justicereigns | Appointment Post / Voicemail / All That Jazz

I am unharmed.

[ 'Okay' might be a strong word though.

She sighs as well, shaking her head before making her way back up the stairs. She intends to go back to bed, though there is still plenty of time for Tashigi to stop her on the way. ]

[She hesitates for a moment, then goes to catch up, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.]

Miss Adela?

I... I know we've just met, but I-

[She pauses, struggling with what she wants to say.]

You've had to watch after a grown man, and from the way it looks you've had to put up with far more than is reasonable. So... I want to help you, if there's ever any way I can.

[ It doesn't take much for Adela to stop, and the words take a moment to get taken in.

She's an even more wonderful person than Smoker made her seem, and Adela can't help smiling genuinely in spite of the whirl of confused feelings she's dealing with. ]

Thank you for that. They did not end up waking you, did they Miss Tashigi?

It's not me I'm worried about - I feel like I've been nothing but trouble for you since I've arrived.

[In between interrupting her sleep and now feeling like she's contributed to... whatever this is, Tashigi isn't feeling particularly like a good guest.]

Are you sure there's nothing you need?

I am sure, and believe me you have not caused any trouble. This, unfortunately, is not the first time they have fought like this.

[ It is the first time ire was directed at her, though. She doesn't say that, instead reaching the top of the stairs and moving aside so that Tashigi can have enough room to maneuver around. ]

I was already awake regardless, though their bickering was not exactly helpful in attempting to fall asleep.

[This is just getting more and more concerning. Maybe now's the best time to finally try and broach the subject, so while she moves around, she doesn't go far.]

Miss Adela? May... I ask what's been going on between the two of them?

[It seems complicated]

I honestly do not know.

[ When they reach the kitchen she seats herself, not really in the mood to be polite as she sets the crutch aside. ]

At times they seem perfectly willing to get along, joke and act silly - others, they are like that. It seems to change almost at random for reason beyond my understanding.

[ Unlike Tashigi, Adela might have already overheard quite a bit from the two of them... ]

... The most I can guess at is that they are still trying to sort things out. It must be strange here, with their true reasons to fight being taken away upon entering this world.

[This time it's Tashigi's turn to make the tea, because whether she's asked for it or not, Adela can probably use some. As she expected, the whole thing seems... complicated, and Tashigi's glad she can hide her face momentarily while brewing the tea.]

[There are certain conclusions one can draw from that kind of relationship. Very specific conclusions. But after a few moments, she resolves not to act until she can talk to her Vice Admiral. He deserves that much consideration.]

Maybe... they're definitely trying to sort something out. Even so, they need to realize the effect they have on other people!

[She takes a seat across from Adela with a sigh.]

You shouldn't have to suffer as a result.

Do you mean what Ace said earlier?

[ She isn't looking up, gaze focused on her hands folded in front of her on the table. Even the puppies coming out from their beds doesn't distract her, though she does feel a small comfort at feeling the familiar bump of Ash against her leg as they come into the kitchen area. ]

I... Was not expecting that from him -- perhaps it was foolish of me not to expect it. I was warned of how bad his temper could get, though seeing it at that level was a first.

[Tashigi is silent for a few moments as she considers what she knows. It's pretty likely that for whatever reason, this Ace is a far different person from the one she saw at Marineford. He was an outlaw with a bounty, but... though she'd never voice it aloud, the camaraderie she saw on display didn't make him seem like a man prone to that kind of outburst.]

[Then again, time changes all things, and who knew what time he was from?]

A temper is one thing, but no matter what, it's not okay for their issue to drag you in. Maybe I shouldn't expect a pirate to know better, but Smoker should.

[A beat.]

I wish you hadn't missed with those tools.

That was a warning. They would have hit had I wished for them to, unless they were fire and smoke at the time anyway.

[ Apparently she's forgetting that under the influence of her magic the metal gains the ability to actually do that even if they are fire and smoke, but details. She seems a little surprised that Tashigi seems so intent on this. ]

The only way I was dragged in was for telling them to take it outside lest they destroy the garage. As I already have said, they did not wake me.

[ A beat, and she bows her head a little. ]

Their is another reason that I could not fall asleep then, completely unrelated to the two of them. Smoker already knows... I do not know how likely it is that he would speak to you of it, but now that you are here you should know of it as well.

[She wants to protest further, because there's no reason she should get snapped at for telling them to take their l-... their quarrel elsewhere. Her words falter though, because whatever is on Adela's mind now seems far more important.]

While Smoker talked very well of you, he didn't share much with me. Any secrets you have are yours and yours alone to share.

[She reaches out, gently placing a hand over hers.]

I'll support you however I can, but don't feel like you have to share if you don't want to.

[ She looks at the hand over hers, uncertain of how to take it -- this kind of touch is new, though she can't say it feels bad in the least. Eventually she does try to relax, closing her eyes as she tries to think of where to start. ]

I had both of my legs when I arrived here. When I lost my leg... As I recall, it was barely before Smoker arrived here, though he knows the circumstance from asking around as, unfortunately, what happened to me and many others was made public by the one responsible.

[ Tashigi might feel her beginning to quiver a little, as even a month later she's still not quite over it. ]

A man... His name is Battler, though he later said it was not his true name -- kidnapped several people, committing either acts of torture or murder against them. I was one of them. As much as I tried to fight or escape, I was... I was completely overpowered. He tore away my leg with his bare hands, along with inflicting other injuries. It is because of him that I appear to you as I am now. It is part of why Smoker took me in, as I could no longer provide entirely for myself.

It... It seems foolish and childish, and it does not happen as often anymore, but I am still plagued with memories of that time. How helpless I was, how I could not stop him... How I knew no one would come for me to make it end. It does not happen every night, but those memories still haunt my dreams, causing terrible nightmares. Tonight was one such night.

[Ah. She had wondered when the story of her leg would come up, but Tashigi's unprepared for just how grizzly the tale is.]

['Safe,' they were told upon entering. 'Safer than where they came from, for some.' She shudders to think of a world less safe than one where an innocent can get kidnapped and her leg ripped off for no real reason. That Adela would think less of herself for being so touched by the experience - that she'd quiver from it - is heartbreaking as well.]

I don't think it's foolish or childish at all. I don't think I could go through something like that unscathed, and I certainly won't think less of you for it.

[She gives her hand a small squeeze, trying her best to be reassuring.]

Over time, the memories will fade. Until then, draw strength from wherever or whomever you can. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

[ She sighs, though the reassurance is welcome. She finally meets Tashigi's eye again, tired but at least a little relieved. ]

It... Is hard, I admit. I know there are those around me that are there for me. It helps that I do have those around to remind me that I am not alone now.

[ Weak smile. ]

Getting pulled into a disagreement between those two is nothing compared to what I have already endured. So you do not need to worry over that, all right?

[Adela's trying so hard to be strong, it would be rude for Tashigi not to return her smile. She withdraws her hand, getting back up to finish preparing the tea. It's had long enough to steep. Probably.]

Okay, I understand.

But if we let idiots like those two off the hook every time they do something dumb, they'll start to think they can get away with everything.

That much I can agree to. They did end up breaking the windows, and who knows how more much damage there would have been if they did take their fighting elsewhere.

[ As much as she's trying not to let it... It still bothers her. She can't help feeling unnerved by the whole thing, if only because she hadn't known Ace would turn that kind of aggression onto an ally...

But it's better to not bother Tashigi over that. ]

I should ask, have you thought of what you would like to do here yet?

A little.

[Tashigi places Adela's glass in front of her before returning to her own seat, looking at her own cup closely.]

[The tea has no answers, unfortunately.]

All I've really decided is that I'm not sure at all. I'm thinking about offering my services to people who need short term help, just to try and get a feel for the city.

Whatever I do, I want it to be something truly helpful.

[ She'll mumble a small thanks to Tashigi and for the moment just holds the cup, taking in the heat from the tea. But, unfortunately, Tashigi's right in the tea not really giving any answers. ]

Perhaps you should take to teaching self defense. There are those who teach hand to hand, but so far as I recall there are no sword instructors generally available in the city. I know I would be among the number who would appreciate such a service being available, at least.

I... I think I would really enjoy that. It's something I'd like to work towards, honestly.

[Smoker had said something similar as well, but her enthusiasm's been slightly tempered.]

It's not something I can rush into, though. I have to make sure I go into it with everything I have. People could get hurt, otherwise.

Well, in such cases I have seen people take to training weapons - made of wood or plastic so that they cannot cause grievous harm. That and most people signing up for those lessons should know ahead of time what they are in for, that it is not something that should be used lightly for its power to hurt.

[ She smiles warmly at that as she thinks about it more. ]

It is because you understand that people can be hurt by it that you should teach people how and when to use swordplay properly -- does that not already prove you would be responsible with such a task?

[Adela, you're an angel. Even if you're an angel who throws wrenches. Tashigi can feel her confidence returning, and that smile is infectious.]

Training weapons, a place to use, money for bills and upkeep... I had better start saving now if we're going to make this a reality.

[There are other ideas buzzing in her head as well, but those can wait.]

[ Honestly the conversation is helping Adela cheer up as well, and she can't help showing that even as she takes some time to sip at her tea while Tashigi talks more about it. ]

It may be your own place, though it might be worth looking into seeing if a gym will let you use their space as well - garner a reputation, with people already going there able to see the offered lessons. I know the same was suggested to me when I first arrived, albeit for my metalworks but still.

Hmm, that's not a bad idea. It'd cut down on the initial costs at least, and then I'd just need to worry about materials like swords and uniforms.

[A beat, then a moment of realization.]

I'll need someone to design a uniform! Though perhaps it's best to keep it simple.

[ She's grinning as Tashigi thinks more about it, and nods as she turns back to her tea. ]

It should be simple, I agree. I look forward to the day when your school opens, Miss Tashigi.

[ It's something nicer to think about at the least, and she's confident that Tashigi can do it as well. ]

Appointment Post / Voicemail / All That Jazz

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