Rating: K+
Spoilers: None
Timeframe: Robin's 24, beginning of the Baroque Works plan
The sun was setting on another hot, dry Alabastian day. Eyes hidden by the brim of a white cowboy hat, Robin watched the merchants and laborers go home from a hard day's work. There was just enough of a breeze to keep her fur-lined coat from being insufferable.
Drumming her fingers idly, she took another sip of her coffee and scanned the crowd for the man she should have showed up ten minutes ago. Sneaking another glance at her pocket watch, she grimaced. Make that eleven minutes.
Robin's instincts were on high alert and she used her power to spread even more eyes in discrete locations. Crocodile ran a tight ship, and if the Warlord was in one of his moods, tardiness could be punishable by death. His employees simply weren't late.
Finally, sixteen minutes after their meeting should have begun, a man joined Robin at her table. He was tall and powerfully built, with lanky but well-muscled limbs. The man had a dark complexion, but his buzz-cut hair was white. He carried himself with an air of strength and grace; no one would confuse him with a commoner.
"You're late," Robin said in a clipped tone, not hesitating to look directly into his eyes. Might as well send the signal now that she was the one with the power, not him.
"There were unavoidable circumstances beyond my control. You're the boss's girl?" he replied, sounding supremely board.
"I am running the day to day operations of for Baroque Works at this time, yes. You may call me Miss Sunday."
"Hm. Mind if I sit?" Robin nodded, and the man pulled out a chair opposite of hers. Lazily he leaned it back and balanced on two legs.
"We have business I'd like to get done tonight," Robin said coldly. "You can be assured that the boss will be notified of your unprofessional behavior."
Instead of striking fear into him, as she would have hoped, the man licked his lips in apprehension. "Yeah, sure. Go ahead. Spill the beans to the boss-man when we're done. I don't mind."
"Are you new, or merely stupid?" Robin asked, amused at this man's self-destructive behavior.
"Neither, I just know how to get my job done."
"I see. So, then, do you have the documents, Mr. Postponed?"
"No need for name calling, Sunday. I told you it was unavoidable. Here, take a look at these bad boys," he said, pulling out a few sheets of folded, dirty pieces of paper.
"Is that blood?" Robin inquired. Carefully she unfolded the papers and scanned their contents, mentally decoding the encryption. Nodding in satisfaction, Robin refolded the documents and tucked them into a hidden pocket inside her coat.
"Yeah, it was real piece of work to get that bit of info," the man said nonchalantly.
"Really? Do tell, what part of going to Public Records and looking up grain production for the last ten years involves bodily harm?"
The man's face went ashen, and his chair leaned forward with a thunk. "What?"
Robin gave the man her most demure smile. "Oh, is something wrong? You see, was told I was meeting an accountant by the name of Amir. I do not believe you are Amir. Am I wrong?" The man's stony silence was enough, and Robin's smile went ice cold. "Hmm. Then would I be correct in saying that I have the pleasure of addressing Daz Bones?"
Daz's whole demeanor shifted. The famed assassin from the West Blue leaned forward and interlocked his long fingers. Gone was his persona of casual indifference; instead he glared at her with an intense hatred. "And you got me to just hand the papers over. Well played, Sunday."
"I assure you it was nothing," Robin replied. Twisting around in her chair, she beckoned over a pair of Alabastian guards who supplemented their income as being a part of Baroques Works. "Arrest this man. I have it on good faith that he murdered a palace employee named Amir."
"Yes, Miss All Sunday," they murmured. Walking around the table they grabbed his sides. Daz glared, but did not struggle.
"This isn't my first time around the bend, Sunday. This conviction won't stick. All your witnesses will disappear. There won't be any evidence to find. This…is nothing more than a minor inconvenience," Daz said.
Robin got up and stalked around the table. Ignoring the guards, she leaned up against the assassin. "I don't know who you think you're going up against," she purred, "but the man I work for is much more intimidating than you can ever hope to be. I'd watch my step if I were you, Mr. Postponed. In this town, you are little more than a grain of sand in a windstorm."
"Mr. 0, there was a bit of an issue at the pick up today," Robin said into her den-den mushi as she walked briskly back to the casino. Unfortunately, her night had just gotten very busy.
"Oh?" Crocodile's dry voice asked.
"The papers arrived intact, but Amir was forced to resign from his position," Robin said. Stopping at a crossing section, she paused before continuing. "Although I did have the most fascinating conversation with a man from the West Blue; he and I share an area of experience and we had a wonderful discussion about work."
"This man isn't going to be a distraction, is he?" Crocodile's voice was hard.
"Oh, no, of course not. In fact, I plan on taking care of everything tonight."
"Good."
Robin sat outside Rainbase's prison, feeling immensely annoyed. Breaking into jail had not on her plan of things to do for the evening. But the elimination of Daz Bones was something she couldn't trust to anyone else, and it was a task that needed to be attended to immediately.
She walked through the front desk meekly. Her coat was replaced with clothing in the local style, and her head was covered in the customary way for a married woman. Shoulders hunched, she shuffled over to the tired, overweight man who manned the desk. "Excuse me, sir? I heard there was an arrest today, and I wondered if maybe my husband-?"
"Lady, gotta be more specific," the man interrupted.
"It was Guardsmen Muhar and Iban?" Robin said timidly.
"Psht, Lady you musta heard wrong. Guardsmen Muhar and Iban didn't report at shift change. In fact, you can consider their asses fired; the worthless pieces of crap. Now, if you don't mind, I have work to do."
Robin nodded mutely and left the prison. She had miscalculated, and badly. She had personally made sure that Daz Bones was securely bound with no weapons on his possession before allowing the toughs to take him away. If she hadn't been in such a hurry, she would have personally overseen his transfer, or better yet arranged for him to be dropped off in the middle of the desert. But she hadn't done those things, and had foolishly assumed the assassin would make it to his destination unimpaired.
Ducking into an alley, Robin tore off the headdress and donned the coat and hat she had stowed away. She wiped her hands on her pants to get rid of the sweat, reluctantly taking the baby den-den mushi out of her pocket. As much as she didn't want to do it, Crocodile had to be notified.
"Yes?" Crocodile answered.
"There's been a…hiccup." Rubbing her forehead, Robin leaned against the alley wall and tried to figure out how to explain herself.
"A hiccup?" Crocodile repeated dangerously.
"Yes-" Without warning the wall around her exploded. The den-den mushi was thrown from her grip and Robin lurched forward, twisting into a defensive position.
"Looking for someone?" a low voice asked from the shadows. Recognizing Daz's voice, Robin squinted through the darkness and the smoke trying to locate his location.
The haze shifted, revealing the hulking shadow of the assassin. Robin crossed her arms into an X-shape and spat, "Ocho Fleur: Clutch!"
Instead of collapsing onto the ground with a broken spine and neck, a white-hot pain sliced across her palms. Immediately Robin released her power with a hiss, scrambling to avoid Daz as he lunged. Nimbly she managed to duck around his attack, losing her hat in the process. Panting she turned to face her attacker. Blood dripped down her fingers onto the ground from multiple wounds. Daz stood in a relaxed fighting stance, his hands shining dully in the moonlight.
"Hm, nice fruit, to bad mine's better. I guess you could say I'm a blade man."
Robin broke out into a cold sweat. His ability completely nullified her power. The question of how Daz overwhelmed and disposed of two trained guards while bound and weaponless suddenly seemed less mystifying. It seemed that his reputation was quite deserved.
A head to head battle was suicide, as was staying in the secluded alleyway. It was time to turn to the one strategy that had never failed her. Robin turned tail and ran.
Ducking behind a fence, Robin cursed Daz Bones competence. She had run him all around the outskirts of Rainbase, trying to lose him in the night market crowd. He made it impossible for her, predicting her moves and cutting her off before she could sneak back onto the main streets. Maybe if Robin knew Rainbase better she would be able to shake him, but she had been in town for less than four months, and most of that time was spent getting familiar with the Baroque Works organization.
So now she was stuck playing a deadly game of cat and mouse without knowing any quick escape routes. It was another mistake, and one Robin berated herself for relentlessly as she tore another strip of cloth to wrap her hands.
Robin froze as one the ears she had sprouted picked up the dull scraping sound of a blade on stone. Forcing herself to stay perfectly still, Robin strained her ears and eyes. The lighting was limited to a few torches and the moonlight, forming shadows that made pinpointing where Daz was coming from very difficult. Suddenly, she had an idea.
Careful to use as little movement as possible, Robin shrugged off her heavy coat. Silently she sprouted a line of hands the opposite direction that she heard Daz. Using the sprouted hands in a conveyor belt-like motion Robin sent the coat down into a different side street, grimacing as some of the cuts on her hands reopened.
Daz was getting closer. Closing her eyes in concentration, Robin crossed her arms and summoned even more eyes and ears to the area. If this was to work, she would have to time it perfectly.
Finally he appeared. Just as Daz Bones turned the corner of the street, Robin commanded the arms with her coat to carry it near one of the few torches hanging from the walls. Using arms inside the coat to create the illusion of form, a believable shadow was cast on the opposite wall. Robin only allowed the shadow to be seen for a second, before moving the coat past the torch and dismissing the extra arms. Daz hesitated, but after a few seconds began stalking toward the shadow.
Robin forced herself to slowly count backwards from ten. At zero she sprouted an arm even further down the street and pushed over a wooden box. A feral grin passed over Daz's face as he chased after the noise. Robin's heart pounded as the assassin passed directly by her hiding place. Luckily he didn't sense her presence, falling for her bluff.
After he was completely out of sight Robin cautiously crawled away from the fence. Not wasting any time, she snuck back the way Daz had come from. Sticking close to the shadows she doubled her way back to the casino.
She almost made it. The large moat was easily within view when he caught up to her again. Robin turned to face her attacker, having run out of places to hide.
"I thought I lost you back in the alleyways," she said calmly.
Robin saw the moonlight glint off of Daz's arms as he shrugged his shoulders. "Your blood left a clear enough trail."
"Ah, of course. I don't suppose you would mind telling me why it is you're attacking me?"
Daz let out a soft, menacing laugh. "Why would I do that, Sunday? I've got you right where I want you. Atomic Spurt!"
Robin only had a moment to react as Daz dashed forward with incredible speed. Instinctively she activated her power. Pain shot through her hands as she grabbed his legs. Robin sidestepped Daz as he stumbled forward.
Growing more hands, Robin pushed Daz. He grunted in surprise as he realized her plan, but it was too late. His momentum carried him forward into the moat around the casino. Clawed hands sunk into the bank as Daz did everything in his power to avoid falling completely into the water.
Robin watched impassively as the assassin struggled. His strength would run out sooner or later, and when it did he would either drown or be eaten by the banannadiles. Either way, her problem would be dealt with. Daz's eyes closed and his power deactivated. Slowly he slipped into the water…
Sand swirled beside Robin. She suppressed a shiver as Crocodile made his appearance. The Warlord was sure to have watched the entire exchange. Of course he wouldn't have risked his cover by stepping in and intervening on her behalf.
"Is this your problem?" he rumbled. Wordlessly Robin nodded, exhaustion creeping in now that the adrenaline had died down.
"Daz Bones, assassin from the West Blue."
Crocodile grinned behind his cigar. "I want him," he said before disappearing in a whirlwind of sand.
Robin sat in front of Crocodile's prison waiting for Daz to regain consciousness. The water of the moat along with the sea stone of the prison bars seemed to have done a number on him.
At least she had gotten the opportunity to change clothes before conducting the interview.
Daz groaned and put his hand up to his head. Robin crossed her arms, hiding her injured hands, and smiled coldly at the man who tried to kill her.
"I'm…alive?" he mumbled.
"For now." Daz jerked his head up and winced. "Headache?" Robin asked sweetly. Daz glared at her. Leaning back in her chair, Robin met his gaze easily.
"You didn't kill me."
"Hmm." Robin conceded. "Mr. 0 thinks that you have potential. He has decided to give you an opportunity to…reevaluate your employment options."
Daz sat up and crossed his legs, pausing to look around the spacious room where he found himself trapped. "I'm listening."
"First, answer me this: Why did you target Baroque Works?"
"Not Baroque Works. You. Every bounty hunter, mercenary, and gun for hire worth anything in the West knows your face, Sunday. Or should I say Nico Robin?"
Closing her eyes, Robin suppressed a grimace. "And you thought I made a good target?"
"Bagging the famed Demon Child would make a good impression," Daz said with a shrug. "The Grand Line's the big leagues, and for a new guy to make it…" his voice trailed off, and he shrugged again.
"If it's status you're looking for, Baroque Works will give you plenty of opportunities to raise your stock. You will be well compensated for your efforts; everything you could possibly desire will be at your fingertips."
"And if I refuse?"
Robin chuckled humorlessly. "Then I'll leave you here until you die of dehydration and feed your corpse to the bananadiles. It's as I said before: Here, you are insignificant. The only reason you're still alive is because Mr. 0 willed it. Had it been my decision you would have drowned."
"I find it hard to believe that the Demon Child would be willing to bow down to anyone," Daz said.
"Look around you, Daz Bones. I have everything I desire, and that is only because of Mr. 0. Be forewarned, he doesn't suffer fools. If you displease him you'll wish I had left you in that moat. But serve under him? Obey his every word? The world will be at your fingertips."
Daz was silent for several minutes. "I'll do it," he said quietly. "I'll join you."
A cold smile spread across Robin's face. "Excellent. You'll start first thing in the morning."
Robin knocked on the door to Crocodile's office before entering uninvited. The Warlord sat in an overstuffed chair, idly smoking a cigar.
"Once I laid out the terms, he was very agreeable," Robin said. Crocodile took the cigar and flicked the end into an ashtray.
"Ha ha ha. I knew he would," Crocodile said smugly.
"He'll need a code name," Robin pointed out, trying to hide the exhaustion from her voice. It had been a long night, and she just wanted to go lie down.
"I suppose you're right. I think that Mr. 1 has a nice ring to it, don't you think?" Robin murmured her agreement, while inwardly she seethed. Giving Daz Bones the 1 position right after he had nearly killed her? What kind of game was Crocodile playing at?
It was just one more thing that forced Robin to stay on her toes. Daz certainly had the skills to work at a high level within Baroque Works. The question was whether or not he would stay loyal. In her heart of hearts, Robin believed he would. Then again, she had been wrong before. Only time would tell where Daz's loyalties lay.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." Robin said. Crocodile waved his hand in dismissal, and Robin went to her quarters. A quick glance at the clock told her it was a quarter till five in the morning.
Robin smiled crookedly to herself. It seemed like little had changed now that she had joined with Crocodile. Everything was just on a much larger scale, and her dream was at stake. Throughout the course of Crocodile's plans, there was sure to be many more nights like this yet to come.
And Robin knew that there was nothing she could do about it, except for to keep her wits about her and hope she survived them.
AN: Not my best work, but finals are coming up and I've had tests out the wazoo. As always, reviews are appreciated.