retrospec | (no subject)

(no subject)

[he can't believe it's easier to confess things to the internet than talking about them irl but. well. thanks fucking speech bubbles.]

know most of us are in that not my memories not me state so this'll probably be an unpopular question.

i need to get back more memories. seem to only get them while dying but i promised not to do that anymore. no drugs either.

[although given his memories, they'd probably help]

i've got five people i need to know more about. and a freakish reindeer. might be a raccoon. whatever. don't give me shit.

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[Zoro snorts. He's not going to argue. Half the shit he remembers is stupid.]

Sogeking. Sniper King. King of Snipers. Something like that. [He remembers feeling annoyance but also respect, care, solidarity, pride. They had all gone past their problems and united under the captain to–

For a moment, Zoro looks pained.]

A woman. Robin. She was crying.

[I wanted to destroy everyone who had caused it.

He changes lanes around a slower car, passes through a yellow light, takes a sharp turn. Prolongs the silence before the final name.]

And Luffy. The one I vowed myself to. [Why?] My captain.

[ . . . hm. Baren's quiet, trying to consider the names.]

... tried looking them up? Slim chances but you'd be surprised what shit you can find.

[Swordsmiths with names similar to people who ended up being swords. Real life ninjas.]

I won't look unless you tell me to. So you should tell me to.

[An opinion, because he's been tempted at times - but refrains just because he doesn't want to feel like he's going behind Zoro's back.

Regardless:]

Whenever this Luffy guy shows up, I wanna meet him.

[Forward-thinking, maybe. Optimistic, maybe. But.... he does.]

He won't.

[It's softer than he usually speaks.

"It's just that I guess sometimes people get along less well when they don't remember the reasons they cared; if you don't remember someone is important to you."

Zoro knuckles go white around the wheel.]

I didn't get anything when I looked. You can try if you want. I've got nothing more than first names.

I'll look.

[The permission he was waiting for.

But it's almost like he didn't hear the first part - up until he adds on, half a beat later.]

He will. He's probably fucking around somewhere in a different country right now, completely oblivious, but... he will.

[It's his own certainty there, evenly in the face of Zoro's softness. As for why - ]

Some people are just meant to be together.

[And he wants that to be the case for Zoro and his crew.]

[The car slides to a stop as they meet a red light. Zoro looks at Baren for the first time since they got in the car.]

That why you're here with me?

[Green light. He shifts into gear.]

Almost there.

[Not what I meant. That sounds more like a curse.]

Interim captain, that's me.

[Breezy and light, even as he keeps his eyes closed and doesn't look over at Zoro.

Except.

He's been given permission to look for Zoro's people and even now, Zoro's opening up to him bit by bit. Baren can acknowledge that, given how cagey his other brief responses looked from a glance. That means something.

And even if he thinks them being together is a terrible thing for Zoro, he also can't help but muse - ]

... I see a green-haired samurai sometimes.

[And maybe that means something.]

Yeah? You sure it's not me?

[Did he tell Baren he has green hair in his memories? Zoro can't remember. Either way it's a joke. A better comment than acknowledging he caught a glimpse of that thought.

But, more seriously:]

He as nasty to you as everyone else?

.... he forced his way into our home like a freeloader. [Stuck around like a bad cold.] I complained about him a lot. He shows up in the background in a lot of things... fighting... setting off explosions...

["I"m merely worried about you!"

"Nothing will start if one does not say it."]

... he was good to us.

[It's probably best if I never find him.]

Definitely not me, then. You're the freeloader.

[More glimpses at thoughts he's known but never should see. Even if it means he has to bite his tongue until it bleeds.

Stop insisting you're worse than you are.]

I did all the paperwork for your apartment, you illiterate ingrate. I should've charged you a processing fee.

[Baren keeps his eyes closed - doesn't look at Zoro's thoughts because he doesn't have to.

Though even then, he can't help but crack a brief smile at the taunt even as he rises up to it. Gentle amusement. Somehow it's still easy next to Zoro.]

Repayment for all the times you crashed on the boat.

[Just saying. You owe him.

They finally pull into the zoo parking lot and Zoro manages to find a good spot. It's close to closing–they've got maybe an hour or two–but that's fine. Zoro gets out, smacking Baren on the arm.]

Come on. Let's go watch animals poop.

Oh yeah, did you get that back?

[Since it fucking descended from the sky.

He legitimately forgot to ask. But at the smack on his arm, he opens his eyes and exits the car. Aaaand also immediately pulls out a packet of cigarettes to light and smoke. Not for his nerves, but in case of Rogue Thought Bubbles.]

It was trashed. Beyond saving. Insurance is gonna get back to me.

[He... seems less upset over it? If anything, he's at least glad for the closure. At least he has an answer to one thing in his life.

He gets them both tickets but holds Baren's out of reach before they enter, giving him a flat look.]

Put it out. There're kids.

[Don't give kids second-hand smoke, jerk.]

[He obviously doesn't want to do that.

But.]

So we go the path less traveled.

[I can't close my eyes to not see your thoughts here, Z.

Or I could. Fighting a bear might upset the kids too, though.

But provided that there are not small children lingering around the entrance he does blow a stream of smoke upward so it does make his own thoughts hazy.]

[Yeah. A bit too late. He gets the gist of the first one. That, combined with the overdramatic statement, only make him roll his eyes.]

Then don't close your eyes. It's not like they're gonna stop anyway.

[Even if I want them to.

He sighs in aggravation and leads the way in, all but shoving his ticket at the employee.]

Pick an animal.

[ . . . . stupid.

At least Baren does put out the cigarette, huffing an annoyed breath as he shoves his hands in his pockets and follows. His sleeves are probably still way too long on his arms, which doesn't make sense for Fall?

But y'know. Sweater paws.

Regardless he'll look around to the different signs and - against all odds, perk up strictly because he likes animals more than people and]

Elephants! I bet they're smarter than you.

You think everything's smarter than me.

[It's good to see him like that. He walks over to the map, finds the elephants and nods.]

Looks like they're up there.

[He says, pointing in the wrong direction. He got it right on the map?? Where did he go so wrong??]

["Like that" - probably means not moping, right? Baren figures that it was probably getting annoying and that's all Zoro means. He watches Zoro manage to completely fuck up directions again and -

There's a brief noise that sounds like half a laugh.

Before he reaches out to grab Zoro by the collar again and move to drag him in the right direction.]

Try over here, stupid.

Did you know that elephants remember old watering holes over decades? [Fun animal facts with Baren....] They're already smarter than you there.

They also get freaked out by mice. Elephants 1, Zoro 1.

[CAN'T BEAT HIM, TRUNK MONSTER

Half a laugh is refreshing. Zoro thinks he can do better. Somehow.]

Didn't know you related so much with elephants. That mean you're decades old too?

[At least 500 years?

Baren shrugs, his thoughts answering where he doesn't want to. Instead he's turning his head at every new noise from the animals that they pass by. He walks closer to the edge of the path because he wants to see as many animals as possible. Loser. He's been here a thousand times and still...]

I don't really get what connection you're trying to make -

Oh, hey, look Z - flamingos...!!

[yeah remember how he said he didn't think coming to the zoo would help him]

Oh. Hey.

[He gives them a look over for a bit, not nearly as entranced as Baren. Then he stops, feigns surprise and points at Baren.]

Whoa. One escaped.

Edited 2017-09-10 21:15 (UTC)

I'm a peacock, get it right.

[At least he acknowledges that though.... and he looks back over to the flamingos. He reaches up to his hair in thought, the bells ring under his fingertips before he glances back over to Zoro and grins.]

You should get me a feather for my hair before we leave.

[why zoro]

Maybe you're both. Don't be so close-minded.

[He grins back, shoving his hands in his pockets and leans forward, as if that'll let him see the flamingos any better. The request for a feather is noted and filed away. He needs to consider what type. And if he'll break any laws to get it.

Could be good stress relief.]

Why are half of them missing legs?

[is it really a proper husbands date if they don't almost get arrested for something they want to do

and baren just looks over to zoro and stares]

... same reason why you're missing half a brain, I guess.

[Idiot.

That's the fondest thought bubble though.

Terrible.

Baren will move so that they can keep walking though, because the elephants await. Even if there's definitely giraffes on the way there.]

[SURE YOU WERE MR. ZOOBOOKS BEFORE. Zoro scowls as Baren moves on and trails after him, peeking and poking at the animals they pass by.

When they get to the giraffe enclosure, he stops.]

Hey, wait. [forcibly stops baren by holding onto his arm.] Why is it bending like that? You think it's sick?

[The giraffe's just drinking in that weird giraffe way.]