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[bigsmile]

@KINGOFTHEPIRATES

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audio | un: redhairpirate

[shanksyourfeels]

[ Typically, Shanks lets Luffy come to him, and he doesn't pry too much, or push. But after Buggy showed up at his room, unannounced, and the subsequent scare and night that resulted from that, and as it's been a day or so, and he hasn't even seen his rubber friend around, perhaps a bit longer, Shanks decides to check in. Of course, he'll back off if Luffy wants to pretend he's not bothered, but honestly. These two. ( Perhaps Shanks is just a tiny bit worried, but that would mean admitting that. ) ]

Luffy, you been out much lately? I thought we could go for a bit of a walk-about.

audio, un: KINGOFTHEPIRATES

[bigsmile]

( Luffy has been out and about, though sleep had been a little tricky at first after the talk of ghosts on the network and then with Buggy. In the end he'd managed a nap after repeatedly telling himself that if there were no paintings in his room then it stood to reason there were no ghosts. He's only just getting back to his room having spent half the morning mopping floors in the kitchens to make up for an attempting swiping of foodstuffs. Being tired and distracted meant said attempt failed spectacularly. )

Yeah! I mean to both. Yeah, we can go for a walk. Where to?

[shanksyourfeels]

( Well, that's a good sign. At least Luffy isn't huddling in someone's bed. )

There are gardens with large rabbits. I rather like them. Thought you might want to see them, if you haven't already?

[bigsmile]

( Rabbits sound fun, but then Shanks could make anything sound fun. Luffy takes a moment to respond, the smallest hint of hesitation seeping through his tone. )

I haven't seen them. We're not gonna be going near the paintings are we?

[shanksyourfeels]

( Yeah, he can't overlook the hesitation. )

Possibly. We might be able to get there without using the elevators.

Is there still a concern of the portraits being haunted?

[bigsmile]

Concerned??

( Luffy laughs at that, but really he's laughing more at himself for feeling a little out of place by it all. He'll take on anything, anytime, but when it's something he's finding he can't physically punch then it takes on a whole new aspect. )

They're haunted but. I can't fix that. ( Sweating? Maybe a little. ) How big are the rabbits...?

[shanksyourfeels]

( Hmmm. Not entirely deflecting - like Buggy - but Shanks can't deny the laughter. )

Is it something that needs to be fixed? They haven't really done anything, other than change, that I've seen. They're not harming anyone, are there? ( Like the library ghosts. Shanks is still - amazingly - a little angry about that, he keeps all of that emotion out of his voice, though, and still sounds airy. )

Longer than the benches I've seen here, and far more hefty. They're also soft and docile. Friendly. We could pick up food for them on our way.

[bigsmile]

I'm not really sure. I'd like to say no it doesn't need fixing, but the feeling is sometimes away from the paintings and I don't know if it's related yet. I'll deal with it when it happens. Somehow.

( One person on the network had talked about invisible people outside of the paintings, but that's a whole level of no thanks that Luffy is going to ignore. Even now it's tempting to just avoid anywhere with the perceived hauntings and it's probably for the best Luffy doesn't know that the statues also watch.

Imagining the size of the rabbits is a nice distraction, enough that he misses half of the last comment. )

Wait, they're food too?

[shanksyourfeels]

Deal. You deal with it if it becomes a situation, but don't forget you can call on me, if you need to.

( But only if he asks. Shanks is still trying to let Luffy deal with things on his own, for his own growth. Not telling him about the statues. Is this one area where Shanks' dumbassery makes him more immune to things? Terrifying thought. )

( There's an intake of air at the food mix up. Shanks only has himself to blame, and he knows that, at least. There is a thread of amusement mixed in with the slight exasperation when he responds. )

They could be, yes. They are rabbits. But as we're not hurting for food, and they're friendly, could you spare them for the time being?

[bigsmile]

Of course! Maybe I'll call on you if I don't need you.

(Shanks will be able to hear the joking tone and Luffy is thankful for the talk of rabbit and sparing them. Much better than haunted paintings!)

Oh just for petting? I wasn't sure, but good to know they're there for emergencies.

(A pause and then —)

Do you believe in ghosts?

[shanksyourfeels]

( Luffy might be joking, and it is easy to fall into a tease, but considering, Shanks is sincere when he speaks. )

Of course, Luffy. Call on me whenever, for whatever

Yes, try petting them, first.

I don't not believe in them. Our world is full of a great many mysteries. Look at you. Stretchy from eating a Devil Fruit. Who knows what else is out there. Ghosts included. They don't have to be scary, though.

[bigsmile]

Bet they feel really soft.

Hmm. I guess it makes sense, but not a lot. If people would just come back at ghosts then no-one would ever really leave.

(People wouldn't fear death so much, right? Luffy's going to think about it later on.)

They aren't scary, the ones here are just weird. (And scary.)

[shanksyourfeels]

I assure, they are. I'm picking up some greens for them. Want anything for yourself?

They remain a bit of a mystery, then, since we're unsure.

Yes...I don't understand the need to change portraits, if that's therm.

[bigsmile]

If you're picking stuff up then sure, some meat would be good.

There is a lot in this place that isn't adding up, but then it would be too easy if it all made sense!

[shanksyourfeels]

Any specific type? ( Because, Luffy, if you're not careful, Shanks is more likely to grab seafood. )

And easy's no fun. This just gives us something to figure out. First, I'm going to enjoy everything this place has to offer.

[bigsmile]

Only good type of meat is lots of meat.

It's a challenge! And I already have an idea of what to do first.

( Luffy pauses before continuing. )

So you and Buggy know each other?

[shanksyourfeels]

( Maybe Luffy is lucky and there's a lot of bacon, or some sort of beef. )

What is it you want to do first?

( There is hesitation, but Shanks sounds as calm as usual when he responds. ) Yes. We sort of grew up together. ( He doesn't explain beyond that. )

[bigsmile]

If I told you it'd ruin the surprise.

( It may or may not involve leaving a painting by Buggy's door. )

Yeah? He said that. Were you friends?

[shanksyourfeels]

I'll just have to see, then.

( It's way more complicated than this, and, again, Shanks hesitates, and this time when he speaks, he might sound a bit more subdued. ) We are.

( At least, as far as Shanks knew, that friendship or bond never ended, not to him. )

[bigsmile]

( Luffy waits to see what the answer is. He can't deny there's curiosity, Buggy had been so angry and bitter when talking about Shanks there had been the flat out denial of Not My Shanks™ in Luffy's mind. But now it's up in the air and he can't help but want to know what the deal is. The idea of Shanks abandoning someone is so farfetched! )

He said you sailed together?

[shanksyourfeels]

( And, once again, he doesn't elaborate. Whom they sailed under, his childhood, how long, even things he's told others since arriving, Shanks doesn't tell Luffy. Not yet. Now he doesn't take long to answer, but he sounds hesitant to respond. )

Yes.

[bigsmile]

(At least Luffy has the sense to hear the hesitations, the pauses from Shanks, and somehow the conversation feels like a bit of a minefield. But sugar-coating things isn't Luffy's style either and he only hesitates for a fraction before simply asking it.)

He said you abandoned him.

[shanksyourfeels]

( There's laughter to that, hollow and strained, maybe, but laughter all the same. It's not forced. )

Did he? Perhaps we have very different views of what happened, but we usually do.

Luffy, before I explain that - and I will ( sort of, not really, because this conversation feels like a minefield for Shanks as well ) - do me a favor?

[bigsmile]

He seemed pretty convinced.

(But people do see things differently, Luffy knows that much and it's still easier to simply remind himself that Buggy is most likely wrong.)

Sure, what do you need?

[shanksyourfeels]

( Maybe this tone is a little sad, or worried, or but it's subdued, harder to tell, even words, even tone, but it's not happy, whatever it is. )

Let Buggy think what he wants. Whatever I tell you. He's allowed that. ( An amused chuckle. ) Besides, he's a like you that way. The more you push, the more stubborn he'll be about it.