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[orangeoutlaw]

[it's night. Going on 12. Ace has been gone for about a week in the dungeons going deeper and deeper until he thought he would suffocate.

But even he can't stand the loneliness for that long. He'll stuff an envelop of money under Marco's door when he's sure the phoenix isn't there and then hurry on, wandering aimlessly through the streets, through one city then another.

There's a lot weighing on his mind but feel free to address him.]


Locked to Smoker:

[at 2 am he'll come into Smoker's room again. Quiet but not sneakng. Because screw everything, honestly]

Comments

[orangeoutlaw]

[about ten minutes later, he blinks awake, groggy as hell, and stares at her sleepily as if he's trying to figure out what's going on.

Oh ... right.]

Wanna go home?

[because if he doesn't move he's gonna pass out again]

[enchantressofore]

I should.

[ Even if she might not want to. She still seems amused, shaking her head at him before making to pull herself up so she can get back into the chair. ]

[orangeoutlaw]

No problem. [yawwwn. He waits until she's seated then picks up the chair again, heading back toward town]

Thanks for hanging out with me.

[enchantressofore]

You say that like it is a chore.

[ She smiles back at him even as he lifts the chair, though honestly it's hard to talk like this. ]

... Ace? I know you do not wish to talk about what bothered you earlier, but... If you change your mind, or want to talk about anything else at all, just ask. All right?

[orangeoutlaw]

[she is too cute. He smiles a little]

It's nothing. Don't worry about it.

[he almost prefers it if she doesn't know. But Luffy will probably tell her anyway. There's no stopping him. But well he'll just treasure this moment where all she knows is that he's alive]

[enchantressofore]

I will worry about it. Is that not what friends do?

[orangeoutlaw]

[ugh. damnit]

It's nothing to worry about. [so just stop] Just be happy.

[enchantressofore]

[ Huff. That might be a pout at him. ]

All right... But that offer still stands.

[orangeoutlaw]

Fine I get it. [he might sound a bit short but he's a little annoyed. He wished she would get it.

They're on the road now so he sets the wheelchair down and starts pushing it in irritated silence]

[enchantressofore]

[ Adela has to sigh at that, slumping a bit in the chair and trying not to shiver. Either he doesn't get it or wants her to just back off, and it's hard to tell which it is -- if not both.

It probably is a bit much to ask him to simply trust her just like that, isn't it?

It's hard, but she swallows it back and leans back in the chair again, closing her eyes as she just tries to think. ]

... I have been meaning to ask... Did you still wish for me to help you build Striker?

[orangeoutlaw]

[he gets it. Some of it at least. He wished she would get it. But telling her would just lead to an argument and get her upset so he'd rather not get into it]

Mm? Yeah that'd be cool.

[enchantressofore]

Maybe we could paint it after. Make certain it has a coating that is waterproof so that it will not fade with use.

[orangeoutlaw]

Sure sounds good. Not sure if-- [he's really going to be here that long but on the other hand... maybe... it's the only place he can be now]

if I need it right away but why not. [nice save?]

[enchantressofore]

Well, it may give me something to do while finding a doctor around. Aside from work. And we might as well make certain that everyone knows whose boat it is.

[ Sounds fun right? Wink wink nudge nudge. ]

[orangeoutlaw]

They'll know. Why wouldn't they? I'm sure you'll do a great job. [what wink wink nudge nudge]

[enchantressofore]

[ She's trying to cheer him up again but the lack of change in his expression is starting to make her think that such effort is worthless. She looks him over, tilting her head. ]

Of course they will, but if it is a work of mine as well I do not want it to look boring.

[orangeoutlaw]

Yellow isn't boring. [he's not sure what she's getting at] Like I said, you'll do good. [pats her head]

[enchantressofore]

[ Absently swatting at him... Okay not absently, she is a little pink from that. ]

I did not know it was yellow.

[orangeoutlaw]

Yeah! [they are near the house now and he starts t go toward it, then stops]

Smoker's gonna get pissed at me if I go in. [probably. maybe. Who can say with Smoker any more] Are you good?

[enchantressofore]

Why would he be pissed at you?

[ Confused... Someone hasn't heard about all their bickering. ]

I should be all right, though.

[orangeoutlaw]

[stares at her.

The list is entirely too long and and who knows the real reason]

He is a marine and I'm a pirate.

[which is the most accurate reason anyway]

[enchantressofore]

...

[ Shrug. ]

Fair enough.

[orangeoutlaw]

[... well that was simple.

Almost too simple.

He doesn't get it.

Oh well.]

Yeah it's just like that. [shrug] Anyway, good night, Adela. Sweet dreams.

[enchantressofore]

And to you as well.

[ She'll smile and wave him off before fishing out her keys.

She'll probably have to explain all the mud though, sigh. She can clean it all up later. ]

[orangeoutlaw]

[he'll wait until she's in the house and for the inner lights to turn on before heading on his way, satisfied that she's safe]