foreverphantom

[ we are at the vending machines! Danny is holding a bagged pickle in his hand between two fingers, like it's a fragile bomb ]

Who even puts pickles and toy trains into a vending machine together?

Maybe it's edible?

[ no. ]

Maybe.

You wanna try?

Not if it's actually wood.

Well, you won't know until you eat it, will you?

Hey, hey. I'm not so stupid I can't tell when something's not food when I'm holding it!

[ the phone is an exception. ]

Okay, okay. We can figure out if it's food or not easy enough. But first...

Do you think it's food? Or just a toy?

It's probably a toy, but it'd make more sense being in a vending machine if it was candy.

Let's find out.

[ vends for a little toy train! He pulls it out and offers it to Ace ]

[

puts it on top of danny's head ]

[ blinks

then immediately brushes it out of his hair ]

What.

It's not food.

[ he doesn't want it. ]

[ laughs a little ] Aww, man. I really was hoping you'd give it a bite or something first.

Seriously, I'm not that stupid. I've hunted my own food since I was a kid.

I thought you stole it.

There's no way I could sneak into town every day.

What, did you live out in the woods or something?

Yeah.

[ yeah. ]

Alone?

Sort of. I was raised by mountain bandits.

Well that's a new one.

What are mountain bandits?

... Pretty much what it sounds like? They're bandits, they live up in the mountains. Criminals, y'know.

And they...come down from the mountains to loot towns and stuff while you stole food?

How'd you even end up with them?

Nah, I did that stuff on my own. They stole from travelers, but sneaking into the city's a whole other thing.

[ hm. that question. he laughs a little ]

The why's a long story! But I was dropped off as a baby, and they didn't exactly get a choice in the matter.

[ that's a very suspiciously upbeat reaction to have about that, sir ]

Yikes.

I'm guessing it's not a huge jump from mountain bandits to pirates, though, huh?

[ sometimes you just look at your life and you gotta laugh about it man ]

You'd think so, but the guy who dropped me off was really surprised I didn't end up joining the marines.

They take bandits in the marines?

I'm not a bandit, I was just in their house. [ is that better. ] But it was never gonna happen anyway.

[ embrace your bandit heritage you coward ]

Why not?

[ no he's a pirate :/ ]

Following the rules and working for the government? No thanks. Not for me.

[ laughs a little ] Well, at least you know what you want.

Always have. What about you? Got any goals past ghost hunting, or was that always the dream?

Mmmm.

I...wanted to be an astronaut, once.

[

very clear wassat face ]

An astronaut... is...?

Like...a sailor, but instead of exploring the oceans, it's exploring the stars.

Woah. [ :o ] That's cool. Why'd you stop wanting to be one?

...other things got in the way.

[ hmmm. ]

If they weren't, would you still want to do it?

[ he pauses, thinking deeply and staring up into the sky ]

I haven't thought about it in a while. But...yeah, maybe.

So what is it that got in the way? The ghost stuff?

For starters, yeah.

So nothing you could just drop to go for your real dream?

[ im sorry that following your dreams is so important in one piece that i have to go danny become an astronaut danny ]

I don't exactly meet the minimum qualifications anymore.

There's qualifications?

[ imagine having to be qualified to do something instead of just taking a sailboat out and hoping for the best ]

Yeah, generally people want to make sure you're qualified to be driving the rocket that costs more than the combined net worth of several countries.

Sailing in space is sounding less and less like the sea now. [ i need you to understand ace does not know this but a man did go to the moon using a regular ass ship in one piece. anyway ] So what qualifications do you lack? Can't you just... train for those?

[ help, one piece

anyway danny just sighs ]

You can't train things like your heart rate or your body temperature.

... Your body temperature is wrong?

Yes.

[ beat. ]

...I think. I haven't checked since...a while ago. But it's probably still wrong.

[ ... touches danny's forehead like he can tell ]

[ okay well danny will pull away from the touch when he does this, but for the moment that ace does make contact with his forehead he feels...

like a totally normal temperature!!! ]

Sorry, my bad. [ sometimes you are used to everyone you meet having no sense of personal space ] But your temperature seems normal to me?

It...does?

[ feels his own forehead. he has no idea how to gauge his own temperature like this.

so he presses two fingers down on his wrist for a moment, and then under his jawline. ]

...huh. Oh, that's weird.

Huh, hey, maybe it got fixed and you can be an astronaut now!

[ that is not how that works. ]

I think it's just a side effect of whatever this place is doing to mess with our powers.

Ugh, I keep forgetting about that.

Lucky you. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

What happened to yours? Mine's... I don't know, partway working.

Mine too. Emphasis on "partway."

And yours usually make your heartbeat slower?

It's...a side effect.

Makes sense. My body heat got way higher after I got mine.

Has it lowered since coming here?

No, but I'm still mostly fire.

[

goes to poke him right in his shirtless chest. IS HE??? ]

[ no it is solid muscle right now. enjoy ... that? ]

If I turn into fire now, I'd burn you. [ don't use your HAND? ]

[ waves his hand dismissively ]

I could pass through it anyway, it wouldn't hurt me.

But alright, sure. Hands off. [ he holds both his hands up as proof that they are not touching Ace ] Let's see it now.

How am I supposed to know that? But sure, alright.

[ actually he will take back the little toy train because this is the closest thing he has to demonstrate. which is to say he takes it, throws it up in the air, and then turns into flame and wow it passes right through him. wow. incredible. he dodged a toy. and now it is a singed toy. wowee ]

Ta-da.

Huh.

Can you hold onto anything when you're like that?

Yep. And it doesn't affect my clothes or anything, so I don't have to worry about burning off any items I've got on me.

[ so the shirtless thing is not because of fire. it is a choice. ]

Huh. So our powers are the same in that way.

What about...can you go through walls like that? What would the fire even do to the wall in that case?

Can't go through walls! But I can't do that at home either. Fire's still pretty much solid.

Huh.

So what's changed about it here?

[ a little sadly; ]

I can't attack at all. It's just the defense thing. Which, sure, it's a huge plus of being a logia, but I am fire. I can't even send out one measly fireball here.

...what's a logia?

Oh. Basically-- I got my powers from eating a Devil Fruit. Each fruit has its own unique abilities, and they fall under three types. Elemental like me are called Logia. Sand, smoke, fire, ice-- [ he sort of hesitates like he's going to name another one but he shakes his head abruptly ] Anyway, anything you can think of. You become that element. Then there's Zoans-- animal transformation. You get a couple of forms and whatever power the animal has. And finally there's Paramecias, which are for... everything else. My little brother's power is rubber, so he fits into that one.

...huh. So you can...still turn into fire, but you can't throw any of it around?

[ sighing again ]

Yeah... I mean, I can still handle myself in a fight just fine, but it's annoying as heck.

Mmm. That's more or less how I feel about it too. [ sighs ]

I don't get why, either, if the whole point of this thing is for us to help save their city from... whatever.

Exactly!!

This whole thing doesn't make sense from the start, anyway. Either someone screwed something up...or someone's lying.

They're definitely not telling the whole truth, that's for sure. But we kind of don't have anything else to go off of right now.

Ugh. I hate not knowing what to fight.

You and me both. Not much we can do about it right now except wait.

Horrible.

Maybe there'll be ways to pass the time...?

[ x for doubt ]

If the penguins rebuild enough of the city, I guess.

Maybe we'll get to see the ocean?

If we don't get to see the ocean in Oceanside City, I think we'd have grounds to sue.

I'd settle for throwing a riot.

Why not both?

Rioting sounds a lot more fun.

[ laughs ] Yeah, good point.

[ Danny is passing by the closed off arcade, trying to stare past all the prinnies and caution tape as if he'll see something in there

he also has earplugs in ]

Edited 2023-09-23 01:53 (UTC)

[ OH MY GOD DANNY HE CAN'T HEAR US HE HAS AIRPODS IN ]

Can't bypass them, I've tried.

[ unaware that danny can't hear him ace just slides up to talk ]

[ HELP HE CAN HEAR, MOSTLY, JUST. A LITTLE MUFFLED

He turns to face Ace ]

What?

[ gestures at the casino ]

Can't go in since they set up shop. It's like the construction last weekend. They're really good at blocking the way.

Oh.

[ Then suddenly he winces, glares at the casino, and yanks out the earplugs, dropping them to the ground and stomping on them

anyway, ]

How is this like, the one thing they're good at?

[ just like ???? at the earplugs ]

Maybe they're barrier penguins. [ wry ] I don't know. It's annoying.

No kidding. Especially if they want us to solve the murder ourselves. How are we supposed to do that if they're keeping us out?

Maybe they're letting in our "leaders"? Sure would explain why the eight of them are missing right now.

...maybe. But, all eight of them at once?

What else would they be doing?

[ that is acceptable and won't annoy him ]

...I don't know. But it's not like they know a whole lot about what's going on in the first place. Why would they know about this?

Because four of their own got killed not that long ago, maybe.

...right.

[ ... sighs ]

I don't know if they actually know anything. I'm hoping if nothing else, they're trying to find out.

...right. Especially Cobalt Ox, I bet.

[ lmao. first he gets stabbed, now his teammate dies ]

They better be. Rocket was part of their team.

[ ace has a lot of feelings about revenge let's move on ]

[ okay ❤️ yay ❤️ ]

Exactly.

... In the meantime, there's not much for us to do, though.

[ danny is going to HUNT YOU DOWN, ace!!! specifically, at the park. more specifically, with a bag of marshmallows in hand. ]

Oh, good, there you are. Don't think I forgot about this!

[ ace is just looking judgmentally at the swan boats before he hears danny. and. yeah. those sure are marshmallows. he laughs a little ]

You're really serious about this, huh?

You can't tell me you aren't the least bit curious about it.

Not even a little bit. [ but he's still going along with it sooo ] You've got a stick, right?

[ looks around...then leans down and picks one up out of the grass! ]

I do now.

... Good enough. I'd rather you not burn your fingers off trying this.

[ looks around ]

Wanna do it here, then?

Might as well. At least we can't set off any smoke detectors out here.

[ pops open the marshmallow bag and sticks two of 'em onto the stick!! ]

Are you planning on cooking the marshmallows or burning them?

That is up to the whims of the fire.

Unless that's something you can control?

I can't control what gets burnt when you're sticking your hand in it while trying to cook something.

[ :| ]

Then like I said, it's up to the fire. That's just how s'mores work.

[ shoves the marshmallow stick into his chest ]

Ha, ha.

[ imagine he didn't turn into fire and just let it thunk on his chest. no, he lets this happen.

it does like a marshmallow does when stuck directly into fire and it is going to burn pretty fast vs gently roasting it next to the fire ]

[ can. can he tell that though. can ace tell that. is there smoke emanating from his chest somewhere.

either way, a few seconds later, Danny pulls it out, and sure enough the marshmallow is blackened and has its own lil fire that he blows out.

how's it smell? write me the fanfic description of ace's fire smell, zia. ]

[ ace is very aware of what's happening in his torso because he has fucking eyes. also his fire just smells like fire. he is a fire man. just. i don't know. clean fire. do I LOOK like i go camping ]

Happy now? Fire burns.

[ congrats on your science marshmallow ]

Nope. Not happy yet.

[ because out of a little bag (yes he had a bag with him this whole time shhhh) he pulls out some graham crackers and some chocolate. He fashions two s'mores out of the two burnt marshmallows and offers one up to Ace ]

[ immediately shoves it in his mouth with a laugh because it's food ]

You really came prepared, huh?

I mean, it's what you do, when you roast marshmallows. You pretty much have to make s'mores with them, or else what's the point?

Is it that common? I've done marshmallows by themselves more often.

[ if he is honest he has also not done marshmallows by themselves that often ]

It's the only decent use of marshmallows, as far as I'm concerned.

You like 'em on their own? Is that your favorite dessert?

Nah, they're a little too sweet for that. [ with a mouth full of marshmallows. it's fine. ] My favorite one was probably the biscuits I had on Sabaody. They're kind of a tourist favorite, but I they were good.

Yeah?

Got any other food from home you miss?

I dunno about miss, I haven't been to Sabaody in ages...

[ thinkinnng ]

Haven't had bear meat in forever? That sort of counts.

You miss...bear meat?

How does bear meat taste?

Nostalgic? [ a little joking ] I dunno, it's my favorite kind, but there's not bears everywhere in the world.

Huh. I've never been to a place that serves bear meat.

Me neither, it's more of a hunting thing.

You...hunt bears and then eat them.

Aren't you a pirate? There can't possibly be a whole lot of bears at sea.

[ help. laughs ]

Nah, man, I did that as a kid before I set sail! That's probably why it's nostalgic.

So...how old were you, exactly, when you were wrestling bears for their meat?

Bears specifically? Maybe like... seven? I started off with the boars.

...weren't you being raised by mountain people? They just let you do that instead of giving you some of their food?

Bandits. [ is it better if he corrects people to bandits. no. ] The leader was kind of a hard ass. You work for what you eat kind of deal. The best she'd ever guarantee me was a bowl of rice a day, so I'd go off and hunt instead of doing chores or anything like that.

[ he had a normal childhood. ]

So it was either hunt something down, or only get a bowl of rice to eat.

Well... yeah, pretty much, since I didn't feel like helping out around the house otherwise, and it's not like they liked me hanging around either. So I'd go off in the forest or the dump nearby.

[ he's completely casual about this, and also, he is stealing another marshmallow to just eat like this as they talk ]

And...that's the part of home that you miss. All of that.

Well, I'm old and sentimental enough I do miss that old hag sometimes. [ he's twenty. ] I don't really miss the island, and Luffy's sailing too, so it's not like I've ever planned on going back. But sure, there's some stuff I miss. Like bear meat.

...right.

Who's Luffy?

My stupid little brother! [ suddenly sounding crazy fond despite the insult ] He's a pirate too, but he set sail about three years after I did. He's already making waves out on the sea though!

Being a pirate runs in the family, huh?

...wait, does that mean he was also raised by mountain bandits?

Hm. Yeah, I guess so.

[ he sounds amused at the idea of piracy being a family thing though... mystery. ]

Sort of? He was seven when he was brought over. He spent most of his time after that following after me.

Oh, okay...I think. [ he thinks he gets it. ]

Until you went on to become a pirate, though, right? Then he was on his own until...he also became a pirate.

Yeah, I sailed off three years before he did. We'd promised we'd set sail at seventeen. [ why? because reasons apparently since he moves on ] He was always going to be a pirate, though. It's been his dream since way before he met me.

I've never heard of "pirate" as a dream career before.

Really? Well, it's pretty common back home! Though technically his is "king of the pirates". A little bigger than just pirate.

[ with laughter in his voice a little: ] Is that a thing? Do pirates have a monarchy system of government?

Yeah, Pirate King's a thing. [ there's something a little dry there ] But it's more of a title. The first guy died about twenty two years ago. Left behind everything he'd gotten and told the world to go and get it if they dared, to make a long story short.

Wow. Gutsy.

Yeah, something like that. Never cared about some guy's leftovers myself, but I'm sure Luffy'll make it.

What'll you do when he does?

[ he. very clearly hesitates at that question before he laughs ]

Ah, probably throw him a party?

[ hmmmmm... ]

Yeah? You don't sound so sure.

Well, you know. He's seventeen! It's pretty far off right now.

You don't think he can find it at seventeen?

He's strong and I know he can do it, but right now, he'd get his ass kicked by other pirates.

[ says it with a laugh ]

He hasn't been at sea that long!

Why don't you join him? I mean, even if you don't want the whole pirate king thing, you could still sail with him, right?

There's no way I'd ever let myself get bossed around by my little brother and call him captain, mostly.

[ laughs ] You know what, that's fair. I'd never let myself get bossed around by my sister either.

Hey, you know how it is with siblings. Younger or older?

[ he blinks for a second, as if surprised ]

...older.

[ nods ...

and then ruffles his hair ]

Figured. You've got bratty younger brother written all over you. [ clearly teasing ]

[ he makes a face and slaps ace's hand away, DO NOT RUFFLE HIM ]

No way. What does that even mean?

It's the vibes.

[ he has learned this term recently and now it is everyone else's problem ]

What?

The vibes. You know.

[ nodding ]

I really don't.

You have to be an older sibling to see it.

[ danny is now at: the tarkea! specifically, in the warehouse part of it where you get all the boxes for your items. he is currently dragging a very long, large, and heavy box out of the pile of matching boxes for this specific item. ]

[ . . . . danny why ]

What are you doing?

Getting some shelves.

... Why are you getting shelves...?

...because I've been really wanting to build some today?

[ ah. ]

You stayed in here last night or something?

[ blinks ]

Yeah, actually. How'd you guess?

The effects people get on Thursdays seem to be linked to where they stayed, and this is the only furniture store. [ so, y'know ] Rita was illiterate for a whole day last week.

Wait, really? [ snorts softly ] I can't believe I missed that.

[ hm. maybe he shouldn't have said it. rita's going to kill him. oh well ]

Yeah. So at least you should be over the shelves thing by tomorrow, unlike your triangle thing.

[ somewhere between hissing and growling: ]

The triangle thing.

Yeah. Jolyne was pretty mad about it too.

[ from the outside

is a little funny ]

Well, obviously! We looked like idiots!

Yeah, kinda.

[ he could at least deny it!!!!!! ]

If I could, I would throw this whole box at you.

[ right, speaking of ]

Need help picking it up?

I can handle it on my own, thanks.

...but if you want to help anyway, I guess I won't say no.

[ listen. ace is nice but he's also big brother coded to be a shit so: ]

Oh, well if you're fine handling it on your own, I shouldn't barge into it.

Fine, then don't.

[ he keeps tugging out the box and, eventually, manages to pull it free, the other end thunking to the ground a little more loudly than is probably safe for the furniture. but whatever!

Next Danny works on finding the right position to most easily drag this stupid thing around. He looks a little silly. ]

[ ace is going to sit down, put his chin in his palm and just. watch. ]

So you're building it here?

[ you absolute rat bastard. danny glares from his position under the box. ]

No. I'm taking it back to the Tiger dorm.

[ he finagles his positioning some more, until he eventually settles on hauling it while it is slung down his back, like a disassembled cross that he must bear. ]

Oh, have you figured out how you're getting up or down some stairs yet?

I'll just drag it harder!

Edited (help that was nothing) 2023-10-07 03:37 (UTC)

Are you even dragging it at all now?

[ PEOPLE ARE DEAD STOP MAKING FUN OF DANNY ]

[ no, and in fact, it collapses on top of him ]

Ouch.

[ oh my god. okay. well. he's getting up now and just pulling the thing off danny extremely casually

i only use his stupid strength for comedic purposes ]

... You alive down there?

[ oh he is EXTREMELY sour about how easily ace managed to lift that off me ]

As alive as I can be.

[ this is why he offered lil dude ]

If it's alive enough to talk, you're fine!

[ it's not about getting the shelves moved, it's about what a weak noodle he is!!!

danny goes intangible and lets the box fall the rest of the way to the ground through him, while he gets up, steps out of the box, and dusts himself off ]

Yeah, yeah.

Edited 2023-10-07 04:38 (UTC)

[ well now that danny is out of the way

drops the box back down loudly. this is great for the high quality material of ikea furniture ]

Hey. If you break it, I'm gonna make you come back here and get me another one.

It's wood, it can't be that cheap.

[ has no idea what ikea furniture is like ]

You'd be surprised.

... What are these made of?

Cardboard and sawdust, mostly.

... Why would you make furniture out of that?

Because it's cheaper.

Yeah, but it'll break in a second, and wood's like... everywhere.

Not in my world. It's like, a whole thing. Things made entirely of wood are crazy expensive now.

Seriously? What did they do with all the trees?

Cut them down faster than they could be regrown, pretty much.

...Man... Can't imagine a world without trees.

[ danny is not from the lorax, ace, it's not that bad ]

Dude. We still have trees. Just not enough to make everything out of wood anymore.

Oh.

...

That's still not enough trees.

You think everything should be made out of wood?

'Course not. There's plenty of stuff not made out of it, but I think nothing should be made out of sawdust and cardboard. That's just sad.

I mean, they cover it in like, wood paneling. It looks real enough as long as you don't, you know, go around throwing it to the ground.

It's not about the look, it's about it being good. How does this stuff not break in two months?

I mean, furniture just sits there, mostly. It's not like we're moving them or throwing them around all the time.

[ <= lives on ships on the ocean ]

You still use it, don't you?

I mean...yeah?

[ where are we. i don't know. i'm voiding us unless you give me a location ]

...are you, y'know, okay now? Not on the verge of bleeding out anymore or anything?

[ he's all bandaged up!!! he looks a little like a mummy i'm ngl considering it's over half his face, his entire torso, one arm and one leg. it's fine.

he gives danny a thumbs up ]

It looked a lot worse than it was. Promise.

Considering how bad it looks now, that doesn't inspire a whole lot of confidence.

I've had worse. [ NOT REASSURING ] Anyway, it's fine now. Mostly.

Mostly?

Well. The eye's no good.

[ he cannot say that part is fine :( ]

Wait--seriously? Like, forever?

Probably. Dragon claw to the face does things to you, I guess. [ WOOPS ] It's fine. I've still got the other one.

Dragon claw? Dang. Must've been one hell of a trip.

...you know, most people aren't so casual about losing a whole eye.

[ it's true, and he inclines his head to say he agrees, but: ]

Yeah, well... My own fault for not dodging. Besides, it's done now. There's no point complaining.

...I guess not.

You bounce back quick, huh?

[ he makes a kind of "ehhh sorta" face ]

... I try not to linger on things out of my control. I made a promise I'd live without regrets. [ so. but he shrugs ] There's worse things that can happen here.

Well. I guess no one can really dispute that.

...makes me feel a little better about not being able to do anything when you guys first came back.

[ sorry danny you are getting hair ruffled. he sort of. misses a little so it's only half his head perception is bad ]

We had plenty of people lined up for it. [ so it's fine. but: ] Pretty much the only thing you and I can do in those circumstances is buy a remedy if we can. It's a little stressful, huh?

[ frowns but allows it, in part bc his perception is so crewy ]

...not really. I mean. I knew you guys would be okay.

I just don't like standing around knowing I can't do anything.

... Well, yeah. That's kind of the part I find stressful. [ being stuck just. watching. even if you know they're fine. ] We already do plenty of that in this place, whether we want to or not.

...yeah I guess so.

This whole place is one big exercise in wanting to do something and not being able to.

That, and being made to do things we never wanted to in the first place.

Amendment: an exercise in everyone hating everything all the time.

[ he laughs a little weakly ]

That's too real, man. I think if I have to hear anything about the moon again I'm going to blow a gasket.

Well, get a replacement one, because I don't see the moon talk stopping any time soon.

No kidding. [ ughhhhhhhhh. speaking of the fucking moon, though-- ] You been keeping track of the stupid papers we get on these things? I can show you what we got, but it's kind of worthless.

I've seen all the ones people get on Thursdays so far. Except for, y'know. The ones that I'm assuming you guys got today.

[ well. congrats, danny, here is some handwritten nonsense ace takes out:

It would be anticlimactic if the curtains were to fall before the main act could begin. The moon has its cycles, it waxes and wanes but never truly goes away. A clash may blanket the moon with darkness for a spell, but the light of the moon shall return brighter than ever. The show must go on, and it will be foolish of the heroes to believe otherwise. ]

Then here's one more for your collection.

[ takes a picture of it ]

Dramatic.

Yep.

[ ace like "i lost an eye for this?" ]

It doesn't even give us much more than we already knew. If it's going to be dramatic, the least it could do is also be useful.

Right. It's the same thing about the moon and the cycles and... all that garbage. [ he's TIRED he LOST AN EYE FOR THIS (sort of) ] Maybe they're running out of pages to steal out of whoever's journal this is.

Maybe the person writing this just loves to talk in circles. Like people who love to hear themselves talk, but with their handwriting instead.

Great. So they're monologuing to themselves in writing and we're stuck reading it?

Sure reads like that, doesn't it? Bad guys love monologuing.

They seriously do. It's like a disease.

Terminal. Incurable.

If it was terminal, we'd be having a way better time of things.

No one said 'terminal' meant 'fast.'

Oh, so we're stuck here because the guy can't die quietly. I get it.

[ THERE IS A LOT TO SAY AFTER ALL OF THAT BUT IT IS MOSTLY LEAVING ACE ANGY AND TENSE in this here, the void. anyway he lets out a breath and looks at danny ]

Should've voted for him last week.

[ it's a dry joke ]

[ a dry snort ]

But then I would've been stuck having to hear more cat puns. [ completely sarcastically ]

Who knows. Maybe the cat guy would've lost his mind and went on a rampage instead.

I wouldn't have been surprised, honestly.

But I guess they're two variables that are out of the equation, now.

I guess. But...

[ well. ]

Whisper didn't deserve that. [ being FRIDGED for reigen's MANPAIN like we're in COMICS ]

[ lol. ]

Did anyone who's died on a Thursday night? I don't think 'deserve' ever really enters the equation.

It doesn't, but if he wanted revenge--

[ it's stupid to do what ifs because it's not like ace wants reigen dead, it's just that ace can Respect revenge but this was just stupid. he stops with a huff ]

The guy's a piece of work.

I guess he wanted to make a show of it. Weren't we just talking about villains being terminally dramatic?

So was he always like that, or is the moon thing contagious?

[ this isn't a real question. probably. ]

...maybe? He seemed kind of out of it at times to you too, right?

Maybe it's...moon poisoning or something. [ shrugs ] Or maybe it's just a bad guy thing.

... I wasn't being serious. If the moon could do that, you'd think someone else would've been like that before now.

[ god. he hopes. ]

The guy was always a little weird.

[ this is just a bias because ace was offended he was using the title of strongest man in the world ]

Was he? [ Danny didn't think he was too off kilter ]

... He did hang out with that cat guy on purpose.

[ snorts ]

Yeah, okay, when you put it that way, it is kind of a huge red flag.

So there you have it. [ but, unrelated to that; ] How's your stab wound?

[ yes ace is more injured but he kind of learnt about it during trial so he's like :T? ]

[ sighs ]

It's fine. It's had two remedies now plus Will's first aid so it's really not a big deal.

Hey, I'm just checking. I didn't even know you got stabbed before today.

I wasn't exactly advertising it. [ what's more embarrassing than getting stabbed by a child... ]

I guess that's true. Still, glad it's been handled. I kinda like you better unstabbed.

Wow, I'm so flattered.

See? This is why it's kinda.

[ but he is laughing ]

You like my sarcasm more when I'm stabbed?

It feels more earned.

Oh, I have to earn my sarcasm now, do I?

Yeah. You're too much of a pain when it's free.

Is this you doing the whole 'big brother' shtick again?

"Shtick"? [ laughing ] What, I can't think you're a little mouthy?

I am nowhere near the mouthiest person here.

I said a little.

[ rolls his eyes ]

[ laughs!! ]

Well, but I kinda like mouthy anyway. [ to NO ONE'S SURPRISE ]

Of course you do. If you didn't, you probably wouldn't even bother talking to me.

[ well. he could deny it. but. ]

You've got me there.

[ wow we are in front of the bar for a convenient excuse to start this pc while i find memories and fight youtube ]

I'm surprised they're even carding heroes, considering everything else they let you guys do.

[ rip teens ]

[ in absolute outrage: ]

I know, right?!

[ laughs, like an asshole ]

Maybe we can sneak you in somehow. You ever do the trenchcoat thing?

No. I've never needed to.

Right. The ghost thing?

[ pick an emotion ]

[ a dry huff of a laugh ]

Yeah. 'The ghost thing.'

[ pick an emotion for memshare i should've specified ]

That would've been helpful when we were trying to sneak into the city...

[ oh help i thought that was you commenting on ace moodswings from tag to tag

uhhh can i just say dealer's choice, whatever you think would be fun for our cr ]

You mean on your Thursday thing?

[ he laughs a little ]

Nah, as a kid. We weren't allowed into the city, but it was the only place to sell stuff, so. My brothers and I would sneak in by stacking up on top of each other.

[ i took a while to decide but here's the memory that plays out because i think danny can relate to family members who have sworn to hunt you down woops ]

[ ah. hmm. the emotional display is uncomfortable to watch, almost voyeuristic. But there are some aspects of it he can't help but be confused by. Or even worried about. ]

...your grandpa wanted you to join the military? But instead you became a pirate?

What'd he end up doing with you? You...didn't look like you were doing so hot.

Edited 2023-10-18 06:13 (UTC)

[ SHOULDA KEPT THE NARC JOKE!!! ]

He was in the marines himself. But that was never gonna be me. [ and. hmmm. well. there is no easy way to say this, but ace is looking away a little ] ... Gramps came to sit besides me on the execution stand. That's what he was doing.

And just watch? Jeez...

...but I guess he did kind of throw you to those mountain bandits or whatever, so he wasn't exactly winning any family of the year awards to begin with.

How'd you get out of your own execution?

[ he looks? surprised at danny's (correct) opinion? ]

... He's a marine and I'm a pirate. I knew what I was getting into when I chose this.

[ anyway, he looks aside at danny's question of how he got out of his own execution. like he is debating something with himself.

in the end he just admits; ]

I didn't.

...oh.

Well...then welcome to the revived dead guy club.

... It's a club, now?

[ danny???????? ]

Yeah? I mean, you already know that I have more of a pulse and everything here too.

... I thought that was just because of the ghost hunting thing?

[ in his defense

people in one piece are weird he thought danny was too he never made the connection ]

What? No, most ghost hunters are just...totally normal humans.

I just died. And came back partway.

... So you're... part ghost?

Yup, got it in one.

... That explains a lot. [ yes. no shit. wait-- ] This isn't exactly the kind of club I want in common with anyone, you know?

Not many people do. But it's what we've got.

Besides, it's not so bad.

Yeah? How so?

...well, maybe it's only not so bad if you become a ghost. If you don't have ghosts in your world, then I guess it kinda sucks.

Nope. Only haunting I'm doing is here, I guess.

Well...it's better than the alternative, right?

I'm not complaining. This place sucks, but it's got some pretty alright people.

Enough to balance out all the suck, huh?

Afterlifes could be better. But they could also be a lot, lot worse.

I kind of figured I wouldn't get one, so.

[ well. he figured he'd go to hell, but that is not something to share for fun ]

[ he just walks in here and looks fucking Grim. about everything. he just stands there gaping like a fish for a moment, searching for words, before... ]

...I'm sorry.

[ he's just kind of sitting down here hanging out ]

... Like I said, I wasn't planning to hide it. I just wanted to figure out Reigen.

...well, sorry we couldn't do that either.

...Yeah, well. I never could do anything right.

That wasn't on you specifically. That was on all of us.

...I'm sorry for calling you out.

Edited 2023-10-22 01:58 (UTC)

... It's not like you were wrong. And I didn't want someone innocent to die for me in the first place. I promised Sigrun as much. I just... couldn't manage to say it myself while the trial was going, and then half the time I didn't even remember doing it.

Is that why you were so...out of it? Forgetful? I thought it was part of the Thursday side effects, like the termites...

I think it is. But the not being able to just say it thing was... I don't know. This place, I guess. I wanted to.

...you're a good guy, Ace.

...why'd you do it? Because of--Will mentioned something to me about each team having to do a kill?

I don't know if I'd say that.

[ idle. and at that he tilts his head ]

... Yeah. That was part of it. But I got a note that basically said my world and my team's worlds would be forfeit if I didn't kill someone. [ he's grimacing at that, because. he hates. doing what he is told to do actually. ] ... If each team does a kill, supposedly that's how everyone can get home. If that's true, then I wasn't going to make Albedo or Tama do it. So. I told Sigrun everything, and asked her to fight me.

Everyone? We can all win if each team kills?

[ he looks gobsmacked by that for a moment ]

...you can deny it all you want, but that's exactly what makes you good, Ace. That you wanted to spare others from having to do it, and being honest about it with Sigrun, and wanting to confess even if you couldn't.

I don't know about win, but... ah, Temenos has the exact wording for it. He's the one who got the message last week. But the way home will only open with that, or something. Moon related.

[ he sounds so tired at that. anyway, danny says that and he kind of sighs before he smiles, a little wry ]

... It's selfish, too. I've never been good at losing people. If it's me, then I don't have to deal with it.

...huh.

Well...then as the guy who named and shamed you, we can both be selfish.

[ ... narrows his eyes a little ]

What do you mean?

[ blinks, then looks down, rubbing an arm uncomfortably ]

I mean...I was scared. People were suspicious of me. I wanted to find definitive proof that pointed to someone else so that no one could play guessing games and have me end up like Hans.

I was so focused on it that I...didn't hesitate to call you out.

[ he's got his head tilted to the side ]

You're not exactly on Hans' level. [ of people being like damn... this guy sucks. ace is saying this about a dead man and doesn't care. ] Even when you were being looked at... No one really wanted it to have been you. Remember?

[ lmao get rekt hans ]

No one wanted it to be you, either.

[ ace like i dont want anyone innocent to die for me.... but fuck hans ]

... Yeah. But it was me.

[ shrugs ]

[ if only hans were alive now to take the fall for ace, smh (i'm so sorry fyre if you're backreading this postgame) ]

...I guess so.

I'm sorry.

It's okay. [ ... ] If I'm honest, even Reigen's killer... I'm selfish, so I wanted to know who did it, because he's a friend. But Reigen himself looked guilty of some pretty messed up stuff when he defended himself from Yae Miko. Maybe whoever did it had a stupid message like I did, and thought he was a better target, the way I did Sigrun. Maybe they didn't mean for it to be that bad the same way Reigen hadn't meant for it.

[ ... he looks away ]

I'm not the kind of guy who can forgive them, even in that scenario, but being better at killing people doesn't make me good.

No, not really.

Doing it to spare others and to try and save everyone does, though.

... Yeah, well. Tama'd look pretty much in orange. Couldn't do that to her.

[ tries to joke about it because he is uncomfortable being called good ]

[ you know what, that's fair. danny gets it. ]

Oh yeah? What about Albedo?

[ i forgo a word ]

C'mon. A guy with that complexion? It'd be an atrocity.

If he ever ends up in here, I guess he'd need a custom suit in another color, huh?

After I did all this, he better not actually end up here.

I mean. He could just end up here overnight for something small.

...but yeah, staying out of jail is better than becoming a prison jumpsuit couture model, as a general rule.

Guess I'm just bad at that rule.

[ aha. fnnuy. ]

ACE

W0, sunday

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