003

[deathsdoctor]

[The apartment is stuffy today, he doesn’t have anything requiring his attention anywhere else, except for ingredients for pemmican cakes, and it is quiet. So, so quiet. Two months in this hellhole is already approaching and it is hard to be patient and wait for an opportunity for freedom. Because there is always a chance. Even after years and years.

(He always told his idiots to shut up when it carried on too far, and now all he wants is the sounds of their voices echoing off armoured hull plates. He had such a noisy boat, and though the hunt for One Piece was hard, they had been together and they had been happy often more than not.)

The memories of that blurred out weekend still remain tauntingly out of reach… but now in his heart of hearts he knows what could be the only thing that could cause that kind of ache.

Perhaps Monkey D. Luffy, you were right. You never said anything at the time, but he still felt your disagreement. But still… he can’t wish them here to this.

He can only resolve to grow stronger for their sake should they come anyway. Because it was not only the Golden Age of Pirates that had shattered at Marineford. No, he can hear the flatline for quite a few others as well. But it will take time for others to see that the patient is well and truly dead.

Because the balance of strength could shift at any moment in Luceti and take away what small advantages he has. He is a Supernova, and he is more powerful than most of his immediate concerns here (though badly outnumbered), but the experiment with that blasted musical showed him too well what could be. Or will.

It also showed him what he could be. Left with him the imprints of the general direction he needs to take. He might not take the same exact path to get there, but he would get there all the same.

And most simply because he is still Captain of the Heart Pirates. And should his nakama come, he needs to protect them. Because that is what a Captain does.]

[So out today at the grocery store, in and out of Community Building Two, or on the edge of the forest well away from most people training. The closest to solitude he can get or so he thinks. Feel free to prove him wrong.

Those who catch him in the forest may find him doing one of several things depending on when they catch him. Meditating, practicing his swordsmanship, and further practicing his skills with the filial magic Kipinn and Tsinku granted him. Seeing if he can contact Nala. He’s heard snatches of her around and felt her warmth and friendliness, but he’s never quite held on long enough to talk to her. She’s willing though. That he knows.

But it’s mostly the swordsmanship though. The experiment’s lessons have stuck. Focus on the things that can’t be taken away so easily and that come within, but don’t ignore the ones that can be gained.

The practice with Devil Fruit powers will come at another time. He has a new technique in mind. But he needs to find something suitable to test it on, and utter privacy, instead of close enough.

You can’t do everything in a day, you know.]

Comments

[endgames]

[As it just so happens, Tsinku is one of those spirits that Shikamaru's been trying to get a hold of ever since he got here. Hyt would be preferable, but either of them would do - when you're a shadow user, being able to create your own light sources could come in handy.

So naturally, the only one he's been able to find today is Nala. Again. Not to disrespect the spirit or anything - because the skills she has to offer will come in handy someday, he knows - but it it gets a little annoying to be met with another dead end. Especially after a week like this one has been.

If you're trying to contact Nala, Law, you're in luck. She's currently bugging one disgruntled ninja sitting in the branch of a tree.]

[deathsdoctor]

[And Tsinku is as well if the growl of thunder above is of any indication. And the breeze whipping around might mean Kipinn is somewhere about as well.

And Law feels her right after sensing People Are Watching Him and tracking the sense to the spot. Hello.

So Shikamaru, you've suddenly got a pirate smiling up at you from his practice spot.]

Good day, Mister Shikamaru.

[endgames]

Yo. [He directs his attention down to the ground. Nala is the polite sort, and leaves him be now that there's someone else in the area to talk to, though her presence hasn't retreated.

And of course, now he can feel Tsinku (Kippin too, maybe? It's getting easier to sense the spirits the more time he spends talking to one of them - even the elusive ones, it seems.]

Fancy meeting you out here.

[deathsdoctor]

Likewise. Out for a spot of training yourself?

[Warm. She is warm. Like life, and sunlight, and the blood on his hands as he fought desperately to save those two lives on his sub not too long ago.

He very quietly asks her if she'll teach him.

He feels assent in his blood and bones.

Meanwhile, yes, that is Kipinn, breezing by playfully... maybe teasing your hair on the way. Tsinku rumbles laughter, and sparks mirth, and perhaps he's saying hello too, because this is interesting enough to get his attention.]

It's a lovely day for it.

[endgames]

Heh. Kinda cold, if you ask me. [While it's happened before, it's a rare thing for Konoha to see snow. It's no wonder, really, smack dab in the middle of the Land of Fire as they are.] But it seemed like a good time for it all the same.

[Which should be clear from the scene itself. Three spirits in the same place? Now that is a treat - especially when two of them are new acquaintances.

He greets them with a grin. Kippin reminds him of Naruto, somewhat (fitting, since his friend had a wind affinity), and he finds himself taking to him better than expected. He introduces himself quietly to him and Tsinku, glad that he seems to have caught the other spirit in a good mood.]

[chibiremlover]

[Does a little boy yelling for help distract you?] H-hello!? Is anyone there!? HELLO!? [Someone... is stuck in a tree. His journal is on the ground a few feet below him. He is pathetically only a couple feet up.]

[deathsdoctor]

[We see that. 8|

...

Oh lord, child.]

Hello there. Are you alright?

[Suddenly, you have a curious pirate Captain looking up at you. With hands on hips. Like the icon actually.]

[chibiremlover]

I'm stuck... [He could probably jump down and be fine, but he's a scaredy cat.]

[deathsdoctor]

...

... you are? [Let's take a closer look at those branches. Hmm. You will definately be fine if you jump down.

You're just not willing, are you?

Okay. Time for a compromise here. You need to get out of the tree yourself but you're going to need a bit of encouragement and a safety net. Baby steps. Scaredy cats don't survive here.]

You know... I think I can see a way to get you out of this. But you're going to have to be brave for me. Okay?

[chibiremlover]

You can? [Because he's perfectly happy to keep clinging to this tree for dear life forever.]

[zehahaha.livejournal.com]

[Blackbeard had headed into the forest himself, though for a much more temporary visit. He was just passing through there to get to the mountains, so he could go and see the mountains that he's heard so much about. It was just, as the man himself would say, fate that his path took him close to where Law was training. When he sees another person in the forest, Blackbeard gives a loud friendly shout, like he does to basically everybody.]

Hey! How's it goin'? [The ex-Shichibukai doesn't recognize Law quite yet, but definitely finds him familiar somehow - back home, he generally kept a close eye on the bounty lists so he'd know who to recruit or avoid if he encountered them, and Law was definitely an up-and-comer in that regard.]

1/2

[deathsdoctor]

[...

...

... well, shit]

[deathsdoctor]

Well, well enough.

[Well enough before you came.

Do you recognise him... that's the question. Do you know what he did at Marineford?]

It's a good day for training and the air inside was getting stuffy. There's only so long you can stay cooped up, after all.

[zehahaha.livejournal.com]

[Nope; thankfully for Law (and the rest of Luceti), he was brought here immediately after killing Whitebeard, so he doesn't know about Shanks or Law showing up, or any of the war's aftermath.]

Zehahahaha! I hear ya there! I can't stay in one place fer too long either; besides, I heard that this shithole got an ocean recently, so I figured I'd check that out!

So, what sorta trainin' are ya doin'?

[deathsdoctor]

Aa... I'm a swordsman. I was practicing my swordsmanship.

[Big sword in his grip, yes indeed. Perhaps you aren't familar with the exact kind, but it is a nodachi. Sheathed (and he won't draw unless it's required - he isn't stupid), and what do you know, what was once massive rock has been rendered pebbles. There are all the little tell tales around the area that speak of his power.

No trees touched though.]

Oh, yes. I heard about that. I was thinking about heading out myself, but I have a couple of things here to attend to.

[zehahaha.livejournal.com]

Looks like yer doin' pretty good! The swordsman on my crew's prob'ly better, though! [At least, he assumes so - you don't get to being the chief guard of a hellish prison by being weak.]

Nice ta meet ya, by the way! The name's Teach; maybe ya've heard o' me!

[gomugomunopwn.livejournal.com]

[He's just walking around the grocery store stuffing meat into a huge bag all nonchalant like, don't mind him.]

[deathsdoctor]

[Not all the meat, man!

Law is going to quickly claim the beef jerky over there in the name of the Heart Pirates and stuff it into his bag. With the honey, berries, shortening and nuts he's managed to collect so far.

His stomach growls.

He... hasn't eaten since training. And there goes all the meat...

Intervention time!]

Mister Strawhat. How are you?

[gomugomunopwn.livejournal.com]

Eh-- ah, Law! [He's stuffing a few more pieces of meat into his bag and then slinging it over his shoulder.]

You getting meat too?

[deathsdoctor]

Aa... yes. I'm nearly out at home... [Small problem of being where he's from? The native diet is pretty much protein and fat heavy and it's difficult to switch to something people consider more normal and stay healthy.

Not that he hasn't made it, out of necessity, but it's something he's careful about, going too far from his roots.

He ignores his complaining stomach and glances at one fine looking package of smoked fish. Mmmm... Then looks back to Luffy.]

... and I'm making pemmican cakes.

[gomugomunopwn.livejournal.com]

[Hmmm, pemmican cakes. He thinks Sanji might have possibly made those before he's not sure. He makes a lot of things.]

Really? What kind of cakes are they?

[risingspirit.livejournal.com]

[Coby has been... watching Luffy stuff meat into a bag. He really hopes he intends to add something else - like vegetables - or else he's really limiting his cook, isn't he?

...Ah well.

The marine himself is picking up bread, cheese, and whatever looks tasty at the moment. Once he's done staring at his pirate friend, he'll be humming as he does so.

Humming from that musical, not that he even realizes it.]

[deathsdoctor]

[And Law himself? Is starving. And bent into the produce bin (hoodie drawn over his hat) seeing if there is anything decent as a snack. Like apples, or bananas... oh, are those mandarins? Mmm *_*. He'd prefer meat (it does a pirate good) but he's not choosy.

As he is, he can't see you (Or you him). But. He can hear you. Humming.

That song. From That Musical. With That Voice.

...

Goddamn, this is not the setting he'd chose for an encounter. Not when a certain other person is present.]

[risingspirit.livejournal.com]

[The marine remains oblivious to Law's presence, though he does eventually stop the humming with a frown once he realizes what he's doing.

He always wonders where the food comes from when he enters this place, but shoves the question aside after a while in favor of making the best of it.

...Is this cheese supposed to be green?]

[deathsdoctor]

[It might be... depending on what kind of cheese it is? Law stuffs the mandarins into his bag.

...

Mister Strawhat is here and, no, he will not permit a chance that certain information about his brother's demise reaches his ears. He gave his word, and though he owes you, there are more important things to think of. He will not risk a chance of Amazon Lily repeating itself.

... he is a man of honour in the end, and would you find it surprising that still, in his way, he continues to protect him, his rival?

Maybe, maybe not. Marines and Pirates rarely understand each other's point of view. Law idly draws his scarf over his mouth and nose. He wore no identifying symbols of his true nature today and for that he is glad. He smiles into the produce bin, but that is merely a grim stretch of lips over teeth.

His gloved fingers splay. He hears you, Coby, he hears you, from the squeak of your shoes to your breathing, and triangulates your position that way.

Mouths the words 'Room' and 'Shambles' silently. Just a touch of power... just enough not be detected or seen... but...

Cause an almightly crash in another part of the store. Away from him. Away from the door. There's nobody there (Law knows from his sense of the space there) but won't you investigate anyway, helpful Marine you are? There could be someone hurt back there, someone you didn't notice browsing the isles.

Law will be out the door once you go to investigate, as fast as he can and to the roof. To watch.

We are not having this meeting while he's stuck in the produce bin. That would just be embarrasing. -_-;]