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Post by Spain on Jan 12, 2010 23:41:34 GMT -5
(atm I'd like to keep this to Spain/Lovino, but if you'd like to butt in, you can~)
It wasn't often that you'd find a man such as Antonio Fernandez Carriedo, Captain of La Madre Maria, strolling the busy market streets of Italy. The Captain was in good spirits, today, dressed in casual clothes as he twirled a gold piece of jewlery in his fingers, enjoying the balmy weather and buzzing atmosphere.
It reminded him a lot of home.
Not home, the sky, even though that was more of his home than anything else, but Spain. Beautiful Spain. The dark haired captain gave a wistful sigh as he pushed the chain into his pocket and looked up at the cerulean blues of the sky above him. He was only docked for a very short amount of time, a day at the most, so his crew could gather supplies and rest--heaven knew those Sea pirates would be after him if they saw him here. Antonio scowled a bit as the thought hit him, but he inhaled and closed his eyes, the smile returning back to him.
A man standing in the middle of the open Piazza del Spagna, carrying gold. An easy pickpocket-target...right?
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Post by wales on Jan 13, 2010 8:12:44 GMT -5
The bright sunlight burned his retinas as Lovino stepped out of the church he'd stopped in. Squinting and swearing softly, he lifted his hand to block as much of the brightness as it could as he started off for the market hoping that today he'd manage to find a half decent target.
Of course, his hopes were instantly shattered by the sound of gunfire and shouts of 'There he is!' from a few very familiar voices. Spinning to take a quick look he swore loudly as yes, it was the mafia, and yes it was him they were shooting at. That was enough reason for him to turn and bolt for the same market - hoping for a large crowd of people and hoping they didn't want him dead enough that they'd still go after him.
His wish was granted - there was a large crowd. He ducked in between people, not apologizing for when he bumped into anyone. He stumbled as he hit some brown haired guy really hard, but didn't spare a moment to swear at him for getting in his way. Another gunshot went off, sending shattered brick pieces onto him and forcing him to duck behind a stall and into one of the back alley's.
And just out of his line of sight was the cause of his downfall. Literally. A fucking tomato crate tripped him and with a yelp, he was meeting the cobblestones face first.
"So, Lovino. The Boss said I was supposed to bring you in." a gravelly voice spoke from above him. "But, well. I've changed my mind you running little shit. Goodbye, kid." Lovino braced himself at the sound of a gun cocking, gasping for breath and tense.
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Post by Spain on Jan 13, 2010 18:41:32 GMT -5
It was the gunshots that startled Antonio out of his reverie--the quick ratta-tat-tat of a few well armed men. Uneasily, his hand drifted to his sash, where a small pistol was tucked into the folds of rich red fabric. It's not like he brought his halberd--because really, what use would a six foot tall axe be in the middle of a marketplace?--but it sounded like a fight, and a fight was something Antonio could stop...or at least get in the middle of.
Suddenly, Antonio felt the thump of someone bumping into him--a shorter, auburn haired man, who snarled and ran off. Moments later, this was followed by four or five well dressed men carrying guns, pushing past Antonio as the crowd scattered, bullets pinging off of walls and buildings.
The Spaniard drew his pistol, and covertly, moved to follow the men, watching their target turn the corner and trip, with a loud thunk, over a can of tomatoes. A little smile crossed his face--oh, that was kind of cute!--as he slipped silently towards the main assassin, who was speaking. As the victim closed his eyes, Antonio lifted his gun and nestled the tip in the back of the head assassin's hair.
"Pardon ta' interruption, but what did the lad do to ya? 'e seems innocent enough. I'ma hafta ask ye dogs to let him go."
The humor was not lost on Antonio, who smirked slightly, even still holding the dangerous weapon--it was always quite fun to mess with the locals, so to speak. Sky Pirates were notorious, after all...
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Post by wales on Jan 13, 2010 18:53:54 GMT -5
Lovino cracked one eye open at the sound of a gun being cocked and the foreign twang of a man's voice. It was the man he'd (briefly seen as he'd) bumped while he was running, holding a gun to his attackers head. He couldn't help but gape - some random guy off the streets was trying to save him?
Meanwhile, the mafia men had all trained their guns on the intruder. "Listen man." the main man sweated, as he felt the cold touch of metal on his head. "You don't know what you're getting into. It's not worth your life to get involved." Lovino twisted so he was sitting on his butt instead of his stomach, legs braced beneath him to flee the moment that his attempted rescuer was down. As nice as it'd be to be saved, the guy realistically didn't stand a chance against four trained mafia hit men.
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Post by Spain on Jan 13, 2010 23:26:40 GMT -5
"Not worth my life, hm?" Antonio dropped the heavy-accent, replacing it quickly with the lulling purr of a Spanish one--he sounded for all the world like a cat ready to pounce. Good thing he liked to play with his food. "Oh, I don't know. I suppose he's rather cute. Fast too. I need some members for my crew."
"Crew?"
There was a smirk as he put a gloved hand on the man's shoulder, his voice a low hum, just loud enough for the others to hear. "Captain Antonio Fernandez Carriedo of La Madre Maria, at your service, sir. Now why don't you let this boy go, and I'll spare all of your lives and quite possibly your purses?"
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Post by wales on Jan 13, 2010 23:58:42 GMT -5
Lovino's legs went a little weak in the knees - a captain of a ship (despite the fact he'd only vaguely ever heard of a 'La Madre Maria' in passing before) who wanted to pick a random stranger off the street to be a crew member, solely on the fact that he thought he was 'cute' and 'fast'...
Had he stepped into a twilight zone?
The reaction of the mafia men was mixed - two had clearly heard of the captain before - their faces paled and their expressions were ones of fear. The other three had not and grinned between themselves, thinking that the spaniard was a joke.
Shakily, Lovino took that time to stand. All the hit men were distracted - a better chance to get away, he was probably never going to get again. Cautiously, he started to edge back further into the alley, never taking his eyes away from the confrontation.
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Post by Spain on Jan 14, 2010 20:24:55 GMT -5
Antonio weighed his options, thinking. His halberd was at the docks, waiting for him--if he could get it these men would be no problem at all. He just needed a distraction...a distraction would be great...
The Spaniard's eyes flicked to the side. That tomato crate. There had been piles of them, stacked up in the corner. Maybe if he..
Antonio abruptly flicked his gun off to the side and fired, cutting a hole in one of the boxes, then dashed to them, jumping up the pile before knocking down the top one, the one with the hole. It hit the ground with a bang, flying open and splattering the entire alleyway with tomato juice as it started off a chain reaction, knocking down other boxes and causing them to open to. In the midst of the confusion, he leapt over the mess and grabbed the man around the waist, scooting around the corner as the mafiosos attempted to untangle themselves from the rather slippery, sticky mess. Grinning, he started running, still holding Romano like a package at his side, skidding around corners and down crowded streets, looking for all the world like a blood-covered warrior.
Eventually, the strange duo reached the docks, and Antonio stopped, setting the boy down and grinning at him, speaking through pants. "Heh...that was some mess...huh?"
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Post by wales on Jan 14, 2010 20:53:43 GMT -5
With an 'oof' Lovino suddenly found himself being dragged out of the alley by a tomato splatter covered foreigner. When he was finally let go, they were all the way down at the docks and no mafia in sight. He heaved a big sigh, wincing at his probably now bruised ribs but for once, he didn't mind too much. He wasn't dead - that was a huge, unexpected plus - hell, he was hardly even hurt.
"Err... yea. Total fucking mess." he answered absently. He'd have to leave town now that his former Boss would know he was here. His stuff was in an inn on the other side of town, but maybe he had enough leeway to get to it and leave before the hounds were loosed.
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Post by Spain on Jan 14, 2010 20:56:52 GMT -5
Antonio smiled--oh, up close, the man was even cuter, all messy hair and slightly chubby red cheeks--and held his hand out to the boy, taking him in with a warm smile. Potential crew member indeed. He congratulated himself for his choice inwardly, then grinned, green eyes bright. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself fully. I am Antonio. It's very nice to meet you, Senor....?"
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Post by wales on Jan 14, 2010 21:33:35 GMT -5
Lovino blushed a little as he was snapped out of his distracted, taking the offered hand and shaking it. "Lovino. Lovino Vargas." He took a moment to take in his savior in the better light of the docks. He seemed... nice enough.
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Post by Spain on Jan 14, 2010 21:35:55 GMT -5
"Lovino...Vargas." he smiled a little at the last name--it was Spanish after all! The Captain held the grip of the other for a while, green meeting hazel, before he pulled away and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "So. You are a man on the run, are you not? Perhaps I can offer you somewhere to stay...? Only, of course if you think you're up to it...amigo."
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Post by wales on Jan 14, 2010 21:50:39 GMT -5
The italian couldn't help but be surprised - and suspicious. Yes, the other had mentioned wanting him for his crew when he was trying to save him... but he'd thought that was a bluff. What kind of strange person would offer you work while saving you from being shot?
So he said as much, a faint flush zipping across his face. "W-what kind of weirdo captain are you, offering work to random people?"
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Post by Spain on Jan 14, 2010 22:01:16 GMT -5
He laughed like ringing bells, looking at the other with a mischevious twinkle in his eyes. "Eh? Aha~well, I'm an amazing captain, claro! And I'm offering you protection from those men--I'm assuming they were mafia? Well don't worry. Once you're on La Madre Maria, I swear I will protect you with all of my heart. Besides..."
Antonio leaned in, his hand cupping the man's red cheek, a playful grin on his face. "You look like a cute little tomato, and I can't just let that one get away from me!"
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Post by wales on Jan 14, 2010 22:08:13 GMT -5
Lovino, despite himself, was pretty much sold at the confident offers of protection - he was rather sick of having to run all the time - and then... wait. What?
"W...what did you just call me?" his face brightened in color as he jerked his face quickly out of that firm grip.
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Post by Spain on Jan 14, 2010 22:12:46 GMT -5
"A cute little tomato, eehee~with those puffy cheeks and that blush, you look just like one!" Antonio grinned dopily, looking less and less like a pirate captain by the second, and more like a lovesick teenager. But he couldn't help himself! His new crew member (for he already was in Antonio's mind) was just too cute.
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