ooc; open log because as I've said before the minute someone asks I go "SURE!"

[justicereigns]

Where: The train ride
Who: Smoker, Tashigi and ANYONE/EVERYONE (feel free to jump in the Tashigi/Smoker thread or make your own)
Why: I'm a sucker for logs and guuhhh cute stuff resolution
What: Taking the train from St. Poplar to Water 7, Smoker dealing with Tashigi's SECRET motion sickness
When: Thursday COMING BACK.
Rating: G for sweet and cute unless someone amps it <3



Smoker checked in on the separate bedroom car he'd gotten his Ensign. It figures. She would have motion sickness. Good thing he'd never dragged her along on his bike. And at the minimum she didn't get seasick because if there was marine in this world who would, just to frustrate him further, it would wind up being her. "Hey little lady," he joked knowing how much she hated being called that. "Have a drink." He didn't tell her what was in it. A combination of what Michiko had suggested.

Comments

OOC: Pffft, who would be the honky tonk piano player? XD *shot*

[zenigata-icpo.livejournal.com]

Zenigata stood up, walking to and then looking out the window that Smoker was pointing to.

It was an island, or what was left of one. Rubble was piling in several places, with a few structures that were just barely standing, but were either missing several chunks or were crumbling as the inspector watched. As the commodore explained the cause of the disaster, he felt his hands in his pockets ball into fists. He had his own brush with ludicrous politics, and they also ended in ugly ways. It especially angered him how innocent people got mixed up in the mess. While Lupin was a criminal, the real monsters were sometimes the ones above him.

As Smoker lit another pair of cigars, Zenigata pulled a drag from his cigarette, then blew a stream of smoke into the air. "Sometimes, I wish justice could mean the same thing to everyone." He replied grimly. "That it meant the bad guys lose and the people who need saving are saved."

OOC: Hattori. For the lulz \o/

[justicereigns]

Smoker glanced sidelong about to say something rather dangerous but since when did that stop him. "Unfortunately," he rumbled very softly, "Sometimes it means letting the so-called bad guys go free in order to save the people who need saving." Alabasta's events drifted to mind. In the case of Enies Lobby, who were the real bad guys? The Straw-Hats? CP9? For the most part it seemed as though stupidity reigned all around. "Marines who believe in absolute justice believe killing two hundred innocents, or even two thousand civilians is justifiable to stop even just one criminal. Maybe they think that criminal will kill more than just those two thousand if left to roam but tch." His voice ended in a long growl, showing exactly what he thought of that.

OOC: Pfffft. XDD

[zenigata-icpo.livejournal.com]

The rubble of Enies Lobby stuck out against the shimmering ocean. It seemed like it was abandoned; tossed into the ocean like a piece of trash. It felt lonely to the Inspector.

"Ending lives to save lives...?" He said quietly, the ash of his cigarette flaking onto the window pane. He looked over at Smoker, who was staring at the island like it was someone he had known for years. "When I was first assigned to the Lupin case, I made a promise to myself," He said, taking his cigarette and flicking it into an ash tray on the window pane that resembled a whale. "Even if it meant losing Lupin... I would never let myself hurt anyone innocent."

[justicereigns]

Smoker instantly clapped a large hand to the man's shoulder. "You're a good man Zenigata. I wish all marines thought the way you did." Smoker hadn't vocalized a similar promise with Straw-Hat, he'd just vowed to always follow true justice and never regret the consequences that followed. He hadn't intended to bring anyone with him when he left, not Tashigi, not even the rest of his men. But he was glad they'd come. A show of their loyalty both to him, her and to true justice. Robin asked him on more than one occasion why he'd stayed in the marines. The answer was simple really. No matter how many corrupted officials there were in the brass, for all the idiots and morons he absolutely despised, as long as he could teach true justice to more marines, he could keep going. And so could true justice.

OOC: Justice Bros. *fist pound*

[zenigata-icpo.livejournal.com]

Zenigata smiled back at Smoker. "We could use more men like you in ICPO." He replied. "I thought I was the only nut case when it came to justice."

Three clinks from the bar interrupted them. Zenigata looked over, then blinked. "Ah, our drinks are ready."

ooc: OSSU!

[justicereigns]

Walking back to the bar and taking a long drink of his rum Smoker chuckled softly. "Likewise to you in the marines. My nickname is the White Hunter here but they call me a wild hound every so often because supposedly I'm so uncontrollable." It was an insult and Smoker could still hear Crocodile's dry cracking laugh when he'd had Smoker caught in the prison meant for the Straw-Hat crew and had called him just that as well, but Smoker liked it. It fit him and he hated the idea that his bosses who didn't understand true justice could control him.

[zenigata-icpo.livejournal.com]

The inspector followed him back to the bar, sitting down to take a swig of the beer placed in front of him. "ICPO doesn't have a nickname for me, or one that I'm aware of anyway, but Lupin does. He calls me 'Pops', because of my age probably." He said, gritting his teeth. He hated being reminded of his age, especially when Lupin uses it as a taunt.

[justicereigns]

"Pops huh?" Smoker mused over his drink, "That's what Whitebeard pirates call their captain. Idiots." He rested his head in his hand. "Straw-Hat just calls me 'That Smokey guy' I'm not sure if it's because he doesn't remember me fully or what. Only other person who calls me Smokey is my 'niece.'" Airquotes were visually included both times. "You got any family?"

[zenigata-icpo.livejournal.com]

"I did."

Zenigata set his mug down. It has been a while since he enjoyed a glass of beer, but this ale was a refreshing brew. However, the subject matter was something that made him feel uncomfortable, not to mention guilty. "When I was still in the Tokyo police department I got married to a really pretty girl, Keiko. She was the daughter of the chief and he introduced her to me at a Christmas party. We have a daughter together, her name's Toshiko. She takes after her mother mostly, but she really looked up to me. When I had to work late, I'd come home and she'd be asleep on the couch waiting for me, so I'd have to carry her to bed." He chuckled a little, recalling holding the dozing young girl in his arms as he stepped over the toys in her room to tuck her in.

[justicereigns]

"Hn, job's not an easy one," Smoker grunted with a short nod. Until Karen he hadn't had a very steady relationship because there wasn't much point when all he wanted to do was roam the seas hunting down pirates. Even Tashigi who'd been with him for years now found it rough sometimes that his time was so monopolized by work. It was the very reason Daddy the Father had taken an early retirement, preferring to bounty hunt instead so long as he got to be there for Carol. "She sounds cute," Smoker added softly.

"How long have you been chasing Lupin?"

[zenigata-icpo.livejournal.com]

Zenigata smiled. "She was... Hard to believe now she just got out of college. She's trying to become a defense attorney." He said, taking another swig. Even though he kept in touch with his daughter, he felt he was still far away from her. He wished it could have worked out be tween him and her mother, but wishing was much more different than actually making it work.

He groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Christ, it feels like decades..." He said, looking out towards the window they were at previously. "Toshiko had just started grade school when I was transferred to ICPO. I had longer hours but I still got to be with Keiko and her, that is until I was assigned to the Lupin case. I had to do a lot of traveling and my time with them became fewer, and eventually I barely couldn't go home at all. Going after that French prick took a lot out of me, and it effected my family... Eventually, Kekio called me and told me she was at a hotel with Toshiko. She didn't want to wait for me anymore, and a week later she sent me some paperwork to sign."

[justicereigns]

"Ouch..." Smoker winced, empathizing. How long was he going to chase Straw-Hat? He'd planned until the end of the world if need be but if that took ten or twenty more years how much would he really last? Would he too turn into one of the old fogeys in the brass he hated so much? Sacrificing everything. It had been difficult to even see Karen much of the last month, how much more strain would be added? Or even could be added before something broke. "All for justice," Smoker added grimly. What were personal wants compared with that? He sighed. Good soldiers like Tashigi and Zenigata suffered while bastards like Lupin and Blackbeard kept right on smiling. He ran a hand through his hair.

Even if he never officially caught Straw-Hat; the kid had an endless supply of family and allies and so it seemed energy as well, then at least Smoker knew he was still making the world a better place through the chase. And he had no doubts Zenigata was the same way. "I guess you should probably think of this whole thing as an extended vacation. A chance to recharge batteries before that obnoxious prick does show up."

[zenigata-icpo.livejournal.com]

The inspector looked over, smiling a tired smile. "I can't remember the last time I've been on a train to relax... I took them hundreds of times before for work, but I usually spent my time grumbling like a bear over how much of a pain in the ass Lupin is and figuring out how to jail the French bastard." He laughed a little. It had been a long time since he had someone to drink with, but it felt like he knew the smoking commodore for ages.

[justicereigns]

Smoker chuckled easily at that, "I think I do that non-stop. I have no idea how Tashigi puts up with me. Even my best friends don't know." It was true, most of his friends just pitied his Ensign for being stuck around him so often.

OOC: I seriously need to draw these two drinking together

[zenigata-icpo.livejournal.com]

The inspector smiled, taking another drink of his beer. "She seems to look up to you, Miss Tashigi." He said. "She told me how when she started out you two would spar together everyday until she became the swords woman she is now."

OOC: *_* You can draw?!

[justicereigns]

The tall marine flushed slightly and scrubbed the back of his neck with a hand in embarrassment. "She's got a lot of potential but she's such a clutz, if someone didn't whip her into shape she'd probably impale herself on her own sword." He took a long swig of rum. "She's got a lot of guts at least. More than anyone else in my crew."

OOC: I can, I wanted to volunteer for the Secret Santa thing but I found out about it too late XD;;

[zenigata-icpo.livejournal.com]

Zenigata looked at his mug, swirling the remaining swallow of ale. "How long has she been in the marines?" He asked. "She seems pretty young."

OOC: Awww s'ok :3 I would kill for a drawing of Smoker + Zeni though XD

[justicereigns]

"Hm," Smoker mumbled thinking back. "She's been with me since she was 17 and she's 21 now. So 4 years I guess." He leaned back, still thinking to himself. "I didn't mean to take her out of Loguetown with me. Grand Line's a rough place," he swallowed hard remembering how close she came to breaking in Alabasta and his eyes hardened slowly. "She's definitely gutsy though, like I said. Refused to be left behind." Hunting Roronoa for her pride as much as he was chasing Straw-Hat. Learning true justice with every step. Smoker couldn't ask much more than that.

OOC: I've never drawn One Piece fan art before, so I wonder how that'll turn out XD;

[zenigata-icpo.livejournal.com]

"She was 17? Damn, that's young..."

Another swig and the glass was finally empty. Zenigata glanced over at his current drinking buddy, setting the mug back down. "What about her family? Were they alright with her leaving to train with you?"

OOC: Think ridiculously over-muscled Lupin art :D

[justicereigns]

"It's not so unusual," Smoker tilted his head, "I joined the academy when I was 16." He paused, running a hand through his hair again. "Hell Allen is 15, which is young even by my standards but Straw-Hat himself is only 17. Damn little brat.... You guys don't start that early?"

OOC: Pffft

[zenigata-icpo.livejournal.com]

The inspector sighed, reminded again of his age. "I was in my early twenties when I got out of college and applied for the police academy. I started out as a desk clerk for the station I was at first, then they had me do some traffic work, and eventually I became an actual policeman." He reached into his jacket again for his cigarettes. "I've actually came from a family of policemen; my father was one and so was his."

[justicereigns]

Another head tilt. "Ah, is that usual where you're from? Since Lupin is the third and everything and Goemon is what... the 13th? Here it's a little rare to find a pirate who even knew their parents."

[zenigata-icpo.livejournal.com]

"Yes, Lupin supposedly is the grandson of a famous French thief Arsene Lupin, and Goemon the descendant of a famous Japanese thief who was put to death by boiling oil." The Inspector explained, clicking his lighter again as the glow of its flame illuminated his hand and he cupped around his mouth. "What do you mean by most of the pirates here 'not knowing their parents'?"

[justicereigns]

Smoker shrugged almost too used to the situation, "Ask around. Pirates aren't the parenting type and don't stick around to raise kids. A lot of the rest get killed in wars or rebellions or pirate raids. Some of the rest just disappear -- Grand Line, not only people from other worlds disappear. Orphans being raised by anyone with the guts to take them in is more the norm than someone really knowing all of their lineage. Unless they're a Princess."