[ooc| TASHIGI & SMOKER.

[tashigi]

Who: Tashigi and Smoker
When: A half an hour after Tashigi said she would instead find him.
Where: The same hotel room that Smoker brought Karen too.
Rating: PG... PG-13 at the most? o_O

Her eyes searched the lobby with an slightly frantic glance. But was quick to move to the front desk, get the information she needed and go right up to the room. In her arm was a bag, filled with extra ingrediants and some clothing for the male, just to make sure he didn't have to go around naked while he washed his clothes, even though she wasn't very sure if he had thought ahead that much. Her free hand knocked quickly, once, twice and then a third time before she paused in her attempt at a fourth on.

It hadn't been hard to find out where he was, it was actually quite easy once one knew what to ask others. ASking for a tall marine with a sword-like object wasn't going to get her anywhere, not when she could go into detail and ask around for a 'tall, green-gray haired Marine, with a sour expression upon his face, wearing a jacket with cigars strapped onto and 'justice' written on it, shirtless and carries a jitte. It was easier to go into more detail than to simply leave everything open ended.

"Sir, I know you're in there, please let me in?"

Perhaps she sounded worried, but her body was being forced to relax. Slender brows furrowed and she couldn't help but knock a few more times. "Sir, I also brough you some new cigars, as I'm sure you're almost out by now."

Comments

[justicereigns]

Smoker ground his teeth irritably and opened the door pointing a finger at the shorter ensign sternly, "Woman, what does 'I don't need help,' mean to you?!" Sure it was hypocritical given the circumstances and he was kind of glad to see her but he wasn't about to openly admit that much either. "Get in here already," he sighed irritably, suddenly beginning to get a small inkling why strangers might think they were dating. Of course that didn't mean people who knew him should think that. Nor that they weren't fools if they did.

He grabbed the box of cigars despite it being a bribe and walked towards the desk in the room. "Happy's around here somewhere," Smoker shrugged and puffed on his cigars, not exactly more cheerful but not exactly more grumpy either.

[swordsofjustice.livejournal.com]

She was glad he let her in, and quickly set the two bags down. "I brought you some ingredients and your rum, sir. As well as clothes, as I know you probably didn't think too far ahead."

She stood a bit away from him, closing the door quietly behind her. "Sir, tell me what's going on, please?" She shifted awkwardly, hands folding behind her back as she forced the tense-line to relax slightly. "Or else I may have to go to the source and get it from her."

[justicereigns]

"Tashgi," he growled shortly and began grinding his teeth again. "You don't have to take care of me," he'd done it for himself years before her and likely would again and yet... Karen had told him the same thing that he was doing to her and because of it he couldn't fully bring himself to tell of Tashigi right now. He gestured idly to a chair, if she was going to stay there wasn't much he could do to get rid of her.

The idea of her hunting down and banging on Karen's door was unfortunately amusing but the grin never fully got out. "We talked. I made her mad at me. I'm not sure where she is right now." He could find out easily enough but he was trying to give her space however difficult it was. "Like I said," he growled over his cigars, looking off in the distance, "Not much to tell."

[swordsofjustice.livejournal.com]

"I know sir," she muttered quietly, but took the chair offered to her, she sat down politely, her hands folding on her lap.

"Sir," she started then paused. "... Nevermind." A slow smile crawled over her face before she dug into her pocket, before tossing the item at the other. She grinned more and stared at him expectantly. "I guess you need that now, Smoker-san." She then gestured to the inside of her coat to point at the 'Sword Otaku' pin on it, and grinned childishly. "I got you a matching one, I was gonna wait until Christmas to give it too you. But... I guess you need a laugh."

[justicereigns]

Smoker froze at the pin. "Justice Otaku," with bright fiery flames. He stared at it hollowly, and slowly closed his fist around it so tightly that the script stuck into his fingers, especially without the gloves he usually wore. "Heh..." he tried to force himself to laugh weakly. He stared numbly at her pin, a little amused and finally slumped down to the floor behind the desk, crossing his legs and leaning his head against the wood. The marine couldn't seem to bring himself to put it on or look at it. Or speak. Was he ever going to be able to look at fire again? Or even just another red-haired woman? God he felt pathetic. He had to be a man of steel. Had to keep getting stronger, show Tashigi everything was fine. Keep moving. He couldn't cling to the past or the Grand Line would pass him by, like it did everyone.

"Thanks Ensign," he mumbled and determinedly stuck it on his jacket out front near the cigars.

[swordsofjustice.livejournal.com]

She was up and moving towards him as he slumped down behind the desk, she moved to kneel besides him and lightly pat him on the shoulder. "Sir," she pulled him closer to her slightly, hugging his head tightly. "It'll be all right." With that, she released him and stared down at him with pursed lips. "Just because it doesn't work out with Karen, it doesn't mean that it was all your fault. It takes two to tango and perhaps I know that a little too well." Her head bowed slightly and she lightly patted him on the shoulder, before she stood and offered him a hand. "C'mon, sir. I brought some ingredients for you to make your soup, I'll leave too if you want. I'm not going to intrude any longer. I also suggest that you fill out the formal paper work and take a week long vacation on the next island we reach. I can handle things well enough on the Lady Justice without you."

She put a weak smile onto her features and carefully brushed some of her black-blue hair from her eyes. "Unless you want me to fill out the paper work for you?"

[justicereigns]

Tashigi's commander stiffened at the touch. He didn't want to deal with anyone right now. It wasn't her fault he just didn't think he had the strength he really needed for it. To be both human and superman. He wanted to keep his private life and work life separate but it'd been impossible this time. Too intertwined and now it was negatively affecting his crew. Tashigi, Zenigata, how many others had noticed? He ground his teeth hard on the cigars and forced himself to stand, refused to be weak, refused to be seen as weak no matter what. "I don't want a vacation," Smoker growled. He really didn't. He needed the work right now to keep him stable. He'd already spent the entire night before roughing up pirates and putting them in jail cells.

"Thanks for the ingredients," he growled, reminded starkly of the night Karen had first broken up with him. He didn't understand women. Still didn't. One minute Karen had been all tender love and care and the next... all because he wanted to keep her safe. God help him, he didn't understand women. "Tashigi why are you here?" he asked finally. "On a night you should just be..." anywhere else. Building snowmen. Enjoying herself. Doing whatever sword otakus liked to when their bosses weren't breathing down their necks. He pulled out a pot and poured water in, heating it up as he added flavoring and ingredients, going through the motions of normalcy no matter what. Emotions were for people who could afford it. Not marines. Maybe that was why Karen didn't want to be one. Better not think about it really.

[swordsofjustice.livejournal.com]

She stiffened as he seemingly decided to be cold towards her. She sighed slightly and quickly tugged the gloves in her pocket back on. "I--," pausing as she bit her lip and then looked down, she thought quickly about why she was here. She slumped in defeat, before she realized she was gripping her glove in a death grip. She couldn't believe she was going to say this, but. "Sir, I'm here because I know what it's like to be pushed away by someone I love." She wasn't talking about him, but more her. She closed her eyes and then opened them. "I'll leave you to your soup making, I really do hope it works out for the best."

Perhaps that wasn't the right thing to say, but she forced her feet towards the door and she leaned her forehead against the door, before she paused in bringing her hand to the doorknob. "Sir, don't worry about calling Hina-taisa, I'll try again myself."

[justicereigns]

"Tashigi," Smoker growled, furious with himself and yet taking it out on her, "Get the hell back in here." This was something he could deal with at least. He gestured again to an empty chair, set the soup on simmer and spun a chair around so he could sit in it backwards, leaning his arms on the back to face her. "Talk," he growled, "Spill it. Everything. Now."

He couldn't talk about himself, but her he could handle. For all he supposedly pushed people away...

At least with Tashigi he could give her orders without getting reprimanded for it. He'd taken Happy precisely because the cat didn't seem to take offense at any way Smoker treated him but this was something Smoker could do and feel less pathetic about.

[swordsofjustice.livejournal.com]

She shook her head slightly and turned, moving automatically to sit in the chair, her fingers clenching into fists, smiling wryly at her lap. "Sir, I... Hina-taisa doesn't return my calls, she doesn't even attempt to get a hold of me. Perhaps, I'm hoping for too much but, she should've at least returned one of my calls, it's been a few months and I only call every so often..." She sighed and shook her head. She dug into her jacket's pocket, pulling out the black tin, staring down at it for a few moments before sighing again. "Sir, I've come to realize that ... I can't have her and perhaps it just kills me to know that... But, I think... that it just makes me miss her even more. Just because one cares about another doesn't mean they'll always have the manners to simply tell you that maybe they'll walk all over your emotions. Some just do, unwittingly or not."

Her eyes focused on the floor, before she opened the small black tin and stared down at the cigarettes. "She said that if I missed her, I'd have to smoke one of these and relax, then call her and she'll pick it up. Sir, it's been how many months that I've called her and she hasn't returned even one of them. Even when you tried. It hurts, I guess." Her stomach knotted and she looked up at him from beneath serious brown hues. "I... just want you to... not be alone at this sort of time. I know I may not be the best of company sometimes, but, everyone needs someone they could talk too, don't you agree?"

[justicereigns]

He stared at her hollowly in return and nodded. "Sometimes someone who cares or even is in love will just..." He got up and grabbed his rum and poured her a small glass and then himself some as well, taking it in an actual glass instead of just the bottle as he all too often did. "For some reason, even if you don't understand it, run away. All with the best intentions for you. Thinking, very certain that they're protecting you even if it's now what you want." He couldn't even tell if he was talking about himself, Karen, or Hina anymore. Probably all three.

"That woman and I are both workaholics," a long swig of rum. "If it's going this long it's more than just that, there's something blocking your calls getting through. Maybe the den den mushis are on the fritz or someone is sabotaging you. I have no idea. But I do know she didn't just forget about you. Because no one could. Got it? And you're right. Maybe a little company would be better." He wasn't so sure but he wanted to be strong for her sake. For someone's sake. He couldn't take feeling weak or just wallowing in it.

[swordsofjustice.livejournal.com]

She nodded and took the glass, drinking it down in one gulp, wincing at the taste as she tapped the glass against her knee, thinking and listening. "Sir, I will once again ask you, after Christmas and New Years are over, may I please use that as my Vacation time? I... may just go and see if she's actually avoiding me in person and not just not getting my calls. I'll make up for it afterwards, I promise. I... just need to find out for myself, sir." Her lip was bitten and she looked down again, but brought her gaze right back to his instantly. "I'll try to stay away from Shabondy if it's a necessary condition to let me go, sir. But, if it comes to it and she's there, I'll let you know as soon as I can. And will back this notion up with pictures if I can."

"And besides, I have a months worth of vacation time to use, so. Maybe this would be the best way to use them."

[justicereigns]

Smoker stared at her sadly. "I can't let you do that," he stated slowly. "Not because of Silvers," it was true, he cared but not enough for that, "But because of you. Because if you go chasing after her..." What? She'd wind up like him? With an engagement ring in a box in his pocket, still trying to figure out what the hell to do with it. He didn't care about the money, just wanted Karen to have it even if she threw it away. It didn't make sense for anyone else to have it, it was custom-made for her. Smoker wanted better for Tashigi than he could accept for himself. Always had. He pinched the bridge between his eyebrows, "Are you going to keep pining after her?" Had he meant that question for Tashigi or himself? Did it matter? He already seemed to know the answer. "What if she does love you. Are you going to keep wasting away when she tries to avoid you? The Black Cage isn't worth more than you Tashigi."

[swordsofjustice.livejournal.com]

"Sir, this is where I could rightly say that you should take your own advice but," she paused and sighed. "It's worth trying isn't it, sir? Always is." She paused and thought for a moment, smiling just so slightly. "I just want to know if I should keep pining after her or if I should move on. Yes, it'll hurt if she wants to avoid me, but at least then I'll have my answer, won't I? It's logical, truthful and down right bothering to even think about. Hina-taisa... well, if I at least know that I can move on, then I can start it, can't I? If I don't... then what am I supposed to do?" Perhaps her words didn't make sense to him, but they did to her. And she frowned and set the glass on the ground.

"Sir, I..." She smiled sadly, eyebrows drawn together and fingers tightening in her pants. "... Just want to know what my options are."

[justicereigns]

He swallowed hard and took a deep breath. She was 100% correct as far as he was concerned. That's why he was still there trying to talk to a woman who'd barely give him the time of day. He nodded, and poured them both another glass. "Yeah, I get it. Boy do I get it. Alright. I'll give you leave. Just don't do anything stupid." He trusted her justice with all the weight he said it in the past. "Guess I trained you pretty well," he smiled softly for the first time in a long time.

[swordsofjustice.livejournal.com]

She accepted the glass greatfully, downing it in a gulp, before sighing. "Thank you sir, in return, I'll make sure I stay away from Shabondy as long as possible." She placed the glass down on the floor and folded her hands on her lap, staring at it with a small look of sadness. "Sir, I'll also try not to be gone for longer than two weeks. If anything changes, just... I'll let you know somehow?"

[justicereigns]

"Hn." It was weird to think she'd be leaving his side for a two whole weeks on her decision for the first time since they'd been assigned together. He'd taken off from her plenty of times. Hadn't meant to bring her to the Grand Line either, she was the one who insisted on coming. Smoker concentrated on breathing normally and rubbed the back of his neck. She really was getting stronger. And probably becoming disturbingly like him. Hina was going to be in for a shock. He almost wanted to pay to see the look on the pink-haired woman's face at that realization. "You going to take your laptop?" he tilted his head. The Grand Line was too dangerous alone but it wasn't as though he could divide the ship. "And you have to go with a marine ship," he growled warningly with a tone that left absolutely no room for argument.

[swordsofjustice.livejournal.com]

"Yes, I am sir, how else will I keep in contact with you?"

She weakly smiled and then nodded again. "Yessir, that's what I was expecting to do anyways." She cocked her head to the side and laughed briefly. "This is the first time I've actually been the one who suggested I take a break, isn't it, sir?" She bit her lip and then turned towards him. "Sir. When I return, I want you to take a break right after me, no matter what the situation is afterwards. If you and the Ma'am are together again, please use that as a well needed "refresher" for both of you. If not... Just, take it as a breather to get your head on straight," her voice seemed to be commanding, yet not forceful. "I really don't want you to "burn out" as you put it too me once."

[justicereigns]

"It is the first time yes," he nodded.

The idea of getting back together with Karen? He was pretty sure it was impossible. "Karen doesn't just want space, she wants me to..." not try to save her. Not follow her into her own world. Stop caring about her. "I can't just flip a switch if she leaves and stop loving her." He'd do anything for her but he couldn't stop following justice and he couldn't do that. "I'm already using up my breather, I won't burn out but I'm pretty damn sure she isn't coming back." So why couldn't he stop trying? What did he expect from her? A reason. He just wanted a reason he could follow to leave her alone. To give her space. His hands closed on the box again. He just wanted her to be happy. Without him so he could leave her to it. Or if with him he'd work his whole life trying but he was pretty sure that door was closed.

[swordsofjustice.livejournal.com]

"Sir..."

She looked down and opened up the small tin and pulled one out, before breaking it and tossing it into the garbage. "Sir, sometimes... you have to let go, even if you do want to keep trying. At least you've tried, but... It hurts to say, but. Sometimes just letting go is the release one needs. Other times..." She stops and then then shakes her head slightly. "If the doors closed, you just ... move on to the next door."

She sighed and looked down.

"But, what I said about wanting to know if I should move on," she smiled sadly. "It's true, I'm sure she's already given me enough signs for exactly that, but... I'm quiet oblivious to this sort of thing."

[justicereigns]

Smoker watched quietly and finally nodded setting the box on the table so he didn't have to keep holding it. He laughed bitterly, "Me too ensign. At least you'll get your answers. And if not, come back at the end of the two weeks and flip a coin. That's what I'll be doing by the end of this month. If I don't get the answers..." he shrugged. He almost didn't want her back. If she wasn't going to be happy, he didn't. He'd already told her that much. And at this point the more he tried... "Like I said. They need to make translators for this sort of shit."

[swordsofjustice.livejournal.com]

"Sir," she mumbled quietly. "I really do wish you the best."

Tashigi shifted slightly in her chair and relaxed a bit. "Thank you... for listening. I should probably get back to the ship, I have no idea if anyone even realizes they're supposed to be doing something other than exploring the island." She stood and smiled at the other, a little less sad than it was. "You... just relax and find ways to get the Ma'am to talk to you, okay?"

[justicereigns]

"It'll work out," Smoker insisted. "One way or another." He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm going to take the bike out later. After I deliver the soup. See what I can find. Keep an eye on the kids."