Marco @ magicdraft
PLAYER INFORMATIONNAME: CC
AGE: 25
JOURNAL: silverwolfcc
AIM/PLURK/EMAIL: Aim: LittleTigerCC12 / Plurk: silverwolfcc / Email: silverwolfcc@gmail.com
CURRENT CHARACTERS: N/A
CHARACTER INFORMATIONSERIES: One Piece
NAME: Marco | His bounty poster name is "The Phoenix"
RACE: Human / Phoenix
AGE: At least 36, unknown specifically.
CANON POINT: Chapter 590, Whitebeard's funeral
REFERENCES: Marco on the One Piece wiki
GENDER: Male / Male
APPEARANCE: As a human, Marco is tall (6'3" or higher), light-skinned (though he tans easily). His spiky blonde hair coupled with the long face, droopy eyelids and high-arched eyebrows, gives him the appearance of a talking pineapple. Like most pirates in his world, Marco is extremely muscular, though he's still on a lanky side of it, more like a male gymnast or an acrobat than a typical heavy-man look. The droopy eyes belie most intelligence behind them, instead making him look rather bored with life unless he's discussing his family when he lights up with enthusiasm, or on the rare occasion he's actually taken by surprise. Generally however, his face stays in common with the neutral emotional tone, extremely composed, and even when he's joking, nearly always deadpan. It's evident that the pirate isn't fond of shaving given the scruff along his jaw line and chin. Though whether this is to look less like a pineapple or more masculine remains to be seen.
A fan of typical pirate gear, Marco wears a vibrant blue sash, 3/4ths length capri pants, and a loose fitting shirt, sometimes white or black, but more commonly a bright purple -- which is the one he'll have upon arrival. The belt is designed to match his phoenix tail feathers, and the sash is the same vibrant blue as his phoenix flames. He wears high multi-strapped sandals and since he's used to being able to change his feet into phoenix talons on a whim, good luck getting him to even wear socks. He also has an anklet on one leg, similar to the ones many fishman in his world wear.
Most distinguishable is the dark blue tattoo on his chest. It represents his father, the crew he's in, and his nakama, and flag. As such, Marco is loathe to cover it up, he doesn't button his shirts, and even in his phoenix form the tattoo stays. He takes a great deal of pride in it, and even convinces others of his crew mates to get one themselves in order to join the crew in full and show the world where their loyalties lie.
PERSONALITY & HOUSE REQUESTS:
Requesting Gryffindor and Ravenclaw in that order.
Whether the personality draws the perfect devil fruit to it, or the devil fruit shapes the personality, in Marco's world, they are irrevocably intertwined. Though speaking grander on a note of whether nature vs. nurture are more of a deciding factor in someone's personality; the effect that Whitebeard, Marco's adopted father, had on his life cannot be ignored either. However, perhaps most telling are the things Marco is not like at all. For, just as choices are a big theme in the Harry Potter series, they are also heavily emphasized with Marco's family.
If given the choice himself, Marco would choose Gryffindor. Not because they are most like himself, but because they are most like those he admires and wishes to be lie. Marco comes from a huge family of 1600, all of whom were adopted by his father: Whitebeard. Whitebeard's dream was to have a huge family, not to find One Piece or be the biggest and most powerful, but to have a huge loving family that he could adore back. And Marco's dream was to see that come true and protect them. Marco's pirate family is much like the typical idea of a Gryffindor. At one point Whitebeard says he can't help but like rash, well-meaning hotheads, and Marco clearly takes to them the same way as he looked after Luffy throughout the battlefield and befriended Ace (who is about as rash and fiery-tempered as is possible) early on. While not as rash as the rest of his family, Marco is undoubtedly brave and extremely willing to sacrifice himself for his friends and family.
Throughout the battle of Marineford, Marco acted as his father's right-hand man and first mate of the crew (on top of his duties as first division commander), but also spent the entire battle defending Luffy from any major threats against the marine admirals. He dashed straight into battle against them without regard to his own personal safety. As for how selfless that was is a little harder to ascertain, since, as a phoenix, he's able to regenerate, however, he still made it a priority to look after Ace's little brother, knowing how upset Ace would be to lose him. Marco's friends would also all be in Gryffindor. Ace is a hothead with a tendency to get in trouble, but chivalrous, the kind of person who'd go out of his way to rescue even marines (who would be trying to kill Ace) and who sacrificed his life to save his little brother. Marco's other family are also all this way. Whitebeard, his father, sacrificed himself so that Marco and the other family members could get to safety out of the battle, and to his death, Whitebeard was famous for never retreating a step and never taking a scar to his back. Their entire crew is (in)famous for making bold statements and standing up to other crews over things they feel strongly about. Whitebeard claimed fishman island for himself to protect it from slavery (with Marco's help), they took over other islands for the same reasons, and Whitebeard taught his sons to be as accepting of people's differences as he was.
Marco is not generally reckless, he takes time to caution and reason things out when he can afford it; however, at the first sign of his loved ones in severe danger, Marco has been known to throw caution to the wind and even turned his back on a mortal foe. This proved to be a costly mistake in battle as he wound up in cuffs, but the fear of his loved ones dying is a fear particularly common with Gryffindors (Molly Weasley for example.) Likewise, his fierce loyalty to them is show in his tattoo which represents his Pops and flag. Marco has also spent several decades in the company of 1600 boisterously loud drinking pirates. Despite being a phoenix and first mate (and thus seen as a little more aloof, more like a leader than "one of the gang") he was still very comfortable being surrounded and at the thick of their parties. Likewise, he was at his happiest when he was discussing his family in highly affectionate adoring terms.
Marco is not particularly chivalrous, being a pirate and all. He'd dislike being called a hero, and he doesn't like taking stage for power or infamy alone. However, he does have his own sense of conduct, based out of being a good leader, and he takes a liking to strong potential in new kids. He's gone out of his way to protect people, and show them acts of kindness. Though such a thing might be more symptomatic of Hufflpuff, this is Marco's code of chivalry. He dislikes leaving someone to be lonely and believes in befriending them instead. He brought Ace soup and would stay open to conversation, even while Ace was still trying to kill Whitebeard, and it's safe to assume Ace was hardly the first Marco acted that way with, particularly since he tries to warn his other crewmates of upcoming threats or what is going on a regular basis.
A huge part of Marco's code is accepting others. His father was 20 feet tall, and some of his brothers are nearly that height as well. His family in general were a crew of misfits and outcasts and that was specifically why Whitebeard adopted them; so that they could have a place to come home to and feel accepted, and a love father who'd forgive them. Marco also has a fishman brother (much like Herry Potter's merfolk), an okama (crossdresser), and assorted devil fruit users (whom the world at large consider monsters) including himself, not to mention whatever Blameco is supposed to be (he pulls giant hammers out of pockets from his chin, yes really.) As far as Harry Potter terms go, it'd be like claiming a merman, centaur, half-giant, full-giant, house-elf, werewolf, phoenix, and assorted other freaks as all one big family. And generally Gryffindors tend to be the most accepting of oddities like that.
Perhaps one of the strangest methods to determine which house is best; Marco has the most in common with other famous Gryffindors in the things he dislikes and likes! He is incapable of following laws (as a pirate, he was one of the most wanted men in the whole world) and has a mischievous streak a mile wide (like the Weasleys and Marauders.) He's adventurous, and enjoys the unexpected, (he and his family call home to the most diverse insane place in their world) and he believes strongly in people taking paths that differ greatly from the norm. Much like the aforementioned Marauders and twins, Marco is the kind of person who'd be (obsessively) interested in trying to map out all the secret tunnels of Hogwarts in his free time. It's the kind of wonder and magic that abounds all over the Grand Line, and the kind of thing Marco and his family love about their crazy home ocean. Despite being so strongly famous himself, Marco loathes someone who would seek power for power's sake alone. He very strongly believes that strength should be used to protect loved ones. Indeed, most of the Slytherin traits are things Marco despises.
His family was betrayed by insider they trusted; someone they counted as one of their own (much like Pettigrew) when Blackbeard decided to kill one of Marco's best friends for the darkness devil fruit. Which is literally murdering someone who called you a best friend for the sake of power. Marco distrusted people like Shiki who wanted to take over parts of the world to begin with, but after Blackbeard, it's turned completely into hate. Marco doesn't like traditional values as they remind him of the tenryuubito, world nobility, who are allowed to keep slaves, and indeed the only reason there is such a trade still going when all the rest of the world outlawed it. And after Blackbeard hid in wait for several decades, acting as their friend and family always waiting for the perfect time to strike; Marco hates cunning people who pretend and hide their ambition only to use them as stepping stones. It's as antithesis to Marco as it is possible to get, and that is perhaps one of the biggest reasons he himself would be likely to ask the Sorting Hat to put him in Gryffindor. As far as power-hungry goes, Marco only wants to protect his family in the wake of his father's death. Blackbeard wants to become Pirate King; to be the ultimate strongest person in the world, and even killed Whitebeard to steal his devil fruit to step closer to his goal. It's something Marco can never forgive.
Continuing on the theme of Gryffindors Marco shares a lot in common with; Marco's strongest suit would be Transfiguration (much like McGonagall, Dumbledore, and James Potter). In his canon, Marco has exceptional control over his devil fruit. Most zoans (devil fruit users that can turn into an additional species or animal) only have three stages they can transform into: the original, the new species and a hybrid of the two. One character who had years to practice his was able to expand that to 8 transformations, but even then he initially had to use medication for some of them. Marco has limitless options. He's the only known zoan capable of such of control. He can pick and choose which body parts to turn into which aspects (wings, talons, one wing, the chest, his legs, his head) and even has it fine-tuned down to an art where he can conjure up his blue flames (part of his feathers) surrounding human body parts to protect him. This is almost akin to metamorphic abilities in Harry Potter, but as an animagus instead.
Marco is also the type who'd be closely affiliated with Dumbledore and Hagrid. Dumbledore is a lot like his father (and he has a pet phoenix for a best friend) and Charlie Weasley and Hagrid's penchant for animals and mystical creatures is one Marco certainly shares (as Marco is one himself, and comes from the Grand Line where "absurd species" abound and even dinosaurs aren't as extinct as you'd think.) Moreover, Marco has extremely close ties with Fishman Island since it was under their protection and his Pops was best friends with King Neptune. On top of which, despite being merely a tall adult, Marco is surrounded by people three or four times size in his family. To him, that just is his normal life. And befriending outcasts and fringe society members is his thing. Marco also shares a similar sense of humor to more Gryffindors than the others houses -- not just he enjoys watching pranks, but he makes similar jokes to Dumbledore's (in deadpan for Marco) and he's the type to be highly amused with his crew's antics and sometimes join in. Marco's work ethic is much more common to an average Gryffindor's, he wouldn't work himself to death on taking too many classes and trying to memorize all of the textbooks, nor would he be in it for the power. Unlike a Hufflepuff, he's not a hard-worker at all, instead Marco would prefer to relax now and again and enjoy his family's company.
Something Marco has no care for; is bloodlines. One of his best friends was put on trial for something Ace's blood father did, but despite having been a rival of Gol D. Roger (Ace's father) Marco and Whitebeard insisted that the sins of a father do not pass onto the son. Even when Ace ran away and got in trouble, Marco and the others came to get him and save him nonetheless. And Marco places huge emphasis on the adoption of the crew, all while disliking world government nobility for their emphasis on bloodlines, and persecution of people like Ace. Gryffindors are occasionally accused of being flashy and liking attention; and this is fairly true of Marco. While he is otherwise reserved and content blending into the background with his family, he sparkles and makes jet sound effects, and when the battle at Marineford started, he tried to get an early jump on the rest of the crew saying he thought it was his time to shine already.
On more whimsical reasons why Gryffindor is the appropriate house for Marco, it is associated with the element of fire, which as a phoenix, Marco certainly embodies. It is also situated in a tower, and as a phoenix, Marco is fond of towers and high places.
Innately bright like a Ravenclaw, Marco would be much more fitting this house, had he never met Whitebeard and his family. Marco is extremely intelligent, and despite being a pirate (and thus most education would have to be self-taught), well-learned in many aspects. He's one of the most observant characters of all of One Piece, and certainly the most in his crew and enough to rival the more formally trained admirals. He studied tactics under his father and was trusted as being the most responsible and capable of protecting his family after Whitebeard's death; not for his strength (as it's stated that the Whitebeard commanders are about as strong as each other) but because of his ability to pull through during troubles and motivate everyone to stick together. He's best able to protect them because of his head.
Marco is extremely composed most of the time, and even during a battle, he sees it as a perfect opportunity to be witty or clever and make deadpan jokes to his enemies. He is extremely rational and he's creative enough that he can think of new plots and plans on the spot. Throughout the Marineford battle, Marco had to improvise and adjust his strategies, but he did it all without losing his good judgement. When Whitebeard died, Marco family were extremely broken up, he wasn't just their captain, but their father, so it fell to Marco to get everyone out alive. He right away saw to the heart of the problem, and their best solution; what he could use to rally everyone. Ace died protecting his brother Luffy, so Marco swore on the Whitebeard pride that they would see Luffy out safely. This forced everyone to back him up and put their own sorrow at bay until they succeeded. Even fighting against the Admirals, Marco was the sharpest one and always able to see through their feints and bluffs; while steadily making several of his own. Marco was never fighting just his own battles, he kept an eye on the whole war so that he could adjust accordingly and go rescue his family when they needed it.
Ever after the battle, the Elder Stars of the World Government recognized Marco as quite a force to be reckoned with and one of the few people who could possibly stop Blackbeard from taking over the world even though Blackbeard had more power than anyone else in the whole history of the world. Including the power to destroy the world with earthquakes and tsunamis, and an intimate knowledge of everything the Whitebeard pirates did and worked for.
Marco believes strongly in individuality and paving his own way -- though in Marco's case, this had a tendency to be "So long as Pops is going that way too." However he greatly admired Whitebeard for going against the world government, and because Whitebeard was never hesitant to stand up to anyone he had a problem with. Marco himself, carries this on, and has no problem telling people who irritate him to shut up; even when they're one of the 4 strongest pirates in the world. When he realizes he's made a (rare) mistake however, he can instantly own up to it, and instead he tries to fix it as best he can.
Phoenixes in Harry Potter world are called "independent and detached" and "their allegiance is usually hard-won." See more. And here. This certainly seems true in Marco's case; except in that by the canon point we are seeing him after Whitebeard has earned his loyalty. Marco is as loyal to Whitebeard as Fawkes was to Dumbledore. While he's expected to go his own way in protecting the Whitebeard crew after his father's death, while Whitebeard was alive, Marco was his best and most trusted ally. He's often seen at Whitebeard's side, they are of like minds on all things, Marco broke his usually unflappable composure only when Whitebeard was stabbed and again when Whitebeard was injured and coughing up blood. Marco completely adored his father and worked hard to help him at all times.
Perhaps most telling of how Marco helped Whitebeard is everything that went on behind the scenes. As first mate, Marco would have to ensure a decent income or at least "donations" from their islands of supplies. Whitebeard drank a small brewery worth of alcohol nearly daily, and with such a large crew, someone had to keep track of everything. -- And it is not something merely handwaved, as Oda has a made a point to show how it works on the Straw-Hat Crew many times. Marco is very responsible and trustworthy because while the others are focused on fighting, parties, exploring, or the like, he's one who keeps an eye on everything at once, and notices the logical implements for why something is a bad idea.
Marco is perhaps one of most knowledgeable people in the world about the Grand Line, other devil fruits, his own devil fruit he's shown to have exceptional mastery with, and even just other people and tactics. He understands that it's crucial to take time out to talk to "the little guys," and he has a great eye for the potential in people. He also has a good understanding of people and the way they'll specifically act in situations. And despite Blackbeard doing the outright impossible and eating two devil fruit, (which would usually make a person explode) Marco seemed to have a good idea of why that is, and indeed, knows quite a lot about Blackbeard himself.
However, for all his own intelligence, it's not a trait Marco admires in others. To him, the intellect alone is meaningless; much like power, unless it's being used to protect family and friends it doesn't mean much. Having intelligence in no way endears people to Marco (he still dislikes Vegapunk and Sengoku despite the fact that they are both geniuses) and indeed a lot more of the people Marco likes and says he admires would not be considered intellectual at all. Hell, some of his own crewmates are downright idiots for not listening to him. Marco has no special skill with puzzles or riddles (logical or not) and he'd be more apt to get bored by someone feeling the need to challenge him to a battle of wits -- even though during an actual war, he got excited. He has intelligence, but doesn't need to show it. In fact, unless someone knew of his reputation or knew him well in person, they might mistake him for slow-witted or lazy given his deadpan and relaxed nature. Ravenclaws also are far more likely to follow the rules (Marietta Edgecomb for example) -- something which Marco, again, seems fairly incapable of.
For more ridiculous reasons he belongs in Ravenclaw however: Marco loves the color blue (he's a unique blue phoenix), their animal is a bird like him, and they also have a tower.
As I noted before though, perhaps one of the more telling things about where Marco should be are the characteristics he doesn't follow. He loathes and disrespects everything Slytherins represent, and getting in the way of the typical Gryffindor idea of right vs. wrong: Marco has a steadfast belief in vengeance. His crew was once famous for seeking revenge on anyone who hurt their fellow crew members, and their very tattoo was synonymous with it. A betrayal cuts the deepest of all and cannot be forgiven. Marco's strongest trait is his intense overprotective phoenix loyalty to Whitebeard and his family; but unlike Hufflepuffs who do value loyalty, Marco is a giant liar. He doesn't believe in honesty at all. He lies to protect his friends, to ward off annoying discussions, and sometimes just for fun. Nor is he true. And as a pirate, he's not hardworking either, he doesn't play fair, he's impatient and not very down to Earth. So my picks are Gryffindor and Ravenclaw in that order.
COMMUTER DETAILS: N/A
POSITION: Student.
ABILITIES & POWERS: Marco is able to turn himself in a huge, vibrant blue phoenix with continuous flames that only heal and sparkles that... sparkle. Scroll down to Abilities & Powers. His devil fruit gives him limited regeneration and healing, though Oda has said he's saving more specifics for later in the series. He's one of the only 5 devil fruits users capable of flying in the world, and as previously mentioned, he has exceptional control over his devil fruit; completely outclassing all others like him.
In Harry Potter terms this translates neatly into animagus, phoenixes, and intense skill with Transfiguration. The sparkles would be more like a charm that does absolutely nothing. It looks impressive though, and makes for a neat party trick. It also makes him horrible at being able to disguise himself ever, since beyond being a registered animagus, it'd be as something so bright and flashy there isn't even anything else he could pretend to be.
Well experienced in haki, Marco can fight with it to land blows on logia (incorporeal elemental type) devil fruit users, as well as protect himself against someone with extreme amounts like the other admirals or Shanks. In Harry Potter terms; this would be defense against the dark art spells, blocking or resisting charms, and in the case of resisting haki (particularly the sleep kind) it would be akin to occlumency, complete with resisting curses and so forth. Indeed, a lot of Marco's phoenix healing is best compared with that.
A devil fruit power is a curse and so Marco is doomed to be unable to swim and stuck drowning unless a friend or family rescues him. In spite of this, he has extremely close ties with Fishman Island and merfolk in his world for he and his family were in charge of protecting it until Whitebeard's death. One Piece world is full of many mythological or completely unique creatures and animals; from seakings to den den mushi. While predominantly an ocean world, Marco's spent the last few decades in the New World where the creatures get a lot more crazy and special. As a phoenix, he has a unique ability in being disregarded by most humans as even being human, and it gives him a better chance to see the world from a non-human point of view. Marco's family is also made up of extremely tall people (they would be considered giants to wizards in Harry Potter -- even though giants in his world a hundred feet tall) and so he's used to dealing with people with over the top brute strength and who are nearly giants. Marco's also been dealing with all kind of highly powerful people; be it the Pirate King and his crew, fellow pirate emperors (Shanks, Kaidou, Big Mam), royalty (King Neptune) or just regular citizens, and so he's well versed in how to handle them and how they are likely to react in many different situation. All of this would give him a great knack for Care of Magical Creatures; and for dealing with non-humans like centaurs, merfolk, giants, and almost any non-humans. He is still fighting a war against slavery however, so he would be one of the unlikely few to join Hermione in S.P.E.W.
Despite being at least 36 years old (and possibly much older), this is still very young in phoenix years, and he would have a lot to learn and catch up on, not the least of which is relearning how to be an animagus. Because of that I'd like to make him a 5th year in order to give him enough time to relearn enough things to get towards getting a lot of his magic back.
WAND: A blue phoenix feather core of one of Marco's very own feathers makes up the wand core. 11 and 1/16th inches long, because one is an important number to him (first mate, then captain) and he was the first division commander out of 16 divisions. Despite his general height, that length would suit him well because he's used to seeming smaller in the company he keeps, and for all his flashiness, he doesn't have an especially "big" personality per se, since he has no intentions to race toward the end of the Grand Line or do much more than protect his brothers.
Wood is made of Ivy. Marco's birthday is October 6th which falls in the month of ivy for the Celtic wood calendar, which is how J.K. Rowling picked most of the main character's wand woods. Ivy is sometimes used to help heal, and is the symbol of resurrection -- very fitting a phoenix. It's associated with positive ego strength (which Marco easily has enough due to his position, fame, and skills), the color blue (he turns into a blue phoenix and conjures blue flames) and a mute swan. "Ivy has attributes of restraint of fear and dealing with Emotions." -- and Marco is extraordinarily well-composed, resorting to deadpan when he's distressed, and he was the quickest to rebound during the War in Marineford, despite being one of the closest and most scared about Whitebeard. Because ivy grows in spirals, it further continues the rebirth symbolism, and its tenacity in being about to grow up the side of buildings or reach into any cracks represents tenacity, strength, and determination make friends even in the most difficult of places, and spread love, luck and fidelity. -- Traits which fit Marco and phoenixes alike.
The wand is pleasantly springy, and it should be noted, it spirals on end to end so as to seem like an unending ring. The handle end is a lot thicker.
MISC.: In Marco's world they use seagulls for mail (like owls, but more oceanic) and if possible, he'd like one for a pet, if not he'll just use a school owl.
Also, should he graduate, he would be interested in teaching a Care of Magical Creatures: Diplomacy with Magical Nonhumans. He would also like to study Mermish either on his own free time or with help in order to achieve that.
WRITING SAMPLESFIRST PERSON: [Quill]
[There's a neat tidy handwriting that goes with this, a little fluid and almost like the owner is used to writing while rocking on a ship. Assuming you could get all that out of handwriting.] I guess this is a little weird to use this like a den den mushi. Where's the snail, eh? Maybe I'll stick to the owls for a written format. Then again, I suppose there's something conveniently quick about this. [Enough rambling.]
I'm looking for books on Mermaids. Madame Pince seemed to think they were all checked out. Is it true they've never been at risk for slavery? Personal experience from anyone would also be helpful. Thanks in advance.
[And then just as the writing feed ends, a voiced afterthought pops up.] Oh damn! I almost forgot! I also need books on phoenix please!
THIRD PERSON:
"Hero, eh?" Marco scowled and folded up the paper. "I'm no hero." He snorted with derision at the claim that only the righteous were chosen. He definitely wasn't righteous either. "I don't want to be a hero," he childishly scoffed to himself. "Heroes to have share their brothers." Marco didn't care how ridiculous the claim was or not, it was true. Being a hero was for someone like Garp whom all the marines praised and looked up to... even though he was a raving psycho lunatic who nearly helped his grandson get executed and still got fired from his job in the marines. "Hero" was a title for people who didn't have to worry about sacrificing important things like nakama or tattoos "for the good of the public." The word hero was a title to bestow on someone who made a big contribution to mankind just by existing and do what they liked. And being a hero was lousy. The only pay you got was gratitude that was often soon forgotten.
No thanks. Marco would just be a pirate. The freedom was better and then if he wanted to join a sunset to himself or go drinking with his brothers, he could. Heroes couldn't do that, instead they had to go be good role models. Never any fun.
He shivered and for a moment paused in surprise at that fact. He had just shivered. When was the last time he even got cold? Even fighting Aokiji who was made of ice, Marco hadn't been cold. Marco was a phoenix, and fire did not get cold too easily. Still, it was definitely chilly. Were they on a winter island? Just where was Hogwarts anyway? Even if it was a winter island though, he felt colder than even on Wano. He was never this cold. Marco held up a hand and attempted to conjure the healing blue flames to warm him up. Nothing. "The hell?" Marco tried again, this time getting a bit more worried. He clearly wasn't wearing seastone, and wouldn't he feel it more keenly if it was that? Another try and still nothing. Still, it wasn't like his phoenix was gone... just tucked away. Almost sleeping.
Marco scrambled through the nearby belongings and thumbed open the books. Spells? Weirder and weirder. Some sort of magical boot camp for devil fruit users? But he was already good with his, what could they show him? And either way, it certainly gave them no right to seal away his phoenix powers. If they wanted his defense so much, why not just ask? And leave him his ability? Surely he'd be a better fighter that way. The pirate reluctantly put on the warmer clothes -- black... ugh -- and hopped back on his bed to skim through the books better. He picked up the twisted wand and immediately paused. There was a certain familiarity to it. Like it had his own scent, but it was a feeling of warmth instead. He looked down at the wand in his hand and tried to trace the grooves, they were unending, around and around and then just looped over to the other side. The more he held it though, the more a blue light shone at the end. Things just got interesting.