[ video/text ]

[fourseasons]

--wah!

[The yell is accompanied by an all too familiar BZZZZZT of the communicator as the device drops to the ground, giving a nice view of Japan shaking his hands off with a startled expression. He seems to be out near the lake, dressed in completely normal winter clothing aside from Turkey's Ottoman Empire hat thing balancing awkwardly on his head. He fixes it so it's less over his eyes and kneels down to the communicator with a frown.]

Ah, my apologies... I had intended to speak once I arrived at a nice destination, but it seems such devices are not so patient. [Irritation is there, underneath his polite way of speaking... But he eventually sighs, wrapping his scarf a bit more closely around his neck as he continues to walk, looking to the communicator.]

As some may know, I am the creator of the map program that many should have seen by now. That being said... I am interested in programming other things, though I cannot say I am sure where to begin. Is there anything useful that is needed? Or perhaps it is fine to do games... Ah, if such a thing interests you, please be sure to fill out the form at the end of this post. I will put it up shortly.

[He raises a hand up to fix that hat again, finally seating himself on the ground near the lake.] Though on one more note... Has everyone viewed memories that are not their own by this point? ...I am simply curious. [The video shuts off there, and as promised, it's just a few seconds later before the text is added.]

Please fill out this form if you are interested in asking me to program something.

Name: Program Description: Why is this being requested?:

Thank you. 人(--*)

[Feel free to run into Japan around Discedo too if you'd like! I'd be fine with him seeing any and all memories from you guys so go for it, and just ask if you want to see anything of Japan's.]

Comments

[fourseasons]

I-I do not... What I mean to say is, I am fine expressing my sorrows in other ways!

[HE WILL BE STRONG FOR HIMSELF TOO jgkdfljgd]

[fierybluebird]

I wouldn't say it's too personal then. Since it's well... related?

Err rather... it is, but there's nothing you can do about it so... there's no need to worry about it extra.

[fourseasons]

[He pauses and then sighs to let all of the stress out.]

Forgive me... I understand. ...Thank you Marco.

[fierybluebird]

Wish I could do more. [Flomps on in birdie form. Because this is obviously a solution.]

[fourseasons]

If Marco is finished with the fish, we can move to the next room.

[Just to relax he means.]

[fierybluebird]

[Reluctantly hops off and switches back. To do: make Japan learn more phoenix.]

Aye, let me just put it all away, okay? You want tea?

[fourseasons]

Take your time. Ah... tea is not necessary. Just this once.

[He had some before his walk... FOR ONCE HE DOESN'T WANT TEA he's thoughtful okay]

[fierybluebird]

As you wish.

[And he will just... finish all that up and then join Japan in the other room quietly. He's also thoughtful. Too thoughtful.]

[fourseasons]

[He looks over to Marco silently for a long moment before bringing up his worries in a soft voice.]

Are you okay?

[fierybluebird]

[Nods.]

Right here, this moment I am. [Presses a hand to his temple.] Remember when I said being old was like feeling the weight of thousands of years, but being young was like looking forward to a future of thousands of years of possibilities? And that I get both?

I think that's a lie. Perhaps lately I have neither.

[He fidgets. He needs to be doing something with his hands otherwise, this is just not a conversation he will have. Period. Because he'll run away into bird form the minute he can, and he knows it. So he takes out his comm to work on Japan's present while they talk; though he's very much here for the conversation even mentally.]

[fourseasons]

[That does draw his attention, and he's focusing on Marco a lot now. Don't even try to leave B(]

What is meant by that?

[fierybluebird]

[Of course his first inclination is to lie and say it's nothing.]

Well. Certain chunks at least. Beyond home I have you to look forward to. [Which he's said a lot, and he hasn't forgotten.] And before Teach I have a lot of memories of my Pops.

It's everything in between that's the problem.

[fourseasons]

[He still has that worried, doubting feeling every time Marco mentions getting to Japan after this place. But he's not sure how to make it stop, and it wouldn't be very fair to bring up now as it's not the issue.

In between...]

Why is it a problem?

[fierybluebird]

[There's a dark unreadable expression of stoicism, and the drawing stops. His fingers twitch momentarily, blue flames dancing over the edges as he has to resist the urge to switch back into a bird.]

It's like there are black holes swallowing up the good things. Past and future. I shouldn't let him get so into my head, but he's already there. And if I don't even search through the memories... I'll never know how to beat him.

[fourseasons]

[Japan moves from wherever he was sitting to be closer to Marco.]

You are afraid?

[fierybluebird]

[Is that what it is? The feeling that seizes him? Yes, that's the mildest way to put it.]

I... yes... but...

The memories. I just realized how few I have that don't feel tainted. Not just because all things end, but because even the good things, so much of it feels like a lie now. And the future... [That terrifies him the most. Will he even survive? How many of his nakama will?]

[fourseasons]

Is it betrayal that taints those memories?

[The same thing that got Ace so angry at him when he mentioned he had betrayed before, as well? If so, he understands from the complete other side of it. In a different way, but it was still upsetting, and he's not sure how to help with it.]

The past aside... the future is left for Marco to set down.

[fierybluebird]

[Nods slowly. He thinks it is. Although he's not certain. It's obviously not a feeling he's had before or with regards to anyone else.]

Sharing laughs with my family ... that's all I ever wanted. Good times and bad. And he was with us through all of it. There was a time, here in Discedo, where every time I turned around it was like he was here, laughing with us and acting like everything was fine. Like he'd never killed Pops or Thatch and just... was here like me and Ace.

Looking back at my real memories... he fought with us to protect Fishman Island. And now I can't protect it because of him. Foodvalten? It was in turmoil already the day I came here, I don't even know who it'll fall to. And most of the islands... he knows them as well as I do. How am I supposed to keep them, and protect my family, or stop him at all? [Rests a hand at his temples, and he's getting angry, the voice growling.] Every damn island. All the places I called home, it's like every memory I have of them, he's lurking in the corners, smiling with the rest of us and always, always plotting.

[fourseasons]

Those memories are still real.

[He's watching Marco carefully and speaking slowly, trying to find just the right words to say while also voicing his own opinion. Maybe he could say this the right way, a way to cheer Marco up or give a new perspective... Or maybe it wouldn't work at all, but he wants to try and so he rests a hand on one of Marco's, leaning closer.]

Even if Marco were to realize when I truly first admired him, those memories do not change. At that point, it was not realized, it could not have been realized, and so things went along as they did... Whether the new perspective is positive or negative can pull very much on emotions, I believe, but... Marco should at least realize that the events, and even the feelings, remain the same at that point in time.

Shouldn't they continue to be treasured?

[fierybluebird]

How can I? To others they might seem happy, but for me...

Wait. When did you first admire me? [Distraction is always better.]

[fourseasons]

[There's a fraction of a twitch at a smile at that attempt to change the subject, but Japan ignores it and holds that hand he had previously been resting his own over.]

At the time of the events Marco is recalling, weren't they happy? When Marco did not think about Blackbeard-san.

[fierybluebird]

[Frowns.] I did. I thought he was nakama.

[fourseasons]

At that time, in Marco's heart, he was. That is what should be focused on, I believe.

Recalling things through his perspective is only what he wished to accomplish. ...Ah, from what I've heard, this is how I understand it.

[fierybluebird]

I know... Like I said... he's in my head but...

[Tugs Japan close so he can hug him protectively and rest his head in black hair.] I guess I can start with treasuring everything else about the memories until it stops... bothering me. [He can't say "hurt" but it's obviously what he meant. He tilts his head questioningly though, as if asking Japan if such a thing would even work or whether it makes sense.]

[fourseasons]

I believe it is normal to be bothered... [He leans close there, hoping Marco is able to feel at least some sort of comfort by the action.]

But the challenge is to stay firm, I suppose. If Marco allows Blackbeard-san to rip at him from the roots [he means memories here, all metaphorical], then it is a far more dangerous thing.

Ah... I am not saying it is so easy to not think of those memories with harsh feelings, but I do believe Marco should hold onto what is important.