The Taming of the Dragon | By : mimi22 Category: +M to R > One Piece Views: 2448 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece and I don't make any money for writing this story. |
Chapter 2 – First encounter
Zoro's online experience was, to put it mildly, limited. To be fair, his elderly neighbor down the hall probably knew more about online dating than he knew about email. He hadn't even tried forums or social networking before and he was completely unfamiliar with the slang, but he could tell charming from obnoxious. Before he had a chance to properly inspect the place, he'd been assaulted by a horde of horny losers out to get fresh meat (and by 'meat' they probably meant... something Zoro really didn't want to ponder upon). The young man had gotten more than his fair share of lewd proposals for the night and was about to leave the damned pervert nest for good (he took a moment to picture a very painful death for a certain old degenerate who lured him into this den of debauchery), when an unexpected message caught his interest. Despite his ridiculous nickname, this prince guy seemed quite promising.
'How interesting, I have found myself a dragon to slay!
Zoro decided he could spare a few extra minutes to figure out if the guy had more than just his smartass introduction to offer. He pondered a few moments considering his approach, but eventually decided to just go with the flow and see where it gets him. It wasn't like he would ever meet the guy again.
[GreenDragon: LOL, that's a funny coincidence. :D However, I assure you I'm not such an easy target, Mr. Hero in Shining Armor.], Zoro chuckled.
Fortunately, Mihawk was considerate enough to mail him a crash course in internet acronyms and emoticons the other day (the older man actually called it an "idiot's guide", but who cared about the details?). Overcoming his initial annoyance, Zoro had the sense to scan it once before venturing into the "fabulous world of gay internet" (again, Mihawk's choice of words).
[MrPrince: And why do you so easily assume I'm wearing one? :P], the answer almost instantly popped. Why that shameless bastard... Zoro grinned, considering the implications.
[GreenDragon: You should be careful around mythical beasts, Your Highness. You wouldn't want to end up getting burned. :D], the young man cheekily advised.
He was handling those smiley thingies like a real pro now, wasn't he? Mihawk would be proud...
[MrPrince: I don't require an armor to take you on, beast. My blade is more than enough for an overgrown lizard such as yourself.], the reply came.
Zoro couldn't resist such an obvious challenge – he would win this... whatever it was.
[GreenDragon: So, you think you've got what it takes to cut my head off, Mr. Prince?]
[MrPrince: Oh, so you've only got one? Poor, unendowed dragon... :P], came the annoying reply.
Zoro glared at the screen, incapable to convey his exasperation into words.
[GreenDragon: One head is enough for the likes of you.], he typed in a rush, and regretted it the very second he hit the return key.
Wait, shit, what if...? The perv probably hinted at the other 'head'... Zoro's face flushed in embarrassment. Real smart answer, Zoro, you've practically just boasted yourself a eunuch. Why couldn't he equip his stupid dragon properly? – wait, why did he get sucked into this troublesome conversation in the first place? Too late to back down now, I refuse to act like a coward. If I'm about to have my ass handed to me, then it's my own damn fault. Mid-facepalm, Prince's window flashed mockingly.
[MrPrince: That green little head of yours doesn't sound very appealing – and I'm not really interested in decapitations. I was thinking more along the lines of impaling you... with my big royal sword. :P]
Zoro's face was so red, he almost expected steam to come out of his nostrils – quite fitting, considering his reptilian alias. While nothing explicit had been said, the man was pretty sure this was far from an innocent role-playing confrontation. MrPrince was one confident bastard who knew exactly how to taunt him, and Zoro found it increasingly difficult to pretend he didn't enjoy the ride.
He could almost picture his mysterious companion, smirking provocatively, dominating and stimulating him with every new line. Zoro wondered if the other guy felt as thrilled and aroused as he did. Yeah right, he's probably laughing his ass off at my expense... Was it even normal to get this worked up after exchanging a few insinuations with a stranger over the internet? Mihawk was probably right.. Not that I'd tell him, but I guess I really do need to get laid. I'm acting like a hormonal teen all of a sudden.
"Quit thinking it to death and just give it a chance," Mihawk had advised when he voiced his reluctance about the whole thing. The older guy was on to something, perhaps it wasn't such a bad idea to let himself go and have some fun. Now if he could just come up with some smart reply to get him back in the game...
[GreenDragon: You wouldn't stand a chance. I would devour you and your puny little sword in an instant.], Zoro finally typed. He was losing confidence in his ability to come up with witty double entendres. If he kept serving such clumsy replies, Prince might as well think him a worthless, inexperienced noob – Which you are, Zoro boy!, a little voice buzzed in the back of his mind, but that wasn't the point, damn it!
[MrPrince: I believe my tongue would be talented enough to distract you, as I thrust my blade through the soft flesh of your backside. Repeatedly. :P], the screen displayed, mocking his earlier burst silently.
[GreenDragon: All your bravado would vanish in front of my mighty blazes. You will be begging for mercy when my expertly wielded flames lick every inch of your fragile human body.]
Zoro felt incredibly lame after writing that. What the fuck has gotten into me?, he mentally slapped himself. Noticing his incredulous state of arousal, Zoro decided he wasn't really the only one to blame for his previous slip. After all, it wasn't him who introduced tongues and thrusting into the conversation.
[MrPrince: Wow, that sounds hot.]
Really? Hot – because they're flames... he's mocking me again... Zoro briefly wondered if his unimaginative burst finally killed Prince's mood.
[GreenDragon: You mean that literally...], he was at a loss for words without the other man's lead.
[MrPrince: Oh, not just literally.:P But what happened? You seem to be having a hard time there.]
Interesting choice of words, Zoro squirmed in his chair, trying to ignore his tented pants.
[GreenDragon:That's one way of putting it.]
[MrPrince: Are we getting to uncharted territory here? If it makes you uncomfortable, fell free to stop me at any time.]
[GreenDragon: I really don't mind exploring, but I don't seem to rise to the occasion.], he decided to play the honesty card.
[MrPrince: Shit, I must be getting rusty.]
Great, Zoro, you've been looking for double entendres all night, and now that you find one, you misuse it!
[GreenDragon: No, I didn't mean that kind of rising – you were great with that... It's me who was lame.], he admitted defeat.
[MrPrince: Oh, not at all, things were getting quite heated on my side as well. :P]
[GreenDragon: Well, sorry I ruined the mood.]
[MrPrince: It's only ruined if you want it to be. My mood is just fine. ;) But we should probably drop the role-playing act.]
[GreenDragon: So does that mean Prince Charming admitted his defeat in front of the mighty dragon?], he taunted, all the while thankful for Prince's consideration.
[MrPrince: Don't get me wrong, that was nowhere near me admitting defeat. Actually, that was me sparing your life and I believe you should be thankful for it. :P]
[GreenDragon: I appreciate it. So what next?]
[MrPrince: How about a date? Wouldn't you rather be wined and dined before inviting me up for coffee? :P]
[GreenDragon: I don't care much for fancy dinners, but I wouldn't mind the wine. No promises on the coffee, though. :D]
[MrPrince: So, you're new around here, right? Don't remember seeing you before.]
[GreenDragon: Actually, it's the first time I'm trying a chatroom... Just testing the waters so far, I'm not sure this is really my thing.]
[MrPrince: And you're straight out into the heavy stuff, huh? First chatroom and you managed to pick up a hardcore one. ROFL =))]
Zoro had to look ROFL up (in Mihawk's idiot guide, of course) and silently cursed as he located it. He really couldn't remember all that internet slang...Why couldn't people just use proper words?
[GreenDragon: I guess I'm just lucky...], his pained reply came. Mihawk, you son of a bitch, you really did send me to a pervert nest!
[MrPrince: I assume you were properly greeted by our lovely trolls upon joining. :))]
Zoro was happy the guy had no love for those idiots.
[GreenDragon: Your assumption is quite correct. I was in the middle of deciding to get the hell out of here when you contacted me.], he confessed.
[MrPrince: I'm glad I convinced you to stay... I believe you're doing great, so far. :P], the man on the other end wrote.
What the hell is that supposed to mean, anyway? Zoro wondered. Is that sort of conversation the norm around this place?
[GreenDragon: I don't really know what I'm doing. I just went with the flow back there. I must admit it was getting a little heated.]
[MrPrince: Hmm... I guess that's the whole purpose of this chatroom. Although most of the people here have no style.]
[GreenDragon: So you're used to doing this sort of thing?], Zoro wasn't really surprised to learn.
[MrPrince: You're saying it like it's something bad... Why are you here, then?]
[GreenDragon: I don't know... A friend told me I should take a look. I had no idea what to expect. Why do you come here?], the young man wanted to know.
[MrPrince: I like talking to strangers, I find it quite relaxing. I steer clear of freaks, of course... But I do enjoy some playful conversation after a stressful day. Not really getting the chance to do it in real life at the moment.]
So he's just feeling lonely... Zoro sighed. But to act like that 'outside'...
[GreenDragon: I don't think I'd be able to pull something like that off in real life. I could barely handle it here.]
[MrPrince: Should I infer that the mighty GreenDragon is actually an inexperienced young boy who can't even handle something as simple as flirting?], Zoro felt his cheeks getting heated once again.
[GreenDragon:You make it sound so pathetic... So what if I were?], he cursed his honesty a second after pressing the return key. Well, what good in playing macho when I suck at it?, the young man resigned himself.
[MrPrince: I'd find it really cute and heartwarming. And also really hope you're not underage. ;)]
Cute and heartwarming? Zoro figured his face would be better off staying permanently red, 'cause he was getting tired from all the blushing.
[GreenDragon: Trust me, 'cute' and I can't even share the same sentence. And I'm not a kid, I just...don't know how to approach people that easily.], the swordsman felt a face-palm would be appropriate considering the circumstances.
[MrPrince: I think many people would be interested if you made an effort to get closer to them. You seem fun to hang out with. Maybe just a little shy?]
[GreenDragon: I'm just used to doing stuff on my own. Training takes up most of my day, and it doesn't leave much time for anything other than sleep. So it's not really because I'm shy...], Zoro lied.
[MrPrince: Training, huh? I assume it's an individual sport, since you don't really give the impression of a team player... I doubt it's anything trendy, most likely something you've been doing since you were a kid. Perhaps swimming, athletics or some martial art? Am I anywhere near?]
Zoro couldn't believe how close the man could get with so little information. Any chance he actually knows me in real life and is just messing around? He pushed the uncomfortable thought away, he didn't need to deal with paranoia right now.
[GreenDragon: Can't believe you narrowed it down so much. I practice kendo – it's a Japanese style of fencing.], he admitted.
[MrPrince: I guess I just read between the lines. So martial arts? I'm sort of a martial arts enthusiast myself. Tell me more about it!]
Wow, that's the first time someone actually wants to know more about what I do. The man's genuine interest exhilarated Zoro, and from that point on the conversation just flowed naturally, with Prince's more outgoing personality balancing the swordsman's taciturn one. His companion encouraged him to talk about his passion for kendo and even pressed him for details – unlike most people he knew, who just dismissed him as a 'swords freak'. He learned, in turn, that MrPrince practiced martial arts himself (taekwondo and a French style of kick-boxing called savate), although his greatest passion was cooking. They were the same age, had similar backgrounds, and while their ambitions were very different (Prince was striving to become a world-class chef), they were just as dedicated to their respective goals. Zoro could hardly believe his luck – they had so many things in common, connected so easily, and were already chatting like old friends. It was almost too good to be true. Not only had they met on his very first try at online socializing, but it actually happened in Mihawk's perv-infested chatroom. There was the small inconvenience of never getting to meet the man in person, though Zoro was certain he wouldn't be able to communicate so openly face to face, so perhaps it was for the best.
xXxXx
The hours flew so quickly, Zoro hadn't even noticed it was already three in the morning by the time Prince finally announced it was time to retire.
[MrPrince: I really hope this wasn't just a one time thing. I'd love to pick up where we left next time. :)]
Zoro sighed, considering the offer – he'd like that, sure, but wouldn't it interfere with his training? He'd have to push himself twice as hard the next day to make up for the lost time. In spite of it, he hadn't felt any remorse for skipping training that evening, and that was a completely new feeling. He never allowed anything to hamper his progress before – but could an innocent chat every once in a while be considered hampering?
[GreenDragon: Sure, why not? But...perhaps we should try and make it shorter in the future? I don't think I can spend so much time online on a regular basis.]
[MrPrince: Don't worry, this was an exception for me too. An hour a day is usually my limit.]
[GreenDragon: See you tomorrow, then?]
[MrPrince: Same time, same place. ;)]
xXxXx
The young man stretched and headed for a quick shower before going to bed. Overall, he was left with a great, though slightly overwhelming impression of the whole experience. On a whim, he picked up his discarded phone before lying down and was surprised to see no less than six unread text messages flashing impatiently on the screen. What the fuck? And from three hours ago? Heh, I guess I was too caught up to notice...
It was Mihawk.
10:18 p.m. "Hey, dragon-boy, still there?"
10:43 p.m. "I can see you online, found anyone interesting?"
10:44 p.m. "So you're ignoring me now?"
11:26 p.m. "You forgot to log out, right?"
11:51 p.m. "I'm heading to bed."
11:55 p.m. "Just say something, damn it! Now I'm too curious to go to sleep."
Zoro smiled as he placed the phone back on his nightstand. He'll tell him tomorrow. Maybe.
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