piratejournal | [Written] And now for something completely different from the last time

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[Written] And now for something completely different from the last time

Marco here.

Sorry for my state in the last post, and thank you very much to those sweet enough to humor me, you're too kind.

Bepo, and Vyse, I have duplicates of my maps for you, assuming you both still want them.

For everyone else, I've made about twenty copies of various maps and directions to the Corsair Naval Masquerade Ball. Likewise, in the interest of furthering piracy rebelling against lawful order, I will teach the basics of ranks to anyone with enough brains to actually hold the knowledge. Remember, if you want to go, wear formal costume, and pretend to be part of the navy. Anyone in the Spades wishing to help infiltrate must be able to perform a correct salute and demonstrate ability to discern when it's appropriate. Those who cannot may help infiltrate as waiters.

Thank you.
- Marco

Edited Addendum: Dance lessons for Spades unfamiliar with waltz, samba, and tango will be held every night this week. Namur's breakdance competition comes with a reward, but this style of dance is not acceptable for naval officers, sorry Nam-chan.

[Locked to Nico Robin]

I am embarrassed to say I have about three favors to ask of you.

[Locked to Grell Sutcliff]

Hello Kitten. How do you feel about getting a little vengeance, eh?

[Locked to Sebastian]

My phoenix brother and I are in the mood to spread our wings. Think you can get a babysitter that night to come have fun?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He disagrees, but a mission is a mission. He shrugs a little bit.]

I guess, just tell me what you want me to do.

[He looks up at Roxas and his expression soften.]

Sorry, eh.

This is the kind of job where you can mostly choose. If you want, you can just stay here on the ships with Namur and Nami to keep them safe and ready to move when we need to.

If you want to dance, you can. If you want to be a waiter, you can. But that's the pirate way. I won't order you anywhere you don't want to be unless it's because I'm worried about something messing up, understood?

I'm not sure it's a good plan, but...I'm fine with helping the crew. I don't know anything about dancing, the Navy or being a waiter.

[As for orders...]

I don't know where I'm best suited in your plan. It's easier if you just tell me.

[He thinks a little and nods quietly.] I think on the ships is good, if you're okay with that?

Everyone keeps underestimating it, but it's really important. If the navy spots them we'd be in huge trouble, and need to run, and at the moment we have a lot of people who want to go inside.

[He frowns a little and shrugs.]

Yeah, sure, if that's what you want me to do.

[Roxas gets out of the chair, standing.]

[Head tilt.] You sure?

It really is up to what you want, eh? So I don't want to put you somewhere you won't like.

[He's quiet, facing the door instead of Marco. He says that, but Roxas isn't entirely sure he means it.]

Shouldn't matter what I like. If that's where I fit into your plan, then that's that. I did tell you to put me where you wanted.

[Roxas feels hot, his heart's pounding in his ears.]

You said that for a reason. Either you don't like what I said, or you think I'd be a problem.

[He can't help himself, he kicks the chair he was sitting in, hard, sending it into the wall with a crash.]

[Luckily, Marco is used to Ace's temper, so he quietly gets up, gets the chair, and turns it back around, to offer it again as a seat for Roxas. Alternately if Roxas wants to kick the chair, he can, but it won't budge since Marco's grip is tight.]

If you want to know my plan, you have to ask me, yoi.

I don't make plans for other people, and especially not nakama. You know why?

Because we're pirates. You can't plan everything, and you must always be ready to change it. You've seen Ace fight, do you think I would ever be able to plan anything for him?

I don't know who you're thinking of, but I will swear on my Father's mark, I do not make plans for other people. I let them find their own way. And that's how this crew works.

You don't have to be anywhere you don't want to, but you have to say it. Got it?

[Roxas opts to kick it again because putting it back is just like baiting him. It might not move, but Marco may be surprised to find that Roxas is stronger than he looks.]

What would you tell me that for? Tch.

[Stupid chair wasn't moving, so he paces instead, fingers twitching.]

You told me to stay here for a reason. I know what that means. I said I'd do it. Even if it's probably not going to work.

[He rolls his eyes.]

I told you to stay here for the exact reasons I told you. No one ever considers that the fun part, but it's god damned important. That's why I'm trusting it to Namur. Namur can't sneak in, but he loves dancing. That's why I want to have a dance competition on board the ships for him.

What reason do you think I have?

Like I said. Either you didn't like what I said and I pissed you off or you don't think I can be of use.

[In hand, out of nowhere, materializes Oblivion. The twitching was a bad sign. He flips it over, digging the tip into the floor beneath him.]

[He's too deadpan for this.]

[He doesn't know how to convince Roxas of the truth.]

[So he has to think.]

[This is why he does better as a bird sometimes.]

[So he goes back to the desk to take his own seat.]

No, you're giving me too much credit. If I thought you were useless? I'd say so. [Serious expression to Roxas, and he turns his chair around completely backwards to sit in it and lean on the back.] I trust everyone in this crew to protect Ace's dream. But I'm not so foolish as to think I can control events. Things happen, and everyone does their own thing. What makes me and my brothers strong as a team is that we each do what we want and trust each other to get it done.

I won't allow anyone who's a detriment on this crew. Period. If someone isn't going to protect Ace, I'll kick them out before he can stop me.

I told you why I said the ship. Are you trying to test me? To see where I'll put you? You're a pirate now Roxas. Where do you want to go? If you just want to be of use, I need more people to help Namur. Not enough people do. But if you want to be somewhere else, I'll put you there.

[He holds up an open hand too.] And believe me, if I was mad at something you'd said, I wouldn't just try to put you somewhere you don't want. I'd kick you. Like you kicked my chair. [Sticks his tongue out with a grin.] Have you ever seen me fight with Ace? I don't go easy on him, and I won't go easy on nakama, because there's worse monsters out there than me, got it?

[It's hard to focus on Marco's words. Not because of Marco, but because Roxas has a hard time calming down once he gets riled up. A few deep breaths.]

I'm not trying to test you.

[Come on, he could do this. He had a perfectly reasonable discussion with Lea. A third breath. A fourth. Oblivion disappears.]

It's just...hn.

[He just has to relax.]

Sorry. I shouldn't have kicked your chair.

[Roxas scratches his head, searching for the words to describe what's going on in his head.]

I can't be useless. I know that. I know how it is. I don't want to be eliminated.

If you need me here. I'll be here.

[He blinks, frowns, and gestures for Roxas to sit again, a little worried.]

Sorry.

I don't think I --

[Ugh, why is it so much harder to think in human words?]

[He runs a hand through his own hair, mind racing.] I won't eliminate you for being useless. All right? And it's just a chair. I've kicked it around too. [Waves his hand back and forth again, frown deepening.]

I really do want you to be somewhere you want to be, eh? That's how people do their best.

What I mean is I trust all of you to tell me where you think that is usually. When you asked, I thought you just didn't care, or you were trusting me to find you someplace. But it's okay if you don't want to, eh? But wherever you want to be, I won't put someone somewhere I don't trust them to give their best.

[He throws both his hands up in the air with a sigh.] Which is why I want you to be somewhere you'll like. Got it?

[Talking in circles. He always winds up doing that when he's worried, or confused, or unable to explain something. Words are so hard.]

[It's alright Marco, it's not like Roxas can think that quickly. He doesn't even notice if Marco is struggling. He does however slump in the chair.]

You won't? Why not?

[Isn't that how things go?]

I didn't know which place was good for me...but then you said not to go so I figured that you didn't think I could do it. I can you know. I've done it before. Just...not like this.

[He sighs a little.]

If it's not...not a bad thing, then it's okay if I stay here.

[Soft grin.]

Because no one is ever useless. At worst, people just haven't found their place. The only kind of attitude I can't stand is rookies who think they know everything, so they think there's nothing left for them to learn. I'm still surprised fifteen times a day, and I've had way more days on the sea than I like to admit.

And ahhh... I just meant I'd have kicked you out if you weren't going to protect Ace's dream. Because then you'd be hurting my crew and I can't allow that. But you are part of the crew, okay? So instead, I'll kick anyone who tries to hurt you.

[Both hands up again.] I believe you. I was just relieved. Like I said. [A nod.] Not a bad thing. Namur really does need more help. And I don't punish people with tasks they don't like, because then they wouldn't do it well.

I promised to answer questions for you. And I will. You just have to ask the right ones, okay?

[Hmmm. The look he gives Marco is unsure. It's difficult to imagine that the people in charge of the crew don't really want anything from him. He's not used to it, he doesn't know how to deal with it.]

Well, I know I don't know much of anything. I know I'm part of the crew, for now.

But you won't eliminate me? Really?

[He sighs softly.]

I can help Namur.

The only reason I'd do something like that is if you want to hurt Ace.

And not as a temporary curse from Davy Jones or something. I mean permanently.

But you like Ace, right?

[Hm. He nods a little bit.]

I like Ace.

[He doesn't know Ace very well, Ace seems to find him confusing, but he seems like an okay guy.]

And you like the crew. So long as you protect the crew, you can do just about whatever you want.

How do you feel about swimming?

I don't want anyone to get hurt.

[He blinks a little.]

Well I haven't done it much, just when Ikki pushed me in. Sora must know how to swim because I had never done it before.

Anyone in the crew?

[He laughed softly.] Ikki pushed you in? Sounds like his style.

Well, if you want to learn more, or you want to see something pretty awesome, ask Namur to show you some tricks, okay? Not that you have to wait for the party, but I know everyone's pretty busy a lot, and that's a time I know he'll have free to show off, eh.

[He pauses a little.] Well not hurt like that.

[There might be a person or two he wouldn't mind fighting.]

Yeah he did. He said I was being dangerous and then he was trying to prove it.

[Sadly he didn't get to swimming at the beach as no one wanted to swim with him, but it was still fun.]

I'll ask him, if I remember.

[Grins.] Spars are fine. But you probably don't want to spar Xifer, he doesn't fight fair.

Thanks kiddo. [Leans back with both arms behind his head.] So got any questions?

Does he fight, really?

[Xifer is an excellent distraction tactic, frankly.]

I'd fight him! I'd do better than in the race.

[He's not afraid. Roxas believes he's strong.]

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[Action] Oops, notif got eaten. Sorry! :D

[Action] NP!

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