[ you know when law peeled himself away from steven to get a snack to eat (he was fine, yes, no need to worry. it would only be for a hot second—steven please.) he didn't expect to find douman. rather, he didn't expect to find douman like...
whatever they are currently at. its honestly kind of bad and sad. being dead had its downfalls but there were some very small perks to hyper focus on. law stands there for a moment considering before approaching. ]
[They look embarrassed, even moving an arm as if to shield their terrible chocolate crimes, but...they know that isn't going to do a thing. They sigh.]
[ it sure won't but that's okay because law can turn a blind eye to it. sometimes things are bad? also he doesn't know what this clown wants from life. ...or death.
he'll be careful in how he approaches this. moderately at least. ]
I hate to ask but is this purely for an indulgence or did something happen?
[ HE IS NOT THE DOCTOR OF THIS....but you know what? he'll give a whirl if only because of why the hell not? all things considered maybe he isn't that far off than anyone else here.
he'll...kind of take a seat somewhat near douman, clearing a little spot on the ground among the boxes. ]
[ oh. oh law is not qualified for this but....hmm. strangely he has some thoughts on this. ]
I remember the two of us talking about that.
[ he had quickly understood what douman was trying to do and didn't talk him out of it but hmm. gluttony, was it? ]
There might as well be someone who would be affected. [ law picks up one of the empty boxes and holds it out in front of him. ] Someone has gotten attached to you and would miss you.
I've never had anyone...miss me. I just always have assumed people wouldn't. So to hear that, and know who is the one behind that sentiment...I can't dismiss it as easily.
[ it's his qualifier. he doesn't want to speak for anyone in the case that gluttony is playing games, okay. though depending on how douman would take the semantics of "missing" and "heartbreak", it could very well be the same or be two entirely different meanings. ]
I know you won't want to hear this but there were people who missed that other side of you after I killed them.
[ he'll flick the box somewhere deeper into the store. ]
[That makes Douman blink, before a frown appears on their face.]
Of course they would. [They scoff.] It wasn't as if...they knew what kind of monster they were. What they were really thinking. They were careful, you know.
[A moment of silence, before they murmur.]
They gave people want they wanted. Of course people would miss that. I-I'm sorry that they...went after you for that.
I killed a person and that's all that mattered to them. [ law just shrugs. he could have been angry at any point of time between the trial and being executed but he wasn't. funny really. ] Whether that "person" I killed was good, bad, or a monster didn't seem to weigh to heavily on their mind. I was the villain.
[ he'll turn to douman and give them a look. ]
...but that's kind of the point. If people could feel grief for that monster, someone is bound to feel grief for this more likeable version of yourself.
Limbo killed someone too. Did they care about that?
[Their eyes flicker to meet Law's for a moment, before glancing away. Feeling grief for a monster...it makes them shudder. But if they could feel sad about Limbo, then...]
[Law would be correct.]
I...I don't know. I don't want my existence to perpetuate more evil in the world. But I don't want to...ruin things by leaving, either. But isn't that selfish? That...people want me to stay, and I want to stay because of that. Shouldn't I think of the greater good?
They couldn't be completely sure that it was them who killed Omi let alone think they could "vote" for them.
[ but boy did law vote for the dead clown. he voted for them without a trace of absolution. (which is funny because it was a spite vote that ended up being for a legit killer.) and when douman asks law about the greater good, he'll just shake his head and sigh. ]
I'm the wrong person to talk about the "greater good" with. I'm a pirate and all I've ever cared for is what I want. Pirates aren't good people, you know.
[ always with a reminder of that. maybe "good" pirates exist but they should never be thought of as good people. ]
If you want to continue to exist and somehow believe you could prevent that monster from coming back then I don't see a problem with that. Your situation is beyond my understanding, though.
...You might not think you're a good person, but...I like you, and you're better being a pirate, instead of a monster.
[They stare miserably in front of them. It would be nice, yes, to think that they can just avoid their own darkness, and leave things behind. Easier said, than done.]
If I do...if I do...I just worry that if I do slip, nobody will be there to stop me. I can't trust myself. Luca said I should find someone to...keep an eye on me, or something. But would someone take on that burden?
[ for the sake of the conversation law lets the compliment fall to the wayside. though he does show gratitude for being liked in kind. ...not sure how he feels about being sized up against a monster but— ]
Someone will.
[ law says so firmly initially. before backing off a bit. ahem. this wasn't about him and he was going to try to keep things objective. ]
If someone cares enough about you they will and something like that won't be seen as a burden. Especially in a place like this; if they've seen both sides and still want to stay, I wouldn't deny them.
[ and he really does. law likes this baby clown after all. ]
If Steven and I— [ no. he's not going to say that. give him a moment as he finds a better way to word it. clearly dying has made things a little more interesting for him. ]
There are stranger things than finding someone who would care for you.
[ and he's going to look terribly fond for a hot second before then becoming embarrassed for a moment only to then sweep that under the carpet as fast as he can and go back to frowning.
no dere...do not perceive him. ]
Exactly. [ he'll pick up another empty carton and give it a shake. ] It's not not you're forbidden from enjoying yourself while you can. Well, as long as that enjoyment isn't coming at the cost of others.
Oh, goodness. [A frown at that last part.] That's the last thing I want. I mean...its strange. In my day, I cast curses. Many for revenge, or to strike back at those who mistreated others, so while someone would benefit from them...someone would suffer, too.
[A sigh.]
Everything has a chance to harm someone. I want to minimize as much damage as I can.
Isn't that just the cost of being alive? The concept of it.
[ again, law tosses the empty carton further into the store. he doesn't quite understand the idea of cursing someone for revenge but then again most people wouldn't be doing what he was doing either. ]
You're always going to end up hurting someone; at least you have the decency to think about limiting how much damage that you're doing.
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whatever they are currently at. its honestly kind of bad and sad. being dead had its downfalls but there were some very small perks to hyper focus on. law stands there for a moment considering before approaching. ]
Douman?
[ hmmm.... ]
...how many boxes have you gone through?
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[They look embarrassed, even moving an arm as if to shield their terrible chocolate crimes, but...they know that isn't going to do a thing. They sigh.]
I don't know. I've lost count at this point.
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he'll be careful in how he approaches this. moderately at least. ]
I hate to ask but is this purely for an indulgence or did something happen?
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[Douman lifts up a chocolate bar and just tears a piece off of it with their teeth, chewing with a frown.]
I really don't like Gluttony, but...they said some things which I can't stop thinking about.
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he'll...kind of take a seat somewhat near douman, clearing a little spot on the ground among the boxes. ]
Do you want to talk about it?
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[Well, if it was anyone else, Douman would've just been gloomy and said nothing, but...]
[They respect Law, immensely, and so, after a moment, they say, quietly:]
I was prepared to throw my life away, you know? To protect everyone else. I didn't...want to pursue any selfish desires.
[And a beat.]
But Gluttony said that if I did that...I would be breaking someone's heart. And now I don't know what to think.
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I remember the two of us talking about that.
[ he had quickly understood what douman was trying to do and didn't talk him out of it but hmm. gluttony, was it? ]
There might as well be someone who would be affected. [ law picks up one of the empty boxes and holds it out in front of him. ] Someone has gotten attached to you and would miss you.
Probably anyway.
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["Probably, anyway". Douman lets out a low huff.]
I've never had anyone...miss me. I just always have assumed people wouldn't. So to hear that, and know who is the one behind that sentiment...I can't dismiss it as easily.
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I know you won't want to hear this but there were people who missed that other side of you after I killed them.
[ he'll flick the box somewhere deeper into the store. ]
People who got upset with me for it.
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[That makes Douman blink, before a frown appears on their face.]
Of course they would. [They scoff.] It wasn't as if...they knew what kind of monster they were. What they were really thinking. They were careful, you know.
[A moment of silence, before they murmur.]
They gave people want they wanted. Of course people would miss that. I-I'm sorry that they...went after you for that.
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[ he'll turn to douman and give them a look. ]
...but that's kind of the point. If people could feel grief for that monster, someone is bound to feel grief for this more likeable version of yourself.
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[Their eyes flicker to meet Law's for a moment, before glancing away. Feeling grief for a monster...it makes them shudder. But if they could feel sad about Limbo, then...]
[Law would be correct.]
I...I don't know. I don't want my existence to perpetuate more evil in the world. But I don't want to...ruin things by leaving, either. But isn't that selfish? That...people want me to stay, and I want to stay because of that. Shouldn't I think of the greater good?
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[ but boy did law vote for the dead clown. he voted for them without a trace of absolution. (which is funny because it was a spite vote that ended up being for a legit killer.) and when douman asks law about the greater good, he'll just shake his head and sigh. ]
I'm the wrong person to talk about the "greater good" with. I'm a pirate and all I've ever cared for is what I want. Pirates aren't good people, you know.
[ always with a reminder of that. maybe "good" pirates exist but they should never be thought of as good people. ]
If you want to continue to exist and somehow believe you could prevent that monster from coming back then I don't see a problem with that. Your situation is beyond my understanding, though.
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[They stare miserably in front of them. It would be nice, yes, to think that they can just avoid their own darkness, and leave things behind. Easier said, than done.]
If I do...if I do...I just worry that if I do slip, nobody will be there to stop me. I can't trust myself. Luca said I should find someone to...keep an eye on me, or something. But would someone take on that burden?
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Someone will.
[ law says so firmly initially. before backing off a bit. ahem. this wasn't about him and he was going to try to keep things objective. ]
If someone cares enough about you they will and something like that won't be seen as a burden. Especially in a place like this; if they've seen both sides and still want to stay, I wouldn't deny them.
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["Someone will".]
[It's hard to believe, but...]
[It's something that Douman wants to believe.]
You think so, Law? I guess...its not like I have much left, being dead.
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[ and he really does. law likes this baby clown after all. ]
If Steven and I— [ no. he's not going to say that. give him a moment as he finds a better way to word it. clearly dying has made things a little more interesting for him. ]
There are stranger things than finding someone who would care for you.
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I'm glad you have Steven.
[They support it! It's very sweet!]
[But strange things, huh...]
I see. I guess there's no harm in...putting things aside and seeing if it works, then. It's not like a chance like this will come again.
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Yeah, same.
[ and he's going to look terribly fond for a hot second before then becoming embarrassed for a moment only to then sweep that under the carpet as fast as he can and go back to frowning.
no dere...do not perceive him. ]
Exactly. [ he'll pick up another empty carton and give it a shake. ] It's not not you're forbidden from enjoying yourself while you can. Well, as long as that enjoyment isn't coming at the cost of others.
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Oh, goodness. [A frown at that last part.] That's the last thing I want. I mean...its strange. In my day, I cast curses. Many for revenge, or to strike back at those who mistreated others, so while someone would benefit from them...someone would suffer, too.
[A sigh.]
Everything has a chance to harm someone. I want to minimize as much damage as I can.
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Isn't that just the cost of being alive? The concept of it.
[ again, law tosses the empty carton further into the store. he doesn't quite understand the idea of cursing someone for revenge but then again most people wouldn't be doing what he was doing either. ]
You're always going to end up hurting someone; at least you have the decency to think about limiting how much damage that you're doing.