#oh dear Olvia

[damnstrawhats]

Something that I think about a lot is how like internally tempestuous experiencing the kindness of the Straw Hats must’ve been for Robin prior to the WS Saga, and how much that plays into just how resonant her big moment is.

Like, Robin is a character who has never had a stable foundation. Ever. Olvia clearly loved Robin wholeheartedly, but still had a duty in terms of her field, yes, but honestly also ethically speaking, that required her to leave.* Her guardians were cruel & uncaring. The townspeople considered her monstrous, deplorable, less than human. The librarians cared for her, but ultimately she is still an outsider looking in. She loses Saul & any stability he gave her dies with him to her. & then it is self-serving organization after self-serving organization, all of which she knows will discard her if it will further their goals.

At that point, she’s never been able to trust that any care presented to her will last or be upheld. She’s never been able to trust that it has been well & truly meant.

Then, enter the Straw Hats, who do mean it. Who offer her drinks, request to shop with her or browse for books for the fun of it, who explain to her that they’re going to celebrate together irregardless of whether it’s tactical because they’re together & adventuring & isn’t that a wonder? Who laugh, hug, compliment, & care openly. And they’re acting like they want to include her? To protect her, even?

Like there had to be that odd dissonance between existing in the moment, of understanding & appreciating the kindness, while also dealing with the constant question of its truthfulness. Of seeing &, on some level, knowing it to be care, but only being able to emotionally understand it as a lack of outright hostility.

But, even then, it’s enough for her to sacrifice her life for! When she has just been given a new way to further her dream in Skypeia! & in return the Straw Hats declare war on the entire fucking world government for her. They scream at her that she’s allowed to struggle, and not believe them, and argue, and lie- but she has to do it while she’s with them, because she’s a part of them- they’re her place now.

And it hits her like a truck, and turns her world upside down because of course it does. She had never had that in her entire life! And she can’t help but trust it because the magnitude of the evidence won’t allow her not to, so she feels it in full & just- at the top of her lungs, screaming herself hoarse…

“I want to live! Take me out to sea with you!”

Oh dear lord, what if I coughed up blood about it?

*I also want to note the way this subtly plays into Luffy & Robin being amongst my favourite dynamics. Luffy expressly doesn’t want to be a hero because it requires sacrifice, & Robin is a character who has witnessed both the result of heroic sacrifice being “death” (Saul), & what it is like to be what is given up for a cause (Olvia + the librarians). The fact that it is the Straw Hats who ground her, who accept her, who would sacrifice the world for her the way she would for them- the fact that they love in a way she knows prioritizes her, makes her finally trusting the group in EL hit all that much harder. & Luffy, another character who struggled deeply with the imposition of loneliness as a result of being left, ultimately is the person who emblematizes that for Robin. And like it makes how much faith Robin puts in Luffy in spite of their age difference feel more plausible. He is the singular person Robin has ever come across who will fight for the thing she has always lacked until he physically cannot move.

ps. yes, all of this is also a reason i’m sad robin & ace never met. they never shared a scene together & yet they are constantly thematically holding hands, while having contrasting positions when it comes to our favourite goofball. eiichiro oda you madman.

[victorie552onepiecespeedrun]

Reading One Piece pt 158: “Mom?”

Chapter 395

Thoughts:

- Fpos/cs: Three BW stole marine ship and are running away! You go, BW, you’re safe now! What about Mr.2

- Villagers are running for their lives and can you blame them

- Cp9 people found Poneglyph in the basement and are pretty creeped out. How did archeologists get that stone here. I will have to learn how to spell Poneglyph for good, won’t I

- Aww, Saul came into town to get Robin! I think it will be counterproductive but it’s still awesome and touching, ok

- Huh, Spandyne DID contact “Gorousei”! (different scans again but it obviously means the government top dogs so I don’t care) But it won’t help doctor Clover, he’s not so eloquent as Tom The Shipwright. Sorry man, government has you as “dead” in their books already and they don’t want to make any corrections to change that. Imagine the paperwork, doctor Clover, the paperwork

- Yep

- Ok, doctor Clover has things to say, time to sit and listen

- “No matter what lies in the past, humans create history, and thus they must accept everything. If we come to know things without feeling fear, we may be able to create some form of countermeasure!”

“That’s mere idealism”

“Is that so? I think you’re saying you can’t because it’s not convenient for you to accept this!”

“…”

Haha, government just got served, I love that song

- Nowadays, the truth we wish to know most is more the Poneglyphs reason for existence as opposed to their contents.” You know what, that is a good question.  How and why are they everywhere?

- Apparently the message people in the past wanted to sent future generation was too important to put to destroyable paper. I dig that

- Ohohohoho!

- “People that left behind the stones had an enemy” ok “Their enemy would continue to live on in the history” eh. But they WERE destroyed so sure, why not “Right after 100 Years of Blank Pages… The World Government was born” I see what you’re doing here. And wow, 800 years, was there any empire that actually lasted that long

- “The 100 Blank Pages were erased by the World Government’s hands as inconvenient history!!!” HA, tell them doctor

- Single country with a great civilization has been erased from existence long, long ago. I don’t see why anyone would cover destroying the single country for 800 years. After some time people just stop caring, you know? They could stop hiding the fact after, like,  300 years, I think. History becomes history for a reason

- Yeah, I don’t think Spandyne and Gorousei care about that impromptu history lesson. What did they expect, they let a scholar start talking. Of course he started a lecture

- At least they call that a hypothesis. Sure, it could hold in court but they don’t exactly have a proof. Unless you count being evaporated by government for looking for proof a proof (I am)

- What’s so cool about that mysterious country that revealing it’s existence to the world would change everything?

- “The name of the country was…” ?

- OH FUCK

- THEY SHOT HIM!!!

- “Ohara knows too much!!” And will know even more, you bastards!!!!!

- Oh poor Robin

- CHAOS HAS STARTED

- Spandyne looks for golden den den mushi!!! GET THE FUCK AWAY ROBIN PLEASE

- “It’s Buster Call time!” don’t steal my lines, Spandyne

- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

- THE LIBRARY IS ON FIRE

- “Shouldn’t it be okay if it’s just our heads that roll!?” …metal

- They’re taking Olvia away, they want her alive

- …shit… Robin and Olvia… shit…

- Nonononono, don’t give me flashbacks, damn you

- “Are you my mommy!?”

  “no”

- Fuck fuck fuck fuuuuuck

- whyyyyyyy

- everyone is crying and I will too, damn it

- oh god, Robin

- “I’m Robin! Even though I am bigger… You really don’t remember me? I always waited for you to come back! Are you really not my mother? Someday… I’d just like to go for a walk with you, holding your hand!”

- SHIIIIT, she’s telling them she can read Poneglyphs

- “I don’t… want to be alone anymore!!!”

… …. … ….

*sobbing it the distance*    

rOP 157  rOP 159

[weirdkev27]

*It’s the middle of the night. Yunan and Olivia are asleep in bed*

Marcy: Lady Olivia? Lady Olivia? Lady Olivia?

Olivia: Hmm? *opens her eyes and sees Marcy with her legs crossed* *yawns* Yes?

Marcy: I need to go!

Olvia: Go? Go where?

Marcy: You know, go-Bad!

Olivia: Oh ‘go’. Why didn’t you say so? Let’s go! *jumps out of bed and leads Marcy down the hall* When you gotta go, you gotta go!

-----

*it’s the middle of the day. Yunan and Olivia are looking up at a giant tree*

Olivia: Young master, come down here this instance!

Marcy: *climbing up a tree* Woo-hoo! Alright! Man, you guys look like ants from up here!

Olivia: I’m counting to three!

Marcy: Woo hoo! *jumps onto the next branch. It breaks under her weight, causing her to fall*

Yunan: Uh oh!

Olivia:*oblivious to Marcy falling. counts on her fingers* One, Two, *Yunan jumps on top of her and catches Marcy. from under Yunan* Three.... *drops her arm to the ground*

-----

*night*

Olivia:*in bed with Yunan*

Marcy: Lady Olivia?

Olivia: Oh, Again?

Marcy: No. I’m thirsty.

Olivia:*as she leads Marcy down the hall into the kitchen* You realize you’ll be up again about two hours from now.

-----

*day*

Marcy:*calmly floating on her back down the river*

Olivia:*frantically swimming after her* Hang on, Master Marcy! I’ll save you!

Marcy:*falls over the edge of the waterfall* Yahoo!

Yunan:*catches her while hanging from a tree branch*

Olivia: Whoa! *falls over the edge of the waterfall*

-----

*night*

Marcy:*to a sleepy Olivia* Lady Olivia?

Olivia:*tiredly leads Marcy down the hall* We're going to get old walking down this hallway.

----

*day*

*Olivia screams as she holds onto Marcy for dear life as they zipped down the zipline*

----

 *night*

Marcy: Lady Olivia?

Olivia:*Jumps awake, exasperated.* Aah! What have you got against the concept *Gets down from the bed* of a good night's sleep, huh? *Turns around with bloodshot eyes.*

Marcy:*looks away, clutching her sleep shirt* Actually, I, uh, I had a bad dream.

Olivia; *face softens* Oh, well... *elbows Yunan awake*

Yunan: Wah? Wasn’t me?

Olivia: Master Marcy had a bad dream.

Yunan:*looks at the sad Marcy* Ohh. Why don't you sleep over here with us?

Olivia: Mi Yunan, su Yunan. *gestures to the bed*

Marcy: *smiles. She jumps over between Yunan and Olivia, and gets comfy* Good night.

Olivia: Sleep tight.

Yunan: Dream of bedbugs tonight! *instantly falls asleep*

Marcy: *laughs*

*Olivia and Marcy begin to go to sleep. Marcy grabs Olivia and pulls her in close. Olivia sighs and goes to sleep.*

[reinswoth-bdo]

Akira Ruii

Ruii - a little girl with a short red hair. Her twin sister, Akira Yuii who is the opposite of her. Due to an unfortunate event happened to her family, she lost her memories and wandered to a small town called Olvia - a town under care of Igor Bartali.

FIVE MONTHS AGO

“Oh my- It’s a child!” A woman shouted, seeing a little girl with blood all over her clothes. Some of the blood already dried on her forehead.

“What happened to you?” A man approached but she walked back from the man. The woman who first found her gestured to the man, letting her to approach the red-haired girl.

“It’s okay, dear. We’re not bad people. Come, let’s get you clean up,” she offered. The woman can see the tiny hand trembling, probably from fear or the fact that she’s surrounded by so many strangers. The woman crouched down to be on her eye level, extending her arm out.

“Don’t be afraid, dear. I’m here to help,” her voice sounded so sincere and Ruii finally took the hand and started crying out loud. The woman tried to calm her down by stroking her head.

She could not remember anything - her name, her parents or what did happen to her. She just could say that she woke up and saw a wagon upside down before she got up and started walking to the small town.

“You really can’t remember your name?” Ruii nodded while eating her food quietly. The woman who took her looked at her.

“Do you mind... If we get you a temporary name?” Ruii put down her spoon and turned to the woman.

“Do you... Have a name for me?” She asked softly but yet, clear enough to hear every words she said.

“I do... How about we call you Rynalynn?”

“Sounds pretty... I like it,” she smiled softly. The woman soon introduced herself as Islin and the man with her is Igor. They both decided to take care of Ruii while they trying to find her family. Igor went back to Velia to spread the news - a little red-haired girl lost her memories and wondering if anyone have a missing family members from an accident.

PRESENT

Ruii lived with her new name, Rynalynn for few months. Islin takes care of her as her own child - Ruii was so happy living in Olvia. She befriended with other children - despite being a very shy girl, and most of her time also, she went visit the flute boy that playing his flute by the cow farm.

A familiar figure was passing by the cow farm, greeting the flute boy until she saw Ruii beside him.

“I’ve seen you before... Wait, no...” She said. Ruii turned and looked at the owner of the voice. She froze - she has cat ears! Her eyes also was very cat-like.

“Cat...” Ruii muttered.

“I’m sorry? Oh, you mean...” She chuckled.

“Yes, little girl... I’m a cat-witch but I’m a nice witch. My name is Rozenelle.”

“Cat... Witch?” Rozenelle nodded.

“I must say... You look like my little Yuii, very much,” Rozenelle explained. Ruii blinked few times, still amazed by how Rozenelle looked.

“Mama! Why did you leave me-” It’s Yuii’s voice from far, approaching Rozenelle before she stopped - noticing Ruii.

“RUII! YOU ARE RUII!” Yuii suddenly shouted while holding Ruii by both arms, shaking her. Rozenelle tried to calm Yuii down and Yuii quickly hugged Ruii. Puzzled, Ruii looked at Rozenelle for help.

“Yuii, you’re scaring her-”

“She’s my sister! She is Ruii!” Yuii cried while hugging Ruii. Ruii slowly just patted her back, still feeling lost of what happened.

“Ruii- Rynalynn... Uh, dear... Would you want to go back to Velia with me?” Rozenelle asked.

“But... I don’t remember anything... I don’t know who is Yuii... Does my name really Ruii?” She looked at Yuii, scanning her face. They do look alike, just few details are different.

“It’s okay, dear. This cat-lady here, will help you and also, you have Yuii to help you get your memories,” Islin spoke. Convincing Ruii was a little hard as she does not trust anyone easily. Ruii looked down for a while, holding onto Yuii’s hands. She seems to be thinking.

“It’s okay, if you don’t want to come along... Yuii can still visit you here.”

“I will... Come with you. I want to be with Yuii,” she looked up and turned to Yuii, smiling softly.

“Afterall, she is really my sister.”