Late on the 6th [Voice]

[justicereigns]

Right, this is Smoker. I'm back in my own body, thanks to everyone who helped when I was a kid, and you know... during the shift.

Jitte and kickboxing lessons will be delayed until the 10th, but that doesn't mean stop practicing. Keep up the exercises, because I'll be very disappointed if any of you start slipping.

For anyone else interested in joining in, I teach basic self defense, kickboxing, and jitte. There are one-on-one sessions and group sessions, feel free to ask about a schedule because with the drafts ongoing, at least you can learn something to get a fighting chance for survival.

And who still here in the village knows anything about motorcycles? A friend recently reminded me life can be too short not to pursue some things.

Lupin, if you still remember the thing I asked Red about, I'd like to discuss it.

Kotomi-chan, if it's not a bad memory, whatever did happen with the paper your father was writing?

Comments

voice

[relictusdeus]

So.... your... 'motorcycle'... has been enhanced by way of magic, then? Or is it simply drawn by a creature that can tread over any and all terrain?

voice

[justicereigns]

It's machine, but it's powered by my devil fruit. It's not magic, but my wheels are made to float, otherwise my devil fruit wouldn't work.

voice

[relictusdeus]

[The word 'machine' is not unfamiliar to him given that the clock tower in Valachia is known as "Eneomaos Machine Tower" (did this mean the motorcycle was complex in construction??); but... devil fruit? This is new. It sounds like a rare material he would combine with others to fashion new weaponry or armor.]

This fruit of yours is quite impressive.

voice

[justicereigns]

Very. [What is modesty? But he means all devil fruit in general.] There are different types for different people, but I still say mine's the best.

[Especially now that he'd been using someone else's for a week.]

[relictusdeus]

Such modesty. [He can't resist.] And how does one acquire a fruit of this power? I take it that it is native to your world?

[He doesn't recall reading of 'devil fruit' in the guide - but hey, maybe he missed it.]

[justicereigns]

Correct. They can't be gotten here, but they're a curse, so even if one showed up, you might not want to rush into anything.

[relictusdeus]

Oh ye of little faith.

[Curses... he has only recently been freed of one in death and upon appearing in Luceti.]

So you would embrace a cursed power? [That much is already clear; he merely asks for sake of emphasizing a point.]

[justicereigns]

Me? Yes. Others? Not so much.

[relictusdeus]

Indeed. [Still eying him slyly.] And what would this curse of yours be? Clearly 'tis not so horrid that you would rue your powers...

[Of course, some would put up with anything just to have a taste of power.]

[justicereigns]

Drowning. Swimming becomes impossible, ocean: the ultimate weakness.

[relictusdeus]

[This doesn't seem so bad, unless this fellow spends most his life at sea. (Would he drown in a pond?) Everybody knows Belmonts have excellent drowning skills and they're not even cursed.]

Many drown anyway, uncursed as they are.

[justicereigns]

True enough, but a lot of them like to have the option to at least learn how to handle it if nothing else.

[relictusdeus]

So you sink like a rock.

[Amusement creeps into his voice.]

Do be careful with the puddles that form in the rain; their depths can be most surprising.

[What's a little teasing?]

[justicereigns]

Haha, I can handle anything as large as a bathtub.

[No but really, flooding is a big concern for obvious reasons.]

[relictusdeus]

Ahaha - found dead in the bath, naked as a babe. Can you imagine?

[justicereigns]

[Oh Isaac...]

Yeah, I think I'll try to avoid that. For obvious reasons.

[relictusdeus]

Of course. [All slimy and sly, that tone.]

[justicereigns]

[Oh joy.]

Of course if you don't want the same fate you might want to avoid devil fruits. Your call though. Assuming one even shows up.

[relictusdeus]

[If he came across such a strange fruit, he'd rather slice it open and study its properties than eat it, of course. But there is no need to share his intentions.]

Pray tell... what, by their appearance, distinguishes them from ordinary fruit?

[He supposes he might be able to sense them from afar, if they have a dark, cursed aura about them. But, hey.]

[justicereigns]

Swirls. They look like regular fruit for the most part though, and every single one is different. There are a few books in my world about them and the various known types, the library might have a few of them.

[relictusdeus]

Ah. [Why, he might just have to take a look for it has piqued his interest.]

Thank you kindly.

[When's the last time he's sincerely thanked someone? It certainly has been a while - and now is not one of those times.]

[justicereigns]

No problem.

[Sadly, such a thing is nearly lost on Smoker. He's not used to dealing with people being nice to him. Luceti will forever take him by surprise with this.]

Just keep in mind, they're pretty rare in my world, and so unlikely to show up here. Then again, who can say with the Malnosso.

[relictusdeus]

Indeed. [He takes a breath.]

Well. 'twas a pleasure... but I must be on my way. Mind the rain, won't you?

[And without awaiting a response, he calmly shuts his journal. Whenever he will find himself at the library, he might as well look up motorcycles as well.]