[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

text - un: TDRKNG

[fireface]

Luffy, you are too young for piracy.
It is not too late to leave that life behind you.

[Text]

[burnt_offering]

Hey! Luffy's already a captain, he's old enough to choose freedom for himself! And that's what piracy is! Freedom and adventure!

[After a very quick talk with Luffy, another text comes.]

Hi!!! Luffy told me about you you're his friend! Thank you for talking care of my brother, i know he can be a handful. i really wanted to meet you, he said you're a good guy, that you act kind of like his first mate. [And a moment later.] And he said you use fire too!

[fireface]

Piracy by definition is a crime.
I can't accept any form of criminal activity.

He...said what?
WE ARE NOT FRIENDS HE IS INFURIATING AND WILL NOT SHUT UP.
AND I MOST CERTAINLY AM NOT HIS FIRST MATE.

[Though obviously he cares enough to be concerned about his future. They're totally pals, Enji is just stubborn.]


...What sort of fire do you use? Is it magic? Or something else?

[burnt_offering]

Piracy has a kinda different definition back home. A wider range, I guess. For my brother and me, it's freedom and adventure! it's living a life unchained.
you kinda sound like a Marine... You don't kill kids, or support slavery, do you?

[He doesn't even stop, the texts keep coming.]

He can really cause a fuss, right? but he likes you and he means well so you've got my thanks for helping him out. so i owe you one for looking out for him.
nah, you act like his first mate back home. grumpy! that's what he said.

it's from the mera mera no mi! it's a fruit that grants powers, mine made me a fire man, made of fire. i turn into it and make it!

[fireface]

Of course I don't kill children, and slavery is obviously more illegal than piracy is.. I'm a hero. Not a marine. Do you kill people? Does Luffy?

I am not grumpy.. [He definitely is.]

I see. I can make fire and manipulate it, but I am not fire. I get burned like everyone else. [Well, not entirely like everyone else. He has a much higher heat tolerance so it takes a lot for him to get burned or overheated.]

[burnt_offering]

Marines do shit like that. They serve the rich and break the law to defend the corrupt. There's a few good ones, but most are bad people. so that's why piracy is something different for us. are heroes more trustworthy?

what would you call it? [Because the man sounds grumpy.]

So we're pretty close in power! i bet you're really strong. luffy likes strong people. do you get affected by heat? or cold? what about water, what does that do for you?

[fireface]

We try to be as dependable as we can, but realistically we can't save everyone. I don't know of any corruption in the pro hero world since we all put ourselves in danger to help people who can't help themselves. Definitely more trustworthy than your Marines.

[Oh he's definitely grumpy.]

At home I recently became the #1 pro hero, but it's because the pervious guy at the top retired. I'm strong, but not strong enough.

If it's too much heat I can't handle it. I can only manage blue flames for a certain amount of time until I burn out. I don't like the cold, but I can always stay warm. I don't like water either, but it doesn't hurt me if that's what you're asking.

[Video] Private

[burnt_offering]

You sound like a good person. My gramps is a Marine. And I think he'd kill himself before he did a lot of what the rest of them do. Isuka too, she was also a good person. maybe heroes are what the Marines should have been.

I wasn't strong enough. i saved Luffy from dying, but I couldn't stay there with him. so here I've gotta get stronger somehow too. If there's a threat like back home, what am I gonna do to keep my little brother safe? I can't die twice in front of him, that would be cruel. so the next time something like that comes at me, I need to be able to take the force.

I've never really pushed to see how hot I can make my flames. but they don't work like normal flames either??? They can work like regular fire if it comes down to it but i choose what burns. i don't get affected by hot at all. unless it's magma i guess. cold doesn't bother me unless too many people are against me trying to stay warm

[Video] Private

[fireface]

[Enji appears on when Ace switches to video and he looks drained and tired, but that's his normal here.]

Don't get me wrong, I'm a hero but I'm not a good person. I've done things I'm not proud of, but I try to do better if I can.

It sounds like the Marines started out with good intentions but something happened and the corruption spread. Did you both become pirates after that happened? For what it's worth, I think you did the right kid. You can't always save everyone, or yourself, but doing right by him means you're a good brother.

[He does hesitate to touch on the death thing though. Maybe another time? Or a little later..]

I feel the same way. We can train together if you're interested. I can overheat, and I can cause damage to the things around me if I'm not extremely careful with how I use my quirk. Maybe I can show you some of my moves. [Because his son sure as hell isn't interested.]

[Video] Private Wow that was supposed to be private text, it's bad to rp on a lack of sleep. :|

[burnt_offering]

[Ace looks just as worn down. It's hard to talk about.]

The man that fathered me was a famous criminal. Enough so that I had a price on my head before I was born. They went looking for my mom and me, and they killed a lot of women that they thought might be carryin' me. I was pretty nasty at first because of that. And hearing people say, when I was a kid, how they'd kill me. Not that they knew I was his kid, but if they'd found that person. And how I'd deserve it, just because of my blood. I could have become a Marine, that's what my gramps would have wanted. But then I'd be serving the same kinda awful. And that's no life at all. He thought it would keep my safe from my dirty blood, but then I'd be imprisoned in a different way. Piracy was freedom.

[Ace is warming up, more than a little.] I did what any family should do. I'd do it again, too. As many times as it takes, but I don't want to hurt him again. I remember making him cry and I can't forgive myself for that. [Ace nods.] I can show you Firefist too, we can grow stronger together. Please, help me get stronger! I want to be someone that people can rely on. I don't wanna fail them again.

SURPRISE, Enji's face?

[fireface]

[!!!! Enji is moved?!?! His expression may not show it as he's listening very intently, but there's a fire burning in his chest now and he can sense this man's passion even over video. Of course he will take him under his wing and train him, and maybe in the process grow stronger himself.]

Of course. I will do my best to make sure you get stronger so you can help people when you get back, and protect that brother of yours.

[And there's a pause.]

But, my son comes first. If he decides he needs my training he will take priority, though at the moment he wants nothing to do with me so I am at your disposal.

Not a bad surprise!

[burnt_offering]

Thank you! [Ace actually bows. This is a big deal, and he feels like he owe Enji so much already.] I'll be able to help take care of him here. Others too! I've got a couple plans already, but they're not enough. I gotta do more, that's what big brothers do.

[Ace is thrilled. An ally in Enji means they'll both be able to grow stronger in their flames, and of course he'll be able to do more to protect his brother here! Ace knows he can't go back, his brother is two years ahead of him and he knows that there's no future for him outside of this strange world. But here? Here Ace can offer Luffy protection and strength. He'll be his brother's crew until he gets the people he needs.]

Definitely! That's what a dad's supposed to do! I bet he'll come around, and then you can help him really get strong. Anyway, just let me know when you want to start! I can't wait to show you what I can do!

Re: Not a bad surprise!

[fireface]

I hope you're right. [He sighs, but shakes his head to move onto his next thought. Dwelling on that never accomplishes anything.]

We can start as soon as tomorrow. Are you up for that?

[Enji wonders if Luffy knows just how much his brother cares for him. Even if the kid takes it for granted, that's still a sign that he's been well cared for so far.]

I look forward to it too.

[rubberpirate]

I wanna be pirate king! I always wanted to be a pirate!

[fireface]

Piracy is not legal.

[rubberpirate]

duh, i know that! but the marines are mean and evil, and i always wanted to be a pirate!

[fireface]

Marines are evil? That doesn't make any sense.

[rubberpirate]

they kill everyone that gets in their way, and protect only the rich people that make everyone suffer, and they killed my brother and his dad.

[fireface]

I see..

So... the Pirates are the heroes, and the Marines are the villains?

[He's old but simple. If he can reduce it to black and white terms then he can understand it easily.]

[rubberpirate]

there are some bad pirates, but yes! you got it!

[fireface]

Then I can accept your piracy here as long as you don't break any laws..

[rubberpirate]

With how easy it is to buy things here, I won't steal anything!

[fireface]

You find it easy?

[rubberpirate]

Yup! Just gotta hug people or hold hands and I can buy any food I want!

[fireface]

Well of course it’s simple for someone like you.