[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

[burnt_offering]

[It's gonna be a little longer, sorry.

After about 5 minutes, Ace jerks upwards suddenly, wide eyed and staring in confusion. He's also got a face covered in mashed potatoes.

Thankfully for the waitstaff, there's an abandoned apron on a chair near them. And that gets washrag duty instead of someone's shirt or the aprons they're wearing.] Eh? Again?

[fierybluebird]

Oh, did you? I hadn't noticed.

[Deadpan lying of course.]

[burnt_offering]

[Okay that throws him off a little, he's still groggy.] ...Did I? [Did he just imagine all of that?]

[fierybluebird]

Nope.

[MARCO IS EVIL. HE'S NOT EVEN SORRY.] More food?

[burnt_offering]

...What the hell, Marco?

[He looks down at what's left on the plate, and starts eating again.] Yeah keep it coming.

[fierybluebird]

What, is there something on my face?

[Mashed potatoes on Ace's.]

[burnt_offering]

No. [Still eating, but after another mouthful.] Did I get everything off of mine?

[fierybluebird]

Mostly. Still got something -- [Pokes him and wipes a finger to inspect it, CLEARLY TEASING HIM IN A SECOND:] Nope just freckles.

[WORST BIG BRO.]

[burnt_offering]

[That gets a seriously bratty sounding huff out of Ace, and he rolls his eyes before going back to scraping the last bits off of the plate. It's not great food, but it's food.] How do you keep your expressions so serious when you do stuff like that?

[fierybluebird]

It's a mystery. [DEADPAN, of course.]

[burnt_offering]

It's kinda creepy. [Ace is amazed, he's personally someone who just can't deadpan to save his life.]

[fierybluebird]

[ :| Ace you love him so much you just GIVE HIM GIFTS LIKE THIS!!! He is flattered!!!! And will not let it go to waste.]

Well, it's not like I kill people like this.

I smile then.

[ > : ) ]

[burnt_offering]

[Oh yeah, Ace is absolutely creeped out.] Is that so? [Oh hey, new plate, gonna just very much focus on that.]

[fierybluebird]

Would you like to hear the details?

[Say no Ace, he's just trolling you for funsies.]

[burnt_offering]

Yeah, no. Sorry, gonna have to pass. [Please bro he's eating, and he's pretty soft hearted for a pirate. Even when he wanted to kill Pops it wasn't a yay fun everyday sort of thing. And he doesn't want to hear the gory details of Marco smiling while he ends someone's life.

He honestly doesn't want to hear about anyone's life ending.]

[fierybluebird]

[HIDES HIS SMIRK BEHIND HIS HAND. SO ADORABLE.]

Some other time.

[No. No worries Ace, he reserves all that psychosis for Ikki and Rip. And not even Rip much.]

[burnt_offering]

Ah, sure. That's great. Some other time is great.

[Some other time that's absolutely not now. Or ever.

Just shoveling in more cheap food, but occasionally looking back at Marco because he's not sure he'll actually stick to that.]

[fierybluebird]

[THE FACT THAT MARCO CAN HOLD THIS DEADPAN WHILE HE IS ABSOLUTELY DYING OF LAUGHTER INSIDE IS WELL...]

[How this discussion got started really, but still.]

[Just pats Ace's head. Silly Ace.]

[burnt_offering]

[Headpats are good, better than the food, but he's gonna get another plate into him at least and pretend that he didn't have a horrific mental image of Marco smiling while murdering someone.]