idealism | Fuda # 18 | Sock 'n' roll.

What are you doing?

[He's answering using one of the puppets.]

Nothing.

[There's a pregnant pause where he's feeling ridiculous.]

Promise you won't laugh?

[Feeling ridiculous would be appropriate, so Hisoka's not about to interrupt that.]

There's no chance of that happening.

[He lifts the socks up, wondering if it's possible to squirm his way out of the situation. Sadly, he's coming up short.]

I was going to name one of these Hisocka, you know. But I didn't want you to think I was teasing you.

Did you know that Elicia's mother went home a week back?

Don't be an idiot.

That little girl you spend too much time with? I didn't know her mother was even here in the first place.

Next time I see her, I'll introduce you.

Well, she was. Her father and Elicia took her disappearance very hard. So... I wanted to make a distraction for her.

...I'm not good with kids. I wouldn't know what to say.

You're too nice to people.

I'm not good with kids, either.

No. You can't be too nice. People can show remarkable sides of themselves if you just give them a chance.

Perk?

[Oh hai thar. You have a cat staring up at you curiously. What's with the socks, dude?]

Hey, Foot. Don't mind me, I'm just practicing.

[Oh hai! He picks up a piece of string with the sock-puppet, preparing to play with her.]

[Foot will bat a little at the string before padding over to lean on his leg.]

What are you practicing for?

[He bends down to cuddle the cat, using one of his sock-wearing hands.]

I was thinking of making a puppet theater. There's no television here, so I thought maybe the kids would appreciate it.

[Foot purrs and nuzzles the sock appreciatively, her ears twicthing as she considers his words.]

Children like socks?

It's a sock now, but once I've glued on a tongue and some eyes it will look more like a fuzzy toy.

[Another curious nuzzle on the sock]

Will there be catnip?

I'll fill a different sock with catnip for you, then tie it closed at the end. Then you can have your very own sock-toy.

[Tsuzuki tries to scratch her behind the ear, still wearing the socks over his hands.]

Is that okay with you?

Edited 2011-02-06 20:19 (UTC)

I would like that.

...But tell me...why does wearing socks on you hand make it fun for children?

Then I'll fix that!

They don't actually like the socks, they just like playing make-believe. When I wear the socks on my hands, we can pretend that they're colorful, imaginary friends.

[Foot seems to consider this, bathing one paw carefully before looking up at him again]

...this is entertaining for humans?

Only young humans. Those without television.

Tsuzuki! What's White Day?

Oh, I should've mentioned that Valentine's the day when girls give gifts to the boys they like. White day's the day when the guys give chocolate back!

Oh! So... I'd give Ceodore chocolates and then he gives them back to me?

Yes. As long as he knows about the tradition.

Be careful what you tell him, though. In Japan, sometimes the men exchange the chocolate for lingerie.

I don't think he does and in that respect, I think it'd be better to make our own tradition about it.

...If he did that, he knows I'd kill him.

You know, I think making your own traditions might be better than giving chocolates.

Speaking of murdering your boyfriend. Did he apologize for walking around in your body during the event?

Doesn't mean that I won't wanna give him chocolate. He's a boy and the way to his heart -- other than cuddles -- is through his stomach!

He did. But he wouldn't let me apologize.

Awww. Well, I don't think there's a rule that says you can't. As long as it makes someone happy, go for it!

[The roundabout way this conversation goes makes Tsuzuki's voice grow softer. It's clear that he's smiling when he speaks.] He sounds like he really cares about you.

It's the thought that counts and I owe it to him.

[Awww Tsuzuki, you're making her smile in the same way.] I love him.

I'm glad to hear you two worked it out. When you began to fight, I was worried.

[He can't help it. Stories about people falling in love is among Tsuzuki's soft spots.] He sounds like he loves you, too. You're lucky to have found each other.

Yeah... I overreacted but he won't let me apologize.

[Awwww, Selphie smiles shyly.] Thank you.

He sounds like he's a gentleman.

[Dawww, young love. ♥] You're welcome.

He's really sweet.

So are you. It's a good match, Selphie!

Y-you think so?

Yes. [And then, teasingly, he adds:] Will you invite me to the wedding?

[Wha...?] Tsuzuki!

[He laughs softly in reply.] I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.

Tsuzuki-san....

[How come everyone knows it's him? Clearly he didn't think his cunning plan all the way through.]

Hi, Rise. Are you doing anything for Valentine's?

Huh? Um, well...I'm making chocolates too. But they'll be for friends.

Obligatory chocolates?

Yeah. Though it's been a while since I've had to make so many.

Hey...do you think we should tell everyone else about obligatory chocolates too?

Nah. They'll just get confused. - Do you need any help making some chocolate batches?

Well, I guess as long as they don't read too much into it...

[Oh well.]

Is that an offer for help I spy, Tsuzuki-san?

Edited 2011-02-08 09:07 (UTC)

Yes. I love baking, so we should do it sometime. [Too bad their combined cooking skills (or lack thereof) is seriously bad news for Luceti.]

[Eh, Luceti will live. Maybe.]

Would Valentine's Day be too soon then...?

No, that could work. That is, if you don't have any plans for the day.

We could always bake on the evening before valentine's.

[She considers this.]

Actually...do you think we could do it the morning before Valentine's? There's been so much talk about the experiment on the day itself that I think it might be better if I gave everyone theirs a little earlier.

You know, just in case.

That sounds good! Do you want to come over to 49, or should I come visit you instead?

[Well, since Link is on her list of chocolate receivers...]

The latter, please! If you don't mind.

Edited 2011-02-14 19:01 (UTC)

[. . .

damned curiosity]

What is a valentine?

Well, you know if you like someone but can't bring yourself to tell that person?

["like" you say

...this is very silly]

Why wouldn't you?

Because of shyness. Or maybe you don't talk to them much. Anyway, on Valentine's day, people are encouraged to be brave and to give their valentine a card, to express their feelings. I prefer chocolates, though.

[That makes no sense. It must be some kind of human thing.

...mehhh. Next question!]

What is 'chocolates'?

Only the best candy there is! Don't tell me you've never had any.

What is 'candy'?

[...apparently not.]

..........

Food. You know what food is?

[...There is a brief, quiet "hfft." noise over the voice function, the audible equivalent of an eye-roll]

yes

It's very good type of food. Better than honey and berries and meat.

Edited 2011-02-06 20:19 (UTC)

So you get chocolates for your friends?

[Because 'really like' to Ven = good friends. He is intrigued, though.]

Sure, why not. Friends like chocolates, too.

But save the fanciest chocolates for your girlfriend!

Girlfriend?

[...Oh.]

Actually, I don't have one.

[And this conversation suddenly got awkward.]

Oh, sorry.

Should I have said boyfriend?

Er. Well, I don't have anyone like that. It's not something I ever thought about before.

There's nothing wrong with that. Some people wait a long time before they think about it. You might still get some chocolates, though.

I dunno. It sounds nice and all, but I'm not in a big rush. Right now, I'd rather focus on friendship.

[Although...]

I'll probably get 'em some chocolates anyway.

... You do know what they do for Valentine's day around here, right?

I heard they took "love at first sight" very seriously. But they wouldn't do that to us again, would they?

Every. Year.

What?

Yep. It wasn't just a one-time thing, they do it every single time the holiday rolls around.

But what if you can't afford to fall in love with some stranger? Isn't there some way to avoid the curse?

Sort of. You can do one of two things.

First, fall in love with someone you know deliberately. Awkward? Sure. But maybe better than the alternative.

Second, avoid the journal and everyone in town and go be a hermit for a while.

Those are pretty much the only guaranteed ways to work around it. Not everyone's affected, but you really don't want to just cross your fingers that you're left alone.

If you're unlucky enough to get hit by it, how long does the curse last? If you only have to be a hermit for a day, that's not too bad.

Yeah, that wouldn't be too bad.

Problem is, like most experiments it lasts a week.

[s-sob.]

[There's no way around it, then. Hisoka would be counting on him during that week, since it would be much harder for his young partner to deal with the changes.]

[With a small shake of the head, as if he could rid his self-pity that way, Tsuzuki straightens up.]

Ouch. Sounds like you know what you're talking about. Did you fall in love last year?

No, no, not last year.

But I came to Luceti right on Valentine's Day the year before last.

...Wow! Talk about trial by fire!

It was a heck of a way to get introduced to this place, that's for sure.

What was the worst part?

I'm not sure if it was the simple fact that I'd never met the girl before, or that I suddenly had such strong feelings while I was still trying to settle in.

If that happened to me I'd be worried that she had hit her head. Did you end up living near her?

[...why are there talking socks?]

[And then what the socks are saying sinks through.]

Oh - is that what that was all about?

[Man, no one told her about White Day! She should have given Sanji something back!]

[Tsuzuki's starting to see that his brilliant idea maybe wasn't so brilliant. He manipulates a sock so it wears a :( face.]

Yes. A lot of worlds don't celebrate it, so I thought that a public announcement might help clear up some confusion. And well, it wasn't supposed to be sent now. There was still a lot of editing to be done.

Well, at least this way you give people plenty of time to prepare something?

Some people need that extra time. One year it took me ages to learn how to avoid burning the caramels.

So it's traditional to give sweet things?

In some places, yes. They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

[Oh wait-]

So it's a holiday where you only give things to people if you feel for them as more than a friend?

[What is this kind of craziness? That seems like it would be either really romantic or just... make a lot of people feel horrible.]

Well.

Technically. But it's not uncommon for friends to give each other chocolate.

[It's times like this that Muraki takes stock of his life and realizes he's in love with a crazy person.]

I believe you forgot to mention flowers.

Edited 2011-02-06 20:53 (UTC)

flowerrs! IO kjneew IO jhasd foprgopteen --

Sorry. I can't type when I'm wearing socks.

You're forgiven.

...I myself prefer the gift of flowers. During the Middle Ages, couples were forbidden from showing affection in public. By giving flowers, a person could express their emotions without being condemned by the church. Even a single flower can convey a certain message--and they do not contain sugar.

...I remember that! When I began gardening, my sister told me what the significance of the colors meant. You could send a lot of messages just from that.

How come you know so much about flowers?

It would be terrible to bore you. Why don't we talk about something else?

Edited 2011-02-09 10:46 (UTC)

Oh, you're not boring me. What do you want to talk about?

Your demonstration was certainly enlightening. And how will you be spending the holiday?

Edited 2011-02-13 03:09 (UTC)

I haven't decided yet. Maybe go out for a drink. What about you? Any plans?

I'm afraid I have none. Due to some complications with the one that I love.

Edited 2011-02-14 05:40 (UTC)

Oh no. I hope she's all right. Is she sick?

...It's a he. And he's not sick. I'm certain he's not aware of my feelings, though I've loved him for a very long time.

That's too bad. Have you considered telling him? If he's gone that long without noticing, he might be a little clueless.

Is that what you would recommend?

I think so. I mean, you want him to know you exist, right? And you'll never know if he feels the same if you don't.

[A brief pause before he writes again, positively glowing in satisfaction. This wasn't over. You're going to be kicking yourself so hard in the future, Tsuzuki.] ...Thank you. You've given me a lot to think about.

Edited 2011-02-16 00:38 (UTC)

[Later he will definitely kick himself, but for now he feels accomplished. He's helped him with a love-life problem!]

I hope it'll work for you. Especially now that valentine's day is coming up.

I don't think that we will be together on Valentine's Day...[He needs a plan first. Some leverage.] But soon. It's hard to be apart from him for too long.

Edited 2011-02-17 09:52 (UTC)

I'm sorry to hear that. Lovers shouldn't be apart on Valentine's day. I'm sure it's equally hard for him, though.

Then it would be cruel to make him wait.

Thank you, but I must be going now.

...And in case I don't get to speak with you again, happy Valentine's Day.

Edited 2011-02-19 23:04 (UTC)

[He's hesitating suddenly. There's nothing wrong with what the stranger said, yet it made Tsuzuki think it sounded familiar. He shakes his head, amused by his own paranoia.]

Happy Valentine's Day!

Oh, and I'm sorry. I don't think I caught your name.

[He smiles, knowing that question was inevitable, and he was prepared. You weren't going to snatch him that easily, Tsuzuki.]

I'm the one who should apologize for being so rude. Sugimura Mamoru. [It was the name of one of his classmates in med school. Someone he didn't like, but nevertheless...]

And you are?

No, no. You weren't rude at all. [After all, he forgot to ask for his name for a long while. If anything, Tsuzuki was rude.]

I'm Tsuzuki Asato! Nice to meet you, Mamoru. [And predictably, he's bowing even thought Muraki would have no way of seeing it.]

[And of course he's smirking in the privacy of his own apartment like he's already won.]

The pleasure is all mine, Tsuzuki. [Being able to say your name without raising suspicion is more satisfying than expected.] How can I ever repay you for helping me?

No, no. Don't worry about it. [Help with gardening comes to his mind, but Tsuzuki doesn't want to impose.] We have to help each other while we're stuck here, right?

[No good can come from taking Muraki and giving him a plot of dirt and a shovel, anyway.] Perhaps.

Though one day I promise I'll find a way to return the favor. I insist.

In that case, I'd be delighted.

Excellent.

For now, take care of yourself, Tsuzuki. [And with that he closes his journal, ending the conversation.]

...is it necessary to use socks to communicate this point, Tsuzuki?

In hindsight, I should have waited to practice with the socks until I checked if the communicator was recording.

Are you doing anything for Valentine's day, Draco?

Probably so.

I hope that's not a serious question. It's Valentine's Day.

Oh, good. I was worried your world was one of those valentineless ones. So that means you're waiting for White Day, then?

[He almost has to ask what White Day is, but he vaguely remembers someone else explaining it last year.]

I'm from Britain. No, I'm not waiting for White Day.

I don't know how people celebrate valentine's day in Britain.

Essentially, boys and girls exchange presents on the same day versus boys waiting for White Day. Usually the presents are cards or candy or flowers...or other ridiculously frilly things. It's fairly simple.

How do you know which girl will give a present to which boy, and vise versa?

You don't. It's all the element of surprise, and you can give presents to whomever you wish.

Some people are bound to go without presents, then.

Yes. That's the point. It's not as though the holiday should be obligatory or anything...unless it is where you're from. In that case, that's just odd.

It's not obligatory, but it's really good manners.

Good manners in what sense though? It sounds a bit fake to me that way.

In Japan, a lot of your social standing comes from how well-mannered you can be. ... I don't know if there's an equivalent in England.

In England, your social standing comes from how rich you are. [Well, mostly.] And in the Wizarding world it comes from your blood status. Quite a difference, you see.

...Blood status?

If you're Pureblooded, a Half-blood, a Mudblood, a Blood-traitor, a Squib...things like that.

Oh, I get it. So if you're not pure, you're ostracized. Japan used to have that, too.

...'used to'?

It used to be very cut off from the rest of the world. If you didn't look right, or act right, you could expect a lot of abuse.

And why has it changed since then?

The world happened. Japan was forced to adapt. Either it could isolate itself further, and sacrifice access to powerful innovations, or they could embrace the outside world. On their own terms, I mean.

But isn't that a loss in its own power by adapting? Giving in like that seems as though it's a waste.

Don't think of it as giving in. What would you say is the loss, if someone choose to adapt to a new playing field?

The people from the old playing field may come after that someone and kill them? Just a thought.

[This is only a little weird.]

The hell are you talking about? And why are you using those things to do it?

I'm practicing! Maybe with some work, I might be able to make a kid's show.

...You're still not making any sense.

[But then, how much sense does Sanosuke actually expect a guy who uses socks to do his talking to make?]

I'm not? Is your world one of those places without Valentine's day, by any chance?

Edited 2011-02-07 03:26 (UTC)

Guess not, since I've never heard of it. Or that chock-olate stuff either.

[He's laughing and trying not to, so it takes a second before he can speak.]

Thank you for the reminder! The socks were an especially nice touch.

[And yes. He means it.]

[Laughter and teasing he had braced himself for, but not compliments. That throws him off for a second, before you could almost hear the smile in his voice.]

Thank you! Are there anyone special you're going to surprise this valentine's day?

Oh, well, possibly. [Definitely.]

Were you directing this at anyone in particular, or just trying to cheer people up in general?

You've saved me some trouble explaining this to Flandre.

I'm glad to hear that. Hope it helped!

[And why yes, the sock is flapping its mouth as he talks.]

[Watching from nearby and lulzing. ...And possibly taking notes.]

Can you give chocolates and cards to your friends? I really like them!

Edited 2011-02-07 00:05 (UTC)

[He can hear that laughter, Link!]

Why not? Just keep in mind that not everyone knows about obligatory chocolate.

[...Come to think of it, he doesn't either.] Right! Uh... what is obligatory chocolate?

Chocolate you give to friends.

Oh, okay! I guess I can add a note saying 'you're a good friend!' to them... what kind do you want?

I want any kind of chocolate you're willing to make. What kind do you want?

I like any kind! [Pause. He hadn't thought of that, actually.] Are you supposed to make chocolates for people? I'm not good at cooking...

A lot of people by theirs, because making chocolate is such a hassle. Do you think the stores here ever get sold out?

Oh... they might, if everyone's buying it at the same time. Should we get some early?

Yes, definitely. Maybe we should even go over there now.

Great! I'll grab my stuff!

((OOC: Ever seen the Faces of Evil opening? ...I apologise sincerely XD;; ))

I'll get a bag!

[ooc: MY BRAIN. XD What the heck did I just watch, hahaha.]

Okay! [Aaand he's off again, returning a few minutes later in his usual boots and hat, jacket, scarf, gloves, and the earmuffs he got from Hijiri.]

((OOC: The opening cutscene of one of the most infamous gaming mistakes ever. And this is why companies that aren't Nintendo don't make Zelda games XD It was for the Phillips CD-i, and is less famous for being one of the first games on a disc and more famous for having the dodgiest animations of all time. See the ending here 8D Yeah, you beat Ganon with a book. There was another one starring Zelda - opening and ending. ...Enjoy? :3 ))

[Tsuzuki doesn't wear much, except his cloak and his scarf. He expects his regenerating body to keep him from getting colds.]

Nice earmuffs!

[OOC: I don't know whether to laugh or cry. What were they thinking? XD]

[Lucky Tsuzuki. Link has learnt to go underdressed in winter at his peril, especially since he can't actually tell when he's too cold.]

Hijiri gave them to me for Christmas! They're nice, huh?

((OOC: You know, I'm not certain they were thinking at all :p Aside from 'ooh Zelda and Mario are popular let's make really subpar games and hope people buy them anyway'. There was a Mario game, too. And a third Zelda game, although that one was weird - it was, well, live-action rotoscoped. Sad part is, if it wasn't for the incredibly muddy backgrounds, dodgy controls, and Loads And Loads Of Loading Time, the third one wouldn't be too bad a game.))

Yes, they are. Are they warm?

Uh huh! Anyway, I need something to keep my ears warm, they're a lot bigger than other people's. [Sadly, Link has become quite used to people commenting on his ears.]

Do they get colder quickly, too?

I don't know, they've never been smaller. [He frowns faintly, though.] I think they did get really cold in the ice caverns, though. I can't really tell, here.

I don't notice cold that much, so I'm not sure if I can compare properly, either. [He scratches his head.] Ice caverns?

Oh... they're in Hyrule. I had to go through them to get Iron Boots so I could go to the Water Temple. They're freezing!

Why were the Iron Boots in there? Wouldn't they freeze fast to the floor?

They were in a chest! I think there was magic - anyway, the Water Temple was at the lake, and that wasn't frozen.

[Just half-drained and full of monsters.]

I think you spent way too much time in danger when you were home. You could have gotten pneumonia!

I had to do it, though... what's pneumonia?

It's an infection in the lungs. You get tired and cough a lot.

Oh... I don't think I've ever had that. I did have a lot of potions when I was travelling, though! And I got healed by fairies a lot.

I'm glad to hear that, because it's very serious.

....You ate fairies and drank potions to restore your health?

[sdfjkghdsl TSUZUKI ONE OF HIS BFFS IS A FAIRY D8]

You don't eat fairies! They heal you with their magic!

Edited 2011-03-15 10:02 (UTC)

Oh thank god! You worried me for a second!

[Whyyy, Tsuzuki, whyyyy.]

One of my best friends is a fairy. ...Except she isn't the healing kind. Still, I wouldn't eat them!

I'm glad to hear that! [But it's too late now, they'll never get the mental image out of their minds.]

What kind of fairy is she?

[Can never unseeee ;_; ]

She's a guardian fairy. All of the Kokiri have one - I'm not a real Kokiri, but she guarded me too.

[Tsuzuki will never get to make tempura shrimp to Link now, because it'll look like he's cooking fairies. 6_6]

That was kind of her. Are all guardian fairies blue?

[Oh dear.]

Nope, they're lots of different colours, like pink and yellow. I haven't seen many blue ones, actually...

I wonder what decides their colors. Can it be their personalities?

Maybe... I think the pink ones tend to be the nicest, and the yellow ones are the loudest. Navi's the only blue one I know, though.

[ YES. SPREAD THE LOVE. ]

A very useful announcement to put out!

[PREACH IT, ELICIA-PAPA.]

It's important to remember our loved ones even if they're not here! Plus, forgetting valentine's day would be terrible.

Absolutely! You never know when you're going to get a surprise visit, after all~

[ ... this may or may not give her Ideas, but she's more concerned about something else... ]

I dunno... last year there was an experiment. I hear there's one every year. Wouldn't that kind of defeat the point...?

I only heard about the experiment recently. Hm... If we put the letters in the box one day before, we can keep them safe until the experiment is over. It wouldn't hurt to get valentines a week later, would it?

... no, it probably wouldn't ... that might not be a bad idea. [ thoughtful. if only because... this might be her chance, right? hm. ]

Valentine's day sounds nice, though... when the Malnosso aren't messing with it.

I hope it's not a bad idea, in any case. [He offers her an easy smile. To Tsuzuki, she sounds wistful.]

Yeah. I wish they'd leave it alone for once.

[ that's because she is. the gears are turning... she's going to leave that second bit of their conversation alone in favor of more important things. ] Um... I know we've only just met, but could I ask you a favor?

Sure. What do you need?

[ yeah, she's gonna go ahead and filter this. and then ... fidget for a moment, because this is really embarrassing, but...

just in case, right? and ... she'd like to tell him ... and when better to be brave than Valentine's Day? ]

Um ... there is ... someoneIlike, but ... I can't tell him yet. But I like your idea, so... I want to write him a letter. Could you ... put it in that box for me, and hold onto it? That way... like you said, it'd be safe until the experiment was over, and I could give it to him then. [ ... fidget. ]

[She is so cute. Tsuzuki hopes that the person she's crushing on will recognize that, as he makes his reply.]

I'd love to help out. Just come by with your letter before valentine's day, then I'll show you were I'm keeping the box.

Thank you so much! [ relieved. and he's not teasing her! thank goodness. ] Where do you live? By the way, my name is Xion!

[Love is serious business, so Tsuzuki wouldn't tease her about that. He might tease her about other things when he gets to know her better, though. ] Oh, right! I probably should've mentioned that. I live in 49.

Nice to meet you, Xion. My name is Tsuzuki Asato.

[ do you want her to be flustered forever, Tsuzuki. come on now. ] I-It's nice to meet you too! [ it's a little nerve wracking to ask such a big favor of a total stranger. ] Um... could I come by later today? I already know what I want to say...

[Yes! I mean, no!]

Of course. If you run into one of my room-mates, don't be scared of them. Their bark is worse than their bite. [He can't help but grin when he hears her whisper, though.] Is he a crush you've had for a while?

[... Holy shit, he almost forgot]

My favorite time of the year~!! [He must plaaaaaaaaan]

Mine too! Except for Christmas.

Christmas isn't too bad - a lot better than that Halloween shit.

Yeah. If I wanted zombies giving me gray hairs, I'd go to work.

... Sounds like an exciting job.

Nah, not very exciting. It's kind of a dead-end job.

Too bad about that. But I guess you can't expect zombies to liven it up, either.

And if that wasn't enough, Chief always says that anyone with half a brain could do my job!

Edited 2011-02-07 19:26 (UTC)

Oi, now that's a little harsh. If you quit, he'll have workers with no brains, too.

Yeah, he'd replace dead weight with even more dead weight.

[ Spada actually holds off on laughing his ass off until Tsuzuki's done — and then he laughs harder because doesn't he know this guy, actually. ]

The hell are you tryin' to do, man?

Spada! Hi! I know it looks like I am trying to make an idiot out of myself, but---

[ Like he'd honestly let people explain themselves. ]

And you're doin' a damn good job! Man, how hard'd it be to just explain it like a normal person?

[Pregnant silence. The sock puppet's mouth form an "o"]

I honestly didn't think of that.

[ — What — ]

You're kiddin'.

Believe me, I wish I was.

What kinda backwards thought processes tells you to start playin' with sockpuppets before just explainin' something to someone? [ He can't stop laughing he's sorry ]

[... wut? Just wut?

... he can't shake off the sudden chill going down his spine. That momentary sense of premonition that events surrounding you might come to haunt him in the days to come...

... it's like a flash of Kenbunshoku Haki...]

[Which is immediately swallowed in a wave of (weak) amusement. His nakama is missing and he can't find any trace. Which leads to one conclusion, given his clothing is still around.

Kidnapped. (Please kidnapped.)

He's... going to drive himself insane if he thinks any longer of what the Malnosso might be doing or if he had only been there. It does no good. It really does no good.

So he is going to SEIZE on this as a most excellent entertaining distraction.]

[Chuckle] No mention of flowers?

I was going to, but flowers are difficult to grip with these. [He gestures with the socked hands to demonstrate.] And I almost lost my grip on this as it was. [He lifts the picture of the fat, flying baby up to the video feed.]

[Chuckling again at the chubby cherub.]

Well... maybe that's for the best. You never know if someone might have allergies. Disasterous end for a date, that.

I've always found a bottle of wine or rum works better as a present anyway.

I wish more people thought of alcohol as presents. Then I would have still celebrated my birthday.

How did you think of allergies, by the way? It's not something a lot of people consider.

It's one of the few things that's hard to go wrong with. Plus, there's always the possibility that they might be interested in sharing.

We~ell... that's a bit of a story... and a lot of misunderstandings, and... let's just say it ended with me nearly being eaten alive.

Literally.

[What.]

[WHAT.]

That is awful! Cannibals?

But wait, you're alive now. Did you escape?

[Pissed off Drake. Which means pissed off T-Rex. Who's favorite method of attack is taking a bite out of someone. A big, big bite.

...

...

Yes, we said T-REX.]

Near enough.

Oh, I got out with my head more or less on my shoulders. My other bits had a little rougher time, but it wasn't anything time couldn't make right as rain.

Anyway. Alcohol. It solves all ills.

[Tsuzuki will just think he's lying so badly. T-rexes aren't around anymore. Right?]

You can survive that? That...[Sounds like Tsuzuki's own regenerative powers, actually, but he can't say that.] I thought you were human.

And anyway, I agree with you about alcohol.

[When a certain X. Drake's powers involve turning INTO the T-rex in question, they're around. Whether you want to believe it or not.]

Yes? [It was a vicious fight, sure, but Law can give as good as he gets and then some. He was strong back then and is stronger now.

And with the stronger you get in One Piece, the more you can withstand, and the harder you are to kill.]

... thought...

... I am.

[... anyway...]

Planning to give a bottle to a certain someone this holiday?

[Likely not, but he's still going to tease you with that.]

Edited 2011-02-16 02:09 (UTC)

... No, sadly. What about you?

No. I'm afraid I'm a member of the lonely hearts' club.

Aww.

You might find someone here. It wouldn't be the first time people have fallen in love in Luceti.

[SUDDEN CHILL OF DOOM!

... the hell.]

... maybe... I haven't had much luck in that department so far.

[Smile.]

Perhaps you'll have the same good luck. Who knows. Perhaps there's someone thinking of you now.

[What's wrong with wishing love on someone. D: He notices the way Trafalgar reacts, though he tries not to let it bother him.]

Oh no, I doubt it. But if someone did, I'd hope they'd let me know.

[There's nothing wrong with it, or what you said. Aside from past history, the sudden unsettling chill of premonition, however, has left him feeling uncomfortable and uncertain...

... he can't find himself looking forward to this holiday.]

[Totally back to the usual chillaxed state.]

Really? I find that hard to believe. You seem quite nice. [Slightly teasing good naturedly] I think you're due for a revelation sooner or later.

[Yes, should he find out certain things later, he will facepalm for having said that.]

[It's still a very strange reaction,enough to intrigue Tsuzuki.]

Nah. You're nicer than me. Girls must be throwing themselves at you. [There, that takes care of his sudden shyness, he hopes.]

[....And if certain revelations happen later, Tsuzuki will find this conversation very ironic.]

[You should be happy to know that Rae does no judge you on this sock puppet thing Tsuzuki...since he has probably gotten that bored before as well..]

...What if you don't like anyone?

[Tsuzuki smiles thoughtfully, making the sock puppets try to battle each other while he talks.]

That doesn't mean you shouldn't eat chocolate. How come you don't like anybody?

[Yeah, that's pretty amusing.]

I don't know anybody that well. [And the only girl he knew back home tried to kill him.]

[One of them is winning easily, gnawing on the loser.]

That's a good reason. But is it because you don't want to, or because you haven't had the chance to?

[That is not a fair fight!]

Haven't had the chance.

[The winning one nips at the loser's nose, then pulls him up.]

I'm sure you will. Those things happen at the blink of an eye, if you're open to them.

...Maybe.

[He can't be sure about that because of his unlucky past with meeting people.]

Hey Raenef? Let's practice with these puppets. Let's pretend you meet someone for the first time.

...That sounds like it would be weird.

[Tsuzuki looks at his puppets.]

Yes, but think of it this way. If you talk with the puppets, you will never think it's weird to talk to strangers ever again.

Or it might make it weird forever.

There's only one way to find out, right?

[And by the way, it was the sock that said that.]

Are you settling in okay, Raenef?

[Okay, he'll give in. Mostly because his eight-year-old side can't help but be amused by sock puppets.]

Pretty much.

That's good. Sometimes the shock can be bad for people. Have you met any nice people?

[His puppet picks up a pen with it's mouth.]

[That is why sock puppets need hands.]

A few. Not many people here take me seriously though.

How come? I don't see any reason not to take you seriously.

There's..a lot of reasons..

Like what? I have no trouble taking you seriously.

[Says the sock-puppet-wearing-man.]

What if they aren't here, and you don't want them to know that you're thinking of them?

Even if they haven't missed a Valentine's Day in the last ... several years.

[You know her love life is messed up when she willingly asks a sock.

Sometimes writing a card can help you clear your mind a little, especially if your emotions are a bit.. complicated. And if it gets too bad, we can always go get a drink afterwards.

A drink might be for the best.

Something of a Valentine's tradition for me.

I don't know if they serve any valentine's drinks this weekend. Those are usually too sweet. But let's have one anyway.

Will you tell me more about it?

[A small laugh.] All right. Though there's nothing saying you can't drink normal things.

Hm~ There's not much to tell.

Tch. Wake me up for White Day.

Why would you want to miss valentine's day? That's when the men gets the presents.

White Day's my birthday and I'm not much of one for receiving gifts.

Really? Happy early birthday.

Heh. It's still more than a month away.

That'll be gone before you know it.

Tell me, do you like cake?

... True.

What? Err... not particularly? I don't really have much of a sweet tooth.

Then what do you want for your birthday? We have got to stick the candles in something.

I'm fine.

I'll stick to lighting cigars.

Okay, so people should give you a cake shaped like one? I don't think cigar-filling is really tasty.

... What? [Just starts laughing.]

No, it's fine. No cake.

If you say so.

So why the love for cigars?

Why not? Cigars are the best.

They are? I've never tried one.

You should. Though I'm told they're an acquired taste.

Okay, maybe I will. On my birthday.

When's that?

It's on the twenty-fourth.

Of February?

Yes. It's kind of close to Valentine's day, come to think about it.

Seems like it.

... I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone.

Yeah sure.

Happy Birthday though.

Thank you, Smoker.

...why do you have socks on your hands. Was this meant for kids?

It was going to be, eventually. But now the surprise is ruined.

[One of the sock-puppets turns to Hope and makes a sadface.]

[He just... kind of stares at the sock-puppet, and doesn't respond to the sad face. Because he's not five, thanks. HMPH!]

What was the surprise supposed to be?

[The sadface puppet stands in the foreground, while in the back of the video feed Tsuzuki makes the other sock pick up a hammer.]

If I tell you, it won't be a surprise.

Your Valentine...?

I meant 'your sweetheart'. Maybe I should have said it was 'you date' instead.

In other words, your romantic partner. And there is an entire holiday devoted to this? I've seen the name mentioned in books, but I'd never thought to look into it before.

Yes, that's right.

You don't have Valentine's Day back home?

No, not in my world, though I admit I do like the sound of it. Love is something that deserves to be celebrated.

Exactly. Maybe if we're behaving well, Malnosso will provide us with fireworks.

Perhaps they'll even be heart-shaped ones if we're very good.

Fuda # 18 | Sock 'n' roll.

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