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Right. Sure! That just comes with the sea legs, I guess. Figuring stuff out. [ Mako does have that habit of... being not wrong about things centered around being right and staying a step ahead. Almost ever. He guesses.
Okay, Bolin's maybe a little skeptical, actually. But then again, what does he know? This piracy thing is pretty fresh compared to anything he's got experience in handling, Varrick and Nuktuk and all- not that that's bad or anything. No dark spirits or sinister bloodbending, no unexpected turncoat betrayals from guys he likes hanging around, a nice-looking ocean, a nice-looking island with great weather (which is hugely better than the mud, rain and suspicious staring deal that statue-town had going for it)... plus, the whole Team Avatar is sticking together this time around. And traveling the world together! It's not the right world, but it still has to count for something. Finding out that even one person he cares about is here to share the adventure-come-kidnapping improved his outlook drastically.
Bolin is quiet for all of like... half a minute, while he deflects negativity with the ease and experience of a turtleduck going for a swim. He swipes a few acorns for Pabu to try balancing on his nose, maybe kind of sort of flicks one towards one of Mako's feet, and decides that all circumstances considered, things are still really, really nice right now. He can get behind that.
But silence is seriously overrated. ]
So. Nice to get to explore a real, non-petrified forest, right? I mean, check us out! We don't even have to run away from something right now.
Okay, Bolin's maybe a little skeptical, actually. But then again, what does he know? This piracy thing is pretty fresh compared to anything he's got experience in handling, Varrick and Nuktuk and all- not that that's bad or anything. No dark spirits or sinister bloodbending, no unexpected turncoat betrayals from guys he likes hanging around, a nice-looking ocean, a nice-looking island with great weather (which is hugely better than the mud, rain and suspicious staring deal that statue-town had going for it)... plus, the whole Team Avatar is sticking together this time around. And traveling the world together! It's not the right world, but it still has to count for something. Finding out that even one person he cares about is here to share the adventure-come-kidnapping improved his outlook drastically.
Bolin is quiet for all of like... half a minute, while he deflects negativity with the ease and experience of a turtleduck going for a swim. He swipes a few acorns for Pabu to try balancing on his nose, maybe kind of sort of flicks one towards one of Mako's feet, and decides that all circumstances considered, things are still really, really nice right now. He can get behind that.
But silence is seriously overrated. ]
So. Nice to get to explore a real, non-petrified forest, right? I mean, check us out! We don't even have to run away from something right now.
Edited (what are tenses really ) 2014-04-18 02:35 (UTC)
[So maybe Asami shouldn't laugh at that, but she can't help it. The Spades were full of too many grumpy people. And Mako.
She lets out a small laugh, trying to hide it]
Maaaaybe we should keep an eye on him. knowing him, he'll probably find a way to wreck the island in no time.
[And engulf it in a blaze of flames]
She lets out a small laugh, trying to hide it]
Maaaaybe we should keep an eye on him. knowing him, he'll probably find a way to wreck the island in no time.
[And engulf it in a blaze of flames]
[That's an answer that comes easily. Marco was getting ready to throw himself as big as when fighting Kizaru, to absorb everything Ikki could throw if needed and then some, but it never came. So much like him, if he hadn't found Whitebeard, if he'd been a touch more like Ace, if if if...]
Because I've already been empty.
[It's so easy.]
[Ikki had Shun. His whole time, just like Ace had Luffy.]
[But before Whitebeard? There was nothing.]
[And if anything Blackbeard's black holes remind him of it. Trying to return him to that point. Because there really was nothing.]
You protect Shun. And now you have me, Ace, and this crew.
Even knowing one day you'll lose them, can you give up?
I've seen that darkness already Ikki. There's nothing there.
I have something to lose now, aye, but only because I gained enough to reach here in the first place.
[He remembers what Thatch told him when they first tried to enter the forest, before Thatch and Marco started having panic attacks from it all. He shifts his feet again to curl completely around the front of Ikki's chest.]
[So much pain.]
I won't let you go back to that darkness. No matter how much pain we endure, nothing is ever as bad as that.
[And it's true really. Even if he does hurt Robin, even if he does wind up hating himself, if she lived in that cold isolation alone, it'd be worse. At least she has nakama, at least he has nakama. And yes, it means trusting both their nakama to be strong enough to deal with it no matter what, but to do anything else is to move backwards. And Marco's never going back there again.]
Why are we in this forest now even though we hate it? Even though it hurts? Because that's who we are. I don't care if no one, but you ever understands it, you're still one more than I ever could have asked for or dreamed of.
[Because it was better than dreams. Better than his own damn imagination. Better than any expectations.]
There's a poem, my Pops loves. No man is an island. It means everyone is connected, and we all affect each other like it or not. Pops knew it better than anyone in the universe I think. That's why he was so much like his earthquakes. He understood how the tiny ripples could effect everything hundreds of leagues away. People too. When I panicked at Marineford, Jozu lost his arm to Aokiji, an admiral in this world now. Because Jozu got scared for me when I was scared for Pops. Whatever we do, whatever we do, it will always cause extra ripples. But that doesn't mean we can give up, because even that has ripples.
Instead, we have to try to place our ripples as best as we can. I'm not as wise as Pops so I don't know how everything will carry on. There are always so many angles and hidden pieces, and misleading turns.
[He thinks for a long moment, looking off into the distance of the forest, and then up at the sky again.]
I have never once thought I had much to gain with Robin. I can only see it ending in hell, but thank you my brother. I must try. It was never the end I needed to be concerned about.
[It's himself. Robin wouldn't want him hurt, and crew rifts would only happen if he's not strong enough. Ikki wasn't able to protect himself and Selphie didn't even know how much she was devastating him. It helps. It's terrible and awful, and it helps. Because now Marco knows exactly what to say and how to say it. Before his pride would have gotten in the way, but now, he can see the step that he can take first instead of just straight up trying to fly the sheer cliff, it's okay to take the first step on the way, especially when he's been going this slowly.]
Because I've already been empty.
[It's so easy.]
[Ikki had Shun. His whole time, just like Ace had Luffy.]
[But before Whitebeard? There was nothing.]
[And if anything Blackbeard's black holes remind him of it. Trying to return him to that point. Because there really was nothing.]
You protect Shun. And now you have me, Ace, and this crew.
Even knowing one day you'll lose them, can you give up?
I've seen that darkness already Ikki. There's nothing there.
I have something to lose now, aye, but only because I gained enough to reach here in the first place.
[He remembers what Thatch told him when they first tried to enter the forest, before Thatch and Marco started having panic attacks from it all. He shifts his feet again to curl completely around the front of Ikki's chest.]
[So much pain.]
I won't let you go back to that darkness. No matter how much pain we endure, nothing is ever as bad as that.
[And it's true really. Even if he does hurt Robin, even if he does wind up hating himself, if she lived in that cold isolation alone, it'd be worse. At least she has nakama, at least he has nakama. And yes, it means trusting both their nakama to be strong enough to deal with it no matter what, but to do anything else is to move backwards. And Marco's never going back there again.]
Why are we in this forest now even though we hate it? Even though it hurts? Because that's who we are. I don't care if no one, but you ever understands it, you're still one more than I ever could have asked for or dreamed of.
[Because it was better than dreams. Better than his own damn imagination. Better than any expectations.]
There's a poem, my Pops loves. No man is an island. It means everyone is connected, and we all affect each other like it or not. Pops knew it better than anyone in the universe I think. That's why he was so much like his earthquakes. He understood how the tiny ripples could effect everything hundreds of leagues away. People too. When I panicked at Marineford, Jozu lost his arm to Aokiji, an admiral in this world now. Because Jozu got scared for me when I was scared for Pops. Whatever we do, whatever we do, it will always cause extra ripples. But that doesn't mean we can give up, because even that has ripples.
Instead, we have to try to place our ripples as best as we can. I'm not as wise as Pops so I don't know how everything will carry on. There are always so many angles and hidden pieces, and misleading turns.
[He thinks for a long moment, looking off into the distance of the forest, and then up at the sky again.]
I have never once thought I had much to gain with Robin. I can only see it ending in hell, but thank you my brother. I must try. It was never the end I needed to be concerned about.
[It's himself. Robin wouldn't want him hurt, and crew rifts would only happen if he's not strong enough. Ikki wasn't able to protect himself and Selphie didn't even know how much she was devastating him. It helps. It's terrible and awful, and it helps. Because now Marco knows exactly what to say and how to say it. Before his pride would have gotten in the way, but now, he can see the step that he can take first instead of just straight up trying to fly the sheer cliff, it's okay to take the first step on the way, especially when he's been going this slowly.]
...
Sometimes I really wonder what life would be like if I still thought something like a laughing bird with a tattoo was unusual. I'm pretty sure I used to be in that kind of an emotional place, but I can't actually remember what it was like anymore.
[ This situation is really starting to catch up to him right now. What a life he's been leading in the past few months. Wow. ]
Sometimes I really wonder what life would be like if I still thought something like a laughing bird with a tattoo was unusual. I'm pretty sure I used to be in that kind of an emotional place, but I can't actually remember what it was like anymore.
[ This situation is really starting to catch up to him right now. What a life he's been leading in the past few months. Wow. ]
Yeah, I think I'm done for tonight anyway.
[He adjusts the bag on his shoulder and moves to follow next to Thatch.]
I don't know how advanced medicine is on your world, but on ours we have found multiple ways to use chemicals and even bacteria to counter illness.
I noticed this place sells a few of those medicines, but a problem with these chemically created cures is they can actually cause more harm than the illness itself. A few of the stronger medications also run the risk of becoming addictive.
Lately a lot of scientists have been going back to studying herbology and figuring out ways that plants can replace these chemicals, and still do an equal or even better job of dealing with the problem. Natural cures have far less side effects and can even be genetically manipulated to erase those as well.
This place is practically a gold mine in the respect of a natural cure. I already know I can create some very effective pain medications, with time I should be able to branch it out further.
[Sorry Thatch, he loves research, he's practically like a kid in a candy shop. Best to avoid questions about his work, unless you're actually interested.]
[He adjusts the bag on his shoulder and moves to follow next to Thatch.]
I don't know how advanced medicine is on your world, but on ours we have found multiple ways to use chemicals and even bacteria to counter illness.
I noticed this place sells a few of those medicines, but a problem with these chemically created cures is they can actually cause more harm than the illness itself. A few of the stronger medications also run the risk of becoming addictive.
Lately a lot of scientists have been going back to studying herbology and figuring out ways that plants can replace these chemicals, and still do an equal or even better job of dealing with the problem. Natural cures have far less side effects and can even be genetically manipulated to erase those as well.
This place is practically a gold mine in the respect of a natural cure. I already know I can create some very effective pain medications, with time I should be able to branch it out further.
[Sorry Thatch, he loves research, he's practically like a kid in a candy shop. Best to avoid questions about his work, unless you're actually interested.]
[Hey buddy. What's up?]
[He's just going to approach you casually with no intention to freak you out at all. All the leaves except one, which was hidden in the palm of his hand, were secure in his bag.]
[And they would stay there.]
[He promises.]
Hey, what have you been up too?
[The forest had been doing wonder's for him, he already was nearly back to full health. And the forest had a rather strange effect on his mood. He was rather playful instead of uptight.]
Huh, you don't seem as scared of the forest as Yuuki, I just barely got him down from the crow's nest yesterday. Does it not have an effect on you?
[He's just going to approach you casually with no intention to freak you out at all. All the leaves except one, which was hidden in the palm of his hand, were secure in his bag.]
[And they would stay there.]
[He promises.]
Hey, what have you been up too?
[The forest had been doing wonder's for him, he already was nearly back to full health. And the forest had a rather strange effect on his mood. He was rather playful instead of uptight.]
Huh, you don't seem as scared of the forest as Yuuki, I just barely got him down from the crow's nest yesterday. Does it not have an effect on you?
I speak as one so deeply accustomed to your particular brand of trouble. [She can certainly keep that trait to herself because he wants nothing to do with it.]
[When her eyes close and she relaxes further, Naesala goes silent once again. She looked like she was falling asleep. With everything that had happened within the last month or two, he knew how badly Leanne needed....well, everything here. Zero chaos.
Twice today he's been her designated pillow, and twice today he didn't mind.]
[When her eyes close and she relaxes further, Naesala goes silent once again. She looked like she was falling asleep. With everything that had happened within the last month or two, he knew how badly Leanne needed....well, everything here. Zero chaos.
Twice today he's been her designated pillow, and twice today he didn't mind.]
[Bloodshot eyes met Chandra and he reached up to lift one of the barrels over himself.]
Your captain snores. That's just somethin' you gotta deal with. [He set the barrel aside, trying to crawl over to the ropes. Sure, he could walk, but it was the principle of staying on the floor.]
Your captain snores. That's just somethin' you gotta deal with. [He set the barrel aside, trying to crawl over to the ropes. Sure, he could walk, but it was the principle of staying on the floor.]
[The problem was, Ace didn't read narration. Instead, he stared at Marco, figuring it was one of those moments in which Marco just had a lot of thoughts going through his head and was too lazy to turn into a dude to speak them out.
Instead he was just being a mystical sparkly bird like he always was when things got really weird.]
Instead he was just being a mystical sparkly bird like he always was when things got really weird.]
Says you it's trouble. [Noooo you do want friends, Naesala! Friends are awesome!]
You know you can still talk if you want to. [She speaks even with her eyes closed. Though hnnnnnn....] Rest with me?
[Yes, she has taken in so much chaos and it was making her sicker by the day both homesickness and physical sickness. But.... He has earned some rest as well, keeping her out of trouble since he arrived.]
You know you can still talk if you want to. [She speaks even with her eyes closed. Though hnnnnnn....] Rest with me?
[Yes, she has taken in so much chaos and it was making her sicker by the day both homesickness and physical sickness. But.... He has earned some rest as well, keeping her out of trouble since he arrived.]
[Bolin, handling the situation as astutely as possible, distracted Ace from his weird irritation and pulled away his aggression with ease. Confused as to what he was alluding, Ace blinked rapidly in Bolin's direction and raised his head, his expression changing immediately.
Pabu got off--this time.]
Eh? What d'you mean?
Pabu got off--this time.]
Eh? What d'you mean?
[She laughs, rolling onto her back.]
My captain is also apparently a slug. [Turning to look at him, she continues:]
Sun makes you lethargic too?
My captain is also apparently a slug. [Turning to look at him, she continues:]
Sun makes you lethargic too?
[Actually.... that's also one hundred percent accurate. So good job Ace.]
[Except he still wants your fucking takoyaki.]
[Can't he at least steer you there? How are you not there already? All you ever do sometimes is eat and sleep.]
[TALLY HO DAMN IT.]
[Except he still wants your fucking takoyaki.]
[Can't he at least steer you there? How are you not there already? All you ever do sometimes is eat and sleep.]
[TALLY HO DAMN IT.]
[That okay Bolin. Life before laughing birds with tattoos and sparkles and flames that don't burn was totally more boring, right?]
[At least Marco's tail swishing back and forth may seem to indicate.]
[At least Marco's tail swishing back and forth may seem to indicate.]
I dunno, it just kind of seemed like you and Pabu had a staring thing going on there? [ Bolin shrugged. It didn't seem like any harm was set to come of that showdown of the eyeballs, at least. So no harm, no foul, no reason not to keep it light. ] And I mean, Pabu's left a long string of awed fans and bitter enemies and broken hearts in the past, Captain. Sometimes I have to stare at him, too. But mostly it's a string of people who aren't actually... out here pirating. Or in this world at all. So yeah, you know, I'm trying to keep his slate clean. Making sure he's not causing trouble behind my back, in front of my face.
[Keeping her out of trouble is the least he can do. He worries like hell when the chaos is enough to make her physically ill and he can't do anything about it. Except get annoyed at everyone else for putting her in that position.]
Mm...I didn't want to disturb you. But if you insist.
[Remember how he's sitting up with his arms around her? Yeah he just kind of falls over. Onto his back. And takes her with him.]
Mm...I didn't want to disturb you. But if you insist.
[Remember how he's sitting up with his arms around her? Yeah he just kind of falls over. Onto his back. And takes her with him.]
[This isn't the most comfortable of situations he's ever been in. He's just grateful for the fact that the ship is far enough away from the island- focusing on writing is enough to help him tough out how nervous he feels. It also helps that he's standing on the side of the ship opposite of the island.]
...?
[Woah, why does that...fly...ing woman look like she's in pain...?]
Are you alright? [Blinks a little as she moves closer.]
...?
[Woah, why does that...fly...ing woman look like she's in pain...?]
Are you alright? [Blinks a little as she moves closer.]
[There's a faint blink of his eyes, and then he's lowering the notebook as he lifts his head to look at her.]
Well, I can't say that's something I believe I'd do well at. [He leans more towards the darker things, unfortunately.]
I prefer to write novels.
Well, I can't say that's something I believe I'd do well at. [He leans more towards the darker things, unfortunately.]
I prefer to write novels.
[Promise, huh?
Yeah, okay.
Seishin glances up at Toshio, quietly closing the book. As he lowers it, he shifts his gaze away from his friend.]
I'm managing. [Lets out a sigh, then glances back at the doctor.] If you're asking if I'd be able to go onto the island, the answer is no. [Pause.]
You seem to be in high spirits. [TOTALLY NOT A SUBJECT CHANGE, OR ANYTHING. Totally.
Of course, it's nice to see him in a good mood, so it is a legitimate observation, as well.]
Yeah, okay.
Seishin glances up at Toshio, quietly closing the book. As he lowers it, he shifts his gaze away from his friend.]
I'm managing. [Lets out a sigh, then glances back at the doctor.] If you're asking if I'd be able to go onto the island, the answer is no. [Pause.]
You seem to be in high spirits. [TOTALLY NOT A SUBJECT CHANGE, OR ANYTHING. Totally.
Of course, it's nice to see him in a good mood, so it is a legitimate observation, as well.]
[Sure, whatever man.]
[But he'll accept your subject change.]
This place is a medical breakthrough waiting to be discovered, Seishin.
And the air it lets off seems to have a pacifying agent to it.
[But he knows that's not quite right. It was less a chemical composite and more of a magical property. ]
So is it really a surprise I would be in a good mood?
[But he'll accept your subject change.]
This place is a medical breakthrough waiting to be discovered, Seishin.
And the air it lets off seems to have a pacifying agent to it.
[But he knows that's not quite right. It was less a chemical composite and more of a magical property. ]
So is it really a surprise I would be in a good mood?
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