[voice]

[firefreckles]

[His body feels cold when he wakes. Cold and sluggish but warming, and breaths are easier than they were the last time he was conscious. Layers of filth coats his skin and clothes, thick, dried blood flaking off as he moves. He can feel it crusted at the corners of his mouth and taste it on his tongue, a strong copper flavor along with ash and

Comments

voice;

[payback]

I remember you -

I don't think you've been gone very long.

voice;

[firefreckles]

About a week is what I was told... It was long enough for me to have a challenge at remembering everyone here though. [That's his way of saying he can't remember her name at the moment.] Pretty weird.

[payback]

How long were you home? [Baw, it wouldn't offend her, Ace. They only talked the once.]

[firefreckles]

A few years is all. [A lot can happen in a few years.] Would you mind telling me your name again, miss?

[payback]

Years? [A pause.] No wonder you're confused... I'm Rin.

[firefreckles]

Over two, at least. It's nice to speak with you again, Rin. [Whether or not he can remember her specifically, his words are honest.] I'm sure I'll remember more soon enough.

[payback]

Two years... [Just taking that in, kind of amazed.] I went home for a few days. The core really is erratic.

[And a sigh.] That's good.

[firefreckles]

If I'd gone for a few days, I might've laughed when I got back. It would've sent me in a circle, as far as progress is concerned. Man, that would've messed with my head. [As if what did happen didn't make his head spin as it is.]

Hey, Rin. Thank you.

[payback]

What do you mean? Sent in a circle?

[firefreckles]

When I came here the first time, I was stuck in a pretty dark cloud. Took me way too long before I lightened up and joined my future crew--the Whitebeard pirates. [His heart aches as he says the name.] After I got back.. well, I guess I joined them anyway, but if it was just a few days, it might not've happened yet, so I would have come back here and been confused about why I was and wasn't one of them.

[payback]

[A somewhat puzzled pause, as she listens to this and tries to fit pieces together.]

So now... you are part of that crew?

[firefreckles]

Ha, ha.. I am. I'm proud to be one of them. [His voice goes a little bit funny, tight with some unspoken emotion.] They're the best crew on the sea.. Even if they are a bunch of idiots...

What's your opinion on pirates? [He's slyly changing the subject.]

[payback]

... It's certainly a thing to admit to being.

[firefreckles]

It's everything.

[payback]

You're proud of it? Pirates are thieves and killers.

[firefreckles]

Sure, they are. [He doesn't see the need to argue the truth.] There aren't words to describe some of them.