high_seas | Mayhem at Malihini

[while he doesn't know the reason behind it, Zoro can feel her irritation, and glances back at her. And then, cracks the slightest smirk.]

Spoken like someone who's seen a lot more than you'd think.

[facing forward again, he grabs for a low-hanging vine and yanks it down, out of their way]

It's my lifelong dream to become the world's greatest swordsman. The strongest, who can't be defeated by anyone. That path leads through some pretty tough places.

[Her lips curve slightly in response to the smirk.]

Hardly, it would be a lie to say that I've seen much of anything to be honest, not even in the world I come from. But, still, some things are just a matter of common sense.

When I first used the book, many people told me that I couldn't keep the danger away from me even if I didn't join a crew or the search for the shards. I was a bit surprised that they would assume that I was expecting to come out cleanly from any of that. But judging by how things are even with people who have been here for some time, I can see where they were coming from. The amount of people who seem to fail to realize the situation is... I would say alarming but if they are going to regard this crew that way I can't find it in myself to worry much about them.

[It's one thing the people who say that they won't resort to piracy further than what they are forced to. But it hadn't been just that regarding the message, did they truly think that they wouldn't have been attacked had they sailed alone or with anyone else? Or that they could have escaped? If the Navy was to allow such a ship to escape from them it would say little for their capacities.]

That's an amazing ambition. And a very difficult one to accomplish, it really makes sense that you would prefer challenges then. I take that when you say that you want to become the world's greatest swordsman it's literally that? Not "one of the world's greatest swordsmen", but the only one. And I take that you mean to make your name be known as such, right?

That's right. There's room for only one at the top. [he pulls one sword briefly, just to slash a rather thick mat of hanging creepers out of the way] If Luffy's going to be King of all Pirates, he'll need a strong right hand.

[sheathing Shuusui, he kicks some of the detritus out of the way. There's a clearing beyond where the sun shines more brightly, and Zoro steps aside to let Elsa go first - he already knows there's nothing dangerous there] Don't worry about what other people think of the crew. Luffy goes his own way, and he doesn't care about opinions. Even when they're dead wrong.

I see. But what if the strongest swordsman of the world is someone who doesn't have his name to be known, someone even stronger than whoever is considered the strongest one by the public. It could be possible, couldn't it?

[She doesn't hesitate to go first, sure that if he does that is for a reason, most likely that there's nothing dangerous there. Or at least not nothing she couldn't freeze. Once she's at the center of the clearing she stops to look around and wait for Zoro to pick a direction, mentally memorizing the way.]

I'm not worried, but it's irritant to hear those things. Are you sure it won't exact a toll on him?

[She can't know for sure, but even if he doesn't care she can't see this not having some effect on him. Especially if it repeats again and by the looks of things there are many who seem to fail to grap the situation properly. On the other hand, if they do heed that message they won't want to sail with them which will be for the best as it will avoid having to listen to someone else push blame that belongs to no one solely on Luffy.]

[Someone stronger than Mihawk? Could it be possible? Zoro has to really mull that over for a bit, contemplate the possibility and determine what it would mean for him, to have to seek someone whose name is unknown. He steps into the clearing after her, taking another moment to just look around and feel around for an idea of where to go. Is that a waterfall over that way? What about the volcano in the distance? Hmm.]

Luffy's pretty resilient. But I don't think he'd mind if his friends kept an eye out for him.

[...considering he woke up the other morning with a rubber dork curled up next to him asleep, and then discovered the message in the journal about bad dreams.]

Huh. Which way, now?

[She had been awake when Luffy had those nightmares, he hadn't wanted to talk about it but the timing was just... She just worried that it might have been related though she could never even start to imagine what exactly did he dream about. She's a bit surprised when he asks about which way they should go.]

Eh? You're asking me?

[She looks around once more before gesturing towards the west.]

How about over there? Or maybe we should just continue further in the direction we were headed?

Well, I'm not the only one exploring. [not that he's going to really understand which way to go anyway] Over there is good.

[West? That's left, right? Zoro starts off rather obviously in the opposite direction Elsa had pointed. It's all the same to him.]

Anyway. So you've got ice powers, right? Pretty handy.

[has he mentioned that he sucks at small talk?]

[She reaches for his arm, careful to only grace the cloth.]

Just turn around and continue, Zoro.

[A relatively subtle way to say that he's going the wrong way. She isn't very good at small talk either, so she doesn't mind.]

Do you really think so? It seems everyone on the crew is of a similar opinion, before joining I would have never expected to hear anyone say that.

...oh.

[he follows the directive, silently grateful that unlike some people, she didn't make a big deal out of it.]

Well, half of us are used to things like that. It's not so bizarre. Most people with abilities...in order to not be crushed by the weight of them, or feel cursed, they have to learn to use them to their advantage pretty quick.

[The only deal she makes of it is a soft and short giggle as they continue in the right direction. She thinks for a moment at his next words.]

Robin said something similar, she asked me if I had used my powers at all the years I tried to control them. It never really occurred to me, that actually using them would be... Good.

I used to use them often and without fear when I was a kid, but one day I hurt my sister and I was warned that my powers could do much worse, and get people to attack me. My father decided that, until I was able to control this power, it would be for the best if we all secluded ourselves and I slept separately from my sister so she wouldn't find out. But I was never able to contain them properly.

[Ironically, though, it seems a bit easier now, with each passing day that she's a member of the crew. Maybe because she starts to feel less fear as a whole, even if the worry of it going out of control and hurting someone is still there.]

[as they pass through the clearing and duck back under the shade of the trees, Zoro consciously shortens his stride so he doesn't leave her behind him.]

Hm. I wonder how many Devil-Fruit users go through the same thing? The ones who eat the fruit as a kid, and don't know what they're doing. Robin might know more about that, I think she had her powers as a kid. So did Luffy.

I mean, it's probably not the same, since different worlds and all. But you never know. It might be similar enough.

I was born with those powers, so even if Devil-Fruits existed in the world I come from, it still wouldn't be the same. Though Luffy seems to think so, at least he thinks the method used to unfreeze him and Robin would work on my powers as well.

[Though maybe it would be more helpful if there was someone with a power similar to hers, a control over an element or weather. Luffy's and Robin's powers didn't seem the type that could easily kill someone by accident unlike hers after all.]

Are there many people who have eaten those fruits?

Oh, yeah, I remember that. I don't see how it wouldn't work, if you accidentally froze someone. Or deliberately. [So unconcerned, judging by that shrug]

They're pretty rare, but the further we sail, it seems like the more we run into.

I would never freeze someone deliberately! A-At least not someone from the crew.

[The apparent unconcern baffles her a bit, though that certainly seems the general consensus. "Oh, you have powers that could freeze someone and which may go out of control due your emotions? I'm sure it will be fine." It's such a different standing from back home, from both her parents and her own standings. And yet somehow it seems to work, in the amount of time she has been with them already, how many times has she filled the room with ice? None. She may leave a trail of frost in her wake, or in Luffy's hand when he pulls her suddenly with his stretched arm, or in a book, table or chair when she's surprised or scared for a moment. But so far it hasn't been like back home. Not in the least.]

It must get more and more dangerous the further you sail in your world, isn't it? If Luffy and Robin are anything to go by, Devil-Fruit users are really power and dangerous as enemies.

[he huffs a small chuckle at her response. Of course she wouldn't. They trust their crew that much.]

Yeah, it does. The New World is as dangerous as a sea can get. But, you know. They might be powerful enemies, but they're also powerful allies. It's not always about the power itself.

New World? That's the name of the sea you're sailing at?

[It's not a name she would have ever considered for a sea to be honest.]

That's true, by itself power, no matter how big, may be useless by itself. No matter how powerful someone is, allies are the most important thing. It's probably even more important for pirates, after all, in some ways it's pretty much them against the whole world. And that's an even more dangerous enemy.

Yeah. It's the far half of the Grand Line.

[he glances aside at her, smiling a little more than he usually would. She gets it. Elsa really does get it. Perhaps she's more fit for this crew than anyone.]

Some people take a lifetime to learn that lesson.

[he suddenly stops and throws an arm out to prevent her from moving forward as well. He can sense something coming toward them, stalking them, up in the trees. Something larger than a squirrel, that's for sure.]

[Most people aren't born with some great power that they come to fear for years, neither study and learn about politics and history as part of preparation to rule a country. And she knows it well, she could have handled things different in the coronation, she could have hold her ground, retaliate at the accusations of sorcery. That was her kingdom, her castle and no foreigner had any right to chase her as if she was some animal.

It wouldn't have been pretty. She would have had to fight, to use her power and hurt people in order to impose herself. She could have done it, but what then? For how long could she rule Arendelle by fear? Not very long once word got out, and it would, there were too many people in that ball, too many countries that wouldn't take lightly her actions. Even without those things, it wasn't just a matter of power, she had the power to do that, sure, but she didn't have the heart for it. All she had wanted was to be free, to not live in fear, and that wouldn't have given her that.]

Some people take a lifetime to learn most basic lessons. And even among those that learn them, they may not understand them well. Some people would agree on the value and importance of allies, but they would regard them simply as tools, choosing them selectively for who suits their needs better.

I suppose not everyone can just understand- Eh?

[She halts, slightly taken aback by the gesture. Her eyes first fall to the ground, but upon not seeing anything she looks back to him finally understanding the situation. She steps back carefully, slowly, hands raised as she raises her guard, keeping her eyes open for anything that may come.]

Hold on a minute.

[It doesn't take long for the intruder to catch up - a leopard, prowling along a branch and clearly thinking they look rather like lunch. Zoro lowers his arm so Elsa can move if she wants, only to flick a sword free from its saya in preparation. If the big cat wants them, it'll have to come real close, and probably die regretting its decision. At least for now, it's just eyeing them, but also licking its lips and showing its teeth.]

...what do you think? Doesn't look like it'll be tasty.

[She can't say to know the extent of Zoro's skill, but she doubts the animal would pose a real challenge to him. Still she doesn't lower her guard, accidents can always happen, something may go wrong somehow and she knows that very well. And she's not taking any chances. Besides, no matter what she was born to be, what she almost was, now she's a pirate and thus not someone to just stand and wait to be protected.

She answers without looking at Zoro and in a hushed and calm tone.]

I don't think so either. But if it attacks us and dies it would be a waste to leave it to rot here.

Besides, I'm sure Sanji could make it better even if it's not that tasty.

[A quiet noise under his breath is all he gives to acknowledge that yes, Sanji probably could make it taste great. It's a leopard, though, not a deer or a dinosaur.]

You catch on pretty quick.

[Killing it would be far too easy. But he also wants to see what this little lady can do.]

I don't really want to kill it. But if it pounces, I'll have to. Unless you have a better idea?

It's okay, I'll just have to stop it from pouncing then.

[Somehow she manages to say that with far more confidence than what she actually feels. She knows what to do, she has it clear in her mind and her ice will respond accordingly. She knows that her ice will melt eventually, between the general temperature and the body one, so she's not worried about the animal being left defenceless for long. The problem comes with the what if. What if she freezes too much for the animal to recover? She doesn't want to harm it, but Zoro is right, if it attacks them they will have to kill it and so the result will be the same.

The leopard keeps watching them but then shifts slowly, apparently getting ready to pounce. Elsa doesn't wait for an answer from Zoro when she sees that, choosing to be safe rather than sorry. Blasts of magic leave her hands, both landing on the ground right in front of the leopard. In an instant the ground is covered with ice, right under the animal's feet. The leopard tries to step back alarmed, but the ice is faster, with a gesture from her hands the ice seems to take life, raising and covering the big cat's legs immobilizing it. Of course, that causes the animal to get quite pissed off with her as its roaring demonstrates.]

... Good enough?

[Judging by that big, daring grin, it's more than good enough.]

Nice work. Yeah, yeah, complain all you want, [he says to the leopard] but we're not interested in being your lunch. Pick on somebody you can handle.

[Zoro feels quite confident in turning his back on the cat, so they can resume their walk through the jungle. Predators mean there's probably water nearby, it would be good to see if it's clean and fresh and can be taken back to the ship.]

I think you're gonna fit in just fine with this crew. You understand the same things we do, you even know what it is to support and protect your crew. How long before we picked you up were you talking to Luffy over the journal?

[She lets go a breath she hadn't realized that she was holding upon seeing that grin. She can't help but smile proudly even if she knows that halting a leopard is hardly an achievement compared to the things Zoro may have done.]

It may be better if you stick to things you know you can deal with.

[She says that to the leopard as she moves to follow Zoro, the animal still roars behind them and she sends a very tiny and soft blast that hits its nose and causes it to sneeze. Now, even when the ice melts it won't be able to track them by their scents, it will be too busy sneezing.

Her attention focus to Zoro as he speaks.]

Oh, I first talked with him when he and Sanji were inside the kraken. So more or less it was around a month before you found me.

I didn't really expect that to happen so fast... Or ever. But back then I didn't know much about Luffy so it's natural. Have you been on Luffy's crew for long?

Ahh... [those dumbasses. But he's not surprised, Luffy was probably bored and hungry and struck up some chats, and now they have some great crewmates. It's how it goes]

Mm. Yeah, well over two years. Close to three by now, if you count everything. I was the first person he dragged into his crew. [More smiling. He must really be in a good mood.] He has that effect on people. It's almost like magnetism. You can't help but get pulled into his pace, until it's too late and you look around and realize, it was the right thing all along.

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