witchesreign | 04

[Bows back and silently leads to a sneaky exit to get outside and takes a deep breath of air.]

My crew is infamous for revenge. It's what we're known for. Swift and terrible retribution to anyone who touches this mark. [Points at the tattoo.] I've spent the better part of the last few decades making sure that's this tattoo meant to people. That if they touched my crew I'd kick their ass, eh?

[Goes to light up a cigarette.]

[He follows, and gives that cigarette a look-- but he doesn't stop him.]

Revenge, is it? [He didn't voice his thoughts on revenge, just nodded along. Hm...]

[Offers the pack to him in case Japan wants one.]

Normally, protecting my family and exacting my revenge are the same. By killing anyone foolish enough to touch them, I make sure my family won't get hurt more. But now...

An ex-nakama of mine killed a brother for the sake of power. His division commander, another brother, attempted to hunt him down for revenge. Ace lost and Blackbeard gave him over to the marines so that he could get in good graces with them and steal something for them -- more for power. Why Ace died as well... Teach, Blackbeard now, came to laugh at us for failing to save him and then killed my father.

[Lights up the cigarette and leans against a wall, his eyes dark and brooding.] Nothing would satisfy me more than kill Blackbeard at any cost. My own life, anything... except I can't sacrifice the lives of the rest of my family. Ace died to protect his little brother, Pops died to buy us our freedom, I had my orders from them to get my family to safety.

It's... conflicting. I'm not sure which is duty, or what is personal. Which is fear, and which is what I must do nonetheless. I guess I try not to label it anymore. I know what I will do which is protect my family, I have to. I'm just not always sure of the how anymore.

[And just like that he takes a deep huff of smoke and turns to walk back inside, though Japan is welcome to stop him.]

[He politely refuses a cigarette and listens. This Marco person... Didn't sound like the kind of pirate he had originally expected. It's interesting how much he's willing to say.

He moves to bow at Marco once he tries to leave.]

Ah, if I could keep you for another moment... It sounds to me that Marco-san is someone who does not need duty. It seems that he has his heart. [Japan places his hand over his own thoughtfully, and then drops it, looking away.]

I am different. By order, by duty-- I am a nation. I must live for my people. So, when that person who calls me his brother stood in my way... I struck him in the back with little hesitance.

[Pauses and turns, ice running down his spine. Stabbing a brother in the back? Just like Blackbeard? Marco hadn't thought ill of Teach ever. He was one of them, kind of lazy and unambitious, but wasn't that okay so long as he was happy? Only look at it now...]

Is that so?

[His voice is a little dark and his eyes don't light up with their usual blue flames.] And you didn't feel a duty to protect your brother?

...He's not my brother. [Tsun... I mean he glances away just slightly.] ...He raised me, and he may call me such, but I do not refer to it in that way.

...However, no, I did not feel 'duty' to protect him. We are our own countries, after all.

I did not enjoy doing it, however it cannot be helped. It was a necessary thing.

Why.

What part of it was "necessary?" [Deathly serious tone.] For power? To be the strongest?

[Japan gives him a look.]

So do you believe the reason matters? Would Marco-san grow more angry or calm depending on my answer?

[He moves to slide past Marco to leave...]

It isn't so simple.

[Stops him with an arm to one of Japan's shoulders, not punching, but every bit immobile.]

It matters and if it was simple, I wouldn't ask.

...

[He's not sure what to say. He muttered 'forgive me' that day because that is what he wanted. To be forgiven in the future. He knew what he was doing was wrong. But he still did it. He had to. For his country. For himself.

Words weren't enough to explain all of the thought.]

In order to grow.

[Lets go and sort of slumps against the wall and lightly tugs Japan with him, in a more request than ordering way.]

Sit, please?

Forgive me for bringing up that memory. I don't suppose it is quite the same then... My brother died. Then our father. There is... nothing more unforgivable. [Curls up with his arms around his legs.] If Teach had ever said he wanted to be King... to take Pops' place when the old man was gone, we'd have helped him. None of us wanted to go after Raftel, but if it had been his ambition, we'd have helped. Whoever finds a devil fruit in my crew gets to keep it, and the one Thatch found was the one Teach wanted, but if Teach hadn't hid his ambition the whole time, had ever once just said he wanted it we'd have helped him get it. Che.

[Huh, he hasn't even told Grell all that, just pieces. And he doesn't look up, still lost in his pain and thoughts.] Did you ever tell your brother what you wanted or was it only then? Your nation... your people... Wars are... [Once he thinks of it like that, the picture shifts. Like stabbing Shanks for getting in the way. It'd be more painful than he'd like to acknowledge, but hardly the same. Even Squardo got duped in the middle of the battle of Marineford and stabbed Pops, but it was different. Something that could eventually get fixed again. Wars between crew and nations came and went, they were a necessary part of survival, all those clashes.] Your duty is to your people. Like a captain to his crew.

[He's hesitant, but watching Marco's body language... He moves to sit on his knees.

So it was different then... Was it? He wondered. Was it okay, what he did... He tried not to think about it. But he blinks at that question, and looks down at his lap.]

...I have already said he's not my brother. [You can tell he's being tsun. EVEN IN THIS SERIOUS TIME.] But... I attempted to explain these things at one point. He never understood. He told me I was...ah, silly.

...But yes, I suppose that is true. Though I am not much of a "Captain"...

[Reaches out a hand with dull eyes and just ruffles Japan's hair.] In my world, calling someone a brother means more than blood. Sharing a drink and vowing to protect each other is what makes a brother. [Though Marco figures they didn't even do that.]

Hmn... [Quietly reflects on the various times he might have ignored his brothers' ambitions... but no, he didn't. That's not how his crew is. They accept each other, not dismiss it.]

First mate then? You take orders and protect your fam-- nation?

Edited 2011-07-11 03:31 (UTC)

[Oh Marco no one has touched him like this yet-- wow that sounds inappropriate. ...Which is exactly how Japan is taking that hair ruffle.]

W-what sort of-- Why is that necessary?! [Yes he's blushing as he fixes his hair. And then there's a couple forceful coughs.]

Ah, yes, that does sound more like it.

[Laughs quietly. That reaction cheers him up. HE IS SUCH A TROLL.]

Then I guess you and I are not so different. Again. The terms are a little different, but with different worlds, that only makes sense, eh. My crew and family are like your country. My boss is my father, but still my boss. It's just that where my brothers are my crew, yours is another crew who gets in the way of your crew... I think. Does that sound about right?

[STUDIES... But okay he'll relax a little bit... How weird!]

...Hm, yes, that does sound as if it would fit. Perhaps we countries are each our own ships.

[The weirdest.]

Aye... that would make sense. I never thought of pirate crews that way before but I suppose it's similar. We protect territory, we deal with trade lines and our internal economy and production... though obviously not exports. We even have allies with other crews that we side with to go to war, and while they're close, it's not the same as family -- err... nakama; one's own crew.

If that is the case... Two allied ships, and one attacking the other suddenly. It is like that. ...Perhaps.

But I am surprised you understand such a heavy word.

[Nods his head.] A deep betrayal then, but known to happen. In pirates, it's every crew for themselves, and even something like that can be quickly repaired if called for.

Heavy word?

Hm... [Still thoughtful. Staring at his lap.]

Ah, yes, forgive me. I was speaking of 'nakama.'

You know what that is?

...Of course. It is a Japanese word, after all.

Is it?

[A long pause and sort of deadpan stare.] I'm not sure what that implies. -- Though, practically no one here knows what nakama means. I've almost stopped using it.

Edited 2011-07-11 04:31 (UTC)

For it to be Japanese? Ah, as in the language... It is a word I created. ...Something like that.

[Looks up]

Hmm, yes, it is a concept that is not so easily grasped by those who have not heard it.

You created it?

I see... but you understand it? The blend of family and comrades and duty then?

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]