#law needs a vacation

[chenziee]

BIG NEWS

Here's first of the two fics I wrote for the amazing @zorofanzine!! Leftover sales open on May 10th so check it out! You don't want to miss out on all the top-notch Zoro content <3

[ Read on AO3 ]

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Big news! Big news!

The street killer and ronin named Zorojuro has disappeared! After he was apprehended and sentenced to seppuku, he has murdered the Flower Capital’s Magistrate and with him, every single policeman at the station at the time!

A most dangerous criminal! More dangerous than Kamazo the Manslayer! More wicked than Ushimitsu Kozo! And he has disappeared without a trace!

Everyone! Please be wary walking the streets—if you see him, do not engage and alert the authorities!

Watch out for a man with only one eye and three katanas at his waist! He is responsible for the deaths of more than thirty people!

You heard it here first, folks! 

Everyone!

Read all about Zorojuro’s crimes right here! Right on this broadsheet, read in detail about the destruction he had caused! The list of victims! His description!

Esteemed people of the Capital!

Come and get your own; you can’t miss this news! So hear! Zorojuro the Magistrate Killer has disappeared! Refer to the wanted signs—aaaaand! This flyer! You can grab yours right here!

—————

In the streets of the Flower Capital, a crowd has gathered. Listening eagerly to the news announcement, asking for the flyers and broadsheets and wanted posters. Talking all over each other, hoping for the newsboy to notice them and hand them the papers with information carefully written on them.

And among these people, stood a lonesome travelling monk with a tengai covering his head. A komuso was a rare sight in the capital but not rare enough to garner any attention—and that seemed to be exactly what the monk clad in a black and white yukata and brown haori with a flower pattern wanted. He stood amidst the crowd silently, a black nodachi with a white cross pattern resting against his shoulder, listening. His tattooed hand shook slightly as he clutched at the flyer with Zorojuro’s likeness on it.

His head turned slightly when the newsboy started shouting again.

—————

Aaaand! Another big news! Big news!

A ghost of a samurai has been appearing all across the Land of Wano! Flower Capital, Ringo, Kibi, Kuri, Udon, and Hakumai—all regions of the country report sightings of this mysterious spectre!

Is he a samurai who was murdered in a war hundreds of years ago? Or a victim of the vile Zorojuro? Is he in cahoots with the gashadokuro who’s been reported to haunt a remote graveyard in the snowy Ringo?

Only one thing is for sure; no one is safe!

We have asked the citizens who’ve met him and they all say the same thing: he is intimidating with a scary face, has green hair, and a scar across one of his eyes. He seems solid, like a real, living human… Except! This samurai’s ghost appears out of nowhere without warning and disappears the exact same way! There one moment, gone the next—only to appear at the other side of the country later the very same day!

We have also approached a few inhabitants of the Flower Capital for opinions and one of their answers stood out among the rest! This man, a toad oil vendor by the name of Usohachi, did not seem scared of the monster in the least! Instead, he had offered us a wild theory: maybe, the ghost is simply hopelessly lost! Wandering out of his grave in search of sake and losing his way so quickly and thoroughly that he is now doomed to wander the regions of our beautiful country with no means to return!

A daring theory that makes you almost pity this wile ghost!

But!

Where lies the truth? And where will this samurai appear next?!

Find the list of all his appearances right here! We have it all, including all the statements we’ve taken!

You don’t want to miss a word of it! So come and take your broadsheet and read all about it!

Now, who wants one?! We have enough to go around!

—————

The monk took a step forward, wordlessly taking one of the flyers before he slowly walked away from the crowds. He followed the main road for a while but then he stepped to the side, disappearing in the shadows of one of the countless narrow, dark alleys.

It was only a long while later, after taking several turns and finding himself in the most secluded place in the entire Flower Capital, that the monk finally stopped—and took off his tengai, revealing the face of a man who had no place in the isolated Land of Wano. A pirate from overseas, a member of the Worst Generation who was dreaded across the entire world.

And this very same man glared at the two flyers in his hands—at Zorojuro the Magistrate Killer and the ghost of the green-haired samurai—and his face twisted in anger. A vein pulsing on his forehead, Trafalgar Law gently leaned his nodachi against the wall next to him before he took a deep breath and gingerly, carefully placed the papers on top of each other, aligning them perfectly—

And ripped them both in half in one smooth movement.

He repeated the process again and again and again until the flyers were barely more than specks of dust.

“I’m going to kill this fucking idiot.”

[silvermoon424]

The fact that most European companies treat their non-European employees like shit- despite the fact that Western Europeans enjoy the highest level of workers' rights in the world- just because they can get away with it in the United States or whatever is proof why regulations are needed.

European workers are only treated better than their American counterparts because there are laws protecting them, not because European corporations are so much more humanitarian than American companies. Never forget that under capitalism companies will exploit you for all you're worth and all they can legally get away with.

[sarah-yyy]

the worst part of this job is client interaction because i can really be out here asking y/n questions and my client will literally tell me every single thing EXCEPT the answer to my question

[seekingthestars]

sometimes i get the General Melancholies and i hate it a lot

[arcxnumvitae]

Happy just-past-anniversary to some of the best pictures in existence ever

[swordsmans]

CON CRUNCH IS REAL I THINK IM GONNA JUST START HOT GLUING SHIT TOGETHER TONIGHT FUCK IT WE BALL!!!!!!!

[edenaziraphale]

ngl brother's it has been a wild one in not the greatest way. i'm going to treat the weekend like a fresh start and just... begin again

[skyward-floored]

AAAAH I NEED TO BE PRODUCTIVE I’VE BEEN LAZY ALL WEEK

[kareenvorbarra]

i would LIKE to have kids one day but the sick fucks in the republican-majority wi state legislature removed paid family leave from the budget! thanks for nothing assholes

[ofmd-alsaurus]

.

[x-amount-verbs]

ohmigodohmigodohmigod YOU'RE BAAAACK!!!! I've been following your fic since like the beginning of May and could not wait for a new upload. I'd check the fic every few weeks and today I checked it and saw the new chapter... i can't even. I couldn't have asked for a better christmas present, even if I haven't read it yet, I know it will be brilliant, thank you thank you thank you so much!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I can't stop smiling argh

I intended to post another chapter for Christmas Eve, but all this car accident stuff has really gotten in the way of fun things 😩 Hopefully I can format 30 to post in the next couple days. I wouldn’t necessarily say “back” though, since I’m really just posting the stuff I already had written >< Just trying to set realistic expectations so people aren’t disappointed 😔

[chenziee]

Corazon

Alternate summary: Tsuru is definitely not getting paid enough for this

First of the two pieces I did for @opwarlordzine!! Leftover sales are open right now, so do check it out for more deranged evil flamingo man & co. :D I also did a short Law-centric companion piece that I will post soon too so look forward to that~

[ Read on AO3 ]

—————

Waiting for the transponder snail to ring was agonising. Doflamingo had no idea what Law was thinking; he had wormed his way onto Punk Hazard, living in Caesar’s lab like a little rat, waiting for an opportunity to chew up the cables that connected the SAD tanks with Doflamingo himself—and Doflamingo let him.

After all, what could one brat going through his rebellious phase do?

But picking a fight like this, going so far as to put up such a ridiculous ultimatum… that was way past a little rebellion. Way past what Doflamingo was willing to forgive.

Two years ago, Doflamingo had thought Law was finally coming back to him. Two years ago, he had started building his deck of cards once more.

In two years… the hearts have crumbled into dust.

—————

Dressrosa, the country of passion. With a name like that, one would think there would be something exciting going on at all times, but reality often falls short of fantasies.

Not that it was necessarily a bad thing; if he wanted some action, or a show… there was nothing easier for Donquixote Doflamingo than to create it. Right now, however, he just wanted to sip on his cocktail and relax.

“Hey, hey! Doffy!”

“Hm?” Doflamingo hummed, turning his head slightly to look at Trebol as he slid towards the pool.

Trebol only stopped once he had reached the couch, leaning over the side of it to shove his face far into Doflamingo’s personal space—and covering Baby 5 next to him in slime. “Hey, Doffy, hey,” he rambled on, completely ignoring Baby 5’s disgusted protests.

“What is it? And you’re too close,” Doflamingo said, shooting his supreme officer a look.

At that, Trebol finally moved back a little, though not nearly far enough. “A carrier bat came for you,” he explained, waving the envelope with a government seal in front of Doflamingo’s face.

“Throw it out,” Doflamingo dismissed it immediately.

“You’re not even going to read it?!” Baby 5 asked in alarm.

Raising an eyebrow, Doflamingo took a long sip of his cocktail before responding, “Why should I care what those idiots want?”

“Your blood type is X! Bad things will happen if you’re not open to people’s requests this week!” the girl scolded while slapping the magazine on her lap.

“Baby 5, did you get another subscription?” Buffalo asked slowly, obviously struggling not to laugh.

“They needed me,” Baby 5 muttered while covering her face with the magazine; no doubt to hide her blush.

Doflamingo rolled his eyes. This was getting ridiculous. When would this kid learn?

“Hey, Doffy, hey. I think it could be interesting this time. It’s about the brats who have been rampaging in the first half of the Grand Line,” Trebol announced, shoving the letter back in his face.

Doflamingo paused at that. “Probably just that Straw Hat,” he said, but he reached for the paper anyway, his curiosity piqued.

As he read the words written in an entirely too fancy script, a chuckle bubbled out of his chest, the sound of his laughter soon echoing around the castle courtyard. This was honestly hilarious. As if it wasn’t enough they had allowed Crocodile to get beaten by Straw Hat, now they were basically admitting they were scared enough of him to call on the Seven Warlords.

And from their wording, it didn’t sound like it was just about him either. A few names that he imagined would make the government shit itself came to mind—Eustass Kid, Jewelry Bonney, X. Drake, and…

“The world is getting fun,” he mumbled to himself in between his bouts of laughter.

Getting up from the couch, he took the magazine out of Baby 5’s hands, tossing it at Trebol. “This place better not exist by the time I get back.”

“Aye aye, Doffy!” Trebol laughed.

Baby 5’s enraged scream was the last thing Doflamingo heard as he left the Dressrosa castle behind.

—————

A finger twitching, a smile widening, a sword swinging wildly; confused, terrified screams resounding around the spacious meeting room—puppets who didn't even realise they were just props for his amusement. Moving only as the puppet master commanded.

How Doflamingo enjoyed watching the despair take over once they realised they were powerless, only doomed to watch themselves slay their own friends. Granted, no pathetic navy soldier could be as entertaining as King Riku on the night Doflamingo had finally made it to Dressrosa but he would take it anyway.

“Doflamingo, I told you to be a good boy and behave,” Tsuru said, her voice quiet but stern, like a grandmother reprimanding her grandchild.

“Aw, but Tsuru, aren’t you bored of this pointless chatter?” Doflamingo replied, shooting her his best grin.

“Why did you come if you didn’t want to hear what we have to say anyway?”

Doflamingo paused at her words. Why was he there? All they’ve talked about was Straw Hat and this Blackbeard guy who had invited himself—or his crewmember—over. He had really thought there would be something more fun to be heard.

Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to regret coming.

And he couldn’t help but laugh. “I missed your loving scolding, Tsuru.”

Tsuru sighed but then shook her head and looked away. “Never mind.”

Doflamigo’s chuckle slowly grew into a full laugh. Ah, he really liked her. Was this the bond you get when you get chased by the same person for years and years?

Now if only she and Sengoku would talk about the people he really wanted to know about.

—————

"Well, this really is unusual," Tsuru noted, one eyebrow raised as she regarded Doflamingo. “This is the third Warlord meeting in a row that you’ve attended.”

Doflamingo chuckled. “Ah, but Tsuru, you didn’t give me much choice last time. Not to mention how fun the war was, you know I couldn’t have missed that one.”

“Don’t give me that, boy,” Tsuru said with a roll of her eyes.

“You don’t trust me, after all these years? That hurts,” Doflamingo said in his best mock-upset tone.

“I don’t trust you being so cooperative.” She made a face, distaste at what she was going to say clear in her expression. “But I do trust you thought the war was fun. You’ve always been like that.”

Loud laughter bubbled out of Doflamingo’s chest. Leave it to Tsuru to say things so bluntly—and to understand him so well. After all, he had always loved dramatic events that affected… everything. And if he got to play with a few pathetic bugs while at it, all the better. The war was perfect. He didn’t care about victors or losers; he didn’t care about Portgas, Whitebeard, or the navy. He didn’t care about any of it.

But watching history unfold before his very eyes… that was worth going out of his way to do what the idiots at Mariejois wanted.

And now…

“I hear the Warlord replacements have been decided?” Doflamingo asked.

Tsuru stayed silent, simply studying Doflamingo as he stared back at her, his usual grin not showing a single hint of his thoughts. She looked like she was trying to cut his brain open with her eyes and read his mind.

Doflamingo didn’t hate the look.

Honestly, it was fun.

Who would win? Tsuru and her calm, stoic gaze, or Doflamingo and his wide, ever-present grin? Her wise, experienced mind, or Doflamingo’s madness?

He couldn’t wait to see.

—————

Walking around the Pangea castle, Doflamingo couldn’t help but marvel at how different it felt now compared to when he was a kid. Back then, he was one of the people hiding behind the bubbles, behind the walls, behind CP0. Having every need satisfied without having to lift a finger—endless supply of slaves, unconditional protection from the navy headquarters below.

A little brat, he couldn’t see how weak and pathetic the Celestial Dragons really were.

How fragile that power was.

Now, however, watching Charlos waddle around like a toddler crying for his daddy… Doflamingo just had to laugh—quietly at first; but soon, he was cackling loudly without restraint.

What was the point of people like this ruling the world? They didn’t have what it took. They were so below him; if he didn’t have a use for them, they wouldn’t be worth a single spec of his attention. But luckily for them… even an otherwise worthless human served its purpose.

Like puppets on strings, simply dangling his knowledge in front of their noses had them dancing in Doflamingo’s palm, all their assumed power—gone.

He wondered, once he got bored of Dressrosa, how much effort would it really take to sit on the ‘Empty’ Throne?

“What’s so funny, Doflamingo? Don’t you have anything better to do?”

“You don’t think the world is funny, Tsuru?” Doflamingo asked, shooting a wide grin at the Great Advisor.

“No,” Tsuru said coldly and her annoyed voice only made Doflamingo chuckle again.

Comfortable silence settled between them, one born of the bond between a mouse and a cat who’d been playing tag for a few years too long. Who was the mouse and who was the cat?

It didn’t really matter anymore.

But then Tsuru spoke up. “Trafalgar Law,” she said quietly and Doflamingo’s ever-present grin dropped.

“Oh? What about him?” Doflamingo finally asked after a beat of silence.

The old woman sighed, “From North Blue. Has the power of the stolen Op Op Fruit. Started making a name for himself around the same time Straw Hat Luffy had. It doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.” She paused, taking a deep breath, her eyes rising to look at the brilliant blue sky. Possibly wondering why she was even bringing this up herself. “What is your connection to him? To have you care enough to show up here of all places four times.”

The silence came back for a moment… but then Doflamingo’s lips stretched into his usual grin once more. And soon, his laughter was ringing around them.

“You’re really nosy. Aren’t you, Tsuru?” he asked, his hand coming to rest against his forehead, just above his glasses. Shielding them. He wasn’t sure why.

Tsuru still wasn’t looking at him when she replied, “You don’t have to tell me, I don’t really care that much.”

Doflamingo huffed at her words. “Now, that’s just mean.”

“What, you want a hot cocoa and a bedtime story?” Tsuru asked with a voice full of sarcasm.

“I’d certainly want to see you do that.” Doflamingo stopped laughing then. “Law is… the one that got away.”

At that, Tsuru finally looked at him; it was a look that Doflamingo could only describe as annoyed and completely, utterly done. Ah, what a great expression to put on that old face. Well worth coming to Mariejois just for this reaction.

“Do you have to always say things in the creepiest way possible?” she asked, exasperated. Before Doflamingo could so much as lick his lips, however, Tsuru sighed and shook her head. “Don’t answer that. Glad at least one of the kids you picked up had enough sense to run away while he could.”

“Now you’re just hurting me on purpose,” Doflamingo teased just before he turned to leave.

“As if you need me to baby you,” Tsuru shot back and Doflamingo could just hear her eyes rolling.

Doflamingo huffed, simply waving back at her lazilly as he walked away, not looking back.

—————

Outside Dressrosa’s royal palace, there was a crowd of people, shouting; they wanted answers, voiced their worry, demanded to see their king.

On the floor, an army of transponder snails was ringing incessantly, their owners in panic.

But Doflamingo didn’t care, not about a single one of them. He was waiting for a single person to speak up, a single snail to wake up.

At the centre of the room, four thrones sat empty without their Officers. The last time he had talked to Tsuru, all four of them had an owner. There was still a Corazon.

But now—

Purururu… Purururu…

Now, the Heart seat sat empty.

[yawn-emoji]

i have a one-day work training out of town next week... should i tell my parents it’s four days instead of one day and get a hotel by myself and take a mini solo vacation

[thedreadpiratematt]

Marx forgive me for I went to the driving range with Republicans today

[vergina-spva]

Dear CLTCL readers

I know it’s been quiet for a while (I’ve been on vacation for a part), but I wanted to let you know that there will still be A LOT more CLTCL parts 🙈 You can see how much I’ve planned in the description of the series on AO3 (where I added the chronological order to read everything). There is one part I’m not sure on yet, so there might or might not be one more part that’s not shown there.

Anwyay, I’m set on posting all these parts in chronological order, even if I’ve written a little bit of probably all the parts written down there already. But that means it might take a little while before I update, and then I might update a few in a row. Because my ADD brain can’t focus on just writing one part and needs to write a few sentence of this and then a few of that. (Well, I got one part finished already but it’s pretty far down the line so I won’t post that one any time soon).

So, I just wanted to give you a heads up, since it hasn’t been this quiet on the CLTCL front since like... last year 😂

[painterofhorizons]

I love my boss, I really do. We fit together really well on many levels and work together really well.

But oh, the old topic. Academia as a work place. Paid working hours. Working way beyond that. (self) exploitation and all.

You know, I really love my job. I do it with passion. I do more than I get paid for. But I also have a life outside, and I limit the amount I let work exploit me. And I firmly belief everyone should. Is it a field you do when you're passionate about it? Yes. Is it a privileged work field? To some extent, yes. Should one be allowed to see it as "just work" anyways? Fucking yes. That goes for every job. And I will die on the hill of "you shouldn't self exploit yourself even if it's a qualification job aka writing a PhD or post doc". She knows that. She knows I'll die on that hill. I know she thinks differently. Many people do. But I rather see people healthy and happy with a life instead of knowing nothing but work, never taking any vacation until they're 30 and having no outside of work interests.

We arranged ourself about it years ago, but it was quite a fight. It still is, because she keeps nipping on it again and again. But I will go down with that ship, because when everyone keeps saying "I know the system is wrong and in theory I agree with you BUT" then nothing will ever change.

Know your rights. Take your rights. If you get x days of vacation from your employer than you take x days of vacation. Set a time of the day when you stop working and enjoy the life you have outside of work. Go to the beach, in the name of everything that's good and right.