FOREST

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♞ 𓏬 His lips were pressed together, preventing any grunts or signs of pain as he let his sister hug him. He didn't want to ruin this moment, they had few little nice ones as of late. To her it has only been a handful of years, but for Izou, he had waited over twenty to see Kiku again. And their first reunion hardly counted, it being in the midst of war and all.

❛                  oh  my  god ,    i  am  so  sorry  . .   i  was  distracted                    ❜      the kid's laughter made her glance to the side again, ghosts little face right next to her. it surprised her, regardless of how many times it had happened before nonetheless ;   making her  VISIBLY  FLINCH  from something / someone while still sat awkwardly on the dusty ground.

@sylvva

✧ 𓏬 Eyes squinted at the papers laying in front of her as golden light filled the empty classroom. A reminder that while her appearance seemed to not age, the signs of getting older did not escape her. Still, rather than sulk, Daphne took this and the setting sun as a message she should head home for the day. Shuffle all her work in a bag and leaving the classroom.

The sun was low, but the early spring weather had left a few of the older kids still running around the playground. Maybe watching them was why her guard was down. Usually the former pirate was never so clumsy to bump into another. Quickly her attention turned to the other woman, as the one who didn't fall, Daphne offered out a hand.

❀ 𓏬 Camilla didn't even notice the shirt was a skew as they started on this ridiculous mission. She was too busy trying to stuff as much of her bright teal hair into the hat as she could to minimize how much they could stand out. Her enthusiasm matched that of her companion. Suppressing the headache that was rising due to her worry that the others were going to mess up.

The princess had gone missing for nearly two years now and the royal guard knew this country was at its breaking point as lines were being drawn in the sand. The Rebellion Army was coming closer to the capitol every day and it was only going to be a matter of time before both sides would clash. Soldiers had already fled or left their posts to go join the other side, but Onruis had no desire to fight on either. It was not due to wanting to fight friends, but he did not have enough love for this kingdom to do either. He grew up in the slums of Alabasta and rose through the ranks for a better life over the years, only for his survival. That was all he truly cared about, so he wasted no time in abandoning his post and working on fleeing the kingdom. 

He had stolen previous treasures such as gems and coins to help him get through the cities with the limited supplies he could carry. The male-only wanted to leave, but somehow he still got dragged into unwanted situations. He stumbled across Kohza and a small group he led fighting to take control of a port. The Rebellion Army were vastly outnumbered and were easily surrounded by the royal army. Onruis wanted to keep moving forward and forget, but deep down inside he knew Kohza as he was the princess’s best friend. Normally he had been the royal guard assigned to the princess when they would hang out as they were close in age so he was able to keep up better than most. 

☀ 𓏬 So many things can change in so little time. What happened to the homeland from his childhood? The one he learned to love with every fiber of his being? Sometimes when he closed his eyes and thought back to those days, it felt like a distant dream. Perhaps he was a fool chasing a state of the island that has been diluted by eyes of the past. But he had allies surrounding him that felt the same, this was not just the hope he had. And it was that fact that kept him moving forward.

Even if doing so landed him in tight situations like this one. Kohza glanced at the guards surrounding his small unit. Hands hovering over his sword, but not yet ready to pull it out. Avoiding conflict was always his priority, so for now he would run. There were a lot of unfamiliar faces in the men perusing them. It truly had been a long time since he would frequent the palace, so it wasn't surprising how distant his familiarity had become.

Well, except one it seemed. As he was taken by surprise ( a rare occurrence for Kohza ) to an escape route not previously known to the rebels. There was a moment he pondered if this was another enemy, just like the others he was with, the leader got ready to attack. Until he spoke, and his brain put the voice to the face.

A chorus of hollow clinks scattered on the sea breeze. The pace was inconsistent. Staggered. The sounds trailed short bursts of movement. Slow, stalking strides swung her legs with practiced precision. In stark contrast, there came toe taps in quick succession as she bounced forward on the balls of her feet. Excitement took the wheel. It was a violent volley; the juxtaposition of the two gaits. Finally, just behind the botanist, she slid to a stop. Up on the balls of her feet, she rose once more. Long, sculpted arms stretched out wide. A final jingle heralded the imminent embrace. "HEYA CAM!" Joy burst from her lips; a giggle bubbled forth as she finally wrapped her arms around the botanist.

❀ 𓏬 The atmosphere was light, the room filled with joy. There are times were Camilla gave the impression of someone who is uptight, and then there are times like these were she allowed herself to go with the flow. Of course, the couple drinks she had helped. Not enough for her to be drunk, but tipsy enough to accept an invitation to dance.

Although her new acquaintance was quickly forgotten about as the girl's one track mind focused on the person calling out to her ( well now also hugging her ).

after her wounds had been tended to, she made a vow to stay by his side. even if there was a celebration going on, she'd stay by his side, no matter what. she was going to be the one to tell him the news, that wano was free again, that orochi and kaido were no longer in charge, that oden's sacrifice wasn't in vain.

and so what if she hadn't slept much? she'll sleep, after she knows her brother's okay.

♞ 𓏬 Life on the sea was not kind nor safe. Injury and pain were not strangers to Izou, especially after sailing for over twenty years. Yet, he was strong enough ( and careful enough ) to always keep those minimal. He was not great strategist, but he was no hot head either. Besides, it helped that the Whitebeard's first commander was a gifted phoenix. Saving so many of their fellow crewmates, including himself, from longer recovery times.

He could only assume those same healing powers were why he still had a heart beat. However, Izou was never at deaths door before, and there was only so much a devil fruit user could do. The rest he would have to do himself. Even if he was out, it was only temporally. Eventually— eventually he would wake.