#𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞 ― kaku

[seaoftales]

A giant toy full of catnip is in Lucci's office. A small note states, 'Maybe it can take the edge off for you Kitty~' signed with the drawing of a fox head and a K

The smell had tickled his senses has he walked down the hallway, though he'd initially been too engrossed in the conversation with Kaku to really notice it. They'd been doing some routine work before their next big mission and were going over the details before parting ways, each of them heading towards their own offices, or at least what they called their offices. Living quarters and workplace was all the same to them, after all.

Only when Lucci opened the door did the scent of catnip fully hit him and the reaction was instant. His pupils widened, brain shutting off completely as feline senses took over him and in an instant, he was in his full Zoan form, the large leopard diving face first into whatever shaped toy it was, taking a deep breath and letting the high fully kick in.

It wasn't until some time had passed and Kaku gave a few knocks on the door and opened it, poking his head in, that Lucci even gave any remote signs of being aware of his surroundings.

❝ What the---, ❞ the giraffe Zoan muttered, eyeing Lucci carefully. Only then did he notice the note on the ground, taking a few more steps inside to pick it up and read it. He blinked a few times, eyes going back and forth between the paper in his hand and the leopard that was acting more akin to a kitten than a deadly predator, before heaving a sigh.

❝ For fucks sake, Lucci! Really?! ❞

The reaction was met only with a warning growl.

❝ One day she'll be the death of you, ❞ Kaku warned, making his way out the room.

A low rumble escaped the giant cat. ❝ Yeah, yeah. Maybe. Leave me. I'm in a happy place... ❞

Kaku turned on his heels, giving a few more blinks in return before shaking his head. ❝ Idiot.. ❞ he muttered, closing the door behind him.

@ryathenaughtykitsune

[seaoftales]

Was it nostalgia that reeled him back to the scene of the crime, or was he there for completely different reasons? It was a question he asked himself, too. For all intents and purposes, Kaku was there unofficially. It would also be the very first time that the Cipher Pol agent returned to a place his mission took place in while at the same time knowing that his name and position had been utterly compromised.

Five years, however, was a long time, and the giraffe zoan couldn't just pretend that nothing had ever happened in those five years. Paulie might have not been privy about their mission, but Kaku wouldn't deny that they had a friendship between them, one that was genuine from his side as much as he could allow it to be.

❝ Won't say no to getting the cap back. I did have to leave that one behind. ❞ he quipped, a playful smile on his lips. He did like himself a nice cap or hat every once in a while, even having sort of a collection from all his previous missions. ❝ I'm honestly surprised that you're not immediately accusing me of coming back to finish the job and finally dispose of all the witnesses from two years ago. ❞

@seaoftales

Though life manages to go on, Paulie has never quiet let go of someone entirely. The remaining residences of the former shipwrights were cleared out, but he with foresight had taken everything back into his own.

The nostalgia was kept in a box stored in his closet, a sign that maybe, maybe he was effected more then he thought about the whole betrayal thing. Kalifa, Lucci, Kaku, there were too much memories to let go because of one event.

Still-

"Geez, you're back. Let me guess, you want your limited edition gallery-la hat back."

[seaoftales]

small muse tag drop so i have the complete list here pt. 1

[seaoftales]

The slap, while not unwarranted, did catch him slightly off guard, head instinctively turning a bit to the side upon impact, blood rushing to his cheek where her hand met his face. He was about to speak again when she, in turn, took hold of his chin and dug her nails into his skin.

In an instant, he felt a wave of weakness and nausea hit him like a freight train that had him on his knees in front of her before his brain could even supply a reason as to why. Lucci wasn't unfamiliar with it, he knew what it was, but he couldn't make the connection as to the hows and whys of the whole situation. Right before she forced him to look at her, however, steel blue eyes caught her other hand right in the corner of his peripheral view. Nail polish? Could it really be that simple of an answer? Nail polish infused with seastone. It was ingenious and absolutely diabolical at the same time, and that alone told him a lot about her, too. She wasn't like other Celestial Dragons who wouldn't have minded if somebody else did their job for them while they only got to watch as a form of entertainment. No, not her. She wanted to see things through herself.

Even in such a weakened state, Lucci maintained eye contact as she spoke, taking in every single word uttered in his direction. He took her threats seriously, just this display of power she had so well concealed was reason enough for him not to speak out of line again, but there was also something else to it. She acted and held herself like he had always imagined all Celestial Dragons would, though that perhaps also should have come as a surprise given that she was s Figarland, after all.

Once released from her hold, the CP0 agent slumped to the ground. Footsteps leading away from him and the door opening and closing was an indicator enough that she left, and it was as of all tension in the room went away. Household staff immediately scurried off to continue with their work, and that alone was also proof that she commanded the attention of everybody in the room when she was there. Lucci, however, remained on the floor, eyes glued to the door she left through. She positively left him both scared and aroused at the same time. He didn't even really care that she probably ruined his brand new suit jacket with blood, either.

In the short time he waited for her, Lucci managed to get together a group of guards who looked like they were up to the task, as per her wishes, though he also used the Den Den he carried with him to give Kaku a call, asking him to leave Hattori in the care of Stussy and join him in this mission. While Cosima never said anything about that part of his suggestion, Lucci still decided to go through with it.

❝ What happened to your face? And is that blood?, ❞ was the first thing Kaku greeted him with.

❝ I might have angered her a little, ❞ Lucci said in turn.

The giraffe Zoan raised his eyebrows. ❝ Already? ❞

❝ Trust me, she's not your usual Celestial Dragon. She knows what she wants and knows exactly how she wants it. ❞

❝ So be invisible and keep my mouth shut unless spoken to? ❞

❝ Pretty much, ❞ Lucci said with a nod. ❝ I learned it the hard way. She has nail polish infused with seastone. I was on my knees in an instant. ❞

Kaku nodded. At least he was good in keeping a low profile when the situation asked for it. ❝ So what exactly do you need me for? ❞

❝ Backup, mainly. I also don't trust this band of brave soldiers to keep themselves alive, least of all a Celestial Dragon. ❞

Their conversation was cut short by her arrival, Kaku just giving Lucci a nod that he understood before he fell in line, essentially blending in with the others bar for his white outfit that mirrored Luccis. While before she had worn some more casual clothes clearly meant for relaxation, her travel attire was something completely different, and once again, she commanded the attention of everybody, including other Celestial Dragons that happened to be outside the residence gates. Once addressed, Lucci gave a curt nod and a small bow. ❝ Yes, Saint Cosima, ❞ he immediately replied, moving to open the carriage door for her and holding his other hand out to help her inside.

The goddess was quiet as she listened to the Government dog wag his tongue freely without her permission. He had answered her question, but had the gull to give her his opinion on the matter. Standing before the tall male bowing respectfully, she glared down at him in silence as her arms were resting across her chest. Compared to other divine beings, she was a true goddess, refusing to settle for anything less. Her uncle did not care if she married or not, but she knew that soon he would be pushing for her to have children. She was looking for a breeding stallion who would be suitable for her purposes, but that was low on her priority list. Her nails were covered in her sea stone makeup, which was helpful against those lesser creatures that were cocky for having special abilities. Once Lucci had finished speaking, she smiled innocently before stepping forward and slapping him across his face. Had he been a slave, she would have had him beheaded and thrown to the pigs.

Her hand was red from the force she put into slapping the male, but she would not allow him to see any of her pain. Grabbing his chin roughly, she dug her nails into his flesh hard enough to maybe even draw some blood as the sea stone nail polish dug into his flesh. She forced him to look up at her as she spoke with a venomous tone, “ Carefully with that tongue of yours mongrel, as I asked for an answer to my question. You barked out of turn, next time I will make sure that your head will leave your shoulders and be fed to the pigs.” Forcing the male to look at her directly, she watched his reaction to see if he would speak again. She did not state he could speak and if he apologized, she would make good on the promise. After a couple moments of intense silence between them, she smiled once more and spoke with a honey coated voice. “Good boy. Seemed like you learned to hold that tongue.” Letting go of his chin, she wiped her fingers that were stained in some traces of blood on his white jacket before standing up to look at everyone else. “Prepare to leave here shortly in less than an hour. I have everything I need already packed in the back room. I need to change and prepare myself.” Cosima walked away leaving everyone holding their breath until she had left then everyone finally sighed with relief. The government dog had made a good point, but she wanted to remind him of his place.

The goddess had not packed a whole lot, just a couple crates full of simple clothes and shampoo for the ship, but mostly with paperwork for her to continue working. She wanted to travel quickly, but still needed to be suitable for someone of her status. Once she had bathed quickly with the slaves dressing her in pants with a long jacket, she walked out towards the carriage that would take them to the small ship. She noticed a couple soldiers and her personal bodyguard standing by her transportant as she stepped inside. Noticing the government dog, she looked at him and spoke in a firm voice, “If you're my bodyguard, you will ride with me and not leave my side until I state otherwise. Is that clear?”