it seemed, wasn’t in the speaking mood. Oooo, a fishman. I haven’t met many of you. How about I buy you some food and you tell me about your people? Ascalon added, his inner child coming out a bit, not a bit of hostility or anything ill in his voice. He loved learning about new people and places. If only some merfolk were kind enough to share with him. [/classy][/classy]

[STYLE=opacity:0.5]LAIKA OF BTN![/style]

[newclass=posttext]float:right; width:200px; height:350px; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 15px; background-color:1d1d1d; color: e6e8e9; padding:10px; font-family:arial; font-size: 11px; text-align:justify; letter-spacing:1px; line-height:10px; overflow: auto[/newclass][newclass=sc ::-webkit-scrollbar]height: 5px; width: 5px; background-color: #151515;[/newclass][newclass=sc ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background-color: #e5e5e5; border-left: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-top: 1px solid #e5e5e5;[/newclass][newclass=posttextbox]float:right; width:250px; height:400px; float:left; background-color:151515[/newclass][newclass=lyrics]width: 190px; height: 40px; margin-top:350px; background-color: 000000; color: ffffff; padding: 5px; font-family:arial; font-size: 12px; text-align:right; letter-spacing:7px; line-height:15px; overflow:hidden; -webkit-transition:all 0.7s ease; -moz-transition:all 0.7s ease; -o-transition:all 0.7s ease[/newclass][newclass=lyrics:hover]width: 190px; height: 390px; margin-top:-0px; background-color: 000000; color: ffffff; padding: 5px; font-family:arial; text-align:right; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing:2px; line-height:15px; overflow:hidden; -webkit-transition:all 0.7s ease; -moz-transition:all 0.7s ease; -o-transition:all 0.7s ease[/newclass]

[Lao Hu Long]

The blond was very nearly ready to swing his arm around and smack the young man in the nose, but after turning sharply he stopped, staring at the young man. The Fishman paused, his hands still clenched tightly. On the one hand, if it wasn't a Marine, he wasn't exactly interested in starting a fight. On the other hand, he wasn't exactly keen on making small talk with a human. His gazing eyes were sharp and piercing - like daggers that were about to plunge into your flesh. He was a very intense person with a very intense gaze. But the Human wasn't. He didn't seem tense or serious, but rather laid back and easygoing. Upon realization that he was a Fishman, the Human immediately offered to buy him lunch so he could ask about Fishman Culture.

Lao stared, his brow raised. Tell him about Fishman Culture? He felt like he was being insulted. How many people had he met thus far who actually gave a damn? How many Humans had he met who were even the slightest bit interested in Fishmen and Merfolk and their Culture? The only thing Humans were interested in about Fishmen, he'd learned, was having one as a pet. Though perhaps no fault of Ascalon's, Lao was not in any way, shape or form interested in the offer. He knew he needed food, of course, but there was no way he was going to accept food from a Human, or follow a Human somewhere to get food. The last time he'd been baited by a Human, it ended badly. He wasn't willing to follow this random stranger and get another collar locked around his neck.

"Piss off," he growled, his brows furrowing as he stared down the cyborg. It was easy to tell he wasn't in a good mood. He didn't deny he still felt hungry, but if he needed to put up a fight he'd do it. The musician watched the man carefully, not letting a movement slip by him. If he tried anything, Lao would be ready to fight back at a moment's notice.

[Ascalon H. Helios]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,10,true][atrb=style, width:500px;,bTable][STYLE=width:200px; height:400px; float:left; background-image:url(http://imageshack.us/a/img585/9625/740643a7a4b74783b382113.jpg)][classy=lyrics][STYLE=font-size: 12px; letter-spacing:7px]get up, eject[/style][STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]escape[/style] [STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]words[/style]300 [STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]tags[/style]lao [STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]notes[/style]short and poopy[/classy][/style][classy=posttextbox][classy=sc][classy=posttext] The Fishman’s response was… not exactly what Ascalon would have hoped. A simple phrase that spoke was greater than the sum of its parts. In two words, the fishman answered Ascalon’s offer, defined his attitude, and reminded Ascalon of something he had forgotten. Fishmen didn’t like Humans. Humans, or at least most of them, only seemed to like Fishmen for slaves. Ascalon was getting tired of some people recently confusing him for some slave driver. Regardless of the response Ascalon received, he was determined to talk to this fishman. Ah, how could I forget… Fishmen don’t like humans. Ascalon said with a small laugh. However… I’m not really what you’d call a human. I’m only… about… maybe five percent organic. The rest of me is augmented or cybernetics. Azure stated, a smile still plastered to his face. As he spoke, Helios raised his right hand and made the small panels that make up his epidermis open slightly. This action revealed some of the wiring and circuitry that made Ascalon work. I’m about as much of a human as a pickle is a cucumber. The cyborg joked, laughing. Figurative language was never his forte. Ascalon had scanned over the fishman the whole time he was talking, observing anything and everything. The fishman was ready for a fight if it was to come; Ascalon could tell. It would probably be unwise to move. We don’t have to be enemies. The cyborg made no movements towards the fishman. Any moves the male made were bouncing a bit on his feet or shifting his weight around. As Ascalon had always done when around someone new, he always remained ready to take to the air in a second. Thanks to the jets he had recently installed, that would be much easier. My offer still stands. [/classy][/classy]

[STYLE=opacity:0.5]LAIKA OF BTN![/style]

[newclass=posttext]float:right; width:200px; height:350px; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 15px; background-color:1d1d1d; color: e6e8e9; padding:10px; font-family:arial; font-size: 11px; text-align:justify; letter-spacing:1px; line-height:10px; overflow: auto[/newclass][newclass=sc ::-webkit-scrollbar]height: 5px; width: 5px; background-color: #151515;[/newclass][newclass=sc ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background-color: #e5e5e5; border-left: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-top: 1px solid #e5e5e5;[/newclass][newclass=posttextbox]float:right; width:250px; height:400px; float:left; background-color:151515[/newclass][newclass=lyrics]width: 190px; height: 40px; margin-top:350px; background-color: 000000; color: ffffff; padding: 5px; font-family:arial; font-size: 12px; text-align:right; letter-spacing:7px; line-height:15px; overflow:hidden; -webkit-transition:all 0.7s ease; -moz-transition:all 0.7s ease; -o-transition:all 0.7s ease[/newclass][newclass=lyrics:hover]width: 190px; height: 390px; margin-top:-0px; background-color: 000000; color: ffffff; padding: 5px; font-family:arial; text-align:right; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing:2px; line-height:15px; overflow:hidden; -webkit-transition:all 0.7s ease; -moz-transition:all 0.7s ease; -o-transition:all 0.7s ease[/newclass]

[Lao Hu Long]

The Fishman glared back over his shoulder as he tried to leave, finding that the young man was a little more persistent than he thought he'd be. He stopped, staring back with a kind of irritation - or rather, anger - that one would normally not expect from an interaction that had already been so brief. But then, Lao was not exactly what one would call a calm and patient man. Looking at the man, listening as he spoke about being mostly robotic - it all sounded like excuses in his ears. But still he turned to face the cyborg man again, his eyes narrowed as the man continued to talk about how he wasn't an enemy. Lao distrusted him completely, but that created a problem.

Because the truth was, Lao didn't want to distrust Humans.

He still remembered a time when he wanted to trust Humans. To build relationships between Humans and Fishmen. How could he not? But he'd seen the light. He'd seen just how Humans really were. He couldn't really trust this man. Not even if he spent all of his time talking about how most of his body was cybernetic. After all, he was born Human. That much was true. And it was that tiny little fact that left Lao unwilling to trust him. In spite of the fact that he was clearly hungry and not exactly in the best shape to be fighting people, the Fishman stood his ground and tightened his right hand into a fist. He stood upright at full height, looking the cyborg in the eyes. His left hand moved over the jug of water hanging from his left hip, much like how a gunslinger would reach for their weapon.

"You already heard me," he told the man, gritting his sharpened teeth. He was threatening a fight, but it was only an intimidation tactic - in his condition, he wasn't exactly in the best shape to go all out. Not against someone with a mechanical, armoured body, anyway. "I'm not gonna follow a Human, even if he did replace himself with scrap metal".

[Ascalon H. Helios]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,10,true][atrb=style, width:500px;,bTable][STYLE=width:200px; height:400px; float:left; background-image:url(http://imageshack.us/a/img585/9625/740643a7a4b74783b382113.jpg)][classy=lyrics][STYLE=font-size: 12px; letter-spacing:7px]get up, eject[/style][STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]escape[/style] [STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]words[/style]286 [STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]tags[/style]lao hu [STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]notes[/style]short and poopy, sorry[/classy][/style][classy=posttextbox][classy=sc][classy=posttext] Nothing seemed to be going as planned with this guy. He was one tough egg to crack. By the time the fishman was done speaking, Ascalon was just about ready to give up. He couldn’t help those that didn’t want it. Ascalon never really understood the racism that went on in the world he inhabited. Or the reckless grouping for that matter. Not all humans were the same. All Ascalon could really do was shrug. I tried to help you, but, there’s not much I can do if you’re going to have the very same mindset as the people you hate. Ascalon said to the fishman, still smiling. Have fun storming the castle. Ascalon ended with a small laugh before taking to the air. He jumped up and away, out of sight. In reality, he just landed on the roof of a building nearby. His conscience couldn’t let him leave while someone died. Even if they, basically, chose death for themselves. So he followed from a distance, keeping hidden behind smoke stacks and peaks of roofs. Until, that is, he came across a small shop selling two oddly chosen items. Bread and broomsticks. Strangely specific. The shop was in an alleyway and out of sight, but it had just what Ascalon needed. He was unarmed, so he needed a weapon of sorts and some bread might come in handy later. He never knew if he might feel like feeding the birds. With several loaves of bread and a single, long broomstick purchased, Ascalon returned to his rooftop stalking game. Maybe, if he got on this fishman’s good side, Ascalon could learn about fishman and merfolk culture so he could try to hit on Undine. If only. [/classy][/classy]

[STYLE=opacity:0.5]LAIKA OF BTN![/style]

[newclass=posttext]float:right; width:200px; height:350px; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 15px; background-color:1d1d1d; color: e6e8e9; padding:10px; font-family:arial; font-size: 11px; text-align:justify; letter-spacing:1px; line-height:10px; overflow: auto[/newclass][newclass=sc ::-webkit-scrollbar]height: 5px; width: 5px; background-color: #151515;[/newclass][newclass=sc ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background-color: #e5e5e5; border-left: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-top: 1px solid #e5e5e5;[/newclass][newclass=posttextbox]float:right; width:250px; height:400px; float:left; background-color:151515[/newclass][newclass=lyrics]width: 190px; height: 40px; margin-top:350px; background-color: 000000; color: ffffff; padding: 5px; font-family:arial; font-size: 12px; text-align:right; letter-spacing:7px; line-height:15px; overflow:hidden; -webkit-transition:all 0.7s ease; -moz-transition:all 0.7s ease; -o-transition:all 0.7s ease[/newclass][newclass=lyrics:hover]width: 190px; height: 390px; margin-top:-0px; background-color: 000000; color: ffffff; padding: 5px; font-family:arial; text-align:right; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing:2px; line-height:15px; overflow:hidden; -webkit-transition:all 0.7s ease; -moz-transition:all 0.7s ease; -o-transition:all 0.7s ease[/newclass]

[Lao Hu Long]

Lao watched as the cyborg man began to leave, refusing to take his eyes off of him until he had disappeared from sight. His whole body began to relax, no longer locked in a state of tension. With no immediate signs of danger he could drop the pretense of toughness - strong as he normally was, in his current hungry state he could do little more than bark. It was somewhat shameful. But right now he had to be pragmatic. Find something to eat, get his strength back and then fight his way through the Kingdom. He didn't doubt the palace had its own slaves. If there was even the faintest chance that she was there...

Pivoting, he turned back and began to slowly stride down the street. His eyes scanned the street for any sign of a grocer's store or a cafe or something. He didn't have money, but he wasn't too concerned. After all, he was already technically a criminal. He wasn't afraid to steal some food. Stumbling a little as he walked over the cobblestones, he turned around a corner, finding just what he was looking for just down the road - a small grocer's store with a display of fruit outside. Pressing an arm against the wall to support himself, he stood at the end of the street and watched. It was right there. He could take it. But there was also a problem with that - Right outside the grocer's store was a pair of Marines.

Turning back around the corner, he pressed his back against the wall and sighed, shutting his eyes. Taking on two people in his current condition wasn't the best decision. He had the element of surprise, but could he take them both down before they alerted their comrades? He needed something in his system, but he'd be taking a huge risk. A risk he couldn't afford. He sighed, shutting his eyes for a moment as he tried to think. Were there any other grocer's stores around? He hadn't seen any. What if most of them were on the main streets, where all of the Marines were? That could be an issue. He sighed, shaking his head. This was not a good situation.

Not at all.

[Ascalon H. Helios]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,10,true][atrb=style, width:500px;,bTable][STYLE=width:200px; height:400px; float:left; background-image:url(http://imageshack.us/a/img585/9625/740643a7a4b74783b382113.jpg)][classy=lyrics][STYLE=font-size: 12px; letter-spacing:7px]get up, eject[/style][STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]escape[/style] [STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]words[/style]311 [STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]tags[/style]lao hu [STYLE=font-family:georgia; font-size:25px; letter-spacing:-2]notes[/style]welcome to the dark side[/classy][/style][classy=posttextbox][classy=sc][classy=posttext] The chase continued. Ascalon followed the merfolk, on rooftop of course, until he stopped. The blonde’s choice of ending place was exactly as Ascalon expected. A small grocery store with some produce out in the open. The cyborg sat on the rooftop, his legs dangling over the side and he kicked his feet in the air, as he observed the fishman’s behavior. The fishman was proving to be quite the master at spinning a tale. He was starved and had put on some big, prideful defense earlier. Part of Ascalon chuckled a bit. It’s a bit of a shame that he can’t eat that pride of his. He’d never go hungry again! The side spoke in Ascalon’s head, laughing a bit. It actually broke through and caused the cyborg to smirk slightly. Helios regained himself and leapt from the rooftop into the streets. He had to do something. It only took a few seconds of searching to find a nice old lady. Human, obviously, but who could be rude to a nice old lady? Ascalon took a few moments to explain his situation before handing the loaves of bread to the woman and sending her on her way. After she left, it was back to the rooftop for Ascalon. The nice old woman approached the fishman calmly, with a big smile on her face. Here you go, deary. Can’t have a strong young man like you going hungry, can we? The woman asked as she moved to hand the loaves to the fishman. As the exchange was going down, Ascalon was on the edge of his seat. If this worked out, he might be in. All he could do is wait. If he was spotted too close, then the whole deal would be shot to shit. He just couldn’t let a person starve. Not when he could do something about it. [/classy][/classy]

[STYLE=opacity:0.5]LAIKA OF BTN![/style]

[newclass=posttext]float:right; width:200px; height:350px; margin-top: 15px; margin-right: 15px; background-color:1d1d1d; color: e6e8e9; padding:10px; font-family:arial; font-size: 11px; text-align:justify; letter-spacing:1px; line-height:10px; overflow: auto[/newclass][newclass=sc ::-webkit-scrollbar]height: 5px; width: 5px; background-color: #151515;[/newclass][newclass=sc ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb]background-color: #e5e5e5; border-left: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-top: 1px solid #e5e5e5;[/newclass][newclass=posttextbox]float:right; width:250px; height:400px; float:left; background-color:151515[/newclass][newclass=lyrics]width: 190px; height: 40px; margin-top:350px; background-color: 000000; color: ffffff; padding: 5px; font-family:arial; font-size: 12px; text-align:right; letter-spacing:7px; line-height:15px; overflow:hidden; -webkit-transition:all 0.7s ease; -moz-transition:all 0.7s ease; -o-transition:all 0.7s ease[/newclass][newclass=lyrics:hover]width: 190px; height: 390px; margin-top:-0px; background-color: 000000; color: ffffff; padding: 5px; font-family:arial; text-align:right; font-size: 10px; letter-spacing:2px; line-height:15px; overflow:hidden; -webkit-transition:all 0.7s ease; -moz-transition:all 0.7s ease; -o-transition:all 0.7s ease[/newclass]

[Lao Hu Long]

The stubborn Shark Fishman slumped against the wall, his body weak with hunger and exhaustion. Around the corner was food, but a couple of Marines could also be found. Normally, two Marines weren't an issue. In his current state, however, it wasn't something he was looking forward to dealing with. Needless to say, this was not an ideal situation. He grit his teeth, shutting his eyes for a moment to try and block out the pain of his empty stomach. He needed to find food quickly. He opened his eyes again and forced himself onto his feet. He'd just go and find another food source. He'd take some food and sate his hunger. His legs felt weak beneath him, but he forced himself to move on. At least until a voice spoke.

Turning on the spot, using the wall to support himself still, the Fishman looked down to see an old woman with a couple loaves of bread. A Human old woman, he reminded himself. She offered the loaves of food, remarking that she couldn't let a young man like him go hungry. Was it that obvious that he was starving? Lao Hu hesitated however - no matter how innocent and trustful this old woman seemed, he wasn't sure if he could fully trust her. But then, the more logical side of Lao's mind told him that he was hungry, and that poisoning an already weak man was useless. With some hesitation, the Fishman eventually reached for the loaves of bread.

"... Thanks..." he grumbled, before sinking his sharpened teeth into the loaf of bread. He took large bites and chewed his food roughly, devouring as much as he could in as short a space of time as he could. It was apparent just how much he needed food in his stomach. In no time at all a full loaf of bread was nothing more than crumbs. Wiping his mouth, the Fishman sat by the wall. The old woman offered a second loaf and he took it, this time eating at a more leisurely pace. The first loaf at least put something in his stomach. Now he could eat at his own pace while filling himself up. Still, he felt suspicious. This had been the first time in a long time a Human had treated him nicely. He was inclined to think it wouldn't last.

[Ascalon H. Helios]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,10,true][atrb=style, width:500px;,bTable] get up, eject escape words 294 tags lao hu notes not very ascalon-like Ascalon gripped at the broomstick as he sat atop the building, observing what would happen in the exchange between the elderly woman and the fishman. He was, metaphorically, on the edge of his seat. Ever hopeful that his plan would work out. Then it did. Instead of pulling tons of attention to himself, as he normally would, Ascalon resorted to a simple “Yes!” to celebrate an accomplishment. He’d hate to spoil everything by leaping into the air and doing a small dance. The cyborg kicked off of the side of the building and, with a flip, landed on the same road that the fishman took to reach his destination. He walked the same path to the same destination, the broomstick slung over his shoulder the whole time. How was he to greet the fishman again? He didn’t want to seem rude or anything, so he had to be careful with phrasing. Then an idea came to him. Got some food? Good to see. Ascalon said to the fishman, crouching in front of him. Look, I know you don’t trust me and I don’t really expect you too. But, I happen to be part of a fairly renowned crew who could use someone like you. I might not know how you fight, but I can tell you’ve got heart… Helios said, his tone suddenly fairly serious. …And… Well, there’s a merfolk on board who, I think, could really benefit from seeing someone of her race again. Ascalon added, rubbing his forehead a bit. Why did he like that woman anyway? She hated his guts. Just… Give me a chance? He asked, still crouched. His tone was… almost pleading. Extremely unlike Ascalon. The lengths he was going to in an attempt to make that woman happy.

LAIKA OF BTN!

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[Lao Hu Long]

He was beginning to feel his own strength coming back to him. It wasn't instantaneous - he didn't feel like he could fight his way through a horde just yet, but he could feel his strength returning. He was no longer on the brink of collapsing as he chewed and swallowed the loaves of bread. He was so focused on recovering his strength, of course, that the Fishman failed to notice another approach him. Devouring his food, Lao was distracted just long enough for the cyborg to approach him. It was only when he caught sight of a shadow nearing him that the Fishman glanced up, glowering at the sight of the man from before. He clutched the mostly-eaten loaf as though the cyborg might steal it.

The cyborg crouched in front of him and began speaking, remarking how good it was that he'd now had some food. Lao couldn't help but raise a brow at the way he'd said it - as though he was responsible for giving him the food. Or even that he seemed to see no problem with feeding the Fishman, despite surely being aware it meant Lao was now more than capable of handing his ass back to him on a silver platter (Or at least, Lao was fairly certain he could). What was with this human? His persistence was incredible. Yet in spite of his own stubbornness, Lao was beginning to wonder if he should listen. If he was willing to risk a fight with a Fishman at full strength, he had to have something important to say.

"Another Merfolk?" he repeated, a thousand thoughts racing through his head. He'd spent so much time wandering the seas in search. Even if it wasn't who he was looking for, it was at the very least worth checking out. Pushing himself up, the blond rose to his full height, his face still set in a scowl. Regardless of whatever threat this cyborg may have posed, this opportunity was not something he could just pass up. "Fine. I'll give you your chance".

He didn't need to tell the man it was his only chance, if this turned out to be a trick.