fierybluebird | 17 - [Text] Little known fact, pirates play hangman as a lesson to play smart or get hung

Ah, I am fine, but... I met with America-san last night.

[Leaves it on audio because his face is pretty dark at this point.]

Is that so? How are you? Or should I ask how he is?

[Okay I lied no video JUST YET...]

...Gunshot wounds and chemical burns...

... I cut America-san, but I did not do much.

Chemical burns? Are you okay?

[long

pause]

Shall we play hangman for the answer? [okay that's way unusual for him to be so mean gjksdfgj but it does sound like he's going to tell him and he's just delaying it]

[Chuckles softly.]

All right. I request an E.

Ah... Well, there are only two letters left now.

[So he says, but as he changes to video, you'll notice he's not wearing his normal jacket or even a shirt-- since he's bandaged up. And he holds up his sword-holding hand, revealing the bruised signs of struggle and the burnt condition of his hand.

LYE BURNS ARE GROSS LOOKING gfjksdlgjk]

I simply wish the signs of this encounter were not so noticeable.

[Growls softly, but keeps his cool.]

Are you all right?

...There is a lot on my mind, but these wounds are things that will heal.

For now, it is not so easy to walk.

[He's mad, but at least he's not ready to rip America's head clean off.]

Is he satisfied? [Dark voice.]

[he lowers his hand and leans back in his chair with a frown.]

I'm not sure. He seems to disagree with who I am.

Fuck him. [His rage is starting to slip through.]

Since when it is his place to decide such a thing? It doesn't matter how he sees you. His opinion, his world view, any of it.

It is alright, Marco-san. [It's probably good Marco didn't hear America's speeches...]

Because you know better?

[That better be a yes Japan ;;]

Yes. Ah, I believe my view on that was what caused much of it, however...

Japan...

Some people won't listen to reason. Never, no matter what chances they are given or how it is phrased.

Who do you think you are? Who do you want to be? You want to keep getting stronger? Ahhh you're so much a kid sometimes, I don't even know how you cannot see it...

You will always be you. They can't take that from you whether you mess up, no matter how they hurt you. They can try, but they can't. You're already that strong. Understood? Remember what I said about how just because America is in your path doesn't mean you have to go through him?

Where do you want to go from here?

[He stares down at his hand holding the communicator.]

I used to be so certain of who I was. Perhaps it is the disconnect from home that makes me so confused...

I mentioned this before, didn't I?

[Takes the comm outside and leans his back against a wall looking up at the sky.]

The biggest strength isn't in being right all the time Japan. It's knowing when the thing you've set your sights on isn't going to bring you what you really want; admitting that, and making the right change.

Ace threw his whole heart and soul into killing Pops. He tried it hundreds of different ways. But he was happiest when he agreed to take Whitebeard as his father and got the tattoo on his back.

You still have much in common with that little boy still full of anger and rage lashing out, but you are getting stronger.

[Japan is so confused... On the one side, there's Seifer, telling him he needs to be stronger, that he's not made for war... On the other there's Marco, telling him he is getting stronger...]

I believe I will sort out my thoughts soon enough. ...I appreciate Marco-san's help.

[Waves a hand.]

In the end, it's just you. What is Japan's thoughts? What I say, what America thinks, even what Seifer says. You are the kind of man who can stand on his own two feet without forgetting those who help him get there.

And the path doesn't have to be walked alone.

So it's down to you. Just remember, what are you getting stronger for? For yourself? For your citizens? Then don't lose sight of the true meaning behind it, eh.

[He's quiet. Yes, he's been struggling... His own thoughts. He knew them, and yet they were being blocked out by all of these worries. Concerns. Enemies and friends. It didn't matter which side, it was still...

Ah, perhaps this is where he thought too much.]

Ah... What would I do without Marco-san, I wonder? [he gives a faint smile and moves to make a heart with his hands as he did once before. one side of the heart is pretty damaged this time, but hey... it's still a heart.

accept the rare gesture!!]

[Melts. All the previous frustration just ebbing out from the simple gesture. So long as Japan will be happy, Marco is all right. It's those that steal it he'll have to kill. And he happily returns a hand heart with blue flames.]

Miss out on all the fun I'm sure~

Just remember you've got a phoenix looking over you, eh?

[He chuckles lightly and lowers his hands.]

China-san would be envious.

Eh, he says dragons are better. So he can go find one.

[He is... a total baby about that whole thing.]

[a chuckle]

If he locates one, he may attempt to pair it off with Marco-san. Ah, simply a warning...

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