deathsdoctor | 013 [Voice/Action] Forward dated to the 19/20th

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013 [Voice/Action] Forward dated to the 19/20th

[So on the evening of the nineteenth, a message appears in Law’s journal. He takes one moment and groans. Now? Apparently the Malnosso were feeling generous. For a roughly month’s worth of missions, one right after the other, they in their infinite wisdom decided to give him more than a day’s notice to get his affairs in order.

They gave him a day – and looking at the clock – and seven hours notice. Be in the tunnels and transport at four am sharp on the 21st.

Generous.

So, that night, two filtered messages go out:]

[Filtered TO all medical staff (including Raine Sage, Mia, and Litchi Faye Ling)]

I’ve just received two back to back missions from the Malnosso. I’m leaving early on the twenty first. Unfortunately, they want me for a month, roughly. So I need classes covered and someone to keep on top of everything going on at the clinic until I get back.

[Filtered AWAY from Blackbeard 100%]

Oi, guys. I’ve got a couple missions, and I’m going to be gone away for a while. I need someone to keep an eye on my boat. [Oh, he knows that some people might be opportunistic bastards. We shall be READY for that.] And, I need someone to take care of Sumire for me.

[The next day, aside from being all around the village and at home to prepare for this mission before he leaves to teach class at three sharp, he’s going to be visiting the FMA house, aka House 23 with a small request. HOPEFULLY he’ll get Gracia, but who knows… it might be –ohgodno- Maes.

But the request is simple.

Watch his house while he’s gone, guys.]

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I'll keep myself prepared for that, then.

[The idea of being here for a year--and more--is sharply appealing. Even if he's realizing that at any moment, anyone important to him could just vanish. It makes it a bit difficult to look ahead to the future.] Thanks for the heads up.

[A ghostly smile.] You're welcome.

[The storage room is filled with preserves (mikan, apple, plum), smoked and salted kinds of fish sealed tight, and medical supplies for the most. There are other things here - sewing supplies and fabric bits and bolts, water stones and other sword care paraphernalia, things for a boat.]

Experiment time is nearly here again. The last time in November, it was particularly harsh - went on for two weeks. And sometimes things suffer for that - like the availability of food. If it's needed, you and your family may help yourself to my supplies.

[It's a curious collection of items, and Hughes can't help but be intrigued by what Law must do in his spare time. Must keep some interesting hobbies, bro.]

That's certainly kind of you to offer. Hopefully it won't come to that. [He's pretty wary of facing his first experiment himself--but he does genuinely appreciate the offer.] What sort of experiment was that? It doesn't seem like they have much to gain by limiting our food supply.

[Yup. Strange ones for a pirate.

... whoever heard of one who like to sew, for instance?]

Two weeks of rehashing every experiment that's ever hit this place. Every. single. one. [It was his first experiment. He sighs.] It was lucky if you had any grasp of reality by the end, to say nothing of your sense of self.

They didn't limit the food supply then. But there's been times when it's been cut off... when they've screwed up the implementing the experiment somehow. Last notable one was in August of Cycle Three... year and half back. There was massive quakes, helluva lot of damage, and they didn't shift in food for at least a week.

[Not him. Of course, he's never interacted with a pirate before, so he doesn't quite have a set opinion of them. Maybe they all like to sew!]

So, they really just like to mess with us, don't they. [He hasn't been told much about the nature of experiments themselves, so this information is a bit unsettling. People losing control over their senses, destructive earthquakes causing panic...yes, unsettling, to say the least.]

Well, I'll be on my guard for something happening in the next few weeks, then. I take the Malnosso are pretty tight-lipped about their reasons for doing these things.

Oh yeah. They tend to be either that or exceptionally cryptic. [His lips twist and he mutters:] Moonrocks. [Story there. Do you want to hear it?] Once in a rare while they'll outright taunt.

[He leaves the storage room and pushes open one of the doors to the bedrooms. Obviously the man's room, judging by what's found within. A dozing black kitten with orange eyes, stirs sleepily and raises her head from the double bed she's made napping spot.

Hi there not quite a stranger. I recognize your scent.]

Deliberately cryptic, too, I take. [There's just no winning with these guys, is there?] What about moon rocks?

[At the room, he glances around until--oh, hello there, little friend. Man, and he has a pet cat, too? Surprises everywhere!]

You have a cat!

Last experiment. About a week and a bit before the whole thing hit a crescendo, a new face from the Malnosso, CJ, made an appearance on the network. He was there to announce the missions program going into effect November first. If we were all still sane enough by then to submit ourselves to them.

[His lips twist.] Then he said if anyone from the village found any moon rocks, to let him know.

And then they sent the moon crashing into the village soon after. Took about a week for the thing to finally breach the barrier and crash, in which we had earthquakes, freak tidal shifts, fluctuations in the power cap, and masks that altered the wearer to different themes. Fun.

[Sumire gets to her feet, and gives her owner an expectant look. Law indulgently clucks his tongue, hold out his arms, and mutters:] You are getting so spoiled. [as Sumire jumps up and is caught, shifted so she can be held comfortably and petted.]

Yes. Meet Sumire.

[He's still latching on to everything Law's say about the Malnosso, but Sumire is a pretty decent distraction and he can't help but stop to grin and scratch her around the ears.]

Hey, Sumire! It's great to meet you--whose a good kitty? Whose a good kitty?

[hajdsfag kitty.]

How long have you had her?

[Me, you awesome wonderful maaaaan~! Oh, and right there, that spot. PUUUURRRR.

Needless to say, Sumire is happy to meet you, and oh please, continue the pettings. |D]

Since September. She's nearly five months old now.

[Continue the pettings? OKAY, IF YOU INSIST.

...Oh, right, he's having a conversation here.]

I didn't realize the Malnosso allowed pets. That's fantastic!

[Everyone can have a friend! Aww. Which reminds him...]

Say, Mr. Law. Do you live here just with Sumire, then?

They do, though Sumire was born here. She's a second generation Lucetian, you could say.

[...]

Aa... I do now. My nakama went home in September... and I didn't want to leave our home.

[The apartment they were forced from due to the droid attack, and their location being broadcast over the journals. They couldn't take the chance certain dangerous parties had taken notice.

And then Bepo disappeared half a day before you did, Maes.

Law stayed because he enjoyed having a kitchen all to himself. Selfish, but he was thinking of inviting someone in to live with him sooner or later.]

[So even new life can come into Luceti. This place is just full of surprises, isn't it.]

I'm not familiar with 'nakama'. What does that mean to you?

[Please don't say it was your wife that would just be too sad. ;A;]

Not many people are. [There isn't a greater tragedy to a One Piece pirate.]

Nakama is crew, and friends, and family tied stronger and closer than blood all rolled up into one. [We band of brothers.] It's a very important concept in my world. My people live and die by it.

My first mate who went home... you could call him my brother.

[Never mind he's a bear. That doesn't matter.]

[...And he can't imagine that was very easy. He gets the analogy of family very well, and so the idea of losing someone like that does strike him. He's quickly learning that in spite of his own situation, Luceti can be very cruel.]

I'm sorry to hear that. Everyone goes home eventually though, right? [Pause. Except for those like himself.] I'm sure you'll see him again someday.

Eventually. It's not always a good thing.

[For those like yourself. Did you know that some of the people Law's closest to are dead? ... he doesn't know your situation, but if and when he does, it's another weight, another realization.

Yes, Luceti can be very cruel.]

I know I will. Even if remembering that sometimes is hard.

[A knowing nod.]

I would imagine so. Especially after being here as long as you have. I'm sure it's something I'll learn in time, too.

[But for now, he's still considering himself the luckiest guy in the world for simply being alive.]

[Flicking a glance towards you. Almost like he could read those thoughts.]

Just don't learn too fast, alright?

[Keep your happiness as long as you can.]

[He nods with a grin.]

Sure thing. Moving too fast takes the fun out of learning, anyway.

[And the tour moves onto the last guest bedroom, Sumire still cradled in Law's arms.

And he smiles.]

Moving too fast takes the fun out of a lot of things. Can't appreciate what you got unless you take the time to savor it.

[Lesson retaught to him by Luceti? More like repounded.]

You're certainly right about that. [Exactly his reasoning for giving Gracia as much time as she needs to readjust to him being around.

But that does raise the question...]

You know, you seem to be pretty well adjusted, Law. Have you got a wife? [As well-adjusted men ought to?]

[Oh no.]

I'm... working on it.

[Yeah.

He flirted with a woman for the first time in over a year recently.

Does that count?]

[YOU DON'T--okay, okay, that isn't a bad response. Because he's at least admitting he needs one, right? That's more than he can get Roy to do.]

Good for you. Don't worry. I'm sure the right lady will come along soon enough. Either here or back home. You'll know her when you see her.

013 [Voice/Action] Forward dated to the 19/20th

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