Video;

[raiseyou]

[ While he's not who appears onscreen, the SmartSnail signature on the phone is Portgas D. Ace. The location behind Marco is carefully chosen to be generic as possible: a wooden plank wall, the outside of some building or the side of some ship or who knows, really. The coded location of the transmission itself is scrambled. ]

Portgas D. Ace is currently alive and under the protection of the Whitebeard Pirates, the Straw Hat Grand Fleet, and certain sections of the Revolutionary Army.

[ Marco's trying for deadpan, really, but the smirk on his face is goddamn shit-eating. ]

As First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates I am hereby proclaiming his right to live as equal to that of any other man.

Boys. Be on notice.

To the Navy, the World Goverment, and the Yonko Marshall D. Teach: Just you fucking try and touch him.

[ Do what you want 'cause a pirate is free. ]

Comments

[burnt_offering]

That's... Wow. More than one of any of us is trouble that they don't wanna deal with. [That really has Ace's attention, and his mind is cranking. He's going to do so much research, track down everyone he can. They've got to be prepared for anything at this point, but if they're all together, then they're going to be all but unstoppable.

And that brings that brightness back up further, that warmth and determination.] If there's anyone here? We'll find them.

[raiseyou]

[ That fucking determination, the excitement, the absolute faith in their entire fleet... Marco takes approximately half a second to make sure the SmartSnail is asleep before leaning right in to press a kiss to Ace's cheek. ]

This is another reason I'm glad you're back.

[burnt_offering]

[Ace flushes at the kiss and smiles, he thrives on attention and acknowledgement, and everything Marco gives him is eaten up and used to push himself further.] Yeah? Well, you can't do everything by yourself. No one can. [He had one hell of a lesson on going out on his own, doing things on his own, and he's going to be careful and precise this time around with his actions.

Or just more careful, honestly. He's still an impulsive 20 year old.]

[raiseyou]

[ Marco hears that extra layer underneath. Ace knows well enough he shouldn't have... no, whatever. The past is the past; now is now. He's pretty sure Ace won't go after Teach alone again. They'll have each other's backs this time. ]

Smart words. Pops'd be even more proud of you than he already was.

[burnt_offering]

[He's not going to claim to be older and wiser now, but he's at least got the sense to know how thoroughly crushed he was. How he hurt people with that choice, and he can't handle the idea of harming his family again. And having this new relationship with Marco is a further stabilizing force, keeping him from wanting to be as careless.

He perks up further at Marco's words, and he thinks that he'd like to live his second life in ways that Pops would really be proud of. He wants to do better, as a pirate, as a brother, as a friend. And he thinks he can manage it all this time around.] Well, I've gotta lot to do. I fucked up, we all know this. But I can be better this time. [His quiet expression, which was one of self reflection, is lost to another cocky teasing face.] Hey, at least we know that lessons can literally be beaten into me. That's something that was debated in the past.