[ . . . ok better]

Did you lose to giant crocodiles.

Like hell I did! I would have kicked that thing's ass myself if I wasn't locked up!

[-SHIT]

[and now he's on the couch

clutching his stomach as he cracks up]

Locked up by giant crocodiles! What kind of pirates...!!

IT WASN'T BY THEM!!! HOW THE HELL COULD A CROCODILE LOCK SOMEONE UP?!?!?!

Then how'd you get locked up, Z? Tell me I'm wrong!

How the hell should I know?! Not like I got a full movie about it!

Maybe if you scream about it enough you'll remember!

[WHAT LOGIC]

HOW THE HELL DOES THAT WORK?!

I dunno, jog the same memory enough times and get more context? Have you ever tried?

No. Have you?

Sure. It's about a fifty-fifty shot.

Wait. What memory were you trying so hard to get back? Thought you were one of the ones who wanted to leave that stuff behind.

[first of all, he was lying]

It's less wanting to leave it behind but more that it doesn't matter what I remember - I'm still me.

[in every lifetime, he's still just baren]

[after everyhing, it's nice to know they've still got the same views. or similar ones, at least.]

Whatever. I'm not repeating anything to remember that. It's not important.

That's boring.

[bitch bitch bitch]

I already told you that prick kicked the crocodile. Be happy with that.

He told me that he kicked the crocodile, actually.

[a wave of his hand]

C'mon Z, you're really gonna let Sanj tell me better stories?

[don't do this, baren]

All I remember is being locked up and that asshole kicking an animal. It's not like it's all that exciting.

[what other details were there? the room was flooding?? his captain was there??]

It's not like it's another kung fu giraffe or something.

The kung fu giraffe is pretty stupid.

[point.

okay he seems pretty appeased even if he got his laugh out of something else]

Mentioned that off-handedly to Sanj too and didn't get anything. Nothing from the reindeer either. Maybe I need to make him watch Rudolph or something.

That's how I remembered him.

[zoro's regains are ridiculous.]

He didn't remember anything when I said everyone's names either. Maybe he's too stupid to get memories.

[could you be more childish zoro]

That coming from you...

[fascinating.

that said baren's getting tired of sitting around?? and just hanging out while zoro is working out??? So.]

Hey is it dark out enough to go drag racing?

Nah. [but. he grins, grabbing a towel and wiping off sweat.]

Dark enough to go scare some of the racers, though.

[time to visit their garages and claim they owe him stuff. they probably do this periodically.]

Then hurry up before I leave without you, smelly.

[wow baren loves lying and hustling, be still his heart]