Inside the alley there's a lean man blocking the exit his eyes darting around the area a flintlock pistol clenched in his grip his hand shaking, he appears to be waiting for someone to stumble in distracted so he could rob them. As his eyes alight upon me, he almost dismisses me not seeing anything of worth in my bar clothes a threadbare red shirt and loose black pants with deceptively deep pockets before noticing the devil fruit still clutched in my hand. (I'm a short peach skinned young woman with an angular face set with full chapped lips, a cute rounded nose, and dark brown eyes, atop a slightly thinner neck. My slightly smaller than average breasts are set upon an athletic frame with wiry arms and legs due to my training preparations.) His clothes denote him as a pirate likely fresh off the boat due to their weathered nature and the stench of the sea upon him. He's wearing a simple gray shirt with it's sleeves torn off over a pair of white tattered pants his shoes, one of the cheapest pair on the market, appear to be worn down over months at sea. He's not unattractive by most standards with his youthful face and sprinters physique. I stop halfway down the alley as I notice him and I can tell he's seen combat due to his lightly toned arms littered with small scars that appear to have come from someone wielding a knife or dagger none of them large enough to have come from a sword. Slowly raking my eyes across his form I note him attempting to hide the pistol in a pocket before I notice likely so I'd be caught off guard if he tried to rob me. Trying to appear nonchalant as I easily slip into the mindset of a lusty barmaid seeking companionship, my body language changing from my natural relaxed state to that of a woman seeking to impress a potential partner. I cock a hip to the side as I cross my arms under my chest giving my breasts a helpful nudge (God it's so weird having breasts even after all these years.) "See something you like?" I question flirtatiously my tongue darting across my lips a predatory look sweeping over my face. His eyes seem to be locked on my lips for a few moments swallowing as I saunter towards him a sway in my hips. I can't help but add "I know I like what I see." as I slip the fruit into a pocket.
He seems taken aback at my flirting confusion entering his eyes as he attempts to remain calm unsure of how to take this recent development. He starts to shake slightly in anticipation a small blush rushing across his face as I sway closer my movements practiced and confident, years of dealing with pirates and perverts allowed me to move my body in just the right way to tantalize them with promises of something they'll never have. His mind racing his eyes seem to catch something behind me. "You think your three friends can sneak up on me while you distract me with empty promises?" He questions his voice a pleasant tenor tinged with disappointment and a little hurt. "You must think I'm some kind of fool."
My eyes blow wide with surprise as I spin around on the balls of my feet to see three average looking men, two of them brandishing swords as a third moves forwards his pistol aimed at me. "Girl ye'd best hand over that devil fruit ye just had if ya know what's good for ya." One of the swordsmen growls out gesturing for his two partners to move towards me. Looking behind me I notice the young pirate seems to have bolted while the swordsman was delivering his ultimatum. Stilling myself I remove the fruit from my pocket before throwing it high into the air. The three would-be robbers look upwards eyes locked on the fruit as the leader shouts at them to catch it. The three distracted I blur towards the man with the pistol slamming a knee into his groin as hard as I can causing him to drop his gun and fall to the ground the pain too much for his thieving ass to handle. Picking up the gun I point it towards the leader cocking back the hammer with a cocky grin my hands steady.
"Well shit boys It seems it's just two against one now" I spit out with disgust as I adjust my aim to point towards the leaders manhood. "Now unless you want to end up missing your bait and tackle I'd recommend you get the hell out of here." As I'm saying this the swordsman dashes towards me almost silently priming a slash towards the gun. I pull the trigger quickly the shot going wide sinking into the leader's left thigh as I backpedal chucking the gun at the rapidly approaching swordsman who knocks it out of the air with an upwards slash as I dodge his next slash my arm whips out towards his gut connecting and knocking the wind from his sails for the few seconds it takes me to reach the devil fruit that had landed behind me and take a bite from it hoping it's a good power. I feel my taste buds screaming out in mutiny at the hell I'd just inflicted upon them. "Now I just ate the Devil fruit and you bastards have no more reason to chase after me like a dog with a bone." The moment those words leave my lips my perspective shifts as I lose several feet of height hair growing all over my body as my teeth shift into those of a canine my arms and legs shortening and sifting into paws as a long furred tail extends from my spine. [Daughter of a bitch it's a damn zoan fruit.] I growl out as threateningly as I can as the would be robbers eyes pop out of their heads their jaws slamming into the ground of the filthy alley.
"It seems she really was a bitch eh boss?" The swordsman asks his leader as they share chuckle once they return their eyes and jaws to their proper place. (I'll never get used to seeing anime tropes in real life.) I snarl at them my eyes becoming twin flames as I shoot towards them faster than before pouncing onto the snickering swordsman's crotch my teeth tear through the trousers meeting flesh as I begin shaking my muzzle roughly he screams forgetting the sword in his attempt to rip me off of his manhood. As I continue to maul his pride and joy I shoot a glare at the leader as if to say you're next causing him to bolt clutching his twig and berries. Releasing the swordsman to clutch his groin his tears flowing like waterfalls as I scurry away towards the nearest fountain to wash my mouth out as quickly as possible.
Reaching the fountain I begin to lap up the water like a dog possessed the salty water helping me wash out the taste of the unwashed mans privates. Finishing my drink I jump into the water in the hopes of returning to my natural form holding my breath. Unprepared for the sudden lack of energy and feeling of utter powerlessness I release the air in my lungs my mind fogging up rapidly as my face hits the bottom of the fountain as I return to my human form. Minutes pass before A pair of strong arms wrap around my waist lifting me up. Forcefully sucking in air as my facilities return to me I turn towards my saviour to behold Margaret a tall statuesque woman looking at me her hands on her hips with disappointment in her eyes. "You know playing in the fountain is for children Roberta Borker. I am ashamed to call you my best worker! Why can't you just act your age when you're off the clock?" She berates me making me feel a few inches tall.
Looking at her with puppy dog eyes pouting I unknowingly shift into my hybrid form ears traveling to the top of my head shifting into a canine form my face becoming a small muzzle as my hands and feet sprout small hooked claws my body covering itself in a short coat of tan fur as I shrink several inches. "I'm sorry Mar. I was just trying something out." I continue to whine softly the tail sprouting out of my pants drooping as my ears flatten.
"E-eh I-it's fine you ate the prize I take it and couldn't think of a better way of changing back?" She replies a look of sadness flickering across her face before returning to her natural severe cast. "Well since you've gotten a zoan fruit I know just the person to help you out with controlling your transformations. He even said you sent him."
"Wait he was a devil fruit user?" I question cocking my head to the side in confusion my tail wagging happily at the thought of not having to do this on my own.
"Yeah he said you bumped into him and he helped you up." she glares at me again. "What have I told you about running in these streets, If you weren't so lucky you might have run into that uncouth green headed bastard… I shudder to think what would happen if the two of you met." I can't help but remember the catlike man I almost ran into on my way towards the drinking contest, He had such cool hair too with sort of a controlled air about him.
"Yes mom" I snark still not noticing my transformation as we head back to the bar.
"Girl if I was your mother I'd be so ashamed of your behaviour, but seeing as I've met your family I can't help but think you could have been so much worse, I mean honestly that man with his constant jokes it's maddening." she huffs good naturedly a small smile tugging at her lips.
Arriving at the bar literally shaking with the sounds of several people shouting and fighting a random Donkey braying. I shoot Margaret a look. "Please tell me you didn't put Sherry in charge you Know how scatterbrained that woman is." I shudder thinking of the great brawl several months earlier when she was last in charge.
"I was only gone for fifteen minutes Roberta What's the worst that could happen." Damnit she said it, she just had to tempt fate. As she notices the noise her face falls as she turns nervously smiling at me. "I've got some more stock to pick up you're going to be able to handle this right?" Before I have a chance to answer she bolts towards the central market district,
Sighing I shake my head before kicking the doors open. The anarchy inside is a sight to behold as several tables are knocked around pirates and civilians alike fighting as the donkey I heard earlier kicks people away from Sherry frantically trying to bring people their drinks in an attempt to appease the various brawling groups.
Placing my hands on my hips I can't help but grin at the sight. It's a classic barroom brawl drinks being used as weapons and one guy using another to beat off people trying to get towards him. "OI" I bellow my deepish voice cutting through the chaos as multiple people stop what they're doing the locals begin to shudder as I grin like a shark after fresh blood. "IF YOU LOT DON'T CALM DOWN I WILL HAVE YOUR BALLS IN A SLING." Several people snicker as a few of the men who've seen me in action can't help but grasp at themselves memories of the last time I'd used that threat and someone didn't comply. "Now that I have your attention." before I can finish my sentence somebody shouts and tries to slam a chair into my back. With a smirk I shoot a negligent back kick at the man his hands too occupied by the chair to protect his soft underbelly as my foot sinks into his stomach my claws scratching him as I place my foot back on the ground. With a loud burst of air he falls back the chair falling on the ground unharmed. "Now if you don't want your nuts to end up like his tummy I'd recommend you calm the fuck down." As most of the men calm down several people grumbling as they take their seats. "Ruffufufufufu" I can't help the burst of laughter slipping past my lips as I right the tables and hop behind the bar. "Now who still hasn't been served?" I question as three-fourths of the bar raises their hands. Shooting Sherry a glare I walk towards her as I grab her hand. "Now what did I tell you last time girl?" I bark at her still in my hybrid form not noticing until I see the paw like hand grasping her upper arm. "Have I been like this the entire time Sherry." I deadpan as she nods her head her free hand unconsciously reaching up to pet my ears. Oh heavens what's this feeling, I can't help but lean into her touch as my tail wags happily the pampering helping calm me down quickly as my tongue lolls out of my muzzle. Ah what was I doing again right berating Sherry. Calmly I explain "Now sherry you should know better than to take on more than you can handle you're an excellent waitress but you still don't know how to make most of the mixed drinks some of our more ya'know snooty customers prefer. Why Mar let's you get away with so much I'll never know." I sigh shaking my head as she continues to pet me. Regretfully I shake her hand off as I remember I have a job to do.
"B-but Robbie you Know I'd have been just fine if you were here making the drinks." She whines cutely while trying to continue to pet me as I end up swatting her hands several times. "Now before you leave how did you get so much cuter, I'm jealous." She pouts as I wrap her in a quick hug. Ah I'll never get tired of having such cute friends I'll miss her when I go.
"Now now sweetie you know you're still growing, you're only 16 after all." I laugh as she continues to pout before patting her head as she almost melts at the affection.
"Awwww Robbie pamper me more." Shaking my head at her antics as she rubs her head against my hand a content sigh leaving her lips. I stop the attention so various customers are not forgotten. The rest of the shift is spent breaking up fights and serving handsy assholes. When I finally get a break I walk over to the donkey that appears to be sitting at a table awaiting a drink. I raise an eyebrow at the obviously male ass before pointing at the sign reading 'No Animals Allowed that Includes Animal forms, go Hybrid or Get out.' The donkey looks rather put out before shifting back into Don.
"You're a Donkey and your name is Don, What kind of hack bullshit is this…." I continue to rant for a few minutes before allowing him to answer my face red with fury.
"Bad luck…" He replied a slight disturbed look on his face. He shook his head as if shaking away the memories before turning back to look at me. "So Rob was it?" At my nod he continues. "Somethin' tells me this is yer first time usin' yer Devil fruit, an Seein' as I'm goin' to be in port for a while I could teach ya how to change at will, but it's gonna cost ya. Yer boss, tha pretty blonde one with tha green eyes, told me about how ye were plannin' on settin' up a sailin' bar. I'll teach ya but ye got ta let me go with ya. I'm a sailor an these feckin morons think jes because I can't swim I'm bloody useless. His eyes become engulfed in flames as he spits out the words more invectives peppering his rant on what exactly his former employers could do and go. He calms down after a few minutes his eyes returning back to normal as his rage burns itself out. I think for a few moments before replying.
"Sure it might take a week for the barge to be ready and a few weeks more for the stock to arrive so if you can find a place to stay and where we can train my transformations I'll let ya join." Reaching out I take his large hand in mine and Shake Firmly. "I can tell this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."