"Hey Saul…" Casually, Ann approaches the giant curiosity getting the best of her.
"Oh, hey Ann what is it?" Happily, he greets her.
"Just curious, have you ever defeated an army of 10,000 soldiers all by yourself? It seems unlikely, but..." Curious, Ann asks him.
"What?! Who told you that?" Alarmed, Saul furrows his brow by the rumour.
"I also heard that you once tossed a man so far into the sky that he never came down." Ann adds.
"No. Of course not." Saul states the fact firmly.
"Ah…sorry for asking." Ann scratches the back of her head.
"Are you surprised?" Shyly, Saul queries.
"Nah not really I mean you're sort of a softie seeing you act out like that…maybe for a job or something…still sorry." Ann repeats brow furrowed.
"It's OK. Happens all the time." Tense, Saul smiles strained.
"Is that so? Well, that makes me feel even worse." Ann admits brow furrowed from it all.
"Please, don't. I know that my appearance can be off-putting. And for some reason, the stories about me spread like wildfire." Saul sighs softly scratching the back of his neck.
"Well, to be fair, they are good stories." Smirking, Ann argues amused.
"Oh? What's the latest you've heard?" Saul smiles shyly.
"That...that you blew on a volcano to stop it from erupting..." Ann chuckles coyly.
"False." Saul confirms.
"That you forged an axe with your bare hands..." Haughty, Ann adds.
"False." Saul smiles.
"That you punched a bear in the face..." Ann throws in.
"I would never! Who's been spreading that slander about me!? Anyway, I'm sorry that I don't really live up to my reputation." Sadly, Saul bows his head.
"Saul, please don't apologize. I think I'd like to learn more about who you really are, if that's all right." Ann asks hopeful.
"What?!" Saul says shocked.
"Did I say something wrong?" Ann quirks her head to the side.
"No, I'm just surprised. You're the first person to express that kind of interest in me." Saul smiles shyly.
"Well, that's a shame. Because you seem like a nice guy." Ann admits.
"Ha. I suppose I am. Thanks for not being scared of me, Ann." Saul smiles shyly at Ann.
"Don't thank me for something that should be normal. Hell, thanks for being so understanding with the rumours." Ann returns amused as she soon leaves him to it, returning to her work.
Peacefully, Ann leans back in her seat softly sighing, relieved to have this brief moment of peace, of tranquilly of calmness as she softly sips her tea trying to enjoy this rare moment of time. It was rare for her to have this moment to herself, no work to do, all work having been filed, all responsibilities she was to tend to accomplished, all her goals for the day…completed.
Softly, she smiles leaning back in her seat swerving it from side to side enjoying the plum pillows of the chair behind beaming from ear to ear feeling at ease at peace. Softly, she raises the newly made cup of green tea slowly blowing it, seeing steam spewing out from the cup of green tea. This was nice, these moments were what she longed for most…
"What if we sent a scout group by air?!" Angrily, the sharp slide of the door swiftly shatters said moment of peace much to the frustration of Ann, her eyes narrowing noting the boiling searing sensation of her wrist throbbing.
"Hello to you to Sakazuki would you like tea…" Tense, Ann sneers scowling holding her wrist.
"Of course, bloody not!" Sakazuki snaps scowling down at the annoyed Ann.
"Just trying to make up for your lack of social etiquette." Aloofly, Ann huffs reaching to her draw for some sort of tissue.
"Just listen, these scouts they map out the area, nail down the pirate's position, and sniff out any traps. Then slaughter then we'll even send a ground force to take out the enemy." Smirking, Sakazuki answers as Ann attempts to clean her desk, done.
"...That is a nuanced, well-considered plan. I'm quite impressed!" Irritated, Ann gives him that.
"Right? The aerial units just avoid archers, and the ground troops aren't going in blind. It's the perfect scheme!" Smugly, Sakazuki remarks.
"It's a B+ plan, with an A+ for effort!" Amused, Ann leans back in her seat smirking crossing her arms over her chest seeing him flinch.
"... B PLUS?!" Perturbed, Sakazuki snarls growling glaring down at the girl, his arm coated crimson, magma dripping down, searing the carpet below before making a hole in it.
"It's a great idea, but the scenario we ran at that meeting lacked scout support. In this hypothetical situation, there ARE no scouts or...whatever to send. That's why we decided not to pursue the enemy in the first place." Pointedly, Ann sighs staring down at the many other floors below the hole having been formed by the magma arm as Ann simply stares unfazed.
"Y-you can't do this! You can't keep making up new rules all the time! We should just kill the pirate scum! This is a waste of the marine time, just going in there and killing those scum is what would work best!" Scowling, Sakazuki snaps snarls even enraged as Ann simply sighs.
"Oh, I wouldn't call it a waste and you think something so simple would work?" Ann arches a brow at the fool.
"The most basic of principles came from somewhere!" Scowling, Sakazuki sneers.
"You have a point, the most basic ideas those we don't want to take lightly would not consider. Considering a problem from different angles often leads to useful discoveries. In fact, your answers have given me ideas for new strategies down the line but simply rushing in to murder some pirates is ridiculous what if they had a devil fruit user? Without such background checks how can we ensure the safety of those stuck in the crossfire?" Ann demands from Sakazuki seething snarling about to open his mouth, about to retort no doubt about to say something else ridiculous, Ann assumed as she prepares for it until hearing the soft slide of the door taking her aback as she then takes note of the sudden shy chill coursing down her spine. Surprised, she sees Sakazuki turn on his heel, her joining him however while her eyes widen his narrow, glaring glowering at the tall, towering figure of Aokiji as soft smoke spew out of his lips from the breeze brisk escaping his lips, noting the icy sheet growing from below.
"Okay could you two with your elements leave? You're ruining my office." Ann announces as she frowns at the two trying to get them to stop only to falter furrowing her brow by the still silence, she received in return noting the two men are seemingly in a standoff with one another.
"She's using you!" He snippily spits out before the man with magma makes his way off leaving the tired Ann and Aokiji alone. Ann furrows her brow befuddled baffled by the strange stare down of sorts, she didn't need to be saved she could take care of herself but still she doesn't ask, noting the hole now filled with an icy layer as Aokiji simply plops himself down, gently taking her hand.
"Did he hurt you?" Aokiji asks seriously scowling at where he once stood softly taking her wrist.
"If he had, I don't think I would have a hand." Honestly, Ann answers as he tugs her sleeve upwards frowning at her burn.
"…" Aokiji glares glowers down at her burnt wrist.
"It was the tea." Tenderly, she assures Aokiji feeling his grip tighten around her wrist.
"…" Aokiji stares down at the hand her eyes widening when feeling a familiar shy shudder as his ice calmly coats her hand, steam spewing, trying to counteract the brisk burn.
"It's fine." Firmly, Ann assures Aokiji simply staring up at the silent stoic Aokiji as he simply sighs. He reaches for the fridge taking out some bottled water and a piece of fabric, a handkerchief of sorts softly applying the water to the fabric.
"Aokiji I can…" Ann begins but it falls to deaf ears as he gently places the moist handkerchief of sorts applying it to the burn making her hiss briefly by it but remains firmly on the burn, trusting her as the two return to their respective seats continuing their work as per usual…
"Oh, hey, Benny! I didn't expect to see anyone out here. Er...what exactly are you doing?" Ann asks as she quirks her head to the side seeing her friend outside the lunch hall once more crouched down looking down at the grass below.
"Hello, Ann nothing much." Saul smiles shyly feeding the birds below.
"Huh… I can't believe that wild animals would let you get so close, though... You're practically petting that squirrel!" Smiling, Ann points out impressed.
"Who, Charles here? He's one of my friends. He'll let me pet him anytime. See? I've always been able to relate to these animals better than humans." Happily, Saul smiles showing said squirrel climbing up his shoulder seeing some birds perched upon his shoulder.
"Aww. That's cute. Man, when I was a kid I wished I could have done the same." Sighing, Ann admits.
"Why not?" Saul queries.
"Well, I tried when I was a kid but I'd get impatient and scare them off." Ann admits recalling her battle of patience often scaring the birds away with her leg thumbing against the seat she would be perched upon unable to really befriend the teeny tiny creatures below before running off, finding some random tiger or beast to befriend or well she says befriend it would normally start with them trying to kill her, her trying to kill them or at the least trying to survive.
"Honestly, Saul, I just can't believe the reputation you've acquired. It doesn't fit your real personality at all." Ann admits brow furrowed at the giant.
"I suppose the tales have taken on a life of their own. Anyway, I'm glad I ran into you. Here, take this." Saul smiles softly handing her something.
"What is it?" She raises a brow by the cowboy like hat an orange one with some smiley faces on, a happy and sad face with a blue base.
"Consider it a... good-luck charm." Smiling, Saul tells her as Ann couldn't help but gawk at the craftsmanship.
"Did you make this yourself? Why give it to me?" Mystifed, Ann asks touched by the gift.
"I just... I don't want you to die. And maybe this can help you stay safe on the battlefield." Beaming, Saul smiles shyly.
"Well...that's pretty morbid. But also, quite thoughtful. Thank you, Benny." Smiling, she props the hat on herself.
"It's nothing..." Saul dismisses.
"No, it's not. You made this by hand...for me! I'll treasure it always." Ann assures him happily.
"I'm glad to hear that." Saul smiles.
"I just want to see you come out of your shell a little bit, Saul. You might not be the smoothest talker around, but you're kind and generous. People shouldn't be afraid of you." Ann sighs sadly at her friend noting the lack of people sat by him.
"Well, I don't know about that... But I'm glad that you're not afraid of me anymore, Ann." Saul admits.
"Who said I was scared of you?" Ann arches a brow baffled by it.
"Well, the rumours…" Saul begins but…
"Saul I was just curious about the rumours; I've never felt fear towards you never. Now mind me joining you for lunch?" Ann admits as a small smile crosses the touched Saul.
"S-Sure!" Saul smiles from ear to ear at the thought as the two enjoy lunch together…
"I'll be safe... I'll be dead... I'll be safe... I'll be dead..."
"Isuka, what are you doing?" Ann asks Isuka brow furrowed at the girl at the table firmly focusing on the petite petals scattered about the desk in the lunch hall.
"Oh, just seeing how I'll get on in the next battle." Beaming, Isuka looks up at Ann.
"...By pulling petals off a flower?" Frowning, Ann arches a brow befuddled by the equipment below.
"Yes...Why? Is that strange?" Isuka asks her mentor.
"Well, no stranger than any other attempt to foretell the future, I suppose. I don't put much stock in horoscopes. Fate is what you make it, I always say." Sighing, Ann attempts to explain to Isuka.
"I wish I was as strong as you, Portgas." Isuka admits sighing softly sadly even.
"How so?" Ann arches a brow by her words.
"You have so much confidence in yourself you actually think you can control even fate. I'm just thrilled if I can walk through camp without tripping on a stool." Sighing, Isuka bows her head.
"Our only limits are the ones we place on ourselves." Ann asserts.
"But..." Isuka begins but…
"In fact, it's time you got rid of yours. First rule: no more flower fortunes." Firmly, Ann tells her.
"What!? But how will I—" Isuka begins brow furrowed panic pumping through her veins.
"Second rule: no questions! You don't need some weed to tell you what to do, Isuka. You control your own destiny. Trust me on this." Ann places her hand on her pupil's shoulder.
"Er, okay..." Obediently, Isuka bows her head as she cleans up her flower set as Ann perks up at a marine approaching.
Mam Sengoku wants a word…" The marine, Gion, she recognises saluting her.
Right thanks." Ann bows her head, heading off towards said meeting.
"…A ball?" Befuddled, Ann arches a brow by the report.
"Yep, seems we're going to be guarding one for some nobles." Garp grumbles by her side.
"…. Great some stuck up world nobles acting like they are above us…" Ann huffs.
"Yeah, seems we'll be dealing with scum like that." Garp agrees handing her a rice cracker.
"You two are way too blunt…" Rosinante sweat drops at the unapologetic two eating their respective rice cracker.
"We're just saying how it is. Anyway, how's the food situation?" Ann asks.
"Food situation?" Rosinante furrows his brow at the two.
"The only thing that's keeping me there." Trustfully, Ann deadpans.
"You sure it wouldn't be to be with a certain someone." Smirking, Garp remarks.
"…Eh?" Ann turns to furrow her brow at him but…
"They say that some nobles will ask to dance with certain vice admirals but that doesn't stop marines from dancing with fellow marines." Rosinante reveals to them.
"Ah Smokey here's your chance to wow Hina with your dance moves!" Ann calls out to the man walking by.
"It's Smoker!" Snarling, he roars at her.
"Not denying the dance with Hina then!" Teasingly, she smirks.
"I will end you Portgas!" Smoker snarls.
"Aw love you too Smokey!" Smirking, she waves him off watching him storm off.
"He's going to kill you one day." Rosinante sweat drops at his friend.
"That's a long line he's going to have to get behind." Bemused, Ann argues.
"I think what this moron means is you could be looking forward to dance with a certain someone." Rosinante hints.
"…I don't though." Truthfully, Ann deadpans, she didn't really dance sure she danced as a kid when they were celebrating but none of that formal stuff.
"Of course you do." Rosinante exclaims.
"I do?" Ann furrows her brow.
"How oblivious are you?" Garp furrows his brow down at his granddaughter before sighing shoving another rice cracker in his mouth as the trio continue conversing on what was to come…
"Hello there, Portgas. Are you looking for something?" Aokiji asks as he has his back turned to his sofa, staring up at the glaring glowering Ann, her arms crossed scowling down at the moron below.
"You could say that. I'm looking for someone named Aokiji who's been skipping war meetings again." Agitated, Ann places a hand to her hip.
"I see. Well, congratulations, you've found him. Did you want him for something in particular?" Aokiji asks her.
"What else could bring me here other than your complete negligence?" Ann scowls down at her.
"Well, perhaps you're interested in going out on a stroll with me." Aokiji offers as Ann's eye twitches tense.
"I doubt that bicycle is fit for two." Tense, she snaps scowling down at the idiot.
"I can make room if you'd like." Smirking, he offers.
"What I'd like is for you to do your damn job. You know, if you ever truly applied yourself, you could become an admiral." Annoyed, Ann sighs at the mess before her, he knew it just as she did.
"Your gramps doesn't need to be an admiral who says I do?" Aokiji asserts.
"You're not my grandfather though now are you?" Ann argues.
"Am I?" Cheekily, he remarks.
"Quit joking dumbass!" Scowling, she pinches his cheek.
"Why would I busy myself with such tedious work?" Huffing, he waves her hand off him.
"Why would you busy yourself with sleeping when you could be going out there helping people?" Pointedly, she rebukes.
"…" Silently, he stares up at her.
"You slept through the whole meeting, didn't you?" Ann sighs removing her hand from his side, she knew him well enough, she recognised the signs in the meeting.
"Something about pirates right?" Aloofly, Aokiji shrugs.
"Urgh…it was about a ball idiot!" Incensed, Ann scowls at the unfazed marine.
"That so…" Softly, he makes Ann exhale exasperated, holding her head just done.
"…fine. I'll summarize it for you…" Ann huffs hands on hips too tired to yell.
"Knew I could count on you princess." Pleased, Aokiji smirks slightly leaning back in his seat as Ann's eyes twitch tiredly, too tired to correct the ass as she once again fills him in on a meeting he slept through…
"Hey, Saul! You'd better thank me!" Ann calls out smirking suavely at Saul.
"OK... thanks." Saul says to her befuddled.
"Not YET, numskull! I haven't told you what you should thank me for!" Ann sighs shaking her head at him.
"That's true. Why should I thank you?" Saul quirks his head to the side.
"I put a stop to those tall tales going around." Ann tells him.
"The one about me and the volcano?" Saul recalls.
"What other one is there?! So now everyone knows you never stopped blew a volcano or beat a whole army with… any number of hands. Heck the one about you throwing some ship is gone…hopefully." Ann places her hand to her hip brow furrowing.
"Oh. You're right... I should thank you for that." Saul gives her that.
"Let me tell you, it wasn't easy. For some stupid reason, everyone was absolutely convinced you'd done it. It wouldn't shock me if there are STILL people who believe the story and not me." Ann admits.
"I'm sorry you had to go to all that trouble just for me." Meekly, Saul bows his head.
"It wasn't any trouble besides felt like I ought to repay you considering our conversation prior." Ann argues.
"You didn't know…" Saul reminds her.
"Yeah but a part of me thought it was real like a naive side thought that's awesome." Ann confesses.
"I bet I disappointed you then." Saul smiles sadly.
"Not at all if anything I don't know where the rumours came from maybe missions you did? You know Chinese whispers and all that jazz…" Aloofly, Ann waves her hand in the air dismissively.
"I think it's due to me being a giant." Saul sighs sadly.
"Eh?" Ann blurts out.
"Due to being a giant many assume I'm from Elbaf so they just think I'm some battle hardened warrior but I don't agree with Elbaf's bloody ways not one bit." Sadly, Saul confesses.
"Ah…that sucks. Hey if its anything you're not alone I probably have all sorts of rumours about me." Ann assumes.
"Oh you do." Bluntly, a familiar voice calls out.
"Sorry was I including you?" Ann's eyes narrow at the ass leant against the wall waiting for her.
"Just saying." Simply, he shrugs.
"Saying what exactly…?" Ann sneers scowling, her eyes narrowing.
"I thought you didn't care?" Coyly, Aokiji leans down towards Ann bemused by her sharp scowl.
"And I thought you would actually do work now spill." Ann crosses her arms over her chest glaring back at the ass unaware of the smiling Saul watching the two bemused by them.
"Some say you're like a demon some say you sold yourself to the top some say you threated yourself to the top there's even some legend about you fighting Whitebeard." Aokiji recalls.
"…That so." Ann's eyes narrow twitching tense from his words.
"Guess I'm not the only one with rumours." Saul smiles sheepishly.
"Course everyone has them but if its anything you're not alone." Ann offers.
"Oh?" Saul raises a brow.
"I mean you have D in your name right?" Ann recalls.
"Yeah my whole family do." Saul nods his head.
"So do I. Seems us D's gotta stick together right?" Ann smirks up at Saul.
"Do you hear how stupid you sound?" Sighing, Aokiji huffs.
"Do you hear how idiotic you sound!?" Scowling, Ann barks back as Saul smiles watching the two return to the normal bickering between both of them…
"Well met, Isuka. How are you doing?" Ann asks her student furrowing her brow by the redhead suddenly shooting up from her seat scared almost alarmed at the sheer sight of Ann.
"Oh! H-hi vice admiral Ann! I'm great! Wonderful, actually! Thanks for asking!" Anxiously, Isuka smiles strained at the frowning Ann.
"...What's the matter?" Mystifed, Ann asks brow furrowed.
"The matter? Ha ha ha ha! Oh, you and your matter!" Merrily, Isuka forces out a strange strangle of a laugh.
"You're hiding something behind your back." Bluntly, Ann deadpans.
"Hm? Hiding something? Oh, no, I don't think so. I just like to streeeeeetch my arms like this...Ahhh..." Anxiously, Isuka tries to hide however the swear sliding down her tense temple tells a different story.
"You're doing flower fortunes again, aren't you?" Ann sighs furrowing her brow at her.
"N-no! That's insane! You're talking to an insane person!" Panicked, Isuka glances to the side shyly.
"Then show me." Ann orders.
"Show you what? I don't have anythi—" Isuka insists but…
"Isuka." Annoyed, Ann calls out brow furrowed making the girl flinch from her stern strict tone.
"Okay! Here! Take it!" Isuka bows her head pained.
"You promised you'd stop this nonsense, remember?" Ann sighs at her.
"No, I didn't promise anything! You just ordered me to! You don't understand, vice admiral Portgas! I NEED my fortunes!" Firmly, Isuka argues.
"Why?" Ann asks baffled.
"Because they give me hope, and that inspires me to do my best." Beaming, Isuka reveals.
"But what if you get a bad fortune?" Frowning, Ann argues.
"Oh, I just keep trying until a good one pops up again!" Animatedly, Isuka responds making Ann sweat drop at the supposed solution.
"Well...if they're that important to you..." Ann sighs softly.
"Oh, but they are! You'll see! I'll show you how much they help." Happily, Isuka promises proudly.
"I still disapprove of such superstitious nonsense, but if you insist..." Ann dismisses done.
"Yay! Thanks, vice admiral! You won't regret it!" Isuka promises.
"I told you to quit it with the honorifics Isuka." Ann sighs at the girl, too happy in a world of her own relieved to be back with her fortune telling as Ann simply leaves the girl to it.
"Tee hee hee!" The cheery chuckle echoes throughout the office as Ann enters her office arching a brow by her friend's impish smile.
"Someone's cheerful today." Ann arches a brow by her friend nothing the beli in her hand.
"Seem the Anzan betting pool's getting more interesting." Bell smirks smugly down at the money in her hands.
"That's shit still going on?" Ann huffs plopping herself down on her seat scowling.
"Course it is, it's only gotten more fun now you know your gramps is in it." Bell tells the scowling Ann.
"Of course, he bloody is let me guess something about grandkids." Ann places her head in her hands exhausted etched into her fatigued facial features.
"He that easy to read?" Bell smirks one leg over the other.
"If you mean he's that predictable yes." Ann glares to the side scowling.
"That's great! You know I could cut you some belli if you help me out." Bell drapes her arm over her friend.
"Yeah no." Smoothly, she rejects removing the arm from her shoulder.
"Aw come on!" Bell whines playfully at her friend.
"You're lucky I'm letting this thing continue...So long as I wasn't one of the suckers who fell for it, you're good." Grumpily, Ann huffs shaking her head at her friend's antics not really wanting to get involved in all that, too tired as it were with paperwork to even think of shutting something so stupid down, to waste her time would only fuel them further into betting, it was like a bunch of children bulling a kid, they want your reaction, your attention if you don't give it they'll stop biting eventually like fish to bait…
"Hey, if you don't know the game, you shouldn't make the deal! But don't worry. It wasn't you. ...Ah, there's nothing like the feeling of when the coins hit your hand." Happily, Bell promises her friend.
"If you say so." Sighing, she dismisses her fried trying to turn back to her paper but…
"Oh, I do! I tell ya, the path to happiness is paved with gold!" Bell boasts.
"...But there are some things money can't buy. Important things." Tentatively, Ann argues.
"Pffft. That's a load of bull plop! And even if it was true, money makes you care less about not having those things." Bell dismisses.
"I don't know... You do know there are things money can't buy, right?" Ann repeats her point.
"Well, everyone says that, but it's not really true. Money can buy loyalty. It can buy safety...Power...Strength. Even love is for sale, if the price is right." Resolved, Bell lists from the top of her hand.
"You can't possibly believe that." Ann scoffs.
"Believe it? Heck, I've SEEN it! I can't tell you how many men I've had to turn away. Besides, even the noblest soul considers finances when looking for a partner. No one wants to marry a broke joker, no matter how sweet he might be." Bell-mère reveals to Ann.
"I don't... Hmm..." Ann begins but soon stops herself brow furrowing not quite sure where to go from this conversation.
"Or say there was a guy you were completely in love with. What would you do? Take him to nice restaurants... Buy him expensive gifts... That's money at work right there... And there's nothing wrong with it!" Bluntly, Bell-mère points out.
"I suppose your argument has some merit, though it still seems extreme. And even if true, isn't it kind of... I don't know. Sad?" Sighing, she argues, Ann wasn't the sort to waste money that rapidly, then again she didn't really know much on dating to begin with, could she really make a statement without having any experience in the matter, sure she had a fair few offers of such thigs but she always declined, one she was busy, two she didn't even know the guys half the time that is if they even made it past her old man and third, well…she couldn't exactly just tell someone that just like that.
"Look, I'd love to live in a rainbow-sprinkle world where money didn't matter, too. But it's important to be realistic about things, even when reality isn't pretty." Pointedly, Bell sighs sadly.
" I guess that's fair..." Ann gives her that not quite sure what to say as she and Bell soon leave, having matters to tend to when…
"Vice Admiral Ann! I demand one more round!" Resolved, Tashigi roars raising her blade to the bored Ann attempting to head to her office paperwork in hand, Bell by her side.
"She doesn't give up, does she?" Smirking, Bell remarks.
"Just take these to my office." Ann sighs softly handing the paperwork over to Bell.
"It's gonna cost ya!" Bemused, Bell winks while Ann rolls her eyes at her friend heading off.
"…All right. But this is honestly the last and final time. Truly." Tiredly, Ann asserts brow furrowed at Tashigi.
"Then have at you!" Tashigi raises her blade ready for the fight ahead as Ann simply stares at the girl bored brow furrowed.
"...You've lost." Ann asserts aloofly astonishing Tashigi.
"What?! We've not even started!" Scowling, Tashigi argues annoyed.
"Look at your stance. You're too tense. You've lost before you've begun." Bluntly, Ann gestures to her stance.
"Are you mocking me, vice admiral!" Annoyed, Tashigi demands.
"No, I'm informing you. That's the stance of someone relying solely on brute force. It won't work on me." Ann states the fact firmly.
"A hollow boast! But let's see how you handle... THIS!" Tashigi lunges forward oblivious to the crowd forming as she soon gasps as with the flick of the wrist.
"...Gwaaagh?! S-so fast! How did you—" Taken aback, Tashigi gawks gapes at her now fallen form seeing her blade now in the hand of Ann.
"You seem to forgo any tactic beyond blindly charging your foe. If so, you'd best get used to this bite of steel at your throat." Tiredly, Ann places Tashigi's blade to said throat teasingly touching it making Tashigi gulps eyeing said blade before grimacing.
"...I yield." Tashigi bows her head ashamed almost as Ann sighs.
"..." Silently, she stares down at the girl below brow furrowed.
"I challenged you with the idea of gauging your skills. But instead, I find my own prowess has been called into question...when you said I relied on brute force, it...upset me." Tashigi admits.
"You're a talented fighter, Tashigi I did tell you to try your own method of swordsmanship, but brute force is not just the way with styles it takes combinations, it takes time. You won't find your answer in one week. You're a good swordswoman but you're just...reckless. I only know your weakness because I've watched your work. However, I'm hardly the best this world has to offer. Some opponents will see you coming a mile away. You won't stand a chance." Calmly, Ann explains to Tashigi taken aback at her analysis.
"..." Tashigi grits grinds her teeth together tense from her words while the crowd around stare in awe at it as a certain tall, towering figure watches on.
"Perhaps I spoke too harshly. Forgive me...I'll leave you to your thoughts." Tentatively, Ann sighs softly setting the blade back over to Tashigi before leaving heading back to the office to continue her work…or so she had hoped.
"You've been looking strong and confident these past few days, Isuka…" Smiling, Ann approaches Isuka tending to her training.
"It's all because of my flower fortunes. I told you they helped!" Happily, Isuka smiles at An.
"Yes, I suppose I'm going to have to just accept them. Still, I wish I understood why they held such sway over you." Ann confesses.
"Remember when you said I had to stop? Well, I did—for a bit, at least. But the whole time, I felt confused and... adrift." Isuka attempts to explain to Ann.
"Why?" Ann's eyes narrow.
"Do you know how scary it is to go through life without knowing what'll happen next?" Isuka disputes.
"Er, actually, that's pretty much the human condition." Curtly, Ann deadpans.
"Not if you use fortunes!" Firmly, Isuka disputes.
"You know fortunes are random, right? They have zero basis in fact." Frowning, Ann deadpans.
"You're missing the point! They don't have to be right!" Isuka tells her astonishing Ann.
"They don't?" Ann quirks her head to the side.
"If the fortune is good, you work hard to keep things the same, so it won't change. And if it's a bad fortune, then you work hard to change things so you can avoid it! Either way, you end up working to make the future how you want it." Isuka explains to Ann.
"That is...the most sensible nonsense I have ever heard." Honestly, Ann admits brow furrowed.
"The fortunes motivate me to keep doing my very best!" Beaming, Isuka cheers cheerfully.
"Hmm...I think I see it now. I saw fortune-telling as a way to avoid taking responsibility for your future. But the way you use it is the exact opposite..." Ann admits sighing softly recalling her father often telling her not to believe in fortunes, though that was mainly fortunes about her and her love life according to her uncle Rayleigh.
"Exactly! The funny thing is, I never even realized it until you made me quit. So even if your advice was completely terrible, it was still useful in the end!" Smiling, Isuka beams brightly.
"Er, you're welcome. ...I think. The important thing is that you have your confidence back. As for me, I'll stick with making my own future." Firmly, Ann dismisses Isuka waving her off, just glad the girl was back to normal.
"Oh yeah? I've got another flower here... Wanna hear how you'll meet your true love?" Smiling, Isuka offers as Ann feels her eye twitch tiredly at the question proposed practically feeling her gramps breath down her neck.
"Not really." Resolved, she smoothly shuts down turning on her heel heading back to the office, just done.
"Again?" Annoyed, Ann glares glowers down at the roses before her brow furrowing from the familiar yellow monkey of the marines making her blood boil at the taunting ass that was Kizaru. Annoyed, Ann grabs hold of the flowers furiously slamming them into the bin below, petite petals scattering all over the place, one stray strand of a peculiar petal teasingly touching the nose of a certain slumped sleeping figure as Ann jolts up at the sudden sharp sneeze. Scowling, her hand darts to her blade before stopping herself immediately knowing who it is as she sighs furrowing her brow by the familiar eyesore practically having become one with her furniture.
"Someone's popular." Aokiji eyes the bouquet below.
"I didn't ask for it." Incensed, she snaps sharply scowling storming over to her desk done, dutifully trying to return back to work.
"What did that poor flower do to deserve such brutality?" Befuddled, Aokiji reaches out to one stray petal picking it up with the tips of his fingertips eyeing the newly coated crisp petal of ice in his hand, shy strands of ice reaching his hand from the simple wave of his hand.
"How long have you been lurking, Aokiji?" Annoyed, Ann crosses her arms over her chest glaring at the trespasser.
"I wasn't lurking. I was here napping. You were so bent on your little admirer that you failed to even notice me." Aokiji crosses his arms over his chest as Ann's eye twitches tiredly.
"I... I'm not! Please as if I'd let that ass win with his little mind game!" Growling, she seethes snarls down at the flimsy feathers of petals below.
"Not, she says. Tell that to the flower you just mauled." Aokiji deadpans.
"I didn't maul the flowers don't be so dramatic." Drained, Ann grumbles glaring to the side sighing.
"I'm only joking. Do you know how many dead flowers I've left in my wake?" Aokiji argues.
"Just forget it." Ann waves him off turning on her heel moving her sit swerving about the place.
"…Think you were a bit rough on her?" Aokiji asks as he quirks his head to the side.
"Hm?" Humming, she raises a brow by his words.
"That Tashigi girl." Aokiji responds.
"I don't know…maybe?" Meekly, Ann argues anxiously brow furrowed from the thought.
"You were fine." Firmly, Aokiji assures Ann.
"And you know that?" Tiredly, Ann disputes.
"I've seen Sakazuki so have you, he breaks those poor sods you gave her the truth it's up to her what she does next." Aokiji responds to Ann.
"Yeah…can't believe I'm saying this but you're right." Ann sighs softly leaning back against her seat.
"Like always." Aokiji smirks slightly.
"Oh, please you're not always right." Ann scoffs smirking shaking her head at him.
"Aren't I?" Aokiji argues amused as amused Ann rolls her eyes, a soft smirk crossing her lips shaking her head at Aokiji's antics oblivious to his small smirk when seeing her relax as he is soon handed his work while she works on her, the two talking in a world of their own…
*So what do you think of Ann and Saul's dynamic? Or of her and Isuka?*
