002 • voice

[nosenobounds]

[ Aw yes, journal mark two. Usopp's pretty much becoming an expert with this stuff, if he says so himself.

(Spoilers: he does. Readily.)

He is certainly much calmer and more seemingly confident than last time, anyway. And for once, he gets right down to business. As it were. He's trying to sound very informed and businesslike regardless. ]

All that crazy experiment stuff definitely got me thinking, since I was lucky enough not to forget a bunch of stuff. I actually ended up making a really important decision! Important for everybody in Luceti! [ Super important. Important as balls. He clears his throat as dramatically as possible. ]

Starting right now, I'm officially reinstating the Usopp Pirate Crew! And we're recruiting for our Luceti division! You only have to like stories and having a lot of fun and not being bored to join! [ So basically kids he can try to keep entertained in their sparetime and radical immature people like him, he guesses. But maybe other types of people will be interested in a place like this. It never hurts to try. ]

As an Usopp Pirate, it's your job to keep things from getting too boring or quiet in the village! You're making a promise to protect the things that are important to you and to follow your dreams! And our first important mission is gonna be ship-building for a big sea excursion! Who would want to miss out on that, right? Just call me Captain! [ Cue a mighty hands-on-hips laugh. He is kind of lying, surprise surprise. In reality, Usopp means a lake excursion. And probably toy boats. Probably. He'll see if his real excursion plans can be made with a hackneyed army of… whoever volunteers. If they volunteer at all. Not one to count his chickens on that front.

He ends the post there for all of eight seconds. Then he remembers he had another thing to say before he got carried away with his impressive leadership skills. Oops. ]

Oh, right. Rapunzel! I finished your patience award! I'm widely revered as a great award-maker back home, you know, so it's pretty amazing. You'll wanna get it its own pedestal and everything. [ What, that's completely legit. ] But I kind of realized I don't know where to find you, either. It would be good to actually award it to you, so if you wanna meet anywhere, let me know!

Comments

[weathervain]

Well, people here do seem to be enthusiastic and hardworking. I wish you luck.

[nosenobounds]

Yeah, thanks! [ If this place weren't so terrifying, the great people would be totally worth the long stay. Almost. Not really, but he'd always have a sense of fond nostalgia for them. That's basically the same thing. ] If you're ever looking to get out on the water with a high-quality crew to keep your navigating skills sharp, just let me know.

[ No sea kings. That's always cool right. ]

[weathervain]

Ah! That's such a kind offer! About when do you think you'll have a ship ready to sail?

[nosenobounds]

I'm still working on that. It might be a while, but that's the risk you have to take for quality workmanship!

[weathervain]

Ahh, I think it's a win win. Either we go home before you're done to a real sea, or we can take comfort in your new ship eventually. Hey, d'you think there's anyone here who can build ships?

[Not that she's doubting your prowess there (although she is) but building ships is much faster with help.]

[nosenobounds]

There probably is. I mean, people come here from all kinds of different worlds and situations, so there's a chance a couple of shipwrights got kidnapped, too.

[weathervain]

Hmm, and I think there's a group that basically said they'd help with all kinds of odd jobs. You could ask them. Or maybe someone can build a ship with magic. [However, she does not sound enthused by this prospect. Largely becaues where ships are concerned it really does feel like cheating.]

It'll give you something to do here, I guess.

[nosenobounds]

[ Hmmmm. Ships built with magic. They kind of lose the love. ]

Things are always better when I've got something to do. For me and for the rest of the village! [ He makes things like a hundred times greater. Obviously. ]

[weathervain]

Why, you thinking of taking everyone else on pleasure cruises when you're done? Kinda defeats the purpose of piracy.

[nosenobounds]

And what am I supposed to pirate here, anyway? I might as well let some people get out on the water who never got to before. Maybe they'll even want to be pirates when we're done!

[weathervain]

Truly an ambitious thought. [Nodding sagely.]

There are other pirates here, though. I mean besides Robin. Have you met them?

[nosenobounds]

Yeah, some guy named Marco. He's on the Whitebeard's crew, too! [ Nope, impressed forever, that crew is like legendary. He'd have all the trading cards or something if that were a thing. ]

[weathervain]

Yeah, so I heard. [And on the other hand, Nami is so unimpressed it's probably oozing through her every pore or something.] He's kind of a jerk. But Robin likes him, so... [Probably not worth hating on.]

[nosenobounds]

Was he a jerk to you? [ He can kind of see it. Marco called his dad's whole crew annoying and all... he seems generally cool and Robin apparently likes him and all, but Usopp's known Nami way longer. Like weeks longer. ] I can talk to him if you want. I'm not afraid just because he's part of a legendary powerful crew or anything!

[weathervain]

No, he was a pretentious ass to me. I wouldn't worry about it. Anyone who's proud of being a monster is kind of not worth your time.

[Unless you can kick his ass. Which she's not about to try with a Whitebeard pirate, ahaha.]

[nosenobounds]

He seemed okay to me. Kind of rude, but plenty of people are rude... [ Luffy's rude as hell. Ah, to each their own or something. ] But if you're sure, I guess that's your choice.

[weathervain]

[...wow, it occurs to her belatedly what he was offering to do. Despite all potential terror and all. She isn't fooled by your not-afraidness!]

If I ever change my mind, I'll let you know. I'd be more than happy to have you step in on my account, Captain Usopp.

[nosenobounds]

No problem! [ Thank god, he doesn't have to try to have that conversation with a Whitebeard Pirate. It would take weeks just to build up to it. ] I wouldn't be much of a trustworthy man of the sea if I just let people go around insulting my friends.

[weathervain]

Glad to see you've got your priorities straight. [Even though that comment both made her feel kind of warm and awkward at the same time. Man, so much for abandoning you people never to talk to you again or anything, gosh.]

...you let me know when you get a ship together. I guess I can probably spare the time to navigate for you.

[nosenobounds]

[ He totally knows that dilemma. Except he doesn't at all. ]

Really? Great! A part-time navigator's a lot better than nobody at all.

[weathervain]

Yeah, you might actually be able to see the shore again once you set out.

[nosenobounds]

Don't say that like I'm completely hopeless or something! [ No, do say it, he's completely hopeless. ]

[weathervain]

Oh, so you actually know how to navigate? What a useful skill for you to have!

{Warning.]

[nosenobounds]

Oh, yeah, sure I do! I've had so many opportunities to show my stuff as a navigator in my lifetime. But I hate to brag! [ He's not even actually trying to impress by lying this time. It's just fun to say it. ]

[weathervain]

No no, brag away! It's good to hear that Luffy will be in excellent hands when you finally go to the Grand Line! I've heard it's a pretty dangerous place, you know.