discedo_logs | Closed: Just 2 guyz

Taking the back door into the bar, Tatsumi stopped to watch Marco for a fraction of a moment. He had half wondered how his feathered friend had been holding up since Japan disappeared. And with how the whole fiasco with the adventure turned out, the itch to know more about Marco felt unusually annoying. He had to remind himself to be patient or he'd run out reasons to poke one of the few sources of entertainment Tatsumi had left in Discedo that didn't involve killing or getting locked up.

His thoughts began to dip a little into someplace he wanted to avoid and so the werepire knocked his knuckles against the frame of the kitchen door to alert Marco.

"Ya!" The usual casual salute was given as the made his way over to were Marco sat. "I brought over the alcohol I salvaged during the flood. Not much, but your special sake is in great condition!"

Tatsumi set the bottle down. It had been wrapped up in some miscellaneous cloth. Obviously it was a special delivery. "The others are in a box near the kitchen."

It's with a mixed expression Marco regards the sake at first. Japan's favorite, his father's favorite... Good memories for both, but bittersweet with the pangs of missing them. And saving it for Japan seemed superfluous now. Sure, Japan still might come back, but Yuffie mentioned preferring it as well, and there were likely others. Still, Marco's not one to show how much he's hurting to anyone, not even his brothers or Pops because then they'd just needlessly worry, and with Tatsumi...

He grins up at the werepire, looking for all the world just fond, maybe a little cautiously deadpan, but for Marco, that was 100% normal. He was truly that way with everyone. "Hey thanks man, you're a lifesaver." He gets up to go glance over the box and start putting bottles away someplace easy to reach and fetch for interested parties. One advantage to the tiny city was that whatever people had for a preference he could just write down and try to find and save it for them.

"Must have been a pain with all the flooding, thanks for the hard work, eh?" He's tempted to give Tatsumi a pet on the head and say something condescending like good dog! as a joke, but Marco just figures Tatsumi would see right through it so it wasn't worth the bother just then.

"You know, I forget what. What did you say your favorite drink was? Not counting blood." An idle curiosity as Marco wondered if he even could keep blood on tap. Nah, better to leave that to the hospital.

Tatsumi shrugs, "Ya could say I'm just repaying ya for saving mine." After all, if it wasn't for Marco, Tatsumi's arrival back to Discedo probably wouldn't have ended very well. In it's own way, it was a second chance. Or rather, a 4th chance.

The absence of teasing just confirmed suspicions in the werepire's mind. Marco must have really been hurting somewhere. That knowledge lit a spark inside Tatsumi. It was a similar spark to the one that lit up when someone began to struggle. it was then he while he decided to take a seat at the bar.

"I never told you, but I bet you could guess." A smirk is all he gives Marco. "You're a smart birdybird after all."

He had half hoped Marco would start serving him alcohol to try and guess which sort suited him best. However, he wasn't expecting it in the least. It's not as though the bird knew Tatsumi couldn't get drunk usually... Oh wait, maybe he did.

"Now now puppy," Marco chastised with a small grin and spark of blue flames to his eyes, "I'm sure you'd have done just fine on your own." Although he does think it over. Giving America space couldn't hurt and it's not like Tatsumi would be that crazy to go antagonize him. Well. Okay he can't say that for sure. Tatsumi could almost be as reckless as Ace.

"Hm~" Marco feigned an attempt to think over what kind of alcohol Tatsumi would like best. He did realize it'd be difficult for the werepire to get drunk; regeneration was a skill Marco was rather intimately familiar with after all, but Marco also remembered that Tatsumi had his chip in, despite how often he acted like he couldn't remember at all. He wasn't quite letting his guard down because of it, and most of the feigning to think Tatsumi was the same as when his chip was out was actually for Marco's own benefit. Tatsumi was just as dangerous to Marco chip out or not, because for Marco at least, the danger wasn't physical at all. And he couldn't afford to start slipping into thinking Tatsumi was even a tiniest bit less dangerous. He didn't have any desire to either, the danger was Tatsumi's best charm after all.

In any event, the gap between what Marco knew, suspected, and acted on, would forever be wide as hell. "Don't tell me it's a Bloody Mary~ that'd just be too boring. Besides celery salt is snatched up for cooking in this place, I'd feel guilty saving it for drinks." Well not guilty, that would require a conscience, but whatever the close approximation Marco had that made him inclined to do things for other people to be nice and considerate.

Marco dug through the bottles and mused out loud to himself. "Rum cocktails seem too tropical for you, I think I'll just make you a Pirates Drink." It's strong, and surprisingly very "un-tropical" using gin, vermouth, and bitters. Simple enough. "Since I'm sure you want some of this." Marco gestured vaguely down at himself as he handed over the martini glass with the drink.

Edited 2012-05-08 23:03 (UTC)

"I don't know. With chainsaw-kun around, I could have been chopped up real quick without you sweeping me off my feet~" Sadly, Marco is a bit wrong about that. Tatsumi has, on a few occasions now, stopped himself from creeping at America. He really wanted to bother the country, but there was simply too much at risk currently. Perhaps a little later down the road, he could resume his place as Alfred's Villain. That's the only real thing he had left to look forward to. Or, at least it felt that way. At least it was better then no plan at all, which could be likely if America ever disappeared.

For now, Tatsumi chuckled. "Nah. You know I'm not a boring kind of guy. Besides, I prefer real blood if it has to be in the name." At the mention of the Pirate's drink, the shiki raised a fuzzy blue eyebrow and then wiggled them a bit while he gave Marco an obvious look-over. "Now you're singing my tune, Birdybird~!"

After taking the glass to his lips and taking a sip he adds, "It's good, but I'd prefer the real thing, ya know."

Edited 2012-05-09 05:49 (UTC)

"I'll just bet," Marco smirked right back, "Too bad for you I saved all the truly salty stuff for Japan." As to how much of that was innuendo, true, or completely literal, Marco didn't explain; preferring instead to leave it mysterious.

"So aside from preferring me in a wine glass," never give Marco an opportunity, he will always take it, no matter how ridiculous. Hell the more ridiculous it is, the more he'll take it. "How's the drink? Did I get close to your tastes? How can I get even hotter, eh?"

Marco glanced over his bottles, already debating how to mix them up. "You don't seem like a fan of sours, although I know how you seem to love fruits," Marco just lost all pretenses to deadpan teasing at that and just stuck his tongue out mockingly.

"You just have to rub it in, don't ya? I'm getting this feeling you're enjoying my jealousy." The werepire enjoys a few more draws from his drink. "A wine glass or in an assortment of other things, might I add."

Oh yes. Marco was the only one where such obnoxious flirting was accepted. Even so, that never made it boring as he would have thought. It was quite the opposite. it was more addicting than anything. "You could start stripping for each drink you get wrong."

The drink was gone before he knew it. It was a subtle hint he wanted to feel the burn of alcohol again. it had been so long since he had felt it. Bring numb from drinking his own blood wasn't anything in comparison to having a real buzz from alcohol. And boy did he need it to chase his thoughts away. "I love pineapples, especially."

He figured Marco knew just what pineapple he was speaking of. After all, if there was ever an opening for that joke, that certainly was it.

Edited 2012-05-09 18:03 (UTC)

For anyone else, Marco would have been annoyed and even let that annoyance show. Not for Tatsumi though, nope. Marco assumed that was exactly what the werepire expected, and he refused to give it.

Smirking even more broadly now, Marco made a big show of taking off his shirt while he mixed up a pina colada, shaking it all rather vehemently in place of mixer. It was canned pineapple and coconut powder, but well, it should still taste like a proper pina colada. Though Marco might have been a little heavy on the rum. Pirate and all that. He poured it into a pint glass, making a big show of that as well, and slid a pair of fingers teasingly down Tatsumi's jawline. "Unfortunately I don't have one of those little umbrellas, so you'll just have to make do~"

He pulled back, eyes sparkling with blue mischief, "Of course now you're into the tropical drinks section after all. And don't think this isn't going on your tab. Stripping costs extra."

Pleased eyes traced over Marco as the pirate danced through stripping and motions of pouring a drink. Damn, if only he were a bit more buzzed. "Ya can always just take off another piece of clothing to make up for the umbrella, ya know. Or were you expecting me to strip now?" He smirked into his glass, not serious in the least. The drink itself was just what he needed. More rum than fruit. He could feel it burn it's way down and damn did it feel good.

"I like both my drinks and guys tropical... sometimes even a little salty." A sips some of the goodness before chuckling at the tab bit. "Ya? If I'm paying, why don't you fix yourself something too. You wouldn't leave a puppy to drink all by his lonesome, would you?"

"I would, but I won't. This time." Marco made himself a blue moon and grabbed a stool to sit on, even if he was still on the opposite side from Tatsumi.

"Besides, your plan won't work. You're just hoping to get me tispy. I know how this works," Marco pretended to flirt like a girl being coy. It should be noted, this fails utterly coming from Marco. "Get me drunk, take me back to your apartment, tell me I'm the only one for you~ I've read those books, I know how it goes." Never mind that they shared an apartment and if anything, Marco learned such techniques from using them himself, not a book. "But I know something you don't know~" He gestured with a hand for Tatsumi to lean forward so Marco could pet the ear tufts as he downed his own drink.

He hummed softly to himself, still playing with the mock-ears as if petting his Pops' dog Stefan. "Let's see, tropical and salty, eh?" Yup, he didn't even bother explaining that thing he knew that Tatsumi didn't. Because after all, if he told, then Tatsumi would know. He stopped petting to go mix up a margarita with an added kick of hidden pineapple. Just because. "Try this one, eh?"

"Why would I drag your ass all the way back to the apartment when here is just fine?" He gave a laugh before finishing off the pina colada. Leaning in, Tatsumi thought he was going to hear some sort of secret and instead felt it first hand. He tried to not react to the touching. Oh how he tried... and failed miserably. Tatsumi couldn't help but drool against the counter, slowly flopping his head from side to side underneath the generous petting.

The mixture of petting and alcohol sadly brought up the first time America had discovered the same weakness. In a way the werepire was thankful for the memory as it calmed him enough to keep from having a party. "Ya. Sure." All too willing to try the next drink, but also there was a detached tone in his voice. "I hope you realize that once ya throw a dog a bone, he'll never leave ya the hell alone."

Tatsumi closed his eyes while he enjoyed his margarita. He could feel the old flame of alcohol burning within him. So different from that flame of excitement he hungered for from hunting people, hurting them, or merely watching them struggle.

"I don't know, birdy. Feels like you're the one trying to get me tipsy." Tatsumi chuckled a bit, honestly not minding if that's what Marco really had in mind.

Marco smirked at that, two parts arrogantly confident, one part observing Tatsumi and taking it all in, and one part borderline flirting still. "I think we both know I wouldn't need to do that if I wanted to seduce you."

Still he mixed himself another blue moon, his expression slipping a bit. Of course he couldn't stop thinking about Japan. Even now. He knew wouldn't be able to, and he didn't really want to. Because if he forgot Japan, he wouldn't forgive himself, wouldn't, couldn't let that happen.

The moment passes and Marco eases into a more mellow grin. Memories of Japan still stung, but they were bittersweet, becoming more like memories of Thatch, Ace, and his father.

"I don't think I ever said I wanted you to leave me alone, eh?" He was only pretty sure of that though, over the past year and a half there had been the occasionally close moment or two, but no, ever since they first started sparring, Japan had been the one more wary of Marco's "friendship" with the werepire. He poured Tatsumi another drink, not even paying attention to what he mixed up this time, just something strong. "You're too... interesting to not keep around."

He drank more of his blue moon and idly pet Tatsumi's ear tufts again. "Hey. How much do you like killing? Is it like an addiction, or just sometimes meals get hard and loose ends get messy?" Spur of the moment, but Marco had to start somewhere.

A smirk to match Marco's appears on Tatsumi's face. Weather it was for the seducing comment or not could be argued. "Good thing I don't have any plans on leaving ya, huh?"

He takes the new drink, but doesn't quite dive into it like he had the last few. He more spaces out, specially after receiving more pets.

"It's entertainment." Tatsumi enjoys the petting a bit more, sort of losing himself into it. "I like it a lot, but it's not always necessary. Watching people struggle can be just as fun, sometimes more so. The way it lights me up, I just can't ignore it." it's then he breaks away momentarily to take a sip of that mixed drink, not really caring by now what they taste like. Any effort put into would have been lost by now, anyhow. "Without that fire burning, I'm just a dead man."

Marco watched with dark eyes before finally switching his hand into holding a bit of blue flames as he continued playing with the hair. "Maybe you need a different type of flame."

It reminded him too much of Ace though. Ace was also dead, only alive in Fortuna. And Marco had been so determined to keep him passionate, keep him burning, keep him going as long as possible. Even after talking with Luffy and all the things Marco said then, he really and truly wasn't sure how much it had worked with Ace or not. Maybe there was only so much he could have done to shield the kid, maybe he should have tried harder.

"Some flames burn out too quickly you see." Marco blew a puff of air over Tatsumi's ears, determined to make them twitch, as he mimed blowing out a candle. "Gone like that. Killing lasts, what? A day? Maybe a couple of weeks if you really drag it out. And the fire can last just a little longer to keep you satisfied. Ah, but then it's gone, leaving you colder and even more empty than before." He spoke with a surprising amount of experience. Whitebeard had been a different kind of pirate entirely, and Marco learned almost everything he held dear from him.

"Living from one kill to the next," Marco smirked softly, a slightly cruel twisted smile like he was pitying Tatsumi and debating how to kill him himself and put him out of his misery, "That will consume you. And you seem like you prefer the other way around." Marco poured Tatsumi another drink. Probably the last for the night, he wasn't sure how much regeneration would work in spite of the chip, but he didn't care to find out by having Tatsumi get sick on him either.

He looked off into the distance briefly, seeing past, future, present, and various option in between as though laid out in paths. Japan was stronger without war? Marco wasn't sure of that, even now. Still, he remembered some of his own kills. He didn't have a problem with it. He wasn't addicted to it either. Though it didn't sound quite like that was Tatsumi's problem. Needing a fire... Didn't everyone? The drive, what was everyone living for? A dream, a goal, an ambition. What was left? Ah yes, the curse of a reckless person living a long life.

He shook his head to himself. "Poor Puppy. Death gets cold, eh?" He went back to petting with the blue flames, half expecting how far he was pushing this to turn on him almost instantly. Hell, he was practically daring Tatsumi to get violent with him. Well, Marco hoped that wasn't the case. He hadn't forgotten the dangers. Though they weren't physical in nature. "You know, I never could tell just how much of that masochism was fake or not." It was a question, though it didn't sound like it.

Movements were slowed, if not by the alcohol then by the fire petting. Tatsumi couldn't care. Even when Marco blew on his hair and caused him to shiver, it only aroused him. The topic only helped a little, too. "Are you going to try and tame me, birdybird?" Everyone knew how well that went when America tried. Then again, Tatsumi's respect for the nation hardly ever existed. Marco had a much higher chance of keeping Tatsumi in line, but he wouldn't make it easy. Easy meant no fun.

Almost adorable how Marco was being literal about the death thing. Of course, Tatsumi had died. He even began to recall his deaths in Discedo. That would add up to him dying 4 times now, in total. He really was a dead man, but that was hardly what he had meant. "If that's your plan, ya should at least know... chainsaw-kun was right. I was dead long before I died."

The glass stood before the shiki. Having a good enough buzz, if he had this one, surely he'd pass out and he wasn't quite ready for that. Not yet. Marco was too interesting. At that last question, Tatsumi grins. He leaned over the bar with a certain sparkle to his eyes. "What about you, sweetiebird? How much of you is fake?" Tatsumi ran his hand down Marco's chest, tracing over his tattoo delicately.

Edited (I KEEP ADDING STUFF /sob) 2012-05-10 16:37 (UTC)

Marco laughed softly. "I'm not in the taming business. I don't keep pets either, eh?" True enough. His father always believed in letting wildfires run free and so did Marco. Taming was just trying to force someone into a box. Too much like slavery for Marco's tastes. Definitely not, taming wasn't how he rolled. He'd kick his way out of such boxes and he expected Tatsumi would do more than the same.

"Besides," he leaned over towards Tatsumi at the part about America, "I could already guess that." Although Marco was thinking more about from being a werepire and sort of undead than any sort of final end that took place back in Tatsumi's world. "No, I was thinking more along the lines of a temporary alliance to each us keep from doing thing crazy things here that would get us killed." And boy did Marco need that more than he let on. With Japan and Ace gone it was just a struggle to stay in the area, around civilization. And if it weren't for Luffy, Cube, Flandre, Hong Kong, and hell, even Tatsumi; Marco was quite sure he wouldn't do it.

It was like having a moirail he guessed. Trying to keep each other from going on a crazy rampage killing spree. Except it was a little reversed. More fighting between the two of them, and just trying to make sure the other didn't die. Marco didn't want to have to get his chip out again and starting over with Tatsumi dying yet another time would be frustrating. There was no guarantee they'd succeed, but it probably couldn't hurt to try either.

Marco blinked as Tatsumi leaned closer, and he was even more shy at the hand, his cheeks starting to turn a little pink. Really, he should have expected that. He lightly brushed the hand away, hoping it didn't have the reverse effect of encouraging it just from not ignoring it. Lately it seemed like everything he said not to do, was only taken as a dare. Then again, maybe this one was too. "How fake I am? Neh... nice try for cheating puppydog, but isn't that something you're still supposed to find out?" he smirked lazily despite the faint blush. He couldn't remember immediately, but he was pretty sure it was along the lines of something Tatsumi had asked before.

That wasn't the answer he was expecting at all. Oh, how he loved twists, as long as they didn't interfere with his plans. And since he had such loose plans at the moment, he simply enjoyed everything to it's fullest. "So, I'm homeless again? Please tell me you'll at least leave me with a box that says 'Free Puppy.'" His smile faded, making the illusion of him being a sad abandoned puppy more realistic than a drunk bastard going through his usual motions.

Then again, It wasn't like he needed to go through those motions. He had no reason to build up a reputation, get invited, or prepare for anything. No. He had nothing to really do anymore. Without Sunako he was simply drifting out at sea. Hell, even America gave him some purpose to fulfill. It felt less like a freedom and more like chains. He couldn't manipulate for nothing. As Marco said before, any thing entertaining would go cold really fast. Without substance to harm and killing, it was just killing. He began to wonder again what Sunako was up to. If she had escaped and what her new life was like.

But Marco's proposal thankfully tore Tatsumi from those thoughts. His eyes even lit back up at the idea that he might still have some role to play. One he might find entertaining. "Why does it have to be temporary? I wonder what kind of big plans you've got that you're not telling me about."

Watching the bird's cheeks light up only caused the werepire's eyes to lid half way. He couldn't be sure if it was the alcohol or his teasing, but he liked it all the same. "Of course." Tatsumi reached back up, near Marco's ear, and traced down his jaw. "Like how I still need to find all your secret hiding spots~?" The werepire leaned further in, as if he was about to kiss the blushing phoenix, but instead only stays that close. "If I can't cheat, nether can you~"

Edited 2012-05-10 23:03 (UTC)

"No, I'm still keeping you," Marco refused to back away though his pulse quickened a little. "But I'm sure as hell not going to try to tame you. Then you'd be boring, eh~?"

He wasn't sure how to explain his "big plans." After all, they were more along the lines of trying to adjust on his own front to being his own boss now. Like Tatsumi, he was in a similar place, no more captain, no more country-lover. Except Marco knew he'd had enough of his break from the Grand Line for now. He had to make his own way now, and his brothers were counting on him.

Marco does start rethinking the boring comment though. Maybe a little boring wouldn't be too bad. "I'm a pirate, I'm not sure I can stop myself from cheating." He blinked at his own words and instantly turned bright red. "I mean, except for cheating on Japan, that I won't do." Why did that even need saying?! No one brought it up but him! It wasn't like it was a suggestion. Marco's cheeks flamed more red as he quickly tried to go back to keep to deadpan and ignore the minor birdie panic settling over him. The reminder that Tatsumi was a predator and phoenixes were close to prey was suddenly something Marco was suddenly all too aware of, even as he refused to shy away from the touch. "F-fine," oh fuck, now his voice wasn't even steady. He had to stop doing that around the werepire, "You can cheat then."

Marco downed the rest of his blue moon to steady his own nerves. It was just Tatsumi, he could handle this. "Let's play a game. Ask a specific question and you get two truths and a lie. Determine which is fake and you get to keep asking." In a way, it was an answer on the grand scale as well. Marco was about two-thirds real, one part fake, but it was always a game. Or maybe the numbers were fake too, he really didn't know.

And Marco wasn't sure he could be sadistic enough to find out how truly masochistic Tatsumi was. Maybe if he ate more meat.

"So,you've gotten attached." He grins. "You're such a good owner, birdypie."

Tatsumi lets Marco dig is own grave, making sure to keep his face close to the other, watching the small ques that gave away to the panic that was whirling inside. What really nails it it the shying away. That only made him want to play more with Marco, maybe even sexually. Though, instead, he simply leaves a kiss on the phoenix's cheek when Marco turns away, before leaving back himself.

The drink Marco previously poured tempted the werepire, so he sipped it casually, not downing it like the others. "Alright. You go first, sweetiebird~" He would have started, but he wanted to see what sort of questions Marco was pooling from. Maybe get a taste of what the bird was pecking for.

Edited 2012-05-17 16:29 (UTC)

Inside Marco felt as shook up as a martini, or maybe something after his Pops got through with them. Outwardly he stayed as steady as a rock. At least, as much as he could. The kiss just made him more nervous, especially after the poignant remind that he'd gotten attached. Was he really just doing this for the sake of ease anymore? Just because Tatsumi getting killed over and over irked him with having to start over constantly?

He put the thoughts out of his mind and focused on the ones at hand.

"Was Sunako the only one you had to obey back home?" It was a slanted question already since Marco wasn't ever completely clear on the nature of the relationship, even after all the memories event. Still, Marco meant it in more of a "tell me about your family" way than actual orders.

Tatsumi would have such a day if he could see into Marco's mind. His thoughts, his thought process. There just seemed to be layers upon layers to the pineapple head, and each one he got to see, only made the vampire more curious than before. The alcohol wasn't helping, either.

"I did everything she wanted, I did anything I wanted, and I don't regret any of it!" Tatsumi laughed, finding himself in love with their game so soon. He sipped a bit more of his fruitlicious mixture and gazed at Marco for an answer.

Marco laughed back softly, "And here I thought one of those was supposed to be a lie," he joked. He grabbed a sip of his own drink and lightly rubbed a temple. There were indeed many layers of thoughts in Marco's head, though he was generally oblivious to the other's interest in them.

Instead he was almost instantly absorbed into his own game. Tatsumi having regrets would be interesting, and completely opposite of what Marco expected. Or maybe he was imposing his own ego in that. Still, not his guess. Everything she wanted? Unlikely as well and yet...

"All right, going with anything you wanted. Still doubt you had regrets about that though. So am I right?"

Tatsumi made an amused sound as he went to rest his chin in his hands. A smirk stuck to his face the whole while he waited on Marco. His focus was slipping a bit.

As soon as Marco answers, Tatsumi's smile drops with his shoulders as he gave a sigh. After a few seconds of glaring Marco down, he leans back.

"Just because I did whatever I wanted, granted it was within Sunako's wishes, doesn't mean I didn't regret some of the stuff I did." A smirk slowly creeps back onto the werepire's face. The kind of smirk that says it louder than words that Marco got it wrong. Tatsumi had very few regrets. The most obvious being how he should have killed Natsuno instead of listening to Sunako and giving the kid more time to decide who's side he was on. It was that one decision that if he had done things his way, it would have changed everything. "There were a few people I would have killed. You know, to save us all the trouble we ended up with."

If the smirk wasn't a give-away, Tatsumi leaned forward again and playfully began to tap his chin, as if he was trying to think of a question. "So, about you and that fakeness I asked about earlier..." He tilted his head ever so slightly. "What about you exactly is fake?"

"Interesting..." Marco mused. He meant it genuinely too. "Sometimes I wonder, eh? I can't really bring myself to regret not killing Blackbeard. There was no way we could have known, eh? Besides saying 'when we had the chance' is bullshit. I would have had to suspect all my brothers and never trust them..." A small sigh. There were a lot of things he could regret, but refused to. His Pops wouldn't have been proud of him if he did. The things that had happened... if they'd known better then they would have, but there was no way they could have or they would have already.

As for how fake he was... No, even more specifically, what parts were fake. This was going to take a bit of thought, Marco genuinely wasn't sure. It wasn't that he got so caught up in the lies he believed them himself, but usually it was clear when he was joking. Not always though. "I lie because they're hilarious, and if I do it enough, even the truths seem like lies which is even more hilarious." That was one and he held up a finger for it. "I'm only 100% honest to family and lovers." Another finger and another shot of his drink. "My loyalties, the important things, none of those are fake. The truly genuine things are pretty obvious when they're real, eh? Everything else might as well be for laughs. The only problem is what I consider important might not be what everyone else considers important, eh?"

"Even if I went against Sunako's wishes, and killed the guy, things probably would have ended up bad regardless. In the end, ya can't fight nature." It was a few moments before Tatsumi continued, spending that time reflecting on everything that had happened. "It was lots of fun working for her, not like I had to or anything. Just seemed like fun. Specially considering the alternative."

When Marco began, his first statement seemed true, but after hearing the other two, Tatsumi felt it was out of place. Still, out of place didn't necessarily mean it wasn't true. The werepire took a generous sip of his drink before responding, "Even if lying can be fun, I can't imagine those other two being false. So I've got to say the first part of what ya said isn't true."

Marco grinned deviously. "Nope, sorry. That one's true. The funniest lie is always a truth that everyone assumes is a lie anyway." Of course they could also be the most complicated, but oh well whatever. "I'm definitely not completely honest with family and lovers. My own Pops and I had plenty of lies between us. It doesn't mean we didn't love each other, in our case it was just a matter of necessity, eh. Or simplification. And I'm much more likely to lie to someone I love just because I'm more likely to talk with them a lot. They're just more likely to know whether it's false because they know me." A second's hesitation and Marco smiled softly, stirring his own drink in his hand. "Well, Ace I think had trouble knowing, but that's another story."

Another sip of the drink and Marco tilted his head calmly regarding Tatsumi, but also completely analyzing him. He wanted to know more about Sunako, or the whole situation, but questions for it seemed harder to pin down. "What was the alternative?" He was pretty sure Tatsumi had told him before, but he needed something to help him focus on where to dig.

Tatsumi grins even wider. He should have known, but maybe it was the alcohol? Sure, he will just blame that. Not that he was mad about it. It had been far too long since he felt it's burn inside him. It was welcoming, considering the only other fire in there was the one that burned when he watched others struggle. "I can see that. You lying and only those close to ya know any better."

He reaches out with his hand, a bit lazily to touch Marco. "I guess that means I need to get closer to you, eh?" Tatsumi was only half teasing. After all, he enjoys being on top of things, and Marco was one of those things. (sexual pun not intended but completely hilarious so I refuse to edit)

As for his answers, man it was getting harder to think... which only made the game more fun. "To... to be left to my own devices, killing myself, or, uh, being bored out of my mind."

Edited 2012-05-23 17:43 (UTC)

Marco shied away again at the touch, and instantly reprimanded himself for it. He knew Tatsumi liked the struggle, the only way to really avoid that would be to stay deadpan and emotionless, like he normally was. Okay polishing off that drink to relax. Stupid nervous birdie.

"I can be difficult to get close to," Marco lied as he finished off his drink, half-curious if Tatsumi would even recognize it for the lie it was.

He tapped a finger to his chin, musing the three claims over to himself, "I'm guessing killing yourself would be the lie?"

"I don't see any problem with that." He doubted the truth to Marco's words. Even though he wouldn't mind a challenge, of course.

Tatsumi smiled again at Marco's answer, but it wasn't a grin. "Ya know..." He started, propping his head up with one hand as he leaved over the counter, "I've got to be honest with you. I forgot the lie in those answers." The more he thought about it, the more he realized there was no answer he could have given that wasn't true in some way. Still, it was amusing to play around with the game a little bit.

"Guess you get to go again."

A small smirk to himself as Marco mixed himself another drink, thinking it over, accidentally out loud. "So does that count as accidentally cheating in the game?" he quipped.

He tasted a bit of the rum for himself before mixing it with the powdered orange juice. "I suppose our alternatives to our bosses are the same then, eh?" That hadn't meant to be out loud, but he carried on without noticing, trying to come up with another question for Tatsumi.

"How did you feel about Sunako personally though?"

Marco's offhanded comments brings Tatsumi's smile to widen. So, the bird really was attached, looking for similarities between the two of them. It was cute, for lack of a better word. "I guess. It just kind of slipped, after all."

He closed his eyes, smiling into the remains of alcohol in his glass. "I've got no boss anymore, birdy."

With that, he sips down the rest of his drink, mind brewing over how to answer what he thought to be the real question to their little game. "She was the beautiful antisocial antagonist of the world. The prefect symbol of destruction and decay. The one that'd bring everything together in the end."

Edited 2012-05-23 23:17 (UTC)

The expression that overtook Marco was sad for a moment as he peered into his glass as though looking for answers. "Neither do I, it would seem." Sometimes he wondered if Shanks' offer to join the crew still stood. And if it did... would everyone be allowed? Marco came with a 1600 package, and yet he wasn't sure any of the commanders could ever really respect Shanks on the same level as Whitebeard. No, he knew they couldn't. But a common enemy could still be one hell of a uniting force sometimes, and no one knew Blackbeard as well as Marco. Could the ex-Whitebeards really mesh their dreams and goals with Shanks' crew? Shanks' crew certainly drank enough, but they weren't family the way Whitebeard's sons all were. And Shanks would have a lot of troubles with Kaidou and Big Mam besides. Maybe hiding was for the best. Lay low until everyone was too busy fighting everyone else and then make their move. Maybe.

"I'm guessing the first is the lie, eh?" he really wasn't sure. All three sounded like what he vaguely remembered of the girl.

"Ya? I thought you'd have something left for you." Tatsumi on the other hand was left with nothing. He made it that way by leaving Sunako in Seishin's care. He had essentially let go of Sunako. After all, his loyalty to her was for his own amusement, and since she began losing faith in her own plans near the end, that fun died right along with her dream.

Still, the idea of never getting to see the end of the world haunted him. In a place like Discedo, there really was no end. Death wasn't permanent, and there were too close of quarters to have any real fun without it doubling back and kicking him in the ass. He was trapped, and while struggling was fun, Tatsumi hated being tied down in any situation for too long, specially if it wasn't worth while in some way.

That's why he pondered what Marco's big plan was, and he had the opportunity now to ask him, considering the pirate lost this round. "Sorry, lovebird. I never thought Sunako would bring anything together. She went against nature, and even if she had succeeded, she'd have killed herself and everyone with her. In the end, I don't think she can really have a happy ending... but it was fun watching her try."

The werepire shifted hands, resting his chin in the other palm while tracing the rim of his empty glass with the newly freed hand. "So, what are your big plans? The ones I might be a part of?"

"Something left, is it?" Marco nodded slowly, "My Pops made sure of that." He knew Marco better than Marco knew himself. Knew that if left entirely to his own devices and endless revenge, then Marco would lose himself and probably never find happiness again. "He... ahh... we're famous, my family, back in our world, for revenge. Our perfect score is pretty marred now though, Akainu and Blackbeard and yet... If I just sought that revenge, I'd be risking the rest of my family. Pops... he just wanted us to live. Ace just wanted Luffy to live and reach his dreams. Those things are more important than my selfish revenge. I guess it's strange to say, but it's much harder just to live if you ask me. But because I have my brothers and the islands and all those people looking to me to protect them, I won't let myself let them down. Not again." A head shake to himself, trying to clear the dark and murky thoughts. Where would they go from here? For now, he pushed it aside.

At the evolution of his nickname, Marco arched an eyebrow, but refrained from commenting.

"Ah, of course," was his only quiet reply about Sunako. He had been thinking too much of Whitebeard again. Then again, that was sort of a chronic condition with Marco, even after all this time. Still, Tatsumi was more like Haer'Dalis with regards to chaos and entropy, so it only made sense Sunako would be as well.

"Where to even begin?" the pirate shook his head again. It wasn't that his plans were so big, it was that they weren't even fleshed out yet. He was more looking into the prospect of having plans, rather than developing them already. With Japan, he'd had a crush on him for months before he spoke up. He was so worried about rushing things, he made other mistakes along the way. This time though, he was running on instincts and a vague desire to keep himself from doing something reckless. And the only way Marco could do that was watching after other people. Blame it on his phoenix side, blame it on his father, his brothers, and his whole life, it was who Marco was and he had long since accepted that.

"Remember when you asked how much of me is fake and I said lying is just a game? This is just another game," He held up a finger to signify that was one and took a gulp of his drink. "My goal is to see how long we can both last without doing something that gets us killed because that's really kind of boring." A second finger. It really did strike him as fruitless; death in this place. How many times would Tatsumi die and Marco have to re-explain things or pretend to or -- ahhh, it was too messy and annoying. This place wasn't crowded enough that Marco could just forgo whatever it was he'd had with Tatsumi by now. Or could he? Maybe. But it'd be boring. He thought perhaps he was just telling himself that, but no, he was sure it was true. Grell too had taunted Marco for it. Thinking he was altruistic. But no, he didn't care if Grell died, and emotionally he doubted it would truly brother him if Tatsumi died. It was just that death in this place was so cheap and meaningless. And fucking annoying. With its unpredictable rules. Why hadn't Kaito ever returned anyway? And some of the others... death cheated here, or was cheated, and either way Marco wanted to stick it to that game. He didn't like playing by its rules and he definitely didn't have to. So why not make his own rules for it just to mess with the system?

There was also the challenge of it. Maybe his phoenix side liked life. Wasn't that why he loved spring and passions? Renewals. Somehow everyone being renewed at the drop of a hat irked him. Keeping Tatsumi alive though, keeping him away from the danger that would get him killed yet again; oh yes it was a challenge. And practice. How many times had Marco dealt with reckless kids who were going to get themselves killed? At least with Tatsumi it was just something to do, something that he wouldn't regret even if he "failed." Or arguably when. It was like playing slot machines. You didn't play expecting to come out with more money than you went in with, just played until you ran out or something crazy happened. And Marco liked seeing what kind of crazy shit could happen when he didn't expect it.

"And I'm hoping to steal your heart away from loud fools so you can fuck me instead, eh?" He purely deadpanned. Okay it was probably way too obvious this time, but Marco had had enough troubles figuring out the truths, so disguising a lie to look like them was harder. Besides, he was drawing on the nickname and half-curious if Tatsumi really did think that.

In his own way, Tatsumi understood where Marco was coming from. Although there was very little heart put into it, he had served the Kirishiki family because it made things easier (and more amusing) then just living. Sunako was the main reason for that. "But, you know, I don't think I would have enjoyed it so much if I wasn't so nihilistic. The contrast between Sunako and I is what made it so worth while."

Sadly, there wasn't anything special behind the new nickname. However, the small reaction was satisfying enough. The idea of staying out of trouble was a cute challenge, and Tatsumi wondered how long it could last. Because, obviously that last part was a lie. If it wasn't, oh how that would be fun.

Though, the more Tatsumi thought about it, the idea of playing out a romance with Marco, even just for show, became far too amusing. Yanking everyone's chains sounded like a fun way to pass the time, specially dodging all those who came to kill them. "I thought there was supposed to be a lie in there, honeybird~" His attempts to get up over the counter result in him falling over and sprawling across the bartop instead, arm stretched out to touch Marco's bare skin. Yay for alcohol. "Don't tell me you're cheating again, you dirty pirate, you."

Marco arched an eyebrow at the sprawled puppy on the counter. In his own way, Tatsumi was almost cute. And admittedly, Marco was a lot more amused than he was even going to let on. "I cheat at everything," he stuck his tongue out. "Except on Japan." And his Pops. It was why Shanks' offers to join his crew always riled Marco up so much. Even just the idea of cheating on his loyalties flustered Marco in spite of himself.

"Though I would find it rather hilarious to make America jealous. I'm not sure if that's possible or not though. The minds of Ds are troublesome thing."

As for Sunako, Marco was content to have his answers for now.

"You know, I am Japanese." Tatsumi remained on the counter top, head spinning in a drunken sea. A sea where both good and bad things swim where he could gaze upon them from where he was floating.

"But that's why you want to play protect me and I'll protect you." The werepire wasn't sure if he believed that or not. It certainly made enough sense, but to find the truth, he felt he'd need to do more than play a game of truth and lies with the mythical bird. "Or is it... something else?"

When Marco's words came to him about America, Tatsumi's smirk widened, but only for a moment. He wasn't sure he heard Marco right. It sounded like he said the letter 'd' but why? "Minds of... Ds?"

"So are what, a hundred million more? Man 4000 islands is so much... I can't even hold a dozen." Marco leaned into his hand, trying not to depress himself so instantly.

Was it something else? Marco was a little lonely truth told. It was so easy for him to always slip away and read or not be around people. But too many normal humans always grated on him. It always did. Freaks and outcasts were preferred. Because they understood him better, they needed him more, they interested him more, truth told there were a lot of reasons. "Oh it's more, but it's probably not the more you think," Marco smirked slyly.

"Right, right... Ds... they eat a lot -- and by a lot I mean they practically inhale mountains of food and set all the world records for eating the most, they're really loud, they punch first and ask questions later, they're like unstoppable forces of nature. Marshall D. Teach is Blackbeard, Monkey D. Luffy is Luffy: Ace's kid brother, Gol D. Roger was the king of the pirates, Portgas D. Ace is Ace my nakama, Monkey D. Garp is a raving psycho. America is like all of them. I know his middle initial is F, but I think that's just the other world's version of D."

"I don't know if you'd be able to protect him in our world. Different kind of threats that a little birdybird wouldn't be able to handle all by himself."

After flopping over, and letting half of himself hang off the counter, Tatsumi chuckles. "I hope you're telling the truth or that'd be the biggest let down." The werepire didn't need company. He needed entertainment. After all, if you're the single man out, it didn't matter if you were in a crowded room or out in the middle of space. At least entertainment can be made in place full of people.

Tatsumi keeps his smile, although a part of him isn't sure if that's the right expression. Thinking of America as an unstoppable force of nature just made the country seem more appealing. It was a good way to describe him. "Maybe. I'd like to see him fight another D then. Can you imagine?"

He loses himself to his thoughts, wanting to be a part of that and yet just watch it all landslide from the top of a mountain. Best show ever, or so it sounded like.

"I kind of want to fight him." Again.

"Fortunately I wouldn't be alone. He's protecting himself and his people too, and they'll protect him, ne? Like nakama." Only nationalism. Sometimes countries could get a little confusing like that, but Marco didn't worry about it too much.

He grinned softly. Entertainment was indeed what he aimed to provide with all of this. "A rare truth," he stuck his tongue out.

The phoenix had actually imagined Garp and America fighting before in what could only be described as nightmare fuel. He gave off a visible shudder, both at the memory and Tatsumi's confession. "I guess that answers my masochism question. Do you actually want to die over and over? Because if not I recommend getting a little stronger or smarter first. Especially if you want to be more his ahhhh kismesis, yes, that's the word."

"Like nakama that make up who you are." He pauses, wondering if Marco explained what nakama was after he came back. He shakes it off, if he slipped, all well. it's only Marco.

Tatsumi stuck his tongue out after Marco's, as if they would touch despite the distance between them. The drunken idea causes him to laugh. But it dies down a little at the mention of dying over and over.

"Death is so meaningless here. Might as well use it's cheap ways for my own amusement." He smirks. "Not that I don't plan to get stronger."

Then his eyebrows rises at that strange word. "A kissmessisss?" It sounded as though the alcohol slurred the word, but it was actually his own fooling around. "What's that?"

"As mine do," Marco nodded his head to himself, "And so do his."

"Dying cheap irks me," Marco admitted an even bigger truth, focused on his drink. "It cheapens what it really meant for people like Ace or my Pops."

He waved a hand swatting away the dark thoughts. "Kismesis, troll relationship term for hate romance. You blacken the feelings of hate with intense rivalry, pushing each other to the edge of what the other is capable of, sinking to new depths and taking out rage and violence on each other as a means to keep from genocide. See? You and America are perfect for each other." A sane person would have been disturbed by such a thing. Marco, on the other hand, was quite serious.

Closed: Just 2 guyz

And we're havin' a good time... havin' a good time... havin' a good time.

We'll burn this roof off, this party's going off

I'm not very good with songs. /deflate

loool awwww cute /pet pet

Shuuuu ;o;

/pet pet pet pet ^_^

/flail you're petting me too much!

>> Ooops << /pets oooonce more

/secretly enjoys

moesuke /pets more ^_^

AHHH YOU PUT MOE IN MY NAME!?

Yup that's your name now

NOOOOOoooooooo!!!!! /o\

fufufufufu >:)

(That's how Tatsumi laughs) /flail

ffff does this make me a werepire now? also awww your edit so cute :P

ARE YOU?! O_O (AND NO MY EDITS R TERRIBLE!! I keep writing these tags half asleep)

Nah Just a werewolf ((Pssh so do I, it's fine :P))

/ATTEMPTS TO TAG THIS, YO

yaaaaaaaay

<3 Sorry for the wait.

Np~ Always worth it <3

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TL;DR's all over this, blame the canon review

I enjoyed it all~

loool yaaay

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