#imagine having Zoro as a tour guide though oof they're gonna be wandering around FOREVER

[gcrifin]

The flight up wasn’t the most perilous experience in his life by far, but the ridiculous amount of loops and sudden dives she took through the skies just to hear him yowl had Zoro wishing he hadn’t put the notion to travel up here in the first place. Still, he’d probably do it again, watching Lulubelle running around and exploring the sights on Sky Island with a content smile --though he wouldn’t remark on that sentiment openly. 1/2

“They’ve changed some things,” he says, pointedly ignoring the southbirds glaring down at him, feathers ruffled, as he attempts to read the stone map in front of him. “That old hag told us to go south but I ain’t seein’ a road to there.” Dismissing the map, Zoro heads towards a direction he feels is right. THe complete opposite way the southbirds are pointing. 2/2 // @autumnswordsman

     There was nothing to compare that exhilaration to. Soaring up, falling down, coursing through the clouds like rivers of plush cotton. Lulubelle took immense satisfaction in the upwards travel. The sky had become a second home to her by nature. Jerking about in jest, enough to threaten a death drop but without any intention of letting it be. It takes an unnatural amount of focus for the griffin to abandon the opportunity to mess with Zoro. This was her domain, her field of battle. How concerning it would be for an enemy to be caught within the massive talons of a giant beast thousands of feet in the air without escape. The possibilities of a disastrous outcome neared an impossible number. How fortunate, then, that she cared for the swordsman. Not that she was ever in the mind of making anything more than hollow threats involving alcohol. Though no witness to sincere swordplay, she feared the prowess .

     Perhaps “feared” had not been the proper term. It intrigued her ── but not enough to provoke an earnest demonstration .

     How long had she stood there the moment her feet hit the shifting floor of clouds? The awe-stricken silence had since then passed but it lingered for an eternity. A dream did not compare to the delight of people existing right within heaven’s grasp. It takes what feels like forever simply for the blissful shine to clear from her eyes. Though she had heard of it countless times, not once had she the headstrong hope to push her way that far into the sky to hunt for it. A push and a guide, it seemed, was all she needed .

     Unfortunately for her, it seemed as though she managed to pick the worst one. Zoro was already questioning his directions. The low bellowing of the south birds amidst themselves made it all the more clear he had been here in the past. They weren’t very happy to see him again. At least, one of them wasn’t. How very much like a flock all meant to point south to agree on a similar opinion of someone doubting their directional ability .

     ❝ When did you say you were here last? ❞ she tries not to, but the inquiry rolls off her tongue in an amused half-chuckle. ❝ I don’t think the birds here like you very much. But, at least you have one that does. ❞ Half-bird, but a bird nonetheless. Her ears perk, staring off to the south with them as she continues to listen to the peculiar sound of the south birds bellowing. It was much different than the usual chirping of sea birds. Deeper, more harsh. One could tell just how fed up they were with most people. Mischievous, a hint of malice. But somehow, despite being unfamiliar with it, she could vaguely understand it. ❝ I think they’re calling you an idiot. Hard-headed, easy to provoke, look like you have a grass nest of hair and… oh my. That’s not very nice. What in the world did you do to piss off ── ?? ❞

     Lulubelle turns around, the lack of the man behind her now finally catching her attention. Her attention darts about the scenery behind her until that familiar patch of green hits her vision. A rushed apology to the animals is all she leaves behind before she bolts her way right up to his side, ignoring any sense of personal space. Fingers curl around the fabric of his clothes in an attempt to stop him from walking. ❝ Oi!! Where do you think you’re going? The birds always point south! Remember?? Didn’t she tell us to go south? If there’s no path, we can just fly in that direction. ❞ With a small purse of the lips, she adds, ❝ Are you sure you know where you’re going ? ❞

     If this was going to be a common occurrence, maybe she was better off just letting him take her wherever he wanted to go. He was the reason she was here in the first place, after all. She did want to see everything. But at this rate, she was going to be stuck with him on this island for the rest of her life .

     Maybe she didn’t mind that so much, either .