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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[Growls.] Yes. And if they were killed upon arrival it wouldn't be like this. This... this is how my father really died. Cannon fire, arrows, bullets, stab wounds, half of his head gone, he died standing and never retreated a single step. This number of wounds... half of his head melted by magma... nothing here could do that. And if they were going to bring people here dead the way they died, Ace wouldn't be as healed over as he is, scarred tattoo or not.

...I see. Then I guess it's... all a lie, a trick.

They brought my Nonna here the way she died. I was young but... I know this is how Germania killed her. But there was no blood on the sheets.

I feel ill.

[.... LONG stretch of silence and then...]

Germany... your forced current ally killed your Grandmother? Killed Rome?

[And his blood is running cold.]

No. Her grandmother did. She was the Germanic States, but Nonna always called her Germania... [Sighs softly]

Nonna was the Roman Empire... one of the greatest. But she stretched too far and she started to fall. Germania, who was under Nonna, who was supposed to be her bodyguard... finished her off. That's how the Ancients were.

I see... that's... still terrible. I'm sorry Romana.

It's... how it was. Nonna knew that. [Doesn't stop her from holding a grudge against Germany, half because the young nation looks so much like her grandmother, as much as Venezia resembles Rome. Romana won't let the past repeat itself]

Mah, but at least Germany is different, right? Sons or daughters are only like their parents if they choose to be.

[While he is talking about Germany and Germania, for him, he's talking about Ace and certain war from his own home world.]

It depends. And the idea of parents... it's very different for us. Germany may be Germania's grandchild, but Prussia raised her... and. Well...

It's complicated.

[And Romana is distrustful]

Trust me, for my circumstances and my family, it's not that different.

Belgium said my Pops sounded a lot like Rome. A child shouldn't be held responsible for the actions of a parent.

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.

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.

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.

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.

...Good luck then.

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

You too.

Somehow that doesn't surprise me about you Chiara.

Good. Because I'll do whatever I have to, to make sure we come out on top.

Tenacious, eh?

I have to be. If I was any less I would get walked all over.

Aye. Nothing wrong with being strong. It's admirable.

Mm. Grazie. I'd like to think so too...

I'm sure of it.

Well if you say so it must be true, hmm? [There is a slight bit of sarcasm there yes]

[A quiet pause at that.]

My father was considered the strongest in the world. I admire everything about him, but that too.

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