He slowly pulls those fangs out after being sure to give them enough time to spread the vampirism gene. He's sure Mihawk can feel the transformation taking hold. The old man takes a step or two back, looking over Mihawk. "How do you feel?"

He's just going to give a hum as he transforms into his vampire form, looming over Mihawk as he takes a deep breath, disappearing and reappearing behind him. The large captain slouches down just to insert those fangs into the Greatest Swordsman, biting down.

"Heh.... You won't be crumbling to dust in the sunlight, not with the devil fruit. Might crave a little blood here and there, but you drink wine, do you not?" He gives a little chuckle. "It will give a power boost too, because... of course it would."

"Simple bite... after I take the form needed, of course. As for their eagerness, perhaps, but I doubt they'd want it to be just... handed over. Newgate and Roger would be there to fight the Strawhats if they were still around."

"Could be worse motives, I'm just not ready to hand over the new era to anyone yet. Newgate and Roger would do the same."

"... Undoubtedly you and Zoro are fated for one final clash where he either becomes the greatest swordsman or falls short. With my goals, helping you helps me in this case."

"... Hmm... Well, you know what the true irony of this is... They call you a vampire, and yet... I'm the one with the Vampire Devil Fruit. It is quite... hilarious. Truthfully, I could make what they speak true and make you a vampire." His grin only seems to grow.

"... Ah, interesting, the marines have been showing up as well? Intriguing for sure." He gives a chuckle. "... Oh, just a little thought... Some refer to you as a vampire, but... to my knowledge, I think that's just the fears of those who speak of you, correct?"

"... Oh, I wouldn't relocate just because of me." A hand slowly turns the blue flower on his outfit. "I find myself to be an outlier. But, I assume this isn't the first visit you've had out of the blue."

He's just looking out at the sea again.

@hawkwatchin.bsky.social Red Mist begins to form in the castle, swirling around to reveal Patrick Redfield, who has a big grin on his face. "So, this is where the illustrious Mihawk lives~"

((Let's do this because I finally have time to start it.))

((Lemme ambush Mihawk and make him an offer he can't refuse. Unless you just want me to dig in.))

((Yes, hello Astro. You need a bite?))

((Everyone wants the fangs of the Red Count.))

((Don't you question me, I'll bite him.))

((Would. Be. A. Shame.))

((Would be a shame if I turned Mihawk into a vampire.))

He's just looking out at the sea again.

"How intriguing."

The old man is just standing under his umbrella, watching.

"... Ah, yes, how interesting~"

Pato jumps into his Boss's grasp, partway through, poofing into a pen. Redfield hooks his umbrella back in his outfit and holds Pato. "... This is Pato's actual form. He's always been a pen, though one day I decided to put a devil fruit inside the pen. He has a cool trick."

He thinks for a moment. "... May I have Pato back?" Pato looks over at him, giving a nod. "I would like to show you Pato's true form. He's actually a devil fruit user."

"... And what if you didn't have to go back, would you? What if you had an opportunity to leave and move to a new home, would you?" He's thinking carefully, both hands now on his umbrella, seated across his lap.

"... You can't really pull the wool over these old eyes. I could see you tense up earlier." He goes into a seated position, unfurling the umbrella as he looks at Pato and then her. "... You don't want to go back, but you have to, correct?"

He can see the tenseness already. Pato just looks up at her as Redfield strokes his beard. "... Hmm, right..." >"Boss?"< He's already thinking up a plan in his head. "I'd like to see your boss."

"... Ah, your boss?" He's thinking for a moment, pinching his beard a little bit with his free hand as his other one holds his umbrella. "You work for him... Does he treat you well?"

"Hmm, alright, you can hug him." He's just going to pick up the Tanuki gently and hold him out to her. >"Well, if Boss says it's fine."< "... Now I wonder if anyone's tried to recruit you? You must be pretty popular if you're dealing to all three forces."

"Oh? Ah, I see. Truthfully, I've been a lot of places, there have been one or two that made weapons. Though I've been through several seas." >"Boss, your memory is slipping it seems, nukikiki~"< The Tanuki chuckles and Redfield gives it a light tap with the umbrella. "Do you deal with pirates?"

"Ah, beaming with Pride. I admit, the name sounds familiar, but oh... memory is fading a little bit, I can't remember if I truly visited it or not. It has been a while." He gives a grin. "But, pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"... I admit, it's not often that I get a request to look at my weapon." He stands up, looking down at her. "Ah... yes. I'm Patrick Redfield, captain of the Red Count Pirates. Apologies for not introducing myself earlier." He retracts the scythe, giving a smile.

((I'mma get a crew together. Just you wait, he's got a big ship and everything.))

"... It might be a little long for you, but... if you feel like you can carry it, I'll let you try." Redfield is quite tall, after all. "Then again, it is... light enough, I suppose." He twirls it a bit, then stops, kneeling down and holding it out. >"That weapon's fought Roger and Whitebeard!"<

>"Pato, Nukiki~"< Redfield twirls his umbrella a bit. "... Do you now? I guess I could show you what I use for a weapon." He twirls it again, and with a faint movement, done so quick it's almost impossible to tell what happened, a scythe pops out of the bottom of it, as he holds it in his hand.

"... Ah... that's my first mate. Pato. He's... well, I doubt you'd believe the tale." Pato waves, his pen tail wagging as well. Redfield gives the umbrella a light shake, letting Pato know to jump off as he stands, using the umbrella as a cane as he retracts it. "... Looking for something?"

((Also, not me reading Nico Alice's devil fruit and being like....))

He continues to stare forward. "... I was not expecting a visitor." A tanuki-like creature seems to shuffle and climb up the umbrella, standing on top of it. >"Hello!"< The old man slowly shifts, turning to look at her, looking out from under his umbrella.

"..."

((Damn it, you're right.))

((You can't encourage me like this.))

"... Ah, the Straw Hats... I remember the last time we fought. Do not think the next time will be easier."

((You give me the slightest bit of encouragement, and poof, here it goes.))

"Don't think you're about to take the era that Roger and Whitebeard left to us without a fight, you new generation~" >"That's right Boss! We'll show them all! Nukikikiki~"<