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

[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.]

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... [He's quiet for a bit, and he wonders if Sabo really remembers who he's talking to.]

I made the same big deal out of nothing, y'know.

[Sabo stiffens. It's not like that's something he can forget, but he keeps expecting that Ace won't want to talk about it. Just like how his ten year old self wanted to keep everything to himself. Somehow, even three months in, Sabo still isn't used to this open and confiding side of Ace.

He sighs quietly.] ...Does it get any better?

[Bro. Bro. Bro. He wants to talk about this stuff if it'll make you feel better. Why must these two do things the hard way?]

Honestly? It does. I'm still not completely used to it, but I have adjusted and accepted it. But it takes a while. Lucky for you, you've got a lot of brothers here to help, huh?

[He gives him a smile, trying to lift the mood even a little.]

[That's because they're never for this sharing-and-caring stuff while growing up together. You can't blame him for keeping stuff to himself!

But he does recognize what Ace is trying to do. So he smiles back easily enough.] That's the best part of the deal. [Then, because he's honestly fed up with feeling like crap, he'll elbow nudge Ace and snerks.] Who knew you'd grow up to be so reliable, huh?!

[That was then and this is now, gosh! Oh wait, that's the problem.

But even so, it's like being around brothers instantly gets a smile on his face. He just can't help but laugh.] Oi, are you saying I wasn't reliable before? I definitely was, thanks!

Hah! Like you didn't get us in trouble all the time with that stupid head-on attacks of yours! [But he's laughing too, because he's perfectly aware his own plans were usually stupid too.]

[HEY, GUESS WHAT, BRO. TEN YEARS LATER, AND HE STILL USES IT.] Hey, you gotta admit, it worked.

[Even talking about what an idiot he is/was makes Ace laugh. GOD, this felt great.]

[OH BRO, HAVE YOU SERIOUSLY LEARNED NOTHING?] Are you kidding me?! It didn't, more often! Or do I have to remind you about the tailor, the black-smith and that terrifyingly huge shoeshiner?! When I told you to make a distraction while I'm stealing that bread, I didn't mean punch people in the face, geez.

[Yep, he's enjoying reminding you of your stupidity.]

[WELL, LET'S SEE. NEVER THINKING? CHECK. NOT KNOWING WHEN TO CALL IT QUITS? CHECK. HEAD ON ATTACKS? CHECK. NEVER BACKING DOWN EVEN IF IT MEANS DEATH? ... CHECK.]

Come on, like I had time to think of any other distractions! And we still got out, okay, and that's what matters.

[/JUST... FACE-PALMING.]

Right, you only got a broken arm and I got several concussions and a sprained foot. That's not what you call getting out okay, stupid!! But, anyway. What I'm trying to say is-- you're doing this adult stuff pretty well. I'm actually complimenting you here!

[HEY, IT KINDA WORKS, OKAY.] Hey, that wasn't the worst that could happen!

[But at those last few lines, Ace can't help but laugh, wrapping an arm around Sabo's shoulders.] I like to think I grew up a bit. Someone had to gain maturity with Luffy being how he is.

That's not the point! [But his annoyance is short-lived, because he's laughing right back.] You know, that makes a lot of sense! [His laughter trails off, but he's still smiling a bit.] What's it like, growing up together?

Eh, who cares about the point? [At Sabo's question, he pauses, and stares out at the sea. Or... what looks to be the sea. This one is just fake.] It was fun. He still got into a ton of trouble, and he still couldn't beat me no matter how hard he tried. It was kinda like the five years we spent growing up together.

[Shoves.] Oi, that's different! I could beat you just fine when we're growing up, bastard! [He follows Ace's gaze out to the fake sea, frowning slightly.] ...You told me before Bluejam's taken our treasure. Did you guys ever started collecting again?

And I could do the same to you! I was beating you by two fights, remember? [Aaaah, that one. To answer, he simply shakes his head.] No. We focused more on getting stronger. Luffy was pretty adamant about that.

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

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