[b]Revolutionary Army Vessel[/b] [color=tan]"Oh, Vice, you're...what?"[/color] Alzac blinked at her suggestion, eyes shrinking as he stared for a few moments. Brow furrowing under the lip of his cap, he shook his head before replying, [color=tan]"I'll ask about that later."[/color] He began to open his mouth to speak again, but there were footsteps from behind Vice. Stepping forward was a man a good foot or so taller than Alzac, his pale blue hair and stubble scraggly, his white, sleeveless shirt and dull green shorts bridged by a red sash, a pistol held within. Fukubei asked, "Yo, what's happening?" Taking a breath, Alzac began, [color=tan]"Morning to you two too. Anyway, let's get to the point: yesterday was a mess. I already sent a report to the top brass over in the East, so I should get word back later today. They might send reinforcements, but in the worst case we'll be pulling out of Topelia for now. With that in mind, we need to recover as fast as possible either way."[/color] Pointing a finger at Fukubei, he said, [color=tan]"I found out the other day that there's a warehouse near here that has some extra supplies. As in, criminals hiding their crap with the help of some bribed officials."[/color] With a grin, he added, [color=tan]"Well, we can't stand for such blatant corruption, can we? Livian's sent someone to mark the crates we're taking, so round up anyone fit to do some lifting and get on that. Not all of it is useful to us, but we should be getting some stolen medications and substances that can be converted into something we can use. It should help us get back on our feet. It's not the most moral thing, but we're in no position to just return it..."[/color] Fukubei nodded, rolling his shoulder as he said, "Alright, sounds like a plan." Turning to Vice, Alzac began, [color=tan]"As for you, as much as I'd like to have you there in case there's trouble, I need your help with something else. Jolyne and Jakellian have been working their hearts out, but we're still critically understaffed as far as doctors go. And of course, between that newspaper article and the public's opinion on us, it's not going to be easy to just hire one. Still, could you give it a look? It's kind of a longshot, but you're really honest..."[/color] Edges of his mouth twitching, he repeated, [color=tan]"[i]Really[/i] honest. Tricking a doctor into helping us won't do us any good Just be careful about what you tell people..."[/color] Suddenly having a couple doubts, Alzac reconsidered, but as it was out there, he felt it would be cheap to turn back now. Clearing his throat, he finished, [color=tan]"Also, Vice, if Fukubei runs in to trouble, you'll be around as backup. You two have got your Baby Den Den Mushis, right? If anything's up, let each other know before giving me some word."[/color] Adjusting the lip of his cap, he concluded, [color=tan]"Well, that should cover it. Good luck."[/color] With that, he allowed the two to leave, before glancing over the edge of the boat, anxiety rising as he considered the call he was going to get later... --- [b]Central District[/b] Alexander entered the office, the waiting room clean and homey, but the benches and chairs rather empty. Behind the desk, a light haired woman in a white lab coat looked up, sitting up straighter before beginning, "Oh, greetings! This is where Doctor Simmons practices, however, he is not in at the moment." Shaking her head, she explained, "Er, well, he hasn't been in for a few months now." Gasping, she added, "I mean, he's fine! He's not hurt or in danger. He's just in Lillicoa." Hair starting to get frazzled, she stammered, "A-ah, y-you look new here, so you probably don't know where it is, but you can find a map at...city hall?" After a moment of awkward silence, the woman, admitted, "S-sorry, we haven't gotten a lot of people here since Dr. Simmons left... I can send a letter to him if you'd like though. Unless you need medical attention, then we have someone here! Who...oh, wait, it's me!" At that, the woman tightly pursed her lips, as if trying to keep more words from escaping. --- [b] Front edge of the Back District[/b] Once Kohl found his way, arriving at the designated alleyway in due time. It was on the dingier side, but otherwise quiet, with no supposed 'employer' in sight. However, from back door of the bar came a noise, before it opened up, someone coming through, the large man squeezing through the opening with a bit of difficulty. Standing tall, he closed the door before looking over Kohl, scratching at his red beard. Cracking his neck, he began, "Alright, alright...ya looking for some work?" "Ain't gonna be a walk in the park, you know. Yer gonna go with..." Stopping, he glanced around, before grumbling, "Huh!? Where the hell...what was his name. Cheese? Cheese! OI CHEESE! WHERE THE HELL DID YOU GO!?" --- [b]Back District[/b] With no idea how long she'd been walking Claribel readily assumed she hadn't bumped in to anyone yet. But her walking had backfired, as now she had no idea where she was. Finally, something caught her eye. Approaching, she saw a young boy, his eyes sternly locked on her. Not backing down, Claribel walked over, eyes locked. The green haired lad flinched as she reached him, stooping down so that they were at eye level. Raising her fist, Claribel held true to her promise, shooting it out. She bopped him in the forehead lightly, proclaiming, [color=pink]"Boop."[/color] The child continued to stare. Claribel frowned, [color=pink]"That usually gets a laugh. What's up?"[/color] On a closer look, while his hair was a bit unkempt and his clothes slightly ratty, he wasn't filthy like some sort of street urchin. Finally, the child spoke, wondering aloud, "Why...why are you walking in circles?" Bowing her head, Claribel let out a short groan, before admitting, [color=pink]"Oh, I just...forgot where I was going, maybe?"[/color] The child was silent, which Claribel took to mean he wasn't interested. Raising her hands, she grabbed his face, squashing his cheeks as she wondered, [color=pink]"But what're you doing in this scummy looking place? There could be criminals doing shady stuff, like, right over there, you know?"[/color] Getting a little frustrated, the child managed to mutter, "Then what are [i]you[/i] doing here?" [color=pink]"Oh, I'm a pirate! Yup, even a cute girl like me can be a scummy pirate!"[/color] The boy's face tightened before he wrested Claribel's hands away from his face, before crying, "But they aren't scummy! In my house! They...they're in my house and acting like they own the place." Looking aside, he admitted, "Not that we do own it, but..." [color=pink]"Oh, that's parents for you."[/color] "No! They're a bunch of guys who keep stomping around and bragging to each other!" Thinking back to the sailors she grew up alongside, Claribel laughed, [color=pink]"Still sounds like home to me."[/color] Standing straight, she stretched before saying, [color=pink]"Tell someone in a uniform about it, like a cop or a Marine."[/color] "They're soldiers! No one can do anything about it...." Claribel stopped blinking for a moment. Putting a finger to her lip, she had to think. Soldiers shacking up in the house of a quasi-street urchin in the worst part of town... Claribel grinned, giggling, [color=pink]"Now [i]that[/i] is in-ter-es-[i]ting[/i]~"[/color]