Seeking strong Allies(OPEN)

[TEMPEST BLACKFIRE]

It might of been showing hostility by him preparing to unsheath his sword, but other than that his body language did not show hostility. If anything it only showed preparedness. He was trying to show as little hostility as possible whilst being prepared to defend himself if necessary. It was not easy that was for certain. However, at the mention of it he changed his grip so that it was resting not wrapped around the hilt, but comfortably with the pommel resting against his palm. From here he could quickly draw, but it looked a lot less hostile.

There wasn't much he could say. He could apologise, but that would seem kind of empty and she'd probably think he was just trying to weasel his way out of it. He listened to the words that each was saying and tried to think of something to say. This wasn't a situation he was used to. Heck, it probably wasn't a situation anyone in the world was used to.

What Lao had said about him not being part of the crew when he cut down the flag was true. However, perhaps it was not the wisest thing to say for Tempest's safety. It meant all the blame was on Tempest. That wasn't good. His body was shaking a bit more now. He was very, very scared.

[Hakkyou Darklight]

[style=width: 416px;background-color: #b1b198; color: #989884; font-family: arial black; font-size: 9px; text-align: right; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; padding-top: 3px; letter-spacing: 4px; margin-bottom: -1px;]I DON'T NEED YOUR FUCKING HALO[/style][style=width: 416px;background-color: #b1b198; color: #d4d4b4; text-shadow: #814a4a 1px 1px 0px; font-family: georgia; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 15px; text-align: right; font-weight: bolder; text-indent: 2em; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: -3px;]can't you see i'm no one's angel[/style]

[atrb=style,border-top: 8px solid #333333; border-bottom: 8px solid #333333; border-left: 3px solid #b1b198; border-right: 3px solid #b1b198;][bg=7b3636][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top] [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left:3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style]   [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left: 3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style]  [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left: 3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style] [style=margin-right; 19px; margin-top: -360px; height: 375px; margin-left: 115px; margin-bottom: -5px; overflow:auto; background-color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; color: #e1dbc2; padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-right: 10px; padding-left: 10px; text-align: justify; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 10px;]“Understand? Oh I understand perfectly,” she pointed a clawed finger at Lao, her gaze shifting back to him as well; though without pupils it was difficult to tell, “I understand that since he was not part of your crew you have no right to keep him from dealing with the consequences of his actions.” She couldn’t help but let out another laugh, the noise sounding a bit like a bark at the end. “If you’re going to insist on trying to keep him from digging out of his hole, well, then we’re going to have a very serious problem.” Her expression changed again. Instead of showing demonic glee, now her grin was challenging, her eyes wide with anticipation of a fight. To be quite honest she was actually happy Jack wasn’t here. No need to have the shipwright here to ruin her fun. And this pirate before her definitely seemed like a worthy opponent. Unlike a normal opponent, he was keeping a strong gaze, looking straight at her. It was odd, especially when she was showing her true demonic colors. A battle with him would surely be entertaining; the perfect thing to liven up this fairly dreary day. The one he was protecting on the other hand, he looked like if someone tapped his shoulder right now he’d piss his pants. The sight her six eyes gave allowed her to clearly see him shaking on the spot. He’d adjusted his hand as well, so that is was resting on his sword hilt instead of grabbing it. Unfortunately for him she used that same gesture quite often with her own katana. She knew to most it seemed rather nonthreatening, but she had a very cynical side that viewed the gesture as a threat merely because of her own use of it. [/style]

[style=width: 416px; background-color: #b1b198; margin-top: -3px; color: #212121; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px;] words:: 300 ♠ tagged:: Lao, Tempest ♠ notes :: One of the rare times where I get a nice rounded number of words[/style][style=font-family: courier new; letter-spacing: 4px; font-size: 10; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;] template by synchronicity[/style]

[long1]

"So in the end, she's not even listening to reason. Fine. I guess it's a useless effort, trying to appeal to reason with a Pirate," Lao Hu thought to himself, his brow furrowing as he continued to focus on the demoness. A battle between two Yonkou was going to be intense. He couldn't exactly hold back against her - she certainly wasn't going to hold back against him. He kept a firm grip on his gourd of water. He couldn't bring the fight into the ocean easily, so long as he had to protect Tempest. He'd have to rely on using the gourd for as long as it took to allow Tempest time to escape. Without even looking at the kid, the Tiger Shark Fishman began to speak to him.

"It's my fault she's targeting you, so let me handle this. Don't try to escape just yet, but when the right time comes, you'll need to run. If you have to, be prepared to fight," he told Tempest, his eyes however remaining focused on Hakkyou. He didn't attack just yet, but he was ready to fight. The moment she launched her attack, he'd move to intercept. But he needed Tempest to escape the first chance he got - fighting a Yonkou was bad enough, but fighting a Yonkou while protecting someone? That was a bit more difficult. If even she got the chance, he didn't doubt the possibility of her targeting Tempest deliberately. It was very like a pirate to ignore the rules of engagement. He knew he would.

"If you've made your decision, "Hellfire Queen", then I've made mine. I'm not afraid of you," he told her, his eyes staring back. There was something lingering in them not unlike the look that occasionally appeared in her eyes. But while you could say her eyes were that of a demon's, Lao Hu's eyes were different - they were the eyes of a hungry shark.

[TEMPEST BLACKFIRE]

Tempest nodded and prepared himself to use the hunter technique to gain some distance. It was more difficult with the nervousness he was feeling, but now every part of his body was saying run. Run away from the demon, run away from the yonkou and escape the area where two yonkou were fighting. He was petrified. He knew he was skilled, but not skilled enough. He needed time to grow. He was new to the game after all. He'd been told to be prepared to fight and he was, but it wasn't a fight to win. No, it would be a fight to lose without dying. It would require incredible, incredible luck for him to be able to defeat a yonkou. Luck he was certain he didn't have.

He had to think where to run. If Lao had come in on a ship he'd run there, but he hadn't. He'd swum in. That meant his ship was out to sea. Wait, fishmen were stronger in the sea. If he could get into the ocean he'd stand a chance. Not in the water itself, purely because of the sea monsters, but on a boat. He thought for a few moments. There was a ship due to sail soon, he was sure of it.

Getting there would not take too long either. Behind him was the sea, in front of him was Hakkyou and the town. The sea seemed the best place to go for. That was where he would run.

"Understood Captain." he said trying to keep the fear out of his voice and succeeding to some degree. "But before I do....what would be the punishment you'd give to me Hakkyou?" He was frightened, but he didn't have to do what Lao had said. This was his problem. If he'd survive the punishment able to live the life he chose...he would take the punishment. He was frightened of it, but what sort of pirate ran from the consequences of his actions? Well, probably quite a few, but that was beside the point

[Hakkyou Darklight]

[style=width: 416px;background-color: #b1b198; color: #989884; font-family: arial black; font-size: 9px; text-align: right; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; padding-top: 3px; letter-spacing: 4px; margin-bottom: -1px;]I DON'T NEED YOUR FUCKING HALO[/style][style=width: 416px;background-color: #b1b198; color: #d4d4b4; text-shadow: #814a4a 1px 1px 0px; font-family: georgia; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 15px; text-align: right; font-weight: bolder; text-indent: 2em; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: -3px;]can't you see i'm no one's angel[/style]

[atrb=style,border-top: 8px solid #333333; border-bottom: 8px solid #333333; border-left: 3px solid #b1b198; border-right: 3px solid #b1b198;][bg=7b3636][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top] [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left:3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style]   [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left: 3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style]  [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left: 3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style] [style=margin-right; 19px; margin-top: -360px; height: 375px; margin-left: 115px; margin-bottom: -5px; overflow:auto; background-color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; color: #e1dbc2; padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-right: 10px; padding-left: 10px; text-align: justify; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 10px;]“You can be sure I’ve made my decision,” she turned her gaze and her demonic grin on Tempest again, “And the punishment would be a lesson on thinking for yourself.” She kept the answer vague, because what’s the fun in life if there’s no surprises to be had. And she was in a mood to have as much fun as possible. Her body tensed as she shifted her footing, getting into more of an attack stance. She was waiting though; Tempest’s question could have a considerable effect on the situation. No need to attack before it’s confirmed that’s the only course of action. She’d had a lot of upstarts in her first crew that had learned the hard way what her lessons entailed. Though they survived, they were out of commission for around a week; a month at the most. They definitely learned not to screw up again. Despite her “playful” mood, the fact that Lao had refused to step aside and let the younger one take his punishment annoyed her quite a bit. He’d had no real right to keep the lad from taking his lesson, but he still refused to stand aside anyway. If this did lead to a fight where she was outnumbered, she’d target the lad first to get him out of the way, then the fishman. She’d also need to make sure to cut them off from the water; simple enough to do with her Devil’s Step ability, though being too close to the water was also dangerous. She certainly couldn’t say this wasn’t an interesting situation. Jack would probably be laughing his cyborg ass off if he was here right now. [/style]

[style=width: 416px; background-color: #b1b198; margin-top: -3px; color: #212121; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px;] words:: 277 ♠ tagged:: Lao, Tempest ♠ notes :: I can see you edited your post tempest <w< lolol[/style][style=font-family: courier new; letter-spacing: 4px; font-size: 10; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;] template by synchronicity[/style]

[long1]

"What are you trying to do?" the Fishman wondered to himself as his eyes shifted for a moment over to the young swordsman, watching as now the kid spoke up to the demoness. What was he thinking? Did he think the woman's word could be entirely trustworthy? He'd hoped to settle things through discussion, true, but even he was aware there was little reason to believe much of what she said, let alone that she'd believe him. He'd known it had been a long shot, and it now became clear that it was unlikely at all for him to talk her down. So what was the kid thinking now? Did he want to make some kind of appeal to reason? Even if she promised not to kill him, pirates weren't known for making or keeping promises. His eyes turned back to the demoness, his whole body tensing.

"Still... A lesson in thinking for yourself? What are you planning? What are you thinking, "Hellfire Queen"? You've already proven you're not just gonna let us go without a fight. Are you trying to deceive us? Trick us into thinking Tempest's punishment won't be as severe as you plan to make it? Or do you just want me to waste time thinking about it?" he continued to think quietly as he waited. What if she really was just saying things to throw them off? It wouldn't be completely unlikely. He never exactly took the Hellfire Queen for a senseless person. Perhaps vindictive or temperamental, but by no means a fool. She was probably planning something, but what it was she was planning was anyone's guess. He was no fool himself, but he hated situations like these. He just couldn't get inside her head.

[TEMPEST BLACKFIRE]

The man known as Tempest took a deep breath before removing his sword belt and handing it to Lao. He had a feeling he'd regret what he was about to do, but it was his mistake, his own action. He was a determined individual with a high amount of endurance. He would take the punishment. He was scared, that was evident, but he would not put his Captain at risk. Besides like the Captain had said, when the action had been performed he was not part of the crew and evidently not under his protection.

"Someone who doesn't take the consequences for their own actions is a coward. A coward has no right being a pirate, especially on a yonkou crew." he said almost philosophically. He walked towards the hellfire queen. "I will suffer the consequences of my actions, it is only right."

He stood there in front of her, his eyes closed and his body waiting for impact. He had been trained by his 'father' in martial arts and he would use that training, the endurance he had gained, to survive this punishment. One day he would make her regret being so annoyed at him for an act done to earn trust.

[Hakkyou Darklight]

[style=width: 416px;background-color: #b1b198; color: #989884; font-family: arial black; font-size: 9px; text-align: right; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; padding-top: 3px; letter-spacing: 4px; margin-bottom: -1px;]I DON'T NEED YOUR FUCKING HALO[/style][style=width: 416px;background-color: #b1b198; color: #d4d4b4; text-shadow: #814a4a 1px 1px 0px; font-family: georgia; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 15px; text-align: right; font-weight: bolder; text-indent: 2em; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: -3px;]can't you see i'm no one's angel[/style]

[atrb=style,border-top: 8px solid #333333; border-bottom: 8px solid #333333; border-left: 3px solid #b1b198; border-right: 3px solid #b1b198;][bg=7b3636][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top] [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left:3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style]   [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left: 3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style]  [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left: 3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style] [style=margin-right; 19px; margin-top: -360px; height: 375px; margin-left: 115px; margin-bottom: -5px; overflow:auto; background-color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; color: #e1dbc2; padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-right: 10px; padding-left: 10px; text-align: justify; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 10px;]Hakkyou was pleasantly surprised when Tempest stepped forward to take his punishment. She was also a bit proud. Damn maternal instincts, part of her mind raged internally at herself. “Smart lad. You’re definitely no fool,” she calmly stated as she removed her own sword from her waist and her pistol as well. She used her tail to set them by the flag pole, the grin still on her face and remaining in her fighting stance. “Let’s see if you’ve got the brass to back up your words.” She hoped the fishman wouldn’t try to intervene, since Tempest had decided this on his own accord. Her legs tensed for just a moment before dashing forward in another Devil’s Step. It was enough for her to easily cross the distance between the two, as well as send a decent amount of dust into the air. At the end of the step she threw a solid left jab at Tempest’s gut and made sure both feet hit the ground with one if front of the other, skidding to a stop in front of him as her arm shot forward. She did this to reduce her momentum just enough that she didn’t cause severe internal damage with her punch. The point of this was to teach the kid a lesson, not kill him. Though the force would be enough to knock the wind out of him. If he didn’t dodge the attack he’d be knocked back a couple of feet. Possibly even knocked off his feet altogether by the force of the punch. [/style]

[style=width: 416px; background-color: #b1b198; margin-top: -3px; color: #212121; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px;] words:: 259 ♠ tagged:: Lao, Tempest ♠ notes :: Kinda short but gets to the point.[/style][style=font-family: courier new; letter-spacing: 4px; font-size: 10; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;] template by synchronicity[/style]

[long1]

Lao Hu, quite simply, was baffled. He had to resist the urge to let his jaw drop to the floor; to snap his head around with such blinding speed he'd give himself whiplash and pop his eyes out of his head with such force they'd shoot like cannonballs through the air. He had to stop himself, because right now the kid seemed to be taking an insane gamble. True, Lao Hu was hardly one to talk when it came to recklessness, but this seemed insane even for him. Was this kid truly mad? It shocked him, yet he couldn't exactly speak. It was as if the words left him. What could he possibly do at this point? Hakkyou was responding more calmly now. There was the possibility of it being a trick, but... Right now, with that look in his eye, Lao Hu couldn't refuse the kid.

"You're insane," he told the kid, taking his weapon from him as Tempest handed it to him. But the kid had guts. He definitely couldn't be called a coward. Remaining silent, Lao Hu held the weapon by his side and watched the kid with sharp eyes, occasionally glancing back to the Hellfire Queen. He was appealing to her sense of honor, whatever little honor there was amongst Pirates. "Don't die. If you died because of something I told you to do, it'd leave a bad taste in my mouth," he told Tempest as he stood and waited. That was all that was really left for him, not - to wait it out. This was no longer just about survival, but honor. This kid was going to prove his boldness. In a way, Lao Hu supposed he couldn't stop him because he was once the same.

[TEMPEST BLACKFIRE]

The blow hit him in the stomach hard. It was enough to knock him off his feet. However, he was skilled in his own right and used his hands combined with the momentum to perform a flip allowing him to land, not on his feet, but in a crouched position. It was a rather showy manoever and his body complained to him for doing it. He was completely winded and his body ached. The force of the punch seemed to radiate through his body. He slowly rose to his feet coughing a bit. A small amount of blood came to his lips and he wiped it off. He wondered if that was all the punishment would be.

He sincerely hoped it was because otherwise he felt like he'd be out of it for at least a day or two. However, it was a punishment he had accepted and he would take it. If there was more, then he would take it. It was all on her now. What would she do.

"Don't worry." he managed to say to his captain. "I don't plan to die here, I have things to do before I die."

[Hakkyou Darklight]

[style=width: 416px;background-color: #b1b198; color: #989884; font-family: arial black; font-size: 9px; text-align: right; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; padding-top: 3px; letter-spacing: 4px; margin-bottom: -1px;]I DON'T NEED YOUR FUCKING HALO[/style][style=width: 416px;background-color: #b1b198; color: #d4d4b4; text-shadow: #814a4a 1px 1px 0px; font-family: georgia; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 15px; text-align: right; font-weight: bolder; text-indent: 2em; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: -3px;]can't you see i'm no one's angel[/style]

[atrb=style,border-top: 8px solid #333333; border-bottom: 8px solid #333333; border-left: 3px solid #b1b198; border-right: 3px solid #b1b198;][bg=7b3636][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top] [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left:3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style]   [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left: 3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style]  [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left: 3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style] [style=margin-right; 19px; margin-top: -360px; height: 375px; margin-left: 115px; margin-bottom: -5px; overflow:auto; background-color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; color: #e1dbc2; padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-right: 10px; padding-left: 10px; text-align: justify; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 10px;]Hakkyou wasn’t going to let up in her offense, not yet. The kid needed a few more bruises to help the lesson sink in. As Tempest landed in his crouch she took to the air with a powerful jump. A few small tongues of flame licked around her clawed feet as she did. It was a weaker version of Vol d'Incendie, one of the more powerful abilities she had. She wasn’t able to use it because of her demonic heritage though. A few years back she’d gotten her hands on a strange fruit, one she later learned was a Devil Fruit known as the Mera Mera no Mi. She found the control over fire thrilling, and perfectly suited to her title as “Hellfire Queen”. Once in the air, Tempest would have a moment to get out of the way before Hakkyou came down with another punch aimed for his shoulder. If it was a serious battle she’d have aimed for his head or neck. The hit would cause him to go down on one side and leave a decent bruise on his shoulder. If he dodged, her punch would make contact with the ground below him, sending up another cloud of dust and making a small impact crater a bit larger than her fist. It wouldn’t cause any serious damage to her, but her hand would certainly be in some pain. If he was within six feet after dodging she’d wrap her tail around his wrist to keep him from getting too far away. [/style]

[style=width: 416px; background-color: #b1b198; margin-top: -3px; color: #212121; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px;] words:: 254 ♠ tagged:: Lao, Tempest ♠ notes :: Sorry this took so long guys, life kinda kicked me where it hurts the past couple weeks[/style][style=font-family: courier new; letter-spacing: 4px; font-size: 10; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;] template by synchronicity[/style]

[long1]

It was a difficult position to be in. To be standing there, watching and yet doing nothing as a young man was struck down. Punished for a crime that he was technically responsible for. Part of him wanted to jump in and smack down Hakkyou himself. But he couldn't. He couldn't run in and fight for him, because he knew if he did so, he'd be stepping all over Tempest's efforts. The kid chose to take this punishment, so he couldn't step in even though he really wanted to. Needless to say, he really, really wanted to. The Fishman had to put all of his effort into simply not moving from his spot, even as his fists shook with a barely contained desire to step in. His eyes sharpened on the other Yonkou as she chased after him, closing in to continue the battle, if it could be called that.

"I should be the one fighting her. The one taking her on. Not this kid. But I can't. This kid chose to take this punishment. If I step in now... His efforts would be for nought," the Fishman thought to himself, feeling powerless. He hated that feeling. It was how he felt back then, when he watched his own brother die before his eyes. All he could do was stand there and hope that the kid wasn't killed - that the Yonkou had at least that much mercy in her. His fists shook. There was water all around him. He had plentiful water for his Fisman Karate. It would be easy to take her on under these circumstances. Yet he couldn't. He wouldn't. So long as Tempest was willing to continue, he couldn't step in to help.

[TEMPEST BLACKFIRE]

If Tempest had been an ordinary human being then this blow and the pain caused by it would likely have sent him into unconciouness, but Tempest's past had given him an almost superhuman level of endurance. For this reason the blow merely knocked him down the side, but it did cause him to shout out in pain as he felt the heat burn the flesh beneath his clothes and the bone crack from the force. His head was bowed briefly, but he looked up almost with a look of defiance in his face. As if saying no matter how hard you hit me, no matter how much you hurt me I will survive. Perhaps not the smartest thing to do, but he was not one to cower or whimper.

If he had been insane, which most people would probably have called him, he would have used this moment to strike back, but even he was not that insane. He had received enough damage.

"Don't interfere captain." he said through the pain. He couldn't read Lao's minds or intentions. He couldn't even see Lao from this angle, but simply he knew how he would react if he was in Lao's position. He would interfere, but that was not what Tempest wanted. He had to deal with this himself.

[Hakkyou Darklight]

[style=width: 416px;background-color: #b1b198; color: #989884; font-family: arial black; font-size: 9px; text-align: right; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; padding-top: 3px; letter-spacing: 4px; margin-bottom: -1px;]I DON'T NEED YOUR FUCKING HALO[/style][style=width: 416px;background-color: #b1b198; color: #d4d4b4; text-shadow: #814a4a 1px 1px 0px; font-family: georgia; text-transform: uppercase; font-size: 15px; text-align: right; font-weight: bolder; text-indent: 2em; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: -3px;]can't you see i'm no one's angel[/style]

[atrb=style,border-top: 8px solid #333333; border-bottom: 8px solid #333333; border-left: 3px solid #b1b198; border-right: 3px solid #b1b198;][bg=7b3636][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,420,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top] [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left:3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style]   [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left: 3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style]  [style=width:100px; height: 100px; border: 3px solid #333333; opacity:0.9;filter:alpha(opacity=40); margin-left: 3px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/o6fge.png); -moz-border-radius-topright: 40px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 40px;] [/style] [style=margin-right; 19px; margin-top: -360px; height: 375px; margin-left: 115px; margin-bottom: -5px; overflow:auto; background-color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px; color: #e1dbc2; padding-top: 16px; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-right: 10px; padding-left: 10px; text-align: justify; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 10px;]The sound of Tempest's arm breaking was distinct and clear to Hakkyou’s four demonic ears; even through his cry of pain. She’d underestimated the force she’d used, an easy thing to do when her opponent was so fragile compared to herself. Broken bones normally took at least a couple weeks to heal, at least in her own experience they did. Tempest’s look of defiance toward her made her smirk. It certainly wasn’t every day that she found someone as bold as this kid. Now he’d even have something of a story to back up his defiance. Straightening into a relaxed and non-threatening pose, she wrapped her tail around his good arm and lifted him to his feet. “Alright, I’d say the lesson’s gotten through well enough,” she stated in a calm and level tone as she releases his arm, “but keep in mind not every opponent you’ll inevitably face will be as lenient.” She turned and took a few steps toward the flag pole before addressing Lao. “I’d suggest you refrain from having any other crew members pull a stunt like that while you’re here.” She gave him a threatening look as she turned to face him. “The consequences will be much more severe.” Thanks to her Kenbunshoku Haki, Hakkyou was keeping track of where Tempest was. If he was bold enough to attack her from a blind spot she’d be able to sense he was getting closer before he could land a hit. [/style]

[style=width: 416px; background-color: #b1b198; margin-top: -3px; color: #212121; font-family: arial; font-size: 9px;] words:: 244 ♠ tagged:: Lao, Tempest ♠ notes :: Finally got a post done >.< stupid holidays[/style][style=font-family: courier new; letter-spacing: 4px; font-size: 10; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase;] template by synchronicity[/style]

[long1]

"I guess we should consider ourselves lucky you're so nice," Lao Hu remarked dryly as he strode over, paying the fellow Yonkou little mind as he stood by the young swordsman. He wasn't particularly happy to just stand there and watch as the Yonkou beat the living daylights out of the kid, but for the sake of honour he had to step back. Hakkyou's sense of honour, of course. He could tell - she was too impressed by the kid's honour to want to kill him. That was the only reason she settled for a beating. If Lao Hu had gotten involved in the fight himself, she'd have tried to kill the kid instead, most likely. Yonkou were generally not very nice people, but in his case he considered his jerkishness a necessity.

"Still, I appreciate you not killing him. I wouldn't have let you if you really did try, but you get the idea. No need to make things messier than they already are," he remarked. As she commented that he should avoid having kids like him cut down flags in future, he nodded as if to say he agreed, but more because he just wanted to get on with it. Perhaps in future he'd just employ a policy of having recruits kill Marines to join. That'd be much handier. Kill a Marine, join the crew. It wasn't like the bastards didn't deserve it, using Justice to justify their evil. The whole World Government needed to topple. But Lao Hu settled his thoughts - now wasn't the time for slaughtering Marines. Now was the time for taking care of new recruits. Grabbing the boy, he lifted the kid over his shoulder and let him rest there, looking back to the other Yonkou.

"Don't worry. In future I'll just make 'em kill Marines or something. Let's just hope this is our last meeting," he remarked, deciding there and then that he'd rather not turn her into an enemy. Well, an active enemy. The Yonkou were all technically enemies. They just happened to not really want to fight each other. Yet. For now, he was satisfied with the World Government as his only major active enemy.