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[jojoceanman]

I've been trying to find ways to relax. I'm not really any good at it. Just came back from being at sea for two weeks, isolated from society. It was extremely pleasant.

[ and around this point there some links to show photographs he had taken. all very pleasant... if you ignore the starfish eating a fish at the end. ]

Now I'm back and I find myself lost in society and its stresses. I work 12 hour days and sleep about 6 to 7. Research is my only outlet, my field being in Marine Biology. That and watching too much true crime dramas, but watching serials about betrayal and murder might not be a healthy way of de-stressing. Allegedly.

So I'm fielding suggestions. I'm sure you're all a very calm and collected bunch who can be of help.

[ ... ]

On an unrelated note: fish don't smoke. And never will. Evolution doesn't work that way.

[ callout because that's just one of his recent stresses. ]

Comments

[jojoceanman]

I've been called a stick in the mud, but I like to think I'm not absent-minded. I'm a pleasant person unless someone acts like an idiot. Or intentionally riles me up.

[ "smoking fish." ugh. ]

[ret2go]

I can assure you that I only occasionally act like an idiot!

[jojoceanman]

At least 50% of the time then?

[ret2go]

What? No way! Like ten percent of the time at most, and then only when I'm being tricked by a villain into working in their best interest!

--which doesn't happen nearly as often as you might think!

[jojoceanman]

Ah yes, a classic. Really, those are the worst sort of villains. The ones who think they're doing something good, but are just evil.

[ret2go]

You know, that would actually be a nice change of pace for once. Risky Boots and the Pirate Master were both, like, totally evil and didn't try to hide it.

Even after Risky and I teamed up that one time! Honestly, that just seems rude in retrospect.

[jojoceanman]

Trust me, the unabashed ones are a lot simpler to deal with. [ the ones who try to hide what psychos they are really piss him off. ] There's no honor among thieves though.

[ret2go]

I mean, sorta? But then it turns out that they're all "hahaha! You fool! You thought you were stopping me, but you were actually working towards my plan the whole time!"

That really bites.

[jojoceanman]

Or the ones who go "you thought you had me beaten, but I actually have a secret trump card up my sleeve and you didn't see it coming!"

[ret2go]

Ugh. Those are the worst! And then they totally pull new powers out of nowhere and act like they already had them!

It feels like such a cop-out!

[jojoceanman]

They always want to stretch out the inevitable. Getting beat isn't bad enough, they want to make you go through the ringer to do it. [ he huffs, though faintly amused. ] Things like that are why I stay in the background now, act as support.

[ret2go]

Ohh, so you mean like, you were the main character before, but now you're just a bit player in the spinoff?

Honestly, I don't know who else would really fit the role of "hero" where I'm from, so I can't really retire for now. Bolo's kinda, uh, dense, and Rotty's a zombie...

...maybe Sky?

[jojoceanman]

Retiring from that lifestyle can be relaxing. Takes a lot of stress off, and sometimes the adventures you miss out on are for the better. No one can do a gig like that forever.

[ret2go]

Yeah, but... if I don't defend Scuttle Town, who will?

It's not like there are Guardian Genies around every corner. And the last time they tried hiring a replacement, she was totally up to no good!

[jojoceanman]

[ he grins a little at that. ]

Good grief. You've put a big weight on your shoulders. Well, I suppose at the end, no one can replace "you" and your skills.

[ret2go]

I say that, but it would be a lot easier to have help every now and then!

I mean, I have help. Uncle Mimic, Sky, everyone-- they're good support! But it'd be nice if they just like, punched some pirates every once in a while, you know? We could be a super team!