( 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! )
( 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. )
(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.)
( 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?
( 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.
( 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. )
(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.
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?
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.
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.
(Seriously. Wow. Not an anchor or little. Though Shanks can probably hear the grin in Luffy's tone as he protests it.)
What's the worst that can happen? He gets more mad at you?
(One day Luffy will learn to stop asking what the worst that can happen is.)
Well last time he kind of handled me, but he's okay with me going to the Grand Line now so I like to think I won that one. He said "suit yourself". (And some other things, it was kind of nice now Luffy has time to think about it.)
Ah, you're right. You're a captain, now. ( Shanks sounds just as fond. Little Anchor grew up. He's adjusted, but, still. )
( Have some more of that laughter, seeing as one of the first things Buggy did was run off - again - and the second was punish Shanks. ) I'm sure Buggy can think of something appropriate, if he does get "more mad".
Sounds like it ended well, at least. I would call that a win in your favor, yes.
And I have a bounty! Biggest one in the East Blue!
(Even Luffy is sure Buggy can always get more annoyed, but at the end of it all he's sure it's better to be more angry for a short time than forever mildly annoyed. It doesn't make sense in Luffy's mind either, but the gist of it is there.)
Well he did kinda follow us across the East Blue a bit? Just to test us, but we passed and yeah. Hurt a bit, he can really pack a punch still. Not sure why he's so against it all, you'd think it would sink in that I would be a pirate after the first few years.
Yes, I saw. You've proven yourself. We celebrated when we got the news.
( It doesn't make sense to Shanks either, really. He doesn't stay...well, much of anything, except level. But if it's for Buggy's well-being, he'll give it a shot. )
( Another laugh. ) Well, Luffy, he probably thinks about the same. Wondering why it couldn't sink in with you he's against it.
The news even reached you? Aw, I missed that celebration then!
( Luffy would have loved to have seen Shanks' expression on hearing that news, but ultimately he can't control the spread of information. Obviously hot news travelled fast to the Grand Line, or wherever Shanks had been! )
Maybe. He can be real stubborn though. Plus, I think he has someone else in mind these days and I know it's gonna work out.
( A party in this place can't be that bad if it's arranged by residents and not staff, right? Luffy can't imagine anyone stuck in the resort would spike the drinks and put stuff on the food, but then again stranger things have happened and even Luffy wouldn't bet credits on it. )
I'm not that stubborn. ( Spoilers; he is. And the question makes Luffy pause. Really it's not his place to say. )
Oh? Did you get less stubborn over the past few years? ( DOUBT, but Shanks sounds like he's entertaining the idea if that's what Luffy thinks. Still isn't someone who should be talking. )
( And, alas, he tried on the information, but leaves it at that. ) At least he has someone else to focus on, then.
( Luffy can barely contain his excitement at that idea and he's already vibrating over the concept of having a celebration with Shanks. Becoming a pirate captain had been an accomplishment, but Luffy knows he's still got far to go before filling the criteria of the promise laid out between them. )
C'mon, I wasn't that stubborn! You were just as stubborn!
Well Grandpa won't be following anymore anyway, we were headed to the Grand Line when we turned up here. I don't think he's allowed out of the East Blue.
( Oh, he's been called out, and Shanks can't deny it. He just laughs. )
You are. And of course I am. If I wasn't, I would've had a future pirate captain wasting away on my ship. You're headed in the right direction, instead. ( Not that Shanks knew it then. He had wanted to offer Luffy a place in his crew, later, but he had to go and make that promise. Shanks is eager to see that pan out. )
I supposed, whether or not he's allowed depends on how stubborn he is.
I dunno, the kitchens? Less distance to walk for refills.
And you're definitely more stubborn than me, but it worked out like you said. ( Luffy knows that he's on the right path, he would never have met his crew if Shanks had taken him with. )
He's stubborn, but he's also a vice-admiral. I'd be shocked if I saw him outside of that area.
Kitchen it is! ( Would they be pirates if they weren't flaunting the rules in some fashion, after all? The kitchens are perfect all around. )
I'm more stubborn, huh? Perhaps I should do some soul-searching, because that is heavily stubborn. ( It doesn't matter who is more stubborn - Shanks is laughing. And it did, indeed, work out for the best. Shanks has to believe in that. )
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He said you sailed together?
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Yes.
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He said you abandoned him.
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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?
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(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?
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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.
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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.
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( 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. )
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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?
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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
(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.
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( 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.
end of s1 opla spoilers lol
(Seriously. Wow. Not an anchor or little. Though Shanks can probably hear the grin in Luffy's tone as he protests it.)
What's the worst that can happen? He gets more mad at you?
(One day Luffy will learn to stop asking what the worst that can happen is.)
Well last time he kind of handled me, but he's okay with me going to the Grand Line now so I like to think I won that one. He said "suit yourself". (And some other things, it was kind of nice now Luffy has time to think about it.)
I feel like I'm a constant walking spoiler, lol
( Have some more of that laughter, seeing as one of the first things Buggy did was run off - again - and the second was punish Shanks. ) I'm sure Buggy can think of something appropriate, if he does get "more mad".
Sounds like it ended well, at least. I would call that a win in your favor, yes.
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(Even Luffy is sure Buggy can always get more annoyed, but at the end of it all he's sure it's better to be more angry for a short time than forever mildly annoyed. It doesn't make sense in Luffy's mind either, but the gist of it is there.)
Well he did kinda follow us across the East Blue a bit? Just to test us, but we passed and yeah. Hurt a bit, he can really pack a punch still. Not sure why he's so against it all, you'd think it would sink in that I would be a pirate after the first few years.
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( It doesn't make sense to Shanks either, really. He doesn't stay...well, much of anything, except level. But if it's for Buggy's well-being, he'll give it a shot. )
( Another laugh. ) Well, Luffy, he probably thinks about the same. Wondering why it couldn't sink in with you he's against it.
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( Luffy would have loved to have seen Shanks' expression on hearing that news, but ultimately he can't control the spread of information. Obviously hot news travelled fast to the Grand Line, or wherever Shanks had been! )
Maybe. He can be real stubborn though. Plus, I think he has someone else in mind these days and I know it's gonna work out.
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Hmmm, stubborn. Like you? ( Shanks sounds several levels of amused. )
Who does he have in mind?
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( A party in this place can't be that bad if it's arranged by residents and not staff, right? Luffy can't imagine anyone stuck in the resort would spike the drinks and put stuff on the food, but then again stranger things have happened and even Luffy wouldn't bet credits on it. )
I'm not that stubborn. ( Spoilers; he is. And the question makes Luffy pause. Really it's not his place to say. )
Just a really good marine recruit.
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Oh? Did you get less stubborn over the past few years? ( DOUBT, but Shanks sounds like he's entertaining the idea if that's what Luffy thinks. Still isn't someone who should be talking. )
( And, alas, he tried on the information, but leaves it at that. ) At least he has someone else to focus on, then.
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( Luffy can barely contain his excitement at that idea and he's already vibrating over the concept of having a celebration with Shanks. Becoming a pirate captain had been an accomplishment, but Luffy knows he's still got far to go before filling the criteria of the promise laid out between them. )
C'mon, I wasn't that stubborn! You were just as stubborn!
Well Grandpa won't be following anymore anyway, we were headed to the Grand Line when we turned up here. I don't think he's allowed out of the East Blue.
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( Oh, he's been called out, and Shanks can't deny it. He just laughs. )
You are. And of course I am. If I wasn't, I would've had a future pirate captain wasting away on my ship. You're headed in the right direction, instead. ( Not that Shanks knew it then. He had wanted to offer Luffy a place in his crew, later, but he had to go and make that promise. Shanks is eager to see that pan out. )
I supposed, whether or not he's allowed depends on how stubborn he is.
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And you're definitely more stubborn than me, but it worked out like you said. ( Luffy knows that he's on the right path, he would never have met his crew if Shanks had taken him with. )
He's stubborn, but he's also a vice-admiral. I'd be shocked if I saw him outside of that area.
Wrap
I'm more stubborn, huh? Perhaps I should do some soul-searching, because that is heavily stubborn. ( It doesn't matter who is more stubborn - Shanks is laughing. And it did, indeed, work out for the best. Shanks has to believe in that. )
Then here's to hoping he does as expected.