Event || Imprisonment

[melodiesmods]

Characters: Luffy, Yuffie, Yuna (OU) and Rikku.
Where: Heran Research Center.
When: 22nd January - 24th February
Summary: The Heroes of Light who were captured during the past event are now prisoner in this research facility. This post is for them to thread the scenes they want, according to the schedule.
Warning: Horror, science experiments, torture.

Comments

Day 1 - Open To All [Meet and greet]

[thegreatninja]

She didn't remember much. She had gone out on her own, which was dumb. She knew it was dumb and it was what landed her here. She remembered shouting either Ramza or Tifa? Had they made it? Were they able to protect the city?

It was cold in the cell and her limbs ached when she tried to move. Her eyes cracked open, her vision slowly clearing with each steady breath. She lifted herself feeling lighter without her blade or the items that usually weighed in her pockets. Her hand flew to the hidden pocket looking for the white materia that she coveted. It was gone.

How could this happen?

She still wore her chain necklace as well as her shorts and tank she had been wearing during the fight. Her eyes glanced around taking in the sight of the small cell. Luffy laid within arms reach and she absently wondered how he had gotten here. She slowly rose bringing herself to the bars and peeking down the long hall.

"Hello?" Guards stood watch but they didn't seem to move after Yuffie's greeting.

Re: Day 1 - Open To All [Meet and greet]

[gomu_ningen]

The young pirate had been sitting up straight, looking at the wall marred with stains of red paint when the ninja of his crew awoke. He doesn't utter a word, aware and knowing that she's finally coming to, then hearing her speak as she approached the bars of the cell.

Knuckles, fresh and open from the repeated punches he'd struck to the wall, cause him only a slight discomfort. They cause him to wince before speaking, the slightest clench of his fists a reminder of the predicament they were now both in.

"No use talkin' to 'em. They'll just tell you to shut up."

[grandsummon]

There was a twitch -- or maybe it was more of a wince. The first thing that Yuna could note was the dull ache in the side of her head, and when she pushed up off of the ground, the rest of her injuries made themselves known too. When he eyes finally opened, she didn't recognize the area, and as it came more into focus, a wave of dread started to wash over her.

Bars, cement... this was! Oh no! A slightly panic started to sink in as she searched the room, finally seeing the brightly coloured shape of her cousin. "Rikku!" her voice was strained the first time, barely above a whisper. She made it to her knees first, reaching out for the other girl and shaking her, her voice becoming clearer, carrying over the silence. "Rikku! Can you hear me!"

First Taken - Open to anyone[Yuffie's always Loud]

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie had been almost asleep and very grumpy when the guard opened the door to her and Luffy's cell. Her head popped up and she quickly scrabbled from her bed so that she was facing the soldiers. Their were a few of them outside of the cell and they were pointing at her as they quietly spoke to one another.

She glanced towards Luffy who was still asleep on the bottom bed. The solider took her arm and began to drag her from the cell.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Her fingers clawed at their grip but it did nothing in her weakened state and of course they didn't answer her.

( reaction! )

[grandsummon]

When Yuna had first heard the shuffling of the guards, it made her uneasy. It wasn't a meal time, she was certain, so why would they be... The sound of the cell next door opening was what prompted her to lift her head quickly, catching sight of the guards, trying to make out what they were doing.

Yuffie's voice alarmed her first of the possibility, the very real looking possibility -- that they were taking her out. Pushing herself up from the bed, a sinking feeling made itself known in her chest as she went to the bars, trying to get a better sense of what was happening. They were really taking her away! There was no way this was good, what were they planning to do to her?! Yuna's grip on the bars tightened, her knuckles turning white the harder she squeezed. "Yu... Yuffie!" she called, finding her voice. "Don't-- don't lose hope..."

( reaction! )

[victorix]

Rikku had been stretching against the wall when the commotion started, one of the few ways she could fight the atrophy of muscles without burning too much energy on their limited food. Her gut tightened as she watched her fellow captive get pried from the adjoining cell. With each day they had been left alone, she hoped it might mean they would be kept as a bargaining tool.

Pops had warned her of some of the things that might happen if she found herself in enemy hands. But the most important part... "Frydajan rybbahc Rikku, cdyo ymeja. Cdyo ymeja, yht fa femm veht oui."

So where are you now, old man?

Quick footsteps found her next to her cousin, she wanted to scream at the guards, tell them to pick on someone their own size...but she did not know this enemy well enough yet, what if they punished her outcry by hurting Yunie? She watched Yuffie get dragged away, in fear for the girl, wishing she could offer more than her sympathy.

25 JAN | DAY VIII ( open )

[grandsummon]

It was hard to get comfortable on the paper-thin mattress, if it could even be called that. Not that Yuna was getting much sleep these days, anyway. Laying in the silence she wondered if it was night or morning... days were starting to run together. She'd tried to keep a count at first, but it was getting more difficult to tell when one etch in the wall was supposed to end, and the other was supposed to start.

"..."

her voice was a low whisper, not wanting to disturb any of the others in case they had drifted off, although she was sure that at least her cousin would be having a restless night, too.

" ? ... ..."

25 JAN | DAY VIII ( open )

[victorix]

Surely they had calculated the hours out all wrong. Time was all wrong - she was sure of it! They had to have been there more like a fortnight. It felt like a millennium, but no way was it just over a week.

Staying still was a special kind of torment for Rikku, it took every ounce of willpower to keep from pacing. Concerned looks from Yuna helped stop her from wearing paths into their cell floor, although grumbled commands from Auron would have been far more effective.

At the sound of her name, blonde tendrils spilled over the top bunk, followed quickly by the thief's face as she hung upsidown. When her cousin continued in a language that was familiar in cadence but whose meaning was lost to the native Al Bhed, Rikku's expression shifted to utter confusion. "Yunie, yna oui bnyoehk?"

25 JAN | DAY VIII ( open )

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie had heard those in the cell next to her talking but she couldn't understand it. Maybe she was still to tired? Her body was still covered with little pink scars from when she had been taken away from the cell. She didn't know what was going to happen next but there was no sense in worrying about it while they were stuck in here.

She spent more time trying to stop Luffy from hurting himself than finding a way to escape for these cells. Maybe if she was taken away again she could see what the layout was again.

"Nani?" She leaned against the wall with her knees pulled to her chest. "Luffy..Anata wa sore o kikun?"

27 JAN | DAY X ( closed ) 1/2

[grandsummon]

Somehow, she just knew. When she heard those footsteps, those heavy, hurried steps coming towards the cell block, she knew that they would be coming for her this time. When the guards stopped in front of her and Rikku's shared confines, she looked up at them only briefly, then away while they opened the door with a grating creak... and two imperialists entered, each scooping her up underneath an arm. Two more stood at the ready just in case the pair intended to try anything...

But Yuna didn't make a sound. She didn't fight against them, either. After seeing Yuffie taken and finally brought back, the summoner had had a terrible sinking feeling ever since... As she felt them lift her to her feet, they dragged her forward and out of the cell, her slow steps annoying them enough to pull her forward off of her own weight, rather than allowing her to walk. There was one last glance over her shoulder back towards her cousin... Don't worry... I'll be fine. Even if -- she wasn't so sure of it herself.

...

She heard her own groan first, finally coming to in the unfamiliar room. Once things finally started to come into focus, she was able to make out the closest figure in a lab coat... a woman... what was that name tag? Kalki...

There was a request, more of a demand really, from her. One that didn't quite make sense at first, when it reached Yuna's ears. Maybe it was still the grogginess of just having come around but she couldn't understand the words at first. "I... what?" she had to ask, wondering if somehow the language was lost on her again, just like a few days ago... but this time, she definitely heard what it was they wanted from her.

"Summon... Valefor?" an aeon she had not seen or communicated with since landing in Crystallis? Surely this woman would know it was impossible, and aside from that... "You want me... to just do as you say?" Slowly, Yuna shook her head to the side, which also helped to clear out some of the lingering cobwebs. She had no idea why the woman wanted her to summon, but the way that she insisted -- somehow hinted that she was sure the call would be answered. "Even... if I were to listen to you, there's still no guarantee you'll let us go, is there!" it wasn't a question, these people wanted them here for a purpose -- what exactly that purpose was wasn't yet clear, but it left a sour taste in her mouth, even worse than the food they'd been given the last few days.

There were more words, threats? A deal? Yuna was having a hard time focusing and listening to the woman's demands... as the cogs in her mind began to turn. "All right..." she finally agreed, "I'll... I'll summon..." she was weak, lack of sleep and proper nutrients were starting to take their toll. As her staff was finally handed to her, she felt her own hands tremble as she took it in her grip. Looking down at it, it felt somehow... different. Like her powers, even the ones long left behind in Spira -- laid dormant within her once again.

For the first time since coming to the prison, Yuna felt a surge of energy, of hope. Looking up at the woman, her captor, the summoner's brow furrowed downwards, defiantly. This is what you wanted, isn't it? A powerful aeon... Spreading her arms wide, a warm feeling welled up from deep within, as a glyph appeared -- though not from below, as it would have if Valefor was called, no, instead, the glyph shone from above... "Bahamut!" she cried.

2/2 ( open: for reaction )

[grandsummon]

The power was welling up inside of her, she could feel her connection as strong as ever to the king of dragons as he appeared, sounding a roar loud enough to shake the walls as he landed behind her. Yuna didn't waste a moment, he'd come -- she knew that he would be able to preform the next attack by that alone. "Mega Flare!"

There was a cry -- but not one she expected to hear. Instead of the great gathering of energy she had expected, there was a screech, and as she turned slowly, eyes wide as they finally peered over her shoulder, her blood ran cold. Spinning on her heel, the brunette lost her balance, dropping to her knees as the colour drained from her face.

Mighty Bahamut cried out in pain, the pyreflies that made up its body shifting and changing, his deep rich colouring becoming something twisted instead. The aeon writhed in pain, his limbs contorting grotesquely -- before finally keeling over with one last, gasping agonal breath... and disappeared.

Yuna's mouth was locked open in a silent scream, nothing but a guttural sort of noise coming somewhere in the depths of her -- as a steady stream of tears ran down her cheeks. She thought she'd had it... really believed. She didn't move at all, even when the guards in the room moved to lift her harshly up to her feet. They dragged her by their own strength back down the twisting hallways all the way to the cell she shared with her cousin.

When the door opened, they tossed her inside without a word, and she fell forward onto her face, lifting herself slowly as her hair hung in her face. The cell was locked behind her, and off went the guards, just another day on the job. Yuna didn't look up. She knew that Rikku would be right there, and held up a hand to stop her cousin from coming to her aid.

The mage stumbled to her feet eventually, hair still obscuring a good look at her face, but not even that was necessary to see that the girl was very much not all right. Slowly, deliberately, she walked to the darkest corner of the cell, and faced the wall, just wanting to be alone so that she could... !! But the tears were coming, there was no stopping it. Even though both hands pressed against her open mouth, the sobs still made the quietest of sounds, well into the night...

( reaction )

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie had seen her face as they pulled her back into the cell. She knew that look and could only imagine what sort of trail they put the girl through. She hugged her chest her scars almost completely gone from her first night taken. After the first time it was like each day brought the worry that it might happen again. She didn't want to be broken.

She knew she could say something. Offer some comfort but instead she turned away and faced the wall curling up on her bed.

2/2 ( open: for reaction )

[victorix]

A gasp sounded when Yuna hit the floor, quick footprints halted suddenly at the held up hand. Rikku jerked back as if she had been struck, closing her eyes tight. Once again, she’d failed as a Guardian. She hugged her arms to her chest, hands cupping towards her chin – it didn’t make her feel near as secure as it used to, with her weapons long gone.

When her cousin retreated to the corner, sorrow was replaced with anger and the blonde rushed at the bars in a fury, grabbing them and screaming at the current guard crew. “What did you do to her you cowards! Let me out of here I’ll rip your throats out with my teeth! Afraid? You would be you Sin Spawn licking, festering pile of…of…of, shoopuf poo!”

At the guards non reaction, Rikku rested her head between the bars, eventually slipping to sit on the cool floor. She did the only thing she could for now, and watched over her cousin in the confines of their prison.

Dream Night - Feb 6th [Open]

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie tossed and turned as the imagines invaded her sleep. She felt her heart race as she watched through Kalki's eyes. It was strange suddenly being on the other side of the experiment but it still wasn't fun. She felt her own fear rise as she watched the little moogle be turned away.

Her eyes snapped open as the crystal turned to black and shattered. She felt suddenly vulnerable which wasn't a feeling the ninja enjoyed. Her breath fell heavily from her lips as she looked around the cell. It looked the same as before, neither day nor night. Maybe being in here was finally getting to her.

"Anyone awake?" Yuffie's voice was groggy but it was loud enough to be heard.

Re: Dream Night - Feb 6th [Open]

[victorix]

Rikku woke with a start, rubbing the sweat from her brow irritably. It took a moment to remember where she was, and at that her irritation grew. How dare she have nightmares in this cube! Dreams were the only escape. She dipped her head over the bunk - a habit now, to check on her cousin. Feeling uneasy and all around gross after the nightmare, there was a time Rikku would have pounced the former summoner awake for company and to calm down, but she would not do that here. Yuna needed her rest. Yunie...hadn't been the same.

At Yuffie's voice Rikku perked up, looking around as if she would see the woman before her sleepy brain made sense of things. In a quiet voice, "Yeah?"

[grandsummon]

Yuna hadn't been sleeping much since that day. What day? Days were running together even more than they had before, and the small ticks on Yuna's beside wall had gone neglected, so time was becoming even more tricky within the walls. Sleep wasn't taking any pity on her either, and she had laid awake for the duration of the night so far. It was true, she had been quieter than usual, but the last little while seemed to be coming around, coming to terms with the reality of the aeonicide she'd taken part in.

Her eyes flicked upwards lazily as the blonde head popped into view, and sat up, having heard the girl one cell over as well. "I'm awake, too..."

8 DAY XXII (open for reaction)

[victorix]

Rikku was laying in the rickety bunk, staring up at the ceiling of the cell that stole the sky from her when they finally came. At the demand to come down, the former thief lithely slipped to the floor and sprang between the guards and Yuna, blocking any protest from the former mage. A tight hug was thrown around her cousin---just in case, before the girl turned away and stumbled after her captors, the cell door slamming shut with a resounding finality.

---

Take steadying breaths. Count backwards from ten. Count backwards from 100. Remember something happy and don’t let go, don’t...She tried to recall all the techniques she’d learned. They sounded especially hollow. One of them was to not let them see you afraid, her heart felt like it was beating out of her chest --- they couldn’t hear that could they? She turned to one of the guards, “So, you pick up girls with all your sexy manly torture stories?…ufff.” Rubbing at the sore spot where the man had cuffed her, Rikku frowned at the guard that towered above her…then froze completely at the lab that came into view.

---

Clover eyes widened as all pretenses at a brave façade were tossed aside. She screamed in pure horror, the sound echoing down the corridors to the cells of her fellow captors. She fought with all her might, kicking screaming and clawing, it was the same. Every last detail. This room was the same as the dream. Was it just them playing with her brain more or was it more than a dream? Because…because not only had he died, they’d said they had done something to that Hero’s world.

Spira…

“Please! No!” For all her spirit, there was little Rikku could offer armored guards in her weakened state but nuisance. The sound of her screams cut off suddenly after they dragged her into the lab and the reinforced doors closed with a hiss.

FEB 9 | DAY XXIII ( closed )

[grandsummon]

Rikku hadn't come back that night. Yuna's mind had raced well into the night with scenario after scenario that they might have been putting the girl through, every part of her from the inside out was twisting and turning on the unforgiving mattress she laid on. Her back was to the door when she finally heard it click open, expecting to see the other girl being shoved back inside.

Sitting up abruptly on her bed, Yuna looked them over -- what did they want? Why were they looking at her like that? Lifting her at the arms again, there was no communication from them at all as she was rushed down the corridors, the way to the lab not stricken yet from her mind. When they were finally inside, they released the girl from her grip, with a familiar looking crystal shoved back towards her.

When some instructions were barked at her, the summoner didn't hear, or maybe believe them at first, asking with a confused, "What?" as once again, she was prompted to take the crystal, which was forced towards her again. It didn't matter what they said, something about fighting -- because when Yuna looked up this time, the form of her cousin finally caught her eye. Rikku... she said silently, a pleading look in her eyes to know that the other girl was all right.

FEB 9 | DAY XXIII ( closed )

[victorix]

There lies a mess of machina strewn about the lab, a guard lies contorted over the table used for experimentations. He – or she, their face fried beyond recognition, stares through melted eyes. Rikku stands with her back turned away, her posture uncharacteristically upright.

At the sound of the door opening, she turns on her heels, completely familiar and yet completely alien eyes meet the Summoner’s without a hint of recognition. At the sound of Yuna’s voice, Rikku – splattered with blood from the departed that did not make it out of the room in time, slips into battle stance.

A half breath later, and she leaps into the air, enhanced strength swoops her up as though on wings, in the moment a thought passes the creature inhabiting Rikku is aiming down with a fierce punch.

Feb 14th - Luffy x Yuffie (Closed)

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie was the sort to develop crushes, usually unrequited that were obvious and unhealthy. Even as she aged that didn't really change and she'd never been serious with anyone in the past or at least no one had been serious with her. When she saw the heart shaped cake and remembered the month they were taken it was easy to piece together what day it was.

She took the cake and walked over towards Luffy. He was sleeping which was the state she usually found the lanky pirate in. She let out a slow breath walking over to her bed and placing the cake on it for safe keeping before walking back over to wake Luffy up.

Yuffie leaned over and blew into his face. “Luuuu- Ffy~” She smiled stepping back in case an arm flew her way. “Wake up! I have something to show you.”

Re: Feb 14th - Luffy x Yuffie (Closed)

[gomu_ningen]

Luffy doesn't stir, simply remaining still as sleep has taken him and kept him in more of a hibernated state than one where he'd be up and leaping. Eyes flutter, but only barely enough to note that he registers the presence over his shoulder.

A gentle snore follows after, eyes clenching tighter and he shifts to turn his back to her while dreams keep him from returning to the waking world.

Feb 14th - Luffy x Yuffie (Closed)

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie lets out a little huff of annoyance at the boy’s motionless sleeping form. She didn’t know what it might take to wake him and she wanted to show him this. It was something small but it was something she wanted to share with the thick headed captain. It’s true that they have fought more than ever but it wasn’t her fault. She wasn’t the one punching the wall for no good reason. It’s not like she was about to give up either. They just needed a plan.

She shook her head tearing herself from her thoughts and pinched Luffy’s cheeks. “WAKE UP SLEEPY HEAD!” She pronounced each word dragging out the syllables as she spoke. She shook his head back and forth until finally letting go.

“Come on! I have something to show you.”

Feb 16th - 17th Yuffie x Luffy (Closed)

[thegreatninja]

It had been so long since she had been taken. The others had been taken away several times before her and each time a guard came she dreaded knowing what might happen next. Waiting felt worse than being taken and she was tired of never knowing what was going to happen. She heard the cell door open and slowly rose from her bed. Luffy was asleep on his cot snoring softly and ignorant to the guards who motioned for Yuffie to come with them. She took a deep breath not wanting to wake her captain. He's suffered enough and she wanted to protect him, even if it was just with this. She walked quietly from the cell her eyes glued to the floor as they moved her along.

She didn't know what to expect but her eyes darted around the hallway as they moved. The guards lead her into a small-ish room which was different from the large room they had tossed her in before. There was a metal table in the middle of the room with sterilized equipment around it. She didn't have time to inspect further; the guards grabbed her roughly and hoisted her on the table. She kicked suddenly terrified. The guards grabbed her feet and lashed her to the cold table with thick leather bands. She struggled but it only made her tied her down tighter.

Yuffie could hear the sounds of those around her shifting and moving. Metal scratching on metal as they rolled their gear into place. She could only see the bright light overhead which blinded her even as she tried to squint to see.

“Is she secure?” A voice echoed nearby.

A thin voice answered. “Yes.”

That voice again. “Let's begin.” Was it Kalki?

Yuffie swallowed a cry as a sharp needle pierced her arm. Her shoulder and wrist were bound and she couldn't move as they inserted the needle into her. Her heart raced frantically while her mind tried to make sense of what they were doing to her. The injection sight ached but it was more of a surprise than anything else. There was a quiet moment of confusion her eyes trying to focus even as the bright light blinded her.

Then she felt the pain. It started in her arm as the poison dripped and filled her veins. It burned like every nerve ending had been grated raw and then set on fire. The agony began to spread through her petite body until she could feel it in every single nerve. Screams cried from her lips as the poison took hold, her crystal trying to mend her body as the deadly serum continued to eat away at her. She could feel every moment of it and it never lessened as if those nerve endings were stripped only to be healed and stripped again. The sensation was overwhelming. She felt her heart slowing only to frantically speed up once more latching onto the slimmest chance for life. She didn't know how long it would last but after minutes it felt endless.

Her cries softened, her throat soar from her constant shouts until she could only silently sob. Dry tears rolled down her cheeks never knowing when the pain might finally end. Her heart began to slow again and she prayed.

Please, let me die.

Only for her crystal to pull her back. Each second felt like hours as her crystal struggled to keep her alive. She endured for two days before her crystal finally let her die.

-----

Physically, he was fine now. They crystal had mended her as if the poison never entered her body but she still felt it as she walked back to her cell. The faded pain left a scar across her memory and just the thought of it made her body shake uncontrollably. Yuffie had thought she knew what it meant to live through pain but she hadn’t, not until now. She was thankful that no one else had to suffer like that.

She stepped into the cell not looking at Luffy or acknowledging that he was there. Yuffie crawled into her bed and lay still wishing that she would have truly died in that room. Should Luffy try and speak to her, he will be greeted with silence. Not a single sarcastic remark, not shouting nor yelling. She wanted to be left alone with her thoughts sorting out everything that she thought she knew was true. It might have just been minutes or maybe hours or days but the guards returned their eyes set on her.

Yuffie stood her body beginning to shake violently at the sight of the soldiers. She wrapped her arms around her torso. “No.” The word came out as a soft whisper only audible by Luffy who stood nearby.

Re: Feb 16th - 17th Yuffie x Luffy (Closed)

[gomu_ningen]

As always, Luffy had kept to himself due to the previous weeks resulting in nothing but angered words from the young ninja. His blind optimism had finally reached a head with her, despite the numerous times he promised her that he'd set them free. Laying atop his bed, he doesn't move a muscle or so much as make a sound when she crawls towards her bed. In moments like this, Luffy had never been one to interfere or speak up when things had reached such a low point. Times like this needed to be met with silence, giving time to those hearts which needed mending lest they truly need a hand to help repair the damage that had been done. He knows Yuffie to be strong, he knows her to be a sleeping tiger in adversity, otherwise he'd never had asked her to join his crew. Somewhere within the struggle and the turmoil was a beast clawing at the obstacles before them, the sounds of her defiance muffled by their entrapment inside of the cell.

Time would tell, and unravel a web of strength and resolve that Yuffie herself would be surprised by. With this in mind, he keeps to himself, waiting for the right moment for when he is needed.

It is only when he hears the guards come back to their cell that his eyes open, the silent protest of his nakama now the last thing his temper can bear. He rises from the bed like the wind, coming to his feet as he stands before the wounded ninja with his arms wide in front of her. He knows not her fate or the purpose in which they seek to enact upon her, but what he does know is that she no longer is their guinea pig, not while he is around to say so.

His lips go stiff, sealed together like nailed boards while the ferocity in his eyes do the talking. The soldiers are mere grunts, men holding fast to weapons when the iron-clad willpower of the pirate before them would sooner parish than crumble to their tactics. When they stop, the pirate lowers his head with a grin, a single thumb coming to jab at his own chest as he finally speaks.

"Oi, oi.. She's not yours to take any more. You want to play tricks with some one, then it's me you're taking." The men laugh, chortling at Luffy's proposal, until their jeers are cut short by gasps. Unseen to the girl behind him, the cause for such reaction is lost to rumors. Perhaps some day when rumors speak of it, listeners might be privy to the exaggerate tales of how Luffy's aura grew beyond the ceiling of the cell, or how his eyes slaughtered the confidence and courage with a piercing glare. Either way, whatever it was that Luffy had upon his face or the presence he imposed, the guards stutter before giving a reluctant agreement.

He turns on his heels, facing Yuffie as a hand rises to the top of his head. The shoddy hat of straw that he was known for wearing is lifted, plucked from the crown of his head and put atop her own. It's not quite the right size, slipping down and knocking against the tips of her ears as the worn hat now resides upon her thoughts and worries.

"Watch it for me. I'll need it when I get back."

Feb 16th - 17th Yuffie x Luffy (Closed)

[thegreatninja]

Yuffie looked up as he placed the hat upon her head. Her arms relaxed enough for a single hand to weakly press at the hats brim. She wanted to cry, to release the pressure that has been building up within her tiny frame. “Luffy..” For a moment she was stunned but then her hands began to tremble and her face contorted into an expression more akin to panic.

“You can’t! You don’t know what they will do to you! It’s awful. I can’t let you do that it’s…” Her voice caught in her throat and she lowered her head using his hat as a shield. She’s had hours to think about it, to remember it and she didn’t want that to happen to him as well. She hadn’t even known how long the agony had truly last and she hadn’t wanted to ask. She couldn’t stop the tremble in her hands or the pain in her voice. “They will slowly kill you.. in the most painful way.. until your body finally gives out.” Her voice broke but sheltered behind his hat it grew strength.

“Please don’t go. Don’t make me responsible for you to feel this way too. I..” She looked up then tears threatening to spill from her eyes. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”