youshidiots | open 🤡 overflow

[ The bedpost itself is sanded, stained, and lacquered to smoothness. By average standards, it's impressive insomuch as the frame has obviously been customized. Buggy's hand rests on a little cross, the shape of the post not wholly unlike a king on a chess board.

Mihawk tilts his head at the question, raising his glass to take another cool sip while he watches the other drift closer - or is that just drift in place thanks to the rum, tethered to the post like some partly deflated party balloon? ]

We'll need a story to publish when we take over the press.

[the bespoke bedposts are absolutely fascinating to him at the moment. he's still paying attention to mihawk, but he can't seem to stop toying with the shape of the cross, as if he could take it off and play with it. gradually, the nervous energy is filtering out from under his skin, gliding on a rising tide of warm liquor, but he's reluctant to leave.

if he's honest with himself, it's because he doesn't want crocodile to catch him while the gangster is still in a bad mood. at the moment, mihawk's chambers seem like the safest place on the island until he wears out his welcome.]

You mean besides the fact that the World Government tried to pin their atrocity on us?

Well, even that much needs formatting. We can't simply just publish "we didn't do that" and leave it there. You do realize that, don't you?

[ He opens one of the newspapers and makes to hand it to Buggy to study, as if perhaps the clown has never beheld one before. ]

That's how much is typically in an issue. I think it'd be amusing to parallel it, if it's possible.

[glaring at him, buggy attempts to snatch the paper out of mihawk's hand.]

Yes, I realize that. But don't tell me you're gonna be submitting pieces for publication.

[ His brows raise a little at that. ]

You don't think I could write an article?

[ Mihawk isn't saying he will, but the fact Buggy seems to be implying he shouldn't is a feather ruffle, albeit one he's trying not to make obvious. ]

I dunno about couldn't. But I'd be real surprised if you did.

[he drinks again, shaking his glass a little at mihawk before he tilts it back. big difference between could and would. leagues, in fact. oceans.]

And I happen to think something like this oughta fall under my supervision. I'm all about the media.

Hence why I bring it to your attention.

[ No one should say he can't be diplomatic... ]

These things are better drafted in stability rather than chaos, don't you think? Once we have our new printing and distribution, we'll want to send things right away, won't we? And we've some time to spare while our forces recover. There's no reason not to say exactly what we want to and look just as good as the World Government.

[ A beat, wherein he realizes his concern would also be Buggy's concern. ]

And remember, we do need to pitch this idea to Crocodile.

[buggy brightens immediately at that; he'd been a little wary, expecting to be shot down for trying to take more than he's given but prepared to make his case. turns out he doesn't have to. god, he loves it when people agree with him.]

Maybe I should go tell him right now. He's making plans already, he'll want to know what we're thinking.

[plus buggy would really love to be able to bring crocodile a good idea.]

Or do we need to draft something first...

We need a plan for taking the facility and to allay possible concerns. Saying we'll draft up a paper in the next few days should be enough.

[ He takes a swig of his glass, the yellow eyes tracking side to side as he reads something distantly - in his mind, rather than apparently. ]

We should have an answer for everything Crocodile might ask. Do you understand that as a concept? Even if he disagrees or has his own ideas, and likely he will, at least we have something to offer. As you said, he'll want to know what we're thinking. We shouldn't sound shallow, now should we?

Yeah, I get it. You don't have to talk to me like I'm stupid...

[he's grumbling to his drink. feel free to ignore him.]

How much of this have you considered already? Because it doesn't seem like you're coming up with this off the top of your head.

If you feel stupid based upon what someone says to you, that's your issue.

[ He's had a few shots of rum by now, so not everything is going to get caught by the filter. There's also the fact he's not scared of Buggy in the least... ]

I've been thinking of some of it since we discussed creating our own paper.

[ Another discussion he's had with Buggy, some time ago. ]

I'm fairly certain of where we should target. Now as to what security awaits us there, I've no idea, nor what it takes to run such a facility. More like as not, we'll want to keep whoever works there on the paper and distribution center alive.

[buggy bristles, and comes very close to derailing the entire conversation just to defend his perception of mihawk's general attitude thanks to the glass and a half of rum that he's gone through already. fortunately, the rum also makes it easier to lose his train of thought before it can carry him someplace annoying.

he recalls the conversation. more specifically, he recalls having his suggestion of cartoons rejected with unnecessary prejudice (because of course he does).]

We could send spies. I have a few people I'd pick for a job like that. Try to get the layout and the day-to-day operations. But shit like that takes time. Do we really have to wait that long to answer an insult like this?

[ One day they're going to get into it for real. Possibly tonight, depending how the rum and the conversation goes. But Mihawk barely cares about how he shoots his mouth off around Buggy on a sober day - it's probably more a question of how much liquor it's going to take to shoot off his. ]

Crocodile may already have them, or someone who can contact someone who knows.

[ That's the asset their underworld crime boss brings to the table besides just sitting behind a desk in judgment.

Mihawk reclines back enough to prop himself up on one hand, the other one musingly swirling his glass over his bare chest. Nevermind this isn't port. ]

What else should we be concerned about?

[although recognizing concerns in advance isn't necessarily one of buggy's strengths, with a little bit of guidance he can certainly manage - although the fact that mihawk expects him to think strategically while working to finish his second glass seems a little like sabotage.]

Um... [he's thinking, but also staring at mihawk's chest. priorities.] Uh, we need to leave people in charge. Not just to hold the place, but to keep it running. But also to hold it. And... maybe an alternative means of resources, in case something happens to the supply chain?

[buggy touches the glass against his temple. the coolness clears his thoughts a little.]

This is such bullshit.

[ Mihawk is mostly just curious to see if Buggy can think ahead. The answer appears to be yes, to some extent. How much is being influenced by him and how much is coming from the alcohol, he doesn't know, but he's mostly satisfied. ]

What is? Planning ahead?

[ He cocks his own head. ]

Do you not stage your own productions?

Sure, yeah, but I get to delegate a lot of shit now, and - that's not what I mean.

[with a melodramatic sigh, buggy throws the last of his rum back and sends one hand to set the glass on the nearest level surface where it can be easily fetched. there's a rattle to the sound of the glass settling; he's riding a rising buzz now.]

Hawky... if you want my ideas, believe me, I've got 'em. But - no offense - I didn't bring my best rum to your room to plan ahead.

[he finally drifts away from the bedpost and approaches mihawk, the same hand floating ahead of him to drift an invitation across his thigh. if mihawk lets him, buggy will slide into his lap.]

I brought it so I can drink it while you tell me how you're gonna kill them.

[ Mihawk catches the hand on his thigh with his free one, seeming to be considering it before its owner slides over him, seemingly effortlessly. How bold this clown is getting. You get a man off in your lap one time...

While he wears a little ~~pout~~ frown, Hawk Eyes doesn't toss Buggy off. A dark brow raises as the other man reveals his intentions. Bloodthirsty, isn't he? In addition to just clearly being thirsty. ]

One pillar at a time, until it all collapses under its own bloat.

[ He lifts his own glass to his lips to take another sip, mostly to just show how nonchalant he is about this entire situation ~~though he isn't, really~~. ]

You do realize that whoever called this shot at us won't likely come to light for some time, much less be present where we're going.

Edited 2024-01-07 01:29 (UTC)

[hearing mihawk say that is incredibly satisfying, and does a little to soothe buggy's wounded pride, but not enough. crocodile is angry, the world government is smug somewhere, shanks might well hear about it and buggy is positive there's something else going on with mihawk besides. he's warm with liquor now, bolder. it makes his eyes narrow.]

Who gives a shit? We need to send a message.

[it also makes him poke a finger into mihawk's chest.]

You don't want me to look stupid in front of everybody either. My reputation is attached to yours.

[you can throw him off your lap but you can't deny the truth!!]

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