[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

[action]

[fierybluebird]

[Yeah that's probably for the best. He's going to go find Ace and his Pops' jacket and hide under it anyway.

[action]

[straw_hat]

[And Luffy will sit by you two the entire time. He refuse to leave you alone.]

[action]

[fierybluebird]

[He appreciates it and bundles Luffy up in the jacket with him with a wing around Luffy's shoulders.]

So what's been your favorite island so far on the Grand Line?

[action]

[straw_hat]

[He huddles next to him. Damn, this jacket is huge...]

Alabasta. Vivi's there, and they throw great parties.

[action]

[fierybluebird]

[Like a small circus tent yup.]</small. Yeah? One of the other bird zoan users is there, ne?

[action]

[straw_hat]

[Only better colors.] Yeah, Pell. He was one of the guards.

[action]

[fierybluebird]

[Yup.]

What's he like?

[action]

[straw_hat]

He's a nice guy! He saved my life and gave me meat.

An' then he gave his life to help save Alabasta. [PRETTY SURE HE DOESN'T KNOW THAT PELL'S ALIVE.]

[action]

[fierybluebird]

Ah damn. I'm sorry.

[Yeah probably not. Ironically.]

The Grand Line's a rough place, eh.

[action]

[straw_hat]

Yeah.....really rough.

But at least the country's all right now.

[action]

[fierybluebird]

Yeah? Whatever happened with that rebellion anyway?

[action]

[straw_hat]

Well, that damn Croc was manipulating pretty much everybody. So when the leader found out it was all Croc's plan, he and Vivi tried to end the war.

After I kicked Croc's ass, he and Vivi made up, and I guess the rebellion died out.

[action]

[fierybluebird]

Crocodile the Sandman.

Huh. [Annoyed face back into deadpan.] All right... did I ever thank you for stopping him from trying to kill Pops?

[action]

[straw_hat]

Yeah, that bastard.

[He waves his hand.] Eh, it was nothing. Like hell I'd let him hurt anyone who tried to help me save Ace.

[action]

[fierybluebird]

Thanks though. We've beaten him before, but it would have been really bad timing.

[action]

[straw_hat]

Glad I could help.

[action]

[fierybluebird]

Heh... yeah... that you did kiddo. [Ruffles.]

[action]

[straw_hat]

[Ruffles back.]

[action]

[fierybluebird]

[Glancing up in amusement again.]

[action]

[straw_hat]

[He'll give you a soft grin, and swing his arms around your shoulder again.

He'll take this as a "feeling better" kinda thing.]

[action]

[fierybluebird]

[That he is.]

[action]

[straw_hat]

[Then mission accomplished.]