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Post by ultralilly on Jun 9, 2023 0:09:48 GMT
It all happened quite fast as she did not expect to be grabbed and kicked out so eloquently. She blinked and tilted her head with confusion as she sat outside the door for a moment. She frowned and muttered to herself "Well a back scrubber doesn't build bonds at all." While she was just a tad upset, she managed to smile to herself. Serena, huh? The name was committed to memory. Whatever she was going through, it was best to just let her be. Getting cleaned up seemed like a distant memory now seeing as how her kimono top was locked inside with Serena.
She would ask but walking around as she was now felt a bit more her speed. It covered her enough. She returned below deck with a small "Another time it is..."
She went past the deck, not making anyeye-contact with anyone, proceeded into the medical bay, retrieved her weapon, then walked back up on deck. She once again did not make eye-contact with anyone as she walked past them. She picked out a spot on deck then sat herself down cross-legged. She took a deep breath and held her sheathed weapon before her. SHe then remained motionless as if in a deep trance.
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Post by cmd1095 on Jun 9, 2023 12:15:47 GMT
Onaka had been manning the deck while the incident with Serena had played out, so when Yanagi came out minus a shirt and began meditation on the deck she was a tad confused. She wasn't unappreciative of the spectacle though
Still best not to leave the situation be to distract everyone... so Onaka approached "hey, something wrong with the showers? You finished awfully quickly and... are missing much of your clothing now" she asked
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Post by ultralilly on Jun 9, 2023 16:39:17 GMT
The flashes of moments ago played in Yanagi's head. Her eyes were closed yet the young lady faced Onaka as she set her weapon before her. "Oh, I thought I would cleanse my mind before my own body, first." answered Yanagi who then faced forward then up to take in a whiff of the ocean air. It was not an absolute lie. In fact, she was glad it technically wasn't. If she had to tell the truth of the matter, it would be very obvious. She clapped her hands before her into a steeple shape then took in another deep breath before quietly exhaling.
A serene quiet came over her general area. Her breathing. Her movements. Even her heartbeat all seemed to become near silent in her vicinity. Nothing but the sound of waves wafted around her. The silence came to an end as her eyes opened. "I am known as Yanagi by the by. Yanagi Ebigawa. You have my sincerest gratitude for coming to my aid and I fully intend to repay this favor a hundred fold." her eyes stared at the ocean on the horizon. "What I had has been lost and what I do now is unclear. But...I think staying here for now is my plan of action."
She looked to Onaka with a small smile. "Although, if you could provide me some wood that is not being used, I would appreciate it. With it, I can carve out my own footwear and save you a bit of trouble on that front. Ah and sandpaper...and cloth."
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Post by cmd1095 on Jun 10, 2023 1:22:19 GMT
"Well you are welcome to join us Yanagi, we're all misfits without a place to call home here. Either because our home was destroyed like me, or because we simply didn't fit in, or we didn't have one to begin with" Onaka said "we've made our home on the sea as pirates, free from the world government and able to go where we please. If that sounds good to you then you're welcome to be one of us"
Onaka would smile warmly at Yanagi "my name is Onaka, I'm the ships captain, it's a pleasure to meet you."
There was one of the names Serena had mentioned who was in on her secret, if Yanagi wanted more info on that, asking her in private was an option.
"Anyhow, wood, cloth, sandpaper huh? I know we've got two of those, and presumably we've got sandpaper around... if nothing else you can ask Ayane, she'll be able to set you up on that front. Just be careful if you interrupt one or her experiments. They tend to explode when they go wrong" Onaka said
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Post by ultralilly on Jun 10, 2023 2:05:01 GMT
The name that was given would elicit a noticeable change in demeanor for Yanagi whose otherwise stalwart expression changed to that of something somber. This was someone else who knew of Serena's disfigurement. According to Serena and the girl had no reason to tell a lie on that spot. Not with something as traumatizing as that must have been. She couldn't meditate now with this weighing on her mind. This was a sword in a gut that needed to get pulled quickly. The longer she waited, the more it was plague her thoughts.
"Onaka...was it? I'll be sure to talk to this Ayane. But first and foremost, I do have one confession I have to make. I cannot say it aloud. But I can tell you as it was specified that you know what I am about to divulge." she looked around for others then hunched her back and looked positively remorseful. She beckoned Onaka closer then spoke in a hushed voice so that none but they might hear. "...I attempted to take a shower but Miss Serena was already inside. I bore witness to what was imprinted upon her back and now I will take said knowledge to my grave. I would die before revealing it. If I were, I'd commit seppuku on the spot. Thankfully, I've never once broken a promise."
She chuckled weakly, letting down the facade of a strong Wano native swordswoman momentarily. "In fact, I almost got my head removed for keeping a secret so that a friend might live..." Her fingers curled into fists and she bit her lip. Her face was near contorted into sorrow and it was only by a sheer force of willpower that Yanagi keep it locked in and put back on the face of her positive self.
She finally spoke up."But yes...A pirate...yes...that does sound like the life for me!" she beamed once more as if everything were back to being okay again. At least for now, it was.
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Post by cmd1095 on Jun 10, 2023 3:04:12 GMT
Onaka was silent for a moment at the confession before sighing "you're lucky you walked out of that alive. She either has taken a liking to you... she's very sensitive about the topic and with good reason. We can't talk about that out here though."
Onaka looked around to make sure nobody else needed her for the moment before continuing "I won't go into too much detail, but in private I can give you the basics. Anything more you'll have to get from her"
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Post by ultralilly on Jun 10, 2023 5:09:00 GMT
Yanagi nodded. "Just lead the way." she gotup and placed her hands on her hips. "I'm sure this will help clear up my head rather well in private!" she said with absolutely no context from passerbys. She picked up her sword and slipped it onto a cloth strap on her left hip. She flashed a gleeful smile. This Onaka must be a fine leader for this vessel and now Yanagi was determined to repay them with her talents...and shoulder any burdens they might bear so they may find some semblance of joy.
Starting with Serena's. The more she knew, the better. It doesn't matter how nasty it is. Yanagi was used to such unjust cruelty in her life and she wasn't going to let someone endure it by themselves. That burden belonged to herself and her alone.
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Post by cmd1095 on Jun 10, 2023 5:22:29 GMT
Once they were in Onaka's quarters, she closed the door. "So... how familiar are you with the Celestial Dragons? I know they don't rule in Wano, but have you heard of them yet? If not this'll be an important survival lesson too" she asked
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Post by ultralilly on Jun 10, 2023 5:35:58 GMT
Yanagi tilted her head at the mention of the term. "Celestial Dragon?" she thought of a long blue dragon. "Are they big? If they rule they must be big or have some sort of hold like a daimyo." She slightly smiled at the idea of a dragon daimyo wearing a tiny hakama. What did they have to do with Serena anyway? Her mind recalled a claw in that design from before and suddenly her eyes widened up. Her nostrils flared.
Her fingers balled into fists and shook. "...did they do that to her?" she asked quietly.
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Post by cmd1095 on Jun 10, 2023 5:50:26 GMT
"Yes. They did" Onaka said bluntly "they're the ones who rule the world outside of a few exceptions like Wano, and they're treated essentially like gods. They can do whatever they want, to whoever they want. And to defy them is to sign your own death warrant in most cases... The mark you saw is a slave brand, it marks someone as property of the dragons... which means if anyone knew Serena had one and was an escaped slave the bounty on her head would be incredibly high... and by harboring her we'd all be executed or enslaved."
Onaka said everything in a matter of fact tone. She'd had plenty of time to process the cruelty of this all, and was in control of her emotions regarding it by now. And getting upset now wouldn't be much help without a dragon anywhere near to deliver justice too... best to just rip off the bandage here with the unflinching reality of the world outside Wano
"It's a sick and disgusting system, but one even we pirates have to at least be aware of. Staying out of the Dragons way is key to survival... not that I wouldn't love to take a shot at once if I could get away with it" Onaka sighed "none of us are that strong yet though, so that's a distant dream"
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Post by ultralilly on Jun 10, 2023 6:30:26 GMT
"Ah...I see." she said quietly. She said it almost calmly. yet her rage persisted. Those sneering looks. Those laughing eyes that imprisoned her. They worked under people that did things like that to Serena. What kind of world was this? It was comical. It seemed way to unreal. But the evidence was all there and there was no refuting it. People were property to these high and mighty Celestial Dragons. Comporting themselves as gods. "Well, I'll tell you this now. If being a pirate makes their lives harder, I'll become one gladly."
"However..." she added sharply, "...I'm going to make a promise. To you, captain of this ship. " she held up her weapon before her. "...I'll shorten the gap to that dream byleaps and bounds. Have Serena's back. And one day... abolish this cruel system. I've only gotten a taste of it from my perspective...heh...had to have been thousands of times worse for Serena...and every other slave they have in their clutches...but already, I've decided the world would be better off without it!"
With that phrase, she reeled in her building anger and took a deep breath. "I will...curb my rage for them. But if I see one, I cannot guarantee I will be able to still my blade if they decide to do anything to you all. In that moment, I hope there will be someone near....to keep me in check." she said this shakily while the blade she then sheathed clattered in its container with her trembling fingers.
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Post by cmd1095 on Jun 10, 2023 16:37:18 GMT
"Well with any luck we'll avoid any run ins with them. Because you aren't the only one who would need to be held back." Onaka said, letting anger show for a moment as her quills bristled "they don't come to the seas too often though so we should be fine so long as they don't learn about Serena... speaking of which~"
Onaka grinned a bit "I can't help but notice you mentioned having her back specifically... our flame haired goddess has won over another admirer hm?" She said with a wink
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Post by ultralilly on Jun 10, 2023 18:23:33 GMT
Ah right. These were the types that hardly ever came down from their towers. Like oni of legend and their mountains. Only difference was that oni seemed far more welcoming company as some would even have a drink with their prey before eating them.
Speaking of welcoming company, Serena's title of flame-haired goddess seemed to have brought about a bashful smile to Yanagi's face. "You could say that. But she fed me and quite literally saved my life. Granted, you all rescued me from my adrift rowboat so I've you all to thank as well. Though I...can't quite describe why I made the declaration I did other than...I can feel this radiance from her. Hidden though it may be, I cannot help be be helplessly drawn to it like a moth to a flame..."
She lingered on those words as her eyes looked off to the side in thought. Flame. Hair. Waving. She chuckled. Oh, the term goddess wasn't nearly enough praise!
She sighed wistfully. She had puppy-dog eyes. She swayed back and forth. "I mean I'm just repaying a life debt! By giving all of mine! After all, food is life!"
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Post by cmd1095 on Jun 10, 2023 21:55:18 GMT
Onaka chuckled a bit at Yanagi's response. Serena had claimed another one it seemed, though at least this time she'd be aware of it. Maybe Yanagi would have an actual shot
"You're not the first to describe her that way. Even on the crew she has one other not so secret admirer. She's a hard person to get close to though. You're in for a long courtship at best. Still I think you have a chance. My advice is to take it slow though, she's skittish. Push too hard and she'll only run away from you." Onaka said "your comment about her hidden radiance is apt though, honestly it feels like she's the captain here sometimes. You picked a good one to devote yourself to, I'll support you as best I can"
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Post by ultralilly on Jun 11, 2023 2:55:33 GMT
"Slow and steady, huh?" she mused over that thought. It took her awhile to master swordplay. She was patient with that. But this was a relationship. But so was swordplay and her sword. She chuckled. Sword and Serena. Both sharp, elegant, and beautiful and...containing a sad story. "I can do that. I think."
She folded her arms and tilted her head with a grimace on her face. "This will be difficult. I have so much to share and do...but one thing at a time."
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