006 ℱrozen ℱractals ❄ Audio / Action for Straw Hats (backdated to the 10th)

[letthestormrageon]

[There's something "off" the moment Elsa starts speaking, an edge in her speech that wasn't there before. Sharp and cold, almost as if it is ready to slash something at any moment. It's not exactly contained anger, but it's the kind of tone that would suggest that her patience is running low.]

I saw it again, black mist climbing over the side of the ship.

[She doesn't know how long it was around, for some reason there's a span of time missing from her memories, as if she had passed out. But as far as she can tell she's perfectly normal so she doesn't pay attention to it. Neither to the horns that she has on her head across her forehead nor to the black colour of her ice dress. There's an exasperated sigh before some amusement slips into her voice and an unseen twisted smile visits her lips.]

And of course we weren't able to do anything about it. No one can do anything, right? How come that, despite having several people being here for over a year, and having access someone who offers at least one answer to a question per week... We know nothing of real value?

Not that I blame anyone... [Though it doesn't seem as if she will be sorry if people interpret it that way.] But it's a fact that we're practically as helpless as when we just arrived. One would have thought we would have made some progress beyond maybe finding a couple of those shards which we still don't even know if they will really be of use. But, alas, that's not the case. We're still nothing but foreign little ducks in a row waiting to be taken down.

[It's hard to say, due the dark amusement in her tone, if Elsa is frustrated by all this or not. Actually, she's not, except for the part of being unable to protect herself or her companions from the effects of this world. The sole idea of her crewmates getting affected again makes her want to stab someone with an ice spear. Several times.]

Anyway, Straw Hats, isn't it a bit too hot lately? You won't mind if I cool things down a little bit, will you?

[Elsa doesn't really wait for an answer, it's a rhetoric question after all. With a wave from her hand the temperature around a large area surrounding the ship drops to deep winter levels. Besides that, caution is recommended around the ice queen, patches of ice making people slip or be stuck in place due ice on their feet are to be expected at the very least.]

Comments

[seakingbait]

[Normally, Keimi has no problem with Elsa's ice. But today... something felt different. She quickly rushes back to her room to grab a coat.]

...Are you feeling okay, Elsa-chin?

[letthestormrageon]

I am, in fact, I feel great!!

[And by the way she's laughing she also seems to be having a good time. She waves her hand again and the temperature drops a bit more. Another wave and snow starts to fall over the ship. For some reason it gives her quite a high to do that, even if in the back of her mind she knows that it may force the others to need a coat. Or three. In fact, that thought makes her smile even more.]

Doesn't it feel great to you as well?

[seakingbait]

Well... it was kind of refreshing... but now I'm getting cold.

[letthestormrageon]

Is that so? But I think this is just the right temperature!

[Her tone is almost mockingly sad laced with fake surprise.]

Oh, well, I'm sure the temperature will eventually raise again on it's own.

[She can't make it raise after all, or undo the effects of her magic... Though it would be helpful if she stopped using it to keep the temperature low, but she's conveniently forgetting that.]

[voice]

[yourotherleft]

[he sees the journal first, or rather hears it]

Oh, right, we were gonna ask Luffy and the cook a thing.

[already forgot]

...a little direct today, Elsa.

[voice]

[letthestormrageon]

Oh, I'm sorry, I'll be more direct next time. Will that be better?

[Because, obviously, his complain was about how "little" direct she was. There's a mismatched amusement in her voice, though, as if she's enjoying something only she can see.]

[voice]

[yourotherleft]

...just sayin' it's different for you. [because it's not like what she said was wrong, and he actually agrees to a point. It's the attitude]

You saw mist, though? That's not good.

[voice]

[letthestormrageon]

Hmph, if it is so, I find it being a good different.

[Because she feels great, better than she has ever felt. And she wants more of that.]

Not good? Really?! I would have never thought of that! Thank God that we have our trustworthy first mate here to figure it all out. How many members in this crew were there, again?

[If it sounds as if she's ready to freeze his ass if he says the wrong number... It's because she is.]

[voice]

[yourotherleft]

Oi...what the hell? I thought we were past that! C'mon, Elsa.

[voice]

[letthestormrageon]

We were. But the black mist disagrees... I'm not hearing an answe~r.

[Her voice gets a singing tone at the last part.]

[voice -> action]

[yourotherleft]

[oh boy, that's an unpleasant feeling in the pit of his stomach...]

We're not doin' this here. I'll come out on deck.

[away goes the book so no one can overhear whatever happens. Zoro trudges out on deck, already noticing the snap in the air. All right, Elsa, what are you...

...so that's a new dress.]

Oh hell.

Voice;

[thetruehistorian]

[Wow, excuse Robin for not having learned everything about everything in less than a year. Elsa's comments may have rankled a little bit less if Robin hadn't been frantically studying that very thing with renewed vigor for the last two months. And she is making breakthroughs! She's just... not ready to announce them just yet. It's all still theoretical, and she has yet to figure out a way to test her theories in a controlled way.

But it is a valid point, Robin supposes.

The temperature drop is what spurs her to action. Robin had hoped Elsa would become more accepting and competent with her powers as time went on, but this sort of behavior was not what she expected.

But how to make it stop?

Robin doesn't know, but she can perhaps use Elsa's current frustration to her benefit. If there are more people researching cosmology, there are likely to be more breakthroughs.

She puts on a sweater and hurries to find Elsa in person. The less of her project that gets said where the Grey Lady can hear, the better.]

Maybe you ought to start researching the shards yourself.

Voice;

[letthestormrageon]

[Elsa wasn't really thinking about Robin when she spoke up in the journals, but it says a lot that she didn't bother making sure that was known. Just as she didn't seem to be bothered with the idea that people would think she was blaming them in general.]

Maybe I would, if I had any interest in them. Unless they are involved in things like turning us into children or making us forget our crewmates, I don't really care.

Action (lol whoops wrong header fffff)

[thetruehistorian]

It seems plausible that they would, doesn't it?

[Robin lifts a finger to her lips, glancing down at Elsa from the corner of her eye.]

If they had that kind of power, what would you use it for?

Action (ooh that makes more sense yep)

[letthestormrageon]

It seems so, but if that was the case wouldn't our shard have reacted in some way?

[She frowns slightly at the next question before her expression turns into amused disbelief.]

To keep us from getting affected by those things, of course. Though it's also possible that even if they are involved in the causes, they may not have the key to stopping those things from happening or even to block them.

Action

[thetruehistorian]

[Meanwhile, Robin smiles.]

Granted, it doesn't matter if they do or don't because you have no interest in the shards, nor in learning how they might work, or if they might possibly amplify your powers in some way. Right?

Action

[letthestormrageon]

[The last part makes Elsa laugh as she twirls, sending swirls of snow to the sky.]

Amplify my powers? Why would I need or want that? I can bring forth an eternal winter if I want, how more could they be amplified?

[Of course, in her right mind, the idea would terrify Elsa. Amplifying her powers is the last thing she would want to do. But aside from that she would actually be interested in the shards.]

Anyway, you say that I should be interested in the shards because they may be able to help with protecting the crew from those things like the black mist? Isn't that like saying that we should not fight the Navy when they attack because they may actually be friendly?

A possibility without any proof is nothing but baseless theory and faith. And except for you, no one else seems to care to try to see if there's a way to prove it or not. Guess they aren't that interested in going back to their worlds after all.

Action

[thetruehistorian]

Can you freeze the sun itself?

And it isn't like saying we shouldn't fight the Navy when they attack us. Have you ever been directly attacked by a shard? It's always mist that brings these curses. I'm accustomed to having my own goals. At least I have one. What do you put your faith in, Elsa?

[action]

[serving_love]

[He hears the entry first -- or he hears the first part anyway, and can't help but groan.]

...Fuck, this again?

[After last time... Ugh. So he snatches the journal up and bursts out of the galley and onto the deck, looking around for Elsa. And signs of any mist.]

Elsa-san?? Where's this shitty mist?

[action]

[letthestormrageon]

[Elsa pauses when she hears Sanji's call and question, it's a good question indeed. Where did the mist go?]

Back to wherever it comes from I would guess. I saw it creeping up to the deck, but that's all. I don't know why, but I missed how long it was around and when it left.

[Her tone is dismissive either way, after all...]

Why? Do you suddenly have a way to fight off the mist and avoid anyone being affected?

[Because she honestly doubts it, specially if her teasing tone is any indication of it.]

[action]

[serving_love]

[Immediately walks in the direction of her voice, but he's still looking around the deck of the ship, trying to spot anything out of the ordinary, or maybe just looking for something he can kick in the face.]

Nah, I wish it was that fucking easy but we ain't that lucky. Do you—?

[Whiiich is about when he finally looks at her, and just comes to a dead halt. He blinks a few times.]

...Uh. You feeling alright, Elsa-san?

[action]

[letthestormrageon]

Then I guess you rushing here to look at it was fairly useless. Unless you wanted to try to be affected by it to get back at Zoro, that is.

[She doesn't seem to mind his halted question, neither notices the way he looks at her, distracted by playing with some snowflakes. It's at his actual full question that Elsa turns her attention to him.]

I feel fine, great even. And as far as I know I've not forgotten anyone so unless someone else has been affected I guess that this time it skipped us aside from paying us a visit.

[action]

[serving_love]

[Whoa now, Ms. Z Snap. Sanji just kind of stares at her for a few seconds, trying to work out what might be wrong this time. Aside from the...horns, that is. He slides his hands casually into his pockets after a moment.]

If I was gonna get back at Zoro, I'd just kick his ass. Don't need any shitty mist for that.

[He arches an eyebrow.]

Haven't seen that dress before. It's nice. Is it new?

[action]

[letthestormrageon]

Maybe not any shitty mist, but maybe you'll need a couple of years or so to be able to kick Zoro's ass if what I remember about your times is correct.

[The smile she gives him is anything, but mischievous at the very least and malicious at most. She seems honestly amused though, even if her tone is sharper than usual, not to mention her repeating the "s" word.

She raises an eyebrow at his next question, looking down at her dress for a moment as if to make sure before she shakes her head, chuckling softly.]

What are you talking about? You have seen me in this countless of times. Or is that a subtle attempt to tell me that I should redo my dress designs? Would... Something shorter be more of your taste?

[She raises her skirt slightly, giving him a teasing look.]

[action]

[serving_love]

[Insta-scowl at the reminder, an automatic reaction that he can't help.]

I don't care how old that idiot is, I can take him. I've improved in the year I've been here!

[But okay, calm down. Not important. He takes a deep breath and lets it out, expression smoothing over again, though concern is starting to creep in around the edges.

At least until she shows off her leg. That has Sanji's heart pounding hard in his chest suddenly as he stares, a goofy grin starting to form—

No.

Stop it, you dumbass.

He shakes his head.]

.......M-maybe we should take you to see Bepo, Elsa-san, I think you're, ah...not yourself.