Johannes had a baffled look on his face as he was forced to engage in Chester's...Chester. Lina took some pleasure in it, finding his innocent confusion endearing in light of the proud demeanor he'd previously displayed.

As he regained himself he began, "Pirates, then..." Taking another step forward, he dropped down to a seating position. "I would like your help in dealing with the Companies. From the sound of things, it seems like they are a mutual opponent."

Lina blinked, before noting, "Well, yeah, but why get our help? We're pirates, sure..."

"The World Government has had a long standing no tolerance policy towards pirates, certainly, but I am no Marine: I am a Knight Marshal of the Four Seasons."

Macario's eyes widened, and he chimed in, "Yeah, there's a rank for you..."

Johannes continued, "Our grand alliance will respect the bounties put out by the Government, and issue our own for dangerous criminals, but simply flying a flag is not a crime. Scuffling with the Companies is no crime. As far as I have seen, you have done no wrong."

"But I am a man who's lived among nobility for much of my life, and in the military I'm used to dealing with that which faces me in the field, not the expansive secrecy of these shady Companies. Even though they're known to be active here yearly, their crimes have few lines of commonality, and they don't seem to be operating in unison. I've been making arrests, but nowhere near the progress I'd hoped. You've had prior dealings with them, and you know more about how those in the underworld think, correct?"

"I hope to work out some kind of arrangement: one that will ultimately bring our mutual enemy to their knees. I simply don't know where to begin. I have sway with the Antler Kingdom, and complete command over my own men to offer. What do you say?"