[voice]

[fierybluebird]

[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?]

Comments

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

Oh? Why would they do that?

[Other than you know... for fun like Marco does.]

[voice]

[bauhinia]

I haven't figured it out yet. [ He is clearly a detective out to solve the mysteries of the universe. ]

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

Pity. Oh well, more for us to enjoy.

[voice]

[bauhinia]

Isn't that the point?

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

For us it is. Do you think the others would be that kind?

[voice]

[bauhinia]

I don't know, I guess it kinda depends on who it is. Some people just can't take a joke, yeah?

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

Aye. And yet then it's an endless cycle, eh.

[voice]

[bauhinia]

Well, yeah, if it means we constantly get punished for it.

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

Eh, to be fair, they're basically punishing themselves.

[voice]

[bauhinia]

Someone at least oughta not be miserable when it comes down to it.

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

Might as well be them?

[voice]

[bauhinia]

Yeah, something like that. [ Sorta!! ]

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

No?

[voice]

[bauhinia]

Maybe sometimes.

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

And when not?

[voice]

[bauhinia]

It depends on the person and whether or not they have a sense of humor.

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

Eh, their loss then.

[voice]

[bauhinia]

You think so?

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

Of course.

[voice]

[bauhinia]

Yeah, you're definitely smarter than a lot of people I know.

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

I'm flattered.

[voice]

[bauhinia]

I don't guess you're flattered enough for me to use you as an alibi if something ever blows up around here and I get blamed.

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

Are you asking to be my nakama?

[voice]

[bauhinia]

What does that entail, exactly?

[voice]

[fierybluebird]

To be my nakama, Ace has to approve it first, and it means being respected and in charge of protecting the other crewmates. It's not to be taken lightly. Once I would have said it means understanding Pops is Pops, but that's not -- [Chokes up a little given he just watched his Dad's corpse sink beneath the water.]

I-in this case, I have [Rubs the back of his neck thinking of how to explain.] other categories? Family of nakama I protect the same as my brothers... in some cases more. [Distant look again and a small frown. He saved Luffy but not Ace. And even knowing Ace wouldn't have had it any other way, it's not something he can take lightly.] It's a form of adoption for us. But being nakama, or even family of nakama, means a lot less forgiveness for betrayals, and a lot more expectation of one's ability to hold their own and help out when necessary. Luffy protected my Pops' back and I protected his. It's like that. Not a normal friendship.