#001 - [AUDIO - Glitch Post]

[amethystsregret]

[Soft whimpering is heard with the faint sound of tapping.]

Oh, how did that nurse do it again? I can't remember how to get back there...

[The tapping stops.]

Wait a sec... It's recording already... Uh, if anyone is willing, could someone help me figure one of these things out? I'm afraid I might break it.

[ooc: Tsuzuki is from the sticks of the Meiji Era, so technology isn't his strong point, even if it was the 'Enlightened Rule'. [TEXT] and [AUDIO] comments will work though.]

Comments

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

Ah it was more crazy because of Jii-jii.

Hm... [Thinks for a moment, actually tapping his finger to chin.] Yeah a little, but I wouldn't say it's harder. And the rewards are definitely worth it. You know, like trying to find a rainbow on a really stormy day? Before Luffy came along, I hated everyone and everything. I had no friends, I couldn't tolerate people and I picked fights all the time. I still was that way a lot with Luffy, but with Luffy I had someone to take care of and look out for. He's dim so I worried about him a lot, but that gave me someone to protect. Someone who my life really mattered to. Way more than my life ever meant to me. Luffy was my first real friend. I was really lucky to have him. I wish I could have done a better job protecting him.

[Squeezes the hand again, this time for his own sake.]

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

[The squeeze made Tsuzuki gasp. He must really miss his little brother. Had Luka felt that way? He would never know, even if he stopping being a shinigami. They would never meet again.]

You did the best you could. That's what matters. I'm sure your brother thinks the same thing. You'll always be in his heart.

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

[Starts tearing up, really worried about him.]

Ahhh that baka... [Rubs a fist across his eyes, trying to make it look like he wasn't as upset as he felt and ducking low beneath the brim of the bright orange cowboy hat.] He tried to save me from my own execution. Stupid, stupid... Almost got himself killed and then he got me out and I still screwed up. So in the end, I couldn't let him save me even after all that. And Smoker said he's with Jinbei and Marco and they'd protect him, I'm sure of it. But it's not their job, it's mine. [About to start crying so just blinks it away and fights it off with a growl.] That idiot. I swear to god if he blames himself for my screwup I'll find a way to haunt him and kick it out of him. Damn it, damn it, damn it.

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

Ace... You wouldn't let him grieve...? He will have to, but he will be stronger for it. Marco and Jinbei are your nakuma, right? They protect him for you because they know you would want to protect him.

[Stops. Realizing that Ace needed time to grieve himself, he silenced himself. He gives Ace's hand a squeeze]

Forgive me. It's not my place...

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

Yeah... he... no, you're right. [Throws himself in a hug around Tsuzuki and buries his face in his shoulder and mumbles quietly.] I'm sorry.

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

Ace...

[Wraps his arms around the pirate. Holding him close, he closed his eyes.]

You shouldn't apologize. You deserve to grieve, too. You lost more than a spirit should ever have to...

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

[Gulps and clings.] I didn't lose anything. I finally found out just before I died that they actually cared. That I didn't have to keep trying to prove myself to them because they already... [Chokes up.] I just, really want him to be okay. And I don't know what I'm doing here instead of getting to see Thatch again. Unless I can still protect Luffy here. So... [Blinks furiously and pulls back, smiling weakly and trying to be strong.] I'm going to do that. Everything I can to keep him safe. To make sure at least one marine can't hurt him.

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

Of course. Every little bit counts.

[He smiled his perfect smile. This was how he wanted to grieve. He couldn't judge that. Though he couldn't shake the feeling that Ace's brother felt guilty because he couldn't do what he'd always done for him.]

Re: [Action]

[inyourf-ace.livejournal.com]

[Leans on Tsuzuki again trying not to get too snuggly.] Yeah. [Soft sigh.] And one of his nakama is here so I'll protect him too and then he can protect Lu when he goes back.

Re: [Action]

[amethystsregret.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a good plan to me.

[Smiles down at the young man. He was so strong. He wasn't going to sit by and fall to pieces. He was taking action. He envied the strength of will.]