[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/3iywwTz.png[/img]

[h2][color=black]Balthier D. Sydney[/color][/h2]

[b]Docks[/b] Direct Interaction with: [@ladyonyx04][@KillBox][@King Cosmos][@NachoBachoPacho][@Reflection][/center]

Jōichirō's head exploded in a shower of light and blood. He fell to the ground, sword falling from his grasp. It reformed from the light a moment later, whole, but blood trickled from his scalp, his eyes glazed over. Quick as shadow, Balthier crossed the remaining distance and planted a heavy haki-infused foot on Jōichirō's chest, then pointed the pistol at his head. He glared death down at the man; his eyes, fiery red infernos, his pupils changing from round to slitted. Like a cat.

Or a dragon.

[color=black]"Listen up and listen well. First, if you try anything, if you even [i]blink[/i], I will shoot your ass and kick you into the bay, sending your little fruit back into this world and you out it. Gods know why I haven't already, why I'm wasting my time monologuing to you. I guess I'm feeling merciful today. You failed because you focused so much on that girl that you neglected the unknown threat of yours truly. You failed because of your arrogance and you're mistaken belief in your invincibility. Even the most powerful fruit in the world is rendered powerless if it's holder is a fool. You failed because you. Are. A. Fool. If you want to become strong, if you want to avoid ever being helpless again, lose that arrogance, lose that foolishness. A man's greatest weapon is his mind. Train that before anything else."

But never forget this. If you [i]ever[/i],"[/color] He pressed down with his foot, crushing Jōichirō's chest and sending cracks racing across the wood dock. [color=black]"Cross Captain Black Dragon Sydney again, I will not give you the chance to regret it. Savvy?"[/color] 

As soon as he was done with his speech, Jōichirō suddenly vanished. Beneath his foot was now the assassin, Lexi, who was both wet and steaming. Balthier blinked in surprise, his fearsome aura dispersing as quickly as it had appeared. He lifted up off her quickly. [color=black]"Well there you are."[/color] He said, reaching out a hand to help her up. [color=black]"Now what are you doing there?"[/color] He mused. Then it occurred to him. Shigeuchi's power. 

He turned to the ship, far enough out now that one would have difficulty making out people. His sharp eyes, however, spotted Shigeuchi. He raised his pistol in a gesture of respect. That was one man he would have to be careful around. Lexi was safe, but now Caitlyn was still speeding recklessly toward the ship. 

Balthier sighed. It was like herding cats. He turned his head and eyed the slightly broiled assassin. [color=black]"Stay. Here. You are in no shape to fight. Worse, clearly, you didn't stand a chance against them. I'll go try to keep your captain from killing herself too."[/color] Even as he spoke, he placed the pistol back in it's pocket and began to pull off his coat. Beneath it he had no shirt, leaving his tattoo of a curling dragon on display. [color=black]"Hold this, love."[/color] He told her, handing it off.

Unburdened, he stepped forward lightly and ran off the dock.

The marine would only see a black shadow, steak past him, the waves parting in it's wake from the speed of it's flight.

The only warning the Sun pirates got was the whistling of the wind before something suddenly slammed into their ship with incredible force, sending the vessel rocking and anyone who was still upright staggering. A sharper crack echoed across the water and the pirates could only watch in horror as the top half of their ship's main mast slowly toppled into the sea. Clinging to the ragged stump, blocking out the sun, was a creature out of legend. It lifted it's head and gave out an ear-shattering roar that compelled fear in even the bravest of men. 

It was a dragon.

Balthier, in half-dragon form, released his grip on the broken mast and dropped to the deck below. It gave a horrid crunch as he hit and his claws sank into wood and iron with equal disdain. He turned his baleful gaze on the captain and first mate. [color=black]"Stand down."[/color] He commanded. His voice, far from the melodious baritone it had been, was now the rumbling and grating of rocks grinding together. [color=black]"That goes for you too, [i]girl[/i]."[/color] His voice swelled, directed at Caitlyn. He turned toward Nikko and gave a precise bow. If the heat emanating from the captain bothered him, he didn't show it. [color=black]"Only here to get the fool girl."[/color] He glanced up at the mast and bared his teeth in what could only loosely be called a grin. [color=black]"Sorry about the mast."[/color] He stated, in a tone that said he clearly wasn't. 

He stalked across the deck, tail swishing. He leaped on to the railing and with a powerful burst of wind from his wings, took flight. He intercepted Caitlyn midair, grabbing her arm with a haki-infused claw and lifting her a few feet. He craned his neck and growled in her ear. [color=black]"This isn't a fight you can win. Your crewmember is in bad shape and it is your fault as captain. You picked this fight, you can end it. Back down. Now."[/color]

He released her and drifted back, letting her made her own choice. If she chose to fight, he wasn't going to help.