And I Would Do Anything For You [Open, Active]

[machitobaye]

Characters: Machi Tobaye, Usopp, Allison, maybe Mio?
Setting: Grand Room to Lavendar Bedroom
Time: Right after the departure of the Lantern Woman.
Summary: Machi needs a friend and Usopp halps. Then Machi does something ridiculously stupid and Mio halps.
Warnings: Machi is an idiot, fail OP until Raile is less fried and can fix it.

Comments

[snipersogeking]

When Usopp realized the floor was squishy and he was sinking, he started to panic a little. He was confused. He was frightened. He'd just learned a lot about this house and about what Ace (and maybe Sanji) were possibly willing to do to fix Sanji's voice. Though it seemed like they'd backed away from that plan, he was still a little shaken.

But that didn't solve the sinking floor problem.

Usopp braced himself against the piano and found it wasn't sinking like he was. The marksman decided this was the best place to be for the moment and pulled himself up onto the instrument. His stomach sank - he wondered if there were pianos in the other houses, and if Brook was in one of those other houses. He sighed, his feet dangling over the edge but not touching the ground.

He saw someone else sitting on the floor, sinking into the floor but not doing anything. Hadn't he been in on the Lanternkeeper's little question and answer session, too? "Hey, are you okay?" he asked.

So short but he's so not there.

[machitobaye]

Machi didn't answer. It wasn't clear if he'd even heard Usopp--and if he had somwhow, that he'd processed or recognised any of it. He certainly didn't appear to realise the question was directed at him... he didn't appear to be conscious of much of anything. He sank steadily into the ground, face still hidden by his hair, his sunglasses, and the deep shadows...

He just... he couldn't feel anyone now.

[snipersogeking]

Usopp's eyes widened. "HEY! YOU! You're SINKING into the floor! Come on, that's not going to do anyone any good - much less yourself!"

Then again, neither was sitting on a piano.

"If you just give up like that then you're going to turn into one of the monsters from this house and you'll never go home! Don't you have any dreams or things you want to do? Get up!" He extended a hand, a determined look on his face.

[machitobaye]

It was a small miracle that even Usopp's volume broke through the deep oblivion surrounding the boy, but finally he lifted his head. He moved slowly, like he was waking up, turning to look at Usopp through the dark tinting of his lenses. His expression was hopeless.

... things he wanted to do...? Machi had never had any dreams, and the future... going home... why...? Being a monster... he didn't even care any more... maybe it would be a good thing. It would be relief... a release.... to be with Anna, even like that...

His Siren... both of them.

He stared at Usopp's hand uncomprehendingly, unable to process the gesture even as he sank deeper into the marble floors.

[snipersogeking]

Usopp sighed. "Come ON!" He grabbed the shoulder of the kid's shirt and started to pull. "Don't just give up like that!"

The sniper had to admit - he was normally a pessimist and he had to admit things sounded pretty hopeless. But for now he was alive (and possibly able to come back - at least a few times - if he DID die here) and although the floor was strange here, he was somewhat safe on this piano. That girl with the lantern didn't seem very hopeful, but damn it she was trying.

Besides, Usopp didn't want to become a monster and the fewer people who became monsters, the better.

"I'm not letting you give up to become a monster and eat me! You hear me!?"