[Video]

[burnt_offering]

[Ace and Luffy are sitting together, and Ace has a serious expression on his face. This is kind of important in his opinion, they've got to figure out who their potential allies and enemies are here. Not that being a pirate is a promise of alliances, or Marines a promise of a threat, but it's still good to have a base to go off of. And to Ace and Luffy, piracy is freedom. And the Marines stand for things far worse.]

So this is a roll call. If you're a pirate, let us know. If you're a Marine? Let us know faster.

[Luffy laughs, waving at the camera. He sticks his little finger into his nose, and thinks for a second.]

I haven't seen marines here, or other pirates. Do people here know what a pirate is? [He laughs again.] We're pirates! And brothers!

[Ace's expression softens considerably, and he smiles. He's weak against Luffy's antics, even more so now that they've been separated and reunited.] Yeah, that's right. And we wanna know who else lived a life of piracy back in their home world. Especially if you're from our home world.

Comments

video.

[soulburningfights]

What if one played both rolls I wonder.

[Lizard girl horn asking.]

[rubberpirate]

How can you be a pirate and a marine?

[Luffy is so confused.]

[soulburningfights]

I explained to your friend some history where I come from. To put it simply, most of the respected pirates became marines after the settlement. I suppose you could say the city was built for pirates to finally settle. The only pirates left are nothing but the worst lots who rather betray their own people to pocket what gil they could get.

[rubberpirate]

....They're bad people. Very bad if they betray their friends.

[soulburningfights]

Exactly. Because of that logic, I almost attacked your brother. For that, I apologize.

[rubberpirate]

YOU WHAT?!

[He frowns, and then laughs.]

Ace is strong! So I'm sure you would have been in trouble.

[soulburningfights]

Mayhap, but sadly I wasn't given the chance.

[She raises one closed fist over her mouth, trying to contain her giggle.]

You see, before anything could happen, he fell asleep.

[rubberpirate]

Yup, he does that!

[Luffy laughs outright.]

He always does that actually.

[soulburningfights]

[She's laughing with him.]

Why is that?

[rubberpirate]

No idea!

[He sounds so proud of that.]

But it happens a lot when he eats!

[soulburningfights]

Tis a strange mystery.

[Gods, she's still chuckling about this. Listen, it's a weird long story of how they met. Okok.]

What are you two planning on this 'roll call', if I may ask?

[rubberpirate]

To find friends!

[He smiles, cheeky boy here.]

And maybe some new crew mates!

[soulburningfights]

[Precious.]

I cannot be a crew, but I won't turn down an ally.

I am Shar, an adventurer.

[burnt_offering]

Your situation back home was kinda different. But I can't stand someone who'd choose the Marines over piracy in my world, knowing what stuff they stand for.

[soulburningfights]

[Neither can she, after what she saw through the damn Echo.]

Not all Marines are perfect where I come from either. Anyone with the right amount of gil all it takes to turn someone.

Even if one as such arrived here from your world, their law is nothing.

[burnt_offering]

Back home, the Marines support the worst stuff and if they kill people while trying to arrest or kill a pirate? It's the pirate to blame. There are a couple good Marines. I've met them. But they're the exception, not the rule.

Not all pirates are great either. But I'd go with a pirate over a Marine any day.

[soulburningfights]

I'm more concerned if any of them were here.

Promise me you if and when you find one as such whether they be from your world or another, you won't raise a fist.

[burnt_offering]

Yeah. That's why I wanted to know. They're not good people.

Why would you want me to promise something like that?

[soulburningfights]

I'll be reluctant to share any food or drink with you.

[burnt_offering]

If the assholes from my home come here, they'll want me dead again. And who knows what they'll try to do to Luffy. I'm sorry, you're my friend but I'll fight them if they try to touch my brother.

private

[soulburningfights]

They won't kill you here, that promise I'll uphold. If the people who did both you and your brother wrong do arrive, they will answer to my axe first. Live with your brother and your second chance in life. You have friends in this world.

[Video] Private

[burnt_offering]

[Ace is silent for a moment. He's not sure what to even say to that. It's one thing to have someone he's fought beside for years want to help him. But this is an entirely different situation and he doesn't understand why anyone is ever good to him.]

You don't have any reason to do that. You barely know me! Why would you go out of your way to fight for someone that you hardly know?

[Video] Private 1/2

[soulburningfights]

[Why indeed? Shar had her reasons and kept silent for a moment.]

I saw everything as if I was part of the bloody fray. Everyone who risked their lives to save you no matter the odds to the last words you spoke before your departure. That brief moment was enough to tell me. You were, nay, you are a man of honor, a comrade, and a loving brother. You are a good man for my eyes, Ace. The Echo shows me no lies.

[Video] Private

[soulburningfights]

And... mayhap I've dealt with fire hot as Ifrit.

[She slides that last part in.]

[Video] Private

[burnt_offering]

I-[Ace actually turns the video off, he doesn't deal with these memories well or these feelings and he wants Shar to see him as strong and respectable. Or respectable enough all things considered. He's touched and he's hurt and he's confused all in one motion. And he words are leaving him conflicted.

And he cannot see himself as a man worth anything, even now. Even dying for his brother wasn't good enough to cleanse his dirty blood.

About three or four minutes later he comes back on, once he's calmed down a little.] What's Ifrit?