*nervous wave*

[carmine-eyes.livejournal.com]

Hi. Drabble newbie, here, but I've been lurking for a while, which certain characters seem to interpret as an invitation to move into my brain. Please enjoy my first sacrificial offering. I beg for concrit.

Title: Strong Enough
Rating: G
Word Count: 287
Pairing: light Chaka/Pell
Topic: Dynamic Duo
Quick edit to fix typo and add disclaimer: Not mine.

For as long as she could remember, she would sneak out to watch her guardians spar late at night. Most times Igaram or Terracotta would catch her and send her back to bed. When she did slip past, she always curled up on the edge of the balcony overlooking the courtyard they met in, watching the two soldiers below match each other speed for speed, strike for strike. She may not have understood why they would go out each night, but she did recognize a type of beauty in their motions.

Now, after two years with Baroque Works, Vivi thought she understood.

Unable to sleep, she wandered back out to that balcony; the courtyard was empty. She leaned on the railing, images of feathers and fur and fluttering robes mixing with memories of peacock slashers and baseball bats and instruments-cum-guns, all geared towards the same goal—not perfection, or even becoming the best, but just to be strong enough. Strong enough to leave home, to become an Agent, to save a country.

Strong enough to die.

Her body reacted before her brain, squatting into the shadow of the railing as she caught movement below.

Pell limped into the courtyard, Chaka easily matching his pace. They both looked better, Vivi noticed; Pell was not leaning as heavily against his crutch, and Chaka had lost the drawn look he’d worn the past few days. She watched as Pell laid aside his crutch and faced Chaka for a moment before throwing a soft punch.

It was nowhere near the ease Vivi remembered, but still they matched speed for speed, strike for strike. And when Pell’s leg twisted from under him, Chaka met him before he fell.

More than strong enough.

Comments

[carmine-eyes.livejournal.com]

I hope it's a good sniffle?

And thanks.

:)

[onikotsu.livejournal.com]

Definitely an awwwwwww moment. I liked it.

Re: :)

[carmine-eyes.livejournal.com]

Danke.

[maldoror-gw.livejournal.com]

Oooh, that was very nice ^___^ That last sentence was just a kick to the heart (in a good way). I have a weakness for Chaka/Pell, and that was like candy ^__^

[carmine-eyes.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I also have the Chaka/Pell weakness (it seems common, actually) and the topic seems perfect for them.

[orange-smaug.livejournal.com]

I love this so much, love that it's about Pell and Chaka, love that it's written from Vivi's point of view, love the way you were able to encompass hardships they went through before and during the Alabasta arc and their relief after it finally ended, love it love it love it ♥.

[carmine-eyes.livejournal.com]

Thankees. Honestly, I feel like I should find something else to say, but can you accept a happy-blush at the amount of love expressed?

[pookiesbleubass.livejournal.com]

Nice lil moment with Vivi and Alabasta gang... Been a while since I'd read anything on them so this is a refreshing change for me :D

[carmine-eyes.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'm saddened by lack of Alabasta fic, but almost feel like I'm complaining about the fic that is being posted now that I've been enjoying.

[mipeltaja.livejournal.com]

I love you for this. It's beautiful and has a touch of melancholy to it but it's also sort of happy in a way and, well, I'm a sucker for Alabasta (especially Vivi and Chaka/Pell), basically. *melts away*

[carmine-eyes.livejournal.com]

Icon!

*cough* Thanks. The entire arc felt kinda bittersweet to me, so I'm glad I got that through.

[evil-rociel.livejournal.com]

I love that you wrote about Alabasta characters. A poignant piece, beautifully written.

[carmine-eyes.livejournal.com]

Thankees.

[tucuxi.livejournal.com]

Awwww.

This is a great look at Alabasta after the departure of the Straw Hats. The image of Pell and Chaka sparring even when injured (and the gentleness of it) is very well captured. And the last line rounds it all out.