[Action]

[skulljokelol]

[ After rescuing a small girl that is far too curious for her own good, Brook is trying to make his way home from the tunnels as quickly as possible.

Trying would be the keyword here, however. That's easier said than done, especially the closer he gets to town. Seems that every five minutes there's a familiar face from his old crew excitedly trying

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orz laaaate

[threeswordsoul]

[Zoro is sprawled out napping on the couch when you get home-a completely usual and unremarkable occurrence. The dark-haired girl sitting on the back of the couch with her feet planted nonchalantly on his stomach, Wadou Ichimonji cradled on her lap, is...really, really not.

Her brown eyes are soft on Zoro's obliviously snoring face, and she doesn't look up when you enter.]

But fashionably so! <3

[skulljokelol]

[Brook breathes a little easier when he comes through the door. Home he thinks he can handle - orrr so he thought. Do they have company over today?

Well... he can do this, he thinks. Maybe she's just staying for dinner. He keeps his voice low, so as not to wake up Zoro.]

Hello there, miss. I don't believe that we've met before, have we?

XD

[threeswordsoul]

[Kuina looks up, somewhat startled, then glances around with something of a 'he's not talking to me, right?' expression.

But nope, no one else around, save for the boy under her feet...Hm. Her hands tighten on Wadou's sheath, but she smiles cautiously.]

[...You haven't met me, no.] [But I've met you.]

[skulljokelol]

A pleasure to make your acquaintance then! [What can he say? Even half out of his mind, he likes kids.] Might I bother you for your name?

[threeswordsoul]

[A slightly more natural smile.]

[Nice to meet you, Brook.]

[>_>] [Then she glances at Zoro, biting her lip a little. Her name is her own to give, and Zoro's nakama are trustworthy, but...he hasn't spoken it to any of them yet, and, well. He's a dummy, but he's her dummy, so. She can't go behind his back.]

[...I'd rather not say, if you don't mind.] [She dips an apologetic bow.]

[skulljokelol]

[He's not surprised she knows his name - they all talk to so many people, it's a common thing when he meets new friends of his crew. That she doesn't share hers is strange, but not overly so. He dismisses it easily.] Say no more! It's quite all right.

[He takes a seat in a chair, and it's now that he notices the sword in her hands. He glances over to the spot where Zoro's swords rest... but the Wadou Ichimonji is securely tucked away with the rest of them.] Are you a bit of a swordsman yourself then?

[threeswordsoul]

[A gleam of fire sparks in her dark eyes at that, and she sits up straighter.]

[More than 'a bit of'. I'm going to be the greatest swordsman in the world.]

...Whoops. That was present tense, wasn't it. She pauses and looks away, down at the white sword she's holding. ...Well. It's still true enough. Baka Zoro. She looks back up and meets your eyes, smiling confidently.]

[skulljokelol]

[...Oho. Now isn't this just uncanny.]

Such ambition! I think that you will have a rival for that title against the man you're using as your footstool.

[He should wonder at that, really, he realizes. Brook hasn't seen Zoro so obliviously comfortable with anyone like this besides Chopper, or Luffy every once in a while.]

[threeswordsoul]

[This weakling? Hmph. I could beat him with my eyes closed.] [She prods him with her toe, sniffing a little disdainfully-he continues snoring without a care.

2001 wins speaks for itself. ...Maybe Zoro has gotten a little stronger, since then. The thought, and the remembrance of what she's seen the scrappy little boy go through for their promise, drops the disdainful look from her face like the mask it is, revealing a very private, wistful look. She's not used to being observed.]

[...I guess he'll do, though.]

[skulljokelol]

[Brook tilts his head slightly, observing her. 'Weak' is not a word he associates with Zoro, but this child says it with affection, almost.

He is starting to get a sinking feeling in his stomach. For a guy that doesn't have one, this is happening far too often today.]

Have you known him long?

[threeswordsoul]

[Kuina doesn't take her eyes off Zoro, but replies steadily] [Yes.] [Very, very long. Sorry, Brook.]

[skulljokelol]

[Oh hey. It was a sinking feeling because it was a rock, obviously. Realization dawns on him now, as he takes a second look at that sword that could be the twin of Wadou.

Brook's suddenly reminded of his conversation with Vash earlier today, of the woman that talked to the broomhead like she knew him, and of Katara not showing any reaction to the smell of burnt flesh in the air.

This child isn't really here after all. Another ghost? He would be afraid if it weren't for the guilt that's currently gnawing at him. Here he's been meddling with something so very private. This is on a level beyond what he saw at Thriller Bark, he thinks. What's worse is that he should've known better the second he walked through the door.

He's so glad she didn't tell him his name now.]

...Will you excuse me? I think that I need to use the restroom now. You know how old men are with their full bladders - even though being a skeleton, I have no bladder!

[Brook pushes himself out of the chair now, forgetting to keep quiet for now.]

[threeswordsoul]

[Zoro snorts and rolls onto his side to face the room in response to the noise-his shifting body goes through Kuina's legs, just in case you needed any more confirmation. >> Kuina doesn't react to that-she's busy looking at you with sympathetic-and okay, slightly amused-chagrin. Oops. Awkward.]

[By all means-]

[At that moment, Zoro's eyes crack open groggily. He is by no measure all the way present, however, in contrast to his usual instantly-asleep, instantly-awake pattern.] [mumbles]

...Dead-Bones?

[After looking at him for a sidelong moment for his terrible timing, Kuina flicks her eyes back to you and raises a finger to her lips, which are now faintly curved in a Mona Lisa smile. Ssshhhhh...]

[skulljokelol]

[Oh, no worries, Kuina. He doesn't plan on saying a thing about it.]

...Afternoon, Zoro-san. My apologies - I didn't mean to wake you.

[It's a good thing that he doesn't have eyes to betray him, because he can't quite look at Zoro straight on right now.]

[threeswordsoul]

Hmmmmmmhmm.... [Translation: Don't worry about it. Zoro blinks once, twice, then the fog finally clears from his eyes and he yawns, swinging his legs off the couch to sit upright.] ...Dinnertime yet? [Guys who haven't noticed that something's up: +1.]

[skulljokelol]

[GOOD. Keep it that way! Because there's nothing wrong. At all. Obviously. Okay, maybe he should answer that question.]

Ah. Not just yet? But perhaps. I haven't been home long enough to check.