023 [Written/Action]

[deathsdoctor]

[The earth is soft beneath his fingertips, the flowers of the oleander bush planted next to white heather in the Memory Garden bright pink and fragrant. There’s a crumpled letter in his pocket.

Perona went home this morning. His nakama, found here, now lost, went home. Like so many others from his world. He can easily remember all their names, and they keep springing to the front of his mind until he can think of nothing else.

Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Vivi, Tony Tony Chopper, Nico Robin, Franky, Brook, Bellemere, Nojiko, Portgas D. Ace, Sabo, Marco, Shanks, Dracule Mihawk, Perona, Zeff, Marshall D. Teach, Bon Kurei, Boa Hancock, Kaku, Keimi, Shirahoshi, Smoker, Coby…

Bepo…

He is the last. The last pirate. The last one of the Grand Line. The last one of the sea and storm.

The only one who remembered all their stories. He is now their memory… the last remaining link to everything experienced.

The thought keeps him in the garden until dark. More names going through his mind. Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Mikoto… his brother and mother in law. His family. Gone. Maes Hughes… his brother from the first Luceti Valley. Elicia and Gracia. Lupin. Daisy. Adele…

.. so many names…

Finally his fingers see fit to close around a pen and he slowly writes in the journal.]

Perona has gone home. She left letters and gifts for others. I’ll bring them around soon.

[Writing it makes it all the more final. Itachi will be worried by now and Law should return to him. Or he’s already out looking. The stars in the sky tell him it’s very late indeed.

On the way back, he forces himself to keep running through another set of names. Everyone he has left. He is the last, but he has to remember he is not alone.]

---

[The morning passes in a blur. He’s not sure of what he does except for bits and pieces. Passing out things, probably. Giving condolences. Tea. He definitely had tea. He visits Mister Leon for Specialist Davis’s Shift detecting glasses and mentions to him that he’s going down to the third level of the tunnels to explore.

Then he hits the Smithy to ask if anyone would like to go with him. After all, the third level looks to be a former mining complex.

It’s a temporary escape and only that. And then he has to start dealing. Start marching forward and face it all head on. Somehow.

Law doesn’t expect to find anything big down there, but who knows. It’s doubtful that Luceti is out of surprises.]

Comments

[voice]

[yourhatred]

[Not looking. That sort of thing works better for those who can see.

What Itachi will do is contact his husband via the journal.]

Where are you?

[voice]

[deathsdoctor]

[...

His voice rasps, hoarse with disuse. It's soft... but so very empty sounding.]

The Memory Garden...

[voice]

[yourhatred]

Will you be coming home, or should I go out to meet you?

[Do you need more time alone? Itachi wouldn't keep that from him, if it's what he wants, even though he's already been gone as long as he has.]

[action]

[etherealblast]

[when Law shows up at the smithy, he'll find at least one person in residence.

Fayt's there, leaning over the counter sketching in a small, pocket sized notebook. He's sketching out plans for a blade he might or might not make-- he's still not sure yet. The sound of the door opening catches his attention, and he glances up over the rim of his reading glasses in the direction of the entrance.

....Law?]

Hey.

[action]

[deathsdoctor]

Hey.

[Yeah, Law. There's nothing abnormal seeming about the pirate at first - he's in his typical blue jeans. A bright sunny yellow t-shirt. A black headband with a metal plate is tied around his arm. Just like the ninja headbands you see time from time, except this one has Law's jolly roger instead. The trademark furry spotted hat.

Except for the mood hanging around him that seems to dull such brightness into shades of gray. It makes him a wraith... a shadow of the usual man.]

You folks busy today?

[action]

[etherealblast]

[He'd seen the announcement last night, but hadn't really known what to say. He hadn't known Perona, so any words he could give... well, it wasn't his place. He'd left it alone.

But looking at him now, it seemed like this had hit him hard. He frowns minutely for a moment, just a small crease of the brow, before pulling off his glasses and folding them neatly to hook on the edge of his shirt, shaking his head.] No, you're the first business we've had all day, if you're here for that. What's up?

[Written]

[thefinaljedi]

[The writing is always what makes it hard. Luke grimaces when he sees the writing, remembering how he'd seen the two pirates together, and how...final...so many partings seemed. It takes him a while, debating whether or not to contact Law, but eventually he does break radio silence, his lettering taking an Aurebeshi slant, neat, efficient handwriting.]

I'm sorry Law. Are you going to be alright tonight?

[Written]

[deathsdoctor]

I... don't know.

[Perona letter still is crumpled in his pocket. He's read it... but it's all a blur right now.

He'll have to read it again... when the message won't be lost. He doesn't know when he'll get himself to that point tonight. If he can tonight.]

I won't be alone, though.

[Itachi.

He runs through the names of the remaining once more.]

[Written]

[thefinaljedi]

You're right. Your friends and Itachi are here too.

If you need me, I'll be down by the beach fort. I hope things improve soon.

[Action]

[windandrain]

[She'd only known Perona by reputation and having seen her posts over the journals, but a loss was a loss, and Law was a friend, after a fashion. And someone who'd unknowingly been a comfort to her when her partner had returned home, too. And that, more than anything, means that she feels she should return the favor. That is the right, proper, and kind thing to do, as all debts must be paid. Even ones that didn't seem like debts.

Seeking Law out isn't all that hard, as there are certain places she knows he'll visit, and one of those is the Tea House. Wordlessly she approaches, taking a seat across from the pirate, a steaming mug in one hand and a small plate of cookies in the other. Sliding them into the center of the table, she bows her head in silent contemplation for a moment before speaking.]

I am sorry, Law.

[Action]

[deathsdoctor]

[It saves him the trouble of deciding what to drink. He's been staring blankly at a menu for the last... oh, say fifteen minutes. Probably not even aware of her approach.

Lost in thought. Lost in memory. Perona had liked tea and cakes. Marco had gifted him cookies after Law had made him keys to Smoker's cuffs. Nami liked chai; she had given him a cup when he and Luke were at her cottage during the Bil affair.

Brook drank nothing but tea. A lingering memory from the first Luceti Valley.

There's a little start as he realizes Saori's there, and then tattooed fingers slowly reach for the tea and cookies. The pirate slowly looks up.]

... thank you...

[Action]

[windandrain]

[It's green tea, a semi-sweet sort she favored herself, particularly when she's sad. There's something in the philosophy of tea that, at least for her, is deeply rooted in troubled times. She couldn't really say why, but tea has been there when she's felt down, a constant companion.

Dipping her head once, she picks up her own cup and sips before replying.]

She was from your world? The...Grand Line?

[Saori had been fond of Marco. More than fond, really. Marco remained one of the people she wished had never departed, in no small part thanks to the stories. Smoker too, held a place in her heart, for all the trouble he'd given her breathing.]

[action]

[frost_jewel]

[Mia saw the message the night before; thinking about disappearances made an already-uneasy sleep nearly impossible. She's at work early. She's surprised out of words when Law walks in and disappears to his office.

Several minutes later, he'll hear a quiet knock on his closed door. No words, just a knock.]

[action]

[deathsdoctor]

[The knock almost doesn't register. Law looks up sluggishly.

Lost in himself again. He's not even sure how he made it here. Well he walked, certainly, but he doesn't remember it.

... and he has something in his hands. Somebody's medical records.

...

He should. Say something. Right?]

... Mia?

[Feels like Mia.]

[action]

[frost_jewel]

It is me. [He guesses right nine times out of ten; freeing one hand for use, Mia nudges the door open.] I brought tea. If you're here for solitude, then I only brought it for you; if you don't mind companionship, then you must share.

[All the while she studies him, wearing a soft smile and a concerned set to her eyes.]

[Written] Ff, changed my mind

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Ginia didn't know Perona well, just that her ghosts had been very useful - life-saving even - during the draft. In truth, Ginia realizes she doesn't even know Law that well either.

But a loss is a loss and a departure is a departure. They still hurt and after the years Law has been here, she wagers bruises and breaks pile up.]

I'm sorry.

Do you need anything?

[Written]

[deathsdoctor]

I'm... not sure.

[He needs people to stop leaving. He needs a break from loss.

... beyond that...]

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

Pick a place and a drink, we'll have a toast in her honor.

[For her, for everyone else. Ginia has her own list and maybe it's time she finally honored them. But mostly, she wants to make sure Law isn't alone for awhile.]

[Action]

[goldenglasses]

[Eventually Vash wanders towards the memory garden. It was his birthday and he wanted to spend it enjoying the nature he can't have at his home. So here he was checking on the red geraniums and other flowers he had planted himself some time ago in the garden.

Remembering past friends. It makes his heart ache at times, but it was also a good thing to do. He smiles as he spots Law and waves.]

Hey there, Law. Wasn't expecting to see you here. [That's about the time he spots the dirt on his knees and hands.] Ah, remembering someone?

[Action]

[deathsdoctor]

[A wordless nod as fingers caress a pink bloom. Hello Vash.

... you're the last too. Law guesses the man knows how it feels.]

[Action]

[goldenglasses]

[He has at least an idea of how Law feels.] They're very pretty and a very nice color.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

[ At one point, while Law heads through the square, either in his daze or when he's moving toward the tunnels, Raine is in the area, contemplating a trip down the former well herself. She has to make the most of her own distractions while she can. Pale shadow of a woman.

Still, it isn't normal to see him like this; purposed, yes but at the same time drifting. The expression one gets when facing a loss and looking for a way to push through it, for some hope of breakthrough. ]

... Law.

[action]

[deathsdoctor]

[Pale, grey shadow indeed. But since this is later in the day, he's moving towards being more together, even if more than a few traces of his fugue hang around him.]

... Miss Raine?

[action]

[pendantry]

[Raven's busy working on a project in silver metal and greenish stone; once she realizes Law is not here for an order, she ignores him until she hears the question.]

Go with you where?

[He has her full attention, the tools in her hands going still.]

[action]

[deathsdoctor]

Down to the third level of the tunnels underneath Luceti.

[That's pretty, the part of Law's mind that will always be a pirate, and automatically assesses things for value distantly notes. The rest of it is set, however shakily, on what he means to do.]

It used to be a mining complex and the Malnosso left things behind. Including mined ore and exposed veins of materials. Something I think the people who work here might benefit from.