1st roll, 2nd exposure | Video

[strangeandunusual]

[the feed shows a sunny spot in an alley, just outside the Gibson Girl. Lydia has borrowed one of their tables and set it with an assortment of snacks, fruit, a pile of napkins, a stack of glasses, and a pitcher of their amazing lemonade... but the clear focus of the shot is propped against the alley wall: a giant book that anyone from the Temple party of the Jungle mission will recognize as a retired but unusual tent. She's wearing black jeans with splatters of maroon spray paint, courtesy of her roommate's creativity, and a matching brocade top, with a large, full envelope in her hands. The envelope is 8x10, yellow slashed with red diagonal lines.]

Hi, everybody. I've met most of you, I think, but my name is Lydia Deetz, and I work at the camera shop when I'm not training. I take pictures when I'm out exploring, and when we have parties, and meetings ... pretty much all the time. My friend Fenton made this giant book with his magic as a mistake, but... I want to turn it into a big photo album for all of us, as a record of everything that happens. I have a lot of pictures already, from the first two months I've been here... And some of them are from the other night, so you're all here.

[she pats the envelope]

One of my favorite myths about photography is some people think it steals your soul. Not really, but... It helps keep a memory. And memories are part of our soul, so ... Maybe what it really does is make our souls stronger. If we're going to be doing a lot of fighting and exploring and repairing... We're going to need to be strong. So. Maybe this will help. I'm in the alley by the Gibson Girl, if you want to come and help... Or even if you want to just look at the pictures. Once all the pictures are in, I'll keep it in the lobby of the apartments until I get more.

[an awkward pause as she realizes she has no clue how to end this]

Um. Hope to see some of you?

Comments

[strangeandunusual]

[is she blushing or just suddenly a normal human pallor? yeah. she's totally blushing. a lot.]

I don't know about a celebrity, but ... thank you so much! Of course I'll sign them. In fact - pick one now, your favorite. And you can have it for free. To thank you for promising to be my first customer.

[big_top_boss]

[She's such a good kid. He'd fist fight for her. She's the kind of person that he thinks will go far in the world, and she's also the kind of person that's helping Buggy to make better choices here. Between Lydia and Ace, he's got a real chance of finding his own strength and inner good, instead of relying on trickery to get things done.]

You sure? Of course you're sure, because you know that old Buggy will pay for the rest fabulously! I'm a man of my word! [Sometimes. But in this situation, he means it.] That one, that's gotta be it! [It's himself, of course. But he's just pleased by the picture in general. She really is talented.]

[strangeandunusual]

Okay, this one.

[grinning, she makes a note in her sketchbook to reprint the negative so she can make a new one for the book, then flips the print over and signs it with a flourish: To Buggy: Thanks for being my first and flashiest customer! XO, Lydia. his enthusiasm is touching, especially since they've only just met, and she's still not quite sure what to make of him. she can tell there's good in him, though, and a lot of creativity, and that's the sort of thing they need here. she doesn't want him to lose sight of either, and anything she can do to encourage him - even if it's just taking his picture - she will]

Ta- daaaaa!

[big_top_boss]

Yeah, that's the good stuff! It's gonna go right on my wall when I get back!

[While Buggy isn't the best person in the world, and he's got his share of sins and flaws, this place really is bringing out the best of him. And things like this, moments with people who are good to him without him having to work hard or resort to trickery, does him a world of good.]

[strangeandunusual]

Great!

[an idea strikes, and she catches it before it can run away]

Hey, when you get back ... if Ace is there, see if he wants to go on another trip with me. We could take you out into the jungle, so you can practice your talents. Maybe help fight some Corroded. It'll be a good way to get even better and flashier! I already have camping gear, we'd just need to pick up more food.

[big_top_boss]

I'll ask him! If we can get us all some training in, we'll be an unstoppable flashy team! I'll grab some food too, but I'm warning you, there's never going to be enough with the way that Portgas eats! Gyahaha!