justicereigns | Appointment Post / Voicemail / All That Jazz

Just... thinking. [But he's bright fucking red. And still thinking apparently, as he doesn't explain that. Just demonstrates some more, carefully avoiding anything that would move or flex the ribcage.]

...and you're thinking pretty hard, apparently.

[Lupin nods in understanding of this new set and goes through the moves, grateful for Smoker's consideration. He knew it was a good idea to trust his gut instincts on this one!]

I got... last year I was affected by a Shift. I was in love with a pirate, but I never told him, from the Shift he was in love with someone else. [Stands up slowly, setting the jitte aside, and runs through some basic calisthenics.]

This year, same pirate, different circumstances. It could be the Malnosso... or it could be that I try to live without things unfinished and this one and I... [He frowns, it wasn't like he was in love with Portgas during the Shift. Just confused. And the damn smiles. Why were those smiles affecting him so much?] We always have a lot unfinished.

[Calisthenics. He can do that! Listening to Smoker, though, really did cement several similarities with the law dog he was more familiar with. They really did have similar sentiments, overall.

It was why Pops never gave up the chase, even when Lupin pretended to be dead.]

...So you approached him in this hot new body of yours, and got nothing conclusive? I find that a little hard to believe, Cap'.

[Don't mind his brief dog-like shudder.]

I didn't approach him.

[Oh wait... he did...] NOT LIKE THAT! [Normally the tone would be thundering, now it's just cute and squeaky. God damn this voice.] He's the only equal I have in this place. Or my world. I wanted to train....

[Blushing so much and turns his back to Lupin, focusing on showing things even while keeping the spine rigid. Not easy to do from behind.] He's the only god damn pirate with enough guts to talk to me other than Blackbeard.

And he doesn't... I'm certain he's not -- He was just being -- I have a girlfriend. [That came out of nowhere. And did he still? She was sent home and possibly wouldn't remember him. Or care to. Such was the nature of anything in Luceti, wasn't it? What a pain.] Or had. [Slips into his usual grumpy frown, more pouting now than he realizes and turns back.]

[He'd be laughing, but he preferred to not be in pain as he was going through calisthenics. While he made certain to take the obligatory pain relieves (on his own), there was only so far that they could go. They were general ones anyway, and wouldn't cover everything.]

I can't imagine why pirates wouldn't have the guts to talk to you. [He said this dryly, but not without a smile.] I mean, look at me? I'm just a thief, and not a good fighter to boot, and I'm not that scared of you.

So you have a girlfriend. [Have. Present tense. He knows a thing or two about missing girlfriends.] But~, you also have this thing with that pirate. That's gotta be more than a little conflicting for ya.

[Scowls darker, though he's secretly pleased that all the pirates are scared of him :3 Yes. Fear him foolish mortals. For when his army of jitte-wielding badasses take over, they will be the first to go...]

I'm not sure she'd remember me, if they even bring her back. [Lizzie too... Damn he loved that girl. It was like seeing his god-daughter Carol in 10 more years if the girl turned out insanely badass and a dual wielder of swords. Grell had nearly adopted the child temporarily, so long as they were in Luceti together, but she got sent home and then the other. Like he'd told Adele, that was how things tended to happen here.] And it's not a conflict like that. [Eyes narrow, but he's serious, that's the truth.] Last year when the Shift happened, Grell was the only person I ever told. [He didn't even tell his roommate, but Ikki had been dealing with other things.] We got together almost because of it. [Because she'd shown she got it, and was trustworthy. And then understood why he'd been so miserable on his birthday and gotten drunk. And that kiss...]

I don't exactly have a thing for the pirate. [Which was confusing in and of itself.] His brother once told me he doesn't hate me. Like you and Zenigata. Well, I don't hate him. Tch... Like I said. There's always a lot unfinished.

I'm fairly certain it's one-sided though. Not... a crush. [Rolls his eyes and carefully hands Lupin a small weight as he demonstrates the arm building exercises. It was a challenge, not just tailoring a plan to avoid injuring the ribs, but also modifying all his usual regimes to one that wouldn't lose Lupin's dexterity. Complicated.] Perhaps I'm not sure what I want from the brat.

[The addition of the weights was where it grew interesting. He'd avoided lifting things for the most part, and was starting to get back to semi normal before his happy little tumble with Fujiko. It smarted, because all of those muscles in the upper body do interact at one point or another, but it was nothing he couldn't handle.

Just take it easy, is all.]

So what you have is complicated then? I get that. It's part of life, like leaving things unfinished. I don't like leaving things go, but there's always something...

And, just so ya know, even if your girl doesn't remember you immediately doesn't mean that she won't, if she does end up coming back. Sometimes memories unravel over time, or on others they just need a good boost.

Maybe she'd also been so busy that she just didn't have time to remember--and we have nothing but time here. You never know, really. That's why you need to have some faith in your friends.

Same goes with that complicated thing. Maybe you'll figure it out one of these days.

Edited 2012-02-21 05:33 (UTC)

You think so?

[Focuses on checking the balance and Lupin's form, as well as his breathing, as with the ribs, that's going to be the most important part. Though it'd probably be easier without the smoke around, so Smoker backs up and watches intently.]

Hn. It's about my justice. That isn't something that can just be left. Not here when there's a chance.

I know so--my friends, my girlfriend, and myself have all had to deal with madmen fucking with our minds.

[Lupin is a smoker himself, just not on the same level as Jigen and not nearly on level with Smoker. He can handle more than a little, but the distance is appreciated.]

Things that are important to you shouldn't be forgotten just because we're in a cozy little space/time pocket of a cage. Why do you think I'm trying to do what I do? So I can get back to the Game--for Pops too. He always ends up acting like a restless, caged dog during the few times I do end up in prison. This can't be any better for him than it is for me.

...It sounds like something happened in your world that makes your and his game impossible. Permanent capture by someone else?

Restless caged dog, huh? [That sounds awfully familiar.]

He was never my prey to begin with, just got in the way. And correct, the chase can't continue back in our world, and not because he's in prison. So we have mutual hatred of another marine and another pirate.

Tsk. I suppose it's the waste of possibility that gets to me. [While Lupin works on reps, Smoker is going to light up a new cigar.]

[Not prison. That mean...]

So he met the fate that everyone must face eventually, criminal or no. [Dammit--there was another. Another one who might not want his plan to go through, who would effect others around him.

He continues his reps, taking it slow and easy while his thoughts collided against eachother. The repitition in action was helpful in reordering his thinking.]'

Well, maybe it's best not to focus on the wasted possibilities that could have been and think of what we have here. Do what you think is best and right. Do what you can, whatever that is to you.

[Frowns. Smoker seriously doubts that even with his entire world knowing about it, and two-thirds of Luceti knowing as well that Ace really wants to deal with having well... everyone know about it. He's of two minds on this, one that it is just as inevitable and might as well get it out of the way, but two, that it's really not Smoker's place to reveal things Portgas might want kept secret. Pirate or not.] It's a really long story, and nearly an entire war centered around him. So it's complicated.

Right. Well that was the decision I reached when I was kidnapped, only it wound up with the brat and I kissing. [Pounds a fist to her forehead. Nope, hadn't meant to mention that.]

Sounds very complicated! [Though Lupin is a perceptive bastard, he hasn't put every criminal type in Luceti on his 'to-stalk' list. Smoker has no reason to worry about the information leaking if Lupin has no idea who the pirate in question is. Even if Lupin did know, he is nothing if not discreet.

He goes to comment on this, but stops.

Wait.

What?

WHAT???]

[He stops his reps, trying valiantly not to laugh at this. Seriously? SERIOUSLY?

A deep breath--mistake--and exhale with a stifled, uncomfortable grunt. Instead of being a dick, he tries for the reasonable approach.]

So. You kissed a man, as a woman. That man happens to be your rival. But~ you also have a girlfriend, as a man.

Which side do you prefer???

[Withering glare. It sort of still works as a woman since it certainly spells out "I think you're an idiot for even asking this."]

Does it look like I care about gender? [He still hasn't worn a shirt even though he did zip up. Reluctantly.] That's not my issue. [Folds his arms and legs and sits grumpily on the ground. This as a girl, looks nothing short of pouting. Of course, he hasn't even explained that Grell is basically a man biologically, but Smoker goes "death-god" and shrugs that off entirely. Nope, gender factors not. Then again, this is the same man who initially thought Grell was a fishamn because of her teeth. And didn't have a problem with it.] And there's no contest, if Grell were here and still remembered everything, you'd know why. [Actually, Lupin probably would not know why, but Smoker assumes it would be obvious. Because Smoker ~~is an idiot~~ does not get it; as per theme of the week.]

It's more frustrating that I can't even tell if all that was him mocking me, us trying not to beat each other senseless, or just the Malnosso messing with me. I don't want to sleep with Portgas, but I do want... something? Doing what I can here with him. [Another fist to forehead.] Not sexually. I'm pretty sure. [:|] Just working out the unfinished loose ends. But I'm not sure if this is now a loose end. [Huffs. And just stays sitting there grumpily tsuning forever.]

[The Captain was pouting--and it was adorable! As much as he wants to laugh in delight at this display of very feminine rage, he withholds it for a little while longer. That smile, though, hints that his mirth is bubbling just below the surface.

Reps forgotten, he joins Smoker on the floor.] That's an admirable point of view, really. Progressive, even, in some places. [He's sure that he would indeed understand if he ever had the opportunity to meet this Grell. She must be quite a woman, to have Smoker's heart.]

Then again, your thought system is also kinda progressive. While I'm all for blaming the Malnosso on all of the strange crap around here, it's also possible that it's just the strange chemistry you have with Portgas. [Portgas...didn't he hear that name somewhere?

He shrugs.] Thinking and debating it won't get you anywhere. Maybe you should just go about like you have been and figure it out in time?

[Watch Grell and Lupin hate each other :3]

Progressive?? [A shrug. Welcome to One Piece world Lupin, where there is a constant No Hugging No kissing rule, and yet it doesn't stop the shippers, or kids being born. Or the weirdness of fishman/merfolk.... Or the debatable wtfery of all zoans. And giants, and how do they have 20 foot tall humans anyway? You know what? Moving on.]

Chemistry? [Ew gross! PIRATE COOTIES.] Yeah, fair enough. Not like we don't have time. And I do not have chemistry with Portgas. [He needs toothpaste. Toothpaste cigars.]

[That's dependent on if she tries to murder him. :3]

...I was speaking from my point of view there, Cap. Yes, this counts as progressive and chemistry--though, more like how Pops and I have our history and anything...else.

If this is your only chance to bring your justice, then yeah. You have chemistry.

[Probably not. She didn't try to kill Labrador and female!Labrador hit on Smoker (he was oblivious).]

Hn... [Shoots him a side glance.] What does the chemistry mean then? [Huffs on cigars.]

There's a few definitions. One is the obvious--romantic tension. The other, what I'm talking, is how personalities mesh and their shared history.

So, you have chemistry with this pirate of yours.

[Drags a palm down his face.]

No. We don't mesh. That's the problem. It's fire and smoke. We can challenge each other, but it's like if oil and water were or equal density and neither could rise to the top, but they still couldn't mix. We cancel each other out.

Make that oil and vinegar, and you have a damn good salad dressing.

[He smiles, amused at this.]

Meshing doesn't mean mixing. But, it's like you said. Challenge. That's part of interpersonal chemistry too.

Tsk. I'm beginning to get more of an inkling into your idea of "playing rough" with your girlfriend than I care to.

[Yes he just called Lupin a masochist.]

There's another problem with it. [Waves a hand.] Several. I'm not even sure there's anything right with it since you keep going on about a chemistry that doesn't exist.

[Ah, Smoker. If only you knew the half of it!]

I'm damn flexible, remember? Cuffs can be used for more than law enforcement, you know.

Seriously, though? Good or bad, it's there--whatever it is. You have nothing but time to deal with it here, so maybe you and him can figure things out eventually.

Edited 2012-02-22 02:12 (UTC)

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