It's the thrill in the end. In that moment when something stolen becomes mine or is it? That's the bliss I desire.

Possessions wrote:

1 Baby Den Den (Story NPC has it)
1 Den Den Mushi
Steampunk Goggles

After several jolts of electricity, Jackal finally managed to get the patron awake, to which, his immediate response height or flight, slamming his hands in the Mink's chin and scrambling away from his current position resting in his lap. Panting heavily, "Get away from me! Your crazy! Why in the hell did you knock me out!?" the patron shouted. "Shishishi... That's the starting point of this conversation? I didn't even put my hips into it. Your lucky this wasn't three months ago... You'd be fried barbecue." Jackal stated, referencing his old habit of electrocuting those who'd invade his personal space. "How are you so calm!? What happened after you choose that girl at Sara's Palace!? Where's the other girl!?" the patron shouted, immensely shook from Jackal's initial electrical shocks. Sighing, "Look. It'd rather not waste energy explaining this twice. Could we just go to Tally's place? Apparently, she's your wife right? Tally's an old friend of mine." Jackal stated, shifting the stripped shirt he wore to reveal the tattoo on his chest. The Patron's eyes expanded widely, as Tally had the same mark at the nape of her neck. "Oh shit! I'm late for dinner! She'll kill me!" the Patron shouted, dashing off towards the direction of his house. Simply trailing behind, Jackal would follow the man until he'd eventually make it to the exit of the Second District, heading downtown into the Ninth District.

Which didn't surprise Jackal, as the Ninth District seemed to be the largest of the other areas, and most of the actual housing was in this section. After about a thirty minute stroll, which could've been a fifteen minute jog by foot, and even much shorter for the Mink, Jackal came across an apartment complex about ten stories high, which required pass card identification to enter. Flashing his card at the gate, the doors opened to the front yard area, which was paved with red stones. Walking into the yard, Jackal trailed behind the patron, making sure to cover his face with a scarf to prevent any unwanted attention. At the receptionist desk, the patron checked for any mail, and then walked over to the lift area, motioning the Mink to enter the elevator. Punching in the number 8, the duo got off on the eight floor, and with another flash of his pass card, the Patron opened the door to his apartment only to be met with a disgruntle, and pouting Tally at the door, wearing her usual white lab coat, comfortable shorts - home edition and fluffy bunny slippers that she'd bought for around the house. Her bunny ears flopped from left to right, and standing a few feet away, Jackal listened as the man got chewed into by Tally for staying out late, and how much she'd missed him.

"Somethings... sure don't change." Jackal thought to himself, remember how Tally would be the exact same way when Gin went awol, causing ruckus in whatever island they'd stop on. He'd keep his thoughts to himself, as if anything was labelled sensitive, it's Gin's and Tally's relationship, as many times they were off and on lovers. It'd be a bit awkward to see Tally worry about someone other than Gin but as the time progressed, it'd seem as if these two were much more of a proper fit. Once the scolding was over, Tally stepped out into the hallway and turned her attentions to Jackal. Shooting Tally a grin and sticking out his tongue, the woman responded by raising her middle finger at the Mink before breaking from a more serious exterior to a smile. Exchanging a fist bump, "It's been a while, Tengu." Tally said. "I haven't been called that in awhile... Shishishi... Nice seeing you again, Rabbit." Jackal responded grinning. Tally's husband literally stood from afar examining the whole scene play out, feeling completely detached from the aura the former crew-mates had. Escorting Jackal into the loft, the woman would lock the door, and show Jackal around her place.

Scattered around her place were books about ship building, including blueprints for several small craft and large craft vessels. It was like they'd entered into a mad scientists laboratory but more so, that of a mad ship maker. Tally's designs were always top notch, but a little bit eccentric. Once into the kitchen area, Tally had the table laid out for three, telling Jackal to sit to her right, and having her husband to her left. "Actually Tally. Can I invite one more person? She's going to be helping me out with my next heist?" Jackal inquired. "Ohoho... Is she part of this 'crew' of yours? I'm looking forward to meeting them so I can tell them how you used to scream out in your sleep for ya' mama." Tally stated, twirling around the table excited. "I'd rather you not." Jackal stated, sighing. Jackal never could've gotten a read on Tally, no matter how much he'd try to apply the knowledge from the Psychology Books he read on Drum, her personality type seemed to always change. It was personally strange to him but Jackal chalked it up to a coping mechanism. Taking out his Den Den Mushi, Jackal would call the contact number of Freya he'd gotten before they parted ways. It'd be her place of temporary residence it'd seem, but she'd answer the call, Jackal would exchange information about his location while catching up with Tally as he'd wait for her arrival.

It's the thrill in the end. In that moment when something stolen becomes mine or is it? That's the bliss I desire.

Possessions wrote:

1 Baby Den Den (Story NPC has it)
1 Den Den Mushi
Steampunk Goggles

Using Tally's buzzer system, Jackal opened the gate's lock, allowing Freya to enter freely into the building. While on the Den Den call, Jackal would inform her to take the lift system to the eight floor, at which, Jackal would be standing in the hallway, directly in front of the room where Tally would be staying. Once Freya had gotten off the lift, Jackal using a simple motion of his head would direct Freya to enter through the doorway he'd been standing in front of, at which, he'd meet the patron and his wife, Jackal's former crewmate, Tally. As soon as the woman entered the room, Tally would examine her body, figure and height from head to toe, buzzing around the woman's body. "Not much bust but I guess she'll do." Tally stated, nodding herself in approval, for what, only Tally in her own little world would understand. "Shall we get this dinner on the road?" Jackal stated. "Ah! Oh yeah! I'm starving! Everyone have a seat!" Tally stated, directing Freya and Jackal towards the table in her kitchen of the small loft. It'd be from this point that Freya's husband would take over, which made Jackal sigh a breath of relief. Noticing the man's facial expression, on full defence, Tally would come on the attack, "What was that all about Jackal? You seem to be excited to eat my husbands cooking?" Tally inquired, pouting her cheeks. "Shishishi... I said nothing but since you brought it up, your food tastes like soggy prison food. I'm pretty sure your husband has to be at the core level, a better cook than whatever you would've-" Jackal's sentence cut short by the straight right to his mid-section, that made the man keel over, clutching his abdomen. "Hmph! Rude! All those days cooking for you and Capt', ya'll are an ungrateful lot as always!" Tally shouted, expanding her pouted cheeks until they turned red.

Most of the prep work of chopping up the vegetables and lining the countertop with ingredients had been set for Tally's husband to start their evening meal. Changing the energy in the room, Tally would sit at the dinner table, reaching for the bottle of wine in the centre of the room, and pouring herself a glass. "As much as it's good to see you again Tengu... You've always been an bad omen... What brings you to Baltigo?" Tally inquired, as the wine inched to the glass's mouth, ounce by ounce of it's red elixir. "Honestly, this was my Log Pose's next destination. However, since getting here I've had multiple run-ins with the Second Districts... Services?" Jackal stated, walking towards the chair, pulling out from underneath the table, spinning it around for the back to face him, and taking a seat. "Ah. The Pleasure Industry as they so smartly call it. The way things work in Baltigo's simple really. They are essentially ten districts. Nine officially as they don't count the Nil District. Each district is ran by a mafia family or an organisation that monitors, controls and manages the industry in several fields. The main reason why Nil doesn't count is due to it's history of being a 'lawless area'." Tally explained ceasing the pouring of her wine in the glass.

"The Second District specifically like I said earlier deals with selling of sexual services whether directly with Brothels, or indirectly their numerous spa centres... Strip Clubs... Live Shows... In the right places, you'd see the most grotesque things in the Second District. It's all ran by a female mafiaso, a woman that simply goes by the alias, Mother." Tally concluded. Wagging his tail, "Mother huh?" Jackal retorted. "As for who she is or what she looks life, that's where I can't help you. Only the most elite of the mafia know what or who the leader's true identities are. Mother in specific has ties with almost all the other districts. Once more, she also has her own squad of enforcers called the pieces, much like the pieces on a chessboard, she has sixteen mafia men who hold positions such as Rook, Knight, Bishop, Pawn, King and Queen. They all use this as their alias too." Tally concluded. Jackal flashback to the man that'd approached him at the bar that him and Tally's husband had been staying at.

"Bishop huh?" Jackal thought to himself, recollecting the eerie aura he'd obtained from the man. "If possible, it'd like to avoid tangling with all sixteen of her men. I don't have a death sentence. Besides, I think I've already met one of her 'Bishops'.'" Jackal stated. "Jackal... word of advice... Stay away from Mother. When it comes to information... She knows everything under the sun about the persons who make her an enemy." Tally stated, her carefree expression changing to a much more serious one, along with her tone. "Shishishi... When it comes to my past... I have nothing to hide. The crew I have now... are able to handle themselves. I just need to do the adequate research now. I need names and faces. Is there anywhere her 'pieces' meet?" Jackal inquired.

Tapping on the pot, Tally's husband announced that food would be ready within the next half hour or so. Joining them at the table, Tally poured him and Freya a drink of their choice, wine or juice. "Hmm... That's hard to say. Each of them have their own businesses throughout Baltigo..." Tally stated, pausing to ponder in between her sentence. "If it'd have to guess. It'd be the ball they have every weekend at a place called Freedom Palace. It's like a huge three story night club... on the ceiling that's where the magic happens. It's a masquerade party and it's opened to all.

Security is provided by the 4th District mercenary group in conjunction with her pieces but anyone can enter. It's her way to giving back to the community.

All transactions on the night are twenty-five percent off I hear. However... Freedom Palace is the place where obscurity and immorality come to meet.

This is my only advice to you. Each Kingpin's level of hold is similar to that of a King. Literally. Taking down a district... or taking over a district... It's a suicide mission." Tally stated warning Jackal.

In a few moments, dinner would be served. Tally's husband taking Jackal's diet into consideration prepared a fish pasta, made with three cheese and creamiest sauce you could've ever imagined.

It's the thrill in the end. In that moment when something stolen becomes mine or is it? That's the bliss I desire.

Possessions wrote:

1 Baby Den Den (Story NPC has it)
1 Den Den Mushi
Steampunk Goggles

"Not regular Lesser Minks... Mostly Nobles." Jackal responded, turning his eye contact to Freya as he spoke. Jackal noticed this last time, Freya wasn't very familiar with the workings of the outside world, though, to be fair, neither was Jackal, he'd gained all of his knowledge from the pages of his former Noble 'owners' literature collection. "Essentially, a bunch of people gather around, dressed in their best outfits and drink large amount of liquor. Masquerades are a style of event... the theme usually is everyone conceals their identity with a mask." Jackal stated. Jackal wasn't a human so he didn't take much offence to Freya's statement, however, Tally and her husband, were very much interested in what race Freya happened to be. "Human... Then... What race are you?" the couple said in a creepy kind of duality, with grins on their face. "Ease up power couple. That's rude." Jackal stated sighing, he'd been accustomed to Tally's behaviours but Jackal could understand if complete strangers found the woman weird, when they'd first started travelling together, Tally used to sneak into his room and conduct 'experiments' on him. She's the peculiar kind whose common sense doesn't exactly answer or conform to normal reasoning.

"Freedom Palace... Pieces..." Jackal thought to himself. "Taking on sixteen of her best men doesn't sound like a grand time at all." Jackal stated chuckling. "Especially at my current level... If they're anywhere near the level of the one I faced at the entrance of Baltigo... He was a Knight. I'm assuming her King and Queen counterparts would be a pain in the ass to handle." Jackal concluded, revealing information about his previous squabbles with the Second District. He'd opted to omit the information about the twins, not because he didn't trust anyone present, more so to do with the less people knowing they are in his care, the better. "How long until the next ball Rabbit?" Jackal inquired, digging into his pasta dish. Talking at first with her mouth full and sauce surrounding her lips, the words that exited the woman's mouth would've been inaudible. However, after swallowing and wiping her mouth clean, "You got about four days. The ball's a literal open market... anyone can go. You'll need some new clothes though. It does have a dress code." Tally stated.

"And I'm going to have to toughen you up a bit." Jackal commented. "If you're going to come with me to this ball. I'll need you to at least be able to keep up with my movements." Jackal stated, staring directly at Freya smirking. "I'll save our training for a later date... for tonight... I think we should reconvene. I'll see you five a.m. sharp. Meet by the beach side of the Ninth District, where the ships dock." Jackal concluded. Finishing his meal, Jackal sent his salutations to the room, thanking the patron for food. "Wait... What's your name?" Jackal inquired, noticing that he didn't know Tally's husband's name the whole time. "Ha. Now you ask... My name's Ricardo." the husband responded grinning. "Shishishi... Thanks for taking care of Rabbit over here. She's a little eccentric but a former crewmate and valuable nakama to me." Jackal snickered, finishing his statement. "It wasn't much of a choice... I kind of fell for her hard. I'm glad I met her." Ricardo concluded grinning. "BABY!" Tally shouted, locking her arms around Ricardo's neck and spinning around. Exiting the room, Jackal would walk with Freya, entering the loft to the bottom floor, outside of the compound, the bustling streets of Baltigo were complimented with the blaring lights and sounds from the mass of people. "This is such an interesting place isn't it?" Jackal stated. "So much life but at the same time... so much corruption. I think I'll have fun with this chess game of ours." Jackal concluded, peering over at Freya.

---

"That was the famous Tengu you talked about so much. Why didn't you tell him?" Ricardo inquired. "Tell him about what?" Tally inquired, with a cheerful tone. "About Gin. Isabella-" Ricardo's statement was cut short from Tally's lips passionately pressing against his own. "Jackal... deserted us... Far before what happened to Gin. I can't ask him to help... Even I, can't ever forgive Gin for what he did to Jackal." Tally stated. "If anyone's to tell him... It's going to have to be Isabella." Tally concluded.

It's the thrill in the end. In that moment when something stolen becomes mine or is it? That's the bliss I desire.

Possessions wrote:

1 Baby Den Den (Story NPC has it)
1 Den Den Mushi
Steampunk Goggles

"Shishishi... That's a little extreme. The world is like this because of all races, Lesser Minks and otherwise included. I see potential in the need for an information network but as for using sex as a economic driver, it's just tacky. I have a much more efficient system in place." Jackal stated grinning, chuckling at Freya's notion of ending Mother's life. It wasn't that Jackal had intentions of saving the woman's life either, the reality was that with Mother's brainwashing tendency, killing her might be the only option but only time would tell if even that was possible.

---

The next day arrived shortly after Jackal and Freya parted ways. As promised, Jackal was waiting by the entrance of the docks, where the ships docked in Ninth District. Upon Freya's arrival, he'd lead the woman to a isolated area on the dock's coastline. Once he'd be alone, he'd scan the area using his Kenbunshoku Haki for signs of external signs of life, other than their signatures, if present, he'd let the idea slip past, of talking about the topic of the day until they were truly alone. "Alright. Essentially... I'm going to be training you over the next four days before the ball. My goal is to make sure you learn Haki. Haki is the energy all human beings possess. For now... I just need you to focus on sensory abilities. It's called Kenbunshoku or Sixth Sense. It's impossible to get it on your first go... This sense is just your introduction." Jackal stated grinning.

---

After about two hours worth of training, Jackal would pause his attacks, leaving Freya panting, covering in sweat. "We'll stop here for today... You still haven't awakened it yet but in time... You'll learn to stop relying on your eyes or other senses alone." Jackal stated. "Now... Let's go shopping." Jackal conclude smirking, as he'd walk away, leading the journey towards the town, they'd need some new duds for the moves ahead.

It's the thrill in the end. In that moment when something stolen becomes mine or is it? That's the bliss I desire.

Possessions wrote:

1 Baby Den Den (Story NPC has it)
1 Den Den Mushi
Steampunk Goggles

Travelling through the bustling streets of the Ninth District, vendors heckled all kinds of supplies and commodities. However, Jackal wasn't distracted, he'd came to the market looking for one thing in particular, clothes. After about thirty minutes of searching, the Mink and Freya stumbled across a place called Monsieur and Mademoiselle. Clearing the doors to the establishment, the duo's sweaty and dusty clothes were examined from head to toe, and immediately, the point of sales worker who'd deal with the walk customers stereotyped them as poor, in ever context of the word. The worker, Monsieur Blue, from the long legged tribe stood from his seating, towering over the two by at least ten feet. "How... may I help you two?" Blue inquired, his facial expression extremely annoyed at the two. "Shishishi... I'm looking for some clothes for a ball. For myself and my friend over here." Jackal said, pointing his thumb over his shoulder towards Freya. "Monsieur... Our place is the finest in all of Baltigo." Blue stated, tapping his bright shone black leather shoes against the stores floor in frustration. "Our pieces start from as low as 3,000,000 Beli an item. I'm sure you two are in the wrong place... Judging from the looks of it." Blue concluded, smirking at his insult.

Opening his messenger bag on the left of his shoulder, Jackal tossed the bag onto the ground exposed. When Blue looked down at it's contents, his eyes almost popped out the socket, it'd be several pieces of gold coins, jewellery and several stacks of Beli bills. Grinning, "I'm sorry... I forgot I had to speak your language first. Let's try this again... I need a snazzy suit and dress for our next 'date'. Can you be of assistance to me, Monsieur Blue?" Jackal inquired, reading the mans' name of his name tag. "OUI." Blue responded brimming with excitement from his potential commission from this sale. After trying on several selections, Jackal settled on a military style jacket, with a simple long flowing dress pants, as the clips on the jacket matched back with the goggles on his head.

Jacket :

Standing in front of the mirror within the shop's changing room, a look of approval covered the Bandit King's face. Exiting the changing booth, Jackal waited patiently for Freya to change, he hadn't seen the Lesser Mink in anything other than her generic skirt and black blouse top, and wondered how she'd looked in a more classy look. Laying down on the couch in the stores waiting room, Jackal awaited the woman's selection for their next heist.  

It's the thrill in the end. In that moment when something stolen becomes mine or is it? That's the bliss I desire.

Possessions wrote:

1 Baby Den Den (Story NPC has it)
1 Den Den Mushi
Steampunk Goggles

"Shishishi... If I was a marine, it'd be probably plotting twice as hard as I am now but the irony in that statement." Jackal stated, not finishing his sentence but continuing with the opening utterance that was his chuckle. As Freya emerged from the changing room, even Jackal couldn't help but nod his head in approval, Freya had much more of a figure and presence, the words the 'Clothes make the man' never had a more truer meaning. Once the woman had finished her sentence mentioning about the matter of paying, a devilish grin would fill out the linings of the man's facial expression. Backing the counter, Jackal would spit towards the rack of clothes to his hind, creating an explosion that filled the room with backdraft. It'd be in this moment that Freya would've felt Jackal grab onto her hand, motioning for her to grab the rest of her belongings, and the duo would shoot off out the shop. "It's an attack! The criminals are still on the inside!" Jackal shouted, as he'd fled the scene, creating distraction from the true culprit that lied within himself. Ducking into another clothing store about five houses down, Jackal would begin to browse the clothes of on the racks casually. "I'll pay for this round. You gotta have options you know?" Jackal stated grinning playfully, motioning towards the changing room in the store to try on new pieces once more. This time, Jackal searched for clothes from his original look, green sleeveless turtle neck, brown cargo pants and another calico scarf, it's colour scheme similar to the pattern of his original scarf, black and gold polka dot.

It's the thrill in the end. In that moment when something stolen becomes mine or is it? That's the bliss I desire.

Possessions wrote:

1 Baby Den Den (Story NPC has it)
1 Den Den Mushi
Steampunk Goggles

Now that they'd finished their shopping and Jackal finally had his usual attire back in order, the Mink and Kuja exited the store about an hour or so later, this time, Jackal paying the cashier for the items they'd purchased. Hustling into the bustle of the street, Jackal strung up conversation based on questions that'd been knocking around his head for awhile. "I've been trying to figure this out for the longest time now... but I just can't put my hands on it." Jackal stated. "Your mannerisms... They are much more ridgid than most I've met so far in the outside world. What kind of environment where you raised in?" Jackal inquired. Honestly, the Mink didn't know much about Freya, aside she was the type of woman to follow strangers to brothel houses and carry around a Japanese styled weapon wearing a mini-skirt. Not like he'd be the one to give anyone any fashion tips with his sense of dress, if he could've worn cargo pants to this heist, he would but a bandit must always look the part, depending on the job at hand.

Finally, reaching the end of the strip, Jackal's path towards Tally's loft was to the right and an available left were the only two courses of actions remaining. "I'll head back to badger Tally into working on my ship. We'll meet back up in three days for the ball. Keep training everything I taught you today. Seeing as you know about Haki, unlocking it is the major part. I've decided. Once I've found out Mother's pieces... I'll hunt each of them." Jackal stated smirking. "Though, if I can avoid killing them, that'd be nice. Having sixteen people to manage day to day activity sounds efficient. Though, it'd cut it down to three." Jackal concluded.

It's the thrill in the end. In that moment when something stolen becomes mine or is it? That's the bliss I desire.

Possessions wrote:

1 Baby Den Den (Story NPC has it)
1 Den Den Mushi
Steampunk Goggles

As Jackal and Freya part ways, the cogs behind the scenes began to turn for the upcoming ball. At an undisclosed location, Mother's finest guard gathered. The meeting was to discuss the next major events on the calendar, The Ball and Auction. "Ah... Mother's fuming about that little Mink. I hear she's even thinking about paying Ursa's men to take his head." the Piece said shaking in his chair. "No need. Bishop you'll clean up this mess... Co-ordinate with the Sixth District so we're not stepping on any toes. We only left him alone so far because Khan showed an interest in him. I'll send Queen to hunt for his ship... and King to retrieve his crewmates. It's better us dealing with this... before Mother gets involved herself." the Co-Ordinator Piece stated.