piratejournal | [Voice & Written]

I can't get anywhere near that island. If it's on the island, forget about it. I'm in the crow's nest.

[It's about as far away as he can get.]

No, there's going to take a small rescue group away from the island to the division five prison base to get Espio free from the marin-- navy.

It'd get you away from the island's pull.

Good, because it's a real pain to talk with my fangs hanging out.

[Nevermind the constant fear, but there isn't anything he can do about that.]

Talk to Thatch and Nam-chan.

And I'll give you a good luck flower crown.

[Because Marco has decreed the rescue party is to look gorgeous as representatives of the Spades.]

[Sadly.]

I'll pass. I don't want any evil flowers near me.

You'll take it.

[Dude, he's gone off the deep end. Just throw it in the ocean later and he won't even notice.]

You know, I think I'll just stay up here.

[Maybe his voice wavers a little and he grumbles.]

Weakling.

[Hear that scoff?]

[Yeah that's at you.]

[Pansy vampire.]

[Sure the island is driving him insane, but he's still facing it like a... bird.]

I'm not a weakling!

[You just don't understand Marco. Every inch of him is screaming get out, get out, get out.]

[But he's giving you the way out!]

Oh?

[It's a testament to how fucked up Marco is right now that he said that exactly like Shanks does.]

[And didn't even notice that enough to react with revulsion to himself.]

[At least Thatch wasn't around to catch it.]

[At the cost of touching a Holy item.]

[No thank you, Marco.]

I can't explain it, and I can't go near the island. That's all there is to it. Or anything from the island, I can bet.

The flowers aren't holy, don't worry.

I'm a phoenix, not a heron laguz. I'm the destroyer of [..........] currently flowers.

In any event, they aren't holy. The only reason they're making Nam-chan sneeze is because he has shark antibodies that don't recognize the pollen as safe. Want to to find specifically darker bad flowers?

[He'll do it :|]

I wouldn't know, I really am not going to get any closer than this to the island. I really don't know how it works, I didn't even know if it would apply to me.

At least that question has been answered.

[He sighs.]

Do whatever you like, but if I can't touch them, don't be offended.

Okay, you have yourself a deal, yoi.

I'll get you black ones.

Black flowers are never holy.

[.... He's still way too fucking into this.]

There's probably some truth to that, although I can't recall ever seeing a black flower.

They're technically dark purple or red, like dahlias or queen of the nights.

But even pansies and orchids have strands that can get that dark. Like human hair colors, nature tries a lot of variation to figure out what's best.

Bat orchids would probably be best, but it's not hot enough for them yet, yoi.

[He will find you enough black flowers for a crown though.]

[Because his dedication is insane.]

I can honestly say I don't know that much about botany. It wasn't something I was particularly ever interested in. Aside from the examples referred to in my Biology texts about genetics, I never really put much thought into it.

[His dedication isn't the only thing.]

Knowledge is strength.

And my brothers Vista and Izou respectively know more about flowers than I do, but I tried to keep up with them both. Vista's known as Flower Sword Vista, he can do anything with flowers. I wish he was here, eh.

And Izou is an expert in the ways of the taikomochi. Flower arranging included.

[He lets out something mixed between a groan and a sigh.]

I remember flower arranging.

[Natsuno shakes his head a bit, although Marco can't see him.]

I always preferred academics, mind you that didn't get me very far.

Heh, most pirates don't get any education at all. Except through experience.

In my world, usually only nobles have all that extensive an academic background. Is it more common in your world?

[He would be surprised, but Zeff asked him all about it when they met.]

Incredibly common. Children are required to go to school until they are about fifteen or so, at the end of middle school, and then they can choose to work or continue their education into high school. I suppose they could choose the alternative, meaning they do nothing.

[He might be a tad judgmental on the subject.]

At least that's the case in my country, and many around the world where I am from. Piracy is something of a distant past. The world is much more modernized than this place is.

Anyhow, after high school is where it gets a little more complex. You can choose to continue your education, or again split off and go to work, but generally people who are continuing onto high school are looking to go to some college or university program. Otherwise, why bother?

Education isn't free, but it's relatively reasonable. Most people go to school based on their level of knowledge, usually a test is involved. The high school in the Sotoba region however was secluded and was the only choice. I'd rather have gone to a prep school in the city but my parents moved us out there.

What kind of fields was there to study?

More fields then you can imagine, probably. They go from vocational training, like the people that join religion, to things like tradespeople who do things like cooking, repairing vehicles and electricians for example, or the more academic pursuits of law, medicine, science and engineering. Schools tend to specialize one way or another, beyond high school.

Sounds practical. So there's specializations for whatever anyone wants to learn?

Provided you put forth the necessary devotion and money, that's pretty much true. It depends on how high you set your goals. I was aiming for Todai, which means little here, but at home that would be a big deal. It's the top university in the country.