2.00 ♚ bbs/action | post superpowers event

[swagneto]

If you were not affected by Time Compression's latest stunt, then disregard this message. I assume you have nothing of interest to offer me.

The remainder of those who have unfortunately been affected, I would like to speak with you, either via message or in person if you so prefer. Particularly, I'm interested in whether or not you've showed a distinct lack of powers beforehand.

Those of you who have had prior abilities can rest easy. I have no desire to round you up for identification.

Erik Lehnsherr

Comments

[swagneto]

If they've been around, no one's mentioned them. [ He hesitates, albeit briefly. ] For a while I was convinced I was the only one. Until I met a certain telepath, that is.

[fierybluebird]

[Glances down.] I was that way until my Pops found me. He really taught me that it was okay to just be myself. And that being an outcast doesn't matter when you're too strong to get hurt by their stupidity anyway, eh?

[swagneto]

Was he like you? Your father, that is.

1/2

[fierybluebird]

Twenty feet tall and he had the power of Earthquakes. [Deadpan and grinning, so you'd almost think it was a joke, but he's serious, his father was ridiculously tall.]

2/3 I can't count

[fierybluebird]

I could only hope to be like him. He could have destroyed the world, but instead he wanted a family and protected Fishman Island from slavery and told the World Government and anyone else in our way to fuck off.

He was the strongest man in the world.

done

[fierybluebird]

[Briefly flickers somber, but quickly back to smooth deadpan.] Even the marine's Fleet Admiral: Sengoku, recognized that.

[swagneto]

[ There was no deadpan reaction, no laughter or sarcastic comment in response. Even if it wasn't recent, Erik knew what it felt like to have someone to admire and look up to. On occasion, there were moments he missed his family, and this wasn't an exception. What Marco had said resonated strongly with him, though it felt as if it was something Erik would never be able to encounter anymore, to have someone that gave him that sort of strength. ] Do you believe he'd be proud of you?

1/2 again because you get Marco talking about Whitebeard and he won't shut up

[fierybluebird]

Hah... how can I answer something like that? [Frowns and looks away, very distant.]

He controlled and protected a large number of islands and a huge crew. I've been his second in command for ages, but I'm not him. I can't take his place and our enemies are... the whole world almost. I try to think what he'd want... I know for my brothers, he'd want them to be happy and just give it their best, but still it seems I should be held to a higher standard... or is that just my own pride? [Shakes his head.] I don't know. If I could ask him... [Shrugs and rolls his shoulders.] My goal here is to learn whatever I can in order to protect his family; my family now.

To his last moment he was still trying to teach me things and make me learn for the future I'd face without him. And it still doesn't seem like enough.

[fierybluebird]

Our crew used to be famous all over the world for vengeance. I'd like to get that for my father. He always got it for us, and I've been doing that for... so long. It's who I am. What I made this tattoo mean to people. The whole world knew that we'd avenge anyone wearing this mark.

But my brother fell chasing a backstabber from our crew. And my Pops ordered me to stand down... [Holds up his hands as though they're scales weighing each side.] Protecting my family has to come first, but it used to be vengeance was the best way for that. [Normally he wouldn't mention all this, but he's had a year and a half at the Garden to go from depressed & numb to finally stop running away from even mentioning it.] If I don't seek vengeance for them, I can't live with myself. But if I lose my other family members in the process, I'll hate it that much more and I know my Pops wouldn't be proud of me for that. He trusted me with his treasure, I can't let him down.

I guess it's a matter of trying to fight this war with brains over emotions. We all want Blackbeard dead, and that's our strength, but trying alone, separating us... that's what he'd want. [Shakes his head finally.] It's complicated.

god how rude just tl;dr all over erik why don't you

[swagneto]

[ Erik leans forward for a moment, linking his hands together before resting his chin on them. ] You talk too much.

[ It's an observation, not intended to incite the other man. Erik draws his hand over his hand, considering Marco's words in their entirety. He wasn't a therapist, nor did he care much for other people's pasts, but the least he could do would be to offer the student a chance to speak up, to let his voice be heard. ]

Not necessarily. [ When Erik finally speaks up again, it's after a while, having given a great deal of thought over Marco's beliefs, his views, and how they aligned themselves with Erik's own perspective of the world. ] I believe you shouldn't give up. Your father would have wanted that much, as long as you keep trying.

lol ikr? Sorry XD

[fierybluebird]

That much I'm sure of. [Leans back to relax again.]