003 • action / voice | backdated to a more morning 1/09

[nosenobounds]

[ It's a strange sort of thing, being kidnapped from within the boundaries of already being kidnapped. Well, Usopp says strange, of course, and actually means pretty terrifying and unexpected.

He doesn't remember much of it, though. There's the terror of the unknown to consider in that- what might they have done, what if something's wrong, what if- what if they fed his blood to vampire? What if he's a vampire-- no, wait, he's in the sun, he thinks that's a good sign. But as much as Usopp fears the unknown, he doesn't particularly think he minds not knowing, either. And Luceti in general is still really horrifying to consider, but he can't say he minds being back in the village proper with most everybody else. Rustic little villages are a second home to him. Second, since the ocean obviously became his first home when he set sail.

It's a coward's privilege to think that way. Or, uh. All of those ways.

Usopp marks his return just behind the Flame Building (or the artist formerly known as CH 1), which he counts as a victory all on its own. If nothing else, he would just really like to make himself view it that way, so he'll keep on that track. His only burdens are his amazing manly pride, and… a sizable pile of shoes. Like at least 8 pairs. One of these pairs he recognizes immediately as his own boots (and they're so much more worn out, how does that happen). Another number of pairs are just his size in general. And then there are ones that definitely don't belong to him on a closer investigation- some distinctly for ladies, some classy-looking black dress shoes, and, oddly enough, a little metal ring that he can't place at all.

Jeez, what's the deal with these Malnosso guys.

He can be found making his way around to the front entrance of the Flame Building, and then on the first floor trying to coordinate… opening his apartment door. (Timelines are for the weak, obviously, so if multiple takers are a thing it's cool.) Usopp figures he can probably give most of these to the store or something tomorrow, but today his plans are just dumping them in the middle of his main room and going to sleep.

Which he does. Responsible adult, he is one.

A few hours later, he brings you a proud voice post, in which he acts like nothing's been going on at all, and he is totally not freaked out even in a mild capacity, because he's a cool guy. Wow listen to that suaveness. ]

Hey, Luceti. This is Captain Usopp speaking! [ Totally not trying to draw Luffy or Nami or anyone out of the woodwork. ] And I finally realized something that I haven't taken advantage of here yet! You guys need to start telling me the best stories that you've ever told. And to talk about the greatest things that you've ever done. Only the greatest, okay? Whatever that is for you, even if it doesn't seem like it's that great! It probably actually is and you just don't realize it yet.

I mean, there are so many of us in this place, it's pretty unfair for you guys to be holding back like that. [ This much, he asks of you in a half-pleading, half-laughing kind of way. Rude much, people. How did he not realize sooner? ] And I've got some pretty amazing stories myself, as a weathered man of the sea and all, so we could even trade them if you want.

It'll be really fun, I promise!

[ He just really wants to talk to people, that's his life. ]

Comments

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

[Stories. Ginia's got lots of stories in her, most not fit for sharing, but there are a few she thinks she can part with.]

Best stories I've ever told...

How about the one where I was thrown into a shark tank.

[Voice]

[nosenobounds]

[ That's what he's talking about. Super exciting, dangerous, really warrior-like hold on that's registering with him now. ]

A- a shark tank! Did that really happen?

[Written]

[whiskytraitorfirefight]

The complete truth. See, the town I grew up in was a pretty rough and tough town. Lots of people traveling in and out, and for tired travelers, you needed lots of places to sleep and lots of places to drink.

There was one bar in town with a reputation for attracting some of the toughest people around. Bounty hunters, most of them. A few career criminals, smugglers, gang leaders, but mostly bounty hunters.

[Voice]

[rutagraveolens]

Greatest thing I've ever done... [Rue muses outloud as she thinks. There isn't much in her life, just work from sunrise to sunset.]

Um, I was the best climber in District 11! I could climb to the top of any tree without falling. I was super quiet too.

[Voice]

[nosenobounds]

[ First, a drawn out hmmmm, like he is a judge of the utmost authority on this matter. ]

Yep. Definitely great! A lot of people must be jealous of you, huh?

[Voice]

[rutagraveolens]

A few people! Some of the older kids. They're good climbers, but they're too heavy or tall to get to the top.

voice;

[neversurrender]

[Quite a few stories come to mind which Steve guesses could be considered amazing feats. Or at least interesting stories. But the one he finally settles on is not only the most recent from his own world, but also one he considers to be pretty great.]

The first time my team and I fought together, we ended up fighting off an invading alien army. It was pretty impressive for a group of people who didn't quite see eye-to-eye at the time. [He's proud of his team and you can probably hear it in his voice.]

voice;

[nosenobounds]

[ Yes, perfect, that's the spirit, other guy on another journal! ]

The whole army? [ Aliens aren't too much of a thing in his universe, or at least not yet, but he does have the gist of it down since getting here. Plus, it's pretty hard to misunderstand "invading army". He should have gotten popcorn for all these epic tales of heroism and warrior prowess. ] That's not bad for fighting together for the first time! Especially if everyone was having problems.

[ "Not bad." More like really, really awesome, dang. ]

voice;

[neversurrender]

Well, the ones that made it off the ship at least. There's no telling exactly how many where going to invade. But we managed to shut them down before it got too bad. [And they did literally shut them down. They all just dropped as soon as the Tessaract was no longer keeping the portal open.]

The important thing is that we can work well together when we need to.

[Voice]

[savedtheworld]

Oh, oh! Captain Usopp, me me me! I wanna tell you about the time I rode the Unagi!

[Voice]

[nosenobounds]

Then I definitely want to hear all about it! [ Whatever it is. Aang did mention riding giant animals at some point, so maybe... or maybe it's like a really big amusement park thing. ] I'm sure you won't let me down, my faithful follower!

[Voice]

[savedtheworld]

I'll try not to let you down, Captain Usopp! Not when your stories are so good.

So, it all starts once upon a time at Kyoshi Island. It's a really nice place! I'd been by it before to ride the elephant kois. But little did I know, they were small fish next to the Unagi!

[Voice]

[hollower]

[A story? Oh, Perona knows lots of great stories! And though her first instinct when hearing this fool's voice is to throw her journal right in the fireplace and spit on it, she'd thoroughly enjoy sharing a few of the tales she's heard in her years...

And perhaps scaring the ever-loving shit out of the Long-Nose in the process.]

Oh, I know many wonderfully horrific stories... Horohorohoro, would you like to hear one~? [If he says no, she'll just tell a worse one. 8')]

[Voice]

[nosenobounds]

[ How did he not expect this would happen? It was practically declaring open season on himself! This girl is terrifying. ]

Why would anyone want to hear a horrific story?! They'd have to be crazy!

[Voice] - story/image credit found here: http://emcarroll.com/comics/prince/01.html

[hollower]

Because good stories don't have to be happy stories...horohorohoro. I'll tell you a romance, then, if you're too much of a coward to hear my favorite dark tale. This one is about a prince...and his love for a woman of the sea.

[Closing her eyes, Perona hums softly, trying to remember the tune of how it went - it was a poetic, rhyming tale. Now, how did it go again? Ah, yes, now she remembers!]

[voice]

[ofwesternwinds]

The best stories ever told, huh?

[That's a tough one for sure. Being a drifter - heck - even during their journey Rudy's seen a lot of things that'd probably make for a good story to tell. Some a bit too personal to share, some not so much. They may not be the best but hopefully they're probably interesting enough.]

I think have a few I could share, but I don't know what would count as the best. ... There was that one time my friends and I came across a ghost ship.

[voice]

[nosenobounds]

W- well, if you're not sure, that could just mean they're all the best! [ SUPER TRIUMPHANT FAKE LAUGHTER. ] Even the ones about... ghost ships. Ahhh, that just sounds creepy.

voice;

[fervidity]

Are your stories going to be fake again?

voice;

[nosenobounds]

[ Ohoho. He gets distinctly more singsongy about it, because lbr he's secretly five. ]

Oh, I don't know, it's always hard to tell before I'm telling them... [ Oh, this burdensome life. ] I said the best stories or the greatest things everyone's done, so it could be either.

Video

[the_dead_pool2]

[A full license to brag about things sounded pretty good]

Well, my accomplishments are pretty fricking awesome captain pinnochio.

So, there I was minding my own business sneaking into a baseball game when all of the sudden we got invaded by those green guys called Skrulls. Green guys, thought they would take over the earth, like pretty much most aliens think they can.

[He gives this a wave of a hand]

Bullshit right? I mean, just because you have fancy technology or whatever you think you can conquer a planet that is pretty much stuffed with heroes to the brim. Not to mention all the super villains who really don't like outside interference in the 'bizz. Anywho, back to the stadium. So I end up popping out of my costume, obviously fully armed and stuff, because who goes places without weapons, am I right?

[He shakes his head and chuckles a little, like being unarmed was an amusing concept.]

So I start lighting the bastards up, left, right and center. Took those suckers out like it was a duck hunt, oh they managed to give a certain amount of fight here and there, but I was on fire that day. Like literally on fire at some point, but I totally went with it and rocked out with it. In the end it was me just taking out those bastards like a boss.

Video

[nosenobounds]

[ Much of this, he does not completely understand. Usopp's not exactly slow, but he's a little bit thrown by things here and there. Like "pinnochio", whatever that is. Weird.

But also pretty cool. ]

You're right! That does sound pretty impressive. So you just took on all the Skrulls by yourself? Where were all the other heroes at?

[dickmoves]

I went to Hell once. That count?

[nosenobounds]

[ SPUTTER. ]

How do you say that kind of thing so casually?!

[musubi]

Stories, huh? Need some more material, captain?

[Isamu's got nothing that he's willing to share, but he can rarely pass up teasing the pirate.]

[nosenobounds]

[ Puffing up, because wow rude. ]

Oi, oi, it's pretty rude to insult your captain's pride like that! I'm known worldwide as the man of a thousand stories! A master of capturing adventure with every word! I never need more material.