piratejournal | [Voice & Written]

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[Voice & Written]

[He's going to regret this later, but there's a bunch of excitedly high-pitched chirps like a bird singing a love song.]

[That's okay. It matches the background sounds.]

[But FAR more embarrassing is the scribbles he makes into the journal:]

[So someone has a case of Spring Fever. Or maybe just a fever.]

[And then in big bold colorful levels Marco makes sure to add:]

FREE FLOWER CROWNS FOR EVERYONE WHO SIGNS UP NOW.

[Yeah. He's kind of lost it.]

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Good thing you're not like the others then.

I suppose it's a small blessing. Riku is right though, I can't keep ignoring the fact I'm a vampire. Maybe some of these skills can be honed or something...I don't know. I'm not sure how helpful they would be in a fight.

Drain the navy, break their necks...

I can think of a few ways.

[Holds up a hand of blue flames, purely deadpan.] Not that you should try to do what I do, but there's something to be said for surprising an enemy when they stab you in the chest and you shrug it off.

I'm undead, it still hurts.

[He rolls his eyes a little and thinks about it.]

It isn't just that. In theory I could make them panic. I could make them afraid. I could make them see things. It's just that my skills are sorely undeveloped and I'm never strong enough for something like that. I think I could do some of it now...

[He shivers.]

Maybe not, with the island, but I've had a lot of blood recently. I actually don't know what using my powers around here would do.

[He nods slowly.]

Talk to Ikki and Thatch for ideas on that, eh? I'm more of the dropkick everyone in the face kind of fighter, but when it comes to headgames, I wouldn't want to test my mettle against either of them, eh?

I tried it on some volunteers before, the last time I had this much blood in me and it went okay. It's tiring, but I can do it. I have a decent range, although another ship is something else entirely. Mind you we have another ship with us. I could always ask someone over there if I could try from here.

It isn't that I can't swing my sword around, I can. But if I'm thinking about these skills I have but don't use...

[He hums a moment.]

It would mean I really have to feed more. Riku's mad enough because when we were attacked I was at the end of my cycle so I was pretty weak, actually, to begin with.

I've got an endless supply for what it's worth, eh.

You just have to ask.

[POKES NATSUNO'S FOREHEAD.] You know how to ask, right?

[He swats his fingers. Quit it.]

I know how to, I just don't want to. It's difficult. Admittedly I'm still fighting it.

[But he likes the blood, he can't deny that.]

It's very strange, I know. I'll try. Ozaki-sensei has some theories, he's not that pleased to know I've been biting people.

[Marco's just so amused by this all. Sorry Natsuno, he heard your deep personal dilemma, but he figures if they can all deal with Thatch eating the devil fruit that went on to kill their father, there's no amount of powers that should be held back from.]

Look, it's not the power itself, it's what you do with it. Pops was the strongest man in the world, he could have broken the whole world with a snap of his fingers. Literally. But he didn't. He didn't want to. Instead he was careful.

You exist, and your objective is to protect the crew, aye? So use it. It'll be uncomfortable, but is it worse than watching your comrades get hurt when you could have helped them?

The difference between you and those you wanted revenge on isn't a matter of skills and powers. [POKES THAT FOREHEAD AGAIN.] It's up here. And in who you are. And in who you don't choose to hurt. And in who you do choose to protect.

Your nakama need you, don't let us down, eh?

You have a point and I don't want to let anyone down. I can...I should figure them out and train them then. I don't know how I'm going to do that without hurting someone though.

When I warned Selphie it would be creepy, when it was, she got really mad at me.

[He thinks for a moment.]

There's good things I can do with it too though. I can take away anxiety or pain...it's really a just a wide variety of hypnosis. It's dangerous because I could control anyone I bite, that much I do have a handle on. I wouldn't, but I could.

[He nods his head.]

Selphie is... Selphie. Like I said, talk to Thatch and Ikki.

I'm not sure I like the idea of turning our crew into robot soldiers, but I guess if anyone wants to avoid panicking in battle you could do it in advance, eh.

No, no, I'm not saying I should do anything to the crew.

[He looks alarmed at the idea.]

I'm just saying the way they were using these powers they can be dangerous. When I think about what I could do with them, maybe it's a little frightening.

I guess it depends on my moral character in the end.

[Marco laughs at Natsuno's expression.]

[Moral character....]

[Pirates.]

[YOU ROOKIES ARE SO CUTE.]

Try practicing at least a little, eh? That's one of the good things about us trusting each other so much. Even though Thatch's darkness neutralizes even my phoenix powers, and even though he's weaker to physical attacks, we can still punch each other and figure things out.

[He nods.]

I will. I know Riku didn't mind before, but with everything, I don't know if he would want to. Someone might. I'll talk to Thatch. I need him to show me something knew on my swords anyway. Even if I'm not that great, I've done what he's shown me thousands of times by now.

If nothing else, he needs the practice too.

And Ikki like I said. I'm actually kind of weak to certain forms of hypnosis, but Ikki knows some tricks similar to mine but more like yours.

[A head tilt.] Unfortunately mine wouldn't be of much use. Other than the blood thing.

Like I said, that you can have anytime. Just ask. And get stronger about asking, yoi.

[He nods. He'll come up with some kind of schedule later, when they're away from the island.]

I'll ask. I promise.

Kickass.

Now for now, I am going to go face my personal demons and engage in a bit of madness involving flower power.

[Tucks his notebook up on a shelf, and ruffles Natsuno's head again.]

If there's a reason for some of us to depart from the island, can I assume you'll be among those wishing to leave early?

I'll be okay now, I think. I don't want to get any closer but I'm not freaking out so much.

Good. [Wry grin.] I don't promise the same for myself given another few days, but I have to try, eh?

Best of luck, Marco.

[He'll offer a friendly nudge to his shoulder. It's about as affectionate as Natsuno gets.]

[GIANT GRIN.]

Thanks.

[And he runs off, switching to phoenix form after a jump.]

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