PC: ACE 💀

[resumed]

Comments

[resumed]

Maybe I'm not always a nice person. [ hehe. but...he does seem to shift his way of thinking then. ]

...some of these are just things I think I want to tell people, but I don't know how to. So it feels easier thinking you may or may not remember tomorrow.

[selfimmolation]

Hmmm. Usually you do it people when they're drunk, not when they've got weird side effects. [ but it's teasing so he's clearly not mad about it. ]

[resumed]

Most of my friends aren't old enough to actually drink where I'm from. [ it's entirely possible they could maybe figure out a way for underage drinking to happen, but he does not say this. ] Also don't judge me.

[selfimmolation]

I can judge you all I want if you're being rude. [ he laughs a little ] I... stole my first drink at ten, did I tell you?

[resumed]

Yeah but you'd be wrong. [ stop. but he grins slightly, more than willing to entertain this. ] I don't think you told me that story, no. Why'd you do it? Just because?

[selfimmolation]

Something I heard, actually. They say if you share sake together, you become brothers. [ he laughs ] So I stole Dadan's sake and drank a cup with Luffy and Sabo.

[resumed]

Not a bad way of making sure your family's your family. [ it's a nice sentiment, he thinks. ] Surprised nobody noticed the sake was gone to begin with.

[selfimmolation]

What was Dadan gonna do, ground me? She stopped trying to wrangle me when I was like four.

[ fondly. ]

[resumed]

Dude, I don't know. Considering the kind of kid you were I guess I can see why she'd let you do whatever you wanted after a while.

[selfimmolation]

Haha, yeah... [ sort of fond ] She really was saddled with a lot 'cause of the old man.

[resumed]

I guess I can't say much about it. Chiron and Mr. D have to watch after a lot of us every summer and some throughout the whole year. I think there's a lot they've just sort've turned a blind eye to because it's easier than dealing with it. [ but... ] When did you last see her anyway?

[selfimmolation]

[ he's pausing there looking blankly at nothing for a bit like he legitimately can't remember ]

When I set sail. That was... [ why can't he remember. ] She didn't come see me off, but I left her a message. I think. [ he plays with the beads around his neck ]

[resumed]

[ oh the swiss cheese... ]

...sounds about right. She probably got it when she was supposed to. [ neutrally. ] You didn't set sail that long ago right?

[selfimmolation]

Last... year? No. [ he rubs at his face ] I was seventeen. We promised we'd go at seventeen.

[resumed]

[ the soup is concerning... ]

That sounds about right from what you said. It's not a bad age to leave either. You're old enough to make decisions about where you want to go and what you want to do.

[selfimmolation]

... Yeah. Luffy left too, right? [ he should not be checking in about that with nico but it's fine don't question it ]

[resumed]

Yeah, I think a few years later? He's going to be king of the pirates. You remember that?

[selfimmolation]

[ actually looks offended at that question ]

Of course I do.

[resumed]

[ a grin. ]

Just making sure. Call it a trick question.

[selfimmolation]

He's been saying it since before I met him. If I start forgetting that, we're in real trouble.

[resumed]

Big dreams for a kid. [ wild as shit. ] But I'll use that as a baseline for your memory.

[selfimmolation]

It's not that bad... mostly... [ head lilting a little ]

[resumed]

[ shaking his head. ]

I think you might be in need a nap, personally.

[selfimmolation]

[ there's a weak laugh, but... ]

Probably.

[resumed]

[ where even are we. god. anyway he's gently nudging ace like "go lay down." ]

I can hang out until you wake up and we'll make sure you get back to Nimona.