3 - [Video] ((In which phoenixes plot for their own amusement))

[fierybluebird]

[Disoriented Marco is snapping out of his post-chip removal coma and mild bird after affects with his eyes blocked off by one of Nami's bras, an egg safely bundled where he thought the communicator would be, and he's spread out on top of Ace's chest where once a fiery blue phoenix was. You can still still some of the fiery down and sparkles left all over the couch and pillow fort that looks like a nest. After some more scrambling, Marco gets the bra off his head and stares at in his hand, still eternally deadpan even about that.]

Well, must have been one hell of a party. [There's a small burst of blue flames about his arms, as he checks something much to a relieved sigh. Then he notices the egg. And that he's straddling Ace. This one's going to take him a while.]

No, even drunk I'm pretty sure I can't lay eggs. [Carefully inspects it for signs of cracks or life, but really it's just a normal hen egg so he wraps it in a scarf and rubs his chin, back to the mystery of the bra.] Now if I can just figure out who you belong to before Ace wakes up, maybe I can bluff knowing exactly what we did. Or make up something more dramatic.

[And THEN he realizes it's been a couple of days and there's some decorations up.] Shit... how long have I been out? I hope I didn't miss Christmas, I didn't get to ask the scientists for pictures or bounty posters of the crew. [That said, Marco gets distracted with an evil grin and apparently devising a plot to put the bra on Ace. With luck, they were both drunk and Ace remembers even less. Doing SOMETHING with the bra, he finds the communicator and shuts it off.]

Comments

[fierybluebird]

It takes time.

[determined-dad.livejournal.com]

[ He nods jerkingly, pushing down the lump in his throat. ]

R-right. Time.

[fierybluebird]

I'll let you know when it stops hurting, but they wouldn't want us to not move on, eh.

[determined-dad.livejournal.com]

Move on... [ His voice is bitterness, directed not at Marco but at himself. ]

I can never forget...

[fierybluebird]

They're not one and the same, eh. You're not meant to forget those kind of things, just reach a place where it doesn't feel like someone reached inside your stomach and pulled out all your guts in order to twist them into knots every time you think about it.

[determined-dad.livejournal.com]

[ He swallows, very familiar with that feeling. He can't find words at the moment. ]

[fierybluebird]

It happens. When the fond memories stop hurting.

Eve with... some of the darkest of circumstances. [Closes eyes and looks away, taking a moment himself.] So I'm told.

[determined-dad.livejournal.com]

[ Ethan nods, still barely controlling his emotions, but also unable to conceal his feeling of kinship with this other man. So...they have both suffered the same kind of pain. ]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[ He manages to offer, voice coarse. ]

[fierybluebird]

Likewise, eh.

It's strange. That your son liked birds and flying. I'm not usually much of one for coincidences.

[determined-dad.livejournal.com]

[ His brow furrows. ] It's strange?

[fierybluebird]

I lost my father, just a month ago in a war.

And I, myself, have a certain... knack with birds. And flying. Sorry if that's unsettling. Just something that stuck with me, it's just... well strange.

[determined-dad.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. [ Ethan says solemnly, then he cocks his head slightly, questioningly. ]

You train birds?

[fierybluebird]

Not exactly.

It's a long story.

[Because how do you go about saying "No, I just am a bird."]

[determined-dad.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't mind listening sometime.

[fierybluebird]

Remember how Ace can turn into fire?

[determined-dad.livejournal.com]

[ He nods, albeit uncertainly. He doesn't understand how it happens, but he can't help but acknowledge the facts. ]

[fierybluebird]

Right, well my ability complements that. Or vice versa. [Switches an arm to a fiery blue wing.] It's why I wanted my chip out, eh.

[determined-dad.livejournal.com]

I see. [ Ethan doesn't. But he's trying to be a good friend. ]

[fierybluebird]

So yeah. I'm rather fond of birds.

It's a strange coincidence I suppose.

[determined-dad.livejournal.com]

[ He nods, though it looks like he's getting distracted by his loss once more. ]

I'm sorry...I need to go. I'm glad you're alright, Marco.

[fierybluebird]

Thanks. Feel better Ethan.