high_seas | Mayhem at Malihini

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.

[She giggles softly.]

Is it true that everyone in the crew refused at first to join him? I mean, back at your world, of course.

I understand what you mean now. I suppose I was already caught on that first conversation, after all I made that pointless game, even if back then I thought that he would give up considering it too much trouble.

But no matter what doubts I may have, now I don't regret joining this crew. I just hope that there won't be a day in which you all regret having me.

[He thinks about it for a second, and then realizes how true it is.] Huh. Yeah, I guess we all did. Mostly because he just comes out and asks you, bulldozes right over whatever is going on in your life or any honest reasons you would have for not joining. It can be startling.

[he brushes a vine out of the way, and ends up showering both of them with pollen from a large flower. Oops.]

Don't even think that. If you've talked to Robin, you know: we don't turn our backs on anybody. No matter what.

[The confirmation just makes her laugh a bit more openly, with it coming from the first mate, who was also the first to join, it certainly settles it. It's amazing though, how even after almost three years Luffy hasn't changed his approach to people at all.]

Yes, he did that with me as well. I told him I didn't want to join a crew, even that I had a goal that didn't require any crew or travel around the world. But he ignored it all, he just told me I could come with him, without even making it into a question. And after that it was all "I decline your declining", "Change your mind!" and "I will change my mind when you change your mind".

[Complete with an average level impersonation of Luffy's voice, despite the short time she has been with them there's a great fondness in her tone when she does that though. She's definitively all caught in Luffy's rubber net.

The pollen rain makes her sneeze a few times as they continue.]

Robin? [Atchoo.] Did she fear that you would regret having her as well?

[Her worry about being rejected from the crew hasn't been a conversation subject with many, only with Sanji and Zoro so far actually.]

[The impression makes him snort - yes that is Luffy. Exactly.]

So you got the royal treatment, then. Good. And you still ended up here, that means it must have been fate.

[He shakes his head slightly, then, sobering a bit.] That story isn't mine to tell. But suffice it to say, it was something like that.

Oh, that was the royal treatment? Maybe it was simply because he couldn't just reach and pull me into the ship.

[A soft giggle.]

But yes, it may have been fate. I didn't tell anyone where I was, all I told him was that it was an empty island about which I had heard some rumors. Yet you still managed to fine me. What else could it have been besides that or just luck?

[She nods at his answer.]

I know, I didn't intend to question further about it. That much is enough for me, I had the impression in our chat that we had some things in common. I suppose I'll discover more of those things as time goes.

[There's probably more truth to that than she knows.]

Yeah, there's a lot in this crew's journey that we owe to luck. I don't knock it.

[He pushes through another bush, following the sound of water, and sure enough, there is a river here, spilling down some of the volcanic rocks and into a stream that runs to the sea.]

Probably. Robin's a hard nut to crack but I guess you girls might get along better.

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