fierybluebird | [Video/Written] For Whom the Bell Tolls

[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.

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Absolutely.

She couldn't talk so she had to find different ways to communicate anything. It was cute, eh.

[She giggles a bit.]

Did she purr?

Yes. [Beams.]

And she'd never do that as a human, of course.

No, I was referring to this story. [She taps the page. Though she is not terribly in the mood for reading stories of madness and murder just now.]

Light can be found easier in the darkness, ne? [She slides down a little to rest her head on his shoulder, and briefly nuzzles his neck. He is her light. Even though he shouldn't be.]

Maybe only the mad survive.

[Which means all of her nakama are fine]

Ah... of course. Should have known. What's this one about, eh?

[Grins at the small snuggle and wraps both arms around her to hold her protectively close, before giving a small dark chuckle at her last comment.] Then my crew will all be safe. [Great minds think alike in this case?]

I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[A small chuckle though.] It's tricky with him, eh? He's got a massive temper so it's always a matter of trying to find something that will make him laugh eventually and not just punch me in the face.

I knew someone with a rather explosive temper once.

It was quite fun so long as I had him pointed in the right direction.

Aye. Fireworks -[His nickname for Ace] is quite the show when he's got something worth burning, it's just making sure that he doesn't burn anything worth saving along with it, eh.

[Another giggle.]

Well, that's because humans can't purr.

Ah, 'tis true. I've run across that problem myself many a time.

Um, well. I think it might be better if I find somewhere of my own...

There a lot of apartments in my building open if you'd like to move into one of them. Pops' flag is on the roof so you could say the whole thing is under Ace and my protection. And I'll help you move anything you want.

[Least he can do after forgetting that the ocean might get freezing cold, jeez.]

[Feigns surprise.] What really?

Your rash firestarter is the same way I take it?

Something about a murder and a heart.

[she's not entirely sure. In any case she relaxes into Marco's warmth, closing her eyes. It's almost strange how good this feels. How nice it is just to be with someone]

My crew will be safe, too. Though, if nothing else, we'll make history, ne?

[Though unfortunately to make history usually required one to be dead first]

Tell me something about the New World...

Tell-tale heart by Edgar Allen Poe? I like that one.

Aye, history I can't wait to see, eh.

[He rubs his chin and then affectionately rubs the scruff lightly teasingly against her skin.] Have you and your crew seen Hand Island yet? It's one of the early ones in the New World.

[She chuckles a little and pushes his head away but teasingly. She doesn't really mind it.]

I haven't seen the New World yet. Not even Fishman Island. [She reaches up and lazily strokes her fingers along the back of his hand]

Tell me about it.

Like how Pineapple island looks like a pineapple from the sky, Hand island looks like a giant hand. I wonder who named those two. Maybe a giant. Or someone who flies. [Mischievous grin. Did he name them? HE WILL NEVER TELL. Just secretly allude to it. For funsies.]

The town is pretty damn friendly, even to most pirates -- so long as you don't create a ruckus, eh? It... was under Pop's protection at any rate. [Shakes his head and leans it a little on Robin's shoulder, trying not to think much of Foodvalten or the other islands to be lost.] The toyshop is pretty state of the art with tops and other things, and the town is good with booze, of course. Mah, but outside of the town, there's a wax sculptor. If you ever do go, Luffy should get a chance to see it. Diego did sculptures of a few of us. Me, Pops, Ace, Vista, Izou, hell even Shanks, Benn Beckman, and Lucky Roux, eh. He was a big fan of Pops though.

He was, yes. Often destroyed far more than I intended.

[Small smirk.] Oops?

[Loki laughs, shaking his head.]

[She strokes his head as he leans on her shoulder. She wonders if he's thinking of how unprotected it is now. How much more chaotic the New World will become.

It doesn't even occur to her that he might have named them. There are many things which fly, not all of them birds. It's more likely, though, it was mapped by skilled cartographers and they noted the similarity]

I suppose Whitebeard inspires fanboys everywhere. I look forward to visiting.

[it seems like a likely place they will go. Maybe even claim like she hears happened with Fishman Island. It makes her proud in a way. To become the defender of the seas. What a strange thought]

I wonder if the sculptor would allow me to give you a mustache.

Fanboys, eh? [Swishes his tail back and forth at that, apparently he takes it as a very big compliment.]

Probably not unless you have a signed note and a Whitebeard tattoo, but you're more than welcome to try. If you mail me a request I'll send him the letter with permission personally.

I'll make sure to do that. Don't forget, ne?

[She captures a few strands of his tail and runs her fingers over them. It's so curiously beautiful]

What kind of mustache would you like? And how big?

I won't forget.

[He freezes at the touch to his tail. It's extremely sensitive, and what he uses to guide him, so it's like giving her complete control of his direction. Still, it's nice, so he just calms down with it.]

As big as possible without me falling over, eh. And a white one like Pops. Or you can go creative and surprise me. If it'll make me laugh that's always good.

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[Video/Written] For Whom the Bell Tolls

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