replaying the sonata.

[Jasper Azure Caelum]

Had it been five years since the last time he had been here, the teenager had grown into a full man now, ripe with experience and knowledge of the new world. His wondering self had made it to the likes of the new world and back to this place, a part of his life that he'd never forget. His mind retracing the last of his memories as he made it to the square he had been shot and captured. A feint imprint of a heavy corpse hitting the cobblestone was left, his body knelt down before the mark. The imprint of feathers burned into the stone for the rest of time, telling the story of his brave adventures. Nasin had captured him here with his wit and the force of his troops. Jasper taking his hand against the smooth stone of the archipelago. The years rewinding back to the very moment in his head. Though he didn't desire to think of the harsh moment, moving on down the streets of the busy avenues and boulevards.

To think he had flown down these with the powers he had lost to the sea, his azure wings burning brightly along the twist and turns of rooftops and buildings, keeping him and her protected from every shot of their small guns and rifles. Looking up, he saw the damage of the marines those many years, as tiles had cracked and split apart from the shots. Luckily, he was thought to be dead, with his crew having spread apart and taken their own path in life without his guidance. It was alright, a simple wanderer was a fine exsistance for him. Living each day like it was his last day here, suited Jasper. His blue eyes watching the flow of people around him as he made it to the center courtyard of the small isle.

This was the start of it all, the man taking a moment of silence to recollect the memories, those of the child running into the streets, that of the one Luna finding him and accompanying him into the parlor nearby, dinning on a simple dessert. His stomach aching, as the memory told him the last time he ate. A long time it was, his heart and stomach set on getting something to eat. ' It couldn't hurt right.' the man told himself in his head as he entered the building, it hadn't changed over the years. The simple seats the same, the young couple still running the company. His mind raced as he found the seat that he sat down in before many years ago, taking a seat there once again, save on the side of Luna. He missed the girl, he hadn't seen in her in same time. But being locked up in Marineford as prisoner of the world, and being swept away by the sea did that.

Resting his elbows on the table, crossing them patiently Jasper, lowered the hood on his head. Revealing the handsome young man beneath the crimson attire of his, the waitress walking over to him with a simple smile, the man ordered two orders of vanilla ice cream with strawberry topping. The very same order he made back then, watching her whisp around the restaurant before going behind the counter and making the meal with love. Quickly coming back to him, setting both them in front of him as he thanked her, slowly pushing one to the other side of the tables. The spoon diving into the ivory ice cream, his head down for a moment of 'prayer'. Closing his eyes, remembering the happy moment he spent here before taking the first bite. Jasper smiled, it was delicious.

[EVANGELINE DE IRIS]

The young female bodyguard had locked away and stored her weapons in the hotel nearby; she was sort of on leave of absence. Heck, she did not quite know what to exactly call it. Me time? But, she knew why she had picked this place because of the forest growing out of the ocean and serving as an idea, she wanted to see it for herself. She wore a majestic white and silver coat that flowed around her body but was fascinated in place around her by a few buttons. She felt the wind against her face as it softly wrestled her hair. This was an uncommon practice for the usual semi-cold woman who had chosen to become a bodyguard. And, it was even more uncommon for her to enter a parlor.

She entered the parlor, the bell on the door ringing slightly as she entered. She decided to sit at the counter. Her heels clicking against the floor of the place as she walked into it. Eva at that moment might have seen like any other kind of lady; pristine, pretty and lady-like. However, she was beyond ladylike and beneath the coat that hung across her form her body was scarcely clothed. She seemed to be one of the few people in the place besides a blue haired man (and a couple) who had been brought two ice creams; as if he were waiting for someone. Her sun colored eyes looked over at him dauntingly, almost as if she felt sorry for him.

Eva did not know the past of this place; she herself was like a new flower in bloom however, she could see that there might be something lingering behind the strange man who sat by himself. He indulged in the cold dessert with care and smiled as he took a bite. She watched him, not noticing that she was staring and the older waitress called to her asking what she would like. It took her a brief moment before she looked up, blinking slightly at how she had become lost in what the man was doing. The waitress asked what she would like. "Do you have any unique flavors? Like, something flowery?" she asked her, glancing over at the man again quickly. "If not, I'll have plain vanilla," she said not giving the waitress any time to answer. The waitress walked away to get her order.

Leaning her chin into her hand she continued to look over at the man with observant eyes. After a few moments, she stood up and walked over to the booth that he was sitting at. The vacant seat where the extra ice cream with strawberry on it melting before him. She stood at the edge of the table and looked down at him, she gave him a small smile. "Hi there," her tone was a bit, cool and maybe not as friendly as someone might think. Perhaps due to the years she had been a boydguard; she had to be cool and collective. Socializing wasn't her thing. However, she didn't want to intrude but she felt a bit awkward after just saying hello but she kept quiet, waiting for him to reply.

[Jasper Azure Caelum]

Shortly after his 'treat' arrived the male heard the door open, the arrival of a new guest. The figure drifting from the entrance to the counter, his eyes closed and locked onto the past had left the man not knowing of her observant stare. His thoughts swirling around, as he recalled his long story told in his booth of his own past, how sad that he had wasted such precious time on him telling her such insignificant ideals, though he did remember he own past being explained to him through slow words. Jasper was likely the first one she had opened up to about her teacher, her family, the only one she had. His eyes opened, as he took another bite of his ice cream. The warm strawberry creme filling his mouth, as he looked down the isle to the counter. An odd dressed female ordering something from the teller.

Though he couldn't speak as he wasn't dressed with the typical garb of the archipelago himself. His cloak was once a proud flag woven to his master ship, the emblem of the Blazeblue Pirates imprinted on the back of the outfit that had been made for him. Jasper felt the figure approach him, perhaps the maid with his bill, however he was greeted instead. The women that had came in, standing beside the table. Jasper acknowledged her, a simple response, "hello stranger." with no negativity implied. The young man bringing his eyes to meet her own, on the glance up he inspected the silver attire she wore, this was not from these parts of the Grand Line, who was this women, and what interest did she have in him.

She didn't seem to move, as they let silence fall upon each other, as he lifted his hand, as he offered the seat that he sat in five years ago. "sit if you like." he said looking back down to the other dessert across from him, his thoughts mixed for a moment for the remainder of the sentence came out, "I'm not expecting someone." he told her, explaining the purpose of the large glass holding all the ice cream, "im simply reliving the past." he said, a simple smile laced with pain coming across his face. The facade lasting till he took another bite of his ice cream, his thoughts left on those of Luna, but he wouldn't be rude to his guest. "what brings you to the archipelago?" Jasper asked. The women before him was beautiful, a flower in blossom. But Jasper was trying to chase down the petals of the flower he lost, doing his best to follow the trail.

[EVANGELINE DE IRIS]

Her eyes locked on his as he greeted her seconds after she had said hello, though a bit awkwardly. As she stood there, her hand rested on her side a bit but not like she was impatient or anything. Simply, she just wanted a place to rest it. Tilting her head to the side some as the man's hand offered her a place to sit where there seemed to be an ice cream waiting for someone however he soon said that he wasn't waiting for anyone. It was quite strange which caused the female with powder white hair to arch an eyebrow. She eyed the empty seat across from the man but did not take it.

She took in the man's words as he explained that he was reliving the past; which made the ice cream laid out before the empty seat to make more since in the woman's mind. Perhaps, he had once shared an evening here with someone he loved which was not here. Feeling that she had already intruded she might as well make herself welcome; since the man didn't seem to mind that she joined him or not. Sitting down near the edge of the booth, her legs crossed beneath the table she looked over at the man setting her hands onto the table. Resting them there. They were not soft, but a bit calloused. Where most woman would have long pretty nails, hers were short and natural.

The man then asked her an interesting question. She was trying to figure out why she was here in the first place. What had exactly brought her here of all places and why she had decided to approach the man. She still didn't have an excuse as to why she had approached him, but she wasn't much of one to make up excuses anyways. She didn't lie; she believed in telling the truth even if it was brutal which was probably why at times she could seem so cold. Her blazing orange eyes looked over at the blue haired man as she had almost noticed the bit of pain laced within his smile.

Carefully she stuck a few strands of her loose hair behind her ear as she began to reply, "I suppose you could call it a vacation of sorts.." she said softly. She hadn't really needed a vacation; her job wasn't all that busy and she enjoyed it. Perhaps she was trying to get away from something that was bothering her, giving her some time to think by herself. She had hardly given Hei-Bai notice of her leave. She hoped that he didn't get into any trouble while she was away. She laughed silently at herself at how much she cared for her client even if she didn't readily show it. Actually, she hardly ever did but slowly it was beginning to show to be more apparent. To think a few days ago she had actually tried to talk to him, but they just ended up fighting some people in the arena.

Looking up from her thoughts she gave the man a small smile and tried to find words to say. "I hope I am not intruding on anything..like if you just needed some personal time or something or rather," realizing that she was rambling she looked down, a slight blush upon her porcelain white face though she tried to hide it. Perhaps due to her inability to really socialize was because deep down she was shy though it usually didn't make its way through her usual calm and collective demeanor. She laughed at her self inside her mind and placed her hand firmly on the edge of the table as she was able to stand up, "..I'll just leave," she said, hardly giving him any chance to reply to what she had said about intruding however she stood up rather slowly her head downwards some. If she could hardly talk with this man, how would she ever talk to Hei-Bai.

[Jasper Azure Caelum]

The guest of the Azure Prince took her seat across from him, sitting in her throne akwardly. Jasper brought his attention to this women, she appeared tired, not physically, but mentally. This young girl had something on her mind, not a simple thought either, perhaps someone she missed, or wanted to speak too. Announcing to Jasper that she was here on a vacation, or something of the like. Not the best spot to do so, far into the Grand-Line, but the archipelgo had its own beauty & adventure. Afterall he was drawn back here, why not others.

Though the women got found herself intrusive, as she announced to him that she felt like she had done him wrong, wishing to offer the man personal time to himself as she took up a shade of crimson, emberassed perhaps. Taking a step up from her seat, away from Jasper. The man laughed softly, the girl was simple and foolish. "don't be so hasty girl." he looked up to her, as she looked down to the floor. "if I wanted to left alone, I'd be sulking elsewhere."" he told her, as his hand offered her seat back to her.

Jasper looked down to his finished glass bowl, the spoon swirling at the bottom. "what is bothering you?" Jasper asked her, looking to her. The man didnt seem lost in thought anymore, "other then me giving everyone the creeps." he told her, the man said ajusting the collar of his cloak, his chest now exposed as it split apart. A necklace running down his chest, at the bottom a phoniex with open wings. The feet clutched onto a small piece of fabric, orange in color, a strand of a scarf from years ago.

[EVANGELINE DE IRIS]

The female that was about to walk away from an encounter she had started was about to take a step away from the table and the man. It was a few moments after she had stood up, as if she were waiting for him to actually stop her but what reason would he have for her to stay? They both were lost in their own thoughts, he in his past and her in her feelings. As he said for her to not be so hasty she shifted her head to look over at him, her eyes hiding behind her pale locks of hair. She saw him gesture towards the seat again; and she hesitated to take it.

The man had already finished his bowl of ice cream, the bowl across from him melting even more. The waitress had arrived with the female's ice cream and noticed that she was not at the bar. As she walked over to the table Eva finally decided to sit down again, her eyes staring at the globs of melted ice cream drizzled with strawberries. Before the man asked her a question the waitress set down the girl's ice cream and moved away. This time Eva sat more inside of the booth, leaning against the cushioned board behind her. She looked across at the man. She was a bit surprised by his question. Was it that apparent? She couldn't help but look at the necklace as his cloak drew apart revealing his chest, but most importantly the necklace. It was a strange necklace. And she had to draw her eyes away from it to reply to him.

Leaning back against the back of the seat she looked across the table at the man, ignoring her bowl of ice cream she had ordered. "I'm not good at expressing myself," she began. That was true and that wasn't the extent of what was bothering. If she revealed her feelings; what if the person didn't feel the same and then their relationship became jagged and she didn't want to take that chance. She sighed softly, "you don't give me the creeps, you're a bit intriguing like Hei-Bai," she said, not realizing that her 'boss's' name had slipped. She turned pink for a few seconds.

She twirled the spoon with her fingers as she thought, looking down at bit at her ice cream. She finally took a small bite and then looked up at the man. "How do you break the gap between friend and lover?" she asked him. That wasn't exactly straight to the point since Hei-Bai was also her boss as well as a friend. But, even though he was her boss she cared about him. She wasn't sure he felt the same however.

[Jasper Azure Caelum]

The woman had not left, his insight stopping her, turning around and finding a more comfortable spot in the seat. The woman gave the other ice cream a glance, it was starting to spill across the glass. The eyes of the woman burning against his chest, Jasper looked down to the necklace of his, the simple piece of jewelry meant alot to him, it had the last piece of his lost lover. The girl finding courage in her words, as she told him that she was not very successful at explaining her feelings to others. A common symptom of a new lover, a simple laugh escaping Jasper. "I don't mean to be rude." he grinned, she was innocent to this world wasn't she. His azure eyes lazily watching her stare. "it comes with experience, and even then its not easy." Jasper told her, a small attempt to mend his laugh and a path to a solution for Iris.

This conversation was fun, more so then idle talk with commoners, the two had not even exchanged names, yet maybe it was that magical sensation of seeing someone once that made them speak so easily to one another. She dismissed his words of own faults, telling him that he was much like someone who was called Hei-Bai. "Hei-Bai." an eyebrow lifted up, the name brought back fond memories of blazeblue, and from the ashes of his memory, a young fishman. The man crossed his hands together, so the kid was still alive and kick, good for him, and to have a girl like this interested in him, oh my. Jasper smiled softly, perhaps he wouldn't spoil her fun by telling her that he knew him. Jasper could tell she felt something for him, she was bright red now after slipping up on the name. He spread his hands apart, and moved his glass aside, as she gained her vocal strength to ask him another question.

Personal in its inquiries, as she asked how he had over come his own past, from someone to the one. The sea-dog laughed again, "I was a fool, thats how." he smiled, as he moved his hands behind his back, removing the necklace from his attire, placing it on the table where his glass was before. His fingers extending the chains out on either side, the phoniex in the center, with the orange piece of cloth. "five years ago, i met this girl, at this very exact spot." Jasper began to explain, "I was stupid, a captain of a pirate crew, living life to its potential each day, with a scuffle with marines we had hid in here, and talked, I learned alot about her." he told Iris, the memories replaying in his head, "i told her my ambition, my feelings for the world, and she told me her past, her dreams in life, back then I had the power and strength to change the world, and I would help her do that with my strength." Jasper finished, his fingers running across the cloth.

"though, before we knew it, MARINES were on our tails, and we had to escape, I was wanted, a criminal, and she was innocent, I wasn't going to let her be hurt." he said, the sound of rain outside hitting the glass of the parlor, as if to play to the man's memory. "we fled, i used the powers I was blessed with to protect her, but it wasn't enough, they shot me, they didnt give up, then it happened." Jasper began to adjust his cloak, moving the sleeves down his right shoulder. Through the middle of his flesh, a massive scar was found. "one bullet, made from the stone of the sea, pierced my fiery ambition, and struck me down." despite the wound healing constantly from the devil fruits powers back then, the wound looked terrible, the sea stone would scar him forever. "with the last of my strength, I made it as far as I could, and released her." he closed his eyes, his hands pulling the collar back up with his sleeves.

What Jasper wouldn't tell Iris, was it was in that moment, he had lost her, the moment he broke his own heart to save the one he had just met, the one he feel for from appearance alone. "she made it out safely, they never caught her face, she was a mystery to them, save one piece of evidence I took from her at the last moment." Jasper finished, "her orange scarf, this is the last piece of it I have." the sea and Marineford cells weren't as kind to keeping the cloth, this was the piece he was able to keep hidden away from the MARINES and the sea. The process of loosing his devil fruit, and being left out to sea to drown had swept what he had left. Now he could only retrace these steps in his memories to find her. "you break the gap, by just believing in yourself! Not in the you that I see, not in the you that your peers believe in, have faith in yourself.. that believes in you."

The ice cream beside him, that belonged to him was simple goop now, nothing to it but crimson and ivory swirling together, however he had questions for her. "tell me bout him." Jasper asked, "you cant hide everything, even if you don't say it, your body betrays you." he said lifting his spoon to her, pointing at her cheeks, still bright from when she had said her 'lovers' name.

[EVANGELINE DE IRIS]

Even though Eva had looked at the man's necklace, she had overlooked many features of it not having the knowledge about what it symbolized for the blue haired man. She looked over at him as he started to give her a solution. It wasn't about experience, though she hadn't felt 'love' before, but it was more so that she was rather straight forward and had a cool demeanor. She saw the man's eyebrow arch up as he repeated Hei-Bai's name; it sort of gave her a sensation that he knew him or had heard his name. However, to all her knowledge he was only repeating a name that meant something to the woman before him. Nothing more, nothing less.

Her eyes wandered across the man's facial features as he began to explain to her about his story; giving some insight to her that would probably answer her question in the end. Her eyes watched intently as he removed the red necklace from around his neck, placing it on the table in front of him. Eva sat there intently listening. She began to feel a bit uplifted by the man's story; he seemed so brave, so full of passion as he described his story to her. Her eyes moved downwards to his arm as he revealed the scar that he gained in the scuffle with the marines. Her lips turned into a small frown as she looked over at the once-have been captain of blazblue. She took a double take however of the orange scarf that was attached to the necklace he had placed on the table. She stared at it for awhile before lifting her own orange eyes up, they seemed to be a lighter shade. They were usually a orange-red color but seemed to be more orange than anything.

At first she seemed a bit lost, a bit struck by the man's last words. Feeling shy, confused all at the same time. She placed her hand to her chest some, "what if I don't believe in myself.." she said, looking up at him from beneath her white bangs that covered her forehead. Her eyes were hiding behind her silver locks. She hadn't really been living for herself. She had been saved by Hei-Bai when she was younger and took up the position as his Bodyguard. In reality, she'd been living for him. At the time of when she had been saved, she had believed in Hei-Bai-san. She hadn't believed in herself because she had felt so weak then. But, now that had changed, yet she still didn't believe in her own capabilities. She felt as locked up as she had been then. She lowered her gaze until the blue-fared man asked her a simple quesiton.

She was struck by the question, her eyes instantly looking up from her own worries and struggles. And, for the first time in year she stumbled on her own words. "A-a-about Hei-Bai?" she asked him, her expression lost. She then stared at the spoon as he pointed it at her, making her lose her control over her feelings; she was usually so collected and calm, hardly ever letting her feelings affect her. Usually only when she was around Hei-Bai but even then she controlled herself. "Um.. I don't know. I mean, if you really want to know. Not like you know him or anything. You've spilled out a lot of yourself. I suppose I should do the same." though she rarely ever told anyone about herself; not even really Hei-Bai either which was why she feared he didn't feel the same.

She looked down at the table at her ice cream but didn't feel like eating it, she had her hands placed on the table in front of her. "he's actually my boss.. I protect him like he once did for me. I suppose I've always had feelings for him, ever since he saved me," her hands folded together on the table as she recalled that day. "I guess I'm afraid.. that he felt pity for me on that day three years ago," she said, still staring down.

Lifting her eyes up, she had a lingering question for the azure haired man before her. She stated things quite plainly, hardly any emotions coming through but as she spoke about Hei-Bai they would be more apparent than before but she still remained a bit distant. "have you found her?" she asked him, her eyes lighting up a bit. though, how he talked all nostalgic and all. It seemed like he hadn't found her, she was after all not here sitting across from him enjoying an ice cream. "I'm sorry.. that wasn't something I should have asked." it was probably her hopefulness about his situation that made her ask it. At first it hadn't occurred to her that he hadn't seen her since then. She wondered if he was still searching for her.. if so she envied him. She wasn't even brave enough to tell someone her feelings about them.