[Video]

[burnt_offering]

[Ace is sitting and staring, brows furrowed a little. This whole situation has really gotten him frustrated. He went from either dying, or being damn close to it, to this. And while he's absolutely fine with not having his life ended, there's no amount of questions that are unanswered and he's worried for the people left behind. He really did screw up, there was so much he could have done differently, so much trouble he could have saved for those who had to suffer because of his choices and convictions. He's not even sure that his attempt to save his brother worked, and he's not certain he can handle not knowing if those left behind will be okay or not.

It's easier to live without regrets when death is actually the end and you don't have to experience any further consequences.

And now, he's got this second chance but it's overwhelming somehow. He's not going to take for granted a round two at life, but where to go from here when everything is so new and different is exhausting to think about. And somehow exciting too. He's got an idea of what he needs to do, but he's still a little in shock about the whole situation.

After about a minute, he realizes that he's been filming himself, and actually decides to speak.]

Okay, so I'm-[Ace stops mid-sentence, and his head rolls back at an awkward angle. And he starts to snore, while the camera just keeps recording. This goes on for quite a while, unfortunately. And then as suddenly as he passed out, he jerks upright again and blinks. It's a confusing day as is, and narcolepsy doesn't help with that.] Damn. Happened again. Anyway, I'm Ace. If you've got any good information that might help a guy out, I might make it worth your while. [He probably won't.]

Comments

Video

[cool_skeleton]

SURE THING, ACE GUY! AHEM.

LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING THE STREET!

[He did say any information, and maybe he was as unused to traffic as Papyrus was.]

[Video]

[burnt_offering]

Yeah, that's something. [Common sense kind of stuff in any situation, but hey, he asked and got an answer. Even if it was a basic and unimportant one.] Guess I shoulda been more specific.

Re: [Video]

[cool_skeleton]

NYEH HEH HEH! THE GREAT PAPYRUS IS CHOCK-FULL OF GOOD ADVICE! NOW IT'S YOUR TURN.

[Video]

[burnt_offering]

Yeah, sure you are. [He'd argue but this is actually really funny to him.] Let's see. Don't go swimming after you eat a Devil Fruit. Or you'll just sink like a brick.

[Video]

[fierybluebird]

You're back!!! Hold still, I'll fly out to get you.

[Video]

[burnt_offering]

Marco! Marco, I'm so damn glad to see you! [Wait, back? He's missing something important.] I'm stayin' put, but back?

Action

[fierybluebird]

[THAT WARMS HIS HEART, SPARKY.]

[But he doesn't explain.]

[Ace will just have to wait until he's divebombed by a fluffy happy phoenix in a shower of sparkles and cuddles.]

[justicereigns]

Information for information. What's the last thing you remember, brat?

[burnt_offering]

[Why the hell is a dirty Marine talking to him? He can't get away from those assholes, even here.] You think a pirate is gonna just hand over information, just like that?

[justicereigns]

[Sarcastic smirk.]

But you think a marine should?

( video )

[blingking]

( Molly has approximately no information, given how similar his current situation is to ace's. Maybe it's genessia's m.o to just throw dead people here for the hell of it. Regardless, this will not stop him from pretending he knows what's going on because, uh, why not? )

I might be able to help you out - but I'm curious about how you could 'make it worth my while.'

[burnt_offering]

[He's got nothing but what he's been provided so far. And he usually doesn't pay up or out. So Ace has got very little to offer and no real intentions on making it worth anyone's while.

He's a pirate, and absolutely fine lying if it means getting information. Among other things.] See, that depends on the quality of the information.

[blingking]

( don't bullshit a bullshitter. Or do, because it's funny. Molly smirks. )

Seems like a reasonable business practice. Let's say I have some high quality information - what do I get?

[Video] [HOURS LATER LIKE A FRICKING WINNER]

[om_nom_namur]

[It's early evening when Namur finally stretches himself awake and starts going through the morning routine. Kiss Rip, take a piss, maybe a shower. Hit up social media, to see if there's any whaleshit going down. Seems pretty quiet, just a bunch of the usual schtick.

...

Oh.]

Well, well. Look what the seaking drug in. How much info y' got so far, bro? How much more y' need?

[Video] NAMUR IS FASHIONABLY LATE

[burnt_offering]

[Ace waves at the camera excitedly, he's gotten a lot of information so far but he's still glad to see another friend.] Hey, Namur! How's it going? [Ace was totally aware that Namur was here, Smoker dropped that on him early on. And he's got a lot to talk to him about.]

Marco filled me in, but he wasn't the only one. Someone told me that I needed to ask you about something.

[Video]

[om_nom_namur]

Everthin' everthin', or jus' some a everthin'?

[He might be glancing toward wherever Rip is, then scrubbing his face with his hand. He knows what it's like dropping in, a pirate expecting brothers in arms, not settled small time crooks and business men with roots.]

Well shit, bro. Hit me with it. Whatcha need t' know?

[If he asks for "the talk" Namur's going to shank the universe.]

[Video]

[sunny_pirate]

Last I saw, your brother was going from picking a fight with one of the Four Emperors to taking on another one. I figure you've got a right to know.

[This isn't the first time that Jinbei's seen Ace here, so he's had plenty of time to think about what he should tell the young pirate.]

Good to have you back, by the way! I take it you've already heard from Marco and Namur? [He did not pick a great morning to sleep in. :| ]

[Video]

[burnt_offering]

Seriously? [Ace just puts his face in his hands for a moment, and shakes his head. Yeah, that's Luffy alright. It's a good thing his little brother has a hell of a lot of powerful support back home. That said, he's also kind of proud of how ambitious he is.] Hey. Yeah, I guess I'm back, but I don't exactly remember being here to begin with. Guess that means I'm starting over fresh, from my side of things anyway.

[Video]

[sunny_pirate]

I can work with that! I figure I should start planning in case Luffy shows up, so if there's anything you want to find, I'll see what I can do - I've got maps and everything!

[Jinbei's either blissfully unaware that Luffy would get lost even if he had a map, or he's hoping for the best. He holds up one of his maps, which has many coloured lines drawn all over it that lead to places of interest.]

It's still a work in progress, but the red lines lead to restaurants - it's not a complete list yet, but I focused on the ones that serve a lot of meat. The light blue line goes to the place where I'm living at the moment, and the white lines leads to Marco and Namur's residences. The green ones... [He's clearly planned this out thoroughly - maybe a bit too thoroughly.]

[singinghuntress]

Ace! You’re back. Haz Namur or Marco found you yet~?

[ Have a young woman with long black hair and glasses . Also a mouth full of fangs....]

[burnt_offering]

Yeah, I talked to both of them. But I gotta say, I've got no clue about you. Guess we've got to meet all over again.

[Wow that is an impressive butcher shop's worth of knives she's got packed away.]

[singinghuntress]

[ She pouts briefly before going back to smiling]

I zuppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Ve only met briefly once und vith how these vorlds vork, its alvays a gamble ven zomeone returns.

Zo I get to introduce myself again!

[ she grins slightly and waves.]

Hallo, I’m Rip. I’m part of Marco’s crew und Namur iz my boyfriend. Hopefully zhat helps.

[Video]

[gip_u202]

[Several hours after Ace's initial video, he'll receive an inbound one out of nowhere; the video opens on a petite blonde, curled up in a massively oversized armchair with a book and a cup of coffee. She's smiling politely, and even offers her camera a little wave once she's certain that the call's gone through.]

Hello there! Namur told me I ought to give you a call now that you're here in the city with us. Although...

[Her brow furrows ever so slightly, and she tilts her head in apparent confusion while she tries to decide a polite way to phrase what's on her mind. This person... Well, to be frank, he doesn't look anything like Namur, so...]

He told me that you were his brother... Did I message the wrong account? If I did, I'm so sorry to've bothered you...

[Video]

[burnt_offering]

[Ace has settled comfortably in at this point, after busy day of eating out and being guided through the basics of this world that's so new to him. He waves back as he reclines on a bed in Marco's place, in a considerably better mood than before.

He's got no clue what she's so confused looking about though.] Yeah, that's right. [Brotherhood under Whitebeard, as sons that served him proudly. That's as good as genetic brotherhood in Ace's book.] You one of his friends or somethin'?

[gip_u202]

You might say so. [She smiles again in response to the inquiry, nodding once.] We met via his business here, Jolly Eddy's; I'm one of the escorts there.

[It might seem like an odd choice of profession for someone her size, but of course, anyone from Namur's world likely knows how looks can be deceiving. She pauses to sip her coffee before continuing, apparently taking precisely that fact in mind.]

I suppose I'd anticipated a bit more of a family resemblance, but that's no matter; if Namur says you're family, that's enough for me. I'm Rowan, by the way-- It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister Ace.