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Post by CJ on Nov 7, 2013 23:04:16 GMT -5
"Be able to hold my son safely for the first time was indescribable."
Sitting there, he noticed the hair on his arms were stuck up. It was somewhat cold so he rubbed his hands together. It took him a long time to get used to temperature as a feeling, not a number again. It was a good feeling though, for every bit of cold in life, there was some warm. It was a notion he felt his friend didn't understand.
"I don't think you understand, Kaede. I'm not trying to repay you, I'm trying to help you because that's what I want. It's what makes me happy. It might be hard for you to understand... I know it took me a while to get it and even now I still don't understand... but people like you and will help you because they want to. Beth, Shroud Demon, Camellia, Finnegan, Solaine and others, I'm sure they all care about you. You helped me because it made you happy. I'm trying to do the same thing."
At the mention of Beth's involvement, Connor's demeanor suddenly shifted. His gaze toward Kaede was dull, as though he was detached from the scene entirely. He put on a fake smile and forced a laugh.
"That's a really cruel joke, Kaede. Why would Beth enter the Grand Path? It's bad enough that I'm going to die as a result of it. She'd make it farther than me but we'd both end up dying and Meek would be alone. What are even suggesting? That her somehow getting past 1 would get me out of the Grand Path completely? That's ridiculous."
It should have been clear Connor wasn't told about the technicality that ranked Beth third in the Grand Path. Beth kept the notion secret from him while he was in Tomahawk M8's body and already mentally stressed. Not knowing what really happened, Connor thought Kaede was suggesting Beth should start from the very beginning.
Still hiding his real feelings, Connor smirked and shook his head.
"And how can you protect me? It's embarrassing to admit only know of the basics of the Grand Path but I don't think such a thing is possible."
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Nov 15, 2013 4:20:26 GMT -5
She responded rather flatly, and almost immediately after Connor was done speaking, though Kaede acted and sounded almost apologetic in nature.
"Oh I can think of lots of possible reasons why she would start playing the game, but I know the true reason. That's not for me to tell you though, you should ask her yourself, if you think I'm joking. It's ok if you don't believe me though, I just thought after what we've been through, that I might have earned your trust. My mistake, but I'm not asking you to believe me, I'm just asking you to hear me out..."
She wasn't even the most perceptive person that she knew, but it wasn't hard for Kaede to tell there was some discrepancy in what Connor was saying. Did he really not know the truth? Well, she didn't feel like it was her place to tell him, but it would be hard to explain what she meant if he didn't know. What he was saying, all that about the others helping her, she had her own opinions about. Whatever the case though, there was something much more important at hand than Kaede's ability to function and try to live a normal life. Namely, Connor and Beth's ability to live at all.
"...if there's one thing you can count on, it's that Solaine isn't stupid. You seem to remember the Valentines well enough, just look at them, the both of them share a rank. If an entire crew came along she'd put them all as one rank, if it meant room for more people in the game. She only has ten ranks to work with, she's not going to waste two spots on a couple."
Regardless of how much Connor knew about the game, he encountered the Valentines firsthand so he should have had some idea about their situation and how it wasn't normal. Everyone up till then had their rank and role, but here were two people at the same position. Heck, if he'd bothered to go further in the fights, he'd find that the next person in line fought with an entire band at their side. Even Pet Shop, because Solaine liked her game and she wanted it played by as many people as she could get. If the choice was between logically giving every person in a group a rank, or having the whole group as one rank thereby leaving more open ranks for more players, which choice did Connor think she would go with?
"That's why if one of you makes it all the way, you'd both win the game, as one. Whether she gives up a space for each of you is up to her, but she still has to give the people in charge what they want. At that point the choice isn't hers anymore, it's theirs; they aren't going to lose two Emperor slots to a husband and wife, just think of implications it might have... no, it doesn't matter what Solaine wants at that point. If one of you wins and makes it out, then you both do."
Another truth, that wouldn't be hard to understand, even for Connor. Kaede hadn't been involved in this whole mess for long, but she was only aware of one person ever going all the way through the ranks. Not even Jean had managed it, which made her think that the person who had made it through, had done so whether or not Solaine wanted (though she didn't want to imagine a kind of person like that). Rarely if ever did someone win the game, because it wasn't as if the Government just handed out Emperor positions like candy at Halloween. The Yonkou, the big four, the implications of such a role Connor should have been aware of. It simply wouldn't be feasible to give away two positions of the available four to say, a brother and sister or a husband and wife, when one of these people could supposedly take the Government head on with a fighting chance.
After all, just look at what Whitebeard did, and imagine if he had another Emperor to back him up, she thought to herself.
"That's for you to talk it over with Beth though, not me. Whatever you two figure out though, until that time comes you won't have to worry. Protecting you should be easy as can be, if anyone comes after you, they'll have to get through me. Snake, Valentines, whoever, I'll kill them myself if I have to."
Again, said with a straight face. She expected Connor would have something to say about all of this, but she had already made up her mind on the matter. Much in the same way that he'd made up his, about helping her now with her disability, something which she'd have to sleep on as she wasn't entirely sure she believed everything he said.
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Post by CJ on Nov 19, 2013 0:49:36 GMT -5
"She's really thinking about joining then," Connor confirmed with a devastated look. He buried his face in his hands again. Barely blinking, he remained still as thoughts spun through his head. The Grand Path was a fearsome challenge to undertake, but Connor's past anxiety and stress drove him to the breaking point simply thinking about it.
It didn't matter that they'd be together. To his knowledge, Beth was going to have to face all of his prior opponents before getting to him and teaming up. While he didn't doubt she could take them all on, even perhaps the Valentines and Snake, one mistake could lead to her death. She had no cyborg body. With her, there would be no second chances.
"I have to start planning. I'll take on the next rank and finish the Grand Path myself so Beth won't even have to think about entering. I can do it... maybe..."
In his panic, Connor coughed loudly and covered his mouth, but puffs of black smoke still escaped, leaking into the restaurant. He waved his hand at Kaede, perhaps thinking that she would try to help him.
"I'm fine. I'm fine."
Sighing, he stood up on wobbly legs and briefly smiled. Again, it was that fake smile that ineffectually hid his distress. He was initially terrified of confronting Kaede on the use of her protestics but now he was fearful of something else entirely.
"Thank you, Kaede," he said in a quiet voice. "You've been a great help. I hope you'll consider my offer, but I know you can do anything you aspire to do alone."
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Post by Shark a' Pult on Nov 22, 2013 4:23:59 GMT -5
"Whatever I can do to help. At least from now on, if I really do need help, I won't be afraid to ask."
With that, seeing that Connor had settled on what he needed to do, Kaede took it as their time to part. At least for now, and she began the process of getting to her feet, or foot rather. Despite what she had just said, she didn't need help with something as simple as this, even if it was quite difficult for her. Something as simple as sitting down and standing up again, she had to do more often than she could call on Connor's help for, so she needed to get used to doing it on her own.
A fair amount of struggle later, and she was up, with her crutch to support her.
"I'll do what I can to keep anyone off your back, and hey, if you want any help yourself as you go further along just let me know. I can't help you myself with that, but I know some people who can."
She doubted Connor would actually ask for help, just as she was avoidant of asking for his, but she left the offer on the table. He might not have, but she knew who lie in wait for him, and she knew it would not be easy. A little help here and there, in this game, was the difference between life and death.
Either way, she would get out of his hair for now, and took the chance to head back to the room she'd been offered to temporarily store her stuff in. There wasn't much now, since she had lost most everything at Colyne. All she had at the moment, was a box of surprisingly light prosthetics and a troublesome robot, which she would wait till she was outside to turn on again. Thankfully, she had picked up a cheap messenger bag right soon after they left that futuristic nightmare, and though she didn't yet manage to replace her lost belongings she could carry what little she had left. In little time at all, she managed to hobble back to the dining room of the restaurant, and stopped before the exit to address Connor.
"I'll be off then, it's still a long way back to Solaine's place and it's dark out. Thanks for everything Connor, and give my thanks to Beth, would you? I'll think more about what you said, so consider what I said?"
A slight bow, as best as she could manage with her crutch and she was out the door, managing to call back before it closed.
"And goodnight!"
---
Thankfully Water 7 was one of the nicer places to live in the world, and not completely devoid of civilization. That is to say, it had paved streets and even though it was late and the sun had set, there were streetlights and still a few people out. She didn't expect to be mugged or anything, and Bader had armaments or so it had led her to believe, but she was afforded some peace of mind by the relatively modern city.
"You turn me off again girlie, and you'll be going for a swim in one of these canals. You look normal enough, the docs did a good job patching you up, but I know you're at least like fifty percent metal. See how well you swim after that, huh? HUH?!"
"You're sure I can't breathe underwater? I don't have lungs anymore."
"And here you are always whining, instead of seeing all the good it did you. Why, you're one step closer to complete glorious robotification! We're practically brother and sister, you and me!"
The softball-sized robot bobbed and weaved through the air about her like an annoying fly, pestering her about whatever it is that a disgruntled, malfunctioning servant droid found to its disliking. Most of the things were insults, about her, about the place, about what color the water was or how the sky looked. It was good at complaining, but to some extent it helped to take her mind off things, at least most of the time. Some of the tings it said hit too close to home for her, but she was learning to get used to it. Time spent with Bader was time spent developing thick skin.
It was when she was passing through a plaza though, by an open-air restaurant, that their little spat was broken.
"Awful dangerous for a young lady to be out on her own this late. Who knows what kind of trouble she could get into..."
Honestly she had no idea how she didn't notice her sooner, just sitting there. But there she sat, in a lone chair by one of the outside tables, while every other chair was upside down on their respective tables and even the umbrellas were lowered and wrapped up.
"Such a nice night for a walk, I couldn't help myself. Besides, I have Bader here to protect me."
"Girlie, I ain't protecting crap."
Solaine wasted no time at all, and was soon circling Kaede looking her up and down, not unlike a vulture. Kaede though didn't shrink from this, to which Solaine frowned ever so slightly.
"What did Connor want? What did you talk about?"
"We talked about my... condition. He said if I needed help I could ask him for it."
Solaine's eyes narrowed at this, partly because of Connor's interest in kindness and charity, but mostly because she knew that Kaede knew that wasn't what she meant.
"Well that's good, you need help."
"No I don't-"
Before she even finished talking, a single swift, low sweep of Solaine's foot was enough to knock the crutch out from under Kaede's remaining arm and send her to the floor with it. It was so simple a movement and so simply done, that was almost like Solaine didn't even have to think about it, almost like it was a reflex to Kaede speaking back to her.
"You do now."
"Hey bitch, so listen up 'cuz this is how it's going to be; you walk the other way right quick and leave the girl alone, or I paint the town red with your insides. My limited understanding of human anatomy dictates such a thing is possible, and if it isn't, I'll have to make due."
Bader could talk the talk but it couldn't walk the walk, and the moment Kaede was threatened, it darted in the way of Solaine bristling with weapons. Some ranged, some melee, some probably not even real weapons. She was unfazed though, having been prepared for this, and responded rather flatly.
"Hey look, over there! A baby with some candy."
"Oooh where?! I'll rough 'em up good!"
As quickly as it took to threaten Solaine, already it was floating off in some random direction she mentioned as having someone less fortunate to bully. With that out of the way, she dropped down on one knee, looking around as she did. There were still people out this late, but not anyone in the plaza at that moment. The coast seemingly clear, she placed her hand on Kaede on the ground next to her, and started lifting her shirt up. Of course Kaede tried to stop her, but Solaine simply grabbed and held the girl's only hand. With that she started pressing the girl's exposed back, prodding and feeling her skin.
"It reminds me of Connor, back when he was like this. Well, he was more a machine at least, but they did a good job with you." She was impressed at least, that she couldn't feel any bones or ribs. Solaine found it a little unnerving that she was unable to tell Kaede was mostly machine, without actually grabbing her and feeling her like this. At least with Connor, she could look and tell the truth. "You feel real enough. I wonder... if I peeled this skin away and started pulling out the parts underneath, would I find any of you left inside?"
Kaede hated it, but there wasn't really anything she could do. Not without her prosthetics or Bader's help. As bad as it was though, she was at least thankful that Solaine ambushed her like this while they were out. If it had happened back at her room, she likely wouldn't be content with simply feeling for some ribs. All she could do was lie and wait till Solaine was content with what she sought to find out.
Thankfully that chance never came, when across the canal, a drunken group of cheery fellows rounded a corner into the plaza. Solaine of course noticed this, and quickly fixed Kaede's shirt before standing up. With the girl's hand still in hers, she dragged Kaede along the ground till she reached the chair Solaine had occupied not long ago. Pulling her up by the arm, Solaine seated the girl in the chair more or less sufficiently. Once that was taken care of, she paced behind Kaede, and began to run her fingers through the length of the girl's hair. She had to be careful though that she didn't fall into the canal, the cafe was so close to the edge.
"Y-You waited for me for th-this?"
"Actually I have something of a history with this place. I wanted to see if they were open so that I could get something for Shroud Demon, but they close at eight, so I figured I'd just wait for you... so, are you going to tell me what you talked about?"
Kaede went to reach for the mark on her neck for support, but Solaine was faster, and already had her hand over it. She even leaned down so that her head was next to Kaede's and at the same height. It was horrible to think, but at that moment, she found herself wishing for Connor's help.
"I-I already said, he just wanted to offer h-his help, it's just-"
"Just?"
"I th-think... I may have talked him b-back into the game again."
"Good girl! That's even better than I could have asked for, that's why I love having you around! You really are good at this Kaede, remember that."
The mix of happiness and excitement in Solaine's voice was clear, and she wasn't faking it. A hug from behind, and she kissed the mark on Kaede's neck before standing up again. Pacing over, she went to pick up the crutch she had knocked away earlier, lightly smiling when the group of drunken fellows stumbled past with some laughter and whistles. Returning to Kaede, she handed her the crutch and helped the girl to her feet again.
"Anyway, let's get you back to your room. It's been a long day, and there's lots of work to be done tomorrow now that everyone is back. And anyway, Shroud Demon has probably worried himself half to death by now over our sakes, let's not keep him wai-"
"There weren't any babies with candy, so I had to substitute. Wouldn't you know it though, just around the corner was a candy store and a baby clothes store! They were closed, but I made due with what I had."
The little service droid zipped around the corner in time to interrupt, and was carrying a jar of candy with an extendable arm, and sporting a blue baby hat on it's chassis. Kaede looked at it with some degree of resentment, but Solaine just laughed it off.
"Well anyway, what maters is that we're all back now! Things are only going to get better, I can tell that much!"
"How much how better? Because if there isn't an over abundance of orphans to rob, then it's not better."
And so the odd trio meandered back to Solaine's rented place, though despite the little exchange that had taken place, Kaede had missed something. Prior to her arrival on the scene, Solaine had been staring at the water in the canal from her seat at the cafe, and before she had even entered the plaza Solaine had tossed something into the canal itself.
An average-looking pistol that once belonged to a person named Light.
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Post by CJ on Nov 24, 2013 1:47:38 GMT -5
The Anderson's new apartment was small, much smaller than their apartment in the Happy Happy Restaurant.
It was a temporary establishment, close to the water level and only a year or two away from sinking under the sea like so many other homes. Already there were several apartments built above them and even more being constructed above. It wasn't something Beth minded. She didn't see them staying in it for very long. Becoming Emperor would likely have booted her and her family out of the Happy Happy Restaurant to begin with and if she failed in the Grand Path... well, she didn't want to think of that.
It was cheap rent and there were only three rooms to the whole place. A kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. But it was the simplicity that Beth craved in the constant craziness of her life.
Beth never slept, due to her Devil Fruit ability's constant absorption of energy around her. It was how she was able to raise a child and run a restaurant at the same time. Her new position in the Grand Path made it hard to focus on work and her child, so she chose to focus on what was most important.
Peering into the bedroom, she smiled to see Connor was sleeping with Meek. It was odd to think a week ago, no one would dare to put Connor and his son in the same room, lest he hurt him accidentally. She hated to admit it, but her happiness for having her family back overshadowed any guilt she felt for Kaede's near fatal sacrifice.
At least in the quiet, she could focus on what they were going to do next. Kaede spilled the secret of Beth's rank, leaving Connor even more of a mess. He had to learn sometime and she again was somewhat grateful for Kaede's actions. He kept muttering about continuing the path himself to reach Beth and help her with the first and second rank. The second she wasn't so sure about but she had met the first.
Her name was Jane. At least, she thought it was. She dated her son. No, not the baby, the one from the alternate future or some weird convoluted plot that sounded like it was written by a high school-er. With her looks, Beth figured the girl couldn't be anything too tough. She'd get Connor out of the Grand Path and have the position of Emperor in no time.
Her thoughts were interrupted at the sound of their Den Den Mushi ringing in the kitchen. It was a defective model, so it sounded like it was hiccuping when it was ringing. She closed the bedroom door quietly and approached the phone. She debated not picking up the receiver, but figured she should answer in case someone they knew needed their help.
"Hello?"
"Hello," a slick voice answered, "is Connor Anderson there?"
That wasn't good. Beth told the Smith Twins, Nudge and a select few others to say a certain phrase when they called. This would let her know if the call was friendly and not compromised. With her son's secret known in certain sections of the World Government and her new position in the Grand Path, she didn't want to take any risks. She didn't even recognize this voice, so she didn't entertain the caller.
"I'm sorry," she said coldly. "You have the wrong number."
Placing the receiver onto the snail, she shook her head and went to walk away.
"How did they find this place already?" she asked herself.
"Ah, you must be Beth, right?"
Turning around, she saw the receiver floating in front of her and the Den Den Mushi was still running the connection. She tried to remind herself that the world was full of all sorts of Devil Fruits and abilities. This was likely another simply ability, but one that she wouldn't be able to fight easily.
"What is this..."
"I don't expect you to trust me," it continued spoke with odd sincerity. "I wouldn't trust me but I think I can help you."
There was nothing Beth could do. She had to go along with this person for now, lest they try to contact her personally. If they could control her Den Den Mushi, who knows what else they could do.
"Who are you?"
"I'm many things to different people, but you can call me Henri. It's an honor to finally talk with you, Number 3."
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