[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

[fierybluebird]

I think I'm decent with kids. Kids love giant sparkle birds they can play with. That is just a fact.

Tell you what, if you need some help you can bring him over sometime, eh?

[repudiate]

You really won't mind? [ Not that Keiichi's a rowdy kid in any way, but yeah.. just making sure. She's never had much help offered to her back home, after all. ]

I don't particularly mind looking after him, but I figured he might want some more people to talk or play with than just me and Minato.

[fierybluebird]

[Deep bow, because Marco is so dramatic.]

It'd be an honor.

Besides, maybe I can teach him to play cards or something. Got anything you enjoy playing yourself?

[repudiate]

Not really. [ did you expect any other answer, Marco.. Ange is a party pooper for life, okay. ]

Don't let him learn something like gambling though.

[fierybluebird]

Of course not.

There's nothing much to gamble here anyway, eh.

[repudiate]

Oh, believe me. I'm fairly sure that if people wanted to gamble here, they would find something to gamble with. No matter how weird.

[ Says the girl who's played card games before where the odds were practically who would have to wear a maid outfit for a day. Yeah. Hypocrite. ]

[fierybluebird]

[Marco would happily use those kinds of stakes.]

Okay, I'll admit, I can think of plenty to gamble with, but not with little kids, eh?

[Don't look too closely into the pirate's mind, Ange, it's just not healthy.]

[repudiate]

[ Why is she always friends with awful people. ]

Now you've got it right. If I catch you teaching Keiichi any weird things, I won't forgive you. [ She doesn't seem entirely serious though, since she thinks Marco wouldn't do that to a kid to begin with. ] He'll already learn plenty of weird things by himself as he grows up, believe me.

[fierybluebird]

You don't say. I'll have to make sure to find excuses to spend more time when he's older then. See if I can't corrupt him a little further.

[entreats]

I don't know you were that interested in getting punched in the face.

[ THAT'S NOT EVEN CLOSE TO A REAL THREAT considering she doesn't even sound serious. Just deadpan. But yes please don't go corrupt her boyfriend further, Marco, he's already enough of a pervert.. ]

[fierybluebird]

My girlfriend does call me a masochist.

[Ange, Ange, don't worry. He wouldn't really corrupt Keiichi, but switching tactics might be advisable, he just hears that as a dare.]

[entreats]

[ Marco, why do you do this.. ]

I guess in the end I'm doomed to be surrounded by masochists.

[fierybluebird]

[He's evil.]

Oh, Keiichi is one too then?

[entreats]

Honestly, one of the biggest masochists I know. Probably the only one who comes close to my older brother's level of it. [ Is she serious or not?! Who knows, man, it's sort of true either way. ]

Not that I'm a sadist though, let's make that clear so there won't be any misunderstandings.

[fierybluebird]

Of course, I wouldn't dream of assuming otherwise.

I guess you truly are surrounded by masochists then. Not that Robin is a sadist either, mind you.

[entreats]

Maybe us normal girls are just doomed to be stuck with masochistic guys. I should talk to her about it sometime.

[fierybluebird]

It must be that.

Aye, you really should, though now I'm already curious to how such a conversation would go.

[entreats]

Really? I don't see what's so particularly interesting about it.

[fierybluebird]

Maybe it just can't be explained. Tell Keiichi about it when he's older and I'll bet his reaction is the same as mine.

[entreats]

Now I'm sort of curious. Or maybe I should call it 'worried' instead. Is this some sort of guy thing?

[fierybluebird]

Quite probably.

Like sleepovers. We all believe they are mystical magical things where only good things can happen and dreams come true. [Gazes off into the distance. *_* Pillow fights...]

[entreats]

[ .. Wait, what. She wasn't aware of this fact about guys at all, so she's a little surprised.. ]

You guys fantasize about something like sleepovers?

[fierybluebird]

Hell yes. And don't tell me otherwise, I'm quite certain the reason that Pops' nurses always left us out was because all the best stuff happened during those times.

Like truth and dare and pillow fights in nighties, right?

It's okay, we can have our own sleepovers. With manly things. And nail painting. [Well you did see the post where he got Ace drunk and dressed him up, right? So there isn't much he can hide at this point...]

[entreats]

[ Yes, exactly, she knows what you're up to, Marco.. so she just deadpans to the first half. ]

Oh, of course. To not even start about all the makeouts. [ As if Ange would normally talk about makeouts, just that makes it obvious she's joking. ]

[fierybluebird]

[It's too late. He got a nosebleed. Now look what you've done.]

You don't say....