Out of several ships docked at the Marine Base in Briss Kingdom, only one was abustle with activity. Hoshikita stood a few meters from the helm of the vessel admiring the hard working ensigns who had set to diligently anchoring the ship, and taking an occasional glance towards the impressive Marine Base that loomed a few dozen meters down the dock. The young lieutenant had accompanied his commander to transfer a small division of ensigns at the resident commanding officer's request. Hoshikita had been happy to be assigned on such a mission, as there was very little chance for conflict with pirates or revolutionaries, and would likely be a relaxing assignment full of cloud watching and thinking up lines of poetry. Still, there were duties to be performed nonetheless, even on a seemingly unimportant assignment such as this, and Hoshikita rushed over without question when Commander Burrel motioned for him to gather the ensigns. Hoshikita did so quickly and without question, and soon the ensigns ready for transfer were all standing at attention before the Commander and they marched off towards the interior of the base.

As to be expected, they experienced no problems at the main gate and were able to proceed inside without issue. The transferred ensigns were met by the base's resident lieutenant who instructed them to await him in a nearby room. The lieutenant then greeted the commander and informed him that the bases captain would like to have a word with him. With that, the lieutenant headed off after the ensigns and Hoshikita and Commander Burrel headed off to the command center. When they arrived, Hoshikita was ordered to remain outside the room and await his return to which the young lieutenant had no objection. He stood at attention while facing the door, and greeted the two ensigns guarding the entrance with a head nod and a smile before returning to a sterner position suitable for a Marine on watch. He wasn't sure how long the commander would take, but it would certainly not be fortunate to be lazing about when the commander emerged; especially not if it had been an exceedingly short amount of time spent with the captain. With that in mind, Hoshikita didn't want to do anything that might raise his superior officer's ire so soon after his recent promotion and would remain at his post for the foreseeable future.

It was all rather unimpressive. A set of happy-go-looking liberals with no regard to what was true and clear of the noble goal of the Navy. A reputed garrison of ok soldiers who had mostly waited anxiously for the day of the transfer. Compared to West Blue, which was where the vast majority of these ships came from, South Blue was less of a challenge and more of a mid-day stroll. Still, it could be worst. To be assigned to East Blue would be but an insult to a pride and self-worth.

Damocles was standing over the edge of one of the ships that arrived to the base. He was already a serving member of the base, hence he would only return to submit his own report. However he was not one for new recruits or re-assingments. The last time he had been assigned he had been dismissed from the West Blue and forced to enter the bases of the South Blue. A noticeable wound to his own vanity one would acclaim. West Blue was known to be the fiercest and most violent of all the Blues. It was honorable to be recruited by the commanders and captains as a member of the branches in the West. To fight proudly for that proud slogan that was gloriously emblazoned in the chests and backs of all who draped upon their names the institution that was the Navy, was but the highest of privileges anyone could ask for. Even if death had to claim his will and crush his being, Damocles knew that if it had been under service of homeland and military, he would die a pleasing death. Service and sacrifice was all that built the foundations of the planet. Yet, at the current tide of time, all was but humiliation and disgrace. Marines turning cowardly before the sight of pirates, casually gifting the seas to bastards who would do nothing for the innocent and weak. Damocles had always remembered that famous quote that his old master had turned into his personal slogan. "In the days of old, we had ships of wood and men of iron. Yet now, we have but ships of iron and men of wood."

The young Marine took notice to the ones that were arriving towards the heart of the base and had opted to turn his heels around and follow suit. Among the men in the files of the newly brought, their was a particular name that sprung up on the ambitious captain's mind. It had been none other than Hoshikita Cross, better know as the "Faded Star". The man was clear in Damocles's mind for all the wrong reasons. He was aloof, undignified and slothful, advocating for what had become a rising idea in the heads of the newbloods: Lazy Justice. If justice herself took form and spoke, she would feel but bitter shame at such prospect. To treat with pirates as if they were men of good hearts and well-intended minds was not only unbecoming, it was downright despicable. Yet, without having too much of a problem following the worms that squirmed inside the base, the tall marine ominously stayed close to the shadow of that man. As they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

It wasn't long after he entered that Commander Burrel exited out through the doors of the Captain's quarters, and Hoshikita put up a quick salute as his commanding officer did so. "At ease." The captain said abruptly, obviously not impressed with the immense amount of restraint and willpower it had taken the young lieutenant to maintain a position of attention for so long at one time. Hoshikita wasn't opposed to relaxing himself though, and he took the offer gladly as he waited for what Burrel was going to say. "I've got some more business to attend to with the commander, and it might take some time." Commander Burrel continued, causing Hoshikita to internally moan at the thought of remaining here for such a long period of time with no fresh air or sunshine to alleviate his boredom pains. Cross was merely readying himself for such a fate when the older commander turned to one of the stationed Marines who had been keeping close distance with them almost since the two had arrived with the transfers. The stationed marine was tall and heavily built with dark hair and a few small scars on his face, certainly having the look of the battle weathered soldier about him. Hoshikita's initial impression of him was based on appearance alone, but he looked like a man that shouldn't be taken lightly. He also didn't look like the sort who would appreciate a good poetry recital if it were offered him. "You there, over here for a moment please." The commander said, calling out for his attention and motioning to the space next to the two men.

After waiting for the marine to walk over, which could only be assumed of a man being requested by an officer, he would continue with his request. "If you wouldn't mind," He began in a polite tone, almost ill befitting of one in command, but still with a tone of authority behind it. "Please show my Lieutenant here around the base." He requested, waving a hand over to reference the long legged lieutenant. "It's his first visit here, and he's still unfamiliar with the layout." The commander explained, likely thinking it would be a better use of Hoshikita's time than waiting outside of a door for a few hours. Hoshikita himself was of the same mind and thanked his lucky stars to be working under such a considerate man as Commander Burrel. The long legged man gave a quick salute to the marine being requested to guide him, and gave a quick greeting and introduction. "Lieutenant Hoshikita Cross, Seventeenth Branch. I'd greatly appreciate it." Hoshikita would quickly state, smiling a thin smile with his eyes slightly squinted. He was quick in his introduction, not wanting to take up too much of his Commander's time but still wishing to extend his gratitude for the more than likely agreement to the request. It was hard to turn down a superior officer after all, and the thought that the man before him would didn't really cross Hoshikita's mind. There were always outliers in the Marines though.

Fate has a rather odd way of affecting individuals. Rather it was Damocles's fate which had been affected the most. He didn't know if it was an act of divine intervention or just plain bad luck, but for better or for worst, he had been assigned to baby sit the very guy he least trusted in the entire base. While the reasons for hating the other man were few, they were still true. Despite this, Damocles clicked his tongue and buried his hands in his pockets. The young marine by his part was wearing an open black shirt with dark grey pants and a set of boots. He wore his metallic arm still, which was crossed with his other, still organic and natural arm, and foregoed headgear, preferring his black hair to stand without any surface over it.

"Great..." grumbled Damocles as he uncrossed his arms and rolled his eyes. His voice clearly hinting of his displeasure to his current assignment. The young marine by his part simply removed himself from the wall he had been leaning on and walked right past the one with the freakishly long legs. A nicer man would had at least said something to the other, but this was not the case. Instead, Damocles coldly stared at the other and grimaced. "Well, are you coming or not, new blood?" asked Damocles as he walked passed the door and walked into the hall. If it could be said, Damocles really didn't have any idea on where to start on the base. He had never been placed in such an awkward position. He had always prefered to be the one who sat back quietly targeting the fresh sets of rookies that transferred. However this was most certainly not thus. So with his head held in a tight clench, he turned around one of the connecting halls, dismissing whether the other was ok with it or not.

Clearly seen however, the man with the huge legs had not arrived yet."Hurry up already!" began Damocles, clearly annoyed at the current situation. "Geez for someone with such fucking huge legs you sure are slow." continued the marine in black as he crossed his arms again, a snarl clearly rising up from his throat after finishing his sentence. "Anyways maggot, this is hall is the Upper-tiered residential area. This is as far as we can go since it's forbidden for soldiers of our standing to go past that door." said the swordsman, pointing at a large wooden door that appeared at the end of the hall. "Oh, and if you are wondering. Yes there are girls in that area. And no, it's off boundaries to interact with them, especially the Commander's daughters. Now let's go. By the way, what did you say your name was again?"

Hoshikita could tell from his facial expressions that the young marine who had been requested to show him around the base wasn't entirely enthused about the proposition. It seemed strange to the young lieutenant that someone would be opposed to breaking up the monotony of a regular day at the base, but there were all different kinds in the world he reminded himself. The young marine thought that his earlier notion of appreciation might be well received, but the dark haired man's actions did not allude to this whatsoever if they had been. Instead, he roughly questioned whether Hoshikita was coming along or not, referring to him as "New blood". Hoshikita nodded quickly, uttering a quick reply of "Of course". He then gave a quick salute to his commander and started following the dark haired man as he began down the hallways.

As they were making their way, Hoshikita noticed a portrait of some important looking marine hanging in the hallway. He stopped for a moment to look at it, and must have lost himself in thought as he was abruptly shaken from his interest by the rough voice of his impromptu guide advising him to hurry up. Hoshikita quickly moved to catch up with the man, not wanting to cause him more frustration than he was apparently under. He now felt rather bad about the man being chosen by Commander Burrel as it was obviously not in his interest to be showing the young Lieutenant around. Still, he urged himself to do his best to be polite and friendly with the man in an attempt to possibly cause him to loosen up a bit.

Approaching the man, he made a comment on how Hoshikita was much slower than the length of his legs would lead one to believe. "I'll try to keep up the pace." He replied in a somewhat relaxed tone, not wanting to aggravate the situation further despite the biting remark. The dark haired marine didn't let up however, and continued on by first referring to him as maggot, and then explaining that the hall led to the residential area. Hoshikita was instantly curious about such a place after his mention, but that wonder and mystery was quickly barred off as he was informed it was not allowed of marines in their station to enter. As the darker haired marine mentioned that, Hoshikita nodded as if to say "Of course we're not", and continued listening to the explanation. The grizzled looking marine continued by explaining that there were indeed women up there, and that contact was extremely forbidden. As was the nature of man, the mere mention of forbidden women sent vivid fantasies and dark possibilities racing through the young Marine's mind but they were quickly stamped out by the recollection of what ramifications might befall someone guilty of such things. Hoshikita quickly stamped the thoughts out of his mind as he attempted to answer the dark haired man's question of his name. "Hoshikita Cross, Marine Lieutenant Seventeenth Branch." He said, stating the whole of his rank and station out of mere habit. "And I don't believe I caught your name either." Hoshikita said, obviously urging an introduction out of the other marine. Upon receiving one, Hoshikita would lean down and extend his hand for a handshake and hope that his fellow marine would accept.

Damocles continued to keep down his defenses locked, his barriers high and his face tight. He wasn't going to accept this man for anything other than him being a lowly excuse of a man who was dirtying the sacred name of the Marines. He did however become somewhat less mean as he soften his face somewhat. He turned around ignored to meet the other's eyes and gave the other a straight face. It wasn't an angry face, nor was it a happy one. It was a neutral one. Of course it didn't help that his relaxed features made him look angry, regardless of his state. "My name's Damocles Tenebrous. I'm from Dressrosa and originally served under the West Blue, but was recently transferred after an incident..." said Damocles who still didn't really throw out an aura of love and compassion, but didn't look extremely dismissive. He even offered the other a handshake, something cordial and the most unattached greeting two people could have. Afterwards the Marine gained a question of his own.

"Which Sea do you originate from? Please don't tell me East Blue." said Damocles as he extended the other a somewhat opened hand. As much as he was against the ideology of the other, he still had to respect him for what he was, a Marine. Even if he was the lowest of the low. It would fall upon destiny and fate to see whether he was to be a steak upholder of Justice, or a sloth who preyed on the work of others and abused the noble flag of the Navy for his own, debauched purposes, which in the young Marines's mind, was truly the most inferior of beings. Nevertheless, even if Damocles tried to come off less rude, he still felt a bitter taste in his tongue. A sense of discomfort he could not describe. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was a hunch. Maybe it was just his own pride. He didn't know. In fact, the only thing he knew was that this guy was called Hoshikita Cross and that he was a Marine Lieutenant.

Wait...Lieutenant! This scrawny, freakishly big and somewhat strange-looking man was superior to him, Damocles Ultor Tenebrous, the famed Marine prodigy, in terms of rank and file? Impossible, it was just impossible. However, as much as Damocles wanted to stay in disbelief, he couldn't really debate himself. While his latest work had been one of somewhat prominence in the South, it really wasn't something big. Just the murder of a pirate who escaped a local prison. It wasn't worthy of making him a headline act. However, this still wasn't an excuse and thus Damocles mentally glitter his teeth, for he wasn't doing so in his physical state. He did however gain a somewhat dark glint to his otherwise blue eyes.

"Anyways, we should probably continue. Here, this is a map of the place. I'll be nice today and let you pick out where we go. Yet you only get one pick, so choose wisely." Said Damocles as he threw ut a rolled-up piece of paper to the other guy. He really didn't see what the paper was, but he thought it was the map. Hence he paid no attention to what was given to the other Marine.

OOC: It would be hilarious if Damocles got confused and showed Hoshikita a poster of a woman in an 'indecent' pose.

Hoshikita accepted the handshake from the other man with a faint smile, pleased to make the introduction. He was slightly curious as to what incident Damocles was referring to, but he figured that it was one of those sorts of things not meant to be pried into. After they had exchanged introductions, the man went on to question Hoshikita as to which sea he himself hailed from; adding on the stipulation not to reply with East Blue. Put into a somewhat difficult position, the young lieutenant did his best to explain. "Well, I'm afraid I can't answer your question as well as honor your request, Damocles; seeing as I am actually from the East Blue. Loguetown to be specific. I got transferred to Base Seventeen after my first assignment, and I've been in South Blue ever since." He answered, a certain sense of pride in his voice as he mentioned his home town and his stationed base. Still, after being asked to not answer with the East Blue, Hoshikita couldn't imagine how the other man would react.

Continuing on, Damocles stated that it was best to continue with the tour, tossing Hoshikita a rolled up piece of paper informing the young Marine that he would be allowed to choose where they'd go, but only once. Hoshikita figured that the mess hall would probably be best, but he wanted to make sure so he unrolled the paper that he assumed would be a map of the base. What was on the paper in reality though, was far different. A detailed image of a beautiful woman was detailed in pencil on the parchment, and she lacked any semblance of clothing on her frame. The anatomy was spot on, and Hoshikita could feel his thoughts drifting to unsavory places. "Did you, uh, draw this yourself, Damocles?" Hoshikta asked, chuckling to himself at the prospect of the straight faced man drawing dirty pictures in his spare time.

Damocles  could not believe what was happening. He instead turned red and attempted to hide the fact that such image had been displayed by quickly snatching it from he other's hands and burying said image deep into his pockets. Afterwards he attempted to walk away as if nothing had happened, but instead only managed to appear bothered and disturbed. "Um....it's not mine?" said Damocles with a slightly higher pitch to his otherwise authoritarian voice. He just wanted to crawl under a hole and die. Never in his professional life had his...'interests' been known to anybody aside from the closest of individuals.

"Let us continue on!" said Damocles as he cleared his throat and continued to move along. Thank god that at least it had been a new Marine and not a superior, older officer, or else he would had gotten reported straight to the Vice-Admiral's office...given that it was his daughter who served as inspiration. She had often gone against protocol and visited him. In which he would take the opportunity to sketch an image of her. Of course only they knew of this. The fact alone was grounds to dismiss the young Marine from his post and turn him to a mercenary or worst. He liked the girl, but their was no way in hell he was going to let this get leaked. "You saw nothing... You know nothing, you...um...learned nothing." said Damocles who still looked incredibly disturbed and unsettled. Thereafter he threw the real map at the other man and had him muse over that, instead of his private matter. "As I said before, we can go to any place you desire, EXCEPT the girl...got it..." said the reddened Marine who tried to once again appear stoic and serious. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against a wall, preparing himself for whatever direction the other would decide.