(no subject)

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

Title: Hidden Talents
Rating: G
Word Count: 284
Pairing: ZoUso
Topic: Dancing
Notes: I seem to have forgotten everything I’ve ever learned about proper grammar. And oh is Zoro OOC (I don’t remember the last time I wrote him without some form of snarking involved). And I just noticed that this is slightly similar to chiahume’s Basics. That was unintentional (and I hope she doesn’t mind). I just though that Zoro’s swordsmanship, while not needing the leg strength exactly, would use the balance and coordination that dancing gives. (And why should he stay the only one who hasn't known how to dance?)

A clatter on the deck behind him brought Zoro’s movements to a dead halt. He turned around slowly, hackles raised in readiness in case it was the cook, and let out a mental sigh of relief. Only Usopp, standing there with his art supplies scattered at his feet, staring.

Zoro blinked once, and then reconsidered the sigh. It being Usopp might be much worse than it being the love-cook. Sanji would keep the knowledge to himself, to pull out and rub in during some squabble or another; Zoro would have done the same. It was how they worked. But with Usopp…

The whole ship would know. In a matter of minutes. And there’d be embellishments. Tutus. Or ribbons maybe. And pink. Lots of pink. Except that Usopp wasn’t laughing. Or spouting off lengthy monikers which contained the words dance and king and would impress the hell out of Luffy and Chopper. Or saying anything at all.

He just stared, face void of bravado or fear or delight or any of the other emotions Zoro normally saw there.

And it wasn’t like it was bothering him or anything, but someone ought to say something. “My sensei made me learn. ‘S good for balance and agility.”

At this, Usopp started, seeming to come out of whatever daze he’d been in, and smiled, wistfully. “Mom taught me. Before she got sick.” His smile brightened. “She was magnificent.”

And in a way, it was worse than it being the cook, ‘cause insults came easy. “Did you like it?”

“I loved it, but after she died, I stopped. It wasn’t the same alone.”

“Would you start again? If you had someone to practice with?”

Usopp’s smile approached Luffy-rubber-mouthed-wideness. “Yeah.”

Comments

[lady-karasu.livejournal.com]

So cute! *huggles ficcage* ^_^
On a completely different note- I'm such a perv- because I really felt the need to laugh at this line, no mater how innocent I know it was: Sanji would keep the knowledge to himself, to pull out and rub in during some squabble or another; Zoro would have done the same.

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

Oh thank you!

(And honestly, it wouldn't shock me if everything I wrote ended up having ZoSan undertones.)

[chiahume.livejournal.com]

Ah, that’s cool. Zoro, Lord of the Dance. I like the idea of Zoro and Usopp having something they can share together. Especially something that’s significant to both of them.

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Zoro and Usopp really don't have anything special for just them besides Usopp using Zoro as a human shield, so, I wanted to give them something nice.

(And I really wasn't trying to step on you toes or anything by writing this.)

[chiahume.livejournal.com]

What? No, of course not.

Don’t worry. This is a totally different story. Besides, I really like it. ^___^

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

Oh, good. I wouldn't have worried, normally, but posting it the entry after yours, I didn't want you to think I had yoinked your idea. (And I'm very happy you liked it.)

[fenm.livejournal.com]

Awwwwwwwwwwww... this is really sweet!
And I agree about the leg thing. I think most forms of combat require strength and agility in the whole body, not just the part you actually attack with.
Anyway... Aww... ^_^

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm happy you like.

[fenm.livejournal.com]

Oh, yeah... lovely!

[ghostkotsuzaka.livejournal.com]

wee Usopp/Zoro is love~

anyway... that was good and oddly sweet too.

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

good and oddly sweet I think that's the ZoUso pairing in a nutshell.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

aww - most with the cute! Zoro dreading Usopp's embellishments, hee. (the image of Zoro in a tutu - double hee ^^)

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

the image of Zoro in a tutu - double hee Wouldn't he just look lovely? ^_^

[bluepard.livejournal.com]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. *but now imagining Usopp in a frilly ballgown* My mind is predictable.

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

I was hoping you'd comment, just so I could get that icon.

(With that hair? Usopp'd look pretty in the gown, and better him than Zoro.)

[bluepard.livejournal.com]

*fangirls ZoUso like whoa*

Damn right he'd be pretty. Granted, he'd look like his mom... ^^

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

His mother is where this whole thing started. I was re-reading the Kuro arc, noted once again how gorgeous Usopp's mother is, and got this image of her (not bed-ridden) as a dancer. Plus I figure that's where he gets his artistic abilities from.

[bluepard.livejournal.com]

Yes, much love to Usopp's mum. She's there for all of 5 seconds, yet I'm convinced she rocks.

Man, the mental image of her dancing with child!Usopp is just way too cute.

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

Man, the mental image of her dancing with child!Usopp is just way too cute. Feel free to draw that anytime! There needs to be more fanart of the Straw Hats as children.

[fenm.livejournal.com]

Man, the mental image of her dancing with child!Usopp is just way too cute.

Feel free to draw that anytime! There needs to be more fanart of the Straw Hats as children.

Agreed, on both counts. Anyone who has good drawing skills--please draw this!

[fenm.livejournal.com]

Yes, much love to Usopp's mum. She's there for all of 5 seconds, yet I'm convinced she rocks.

True. She married(?) a pirate, after all. ^_^

Man, the mental image of her dancing with child!Usopp is just way too cute.

...
Kawaii... overload...
(faints from teh cuteness)

[fenm.livejournal.com]

Something else:

And there'd be embellishments. (snip) And pink. Lots of pink.

Hehehehe...

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

Zoro + pink = scary

[fenm.livejournal.com]

Zoro + pink = scary

(nods)
(backs away slowly)

[beanchan.livejournal.com]

That made me feel all warm and squishy inside ^_^

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

That makes me very happy indeed!

[dethorats]

D'awwww! ♥ for you! Somehow Zoro and Usopp gets to me. It's not quite as cuddly as ZoLu or anywhere near as snarky as ZoSan. It's more like Zoro can really be himself (although, as you so astutely pointed out, he must beware of Usopp's creative embellishments of any given situation) and relax and Usopp doesn't have to be quite so defensive. And I agree with everyone else...chibi!Usopp and his mom dancing together is too adorable.

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I've lately become enamored with UsoZo (Actually, your crack fic may have had something to do with it, focusing mainly on Usopp and Zoro so far.) There's just something about them.

It's more like Zoro can really be himself... ...and relax and Usopp doesn't have to be quite so defensive.

And that would be it. Zoro doesn't have to put up a front for Usopp, and I love that, him getting to be himself. And I've always liked the idea that Zoro is secretly artistic (because he just comes off as such a meathead at times), and Usopp would be the perfect one to bring that out.

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And wow, what a lovely comment.

Football players have to take ballet lessons. That actually helped inspire this.

[dethorats]

Well, I had commented on this before, but I just wanted to point a potential spelling issue. You have "sign" twice where perhaps you want "sigh." Not sure if this is the case, but I figured you might want to know.

[sherriaisling.livejournal.com]

Fixed now. And thanks for catching that.