fierybluebird | [voice]

[voice]

[Marco's voice starts off cheerfully enough.]

Hey everyone, I think I found the place where the cave-in for the train-thing is. The currents here are pretty weird so if we can get ... some ... strong swimmers then...

[He starts trailing off, obviously seeing something.] Pops...? [His voice is quiet, barely audible. It's not possible, he knows it's not, he watched the man die. So it's just like Luffy's food and an illusion. Has to be. But then it gets stronger.] POPS!! [He starts running, sandals hitting the wood of the deck.] Pops... [This time he just sounds anguished. And then suddenly there's a splash. Uh where did Marco go?]

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Yes. [So he says.]

That's good then. I almost envy it, eh.

My world isn't quite as much a caste system as say, the troll's world, but with the world government controlling everything, people put far too much stock in bloodlines.

But my Pops always said it didn't mean anything. A man of the sea is free from all of that.

That is surprising to hear, aru. It seems as though nearly every other country is against communism.

Although, in the past of my world, there was also a time where people usually gained more status by their bloodlines. Nowadays, however, there is much change going on, especially with the Cold War affecting several countries, aru.

What's your definition?

... I can't say. Unless the Belgium you met was a man... My Nonna could differ to him, I can't be sure. And while that shouldn't happen, it... can.

"Cold War"?

My father adopted me. His dream was to have a big family. He always said it didn't matter that around the world we were hated because at least we'd have each other.

One of my brothers had an infamous father by blood; but it doesn't mean anything. He's nothing like that person, he doesn't want to be, and he chose to be Pops' son instead. That means a lot more I think, Chiara.

Oh, do you really? [ Well, that. But there are other reasons too. Hong Kong is special like that. ]

Right after the Second World War ended, the Soviet Union and the United states began the conflict, but there's been other conflicts within this war. The Vietnam War is only one of them, aru. Then there is also the Space Race.

The Cold War itself has been continuing ever since 1946, aru. It is so exhausting just thinking about all the things it has caused.

Of course not. Where's the fun in going to that much work? [Ah which one is the real lie...?]

[And a sort of passive aggressive envy that Japan is old, Japan, free of China, Hong Kong wants to be like him, but doesn't, wants to be respected, but doesn't, it's all very sibling rivalry... but not. Yes, that was nonsense.]

So you're either hard working or naturally brilliant. [ Marco, you card. ]

[ Yeah, you're gonna have to stop being so perceptive, Marco. Hong Kong can't effectively troll you or fish for information if you see through him so easily. The only part that's not entirely on the mark, at least not now, is the envy of China. Hong Kong stands on his own and has for a little while. Maybe there are some aspects he'd like to emulate and things he wants to do, but that Western influence, coupled with his own growth, means that he does have a stronger sense of self now. Desiring respect for that, however, is definitely hitting the nail square on the head.

Desiring respect from the Japan and China who are here in Discedo, now that is an interesting case. If you sort that one out, Marco, you will definitely be worthy of some kind of accolade. ]

W' cannot go against our boss's orders.

Or both, or neither. I leave my options open. [A small smirk. He knows he's fucked up.]

[Ah, Marco says without ties to their "crews" meaning their citizens, family is the closest surrogate, but that doesn't change the difficulty of being only 150 compared to 4000 and 2300ish. Throw in a healthy dose of time period differences and Hong Kong represents the future, especially with them being "in the past" from his perspective, so he wants them to see and acknowledge that the future is better, even though it also means "Hong Kong is better" in a lesser sense.]

You think that would go against his boss's orders?

Pretty ambiguous of you. [ He doesn't smirk in return, but you can kind of hear it in his voice. ]

[ And thus, the eternal debate between East and West, old and new, big and small, rich and poor... is all neatly tied up in Hong Kong. ]

It's fun that way.

Then... si, he sounds similar to Nonna... Venezia and I, we're the ones with the closest ties to her but in ways... Francia, Spagna, Portogallo and... even Inghillterra could have called her a... parental figure. But that was more the spoils of creating an Empire...

It's different... this girl, Germany... she looks similar to a girl who already broke my sister's heart. And this war... [Sighs, shaking her head] I don't trust her and I don't think I ever will. She hasn't earned it.

So how is it when someone's just as ambiguous as you are?

You tell me. I think it's even more fun, eh?

Aye. My Pops had the strongest and biggest crew in the world. I suppose the part that reminded Belgium most is that his Empire is falling to pieces now that he's gone. On the one hand, I'd like to protect his islands; the ones he protected, but I have to protect my family first. And because he was so famous, everyone wants a piece of it, hoping to become famous themselves.

Eh? Hm... Perhaps she will earn it Chiara.

We didn't fall apart. We seperated yes, but we... were able to become our own countries after Nonna's fall. We grew up.

...But I know what you mean by people trying to claim your famiglia's name. ... Famiglia does come first.

...Maybe. Maybe not.

Aye. I could try to become my own captain, and hopefully my crew will stay together, but eh... we'll see.

I hope it works out well for you either way, eh.

I'm sure you weren't calling me ambiguous just now.

...Good luck then.

And it will. Either way, I'll make sure.

Me? Now would I do a thing like that?

I'm sure I couldn't tell you. [ Why is he amused again? Why? ]

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