Appointment Post 2.0 since the other is pretty full

[fierybluebird]

[Voice]
Hey, couldn't get to the comm right away, probably out kicking things. Since that doesn't last long, leave me a message and I'll get back to you as fast as I can, eh?

[Written]
Have a haiku.

There was a bluebird
Who was too busy for you
Leave me a message

[ooc: This post is a catch-all for threads that have to happen between posts. Start off with the Date & whether it's written/video/action in the comment bar and just start threadining.]

Comments

June 15th

[fierybluebird]

Trust me, you have. And I know he knows that you have.

June 15th

[hiken_ace]

Ah... thanks, Marco. That makes me happy to hear.

June 15th

[fierybluebird]

I mean it kiddo. You're always too hard on yourself when you don't deserve it. You've earned your loyalty and then some.

[Nudges Ace with a feather head before focusing back on flying over those mountains.]

June 15th

[hiken_ace]

[He laughs quietly and nudges back.] Okay, I'll take your word for it. I guess if people tell me I'm that great all the time, I must actually be worth a lot.

June 15th

[fierybluebird]

[Laughs.]

You are. Pops knew it from the start and he's too smart to waste his time on anyone who isn't worth some effort.

June 15th

[hiken_ace]

Right from the start? [He thought it took the 100+ times he tried to kill Whitebeard.]

June 15th

[fierybluebird]

Why do you think he asked you to join the crew?

[Oh god Ace he loves you. How can anyone be both so dense and so smart simultaneously?]

June 15th

[hiken_ace]

I was a little too pissed at the moment to give a care. [Just... let him think back on this. Hmmm, fighting Jinbei for 5 days, then fighting Whitebeard, making the crew-- OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH.]

Because I tried to protect my crew...

June 15th

[fierybluebird]

[Laughs.] One of a thousand reasons Ace. He saw something special in you right from the start.

June 15th

[hiken_ace]

... heh. Guess a lot of people see something special in me.

June 15th

[fierybluebird]

Aye we do. 'Bout time you start seeing it too.

June 15th

[hiken_ace]

[Now that makes him shut up pretty well.] ... sorry. It's just... pretty hard to see what's not there.

June 15th

[fierybluebird]

[Arches a birdie eyebrow and makes a threatening tilt with his wings.]

Don't make me drop you.

If you can't see it, you're just going to have to trust that we're not delusional. I don't take people I don't really like flying Ace. And I definitely wouldn't spend this much time on someone I didn't love.

June 15th

[hiken_ace]

[Okay, just gonna wrap his arms around your neck.] Oi, oi...

[He just stays quiet for a minute to think about that.] I don't think you guys are delusional. I just don't think I'm really all that great.

June 15th

[fierybluebird]

[Leans back against the hug.]

Well, we outnumber you. So you'll just have to take our word for it then. [A small sigh. Getting anything through Ace's head was usually a struggle. Something as big as this though? If he could just see what Marco saw he'd understand.]

You're a lot like Pops. Normally dumb punks trying to take Pops' head will do anything for that. Things they treasure are just a means to that goal. You treasured your crew more than that goal, even though you were strong enough to hold your own against Jinbei that long.

There's a hundred other things, but even the things you're completely different on we still love you for. You're Ace, our brother, and that's more than enough, eh.

June 15th

[hiken_ace]

[He just listens in silence. He just doesn't think he's as good as Pops. It's hard for Ace to think he's a great person when... he's been told the opposite a lot.]

I just... I don't want to be such a great person all the time. I just want to be me. And the me I see is just someone who doesn't want to lose more than what he already has. I love all you for accepting me, and wanting to call me your brother. I just want you guys safe.

June 15th

[fierybluebird]

[Marco laughs softly in spite of himself.] That's why we love you matey.

[He rushes forward toward the smell of the salt air of the ocean and leans back to nudge Ace lightly.] You don't have to try so hard, just enjoy yourself, eh. Whatever we expected of you, it comes to you naturally. You don't have to force it.

June 15th

[hiken_ace]

[When the familiar smell of the ocean hits him, he leans up a bit more. The wonderful scent of the sea. His home. It made him so homesick, yet incredibly happy at the same time. He lowered himself to lean against Marco.]

I've always enjoyed myself, that's the truth. I enjoyed every minute, every second of time with you guys. I was happy to have a family again, and I didn't want to lose it. I... I can't help but try hard for that.

June 15th

[fierybluebird]

[Shakes his head in amusement. Even while Ace is saying things like Whitebeard, he doesn't see it. Oh well.]

You've still got us. Here, or there. I promise.

June 15th

[hiken_ace]

[Okay, he's just gonna hug you again.] Thank you.

June 15th

[fierybluebird]

Anytime Firefist.

[Heads out over the ocean, wee!]

June 15th

[hiken_ace]

[He raises his head again to really get a feel for the air. He almost unconsciously mumbles to himself.]

Feels like home...

June 15th

[fierybluebird]

[A small sigh, the one thing Marco definitely couldn't give him, but he rushes closer to the ocean, heading down close to soar over the waves, though not so close as to lose the currents.]

Not bad, eh? And no risk of New World storms either.

June 15th

[hiken_ace]

[He smiles down sadly at the water.]

I like it. I really do.

June 15th

[fierybluebird]

Just because it's not the same doesn't mean it's not just as good.

[He can hear it in your voice Ace.]