Recruit or Rescue: The Devil Meets Justice

Tense was a poor description of the atmosphere of the Heishi estate as even the staff were walking on glass without knowing the entire reason for the current feud between the heir and present head of the family. Ren was infamous for his temper as a moody teenager and it seemed even the Marines couldn't have broken that as the maids gossiped of him throwing a priceless vase at wall after another spat with his father. The shards would quietly vanished into one of their pocket's as it could be possible to repair it and sell it to some shady merchant. Or at least that was the newest maid Felica's idea as she gathered up the pieces into her apron, she jumped up as a soft voice broke her concentration "I do hope you are being careful..it would be stupid for the others to have clean up any blood from shards...". The blonde hastily stood up and bowed to the heir as nervous green eyes dared look up, the young Master was in a bit of a state. It seemed the rumor that he had been left behind by his latest crew was true...all military decorum had vanished, in it's place, the true nature of Ren Heishi, a pompous, arrogant, and the present disheveled noble.


A wine glass precariously held in his right hand despite the early morning and a worn book in his left. Scarlet spread across the blonde's face as the man's kimono had loosened about his figure revealing his toned upper torso and a few surprising scars scattered across his shoulders. Taking a deep drink from the glass as Ren's tired gaze caught hers as he asked "What is it you see, Miss. Anything interesting?". His tone was mocking, but at the same time curious. The blonde's face flushed a shade darker as she shook her head and attempted to apologize, her only answer was a surprised squeak as she found her gaze forced upward with Ren now towering over her, a finger tilting her chin up "I...I...". Ren let out a small hiss of anger at the woman's hesitance as his hand grasped her face with a bit more force "Surely, you know as the heir to this..fine..estate. It's only proper you answer my question honestly". A touch of fear sparked in the blonde's eyes as a hint of tears gathered in her eyes as her voice whispered out "I don't know who I see..". Laughter escaped Ren as he released his grip on the woman's face and backed away as his hands raked through his tangled locks commenting bitterly "Seems we are both in agreement..". The crash of glass against the wall startled the shaken maid as Ren snapped her "Leave it. Clean it up later..Get out of my sight..". Damn it, he was going to go insane kept up in the estate like this. In normal reality, he could simply use his family funds to charter a ship and go anywhere he pleased. Unfortunately, his present reality was mixture of a nightmare and false truth..family affairs were dirty laundry that were to be kept away from the gossiping vultures of noble circles..and his restriction to the estate was a condition.

He wasn't bound to a Navy ship, thus still on 'Leave' until further orders arrived. Any attempts to join up with a docked ship could be seen as insubordination. As his restless began once again as Ren regretted his decision to throw his wine away so carelessly. He wasn't fond of drinking as early as it was, but it at least clouded his buzzing mind from doing anything too reckless such as punting his father out a window. Rolling his neck as a few stiff joints popped in response as Ren sighed shifting into his hybrid form, his talons shined against the pristine floor as his tail feathers shuffled about. If feathers began to fall from that majestic train, Ren would take it as personal vendetta against his family. His talons clicked on the floor as Ren paced back and forth in front of the curtained window.. as a less rational voice in his spoke of just attempting to fly out the window. While logic fought back as he would only be able to get just beyond the gates before falling into a feathered heap..the neighbors would talk of the white peacock's sudden appearance and who know which shrew crone would connect back to his family. A bird in a cage literally..the irony of this situation almost made the albino smile..or was it his discovery that he still had a half a bottle sitting forgotten beside his book.

Goa City was pampered by the World Government, protected to their best ability due to the Nobles ruling over the island. Adrian hated it, as they were nothing but slavers. They barked any kind of command at him, expecting perfect execution while any semblance of failure meant his ass. That was exactly why he had to come to Dawn Island, to make sure the Nobles' pearl views were not tainted by "dirt". That's exactly why he was staring at a group of rebels plotting to bring chaos into Goa City. He appreciated them, standing up to pointlessly powerful people.

They also irritated him to no end, pointless poking the princes and princesses. They were within a building near the city's plaza, the outside oblivious to what was transpiring. He figured it was a good time to make a statement, a great impression. With the rebels brandishing blade and blaster, his option was to predict each and every movement...or bring chaos himself. Around them had been explosives. While they were scattered, he still knew that they could speak through spark.

BOOM! An explosion shouted into the plaza, fire and smoke roaring as the rebel bodies flung out into the open. A mass glided with smoke cascading around it. When the smoke finally thinned out to a point where it would peel from it, Adrian surfing a rebel body had revealed itself. Crashing down into the ground, Adrian came to a stand with his trident piercing the rebel. The naive public gasped and screamed, seeing a man dressed head-to-toe in what seemed like a full-body ninja suit covering all of his features. White makeup masked his skin and scars, a duo of grey contacts concealing his eyes.

Adrian removed the trident from the rebel and signaled the patrolling marines to clean up the mess. "Well, that's another strike. You big-bellied shams are disgraces to our government! Do something with yourselves!" He barked at the over-weight marines dragging the bodies away, and Adrian went on to report. Once that was over, he was on his way back before something caught his eye.

By now, Adrian was a bit more relaxed. His trident was shrunken and holstered and he revealed his makeup-masked arms instead of having the sleeves cook them in the city's heat. In the midst of keeping an eye on his surroundings, he saw a window in the distance. A peasant or over-weight marine might not have a keen eye, but the peculiar shadow of a bird pitter-pattering peeved as such had caught his attention. It was not caged, and they took a position that a room's owner would take.

They must really treat that bird as one of their own...odd for a noble family. Adrian remembered that the estate he was passing by required his assistance with something. As he entered the estate, he was asked his name and purpose. "Adrian King. I've been requested to assist with something? I'm not sure of what...." Adrian kept an eye on the shadow he saw through the curtain. At this point, he wanted nothing but the best surprises from the noble family.

He was allowed official passage and he made his way into the heart.

The untouched bottle remained as such as Ren sighed at the timid knock breaking the silence of the room. It seemed that his clear directives to the servants to leave his presence was once again being ignored. Fair was an apt word of his treatment towards those he hired, but even he had limits in patience when it came to disobedience. As the knocking continued, Ren remained pacing as his mind swirled with the occasional thought of throwing something at the idiot behind the knocking...just not his wine this time. The coffee table was littered with hefty books that would have been ample ammunition, but Ren would hate to see spines bent and pages ripped for such a low task. Still the knocking wouldn't cease as Ren ran a hand through his unruly locks aggravated, but straightened his attire as best possible. Still the silk kimono revealed the scars across his shoulders, normally hidden by his tamed hair. He had faced combat, blood and much worse..the pompous brat of some rich Noble, the public would go into convulsions of joy at the trough of gossip that could be dug up on his misadventures at sea. Even the apparent rumor that he had consumed a Devil Fruit had already begun, as his mother fretted over this..change..ruining possible marriage matches. Apparently his question if she was as disturbed about his 'natural' condition was the wrong one as he reduced her to tears, that flicker of guilt pulled at his heart.


Rebelliousness seemed to tamper his anger as he threw open the curtains to the darkened room revealing the chaos that had swirled about the young marine over the past few days. Sunlight streamed in as the butler coughed his arrival from surprise as smoke curled in the room, as Ren smoked something sweet smelling from a long pipe. White smoke curled around his mouth as the tobacco soothed his mood, if just for a few minutes. His train of feathers shrouded his figure almost completely from view aside from the back of his neck as the feathers shivered from the sudden heat of the sunlight. Exhaling a plume of smoke without bothering to turn around to acknowledge the butler "Must I remind you, I asked to not be disturbed..". His tone was polite and calm, but that did little to calm the shaking in the butler's voice knowing the man's razor-thin temper and mood swings "I..I..understand sir..but you see..a man just arrived apparently at your request?". Ren let out a hum of intrigue as his heart dared hope it was finally some agent of the Marines to take him away from this damn hellhole, while his mind argued it could be some stupid fool hoping to avenge some ex-lover's heart..or something dramatic like that.

"Fine. Show him in." Ren barked out as his pointed talons clicked on the floor impatiently as if this was a scheduled appointment and the visitor had been extremely late. If it was some damned messenger boy of the Marines, Ren had half a mind to send him back with his own scathing message of the incompetence in communications. The crown feathers perched atop his head twitched in response as he got a decent look at his guest..a child..some young welp. Sighing as another cloud of smoke puffed from the pipe as Ren's gaze flickered to the butler "Leave us.". The butler nodded, but paused in leaving to inquire if he should provide a sampling of tea or something..only to flinch at the sound of a talon scratching the floor as his fan of feathers seemed to puff up ever slightly betraying his rising temper, but his face remained blank as he waited for his guest to speak.

Adrian was lead through the jeweled manor, taking time to memorize every detail from the porcelain sinks to the marble tables and even the porcelain staff. This was the most typical rich home he'd ever stepped into. It was the first, but he's seen plenty from the outside. Adrian was always seen as too filthy, but now he wasn't some dirt-ridden child. He was scar-riddled, but he wasn't dirty. As anger pumped into Adrian, he did his best to keep his composure. This was something that he was terrifyingly good at, but the anger was still there.

Every bit of him wanted to crush the whole manor. Every inch wanted to set it all aflame and watch the whole family take a nap with the crackling pyre. Eventually, he would enter a more gloom-filled room that apparently had the person he was called to do whatever with. As soon as he was firmly in the room, they were left alone. Adrian took a position standing straight-up, arms crossed behind his back. "Adrian Knight reporting for duty! I wasn't informed of the details of my mission. However, I was informed that I was to come to the manor for whatever task that is required."

Adrian took a moment to realize that the "bird" shadow he saw was actually a bird-humanoid. It came to no surprise to him, so he didn't even flinch. Many people have consumed devil fruit, but he knew that nobles turned their noises in distaste. They were weak. I see now. Noble family, devil-son. They don't like you too much, hm? I bet those talons could really...shred them into something a bit more genuinely beautiful. If it weren't for his contacts, Adrian's eyes would scream cynicism as his mind's mouth watered.

I want to see you fly.

A soft chuckle escaped the noble at the man's prim and proper stance. Only a Marine would have such a stiff stance when presenting themselves, proper manners were properly drilled into everyone regardless of rank. At least in public as a few select sailors that Ren had sailed with in the past had atrocious table manners. Fortunately, he learned quickly to keep his disgust hidden or at least attempting to enjoy his meals in a quieter area. One of the few lessons he had been forced to learn quickly in order to at least keep peace with difficult comrades that could end up saving his life once in a while. Setting the pipe down as Ren took a few steps forward to take a better look at the messenger, his face concealed by a mask..yet his voice sounded youthful..Knight...nothing notable about that. A mere messenger was sent to ferry him back to headquarters, Ren wasn't anyone important, but his pride bristled at his treatment lately. It had been weeks since he had been unceremoniously confined to land away from the sea that granted him some semblance of peace.

It had surprised Misha when the noble admitted to finding the life as a Marine much more peaceful than his restricted status as a noble. The elder had paused attempting to explain his perspective..comparing himself to a pampered dog on a chain..at least as a Marine he could be a mere mutt in a pound..with a much longer lead. That made the young woman as she teased having never seen a dog with feathers before. A confined dog could only take so much before it bit back at it's masters. Ren cleared his throat as he stated "I presume your mission was to escort my return back to H.Q. Unless the incompetence of secretarial staff has sent you to the incorrect location..". A soft sigh escaped him as Ren gestured to his shining talons as his train feathers ruffled themselves "Though, I suppose it's possible my appearance made it difficult to describe...few people see this form..outside of combat. Strange isn't it..I feel more comfortable as this than in my natural skin..in public it attracts too much attention...which can bothersome".

Cocking his head to the side as Ren leaned forward slightly attempting to detect something normal behind the mask-covered man "Then again I doubt this is your normal attire..Master Knight..".  His left foot tapped along the floor as Ren sighed once again dismissing his avian features. Bare feet brushed against the floor as Ren bowed "Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Ren Heishi..heir to glided cage you will be breaking me out of..Don't worry..Mother isn't too much of a fighter..more of a tearer..". Sarcasm dripped from his tone along with slight dread at the thought of his Mother making a scene. If her screeching didn't set off the alarm that he was intent on leaving once again, his father yelling would be the call for back-up. Dread coiled in his gut at the possible perfume and salt soaked trap that awaited in the shadows..the last thing he wanted to do was have to pry his weeping sisters off him only to leave them the memory of him once again going away without a second glance back. It would break his heart in truth to see their sad expressions..even with promises to write when he got the chance. If tears fell from Misha's gentle face it would make him almost change his mind...even as the sea called him home.

Adrian inhaled slowly, taking a good look at the bird-man in front of him. On the inside, he saw it as a potential pet that wielded the right amount of sharpness and latent ferociousness that he desired. Eyes in the sky and death from above. Two concepts that filled him with excitement. He knew that the noble before him wasn't some fragile, porcelain pigeon. Adrian smiled underneath his mask, though it was hard to tell. In the mere moments that the bird spoke and the space between, Adrian already gathered up an idea of what was going on.

The bird was not supposed to be returned to Marine hands nor was it his choice what Adrian's mission was supposed to be. Dark room, a less than desirable son, porcelain family. The family likely wanted a guard for their son to not only babysit him and keep him from the outside, but to make sure no dirt stains him. However, he was given no preparation nor has anyone else given him context on what his duties were. Except for the one and only porcelain peacock. Or glorious steel, as they likely underestimated their own son.

"Yes sir, I'll make sure to carry out this task to my fullest ability." Adrian saw the area around them as a representation of the Tower. Disaster was ready to strike, and one of the two in the room were the catalysts of change. He assumed that the mission at hand was going to be more strenuous than the bird-man assumed. His suspicions of diverging from the original intent of bringing the masked marine had rung true. "Well, I'm not surprised that was where you were going with your orders. I see. Should I have my weapon out as I escort you back into the hands of the marines? For this mission, I am at your disposal."

Adrian let go of his official form, knowing that the man before him was not an official figure. However, he was interested enough to provide the man his official services. "Well, if I may give my tactical view, I have a few pointers. You say that is a form reserved for combat, so you were already thinking about escaping? That means we'll run into resistance on our way out. I need details such as how much resistance, potential threats and I need a favor for doing this." Adrian stepped towards the bird, unflinching to any signs of defensiveness Ren may exhibit. He puffed out his chest with genuine confidence.

"I need a conversation with you once we succeed. Because we will succeed." Despite having a young voice, Adrian spoke with might in it. Resolve like none-other. He stared into Ren's eyes, smiling underneath his mask, though the bird could likely not tell. "Also, it's better if you just assume this is exactly how I look like. I guess you could say I'm practically naked because this is practically my skin."