[Episode] Amazon Therapy

The journey was not a long one to the destination where the rest of the group had gathered. There was a sudden stop as the Kuja guard then pointed at the group. Ryoichi's eyes widened and a smile appeared on his face. For some odd reason, Ryoichi actually had appeared to be happy almost this entire time he had been in the city. Was it because of all the things he saw? Was it because he was still alive? Or that he wouldn't mind dying by the maiden's hands? Or that he saw familiar faces finally? Who knows.

The happy boy then began to rush towards the group. The closer he got the more he began to notice the big furry creature. It was the weasel! And he obviously knows who the weasel was! His happy mood controlled his movement, and his steps became faster and faster, approaching the group at a rapid speed. Suddenly, he then jumped up, his arms and legs spread out.

"Yumiko! You seem fluffy!" he screamed out as he was flying in Yumiko's direction, only to then collide with her, probably not crashing into her and throwing her down on the ground due to her being bigger than he is. The arms and legs would wrap around her as well as he could to then hug her, digging her face into the fur. What a bold move to do for Ryoichi... He really seems to not care if he lives or dies at this point? The Amazon Lily sure does weird things to a man.

[260/6315/5000]

It was amazing how the entire tone of a situation could change almost instantly. As Yumiko pushed back against Anton's words, trying to sink deeper into her dispair, the ever lovable goofball that was Ryoichi seemed to barrel in out of nowhere, giving the despondent weasel a flying hug. Anton was surprised his neck didn't hurt from the complete, emotional whiplash they had just experienced.

Still, that brief moment of shock allowed Anton to stop and think. The Rear Admiral took a deep breath. "Well, Yumiko, if you believe you're a fool, then let's work on making you not a fool. If you're having issues in combat, then we shall train. Figure out where you are weakest at, and work on improving yourself there. Learn from your mistakes and grow from there."

"We'll also teach you as well. Doc Black told me about your lessons. You're a bright young woman, more than capable of learning, but there's a surprising amount you don't know that you, frankly, should. We'll each work on teaching you about the world and such. Customs of the like. Sharpen your mind, AND your body. Now, doesn't that sound better than wallowing in despair?"

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!"

Anton looked over, seeing a very flustered Kalea approaching, followed by a couple of guards. The magistrate looked around, seeing the damage with wide eyes. "You...you all! Leave! Right now!" Anton remained cool, giving a reassuring gesture. "Don't worry. We were just leaving. Where's Doc Black?" "Right here," the ship's doctor spoke up, now carrying the unconscious Bowork. It took Celia and Melanie to realize that this was the same man normally hidden behind that beaked mask. "So, that's what he really looks like," Melanie mused with a smile.
"Anyway, everyone, back to the boat! Celia, if you can round up the others please?" He turned to the magistrate, "And if you can give us a bill for the damages, we will gladly pay before we leave." "Just...go!" Kalea groaned, tired. Anton gave a small nod before turning to leave.

"Um, Anton?"

"No Celia, I don't know why Ryoichi is naked. Can you collect the others please?"

Post Word Count: 358
Total Word Count: 6,175

The successful hug of the flying boxer was received rather nicely. Though initially, Ryoichi had no idea he could be hurting the weasel. He simply was too full of happiness to even notice it. He could only then notice she was hurting when she had finally stopped clinging onto Yumiko. Before he could even mention anything, Yumiko herself had noticed the odd look of Ryoichi.

"Oh, yes. Funny story, apparently there aren't any polar bears in this jungle." he chuckled awkwardly with one hand scratching the back of his head and the other holding onto the rolled-up picture. Of course, Ryoichi was not stupid enough to actually think there were any polar bears in the jungle. It was just a lie he told himself. But what a funny story it can be for the future generation. Ryoichi the Polar Bear, in the jungle.

While he was telling the funny story, Yumiko had decided to act unselfishly like she does and sacrifice her own skirt part and offer it to Ryoichi. He couldn't help but blink but for the weasel woman, it was fine, as she was still in her weasel form, less could be seen... But everything could be seen from Ryoichi's side.

With a smile, he accepted the skirt part and then carefully put it around his waist to cover the lower half of his body. "Thank you. I shall return it when I get back dressed.", which would be rather soon, since the Kuja was now eager to have the group gone. It wasn't Ryoichi's fault this time! For sure! The group gathered up and were ready to take their leave. They all lined up behind Anton.

One thing, however, was disturbing Ryoichi. The injured weasel Yumiko who had limped next to Anton. The road back to the ship probably was not a short one, and when the Kuja was eager for them to go away, the faster, the better. To be off the maiden island quicker, Ryoichi moved over to Yumiko. "Excuse me but I think it would be better this way." semi permission was asked, and almost immediately then executed without Yumiko actually giving the permission.

Ryoichi moved his hands and picked Yumiko up, adjusting himself and the weasel so the weasel would be on his back, with her arms on his shoulder, and her legs being carried by Ryoichi's own arms. The weasel's head now most likely be on top of Ryoichi's head. It was as if Ryoichi was now wearing a big massive fur coat with the weasel helmet. "Onwards! To the ship!"

[429/6744/5000]

The trip back to the ship had, thankfully, been uneventful. A couple of Kuja guards had stuck around to make absolutely sure nobody wandered off, and before long, everyone was back on the Grand Steamer. He made sure to order Yumiko to the medical bay, so Doc Black can treat her wounds, while he had the still unconscious Bowork taken down to the brig. He would deal with the insubordinate later. Finally, they left a chest of beli for the Kuja, as a to pay for the damages caused. They might have payed a bit more than necassary, but consider it a peace offering if so.

And with that, the Grand Steamer pulled away from the shores of Amazon Lily. Their trip there was over.

Anton sighed as he leaned on the railing. "Talk about an ordeal," he murmured. He really hoped this wouldn't be a trend. "You handled that quite well," Melanie spoke up, taking a spot beside him. Anton gave a small nod. "Here's hoping it sticks. I just wish this didn't have to happen first," he looked to the navigator, "I hope we didn't mess things up for you. I know this is your homeland and all." Melanie gave a casual shrug. "You all weren't too bad, and it's not like we hold a grudge for little things like this. Let's just not make a habit of this, shall we?" Anton couldn't help but chuckle. "You DO know what crew you're in, right?"

"Sir!"

Both Anton and Melanie looked up towards the lookout. "There's something off to the port side sir!" the lookout called out. Anton ran to the edge and looked. Even if they were a distance off, he didn't need a spyglass for this.
It was a ship, still some distance away from Amazon Lily. But that wasn't what the lookout has seen. What he saw was the massive form near it, rising from the water. Considering where they were, and how it was moving, it didn't take a genius to figure out what it was. A Sea King! And it was attacking the ship!

Anton couldn't just leave them to that thing. "Hard to port! Battle stations!" he shouted out. The crewmen nearby immediately scrambled into action. As if this trip to Amazon Lily wasn't hectic enough, now they had to deal with a Sea King as well.

Post Word Count: 394
Total Word Count: 6,569

The journey on the Amazon Lily had come to an end as they had made their way back onto the ship. Ryoichi let out a soft sigh, actually feeling somewhat relieved. While it was rather fun and eye-opening, it did hide a certain sense of danger. He and most of his crew really were not that welcome. Curiosity is one thing, welcoming completely other. It is over now, and it was time to focus on other things.

He had a package to deliver to a certain room on this ship... The dreaded medbay. Home of the man with a long nose, the plague doctor. He followed the man with the 'rug' that was Yumiko on his back. When in the room, he placed Yumiko down onto one of the beds. "Doc will have fun cleaning this from the fur.". A soft chuckle was let out at that thought. Probably the doctor himself won't do it and will order someone else to do that instead.

It did not take long until he heard the yelling out on the deck. A call onto the battle stations. Meeting with the king was awaiting... The sea king. The doctor however seemed to have other plans for Ryoichi. He was to stop the stubborn weasel from moving away to get to that said battle station. He wanted to go so far to even sedate the weasel, and for that, he needed Ryoichi to hold her down... Which Ryoichi had to do. It was all for Yumiko's own good.

With both of his hands, he tried to hold Yumiko down, but the woman was still struggling, although not too hard for now. "So sorry Yumiko, in the situation of battle, the doctor seems to outrank even the admiral." he tried to hand out some calming words to Yumiko, but he did not stop there. He resulted to trying to distract her from the struggle... With the change of topic.

"By the way, I remember you used to have white fur, now you have brown fur. How did that happen?"

[343/7087/5000]

Anton La'croix uses:
Molting - Toggle activactivate
Survival Instinct -MT on self
Fast Hopping -LT on seself
Hopper Kick - LT at The Storm Boa
UT at the Storm Boa

The Storm Boa uses:
MT at Anton La'croix 
LT at Anton La'croix 
LT at Anton La'croix 
UT at Anton La'croix

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Anton La'croix' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 7, 19

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 3, 2, 4, 18

Anton La'croix uses:
B-Flat - AoE at The Storm Boa
UT at The Storm Boa


The Storm Boa uses:
MT at Anton La'croix 
LT at Anton La'croix 
LT at Anton La'croix 
UT at Anton La'croix

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Anton La'croix' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 20, 1

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 1, 19, 9, 5

Anton La'croix uses:
Soul Shriek - HT at The Storm Boa
Grind Slash - LT
UT at The Storm Boa

The Storm Boa uses:
HT at Anton La'croix  
UT at Anton La'croix

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Anton La'croix' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 5, 20, 3

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 5, 10

Anton La'croix uses:
Insect Knight -MT on self
Sonic Sword -LT on self
Cavitation Kick - LT at The Storm Boa
UT at the Storm Boa

The Storm Boa uses:
MT at Anton La'croix 
LT at Anton La'croix 
LT at Anton La'croix 
UT at Anton La'croix

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Anton La'croix' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 5, 1

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 6, 20, 1, 11

Anton La'croix uses:
Grand Strike -HT on The Storm Boa
Bad Vibrqtions - LT at The Storm Boa
UT at the Storm Boa

The Storm Boa uses:
MT at Anton La'croix 
LT at Anton La'croix 
LT at Anton La'croix 
UT at Anton La'croix

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Anton La'croix' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 2, 19, 8

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 7, 20, 12, 9

Anton La'croix uses:
Insect Launch - HT at The Storm Boa
Hopper Kick - LT at the Storm Boa
UT at The Storm Boa

The Storm Boa uses:
AoE at Anton La'croix  
UT at Anton La'croix

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Anton La'croix' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 5, 17, 20

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 6, 9

Anton La'croix uses:
Great Spea-MT at The Storm BoBoa
Fast Hopping -LT on self
Grind Slash - LT at The Storm Boa
UT at the Storm Boa

The Storm Boa uses:
MT at Anton La'croix 
LT at Anton La'croix 
LT at Anton La'croix 
UT at Anton La'croix

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Anton La'croix' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 14, 20, 6

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 12, 11, 7, 7

The Grand Steamer's engines roared as the Iron Paddler tried to close in on the distressed ship. A growing look of concern was all over Melanie's face. "That's a Kuja ship!" she exclaimed, "But they're normally accompanied by a yuda. I don't see one anywhere!" "Well, wherever it is," replied, climbing up onto the railing, "they won't be able to hold that thing off much longer. We won't get in range in time." Melanie looked at her superior, confused, "What are you doing?" Anton shifted into his hybrid form. "Going on ahead!"

Before anyone could stop him, Anton lept from the ship. Melanie watched in horror. Even with his fruit's impressive jumping ability, he couldn't possibly close the distance. Imagine her surprise then when Anton seemed to kick off the very air itself, shooting towards the Sea King like a bullet. She stood there, dumbfounded. When did the Rear Admiral learn how to do that!?


There indeed had been a Yuda with the Kuja, but the serpent had fallen ill, forcing them to turn back. A local Sea King, which had been dubbed the Storm Boa, had decided to capitalize on this. The sick snake hissed weakly from the deck of the ship as the Kuja were trying to drive the Boa away. But they could only do so much. The massive Sea King reared back, getting ready to bring its whole weight down onto the ship and crush it.

And then paused. It blinked, as if a little confused. Did...something sting the back of its head?

A second sting confirmed it. The Sea King growled in irritation, bringing its tail up to hopefully swat at whatever was doing that. Then came a loud shriek in its ear that caused it to flinch. Now the beast was starting to get mad. It thrashed and snapped, trying to get at the annoying gnat that was stinging at it. This was less fighting for survival and more dealing with a very maddening mosquitoe.

The Kuja, meanwhile, decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth and get away as fast as they could. They weren't sure what exactly was bothering the Sea King, though some thought they saw something bouncing around its body.

They got out just in time, as the Sea King, now thoroughly sick of this annoyance, let out a mighty roar, its body generating a spiraling water spout around it. There was a reason this beast was known as the STORM Boa. As water flew in all directions, the beast paused, waiting. Had that done it? Had it managed to wash away the pest?

It's eye twitched as it felt another sting. The Boa roared, thrashing around wildly. In its rage it barely noticed its tail smacking something out of the air. To hell with this! No prey was worth this much annoyance! With its prey gone, the Storm Boa retreated under the waves to sulk.


Meanwhile, The Grand Steamer had kept clear of the fight, and were now watching on in worry. The Sea King was retreating, but there was no sign of the Rear Admiral. Had he gone on the Kuja ship, or had he been knocked into the water by the Sea King?

Suddenly, something crashed down onto the deck of the ship. Everyone ran over to find none other than Anton La'croix, laying there in a daze. By some stroke of luck, the Sea King had sent him flying back onto his own ship. "Anton!" Celia ran over to help sit the dazed man up, "Are you alright?"

Anton shook the cobwebs from his head. For a fight with a Sea King, that went surprisingly well. "Remind me next time I do that to put some padding on the deck." Anton cracked his neck and rubbed the back of his head. That landing had hurt. "But for now, let's get the hell out of here."

"Why?"

"Because all I did was piss that thing off, and I don't want to be around when it decides to come back!"


Post Word Count: 673
Total Word Count: 7,242

"That's actually interesting, mine always stays white, unless I climb into a mud pit." he remarked as her explanation was cut short, having figured out what she wanted to say. Unfortunately, their conversation was cut short, and Yumiko was shortly after sedated, put into a deep slumber, all for her own benefit.

Ryoichi could finally loosen himself up and stop holding Yumiko down on the bed. His job was done, and he was ready to leave the med bay, only to then be stopped by the man in a long nose mask himself. "Where do you think you are going? You'll get the medical examination aswell. Into the bed and I'll be with you shortly.". The plague doctor pointed at the bed next to Yumikos, to which Ryoichi of course went. He was really not in enough mood to fight against it.

While laying in the bed, he had his head turned in Yumiko's direction, looking at her as her fur was retracting back, beginning to notice multiple wounds. Her toughness was something to admire, but her stubbornness wasn't. Admittedly, Ryoichi himself was not much of a role model himself in that aspect, and he had done all of the same things himself, especially in his boxing days. No matter, people can learn from it all. He has learned... A bit.

But as it was just starting to get interesting and all the places had begun to have the fur retract, the white curtain was pulled, blocking Ryoichi's vision from seeing. "Damn doc..." he mumbled but then smiled as laid his head on the bed and closed his eyes, trying to take a small rest. It's a suitable time for it, considering that the fight outside had already ended as well.

Need to gather all the strength. Who knows where they shall reach the next time.

[306/7393/5000]