#i would like to see her meet bonney at some point

[supermarine-silvally]

Yara, have you met all of the supernovas? Are you considered one? Which ones do you like and which ones you dislike?

"As for if I’m considered one of the Supernovas, no. I’m not. Technically I would be disqualified because my rise to piracy was as an apprentice under Whitebeard’s banner and I didn’t earn enough infamy on my own to be considered a singular threat to the World Government. Which I'm fine with. I'm not in it for the fame-- or the wealth, or the power, for that matter."

Ask Yara (or any of my OCs) anything!

also tagging @oneirataxia-girl for the references to Mari and Kenji's boys heheheh

[midnight-in-town]

Finally caught up with One Piece

Because I have many many thoughts, here are some theories the latest parts of the story made me think of ! Please note that I totally need to reread a few things in order to be certain of what I’m hypothesizing about here.

Also, sorry if people already mentioned these possibilities, I really just caught up (and i need to empty my mind or i won’t be able to sleep). :))

1) The Five Elders realized the truth about Luffy’s devil fruit during Wano, because Shanks tipped them off.

Tbh it bothered me that the WG suddenly realized during the battle against Kaido that Luffy had the Nika fruit, precisely as it awakened. 

However, during the Reverie arc (which takes place at the same time as Wano), Shanks requested a meeting with the Five Elders, to speak about “a certain pirate” though the rest is currently unknown. Additionally, thanks to Jinbe fighting Who’s Who, we found out that Shanks stole that fruit from a government ship, so it’s likely that Shanks knew exactly what kind of devil fruit it was when he stole it.

As for why Shanks told the WG the truth about Luffy... maybe to stall him from getting to the One Piece? or for some other grand scheme we likely can’t figure out for now. :))

2) Seraphims were made after people who are of different races persecuted by the World Government

On Egghead, we discovered Seraphims & Pacifistas made after Kuma (whom Bonney said at the beginning of the arc was “from a different race”) and Jinbe (who’s a Fishman). Also we learnt that their “green blood” is actually Lunarian blood (gotten from King/Alber, who was experimented on at Punk Hazard and later saved by Kaido). 

This could mean that the Seraphims are made after Hancock (who was sold into slavery as a child, with her sisters, with the mark of the Celestial Dragons on their back forever showing that “they are less than humans”) and Mihawk (history completely unknown but there’s that line from Zoro “you’re a little more human than him”, when fighting against the Mihawk Seraphim) because these two are also of different races? 

3) King Im/Imu has been alive ever since the Void Century because someone who once ate the Op Op fruit during this era gave him immortality.

Very clearly, the latest chapters revealed that Im/Imu knew Nefertari D. Lili who lived during the Void Century, so they gotta be immortal at this point.

Additionally Doflamingo blackmailed the WG, because he had leverage over them, which is how he became a Warlord and Dressrosa’s king.

We never really had a confirmation as to what it was, but I’m guessing that’s because he found out about Im/Imu and also about that special property of the Op Op fruit, which is why he was seeking it with so much intensity and was so furious when Cora gave it to Law.

4) Maybe Dragon left Luffy with Garp as a baby, because Luffy’s mom is from a different race as well, so he thought Luffy would be safer with Garp, who was the hero of the navy and already hiding Roger’s son, Ace?

I know this one might seem completely random at this point, but hear me out : 

In Vegapunk’s flashback about Ohara, Dragon was said “to hate war”, was already a “freedom fighter” and was apparently not yet affiliated with either Kuma or Iva and that was before Luffy’s birth. 

It’s too early to tell since Bonney isn’t done checking Kuma’s memories, but imo Kuma probably agreed to become a pawn of the WG in order to save his kid, Bonney, from living through the same horrors he lived through as a kid. 

But before that, Kuma started the revolutionaries with Dragon soon after the Ohara genocide, so I could see a similar motivation fueling both men back then (i.e dads wanting to fight for worldwide freedom but also to protect their kid from the WG).

Also considering the newly found Cross Guild putting bounties on navy and government men (a brilliant idea btw), it’s interesting it’s made of 

Buggy who used to be a part of Roger’s crew, a man who was one of the biggest thorns in the WG’s back, 

Mihawk whose past is unknown, but who, according to Croc, is highly distrustful of others & maybe of a different race (see previous point) 

Crocodile : past unknown, but highly distrustful of others as well, wanted Pluton to fight against the WG, and mostly has a connection to Ivankov, who founded the revolutionaries with Dragon & Kuma and who knows Croc’s “secret”, implying Iva probably used their powers on Croc at some point (absolute fan of the Crocomom theory btw)

All I’m saying is that two of the Cross Guild founders might be not be estranged to the whole “previously being persecuted because of their origins by the WG”, especially considering that Crocodile is the one who sought Mihawk for this partnership in the first place (and Buggy is included for the symbolic of the threat Roger used to represent, on top of wanting to compete against Shanks for the One Piece). 

5) The last road poneglyph is held by “the man with the burn scar” aka Jaguar D. Saul.

When Wano ended, Shanks said to his crew that they were going to go after the One Piece and the next time we met them, with Kid in hot pursuit, they were on Elbaf. In other words, I think it’s fair to say that the man with the burn scar is/was on Elbaf.

Coincidentally on Egghead, we found out that Jaguar D. Saul survived being frozen by Kuzan during the Ohara genocide and worked with Elbaf Giants to salvage what he could of Ohara’s library. So I think it’s likely that at some point he found out where that last road poneglyph was and possibly acquired it. 

in that case, yay, because an encounter with Robin will prove to be both very emotional and immensely fruitful. :D 

Can’t wait to see where the story is going hehehe!! ^3^

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1023 - Initial Thoughts

And we are back again

Snuck us with a break last week given it was Obon in Japan but this time we get the chapter.

Gorosei: Gone, Joy Boy: Insane Haki, Imu: Shooketh And on our way out of Egghead

Let's see what comes next

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release too

Back (again) with the Yamato cover story but it continues to stagnate, it's a cute enough cover of Yamato, Denjiro and the kids throwing rocks at him eating oden but it is still a very slow narrative

Emeth's unknotting of joy Boy's conqueror's haki has left quite the impression, everyone from the navy has been KO'd including the vice admirals!

Interestingly the Seraphim are unaffected, since S-Snake tries to awaken a marine about the Straw Hats escaping

I wonder if they simply have stronger spirits or maybe they're unaffected by imposing will since they're not entirely organic?

Dorry and Brogy mention how the haki is even more powerful than Shanks, which you would expect from Joy Boy

Luffy thanks Emeth for the help, but our Iron Giant has gone silent once more

I would've given a lot for Emeth to have given Luffy one last thumbs up

With everyone safe and no enemy in pursuit, the Sunny and Giants' longboat set their sights on Elbaf

Luffy wrinkles out while Bonney seems to sleep beside Kuma, while Usopp gets to reunite with his giant masters (also Chopper gets to meet them for the first time)

Sanji however chats with Vegapunk's corpse

Like dude I know you have questions about what he was saying but, he's dead, there's no speak with the dead here...unless...Brook you got something like that?

And so we get context for the title 'the two week void', I thought it would be media silencing the event but in fact it's events that happened 2 weeks before Egghead

Vegapunk, Shaka and Pythagoras all caught on that someone stole some of the Mother Flame, meaning they knew there was a traitor among them!

Interesting that despite their rivalry, it's the Stella who suspects Lilith immediately, not Shaka, who points out that only the three here have alibis

Like it seems Stella was set on it being Lilith, likely because 'evil' but like, greed is right there man!

They go into 'stealth mode' to make sure the others aren't privy to their data either

It's kinda tragic since Shaka and Pythagoras will die by York's machinations anyway, while Edison and Atlas died by self sacrifice

Pythagoras is the one who identifies York as the culprit a week later, to Shaka and Stella's surprise

Oh that is sloppy York, fake memories, hidden transponder snails, tampering with security feeds, sloppy sloppy

Stella at least apologizes out loud for suspecting Lilith

Shaka also finds evidence of Sea Beast Weapons being deployed without permission, likely on the CP agents

Stella confirms the deceit by replaying the Den Den Mushi's jamming feed, hearing York contact Marejois about him studying the Void Century

1 day later Lulusia happens, and the Stella is furious

Ah so York used one of the weaponized sea beasts to deliver the Mother Flame, that is pretty clever I must admit

With Pythagoras studying the sea levels to confirm the Mother Flame's use, furthering theories that the WG have an Ancient Weapon, Vegapunk laments his role in the destruction

'Only a fool lets their greed run amok, and I personified mine!' - Egghead has had no shortage of badass lines

Stella now begins his countermeasures; there's no point in arresting York right now, she has the WG behind her and motive is uncertain. Shaka offers to run but Vegapunk says to focus on civilians instead, since the WG would chase him to the ends of the earth anyway

Thinking about Ohara, he notes that they have better technology, they will be able to spread their voice farther than Ohara did

Mulling over what the WG is, and how his pursuit for answers leads to more mystery (oh Oda, we know that feeling) Vegapunk states how he'll willingly forfeit his life

And Shaka the Good and Pythagoras the Wise also share that sentiment

Though they do wonder - with head in a jar that is Punk Records in panel - what classes as death for them, since they are still technically androids with good wifi

Vegapunk also notes to prioritize the Cloud Loft device, since making island clouds may be the only thing that'll save people from the seemingly inevitable deluge

York meets up with Stella by the sleeping giant, asking what he's doing. Vegapunk plays coy though, talking about simply furthering the perfection of the Mother Flame

While he's actually sneaking the projector Den Den Mushi into Emeth

2 Days before present, the transmission feed is recorded

The three discuss how the feed will start on the event of their death, but there's still one last countermeasure: erasing their memories!

They cannot let York catch onto their plan, so the shock, the deceit, and the fear was all still real

They have to trust their plan though, even in defeat there will still be victory

As they awaken mind wiped, Stella sees some documents in his handwriting explaining some events

2 weeks of memories have been wiped, they have done it on their own volition, oh btw the government knows about your secret research

Talking about having to experience all the bombshells again like it isn't just one bombshell after another; the WG know, you have to let yourself die, oh and a Yonko and Bonney have just landed here, CP0 are coming to assassinate you, a buster call is coming, Kizaru is there bringing a Gorosei with him

Each one met with the same EHHHHH reaction too XD

Honestly if I were Stella I would be sitting down after all of that, just lie down for another hour

I wonder if that means Shaka contacted Dragon before the memory wipe too?

Further ahead in time we see Stella talking to Sanji while in the pod as they were going down to save Bonney from Saturn

He tells Sanji to let him die, noting how it feels like something else will be put in motion when it does

Sanji though didn't want to entertain that, I bet people will try and absolve him like 'VP wanted to die so it's not Sanji's fault that Kizaru got to him' but nah, he still promised Bonney after this conversation that he'd save Vegapunk and he died

'One more thing, about the One Piece: I want you guys to find it'

One last stamp of approval from Vegapunk

Back in the present Usopp celebrates with the Giants, setting their sights on Elbaf

Luffy's also there but he's too haggard to be festive, so he wants to delay it a bit so he can join in XD

This does feel like it's the end for Egghead. Well at least for the VP and Straw Hats' side.

I still think CP0, York, and the Gorosei have some stuff left to deal with here, plus Lilith is gonna have to wake up and learn about what happened. So I think we're in that lull between arcs, setting up one while wrapping up the other.

Still I really enjoyed the sci-fi nature of this chapter, York's plan was known, but memories had to be erased - which was already established from Kuma's backstory so it's believable that VP refined it some more - so that York didn't know that they knew because what they knew they now don't know XD But it does establish all the 'big brain activity' that led to Vegapunk's final victory. I'm glad to see smart characters being smart too.

But Lilith accusations were uncalled for (they were called for but we like Lilith so it's uncalled for XD).

Egghead has been a spectacular start to the final saga, and knowing Oda this is probably only the beginning, Elbaf is finally on the horizon and the Straw Hat Pirates have overcome their first major trial as a Yonko crew.

But there still lies the fallout of what comes next.

[kyros-tha-soldier]

CHAPTER 1011 spoilers

I'm back after two weeks of having stupid painful eyesore! Still not fully healed but lasik generally takes a while to heal, oh well... into the SPOILERS!

🌟The chapter's title is "Dear bonney", it's a reference to the letters Kuma has been sending to lil Bonney, but what about those letters? Are they important? Welp, let's see the rest of the spoilers and we'll understand more

🌟colorspread contains all the vegapunks!

🌟so, the chapter starts with A flashback INSIDE the flashback, with Kuma remembering how once he and Dragon were on goa and Kuma curiously asks Dragon abot why he knows a lot about Goa, and why does he always keep his eyes on one boy (the boy of course being our precious luffy)

🌟Dragon sternly answers "keep talking if you wanna die" (this might be a mistranslation since i heard somewhere else he said "if you want to kill me then keep talking" maybe as a way to show that the topic Kuma was talking about is too sensitive and dangerous Dragon) and honestly this felt so out of character for dragon to say to his comrade like...

Isn't he already on your team?

🌟Dragon drops s hot line to clear his "fraud dad" allegations and says "a child is a parent's weakness", strong enough that poor Kuma apologized and stopped talking

🌟mini flashback ends with Kuma entering mount Kolumbo and observes a 16 years old luffy practicing. He gets a call on his den den mushi and luffy ends up hearing it ring, and before he tries to check, we find that Kuma has already left. Luffy just shrugs it off as some very strong animal and continues on his shenanigans

🌟 the call was frim the world government about a merchant ship getting attacked by pirates. So basically they told him to give those pirates hell because that's basically his job as a warlord

🌟throughout the chapter kuma is writing bonney letters, he is narrating them and talks about how much he loves her, how much he cares for her and all the great and amazing things he saw while traveling and how bad he wants to travel with her.

h-he's so pure, my god he's such a gentle daddy! GOD ODA STOP GIVING YOUR TOUGHEST BATTLES TO YOUR MOST LOVING DADS/MOMS

🌟 however unfortunately for our favorite bearguy priest, his letters never reached Bonney since the nurse lady alpha, would get rid of them so Bonney won't read them because well... duh they might contain some sensitive info, and since they're trying to make this whole ordeal a secret away from bonney, she makes sure no letters arrive.

🌟Luckily, Bonney has queen connie on her side, and her being the amazing granny she is she tells bonney not to show her abilities to any of the cipher pol agents, saying that "a smart hawk must always hide it's claws!"

🌟 Kuma visits Vegapunk's lab for more pacifista stuff and meets stussy (the clone that was made three years ago) and she sarcastically tells him "i wonder who's more unfortunate, a human with no consciousness or a clone with consciousness" Vegapunk (now with the apple head) reprimands her and tells her that she's indeed a human...

But like

CUT MY MAN KUMA SOME FUCKING SLACK!!! Y'ALL BETTER START TREATING HIM RIGHT!!!!

🌟 Vegapunk explains to Kuma that his transformation will be complete soon in one year, and until then he won't have a single emotion or thought left.

🌟 we see Kuma helping the revolutionary army, however he's a lot more silent now since he has reached a point where the modifications have become a lot more radical. Dragon and the others sense that something isn't right with Kuma

🌟we go back to sorbet island where Bonney is celebrating her ninth birthday, she still didn't receive a single letter from the ones Kuma had sent her. Bonney is now 100% healed but Alpha won't let her out until she reaches her 10th birthday since that's what the deal with Kuma was about

🌟 however our precious and beautiful Qweenie, granny connie, tells Bonney that she heard from a local town bar that alpha and her "staff" aren't actually medical staff and are in fact world government agents. They realize how bad is the situation and the people of Sorbet as well as Connie prepare for Bonney's escape. They bring a pizza themed ship, Gyogyo, poteto and Totsu (the three guys we always see in Bonney's crew) embark with her to go find Kuma, and Connie switch clothes with Bonney.

🌟 however, alpha and her team find out about this and follow bonney. Alpha is using geppou and threatens bonney that if she doesn't come back she will beat her up and lock her up (way to be such a scum to beat a child)!

🌟 just then, Bonney imagines one of the instances where Kuma talks to her about Nika and she asks him what he looks like and he tells her he doesn't really know but his body is rubbery.

🌟 bonney uses her toshi toshi ability and warps herself into Nika, delivering a FAT punch right to the jaw of Alpha (that looked like a really painful punch in the panel)

AAAAAAAND that's all folks!

[blacklegsanjiii]

Uhh what about ASL x S adopting a child?? Like, the StrawHats after TS are on a island when Sanji, Luffy and Ace find a kid running and crying. After calming the kid, she/he (you can chose if will be a boy or a girl) tells about her família and that they did this at her/him. The end? Ace and Luffy punch her/his parents while Sanji takes the child to Chopper.

After this, they get atached at the kid as much as the little girl/boy get atached for them. They talk between them (calling Sabo since he also is Sanji's boyfriend) and with the crew and chose to adopt the kid.

(Sabo goes to meet her/him after some weeks, and they adore each other)

I fully believe you shouldn't give these people a child tbh. Would they do all that? Absolutely! But when Sabo came to see what's going on and meet the kid he would probably take them to the army like he was. They visit, but it's also safer than a ship. Al

So Sanji finds a kid and manages to get what's going on from them and Luffy absolutely beats the fuck out of them and takes the kid to the Sunny. Ace is packing the kid some clothes and Sanji has already taken them to Chopper. They're all discussing it while the kids in with Chopper but Luffy mentions Shanks saying kids shouldn't be pirates and Sanji agrees and gestures around them but Ace points out how many kids White Beard has raised and Nami points out that's a whole fleet and they're breaking even mostly. So they call Sabo to also see what to do and Sabo says he'll come take a look.

Over that time they get attached to the kid and it's like a whole thing. Luffy has a whole new playmate! They're small like Chopper and he can push them both in his swing!! Sanji is working on their nutrion and getting them back to somewhat healthy while aboard. Ace is the one the kid sleeps on because he's so warm and muscley and soft. Also it has to be a little girl and Ace is also surprisingly good at hair because ya know, White Beard and all his kids who probably have their own kids or whatever.

So Sabo shows up and is charmed by the cutie and it's clear as much as they want her there, they've been through several marine battles and Luffy battles and it's not stable enough for the kid. Sabo and Sanji can see it but I feel like Ace and Luffy don't want her to leave. The kid is getting upset because they're sending her away and they clear it up immediately that she's going somewhere safe. A place with a school and other kids and they'll visit. Luffy doesn't break promises and he will visit and he'll drag Sanji and Ace too.

And they do! The crew loves stopping by to see her and they call her all the time and Sabo uses this as his excuse to spend time with Sanji since Sabo's not a pirate. She can come join them when she's old enough if she wants but for now? They want her safe and being a pirate isn't safe. She is loved and cared for and the Strawhats will drop by, sometimes with others who are interested in meeting her like Marco or Law or Bonney.

[yamatossideboob]

One Piece 1108 Spoilers!!

This week's intellectual musings:

GOOD COVER SPREAD ALL DE GIRLIES!! Tashigi may not have a Devil Fruit but somethings getting awakened for deffo here hehehe

Good mag cover art too, I love seeing Oda's colours a bit more closely

Okay yeah as *everyone* speculated, Caribou is gonna fill BB in on the Ancient Weapons :s I do wonder if he'll get some details wrong and this is a gag being set up, but unfortunately this just feels like the reason BB & co will finally upgraded to Big Bads™️ rough times ahead

For now though it's neat to see Vice Admirals scrapping, but alas! our giant pals are making shite of them

I saw someone point out last week how Dorry and Brogy might not recognise Franky bc his face isn't on his bounty poster and they FUCKING CALLED IT what a small but very good thing lmao

god OP giants are so good, ilysm lads

ahem anyway as soon as i saw scholar mentioned so significantly I got wondering, and after several microseconds realised they surely meant SAUL!! ofc this is practically confirmed on the nest page but how intriguing! how hype!!

also I love Doll even if she is a marine. I am a simple woman. I wonder will she get to meet Saul again later...

Bluegrass is so good, I love her design and power in tandem, she's so fun

I just had a thought.... the idea of self-destruct functions has been sown previously in Kuma's flashback... what if, as a way to help guarantee his personal safety prior to this arc... Vegapunk has one in HIMSELF? I can imagine it: Saturn, defeated and having let the Strawhats escape with Bonney and the giants, succumbs to blind rage and wants to deal the finishing blow to VP, who "fsr" stayed behind. However, either he or VP himself activates the self-destruct, and with Saturn reaping his own demise, VP manages to square with the devil he made deals with, and make peace with his red hands... idk. This idea just came to me, I am not much of a speculator lmao

AHEM anywayyy Saturn is fucking scary, I wonder since he's clearly losing his rag with this shower of upstarts, is his Zoan(?) fruit going apeshit?

ough yes like the lake hydra in dark souls 1, i see i see

Vegapunk for an old and mortally wounded man you're sure chatty

Okay. hear me out. I know the 'Traitor Kizaru' theory is dead in the water at this point. But... why would he hyper beam Vegapunk right through what looks like the same wound Saturn gave VP earlier? In the panel right after it looks like smoke is rising from the new wound... what if Kizaru cauterised it? Can Vegapunk survive a little longer thanks to this? I'm going cracked over here!!!

OKAY LUFFY IS GETTING SERIOUS!! BY WHICH I MEAN SILLAY!! Ohhhhhhhhhh god lads next week is going to be good

AND IT'LL BE EVEN BETTER BE WHAT THE HOLY HELL IS VEGAPUNK UP TO NOW?! HE'S GONNA DO A WHITEBEARD AND COAX THE WG INTO A SNAFU. GOOD GOD Y'ALL!!!

Next week can't come soon enough!! We might even see that giant robo again! maybe it'll be brushing its teeth! til then! 💪✖️

[purplehairedwonder]

Chapter 1062: Satellites

It feels like we’re getting back to some classic One Piece humor with this new arc, and I’m enjoying it.

Let’s start with the cover story.

So, we had the two intruders at Chocolat Town back in chapter 1046. Looks like one of them was Kuzan. I’m guessing this isn’t Blackbeard’s full crew since we saw the man himself go after Hancock then kidnap Coby. If this cover story is happening around the same time, this might be the other part of that crew, though. After the road poneglyph while Big Mom is away?

On to the chapter!

Robin voices many of the same concerns fandom had after the reveal at the end of last chapter:

And we get confirmation of what many were theorizing: that Vegapunk has “satellite” bodies that he is controlling. It’s interesting that a man of science like Vegapunk would have satellites imbued with emotional personalities -- especially in the wake of the last science-related arc in Whole Cake where Sanji’s brothers had their emotions removed; and we know Judge and Vegapunk worked together in MADS. 

Wait. Are these Vegapunk’s various personality traits removed and placed into the satellites? If so, I wonder if Judge’s work inspired Vegapunk or the other way around.

Hmmmm.

Relating to the name Lilith, I immediately thought of the first wife of Adam and the mother of all demons. That would fit her as the “evil” satellite Vegapunk.

The Straw Hats left behind on the Sunny are under threat from Lilith, but she gets a wakeup call that an Emperor’s crew isn’t going to be easy pickings.

I love these two panels. I love Robin being portrayed alongside Zoro as a badass fighter. That’s my queen right there.

lol @ Sanji and Franky.

And what do you want, Zoro?

Punk 01, Shaka, wants to see the Straw Hats.

Is it because he’s curious about the crew that Kuma used his final wish to protect?

Meanwhile, back with Jinbei and his Devil Fruit eating children...

Confirmation of many theories that Bonney is Kuma’s daughter. We’ve got our princess for the arc, lol.

I can’t help but seeing a parallel between Bonney and Viola from Dressrosa -- a princess becoming a pirate to protect loved ones, assuming Bonney became a pirate to help her father.

Anyway, the small group gets into the lab and finds... food?

Like I said, Dad Jinbei and his children XD

The food’s a hologram, and it seems we’ve switched genres from samurai film to sci-fi.

Also, I was howling at Luffy’s sheer rage at the food not being real. I love him so much.

We meet another Vegapunk satellite: Atlas. This one is supposed to be wrath. 

Atlas, of course, was a Titan in Greek mythology who, after a failed battle against the gods, was condemned to hold the heavens on his shoulders.

Atlas punches one of the holograms, revealing that she has gloves that let her touch light.

This seems like it would be useful in fighting Kizaru. Just a thought.

We also see the machine that makes food. I foresee Sanji being highly offended by this.

And shoutout to this post pointing out the Vega Cola. Who do we know that admires Vegapunk and powers his inventions with cola? Franky gonna have a field day. 

Finally, we see CP0 is on the way to Egghead as well. And guess who’s back!

I’m sure Lucci is much stronger than he was in Enies Lobby, but there’s no way he could fight Luffy now, right?

Considering Lucci is actually questioning the orders to take out Vegapunk, it wouldn’t shock me if we see a shift in allegiances.

(Also, Stussy. Love her.)

Overall, good stuff.

[where-s-all-blue]

About the AU with R and whatnot, how does he feel about some of the other supernovas? I guess I mean first impressions but take it any way you like! 🧡

Thank you for your ask Anon!

Long post ahead, so you better brace yourself.

To R, there really aren't first impressions, slightly before he meets anyone (or depending on the person hears of them) his memories of what he'd learned from watching/reading One Piece come back in an instant. This means that before he even met Law, he was 100% aware of exactly who he was and what he'd endured, same goes with Luffy (though when he broke into Impel Down to see Ivankov, he miscalculated the date Luffy would try to alsave Ace and got roped into his schemes because of that)

But here's how he feels about them:

Capone Bege = He likes him but wouldn't trust the man at all. He'd be more on the cautious/high alert near him. Doesn't really think of him as a bad person despite of his actions, appreciates his familyman like persona.

Scratchmen Apoo = very much on alert, but can't really say why at first, he thinks that it's the smile at first until he hears what happened to Kid. Has the unexplainable need to shoot him on sight. (reflects on the point on which R was in the series before the whole thing with the alternative world mumbo-jumbo).

Killer = Respects him for his skill and loyalty towards his respective captain. Would love to sit down to have a chat with him, but is also a bit intimidated by him.

Eustass Kid = Is willing to be civil with him and doesn't deny his level of skill, appreciates his honesty (ie his need to keep people from spreading false rumours), would still punch him in the jaw over his slight insult at Sabaody.

Jewelry Bonney = Keeps his distance from her, has the feeling that his wallet wouldn't be able to withstand her visit. Would ilbe interested in having a talk about culinary food with her though.

Basil Hawkins = At first? R would think of him as a cool guy. At Wano? Bitch. You better know how to run and fast, R has an axe to grind and your head is on the chipping block.

X-Drake = Instinctively wants to cut him in half, just something about that person doesn't stand too well with him. No trust nor respect towards him whatsoever. If R sees him, it's attack on sight.

Urouge = Neutral. Doesn't really think too much of him so far, if he stays on his own side and doesn't mess around, R won't pay mind to him nor his doings.

Roronoa Zoro = Intrigued, respects his way of the sword, though to him Zoro is still but a sapplin to a degree with great potential. Highkey wants to see which one of them can drink more. His loyalty to Luffy is admirable.

Monkey D. Luffy = The nicknames are a form of endearment, Luffy reminds him of a younger brother or a very chaotic friend, and anyone who makes his brotherly instincts awaken are in for his eternal devotion and protection. The way Luffy manages to get anyone onto his side intrigues him greatly.

Trafalgar Law = R is 100% devoted to his captain, seeing him as an inspiration as disbate of his mistreatment, Law never turns away a patient. Such kindness is something that R looks up to, and is in general the reason why he chose to stay with the Heart Pirates disbate the fact that his memories are already back for the most part. Law made an effort to know him, help him and protect him, and thus R feels like he needs to at least pay his kindness back.

For the most part when it comes to certain characters that R isn't too keen on dealing with in that situation or just generally doesn't like, R tends to switch his speech into a formal overly polite way of talking. He also tries to avoid stressing toouch by simply forcing himself to not think about what is happening at the same time and purposely forgetting details like Basil's and Apoo's connection to Kaidou and X-Drake's connection to the Marines.

If he didn't do that, he might've accidentally dragged the Heart Pirates into a dangerous situation by assaulting the before mentioned people. With knowledge of the future and how the characters work, comes a great responsibility.

In order to make the story resume to its original course, R even made everyone who knew for sure that Ace and White beard survived to lie about it publicly in order to ensure that the Straw Hats would indeed end up becoming strong enough to handle the New World. He also made Sabo to leave before Luffy woke up so their reunion would happen like intended.

[hailpiratekingrouge]

character meme: Law, Kidd, Bonney

send me a character and i’ll list:

Trafalgar Law

favorite thing about them: His skilled mind and manner of using his powers. Yes its used for surgical purposes and he has a background in medicine but he didn’t have a background in using his devil frui and what’s interesting is that his very first patient was most likely himself. Operating on someone else is scary enough but operating n yourself is even worse.

least favorite thing about them: I guess it’s his fixation on his revenge which is both understandable but frustrating  at the same time. Revenge blinds your sense of reason and that is what can get you killed

favorite line:“There are things you can't see unless you change your standing“

brOTP: LAW AND BEPO! MY GOD I LOVE THEM SO MUCH! YOU CAN NEVER GIVE ME ENOUGH OF LAW AND BEPO!, Law and Chopper, Law and Robin because i see Robin as the big sister who annoys her little brother,

OTP: None.

nOTP: I am not going to stop people from shipping who they like but... Law x Doffy, Law x Corazon

random headcanon: 

      -Law can not sleep alone at night. I am not saying it to romanticize things but after years of fear of being killed because of the White Lead Disease and later on for stealing the Ope Ope no Mi from Doffy he became extremely paranoid and could barely sleep alone.

      - His crew is aware of his insomnia because whoever is on night watch or walks past his room, Law is always awake unless he’s on deck with the one who’s on night watch or taking a nap with Bepo.

      - Bepo obviously knows why his captain has insomnia and his paranoia. That doesn’t stop this polar bear from encouraging his captain to sleep or covering him with a blanket when he actually does fall asleep 

unpopular opinion: Law is not 100% nice like he’s portrayed as. Sure this man has saved Luffy at Marineford but have you not seen that sadistic grin on his face when he said Luffy’s operation is going to be painful? Or in Punk Hazard had not been for Nami and Chopper’s insistence he would have left the kids there to suffer. Hell he knew (or had some inkling of how) to get the drugs out of their system to prevent the kids from going crazy. Law is a great character but people need to stop making him into a 100% good guy, sleep deprived guy who hates bread.

song i associate with them: Human By Christina Perii

favorite picture of them: I am not sure in what sense this actually means but I really like that scene where Zoro slings an arm around Law and has him join the party at the end of Dressrosa when they’re heading to Zou.

Eustass “Captain” Kid

favorite thing about them: His aggressive behavior XD

least favorite thing about them: Too soon to say. probably when he’s being a dick

favorite line: “You know… On our journey up to this point, we’ve been laughed at and ridiculed whenever we mentioned getting our hands on the One Piece. And each time that happened, I slaughtered everyone who laughed. But what lies ahead is a sea of death for those who don’t got the guts to mention it. Let’s meet again in the New World!”

brOTP: Kid/ Killer

OTP: None

nOTP: None

random headcanon:

        -I have this weird ass image of Kid meeting that one kid who doesn’t get scared of him whenever that kid sees him. So Kid would scowl and tell him “Scram kid! I don’t have time for you” and the Kid just stares at him “You’re tall”. 

         -Kid just gets really annoyed with the kid and actually has these weird facial expression contests with the kid. The crew is way too amused by the antics and Killer just teases “Losing to a 5 year old, captain?” 

unpopular opinion: He isn’t just the hothead that fanon portrays him as. This man has a great mind behind his sadistic manner and brutish appearance. He had Killer become an arms trader to try and infiltrate the Underworld. Who do you think made the weapons and designs? Kid. He needs to have some knowledge of engineering to make the equipment he does and utilize his powers at best as he can. So making him an angry hulking caveman? no. 

song i associate with them: Desi Boys (Its an Indian song XD)

favorite picture of them

Jewelry Bonney

favorite thing about them: ONLY FEMALE PIRATE CAPTAIN IN THE WORST GENERATIONleast favorite thing about them: Good grief woman, Neither you nor Luffy need more enemies just because Luffy punched the Celestial in the face and brought Kizaru down on Sabaody

favorite line: “He’s an idiot and his captain is too”

brOTP: Kid/Bonney, Kid/ Bonney, Bonney/Luffy

OTP: None

nOTP: None

Random Headcanon:

       -This is coming from someone who has no knowledge of her backstory. Bonney has a high metabolism and is actually food aggressive as she lived in immense poverty. Food was scarce and difficult to come by and even after years of having freed herself from that situation she is aggressive and people just perceives it as glutton and greed 

Unpopular opinion

song i associate with them

Favorite picture of them

[sparda3g]

One Piece Chapter 908 Review

The time for Reverie is finally here. This arc has been nothing but exciting and it’s done without any action. It goes without saying: this series’ lore is rich. It is filled with emotions and mysteries. This chapter has made me feeling pleasant, furious (intentional), and awed by the end that had me unnerving with many questions that need answers.

I wasn’t aware that Manshelly is with everyone, but she is a princess, so that’s given I suppose. It’s quite charming that practically all princesses are in one setting, helping each other in need. They already formed a delightful friendship, as if they know each other already. Wreck-It Ralph 2, you have been outclassed in princess crossover.

I’m so glad that there’s an actual good Celestial Dragon out there and his name is Mjosgard. It’s almost too surreal to be honest. It’s good that Neptune no longer thinks unkindly of human. The balance has been restored. It’s kind of Mjosgard to place a protection on Shirahoshi, so no one can take her for their selfish need. It’s worth noting that he can order anyone, so it makes me curious what Oda has in mind with that use.

I know everyone comes from somewhere, but I can’t fathom to see Charlos’ father, Saint Rosward, being around. It’s like meet the asshole of an asshole. Before he enters “the land of the gods,” there is an old lady named Conney, Queen Mother of Solbay Kingdom, who seems to be typical as elder goes. However, she sneaks in through the gate while Rosward is bickering nonsense. I didn’t get why she look so angry. That is until the next panel.

I was blood-boiling hot when I saw Kuma being used and abused by those fu—creatures. He is deemed as an invisible slave, because if he’s not good for fighting anymore, why not slavery. Odd that I didn’t think Conney is actually Bonney. Her ability is really helpful. It does beg the question, is she Conney for the World Government, and Bonney is her true self as a pirate? Like is there a real Conney or she is her? Whatever it is, it’s nice to see her again. She really is a prominent character; very curious her reason to be there.

Sabo and other commanders, excluding Betty, are in the underground, preparing to declare war. He is livid to see Kuma in that condition; basically, channeling me and perhaps everyone. Each commander is reasoning with him as well as delivering a final warning that they cannot afford to mess up. Sabo is all in for this grand movement. I am so ready for them to bring hell to the table.

There’s a brief history lesson about the World Government. It’s building up the moment before the grand stage and it works. I was getting hype the more it explores its lore. It was at this point you know that time is here. The narrative and the pacing flow evaluates the anticipation. Everyone is gathering and taking their seat. So many characters to count, familiar or new faces. Throw in a small hype boost for Wano Country, because that time is coming soon. Also throw in a few gossip about Kaido and Luffy. Then finally, at long last, it’s time for the grand conference:

Reverie!!!

I never thought I would be incredibly hype for a discussion board, but here we are. If Oda can make people cry over a ship, he can do anything with his fans at the palm of his hand. There is one missing piece that haven’t been addressed throughout the chapter. Whatever happened to the whole Shanks and the Five Elders having a talk? I am reminded when we see the Five Elders heading towards to somewhere, but Shanks wasn’t there. It’s interesting to note that Nefeltari, Vivi’s bloodline, was once chosen to be part of the higher-ups, but turned it down. I wonder how that will play later on. Oda is cruel to leave his fans very curious. But it gets worse with the way how the chapter ends.

That shadowy figure from two chapters, the one that was at some chamber with a giant straw hat. He reappears here; however, the real shocker is he’s actually a prominent character to the World Government. I believe he’s called Im. You know he’s terrifying when he’s playing at a garden with butterflies. I’m being serious here. Don’t you know playing at a garden deems you as a God in anime/manga? I didn’t know his status until the end that got me thinking a whole lot of stuff.

The Empty Throne was mentioned previously and how significant it is to the world. It’s expected for the Five Elders to be there, but what really happened is very stunning. Im isn’t part of the World Government; he is it. Well, figuratively speaking, but he’s the king. What’s mind-blowing is he is sitting on the chair like the king of everything. Balance? What’s that?

You may be thinking, “Aren’t you exaggerating about it?” Maybe so, but the lore and its exploitation has been phenomenal, so this took me by surprise. The build-up to Im’s arrival to the throne was bone-chilling. We just got back from the explanation that no one has sat on the Empty Throne. It’s a complete lie and those Elders are hiding it. This whole imagery speaks so much volume on how unfair the world is; as if we have seen enough proof.

Exactly what is the story with him and the straw hat? Could he be the one that killed the original user? Is he even powerful? If so, the discussion of who will be the final boss could end now. I thought it was a brilliant idea to incorporate many traits to make the setting all the more mysterious and horrifying, such as the eerie atmosphere of his whereabouts (which we will get to very soon), and the shadowy figure that has an odd shape, especially the crown if that is one. It added more with how the paneling leave intimidation.

What got me shivering and aching is Im and the posters of various characters. Luffy, Blackbeard, and Shirahoshi’s posters were stabbed, and knowing that he’s king, that is pure bad news. I can understand Luffy and Blackbeard, but Shirahoshi? Well, she is a weapon, but that means he knows and is willing to kill her. Damn, all those precious moments earlier are now hitting me with fear. Damn you, Oda.

My main fear however is he didn’t stab Vivi’s poster, rather taking it with him for something. He hasn’t even show himself and yet, I’m here shivering for the worst outcome. Actually, how do I even know his gender? I don’t know what it means, but it’s a really bad timing, especially that King Cobra was discussing earlier with Fujitora and Riku. This Im person scares me. I can only hope it pulls a- Oh wait, it’s coming back. Avoid spoilers for anime fans. Ahem. Anyway, the series is on a break next week. Oda…never mind.

This was a critically hype chapter. The foundation of its world building is incredible that everything that happened here can leave you feeling tensed. Whether it’s because what happened to Kuma and the distasteful use from those bastards or the king or the higher-up of them all is present to give an order, there’s something to get you invested. The highly anticipated time is here. We have two weeks. It’s going to be a bombastic event.

[imaginesofeverykind]

Secret Partner || Sam Drake x Reader ||

 Characters: Sam Drake x Fem!reader. 

Fandom: Uncharted. 

Request: Nope (But please by all means request, dont be shy lovelies! <3)

Prompt: After several months out of prison and in his search for clues to Henry Avery’s treasure, Sam Drake bumps into you and decides he could use a partner but keeps it from Rafe. 

Tags: @rafeadderall @missdictatorme (let me know if any of you want to be tagged so you get notification of updates!) :D

Word Count: 2,006

A/N: Hey honeys, So i had been thinking on this idea for quite some time so here it is, REQUESTS ARE OPEN, please feel free to send through anything, doesn’t have to be specifically Uncharted, I’ll try and do every fandom I can! xx

This particular day at the library was a quiet one, on a typical day there would be rushes of people in and out to study, read or just to get work done for jobs. During these quieter days, the library was occupied by mainly programmers and developers wanting peace and quiet away from distraction. With the exception of few others there was Y/N, peering up at the shelves trying to find just the right book to help her. 

She was trying to wrap up a case study for her final assessment for the semester before break. This final assessment was for her anthropology class, and the subject of the case study centred around mid seventeenth century to eighteenth century’s pirate movement. 

Finally grabbing the book she was looking for from the shelves, it detailed specifics of the worlds most Infamous pirates and their contribution to the european society back in those times. Blackbeard a well known name even to this day, along with extensive chapters detailing Captain Henry Avery’s plunder of Gunsway and included a brief ‘not-so-accurate’ account of the Pirate Haven known as Libertalia/Libertatia. 

Y/N wasn’t the only person looking for that specific book either, another person, Sam Drake, ‘fresh’ out of prison was too looking for that book. But that was only to help him gather clues as to where Henry Avery had hidden his treasure. He paced down isle’s, hastily glancing at book titles whilst passing them, he was sure he was in the right section. In fact, he was positive the book was there. 

By now Y/N of course had taken a seat at a nearby table, her laptop opened and she took down notes. If she had of known someone else wanted to read the book as well then she would’ve quite generously handed it to them, despite the deadline of this case study creeping up on her. She sighed tiredly and jotted down more notes.

Sam had now stopped at the row of books Y/N was just at before, he searched frantically and resisted the urge to curse once he couldn’t find the title. He tapped his foot on the floor and ran his hands through his hair, I’m an Avery Expert, I don’t need that book. The thought repeated like a mantra in his head, only it had been cut off by his phone vibrating in his back pocket. 

“Any Luck?” Rafe, the guy that got Sam stuck in prison in the first place, but at least Rafe bailed him out... even it had been thirteen years. Sam sighed and continued to slick back his hair due to stress, “No, I mean it’s gotta be here. I saw it yesterday and what would any of these materialistic new age idiots want with a pirate book-.” Sam cut himself off, his eyes trailed over to where Y/N sat and he instantly recognised the book she was reading from. 

“-I found it.” Sam said after a moments of silence, Rafe sighed in relief rolling his eyes at the older Drake’s slight incompetence to find a single book. “Good. Get that damn thing and get your ass back to the cathedral, we’ve wasted enough time already.” 

“I mean I found it, but someone’s reading it - I can’t just take it off her.” Sure Sam was as desperate as Rafe was to get to Henry Avery’s treasure but that didn’t mean he was going to be a dick about it. “Get the goddamn book Sam.” Rafe ordered and hung up, leaving Sam to silently battle with himself. He finally picked his feet up and made his way over to her. “Excuse me-.” He uttered quietly, not wanting to disturb the others. 

Y/N looked up at the sudden interaction, she hadn’t even realised that there was someone in front of her. Suddenly seeing her eyes, getting the book from her was harder than he anticipated. He wasn’t sure if it was that fact that the only female interaction he had was with Nadine Ross, Rafe’s other partner or if he genuinely found it attractive to see a female reading from a pirate book. “Yes?” She asked after he stared blankly at her for several moments.

He was far too old to be a student she knew that was for sure, and she wanted to know why exactly he had come up to her in the first place. Perhaps he’s lost. The thought crossed her mind, he certainly didn’t sound local, and for that fact neither was she. “I - uh... noticed you what your reading there-.” he pointed to the book, the page was open on Anne Bonney, an infamous female pirate of that particular century. 

She looked down at it and then back up at Sam, unsure where exactly the conversation was heading. “Oh... I’m going to take a wild guess and say you are a pirate enthusiast.” The words formed perfectly from her mouth into a quip, to accompany her words one of her eyebrows had raised up and the corners of her mouth upturned into a slight smirk. Sam chuckled, scratching the back of his head completely amazed by her and in only just a short amount of minutes.

“Uh, I guess you could say that. What is that?...research?” He gestured to her notes structured with sloppy dot points. She didn’t mind that he came over to talk to her, she was often always kind or at least tried to be if she was in the right mood but she would be lying if she said she wasn’t intrigued by him. In her class she was the only one who decided to study Piratical Society, not a single person she knew showed any pit of interest except this stranger.

Nodding she set down her pen, not particularly bothered by the deadline looming over her head. “Yeah, I study Human Relations and this is my case study for Anthropology... did you want to read the book - because I’m just about finished with it if you want it, I’m sorry I didn’t realise you were after it.” She began to shuffle around her papers but the book was long gone from Sam’s mind, he was rather interested in Y/N.

A young woman like herself studying things of the likes of Henry Avery and Blackbeard, he’d never dream of something like that before. Well he’d never dream he’d meet a woman who was interested in that sort of historic time period. He sat himself down, placing himself on the corner of the table, “No no, keep doing what your doing sweetheart.. The Name’s Sam, if you like I can help you out.”

He outstretched his hand for her to take and she did kindly, she was taken aback by his kind words but politely declined, “I’m Y/N, and thank you but I’ve got just about everything I need.” Sam was disappointed to say the least, Y/N had a certain aura to her that instantly drew him in, like flies to a fly trap. He pondered for a second before blurting the question out unintentionally, “Do you know much about Henry Avery?” He squirmed in his seat and eyed her carefully, cursing himself for not having a better filter between his mouth and his brain. 

She chuckled at the question, “Of course. He pulled off the biggest heist in his time during the seventeenth century. He’s one of the few pirates who hadn’t lost his treasure in battle or lost it after being arrested-.” she continued on, informing Sam of information he already knew but he just loved hearing it come out of her mouth. He wouldn’t even deny that he was attracted to her, but he used an immense amount of willpower to prevent himself from doing anything he’d regret, given that she was barely pushing over thirty years old. And for all he knew she was married or had a boyfriend or partner. She didn’t, however. 

“And what do you think about the treasure, you think its still out there?” Sam questioned her after she had finished informing him on Henry Avery. “Of course, Historic accounts don’t mention anything about the treasure being recovered, all thats documented on it is that now its worth an estimated over four hundred million dollars in treasures alone.” She had closed her book up, and shut her laptop fully engaging herself in the conversation with Sam. He chuckled and shook his head, he was taken aback by her knowledge, she definitely didn’t seem the type to enjoy history either. “It’s crazy isn’t it... I’ll let you in on a secret all right...” He trailed off, his voice dialling down to a hushed whisper. 

He leaned closely to her, “I’m looking for his treasure, I think it’s somewhere here in Scotland.” She wasn’t gullible but she believed him, there was something about him that she liked, that was trustworthy about him. Simply laughing she sat back in her seat and folded her arms, “then I’d say you’d be looking in the wrong place.” she shut him down, not to purposefully dull his mood but to inform him. “What? Do you think it’s elsewhere.” 

“Mhmm. Supposedly it was Avery who founded the pirate utopia, ‘Libertalia’, right?” She wasn’t necessarily asking him for an answer because as he went to answer she continued, “By most historic documents, maps and literature it was most likely located around Madagascar, and I think that’s where he hid it.” 

Sam was in utter amazement by her, the way she carried herself as she spoke so clear and concise, he seemed so entranced he didn’t even bother answering his phone as he felt it vibrate in his back pocket. “There’s one problem with that theory, Y/N... Libertalia doesn’t exist. There isn’t a single document that’s the same in description about it.”

“You might be right but the location is always the same, Madagascar, you’re wasting your time if you stay here looking for it.” Y/N had began to pack up her things when Sam offered to help, she once again declined his offer but was flattered he was being a gentlemen. He stood up and looked down at her, searching her eyes for that spark, that need for adventure. Sure enough, there it was, adventure tingling in her eyes.

“You know... I’ve been looking for this treasure for a while now actually... maybe it’s time i get myself a partner - Look I know it’s a pretty big thing to ask of someone but you seem to know a lot of things, and I would never ask just anyone... but you Y/N, you’re really something else.” He admitted, scratching the back of his neck. “Y-you want me... to go with you... and find Henry Avery’s lost treasure?” She repeated slowly back to him, it was starting to turn out to be such a strange day for her. 

“Sure, why not? I mean i’ve been doing this whole treasure hunting business on my own for a while now.. it gets a bit lonely and I could use the company.” Sure he was with-holding the truth from her slightly, but he knew that if Rafe found out he was trying to partner up with another person behind his back it would be bad news. Y/N had considered it, it was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity given that not a single Archaeologist of this century had found anything detailing the whereabouts of the lost treasure. 

“Well it’ll definitely be interesting.” She chuckled and nodded, taking him up on his offer. “Wait really?” Sam quizzed, amazed that she was so quick to jump on board and trust him only after just a few hours together in the library talking about pirates, bounty’s and treasure. “Of course.” She smiled and he held out his hand once more for her to shake, which she did and he nodded at her, “well it’ll be a pleasure working with you.” 

“Same to you, partner.” 

[gildedmuse]

I can get behind a lot of this. I love the idea of Urouge and Killer having met before because, yeah, Killer is usually the voice of reason. Only I'll bet Urouge said something about Kid. You know how protective those vice captains are. They're like the momma bears of the pirate world.

[Point proven.]

Also approve of people meeting up prior to the grand line. Okay, admittedly, I have Hawkins and Law having met in the North Blue in my fanfic so it's kinda a bias, but how big North Blue be?

Oh. Okay. That's actually pretty large, yeah.

At the same time, I think Hawkins and Drake are closer age wise and I kinda love the idea that when Hawkins just started pirating, Drake was a young go-gett'em marine tracking him all through North Blue. A decade and they're both working for Kaido.

Hawkins: Ah, I see fate has bro-

Drake: Yeah, this is awkward. Just shut up.

Also, Bonney and Kid are the exact opposite kind of pirates and it would be amazing if they knew each other. Kid is 100% That Fucking Diva who wants all his accomplishments to be known, while Bonney is like, "Yeah I want all of this" *motions to everything* And none of this *motions to marines*."

I think it'd be great if Killer was between the two like, "You know she's actually not that bad (she has some valid points about maybe not openly seeking out marine bases to attack just for funsies.)" And Kid is just like, "No, she's the worst."

Bonney: *From her ship* I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUT WHAT AM I?

Kid: *From his* I AM RUBBER YOU ARE GLUE WHATEVER YOU SAY BOUNCES OFF ME AND STICKS TO YOU!

Killer: *Sighs. Well at least the college degree in childcare he got is paying off*

[I just really like this image. It may just become my default way of announcing, "hey, guess what bitches? We're talking about the Supernovas today!"]

On that note. Hey, guess what bitches!? We're talking about the Supernovas today!

Specifically, get ready to look at a lot of images of a map!

[Woo! Fun times!]

This map supposedly shows all the routes across the first half of the Grand Line. Now, we have 11 supernovas from 9 crews who all arrive in Sabaody at the same time and 7 turned 5 routes there.

With the exception of Strawhats, due to their route being - and I believe this is a direct quote - "tots cray-cray" most of these guys most definitely were doubling up.

I mean, you can see two lines combining into others on. The map, so we know at least four crews were fairly close together. The Strawhats take the red line (not THE Red Line, THAT red line... I mean you know just the red line but... You know what never mind. They took the red line to the Red Line. Accept that.) leaving four routes for 8 crews likely traveling around the same pace.

Oh my God you guys! Who do you think we're Paradise Pals? First Half Friends? Travel Companions?

Here's the thing, at least three crews have been traveling together (or close enough) the whole time, while two routes only combine at the very end. Meaning, you have the potential for some really cool relationships go build.

I mean, here's the thing: feel free to just answer that question and ignore the rest of this post. Imma bout to WAY over think these things.

Since it shows the Strawhats crazy ass route, I'm assuming every route has at least one crew on it so that by the end you have two lines with AT LEAST one crew (Violet - V and Yellow - Y) and two with AT LEAST two (BG or Blue/Green and CP or Cerulean/Pink). That leaves two "extra" crews. That's where things get complicated.

The simplest solution is to divvy them up equally. So V and Y both get two, BG and CP have two. But technically, you could have had three crews start on the C line, so that by the end V and Y have one crew, BG has two and CP has four.

Here are the rules:

At least two crews (we'll call them B and G) who met up towards the end of the first part of the Grand Line.

At least two crews (C and P) who met up half way through the first part of the Grand Line.

Crews that get there on their own end up life the Strawhats, obviously, all their relationships are formed from their interaction on Sabaody onwards.

I would assume that the crews that met up towards the end are more likely to feel competive and negative toward one another, while the earlier they've sailed together the more likely they are to be friendly or rivals (rather than enemies). But that's up to you.

Go!

And, yes, I know the real answer is simply that they didn't met up or intersect but travelled at various speeds across a vast ocean but screw that. That's boring. My way is more fun and ends with more complex relationships between crews built up over longer periods of time.

I'll get back to you once I've over thought my own over thought question enough to supply a suitably over thought answer.

[firefistlaw]

Caelum Nigrum // O N E

Kids were whispering excitedly with each other, their young and innocent eyes glimmering with anticipation. Their tiny wings flutter in delight as they talked to each other with giant smiles on their face, barely able to hold in their emotions.

You were sitting on your chair in middle of the classroom filled with white clothed kids, your short legs barely touching the floor beneath you. The fluffy bright clouds were grazing the window from outside, a warm and bright sunlight making the tiny wings all around the room curl up in comfortable warmth.

You muster the kids around you with shy eyes and realise the difference between you and them; your white wings are the biggest one from all. You have always gotten compliments for your wings from the adults, they would nod at you in amazement, point their fingers at you and even in your young age you knew, a lot of people were interested in you. The little angel with the strong, big, white wings was a trophy for everyone in south- heaven.

The voice of your nursery teacher still echoes through your head, warning you about how important this lesson was for angels, no matter how nice their wings were or no matter how much they already knew. You nod your head again, reminding yourself to pay attention to whatever your first grade teacher tells you.

A little blonde boy with a scar on his left eye elbows you sofly, his smile matching everyone else's in the room, showing off one missing tooth. "I'm so excited, Y/N! You're the only one with the long face, stop being so grumpy!"

"I'm not grumpy, " You say and nervously play with your fluffy blue pencil on the desk. "I'm just scared that I will miss something. Ms Frannie told us we have to-"

"See, you're overthinking it again! Just relax. " He says and shakes his head. He comes closer to you and starts to whisper, "Bonney just told me Kidd smuggled a spider into the classroom." He covers his mouth to muffle the laugh that tries to escape.

You take a glance at the red haired boy in the back of the room and see him with a little animal on his hand - his smile is bright and his wings flutter rapidly. When he catches your eyes, his own turn a bit bigger and he pushes the little black thing right in front of your sight, showing off his spider proudly.

Now you're the one who shakes the head, staring at your friend in pure amusement. "Sabo, that's so gross." Not helping yourself you start to laugh as well, hiding your face in your small hands.

Sabo was one of your best friends; you both knew each other ever since you could remember. Not only did you both share the same nursery teacher, who raised you both, but you also shared a lot of memories with each other. From eating flowers in the garden of your home to hitting each other behind the clouds, just to know who was the stronger one. It ended with the blonde boy having a bleeding nose and you having a giant smile on your face; you were stronger one. When your wings started to grow, neither of you cared about the fact that yours were extra large or how his were extra long. It never really mattered and maybe this was why you loved spending time with him, nothing else mattered but your friendship.

The door opens, silence falling into the room. All heads are turned to the front of the classroom, where a tall woman in deep bronze stands. With her white dress and matching wings, she looks like a goddess and you can't help but wish to look like her when you grow up. What makes you wonder though are the foreign wings tattooed on her chest. It doesn't seem to look like hers, they seem to be muscular, long and if you're correct, they might be from a man. But she, she wasn't a man... was she? And why did she have two pair of wings, one on the back and one on her chest? You turn your head to the side and wonder.

Her smile is warm as she turns around and writes her name in big letters on the blackboard; Ms Faye.

Ms Faye turns around again and musters the small faces staring at her in curiosity. Her eyes take their time as she looks at everyone in the room, you know, not only is she trying to find any familiar faces, she also checks the wing size. It was no secret that your wings were as important as your personality- they decided how fast you were, decided how strong you were and some people even said; they decide your fate.

Her eyes suddenly meet yours and for a second, you feel like her dark eyes change the colour. A little movement of her wings catch your attention and when you look up to her eyes again, she seems to be beeming and even the slightest touch of proud. "You must be Y/N." She whispers.  You nod, suddenly shy.

"I will introduce myself first." She starts, voice bright. "My name is Ms Faye and I will tell you guys some things about soulmates. Does someone know what a soulmate is?"

You hear heads turning and some confused whispers, wondering what a soulmate is supposed to be. You can't help but purse your lips, you have no idea either.

"I see." The woman says again and laughs quietly to herself. "A soulmate is something like a puzzle."

A few kids start to giggle, but you don't. You try to catch everything your teacher tells you.

"It really is." She laughs. "There is only one creature in heaven that is the matching puzzle- piece for you. It might take a while to find your perfect match, but as soon as you do, it will be worth the while. It will be even deeper than love, deeper than everything you might think of."

You can hear the red haired boy in the back of the room make a gagging noise and you roll your eyes. A few other kids heard the same, making them laugh quietly. Ms Faye takes a step towards the source. "What's your name?"

"Eustass Kidd." He says, confidence overflowing. You look at him awe and can't help but feel a bit jealous. He stares right into the eyes of the teacher, not caring about how disrespectful he might be.

"Well, Kidd. " Your teacher says and crouches down. "I know the thought of love might be a bit scary, but think of it like this..." and then she starts to whisper. Every child turns their head, but nothing is heard. Sabo turns to you and mumbles, "I wonder what she's saying."

Kidd suddenly blushes and Ms Faye stands up again, taking a small glance at you. You frown and when you see the little red haired boy glance at you as well, you frown even more.

She walks to the front of the class again and claps with her hands once. Her finger points to the foreign tattoo on her chest and then she smiles again. "This is the mark of your soulmate. It only appears after you've decided that you want to be with each other, it's a very deep and meaningful procedur. Once you are marked with your soulmates wings, you cannot go back; that's why you have to be careful."

You raise your hand, making all eyes turn to you. A loud wave of whispers erupt in the classroom. "Yes, Y/N."

"What is the procedur?"

She nods and looks around the room, "Does someone know?"

The next ten minutes is a bunch of random ideas thrown in the room, from kissing at midnight, a secret handshake, a codeword, to trading one of your eyeballs with each other. You pull a grimace, of course Kidd would say something like this.

"You guys have very... interesting ideas, but the truth is a bit different. To be each other's soulmates, you have to pull one feather out of the heart of your own wings." She turns around and draws a pair of wings on the blackboard, then she points to the inner corner of the left one. "This feather has to be put in middle of your partners wings. "

She points to the middle of the picture, where no feather is, just skin. "This has to be done twice, one time on your back and one time on theirs. You have to give them your feather, they have to give you theirs. "

You nod and raise your hand again. "Yes?"

"Does it matter who puts the feather in? Can I, for example, put my partners feather in between my wings or do they have to do it?"

She takes a seat on the teachers desk and musters you. "That's a very important question, Y/N. The thing that makes this so dangerous is; you don't necessarily have to do it. It's enough if only one does it. It might not seem very dangerous," She says, to which a few of the kids nod their head. "but it can become very tricky when you don't want to be mated yet. "

"I don't want a soulmate then!" A blonde girl in the first row says exagerrated. You recognize the girl as Kaya. "This sounds so scary!"

Her eyes turn serious for a second, then she takes a deep breath. "It's not scary. It's something very nice. You soulmate feels whenever you're in danger and also, they have the ability to cure even the deepest injuries, but only if there's an emotional bonding."

"Emotional bonding?" Your blonde friend asks, speaking up for the first time since the woman walked in. You notice how your teachers eyes catch Sabo's wings and how she musters them for a long second.

"If you're in love." Ms Faye smiles. "You're only able to heal your partners injury, if you're in love."

Again, a few people make disgusted noises, as if the thought of being in love was painful. You play with your blue pencil again. Being in love must be nice, especially if the person you like, likes you back. You take a glance at your best friend next to you and imagine, what if he was your soulmate?

The teacher claps once again.

"I'm really curious about who your perfect matches are." And then she locks eyes with you again. "Really curious."

Years fly by like butterflies on a nice spring day and soon, you're not a student anymore. Instead, you're one of the strongest angels in the whole south area of heaven.

Not only did you grow on body size, but your wings also got hit by puberty pretty hard.

They always were big, that's what made you who you were, but they also got longer, gleaming with strenght. Your feathers were as white as the clouds, the tips seemed to be drawn by the most talented painter and all in all; you were a dream of an angel.

Your blonde friend went through almost the same; he grew taller than expected and even his tooth was not missing anymore. He still wore a white button up shirt and the same coloured shorts, making his blue eyes stand out. His wings only grew a bit longer, but that was enough; he was one of the fastest creatures in the southern side of heaven. Sabo got stronger as well, but he knew, he could never surpass your level. You were at the top, he wasn't.

"What did I tell you both? Take your shoes off when you come inside!" Ms Frannie scolded you both, making you hastily sprint through the living room of your home, dirty shoes still on your feet. "How many times do I have do tell you?" She sighs and goes through her grey hair.

"Sorry, Nana!" You scream back and jump onto the couch fast enough for Sabo to not catch you. The boy runs towards the table and glares at you, but you just stick your tongue out.

"Where is it!" He yells and runs to the left side of the couch, but you run into the opposite direction. "I know you have it!"

"Aww, look at you! Are you scared I will expose you?" You laugh at the face your friend gives you and jump onto the table as soon as the blonde boy touches the couch. "You're an idiot, Sabo!"

You run as fast as you can and accidentaly bump into a blue vase, that stands next to the door with your right wing, making it fall down. "Sorry!" You scream and run out of the house.

Sabo catches the falling object fast enough with his hands and puts it back on its previous place. "I'm sorry, Ms Franny. You know how she gets." He then turns around and runs after you, leaving your old nursing teacher alone.

"Of course I have to get the most reckless angels in heaven." She whispers to herself and stares at the now messy living room. The old angel can't help but smile, you two might be a handful, but she still loved you to no end.

"Listen, Y/N. We have 20 minutes until Kalen starts with the training, he will beat your ass if you come late again!" Sabo stands in front of you, arms stretched out next to him, ready to catch you. "Just give me my letters back and we can go together."

"Hm, let me think for a second...", you whisper and tap with your finger on your chin. "What will come out for me?"

He sighs, his wings twitching in anger. "I will clean up your room for a whole week."

You laugh. "That's not enough, blondie!" You grab the little letters hidden underneath your shirt and clear your throat. "Dear Koala, last night I saw you walking by my window and you looked like the most beautiful-"

"Stop it!"  Sabo runs towards you faster than you expect and then, he crashes right into your figure, making you fall onto the grass with him on your chest. "You're the worst, Y/N!"

He heaves himself up with his letters in his hand, still glaring at you. You can't help but laugh wholeheartedly at the situation and stand up as well, cleaning up your wings quickly.

"Don't try to ruin my chances with Koala, what if she's my soulmate? I know she is..." You roll your eyes and walk towards the street, making your way to the heart of the golden city. The blonde boy is walking next to you.

"As if. " You smile at your neighbour on the other side of the street and cross your arms over your chest, the blue ring on your left hand as shiny as always. "And even if she was, you can always have more than one soulmate."

"That's not true, you can only have one." He pushes your arm softly, making you lose your balance for a second. You glare at him.

"That's bullshit. That's a myth, nothing more. I mean, what did our old teacher tell us? Something with puzzles or something... right?"

The boy with the scarred left eye nods. "See? If you don't find the right puzzle- piece for your puzzle, you can just make one for yourself. Also, there are so many other pieces that might not fit perfectly, but still good enough. This whole one soulmate stuff is stupid, I don't like it."

You grab a light blue leaf from the bush next to the pavement and rip it into several small pieces. "I don't think I have soulmate, tho."

"Ah, don't be so grumpy, what is it with you again." Sabo pushes you again and you stop walking.

"I swear, push me one more time and-" But the boy doesn't care, he just keeps walking with his hands behind his head, whistling some happy- tune.

"What about Kidd? I'm sure he's your soulmate." He laughs. "Didn't he have a crush on you in the first few years of school?"

You huff in annoyance. "Stop it. Ever since Bonney went missing, he is so weird. It's just him and his weird friend... what was his name? Killer?"

Sabo shrugs as you both walk through the noisy streets of the angel city. A few unfamiliar faces stop and muster you both in silence, but neither of you care. You both already got used to it.

"Who calls himself Killer? That's so..."

"Yeah, I know." You agree.

The sun shines brightly into everyone's face, you can hear little children run around in excitement as they play a round of tag with each other. You take a deep breath and inhale the sweet smell of flowers. The city smells like roses today.

"Back to Kidd," Sabo mumbles and walks into a side street, covered with small shops and cafés. "I think everyone got shocked when she went missing."

You nod and kick a stone on the street. "Seventh grade was weird in general."

"Wasn't that the time where you were in love with that emo dude?" He laughs loudly and holds onto the wall for a second. You stand still and cross your arms, your wings snapping open in anger.

"I took a picture of your secret letters, Blondie. Don't make me show them to Koala."

"You wouldn't." He stops laughing. You merely shrug and turn around, a few minutes away from the training hall.

"I might."

The minutes pass with you both bickering with each other and laughing at old memories. Both of you don't say anything, but you do notice the numerous angels staring at you from every corner, more than usual. You stopped being an attraction a long time ago in the south side of heaven, which only meant; the angels staring at you and Sabo must be from somewhere else.

You both were a few meters away from the Hall, when you saw a rather small, but still very intimidating looking man stare at you. On his left hand, he wore a green ring; something only the northern side wore. You glance at Sabo in concern, but he didn't notice and kept walking into the direction of the massive building.

When you walked into the huge hall this day, you were not prepared for what you saw in front of you.

Hundreds of white clothed angels were lined up, their ring colours switching from green- north, east- red, south- blue to the west- yellow. Sabo and you stopped at the entrace and took a long, shocked breath. Something was wrong.

Loud footsteps echo through the hall as your trainer, the leader of the southern army, walks a few steps towards you both. Kalen stops about ten meters in front of you and raises his head in seriousness. His giant wings are folded tighly on his back; something that almost never occured.

You gulp and take a step forwards at the same time as Sabo takes a step backwards.

All eyes are fixed on the tall brown man in middle of the hall. His grey eyes catch yours and you feel the hurricane of emotions in his eyes wandering down your spine.

"The time has come. " He starts. "War is coming our way and we have no other choice than to stand strong and get ready for the fight."

The tall man takes a look at all of the men and woman around him, making sure to stand confidently and strong. You know, this speech will make the difference; either it's good and powerful and the army will fight the same, or it will be fake and weak, which will end up the same. You gulp and take another step forward.

"I will not lie, the next following weeks will be the hardest some of you will ever experience, but this is what we have to do. Day after day, we will have to train, grow stronger by every second that passes. We cannot, I repeat, cannot let some fallen creatures ruin our lives. We will show them-  heaven is not something to play around with."

"Who are we fighting against, S-sir?" Someone from the west side asks. He has long blue hair and his nose seems to be red, maybe from allergies. You can't help but think that he reminds you of a clown. From the way his knees shake, you're sure. He must be a clown.

"What's your name, fighter?" Kalen asks, mustering the man with neutral expression.

"Buggy, Sir!" The clown says, visibly sweating under the heavy gaze of your trainer.

"Well, Buggy. " The brown angel takes a few steps towards him, stops right in front of his face and takes a breath. "We are fighting against the worst kind of traitors. No other creature in this galaxy comes close to them; a bunch of rotten souls getting their high from blood and murder. "

"I am talking about the fallen angels, the ones that decided to turn their back towards us- that decided to put heavens name in shame."

He steps to the side, his wings suddenly flaring up in anger. "Are you guys fine with being insulted?"

Loud screams of "No!" vibrate through the hall.

"Are you guys fine with them killing your family, your friends, your life?"

Again, the same answer. You stay silent the whole time.

"Are you guys ready to fight, fight for heaven?"

This time, loud cheers and "Yes!" echo through the hall.

"They might have some disgusting ways of killing people and some weird powers, but we have something much, much better."

Kalen takes long, heavy steps towards you. You take a deep breath and hold your head high. "Are you ready, Y/N?" He whispers to you, you nod.

"What we have is everything they want, we have one of the strongest, most strong- headed and talented angels on our side. She will be the key to success, she will be the flame that brings us the light of victory."

He turns around, stares into the eyes of every soldier he can see and raises his wings high.

"Are you guys ready to fight for heaven?"

This time, you join the loud cheers. Nothing, you think, nothing will make your heaven fall. You don't care who you're fighting against, you won't let someone hurt the things that are precious to you. The glimmering in your eyes, the rising of your wings and the expression you show is enough to make everyone believe; this war will be yours.  

[empresskira]

Our Loving Angel (ch.9)

Fanfiction | AO3

After spending the summer adjusting to their home, the school year began and Luffy had it hit off with many people within the first month and gained more along the way. On the other hand, Ace and Sabo were having a hard time placing themselves as they were looked oddly upon. Though there was two people who first talked to Ace in interest of being friends and noticed Sabo came along with the package. Izo and Thatch liked Sabo, but they were still trying to figure him out since they knew someone similar to how the blond interacts, so it left them only feeling a bit awkward when alone with him for anything—not that he made much effort to socialize.

Currently like Izo's situation right now as he waits with the ever-quiet man sitting a comfortable distance, but not saying he was completely ignoring Izo. These points of time had Izo working hard to find a good conversation to start with as they waited for the two that had detention. Thatch and Ace didn't mean to get it, they had been caught up with something with three other troublemakers and accused of being part of the ploy. Not wanting to cause too much trouble, they willingly went to detention after school for the hour and half that it lasts.

"Nah, Sabo?" Izo begins, showing a trail of curiosity stringing in his voice as he gathers a hum and the tilt of the head. After just a minute longer, as Sabo had been reading, those green eyes drag to find him with a neutral look, but it was slightly aloof. "How exactly did you meet Ace? If you don't mind me asking, that is…" A look of slight searching is there before Sabo shifts to sit up a bit more and marking the book page with a thumb so it may rest to his lap closed on the finger.

"I do not mind…" A smile lingers along Sabo's lips and gives a short chuckle in remembrance. "It wasn't exactly what you would expect, but the first time we ever met he told me he hated my guts." Izo is surprised by those words and is on his way to speak, but Sabo gives a soft snort to stop him. "He hated everyone's guts when we were kids, to be fair." This information added has Izo nodding a bit more in understanding before crossing an arm over his crossed leg while the other arm moves for a hand to have fingers rest under his chin.

"I was about to say, I found that unfathomable as you two are really close." Izo mentions while smiling as it seems to please Sabo at the comment, and it always left the blond as a mystery to him. A soft chill runs up his spine at the slight breeze, noticing as fall really was seeming to come to an end in the next couple weeks. "Oh yes, you two should join our family for a Christmas Party, it won't be on the Eve or Day of, but the weekend beforehand." The words come out as Izo adjusts himself, fixing his sweater shirt he is wearing, choosing a light one but knew he would need to gather his heavier ones out soon.

"A Christmas Party?" Sabo inquires with an eyebrow raised, already knowing Ace would be on board with it completely without details. "I will ask my guardian, but I am sure he will be alright with it, especially since Ace will most likely be allowed." A nod of agreeance is there, Izo aware of the two's guardians associated from the last place they moved from and even lived next to each other now.

"I do have to warn, though, our other family members will be back as well. We have quite a bit of brothers and sisters, so if either of you need a minute it's not a big deal." Izo reassures, knowing his family—though not really by blood or even fully adopted—can be overbearing especially when it came to friends of any family member, which is how Bay and Doma got dragged to gatherings a lot as well.

"That is thoughtful, I appreciate it." Sabo mentions with a smile that Izo is used to never reaching his eyes, but it would if it was Ace. It had Izo ponder if it was because of the fact they have been friends for so long, maybe the blond had been like that in the beginning as well with Ace? Once they both getting past each other's exterior? Nothing about their childhood was ever brought up, but he knew by a slim chance of Ace speaking reassuring to Sabo about his scars that it was a big part of it. It was coincidental, Sabo seeming to have a low point and his friend was immediately catering to show his compassion while they were more in a private area.

"When you both come over and shown a tour of the home as most likely Haruta or Namur will be eager to," a soft chuckle leaves Izo at the thought alone and there is a short chortle of amusement leaving Sabo when remembering the first meeting the two freshmen. "Then I will comment on where to get the most private space, though someone might check on you."

"Again, it is greatly appreciated." Sabo continues with a tone showing he was, but those eyes stayed a clean slate of no actual meaning to his words, giving a show of not truly meaning it though he probably did in some way. Most could over look such a thing, but Izo had grown used to it as one of their brothers was sort of similar, but they had grown to Marco through childhood so it was second nature not to think on it with him.

"Did you see when Bonney freaked out about Kidd slamming her pie into Law's face?!" Thatch's voice rings through the air after the door to the school opens to let them out. A hand is hitting to Ace's arm and the two were busting up laughing again while trailing over to the two sitting and waiting.

"Took long enough!" Izo complains haughtily with his nose to the sky and earns a whine from Thatch before a grin of mischief.

"You really did miss me~!" It's clearly showing a string of being flirtatious and fully meaning it, unlike with others where he did for fun.

"As if," a huff leaves Izo with a soft blush lingering his cheeks, hating when the other was trying to be flirty towards him.

The two had been 'tip toeing' around each other as they live in the same home, different rooms, and were told that it would not be seen odd. That clearly embarrassed them both when their father pulled them aside during the summer before senior year to explain that they could only date once out of school. It was to play everything safe and let them test the waters as they may be 'family' but were not related or signed by legal documents as Thatch was a foster child, but Izo was considered a runaway that just happened to stay with them now after his home life was too bad to withstand.

"We are busy the weekend before Christmas!" Ace cheers as he is up next to Sabo and grinning widely in excitement.

"I heard," Sabo comments with endearing eyes glimmering to his friend and it shows a hint of yearning, having Izo question on the two's relationship. It especially raised questions as Ace was showing a similar longing within dark eyes, but the two were merely smiling to one another.

"We should wear matching sweaters!" Ace suggests, gaining a chuckle from the blond who is enjoying the way Ace flops next to him on the water fountain ledge, the fountain bare of water as it was turned off.

"No fair! You told me no!" Thatch complains, gaining Ace to kick legs out with a laugh and throwing an arm around Sabo's shoulders. Hands shifted, losing place in the book, but not one reaction was there of such a thing bothering him as he let himself be pulled closer.

"That's because Sabo would like my sweater idea better!" Ace points out his free hand in explanation and gains a snort from Sabo.

"All ugly Christmas sweaters are the same to me." The blond explains, gaining a laugh from them all and Ace keeps his arm in place before letting it slip behind the other for a small lingering touch. Though, it only lasted for a mere moment before he was leaning forward to stick his tongue out at Thatch.

"Jealous!"

"Well, of course! Here I thought I was your best friend!" A feigned expression of hurt lingers with a hand to a forehead and Thatch leans back to the side more to make an exasperated noise. "Blasphemy!"

"You are my best friend, Thatch!" Ace yells up with laughter and it suddenly felt like all systems shut off as Sabo stares to his friend, schooling his face perfectly as that of neutrality.

Inside, Sabo is raising in panic on how suddenly someone else could be in the same place as him. It was unheard of and caused a mild panic to linger in his veins as they thrummed loudly in his ears. A feeling stirs as he looks to Thatch with a slight clench of his jaw, not understanding how he could be placed in such a spot. It made Sabo want to make that known fact disappear, but wasn't sure how to do that as his first thought is to make said man disappear. Though, he couldn't as he held back that side of him since Thatch isn't a threat on being too close as he had those amber eyes at Izo for something more, though they never admitted to such things.

"We should head to that karaoke place!" Thatch suggests after he was happy to know that he was seen as such with Ace, no one noticing the inner turmoil in Sabo.

"Sounds fun!" Ace hops up in a chirp of excitement, Izo getting up to brush off his long skirt that he loves to wear—which when he started to wear such things took Thatch to make anyone back off. Sure, some people still poked fun at his choice to dress more comfortably with women's clothes, but they didn't push too much as they were a part of the Newgate family, and no one liked messing with that family.

"Could we not wager this time?" Izo asks in exasperation as Ace and Thatch usually start a song battle, hard to judge when they knew Ace would always get a definite vote.

"No promises!" Thatch comments while moving up to him and then Ace was gripping to Sabo's hand.

"Come on~!" Ace is grinning brightly and Sabo makes sure the other can't tell how bothered he is by what he had just heard, letting himself smile.

"Impatient as ever." The words linger as he stands and lets the hand tug him lightly before it lets go. "You should sing that one song again…" Sabo suggests as he gets his book into his sling of a bag and Ace is right next to him as they trail behind the other two that begin bickering—Thatch mostly teasing.

"What? The one by Hozier?" Ace questions and gets a smile in return, having him show a brilliant one back with a bump against the blond. "But you sing it way better, Sabo." The comment has green eyes flicker in surprise and a dusting of pink finds its way to rest along cheeks. "You should really sing it, you would win any of these battles, hands down." Ace keeps on, causing Sabo to stir in delight at the compliments and having to swallow thickly.

"But the way your voice dips makes it better," Sabo starts back as he craves to see a stirring in the other that only he knew how to draw out perfectly if he does it well enough. Confusion is showing lightly with a tilt of Ace's head and this is when Sabo smirks. "Plus, the way you make a throaty growl with those deeper notes, it makes everything better." It does as he predicts, freckled cheeks flushing with eyes dilating somewhat and a scowl shows as Ace is pleased with such things said.

"I don't get why you like that stupid gravelling noise." It's a show of a pout and clearly shy about the compliments.

"Because I enjoy the sound, protective and enticing." The words spill from Sabo, biting the inside of his cheek as he didn't mean for that to come out. He is pleasantly surprised though as he hears a soft whine, barely audible if it weren't for the fact he lingered next to his friend. Chancing it, green eyes flicker to notice Ace pursing lips with red cheeks and looking away as some shaky breaths comes from nostrils.

The sight pleases Sabo as his veins thrum for more.

[words-and-fangirling-wonder]

T is for Treatment

I don’t love how this turned out, but if I keep trying to revise it until it’s “right” I’ll go insane, so here it is. Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Author: fangirlwonder (wordsandwonder on AO3)

Pairing: Kid/Law

Prompt: Parents

Rating: Teen, but only for swearing and stuff, I don’t know I’m bad at rating

Beta’d by: @fitgirlfaith24

Warning: There are a few more mentions of drug and alcohol abuse-ish/kids having to be responsible for their parents in this chapter, continuing the creative liberties I took with Kid’s backstory.

“Why isn’t Law my doctor?”

Even though Kid hadn’t been awake for very long, his patience was already wearing very thin with the doctor standing at the foot of his bed. He knew Law. He trusted Law. He wanted Law to treat him, not this weasel-y faced quack.

“Mr. Kid, it was decided that Dr. Trafalgar is too … close to the situation to be your doctor, and frankly, Dr. Trafalgar is a surgeon, and a pediatric one at that. He does not specialize in cases like yours.”

“Yeah, well he’s still a hell of a lot better than you,” Kid groused. He glared at the man and moved to cross his arms before remembering for about the millionth time in less than 24 hours that he couldn’t; and that realization did nothing to improve his sour mood. “Are we done here?” he asked darkly, staring at the fist clenched in his lap. The single fist.

“We are not, actually. We need to discuss your treatment options. It’s important that we go over the physical therapy you will need, and options you have going forward.”

Kid’s scowl had the man backing away instinctually. “Well I’m not interested in talking about my “options” with you. Just … just get the hell out of the room.”

The doctor nodded and moved quietly toward the door, pausing with his hand poised over the knob. “I know this is frustrating for you, Mr. Kid. It will get better with time.”

If anything had been within his reach, Kid would have hurled it with all his might at the doctor. “Both your arms look pretty fucking real to me, so I’m gonna go ahead and say you don’t know shit, you asshole. Get the fuck outta here.”

Doctor what the fuck ever his name was scurried out of the room with a final sheepish glance, and Kid was left alone. In the three days he’d been awake, he’d realized that he really hated being alone. It had never been an issue for him before the coma, but the blank white of the hospital walls and the steady beep of his heart monitor gave him the creeps and the room just felt so … empty when he was in it by himself.

Luckily, his solitude rarely lasted for long.

“Hey Kid.”

He looked up and gave his sister a halfhearted smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Hey sis.”

Bonney shuffled awkwardly for a moment with one hand hidden behind her back. “We went to your place today.”

“Oh yeah?” he asked dispassionately.

“Yeah. The damage is … well, it’s pretty bad, I’m not gonna lie. Found your car in the parking lot, though, and saw this in the back seat so I broke in and grabbed it to bring to you. I figured maybe Law gave it to you and you might like to have it?” She held out a small stuffed polar bear with one eyebrow raised in question. Admittedly, it wasn’t a very Kid-like object.

“Actually, it’s the other way around,” he said, reaching for it and setting it in his lap. “It was part of his anniversary present. He likes polar bears.”

“Really?” the girl asked incredulously. “I wouldn’t really peg him for a stuffed animal kinda guy. Or a … polar bear kinda guy. Although … what does a polar bear guy look like? I guess maybe, but … nah, I don’t see it.”

Kid made a face at his sister as soon as she finished narrating her thought process for him, and patted the toy affectionately. “Well, he is. He likes polar bears and he likes fuzzy things, and this is both. And it’s not like it was his whole gift anyway. It’s only part of it. Although …” The fond smile that had formed while he talked about the surgeon slipped off his face. “I guess the other part is probably gone now, huh?”

“If it was in the apartment?” she asked somberly. “Then yeah. It’s gone.”

“Shit.”

“Mom and Al are already cleaning out your old room, you know. They’re planning on asking you to move back in with us until you can get on your feet again.”

Though it was a nice gesture, the thought made Kid scowl. “My feet aren’t the fucking problem,” he growled, more harshly than he meant to.

“It’s a figure of speech, bro,” she replied, unfazed by his anger.

“Whatever. It’s nice of them and all, but I’ll figure something out. I’m an adult. I’m too old to go running back to mommy.”

Bonney scoffed. “Kid, I can’t remember a time when you ever ‘went running back to mommy.’ If you ever ran to mom it was for her protection, not yours. But she’s stable now, you know. She can be finally be there for you like you always were for her. So maybe it’s time to let her return the favor.”

Let his mom return the favor, huh? That was certainly an interesting idea. It wasn’t really like he didn’t think that she could; she’d been clean for four years now, and her life was on a good track. She had Al, Bonney, and the twins to keep her straight. But he’d been here before. She’d passed the one-year clean and sober mark and he’d moved out, thinking she’d be okay. And she was … until he hit some hard times and moved back in, and she’d fallen off the wagon again. So even if it would mean a lot to his mom to be able to take care of him for once, Kid couldn’t do it. To himself, or to her.

“It’s a nice thought and all, but I don’t think so, sis,” he said finally.

“Why?”

“I’m 23 years old. You think I wanna share a bathroom with a teenage girl and two obnoxious three-year-olds?”

Bonney smirked at him. “Don’t even. You love the shit out of them.”

“Yeah, well, even so. Don’t wanna share a bathroom with them.”

“What, and you think I do?” she asked with a laugh. There was a slight pause before she continued in a much softer voice. “She’s doing good, Kid. She won’t backslide this time.” The seriousness of her tone made him look up, finally meeting her intense gaze. Once again it seemed she saw right through him. Damn kid was too intuitive for her own good.  

“Can’t take that chance. She’s got too much to lose now,” he argued gently. Bonney nodded. She’d been there too, even though she was too young to remember the worst of it (thank goodness); she understood where he was coming from.

“Well, she’ll be disappointed.”

Kid shrugged. “It’s for the best, you know?”

“Yeah.” Silence fell between them and Bonney shifted awkwardly for a moment. “So, uh … they gonna hook you up with one of those … bionic arm thingies?”

A part of Kid wanted to be mad that she was able to be so flippant about his amputation, but at the same time he had to appreciate her bluntness. So instead of chucking the stuffed bear at her, like he would at anyone else, Kid just smiled and explained that he’d have to meet with some people before they decided anything. They talked for a while about the options he had, and she even got him to laugh a little when she admitted that she told the twins he’d be part robot when they saw him again and now they were driving their mom crazy begging to come see him. Bonney gave it a day, maybe two, before their mom caved and brought them to the hospital. Kid imagined his small room filled with his rambunctious, loud, dysfunctional family and even though the thought should probably have him cringing, he couldn’t help but smile. Maybe they were a little (or a lot) crazy, but they were his family, and for the first time since waking up, he felt like he had something to look forward to.

+++

“So,” Law said dryly, leaning against the doorframe. “The doctor tells me you’re refusing to do the therapy.” Though he phrased it like a statement, Kid knew his boyfriend wanted to know why he was being stubborn.

He’d been awake for just over a week, during which they’d started him on a rigorous therapy regimen to get him used to life without his arm, and to prepare him for his prosthetic. And it had not been a good week. Kid was tired. He was sick of working muscles he didn’t previously know he had. He was sick of getting poked and prodded and measured. He was sick of feeling pain in an arm that wasn’t even fucking there anymore. But most of all he was sick and damn tired of being under a microscope all the time with people fussing over how he was doing, both physically and (to his dismay) emotionally. No, he didn’t need another pillow. Yes, his pain was tolerable. No, he wasn’t hungry. Yes, he knew that this was a “safe space.” And no, for the love of God, he did not want to fucking talk about it. And up until now he’d been putting up with it and pushing through it, but now, after yet another fruitless physical therapy session, he was just … tired. Which led him to the decision that he didn’t want to do it anymore. He didn’t want to do anything anymore.

“Yeah,” he replied, not meeting Law’s patiently inquisitive gaze. “Cuz I fucking hate it. It hurts and I can’t get it right, so what’s the fucking point? I’m never gonna get used to the stupid arm, and it’s too expensive to wear as a goddamn accessory so why not just forget the whole thing? Fuck it.” He hadn’t really meant to make a speech, but once he got started he found he was unable to stop. “I hate wasting my time doing something pointless that I fucking hate.”

“I understand that …”

“No, fuck that Trafalgar. You have no fucking idea. I know you mean well or whatever, but everyone needs to shut the fuck up talking to me about how they know how I feel. You don’t know shit! None of you do. And I know you want to understand, but I can’t make you understand, okay? I can’t tell you how it feels to wake up into a goddamn nightmare. I … I lost my fucking arm. A whole piece of me is fucking gone. So don’t tell me you understand.” He paused and unclenched the fist he hadn’t realized he’d formed and winced slightly at how loud the silence seemed in the wake of his outburst. And through it all Law stood there, looking at him, taking the yelling without batting an eye. Just like he had been the entire time Kid had been awake. And it was pissing Kid the hell off. Deep down he felt shitty for being so mad, and knew it was irrational, but seeing Law stay so calm and collected when everything in his life was out of control … Kid couldn’t stand it. He wanted Law to react; yell back, argue, insult him, something. But the doctor remained stoic, unflinchingly strong in the face of Kid’s constant mood swings.

“You should just go, Law. I don’t fucking need you here. There’s nothing you can do or say to make any of this better.” Kid glared at his lap where his only remaining hand was gripping the thin hospital sheets so tightly his knuckles were turning white. “It would’ve been better if I’d just stayed in the fucking coma.”

Well, that got a reaction, but not the one he was expecting. He expected a sarcastic tongue lashing like the one the nurse got when he tried to kick Law out after visiting hours. He expected a glare, or at the very least a “fuck you,” like that kind of self-pitying talk would have gotten him in the past. In Law’s shoes that would have been Kid’s response. But instead he watched his boyfriend’s face go from surprised to crushed in a matter of seconds. The man seemed to shrink as his expression crumbled, and it caught Kid off guard. What the fuck? Why did he look so … devastated? What the fuck gave Law the right to be hurt right now? If the doc was gonna act all hurt Kid would give him a fucking reason to be hurt. Before his rational brain could catch up to the whirlwind of emotion clouding his judgement, Kid hissed, “In fact, maybe it would’ve been better if I’d just fucking died. I wish I had.”

Law stiffened, and Kid expected him to finally, finally retort, but once gain the surgeon surprised him. Because instead of yelling, or arguing, or even trying to console him, Law simply turned on his heel and swept out of the room, leaving Kid with only his regrets for company. Well, that was that then. He really didn’t expect to see the doctor again for a long time, if ever. Law had done nothing to deserve what Kid had said; how ungrateful he’d been. No, not only had he not done anything wrong, he’d actually been Kid’s rock through all of this. He had been supportive and caring, even when Kid was in the coma and no one knew if he’d ever come out. And now Kid really wished he’d told the man how much he appreciated that, because he probably wouldn’t get the chance after the way he’d treated Law.

At least, that’s what he thought before Law stormed back into his room not ten minutes later with a determined look on his face and a weird lump in the front of his shirt. He slammed the door closed behind him and stalked over to Kid’s bed, pulling the hidden object out of his clothing.

A loaf of cheap white bread. What the fuck?

“Where-“

“Shut up, Eustass. It’s my turn to talk.” The surgeon’s aggressive snarl stunned Kid into silence. He’d never heard Law sound like that. “I made a promise to you. It’s pointless, and I’m going to hate it, much like you hate your therapy, but I’m going to do it right now.”

“What are you talking about?” Kid asked, subdued by the intensity coming from his boyfriend.

“The past three weeks have been some of the worst of my fucking life, Eustass. And believe me, I’ve had some really shitty weeks. But the night you woke up I promised you I’d eat a whole loaf of bread if you would just open your eyes. And yes, it was a stupid promise, and I know it’s not why you woke up, and I also know that it won’t make anything worse if I don’t keep it, or better if I do, for that matter. I wish like hell there was something, anything, I could do, Eustass. I wish I could take your pain, or get your arm back, or do the damn therapy for you, and it kills me that I can’t and I’m completely useless while you’re hurting. It kills me that I can’t help you. But I can do this. I can keep a stupid promise that I made because I was so desperate to get you back, for you to not fucking leave me alone. So right here, right now, I’m going to eat this entire fucking loaf of bread. And then if you need to yell at me more, or kick me out, or tell me you never want to see me again; fine. You can. After.” With that, Law plunged his hand into the bag, grabbed the first piece of bread, and took a huge bite.

“Law …”

“I’m pwiddy sure I tole you ta shu da fuck ub,” Law interrupted through a mouthful of bread. How he still managed to look so fierce with his cheeks bulging and bread crumbs flying out of his mouth Kid couldn’t say, but somehow the doctor was intimidating as hell in that moment.

“Okay, doc. You … want some water or something?”

Law simply growled in retort, stuffing more bread into his mouth without breaking eye contact. For a moment it looked like he was going to throw it back up, but he swallowed a few times and reigned it in before grabbing another piece.

“Law, stop. Stop. I can’t watch you do this anymore,” Kid said, his tone sounding closer to a plea than he would like to admit.

“Unh-uh,” Law managed to refuse. “Imna fwinwish it.”

“Please don’t. Jesus Christ, you’re gonna put me off bread if you keep this up.” When the doctor just shook his head, Kid sighed and looked around the room for anything that might help him. It took him a moment to remember the stuffed bear snuggled safely under his pillow. He wasn’t really sure why he’d been hesitant to give it to his boyfriend after Bonney brought it to him, but now seemed like as good a time as any. “If you stop eating that bread, I’ll give you a present,” Kid offered coaxingly.

The doctor’s frown was both curious and suspicious, but he didn’t immediately lift another piece of bread to his lips after swallowing. “When did you have the chance to get me a present? And why?”

“I got it for our anniversary. Bonney found it in my car when she went with my mom and Al to check out the apartment.” Kid scooched over and patted the space on his bed invitingly. “So just put the devil food down and c’mere so I can give it to you, okay?”

Law still didn’t look 100% convinced, but he set the remaining half loaf of bread down on the rolling table Kid ate his meals from, still within reach, and sat next to the redhead. Kid twisted around, thankful for the railing that kept him from falling out of bed, and pulled the bear free, bringing it into view with a smile. Law reached for it immediately, his eyes lighting up.

“It’s a polar bear,” Kid supplied helpfully.

“I see that, Eustass. I love him, thank you.” Law crossed his arms tightly over his chest, trapping the toy close and burying his nose into its furry head. Kid adjusted slightly and draped his arm over the doctor, pulling him into his side.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, pressing a kiss into Law’s hair.

“No,” the man murmured back. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I didn’t mean to lose it like that. Just … just don’t say things like that.”

“I won’t. I promise.” Law snuggled in closer and looked up at Kid, so he placed a gentle kiss on the surgeon’s nose. “I’m not gonna leave you alone, Law. You’re stuck with me.”

Law scoffed, but Kid saw how his lips quirked up in a slight smile. “I suppose there are worse things than being stuck with you,” the man admitted. “For example, I could have to finish that loaf of bread.”

Kid grinned. “Yeah, that was gross. I mean, I love bread, but that was just disgusting. I really thought you were gonna barf.”

“Oh shut up, Eustass.”

Kid leaned back further against his pillows, pulling the doctor along with him and instinctively curling around him slightly. “Yeah, okay, doc,” he replied, his mock contriteness betrayed by the fact that he was still grinning like a fool. “Whatever you say.”

[topmixtrends]

MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS have something they want to tell us off the clock. The president is dangerous, and likely mentally unfit for office. That’s the hard truth of the essay collection The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 27 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Assess a President.

But there’s good news: Americans can make biscuits. At least, that’s what you might deduce if you pick up another anti-Trump compilation, Julia Turshen’s Feed the Resistance: Recipes + Ideas for Getting Involved, with essays and recipes for grassroots organizers to feed a crowd or take on a march.

Both collections are riding a wave of anti-Trump momentum, a mixed blessing for the audience-obsessed publishing business. They depict two essentially nonpolitical industries — food and psychology — putting a partisan stake in the ground. But what can we learn from them? Are these conceits merely gimmicks to cash in on a bad national moment? 

The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump grew out of Yale’s “Duty to Warn” conference, a town-hall-style meeting organized by Bandy Lee, an Assistant Clinical Professor in Law and Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine who specializes in violence studies. In April 2017, she gathered two-dozen mental health professionals to discuss their ethical responsibility to warn the public of Donald Trump’s potential dangerousness. Hundreds in the industry followed online. Originally conceived as a traditional publication of proceedings, it grew in scope once the popular interest became clear. “It felt as if we had tapped into a groundswell of a movement among mental health professionals, and also an army of people who wanted to speak about the issue,” Lee writes.

The result is 350 pages that lay out three clear agendas: (1) assess President Trump’s mental health, (2) discuss the ethics of allowing professionals to comment on the mental health of a public figure, and (3) evaluate Trump’s short- and long-term effect on the United States.

Near pocket-sized and 141 pages long, Feed the Resistance is a smaller book with a more household aim, but it doesn’t take itself any less seriously. The editor, Julia Turshen, is a celebrated food writer known for co-authoring cookbooks for Mario Batali and Gwyneth Paltrow, and hosting a podcast with Cherry Bombe, a periodical celebrating women in the food industry. Feed the Resistance comes on the heels of her own cookbook, Small Victories.

When she and her wife Grace Bonney, founder of the popular blog Design*Sponge, grew increasingly engaged with activism in their upstate New York town following Trump’s election, Turshen gathered other cook voices. Her mission statement: “I realized that the work I was doing in my own community could be exponential if I put some of it down on paper and shared it with you so that you can better feed your own resistance, whatever that looks like, and hopefully share it with those around you.”

The recipes are divided into three categories, with corresponding essays throughout. There are easy dishes such as Thai Yellow Curry Vegetable Pot and Greek Chickpea Salad for people “who are too busy resisting to cook”; the next on high-volume meals, like The People’s Grits and Easy Posole, that can feed a crowd; and the last on portable snacks and heritage recipes with their roots in earlier resistance movements, such as Persistence Biscuits and Spiced Brown Sugar Pound Cake with Rum Molasses Glaze.

These books show two ways of dealing with the post-Trump world: thinking about something big and out of the reader’s control, and doing something small that is easily within reach.

You can fix dinner, but you can’t fix narcissistic personality disorder. And so The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump seeks to answer a question many have been asking since Trump announced his candidacy: Is he crazy like a fox, or just crazy? Does he really believe what he says, or is he playing to the fears of his constituents? In “Sociopathy,” Lance Dodes asks, is Trump’s “indifference to the feelings of others for personal gain […] just being clever,” or is he suffering from “significant mental derangement”? A third of the way through the tome, the reader will deduce that Trump is likely “crazy,” but not with one simple diagnosis.

Philip Zimbardo and Rosemary Sword label Trump a present hedonist who suffers from a time bias that traps him in the immediate present. He’ll “say or do anything at any time for purposes of self-aggrandizement […] with no thought of the future of the effect of his actions.” Craig Malkin makes a case for Trump’s narcissism and tracks his psychotic spiral toward insisting on alternate realities as a manipulation tactic.

Gaslighting reassures pathological narcissists that their own grip on reality remains firm because they can’t bear to acknowledge their sanity is slipping away. We might ask if we’re seeing this now, as Trump and his closest advisors appear on TV claiming he didn’t make statements that journalists often simply play back.

Other contributors present evidence of the president’s sociopathy, delusional disorder, and even “daddy issues.”

If they can’t pinpoint one diagnosis, it’s because US psychiatrists haven’t agreed on the ethics of making one at all. They grapple with the Goldwater rule, a dictum in the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) documentation that restricts psychiatrists from diagnosing a public figure they have not examined in person, and without the figure’s consent to discuss the results publicly. The rule collides with another standard in psychiatry, the “duty to protect.” That concept grew out of a California Supreme Court ruling that if a patient threatens bodily harm, mental health professionals must warn those who stand to get hurt. At scale, that’s the American people. Staying quiet may be technically “ethical” for a mental health professional. But it may also be immoral.

The strongest moments are when the authors go beyond symptoms and behavior markers, and illuminate Donald Trump’s dangerousness — and the extreme risk of keeping him in office. Michael J. Tansey’s engaging piece tells an anecdote that would likely have had a much different ending with a volatile Trump making the decisions. In 1979, President Carter’s national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski got a 3:00 a.m. call alerting him to 250 Soviet missiles headed toward the United States. With only five minutes to act, he asked an aide to verify the report — it was a false alarm. For Tansey, no argument “is more compelling or terrifying than [Trump’s] control of the nuclear codes.”

Edwin B. Fisher uses President Kennedy’s steady hand during the Cuban Missile crisis as a foil for Trump’s impulsive decision making. While Kennedy cultivated relationships with many advisors of “divergent views” and with Premier Khrushchev himself, Trump’s trusted confidants include nine millionaires and billionaires who are mostly white, male, and older, and all loyal to Trump. With counselors too afraid to disagree, he’s left to make tough decisions alone. “That President Trump might ever occupy the loneliness of deciding about a potentially catastrophic course of action is rightly our most urgent and greatest fear.”

Several pieces ask the reader to look beyond immediate physical threats and consider the insidious effects of Trump’s toxic behavior on individuals. Betty P. Teng poignantly asks the reader to consider the mental health of Americans who suffer from “post-Trump stress disorder,” particularly those in marginalized groups who have been targeted by the president’s policies and remarks. The near-constant news coverage can be “a compulsive fixation” that “is particularly overstimulating and blocks us from recruiting the tools so necessary for healing from trauma.”

Harper West posits — amusingly and frighteningly — that the American people are in an abusive relationship with a narcissistic president. She tracks classic “other-blamer” behavior in abusers to the president’s emotional reactivity, lack of accountability, entitlement, and deception, along with his tendency to depersonalize his victims. In abusive relationships, there is often little energy left over after managing the narcissist, who sucks the air out of the room. “I could be working to improve the mental health care system,” West says. Instead, she’s writing about our leader’s sanity. What’s worse, Trump’s behavior may encourage “millions of Other-blamers” to act out as well, creating a generations-long ripple effect of trauma.

William Doherty points out new conceptual categories he addresses with his clients public stress, stemming from forces in the neighborhood and broader cultural environment, and political stress, the result of “words, actions, and policies.” He sees psychiatry as political action in that it “promote[s] the kind of personal agency that’s necessary for a self-governing, democratic people.” Trump’s sickness has crept into the collective psyche, and to treat it, we need to recognize it.

At times though, the essayists are tongue-tied by what John D. Gartner disparagingly terms “the Goldwater gag order.” They spend ample pages proposing to break the rule, uphold it but evade it, or reinterpret it. Judith Lewis Herman and Bandy Lee insist “only in an emergency should a physician breach the Goldwater rule. We believe such an emergency is now.” Michael J. Tansey dodges the question by detailing the symptoms of delusional disorder. “You now have the simple diagnostic criteria. You make the call.” Leonard L. Glass takes the position that a psychiatrist is also a citizen, and can speak out from that role.

Press coverage and splashy contributors — like Noam Chomsky, who features in the epilogue, and even Tony Schwartz, who co-wrote The Art of the Deal — will attract a wide audience, but tangled industry discussions might distract from the book’s goal of educating. There is only so much ethical pontificating that the reader can stand. But in the last essay, Nanette Gartrell and Dee Mosbacher make a suggestion for acting on this knowledge. They urge Congress to gather a panel of mental health experts to assess the president’s “fitness to fulfill the duties of the presidency,” and to do the same for all presidential and vice presidential candidates. Sounds idealistic. Also sounds completely implausible. 

The Dangerous Case might leave the reader wishing for a more actionable next step, but Feed the Resistance holds up the concrete power of food, both as literal fuel for the people working against the Trump administration’s policies and as a gateway to larger issues. “Being interested in food,” Turshen writes, “really caring about it, has a domino effect. You start caring about where it comes from, what it means to the people you are feeding, and what it means to be fed.”

The first essay, by Caleb Zigas, executive director of the San Francisco business incubator La Cocina, celebrates the “informal entrepreneurs” of the food industry who struggle to hurdle social and financial barriers to entry. “It’s not just the woman selling empanadas, it’s also the man selling barbecue out of the back of his truck in parking lots, the pop-up in the back of a bodega, the meal delivered to a high-rise apartment building, and the pies for sale on a country road.”

The most appealing recipes are tied to stories like these. Executive director of FoodLab Detroit Devita Davison writes in the foreword to her Southern-Style Boiled Cabbage with Smoked Turkey: “I personally believe that the rest of the country is just now catching up to what Southerners have known for decades. That we can grow our food as an act of independence from, and resistance to, an unjust food system that is structurally racist, economically oppressive, and environmentally toxic.” She recalls her mother’s cabbage growing to fame at communal dinners in Alabama. Erika Council of Atlanta’s Sunday Supper Club contributes the Persistence Biscuits her grandmother used to “serve to the kids she felt might not have money for breakfast.”

Some dishes are more practical, like Sheet Pan Sausage, Potatoes and Red Cabbage, and Pizza Frittata for a Crowd. Several essays have a tangible application as well. Organizer Callie Jayne’s “Ground Rules to Organized Activism” include passing the microphone to “people who aren’t often heard” and a “non-martian clause” to ensure activists avoid exclusionary “or elitist language.” That’s one of the strengths of Feed the Resistance — it passes the microphone to a diverse group of 22 activists who don’t always occupy the spotlight.

But the contributors should have compared notes before publishing. In the foreword to Baked Japanese Sweet Potatoes, Oven-Roasted Tomato Sauce, and Baked Polenta, writer Stephen Satterfield adds qualifiers: “ingredients should be readily available nationwide, even in underserved areas,” and dishes should be easy to make and cheap. Yet the first recipe in Feed the Resistance (Spiced Mung Bean Wraps), requires sprouted beans from a farmers market, or a five-day process of at-home sprouting. It doesn’t sound simple or cheap, and not likely to be stocked in every grocery store. The more complicated concoctions, like Spicy Tandoori Cauliflower with Minted Yogurt, assume a breadth of culinary knowledge that could be construed as exclusionary, and even elitist, fulfilling a certain stereotype of left-wingers.

Still, those desperate to do something will appreciate the real action items Feed the Resistance offers. Lists at the back of the book compile local, state, and national, and interest-group resources for asking and offering help. A section on getting engaged includes tips around voting with your wallet, becoming a mentor, running for office, cooking for first responders, and supporting after-school programs. The book closes with “Ten Things You Can Do in Less Than Ten Minutes,” including calling representatives, registering to vote, dining at a restaurant run by people who don’t look like you, and reading a book “by an author who has had a completely different life experience.” Despite the book’s gimmicky leanings (you can already follow #FeedtheResistance on Instagram), simply purchasing it will have a real effect — all proceeds will go to the ACLU.

How to take collective wisdom from psychiatrists and food activists? Call your representatives and tell them Trump is dangerous. Then cook some soup.

¤

Randle Browning is a writer from Waco, Texas, living in Brooklyn. She holds an MA in English Literature from Boston College. Her website is randlebrowning.com.

The post A Recipe for Coping in Trump’s America appeared first on Los Angeles Review of Books.

from Los Angeles Review of Books http://ift.tt/2BYZOcp