13 • Pao-Lin • [Voice/Action]

[wildkotetsu]

[To be completely honest... Kotetsu was miserable. When something hits him, it hits him hard, carries over like a cloud above him. After becoming a monster, possibly hurting people he was supposed to protect... after failing Nami and an innocent little girl, failing to help Sanji when he needed someone—they'd lost so many people, and he knew that it... it was really hurting not just him, but everyone else. And there was nothing about it he could do. There was no rescuing to be done. No buildings to smash through, people to grab in the nick of time.

He was too busy being in need of rescue himself, anyway. The routine was the same: smile where he could, be content to appease the audience of Luceti. Go to the Seventh Heaven and work, work, work where he was needed. And then... sign up for missions. Keep on doing that. He's already planning to go on another one when he comes across a painful discovery.]

[Voice]

... I, uh. Dunno if anyone knew—

[A pause.]

Pao-Lin's gone home. But.... But it's good that she did. I know it sucks to lose people here, even if you know it's a good thing... but I just wanted to say that she has a future to look forward to. She's—she's a great hero back home. She protects people. I'll bet she'll be at the top of the charts in no time; heck, she already outdoes oldtimers like me, she's such a natural...

[He stops himself as he trails off, realizing he probably won't stop talking if he keeps it up for too long.]

... I just wanted to let anyone know who doesn't.

And sorry if I worried any of you, back there. I've been resting and I'm feeling a lot better now, so I'm okay.

[Private // Tony Stark]

Oi, I just wanted you to know I'm still working on it. I'll be goin' on another mission, but I, uh. Wanted to talk to you before then.

[And with that, he goes back to the Seventh Heaven to help out. When he's in the kitchen... he really likes that he can be distant and quiet. And, even if it seems funny to imagine for someone like him, solemn and thoughtful. Of course, going back outside will illicit a happy little smile that says otherwise. Everything's fiiiine. Don't worry so much. It'll be okay.



Except he's starting to visit the bar more—once a night is okay. One drink is okay. He sits at the bar, observing the ugly scar lingering on his forearm, on his wrist, where the infection—and a gunshot—had marred his flesh good and well. Under his collar is the scar from another biter. A reminder of the moment he's lost faith in himself.

... Okay. For tonight? He'll go ahead and drink a little more than he should.

Just tonight.]

Comments

[mikangirl]

Don't apologise, either! [She outright scowls, before she drains the last of her glass, winces and leans forward with her head at a tilt as she peers into his face.]

Kotetsu... it's been rough, hasn't it? I just meant you don't need to pretend. That's all.

[wildkotetsu]

[He winces himself, losing his neck as he pulls back. But then he opens an eye and his expression softens.]

... Sor--

I mean. I... Yeah. I get what you're saying.

[Does it mean he'll stop pretending at times? Probably not. But he's getting better, okay? He rubs at his nose, red-cheeked as he looks back to his drink.]

S'been rough for everyone.

[mikangirl]

[Nami watches him a long moment. She isn't sure what to do, and she's not sure she really should do anything, given the circumstances. It's not like he hasn't got every reason. Not like she's half a hair from joining him in that nice little pit he's got going there.

...

Fuck it.]

Did you know they have a drink here named after our old ship?

[wildkotetsu]

[He blinks up, confused at first. But then--]

... A drink, huh?

[mikangirl]

Yeah. It's pretty sweet. Asch invented it and I named it. Won a prize that I never really did get to collect. [Her smile's a little sad.]

Wanna try it out?

[wildkotetsu]

[He's torn between nodding quickly and--well, looking torn about it.

He doesn't want too look too pathetic, but it's probably a little late for that. He rubs the back of his neck, smiling a little.]

... Sure. I wouldn't mind.

[mikangirl]

Okay. Just give me a sec and I'll be right back.

[...and assuming Kotetsu doesn't run screaming out the door while she's gone, she'll come back soon after with a tray with two glasses of something very orange.]

Orange juice, grenadine, tropical fruit juice, rum, and crushed ice. And some ginger ale on top. [And a little fruit boat. Isn't it cute?]

Here. It's sweet going down but it has a fair kick. [She places it on the table in front of him.]

[wildkotetsu]

...

[He raises a brow.

That sounds wonderful...]

Named it yourself, huh?

[He smiles and picks up the glass, contented for the moment despite the obvious heaviness of his thoughts.]

[mikangirl]

Yeah. One of my very first visits here, actually. [Back when she was sure she'd go home any day.] One of the small things that makes the place bearable. Or tries.

[She picks her own glass up, holding the rim in her fingers as she sways it forward.] Toast?

[wildkotetsu]

[He fumbles a bit, because he's already tipsy enough to suck at replying to surprise toasts--but he's toasting nonetheless.] Aa--yeah! To... uh. Drinking too much.

[... no that's not a good one

...

don't care LET'S GUZZLE THIS SHIT]

[mikangirl]

[Oh, Kotetsu. That gets a small peal of laughter and Nami clinks her glass to his. Even if she has to clink the bottom because he's too busy drinking it or something.] To drinking too much. May the place look a little better to us on the other side of the glass.

[DOWN THE HATCH]