Voice

[thatched]

Friends, lovers, assholes and anyone else who is at the summit or would care to port in. Are you ready for a game of cards played with adults and for adults. Don't ask the details, that would be telling.

But if you're interested, let me know. I hope to set up a game about one or two a.m. when the youngers have had their little shut eye. Baby faces, I'm sorry. This is not a game for the likes of you.

Otherwise, bring yourself, a little something something for the pot, and tell me what booze you prefer. As to where? I'll let you know.

Comments

[redcinemareel]

[If it caused her untimely death???]

I don't believe you're a good learner. [Refers back to his first reply to her.]

[fierybluebird]

I'm abysmal.

It's the pirate in me. He wants to have his way with the worlds.

[thatched]

Marco, you're married. Grell, you're welcome to come. I'll save a seat for you in my lap and we'll make everyone green by being the most beautiful ones there.

[redcinemareel]

You're very kind~! I couldn't pass up an opportunity such as that! Maybe we'll be enough of a distraction to break their concentration!

[thatched]

My plans exactly, Sweet Red. So make sure you're dressed to kill.

[fierybluebird]

I don't know who I'm more jealous of.

[redcinemareel]

Then it's time to go shopping~!

[Her favorite pasttime!]

[thatched]

I'll come with you! I could use a new shirt or two.

[and they need to talk anyway]

[redcinemareel]

Oh~? I don't mind!

[How rare it is to go shopping with someone other than Faye, or even Dave.]

When would you like to go?

[thatched]

Now seems like a good time, wouldn't you say?

[redcinemareel]

Then meet me outside.

[She doesn't say where outside, but she'll find him.]

-->action

[thatched]

I'll be there with bells on.

[well perhaps not that. But he does have a rose for her he picked god knows where as he patiently waits.]

[redcinemareel]

[Once she's gotten what she needs to shop, she just...appears behind him. No shift in air or any sound of her arrival. Her footfalls as she walks closer to Thatch aren't hidden as to not startle him too much.]

My apologies for the wait. [Tilts her head to the side, eyeing him.] No bells?

[thatched]

[he's glad for the footfalls at least but tries to fight off the case of heebiejeebies at the not-there and then thereness. His haki isn't the strongest but he can tell that something happened.

Still, Grell is an ally and so he'll trust her until she proves he can't. He turns and smiles at her, offering the rose]

I thought about it, but no belle can compare to you.

[redcinemareel]

[The Woman of Mystery has to keep her suitors on their toes. Except he isn't a suitor. The play on words, as well as the rose, make her smile in appreciation as she takes the kind gesture.]

I doubt they could even if I allowed them the opportunity. [She stroked her fingers over the soft petals in admiration. Her favorite flower.] Ready to shop until we can't stand anymore?

[thatched]

[he laughs. Amused at her confidence and offers his arm.] I am, sweet lady.

[and whether she takes it or not he'll stay in step with her as they start toward the shopping district. He walks in silence for the most part, looking around for something to catch his fancy and to figure out what to say and how to say it. Though he's mostly one for cushioning these kinds of things, perhaps in this case it's better to be direct.

They are crewmates after all, aren't they? He speaks, but his voice is low]

I was trying to seduce you for a while in the beginning. Not for pleasure, though it was a lot of fun. [he winks at her] But business. It's what I do. Test people out. See what they're like. Make them like me if I can. And betray them later if I must.

This doesn't apply to nakama or crewmates, you understand, but for the outsiders. Everyone whose life I don't hold in my hands...

[redcinemareel]

[The silence isn't unpleasant, but it makes Grell wonder just what is going through his head as they walk. Thatch always has something to say, so when he finally does, she isn't surprised by the choice in topic. It brought up the sour feeling of being used between himself and Marco. It made her angry when she first heard, and it makes her a bit peeved hearing it again.

She just sighs because she's over it. His explanation makes her understand the why in doing so, yet...]

What if they end up becoming your nakama or crewmates? Do you think they'll take lightly to being a product for testing? [She looks up to Thatch, not amused by their scheme, but keeping calm about it. Having burned down islands for far less reasons, Grell is doing a good job of being chill.] I can't entirely blame you for acting as a filter, but it may burn more bridges than build them.

[thatched]

Oh aye... [he rubs the back of his neck. He can tell she's still a little pissed about it but he doesn't really feel entirely apologetic. Maybe he will if they ever become friends. But on the other hand, maybe not]

It's just a different world here. Back home, I mostly knew who would join and who wouldn't. But this place is...unsettling. People have their reasons and it's not all about brothers or ambition.

[he shakes his head]

You make a good point, Grell, but until I can figure out another way to do this, I'll have to take that risk.

[redcinemareel]

[Grell looks up to the sky, with its stars and the few clouds blocking their view. They seem the same to her, but any true astronomer would know they're vastly different.]

I like this difference, to be honest. [She shrugs lightly.] I can be as ruthless as I wish should I be dissatisfied with anyone's behavior. [And she liked fixing problems...with her chainsaw.]

A rather large risk that worked out in the end. Marco is fortunate, as are you. [She taps his arm lightly with the rose, smiling. Grell making friends isn't easy, and while this whole debacle is solved, she'll have to take it slow.]

[thatched]

Aye, understood. [More or less anyway] And much appreciated. [he inclines his head.

But that is enough of that and onto light-hearted things, please and thank you]

Well then, my dear, do you see anywhere that catches your eye?

[redcinemareel]

[She loops an arm around his and looks about. All the stores are flashy and promised clothing fit for the occasion later that evening. She spots one particular place with dresses in the window displays and some of them sparkled! Grell points excitedly to it.]

That one!

[thatched]

You have excellent taste, my dear.

[and to that one they go. It looked like a place for a woman to have herself a good time. He picked up a tiny sparkly camisole and smirked]

Too bad they don't have anything in my size.

[redcinemareel]

[She looks to the camisole and gave a small giggle before taking it from him to see if it would fit her by holding it up to her front.]

Hmm...well, we can try another shop? [The camisole is nice, but it left little to the imagination. It suited the bedroom better.]

[redcinemareel]

I'm sure worlds could also be substituted for many other things.

[The seas, people, crackers...the list is endless.]

[fierybluebird]

It's sadly quite true.