#(can you tell i still don't like noland like... at all?)

[chenziee]

OPKisstober: Shouldn't

Day 13 for OPKisstober: Noland/Kalgara

WARNING: major character death (canonical)

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Dear Kalgara,

I have written many letters over the years, but I must admit, none have been quite as hard to put together as the one I know the recipient will never be able to read. I wish you could read these stupid words of mine, but…

I am to be executed tomorrow. The king has declared me a liar for failing to lead him to Shandora—in retrospect, probably a good thing. I was so naive. I’d thought his intentions were pure, that he simply wanted to witness the stunning beauty of the ancient city, just like I did. I shouldn’t have even allowed them to set on the voyage.

So, I don’t regret not leading him to the gold of your people’s ancestors. I don’t regret being put to death for that. But…

If I do have one regret, it’s failing to find you, Kalgara. What happened to you? Are you safe? Are you still waiting for me? When I reached Jaya with the king, I only found the forest and half a house… About half of the island was gone and with it, all the people, the village, the ruins… You…

I couldn’t even hear the bell that had guided me to you in the first place. What a beautiful sound that was. Is the light still shining where you are? Are the souls of your ancestors finding their place without the guidance of the bell?

I probably shouldn’t be thinking about that. About you.

I’m about to die, the whole country believing that I lied about everything—not just about Shandora and your people, about everything I’ve seen during my travels. The irony, right? When we met, I boasted about how much more advanced our society was to yours and here I am now…

I truly only wish to know whether you are safe, Kalgara. I care not for myself, but I… As I sit here, all alone in this dank cell… All I can think about is the ghost of your lips against mine, the feel of your strong body as you held me, the warmth of your skin. I shouldn’t be missing your touch. I shouldn’t wish for things to be different. I shouldn’t have left you in the first place. 

Or maybe, I shouldn’t have fallen in love with you at all.

I hurt you and your people greatly in my ignorance, even while only trying to help. You shouldn’t have forgiven me… and yet you did. And that only made me fall for you harder, and it makes me miss you that much more now.

Where are you? Are you still waiting for me? If you are… I am so very sorry. Gods willing, I will be seeing you on the other side. If whatever had befallen Jaya had caused you to already be there, we will meet again very soon. But if, and gods, do I wish and hope and pray that is the case, you are alive and well somewhere out there, then I will wait for you for however long it will take. I do hope you still have a full, long, happy life ahead of you.

I will wait for you, eager to hear all about it.

With all my love,

Noland

[ Masterpost | Series on AO3 | Ko-Fi ]

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1117 - Initial Thoughts

The breaks always feel long but they always end

because One Piece is back! Which means we have to see more of Vegapunk's transmission and the Straw Hats' escape

Let's not linger on it, let's see what we have!

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too!

Yamato is still yet to start his voyage, this time stopping by Nekomamushi and Hyou's neck of the woods

Seems Neko is living among the Yakuza, which to be fair does fit his style

The reveal last chapter that the Roger pirates knew about the world sinking causes some to wonder if the One Piece is underwater

Or at the least, great treasure hidden at the bottom of the sea

Seems the Polar Tang wasn't the only known ship able to dive underwater, but they're expensive

Also made myself sad because we lost the Polar Tang...and the Victoria Punk

EDIT: I didn't even see it the first time but the Krieg Pirates are there, you see Pearl even more decked out, Krieg has a mane and GIN! HE'S ALIVE!

There are however 2 other ships that know how to dive, an alliance of Romance Chasers

Montblanc Cricket and the Saruyama Alliance react to the news, and consider doing some more diving to investigate a new romance

Cricket also notes how it was before Noland's time, so it would be uncharted territory, just regulate yourself so you don't get the bends again

In the G-5, the SWORD agents lick their wounds

Hibari is defrosted, and Koby is struggling to process everything

Kujaku notes how a captain is recovering, but I'm not sure who that is, Koby's the only known SWORD captain and he's in the panel, plus they use male pronouns so it can't be Tashigi

Koby looks to Grus about the shitstorm about to go down, which Grus is also concerned about, Kujaku however relishes a chance to step up

X DRAKE'S ALIVE

He's out of Wano and in a recovery bed, what about Hawkins? Did he make it?

Tashigi's also making a call to Smoker

Missed ya Smokey, driving all badass across water with your motorbike, no need to guess who you learned that from

Vegapunk continues his message, noting that anything else would be speculation so he won't delve deeper - much to audience chagrin

Back to the Labophase and the barrier has been lifted by Stussy

Nami and Chopper notice that the clouds have also stopped moving, but Usopp assures that they can make it to the sea

Lilith however notes the ships they'd be landing on, some of them friendlies as well

Brook charges up the Coup de Burst so it's all waiting on Jinbe and Zoro

Speaking of whom, they are nearly there, but they're on the tail of something bigger: V. Nusjuro

Nami thinks Zoro and Jinbe ended up getting distracted and chasing a monster, but I would assume Zoro (since Nami wouldn't take that tone with Jinbe as often I don't think) notes that they're going the same direction

Whoever it is, they note the Gorosei's 'special presence'

Usopp, Chopper and Lilith go into an eye pop as the Gorosei prepares to bisect the Sunny

Jinbe and Zoro are doing the Fastball Special!

V. Nusjuro blocks Zoro's Nitoryu, though the clash isn't a simple swat away

Zoro confirms what we've theorized with V. Nusjuro having the final and most powerful Kitetsu blade, Shodai Kitetsu

The impact sends both swordsmen being knocked back, and the twitter fans go wild

Jinbe catches Zoro, as Zoro tells Nami to launch the ship anyway, intending to latch on before it flies away

With Sanji's group, he, Bonney, Atlas and Franky are still waiting for Luffy, but they're also under heavy fire

Comms are down, but Luffy's voice is unmistakable

Dorry and Brogy also call on Oimo and Kashii to get the ship ready, sending the legendary Giant Warrior Pirates into action

Out they come taking on a warship each by themselves, the one in the lower middle looks like he's about to eat a dude

Bluegrass isn't some easy shmoe though, using a commandeered Weaponized Sea Beast to attack and encouraging the marines to step up

The laser blast from the sea beast blows a hole in the longboat, and then Kashii is battered by Doll's Rock n' Roll Blaster (which seems to be a Gatling-esque series of punches)

The marines much like they do with Hina fawn over Doll when she gets violent, wonder if she trained under Garp with such fisticuffs?

The felling of Kashii has motivated the marines to not back down from the giants either

Luffy meanwhile is curious where Warcury went, since he's no longer on their tail, but the giant captains are too relieved to wonder about that

Alas, all but V. Nusjuro surround the Iron Giant, realising that it's the same one that attacked Marejois

Of course this is where Vegapunk is about to deliver a closing juicy statement

'To those who carry the letter 'D.' in your name' !!!???

Dragon with the classic ellipsis, Sabo thinks of his brothers, Koby thinks of Luffy and Garp, Blackbeard interest piqued, and Bepo calls out to his captain - so Law is very much alive

'Among you there is mo-' and the giant is knocked down, along with the transmission

And a collective wail among the audiences of the world in and out of the manga is heard

Morgans, Vivi and Wapol react to the cut off, as the Gorosei and York breathe a sigh of relief that the transmission is over.

Well god damn

We expected the blueball and yet it still sucked to be blue balled XD Unless we aren't that is. Pride comes before the fall maybe?

I would say it's 70/30 on the side of the Gorosei succeeding, we don't need to know any more at this stage right now - but I do blame the 10 minute delay for picture. But what could 'mo-' - the chapter's title - mean? What more was it. Among you there is mo-what? Someone with the D. has something, and it's important.

But it does look like we're reaching the final escape from Egghead. I hope Sentomaru made it out, X Drake can survive and leave Wano after all. There are still some fights going on among the Giants and the Marines, plus we don't know how the CP0 lot will resolve itself, but we tend to take for granted just how insanely jam-packed Egghead has been, and Elbaf is next!

Glad Zoro got a little bit more cred back for matching V. Nusjuro, plus I liked it was a fastball special it's just fun when groups fight in sync with each other. Also kinda glad we put some respect on Bluegrass and Doll, shows there are levels to vice admirals outside of just Garp.

All the cameos were good too, would've liked to have seen Tashigi and Bogard again but happy to see Smoker and Cricket was a nice surprise.

Unless Vegapunk has one last trick up his sleeve, it's time to get off this island.

[antihibikase2]

"I don't think Cielo likes me that much."

"Well,"

He snorts, guiding his little sibling's arms as gently as he could. The Pidove in between their small palms was petrified; he supposed that was for the best.

"You're barely home in the first place- I'd be surprised if they recognize you at all. Not to mention the name you gave them.."

"Hoy."

"What? It's true-"

Flap! Flap!

"Weeeh!"

Little Cheri tosses up the Pidove in the air, tears welling in the corners of their eyes. Noland immediately catches the Pidove before it flies off, holding it firmly between his hands.

"Oh, Cheri!"

The older sibling smiles down worriedly, wiping their tears- and snot, away with a towel.

"A Pidove is not ideal for this, kuya," Noland grumbles. "Let me get one of the Torchic."

"What?! No, you're crazy! They're around little Cheri's size, they'll peck their eyes out!"

"You're being overdramatic! I got pecked when I was little, I turned out fine!"

"Fine?!"

"Waaahhh! Waaaahhhh!"

The Pidove in Noland's hand somehow escapes, flapping around little Cheri- who tries to hide themselves in their older brother's coat, only to be heckled further by the agitated Pidove, which was trying to peck them through the fabric.

"Hoy! I'm going to cook you for dinner, you little-"

"Pa, that Pidove isn't ours to cook! It's uncle Cedric's!"

"Juniper's?! Why would he lend you such an ill-behaved bird?!"

"In his defense-"

He tries to swat away the Pidove, Noland barely managing to keep it in his hands again before it inevitably slips out of his grip.

"I, well, I told him that I was teaching Cheri how to interact with Pokemon-"

"Oh, so you're a liar now too?"

"Well, he won't lend me a Pokemon otherwise! Especially if he finds out we're using it for-"

"Waaaahhhhhhh!"

He cuts himself off, and his father does the same, looking down at little Cheri clinging onto their brother's leg.

The two of them looked at each other in a rare moment of mutual understanding, at the angered Pidove that Noland was still holding, and let out a sigh.

"..I think it's too early for them to get into cockfighting."

"Nonsense," Noland shakes his head. "Your grandfather took me to my first cockfight when I was five, and I took you when you were three."

Lolo Kabu's youngest son also doesn't talk to him because he took them to a cockfight at the same age and scarred him for life.

"Yeah, well,"

He lifts his coat; he can't tell if the sight of little Cheri's big wet eyes and trembling lips made him feel bad for them or for himself.

The Pidove makes an angry noise, like a thinly veiled threat at the toddler- and Noland's grip on the bird tightens, as if he was going through with his promise to cook it into a stew.

"..maybe when they're older. And we can try in Hoenn, with lolo's Torchic or the local Tailow."

"Unbelievable. You're going to spoil them at this rate, Gavino."

"Better than how you raised me,"

He lifts his little brother into his arms, gently patting them on the back and quietly promising to take them to a toy store later.

"Ugh, and for the last time, can you at least call me Grimsley while in public? It's embarrassing."

[kacievvbbbb]

Hello again...Do you mind if I ask your top 5 (or top 10) favorite moments from any anime (can be series or movies) or manga or if you want, from any media that you love? Thanks if you want to answer.....(Hope you don't mind to get an same from the same person)

Hello again!

Of course I don't mind keep the questions coming. :D

As for my top 5-10 anime moments this was honestly a little easy cause if something clicks for me it tends to stick with me for a long time but here are some just off the dome.

One piece: I actually read this is the manga but in the Skypiea arc during the fight with Enel when Luffy rings the bell and Noland's ancestor hears it, confirming that his ancestor wasn't a liar and then you see the giant silhouette of luffy in the sky that was and still is definitely one of my all time favorite one piece moments. I don't like the whole of Skypiea I feel like it went on for a little too long but the emotional arc of that arc is definitely my favorite. Runner ups;

Raising their X arms for Vivi

Burning down the WG flag for robin

Luffy putting his hat on Nami's head

Bellamy seeing Luffy again in Dressrosa and saying he believes now

Obviously when ace gets free in a cloud of fire

saying goodbye to the going merry

On the sea train whenLuffy tells Zoro to cut it and Zoro just smiles like a maniac and cuts it

Luffy stopping Doffy from stepping on Law

That one shot from the anime where gear 5 luffy looks like a demon coming towards lucci

Any time a sword comes down and zoro is right there to block it

I really like the phrase drums of liberation I don't know what to say One piece has been going on for a long time and Oda is very good at drawing moments.

FMAB: Obvious one and a little basic but the moment where greed just before he fades away looks out at the crowd of people and goes "yeah this is enough" jesus christ.

Mob Psycho: This one actually has like 3.

The first is at the end of season 1 when reigen gets mob's powers and tells him he doesn't have to fight that he is a child and it's not his responsibility to make up for the faults of adults and then immediately goes on to just shame the adults of the evil organization because like y'all are kidnapping and torturing kids because of some childhood trauma? grow up and get a real job. Hilarious.

In season three after dimple brainwashes Mob to leave as he goes on fighting the fake mob in the broccoli and that just a beautiful sequence that I dont relaly want to spoil but when Mob gets home and it really just clicks that dimple was his first friend god it was beautiful

And finally obviously I would be remise to not include Reigen running after a ramapaging ???? as the world literally falls away and is destroyed around him.

Weathering with you: If you haven't watched this I genuinely recommend it was made by the same studio and directer that did Your Name. But yeah the scene where they are falling out of the sky holding hands it would be impossible if it did not make this list.

How do I put down the whole of My Neighbor Totoro?

Boy and the Heron: I don't want to spoil the movie but the scene at the end when Mahito has to get out of the tower as it implodes and his last talk with the girl saying I'll see you in the future god this doesn't make sense but watch the movie its a beautiful sequence.

Demon Slayer: Of course the set your heart ablaze scene has to make the list. But the line that really stuck with me is when he told Tanjiro to always keep his head up no matter what people think about his journey to save Nezuko. He hadn't even gotten a chance to properly talk with either of them before shit went down but he saw the good she did he saw how hard they fight and he is the first person to say out loud that I believe you I think what you are doing is good and kind and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. God when he sees his mother. Please just kill me.

MHA: Every single sequence between Eri and Mirio especially the first fight scene where He gives Eri his cape and when they are at the concert and you see the darkness be lifted from her shoulders. Its such a shame we didnt get more of them.

Fireforce: God I hate the fanservice in this show and I hate that exceot for Maki everytime a woman gets in a fight she somehow winds up almost naked and posed very sexually submissive and it's so weird cause it feels like sexual violence and I could go on and on about how this show does a disservice to itself and it's female characters but I can't deny that the scene where Shinra bursts through the roof as Tamaki is literally taking a serious beating from the dude she looked up too and yeah beautiful moment. Also its a really fucked up dynamic but its also really interesting and poignant but Kurono being the only one to understand what Takkun needs in the moment to stop his rampage was just like wow. A Place Further than the Universe: The girls finding Shirase's mom's laptop and them watching the emails come in and its proof that her mom was loved I mean come on. The whole show is great. Erased: The entire opening sequence. The twist and the fact that I learned that the actual english translation of the Japanese name is : The place where only I am missing. Which is a banger ass name. I honesly could go on and on things tend to stick with me for whatever reason but yeah I'd recommend watching anything on this list. But thank you for the ask this was fun!

[butterboy69420]

Butterboy's Bizarre One Piece Rambles Part 3: Jaya

Hey guys, so I just finished Jaya. I know there's also filler stuff, but TBH, I just put those in the background while I did other stuff, so I didn't really pay attention to them. Hence, I actually have nothing to say about them. I liked the Post-Alabasta stuff. I thought it was wholesome and gave us more insight to the other characters. I especially liked the episode with Sanji (not because he's my favorite of the Straw Hats) because it showed him helping out a kid with cooking and it's clear he saw his younger self in that kid as well. I dunno, man. It was cute. Sanji's so goated man, he's really kind underneath his layers of simping.

And now, onto the main course.

JAYA

So the arc basically begins with Luffy and his crew sailing in the sea when all of a sudden, the log pose is going bonkers and is pointing up. Apparently there's an island in the sky. They encounter some monkey characters who do diving stuff for treasure, which is foreshadowing, ooooooo. The first couple of episodes of the arc were pretty laid-back and more light-hearted. But then it starts picking up once they actually get to Jaya.

Luffy, Zoro, and Nami actually end up stepping foot on Jaya, where it's just filled with a buncha cynical bastards who shit on people for having dreams. And HOLY SHIT IS THAT BLACKBEARD?! I knew of his existence, I just didn't expect him to show up this early on.

Anyways, they're on Jaya cause they wanna hear more clues about the Sky Island, and Nami asks the bartender about it. It turns out that asking that caused the whole bar to lose their fucking shit and suddenly everyone there are just a bunch of assholes. Notably this fucking twat named Bellamy and his group of fucking losers. Although I'll make an exception for that one pink-haired girl because she's kinda cute. Anyways, those guys start beating the others up. And then Luffy tells Zoro, "Whatever you do, don't fight back." Which at first, I was confused as to why he wouldn't just fight back. I guess it's also cause Nami told them not to. TBH, I'm still kinda confused as to why, but that's partially my own fault for not really paying all that much attention to it. Then it kinda clicked that it's supposed to be a throwback to that episode with Shanks when those mountain bandits attacked him and he didn't fight back. And I realized that Luffy was replicating what Shanks was doing.

After they get their asses handed to them at the bar, hey look, it's Blackbeard again. He seems to be made of the same cloth as Luffy as he's telling him to not give up his dreams and shit, which I thought was sweet because I'm pretty sure Blackbeard's supposed to be a villain? Also Blackbeard with the they/them pronouns... One of my friends mentioned that it's very possible that Blackbeard has DID and that's why Luffy says "they" instead of "he". I'll have to wait and see though.

Nami's fucking pissed off which is funny. But luckily for us, Robin has the information. That's when we're introduced to the fairy tale of Noland, which leads them to Mont Blanc Cricket. In typical One Piece fashion, they first beat him up due to a misunderstanding. Anyways, Mont Blanc Cricket turns out to be a descendant of Noland's who's more of a skeptic than the rest of his family. But with the help of the two monkeys from earlier, Shojo and Mashira, it seems that he's becoming less cynical and is even starting to believe the legends himself, as they're collecting gold stuff from their diving exhibitions.

Cricket offers to help them with shit, but you can really sense Usopp's insecurity kicking in and he snaps at him, suspecting him of being a liar and shit because he's being really kind and helpful to them right off the bat. He's clearly upset over the Going Merry being somewhat of a wreck and it doesn't help that Cricket essentially told him, "Hey, your ship's not gonna survive the current in this state." I definitely suspect some sort of foreshadowing and I'm hoping he gets a bigger arc for himself and his own development because holy shit, I love him. I also think Cricket is a genuinely kind guy, TBH. He's cool and it's so wholesome how he's slowly falling into his ancestor's footsteps with supposedly believing crazy shit, like an underwater city made of gold. He's proving the rest of his island wrong because he can still dream and be honest about shit. He lets Shojo and Mashira stick around because he genuinely enjoys their company despite them always fighting and shit.

The gang are tasked with finding a strange bird that will help them along the way, and meanwhile, Bellamy and his cronies are here to fight and steal the Saruyama Pirates' gold collection. And when they get back to them, Luffy gets real pissed and vows to beat Bellamy's ass, which he does. Luffy really seems goofy at first, but when it comes to other people's dreams, no matter how crazy they are, he really wants to protect them and stuff. He gets real serious about it. So he beats up Bellamy and his bozos and gets the gold back.

NOW. THIS IS THE PART THAT GETS FUCKING CRAZY. We have some sort of Marine conference meeting and then there's Mihawk and two of the other members of the Seven Warlords, DONQUIXOTE FUCKING DOFLAMINGO AND BARTHOLOMEW KUMA??? I didn't know Doflamingo got introduced this early on, since he's the main villain of Dressrosa. But either way, it's clear he's not a good guy either. He literally uses his powers to make one of the guys choke another. We dunno his powers yet. Also, look at the way he walks. No straight person would walk and dress the way he fucking does.

At the conference, they're talking about replacing Crocodile (oh my god Crocodile mention 💙💙💙) because he's been a naughty boy. And this pale ass mf shows up and is like, "I know a replacement." And it turns out he wants to advocate for Blackbeard.

THEN WE FUCKING CUT TO A FUCKING SCENE WHERE WHITEBEARD IS INTRODUCED? AND HE FUCKING TEARS UP SOME LETTER OF RECRUITMENT OR SOME SHIT? AND HE'S ON LIFE SUPPORT? AND HE'S APPARENTLY THE STRONGEST MAN? HOLY SHIT. Something about Shanks too, that's crazy. Shanks barely gets any screentime, so it's good to see him again too. I did not know Whitebeard got introduced this early on as well but goddamn.

Also...there was a shot of a flashback between Mihawk and Zoro, where Mihawk slashed Zoro's chest. And I dunno guys, I really feel like the art style has changed somewhat between East Blue and now because I saw that scene and was like, "Holy shit, Zoro, you look different." So there's definitely some subtle art style change going on here.

The arc ends with them going up some water pillar to the Sky Island in question. Oh yeah, and Blackbeard's there too, but it doesn't look like he made it. Honestly? The scene where they went up the pillar was super exciting. I look forward to see what the rest of Skypiea has to offer.

[draconscious]

Red-faced and taking measured breaths, Clair can only stance up as Noland launches right back into the fight, a competitive sneer curling her lips as she lowers her center of gravity. Bring it on. Again.

"You're so predictable. Aren't you going to try anything else...?"

Clair's taunt anticipates yet another full-on charge from the hardy Frontier Brain, a smirk creasing her sweaty features. If Noland wanted to keep springing back up like a Wobbuffet, she'd just have to keep putting him back down. He'd eventually learn his lesson...

"No complimenting me until the round's over. When I win, and you're tapped out at my feet," Clair pants, drawing back a fist to deliver yet another devastating blow to her opponent's chest. However, this time--not all goes as planned, and the heiress feels the breath catch in the back of her throat as her offensive goes awry.

Her knuckles bounce off the sinewy muscles of Noland's forearm, and that's that. She barely has time to draw breath before being reeled in like a Magikarp, firmly locked in place by the Brain's iron grip. It was all a trap, and she had walked right into it.

Clair curses under her breath, snarling and squirming and fighting to wrench herself free of the intricate hold. Technique is forgotten as a rage-filled primal energy resurfaces (elbows and a little undignified flailing), but it's still no use against her opponent's sturdy frame. Noland's pulled one over on her, fair and square, and she's not even mad at him, but more so at herself. This is what you get for acting complacent, Clair. For daring to let your guard down--even for a second--during the fight.

A feeling of horror blossoms in Clair's stomach as her feet start to leave the ground. The Gym Leader is being lifted, and even the most inexperienced fighter can tell what's about to happen next.

"...Don't you dare hold back, Brain. In fact, you'd better make this throw really count, because it's the last one I'll ever allow you to have," she gasps against the hold, still spitting fire until the end. "I'll probably be back on my feet...in no time."

Clair tightens her core and takes a shaky breath, bracing for impact...

Normally at this point, he might so assuredly declare that HE'S GONNA WIN, but that would mean cutting the FUN IN THIS frightfully short. Noland bares a flinching smile as he takes another ready stance, pushing out one deep, grounding breath after another following his swift bounce-back.

He had failed to deflect her blow, making it twice now that she's felled him. It's never quite the finishing blow, however. The resilient flame of the fighter is snuffed down to mere embers each time, but roars back to life with a rejuvenating breeze that comes when it attunes itself to what must be done next with the vitality and knowledge it's been granted.

He's not tired yet. In fact, he's only just getting started when it comes to PUTTING TO USE all that he's learned about his ferocious opponent. A leg swings back and his arms are raised, eyes narrowing contemplatively as his weight shifts, eager to throw himself into her line of fire once more, but twice is enough to know now just how inefficient it is to charge her...

"Yeah? So I'm impressed," Noland cocks a brow, sending a bead of sweat rolling down his face, "But y'gotta understand — Meetin' up with folks that can keep up with me don't happen every day. Try and take it as a compliment, would ya?"

Before the prideful Dragoness can retort, Noland closes the space between the with a new round of defensive blows, suspending her own jab with a forearm rather than meeting it head on, creating the opening he needs to reach across his chest to hook an arm firmly underneath her own.

"Guess I better get serious, huh?" He grunts straight-faced for the first time during their match as he turns on heels to press his back against her, arms squeezing relentlessly against his catch like a vice grip, primed to make the throw.

[obsidiancreates]

Our Museum Of Rot And Love (Part 7)

 Izzy In A Tizzy Thinkin' The Captains Are Gettin' Busy

Stede Bonnet should never be covered in blood. He shouldn't. Ed wants it to stop happening. He thought it was the worst when Stede was covered in his own blood. But no, no, everything that's happened... it's so much worse when it's the blood of others.

Because god, he hates how Stede just crumples when it's from others.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Are you sure about this?" Stede watches the forklift lower the crate. "I'm not really an authenticator."

Ed pats his back. "It's already been authenticated, man. Just needs sorting out and stuff. You're good at that."

"How would you know? I could be awful at it." He's not.

Ed looks him up and down. "Yeah, you could be, and I could be a fuckin' ballerina."

"You could be, for all I know."

Ed raises an eyebrow, and pats his knee. Stede looks down and notices, for the first time, a knee brace. His eyes widen. "Oh, um, I didn't- is that ah, an old injury or- no, shouldn't be asking, dammit Stede-"

"I'm fuckin' joking around man, it's fine," Ed says with a smile. "I actually did get this from dancing, kind of, but not ballet. Would be fuckin' cool though if I did, their legs are strong as fuck."

"Ah, like pole dancers."

"You go to clubs?"

"No, no. Sometimes the University staff parties get wild, is all."

"Wild enough for pole dancers?"

"Professor Nolands had to pay for her own tuition somehow. I really admire her dedication to education, in fact she helped with creating our improved tuition program! Over ten years later and she's still drawing on her experiences, just proves to us how important utlizing our pasts are!"

Ed looks away, and Stede gets the feelings he's said something wrong. But before he can ask what it was, Ed whistles. "Ten years and she can still do it? Fuckin' impressive shit, man, tell her she might be my hero. HEY SWEDE! WHAT'S THE HOLDUP WITH THE FORKLIFT, MAN?"

"The buttons are revolting against me!" The Swede slams his fist against the panel, and then shouts. He yanks his hand out of what clearly was a lever that jerked down and snapped shut on it. "Why do Buttons always try to eat me?!"

"Oh, let me help."

"Nah Stede, we've got this."

"I can! I took a couple mechanical engineering classes back in my day, just for fun! Oh, good god, man! Your hand!" Stede leans back out of the forklift, which he'd started climbing into. "It's bleeding!"

"Nothing serious though." His whole hand is red and wet, as the pressure of the snap open

"Just because you work in a pirate museum doesn't mean you should live like one! Oh, god- can you even get out of this safely?"

"Um." The Swede tries, and nearly slips right out on a puddle of the blood. Stede catches him. "Thank you Ca- um, sir."

"Stede is fine. Alright, let's help you down!" He helps Swede the rest of the way out, and then looks at himself. "Oh, damn. This was my favorite white knit too. Ed, do you have a washer or sink he- Ed?"

Stricken is the first word that goes through Stede's mind when he turns to Ed. He's ashy-faced, eyes wide and cloudy as he stares at Stede's stained sweater. Stede looks down again. It's a lot, yes, but most of the blood is on his hands, easy to wash off.

Then again, it might not be the horror of the ruined wool making Ed so... distressed.

"Well, um, I'm going to help Swede so he doesn't bleed out," Stede says, "And find any spare clothes I might change into so I don't scare anyone else. ... Is that okay, Ed?"

"Huh?"

"He'll be fine," The Swede assures, string at Stede in a... similar fashion, honestly, but more... aware. "We just don't like blood."

"Ah, he did mention that. I'm so sorry Ed, completely forgot, I'll be right back."

Ed watches him go, but Stede's uncertain of what Ed actually sees.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Swede goes to Roach, for some reason, and Stede learns Roach is essentially their First Aid. He can do rough stitches, superglue wounds, an has antiseptic cream.

"Ah, not to question your skills here, but... doesn't this need a bit more? Like a blood transfusion, maybe?"

Roach, who resolutely refuses to look at him, shakes his head. "He'll be fine, we've seen worse. I once saw someone cut off his own finger and survive."

"Oh good lord, what the hell lead to that?!"

"Buttons bit him because he got startled." Roach laughs fondly. "Ah, the crazy old bastard really loves his teeth."

"... The Buttons who works here? With the seagull?"

"That's the one."

Stede blows out a breath. "Well, that explains Ed's reaction. What a horrible thing to watch happen."

"Oh, we didn't even know it was real at first. It was during a Fuckery."

"Fuckery?"

"Like ah..." Roach thinks for a minute. "Like a play, but, to scare."

"Ooooh, theatre of fear! I myself have directed a production or two."

"Of course you have."

"Oh, I give off director vibes?" He can't help the little bit of pride that comes with the idea.

"Theatre vibes. Now, what about you? Are you hurt too, or did you avoid it again?"

Again? Has he gotten hurt here before? Well, there was the choking when he first met Ed, but that wasn't exactly avoided injury. Hmm. "No, I'm alright. Ed, though, may need a check-in. And ah, I might need a new shirt."

"Captain has some in his cabin."

"So... that's his office, then."

"Yeah. Okay, now Swede, the best part of recovery. Pain meds." Roach pulls out a bottle of rum. Stede's pretty sure Roach's medical education comes from less of a John Hopkins and more of a Hard Knocks. And also he might be liable for if The Swede dies of this if it gets infection now, as a witness. He may need to check with Frenchie about that.

Seems like a good time to get the clothes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Purple crop tops aren't quite Stede's thing, and yet... here he is. He grabs an extra leather jacket as well, a little self-conscious. It's an interesting look, the jacket and shirt paired with his corduroy slacks and brown leather wingtip dress shoes.

... He kind of likes it, he won't lie. Clashing, yet dashing! Oh, he'll have to add that one to the list!

Going back out onto the museum floor, he somehow finds himself in the weapons display. A shorter bald man spots him and runs right up. "Is this happening? Lucius bet on way longer but I told him, no way."

"Wh-what? Is wh-"

"Um, you're wearing Ed's clothes?"

"What does that- oh! Ah, shit, no, this- I got blood on my onw- do you work here, actually?"

The man's shoulders slump, and he rolls his eyes. "Why does he have to be right about everything? I mean, it's adorable, obviously, but U'd like to be right like... once. I'm Pete, Lucius boyfriend. I'm um, sure he's mentioned me."

"Well, nice to meet you. Is... everyone, going to assume Ed and I are... ahem?"

"I mean, probably not. Lucius and I just like to bet on that kind of thing."

"... Huh. Does that ah... mean Ed is looking, then?"

Before Pete can reply, though, someone shoves Stede into the display. No, not shoves, pins.

"Told you it wasn't over, pissrat," the man from the crowd spits.

"Oh, fuck no, Jizzy, get out!" Pete grabs a dagger from the display and points it at the man. Stede shouts, and several people turn to stare!

"I paid admission," the man growls.

"You're banned from here, asshole! If Captain sees you he'll-"

"What, call the cops? Is he kissing the law's arse again for some stupid fuckin' ponce-"

"That's a slur!" Stede blurts out.

"And you're a stain you fuckin'-"

And suddenly the hands are ripped away. Ed has one hand on this "Jizzy's" shoulder, the other at his hip like it's second nature. "I thought you'd be smarter than this, Izzy."

The man smiles. "Oh, so you think about me, huh?"

"Get the fuck out of here, before I make you."

"How long has it been since you met him? Huh? How long did you wait this time, Edward."

"I'm not your business anymore, Izzy."

"You're always my business, Ed."

And very suddenly, it clicks into place for Stede. The staff knowing this Izzy, Ed knowing him, the rage, the instant assessment of threat, and Pete's initial thoughts-

This is Ed's ex, and clearly, not one of the stable ones you can part amicably with.

"Security!"

As Izzy is lead out, spitting and cursing, Ed turns to Stede. "Did he hurt you?"

"Just startled," Stede breathes, still staring wide-eyed after the guards. "Quite a dramatic day it's been. That's actually the man who shoved me when I was coming in earlier."

"Fucking dickhead," Ed mutters, gesturing to Pete to put the dagger back on the display. "Sorry about him, he won't be coming back here, I promise that."

"I'm sorry too. I think he made some um, assumptions, because of..." Stede gestures to his torso. "I should have just gone to the lost-and-found, if you have one."

"No, no man, it's fine. Those suit you, actually."

"Oh... don't be ridiculous." Now he's blushing, he knows it, so he lows down like he's examining the clothes. "It's not my style at all."

"No, really. You look great." When Stede looks back up, it's right into Ed's eyes. So much for the blush being hidden, he must be red as his sweater was. "Izzy's just an asshole, man, and he doesn't know how to let fuckin' stuff go. You just wore some fuckin' clothes, he turned it into a whole thing."

"Still, I hope it didn't put you in an awkward position."

"I'd rather know he's in town and have him banned then have him slinking around without me knowing. How about I walk you out to the road in case he's still here when you try to get a cab?"

"I'd like that." Stede smiles softly.

"Me too," Ed says with a smile back. "So uh, anything else you wanted to see?"

"Well, I haven't visited the section with the pirate personal stories yet."

"Really? Fuck man, Olu must be dying to meet you then. Come on." And he links his arm with Stede's.

Oh, yeah. No way Ed doesn't notice the blushing.

He also doesn't seem to mind.

Does that mean he's looking?

Maybe Stede has his answer after all...

[frobin]

Random consideration: there is an online legend about Oda can change story events if someone on the web/fans guess the thing. So... what do you think about this topic? It can be really valid? If yes, even for whatever eventual not-canon ships? I don't know, because ships are just a very side element in the story, and not like main events of the storyline. (And for my opinion, for Jin:be father topic, I could agree with who said is for the age, maybe. Anyway, I will ship FroBin forever).

Hey anon! Thank you for your question!

Maybe Oda really made Jinbe the dad because of age. right now Oda and Jinbe have the same age (46). He has two children who are (if the internet and my math are correct) 15 and 12 years old. So may it’s not unlikely? If he connects with Jinbe he would rather see him as a dad than a grandparent or a weird uncle. 

-

Now, to the rest... I have to say sorry for answering so late but as of right now I’m writing parts of my answer and I literally pulling my hair because I really try to make sense of the whole situation and trying to understand the intention of a 46 year old japanese man. And this is long again so sorry about that. Anyway... 

I have heard about that. I remembered something about Oda not reading Fan Theories and now I googled once more. Apparently this is the newest Information:

"Oda once said he will change OP story if it coincides with fan theories. But according to TV show today, Oda will never change his plan about "final chapter" even if a fan theory hits the nail on the head. Oda said in 1999 that he had already decided final panel and chapter."

https://twitter.com/sandman_AP/status/1352851201478418432?s=20

I don’t think Oda is actively browsing the web for OP content ( how would he have time to) but he gets fanmail with questions and suggestions. And considering that over 4 million people are One Piece fans... one of them has to get it correct eventually. Trying to avoid any similarity with any fan-theory is IMPOSSIBLE. 

And I do believe that Oda knows how he wants One Piece to end and won’t change that, no matter what. 

As for the details in-between........ I wouldn’t say Oda is not prone to be a Troll and sometimes downright an ass towards his fans. XD Never out of malice but because he thinks it’s funny. 

I’m also sure he will never focus on romance in the manga, but since love is an important part of life it will come into play now and then. Classic romance (?) more with side-characters  (Roger/Rouge, Sai/Baby5, Bege/Chiffon) than with main (Strawhats) but still possible.

He may very well edit less-important plot lines if they don't change the ending. 

That also includes, that I absolutely think it’s possible that the Strawhats will have romantic involvement at the end of the story. At the moment it is never in the focus, except for plot reason (Whole Cake Island for example, though that is an entirely different topic) but absolutely possible. 

Because the Strawhats boning each other or maybe someone outside of the crew will not change the story. It has no influence to anything, except if it’s on a higher scale, like if Luffy really suddenly married Boa Hancock. That would influence the political outline of the world.

Meanwhile Pauli/Iceburg or Noland/Cagara or Bartolomeo/Cavendish have literally no influence to the story (anymore). And I don’t think I have to start on things like other rare pairs or even OC-ships. 

That being said, and having more stuff in mind, I wouldn’t put it past Oda to actually focus more on Jin/Bin. 

Why? Well... 

we had so many interactions between Robin and Franky after the time skip that it was almost ridiculous. In every single arc we see them fight alongside each other. We had strong romantic tropes portrayed with them: 

Their meeting after the timeskip (Sabaody Archipelago)

Franky having his head in Robins lap (Punk Hazard) 

Wearing the same shirt (Dressrosa) 

Finishing each others sentence (Zou)

Franky offering Robin a ride and her answering with a heart (Wano)  

And the moment the internet exploded when Robin was holding Frankys face. Which yeah, only a Colorspread and not canon yadda yadda

For now let’s gloss over all the other moments that showed that they cared for each other. 

... so many.

Anyway what I want to say is that Oda had declared “All the Strawhats are in love with adventure.” and “I won’t focus on romance.”  but is seemingly showing a connection between Franky and Robin, that made one think that he might actually be aboard the ship even if the fandom itself is rather silent and small. 

Meanwhile when Jinbe appeared (in the timeskip) he was instantly a hit. His popularity then rose thanks to Fishmen Island Arc. And again I can’t blame anyone. On the other hand Franky always had a hard stance. This was recently shown again because is the lowest ranked Strawhat in the popularity poll. 

One (Oda) might come to a conclusion here:

Maybe people don’t like Franky and so would dislike FRobin. But since Oda also seems to enjoy grown up relationships (?) maybe he thinks Jinbe is the only reasonable replacement?  -> It could be a tactial decision. 

Maybe he really changed his opinion and personally likes one more than the other. He was a FRobin supporter but now likes JinBin more? It wouldn't change anything for the story and there wouldn't be any harm -> It could be a personal decision. 

Maybe he fears that he put too many hints in the manga and now has to paddle back? Because let’s be honest, until the colourspread with Robin putting her hand on Frankys face... the FRobin fandom was on the backburner. And so he wants to throw out some Red Herrings.  -> Again a tactial decision

Maybe he never inteded to make it  romantic and it is actually all just friendship. Subtext is something many authors use without being aware of it. (Just ask anyone who is a lesbian!Nami fan. They have good points.) -> A mistake from the very beginning. 

And you can use these same thoughts for every other non-canon ship. 

Please take everything of this with a grain of salt because I try to understand the intention of a man who is more than 10 years my senior and from a culture I can’t even start to try to comprehend (sometimes I don’t even get my own culture), who is the head figure of a money-making machine. So it’s hard to tell what else influences his decisions. 

My interpretations are influenced by my own experiences and knowledge which is big and vast but also stretched very thin. 

Last but not least I want to make clear that any speculation is really the same as asking a crystal ball. In the western fandom we have only few people who can even slightly try to give an insight to the whole thing and they (smart enough) keep out of any shipping discourse. 

tl;dr: I don’t think Oda will change the ending. But I do think that he is willing to change minor plotlines  and so yes I think Oda might change couples for any possible reason, as long as it does not change the ending, and he does not even has to choose a good reason because in the end they are his characters and he is free to do whatever he wants with them.

[bi-demon-ium]

(via @mvshortcut) #GOING INSANE OVER THIS#any iteration of 'Nicholas tries to help someone else see [thing] wasn't their fault while completely missing the irony'#or having an 'oh' moment. anyway#Sticky being brave enough to tell Nicholas the truth of what happened even though the mission is over. it won't change anything#but he needs Nicholas to see who he really is and what he;s done and hope nicholas doesn't find him lacking#also sticky having been under curtain's control being able to tell Nicholas that he knows what it's like#it feels like suffocating. it was a terrible situation but he understands why nicholas relished the chance to breathe#not that Nicholas would place his burdens on sticky. he shares his story in an attempt to help Sticky only#but sticky makes some quiet observation or comment like that and it has Nicholas's whole world tilting#he only says 'hm' and offers sticky more tea#kinda off topic but. obsessed with the idea of Sticky and Nicholas writing to each other after this convo while he's at boatwright#I know stick has some issues with letter writing but just consider. consider#them geeking out and sticky telling about his new friends and he finally feels free but not alone. he knows he has a home to return to#and Nicholas is just so so proud of him#once again sorry for rambling but ohhhhh microwaving this high power

NO NO ALSO ROTATING THIS AT MAX SPEED LIKE

1. yeah.... nicholas trying to help someone and completely missing the irony or being forced to face self-love/healing through the other,,,

2. sticky telling him even though he, too, is afraid of judgement, of condemnation, even though it won't do anything, even though he knows if he asked the others would probably keep it to themselves for him, too, regardless of a love for truth, and like. he's so brave. and needing to show him the truth and still be found not lacking... ohhhh.....

3. and yes like. i think. sticky is one of the few people who can really understand what its like to be under his thumb--although nicholas, sticky, and sq all suffered in different ways (and to some extent, also reynie and constance, and although its complicated by other matters, jackson & jillson and martina, as well) like. sticky gets how charming and yet controlling curtain is, gets how he can just. undermine you and cut you down but also bring you up and make you feel special. so like. YEAH like. he gets it, he understands it, and likewise, he can see nicholas understands him, and like. yeah god ,

4. nicholas only tells him to help, to show him he's not alone, that he isn't selfish or bad, that it was a normal choice to make and he--he was even actively manipulated into it. but like. sticky just. quietly is like. you know it wasn't your fault either. you weren't being selfish either. it was a different situation, but... it wasn't your fault. and nicholas just. smiles, small and a little tremulous, not entirely whole, and offers him more tea. because it's not his burden to bear. but like. yeah just. part of him is like. i mean. it helps

5. OHHHHHH THEM WRITING TO EACH OTHER...OHHHH...... there's no pressure to respond and sticky knows that, he doesn't feel pressured to say the right thing or risk pushing him away, and like. mr benedict always responds, always understands what he's talking about in a way sometimes even his peers don't get--sometimes he can give helpful advice, other times he genuinely doesn't know about whatever sticky's telling him and is thrilled to learn--and them geeking out over boats and science....

(im now picturing later sticky casually mentions that nice sea captain who offered him a job during that whole uh. situation. what was his name, noland?? and getting the most harried handwriting hes seen from mr benedict yet as hes like PHIL NOLAND? CAPTAIN PHIL NOLAND? bc i still think the idea that he and mr benedict are still old friends in show canon it just didnt come up is extremely funny)

6. ALKFGJDFGAAAAAAAAAAAAAA just. sticky and mr benedict friendship. mr benedict being a good mentor and understanding him and being so so proud of him......ohhhhh

i think a lot about like. post s1 sticky and mr benedict. like. reynie and constance have their own dynamic with mr benedict, kate--well, she has milligan, and even though she's also not as connected to mr benedict directly, there's something there (and even so, she has an adult). sticky... doesn't. and not only that, but. he feels... guilty.

sticky's the one who doubted him when reynie had faith. sticky's the one who said they couldn't trust him, that his brother might be the good guy. sticky's the one who--oh god

oh god. sticky's the one who "betrayed" his friends for feeling safe. secure.

he just. he doesn't know how to face him, knowing he was wrong. that the whole mission could have failed because he trusted mr benedict's brother over him.

but like. can you fucking imagine when he tells him that. when he admits, falteringly, in his own words, what happened and why. like he tells him i just felt safe. i felt secure and safe in a way i never do, like i wasn't being suffocated and held back and isolated, like i could be myself. how could i have been so selfish as to choose that over my friends? my best friends?

and mr benedict just. visibly shatters a little.

like, obviously their situations are different. sticky was being actively manipulated by a villain intentionally manipulating him and using wibbly wobbly sciencey wiciency mindfuckery tech to do it. and like, how he reacted was different, too--little nicky always had doubt, always felt guilty, while whammied sticky (OUGH. NICKY AND STICKY. I HAVE CONNECTED THE DOTS--you havent connected shit--IVE CONNECTED THEM) was more confident, challenging them and saying he liked the way he was now (partly because of the differences in their circumstances--a anxiety-away magic machine versus a quiet home with books and lack of control are different) and like, just generally, nicky's was a little more. about escape? leaving behind? while sticky's is a little more about. standing by. idk how to word this.

but like. mr benedict trying desperately to be the sort of gentle mentor figure sticky deserves, to not show how much it hurts, but like. his voice cracks when he quietly tells him the story of what really happened, all those years ago. and like. i think maybe mr benedict kind of expects condemnation--sticky is a smart, wonderful child, and he will see the truth: that nicholas did a selfish thing, and betrayed dr. curtain, and that's why curtain is the way he is.

but like. sticky may not be reynie--empathetic reynie whose strength is, in many ways, emotional intelligence--but he's still a kind soul, too. i think while he would see how this might have shaped the bitter, manipulative person he met on the island, he would also see how it shaped the kind, sad person in front of him.