An Hour Passed and The Crew was left on the Palm, deciding that it'd be best for them to at least attempt to retire for the night, even if it was hard for some of them to do so. Kále had requested to be given a third sword. Much to the Chagrin and Amusement of the Chef. Making sure to remark about how ‘Of course, an Urchin like you would need more swords.’ and ‘You must be compensating for something.’ which, of course, caused yet another bickering match to unfold between the two, pushing off either’s sleep by at least 30 minutes, to the Annoyance of the rest of the crew.
The Sword in question, however. Was something special. A Skillful Grade Katana, it had been passed around by quite a few people before landing in the hands of a Local shop-keep. Aton had mentioned that the owner had said that it had quite a long history. But didn’t mention where it had come from. Its name was ‘Rokudai Senkusha’ or ‘Senkusha the VI’. Supposedly it was the Great Black Smith, Polymetis Yamada’s, Third Best creation. The VI’s Scabbard was a deep amber color. Its Tsuba was intricate. Sharp curves moved around and connected back together almost like a flower or clover. Almost looking like a pendant. Its wrap was of a darker brown, with the inner hilt under it a deep blue. As per most highly skilled forged katanas, there was an ornament within the wrapping. A signature of Sorts, something that gave a flair to this piece. The VI’s was a small sling blade.
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At Midnight. The Moon was high in the Air. But this time around it wasn’t just desert foxes, and a single lone boar running through the desert or were up and about. At this moment the entire town of Arid were reading themselves to traverse through the frigid midnight desert and make their way to the Capital. They prepared water barrels, rations, sleeping arrangements, and anything they would need during the day-long trek through the desert, loading it all up onto giant Coastal Crabs. Enormous crustaceans that were the size of small buildings, they’d been used by the people of Alabasta for hundreds of years. Acting as large-scale mules for traversal and storage.
The Revolters Sharpened their Blades, Fastened their Tunics, strapped their quivers to their backs, and loaded up their firearms. They’d been preparing themselves since 10:00 that night. And now they were all ready to move out. Aton at the head of them all. Whispers washed amongst them of where Kiki was. Many said that she should be amongst them now, not waiting until the hard part was already over. But these whispers were dismissed once the woman in question showed up. Dressed head to toe in battle-appropriate attire. Gone was the flowing dress that many of them knew her to wear, and in its place were boots, plated leather bracers, and flexible knee-length pants with a kind of Battle Skirt at her thighs. Her Purple hair was tied up into a ponytail
Aton offered to help her up onto one of the Coastal Crabs, but she denied. “I’d Rather walk amongst the others. I shouldn’t get special treatment just because I am the princess. I too am a Revolter like the rest of you.”
Groups of Revolters Piled onto these Crabs. Some took Camels. Most walked. When Necessary the Coastal Crabs could travel up to 72 km/h.
The Journey would take 9 long hours. The Capital was dozens and dozens of Kilometers away, and in their way stretches of desert that was hard to travel through quickly. Meaning they had to take breaks often, for Hours at a time to conserve their energy, but staying timely to make sure they arrived at Aluba before any potential information could reach them that would give them a disadvantage.
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But After it all. The Huge 5 Kilometer City came into view over the Horizon. The Sun had long been hidden behind a thick layer of clouds- No- Smog. Even from over a kilometer away, they could see just what their beautiful capital had become…
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At 9 am the Red Sash Pirates awoke. Ready to make their way to Aluba…
The Crew had been led to the Edge of Town by a single remaining group of Revolters that had stayed behind to protect the Ghost-town. Gesturing to the Creatures that lay before them he spoke
“These are the Super-Sonic Birds that Aton mentioned to you all last night.”
The Birds looked almost like ducks. Though a more apt description would be closer to chicken or fowl. They were over 3 feet tall. And 5 Feet at the head, Easily able to look down at Dezzi.
“They Can Travel at the Speed of Sound! We didn’t have enough to give an advantage to the Main force with their journey to Aluba. But they’ll assist in getting you to the Capital in no time at all! It should only take you about 10 minutes.”
The First to Speak was Jeanne, who was wearing her Cloak again, but underneath she had a polka dot button-up and waist-high jeans that wrapped around her thighs. She made sure that her satchel was also easily accessible as her rifle was over her shoulder. “Fast as Sound you Say?”
“Awesome!” Leroy Spoke next. A wicked smile on his face. Wearing his sash around his neck, a loose piece flowing down his back. He wore the typical white button-up that he always wore. His Baggy black pants wrapping around his knee
“Yep. They're that fast. Should give you quite the Advantage no?” Spoke the Revolter
Kále yawned obnoxiously as the crew was brought to the Super Sonic Birds. He was rather sleepy, usually on the ship he'd have woken up about 3 hours ago to work out but he didn't get the chance this morning, and sleeping for an extra 3 hours just made him extra sleepy.
He was wearing his black and white, short-sleeved Thobe that he bought back in Serket. His hair was tied back into a ponytail and he was wearing some sandals, instead of his usual boots since he kept getting sand stuck inside his boots.
The third sword, Rokudai Senkusha, was fastened to his belt, on the left side of his waist. He wanted something that matched the quality of his cursed sword more than the sword that he took from Sujikiki. This meant that when using two swords at once he would be able to swing them more equally, making his attacks easier and whatnot.
As for the birds themselves, Kále wasn't overly impressed by them. They seemed a bit... goofy, although he did think that their traveling at the speed of sound was pretty cool.
Dezzi had taken their shemagh off, instead wrapping it around their neck similar to a scarf, their bag was slung over their shoulder filled to the brim with supplies. They would look at the bird standing in front of them and they felt like something was... missing, they had taken a bit to realize, but then it hit them. “Hang on a second, I’ll be right back” They would quickly run away from the group, coming back a few seconds later with a small blue hat, they would set the hat on top of the head of the bird very gently and smile “Perfect!”
“Cute, Dezzi!” Leroy said to the doctor as he mounted up on his own bird. The saddle rustling beneath him. “Yeah, very cute!” Said Jeanne as she hesitantly mounted up. The bird beneath her jittering suddenly, causing her quite the twinge of nervousness.
With the Red Sashes all embarking on their Birds. And the War already beginning to Erupt...