Providing Some Muscle [Voyage]

Cassius · 1 Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] Wed Jul 18, 2018 4:55 am

Cassius

Pirate

Posts : 491
Location : Water 7
Join date : 2017-12-09

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Cassius Sinclair
The Kraken
Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] D5da255ae42b2fbe08f85ac5f848e11c

Cassius stood in the meeting spot exactly two minutes before the set time. The assignment had come from a bird, how it had found him specifically he’d never know, but Cassius was finding it was better not to question certain things of this world and just let them be. Regardless, inside he had found his instructions to wait for a particular man (photo provided) at a particular time, in a particular location the following day. The mission itself was easy enough, a simple bodyguard task for one of the debt collectors of the 9 Kingpins. He was to meet the man, escort him down into the Nil District to meet with a specific citizen who was apparently long over due on his tab, allow the collector to do his job and then safely escort the debt collector back out of the Nil District.

Once they were back in the Ninth District, Cassius’s job was done and he was free to leave with payment being received the following day for a successful job. In truth it sounded downright boring, but Cassius knew how to read between the lines and although he knew little about the Nil District besides its obscene levels of poverty, he knew that this mission was more of a statement about doing a good job and being reliable in the most basic of ways than it was about impressing anyone. Ursa and his men more than likely wanted to make sure Cassius was dedicated to working for him and not some egotistical hot shot or covert agent from one of the other Kingpins sent to infiltrate Ursa’s operations. So, they saddled him with the grunt work, the boring work and this was probably only the beginning of a long line of boring, tedious jobs but if that’s what it took then so be it. Cassius was a patient man; he knew how to play the long game.

So you’re the fishfrea- er, fishman assigned to me, huh? A voice broke Cassius’s train of thought as he looked up to see a stout man hobbling towards him, a beautiful wooden cane in one hand and a thick, metal briefcase in the other. His hair seemed to flow out from a heavily receeding hairline and he wore a simple suit with black sunglasses even though the sky was overcast, naturally blocking out any rays from the sun today. As he neared, Cassius realized the man didn’t even reach Cassius’s chest in height, but he carried an air of confidence…or perhaps arrogance about him that made him seem even taller than Cassius.

Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] Latest?cb=20130319193017&path-prefix=es

Ah yes, and you must be- Cassius began, putting out his hand awkwardly as he had observed so many humans before him do.
Ludo. The man said dismissively, completely ignoring Cassius’s hand.
Cassisus retracted, but not before noticing a chain around the briefcase handle which the man carried, a chain that seemed to disappear up the sleeve of his suit. Ludo seemed to notice as well as he adjusted the cuff of his suit and said,
Well, are we waiting for something? I don’t have all day and the less time I have to spend in this shithole the better.
Ah, right of course. Please, lead the way, I’ll follow so as to make sure we’re not taken from be-
Yeah, yeah, save the schpeal. You’re not my first lughead, you won’t be my last.
Cassius frowned as he considered what had happened to Ludo’s other “lugheads” but said nothing as he followed the debt collector down the precarious iron staircase built into the side of a concrete wall. It seemed the Nil District was quite literally the gutter of Baltigo, built along a causeway used to send garbage, excess rain water, and even sewage down and into the ocean from the upper levels of Baltigo, namely the Ninth District.

WORDS: 645
NOTES: ###
DORIKI: ###
GEAR: ###
SKILLS: ###

Cassius · 2 Re: Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] Wed Jul 18, 2018 4:56 am

Cassius

Pirate

Posts : 491
Location : Water 7
Join date : 2017-12-09

Cassius Sinclair
The Kraken
Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] D5da255ae42b2fbe08f85ac5f848e11c

As they climbed down the rusting staircase, the smell became more and more pungent before Ludo stopped on a landing just two levels above the bottom, swearing under his breath and patting the inside of his suit jacket. He pulled out what looked to be two earplugs and shoved them up his nostrils. He turned back to Cass,
Damn Nil District, literal shit hole I tell ya. It seems like the smell gets worse every time I have to come down here. Ludo shook his head in disgust but continued down the last few steps.
Cass followed behind and upon touching down noticed that the concrete he stood on was covered in a thin layer of filth and grime. He watched as bags of trash floated down the large river in the center of it all. Bridges of broken sheet petal and rotting plywood had been constructed to link the two sides of Nil District over the rotting green waters of the spillway.
Be thankful it hasn’t started raining yet. When this place floods you have to wade through ankle deep shit water. Takes a week to clean out the stench, had to burn my shoes last time. Ludo said as they walked through narrow passageways between makeshift housing constructed of whatever floated down through the river. As they walked they passed children with large, hand made nets scooping out pieces of trash from the water, trying to salvage anything that might be of use to them. He watched in horror and disgust as a scrawny young girl, no older than maybe nine or ten scooped out a half eaten apple and began to finish it.

These people are starving. Cassius muttered in astonishment, not actually meaning to speak out loud.
Through no one’s fault but their own. They get into bad business deals with the Kingpins, take out loans for money they know they can’t pay back and then when it comes time to pay, they get into even more debt. Ludo said without a trace of kindness in his voice. To him this was simply business, simple as that, no questions asked.
Finally, after a short walk, Ludo stopped in front of a particularly small house…if it could even be considered that, and pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket. He looked at the drawing hand scribbled on the parchment before studying the hut in front of him and nodding, returning the note to his pocket. He reaching his cane forward to push back the soiled curtain that stood as a front door to the hut, careful to not let any of the fabric touch his skin, before entering. Cassius looked around, noticing a few faces staring back at him but as soon as his gaze passed over them they either returned to what they were doing or disappeared amongst the piling trash. Satisfied, he followed Ludo into the home, having to squat to fit his larger frame.

WORDS: 493
NOTES: ###
DORIKI: ###
GEAR: ###
SKILLS: ###

Cassius · 3 Re: Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] Wed Jul 18, 2018 4:59 am

Cassius

Pirate

Posts : 491
Location : Water 7
Join date : 2017-12-09

Cassius Sinclair
The Kraken
Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] D5da255ae42b2fbe08f85ac5f848e11c

Inside he found a single room comprising the entire home. It had been divided by make shift half-walls. A single bed, or at least stained mattress rested in the corner, large enough to maybe fit a single grown person comfortably. Beyond that it seemed the residents of the hut had done their best to salvage debris that could be made into decorations for a home. Half broken chairs sat around a wooden table with three of the four legs being of different colors, lengths and styles, clearly salvaged together. The floor of the hut was simply the concrete floor covered in grime that Cassius had walked across in the streets of the Nil District. The only lighting streamed in through holes in the tin, rusting roof.

David, David, David, you know when you walked into the Prince’s place of business asking for a loan I thought, ‘Here’s a good one. Surely this one isn’t going to fuck up. He looks like a stand up guy, he looks like someone who Mr. Taylor won’t have a problem with.’ So David, I have to ask you then, if I thought all these things of you, why am I standing here before you in your home? Surely I’m not vacationing here in this godforsaken place. So why David, why am I here?
For the first time Cassius realized he and Ludo weren’t alone in the house. He had been too busy studying his surroundings and truly mesmerized by the level of squalor and poverty these people lived in to realize that a man sat at the table with oddly colored legs. To his right and standing behind him was a young woman who Cassius thought might be beautiful if it weren’t for the grime and filth covering her face and clothes. Behind that woman poked a small girl’s head, the mother’s hand pushing her behind her as Ludo spoke.

Please Mr. Ludo, I’m good for it I swear. I’m heading to the Melting Pot tomorrow morning first thing with all the iron and copper I salvaged from the river. I-I-I bet I can get double my payment on the loan to Mr. Taylor. It’ll all go to him, I promise, the rates have been good and the owner there, the owner at the Melting Pot, he likes me he really does. He says I bring some of the best scrap and salvage and he always gives me…he always gives me a good rate, I swear Mr. Ludo. J-just a little more time, twenty-four hours that’s all I need. Look, I’ll even show you what I’m bringing tomorrow, hold on.

The panic in David’s voice was almost palpable and because of that, it made the lies so much more obvious. This was clearly a desperate man and if Cassius could see that then inevitably so could Ludo. As David pushed back his chair to presumably fetch the so-called treasure trove of scrap, Ludo brought his cane down hard on the table. The wife jumped back, the child behind her whimpered in surprise and David recoiled in fear.

David, David, David, Ludo said, shaking his head, Why are you doing this? Why are you wasting my time? Why are you wasting everyone’s time here? Surely your beautiful wife has better things to do than stand there looking terrified? Get up, come here.
When David didn’t move but instead simply stared at Ludo, the stout man slammed his cane down on the table again, resulting in a noise Cassius wasn’t sure meant the table was splintering or the cane,
I said come here. Now. I don’t like to repeat myself David.

That got the scared man’s attention and he quickly moved to where Ludo had indicated in front of he and Cassius.
This here is my associate… Ludo trailed off in silence before looking up at Cassius and snapping in the fishman’s face to get his attention.
Erm, Cassius. Cass said with a grunt. Ludo simply stared at him over the rim of his glasses before turning back to the shaking David.
Say hello to my associate Cassius.
H-hello sir. David replied meekly, staring up at Cassius in horror. It wasn’t the first time Cassius had been looked at like that and it wouldn’t be the last, but somehow it was one of the worst. It reminded Cassius of a helpless child and something in the pit of his stomach twisted with rage.
Mr. Cassius here will be the one removing your gold filling to pay back some of the debt you owe Mr. Taylor. Ludo said and Cassius wasn’t sure who was more surprised by that statement, David or himself.

WORDS: 783
NOTES: ###
DORIKI: ###
GEAR: ###
SKILLS: ###

Cassius · 4 Re: Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] Wed Jul 18, 2018 5:00 am

Cassius

Pirate

Posts : 491
Location : Water 7
Join date : 2017-12-09

Cassius Sinclair
The Kraken
Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] D5da255ae42b2fbe08f85ac5f848e11c

Um…
Yes? Ludo asked, clearly not hiding the ire in his voice.
Respectfully that’s not my job. My job is simply to escort you to and fro.
To and fro? Who even says that? Fine, I’ll do it myself, no surprise there. Ludo said before suddenly swinging his cane upwards between David’s legs, hitting home swiftly and with enough force to slightly lift the man’s feet up onto tip toes. David buckled forward, letting out a gasp of air and exposing his mouth to Ludo as he swung the full weight of the metal briefcase across David’s face. The man fell to the concrete floor, blood spilling out from his broken mouth and pooling around the two white teeth and single gold tooth that lay beside David’s head. Ludo separated the two white teeth from the gold with the tip of his cane and the same level of compassion someone might show an ant as they step on it.

Bending down he retrieved the golden tooth before stepping over David to the table. Cassius stared down at the broken man in shock, horror and bubbling anger. He then noticed the crying of the little girl and looked up to see David’s wife was also in tears but smart enough to know if she bolted for her husband it meant only pain for her and her daughter while Ludo was still around. Clearly this wasn’t the first time a debt collector had come knocking.

Ludo meanwhile dialed in the numerical code for the briefcase, popping open the top and placing the singular gold tooth, still coated with a layer of fresh blood in the black satin trimmed suitcase before closing the lid once more. He turned to leave, looking down at the bleeding man gasping for air and cradling his manhood,
That daughter of yours is getting older and older by the day, I swear. Make sure I don’t have to come back, I’m sure Mr. Taylor would be able to settle any debts you owe with her beautiful little face.
With that, the squat man stepped over David’s crumpled body and walked through the curtain door once more, careful to push it aside with his cane as he had before.

Cassius simply stared down at David, bleeding and broken before looking up at his wife and child. Pity filled his heart and eyes; he could do nothing more than stare. He opened his mouth to say something but he tasted only cotton, completely dry.
Let’s go fishface, take a picture if you want to. Ludo called from outside.
Cassius shook his head before looking the wife in the eye and simply muttered,
I’m sorry. before disappearing out the curtain door after Ludo.

What’s the matter with you? Ludo asked Cassius as the fishman stepped out into the street. Cassius in turn said nothing.
What’d you expect? We’d walk up, he’d say, “Oh is today the day for collection, silly me I must have marked it wrong on my calendar, have a good day now.”? I’m not the fucking milkman.
You didn’t need to hurt him. Cassius said in almost a whisper, his fist clenched.
Didn’t need to hurt him? What was I gonna do? Slap him on the wrists and give him an extension. Was I going to steal is china cups as payment? They have nothing of value but the clothes on their back and in this rare case some great dentistry from before they wound up in this shit hole. So yes, in this case, I did need to hurt him. Ludo seemed to notice the much larger fishman’s clenched fists and decided his best bet was to try to avoid the situation altogether.
Whatever, it’s not your job to judge the dealings of my boss and it’s not my job to have to explain it to you. Now do your fucking job and take me home. Cassius said nothing as he brushed past Ludo and began walking back towards the stairs they had used to enter the Nil District.

WORDS: 673
NOTES: ###
DORIKI: ###
GEAR: ###
SKILLS: ###

Cassius · 5 Re: Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] Wed Jul 18, 2018 5:03 am

Cassius

Pirate

Posts : 491
Location : Water 7
Join date : 2017-12-09

Cassius Sinclair
The Kraken
Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] D5da255ae42b2fbe08f85ac5f848e11c

What in the hell is that? Ludo broke the silence as the stairs leading back to the Ninth District came into view. Cassius looked up to find a small crowd of maybe fifteen or twenty beggars armed with bottles and pipes standing between Ludo and Cassius and the entrance to the staircase.
Nothing good, stay behind me. Cassius said.
Don’t have to tell me twice, looks like you can finally prove your worth fishman. Ludo said as he positioned Cassius between himself and the crowd.
As they drew closer Cassius could see nothing but pure hatred in the eyes of the people gathered around the stairs. Cassius stopped about ten feet before the first man at the head of the crowd who slowly slapped a metal pipe against the palm of his hand, staring through Cassius where he knew Ludo lurked.

We’re not looking for trouble, just trying to get home gents.
Cassius offered, though he knew their response before he even finished his sentence. The lead man stepped forward and pointed the pipe in Cassius’s direction,
Our fight isn’t with you fishman. Step aside and you can return to the city above without a problem. Be thankful, we should beat you bloody for helping that monster.
I can’t do that. While I don’t agree with this man’s business, I was hired for a job and plan to see that job through. So if you’ll please excuse us. Cassius stepped forward only to stop as a glass bottle thrown from the back of the crowd shattered at his feet. Small bits of glass embedded themselves in his trousers and bottom portion of his coat. His boots and clothes thankfully managed to stop the majority of the shards, though some scraped across his shins and burned. Apparently clothes were good for something after all.

This is your last chance fishman, step aside and no harm will come to you.
Cassius stared at the crowd, studying their frail bodies and torn clothes. These people weren’t fighters. They were only standing here with makeshift weapons because of the anger fueling their hearts. He was confident he’d have no problem dealing with them in this state, regardless of their numbers, but the question remained as to whether or not he WANTED to deal with them. The only “wrong” these people were committing was standing up for themselves and their community. Cassius couldn’t punish that; it went against everything he believed in. Ludo, while perhaps not directly, worked as an oppressor for a tyrant and worst, a slaver. He turned his head ever so slightly to look down at Ludo out of the corner of his eye. Ludo took note of this and said,
Well, what are you waiting for? Clear a path, get me the hell out of here you fishfuck.

On the one hand, the pleasure he would take in watching this pack of starving wolves tear Ludo apart was almost palpable. On the other, he had a job now, his first job. If he failed his first job for Ursa and his organization he’d surely be kicked out. With a heavy sigh, Cassius turned back to the lead Nil District citizen,
Please understand that any sins I participate in here today are only stepping stones towards the greater good for people like all of you. Now please let us pass, there’s no need for any more violence here today.

WORDS: 567
NOTES: ###
DORIKI: ###
GEAR: ###
SKILLS: ###

Last edited by Faust on Wed Jul 18, 2018 12:28 pm; edited 1 time in total

Cassius · 6 Re: Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] Wed Jul 18, 2018 5:04 am

Cassius

Pirate

Posts : 491
Location : Water 7
Join date : 2017-12-09

Cassius Sinclair
The Kraken
Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] D5da255ae42b2fbe08f85ac5f848e11c

Cut the bullshit fishman, you’ve clearly made your choice, now prepare to pay for it. Yaaaaaaaaaaah! The man bellowed with a raspy voice, strangled by hunger and thirst as he charged forward, pipe raised in both hands.
Cassius simply stepped backwards slightly as the pipe swung down in front of him weakly. He grabbed hold of the iron pipe and placed a foot behind the ankles of the man, shoving him back while maintaining a firm grasp on the pipe. As a result, the man stumbled backwards and fell hard onto his back while losing his grip on the pipe. Cassius then stepped forward, throwing a punch in the general direction of the crowd, resulting in an unseen shockwave to strike the front row of armed vagrants. He watched as the people were knocked off their feet and into one another. In just three seconds at least half off the gathered crowd were in some way on the ground. He made sure to lessen the impact of the shockwave so as not to cause any broken bones or internal damage, merely scare the people away.

Cassius looked down at the leader, who rested on elbows staring up at Cassius. Cassius lowered the end of the pipe to rest right beside the man’s left temple. He locked eyes with the man for a long moment, expecting fear but finding only a hatred pure and strong. This man didn’t care if he lived or died and that made him far more dangerous than his meager frame let on. Cassius looked up at the surprised crowd as more members attempted to stand and gather themselves.
Leave, all of you. While you have strength in numbers you’re grotesquely weak. Stay and I promise you my next strike will leave a far more lasting impression.

Cassius raised the pipe upwards and the man flinched instinctively expecting the strike that would put him out of his misery. People in the mob gasped, one even shouted from the back but Cassius simply tossed the pipe away, listening to it clatter and roll along the concrete street.
Leave. Now. Take your hatred with you, let it burn inside of you and learn to fight for another day. Today is not your day.
For a moment there was a long silence as Cassius and the mob simply stared one another down. Slowly however, the mob began to disband and break apart, all scurrying away to their separate shacks and sections of the dump they called home. Cassius looked down at the man who stared up at him with the same burning hatred,
Remember this feeling and remember my face. You will see me again.
The next time I see your ugly mug it better be on the end of a pike. The man said, spitting at Cassius’s feet. Cassius simply nodded and walked past the man, Ludo following close behind with a string of swears exchanged between he and the Nil District citizen.

Back up top on the streets of the Ninth District, Ludo extended his hand to shake,
I wasn’t sure about you fishman, but you clearly proved your worth. Job well done. Cassius looked down at Ludo’s extended hand as he pulled out his pipe and lit it. Placing the pipe between his lips he simply said,
Funny, I was sure about you and you certainly didn’t disappoint.
With that, the fishman turned and disappeared into the crowded streets of Baltigo, his job done but a new mission on the horizon.

WORDS: 584
NOTES: ###
DORIKI: ###
GEAR: ###
SKILLS: ###

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1 Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] Wed Jul 18, 2018 4:55 am

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3 Re: Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] Wed Jul 18, 2018 4:59 am

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5 Re: Providing Some Muscle [Voyage] Wed Jul 18, 2018 5:03 am

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