genessia | [Video]

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[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.]

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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.

Oh, okay. [He's not sure what she means by escorts, the first thing that comes to mind is another sort of career entirely and he didn't think that Namur was into that kind of business. He gulps, a girl's gotta make a living too, but the context of it doesn't seem right to him. And he's gonna have some questions for him later about that.

In that context, her size is fine. Not that he'd judge someone small anyway. His little brother is small but a crazy powerhouse.] Eh, no. Not brothers like, from the same mom or anything like that. We're crewmates, sworn sons of Whitebeard. [He tries to imagine what he'd look like if they were actually genetic brothers, and it's a little mind boggling.] Just Ace, okay?

Edited 2019-04-07 06:17 (UTC)

[He'd hardly be the first to make that assumption-- Or, given the Jolly Eddy's crew, the first to make a joke about said assumption, either. She's used to it enough by this point that she bypasses the urge to clarify, at least right away; Namur's the one who chose to call it an "escort service," so let him be the one to field those accusations, right?

Ace's clarification regarding their association leaves the little blonde laughing, nodding again a moment later as she sets her coffee aside to keep from spilling it.]

Somehow, I put that together, yes-- But I appreciate the explanation, all the same. I've gotten the impression that Namur has a rather substantial family, all in all... it sounds like a good way to live. I've wondered more than once how I might have fit in with all of you, but unfortunately, I can't swim, so I suppose that puts me out of the running for your, ah... Field of work.

[He'll figure it all out in the end. But really, it's not a hard assumption to make, and the running joke will be funny to him when he's not worried about what sort of thing his bro is into. But for now, it just stays pushed back so he can focus on her and where the conversation is going.]

Yeah, Pops had a lot of sons. It was pretty great while it lasted. [Ace laughs when she brings up not being able to swim.] Yeah, I can't swim either. I sink like a rock. So that's not something that would have cut you out of piracy as a career.

Edited 2019-04-07 06:47 (UTC)

What-- really? [She doesn't even try to disguise her awe at Ace's confession, bright green eyes widening in response.]

But-- If you sink, aren't you afraid of the water? What if you fell in or something? Unless you can breathe underwater... [She trails off there, leaning back to fix her camera with an appraising look. It's definitely possible, especially with somebody from Namur's world, from what she's heard of it...]

If I'm gonna sink, and no one can help me? I'll just die. [Again. It's never going to not feel weird thinking about this being his second shot at life.] But fear shouldn't keep you from doing things. Life's too damn short, and it's not like the world is gonna wait. And I was never afraid of the water. I kinda miss swimming sometimes, but I'm not afraid. [He doesn't know how he feels about anything anymore, but he's not going to let fear rule him. Even if it's justifiable fear.]

You're so... direct. [She tilts her head again, still looking thoughtful, but after a moment there's a smile playing at the corner of those freckled lips. It's not so different, all in all; her work back home always carried the risk of death or dismemberment, and that had never stopped her. Why should similar risks stop anyone else?

After a moment she nods, apparently satisfied with this logical step, and settles more comfortably in her armchair.]

I think I see where you're coming from, though. One can't let oneself be held back by fear, after all-- Not when things need to get done, life needs to get lived, and so on.

[Abruptly, she straightens up again to fix her camera with a bright smile.] Oh! Moreover, that particular risk is something of a non-issue, here! Namur has the most fascinating device, you'll have to ask him to show it to you-- He says it's supposed to allow a person to breathe underwater. I haven't tested it myself, but it sounds like the sort of thing people like you or I might want to invest in, don't you think?

Yeah? Is that a bad thing? [He's not always direct, but he comes from a world where holding back might get you killed. And his whole life was built up on living for freedom and to have a life without regrets or fears. And being a pirate that was raised by bandits didn't help on the direct front.] Yeah. You gotta live life without fear or regrets.

[He peers at the comment about the underwater breathing device. He's not sure it would do anything to compensate for his fruit, but it's worth talking to him about.] That sounds pretty amazing.

Not a bad thing at all. [Her smile warms as she answers that with a brief shake of her head.] Honestly, I don't have much patience for people who spend all their time talking themselves around in circles. If something happens, it happens. Life either goes on, or it doesn't.

[She shrugs, apparently dismissing any worries about second-guessing these things.] But, if something can be avoided... I'd definitely ask him about that device. It's a sort of necklace, he usually carries it on him for people like you or me who might need it.

I figure that secrets are only good to keep when they're the kind that hurt people, and beating around the bush doesn't help anyone. [She's fun, he decides. Not quite someone he's used to, but this place keeps surprising him.] That's just exhausting. Life's too short for that crap.

[He nods.] Yeah, I'll ask him. Thanks for the information.

Mm... [She hums thoughtfully, tilting her head again while she chews on that notion. Sometimes secrets are a necessity, but... No, she decides, overall he's got it right.]

I know some people might not agree, but I'd imagine they've never had somebody's life riding on the secret. Or their own, for that matter. Here, though?

[She gestures with a nod of her head to the window behind her, indicating the city at large.]

It's a little bit different. Some things which needed to be kept a secret back home don't matter here at all. It's... Interesting to get used to.

Hmm, maybe. I don't put a lot of thought into other people, and what their hang ups are. But I'm not gonna put someone at risk. [He puts a hell of a lot more thought into it than he'd admit to, but he's truthful. A free life isn't something that he wants just for him. And while he might want to take out someone who deserves it, he also doesn't have a single bit of interest in doing it in a dirty or manipulative fashion. Only a coward uses something like that against their opponent.]

Yeah, a lot of things are different. I guess it's just gonna take time. [He wants to enjoy the city, but he's also pretty nervous still. And working through a lot.] Hey. Do you like it here?

[The question's so unexpected that Rowan leans back slightly from her camera in surprise, then chuckles.]

You'll settle in, don't worry. I wasn't thrilled to be here at first, honestly-- I was worried for my sister, angry that I didn't have a say in whether I could leave or not, things like that. But Namur explained the situation to me in a way I could understand, which helped a lot-- And of course, working with the Jolly Eddy's crew gave me a place to feel like I belonged.

[Ultimately, though, it's up to the individual. If somebody else wants to beat their head against a wall rather than learn to adapt, she's not going to be the one to stop them. She shrugs, relaxing again and taking a sip of her coffee.]

It's nice enough here, once you get used to it all-- And by the sounds of things, you've got plenty of family here to help you adjust, when you're ready.

[For Ace, it's an important question. He want to know how everyone is dealing with this place, if it's somewhere worth being, if it's a punishment or a second chance. He listens, and nods, and he isn't surprised in the least that the Jolly Eddy's crew reached out and gave someone a feeling of family. It was kind of pushed into them, the importance of brotherhood or in this situation sibling-hood, and that bond and need to solidify their work relationships into something more important has stuck around.] You've got a sister? I'm worried for my brother who's back home too.

[Ah, well here at least is a problem she can help with. Rowan shakes her head as she swallows another sip of coffee, offering Ace a gentle smile a moment later.]

Don't be. Namur explained it all to me, and everyone else here seems to say the same thing. Essentially, even though it feels like you got taken from your world and brought here... Well, you did, sort of, but... Not, really? I don't know if time just stays still and waits for us to go back, or if the version of us that's here isn't the same as the one that's there, but...

[She pauses, letting out a frustrated little huff of breath. While not unintelligent by any means, Rowan can definitely accept when some things are out of her usual scope of focus.]

...Hell, you might just want to ask Namur about that, too. I'm not doing a very good job of explaining it. Either way, don't worry too much-- I don't, even if it does feel strange not looking out for my sister every day.

Nah, you did great. I just think that it's something beyond what I can ask and understand. [He's just too out of his element, and although he's sharp minded he's just not in the kind of smarts that can easily grasp what she's saying and handle it. It'll take him time to work this through his head.] Thanks, though. Really. I'm glad for the help.

My pleasure. [She offers up a sheepish smile, one shoulder raising briefly in a little half-shrug. She still doesn't feel like she managed much of an explanation, but hopefully she's at least given Ace a point to start working from.]

I suppose I ought to let you get back to whatever you were doing-- I just wanted to say hello, since Namur was so excited to see you back in the city again. If there's anything else I can do to help you get settled in a little better, I hope you won't hesitate to ask.

I wasn't doing anything important, really! But thanks for saying hi, I'm glad I got to meet you. [He's got mischief to make, and booze to drink, but this little talk actually made a difference to him.] Yeah, I think I'll be okay, but thanks. You're great. I'm gonna head out to see the sights, but hopefully I'll get to talk to you again soon.

[Rowan's smile warms at that response; she hadn't been entirely sure of what to expect from messaging him, but she's glad that she did. He seems like a fun sort of person, one she wouldn't mind seeing more of now that he's here. It's a relief, really.]

I hope so, too. Have a good time!

[She gives her camera a little wave with her fingers before ending the feed, still smiling brightly.]

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