On going to Adstring...

[dualcross]

So it seems you've decided. Or, shall I say, your decision was swayed by your peers? Hmph...I suppose it's an acceptable change from stagnation. There is only so much boredom I can take, festering away in your mind, girl. I'm sure you're aware... You've done enough looking into my "character" that I would so hope.

[There's a pause, and Mihawk straightens his posture. He's still not quite sure what to make of going to a "game", and being taken from what he knows - especially the sea and his wine.] May this land you take me to be even the slightest bit amusing. It and its people...I've grown tired of chasing shadows, and slaughtering lambs.

This place you intend to house me...I hope your intent is for my benefit, not your own. If there are only pebbles to kick about, then both yourself and I will meander towards stasis.

I am not interested in camaraderie. Remember that.

...And begin your research, girl, you'll only put aside what you intend to do now, if you wait. I know your ways. Lazy. [He mutters with a sneer. Mihawk is not very much a fan of laziness.] Or is it fear? Do you still lack confidence in me? Or within yourself?

Raise your head, child, you've gotten this far. Stepping back would be shameful for us both.

Comments

[flickerflash]

What did lambs ever do to you?

[Man. :|]

[dualcross]

Foolishly raise arms against me.

[He's not even going to correct or explain his metaphor. She wanted an answer and she got one.]

[flickerflash]

Those are very violent lambs. [Squint.] Did you push their mother off a cliff?

[dualcross]

[Okay, that last bit gets a very slow raise of a brow. Child, you have a very..."creative" imagination. But here we go, another answer to her odd question--]

I would think they'd challenge me for my title, not a trivial matter such as that. Fools with no purpose pursue power for power's sake...and only walk in circles. Though I have had some cross blades with myself for the sake of vengeance. [Which is, yet again, a stupid and meaningless goal. Mihawk's come across so many people that don't have a lick of sense in their skulls before they match strength with him. It's sad, how easily he can brush them aside...boring, too. Idiots.]

[flickerflash]

[Blah blah blah big words blah blah poncing around blah blah swords you sound like a sidhe man--

wait swords.]

What's your title?

[dualcross]

World's greatest. [There's a brief pause, before Mihawk quickly adds--] Swordsman.

[He has to remember people here, in this place, don't know him nor his status. It's always easier divulging less because people already know, but ah...some things can't be helped.]

[flickerflash]

Really?

[Her eyes get very big and wide and awestruck and then blatantly cunning before she looks sideways and says with over the top nonchalance:] In your world, maybe.

[Mine is a cunning plan.]

[dualcross]

[...He knows that look, however brief it was. Mihawk sees admiration in her eyes, then cunning. One brow raises slowly, lifting into the shadow of his hat, and he peers closely at this youngster. Just what was she planning?]

Correct. Outside my own world, there will be those stronger than myself. [It's what he's hoping for.]

[flickerflash]

I bet I'm stronger.

[/pokerface]

[dualcross]

[Ah. So that was it. He should have known... The swordsman's face reverts to a placid mask and he loosens his stiff posture by a slight margin. There's no threat here, he can relax a little. It'd be a lie if Mihawk didn't say even children challenge him when he makes port in a small town - his title is infamous, and children have far less inhibition.

Case in point right here.]

Perhaps.

[flickerflash]

[What. Whaaat. That wasn't quite the reaction she was looking for. Katie peers at him hopefully.]

...you don't want to find out for sure?

[dualcross]

Not particularly.

[DENIED.]

[flickerflash]

[8(((]

But doesn't that mean people will say you were afraid to match swords with a little girl?

[fierybluebird]

You know what they say...

[dualcross]

[Is this a quip about birds, Marco? Because you are one to talk.

But Mihawk's waiting for clarification - mostly for the sake of his curiosity. He could honestly care less what anyone says about anything not pertaining to himself.]

[fierybluebird]

[Shut up fake bird! You're not even cool enough to earn his bird puns, got it? Okay okay.]

Losers without friends never win!

[That's not a saying, but he really wants it to be.]

[dualcross]

I see.

[If you've got a point to make, Marco, make it - because Mihawk doesn't give a damn about your imbecilic sayings. Besides, he'd beg to differ about the "not winning" thing, but he's not going to get into an argument over something so childish. Also let's just reiterate that Mihawk plainly does not care. 8')]

[fierybluebird]

See this is why you're incapable of smiling. No younger brothers to amuse it out of you.

[Oh Mihawk, don't you realize, Marco sees silence as an opportunity?]

[dualcross]

[You underestimate Mihawk's patience and ability to tune out annoyances. After living with Perona for two years, he has mastered the fine art of ignoring some people to the point that they fade into the background completely.]

I've just recently spent my time with two youngsters. I find no amusement in shrill, shrieking brats. [And then there's Shanks, but let's keep that card for later.]

[fierybluebird]

Oh? So you got rid of them?

[dualcross]

Thankfully.

[fierybluebird]

How boring.

[dualcross]

[Not gracing you with an answer. You can think what you like, Marco, but Mihawk enjoys the restoration of his peace and quiet.]

[fierybluebird]

Must be why you're so eager to get somewhere interesting now, eh?

[Just remember Mihawk. Silence = golden opportunity for Marco. Your best bet is to try to duct tape his mouth shut.]

[dualcross]

[Was that a scoff? Oh, you bet it was! Marco, you must be sick if you think this was Mihawk's choice in the slightest.]

If you care to believe that way, then so be it...but perhaps the "eagerness" stems elsewhere. [SIDE-EYEING YOU, MUN.]