[Action/"Voice"]

[mikangirl]

[Nami for her own part is content to either stay with her mother or go out exploring with Sanji for the first day or two she's home. It's bitterly cold out there and she doesn't like it much at all-- it's nothing like Cocoyashi-- and her feet are a little red from early barefoot adventures in the snow, but luckily she doesn't catch cold. She's more grounded and less restless than Sanji is, because Bellemere is here. And that means she can let Bellemere take care of things. Because after all, didn't mama say that they wouldn't be here for very long? She misses Nojiko, but if it's only for a little while, then maybe she'll just treat this as a holiday.

Then the second night passes, and Nami turns 10. And everything changes.]



[She's had nightmares before. And the last night was unsettling with the dreams she had, but they weren't bad dreams-- just ones that feel like she's lived a lifetime in one night. Or...one year, as the case may be.

The second night, she wakes up with a wail (muffled brutally by shoving the blanket up to her mouth, because nobody likes a crying human) and tears and her arm hurts but mostly all she can remember right now is Bellemere and the screams when they stepped on her arm and the blood and the way Arlong just shot her down--

die for your pathetic love--

--and everything that followed. And she knows why her arm hurts, but that doesn't make any sense, and Bellemere is right upstairs and Nami just spends the next ten minutes crying into the blanket and not daring to look at her arm. And when she can separate dream from reality just enough, she slides out of bed and doesn't even bother to dress properly, running for the stairs to the next floor in an oversized tshirt that hangs off her arms and going straight for her mama's bedroom.

She eventually falls asleep again and further returning memories distance her from the shock of that death, but none of them are good memories. And now she's confused to boot, because sometimes when she closes her eyes she expects to open them somewhere else entirely. And Nami grows to like the cold, because as long as there's snow outside, it means she's not at Arlong Park, and that means that maybe she can put it all aside as an especially bad nightmare and it didn't really happen. Because it didn't. Because Bellemere is here.

Anyway, distracting herself from darker thoughts is a damn good idea, really. Best to try and not think about it and just...stick with Bellemere a lot today.]

["Voice"]

[So in the afternoon, Luceti, there is a little girl staring back at you from the journals. And doing the most awesomely intelligent thing:



[Yeah. Because making faces at you all is really mature. She just wants to see how many people notice her, because damn this magical journal is fun.]

[Action]

[If people want to run into Nami at varying ages, she can be found:

-- At the library on Monday when she is 12, trying to reach that top shelf of navigation books;

-- At Good Spirits on Wednesday when she is 14, trying her luck at being served underage drinks (look, she can hold her liquor okay B|); and

-- Pretty much anywhere on the following Friday when she is 16, because she's smitten with a severe case of wanderlust; a rooftop, a shop, the forest, the battledome...anywhere. Chances are if you run into Nami today, she might attempt to pickpocket you just because she's got the suspicion she's damn good at it. And those ships out at sea hold her attention for a fair while, because...well, wouldn't it be nice to sail one away? These dreams, man. 

For ages 17 and up, well... there'll be another post much later.  Just to avoid confusion.]

Comments

[mikanchibi]

Got it! [And she practically flies back to her room to find clothes to bundle up in. At least she has chibi-sized clothes now, though the scarf and the hat she wears might belong to someone a good ten years older.

Returning for duty!]

[alabastajewel]

[She'll return to find Vivi dressed up warmly as well, in a winter coat, a thick knit hat, and woolen mittens. She gives Nami a quick once-over and nods her approval.]

All right. Are you ready to go?

[mikanchibi]

Uh huh. [She scoots up to Vivi, holding a hand out to her. Please distract me, awesome lady. 8|]

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi takes Nami's hand and they slip out the front door into the chilly air. Vivi makes an immediate turn to the left, cupping a hand to her mouth as they round the corner.] Biri!

[She pauses for a moment, as if waiting for something, and then continues walking to the backyard with Nami in tow. She doesn't seem to see what she's looking for, so again she calls out, a little louder this time.] Biriii!

[They've stopped walking, and now Vivi seems to be scanning the horizon and even the sky. After a short time she sighs softly, murmuring.] Where is he? [Okay, plan B. Vivi pulls off one of her mittens and brings two fingers to her mouth, and an instant later, the still winter day is split by a shrill, loud whistle.]

[This gets the intended results, as in the distance, a large yellow blur comes into view over the roof of House 8, winging its way toward them at an alarming speed. Vivi winces, having forgotten the bird's customary enthusiasm. She turns to Nami.] Get behind me, okay? Actually... [She points to the back wall of House 6.] Stand over there.

[mikan_chibi]

[Hnnngh that blur is moving damn fast. You don't have to tell Nami twice, Vivi; she backs up at a rate of knots and practically plasters herself against the back wall, eyes fastened on the Biri thing.

At least she looks more disconcerted and not terrified.]

[alabastajewel]

STOP! [Vivi extends both arms, holding her palms out flat in the universal gesture for, "hey, put on the brakes!" It may be too late for that, though. She winces, turning her head to the side, and prepares for impact.]

Kwaaaa-!

[All things considered, it could have been worse. To his credit, Biri does try at the last moment not to slam into Vivi, but his momentum is just too great. His feet skid on the ground, leaving deep welts in the snow, and he hits Vivi with only enough force to make her fall back in a sitting position, rather then sending her ass over teakettle. The snow even lessons the impact to her tailbone, so no harm done.]

[Biri does his best to look chagrined and apologetic, though the effect is somewhat lessened by the excited way he's hopping from foot to foot. Vivi turns back to Nami, reaching up to pat the bird's chest as he makes happy little 'kweh' sounds.]

This is Biri. Don't worry; he's nice. Just a little excitable.

[mikanchibi]

[Vivi is being gaped at, because woman, you just got charged by a giant yellow bird and you're okay with this?

...giant...yellow bird...

...the noises he's making are awfully cute. Nami peels herself away from the wall and edges forward a step. Just one.] Does he always say hello like that?

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi stands, brushing the snow off herself.]

Not always.

[She turns to Biri and gives him a stern look. When she speaks, her tone is firm.] She's just a little girl, so behave yourself. That means no electricity under any circumstances. All right?

[Biri bobs his head in what might be a nod, and says, Kwaa! in a dignified sort of tone. Vivi smiles in response and scratches the side of his head.] Good. [Then, turning to Nami:] Would you like to come meet him?

[mikanchibi]

[In response Nami smiles shyly and edges forward more, until she's standing just by Vivi, peering around from behind her and holding out her hand tentatively.]

Hello, Biri.

[alabastajewel]

[Biri looks happy at the sound of his name and thrusts his bill into Nami's outstretched hand. Vivi nods encouragement down to her.]

You can pat him.

[mikanchibi]

[SJKDFS adorable ;A; Encouraged, Nami moves closer to run her hands through those feathers, and giggles.] He's fluffy.

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi nods. So far, so good.] Would you like to ride him?

[mikanchibi]

[Nami's eyes widen, and she glances from Vivi to the duck, smile hopeful.] Can I? I mean, would he let me?

[alabastajewel]

[Another nod.] We can even go flying, if you want. I'll ride behind you and make sure you don't fall.

Or we can just stay in the yard, if you'd rather.

1/2

[mikan_chibi]

Flying...

[S-so ...nervous. Like a bird? Um. UM.]

W-well...

[mikanchibi]

Okay. Let's go flying.










Aslongasyou'retheretoo.

[alabastajewel]

[Atta girl, Nami. Vivi gives her an encouraging smile.] Of course.

[She gives Nami a quick once over, making sure her hat and scarf are secure, then pats Biri's neck.] Remember, behave yourself. [Biri, perhaps eager to show how well-behaved he can be, goes still as a statue as Vivi lifts Nami onto his back. Vivi swings up behind her, scooting forward so Nami is nestled securely between her thighs, wrapping one arm loosely around the girl's waist.]

Now, be sure to hold on tight. He goes fast.

[mikanchibi]

{She's reassured by Vivi's arm around her waist, and Nami sucks in a huge breath, hands working their way down into Biri's feathers.



...oh yeah, she should answer that vigorously. Nodding. And still holding her breath. o.o]

[alabastajewel]

All right then. Here we go! [She pats Biri's neck to signal it's time for takeoff, but the bird is more than ready, taking a few running steps before leaping into the air.]



Kwaaaah!!

[And off they go, into the wild blue yonder.]

[mikanchibi]

[SDKFADASD SO FAST well she's not holdin her breath now, she is screaming. 8|]

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH----

[alabastajewel]

[Eep. Vivi holds Nami a little tighter, speaking up to be heard over the high-pitched shriek and the rushing wind.]

Is it too scary? Should we land?

[mikan_chibi]

----AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAH!!!!

[NO NO, CARRY ON. She just had to get that out of her system |D]

[alabastajewel]

[Oh good, she hasn't traumatized you for life. That's a relief.]

[Biri continues to gain altitude, Luceti spreading out below them like a map.]

Where do you want to go, Nami-san?

[mikanchibi]

Everywhere! [Oh aksdsfsd so high and it might be terrifying but it's also amazing because things look so different from up here and she's alerady picking landmarks in her head, and it's like this beautiful oversized patchwork map.] The mountains!

[alabastajewel]

All right!

[Vivi directs Biri toward the mountains, and his wings catch an updraft, lifting them still higher as the ride smooths out a bit. She leans forward as they get closer to the peaks.]

Where did Mr Bushido find you?

[Vivi's willing to bet Nami will be able to point out the exact spot.]