[Video/Written] For Whom the Bell Tolls

[fierybluebird]

[Marco's a little wearier than normal, his voice is composed and deadpan, but his overall amusement is clearly worn a little thin today.]

Thanks to everyone who joined in the dodgeball tournament, eh? It was a lot of fun, and if you missed out, keep an eye on the next S.O.S. Brigade event, I'm sure it'll be a blast. [ooc: It's still going on! Feel free to join in!]

My littlest brother's been taken by the Malnosso, so if anyone's still looking for New Feathers, keep an eye out for Sabo too please. Hopefully he'll be returned soon.

It got me thinking though, about a poem I found by John Donne.


For Whom the Bell Tolls
by John Donne

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manner of thine own
Or of thine friend’s were.
Each man’s death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.


The smartest woman I've ever known said once that we're all connected here. Friends, allies, or enemies, we do all have in common that we're trapped in this enclosure together, for better or worse. It's something to think about I guess.

It's nice having a lot of books from other worlds to read, eh. Does anyone else have a favorite poem they'd like to share?

[The following is filtered from Ace 75%:]
I have a favor to ask of all the cooks in the village. Or rather, of any of the cooks in the village, or anyone interested. Ace isn't alone in having a rough time here lately, so I'd like to do something to help cheer him and the others up. Sometime before Christmas if we could all throw a feast and come together, I think it'd be good for everyone, eh? We could have cooking contests for amateurs or try new recipes or anything. Anyways, if you think it's a good idea, and you're interested, let me know.

Comments

[song_princess]

The nestling? I may not be able to do much in this cold but I will keep my eyes and my nose out for him.

[fierybluebird]

Thank you Leanne.

Don't go to any extra trouble, eh? Usually people are gone for a week or so at least. Just if you see him while out and about, let me know, eh?

[song_princess]

You are welcome, Marco.

I will do that. If you have anything that has his scent it would be easier for me to find him.

[A quick pause as she goes to think for a moment.]

You do need a song?

[Voice]

[toujoursfluer]

[She doesn't have a poem as such. Most of the poems she knows are archaic and epic tales of love and loss, the rise and fall of kingdoms. She is not even sure what to say about Sabo-chan's disappearance. What is there to say? It is just the way it is.

Instead she will quietly sing, a bit unsteady in her voice but she will do her best for you, Marcchan]

[Video]

[fierybluebird]

[A slow happy blush spreads over his cheeks as he listens. It's definitely better than any poem, he'll grant her that.]

Thank you Robin. [It might seem small to her, but he's cheered up already.]

[Video]

[toujoursfluer]

Mm. I'll be home tonight if you need me. But he should be back soon, ne? [she smiles to herself]

Maybe he'll be a little birdling.

[Malnosso experiments are never fun but you took the cute where you could get it]

video;

[theogre]

Marco...your brother was taken?! [She didn't know Marco even had a brother, though. Oops.] What does he look like?

video;

[fierybluebird]

Sabo was. Ace is still here... for now.

Ah, Sabo's usually ten years old, he's got a missing tooth, and he wears a top hat with goggles. He's got curly blond hair, and he's pretty scrawny, but fierce. He's befriended almost all the spirits here and usually he hangs out at the library or runs around. He loves writing and sailboats, and he's a genius at origami.

I don't know what kind of state he'll be returned in though. Robin was a cat when she came back, but Norma was her usual self.

video;

[theogre]

He is...he is the boy I met at the library. [She'd almost forgotten about him, but with the name and description...she's definitely met him before, and the Malnosso kidnapping a child is not the most pleasant thought in the world. Sakura can already feel her anger rising.] If he does not return in a safe state, I will make sure the Malnosso pay for it myself.

[action]

[hiken_ace]

[Things haven't been looking up for Ace, so he's just going to go wherever you are, Marco, and sit next to you with Sabo's hat.] ... I'm worried for him.

[action]

[fierybluebird]

[HUGS TIGHTLY.]

Me too. But he's a smart kid, and he's scrappy as hell. He'll be okay.

[Video]

[tapdancinskelly]

[Here we have a very loud skeleton blowing his nose.]

That's one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard!

[Video]

[fierybluebird]

What, really?

I'm glad you liked it, eh?

voice; same filter

[repudiate]

I'm not really one for get togethers. [ as expected from Ange, huh.. ]

But.. even so, I hope the two of you will be okay one way or another. If you tell me what your brother looks like, I'll try to keep an eye out for him too just in case.

voice; same filter

[fierybluebird]

Thanks Ange.

He's ten years old, he's got a missing tooth, and short curly blond hair. Usually he wears a top hat with goggles, but it seems to have been left behind.

[weakahoshi]

Sabo-sama is your littlest brother?

[She squints, not really seeing the family resemblance.]

[fierybluebird]

Aye. You've met him then? He gets around.

[Really? But they're both blond! Not that Shirahoshi's family has consistent hair colors :|]

[Voice, filtered]

[complicatedliar]

I've been reading TS Eliot lately. You might try that.

[Voice, filtered]

[fierybluebird]

T.S. Eliot? What did write? Other than poems I assume, eh?

[Voice] Filtered from Ace

[feetoffury]

Who was it who said that, about being connected?

And about the cooking thing, you know I'm still willing to help.

[Voice] Filtered from Ace

[fierybluebird]

Thanks Chun-Li!

Robin's the one who said it, actually.

[gavemyword]

[Sabo's gone too? Pity. He liked the boy. Hopefully he'll be back.

In the spirit of things, Zoro writes:]

Foe unvanquished, I won't perish in the field;
I'll be born again, to take up the halberd seven more times.

[fierybluebird]

Short, but poignant.

Is that the full thing?

[Video - Same filter]

[lostinmyway]

Oh, I'll help, Marco. Ace is such a sweet boy--I want to make him very happy.

[She'll make sure to try her best, so she can see him smile. She'd like that very much.]

And I promise to look for your other brother, too.

[Even if...she doesn't actually know what he looks like. Whoops.]

[Video - Same filter]

[fierybluebird]

Thanks Grune. Maybe just a big feast party before Christmas, eh? Sound good?

I don't know what Sabo will look like when he comes back, but he's usually ten, and has short curly blond hair.