Chapter 8
The Second Dock Burlesque
"This is a bad idea," Maxwell muttered as they came closer to the doors.
"Don't worry about it. Just follow my lead." *SQUAWK!*
Both of them look up to see Karasu, the king's messenger, staring down at them on a lamppost. And the bird was staring down at Maxwell intently.
"…Right, I still have to give that report. Salem, could you—?" Sensing his intentions, Salem's grimoire snapped open, quickly opening to an empty page. Writing soon appeared, scrawled on it, detailing the events of today.
Maxwell then quickly signed it, then tore the page out, "Here you go. For the king…" the mage then rolled it up and Karasu swooped down from his post. The bird then nabbed it with his beak and flew off into the night.
"…Well, let's get this charade over with, shall we?" Saga whispered to Maxwell as he slung an arm around his shoulders and started dragging the mage. Then, Saga's arm went over his head, and the swordsman turned backwards, bouncing on his feet. "Come on man! I've been wanting to check this place out since we came into port!"
"I know, I know August, but did you really need to drag me out here? I still have work to do!" Maxwell gestured to his book, and pushed up his glasses, using Karasu as another excuse. He also made up that name on the spot.
"Lighten up man! You can finish accounting when we get inside! Besides, think of all the beautiful girls!" Saga twirled around, raising his sword arm in a pirouette as he walked towards the doors.
"Ugh…" Maxwell groaned, partially in character, and partially not wanting to go in. He never visited such places, even when he wasn't with his fellow mages.
"Yo! My man!" Saga greeted the bouncer, "Any chance we could go in? My friend, is in some dire need of some fun." He grabbed Maxwell's shoulder and patted his pectoral to help sell the bid.
The bouncer smirked, "Yeah, yeah, go on in. You're in for a treat tonight, boys!" Saga grinned his thanks and wrapped his arm around Maxwell again, rushing him inside.
Soon as they entered the doors, music started beating in their ears. It was muffled, but audible coming from another set of doors leading into the club proper. They were in the waiting area, with a ticket booth near those same doors. Some of the patrons were waiting in a short line to purchase entry. Maxwell and Saga quickly fell in line.
"'In dire need of some fun!?'" the mage half whispered into Saga's ear.
"Not my first time having to play playboy," Saga whispered back. "And seriously? 'August!?'"
"Well we couldn't very well go in with our real names! I remember that much from reading Hard in Hightown. It was the first name that popped into my head! What did you want me to do!?" Maxwell whispered quickly as they became next in line to the ticket booth.
"'Hard in Hightown?' Is that supposed to be some—Hey good looking!" Saga quickly greeted the female cashier, leaning against the glass with his hood arm. "Two tickets, please. For me and my boy here."
The cashier barely even looked up as she stamped the tickets. "3,000 beri, please."
Saga looked at Maxwell and brought out his money pouch. Then the mage dipped his good hand in and drew out the wad of cash. They were also smart enough to exchange the token for some cash while at the Tearoom. Their group couldn't rely on the Spider's Parlor forever. Maxwell handed it to the cashier, and with their tickets, proceeded inside.
"Smooth." Maxwell couldn't help but chortle.
"Oh shut up." Saga retorted as they entered the club.
The first thing Maxwell noticed was the smell. It smelled like pipe weed, alcohol, and perfume covering up the scent of sweat.
The lights were dim, so you could barely see anything except for the central stage. A woman was dancing on the catwalk. She was dressed in a flowing cloth top and skirt that looked to fairly sensual. Gold scales jingled on her dress, bouncing in time to the music.
The band, in the corner, played with absolute gusto. A fast paced, exciting number egging on the dancer and enraptured the patrons. Maxwell personally, found it to sound like a cacophony of screeching cats. The brass instruments were sharp to his ears.
Anyways, the woman up on stage was definitely a red-head, but they were no Helsing.
They looked around. The hall was more spacious then he thought. It was an assembly of chairs, small tables, and stairways, all revolving around the stage. One side of the room had a massive bar along the length of the wall. A shelf of various liquors shinning softly behind it as to not draw attention. On the other side a pair of free swinging doors seemed to an entrance to the kitchen. Waiters and waitresses entered and exited the free swinging doors, holding trays of food and drink.
One table though, did draw his eye. A woman talking to a few ruffians around a table. She wore a long green ballgown with ruffles and embroidery. Her shoulders were bare, but she wore long green gloves that went up to her elbows. Long red curls draped over her shoulder, and Maxwell recognized those golden eyes. It was Helsing!
"Saga…" The mage tapped Saga's shoulder and pointed over at the table.
"Yeah, I see her…" Saga also recognized one of the pirates at the table. Bigalo the Hangman, and he appeared to be with some of his crewmates. Yet, Helsing didn't appear to be in distress. They actually appeared to be having fun.
Now they just had to find a place where they could get close.
"[Ladies and gentlemen!]" The band quieted down as a man spoke into a den-den mushi microphone. "[Thank you for coming to the Second Dock Burlesque! I'm your host, Gild Tesoro and our main performance will begin in 10 minutes! So keep those tickets ready!]"
"Over there!" Maxwell pointed out a couple of seats at the bar. There were still a few glasses and mugs strung about the surface, but it was unoccupied. It was just beside where Helsing sat, even if it was a little bit to the left.
"Good, let's get started," Saga nodded. The pirate and and the swordsman then headed over to the bar.
Maxwell brought out the baby den-den mushi out of his pocket and made the call. *Peru-peru-peru-peru-peru-peru—Katcha!* "Schneider? Schneider, you there?"
"[I can hear you loud and clear!]" the transponder snail morphed it's expression to look something like Schneider, "[Sounds like you guys got in. How are things on your end?]"
"We've spotted Helsing, and we're getting in position." Maxwell looked over at Helsing's table, "I'm going to levitate this snail near Helsing's table, and have you listen in to their conversation. With any luck, we can get some good information out of them."
"[Alright, get that book of yours ready. I'm placing your skull in front of my snail.]" Maxwell nodded, and hid the snail again when they got to the bar.
"What can I get you boys?" The Bartender asks while he cleaned a tankard.
"Two beers," Saga replied and the barkeep nodded, head over to the tap. The swordsman kept an eye on him to make sure they wouldn't be noticed.
So, Maxwell turned in his seat, seeing Helsing from behind. However just as he was about to levitate the snail, Helsing stood up!
"Thank you for your support gentleman. Now if you'll excuse me…" Helsing picked up her purse, and Maxwell quickly span back around. She was walking to the bar… on the other end of it.
"Dammit…!" Maxwell glanced back at the hidden noble, as she ordered a drink.
"That's not good," Saga noticed their target. "What now?"
"[Oi! What's going on!?]" Schneider's voice muffled through the den-den mushi.
Maxwell tugged at the fold of his robe. "Helsing just changed tables, and she's too close. She'll notice us."
"[Well, you're going to have to get close anyways! We need her to talk remember!?]" Schneider reminded them.
"Yeah, but—" Maxwell then had a thought, and turned to Saga. "…You want to try wooing women again?"
Saga blinks and flatly says, "Excuse me?"
"Okay, maybe don't flirt with her. But Lytton said she's recruiting, right? Offer yourself as a sellsword! Get her talking!"
"I am not some cheap mercenary for hire, Trevelyan!" Saga growled. "I only took your offer because of your connection to Zoro! Has he—!?"
"What if I can get you in contact with Zoro?" Maxwell quickly offered.
"How?" Saga scowled, "You said it yourself, you have no idea were Zoro is!"
"Yes—" Maxwell admitted, "But if I know my crewmates, we're all looking for a way to get back together! Our ship is currently docked in the Sabaodey Archipelago. I can either take you with me or get you on a snail call when we're reunited."
Saga paused as he heard that bit of information.
"You want to see him again don't you?" Maxwell pressed.
"…Why tell me this?" Saga asked. "You just gave up your hand. I could leave now and chart a boat without you. You're stuck here! So why?"
"Because I believe in Zoro." Maxwell resolutely stated. "He's hard headed, single focused, and rude, but he does not go back on his word! And if you really were friends with him, I think some of that would have rubbed off on you too."
"Your drinks," the Bartender placed to glass mugs in front of them, not really caring what they were talking about.
"He's going to be the Strongest Swordsman in the World isn't he?"
Maxwell couldn't help but smile. He still remembered Zoro holding his sword, pointing it to the sky, as he laid in a small rowboat. Zoro had just lost to Mihawk, and saw the vast difference in their swordsmanship. Yet, he still declared to Luffy that he would never lose again! That he would make him King of the Pirate, while he surpassed Dracule Mihawk!
…Saga scoffed, shaking his head. But he wasn't going to deny the truth of Maxwell's statement.
"…And all I have to do is talk with her?" Saga eyed Helsing at the end of the bar.
Maxwell nodded, "I'll slip the den-den mushi into her purse while you distract her. And I'll head to that table over there to listen in." Maxwell pointed over to an empty table in view of the bar. "I'll make a signal if anything comes up."
Saga's eyes dart around, calculating their chance of success here. Schneider would technically be with him, if Maxwell places the snail correctly. And Maxwell can read a transcript of their conversation with his book. Which was utter bullshit if you really thought about it.
The swordsman sighs… Then drowns his mug in one go.
"Alright. Wish me luck," Saga gets out of his chair to talk to Helsing.
O O O
Helsing was sipping on a cocktail she ordered from the Bartender. She never did get his name when she hired him, but with her reputation that was acceptable. He was everything you wanted in one: Calm, steadfast, good with drinks, and an open ear for information. Plus he just like to be referred to that way.
The Bigalo Pirates were a bunch of idiots, but at least they were gullible idiots. She was going to need an army for when she took over the kingdom.
It just sucked that she was going to have to start over again. Helsing had met plenty of people she thought she could depend on, but they all either died or abandoned her in some way. She thought she had finally made progress with Sliep, but no. The Children of Nightmare were proving to wryly to control. It was like something had shifted amongst the cult. Like, sharks smelling blood in the water, before a feeding frenzy. And she didn't know where she stood in that. It was unsettling to say the least.
"Afternoon," she turned her head to see a rather roguish figure approach her. He was tall, dark, and handsome, if you expected silver hair. But the slicked back look and red robes just made him more dashing as he took the seat beside her. "I hear you're looking for people."
Helsing couldn't help but snort, "Dios mio, that's certainly one way to say pickup line!"
The man shrugged, "Only if you're into that sort of thing." He then knocked on the countertop, "Hey barkeep! Another drink for the lovely lady!"
"Well at least you have stones, hombre," Helsing grinned.
O O O
What she didn't notice was the sudden opening of her purse. Nor the man walking behind her who happened to slip something inside.
Maxwell walked over to his table, holding his mug of bear, at sat down. The den-den mushi was in her purse.
He placed Salem's grimoire on the table and looked over at Saga, talking with Helsing. The mage then took out a pen, signaling the swordsman that they were ready.
Saga saw this and resumed his conversation with Helsing.
Maxwell then unfastened the clasp on Salem's Grimoire and the book snapped open with it's pages turning. The leaves then settled onto an empty set and words began to appear. Salem was writing what he was hearing from Mordred.
O O O
"So, can I get a name from the man who's buying me a drink?" Helsing asked while stirring her cocktail.
The swordsman smiled, "Saga. Just Saga."
"Just Saga?" Helsing rose an eyebrow, playfully. "Most of the clientele knows who I am here. So you're either a fool, or someone who has the confidence to succeed."
"Really?" Saga played dumb, "Then to whom am I speaking too, hime?"
"Hime?" It seemed like she didn't know that word, tasting it on her tongue, "I like that." She then extended a hand, "You can call me Solona, but most people call me Helsing."
"Ah, then I have the right person," Saga nodded. "Still, feel free to call me a fool though."
Solona laughed at that.
O O O
"Hello there~"
Maxwell almost jumped out of his seat, as he slammed his book shut and turned around. And face went redder for it!
The waitress, he was assuming she was a waitress, was dressed in a provocative black and red corset. Her shoulders bare, her cleavage, pronounced, and her feather frilled skirt was split. Giving him an attractive look at her garterbelt and panties.
"Uh—Hi!" Her hair was light violet, done in a nice little bob, and a rose in her hair. "What can I do for you?"
Her gentle blue eyes crinkled with mirth, "It's usually the other way around, hun. Can I get you a refill?" —referring to his drink, which he had not touched.
"Um…" Maxwell's eyes darted between his tankard and her, trying to get his brain under control.
"D-Do you mind if you take this back…?" Maxwell pushed his drink closer to her. "My friend—" he gestured over to Saga, "kinda ordered me this without asking. I'm not really one for alcohol…" He was trying to slip back into that "nerd" persona they used to get in.
"Ah," the waitress looked over where Saga was chatting with Helsing. She nodded understandingly, "Your friend drag you out here tonight?"
"Well…" Maxwell snapped his face back up at hers. He did not need his eyes were roaming, damn it! "He did say I needed to get out more. But, ugh, I still have work to do…!" the mage waved back to his grimoire, trying to pass it off as an accounting book.
"I'll just grab you a water then," she said with a smile. The waitress then took his tankard, "And maybe you could tell me more about your business, later hun."
"Uh… Okay?"
He must have looked funny, because she laughed. Then she had the grace to wink at him as her hips swayed to walk away.
Maxwell then grabbed his hair as he haunches over. "Remind me never to take Brook here…!"
"Noted," Salem replies in his mind.
O O O
"So, why are you actually here?" Helsing finally asked. The flirting was fun, but she was here on business tonight.
Saga shrugged, "I'm a sword for hire, and I don't have any particular allegiance with the law. When I heard you were hiring, I figured I'd at least tip my toes in the water."
"You're a pirate then?"
"NO!" Saga barked a little forcefully. "…Sorry, no. I'm a former marine… a deserter, to my shame. Even if it's for the best."
"Marine?" Helsing rose an eyebrow. Not many would admit that. And funnier still, she actually believed him. "What made you want to quit?"
"…" Saga's face became sullen, think about what he was going to say. Or what he wanted to say.
"The Marines operate under the ideal of Justice. Or at least, that's what they publicize… But the truth is, they are the largest mercenary company in the world. Some marines may prescribe to the ideal of justice, but they serve only two people. The Celestial Dragons, and by extension the World Government, and then themselves… I found myself serving with later before I left."
"Por fin!" Solona exclaimed. "Alguien que lo entiente!" Honestly, the way some marines chased after her, you wouldn't have described them a soldiers!
Then she realized what she just did, "…Oh, sorry! I just—"
"No, no!" Saga placated her, "I get it. You haven't had good experiences with the marines either." Saga then realized he had placed his hand over hers. When did that happen!?"
Solona was also internally questioning it, but it didn't feel bad… "Can I ask what made you quit?"
Saga was silent for a moment.
"…I made a mistake," Saga admitted. "One that costed the lives of civilians and, ultimately, my fiancé at the time."
"…I'm sorry to hear that," Solona genuinely meant it, feeling his sorrow.
"It was…" Saga winced, shaking his head, "A long time ago—Sorry, I didn't mean to bring down the mood."
"No, no, esta bien!" Solona assured him. "It's nice actually having a conversion, for once. Especially when they're easy on the eyes!" She smiled.
"Hahaha!" Saga laughed at that, appreciating the humour.
O O O
"…By the Maker, are you actually flirting with her, Saga?" Maxwell looked between the transcript and the duo, wondering just what was Saga doing.
"One water for the hardworking man!"
Oh crap, the waitress was back!
"Eheheh, thank you!" Maxwell smiled back up at her, but was internally screaming inside! They had barely learned anything so far! All of this has been nothing but small talk and distractions!
Plus, she was far to young for him! Nami's age, at least!
"You know, I'm going to be performing tonight." She was partially sitting on the table, a seductive pose that worked well with her feather rimmed dress. "It would be great if I knew at least one guy in the crowd."
"Uh…!" Maxwell couldn't help but gape like a fish. He wasn't used to flirting like this!
"M-M-M—Manuel!" he stuttered out the name. Maxwell's first instinct was to use his actual name but quickly realized he couldn't use it. A quick glance at his grimoire though gave him the idea though. "Uh-haha…! Manuel Hawke, at your service!"
"…And you are?" Maxwell never realized just how shy he was when it came to women. If Robin were to do something like this, then—
The waitress giggled, "My real name is Carina. And I hope you enjoy the show, Trevelyan." Then Carina, who actually knew his name, walked off with a smile.
"What—!?" Maxwell made an attempt to follow her, but another party of customers cut him off, stopping him from following. And she disappeared into the darkness. "Crap…!"
"And that's not the only problem!" Mordred suddenly spoke in his head.
O O O
"And that is the reason I'm assembling an army to overthrow my uncle," Solona explained. Saga had listened to her over a few drinks, and found himself pleasantly surprised by the rebel. She was rough around the edges edges, but still had that air of nobility that commanded respect that Saga found in good leaders.
In the spotlight stood their announcer. A man wearing a magenta suit, with two white strips, and a pair of sunglasses. "Lady's and gentleman thank you for your patience. I hope you are all enjoying yourselves tonight! …Now… Introducing…!" The man turned, walking backwards as he gestured for the curtains to open.
"Don't get me wrong, Uncle Cello is a great man!" Though the alcohol really seemed to loosen her lips. "But it's the men that he surrounds himself with that won't let my opinion matter."
The stage lit up and the curtains opened, revealing a Carina in with a feather scarf. And as the lights turn blue, the paino begins to play.
~*"There was a time—I don't know when,"* ~
"Wait—?" Saga leaned forward, "If you're uncle's not the problem, why not just get rid of those other guys?"
~*"I didn't have much time for men."*~
"Because they are scheming bastardos!" Helsing rubbed her temples. "I've tried getting rid of them before, but somehow they all escape me! Then they just go to my uncle and have poisoned him against me! If I am going to rule then I need advisors, not those malditos tontos!" Solona's speech was starting to slur, having too much to drink.
~*"But that was now, and that was then, I'm learning~"*~
Saga could see Maxwell in the corner of his eye, waving frantically at him. What was he doing?
~*"A girl alone, all on her own,"*~
He was pointing, stabbing really, at the door. Indicating they had to leave. Then he traced the sigil of the Marines. Indicating that they really HAD to leave!
Thankfully, Helsing was in too much of a stupor to notice.
~*"Must try to have a heart of stone,"*~
Saga mouthed to Maxwell asking, "What about her!?" Subtly gesturing to their target.
~*"And so I try, not-to-make it known~ my yearning~"*~
Maxwell grabbed a fistful of his own hair, quickly looking around. Then he makes a grabbing motion, like grabbing a pair of shoulders, and transitions them into a pair of thumbs pointing at the door!
He wants to him to grab her and go.
~*"I try to show, I have no need~"*~
Saga decides to lean in closer to Helsing, "Are you sure you're alright? You've had a lot to drink." He then takes out a packet of cigarettes, "Do you smoke?"
~*"I really do. But I don't succeed…"*~
Helsing looks over at the pack of smokes he was offering, and she looked applicable to it. Maxwell though just blinks, wondering just where did those cigarettes come from.
Then the doors slam open.
"MARINES!"
Everyone sputters in confusion as the navy filters into the club. They just arrived during a natural break in the music, so everyone was wondering if this was part of the performance?
Saga could then see Tobi coming through the formation, along with who he assumed was Luitenant Commander Dreak.
Dreak then cleared his throat, "Attention everyone, this is the World Navy!"
Helsing hissed at the sight of him, "Dammit, not him again!"
"We are here to arrest four dangerous individuals, who are believed to be in league with each other. And are currently in this very club!" Dreak then took out and raised a few wanted posters.
"'Black Talon,' Schneider!" His wanted poster made him look like a hawk in his photo. Though he looked significantly younger in it then he was now a days. "Wanted for piracy and smuggling of illicit goods!" Bounty of 61,000,000 beri.
"He's most likely accompanied by a dog as well!" Pet: "Aviator," Buzz. 500 beri. His poster showed him looking into the camera with his pilot's cap, goggles, and tongue wagging.
Dreak raises the next poster, "'Seventh Star,' Saga!" Bounty of 71,000,000 beri. "Wanted for desertion and murder!"
Solona Helsing looks over at Saga, recognizing the photo. He looks so different from it, with the crazed grin and red moon behind him. Yet, she could see the veins pulsing in Saga's clenched fist. His story may have had some truth after all.
"Solona Elessia von Helsing, whom you all might know!"
"What!?" Helsing blinks at the poster. She was never aware that they made a bounty for her! And it wasn't even a good one either! Just a million beri!
Saga could see a few of the patrons bristle at the sight of her wanted poster. They might be some of the allies Solona persuaded to join her.
"And finally, 'The Magister,' Maxwell P. D. Trevelyan! Who we know is in disguise!" Then it was Saga's turn to blink. He didn't realize Maxwell had a 124,000,000 beri price on his head!
…That, and he looked totally different without the beard.
Helsing spots him though, just beyond the bar, and spins her head back towards Saga. "Wait, you're—!?"
"Black Talon! Seventh Star! Magister! Helsing! Present yourselves for arrest, and surrender under the authority of the World Government! You will not get a second warning!" Dreak then surveys the crowd, "Anyone aiding or abetting these criminals will also be arrested!"
There was dead silence in the club… Then ever looked up to see Carina snapping her fingers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please don't panic. You're her for a good show remember? Don't be afraid to get a little rowdy!" She winks at the audience, then belts out—
~*"SOOOOOOOO!
LEEEEEET'S!
BRING~!"*~
And on her crescendo the band began to play.
~*"—ON THE MEN, AND THE FUN BEGIN."*~
The marines begin to shift through the crowd, looking for their culprits. Many of the patrons are pirates or criminals themselves, glaring at the marines.
~*"A LITTLE TOUCH OF SIN.
WHY WAIT ANOTHER~ MINUTE?*"~
The sound of breaking glass shatters the calm beneath Carina's song. One the pirates decided to club a marine on the head with a wine bottle.
War cries break out and everyone starts drawing hidden weapons! Patrons are either rushing the marines, or trying to get out of the ensuing chaos, or punching each other just to dispense grievances!
~*"STEP THIS WAY, IT'S TIME FOR US TO PLAY.
THEY SAY WE MIGHT NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN—
SO LET'S WASTE NO MORE TIME—! Bring on the men!"*~