goldenglasses | [Action]

[ There is someone else in Good Spirits this evening who isn't enjoying your shouting, boy. ]

Simmer down, kid.

Ohman,ohman,ohman,ohman,ohman,ohman,ohman,ohman,ohman,ohman,ohman,ohman,ohman,ohman! WHAT DO I DO!? [Yeah, he didn't hear you.]

[ Why does that not surprise him. ] Hey! Calm down.

Ohman,ohman,ohman,oh- Oh - hello! Calm? Calm? Who's not calm? I'm calm! Ahahahahhaaha!

Oh, of course you are. You're doing such a good job of showing me and everyone else in here.

[ Just don't tell him Sparrow is here. ]

Well that's good! Well, I think I'll have a whiskey now! Yeah, a whiskey, or two. Ahahahaha! [Oh yes he is! Vash shall go flail about and talk to the said Captain!]

Or two? Good God...

[China had been off in his own little corner...enjoying some rice wine...before he hears the clatter of the stool. He looks up crossly, pausing as he sees ~~dat hair~~ Vash and raising an eyebrow.]

Why are you making such a fuss all of a sudden, aru?

AHahahhaha!? Me? I fuss Ahahahahaahahahhahghaha-[Laughter suddenly cuts off] No reason!

Aiyah, don't lie to me. Tell me what's wrong, aru.

Ah, well, it's kinda embarrassing actually... I forgot to clean up a mess in the kitchen. I hope it hasn't bothered anyone!

Edited 2010-06-19 12:54 (UTC)

You're being that noisy because of that, aru?

[Pause--] You didn't blow anything up, did you?

Ahahaha! Nothing that can't fix itself right?

[Twitch.] So you did?

Just the microwave. I'm sure it's fixed itself by now. [Considering he did nothing in the kitchen today.]

[Clearing his throat. It's ~lecture time~.]

Listen to me, aru. A kitchen must always be taken care of. If the sanctity of a kitchen isn't kept, how can you expect to be able to take care of of anything else? It's the most important room of a house. [Kitchens are srs bzns.]

I-I know, it was an accident. It won't happen again. [More lies.]

Make sure it doesn't, aru. [Taking a drink from his glass.]

So what brought you here today?

Ah, I just wanted a chance to unwind, aru. Alcohol's good for that.

That it is. [Raises his own glass.] To love and peace?

[A short chuckle.] Oh, alright. To love and peace, aru.

[Downs his, mmmhmmm! Beer!]

[And drinking from his glass.] Is that what you always drink, aru?

Well, I like whiskey when I can afford it back home.

You can't usually, aru?

Well, not the expensive stuff at least.

Ah, tight on funds, then, aru. At least it's all free here, hm?

Ahahaha, yeah, you could say that. [Steady job? What's that.]

[His sympathy, you has it.] Aiyaah, it's hard to get by in a world where everything has a price.

An expensive price.

[There might be someone else in Good Spirits who is trying to avoid being seen by certain OTHER people in Good Spirits. So when Jack speaks to Vash, it's in a very mysterious stage-whispery sort of tone]

Oi---OI. Vash, lad! What's the emergency?

What do I do!? I know, I'll go home and then. No! I can't do that! Maybe I should have another whiskey. Yeah, that's the ticket. Just one or four more. Yeah, that's it, just another six! [Might not have heard you - oh mystic one~! Try again if you'd like now that he's shut up long enough to take a drink.]

PSSSST-----VASH LAD! OI! Come join Jack a minute, you walkin' distraction.

[He's DEFINITELY trying not to be seen. Stop attracting attention over here, Vash!]

[Peering around] Uh, alright. [But hey - at least he's distracting people AWAY from you?]

[Leaning forward in a confidential manner.]

Now. Why are you thrashing about like a no-headed spider monkey?

Oh! Well, I uh... forgot to turn the oven off! But then I remember I didn't. Ahahahahaha! All solved! Worried for nothing! Yup nothing at all!

You do realize that I am perhaps the most accomplished liar in my world? That every pirate sailing the roiling oceans, every knave locked away in the world's most diseased stone-faced prisons, and every gypsy horse-seller what's ever swindled an honest man--that NONE of these are better scoundrels than I?

Now spill whatever's making you hop about like that.

[Jack will sink down a bit further in his seat in preparation for whatever's coming next.]

Wow, you're that good? [Topic change? Maybe!]

The. Best.

Look, you don't need to tell, savvy? Just...sit quietly, then. Drink with Captain Jack for a spell.

[Because the LAST time they did this it went SO WELL.]

Alright, sounds safe enough [Until they get threadjacked and get into a fight! OHNOES?!]

[ Vash's flailing around at the Captain after his own, brief conversation with the brush head was enough to clue in McCoy to his presence in Good Spirits. And guess who is approaching after finishing his drink? Oh yes, Doctor McCoy. ]

You.

Me?

[Jack points straight at Vash. Soooo hopeful.]

Him?

No, not you. I've already spoken to you, kid.

[ Have a verbal pushdown rather than a physical one on his way to Jack. After all, first do no harm... although it looks like it'll be rapidly broken considering their last conversation. He jabs a finger at the pirate. ]

You.

Bonesy! [The greeting is cheerful, and the pirate straightens up in his seat. Who's trying to hide in the pub? Not Jack!]

Small world, Luceti. Small...inescapable...world. Drink?

Y-yeah, how about a nice, safe, friendly drink! [Vash feels bad vibes for SOME odd reason.]

I think you've had enough of those drinks, kid. And you didn't think I'd forget you closing the journal on me, did you?

[ Clearly this is more about stolen alcohol, journal hang-ups and hitting on his pseudo-little sister now. ]

[Jack drums nervous fingers on the bartop and takes a long drink of rum.]

Wind. Blew it closed, like. Baffling, really, how...wind...OH! A peanut! [Here he'll dig into the dish of Questionable Nuts that seems to adorn every bar.]

I am not a kid.

[ Sorry Vash, ignoring you. ]

Sure it did.

[Jack eats a couple of peanuts and chases them with rum before responding to this] Well it's all better now, isn't it? No lack of whiskey here, plenty of good friends--[He will attempt to pull Vash into a friendly headlock-type thing]--no one ripping open anyone's skull to prod at the grey bits inside. Homelike, really.

Edited 2010-06-19 18:44 (UTC)

[And Vash is dragged into a headlock.] Ripping open...?

[Wait! Focus! So, apparently Jack did something stupid and got this man pissed off. Let's try to talk this situation out of turning into a fight.] Ahahahahaha! Yeah, the whiskey here is really good? How about a drink and we can talk about... uh... it? [Whatever 'it' may be.]

I'd rather rip that skull open to have prod around, actually.

[ ... Okay, so that's technically a lie, but he just wants to get a reaction out of Jack in revenge for... whatever Bones feels he needs to get revenge for. ]

Jack feels a bit braver when it comes to McCoy and his doctoring while sitting in a bar with rum and Vash to throw in between them if anything goes south. However, the doctor is still a rather guilty reminder of something bad he might have done to Buffy and her general discomfort around him lately--NONE OF WHICH HE UNDERSTANDS IN THE SLIGHTEST. Sneaking through windows and all.

In any case, his dread of Bones is now less the dread you feel for a potential torturer and more the type of dread you feel for that really crotchety Chemistry teacher you had in the eleventh grade.

Still bad, though.

And then there's the actual veiled threat he received from Buffy should he ever lift a finger to hurt McCoy. And he had zero doubt that she'd go through with it, even if he did so in self-defense.

He fidgets, his arm tightening around Vash imperceptibly while his free hand throws back more drink. Please don't choke the gunslinger, Jack. And say exactly the wrong thing while you're at it.]

Mate--look, I know I might have compromised Buffy's honor the other night...

Edited 2010-06-20 12:52 (UTC)

[Ack! Air! Air please!] No! No! No! Come on! There's no need for violence, right? It's a nice night out a little rainy, but who doesn't like rain! and- [brief pause. Jack did what exactly? Oh well, it probably isn't worse than jumping off a roof with a rope tied around your middle to make sure a woman was taking a shower safely.]

Ahahahahaha! And Buffy seems really nice! I'm sure she'd understand if you didn't make a mess at the bar. She'd probably have to clean it up after all!

Well, state the obvious. You got her drunk while she was dressed up as Goddamn Klingon, of all things.

[ Sorry Vash, but he will have to kill you if you ever repeat what you have heard tonight. He flexes his fingers before crossing his arms over his chest. His hands are getting a little itchy, ]

And I abhor violence – from a medical standpoint, anyway.

Oh, is THAT what she were dressed as? [He'll let up on the Vash-choking for a bit] And here I thought I was getting her drunk while she was dressed up as one of Sao Feng's bathhouse slappers.

[Yes, Buffy's costume had entranced him and he'd thought her a beautiful sight, putting her right up on some internal pedestal. No, he hadn't actually equated her with a prostitute, but suddenly he's a bit curious about HOW violent McCoy can get---when the right leverage is applied, of course. He'll spin that wheel a bit.]

Don't even tell me you've never considered it, mate. Maybe we could get her to snog Vash, here? Poor boy could use a little action.

What the heck is a Kling-on? Is it... from drying your clot-

WHAAAAAAAT!?

[ The wheel of McCoy's temperament does not have to be spun that much for the doctor to see a red mist. So, that was probably not the best answer that Jack could have settled for and he reaches out suddenly to grab a handful of his shirt. ]

[OH. So that's what happens...]

[And why not go a little further? After this much rum...it seems like the thing to do. Jack allows Bones to retain his grip on the shirt, leaning closer to whisper confidential-like.]

So you have considered it? Turned you down, did she? Perhaps she won't be so picky about Vash-lad.

[Sorry Vash. It's not you.]

Edited 2010-06-20 21:31 (UTC)

[No, it is him. And ignoring that jab at him because - Jack what the hell are you doing!?]

Ahahahaha! N-now remember! You just said you abhor violence! And you're a doctor, uh, right? Don't you guys take an oath or something!?

Edited 2010-06-20 22:54 (UTC)

[ Oh, you are barking up the wrong tree there Jack, but that insinuation that he was turned down by his best friend's girl pisses him off even more. He does not release the handful of material he is attempting to squeeze blood – or rum, knowing Jack – out of as his temper rises and he ignores Vash. ]

I know you're insane, but that just took the biscuit right there. Stop painting her out to be like that, you bastard.

[ Sorry Vash. It was not meant to be intentional if you develop a fear of women and their male friends after this horrifying stand-off between captain and doctor after today. ]

[Insane? Yes. There have been more hallucinations, more voices lately. Jack needs something, anything to remind him of home. The sea. Tortuga. Hell, even a whiff of a Portuguese prison would do.

And what could be better to prove this strange world wasn't all just another Locker-like hallucination than a raw encounter such as this? Bloodying one's knuckles in a Tortuga-style brawl might shatter any dangerous illusions.

He looks down at McCoy's clutching fist and smiles.]

I haven't taken her biscuit....YET.

[You know what Jack? Vash... gives up. He'll let McCoy hit you... once. Maybe twice. No, Rem wouldn't be to happy with that now would she? Maybe one.]

[ Thank you, Vash. But he was not going to ask your permission to punch Jack Sparrow off his self-righteous stool. Hanging out with James T. Kirk for three years, the doctor was bound to pick up some bad habits and lash out when pushed far enough.

Primum non nocere was such a vague principle, after all. McCoy paused after he made that comment before he brought back his free hand punched the pirate square in the jaw. ]

[The blow, coupled with the rum he's had, is enough to floor Jack Sparrow. He'll lie there rubbing his jaw, looking up at McCoy and Vash with a smile. There's already a steady trickle of blood oozing from his lip.]

Aye; that were real. Suppose I deserved it, like.

[Vash winces in sympathy with the blow. He really doesn't like violence, but he sure as heck wasn't taking that one for Jack. But, oh thank god, it looks like something was knocked back in place.] Ahaha, now, how about we all just have a drink and put this little mess behind us right? Sound good?

Hmph... sounds good to me.

[ Punching Jack – and coupled with his understanding that he deserved that – seemed to pacify the aggravated doctor as he rubbed his knuckles. Don't question his logic; he has Spock to do that for him at home. ]

[Jack looks to Vash for a hand up.]

Sorry 'bout all that, Vash lad. Never meant to question the rate at which you enjoy the attentions of the ladies. Perhaps we can swap stories...

[And a sideways look at the doctor]

You know I didn't hurt her, and I never would. [Not while semi-sane, anyway; not intentionally.]

[Oh, thank god the fighting is over. Offers up that hand and helps you to your feet... then debates shoving you back down with that comment.] No thanks, I'm not the type to kiss and tell.

[ McCoy sits down next to Vash. Watching him shove the pirate back down onto the floor just improves his mood and he grins. ]

Oh, I like you. [ He pats him on the shoulder, before looking at Jack. ] And you better not. Because bhere'll be more than surgeons coming after you if you do.

[Something about the combo of a sock on the jaw, the rum, and whatever was congealing on the floor sent Jack just enough off balance that the pirate wasn't on his feet for long. He decided to just stay on the floor, for now, gingerly wiping blood from his mouth.]

You talkin' about the vampires, then? And can someone please hand me a cold bottle of something or other?

Now, out with it, Vash--prettiest girl you ever snogged?

Edited 2010-06-21 21:38 (UTC)

[Okay, he thought about helping you up again but now he's just going elbow that shot glass off the bar by 'mistake' on top of you.] Opps, sorry Jack. Are you alright?

[ McCoy just snorts into his drink. ] And he said karma was illogical...

Ouch! Vash, you great sodding---...WASTE OF GOOD LIQUOR.

[Now the pirate's eye is swelling up, thanks to a good thwack with a shot glass. He jumps up, now a bit out of sorts.]

If there isn't a cold bottle of something or other in my hand in exactly three seconds, there will be the Locker to pay. And that's me bein' kind, like.

It was a terrible waste! [Looks hurt, but is happy on the inside that it got you thinking about other things. Leans over and grabs a bottle of rum and puts it in your hand.] Better now?

I'll take that. [ McCoy says as he leans over to try and take the bottle of rum from him. ] You owe me one.

[There's a very offended pirate turning a shoulder toward the rum-thieving doctor before finally giving in. With a lot of grumbling.]

True, Bonesy, though what I really owes you is a fine bottle of single-barrel malt and a knife in the gut.

[He grabs another bottle, this of ale, and presses it to the side of his face before answering Vash]

Eye? Aye. To beautiful wenches everywhere! He raises the bottle with a knowing glance at Vash before returning it to his aching jaw]

Edited 2010-06-21 22:34 (UTC)

[Well, that's not what he usually drinks to, but what the hell. Sighs.] To beautiful wenches...

[ Hey. Hey. McCoy does not appreciate the nickname Bonesy or that threat of being stabbed. ] Don't toast to that!

And what would you have us drink to? Something endlessly dreary I expect. Amputations. Diseases. Gangrenous surgical leavings.

[Yeah, he was totally ignoring that knife bit himself.] How about to love and peace then?

I'd toast to you contracting a nasty case of rudellian brain fever, if I didn't expect you were already suffering from it. But love and peace will do.

...

This..."rudellian brain fever," mate. What's it like?

[A snort, then.] I'm all for love and peace, but it's sort of...three gents toasting to that? Bit strange, that, eh?

[Ignoring the bit evil sounding stuff] No it's not! There's nothing wrong with it at all.

It's an infectious disease, which can cause severe mental problems. And this peace and love sounds like a boy scout type of thing; are you apart of some kind of cult?

Oi! Vash ain't the cultish kind. He's a man what knows about love is all. And pie. But mostly love! An' we could all learn from him, particularly his legendary way with wenches. If you ask me, Bonesy, you'd do well to pay attention to him on that topic, eh?

No-what!? That's not what I mean at all!

Stop calling women wenches, damn it.

What's wrong with wenches?

Most women find it rude when you call them that.

Exactly. Summers'll break your arm if she heard you calling her that.

Annie? Didn't so much break me arm as ask me to call her otherwise in that lovely way o' hers. Didn't like it when I called her "woman", either.

[Said as though he's making some crucial point; also, leaving out the context, which was "BRING ME TACOS, WOMAN"]

Yeah, I found most women don't like that either... or grandma.

... You two are hopeless.

[There's an assortment of chuckles at the "grandma" remark, then a sharp glance at McCoy.]

RIGHT, Bonesy. Either both me an' him [Jerking a thumb toward Vash] are mad, or you're a regular Casanova--unlikely--what knows his way around a strumpet like none other.

[Laughs] I dunno Jack! Maybe we should be taking lessons from him while we can! [Screw settling on a toast. Takes a drink.]

I'm surprised you even have any teeth left, Sparrow.

[Jack clicks his teeth together experimentally]

Why's that?

You know what Jack? I'm kinda hungry - how about some pie?

Well, you're such a charmer of course. [ Grumbling into his drink. ]

Doc, I think you an' me an' Vash-lad need some pie. Friendly bite of pie, what will cure whatever bad blood's between us.

[Vash hopes so, but he won't let those hopes get too high.] The bakery here is quite good!

You're gonna need a hell of a lot more than pie. [ But pie does help. ]

RIGHT! [Swaying slightly, Jack reaches out to grab a couple more bottles of alcohol.]

We're getting pie, right now. Savvy? [Is the bakery even open? Will they have to break in during the dead of night?]

Pie what'll resolve the bad feelings, at least for tonight, eh Bonesy? Tomorrow we can go about life as usual, with you plotting to remove the top of my skull and me plotting which end of the sword to use to run you through.

[It should be - Vash hopes, as he's not the breaking and entering kind of guy] Right pie! Delicio- ah! Would you knock it off with the stabbing talk!

I'll be surprised if you can even find the hilt of the damn thing.

[Don't tempt him, doctor; he's just getting into a good mood.]

Ha! Good one, doc! Sorry Vash lad--pirate. Onward! Pie!

[And he's making for the door, still carrying his bottles, expecting the other two to trail in his wake. Hopefully there are no open container laws in Luceti. ]

[Vash will follow behind. Either way this was a... strange... distraction from his current thoughts.] You know, you blame being a pirate on practically everything you do.

[ McCoy is apparently possessed enough to bring up the rear of this odd trio and glares at the pirate ahead. ] People like him always do.

[Jack waits for them just outside the door to the pub before moving on toward the bakery. He'll ignore McCoy's grumbling---for now.]

Bein' a pirate is a first-rate reason to do almost anything. Breaking into a pie-shop, now, for some nighttime pie; excellent excuse for that.

I don't think we'll need to break in. And pirate is not a reason to do almost anything. I know some pirates who are pretty good people.

You don't have to think about it; we're not breaking in.

Whyever not? Fun! Bonesy an' I will boost you through the window, Vash lad. And then you open the door for us.

I am not helping you break into anything.

No.

Edited 2010-06-23 07:16 (UTC)

[Jack tries the door of the shop, which is, indeed, locked tight.]

Edited 2010-06-23 12:43 (UTC)

[And, after placing his bottles carefully on the ground with a warning finger to stay put, the pirate takes a few steps back. He squints at the door, then rolls up his sleeves a bit, then RUNS AT THE DOOR TO BREAK IT DOWN WITH HIS SHOULDER.]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

[Turns out, however, that the door wasn't LOCKED, just stuck tightly. Be treated to sounds of crashing, swearing, and then silence, broken only (eventually) by what might be the sound of globs of pie dripping to the floor from a broken pie plate. Then...]

Little help?

Oh! Wait! Wait! That door sometimes- [Winces]] -uh, sticks.

[Vash sighs and heads on in.] But you're doing so good on your own already.

[ McCoy decided to stay outside during this shameful exploit, slapping a hand against one side of his face in annoyance once Jack flew into the bakery and sighed at the resulting crash. ] Good God...

[The mess isn't as epic as it had sounded, actually--mostly the fallout from Jack crashing into a shelf that had held baking pots and pans of various sizes. There was only the one pie casualty.]

Well I got us in, didn't I? OI! BONESY! PIE! What kind d'you want, then?

[Don't mind Vash. He'll just be quietly cleaning up your mess Jack. Don't need the bakery people miss making him his morning donuts because of your mess.]

[ It's a spillage after unlawful entry: therefore, it is in his mind. ] I didn't even want any to begin with!

Apple then? Right. Me, I'll have this lovely spiced pumpkin. Vash lad? Stop that cleanin' immediately.

I've always liked apple if they have another. [He has a thing for apples, and no he won't stop cleaning. He's almost done anyway.]

I can't believe I was dragged into this...

Aye---for you-- [Handing another apple to Vash. Then eating pumpkin pie with great delight.]

If you don't mind me askin', doc--what do your lot do for fun around here?

[Because whatever it is, it isn't working.]

And who doesn't like a good pie! [Taking a large bite!]

[ ... Yeah, no. McCoy is not even going to dignify Jack (or Vash) with an answer and will be turning around and leaving you two to eating your pie whilst throwing up his arms in defeat.

... But to answer his question: alcohol. A lot of it. ]

He's a regular barrel of laughs, ain't he?

Well, I can't say it hasn't been an interesting night.

Yeah, it weren't so bad, really. Though waking up drunk in this pie shop ain't something I care to repeat. He picks up a few pies, balancing them with ease. Sort of.]

Night, Vash lad.

Try to stay out of trouble, Jack.

Trouble? Trouble? Me? What trouble? [A pie teeters; almost falls; almost falls again; is somehow balanced.]

I honestly don't know what you mean, Vash m'friend. No idea.

Edited 2010-06-25 00:12 (UTC)

Sure you don't. [Waves] See ya around.

Farewell, Vash--til the next time, eh?

[He'll take himself cheerfully home]

[Vash probably doesn't notice the fighter ace sitting over along the side of the bar, strumming lucidly on his guitar. But Thirteen takes notice of Vash when he begins flipping out. Something's clearly on his mind, so he stops playing, gets up, and approaches him.]

The first thing you need to do is relax and not freak out over whatever it is you're worried about.

Freaking out? Who's freaking out?! I'm not freaking out! [Downs a full glass of whiskey] AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That tasted great!

[He'll take a seat next to Vash. A smile crosses his face, though he moves to slide Vash's now empty glass away from him. His tone is solid, but friendly. Almost like he's talking to a squadmate.]

...You are a terrible liar. Take a deep breath, and cool your jets. And drinking won't solve whatever you're worried about.

What's got you twisting in the wind.

[More of a statement for him to say what's on his mind than a question. He's here to help, and he's putting that up front.]

[H-hey! His free booze!] Well, uh, you see... I think I forgot to return a library book back home. The fees are going to be NUTS! And I'm broke!

You don't need to play dumb.

...Besides, everything I've read suggests time in your world stands still while you're here. Even if it's overdue, you won't have anything especially bad to worry about.

Oh, really? Thank goodness!

[A snort of a laugh.]

Now then. What's actually bothering you?

I forgot to return a library book here too. I'm bad at this.

You know, you're never going to get the answers you're looking for if you don't help others to help you.

[But his voice turns a little wry as he continues.]

...Or maybe you blow overdue books way out of proportion.

Aahahahaha, yeah, Meryl is always telling me I tend to overreact to things.

Ah, so you're a friend of hers. Wait, you're Vash, right? I've talked to her a few times.

Yeah, that's right. It's been awhile.

Far too long. How've you been, anyway? Summer suiting you better than winter, I take it?

I've been pretty good, and it's a bit closer to feeling like home, but I kinda missed the winter. The snow was a lot of fun.

It's good that it grew on you. It used to snow back in Farbanti during the winter quite a bit. Made flying a pain, but it could be nice to look at.

Heh, and the kids always loved getting out of school.

I kinda miss it! I wish it would snow on Gunsmoke too.

[ ...the bar is Usopp's friend right now, what of it? And you're making a commotion, which makes it hard to not squawk. HAVE AN USOPP. ]

... You okay?

Edited 2010-06-19 03:21 (UTC)

Oh, who me? I'm fine! Just fine! Never better! AHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Right. [ Loaded with much skepticism, but he won't pry. This time. ]

[ Pauses. ]

Did you get rid of your mushi?

I did... it was kinda creepy though. I first heard it's footsteps and then one day I turned around and there was another me standing there.

[ o__o ]

Starting to think they're all creepy. [ Wait, maybe he should try that again ] At least it didn't crawl into your ear?

Yes! Very good it didn't do that! I'm ticklish!

I don't think tickling is what I'd be worried about.

By the way... how's Nami? [As I'm assuming he would have found out she was FOUND and going to live before he gave up his hopeless search ~~as there were too many people already in that thread, lol.~~]

[ Ahh, one of the reasons he's even here tonight. ]

She'll be fine. [ If he has to say that one more time he swears he's going to smack someone. ]

That's good. I was worried. [A pause] How are you doing?

Yeah, us too. [ Pff. ] Oi, what kind of question is that? I'm always fine. [ ~~Just losing memories to a mushi this week.~~ ]

Well, I guess because it's been a rather crazy week.

I guess it has. Kind of used to it by now.

[ A brief pause. ] Nami's not usually the one who does all the bleeding back home.

[Awkwardly] ...that's too bad. Good thing she has you all here. [Then sighs] This place can't seem to get anything right somedays.

[ Good thing she has Luffy, Sanji and Chopper here. But he won't bother thinking it for long. ] Definitely a good thing. It's easy to find trouble alone and a lot harder to get out of it.

[ Looks over. ] Not for all of us, anyway. Maybe someone here is actually happy. [ Well, not in the bar. But in general. ]

[Sighs] I sometimes think that this place is great. It's so full of life and people. [Flat tone.] Then something happens that reminds me that this place could never be a safe place. [Rem leave, Nami getting hurt, people always dying, and let's not forget that little war.]

With just no way to get away from it all either. [Yeah, someone's had the itch to skip town and settle somewhere new, but that doesn't really work here.]

I don't think any place is really safe anymore. [ The village, home, the forest, the mountains, the desert. Every world people seem to come from here. Echoing that sigh quietly. ]

But maybe that's just how it is. Places aren't supposed to be the important thing anyway, right?

[Smiles] I can drink to that. [Does so!]

Of course. [ Joins in on that. ]

[Sets his empty glass down.] You know, I don't think I could ever really completely hate this place. Where else would I have met you guys?

[ Usopp said something along the same lines himself, a couple of months ago. Never could hate a place with stories to tell. He bows his head a little and can't figure out if he still thinks that. ]

I'm glad we met you, too. [ At least he can figure that out, right? ]

[Puts a hand on your shoulder] Things will get better.

[ He drops his head further on a quiet inhale. Vash, he hates when you do that. You always sound like you mean it- like Luffy does when he means it, and he would really like to believe it.

Something is in his brain eating his memories, Nami got attacked, again, and he couldn't do anything, again- she could have died.

She almost died.

Damn it. Trying not to sound lost, here: ]

... What if they don't?

They will. They always do. [No one can be sad forever... right Rem?]

[ Not forever- that's always been something he's very good at pushing away. But once in a while, when he doesn't have to worry about his crew seeing it, it tends to suddenly rise back up. Hope you don't mind him emo-ing it up next to you, Vash. He just doesn't seem to have much composure back in him yet. ]

You guys- you always make it sound easy. [ Beneath the strained tone is a hint of amusement, at least. He makes friends of the most optimistic people, doesn't he? ]

[Small laughs] Easy to say, but sometimes the waiting and doing is hard. But... it makes life worth living, doesn't it?

I wouldn't be on Luffy's crew if it didn't. [ God, how he wouldn't. Alllll the troublesome times in the world. ]

[Pours you a drink because alcohol makes EVERYTHING better.] Hopefully we'll look back on this and laugh in a couple weeks. [Dear god, he hopes so.

But for now! Subject change!] Do you think it will get cold again soon? I kinda miss the snow. [Seasons? What are seasons?]

[ It does. It really, really does. Mutter-mutter: ] I don't know about laughing... think I'd settle for forgetting. [ Should be no problem.

He supports this endeavor! ] We've got a few months before it starts getting cold again. Unless they decide to give us another blizzard in the middle of summer.

That would be fun!

It would be pretty different, I guess.

I hope it doesn't get too much hotter than this. I've really liked this cold weather!

I guess you would, huh? I kind of like the sun better.

[ Well someone can't hold their liquor and hey have a demon in Good Spirits. He's usually not noticeable even if he tries to be but this is ridiculous. ]

Be quiet for one. What the hell are you going on about?

Nothing! Yeah! Maybe that's what I can do! Nothing! AHHH! But I can't just do nothing! Can I? NO! Maybe...? Oh man! What do I do!? Maybe just one more drink, or two, or five! Yeah! Yeah! That's it! Just a little time to think! [Yup, didn't hear you.]

Bloody hell. [ He's going to fling bar peanuts at you if you don't stop. But that drinking idea is sounding pretty decent too. ]

Can never go wrong with just one more after all.

Or two! [Yes, he does have selective hearing. Why do you ask?]

[ No asking here that's all he needs, and you can have a glass randomly being held out to you by said ~~demon~~ black haired man with sunglasses. ]

Make it one for now. No need to rush things, right?

Ahhaa! No need at all. [Raises his glass] Cheers.

Especially in this bloody place. [ He'll just down half his glass. Good thing he doesn't need his liver, or any organs for that matter and thank god for insta!sobering. ] Cheers to that.

[Drinks as well! Except not as much - Vash needs his liver.] So what brings you out to the bar tonight friend?

[ Shrugs and takes a few more sips. ] Not much else to do in this bloody place. So figured it's about time I went to see the selection they've got here.

Ah, true. Even better that it's all free~!

Not like that was ever a problem.

Huh, was everything free on your home world too? [Ah, so naive at times.]

[ A smirk will just snake its way across his lips as he takes another sip of his glass. ] Yeah something like that.

[Vash frowns slightly. He's not sure he likes you as much anymore.] Something... huh?

[ You're just jealous of his unlimited booze supply and free well...EVERYTHING. ] Have to admit...it has its perks.

This... something? Or your home world?

Both. Better than this place, them.

I see... [No he doesn't.]

What's your name friend?

Crowley.

You?

Vash.

You come here often?

As often as I can, chap, as often as I can.

One of the best places to hang out at in this place.

It certainly makes this whole town a bit better. I'd expect it to be full what with all the stuff going on.

Yeah, it's been a hard week for some people.

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[Action] /threadjacks

[Action] oh noes! SCARY!

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[Action] LJ IS FAIL

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[Action] This post....took way too long....

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[Action] The Council To Prevent Pirate Abuse will be hearing about this...

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