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VIDEO | UN: Trafalgar
[The video feed that opens up on Law has a bit of a jarring background of metal and glowing screens, a sight many will recognize as the stasis pods aboard Thesa Station. He's taken an excursion in the midst of everyone's weird forest adventure. He's sitting now on the floor of the chamber, back up against one of the control panels to the pods. It's an especially odd place to be, because if you squint you'll notice that there's a chair within view of where he's sat, yet he's still chosen to remain on the cold metal floor.
He doesn't actually speak right away, simply staring blankly at the feed as if he'd turned it on as an afterthought. When he does speak, it's with a heavy bitterness as if he's been wronged in some way. As far as he's concerned, he has been, but he's certainly not going to speak openly about that.]
Do you ever think maybe we're all dead and this is actually hell? I've been thinking about it and I think it explains a lot about our situation.
[Anyone who's met Law before knows that his resting state is looking vaguely tired. Today is different. This isn't even the sleep deprived tiredness he'd had when he was working overtime tending to the injured months ago in the aftermath of the dragon. No, this is something different, an emotional exhaustion, manifesting as a redness around the eyes rather than just his usual dark circles.
He doesn't actually speak right away, simply staring blankly at the feed as if he'd turned it on as an afterthought. When he does speak, it's with a heavy bitterness as if he's been wronged in some way. As far as he's concerned, he has been, but he's certainly not going to speak openly about that.]
Do you ever think maybe we're all dead and this is actually hell? I've been thinking about it and I think it explains a lot about our situation.
[Anyone who's met Law before knows that his resting state is looking vaguely tired. Today is different. This isn't even the sleep deprived tiredness he'd had when he was working overtime tending to the injured months ago in the aftermath of the dragon. No, this is something different, an emotional exhaustion, manifesting as a redness around the eyes rather than just his usual dark circles.
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Do you want them to be dead?
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You’re saying I should focus on the people I’ve saved instead of the ones I lost.
[In short, more positive, less wallowing in the past. Got it, message received. As far as Law’s concerned, actually following that advice would be nigh impossible, though. But he can’t say that, can’t say it’s easier said than done, that it’s not in his nature. He can’t and doesn’t because he knows these aren’t acceptable answers for this man. He has to try.
He falls quiet for a long moment, the sullen stubborn scowl fading into his usual, contemplative frown. Thinking about why he’s so unwilling to let go. Well, here especially, his memory is all that’s left of a lot of these people. But, actually. He’s got a relic of the past right in front of him, doesn’t he?]
I... I want to tell you about some people. If you’ll listen.
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[He knows Law doesn't think he can do it but he won't hear of it if he claims that. When he doesn't, he smiles. Good. That is acceptable. He can deal with Law at least trying even if he thinks he'll fail. That thought of failure is something they can work on another day.
Because right now? Law wants to tell him about people.]
I'll listen. For as long as you want to talk.
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My parents were both doctors. My mother would always encourage me and my sister in whatever we tried to do, and my father seemed to have memorized every medical textbook we owned. When everyone in Flevance came down with Amber Lead Syndrome, they chose to stay behind and tend to people as best they could. There wasn't a cure, but that was the sort of people they were. They were dedicated to their work. My sister was just a normal little girl who wanted to play outside and would always smile and call out to me even though I was.... always gloomy, I guess.
[He's quiet for a long moment, not elaborating on why this is all past tense. There's no point getting into the Tragedy of Flevance. But it's clear from the hard look in his eyes. It's the look of someone who's weathered something horrible and wasn't the same afterwards.]
After I escaped Flevance, all I had was anger, because that was easier than being sad. I wanted to pay the world back for what it had done with the few years I had left. Corazon found me then. He refused to accept that I was doomed to die, he kept trying to find something to cure me no matter how many times he failed... And then he made sure the last thing I saw before he died was him smiling so I wouldn't be worried, so I'd remember him that way, I think...
[He trails off, just thinking of that last moment, relieving at the time as Corazon assured him they'd escape together. That he was safe and loved. That everything would be fine.
It hadn't been fine, but that was par for the course, wasn't it. He curls inwardly a bit, leaning back against Iskandar's chest.]
More people should know about them, I guess. They deserve that much.
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I know about them now. That is a start.
[Strong arms wrap tight around Law as he lowers his head to nuzzle against his neck.]
You have known some truly wonderful people in your life.
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That's high praise coming from the King of Conquerors, I imagine. Surely you met many great people when you were alive, with that magnetic charisma of yours.
[Like Luffy, surely all manner of interesting person had ended up at his side at some point.]
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[Because leave it to Iskandar to just turn that around and say something in an utterly shameless way without a care in the world.]
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You know I don't agree with that and it's not what I meant.
[He knows there's no point arguing, but he wants to make clear his stance on it. Still, it's hard to not feel at least a little flattered when he's so close like this. Maybe somehow the positive energy on this man made of magic is affecting him somehow.]
Thank you though. For listening.
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[He laughs gently and gives his head a rub before tugging him close again so he can give him some proper cuddling.]
Thank you for telling me. I'm happy you felt you could trust me with this.
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I should check on my crew before we head back down.
[He can handle that, at least. There’s no reason for there to be something terribly wrong with any of them, and he was promised they were safe. Hopefully seeing them can dislodge the rest of the anxiety in his stomach that can’t be cured by Iskandar’s big strong arms.]
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[It's true the crew is sleeping but that doesn't mean he can't talk to them. Iskandar hardly minds a one sided conversation. Have you seen him after all? He's social enough for an entire country.
But he does pull him back down for a quick kiss first.]
There. Now, lead the way.
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[He gestures, before heading in the direction. He'd spotted Bepo's fur out of the corner of his eye previously, and a cursory glance had revealed the familiar sight of several boiler suits. The uniform of the rest of the crew.
Of course he goes to Bepo first, pulling up the status screen on the pod before actually saying anything. He has to make sure he's physically well first, which he is.]
This is Bepo, he's our navigator and first mate. Then next to him are Shachi and Penguin. The four of us were the original members of the heart pirates. Those two grew up together. They're idiots who're always running their mouth but they're loyal. Bepo's a bit too soft-hearted to be a proper pirate but he's very determined.
[They're all fools, but they're his fools. And he doesn't say much else because he's just standing here taking in the fact that they really are here after all. It's like a weights been taken off his shoulders, truly.]
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You all have a fine captain with this one. Though he tries to deny it, he's a good man with a good heart and I'm very fond of him. I'm glad that you have him.
[Don't mind him, Law. He's just saying hello.]
I forgot to mention how Bepo is a bear but Iskandar probably just accepts that on its face
... They wouldn't have joined my crew if they didn't already agree with you.
[And he gives the ones gathered here another once over before he turns on his heel to head back out of the pod storage room, before he becomes even more awkward.]
lol I know he is. you told me!
[He laughs and pats their pods before following after Law, coming forward so he can wrap an arm around his shoulders while they walk.]