(no subject)

[aflames]

Player Name: Erin
Are you new?: nope
Character Name: Portgas D. Ace
Character Fandom: One Piece

(Well this was. New. Literally right when he caught up with Teach, this bullshit happens and he's back to square one. Maybe square zero. The wings, a bright mix of orange and red like his flames, irritated his back, and no amount of adjusting or trying to massage his back would make it feel better. Considering they physically hurt, trying to take them off he thought stupid.

So instead, he takes to wandering around the village (quite shirtless, despite the cold), stopping a few passersby a question or two about his location. "Luceti", huh? Never heard of it, but the Grand Line is a big place. But the barrier part put him a bit on edge. Either way, this place warrants a good look around. Who knows, maybe Teach got sucked in here, too. The bar, the restaurant (those he meant to go to and will most likely accidentally fall asleep during a conversation or his meal), the clothing shop, anywhere. Looked like a normal town. Ace heads to one of the community buildings to grab a room while he thinks up his next plan. And before he passes out again without meaning to. Maybe the journal has answers.)

voice

So, is this all one big joke, or we're really trapped here? Because if it's the latter, that's just a whole new level of disturbing. Not even a boat out of here?

Comments

BECAUSE YOU LOVE ME

[bubblywishes]

[Mother fuck. Ace, you're not supposed to be that bright. Norma's wings twitch, the only indication of her discomfort that's easily visible when he steadies her, though her smile does drop a little for a good second or two. She's caught between a rock and a hard place, and with her head still drunkenly spinning (though she's doing a damn good job of keeping herself focused), it's hard to think of just how to react to all this. What does she do?! Does she bite back like a cornered mouse? Does she keep up the farce? Does she tell the truth and hope for the best? That'd be the hardest thing, and Norma doesn't know how well she could lie without starting to cry.

Yeah, he's not buying the charade, that much is for sure. Damn it all. In an instant, Norma's cheerful look falls away and it's like she's a completely different looking person - tired, somewhat sickly looking, and just so done with every fucking thing in Luceti period.]

How much do you know about this place? [DOO DEE DOO, CASUALLY AVOIDING ANSWERING THOSE QUESTIONS.]

EVIDENCE OF SUCH?

[aflames]

(And she is weirding him out again. God, this girl is crazy.) First you're pissed, then a happy drunk, and now just plain serious. You have more personalities than Izou has accessories.

(But maybe he should be a decent person for five seconds and answer the question.) Trapped here, something about Malnosso, the wings are a bitch. I kinda skimmed the guide thing.

[bubblywishes]

[Oh, it's a challenge to not say something in retort to that, and Norma even bites her lower lip, quirking her head to one side at the effort. Don't, don't, don't, don't don't...

And of course he only skimmed, of course, though Norma can't really be too surprised. Ace' attention span was fleeting at best...and the Guide was enormous and pretty dang long-winded. It was a great source of info, but just such a massive amount to take in at one time from the sheer get-go. She rubs her face, pushing her hair back with a sigh. She is waaayyy too tipsy for this. Maybe she could just fake passing out or something.]

Jeez, what a disaster... That's not everything. Bare bones maybe, but you wanna give that Guide a serious look-through pretty soon. [Norma heads toward the exit of the bar - she could do with the fresh air, even if she hates the sheer cold more than anything else.] This isn't your home - you've been taken from that world completely, just like the rest of us. The Malno-no--uh, Malnosso scooped us all up from our worlds and dropped up here to experiment on us. Sometimes from different times than others from the same world.

...People come and go from Luceti at the will of the Malnosso. So you could be here today gone tomorrow, though that's barely ever the case. I've been here for going on three years now. And I've seen a lotta people appear and disappear during that time...real good friends I've made, y'know? Some of 'em leave keepsakes before they get sent back home...something to remember them by. [She glances back to the hat he's holding then turns her little sob into a cough, picking up the pace to get outside (and nearly tripping over her own feet, whoops) before tears well up in her eyes too much.] But then they come back again and don't remember they were ever here to begin with...

[aflames]

Look, I'm a pirate, okay, goldie? Not a reader. (There were always more important things to do, and Marco was the real reader of the bunch, anyway. Also ancient as fuck, so that explains a lot. He waves a hand dismissively at the first bit.) I know all that much, at least.

(Ace may not be the brightest pirate around, but he's not a total idiot. Picking up on cues, he can do at least. Between the hat, her overall attitude since he showed his face, and those words? Yep, he gets it.) I was here before, wasn't I? That's how you got my hat. I left it for you.

[bubblywishes]

[When they finally get outside, Norma takes a few deep breaths of the frigid air. Her head is still pounding, but the chill actually does help somewhat. Rubbing at her temples, Norma steels her voice, and herself, before nodding slowly and finally letting a teensy smile appear on her face. She wants to just reach out and hug him, to punch him and whine and cry and hold him close, but Norma's embarrassed herself enough already. She holds it back with practiced ease - everything, that is.]

Bingo. [Her chest tightens, but Norma keeps her smile squarely on her face.] It's great to see you again, Ace. I'm Norma - Norma Beatty, expert treasure hunter, crystal eren, and a pretty good mixer of drinks now if I may say so myself!