high_seas | What happens in Deesuko Ballia...

A
[Kodachi was visiting different pet shops, looking for a parrot partner for Pi-chan. Valentine's Day was coming up, and she thought that perhaps Pi-chan would like a date as well.]

B
[Having had a rough few months, Kodachi actually needed some time alone to think. There weren't a lot of places on Deesuko Ballia where someone could have peace and quiet, but Kodachi managed to find a small tavern where the food was bad and the drinks were watered down, so no one ever went there.]

[So she sat with a cold pot pie in one corner, looking out the window pensively and thinking of home, her brother, and Ranma.]

C
[Dance party! Kodachi was, of course, totally dominating the dance floor, and was having the time of her life. She'd already won a lot of prizes and wasn't tired yet. Come and be her partner!]

[Peace and quiet? Count Ragna in. As usual, the Grim Reaper is not in the slightest interested in mingling or dancing or whatever else it is that would be an appropriate thing to do in this "pirate paradise"; at this point it really shouldn't come as a surprise that he chooses to keep to himself rather than give in to the general atmosphere of cheer that can be encountered anywhere on the island. In fact, he's been looking for a place where he could get some rest from all this commotion─ which is how he's found his way to the nearly empty tavern. "Nearly" being the keyword, as he quickly notices the girl sitting alone there. It's quite an unusual sight: he's more used to seeing Kodachi being the life of the party, not brooding like this. He could probably leave her be, but... frankly, he hasn't been too much of a supportive crewmate lately and despite how stubborn he tends to be about this sort of stuff it makes him feel a little guilty.

Letting out a small sigh, Ragna orders a drink from the bartender (who seems excited about having so many customers for once) and slowly walks over to her table.]

Hey. [He can hardly believe what he's about to say, but... here goes nothing:] ... Mind if I join ya?

[Kodachi spotted him the moment he entered the bar, of course, and was wondering if he'd actually talk to her or ignore her. He seemed determined to do the latter as of late, and it was frustrating, to say the least, especially since he was brushing off her concern. It was actually a mild surprise to her, then, that he actually walked over and asked to sit with her.]

[She shook her head.] I don't mind.

[She picked at her disgusting pot pie before throwing it out the window. No use trying to stomach substandard food. The bartender didn't even look offended that she'd so callously disregarded the pie.]

[Ragna raises an eyebrow at that as he takes a seat across the girl, though in the end he decides it's not worth commenting on. His own drink isn't something that deserves recommendation, but eh, he'll live. It was nothing but an excuse to stay here, anyway. Although now that he's done this much, the Grim Reaper is not sure how to proceed, which results in a moment of awkward silence until he finally says the only thing he can think of right now.]

You sure seem to be in rare form today. Everything okay?

[He feels somewhat weird asking that, but he can't deny he's a little concerned. If anything, he'd expect her to be jumping on the rooftops or dancing or something equally energetic, not... whatever it is that she came to do here.]

[Again, Kodachi gave him a surprised look. She didn't expect he'd ask, simply because he'd been so determined to avoid her and her displays of emotion. Kodachi got the picture, because she wasn't as dense as people thought she was.]

I'm just thinking about things. I was worried about you, but you didn't seem to want to talk to me.

[The girl heaved a small sigh. Ranma had been on her mind as well, since Valentine's Day was coming. She was also wondering how her brother was doing back home.]

Are you feeling better now?

[Contrary to the popular opinion, even Ragna cannot be an asshole all the time. That is especially true in the case of people he genuinely cares for, and Kodachi is certainly one of them.

Which unfortunately doesn't stop him from frowning the moment she brings up being concerned about him. Goddammit, are they in for the same old shit again?]

If it's 'bout me, then yeah, I don't wanna talk 'bout it.

[That came out a little more harsh than he originally intended, so he leans back in his chair, shaking his head.]

Look, it's not like I'm mad at you or some shit. [Well, aside from initial outbursts, anyway.] Just... stop fretting over me so much, okay? I'm an adult.

[Good thing he reminded us, because that's easy to forget.]

... And I'm fine, yeah.

[As fine as he can ever be, anyway.]

Alright, alright!

[Kodachi heaved a sigh. She just wanted things to go back to normal between her and Ragna (as normal as they could ever be), but he was just so stubborn - she was too, and if he thought she was going to leave him alone, he was sorely mistaken. However, if he said he was fine, then she'd accept his answer - for now, anyway.]

[Back to awkward silence they go. It crosses Ragna's mind that it's like spinning in circles─ and that he's the one to blame. The thought has been nagging him for a while already and he's been ignoring it to the best of his ability, but it seems like there isn't really a way around it.]

... Guess I might've overreacted a bit... back then, too. That's why...

[He scratches the back of his head, heaving a sigh of his own. What he's about to do isn't exactly in his nature and as such he doesn't do it very often, but he figures it has to be done.]

Sorry. Think we can put that behind us already...?

[Pigs will fly before he admits it to himself, much less out loud, but he misses just hanging out with Kodachi─ and yes, that includes being dragged to shopping and whatnot. As much of a pain in the ass as it was, there was... something comforting about it all. So in the end, perhaps he doesn't enjoy being left alone as much as he usually claims to...]

[Now, Kodachi couldn't help her look of surprise at all - but it quickly softened into a smile. She wasn't going to question Ragna's sudden change of heart, but she appreciated that he'd taken the time and gone against his nature to actually address what happened in the past, and much more so to apologize.]

[She nodded, giving him an earnest smile.]

Mmm! We can just forget about it.

[Kodachi held grudges quite long, but once someone apologized - and especially with the sincerity that Ragna had - she forgave them easily, and especially if they were important to her.]

[She stood up abruptly, and then crossed the other side of the table and sat at his side of the booth, throwing her arms around him to give him a hug.]

[A gentle smile spreads across Ragna's face at those words; seeing her brighten up like that, he can't help but feel like some weight he hasn't been aware of was lifted off his shoulders. The sense of relief is short-lived, however, as Kodachi moves to his side─ which, while certainly invades his personal space, isn't too bad by itself─ and then hugs him, catching him completely off guard.]

Wha─ W-Wait a sec! What the hell do you think you're doing?!

[Thankfully, he resists the initial impulse to push her away and instead just... flails a little, not sure what to do.]

Just stay still. It won't hurt, you know.

[Smiling, Kodachi wrapped her arms about him and snuggled close for a while. She had to shove his arm out of the way so that she could get a proper hug in, but it was worth it. She missed talking to him, and whether or not he understood it, she regarded him as a good friend and something of a guardian - even if she spent a lot of her time looking out for him too.]

There, that's not so bad, is it?

[And stay still he does─ in fact, he's about as stiff as a board. He's never too comfortable with physical contact, and the embrace leaves him somewhat panicked for a moment. Eventually, though, he hesitantly reaches with his left hand to pat the girl's head and softly ruffle her hair.]

... Yeah, I... guess not.

[Which means a lot coming from Ragna. ... Though he'd still prefer to be released soon. Still not very used to hugs, this one.]

[Funny how she never actually hugged her actual brother. That was something that she should fix once she saw him again. For now, she made sure that she was going to let her other brother- and family-figures know how important they were to her. Nothing was constant in this place - wasn't it proof enough that Ragna vanished for a while? With that in mind, she hugged him a little tighter before she finally let go, beaming up at him.]

I'll treat you to something sweet. Not here, though. The food isn't good.

[The bartender, who overheard her declaration, just shrugged and went back to polishing the empty bar.]

[Being freed from the hug is some kind of a relief─ or at least Ragna assumes that's the reason. Because it certainly has nothing to do with Kodachi looking happy again. Nope.]

What, seriously?

[The Grim Reaper can't help but grin at the suggestion. He's certainly not opposed to the idea, although he doesn't feel he's done anything to deserve it. On the other hand... hell yeah, free food. So the only remaining problem is─]

... This might not be the best island for this, y'know.

[Getting a bottle of rum or a punch in the face seems to be fairly easy around these parts. He doesn't know about pastry, though.]

[Ragna, the most tsunest of tsuns.]

Perhaps not, but there must be something sweet around here, if not the most refined.

[She chanced a look at the bartender. Probably best not to ask him. He might recommend them places that were as bad as the current bar they were sitting in.]

[But really, she was just so glad to be talking to Ragna again that she beamed at him eagerly for a second before she stood up.]

Come on, let's go look around. ♥

[Shut up you baka.]

Coming, coming... Sheesh, what a pain in the ass...

[He doesn't seem even remotely annoyed for once, though. The man follows Kodachi, not bothering to finish his sorry excuse for a drink─ he may be used to less-than-average quality of food and beverages, since being a wanted terrorist makes it difficult to dine at any better restaurants, but in this world he doesn't have to stick to that.

With that thought in mind, Ragna makes his way towards the exit.]

Well? Where do you wanna go?

I think I saw a bakery in that direction.

[She pointed towards the part of the town that seemed . . . well, less seedy? Not that any place in Deesuko Ballia wasn't seedy, but there were some wealthier people on the island that did have more "refined" tastes.]

I was looking for a date for Pi-chan when I found it.

[Smiling, she hooked her arm in his happily and led him along, pressing herself against his arm with glee.]

I missed you, you know!

Yeah, yeah...

[Read: "me too". But he'd probably choke on those words if he tried to voice them. Instead, he lets the girl drag him wherever she wants, though not without letting out a groan. Just because he's agreeing to being subjected to this doesn't mean he won't be at least a little difficult. You know, the usual.

Ragna raises an eyebrow at that, not quite sure if he understood that right.]

A date... for the bird? What the eff would you do that for?

[He can hardly imagine the point of those between people, much less pets.]

Well, why not? It would be cute if we suddenly had baby parrots.

[In Kodachi's mind, that made perfect sense.]

[They finally reached the wealthier (and consequently gaudier) parts of Deesuko Ballia, and Kodachi pointed out the bakeshop she'd mentioned earlier. It was full of confections that were needlessly opulent, and nothing you'd find in a truly high-class pastry shop. Bigger was not always better.]

[She stepped inside, and the servers bowed to her unctuously.]

What do you want, Mr. Ragna?

[The waitresses sidled up to him, batting their lashes at him. Looked like some of them were looking for . . . big spenders.]

[That went from "date" to "mating partner" real fast.]

"Cute"? Hell no. The last thing that boat needs is more animals running around...

[They already have too many of those if you ask him ~~and none are fluffy enough to justify keeping them~~. He can only hope that project doesn't work out.

Once they reach their destination, however, Ragna instantly forgets all about the pet woes, which are now replaced by the discomfort caused by the waitresses. Seriously, do they have to stare at him like that? It's unlikely to make him want to spend more money here.]

You mean besides leave? [One would hope that, combined with one of his most potent death glares would be enough to deter the waitresses, but no dice. They might be used to that sort of thing.] ... Dunno. Do they have cheesecake?

They'd be flying around.

[Not the point, but . . . it had to be said.]

[Kodachi glanced at the women who were all but trying to sidle up to Ragna, and she stifled a laugh.]

He's married!

[At that, they all looked disappointed, though some didn't look too deterred by the idea.]

They do. I'll have a cheesecake slice as well.

[He's not going to grace nitpicking at his word choice with a comment, thank you very much.

Really, it's only thanks to Kodachi's comment that Ragna catches up, and─ oh. Seriously? That's what they're after? Don't they have anything better to do with their lives? The Grim Reaper can't help but roll his eyes at the realization.]

Yeah, what she said. Now scram.

[He admits with a grimace, elbowing his way through them without a moment of consideration and walks up to his companion, grumbling under his breath all the while.]

For once it's useful...

[His marital status, that is.]

[That, and maybe a ride on his broomstick.]

[As it was, Kodachi's thoughts didn't go in that direction (she was a maiden, thank you very much), so she simply shooed the girls away by declaring that their object of affection was hitched.]

[Some of them still posed at him from time to time, though.]

You've broken quite a few hearts today!

[Kodachi let out a laugh as two waiters arrived with their cheesecake slices.]

[Ragna figured as much, honestly; unlike certain other people participating in this conversation, he doesn't believe in that "love at first sight" bullshit (and the girls don't exactly look like the kind, either). Which, mind you, doesn't make him any more interested.

The Grim Reaper makes a face, driving the spoon into his slice of cheesecake with a little more force than necessary.]

I can still break something else. Like an arm or a leg.

[He can feel the waitresses boring their eyes into his back from where they're standing, so it's not hard to guess what he's referring to.]

[That finally put the ladies off, and Kodachi just primly watched them scuttle away, now sending him darker looks.]

Honestly, how violent!

[Pot, meet kettle.]

You mustn't say such things in front of ladies - though undoubtedly they deserve it, whorish as they are.

[And suddenly there was an uproar of angry, hissing women with claws out and fire in their eyes, all marching towards their table.]

What happens in Deesuko Ballia...

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