[video]

[orangeoutlaw]

[Ace is camped on his favorite spot on the beach of Genessia on another pile of driftwood and such that he's been collecting for various Ace related reasons. He doesn't look really happy, though. And he even sounds pissed, voice tight and clipped.]

I'm looking to start a pirate crew. Not sure what the ultimate goal is but for right now adventure, breaking laws, maybe some arson and never paying for anything you eat ever.

If you're interested come and apply in person.

You know where I am.

[it's almost as if he has ulterior motives for this post. But what could they be?]

Comments

[espio]

And that's real helpful.

[Espio no, you're being a dick.

...

Sigh.]

Point is...

['You're one of us. What are you trying to go off on your own for?' is about right. Something about 'hey, you're actually kind of important to me'. But since Ace doesn't know him and all...

Well. Even if Ace did know him, he is slightly too tsun for that.]

[orangeoutlaw]

Point is what? If you're going to say something, say it.

[espio]

[NOPE.]

Changed my mind.

[Said way too lightly and dismissively, meaning whatever's on his mind is obviously very much still on it.]

[orangeoutlaw]

[he can tell.

He sighs]

Look I know we were nakama once. Are nakama. [or so Marco had said] Because of dream things or pocket things or whatever.

So if you want to tell me something important do it.

If not... don't worry about this. It's for something else...

and we could use more people anyway.

[because he can't back down once he's started]

[espio]

Whatever.

[That was a little too quick and defensive. Why yes, he is avoiding talking about it.]

Anyway. I need you to help me bug Marco, so don't get so invested in whatever the hell you're trying to do that you can't.

[orangeoutlaw]

[he has an initial and visceral pissed reaction until he reminds himself that they are crew even if he can't remember]

Firstly, don't tell me what to do.

Secondly, don't assume I'm going to help out just because we are crew.

And finally now's not a great time to ask but tell me what you had in mind and I'll tell you what I think.

[espio]

...fine then.

[Because that sounded more like a 'fuck no' with a hint of 'get the fuck out of here I don't want shit to do with you'. So sure, Espio's just gonna shut down the conversation here and now.

Bye bye!]

Action-- somewhere after midnight

[orangeoutlaw]

[so Ace wasn't in the best of moods. He's had a hard day. But he tracks Espio down at some point and peers down at him, offering a bottle of pilfered booze]

Yo. Sorry about earlier.

[espio]

[Fortunately for him, Espio had opted to not turn in early and is instead outside somewhere, staring up at the sky from a patch of grass. He hears someone approach, but doesn't pay them much mind until they speak and he recognises the voice.

...hmm.

He doesn't move from his position.]

This is hard, okay?

[orangeoutlaw]

Same. [sits beside him, bottle on the grass between them so Espio can take or not]

So... let's just start out like how we should have.

Portgas D. Ace. [whaps Espio on the shoulder] Nice to have you on the crew.

[espio]

[He wasn't expecting that whap, Ace! Startled slightly, his skin briefly flashes a brighter colour, and he turns to scowl at him. However... it doesn't last, and he gives what might have been a laugh. Introductions, huh?

Well, he supposed that'd have to work.]

Espio the Chameleon. The crew's most cranky, uptight lizard. Don't listen to anything Marco says about milkshake, and we'll be fine.

[orangeoutlaw]

[the color flash makes him grin]

Why what does he say?

[espio]

He likes to pretend I get drunk on them. Genuinely drunk.

[He taps the bottle by his side.]

I assure you this does the job way better.

[orangeoutlaw]

[grin]

It's made of milkshake.

[but then he laughs]

But not really. Drink up, mate! Enjoy my ill gotten gains. I had to torment a marine for hours just to smuggle this away.