asobouyo | 23rd Teddy Bear [Voice/Action]

[Elicia's been confused. Very confused. And it certainly didn't make it better than Sanji was gone, and that her family vanished from their 'home', and that now as she sits in her room with all her things, she wonders—wonders if they were all really that upset. After all, what's wrong with having lots of family here? Why did they all seem to be so sad, or angry, or bitter? She found papa here, where she'd otherwise've never seen him again. And then, she had sisters and a brother, and more uncles and more grandpas and even a great grandpa.

... Why don't any of you like that? What's wrong with having your old family and your new family?

She wondered if that's why big sis Nami was away. She wondered if that's why big bro Sanji was suddenly gone (ah, if only she understood the problems with why they're gone, each so very different and yet justifiable). She wondered if they were mad. Mad at her, maybe? Because she lied, even when she didn't mean to? Is that why Xion left in the early morning, and then Miya soon after? Is that why they all just walked away, like knowing it was fake was suddenly a reason to forget all the good, happy things they did?

I love you all! Why'd you go? What'd I do wrong?

She walks on her knees across her room, now back with papa (and what a relief, to have papa back, though she's still a little confused why he was granpapa), and picks up a piece of paper and draws it all out: the mikan festival, her papa's silly orange outfit, big bro Sanji caught up in his fatherly, brotherly ways, Sheena and Alexei and Zoro and everyone. She was so happy that day. That wasn't fake, she promises. She promises it wasn't fake! Even if they got a little confused about who was who, it was all real, and she really did love them all! And even if it's over and people remember things, she still loves you all!

That's all that matters!]

[Voice]

U-um...

[the buzz of silence, for a few seconds]

It's all real funny... Everything's real funny... B-but—!!

[another pause, like she's thinking, really thinking.

When she speaks up again, there's a determined, watery noise in her tone.]

But why's that mean it's gotta all go away? How come we can't have both? What's wrong with being families still?! I know it was just make pretend, b-but it wasn't! Don't all go away and not wanna be family no more... 'Cause p—'cause papa says you don't gotta be from the same family to be a real family! You don't! So please, still be my family here...

I want you guys to stay my family... Please, pretty please... 'cause I know me and papa want you to. 'Cause you're still my family, even if you don't wanna be mine...!

[another pause—she's full of them, it seems]

... Is it okay if I put my pictures on my wall, from when we picked fruits?

[Later on after school—what a lonely, quiet day it seemed, today—she sits in front of her real house, watching just how much this place seemed to be effected. It was sad. It was so sad, to see everyone so sad. She had to do something, something to make it happy! But what should she do? There's gotta be... something fun. Something that'd make people smile, like before! When she played giant robo!

Aha! Mama always said that when you give compliments, people feel better about themselves!

So she pulls out her New Feathers Stand and sits at it, except with a new sign (...proooobably with a little help from a certain papa. Judging by the spelling.):]

"FREE COMPLIMENTS!"

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[... /touches gold shiny paint. *_*

But eurgh—bloody nasty dragon; even so, she can't help but feel a little relieved to know the bad guy won't be able to bother Miss Nami and the others now. She picks up on that sad tone—which is worrisome. 'Cause it's supposed to be a happy moment, isn't it?

She leans in, quiet.]

[Miyabi waits only a second or two, letting the silence linger for a bit, before she continues in a hushed and somber tone. Here's where it gets a little sad, but the story was a happy one.]

Shiranui had succumbed to Orochi's poison, and struggled to breathe. Nagi scooped the beast into his arms and returned to Kamiki. [A new painting, of the wolf, laying helpless on the ground, with concerned villagers around it.] When they reached the village, Shiranui was no longer moving. The village elder gently stroked the wolf's head. In response, Shiranui let out a hoarse and pitiful bark... Then closed its eyes and drifted off as if into slumber.

[Another painting, this time of what seems to be a shrine, a stone statue of the wolf under a sacred gate.] Peace had at last returned to Kamiki Village. In honor of Shiranui's heroic exploits, the villagers erected a shrine and placed a statue of the wolf within it. Nagi's sword was christened Tsukuyomi and placed inside the Moon Cave. The villagers all looked forward to an age of endless peace...

And that's the end of the legend. Did you like it, Elicia?

Yeah... [Though it's a little worried in tone.] But that was all? The good guy's supposed to live happy ever after...

Ah, but that's just the end of the legend, I said. Shiranui is actually Amaterasu - the goddess of the sun reborn as a white wolf. She my goddess, back home, and my precious friend.

That's why I told you the legend, it's my job to tell people about the gods of my homeland and paint them - so they don't really disappear for good. Hehe, and don't worry - she's alive! She was even here in Luceti a while ago, sleeping and eating like a lump. She's home now, but the sun keeps shining, so I know she's always watching out for us all.

R-really? So she's really real? And she was here before?

[MIND = BLOWN]

That's right! To many people, she just looked like an ordinary white wolf, but it's my job to show people what she really is, through my art. So I paint her picture and tell people about her so they can hopefully believe in her. Hehe, but it's also because Ammy is my friend, too. I don't want her to lose her strength and disappear, either. Even if it's my job, I want to do this for her.

[And a final painting will grace the pages of Miyabi's journal.] With all her powers, Mother Amaterasu looks like this.

Uwaaaaah, she's so pretty!! That's how she looks? Really really?

Mhm, but only to those that really, truly believe in her. To those people, she appears like this. To those that don't believe, she just looks like a white wolf. Hehe, but she acts like a big puppy to everyone! So, if she ever comes back...could you please treat her well, little sister?

[She won't ask Elicia to believe, just to be kind to her goddess if she ever comes back. Ammy would like that, she's sure.]

I'll believe in her! If she's your friend, then she's definitely good to believe in! I'll treat her like all my other friends!

[That...makes her smile. Really and honestly smile. You're a sweetheart, Elicia, and Miyabi adores you already - blood relative or otherwise. Whether or not Ammy does come back, or if this is just a child's innocent zeal, it's appreciated nonetheless.]

Ah...thank you. I knew I could count on you, Elicia. Maybe someday soon you can help me paint her picture, too. I'd be honored to paint with you again.

23rd Teddy Bear [Voice/Action]

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