Log 13 [voice]

[toujoursfluer]

[and then there were three. Robin will sound somber though faintly amused.]

Well, then. It seems that Zoro has gone home. Let's hope he actually gets there, ne? There are many terrible places between here and home. But...on the other hand, he might enjoy that.

[A soft barely audible sigh]

To those on the draft and those waiting for others to come home, good luck. To everyone else... [a brief silence and the sound cuts off with a faint click]

Comments

[song_princess]

Are you alright, my lady Robin?

[toujoursfluer]

Should I be?

[There are only two of-- three of them now. But for how long would that remain? Who would be the next to go?]

[song_princess]

That is something that is not for me to decide, my lady. If you ever need me, I will come to you at once.

[toujoursfluer]

[She still does not know what to think about the heron princess... Regardless, Marco likes here and there are fewer here now than there were before that she can call a friend]

Would...you care to go for a drink?

[song_princess]

A drink? (A brief thought about it, not really sure what that means but...) I would love to go for a drink, my lady.

[toujoursfluer]

Meet me at 7th Heaven then?

[song_princess]

I will be there soon, I promise.

[toujoursfluer]

[and Robin is waiting, absently reading the Princess Bride. It's familiar to her now, even if the story is still one that's difficult to get into completely. That she's imagining all the characters as cats helps]

[song_princess]

[Reading? What is this thing called reading? Leanne knows noooothing on it. It takes her just a little bit before arriving. And she does want to hug the older woman but Robin officially just confuses her a little so she isn't sure that the hug would be welcomed.]

My lady? [She calls out at first before shaking her head. No, this isn't the time for formalities.] Robin?

[Okay, gonna wait for permission to get closer in the woman's personal bubble space here. But until then, a small smile.] What are you doing?

[toujoursfluer]

Reading. [She turns to smile at the woman. She seems completely unassuming. And perhaps she is. Robin pats the stool next to her]

Join me, Princess-chan. Would you care for a drink?

voice

[fourthgenerationprincess]

Robin? [ The alicorn's voice sounds a little weary. ] Robin, where are you?

[ She doesn't want Robin to be alone while she's going through this. Not to mention she could use the presence of a friend herself. ]

voice

[toujoursfluer]

[The pony sounds tired and Robin wonders what fresh tragedy has occurred now. It seems to be one thing after another these days.]

I'm in the library, Twilight-chan. In the horticulture section. You're welcome to join me.

voice ==> action

[fourthgenerationprincess]

Of course you are.

[ A few minutes later and she's at the horticulture section herself. She knocks on the open door at the threshold so as not to surprise her. ]

action

[toujoursfluer]

[You couldn't have surprised her. Few people do. You might, in fact , notice blue eyes peeking from shadowy corners and shelves as if the library is watching you.

Here, though, you will just see Robin amid a pile of books and two steaming mugs. She smiles at the violently purple pony]

Care for some hot cider, Twilight-chan?

action

[fourthgenerationprincess]

[ how do you know exactly a pony's favorite thing, Robin ]

I'd love some! Thank you. [ She trots in and takes the mug in her hoof. The liquid burns her tongue but tastes extraordinarily refreshing. She swallows and looks up at her. ] Zoro was your nakama. [ It's not a question. ]

action

[toujoursfluer]

[she's known Pinkie-chan for a while now and she has learned a thing or two about ponies. She watches as Twilight holds the mug in her hoof, trying to figure out how it works but is polite enough not to ask outright. Not at the moment at least.]

Mm. He is. He's our swordsman. [and now he was home, with so much of the journey left to go. She wonders if he will return as she knows him now. She hopes not]

He wasn't ho-- at the house much but I will miss him.

action

[fourthgenerationprincess]

[ Cartoon physics, Robin. Best not to ask too much about it. ]

Yeah. I'd miss Pinkie and Dash, too, if they left. Even though I'd be glad that they got home.

action

[toujoursfluer]

Mm. And they will. And you will. That's part of life here, ne? [she sips her cider]

action

[fourthgenerationprincess]

That's true. Even if it's eventual, we must go home at some point. Hopefully.

[ She sips and looks out a nearby window. ] Who else is waiting for you there?

[voice]

[concasse]

Heh. Even if the stupid shit takes a lot of detours, he'll get back eventually. [Sanji can't work up the effort to sound sad, or relieved.]

[voice]

[toujoursfluer]

I don't doubt he will.

[As much as Zoro is gone and Sanji just sounds faintly tired, it's a little heartwarming to hear his usual acerbic words against Zoro. She almost misses their fights. But it's good. This is good. And if there is any luck left in this place...

But she won't say that. Sanji wishes to stay here after all. At least, a part of him does. Nor will she comment on how large and empty the house seems, like a mouth without enough teeth, nor that if he goes, she will be alone but she refuses to leave before him. Or that Luceti seems colder now than it has ever been.

There is so much unsaid that she can almost feel it under her skin, trying to press its way out.]

Well... I'll see you at dinner. [Though maybe with any luck he won't be there to make it]

[voice]

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi's had time now to come to terms with the news of Zoro's departure, so when Robin announces it to the community-at-large, she'll reply to the entry.]

The house is feeling quite empty these days, isn't it?]

[voice]

[toujoursfluer]

Yes. It's more like a mausoleum. Carefully preserved with memories.

[And she has to stop herself from wanting to curate it. Drift into empty rooms and rearrange things to show visitors their lives here. But even so, there is not much of their true selves that's been left behind]

What would you leave behind as your legacy?

[voice]

[alabastajewel]

Here, you mean? [Vivi's not quite sure what to make of the question. After Nami had been sent home in November, she began to write letters and notes to the friends she had here, so they'd have something to remember her by when it was her turn to leave Luceti, but she doesn't think that's quite what Robin means.]

I don't think I've done anything important enough for it to be considered a legacy. Not here.

[voice]

[toujoursfluer]

Importance is for the future to decide, Vivi-san. Even empires are forgotten while the life of a single humble monk is told through the centuries in fairy tales and rhymes.

[a small pause]

And even if Luceti may not remember you, your absence will certainly be important to those who've come to care for you.