[video] Back with the chocobos / All the jokes

[fierybluebird]

[In a scene that might be familiar to some, Marco is back in the barn, with five baby chocobo. Not quite so baby now, he might be able to fit one of them in a bag on his back, but not all of them. He can't even fit them all under one wing, but that's all right, the others he's dealing with in different ways. It might not be immediately obvious, but the loss of Ace is hitting him hard. Normally he'd go into a rage to kill things, but he doesn't seem to feel it's worth it.]

Ace's name is up on the memorial wall. He might come back... I hope so.

[There's a much too long pause in which he looks a world away and scoops up a chocobo fitted with a Spade collar.]

Ah so how about some bird jokes, eh?

You've probably all heard this one: Why did the chicken cross the road?
To get to the other side.
Why didn't the turkey cross the road?
He didn't want to be a chicken.
Why did the ducks cross the road?
To prove they could do it better than the chicken.
Why did the chicken cross the road twice?
It was a double-crosser.
Why did the rooster cross the road?
To prove he wasn't a chicken.

A phoenix walks into a bar filled with a bunch of turkeys. He gives them a polite nod and then buys everyone a round of drinks. They crowd around their new friend and offer some peanuts. "Gobble gobble gobble?" they suggest. "No thanks," he politely declines, "I'm allergic." They offer him pretzels. "Gobble gobble gobble?" He takes a few of those and they continue on for hours. Eventually they run out, and just as he was about to leave, they look him up and down and ask, "Gobble gobble gobble?" He gives them a horrified look and explains, "No way! I'm not into that!"

Why did the marines arrest the turkey?
They brought it on suspicion of fowl play!

Comments

[straw_hat]

I'm gonna keep him safe no matter what I have to do.

[He sighs.] Kinda hard to get revenge on the damn Tenryuubito, anyway.

[fierybluebird]

Oh, I don't know. Rayleigh's always been strangely deft at it. In subtle ways. I think he's banking on you to take a few steps higher.

[straw_hat]

Rayleigh does? Do you mean by selling himself?

Damn right I'm gonna go higher...

[fierybluebird]

[Chokes on a giggle.]

That's just because he can't--

Ah yes, yes that's how. But don't do that. Ace would kill me.

[straw_hat]

[:| Marco. Really. Also a bit confused, but oh well.]

I'm not gonna. What good's a Pirate King if he can be bought?

[fierybluebird]

Heh... right... good point. [Still trying not to laugh.]

Marco, you make me want to slap you

[straw_hat]

...you okay? You're actin' a little funny.

XDDDD

[fierybluebird]

I'm fine. Just miss Rayleigh suddenly. Maybe I'll call his ass up... if things ever settle down back home.

>:|

[straw_hat]

In two years, he'll be at Sabaody. Maybe you can catch him then.

[IN TWO FUCKING YEARS, LUFFY. Ever so helpful.]

;;

[fierybluebird]

[Sad expression for a moment but he blinks it away into deadpan and then a small distant grin.]

Yeah. We'll see how things in the New World are then. I don't think I'll be able to get away to go sight-seeing to pay a visit though.

[straw_hat]

.....probably not, huh....but things seem kinda better.

[fierybluebird]

You think so?

[straw_hat]

Yeah. I didn't hear anything that sounded like you guys were in trouble.

[fierybluebird]

News from the New World can be slow traveling though. And we didn't hold onto Fishman Island, right?

Which means I probably wouldn't have even been able to visit Jinbei that whole time either. [He's angry, but more with his own shortcomings than anything else.]

[straw_hat]

No, but Big Mam is going all right with it. Except for the candy part.

[M-Marco, don't get upset.] You'll see him again! I guarantee it!

[fierybluebird]

I figured as much. As long as it's safe and protected against slavers at least.

[Blinks and tries to force a smile. Okay the best you get is more deadpan Luffy.] Ah... I believe you kid. Don't worry, I'm sure of it.

[straw_hat]

.....I'd help out with it, too!

I'll help you meet him.

[fierybluebird]

Good.

Eh??? What-- how?

[straw_hat]

.....I'll find a way. [So reassuring.]

[fierybluebird]

[Luffy is a D. If Luffy says he'll find a way, Marco believes him.]

Ah all right. You better eh. [Lightly nudges his shoulder.] I'm counting on it.

[straw_hat]

[He grins.] Damn right I will. I don't like letting nakama down.

[Which he has never done.]

[fierybluebird]

I trust you kid.

[straw_hat]

Shishi, thanks! I trust you, too.

[fierybluebird]

[Ruffles and to then pushes the hat down over Luffy's eyes affectionately.]

[straw_hat]

[dgnslg what. But he pushes his hat back up and grins.

RUFFLES YOUR HAIR.]