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@KINGOFTHEPIRATES

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[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.

[bigsmile]

(Luffy isn't sure on that one. Just let Buggy keep on being convinced he'd been left behind or whatever it is that bothers him so much?

He's just going to squint at his watch for a few moments.)

I don't think I could convince him of anything and I'm usually really good at that.

[shanksyourfeels]

( Another more amused laugh. ) You are. And, no, you probably can't.

( And maybe Shanks is stalling, just the tiniest bit, on a topic that hurts...like his arm did. So expect a lot of downplaying, some avoidance. After all, Shanks moved on, really. Really, he did. )

( But he said he would, and despite what Buggy thinks, Shanks keeps his promises. Just not always in an expected manner. His tone is light and airy when he speaks, but his voice might sound a little thick, strained once more. )

When we were younger, about your age, I decided to, instead of doing what others thought I should, do something else. Do something the way I needed to. Buggy didn't take well to that. I guess he thought I was deciding for him? Or that I wasn't living up to the idea I should have.

Maybe I didn't explain things to him the best way. The way Buggy needed to hear them. ( Just like he didn't bother sugar-coating he was leaving Windmill Village and never going back. But he's also trying to avoid saying the fact - Buggy is the one that physically ran off on him - for so many reasons. )

[bigsmile]

(In all fairness, Luffy had thought the message ended after probably can't. So when Shanks does speak he makes a point to listen.)

So you didn't meet expectations?

(Shanks can probably hear Luffy's brain working furiously away.)

I think I get it. Grandpa is still really annoyed that I didn't become a marine, but that doesn't mean he loves me any less. He can do both things at the same time, it's kind of impressive when I think about it, but then he does throw tables and laugh too so I guess that makes Grandpa a good multitasker.

Why don't you just explain it to Bucky now?

[shanksyourfeels]

( There's a fuller laugh. )

I did not. Bad habit of mine. Keep coming in at only 90%.

( He listens attentively. Quiet for a bit after, but he sounds jovial about it. )

Suppose, that's something I can relate to, as well. Multitasking. I don't need to explain it to Buggy because I can respect he's angry, and let him be until he's ready to stop. But I can also understand, it's not my fault he feels that way. Also, I can't deny I didn't get in touch for twenty years. I thought he would when he cooled down. Then...I got a crew, he got a crew. Time got away from me. He's allowed to be mad about that, too.

Sometimes, Buggy just needs someone to be angry at. I would rather it be me.

( Beat, then, he just has to ask, a little less enthused. ) You dodge those tables, right?

like ep 4 spoilers rofl

[bigsmile]

I find that hard to believe! And I'm gonna exceed my expectations!

(It all sounds complicated to Luffy but he does his best to listen anyway. Most of him still screams that Shanks can do no wrong, that this is all on Buggy. Look at the differences; Shanks the role model and Buggy, the guy who destroyed most of Orange Town and made a run for it later.)

Twenty years is a long time to be angry at someone.

And of course! Last time he threw a canon ball and it really was a great shot.

[shanksyourfeels]

It's true. I'm working on it. I know you will, Little Anchor.

( Well, Shanks tried. He doesn't think he's any such role model. And Buggy isn't doing anything like Orange Town, here. He does have a tendency to run off...and Shanks isn't confirming that, yet. Sorry, Luffy - your mentor is a clown apologist. And mayhaps a bit soft, for a pirate. )

It is. Perhaps I should take your advice and explain it to him. ( Not...everything. There are some things he can't tell any of them, not yet. )

As long as you can handle your grandpa, I'll stay out of it.