III. [Action: July 15th--19th]

[sailedfirst]

[It's been a week since Luffy was brought back home. The first few days were hard; the fact Sabo might never see him again and he's helpless to do anything about it still cuts deep. But he and Ace promised to keep living, keep moving forward. It's what they've always done, and Sabo's not about to stop now. And so to avoid moping so much, he decides to get busy.]

[July 15-19 -- Mornings, the Library]
[He'll be seen occupying a table in the library, with large sheets of paper spread out and books lying open all around him. The books are noticeably all about ships and how to build them. He's busy sketching out blueprints of a small sea-faring vessel. he's obviously not an expert, so the blueprint's almost cartoony and not accurate with regards to the finer details, like measurements and stuff, but he's got most of the main parts down.

On the 19th, he'll open his journal to ask something.]

[Voice]

Hey, are there any shipwrights around here? Or anyone who knows anything about making boats or ships?

[Afternoons (except the 17th), the beach/the mountain]
[Afternoons are spent out in the beach, just looking out to the sea, and/or exploring the nearby mountain in the hopes of meeting the Wind spirit Kipinn.]

[Evenings, the Battledome]
[Sabo can be found in the Battledome. The simulation shows a wide forest, with towering trees and a huge mountain looming behind. Sabo's armed with his usual pipe staff, and his chosen opponent is an old acquaintance to the ASL brothers: the Great Tiger of Mt. Corvo.

Even knowing he's no match by himself, he'll fight on determinedly. Of course, he's just going to get smacked around by the giant paws or batted away by that bludgeon-like tail. But he'll get up, again and again, until the auto-abort kicks in due to the boy's over-exhaustion. At one point, his journal will get knocked aside and start recording one of these fights on video.

Once he catches his breath, he'll rest a bit within a peaceful simulation of a cliff overlooking a wide blue sea, before making his way home.]

Comments

[rashness]

[...Wow it's over already? He keeps looking at the tiger for several seconds, waiting for it to get up so he'll need to use his sword or something. But... no. It doesn't. He blinks and then lowers his blade before turning to Sabo - grinning despite the claws/fangs and looking a bit sheepish]

Looked like you were having trouble!

[sailedfirst]

[Oh, he's talking to him. Huh. Then this guy isn't a random opponent the simulation is throwing at him? It happened with a giant snake before... But no, this guy looks too real. Er-- claws, fangs and flames aside.

Sabo grips his staff tighter, anyway. Better safe than sorry after all.] So you... you're trying to help me?

[rashness]

Given there was kinda a giant tiger thing and you looked like you were having trouble.

[Yeah. :T ]

[sailedfirst]

[Yep, seems like a good guy, despite being creepy-looking. Sabo sighs and slumps down against a rock.] Nope, no trouble here. Just training.

[Looking at the knocked-out tiger now.] But wow! You're strong, mister. Took a lot out of me and my brothers just to take one out the first time.

[rashness]

I kinda thought that thing would be stronger, actually... [...Wow, is he that strong? Well, this is just a kid. he shrugs and looks around for his scabbard. He tossed it aside earlier, uh]

[sailedfirst]

Well, it's not like I get thrown all the time. I've landed some hits on him too, y'know. [Which he's not satisfied with at all. The number of hits he lands and the time he spent fighting are far from equal. He's still too weak...

Shaking his head, he shifts his gaze to Rin.] So, uh... do you always look like that? Tail, claws and all?

[rashness]

[There we go, scabbard! He puts the sword away. The ears get smaller (still pointed), fangs are shorter (also still pointed), claws vanish, tail's still there... but all the fire dies down for the most part. And he looks over sheepishly]

Hey little man, I'm not doubting you or nothing! But you looked like you needed help this time is all.

[sailedfirst]

[Now that the more attention-grabbing parts of the guy are gone, Sabo could vaguely recognize him. He'd seen him around the village and the journals a few times already. And if he's not mistaken, in Sanji's restaurant too.

He scratches his head, looking down on his own battered body.] Huh. Didn't think I needed it, but I guess I appreciate the thought. Might've overdone it today...

Oh, and the name's Sabo. [Little man is a horrible nickname and he's hoping it won't stick.]

[rashness]

Ossu - Rin Okumura. [In case that didn't come up. He goes to put his sword back in the bundle before he can put it back on his back. Before that though, he'll be taking a seat in here while he does it] I mean, that's my name. I dunno if you needed help or not - I mean I push myself too. I just figure when I see a guy struggling as much as it looked like you was, I can't not give it a shot to help.

[sailedfirst]

Good to meet you, Rin. [He even manages to pull himself up a bit and nod his head politely. The guy did help him out there, so showing a bit of manners is fine.

But the struggling as much as you did line makes him wince.] I look that bad, huh. Guess I need more training... [And speaking of which...] Ah, if you're gonna use the room, go right ahead. Erm, I'm just gonna have to ask if I can stay here a bit longer.

[rashness]

Oi, you sure? You're kinda in here first, might as well do more if you're gonna do more. [...Ask? Well he does look young, now he thinks of it. He nods to confirm it's nice to meet him too. Polite, what's that?]