malnosso | [Locked To Residents Currently in Luceti]

[At four in the afternoon, Bil awoke in a cottage in the orchards. He had slept through the storm, obliviously, even though the weather had raged on outside. He found himself in the company of his healers and protectors. Through them he had discovered what had transpired and had in turn requested a journal. To make out brief message. Though using Trafalgar's journal, he had managed to construct a filter limiting the readers to only those currently within Luceti's enclosure. This alone took him a good ten minutes, requiring the input of passwords and the bypassing of protocols. Quite careful to avoid anyone peeking over his shoulder.

His voice is slow, weary, and raspy. The man is not in good health.]

Well, it seems I've survived. [A raspy coughing fit.] Not for long, I fear. It seems I have many of you to thank for this. I would have never expected it from those who have always hated me. I don't have much longer. [A long pause.] Soon I will have reached the end of my days. My doctors tell me I have little time left. It has been a long time coming, though I did not expect it to happen this way. I can't be sure what will await me when I revive, but arrangements have been made with my allies.

[Another fit of coughing.] I don't have much time left, but if there is something I can offer in payment, I will endeavor to make good on it when I can.

[ooc: True to his word, Bil has less than an hour to live before he will pass away. His conversations will likely be brief, but those who want to speak to him on the journals can do so. Whether anyone is permitted to see him in person will be up to his current caretakers: Trafalgar Law, Chopper, and Nami.

Note: This is during the draft, so he'll only be available to those NOT on the draft. However, once back in Luceti, draftees will be able to read back on the conversations. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Weak as he is, he forms a sort of half smile and a weak chuckle, that goes into coughing before he answers.]

I doubt money will do you any good hear, my dear.

[Law is quiet, thoughtful, and listening, as he makes sure the man is in no pain and as clearheaded as possible for as long as he is with them.

He says nothing quite yet. He will allow Nami to lead off here.

Payment.

Perhaps it's best that the pirates ask about payment. Because in many ways, it is a pirate that understands best the price of all things. Then:]

Besides money. [He's soft and subdued.] What is in the scope of what you would be willing to grant?

Something to help you. I cannot stop the drafts or the experiments. [He coughs again.] But there are other things. Perhaps a way to fight the kidnappings here.

I know. [That he can't stop them. And won't. His actions while in power do speak for themselves.] And a way to stop the droids, especially the new model would be appreciated.

[He knows there would be fail safes involved come time for drafts or whenever the main Organization needed to subdue them. Stopping the kidnappings is only the first step.

We are of like mind, aren't we, Miss Nami? That something needs to be done. That the status quo needs to be changed.

That we need a chance.]

It would certainly ease relations with the Malnosso Organization. ... which is something I would ask for the future of this village if you manage to come back to power - better relations. It's a difficult thing to ask for, I know. Both sides have legitimate reasons to mistrust and even loathe each other, and there have been many misunderstandings and resentments built up over the years. Mending fences won't be easy - there are going to be many setbacks along the way.

But things can't stay like this. It helps no one, wouldn't you agree? Especially given the way things are going.

[The draft. The Third Party in space. All the little hints before. The Malnosso are on the ropes.

So let's talk solutions.]

[There's a weak cough and a faint hint of a smile.]

That's the sort of thinking the organization needs. I don't know what can be done about these new droids. The rogues who sent them after me must be ambitious to upgrade the very droids that have been unchanged for a century. [He goes quiet. Thinking.] They used the original models yesterday, yes?

Both. But the majority were the originals, yes.

If that is the case, then making these new droids must be quite difficult. [Cough.] I will help you stop the originals. These new ones may take time.

[Nodding. Reasonable, and it's a start. That's all he can ask.] Thank you.

...

Will you find a way to let us know when you are safe with your allies on the outside? I realize that might take a while... but it would set a lot of minds at ease to know you're out of danger.

Edited 2012-06-25 22:18 (UTC)

When it is safe, you will all be contacted. I will-- [He goes into a fit of coughing. More violent than before.]

[Nami stays by the wall quietly throughout the conversation, arms still crossed. She shifts her gaze out the window as Bil goes into his violent coughing fit, unwilling to watch.

Money. Hah. Luceti has taught her there are things far more valuable to be had. (...if only because money is worthless. Or she could try buying her way out.) She can already guess the answer, but it doesn't hurt to ask.]

What about access to Shifting technology?

[There's a moment where Bil needs more oxygen from a mask before he can answer. From one of his doctors, probably. After a moment, when he is breathing normally again, he answers.]

I'm afraid that's a line I can't cross.

[No, you would not, Bil. That would give us too much power and control.

But Law says nothing, as they all knew the answer to that one.]

[She nearly lets that go.

Nearly.

This is Nami. She's kinda pissy like that.]

And why not? There are people in this enclosure who are brilliant scientists. If you're so intent on getting us all out of here, why don't you let them weigh in? Why don't we get a better say in our fates here?

They may have their chance yet. The Malnosso is an organization built on trust, my dear. [Some coughing.] When I first arrived, it was decades before I was permitted to learn. Shifting is a dangerous and powerful tool when misused. The people you have here are quite brilliant, I agree. But it is quite the gamble to give that power away.

[... which brings us back to the point of better relations. And why Law asked.

And he's thoughtful.]

Perhaps there can be a compromise and a way to establish that trust. We have brilliant minds and that would be a shame if their talents went to waste. There are many projects being run on the Malnosso's end, no? Some obviously more sensitive than others.

I suggest you choose one of the low risk projects, and find positions that would not be compromising and let our people contribute there. That way they could be well monitored and wouldn't get into anything they shouldn't, while being able to prove they can be trusted with the work they're allowed to have.

Is that a fair proposal?

[It's an extension of the missions concept, no? Why he phrases it that way. That is already accepted and this would only be an expansion of the concept... only on the scientific end.

... and it gets their foot in the door.]

[Nami shuts her mouth and waits for a response to that. Law's just said all she needs to on that point. Of course, Bil did say one thing of curiosity, but that's not on an urgent need to know basis.]

Perhaps. Perhaps. In time.

[He closes his eyes, his breathing becoming a bit more labored. This talk is taking a lot out of him.]

[... and plant a little seed.

The idea is there. Which is the most important part. And there was not outright denial. So he'll think on it.

Very satisfying.]

Here. [He offers the oxygen again.] Just breathe.

[Every instinct of his senses that it won't be long now.]

Edited 2012-06-30 00:03 (UTC)

[His senses aren't the only ones. All at once, Nami realises she'd rather not be in the room when he dies. She doesn't care if it's cowardice-- there's something so very bitter about this.

She stands and heads for the door, glancing back to the man on the bed.]

Thank you.

[She can give him that much. Nami ducks out and leaves the two of them alone.]

[Locked To Residents Currently in Luceti]

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